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Soot and Smoke Damage Requires Specialized Cleanup

May 16th, 2013
by Jarvis Team.
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If you have ever dealt with a fire in your home or business, you know just how messy the cleanup can be. If your building was not a total loss, you have a long road ahead of you in terms of returning your items to their original condition. You need to do everything in your power in this regard to make sure that you do this, so that your home or office can be a positive dwelling space once again. That process begins when you choose which products to use in order to remove soot, smoke and other damage from your items.

Never use standard, over the counter products!

Too often, a person’s first instinct is to run to their local hardware store and grab the first spray, solution or cleaning product that they come across. This should never happen, because the work of removing smoke damage and soot is too involved for a standard product to ever handle. You need to take the proper steps to make sure that you are getting the most of your cleaning job, so that you can enjoy the condition of your furniture or other items every step of the way. When this is what you are looking for, make sure that you get in touch with a company that can either do the work for you, or provide you with the cleaning products that you need to handle the job. You get back what you put into the job, so if you want your building returned to its normal, pristine condition, it will take a diligent effort in order to get rid of the smoke and soot damage caused by the fire. Never take this for granted, and spend your money wisely when it comes to picking up the pieces in your home, office or other building.

Hiring a restoration company

In most situations, your best bet is likely to hire a company that specializes in fire damage restoration. When you hire these companies, you are giving yourself the best shot at success and getting your building back to normal, regardless of what took place. If this is what you need, there are plenty of companies and contractors in your local and surrounding area that would love to help you out with any work that you need. By leaving the work to the pros, you give yourself a much higher chance at success every step of the way.

Whenever you look to hire a professional fire and smoke damage restoration contractor, always make sure that they are licensed and insured. You should ask to see a current and valid license, and make sure that they have a liability insurance policy that will cover them for any type of work. When this is what you are looking for, get in touch with only the best. Your home depends on it, so make sure that you spend your money wisely and do everything in your power to get everything back in working order as quickly as possible.

Sinkholes are Common in the State of Florida

Mar 5th, 2013
by Jarvis Team.
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There was widespread new coverage last week of a Tampa-area home that was swallowed up by a large sinkhole, killing a man inside. Shortly after that sinkhole occurred, the ground opened up between two homes just a few short miles away. Coincidence? Hardly. Thousands of sinkholes open up in the Sunshine State each year. There is even a large sinkhole in Florida that’s opened to tourists and divers, called “Devil’s Den”.

Sinkholes are naturally occurring works of nature in the landscape in Florida. They belong in the same land form classification as caves and underground drainage systems which also make up the Florida landscape. A sinkhole occurs when acidic rainfall seeps down through the surface soil where it eventually reaches a soluble bedrock such as limestone – which is what half the land mass of Florida is made up of.

The process of a sinkhole forming and then opening is one that can go on for centuries as water slowly dissolves small parts of the rock to enlarge its natural fissures and joints to create a cavity beneath. As the process unfolds, the loose soil above is slowly washed into the cracks and voids. As the hole underground expands, sooner or later the surface layer of soil will simply give way.

When a sinkhole collapses, the materials above it will funnel into the sinkhole and that material includes homes, businesses and whatever other types of things may be sitting atop the area. In sinkhole-prone areas such as Florida, geologists routinely carry out land surveys for builders and property owners who are worried about sinkholes.

The state of Florida is known as having a karst landscape. What this means is that the landscape is formed by underground erosion of rocks (limestone) which can be dissolved by water. With Florida’s average annual rainfall total of about 4 feet, the land making up the state is very susceptible to sinkholes. These naturally occurring works of nature are so common in fact that Florida is often called the “Sinkhole Capital”. When you couple that much rain with the limestone that half of the state is made up of, you get sinkholes and sometimes very large ones occurring all across the state.

So how do you know if you have sinkholes on your property? You can look for cracks in your foundation, fences & utility poles that wobble and window & door frames that suddenly don’t fit correctly. Warped fences and doors and windows that don’t close are other warning signs of a sinkhole lurking beneath the surface of the ground. There are tests which can be conducted to determine if there is a sinkhole present. One involves inserting a tube into the ground to see what the solidity of the rock is like in the soil. Ground-penetrating radar can also be used to determine if a property is at risk for a sinkhole.

Cleanup Efforts Continue after Sandy Devastates The East Coast

Nov 16th, 2012
by Jarvis Team.
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Over two weeks since Superstorm Sandy struck the East coast and caused havoc and widespread devastating damage in scores of communities, those who took the brunt of the storm are still struggling to clean up the mess left behind. Residents in Red Hook – a NYC neighborhood that was submerged by the rising sea water describe the current conditions there using phrases like “a living hell” and “unbelievable still”. If it were not for the volunteers who are going door to door in that and other neighborhoods, many victims would not know what to do or where to turn.

Large, home improvement chains like Lowe’s and Home Depot as well as many local hardware stores are hustling to keep up with the huge demand for storm-related items following Sandy. As soon as items such as generators, power saws and ladders arrive in stock, they are quickly purchased by property owners who are trying to repair damages and restore power to their storm-struck homes.

Governors up and down the storm-ravaged East are not being shy about asking for as much federal money as they can for their storm-struck states. It is estimated that the damages and lost economic activities as a result of the big storm are over $50 billion. Governor Cuomo of New York is asking for a whopping $30 billion in federal aide to help rebuild his state. There are still tens of thousands of people homeless or displaced in the East from the storm and even more without power after sixteen days.

Tons of debris can be seen piling up in the streets of towns in numerous states that were hit by the massive 1,000 mile wide hurricane that came ashore under a full moon. Record-setting storm surge inundated portions of New York City while it re-arranged the New Jersey Shore and tore up neighborhoods in Long Island and in the Big Apple’s outer boroughs. Storm cleanup companies, contractors and electricians from across the country have converged on the region to offer their services. It could take weeks for some neighborhoods and communities to return to a somewhat ‘normal’ state after Sandy, a storm that was one of the largest ever to hit the United States.

Doral Flood Cleanup Begins as More Wet Weather for Miami-Dade County

May 24th, 2012
by Jarvis Team.
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Miami-Dade County in Florida remains under a flood watch after 48 straight hours of rain. The National Weather Service has extended the watch until Thursday evening. On Wednesday, heavy, torrential rains caused all types of problems for business owners in Doral. Water had to be pumped out of a parking lot there into a nearby canal, but by the time that was done, many motorists had already been left stranded on flooded roads and streets.

Folks living in south Florida are fed up with Mother Nature as it has been pouring rain since early Tuesday. Residents at one Doral apartment complex spent all of Wednesday removing wateer from their homes and vehicles. The heavy rainfall set a new Miami record after 5 ½ inches of rain fell within 24 hours, something that has not been witnessed since 1901. Doral got more than four inches of rain. There were vehicles seen stranded in high water all over that community. Unfortunately, Doral residents are not in the clear yet because the National Weather Service is telling them to expect more rain and even some more torrential rains through Thursday as the system that’s bringing the wet weather is moving very slowly across the region.

Due to the extreme rainfall that has been ocurring, The South Florida Water Management District or SFWMD is now operating the extensive flood control system that is designed to move massive amounts of water very quickly due to the. Officials at SFWMD report that the system is doing it’s job which is to minimize the risk of flooding near homes and businesses. Already about 200 million gallons of rain from the recent storms have been flowing in an emergency basin which is a nearly 1000 acre impoundment area that was built after Hurricane Irene in 1999 and an unnamed storm in 2000. In all, a half a million residents and 5,000 homes and businesses are being protected by the system.

The upcoming Memorial Day weekend is also going to be wet. The National Weather Service reported Wednesday that it will rain over the coming weekend as the official forecast calls for scattered showers and thunderstorms all across the region. How much rain will fall is yet to be seen. If those iving in southern Florida had their say, the upcoming holiday will be sunny and dry. However, people living in the region who are planning outdoor get-togethers should make alternative indoor plans as it could rain very heavily at times.

Cleanup Efforts Begin as Carencro Faces More Flooding

Mar 15th, 2012
by Jarvis Team.
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Officials are working to assess the damage caused by flooding on Tuesday. The assessments of damage resulting from the flash floods that inundated southern Louisiana on Monday could be ready by Thursday, there is a threat of more flooding from the bloated Vermilion River is a major worry for the people residing in the northeastern area of the Lafayette Parish, officials stated on Wednesday.

As per Jay Castille, Carencro City Manager, people are being evacuated from the area, The (Baton Rouge) Advocate reported.

If more rain falls, then there will be trouble for the communities in Carencro and surrounding areas, Castille stated.

As per the National Weather Service, the Vermilion River swollen to 21.85 feet at 3.00 pm, causing moderate flooding near Carencro. Flood stage of the river is at 17 feet.

According to Castile, a reworked estimate suggested that 60 percent of the Carencro city was inundated at one point, the Lafayette Daily Advertiser reported.

Church Street and Veterans Drive were hit quite hard. Affirming it as a major event, Castille said that almost all the communities within the Carencro city limits were affected. At least, 100 homes were affected.

The public works building in the city was also flooded with 2 feet of water.

Sewerage infrastructure in the city suffered some damage because of flooding, Carencro Mayor Glenn Brasseaux stated.

Castille stated that the city workers were out there cleaning up the drains and flooded buildings.

Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office spokesman, Capt. Kip Judice said that deputies were still observing the situation and were prepared to provide any help when needed. Judice said that they were waiting water levels to recede further and then evaluate what the city has to do to assist in public cleanup.

All the affected people are being prompted to get to call the Lafayette Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to answer a phone questionnaire.

Flooding can cause irreparable damage to your home or business place if not cleaned and dried promptly. In order to get to protect your property from water damage you should hire the service of a professional flood restoration company.

A reputable restoration company has all the equipment and expertise in cleaning up water-related damage. The services provided by an established property restoration company include flood redemption, water extraction, structural drying, sewage cleanup and mold redemption.

Severe Weather Rips Across Southeast

Jan 23rd, 2012
by Jarvis Team.
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A strong storm system with winds in excess of 50mph tore across the Southeast early Monday, killing at least three people and doing excessive damage to at least two states. The storm spurned tornadoes which ripped buildings and homes apart and knocked down trees and power lines. Dozens of injuries have thus far been reported in Jefferson County, Alabama ranging from cuts and bruises to broken bones. It also is being reported that numerous homes in the county have been destroyed.

Emergency officials are working to find people who may be trapped or injured. Emergency road crews are accessing the damage and clearing roadways which have been made impassible. Cedar point, AL which is northeast of Birmingham was especially hard hit by the suspected twister(s) as there are numerous reports of trees on top of houses and of residents having to step over downed trees to make their way down residential streets. Many trees in Cedar Point were snapped in half from the dangerous storm activity and there is debris spread across the small community.

The American Red Cross and Salvation Army are sending in teams to assist victims of the storm. There are also reports of damage coming in from Chilton and Perry counties south of Birmingham in the state’s mid-section. The governor of Alabama Robert Bentley has already declared a state of emergency which means that funding resources can be used to aid local officials. A total of seven counties in Alabama were damaged by the storm with most being in Jefferson and Chilton counties.

In the rural community of Oak Grove near Birmingham, entire homes were flattened, windows were blown out of vehicles and roofs of houses were torn partially off in the darkness of the early morning hours Monday. Many residents of Oak Grove report hearing a loud “roar” at around 3:30 am when the bad weather struck. This community took a major hit from tornadoes in April of 2011 when over 230 people were killed in Alabama although this time it was not the same neighborhoods that took the brunt of the damage. Thus far, Oak Park has lost one resident in this storm as an elderly man has lost his life. In nearby Trussville, many homes also were flattened and there are numerous reports of injuries there.

There were possible tornadoes in Arkansas as well. The storms also produced large hail and high winds as they moved through portions of Arkansas, Tennessee, Illinois and Mississippi.

Cleaning Up After a Hurricane

Oct 4th, 2011
by Jarvis Team.
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Hurricanes are forces of nature and they leave a trail of devastation and destruction on its wake. The storms and hurricanes all over the world are said to have been caused by man’s abuse of the Earth. But because they are unavoidable, the best you can do is to always be prepared. Having emergency supplies and a place to retreat for safety is very important. Boarding up the house and property before the hurricane comes is another method of protection.

Upon Returning to the Site

Remember to only return to your property after emergency officials have declared it safe to do so. Value your life more than material things. Only go once you are allowed to. Wear protective covering for your face, feet, and body. Do not attempt to touch any fallen wires or clear any trees. Call the utility company and report loss of power, upturned gas tanks, etc. Once power is restored, check the refrigerator for spoiled food and throw them out immediately. You can do a preliminary cleanup of your property by wiping wet surfaces. You can also dispose of waterlogged items like furniture, carpets, mattresses and pillows. Clothes that can be salvaged may be placed in garbage bags and taken to a Laundromat to be washed and cleaned.

File an Insurance Claim

Damage to property due to hurricanes is usually covered by insurance. You can file a claim and expect to be paid after a reasonable amount of time. You can wait for the insurance adjuster to come and inspect your house. But you may also take pictures to document the damage, especially if you are in a hurry to clean up. Whatever miscellaneous items you purchase may be reimbursed if you keep all receipts and invoices. Taking down notes about what particular parts of your house need to be repaired is also helpful. You will have to wait until the adjustor has finished inspection before you can call for outside service. Make sure you have a written quotation from the contractor because it is necessary for reimbursement purposes.

Utilize Outside Services

For major cleanup and repairs, it’s best if you outsource the service. There are several companies that specialize in hurricane damage repairs and cleaning. It can be overwhelming to deal with it all but you can count on these companies to deal with your destroyed floorboards, flooded basement or damaged roof. They are meticulous and thorough. They also prioritize hurricane victims so you can expect a crew to arrive immediately at your place. Broken windows, debris and tree removal can also be handled by these companies. There are even companies that offer complete restoration services. So, you will not have to worry about anything… they will take care of it all.

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.

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.

Tips for Boarding up Your Windows before a Hurricane

Jul 15th, 2011
by Jarvis Team.
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The hurricane season in Florida starts from June and lasts until November. It is imperative that you take all the preventive measures before and during the hurricane season. Boarding up the windows of your home can considerably reduce the chance of damage caused by wind and water. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that you should use five-eighths-inch marine plywood to board up your windows. However, it is important to understand that this preventive measure provides a temporary protection against hurricanes. It is highly advised that you should use more solid and durable structures such as steel shutters, especially if you live in areas, like Florida, which are more likely to experience a high-intensity hurricane.

Other things that you will require for boarding up your windows are gloves, safety goggles, tape measure, circular saw, framing square, pencil, drill and drill bits, ¼-inch lag screws (for houses with wood frame structure), ¼-inch expansion bolts, wrench, hammer, nuts, masonry anchors, wood anchors and large washers.

1. Count the number of windows in your homes and use the tape measure to determine the width and height of each window. Add 8-inch to both the width and the height.

2. Take the circular saw and cut the board as per measurements you have taken. Wear the gloves and safety goggles while doing so to prevent the wooden splinters from piercing into your hands and injuring your eyes. Use the framing square to get a straight cut.

3. Now take the drill and use drill bits corresponding to the diameter of the screws or bolts to drill the holes. The holes should be 2-inch in from the edge of the board at every corner. Drill the holes all-around the panel by keeping twelve-inch gaps between them. For example, drill one hole at the top right edge of the panel, then measure down twelve inches and drill another one. Keep on repeating this process until you have drilled the holes around the whole board panel.

4. Position the drilled board in place firmly and use the pencil to mark opening of the holes.

5. Now secure the board on all four sides. If you are securing the board on a wooden frame house and windows measuring 3-by-4 feet or smaller, then apply plastic-coated permanent anchor. Place a washer and use the wrench to tighten ¼-inch lag screws into each hole. For windows larger than 3-by-4, use 3/8-inch lag screws. For securing the board to masonry house with windows 3-by-4 feet or smaller, apply galvanized permanent expansion anchor and use ¼-inch expansion bolts. Use the hammer to pound in the screws. For bigger windows, use 3/8-inch expansion bolts.