Tips

Oak has always been popular for use in different structures, and its properties make it a particularly valuable element that can increase the value of any property. Did you know that there are more than 600 kinds of oak trees found in the northern hemisphere, and most of these are suitable for use as timber? Two particular species are often found in the European continent as well – Q. petraea and Q. robur. These species of oak have been widely used for centuries, especially for the making of furniture, decorative elements, and architectural or structural supports (such as oak beams). If you have oak wood in your home – whether in the form of beams, furniture and more – it pays to preserve it so you can enjoy it for years to come. Here’s more on what you should know about oak wood properties and benefits – and why restoring oak is always an excellent decision.

Oak properties and characteristics that make it incredibly valuable

• Flexibility – oak has an innate strength and obvious physical appeal, which makes it ideal for various purposes. A typical oak tree can grow to a great height, and this means that it can produce a lot of timber indeed. The timber’s length makes it even more suitable for exterior cladding and flooring and beams. If you use oak for your property, the work can be more quickly and effectively finished simply because you need fewer pieces. And since oak is relatively uniform in grain and colour, it gives you a highly-consistent finish.
• Durability – as you may already know, oak is immensely hardy and durable – if you have oak beams, then you can definitely see for yourself how durable those oak beams are, even if they are already decades old. Numerous buildings framed in oak and built centuries ago are still standing today, and this certainly proves how long oak can last. Oak inherently contains a high percentage of tannin, making it amazingly resistant to fungi or insects. Unlike other kinds of wood, oak is not as likely to rot or decay. When you use particular drying methods that remove moisture within the wood, the timber produced is more weather-proof than most and doesn’t require extensive chemical treatment, if at all. Oak is also less likely to shrink or warp compared to other kinds of wood.
• Aesthetic appeal – without a doubt, oak is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. This is one of the vital reasons why it remains a desirable timber; it has a naturally pleasant goldish color that dries to a silvery hue and tone eventually. It also has visible graining, which doesn’t require waxing or staining to emphasise it. The texture of oak also makes it attractive, especially to home and property owners who are looking for a natural wooden sheen.

If you have old oak beams, old oak furniture, and the like, you should take extra care to preserve it. Old oak beams, in particular, are very attractive and can lend a uniquely appealing look to the interior of a building. If your old oak beams need to be renovated or restored, there are beam renovation specialists who can provide you with their expertise and can bring back the beauty and appeal of the wood – and it’s definitely worth it.

 

Do you want to know how to clean ceiling fans? During this lockdown period, it can be vitally important to keep your home as clean as possible. If you don’t then you could end up getting ill from the dust circulating in your room.

How should approach how to clean ceiling fans so that your cleaning is effective? Here’s everything you need to know.

Why Clean?

You might ask what’s the point in cleaning your ceiling fan? Indeed what’s the point in cleaning anything? If fans gather dust – and let’s face it they usually gather more dust than most appliances by being out of reach – then they start to infect the air that you breathe.

If the air is full of dust particles it can start to affect your breathing and can even lead to increased allergies. During these difficult COVID times it’s more important than ever that we keep our respiratory health in top shape.

With lockdowns meaning, we are spending more time inside than ever before there’s never been a more important time to ensure our homes are clean.

Safety First

The most important thing you need to consider when cleaning a fan is safety. First of all, ensure the power is turned off. You don’t want to risk electrocuting yourself. Double-check that your fan is off before you begin work on it.

You might also need to get a ladder to clean your fan. If this is the case take proper safety precautions first. Only use a small step ladder. Ensure that it is secure before you climb it. You might also want to consider taking a course on how to use a ladder safely.

If you have another person in the house then consider getting them to stand by it to hold it in place. It’s also worth having another person nearby in case you were to slip and fall. They can ensure you receive medical attention straight away.

Consider Using an Extendable Duster

If you don’t want to use a ladder then consider getting an extendable duster. You can only use one of these if your ceiling is low enough or your fan is not too difficult to clean from a distance.

You might want to use an extendable duster for a quick more regular clean but every now and then it’s important to climb up high and check over your fan to give it a deep clean. This is ceiling fan maintenance.

Get Spraying

Another technique you can use to make sure your fans are clean is a dusting spray. This spray can help you clean up the dust with no problem.

These sprays are usually full of pressurized air and can be useful for getting rid of thick dust that might stay on the surface even after you have given it a clean with an extendable duster or cloth.

Hire a Cleaner

Of course, if you don’t like cleaning your fan or you’re no good at it then you can hire a cleaner. The question of how often you clean your fan or hire a cleaner to do it for you can be tricky but a cleaner might have the answer.

They might charge more during the current pandemic and you may need to practice social distancing but they can be a great investment and you can ensure they do the job properly.

Always wear a mask and make sure your cleaner wears a mask. This is not just about the current pandemic, you should wear one even when the coronavirus has completely disappeared so that you don’t inhale the dust particles.

Look online on professional cleaning sites to make sure you hire a cleaner who will do a good job rather than just hiring a friend or someone who posted on Facebook.

Be sure to ask them what their hourly rate is and whether they can spend some specific time on cleaning your fan.

Clean that Motor

The most important part of the fan that you need to clean is the motor. This is the part that can stop the entire fan from working if it gets clogged up with dust. Do not attempt to clean this on your own. You should also stop your cleaner from touching it either.

Instead, you need to call on a special expert to help you clean the motor. They can dismantle the entire fan and clean the motor and all the rotor blades as well. You can be on standby to assist them if necessary but it is the expert themselves who should be doing the cleaning itself.

Start by looking for the manufacturer of the ceiling fan itself. Perhaps they can send someone over to help you or recommend a licensed engineer to help you. Failing this you can begin searching on Google or asking friends for recommendations as to who to call to come and clean your ceiling motor.

If you have a noisy ceiling fan they might also be able to fix it to enable it to run more smoothly.

How to Clean Ceiling Fans? Clean Regularly

If you’re thinking about the best way of how to clean a ceiling fans then the answer is to do it regularly so that the dust doesn’t build up. You should also consider hiring an expert every few months to come and clean the motor and check it over.

If you are interested in reading more great content be sure to check out the rest of our site.

Over 37% of homeowners have experienced damage caused by flooding. This flooding can be caused by things like leaking plumbing pipes or forces of nature. When faced with flooding issues, your main concern needs to be getting them fixed in a timely manner.

Removing water from your home and fixing any damage it has caused is a job best left to water damage restoration professionals. With all of the different water damage restoration companies operating on the modern market, finding the right one to hire will be difficult.

Are you trying to hire professionals to remove water from your home? If so, consider the helpful tips below.

1. Assess the Services Offered by a Water Damage Restoration Company

Some homeowners think that simply removing water from their flooded residence is all it takes to fix this problem. In reality, standing water in a home can cause lots of damage, which is why working with professionals is so important. As you start to research the various water damage restoration services in your area, be sure to assess the types of services each one offers.

Ideally, you want to find a company that offers mold remediations, carpet cleaning, and water extraction services. Finding a company that offers all of these services will remove some of the stress and frustration associated with cleaning up a flooded home.

If you do choose a company that has to subcontract out parts of this job, be sure to find out more about the individuals they are hiring. The more you know about the process a company uses to address water damage, the easier it will be to avoid problems.

2. Choose a Company With Extensive Experience

Removing water from a flooded home and mitigating the risks this moisture can cause is difficult. Without the right amount of experience and professional-grade equipment, getting the water out of your residence will be impossible. Making sure the company you are thinking of hiring has extensive experience with water damage restoration is a wise move.

Choosing a company that is relatively new and unproven can come back to haunt you in the future. The money paid to a water removal expert will be worth it considering the problems they can help you prevent.

Taking the time to go online and look at the reviews for a water damage restoration company is crucial. With this information, you can figure out whether or not a particular business is the right fit for your needs.

3. Schedule Multiple Consultations

Most water damage restoration companies offer consultations to potential customers. During these consultations, you will be able to find out more about a company and what they will charge for the job at hand.

While participating in multiple consultations will be time-consuming, it is worth the effort. The information from these consultations allows you to make an informed decision regarding which company to hire.

It’s Time to Find a Water Damage Restoration Company

As you can see, finding the right water damage restoration company is not easy. Researching all of the companies in your area is essential when trying to make the right hire.

Are you looking for more information on handling common home repairs? If so, check out the rest of our blogs.

If you’re just starting with a new small business, one of the first things you’re going to want to take care of is setting yourself up a new website. Not only will your website we used to get in touch with current and prospective customers and clients, but you can and should also conduct your business through your website. And for those who aren’t yet working with you, a strong website can help them make the decision to use your products or services in the first place.

To help you set something up that’s going to be a true benefit for your new organization, here are three tips for creating a website for your small business.

Find The Right Web Hosting Service

Before you really start working on your website, you’re going to need to find the right web hosting service to host your website and act as your go-to if you have questions or problems with the functionality of your website and how it interacts with the Internet.

According to Allison Bowlus, a contributor to AllBusiness and Forbes.com, one of the best options for a young business that’s looking to grow is to use a virtual private server. This hosting service will give you the hosting services and security you’ll want for your website without having to pay a huge monthly fee that many startups can’t really afford.

Design For Easy Use

Now that you have your web hosting figured out, you’ll want to focus your attention on designing a great website that’s going to be easy and intuitive for your visitors.

When aiming for easy use and navigation, Kelly Main, a contributor to Fit Small Business, recommends that you start by setting up a sitemap so you can see how you want your navigation to be laid out and what pages you’ll have connected to each other in a hierarchy. This can make it much easier for you to plan how visitors will move through your website and eventually convert.

Make Contacting You Effortless

Despite all your efforts to get everything taken care of with your new website, there’s a great possibility that you’ll forget some information or not have all the details that some visitors will be looking for. In these situations, you’ll want to make it easy for your visitors to contact you.

While you can include your phone number or email address, Syed Balkhi, a contributor to Entrepreneur.com, recommends that you make this even more effortless by using a contact form or a chat service. Taking these measures can make your visitors more likely to get in contact with you when they need something, which can quickly turn them from visitors to customers.

If you’re about to start a new website for your new business, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you get everything set up correctly.

Talk about the transportation of the future has usually concentrated on such things as flying cars, sophisticated rail systems and autonomous vehicles. However, a good case can be made for the electric bicycle as the ideal mode of transportation for the present and the future. There is an electric bicycle for men and for women. Sales are skyrocketing, and for good reason. The electric bicycle is affordably priced, environmentally friendly and convenient for both the city and the suburbs. In many cases, it offers a little more flexibility and freedom than a bus or subway system. In fact, the electric bike is a great way to get around cities of all sizes, from those as large as New York City to smaller towns such as Savannah, Georgia, and Ashland, Oregon. Here are some great American cities to commute in or explore on two wheels by way of electrical power:

• Portland, OR, is the place to ride to famous Powell’s Books or relax at a trendy brewpub
• Tuscon, AZ, offers nice weather year-round and open spaces just outside of the city
• San Diego, CA, has the Mission Bay Park with its abundant bike paths and water views
• Chicago, IL, has the Lake Michigan bike path that can be used for sightseeing and commuting
• Boulder, CO, provides access to bustling Pearl Street and a lively restaurant scene

With its pedal-assist technology, the flexible electric bicycle is suitable for all ages. The bike frames are robust enough to allow commuters and others to carry some extra gear.

A Solid Choice of Styles and Features

The consumer is king when it comes to finding the right bike for each individual. A ladies electric bike comes in many shapes, styles and colors. All of the conveniences of comfort and speed make the journey in the city or suburbs more rewarding and more enjoyable. Upright handlebars, comfortable seats, strong brakes and sturdy tires combine to make a better ride. The customer can also choose between a 250 watt or a 500 watt motor. The larger motor offers a little more speed and power, but both will work on climbing the biggest urban hills. Speeds of 30 mph can be reached with the larger motor. Riders can also choose from three modes: all electric, pedal assist and all manual. Once the rider has found a suitable bike and chosen the perfect fit, the e-bike is ready to be shipped and power the person to work or play.

A New World of Biking

The days of suffering on a bike are over. There is no need to feel cramped and sore or struggle up that final hill on the way home or to work. Best of all, the rider gets to feel the weather of the day and hear the sounds of the city. The electric motor runs quiet and smooth. It’s easy to buy electric bike online with a convenient website that includes valuable information such as styles, models, colors and pricing. Consumers, whether male or female, young or old, large or small, can find the perfect fit with the Fit Tool application.

 

He huffed, and he puffed, and he blew the house down! We all learned at an early age that it’s not a good idea to build a house out of straw or sticks. But what are the best building materials and which is right for you?

We can look at history and see what our ancestors did in order to build the oldest buildings in the world. Of course, a lot has changed in the world of architecture since the Megalithic Temples of Malta went up. So if you’re interested in modern house building materials, read on to learn the differences and why you should take them into consideration.

1. Wood Is Good

Wood is a very friendly building material as it is lightweight, easily cut to length, and can be used structurally or decoratively. It can be quite strong when treated to resist moisture and lasts a long time.

However, wood is susceptible to damage from moisture, insects, and fire, all of which can leave your building uninhabitable.

2. Solid Stone

Humans have been building with stone for ages and value it for its strength, load-bearing properties, ability to withstand fire and the elements, and natural beauty.

While modern-day contractors rarely build entire stone structures, it is popular to use it as a veneer or for the facade of a building. Stone is heavy, difficult to lift, and expensive to extract from the earth. Unfortunately, there are more modern materials that are preferred over a stone structure which makes this option look like it’s from the stone age.

3. You Can Count on Concrete

Concrete is an aggregate material made from a combination of sand, small stones, cement, and water. Reinforcing it with steel increases its tensile strength and makes it more flexible and able to support heavier loads.

Concrete is best used for foundations, walls, beams, and slabs. It is a relatively inexpensive building material and can be formed into any shape to create a strong, reliable structure.

4. The Best Building Materials Are Made of Steel

Steel became a popular building material for skyscrapers because of its ability to create a strong framework for load-bearing walls. While steel is common for commercial construction, you should also consider steel for residential construction.

Steel is a strong and versatile building medium that is easy to produce and less taxing on natural resources. Its eco-friendly quality is due to mass production from recycled steel material.

Steel is also a top performer when it comes to withstanding earthquakes and other natural disasters. Its fire-resistant and impervious to the elements when treated properly.

5. From Clay to Brick

Man discovered that clay becomes a lot stronger when it was formed into blocks and dried in the sun. Many ancient structures such as the Great Wall of China, The Pantheon, and the Roman Aqueducts are made of brick and are still standing strong today.

Brick can be an excellent building material. However, it can be very expensive to build entirely of brick. Most brick structures you see today are made of wood or concrete with a brick veneer out the outer wall.

Brick offers fire resistance and insulation but requires maintenance if you live in a wet climate.

Breaking Ground

When considering materials to build a house, don’t overlook alternative options to your typical wood frame and drywall. After all, you’ll want to build a strong structure out of the best building materials that will outlast you.

For more ideas on building your dream home that will last a lifetime check out some of our other posts!

Did you know that a custom home can cost between $350,000 to over $1 million? If you are looking into building a custom home because you are ready to live in your dream home, then you will want to choose the perfect home builders for the job.

Keep reading to learn more about finding the right builder for you.

1. What Do You Want in a Custom Home?

Before you choose a builder you have to know what you want in your custom home. Decide what style you want (modern, contemporary, traditional, etc) and how big of a house you want. How many rooms and bathrooms do you need and want?

Keep in mind that if you are planning on starting a family you want a home that will grow with you and will accommodate you and your family in the future. This will ensure that you have your dream custom home built right from the start.

2. Make a List of Builders

Once you have a clear vision of the type of home you want to build, you want to put together a list of potential builders that can bring your vision to life. You can look up the homebuilders association in the are that you want your future home and start contacting each one.

You can also use other resources such as the Homeowners for Better Building (HOBB) or NewHomeSource.com. Reputable builders such as Currahee Home Builders will make the home building process a breeze because they are experienced when it comes to homebuilding.

When you have your list together you will want to do as much homework as possible to figure out the builder’s experience. You want to know the values of the company and its philosophy to make sure they align with you.

3. Reach Out to Your List

Now is the fun part, reaching out and doing a mini phone interview. Speaking to the builder will help you gauge whether you want to do an in-person meeting or not. Keep in mind that this will be the most time-consuming part of the entire process but it is one of the most crucial.

Meeting in person will let you assess the strength of their team and their experience. You can also see how organized they are and their communication style.

Make sure that you ask if they have experience building the style of home you want. This is important because every home style has its own unique challenges and you want to feel confident that they can overcome any challenges that come up.

Ready to Choose the Perfect Home Builders?

Now that you know more about choosing the perfect home builders, you can start your search. This is an exciting time in your life where you can look forward to the final result. We hope that this important decision in your life now seems a bit less scary and daunting.

Did our blog post help you today? Please come back soon to never miss our latest.

Experts predict that 2020 will be named one of the top five hottest years on record.

As temperatures continue to rise year after year, your HVAC system becomes more and more important. No one wants to be caught in these record-hot temperatures without a relief. But what happens when your air conditioner quits in the middle of a heatwave?

Keep reading to discover a few simple AC repair tips to ensure you stay cool all summer long.

1. Your AC Filter Is Essential

If you’ve noticed that your air conditioner isn’t blowing out cold air or is having trouble regulating its temperature, your air filter may be the problem.

With proper AC maintenance, your air filter should be changed every three months. If you can’t remember that last time, if ever, that you changed the filter, this should be the first thing you try.

When an AC filter gets clogged or becomes old, your unit has to work harder to push the cold air throughout your home. This puts unnecessary stress on your unit and can lead to more serious issues down the road.

Check the size of the current filter inside your HVAC unit and buy a new replacement. Then, simply replace the old filter with the new one.

2. Check Your Outdoor Unit

Another air conditioning maintenance task that can lead to issues when forgotten is taking care of your outdoor unit.

As time passes, yard debris can gather around the outside of your unit and prevent proper airflow. You might even have a few plants growing near or inside the unit. The first step is to clear the area of any overgrowth.

You can even disconnect power to the unit and take the cover off. Using a hose, clean off any dirt or debris buildup on the unit, particularly the fins. Try to avoid getting the electrical components of the unit wet as this can cause further issues.

3. Enlist the Help of an HVAC Professional

If you’ve done the previous suggestions but are still experiencing AC issues, you’re in need of some air conditioning repair help.

If your unit was professionally installed or you have a professional perform regular maintenance, contact that company as they’ll be familiar with your unit. If not, a simple Google search for “HVAC repair near me” should provide a few companies that are willing to help you out.

While hiring a professional will cost more than fixing the issue yourself, it’s a safer and quicker option. They’ll be able to pinpoint the exact issue, give you a repair quote, and then professionally fix the issue.

AC Repair Is an Important Part of Homeownership

AC repair is an important part of homeownership, regardless of where you live. If your AC starts to act up, try these suggestions to fix the issue.

Start by checking the AC filter and replacing it if necessary. Then, inspect your outdoor unit and remove any debris or repair any obvious issues. If these simple things don’t do the trick, it’s time to call in an HVAC professional to handle the job.

Looking for more tips to be the best homeowner possible? Bookmark the Tips section of this site to stay up to date with every informative post.

Are you looking for different ways to improve the curb appeal of your home? Do you want to make it stand out more than the rest of the homes in your neighborhood?

If so, then you’ll need to learn the tricks behind a thorough exterior house cleaning. It can help make your home appear as though it’s brand new. You’ll notice those that pass your house often take second glances to admire the cleanliness.

If you’re planning on doing an exterior house cleaning soon, be sure to see below for several tips that can help you do just that. Take all of these tips into consideration.

1. Pressure Wash Essential Areas

If you’re looking to make your home appear as though it’s brand-spanking-new, then pressure washing will help you do that in several areas. It can be used to clean your home’s siding, decks, and driveways.

To do that effectively, you need to find a power washing service that will come in under your budget for your home cleaning project.

Start by taking the pressure washer to your home’s siding. Wash away all the dirt and debris that you see, making sure to get up underneath the siding as well. After that, take the pressure washer and move it to your fence.

Pressure washers are incredibly helpful at removing years off both the siding and fencing around your home.

Be sure to also take the pressure washer to your driveway, removing as much dirt from the surface as possible. You can also, if you have the time, apply the pressure washer to your front porch and back deck.

With all these different areas cleaned and looking brand-new, renting a power washer is a no-brainer for those looking to improve the exterior of their home.

2. Hire Professional Window Washers

Do your home a favor and stop with the DIY window washing chores. Most people half-butt it as is; they merely spraying glass cleaner on the window, and scrub over it with a hand rag, which is hardly effective at all.

Instead, you can have those windows looking better than when you moved in by hiring a professional window washing service.

Rather than spending up to 3 hours cleaning the windows yourself, hire someone that will take less time and render better results. The pros will use better cleaning solutions for a longer, sleeker shine. After they’re done, all your windows will look spotless.

Be sure to read these advantages of hiring professional window washers versus doing it yourself.

3. Clean the Gutters

Have you noticed water pouring out of the sides of your gutters when it rains? Do your gutters look as if they’re being pulled down by a tremendous amount of weight? Is there mold or puddles starting to form around the foundation of your home?

Believe it or not, these are all signs that your gutters are filled with debris and might need to be replaced.

However, before you go jumping to conclusions, take the time to climb up to your roof and clean out the gutters. Be sure to bring a trash bag up with you so that you can safely dispose of the debris and ensure it won’t get trapped in the gutter again.

If you’re unsure of whether your gutters are covered with junk, just consider the number of trees you have in your yard. If it’s more than one, you probably need to clean out your gutters. It never hurts to check!

4. Clean Patio Furniture

All this pressure washing and window cleaning is good stuff, but if you don’t spend time cleaning your patio furniture, it can ruin all your cleaning efforts.

Be sure to pay extra special attention to the patio furniture by hosing them down from time to time. If they have outdoor cushions then be sure to scrub them down with a sponge dipped in dish soap and water, then spray them down with a hose as well.

Wipe down the surface and legs of any tables that you have outside and cater to other outdoor items such as your grill, basketball hoop, plant hangers, etc.

Anything that can be washed, should be washed. When in doubt, be sure to look up how to properly clean a particular item you keep outside your home.

5. Keep Your Landscape Crisp and Trimmed

When’s the last time you went through your yard and trimmed off the dead or faded parts of your flowers, bushes, and trees? Doing so can put your home’s landscape in prime condition well into the spring, summer, and fall seasons.

Of course, nothing makes a landscape look cleaner than a fresh mow of the grass, but be sure to use a weed trimmer to keep that landscape crisp!

While you’re out mowing, try to keep a definitive line between your grass and garden beds. As storms pass, the rain and wind will try to mesh your mulch into the grass, don’t let them!

Well-defined lines and green grass is what separates the good yards from the great yards. Be sure yours falls into the latter category by staying on top of landscaping responsibilities!

Use These Exterior House Cleaning Tips to Your Advantage

Now that you’ve seen several tips on exterior house cleaning, be sure to take them to heart.

Remember that while the tasks might seem tedious, the reward is a home that looks as young as when it was first built.

Be sure to browse our website for more articles on home maintenance, as well as several other amazing topics.

Globally, floods do over $40 million in damages every year. While you won’t have to shell out as much money for flooding on your property, it can certainly add up.

The key to keeping your costs to a minimum is taking immediate and effective action.

Don’t know where to start? Here are eight steps you need to take after a house flood so you can avoid needing costly mold remediation.

1. Turn off the Power

No matter how big the flood was, you should always turn off the power. As you may already know, water is a conductor of electricity and could do immense harm to you and your property if you let the two mix.

Don’t just head straight for the fuse box though. Make sure you put on some rubber boots and gloves first. Then, you can grab a flashlight and go turn off the electricity.

In addition to the mains, you should also turn off all fuse connections individually. This might take more work, but it’ll decrease safety hazards.

2. Turn off the Water

Even if the flooding wasn’t due to a burst pipe or anything like that, you should turn off the water as well. That way, if anything does happen to your pipes, they won’t do additional water damage to your home.

After you’ve turned off the power, go around your house, making sure to shut off all water sources. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing you’re doing everything you can to prevent water damage from becoming worse.

3. Take Pictures of Everything

Before you get to work on cleaning everything up, take a quick moment to take pictures of everything. It may even help to take some videos. Either can be easily done with most modern smartphones.

All these pictures will help immensely when you’re making your insurance claim. They’re fantastic proof of the damage and will aid in getting you the maximum coverage possible.

4. Give Your Insurance Company a Call

On that note, you need to inform your insurance company that there’s been flooding in your home. It may be a good idea to have this information in a handy place so you’re not scrambling for it while in the midst of an emergency.

You’ll need to speak with your insurance agent to figure out if you can proceed with immediate repairs. They’ll assess the situation over the phone and either give you a thumbs up or down.

If you’re given the go-ahead, then make sure you properly document everything that’s going on, including all communications and repairs as you go along.

5. Perform Water Removal

When your insurance agent says it’s ok to do so, you’ll need to do immediate water removal, especially for water in the basement. The easiest way to do this is to rent a sump pump and a wet vac.

While you’re getting all the water out of your property, make sure to leave your windows and doors wide open so you can get some fresh air in. This can help the water evaporate and make conditions less favorable for mold to grow.

You’ll also want to put dehumidifiers all around your home so you get further water removal.

6. Sort Through Your Belongings

Once you’ve removed all the water you can from your property, it’s time to sort through your belongings. You’ll have to make some calls on whether or not it’s worth it to salvage things or if they’re even salvageable.

For example, you may have a box full of random magazines from the 2000s. This is probably not worth saving.

On the other hand, if you have a box full of vintage books, then that’ll probably be worth the money and effort to restore.

Take this time to sort things into different piles and then throw away things that aren’t worth saving or are so damaged, you can’t do anything with them.

7. Clean and Sanitize Everything

With the pile of things you’ve saved, you’ll need to clean, sanitize, and dry them. For example, with books, you’ll want to wipe down the jackets and covers, then spread the pages out as much as possible so they can dry.

With furniture and other bigger items, you might have to call in professionals who have the training and equipment to really clean and sanitize these things.

In addition, make a solution that’s 10% bleach and wipe down all the surfaces you can. This will help prevent any mold spores from exploding in growth.

If the flooding’s really bad and it’s reached your refrigerator, you’ll want to throw away anything that’s been touched by the floodwater. You’ll also want to boil water before use for a while after the flood.

8. Start on Repairs If Possible

Last, but not least, you should start on repairs if your insurance agency told you it was ok to do so. For instance, you may have broken windows, so you need to board them up to prevent more water from getting in.

It’s a good idea to call in professionals as they’ll be able to get the job done quickly and effectively.

Act Quickly to Avoid Needing Mold Remediation

If you’ve had a house flood, then it’s crucial that you act quickly and put our tips to use. The longer your home and belongings have soaked in the dirty flood water, the higher the chance of things getting ruined.

Of course, in the worst-case scenario, things may be beyond salvaging. In that case, you may need to seek out a mold remediation expert to sort out your property.

Again, the key is quick action. So once you’ve been through a flood, don’t delay in taking the right steps to preserve both your home and your treasured items.

If this article on what to do after a house flood was useful to you, then make sure you read our other blog posts too!