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August, 2011:

Time for Floridians to Be Ready for Tropical Storms as Irene Approaches

Aug 22nd, 2011
by Jarvis Team.
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It is time for residents of Florida to prepare their homes and properties for the possible arrival of tropical storms and hurricanes. Tropical storm Irene is threatening to become the first storm to reach hurricane strength this week as it is making its way along the southern coast of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The National Weather Service has said that Irene could hit the southern Florida coasts by as early as Thursday or Friday of this week as a hurricane.

Now is not the time to become complacent if you live in Florida just because there has been an absence of severe storms in recent years. The Florida Division of Emergency Management wishes to warn people in the state to not have a false sense of security during this year’s hurricane season. Hurricane Katrina made landfall in southern Florida in late August of 2005 as only a Category 1 storm but the damage it did to homes and properties was extensive.

The most common type of damage which can occur during a tropical storm or hurricane in Florida is debris breaking windows and water filling a property. Also, high winds can wreak havoc on a building, creating pressure inside which can cause the roof to rip off. A tropical storm can pack sustained winds of between 40 and 73 miles per hour while a Category 5 hurricane can bring winds in excess of 155 mile per hour with 18+ feet storm surges which inevitably lead to catastrophic damage to homes, businesses and properties.

When you live in Florida, and especially in the southern portion of the state, it is a part of life to protect your home from potential damage done by tropical storms and hurricanes. Homes can be devastated by high wind and waves and debris can easily break doors and windows. It is essential to do regular inspections on roofs. A technique called “hurricane blocking” can be done to new structures which entails putting an extra 2×4 under the truss which creates a pocket of air space. This prevents a vacuum from forming during occurrences of strong winds.

Impact-resistant windows can be installed on new homes. Owners of older homes can have their windows “wet-flashed” which is a process of putting a sealant on the windows to prevent water leaks. Impact-resistant doors can also be used on homes. Additionally, it is wise to see to it that doors have at least three hinges and a dead bolt lock that features a bolt which is at least two inches long. There are no other storms on earth as powerful as hurricanes so it is essential to prepare your Florida property before a storm strikes. It is also important to know your city’s community disaster plan and to create a family plan as well.

Mold Test is a Must When Buying a Home in Florida

Aug 15th, 2011
by Jarvis Team.
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If you are planning to buy a home or any other property in Florida, it is important that you consider getting it inspected for mold. A home buyer, under a typical property purchase agreement, has the right to carry out all sorts of inspections. And as Florida has a humid and moist environment all through the year, which is ideal for mold growth, it is important that besides performing a standard home inspection you must also get your new home inspected for mold.

Although not all molds are harmful, but there are certain mold types that are toxic and can cause serious health problems. Alternaria, cladosporium, mucor, penicillium and Stachybotrys are some of the harmful types of molds commonly found in Florida.

These toxic molds produce irritants and allergens that can instigate health issues. Inhaling or touching mold spores can bring about allergic reactions in people with a weakened immune system. Red eyes, sneezing, sore throat, difficulty in breathing, sinus congestion, skin rashes and irritation are the common allergic reactions experienced by the sensitive people. In addition expecting women, unborn child, infants, young children and elders are at high risk of developing allergies and health conditions when living in an environment affected by molds.

Mold odor has been associated with a two-fold increase in the chances of a kid developing asthma in the future. Furthermore, molds growing in the walls of your home may generate unnoticeable odor, which can lead to allergic reactions and an increased risk of asthma.

Apart from the dangerous effects of molds on your health, they are known to damage and destroy all the things they thrive on. Hidden molds can easily eat into your valuable furnishings if left unchecked.

As you can make out from the above discussion that molds cannot only have a serious effect on your health, but they can also cause your property value to go down. Therefore, it is important that you must get a mold test done from a professional mold removal company when thinking of purchasing a new home in Florida. A competent molt inspection company will not only perform the air sampling, but will also check for the hidden molds and odor. The firm will examine the heat ventilation and air conditioning systems, air flow and pressure, and investigate the building defects. It will provide you with a detailed report with proofs such as photos and lab results, and recommend measures needed to get rid of the mold problem.

Tropical Storm Emily may develop into a Hurricane before reaching Florida

Aug 2nd, 2011
by Jarvis Team.
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Tropical Storm Emily developed in the Caribbean close to the Lesser Antilles Monday evening. It is predicted to reach South Florida on Saturday as a category one hurricane. Small change in its strength since it formed has been reported.
At around 5 a.m., it was reported to be about 245 miles of San Juan, Puerto Rico and was about 1,200 miles southeast of Miami. With sustained winds of 40 mph, it is travelling at 16 mph.

If the forecast holds, the tropical storm would reach south of Puerto Rico Tuesday, get to the Dominican Republic by Wednesday and hit the Turks and Caicos Islands by Thursday. It is predicted to reach central Bahamas by Friday and draw close to the Miami coast by Saturday. However, the estimated course may change in next few days, as more data about steering currents becomes available.

Hurricane specialists using the computer models to predict the path of Emily stated that it may hit Florida by this weekend. According to the forecast made by the National Hurricane Center, a low-pressure trough is more likely to form over the western Atlantic, which could pull the storm toward South Florida. However, it is difficult to determine the path of Emily because of its rough condition. As per hurricane specialists with the Accuweather and National Hurricane Center, the system may die down as it approaches land and interacts with dry air, but other atmospheric conditions, like warm sea-surface temperatures may strengthen it.

The storm is predicted to move diagonally from the Lesser Antilles in the direction of Florida. According to Erik Pinrock, leading meteorologist with Accuweather, the high pressure that is shielding the storm over and above the eastern Atlantic and Florida has moved over the Midwest, allowing the tropical systems to progress toward Florida. Pinrock added that certain large-scale conditions in the environment support the predictions made by the computer models and forecasters with the National Hurricane Center.

According to Pinrock, there is a chance of Emily developing into a minimal hurricane. However, if the storm is stronger, then the possibility of it turning north-east toward the sea before reaching Florida is quite high.

The hurricane season this time is off to an active beginning. Before Emily, all the four named storms have been weak. However, the season is going to peak shortly, increasing the possibility of more forceful storms developing in a couple of upcoming months.