Are you covered? Assessing your flood risk

We get inundated with calls during Springtime from people with water in their crawlspace or basement. We're forunate here in Montana and Gallatin County in particular, we don't see major floods all the time. But there are certainly some people who live near or in floodplains that experience this year after year.

Without coverage, the cleanup after Spring run off or a flooded stream can be incredibly costly. And most standard homeowner's insurance policies do not cover water coming from outside (groundwater or flooding).  The average flood claim in Gallatin County is $12,305. Who has that kind of cash lying around?

So how do you know if you're at risk for a flood?

 Buffalo Restoration recently sponsored the Montana Association of Floodplain Managers Conference in Bozeman. At the conference, we attended a presentation on a very helpful online educational tool to determine flood risk, www.floodtools.com. This website illustrates your flood risk at your exact address. It shows you a map of the floodplains in your area and assesses your risk on a scale. It provides tips, FAQ's, and historical information about floods in your area. Unless your mortgage company requires flood insurance, you may think you're in the clear. But some homes may still have considerable risk.

You can also type in the dimensions of your home and the value of your personal property to calculate the estimate dollar amount of damage that would occur with different levels of water in your home.

You may not need flood insurance, but it is always worth checking before it is too late. Flood insurance policies have a 30 day waiting period before they go into affect. So get it now before the Spring run off really picks up. Check the website and call your insurance agent today to get the facts on your coverage.

Hidden Fire Hazard: Clothes Dryers

Your washing machine and dryer are conveienent and you probably don't think much about them beyond the weekly loads of clothes. But your dryer could be a fire hazard in your home. There are 15,000 residential fires caused by dryer vents every year.

Common causes of these fires include:

• Lint build up in the trap (causes it to run in overdrive and reach high temperatures)
• Lint on the back of the dryer
• Improper items including foam back rugs, athletic shoes
• Plastic exhaust system

So what can you do to prevent these fires and prolong the life and efficiency of your machine?

• Clean the lint trap before AND after each use
• Clean the back of the dryer, it goes unoticed
• Be careful what you wash and dry, no flammables
• Get your vent cleaned by a professional (Buffalo Restoration can do this)
• Replace the exhaust system with metal materials

Call Buffalo Restoration with any additional questions about dyer fires and cleaning.

Guest Post: Mold Clean Up

Mold Remediation – What does the Clean-Up Involve?

The concern of having mold growing in your home or business is something that many people worry about because of the negative effects it can have on your health. Mold can be found anywhere because of its ability to grow on any organic substance as long as moisture and oxygen is present. This heightens the level of worry, especially on older buildings that accumulate more moisture.

               

Mold grows where there is excessive moisture, and can grow substantially if the problem is not addressed. It’s impossible to eliminate all molds in an indoor environment, but it can be controlled. If you’ve already found mold or moisture problems, there are ways to remedy the issue.

               

Before you can remove the mold you need to find the location that is experiencing excessive moisture. Once you know the location you need to stop the source of moisture and remove the mold growth. Some common remedies for smaller mold growth include sunlight, ventilation, wall insulation, non-porous building materials, household cleaners, and dehumidifiers. If you have significant mold growth a professional is required to remove the affected materials and eradicate the source of excess moisture.

               

In order to remove the mold there are a few different methods. Wet vacuums remove water from floors, carpets, and hard surfaces and can only be used when the materials are still wet. An easier way is by wiping or scrubbing with water and then drying the surface quickly to discourage further mold growth. The best and most efficient way to remove mold growth is to remove the damaged materials, double bag it into polyethylene sheeting, and disposing as you would of construction materials.

               

Gloves and eye protection are important when cleaning up mold. Mold spores can become airborne, raising the risk of respiratory exposure. Disposable protective clothing is recommended for large mold removal projects to prevent the transfer and spread of mold to clothing and to eliminate skin contact with mold. Full containment is also recommended for large mold contamination. Creating a barrier between the moldy area and other parts of the building along with a decontamination chamber for entry intro and exit from the remediation area are required for these large containments as well.

               

Removing mold is a process that needs to be taken seriously as it can affect your health and the building significantly. A professional can safely remove the mold and the affected areas in an environmentally friendly way. They are also able to dispose of all harmful materials properly. After you have had all mold removed, keeping up with moisture buildup in your home will help reduce the risk of mold accumulating.

About the Author:

Asbestos Abatement is pleased to bring you this article on the mold remediation clean-up process. Asbestos Abatement specializes in mold remediation in Denver, as well as mold removal in Denver.