Preventing Home Disasters

3/24/2017 (Permalink)

Look for signs of insects before major damage is done.

Around your house it makes great sense to tackle minor headaches before they become major migraines. Consumer Reports suggests doing the following high priority projects early.

1. Runaway Rainwater

Telltale signs: Rain pouring over your gutters and puddling along foundation walls. Why you need to act: Water can deteriorate siding and foundation walls, eventually finding its way to interior spaces and damaging them.

What to do: Inspect your entire gutter system for clogs and corrosion; you can clear clogs yourself, but if your gutters are corroded, you'll want to talk to a pro about having them replaced.

2. Leaky Roofs

Telltale signs: Cracked, curled or missing shingles, which signal that the roof is near the end of its life; also cracks in the flashing around chimneys, skylights, roof valleys, and the rubber boots around vents.

Why you need to act: If your roof doesn't provide a proper barrier to rain and snow, water can find its way to your home's drywall and insulation, leading to rot and interior water damage. What to do: You might be able to replace a shingle here and there, or patch leaky flashing. But if your roof is more than 20 years old, it's probably time for a new one. If it's an asphalt shingle roof with only one layer, you might be able to add a second layer over it, lowering the project cost significantly.

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

3. Insect Infestations

Telltale signs: Rotted wood in the sill plate that sits on top of the foundation and cast-off wings along windowsills and walls are evidence of termites. Piles of sawdust along baseboards are a sign of carpenter ants.

Why you need to act: Tiny as they are, these insects can cause major structural problems if left to nosh on your home's wooden framework. What to do: Call an exterminator. Check for accreditation on the database of the National Pest Management Association (pestworld.org).

4. Foundation Cracks

Telltale signs: Cracks in the concrete, especially those that are wider than 3/16 inch, as well as signs of the walls bulging and buckling. Why you need to act: An unstable foundation can compromise the entire structure of your house.

What to do: Hairline cracks can usually be filled with an epoxy injection system. If the cracks seem to be getting bigger, Consumer Reports suggests consulting a structural engineer.

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

5. Mold and Mildew

Telltale signs: Musty odors, dank air, and black mold spores growing on surfaces such as bathroom ceilings. Why you need to act: Any surfaces that harbor extensive mold, including drywall, carpet, and ceiling tiles, will need to be removed. Otherwise mold spores will be released into the air, causing allergic reactions and asthma attacks.

What to do: If you catch it early, patches of mold less than 10 square feet can be treated with a homemade solution of 1 cup chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Wear an N-95 disposable respirator, goggles, and heavy-duty gloves. For larger outbreaks, or if the ventilation system is contaminated, call in a mold-remediation pro like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield.

In addition, The Family Handyman offers these home disaster prevention tips:

• Turn off your home’s water supply before going on vacation

• Use metal tubing rather than plastic for ice maker supply lines

• Test your sump pump before rainy season starts

• Monitor foundation or wall cracks

• Trim trees around your house so dead branches won't crash down on your roof

• Put splash pans under washers and water heaters to catch leaks

• Install no-burst hoses on your clothes washer

• Inspect your foundation once a year for termite tunnels

• Strap your water heater if you live in an earthquake-prone region

• Add six foot long downspout extensions

• Install surge protectors to protect your microprocessors and prevent data loss

More Home Disaster Prevention Information

Every month on the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog we publish educational articles on how Enfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, or other damage.

Here For You

The Enfield team at SERVPRO has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire damage restoration services, mold remediation and commercial services from the disaster cleanup company.

Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield in Bloomfield at 860-216-2785 anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
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Call 860-216-2785 anytime