Fall Home Safety Tips

Fall is officially here. It marks the shift in the summer season to becoming a bit colder outside. As fall takes us into winter, its important to make sure your home is prepared for the next season. Here are some basic and simple tips you can follow to make sure you have your home and property better prepared.

1. For any indoor flames (fireplaces, candles, etc.) make sure flammable materials are kept at a safe distance.
2. Beware Ladders: Fall is a great time to clean out your gutters and make sure there are no impediments in your gutter system. Use proper safety precautions when using ladders.
3. Make sure all exterior lights are functioning and light bulbs have been changed.
4. For proper fire safety, check all fire alarms in your home and make sure they are functioning properly and have fresh batteries.
5. Check walls for leaks and cracks: as the winter rains approach, limit your water damage risk by making sure you have proper run off systems for your home.

There are plenty of other tips you can follow to ensure the safety of your home. The best way to protect your property is to make sure you have taken the right precautionary steps. For any additional advice and safety tips visit our website at http://svmrecovery.com/advice/

How to Find Mold in Your Home

Mold can be present in various areas in a home and can affect people in many different ways. Some people are lightly impacted by the presence of mold in a home, and others are impacted heavily. Those that are impacted heavily by mold can have allergies, and respitory reactions to mold presence in a home. Generally speaking if some is feeling better when they are out of their home, rather than when they are at home, it’s a good sign that there could be something wrong. So to beg the question, if there is mold, how do you find it?

Always start by inspection the areas of your home that have water supply present. This includes the kitchen, bathrooms and sometimes garages. If there is an odor or constant damp feel it is a good indication that it is an environment where mold spores can form and grow. In these rooms it is always good to check for any cracks and actually see if there is any smell close to these cracks. If there is a smell, there could be mold located inside the walls (typically generated from a water leak or cracked pipe inside the walls). Another way mold presence can be determined in a home is by looking for any leaks or moisture build up in the home. If there are any water streaks present there is a good chance that mold has had a chance to develop over time.

Now most people want to perform the mold removal themselves by either using bleach or some other product to remove the mold. However, there is little effectiveness in this method, usually found by the growth of mold in areas that were already affected. The best way to eliminate mold is to begin by eliminating the presence of moisture and humidity. The second is to have a professional look at the problem and recommend solutions.

For any emergency mold removal or remediation services contact us at 1-800-439-8833. For tips on how to respond to mold in your home visit our website at http://svmrecovery.com/

Hazards During Water Damage

In many water damage situations it is critical to have immediate response. But before doing so, it is always important to address the current risks involved with the active damage. In order to do so, it is always important for home owners to follow safety precautions before entering an affected area. There are a few things home owners can do to make sure they are not at risk when entering a home that has succumbed to water damage or one that is going through the mitigation process.

1. Beware of slip and fall areas
    - Since water has now impacted floors and various other areas of the house, beware of conditions that have changed
    - If you have tile floors in your kitchen or bathroom, place towels or old fabric down to limit the risk of slipping
    - Wear shoes (not sandals) with grip to make sure you have proper traction when walking through the home.

2. Beware of electrical risks
    - The highest risk for home owners in the event of a water loss is the risk posed by live electricity still present in the house.
    - ALWAYS turn off the electricity to the house when it is SAFE to do so.
    - If the electricity is off, wear gloves and unplug appliances and remove cords that may be on the floor or close to water affected areas.
    - For best safety practices refer to a restoration or electrical professional

3. Other risks
    - In addition to the first two situations, there are many times we are called into multilevel properties. Beware of debris fall that can be caused due to a loss from a higher level floor.
    - Check walls in lower floors for any signs of water leaks and runs.


These are just a few of the steps that can be followed by any home owner or property owner to help ensure their safety in the event of a water loss situation. It is always best to contact your insurance provider and to seek out a professional for emergency water damage response services. Remember to keeps children and pets in safe distance of the affected areas and document as much of what you can to better inform your insurer and restoration professional.

For emergency water damage services we are available at 1-800-439-8833. Our technicians are standing by 24/7 and that even includes holidays. Call us for your emergency water damage restoration needs. Serving the San Francisco/Bay Area for over 33 years.