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What Is A Sump Pump? Do You Need One?

What Is A Sump Pump? Do You Need One?

Any homeowner will tell you: water is no friend. When you have running or standing water of any sort outside of your pipes, sinks, and tubs, that usually signifies a problem of some sort. While it often takes a plumber to sort out why the water is there in the first place -- and it’s important to do that -- you also need to worry about cleaning up that water. Small leaks or spills are one thing, but if you have a lot of standing water, it can wreak havoc on your home. In many homes, the basement is a frequent source of standing water, often caused by poor drainage during storms, the basement itself sitting below the water table level, or other house-related plumbing issues. In any case, it’s not unusual for a basement in a house like this to collect water at its lowest point, and when it does, that’s could lead to water damage, among other problems, if precautions aren’t taken. In most cases, the answer lies in the form of a sump pump.

What is a sump pump?

Simply put, a sump pump is a pump that is placed in the lowest point of a basement (known as the sump). This sump is typically a basin put into the floor of the basement to make sure that all water flows into it. When enough water is collected, the sump pump turns on, and then pumps the standing water outside and away from the house. This action keeps the basement dry, and helps to prevent any damage to the house and its systems.

Why is this important?

As mentioned above, free-standing water is no friend to your home. Without an adequate drainage system, the lower points of your house run a real risk of flooding, and -- more `importantly -- staying flooded. This can lead to several problems. Obviously, all that water can lead to damage in the form of mold, mildew, and rot. None of those are good for the structural integrity of your home.

In addition, mold and mildew can lead to health problems as you breathe. Asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory issues can often occur in houses with these problems, with children, the elderly, and those with already compromised systems being the most vulnerable.

All that standing water can also cause other problems in your house, such as electrical shorts, damaged appliances, and destroyed furniture.

For all these reasons, a sump pump is pretty much a necessity, especially if you know your basement or low-lying areas are prone to flooding.

If you have more questions about sump pumps, how they work, or what pump is best for you, please don’t hesitate to call us today!

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How To Know If A Disaster Specialist Is Giving You A Fair Price

How To Know If A Disaster Specialist Is Giving You A Fair Price

Going through a disaster is hard enough without having to worry about whether your disaster specialist is offering your a fair and competitive price for the work that you need done. Getting fair service on your home repair and restoration is important for you and for your insurance provider. If service is performed improperly or the company isn’t reputable, you risk not having your entire project covered by your insurance policy.

To ensure that your disaster specialist is giving your a fair price, you need to ask some questions and do some research. Here are some of the main things to watch out for:

What is the company you’re working with?

If the company that you’re considering for your disaster repair is local and you’ve worked with them before, you probably know you can trust them. But because disasters are often completely unpredictable and you likely haven’t previously experienced a situation where a disaster specialist is required, you may not know that to look for.

First, do some research on the company. Look up their rating with the Better Business Bureau. Find out where their central offices are located. Ask for information on their licensing and other applicable registration in your state or municipality.

Using an out of state contractor

Often, out of state contractors have to jump through many hoops in order to legally perform service in your state. When disaster strikes, there are typically “storm chasers” - contractors who go to areas with recent disasters and try to siphon repair work from local licensed disaster specialists.

If a contractor is less than straightforward with you, you can inquire about their head offices and ask pointed questions to learn about their intention. You may also want to check their license plates to see whether they’re from out of town.

Red flags to avoid

You absolutely want to avoid a specialist who recommends that you not file your claim with your insurance agency. No matter how good a deal they seem to be offering, you don’t want to risk your finances or the state of your home repairs to a shoddy “specialist”.

Likewise, any contractor who asks for a down payment or your payment in full at the beginning of the work should not be hired for your disaster repair.

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Weathering Disaster: The Emotional Impacts Of Disaster In Your Home

Weathering Disaster: The Emotional Impacts Of Disaster In Your Home

When disaster strikes, your first instinct may not be to address the emotional impact that this event will have on you and the members of your family. However, as the dust settles and cleanup begins, you may feel yourself experiencing unfamiliar feelings and seeking the answer to questions as you seek closure to the ordeal you’ve been through.

Losing a home is traumatic, even if you don’t experience injuries or personal loss as a result of the disaster which wreaked havoc on your home. Your home represents safety and security, among a host of other intangible benefits you may not even be able to describe. And the contents of your home, which may be lost too, are your memories, valuables, and more.

If you’re feeling out of sorts, angry, or depressed after a disaster in your home, know that you’ll be okay. First of all, it’s okay to not be okay in the weeks and months - perhaps even years - after your home damage or loss. It’s alright to have a heightened sense of fear and other unexpected feelings and triggers that come from this event.

Over time, the extreme feelings and anxiety of experiencing trauma again will fade, as the human psychological complex is fairly resilient. If in the meantime you feel particularly depressed, are unable to function reasonably, or are experiencing extreme relational challenges as a result of your home disaster, it’s okay to seek help.

Finding a counselor or therapist who specializes in handling trauma or a talk group for trauma victims can be a good place for you to hash out your feelings about the disaster that occurred in your home. Even talking out your feelings or the events of the disaster with a close friend might help you to relieve some of the emotions that you have bottled up inside.

Finally, engaging in meaningful life activities and physical exercise can help to boost your mood following a disaster in your home. Staying active physically and mentally can help your emotional state to rebound and will give you a healthy outlet for expressing yourself while you cleanup and/or rebuild.

We understand that the impacts of disaster on your home are many and far reaching. And we’re here to help. Whether you need to cleanup after a flood or other natural disaster, we can handle the details to help you get your home and life back on track.

 

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The Worst Time of Year for Mold

The Worst Time of Year for Mold

Mold is an unwelcome guest anytime of the year. It has the potential to harm your health - particularly if you suffer from mold allergies - and ruin parts of your home or the items in it. And while there are particular conditions that help mold to flourish, it’s unfortunately a problem you need to watch out for throughout the year.

Fall Mold Bloom

The fall climate in many areas of the country has certain atmospheric qualities that foster mold growth outdoors. Musty piles of leaves and other decaying matter are hotbeds for mold growth, and disturbances to these areas generate a lot of airborne spore activity. Allergy sufferers are warned to take care to avoid disturbing natural mold growth areas and take other proactive measures to prevent significant exposure.

Yearlong Threat

Indoors, mold activity is a problem any month of the year. Moist areas are particularly attractive to mold blooms and can attract spores at any time. If you have leaks in your home, you must repair them as quickly as possible to minimize the likelihood of mold.

Additionally, humid homes attract mold more quickly than do non-humid homes, as mold flourishes at humidity levels of 30% or higher. If you live in a humid climate, there is little you can do to reduce the humidity, so keeping your home clean and as dry as possible is essential.

Keeping your home well ventilated - particularly in areas like the bathroom and basement - will provide essential air flow to keep things nice and dry. You can use exhaust systems for large dank areas, like the basement to facilitate the best air flow. Even making simple changes, like moving large furniture and bookshelves away from exterior walls will make a difference when it comes to moving the air around.

Regular Maintenance

Keeping your home clean is the best way to fight mold, and there are some big tasks that should be done on a yearly or quarterly basis. Thoroughly clean your carpets and upholstery regularly, and clean up spills or wet spots as soon as they happen. Also make sure that your bedding and sheets are regularly cleaned and stored in a dry linen closet to keep mold growth at bay.

By following some simple steps for prevention and addressing mold issues as soon as they occur, you can keep your home and life mold-free.

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