November 2023 – WernerCo

Water Damage Restoration Oklahoma City is a complex process that involves several steps. In most situations, a professional should be called in to handle the problem.

If there is black water involved (sewage or serious flooding), it is important to call a professional immediately. Black water can cause serious health problems and should be left to the professionals.

The first step in water damage restoration is to remove the water from the area to be repaired. This is often done using professional water extraction tools like truck-mounted pumps and industrial-powered air movers. This will help speed up the drying process and reduce the risk of additional water damage to your property.

Before beginning the removal process, it is important to make sure that the area is safe to work in. This means turning off any electricity that may be running through the affected area and securing heavy furniture or equipment so that it does not fall over and cause further damage. It is also a good idea to cover any openings in the structure with tarps to keep water and other debris from entering the area while the restoration work is underway.

During this stage, it is important to test the porous materials in the affected area to see how much moisture they have absorbed. This will help the restoration team understand how long the affected area will take to dry and what type of restoration effort will be needed. The experts will use tools like hygrometers and moisture detectors to evaluate the water absorption of carpets, walls, and other materials in the affected area.

Once the standing water has been removed from the damaged areas, it is a good idea to deodorize the space so that it does not smell musty or unpleasant. This will also help prevent mold growth and other unwanted side effects of the water damage.

Replacing any materials that were destroyed in the process of removing the water is another important part of the restoration process. This is especially true if the material was structural to the building or had a decorative value. In some cases, it may be necessary to replace drywall or other materials that were permanently damaged by the water.

This is the point where it is a good idea to call in a professional for water restoration services. The restoration company should have technicians who are certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). This certification ensures that the technician has been trained to follow industry standards and procedures for restoring water-damaged areas.

Drying the Area

Once the water is removed, it’s time to dry out the area that was impacted. This is a crucial step because any remaining moisture can lead to structural damage and a high risk for mold growth.

The length of time it takes for an affected area to dry depends on a variety of factors, but generally speaking it can take up to 14 days. It also depends on the severity of the water damage and whether or not it was caused by a flood or simply a leak.

Professional water damage restoration companies use various methods to help speed up the drying process, including dehumidifiers. These machines are a great choice for homes because they extract the excess moisture from the air, which helps speed up the drying process and prevents future problems such as mold. They can also help prevent damage to other items that were left in contact with the water, such as carpets and furniture.

Another way professionals improve the drying process is by opening up doors and windows. This allows fresh air to circulate and lowers the humidity in the area, which can also help speed up the evaporation process. They will also monitor the progress throughout the drying process and make adjustments as needed.

As part of the drying process, professionals will also disinfect the area. This can be done using bleach or other cleaning solutions and is vital to preventing the spread of mold spores throughout the home.

The water damage restoration process is a complicated one and requires the help of a qualified technician. Luckily, there are many professional companies that specialize in these services and have the experience and equipment necessary to complete the job quickly and thoroughly. When choosing a company, it’s important to find out about their qualifications and past clients. You can do this by asking for references or looking up the company online. It’s also a good idea to find out whether or not the company is IICRC certified, which means that their technicians are up to date on industry standards and procedures for addressing water damage.

Inspecting for Mold

Getting your home or business back to normal after water damage requires more than just cleaning up the mess. It also means inspecting the area to make sure it is free of mold and bacteria. This step can help protect you and your family from a variety of illnesses and allergies.

In the inspection process, a professional will use hygrometers to measure the moisture level of the affected materials and determine how much work needs to be done. They will also use moisture detectors to see how deep the water has gone into wood, drywall, insulation, and carpeting. This allows them to determine whether the materials can be saved or need to be replaced. The water restoration company will then give you an estimate for the cost and time to repair the damage.

Standing water provides an ideal breeding ground for mold, and if it is left unchecked, the spores can spread quickly, causing further damage to your home or office. Mold growth can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and other health issues in humans and animals. In addition, it can rot wood and create a variety of other problems.

Once the water has been removed, the affected areas must be dried and dehumidified. Commercial air movers and dehumidifiers can pull the remaining moisture out of the air, speeding up the drying process. This step can prevent structural damage, mold growth, and bad odors that can be difficult to get rid of.

Mold tests can be performed in a number of ways, including surface sampling and air samples. Surface samples are taken using a surface template, while air samples are taken directly from the room itself with a special apparatus. The mold test results will let you know if any of the mold in your home or office is tolerable and can be safely cleaned.

While many people attempt to handle water damage cleanup themselves, it is usually best to leave the job to professionals who have been trained and certified in water restoration. Look for an IICRC-certified professional who follows strict industry standards and uses the best equipment to get your home or office back to normal.

Cleaning the Area

Water damage restoration is a serious job that should be handled by a professional. Trying to handle the cleanup process yourself could lead to even more problems. If you’re going to hire a company to do the work, it is best to find out if they are certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). This agency sets the industry standards for properly mitigating and cleaning up water damage. You can also look for customer reviews and testimonials on social media sites or online review sites to see how well other customers were pleased with the services provided by a particular company.

Once the professionals arrive at your home, they will begin with a thorough assessment of the extent of the damage. This is done with advanced equipment like hygrometers and moisture detectors to get an idea of how much water has penetrated your property. They will then classify the type of water that has affected your home, such as clean, gray or black water. This is important because it helps determine how much drying and disinfecting will be needed to make the property livable again.

The next step is to remove the standing water from your property. This is typically done by mopping or using high powered pumps. They may also use dehumidifiers to pull out the excess moisture. If the weather is nice, they may also take the items impacted by the water outside to dry in the sun.

After removing the water and sanitizing the affected areas, they will repair any areas that have been impacted by the water. This includes drywall, wood flooring and carpeting. They will also check to make sure that all items have been restored to their pre-water damage condition. If any items have been discarded during the water restoration process, they will notify you of this.

One of the main reasons you should choose a reputable and experienced water damage restoration company is that they will be able to save more of your belongings than you might think. They will know which pieces of furniture and other belongings are salvageable and which ones need to be replaced, saving you a lot of time and money in the long run.

Construction

What You Should Know Before Buying a Log Home

November 10, 2023November 11, 2023 Trinity Pennington

Log Homes offers a rustic look with modern amenities like central air and heat, diverse layouts, and energy efficiency. However, there are a few things you should consider before investing. Logs shrink and shift over time, creating gaps in the chinking, which must be inspected and re-sealed regularly. Additionally, the wood must be treated to resist pests. For more information, visit this website at https://richardsonloghomes.com/.

Aesthetics

If you’re looking for a cozy retreat, nothing is more inviting than the look and feel of a log cabin. From antler chandeliers to wildlife artwork, log cabin decor complements any style and can be found in many forms to create a stylish space that feels like home.

Whether you opt for an authentic log construction or a hybrid log and timber frame home, the natural aesthetic of wood is the most important factor in your final design choice. You can leave the logs exposed or cover them with drywall and other sidings, but no matter your final choice, a rustic, natural feel is key.

To achieve this, embrace natural materials and colors, utilizing various textures throughout your log home. For example, reclaimed hardwood flooring and table slabs, hand-carved wood wall art, and log staircases are just a few of the ways to incorporate the beauty of nature into your home. Earthy shades also fit well in log homes, ranging from lush greens to deep reds and golds of autumn leaves.

Using round logs in a log cabin makes it harder for fire to spread, reducing energy consumption by as much as 30% compared to traditional stick-built homes. This is a result of the fact that logs trap heat and release it slowly, preventing thermal leakage.

The rounded shape of the logs also allows you to easily hang pictures and other decorative items, even on curved walls. In addition, the lack of corners on log walls reduces maintenance time by minimizing dirt and dust accumulation. In addition, the logs’ rounded edges can be used for creative nooks and niches in your home, such as built-in shelving units or unique fireplace displays.

Energy Efficiency

Log homes are popular for those who want to enjoy the natural comfort and timeless beauty of wood. However, they are also an energy-efficient construction option for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. The thick walls of hand-crafted fir or spruce are incredibly effective at retaining heat and reducing heating bills. This is due to a process called thermal mass. This property allows the logs to absorb daytime warmth and slowly radiate that same heat into the home at night.

As a result, you may save money on your energy bills by adding less insulation than you would in a conventional building. This is especially true if you choose a log builder that uses modern, thermally efficient wood, such as white cedar.

The orientation of your log cabin can also significantly impact its performance in terms of energy efficiency. To take advantage of natural solar power, align your cabin’s long axis with the North-South line.

Another key consideration is the interior ceiling design of your log home. While a cathedral ceiling looks beautiful, it will require more energy to heat and cool because of its greater cubic volume than a tongue and groove flat ceiling. Consider an alternative, such as a vaulted ceiling, to save on your energy costs.

You can also make a big difference in the overall energy efficiency of your log home by using ENERGY STAR-certified doors. These doors are designed to insulate your home better than traditional hollow steel doors while complementing your log home’s rustic style.

Ease of Maintenance

Log homes are built from natural materials that can resist mold, mildew, and fungus much better than traditional home construction. Using a low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) stain and maintaining proper indoor ventilation can help ensure your log home maintains its beautiful appearance over the years.

In addition to keeping your logs looking great, this maintenance also helps keep your home healthy and comfortable for you and your family. Logs provide excellent insulation, reducing winter and summer energy and cooling costs. This means that you will be able to spend more time enjoying the beauty of your log home rather than worrying about the cost of heating or cooling.

Another advantage of log homes is that they are easy to keep clean. Regular dusting with a soft cloth will remove dirt and cobwebs, which will help to keep your logs looking their best. Many log homeowners use cedar for their logs because it naturally produces preservatives, making it more resistant to rot and insects. This can save you the expense of regularly treating your logs with chemicals to avoid damage from pests and decay.

Log homes are also often constructed on a raised foundation, making inspecting the structure for potential issues easier. A walk around your house once a year can spot problems like loose logs or rotting before they become more serious. If you are worried about the required maintenance, some builders offer a yearly service plan for most routine maintenance.

Flexibility

Log homes are highly customizable so that you can create your perfect retreat. Many log home producers offer a cache of tried-and-true designs, but most are happy to tweak a stock plan to meet your needs and design tastes. Alternatively, you can hire a private architect to create a custom design for your new log cabin. Your choice largely depends on your desires, time frame, and budget.

The solid structure of a log home also provides an effective insulator. The natural property of wood, called thermal mass, helps to keep the temperature inside your house comfortable in all seasons. It can even reduce energy costs by absorbing the sun’s warmth during the day and then radiating it back into the home at night.

Additionally, the sturdy nature of a log home means that it will withstand storms and other harsh weather conditions that might cause damage to conventional houses. This makes a log house a great option for those living in an area prone to natural disasters, such as hurricanes and tornadoes.

The sturdiness of a log home makes it more challenging to maintain. Many maintenance tasks are identical to those that homeowners should conduct on their regular homes, but some tasks require specific attention when working with a log structure. For example, all logs need to be seasoned, which averages seven years. When a log is put up without this process, it will shrink 5-10% in diameter, and windows or doorways that need more headspace to allow for this shrinkage can become bowed and unsteady. These issues can lead to major problems if they aren’t addressed properly.

Value

Log homes are a popular choice for many homeowners, but they also present some unique challenges regarding valuation and lending. Since they represent a relatively small housing market segment, it can be difficult for appraisers and lenders to establish value and compare them with comparable properties.

Fortunately, these issues can be addressed by taking proactive steps to ensure your home maintains its value over the long term. Annual washing of the exterior walls with various detergents and thorough inspection of the chinking that forms a sealant between the logs will help prevent mold, mildew, and insect infestation. Additionally, having your logs re-stained at least every three years is a good idea to avoid sun damage.

As with any property investment, the success of your log home project will ultimately depend on how well you care for it and how wisely you choose to spend your money. Generally, any renovation that costs more than it returns in value will not be a smart investment. On the other hand, a few desirable features produce almost as much as they cost to implement.

One of the most attractive aspects of log homes is their energy efficiency. The logs act as natural insulation, absorbing the sun’s heat during the day and holding it until nightfall, when it slowly releases. This helps to keep the interior temperature stable, which reduces energy consumption and lowers utility bills. In addition, most modern log homes are available in kits that can be assembled on-site or pre-cut at the factory for delivery to the construction site.

Dock Building

Proper Dock Maintenance Saves Time, Money and Potential Injuries

November 10, 2023 Megan Barron

While docks are often overlooked, they are the first line of defense against boaters and harsh weather. Keeping them safe and looking good can save time, money and potential injuries like splinters.

Life gets busy, but putting a reminder on your calendar once a month to inspect and clean your dock is a smart move. It will help ensure that any small problems don’t grow into large, expensive ones. Contact Lake Wylie Dock Builder for professional help.

Docks are prone to structural damage due to weather conditions, water exposure and heavy loads. Regular inspections help identify issues early on and prevent them from deteriorating further. This prevents costly repairs and extends the lifespan of your dock.

In addition to identifying problems, dock inspections can also help keep everyone on your property safe. If your dock has loose boards, rotting or nails sticking up, it can be a safety hazard for kids and guests. Additionally, it’s important to regularly inspect ladders for wear and tear so they don’t break off in the water or fall off of the dock.

During an inspection, the inspector will look for any signs of damage or deterioration to your dock’s supports, including rot, corrosion and cracking. He or she will also check for any load-bearing capacity concerns. This ensures that your dock is safe to support boats and other equipment.

Additionally, the inspection process includes a thorough examination of the electrical components in your dock. This includes checking for exposed wiring, outlets and lighting fixtures. This ensures that these systems are protected from water infiltration and that they meet all necessary regulations and codes.

Another aspect of dock maintenance that is often overlooked is lubricating all moving parts on your dock. This helps reduce friction and wear, which in turn prolongs the life of the equipment and keeps it operating smoothly. The inspection will also include ensuring that all lights and visual safety systems are working properly.

Whether you’re looking for a professional to conduct an inspection or a local marina to service your dock and boat lift, it’s always best to work with a company that has experience in the industry. This will ensure that they know what to look for and how to address it quickly and effectively.

By regularly inspecting your dock and taking action on any small issues, you’ll be able to enjoy it for many years to come. Just make sure you set reminders on your phone or in your calendar to ensure that this important task doesn’t get lost in the shuffle of everyday life!

Clean Regularly

Cleanliness is key to dock maintenance, as it protects the structural integrity of the platform. A regular cleaning process should include a power wash of the entire surface of the dock, as well as any equipment that may be in the water such as ladders and railings. The pressure from the power washer should be limited to 500 psi or less for wood docks to avoid damage or unnecessary wear and tear on the material. During this time, it is also a good idea to look over all the nooks and crannies of the structure for any areas that need repair or replacement. Any boards that are rotting, showing signs of warping or have excessive splinters should be replaced immediately to prevent injuries and safety hazards.

Inspecting the structure for rust and algae growth is also important. These elements can cause serious damage to the dock if left unchecked, especially for structures made from metal or composite materials. Using soap or specialized rust treatment chemicals can help reduce these effects and protect the dock from future deterioration.

Other important aspects to inspect regularly include checking that cleats, ropes and utility lines are secure and in working order. Performing this check daily can prevent damage and injuries that may occur during the course of the week. Finally, it is also a good idea to ensure that fire safety measures are in place and functioning properly, such as making sure the fire suppression system is able to respond appropriately to a fire.

Performing these routine inspections and cleanings can greatly extend the life of your dock, as it will be able to resist the effects of the weather and marine debris for longer. It can also catch any minor problems before they escalate into major issues that could cause the dock to become unsafe for use or even collapse. A few hours spent examining the structure and making small repairs can have a big impact on how long your dock lasts, so don’t hesitate to get started!

Replace Old Hardware

A dock’s edges, railings and pilings are its first line of defense against boaters, sun, wind and waves. But over time, even treated wood degrades and begins to rot. Replacing rotting sections of dock with new lumber and repairing damaged hardware is an important part of dock maintenance.

It’s also a good idea to replace any rusted bolts or screws on a dock, as well as rust spots. This prevents water from seeping under the dock and causing damage. Depending on the type of rust, some problem areas may be able to be treated with white vinegar or other home remedies. For the most severe stains, however, professional products might be needed.

The best way to ensure that docks stay up to snuff is through a schedule of routine inspections and cleanings. This doesn’t have to be anything more complicated than putting an alert on your phone or calendar to inspect the dock every other week or so, checking for loose boards, rotting nails and screws, and other structural problems. If you make the inspection a regular activity, you’re less likely to lose track of it as life gets busy.

In addition to a routine inspection schedule, some dock suppliers are offering tools that collect data on usage levels at docks. This data, analyzed by a computer program like Rite-Hite’s Opti-Vu, provides information that could help companies decide on better maintenance schedules and avoid downtime. For example, a dock that services 20 trucks a day has a different maintenance profile than one that serves fewer truckloads, explains 4Front’s Schlesinger.

Another key aspect of routine dock maintenance is the removal of marine debris. Whether it’s submerged pilings, tree limbs or piles of rip rap, marine debris is a hazard to swimmers and can cause injuries if someone dives into a dock, or it could get tangled in a boat propeller. It’s generally a good idea to hire certified divers at least once a year to do a bottom survey of a dock system.

In the end, the best way to keep a dock in prime condition is through regular inspections, cleanings and replacement of worn or damaged components. By making these a regular part of your waterbody’s maintenance plan, you’ll not only protect the dock’s longevity and value but you’ll also give your lake or community pond’s residents access to it for years to come.

Repair Damaged Supports

When a dock is damaged, it’s important to repair it as quickly as possible. Even if the damage is minor, it will worsen with continued exposure to water. Loose boards or rusty hardware should be replaced before they are pulled loose by the pounding of boats and wind, and rotten wood must be removed before it decays further. Leaving these issues unattended will result in expensive repairs later.

If you are unsure about how to repair dock issues, consult an expert. They can help you understand the problems, find solutions and prevent future problems. Dock experts will also have the knowledge to advise on what type of repair is needed depending on the use level of the dock. For example, a dock that serves 20 trucks a day will have different maintenance needs than a smaller dock that only handles a few truckloads of goods each day.

Wood docks require frequent cleaning and sealing to protect them from moisture, sun damage and temperature changes. It’s important to use a waterproof product designed for marine environments that is formulated with low volatile organic compounds. These products are also available in environmentally safe options for those who want to clean their dock using an environmentally friendly solution.

For those looking for a long-lasting, durable alternative to wood, composite docks are a great choice. These materials are not prone to the same wear and tear as traditional wood, and they resist moisture, sun and temperature changes better than timber pilings. For those who are looking to add more than just a water view, consider adding lighting to your dock. These lights will create a beautiful ambiance and can also attract marine life to your property.

Docks are vital assets to any business, but they’re often taken for granted. Poorly-maintained docks can lead to costly repairs and disrupt the flow of products in and out of a facility. This can cause lost productivity and money, as well as increased energy costs. With proper dock maintenance, however, companies can keep their docks running smoothly and efficiently year-round.

Month: November 2023

The Basics of Water Damage Restoration