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The Top Causes of Basement Flooding

Basement flooding is a widespread problem that can occur both during dry and wet weather. Although no basement is immune to flooding, understanding why your basement floods can help you learn how to avoid these disasters. Here are some of the most common causes of basements flooding:

The house was built in an unsuitable location. If your home’s lot grading is not properly designed, surface drainage will be directed towards your home, resulting in basement flooding. In this case, consider reshaping your yard, so that rain or storm water flows away from your home’s foundation.

The walls and floor are not properly sealed. During the construction of a house or when remodeling, the walls and floor of the basement must be waterproofed with a sealant to avoid water leakage and flooding. Maintain your basement’s walls and floors regularly and seal any cracks or openings you find.

The gutter system is clogged. Your gutters and downspouts may be blocked by debris and overflow with water during heavy rainfall. The excess water will seep through the soil near your home’s foundation, inundating your basement. Clean and inspect your gutter system regularly (at least once a year) to ensure proper drainage.

A sewer backup has occurred. Sometimes, the sewer system can become overwhelmed with wastewater or storm water, causing water to back up into your home through toilets, sinks or floor drains. Install backwater valves to stop backflows on the sanitary sewer line. Read more about black water damage in this article.

The sump pump has failed. Although sump pumps are designed to keep your basement safeguarded from water, you should inspect, clean, and test them regularly to reduce the chance of a malfunction happening and avoid basement flooding.

In the event that your basement has flooded, you need to dry it as soon as possible. However, safety should be your top priority. Follow these tips to learn how to deal with a flooded basement efficiently. More tips on how to prevent basement flooding are available here. For professional fire, water and mold restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office.

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Five Home Maintenance Tasks You Should Do This Winter

When cold weather restricts us from outdoor activities, we should make the best of the time we spend indoors. Besides pursuing your hobbies, here are some maintenance tasks you should do this winter to make your home safer and better prepared for cold temperatures:

Change the furnace filter. Your furnace runs inefficiently when the filter is filled with the airborne particles it captures, such as dust or pollen. Filters should be changed once a month during the heating season, but consult the manufacturer’s instructions first.

Check smoke and CO alarms. Test these alarms monthly during winter, when there’s an increased risk of heating equipment fires. Batteries should be changed once a year (preferably in the fall). Replace smoke alarms every 10 years and CO alarms every 5 years, depending on the manufacturer.

Maintain your humidifier. If you use a humidifier during the dry winter months, you should clean its components frequently. Over time, your humidifier builds up scale due to the minerals in the tap water that will cause bacteria to grow. Consult the owner’s manual to see which components need cleaning and what cleaners to use. Replace filters and wicks periodically.

Perform a Radon test. Radon is a carcinogenic gas that seeps in through the soil and rocks under your house. The cold season is a good time to test your home for Radon (with a specialized monitoring device) because windows and doors are likely to be closed, trapping in substances such as Radon.

Reverse your ceiling fans. In the summer, you run your ceiling fans counterclockwise to move a breeze around and cool the air. When your ceiling fans run clockwise, the warm air will be pushed towards the floor, resulting in an increased temperature in the room. This will potentially allow you to turn down the thermostat by a degree or two.

Preventing water pipes from freezing is another important maintenance task to keep in mind during winter. Check out this article to learn how to prevent pipes from freezing. For professional fire, water or mold restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office.

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5 Ingenious Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value

If you’re looking for ways to boost your home’s value, whether it’s on the market or not, you may think you need to remodel your kitchen or renovate the bathrooms. Although these are great ideas, there are other less expensive ways to spruce up your home:

Install a sprinkler system. Not everyone wants a yard filled with many trees and plants that require considerable effort to maintain. However, green grass is always nice to have and can be easily maintained if you have an automatic sprinkler system.

Maintain your yard. If you have trees, bushes and other plants in your garden, keep them in great shape throughout the year. Unkempt bushes and loose tree branches not only make your yard look bad, but also pose safety risks. Overgrown landscaping can promote mold, block views and decrease your home’s curb appeal.

Invest in built-in speakers. Another way to increase your home value is to install speakers in every room, so you can control the sound in the whole house with one remote. Having a surround sound in rooms with a TV, such as living room, is also a great way to increase the appeal of the home.

Don’t neglect the front door. Install an overhang, such as portico or awning, above your front door, to provide protection from rain, sun or snow. Another option is to have a deck built around the front door to extend the living space into the yard.

Install a water purifier in the kitchen. A water filtration system eliminates contaminants from the tap water, allowing you to use it safely. This investment will pay for itself in the long run, as you won’t need to buy bottled water anymore.

Give appliances an inexpensive makeover. If your kitchen appliances don’t match, order new doors or face panels for them. A cohesive look in your kitchen will go a long way to increase home value.

Fresh indoor air also plays a major role in increasing your home’s value. Learn how to keep indoor air fresh here. For professional water, mold and fire restoration services, as well as duct cleaning, contact your local PuroClean office.

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Home Fire Safety for Older Adults

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, senior citizens aged 65 and older are twice as likely to die in a fire as the general population. Moreover, people aged 85 or older have an even higher risk of dying in a home fire. Considering these facts, it is crucial for older citizens to understand the risks and be prepared for a fire. Below are several fire safety guidelines for older adults:

Do not cook if you are feeling sleepy, drowsy from medication or have been consuming alcohol.

If you are cooking food on a fire or electrical stove, always supervise the stove. Use a cooking timer to remind you when to turn off the stove.

Keep your cane or wheel chair, hearing aid and glasses in your bedroom when you sleep. This will allow you to quickly grab them in case of an emergency.

Always carry a phone or keep one nearby with emergency phone numbers. In case you are trapped in your home by a fire, you will be able to quickly call emergency personnel.

Never smoke around oxygen. It is highly dangerous to burn anything around oxygen, since fire needs oxygen to burn. If oxygen is in use, there is no safe way to smoke in the house.

Consider sleeping in a room on the ground floor (if you don’t live in an apartment building) to be able to escape your home quickly in case of an emergency.

Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside any sleeping areas and on every level of the home. Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries every fall.

If anyone in the home is deaf or hard of hearing, consider using specialized smoke alarms that use vibration or flashing light. More information about smoke alarms for people with hearing impairments can be found here.

Practice fire drills with everyone in the home to make sure you know how to escape the building in case of a fire. If you cannot escape alone, designate someone to assist you and have a backup designee, as well.

Make sure that your home’s windows haven’t been sealed shut with nails or paint, so that you can easily escape through the windows (if necessary) in case of an emergency.

Families and caregivers are encouraged to consider these tips and help older adults take steps in preventing and preparing for a home fire. For professional fire, water and mold restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office.

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How to Prevent Your Sump Pump Line from Freezing

When your sump pump discharge hose freezes, the sump pump has to work harder as a result of the heat and may fail completely as a consequence of overheating. The next time water builds up in your sump basin, this could be extremely problematic for your basement. Follow these precautions to avoid your sump pump line from freezing.

Sump Pump Maintenance Tips

Outside of your house, make sure the sump pump discharge line is sunken in the ground or raised above grade at a downward angle.

To protect the pipe from freezing, bury it at least five inches below the frost line (the maximum depth of ground below which the soil doesn’t freeze). The pipe’s most vulnerable area is where it joins the earth at the frost line and where the water disperses.

Extend the discharge line away from the home at a downward slope if you go with an above-grade solution. The slope does not have to be steep, but it must be continuous so that water may flow. Connect a freeze-resistant hose to the end of the discharge hose. Discharge water at least 20 feet from the foundation. Use a smooth, rigid hose to ensure there is no place for water to accumulate. Water in pipes that are too straightened is more prone to freeze.

To keep the discharge and intake sections of the sump pump frozen, insulate them and the pipe connecting the two. Cover the outside pipe with hay (a natural insulator) and a tarp for a more basic repair. Don’t put any anti-freeze in the sump pump.

Check your sump basin and test the sump pump from time to time to ensure that it is in good working order. Make sure nothing is blocking your flex discharge line, including snow, ice. Also, make sure your pump doesn’t shoot water onto your sidewalk or driveway, as this can create hazardous ice.

If your sump pump pipe is frozen, use portable heaters to thaw it. Don’t use a blowtorch to melt the line because you risk hurting yourself or damaging the property. If you can’t thaw the hose on your own, turn off the sump pump and call a professional plumber.

Contact Your Local PuroClean Office For Professional Water Damage Restoration Services

PuroClean is here if your property floods or experiences other water damage, or mold. We are available 24/7. For professional water damage restoration or mold remediation, contact your local PuroClean office.

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How to Create a Home Inventory

In the unfortunate case that your possessions get stolen or destroyed in a fire or other disaster, having an itemized list of all your belongings is crucial to recovering them through your insurance. A home inventory will help you buy the right amount of insurance, check losses for your income tax return and settle your insurance claim faster.

The best practices for creating a home inventory:

Write your list in a notebook, a spreadsheet or use inventory apps on your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Don’t forget to take photos or make a movie with all household items.

For each item that is important to you, include a description, the purchase date, estimated value and serial number (if applicable). Any sales receipts, appraisals or purchase contracts should also be added.

Organize your list by going from room to room and listing the items by category (e.g. for clothing: coats, shirts, pants, etc.). It’s more efficient this way.

Take pictures of whole rooms and individual items if they’re moved. Add descriptions to the back of photos or in the files’ details, if they’re digital.

Alternatively, videotape every room in detail and talk about the contents thoroughly. A faster way is to lay out your most valuable possessions on the floor of each room and then describe each item while recording.

Save the receipts of future purchases and clip them to your list. Receipts give the exact value of an item, sparing you from guessing.

List the serial numbers of electronic equipment and major appliances. The numbers can be found on the back, bottom and sometimes inside these items.

Jewelry, artwork and collectibles are usually more valuable and may require separate insurance. Talk to your agent to make sure that these items have adequate insurance.

Once you’ve finished making the inventory, protect it by storing it in a safe deposit box, if it’s a physical document. If it’s a digital file, back it up on a secure online storage account or an external drive.

Update your inventory, photos and video at least once a year or immediately after making a new purchase or when you no longer have an item.

Should you have any questions on how your insurance company handles home inventories, we suggest contacting your agent. He or she can give you the best recommendations on how to create and manage your list of valuables.

In case of a disaster involving water, fire or mold, the PuroClean team is ready to come to your property’s rescue.

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How to Restore Walls and Fixtures after a Home Fire

The destructive force of a fire can be enormous. However, not all property fires completely destroy the structure, fixtures and contents. When the fire is stopped in time, a trained professional fire restoration company can help bring your home or business back to pre-fire condition.

Here are some of the steps involved in the process of restoring damage caused by fire:

Safety must be ensured; technicians must wear respirators and the structure must be sound before entering it.

The structure must be ventilated by using air movers or box fans to evacuate products of incomplete combustion and other contaminants.

The fire restoration professionals must evaluate the affected walls and wall coverings to determine whether they can be restored or must be replaced. Surfaces can be either cleaned-to-save (restored to their pre-loss condition) or cleaned-to-paint (cleaned, sealed and repainted).

Restorable surfaces that were exposed to fire, smoke or heat must be ‘pre-treated’ with a coat of oil before cleaning.

The appropriate cleaning product and mix ratio to use on each surface must be determined.

Fixtures like sinks, tubs or toilets must be cleaned appropriately; items with a different finish, such as window frames and baseboards, are treated using different methods and products.

Odor removal is achieved after the smoke and soot residue from walls and ceilings is cleaned; if the odor persists, additional methods can be employed to remove it completely.

Remember, time is of the essence when dealing with property fire damages. Contact PuroClean for any of your fire restoration needs.

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Pack-outs are performed by restoration companies on behalf of property owners after damage caused by water, fire or smoke. It involves removing and transporting damaged property to a secure location for processing and restoration.

During a pack-out:

After the initial inspection, your restoration professionals will let you know whether or not an item can be restored.  You will find that most items can be brought to pre-loss condition. All contents will be inspected and any pre-existing damage will be documented before being sent out to be restored. This documentation helps to estimate the losses and facilitates the filing of your insurance claim.

If an item does not require packing out, it will be secured and protected while structural repairs are made to the property.

In some cases, affected items are cleaned in place to prevent acidic residues from causing any further damage.

Small items will be individually wrapped in paper, boxed, labeled and inventoried by your restoration professional. This includes kitchen knives, spoons, pots and pans, dishes, storage containers, etc.

Large items like upholstery and wooden furniture will be carefully inspected, often using high intensity light to detect all damages that existed before the disaster.

You will receive a copy of every inventory sheet with noted pre existing damage, if any.

When the transportation begins, items will be loaded and secured in a covered box truck using pads and the appropriate packing protocols.

The restoration process is constantly monitored and you will be informed on the status of your claim before the items are ready to be sent back to your home or business.

A professional restoration company has the obligation to process and return contents as quickly and conveniently as possible. Contact PuroClean after a disaster involving fire, smoke or water.

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Pumpkin Carving – Preservation and Safety Tips

After making a great Jack-o’-lantern for Halloween, many of us are disappointed when we see mold spots on it the next day. Like any vegetable, carved pumpkins will decay and be infested with mold relatively fast if not treated. Here are a few ideas to help you enjoy your carved pumpkins longer:

After carving, soak the pumpkin in a bucket filled with a solution of water and bleach (1 teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water) and leave it there for 8 hours. Use the same solution to spray the pumpkin daily. Bleach prevents rot.

Coat your pumpkin with Vaseline (petroleum jelly) after it is carved and emptied to keep it hydrated for several days.

Spray the pumpkin with acrylic spray to prevent mold growth and preserve the pumpkin flesh.

Use a commercial pumpkin preservative, such as Pumpkin Fresh, to prolong the life of your pumpkin; it inhibits mold growth and dehydration.

Hand injuries and fires are unfortunate accidents that occur during Halloween season. You can prevent these from happening by following a few simple tips:

Instead of using candles, choose battery-operated or electric lights to bring your pumpkins to life. Unattended candles present a high risk of accidental fire. Moreover, electric lights can provide more options, such as color effects, LED lighting and strobe.

To avoid injury, make sure your hands, pumpkin and tools are dry before carving. Moisture can cause your hands or knife to slip.

Supervise children at all times while they carve pumpkins. Only allow young kids to use the safest tools possible, such as spoons.

For fire safety reasons, we would like to remind you to never leave a candle unattended during Halloween or at any other time. PuroClean is ready to provide professional restoration services to any home that is affected by fire, mold or water damage.

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6 Early Signs of Residential Water Damage You Must Know

Water damage in residential properties is more common than most homeowners think. Unfortunately, the majority cannot spot the telling signs of water damage until a severe problem persists. Therefore, knowing how to detect water damage is essential, especially if you plan to sell or purchase a property in the future.

Here, you will learn the six early signs of water damage every homeowner must keep in mind, along with some of the most common causes of water damage in residential properties.

Common Causes of Water Damage

Many homeowners have experienced significant losses due to water damage, and the main reason it progressed to a much serious problem is lack of knowledge. Residential water damage is commonly caused by damaged plumbing systems, old appliances, poor maintenance, and natural disasters. While some of the causes are inevitable, you can still prevent water damage through the factors you can control, such as having your plumbing system checked regularly.

Know the early signs of water damage so you can call water damage restoration experts to fix it for you right away, helping you avoid dealing with major water damage problems.

Warning Signs of Residential Water Damage

1. Water Stains

Patches of light yellow or brown on your walls and ceilings are solid signs of water damage. Usually, the darker the stains, the fresher the water is. You will notice that these patches may expand over time. But in some cases, they appear and fade as time goes by. These water stains may come from leaky pipes or roof leaks that will continue to progress if not fixed as soon as possible.

2. Dripping Water Sounds

In some situations, the earliest warning sign could be sounds of dripping water even if all faucets are closed. The ideal time to check this sound is during the nighttime or early morning when there are no loud noises, such as televisions and car noises from the highway, that can interfere with the dripping sound. Unfortunately, the problem could be very subtle until it ruptures into a bigger one. For this, you may have your plumbing system checked to make sure that everything is working fine, especially if you’re living in an old house.

3. High Water Bills

When you have leaky pipes that you are unaware of, you will notice that your water bill will suddenly spike out of nowhere even if your water consumption remains the same. So, check the visible faucets and pipelines within your property and see if there are leaks. But if you couldn’t find any, it may be inside your walls which explains the water stains on the ceiling or walls. Call a plumbing company to help you detect these hidden leaks.

4. Paint Damage

Flaking or cracking paint on your indoor walls is also an early sign of water damage. In addition, it is a reliable sign that the water leak or moisture is coming from your walls. However, this can be dangerous because the damage may have already progressed from deep inside the walls. It would be best to call a water damage repair technician when you notice this sign. This way, you can prevent the situation from worsening, especially if you live in an area where storms and floods are common.

5. Mold Formation

Mold may be disgusting for many, but it’s not as bad as they may think. Molds can grow anywhere with moisture and oxygen, such as in the bathroom and kitchen. Finding a small amount of mold within these areas is usually normal unless there is excessive growth around your house that can mean two things: excessive moisture or too much humidity. Contact a mold removal specialist to properly determine and address the root cause of your mold problems.

Sudden onset of health issues, including allergies, headaches, and respiratory problems, is a common symptom of mold exposure. Unfortunately, long-term mold exposure can be more uncomfortable and dangerous if you have loved ones already suffering from medical conditions like asthma. So observe yourself and your family if you’re experiencing unexplainable allergy-like symptoms because it may be due to mold exposure caused by water damage.

Conclusion

Water damage is not only unpleasant to experience, but can also be harmful to one’s health. Don’t wait until the damage has created a ripple of issues in your home – call a professional who can help fix your property in no time. If you live within Bradenton and the surrounding areas, you can trust PuroClean for water damage repair and property restoration. Just contact us, and we’ll address your concerns promptly.

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Hurricane Preparedness Tips for Your Business

Hurricane preparedness is critical for both homes and businesses. Did you know that 40 percent of small businesses that close due to hurricane damage do not reopen? Don’t let that happen to you. Prepare now! Here are essential steps you can take to protect your business from hurricanes.

Know the Risks – Do you know your area’s risk for hurricanes and floods? Knowing this helps you determine your business’s risk factor and prepare for what may come. Use FEMA’s Map Service Center where you can enter your address to see your flood zone.

Protect Your BuildingMake sure your facility meets local hurricane building code specifications.

Install shutters or plywood to protect windows and doors.

Make sure the roof of your building can withstand a storm.

Remove branches or trees near your building that could fall and damage it.

Sandbag areas that are prone to flooding.

Anchor and brace large furniture to wall studs.

Move valuable or fragile possessions to a safe area.

Secure electronics and other office equipment with straps or Velcro.

Clean out floor drains and check sump pumps.

Anchor and fill above-ground tanks with water.

Turn off all the utilities before a hurricane arrives.

Shut down production processes safely.

Protect Important Documents – Keep copies of important records such as building plans, insurance policies, tax returns, bank account information, legal contracts, and more in a waterproof container. Store a second set of copies at an off-site location. Back up your digital data to a remote server.

Check Your Insurance – Review insurance policies to ensure you have enough damage coverage. Get business disruption insurance to help cover loss of income after a storm. Also make sure you have flood insurance well before a hurricane hits. It takes 30 days for flood insurance to take effect.

Make an Emergency Response Plan – Include how to protect employees and customers, manage business operations, and communicate during and after the disaster. Plan how to exit the office building, how to reach a designated meeting place, and ensure those who have a disability can get out easily. Practice the plan.

Make a Communications Plan – Keep an updated list of all your employees’ contact numbers and email addresses. Plan how to contact clients, suppliers, and employees during and after a storm. Be prepared to let employees know when, if, and how to report to work after a hurricane.

Create a Business Continuity Plan – This will help your business operate and recover faster after a disaster. The plan should specify how to manage communication with customers and suppliers, how to fulfill order or service contracts, and how to recover lost company data.

If your business has been hit by hurricane damage or floods, hire a professional restoration company such as PuroClean to safely and quickly restore your facility to pre-loss condition. For water removal services and mold cleaning services, contact your local PuroClean office.

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6 Early Signs of Residential Water Damage You Must Know

Water damage in residential properties is more common than most homeowners think. Unfortunately, the majority cannot spot the telling signs of water damage until a severe problem persists. Therefore, knowing how to detect water damage is essential, especially if you plan to sell or purchase a property in the future.

Here, you will learn the six early signs of water damage every homeowner must keep in mind, along with some of the most common causes of water damage in residential properties.

Common Causes of Water Damage

Many homeowners have experienced significant losses due to water damage, and the main reason it progressed to a much serious problem is lack of knowledge. Residential water damage is commonly caused by damaged plumbing systems, old appliances, poor maintenance, and natural disasters. While some of the causes are inevitable, you can still prevent water damage through the factors you can control, such as having your plumbing system checked regularly.

Know the early signs of water damage so you can call water damage restoration experts to fix it for you right away, helping you avoid dealing with major water damage problems.

Warning Signs of Residential Water Damage

1. Water Stains

Patches of light yellow or brown on your walls and ceilings are solid signs of water damage. Usually, the darker the stains, the fresher the water is. You will notice that these patches may expand over time. But in some cases, they appear and fade as time goes by. These water stains may come from leaky pipes or roof leaks that will continue to progress if not fixed as soon as possible.

2. Dripping Water Sounds

In some situations, the earliest warning sign could be sounds of dripping water even if all faucets are closed. The ideal time to check this sound is during the nighttime or early morning when there are no loud noises, such as televisions and car noises from the highway, that can interfere with the dripping sound. Unfortunately, the problem could be very subtle until it ruptures into a bigger one. For this, you may have your plumbing system checked to make sure that everything is working fine, most especially if you’re living in an old house.

3. High Water Bills

When you have leaky pipes that you are unaware of, you will notice that your water bill will suddenly spike out of nowhere even if your water consumption remains the same. So, check the visible faucets and pipelines within your property and see if there are leaks. But if you couldn’t find any, it may be inside your walls which explains the water stains on the ceiling or walls. Call a plumbing company to help you detect these hidden leaks.

4. Paint Damage

Flaking or cracking paint on your indoor walls is also an early sign of water damage. In addition, it is a reliable sign that the water leak or moisture is coming from your walls. However, this can be dangerous because the damage may have already progressed from deep inside the walls. It would be best to call a water damage repair technician when you notice this sign. This way, you can prevent the situation from worsening, especially if you live in an area where storms and floods are common.

5. Mold Formation

Mold may be disgusting for many, but it’s not as bad as they may think. Molds can grow anywhere with moisture and oxygen, such as in the bathroom and kitchen. Finding a small amount of mold within these areas is usually normal unless there is excessive growth around your house that can mean two things: excessive moisture or too much humidity. Contact a mold removal specialist to properly determine and address the root cause of your mold problems.

6. Health Problems

Sudden onset of health issues, including allergies, headaches, and respiratory problems, is a common symptom of mold exposure. Unfortunately, long-term mold exposure can be more uncomfortable and dangerous if you have loved ones already suffering from medical conditions like asthma. So observe yourself and your family if you’re experiencing unexplainable allergy-like symptoms because it may be due to mold exposure caused by water damage.

Conclusion

Water damage is not only unpleasant to experience, but can also be harmful to one’s health. Don’t wait until the damage has created a ripple of issues in your home – call a professional who can help fix your property in no time. If you live within Bradenton and the surrounding areas, you can trust PuroClean for water damage repair and property restoration. Just contact us, and we’ll address your concerns promptly.

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PuroClean Fire and Smoke in Greater Bradenton

If you've been the victim of a fire, smoke, or other disaster, you want professional cleaning services that will help you recover as quickly as possible. The team at PuroClean of Bradenton can assist you with the clean-up process, and their customer service is second to none. They have relationships with local insurers to help you get the claim you deserve.

A certified restoration technician is crucial for the success of fire mitigation and restoration. A team of professionals is critical to a successful clean-up. That's why PuroClean's technicians are equipped to handle all types of fire damage and work with insurance companies to make the process as efficient as possible. And because our technicians are highly trained and experienced in dealing with all types of fire-related property damages, you can trust that the process will be completed quickly and efficiently.

A fire cleanup should be handled by professionals who understand the hazards of the disaster. PuroClean's technicians are trained and certified to deal with all types of disasters, and they will coordinate with insurance companies to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible. The goal is to restore the property as close to its original condition as possible and minimize any additional damage that may have occurred.

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PuroClean of Bradenton Property Damage Remediation

When your property has suffered damage from a hurricane or other disaster, you may want to seek the help of a local restoration company. PuroClean of Bradenton is a top property cleaning company that provides top-notch customer service and professional cleaning services. They have established relationships with local insurance providers so that you don't have to pay for services out of your own pocket.

If you've recently suffered damage to your home or office, you'll want to contact PuroClean of Bradenton, LLC. They'll come to your property and evaluate the extent of the damage. If it's not a water damage disaster, their technicians will remove any compromised materials and disinfect surfaces with EPA-registered disinfectants. A professional restoration company can help you move on with your life, and let PuroClean do the rest.

PuroClean of Bradenton has IICRC-certified technicians that can restore your property to its original state. They use HEPA air filtration devices and vacuums to extract compromised materials and clean surfaces. In addition to using HEPA-filter vacuums and HEPA-certified air cleaners, they use EPA-registered disinfectants to kill off microbes and odor-causing bacteria.

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PuroClean Bradenton - Water Mitigation and Restoration

If you've recently had your home or business flooded, you may have lost everything - including your furniture, belongings, and most of your personal belongings. But, the water mitigation and restoration experts at PuroClean of Bradenton can help you recover. Their professional cleaning services are second to none, and they work with local insurance companies to get your insurance claim paid. We will also work with your insurer to help you obtain the best possible coverage.

The technicians at PuroClean of Bradenton provide a complete water damage restoration service for all types of disasters. Their trained professionals will coordinate with your insurance company to expedite the process of restoring your property. When a disaster strikes, you can trust them to help you recover as soon as possible. We will coordinate with your insurance company to make sure the restoration process goes smoothly.

PuroClean of Bradenton has IICRC certified technicians that are trained and experienced in restoring damaged property. They use specialized equipment and industry standards to remove compromised materials and restore your home or business to its pre-damage condition. They also utilize HEPA air filter devices to improve evaporation and create airflow for dehumidifiers. After we've finished the work, we'll perform a clearance test to ensure your property is safe to live in again.

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Flood Watch vs Flood Warning – What’s the Difference?

Floods are the most common natural disasters in the United States and also the most dangerous. To help you know when to expect flooding, the National Weather Service or your local weather service issues flood watches, warnings, and advisories. But what are the differences between them? Let’s find out below.

Flood Advisory

A flood advisory is the mildest level of a flood notification. It means that a flood may be possible due to a problematic weather event, but the flooding is expected to be less severe if it occurs.

Even so, it’s best to monitor weather alerts to know if the flooding risk will turn into something more serious. If you don’t exercise any form of caution, you may put your life or property in danger.

Flood Watch

A flood watch is issued before a flood warning and indicates that flooding in your area is possible within the next 24 to 48 hours. While a flood watch does not mean flooding will likely occur, the conditions are favorable for a flood.

You should prepare for a flood even though the chance of a flood is not guaranteed. Be ready to move to higher ground immediately after the notice. Monitor alert notifications and get the latest updates on the weather via your local radio, NOAA Weather Radio or TV stations. A flood watch could quickly turn into a flood warning.

Flood Warning

When a flood warning is issued, flooding is imminent or is already happening. The flood warning typically includes important information to help you overcome flooding, such as safety tips, evacuation procedures, location of emergency shelters, and more.

A flood warning is a sign to avoid low lying areas and stay tuned to radio or TV stations to get weather updates. If local officials advise you to evacuate, do so immediately.

Flash Flood Warning

Flash floods are sudden violent floods that occur very quickly, usually in six hours or less, when it rains heavily or when levees and dams break. Densely populated areas, such as cities, are at a high risk for flash floods.

Since flash floods can happen so fast, unfortunately there isn’t always time to send out a flash flood warning alert. If you do learn of a flash flood warning, seek higher ground immediately. Flash floods can develop even in areas where it doesn’t rain when the warning was issued.

Remember, if you are under a flood warning, seek shelter right away and don’t forget to protect your property from flooding. For water removal services and mold cleaning services, contact your local PuroClean office.

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How to Protect Your House from Cold Weather

During harsh winter conditions, issues such as fire hazards, water damage, and high heating costs can arise. Follow these preparedness tips to prepare your property and help prevent the problems that fall and winter may bring.

Insulate windows and doors. Weatherstrip any gaps and cracks around windows and doors and caulk up the gaps that are bigger than the width of a nickel. This prevents moisture and cold air from getting inside, boosting the energy efficiency of your home. For extra heat conservation, install double or triple pane windows and insulated doors and garage doors.

Have your heating system inspected. Hire a professional to inspect your furnace and heat pump. This ensures your heating system works efficiently and that carbon monoxide leaks are prevented.

Change the furnace filters each month during the cold season. Dirty furnace filters reduce furnace efficiency, which decreases the lifespan of the unit and increases energy consumption.

Protect pipes from freezing. Severe cold weather can freeze the water in your pipes, which will explode because the ice inside it expands. Let faucets in exterior walls drip to provide relief for your pipes. Also, wrap both cold and warm water pipes with insulation and caulk up cracks or holes in your walls to keep cold air away from pipes. Leave the temperature to at least 55 degrees when leaving home.

Know where your water shut-off valve is. In case of a plumbing emergency, you will need to close the main water valve to prevent further damage. The valve is typically located in the basement or buried near the road.

Insulate air ducts. Having poorly sealed ducts can lead to around 20 percent loss in efficiency. Hire a contractor to properly seal and insulate the air ducts in your home. You will save on energy and reduce the stress on your furnace.

Prevent ice dams. To prevent ice dams on your roof, make sure your attic is properly insulated and ventilated. In addition, ensure your attic has enough ventilation to allow cold air into the attic (and help prevent the ice on the roof from melting).

Maintain your fireplace. Check for obstructions, such as creosote buildup or birds’ nests, in the flue. Also, the damper must close properly and the firebox should be fully intact. Hire a chimney sweep to clean your chimney and check it for damage.

Have your roof inspected. Hire a contractor to fix any missing, loose or damaged shingles. In addition, the roof must be clear of debris as it can damage the roof’s shingles or membrane.

Clean gutters and downspouts. Leaves, twigs, and other debris in gutters may cause water leaks in your home, as well as ice dams. Make sure to clean them regularly and check them for damage and sagginess.

Stock up on basics. To prepare for an outage, which can happen during a blizzard, keep an emergency kit (with food, water, medical supplies, etc.) and alternate heating sources on hand. In addition, restock cold weather essentials, such as salt or ice melt.

To learn more tips to protect your home in winter, check out how to prevent water damage in winter and how to prevent home fires during winter. For flood water damage repair and water removal services, contact your local PuroClean office.