What Should You Do Before the Storm?

Hurricane season starts this Sunday, June 1. Doing some home repair and improvements ahead of time could save you a lot of money and work later.

• Clear gutters of debris every month to keep water from overflowing and damaging the outside of your home
• Check for compromised areas on your roof and have them repaired as soon as possible, to prevent future leaks and damage from high winds
• Install hurricane straps, gables, and end brackets or braces to the roof of the home
• Paint the outside of the home. Getting rid of peeling and blistering paint can help prevent wood rot
• Trim trees and shrubs that are close to your home so they will be less likely to cause damage during a storm
• Remove anything from the yard that can become flying debris and bring it indoors or into the garage. Items such as barbecue grills and bicycles. 

If you are remodeling your home this summer you should take these tips into consideration:

• If you are replacing windows make sure they are an impact-resistant system window or that you install impact-resistant shutters
• When replacing doors make sure entry doors have at least 3 hinges, have a dead bolt security lock that is at least one inch long and the door frame is securely anchored to wall framing
• Patio doors are susceptible to wind damage so they should be made out of a combination of glass and plastic, laminated glass, or have a laminated glazing on the glass and be covered by shutters or plywood if there is a hurricane threat
• If your garage door is 8 ft or more wide you should install metal or wood stiffeners to give it support during high winds

Do not forget to have a storm kit ready ahead of time that includes copies of important documents and paperwork, keeping them in a sealed, water proof container/bag. Your storm kit should also include water, non perishable food (enough for at least 3 days), personal hygiene items, medications, first aid kit, clothing, shoes, bedding, flashlights, radio, batteries, manual can opener and eating utensils. 

If a storm does cause damage to your home remember Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc. is available 24/7. With five state licenses PRS can remodel your home and restore belongings damaged by water, fire, soot, wind and mold. All you have to do is call PRS at 727-NO-WATER, and leave the rest to them. 

Getting Rid of Odors in Your Home

With the temperature and humidity rising have you noticed new and unpleasant odors in your home? We have all experienced this problem at one time or another. However the cause of the problem is just as important as it being taken care of properly.

The first step is to determine the original location of the odor. Sometimes it's as easy as a leaky trash bag, bad food in the cupboard, or damp towels in the bathroom. Once the odor causing culprit is found removing it from your home then cleaning and disinfecting the area should help resolve the offensive smells. When cleaning you should not leave any areas wet or damp. You should always make sure all surfaces are dry as soon as possible.

Sometimes it's not always that easy and just masking a persistent odor is not good for you or your home because the real underlying problem could be causing damage in more areas than you know. Odors caused by damp clothing or possessions that are placed in poorly ventilated areas are prime targets for mold contamination. Mold can start to grow within 24-72 hours. It can get into your clothing, shoes, wallpaper, walls, carpet, furniture and building supports. It is important to take care of mold promptly and properly to prevent it from spreading. Mold spores can travel through the air and go throughout your home. The spores can also cause people to have allergic reactions.

If you have mold in your home you should contact a professional to get the problem assessed and eliminated. Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc. can help you. You can call 727-NO-WATER or visit us on the web at www.prs24hr.com. PRS of Tampa Bay, Inc. is licensed and insured to fully eliminate and restore your home from mold damage. PRS can pack-out your clothing, clean, disinfect and restore them as well as remove the mold from your home and surroundings.

The Esporta Wash System cleans and disinfects soft contents that were impacted with water damage by using hydraulic pressure and eco-friendly, biodegradable detergents. Dry ice blasting is a non-abrasive method that can remove mold from hard structural surfaces without damaging their texture. PRS of Tampa Bay, Inc. is not only licensed in all aspects of mold but they area also a licensed building contractor and home inspector. PRS can remove damaged walls and remodel your home from the ground up. PRS is equipped with state of the art technology to properly dry out your home and they can provide proof that all moisture has been removed from interior walls and areas that are not visible to the eye using thermal imaging software.

Summer and Fire Safety

Summer  is fast approaching.  We all look forward to cookouts, picnics, 4th of July celebrations, and vacation with family.  Unfortunately, fire hazards are of a great concern during this time of year.

Approximately 3,400 Americans die and over 17,500 are injured each year due to fires. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in home cooking fires. Two-thirds (67%) of home cooking fires started with the ignition of food or other cooking materials. According to the U. S. Fire Administration/FEMA, 57% of all grill fires occur in the months of May-August and 65% of all injuries reported in 2011 occurred in a 30 day period surrounding 4th of July.

Barbeque safety tips:

• Before using a grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line. Make sure the venturi tubes - where the air and gas mix - are not blocked.
• Do not overfill the propane tank.
• Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a barbecue.  Clothing is the item first ignited in less than 1% of  fires, but account for 16% of the cooking fire deaths.
• Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because the flame can flashback up into the container and explode.
• Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately. Supervise children around outdoor grills.
• Dispose of hot coals properly - douse them with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.
• Never grill/barbecue in enclosed areas - carbon monoxide could be produced.

A special study done by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in 2011 showed  fireworks were involved in an estimated 9,600 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments. In that year,  fireworks caused an estimated 17,800 reported fires, including 1,200 total structure fires, 400 vehicle fires, and 16,300 outside and other fires. These fires resulted in an estimated eight reported civilian deaths, 40 civilian injuries and $32 million in direct property damage. Did you know sparklers burn at 2000 F and out of all the injuries caused by fireworks 45% of them are children under the age of 15 yrs.The best defense against fire is prevention, but in the event of a fire knowing the right steps could stop injury and severe property damage from occurring.

• Have all purpose fire extinguishers available for use. Teach everyone in your home how to use one.
• Install dual action detectors in your home that can sense fumes as well as smoke, changing the batteries at least twice a year.
• Have an escape plan that includes a safe meeting place
• Have fire drills.
• Make sure everyone knows to Stop, Drop and Roll in case a piece of clothing does catch fire.
• Everyone in your home should know how to call 911 or your local emergency number

Unfortunately fires do happen. If a fire should cause damage to your home and you are ready to repair contact PRS at  727-NO-WATER, or www.PRS24hr.com. Being a licensed contractor we are the "one stop shop" for home repairs and remodeling. PRS specializes in water removal, soot and fire damage, and mold mitigation and remediation.

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/holiday-seasonal/summer.shtm

Do You Have Bed Bugs?

Did you know the bed bug can produce up to three generations within it's one year life span? Bed bugs feed by sucking blood from animals and humans. They are most active at night, biting exposed skin such as your shoulders, hands, arms, legs and back. They leave flat, red, itchy marks usually in a row on the skin. They are a flat insect about the size of an apple seed, which is about 5mm-7mm long. The adults are a dark tan or brown/red colors (after feeding) and the nymphs, which are the immature bedbugs, are a pale color or bright red, (after feeding). They are often mistaken for other types of non flying insects like ticks or small cockroaches. Their size makes it extremely difficult to get rid of them. They are able to hide in the cracks of wicker furniture and walls, on textiles including upholstered furniture, and edges of carpet, but are most commonly found on mattresses, box springs and bed frames. Other places bed bugs can be found is in the corners or bureau drawers, on curtains, and in cracks in wall paper. Surprisingly bed bugs can also be found in vacant homes because they can go for months without feeding.

Bed bugs have been found all over the world. In the 1940's the use of the pesticide DDT in the United States greatly reduced the outbreak, though they were and still are found in areas where there is poor sanitation. Lately there has been an increase in the spread of bed bugs due to immigration, travelers going abroad, and where there are crowded living conditions. Because they can hide in clothing and get into suitcases there has been an outbreak over the years and most recently noticed in hotels, movie theatres, public transportation, shelters and other places where people congregate.

Did you know that because they are a living organism they can adapt and become immune to pesticides? But they cannot become immune to extreme heat. They prefer temperatures between 70 degrees - 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures that reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit and above will kill adults, nymphs, and bed bug eggs. Most of the conventional steam cleaners that say they can get rid of bed bugs reach temperatures up to 240 degrees Fahrenheit. When trying to get rid of bed bugs you need to make sure you get all of the areas where they can hide. Seal cracks around outlets and in wall, check behind pictures and do not forget to treat the curtains.

You should always consult a professional before you try to handle the situation alone!

Give Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc. a call if you have bed bugs. PRS of Tampa Bay uses a commercial steamer on carpets and walls to kill bed bugs. PRS of Tampa Bay, Inc. teams up with Natural Born Killers, LLC to get the job done right. Natural Born Killers, LLC uses a process called fumigation to properly get rid of bed bugs from infested contents. Fumigation is a method of pest control that completely fills an area with gaseous pesticides or fumigants to suffocate or poison the pests within. You will see this method being used when a home is tented for termites. Contents like mattresses and couches will be put into a sealed container where toxic fumes will be released and the bed bugs will be terminated.

Unknown Water Usage Is Costly

American residents use about 100 gallons of water per day. Watch your water bill for unusual usage then check your meter by turning water off for at least 2 hours and check to see if there is an increase. Fix leaks and drips by changing hoses and gasket at the first sign of wear.  A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. That’s the amount of water needed to take more than 180 showers!   Ten percent of homes have leaks.  According to the EPA fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills. Check your toilet by adding drop of food coloring to tank if it stays for 15 minutes or less there could be a leak. A running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day.

An excess of water in an area can create added humidity causing the possibility of mold and other damage to your home. Mold can start to grow within 24 hours as long as there is a food supply,  (anything organic) and ample moisture. There is more fresh water in the atmosphere than there is in all the rivers on the planet combined. An area with a humidity over 60% can grow mold. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity in enclosed structural environments by removing water vapor from the air. Dehumidifiers can help dry wet materials like carpet, carpet pads, floors, walls, building contents and more. Using dehumidifiers may also prevent secondary damage caused by high humidity It can get into wallpaper, books and even into carpets.

According to the Institute of Inspection and Cleaning Restoration Certification (IICRC), most carpet manufactured today are made of plastic face yarns, not organic materials. Because of this, mold typically cannot grow on the carpet itself.  The padding underneath the rug also needs to be checked for mold especially if there are signs mold is present. If you can not see any mold but there is  a “mildewy” odor present.

However, if organic materials remain in the carpet after cleaning and the cleaned carpet take longer than 24 hours to dry, the possibility of mold growth increases significantly. This is why IICRC recommends that carpet should be dry in six to eight hours or less.Most homeowners insurance do not cover water, mold or mildew damage if it is considered to be caused by neglect by the home owner who has had  water leaking for an extended period of time.  Most homeowners insurance do not cover water, mold or mildew damage if it is considered to be caused by neglect by home owner who has was water leaking for an extended period of time. It is estimated that mold damage costs insurers more than $2.5 billion annually.

If you experience water damage or a leak, time is of the essence.Professional Restoration Services, Inc. is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year to efficiently and properly restore your home to it's pre-loss condition. With five state licenses, we are the one call does it all company. We have the necessary equipment to ensure your home will be properly dried to prevent mold. In the event you already have mold we are certified to assess and remove the mold as well. We are a certified and reputable company that understands the importance of an immediate response to your loss. 

What You Should Know About Mold and Humidity

A lot of people believe that temperature and mold go hand in hand. They feel that the warmer the temperature is, the more likely there will be mold. If this were the case, why isn’t there mold in saunas? Saunas average around 180 degrees Fahrenheit. The reason is because saunas consist of dry heat. Mold must have moisture in the equation to grow. The moisture doesn’t have to be in liquid form either. It can be in vapor form, commonly referred to as humidity. Mold can grow when humidity levels exceed 60%. If humidity levels are maintained below 60%, mold simply cannot grow and becomes dormant. It can stay dormant for many years. When another source of moisture is introduced to the dormant mold, it immediately begins to grow again. Mold doesn’t just die on its own. The only way to eliminate it is by either killing it with chemicals such as biocides or antimicrobials or by physically removing it. This is known as remediation.
 

 

So how do you make sure that your home or business isn’t taken over by mold? Remember moisture must be present in order for it to grow. Don’t give it the right conditions and it can’t thrive. Many people turn their thermostats down in hopes to deter mold growth. Does this work? Do a/c units actually deter mold growth? They do but they only dehumidify while they are running. Thermostats are preset to a temperature that is comfortable for the individual.  Once the thermostat reaches that temperature, it shuts off, regardless of indoor humidity levels. Let’s say the thermostat is set for 75 degrees. One day it can be 75 degrees with a humidity level of 80%. The next day it can be 75 degrees with a humidity level of 20%. It is called relative humidity. It is relative to that particular temperature at that particular time it was tested. There are a few options available for maintaining indoor humidity levels.

 

A dehumidifier can be installed in the interior. A dehumidifier works on moisture only. It doesn’t care what the temperature is. Its only concern is to maintain humidity levels at the pre-set level. Many people believe that they run constantly. They only run when the humidity level exceeds the preset limit. They are also cheaper to operate than an HVAC system. Most dehumidifiers run on 110 volts while most HVAC systems require 220 volts. There are a few downfalls to dehumidifiers. They do emit some heat when they operate. The longer they run the more heat they would emit. Run time will vary by region and weather conditions. They also purge periodically. Most dehumidifiers have the option of adding a drain hose to the unit. When it is time for the unit to purge the excess water that has accumulated, it drains thru the hose into whatever drain system you choose (tub, sink, condensate drain line etc.). If a drain hose in not an option then the reservoir inside the dehumidifier must be dumped manually as needed. There is a float switch that will shut the unit off when the reservoir becomes full. This will keep the unit from purging water onto the floor. This method is not recommended if you will be gone for extended periods of time. Once the dehumidifier shuts off it is no longer able to maintain humidity levels. The water that has collected in the reservoir then begins to evaporate into a vapor form, becoming humidity once again.

 

The other option would be to install a dehumidistat in conjunction with the existing thermostat. Let’s say the thermostat is set at 78 degrees and the dehumidistat is set at 55%. If the interior temperature is 74 degrees the thermostat will not kick on. But if the humidity level reaches 56%, the dehumidistat will over-ride the thermostat and turn the HVAC system on. This uses the HVAC system as the actual dehumidifier. The downfall to this is higher electric bills. Remember that the HVAC system requires 220 volts.

 

  
Think of mold like a plant. Plants need water to survive. So does mold. Plant a seed in the ground and water it once. It will not grow. Water it on a regular basis and the seed will sprout. If mold is present and you feed it moisture (liquid or vapor), you will have your hands full. No moisture = no mold.