by MrRestore | Dec 5, 2018 | Helpful Tips, Water Damage, Water Damage Restoration |
Frozen and burst water pipes in the middle of winter is an inconvenient disaster. It can lead to thousands of dollars of water damage to your home and belongings. Many people assume that they know how to prevent burst pipes, but there are a few myths that fool people into making mistakes. You will be surprised to learn that some of what you thought you knew isn’t entirely true. Mr Restore has responded to hundreds of water damage calls around the Dallas area due to misconceptions about burst pipes. Check out these myths about freezing water pipes to increase your plumbing knowledge and gain some insight for preventing freezing pipes. Living in a Cold Region Puts You at the Greatest Risk of Frozen Pipes Surprisingly, this isn’t true. People who live in northern climates are much more aware of the dangers of freezing pipes. They tend to protect their pipes from the conditions that cause freezing. It’s those in the south, who only get freezing weather a few times a year, that are most at risk. People in southern climates are more likely to run water pipes under the home or in exposed areas. The pipes have no protection when cold weather strikes and are likely to freeze and risk bursting. Don’t fall victim to this myth! Pipes Don’t Freeze Unless It is Below Zero for Several Nights This may be the old standard for those who live in northern climates. It really isn’t accurate for all locations. Un-insulated pipes, or those exposed to the elements, begin to freeze at 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Pipes can freeze at higher temperatures....
by MrRestore | Dec 3, 2018 | Fire Damage, Health, Helpful Tips, Information |
You may think that after the fire has been put out and the smoke is gone, that re-entering your home is safe. Although the yellow tape may be gone, your home is still filled with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) created when things in your home are burned. Yes, the flames are gone, but many of your home goods continue to produce poisonous gases and particles that are hazardous to breathe in. Some of these hazards create immediate problems. Others take years to take effect. That’s why you should never enter your home after a fire and leave it to the professionals who understand post-fire environmental hazards. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Think about everything that burns in a house fire: the fabric from your clothes and cleaning chemicals found beneath the kitchen sink. Even more dangerous items that may be in your home include pesticides and automotive fluids in the garage, plastics, fiberglass, and electronics throughout the home. Even smaller items are dangerous when exposed to fire, such as medications and baby products. As these products burn, they produce toxic chemicals in the smoke and later as released gases. Some of the most common toxins in smoke include: Acrolein Arsenic Benzene Chromium Dioxins Formaldehyde Furans Hydrochloric acid Hydrogen cyanide Many of these chemicals, such as hydrogen cyanide, are so lethal that they are used by the military. If the military used such chemicals as weapons, you can feel confident that you don’t want them in your own lungs. If you want to reduce the amount of VOCs in your home, this link has some great tips and what you...
by MrRestore | Dec 3, 2018 | Home Inventory, Information |
No one wants their personal belongings to go missing during a move. However, this is possible when even if you’ve been careful when packing. This is especially true when using a moving company. That’s why you will want to be sure to create a household inventory to be sure that everything you sent with the movers comes back to you. Moving is stressful enough! If not, the inventory can be used to cover your losses or damages. However, that is not all a household inventory can do. Household inventories are perfect when you have a property emergency, such as severe storm damage, a house fire, or even theft. Having the inventory list will help you receive compensation for your losses. Finally, your inventory list can help you get an accurate quote for moving expenses as well as home insurance. If you simply guess, you may pay too much or get too little coverage. Mr Restore has seen many families lose valuable items in fire, storm, and water damage, don’t let that happen to you! Here’s how to make a household inventory. Take Note of Your Belongings The first thing you need to do is make a list of your belongings. This can be done in a variety of ways. Create a list that contains a description, year purchased, and serial numbers if appropriate. Take photos of your items. Take a video of your items, using the audio to capture the year purchased and how much you paid for the item. Be sure that you capture all your items. This includes looking inside drawers, cupboards, and closets. Although your moving company...
by MrRestore | Dec 3, 2018 | Fire Prevention, Fire Restoration, Helpful Tips |
This time of year in Coppell, Frisco, and Plano the temperature begins to drop to much lower temperatures. We tend to spend more time at home with our family and loved ones during the winter months cuddled under blankets by the fire. During these colder months, the heat tends to be running, candles are lit, and holiday lights are glowing in the evening. With all winter activities in full swing, your home is at risk for many fire hazards. At MrRestore, winter is, unfortunately, our busiest month for fire restoration. In order to keep you and your family safe, we have provided 7 fire safety tips for this winter. Have Your Furnace Checked Many people believe they can check their furnace themselves. It is safer, however, to hire a professional to come and inspect your furnace once a year. It’s always better to know when something is not working properly than to have it break down when you need heat the most. A faulty or dirty furnace can easily cause a fire, but it can be easily avoided with a simple maintenance check. Check Your Chimneys and Vents Fireplaces produce creosote, which clings to the inside of your chimney. Unfortunately, creosote is flammable. If you use a wood burning fireplace, you need an annual chimney inspection. This will help you know that it is not hazardous to start a fire. It’s important to remember that when you burn wood, use dry, seasoned wood which makes safer, beautiful flames with less smoke. Avoid burning pine in your chimney when possible in order to prevent unwanted fires. Test Your Smoke Alarms...
by MrRestore | Dec 3, 2018 | Water Damage, Water Damage Restoration |
With winter weather just around the corner, it is important to begin preparing your home for possible water damage that accompanies cooler weather. Cold weather can lead to burst pipes, which will eventually lead to unexpected water damage. Many people do not continuously monitor their pipes throughout the winter and are left with an unpleasant surprise when a pipe leaks or bursts. Nothing will ruin your winter vacation more than coming home to water damage caused by a burst pipe while you were away. If you take the necessary precautions, you will be able to enjoy the winter holidays with your family without worrying about possible water damage in the freezing weather. Burst Pipes The most common cause of water damage in the winter months are burst pipes. Contrary to popular belief, pipes usually do not burst because of frozen water expanding inside them. Most pipes burst in the winter because an ice blockage causes a buildup of water pressure. This pressure causes the water to expand and the pipe to rupture. The ice blockage usually forms in areas of the home that are not exposed to heat, such as the garage, basement, attic or other exterior parts of the home. When the pipe bursts, it can lead to water leaks and floods in your home that will result in costly water damage. How to Prevent Burst Pipes in the Winter To prevent the chances of a pipe bursting in your home, there are many things you can do. Check all pipes in your home that does not have a consistent heat source and provide some...
