Companies to Handle Water Damage Restoration
When searching for water damage restoration companies near me, it’s important to find a company that is insured and licensed. Experience and staff expertise are also important. Also, ask about ongoing training for restoration team members. If possible, request to see their certifications and training documentation. And be sure to ask how they stay up-to-date on the latest technology and techniques in the field.
IICRC Certification
IICRC certification is a requirement for water damage restoration companies to meet certain standards. The standards are developed by the non-profit Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification. Technicians who achieve this certification have proven that they have the requisite skills and have passed rigorous examinations. In addition, the technicians must also complete continuing education classes in order to maintain their certification.
There are two types of certifications offered by the IICRC. The first one is the Water Damage Restoration Technician certification. This certification provides the basic education necessary for a water damage restoration technician. The course includes topics such as water damage extraction, mold, and containment. It is beneficial for both commercial and residential remediation specialists. The course also includes a general background in water loss remediation.
IICRC-certified technicians offer a number of services to homeowners, including removing water and preventing mold growth. These professionals use the latest flood restoration technology, such as industrial-grade dehumidifiers and high-speed fans. In addition, they provide sewage clean-up and leak detection services. This company was recognized with the Circle of Excellence Award in 2012. In addition, it provides 24/7 emergency response services.
Water damage is never something to take lightly. It is a time-sensitive situation, and the longer it goes without treatment, the worse it will get. Hiring a company with IICRC certification is the best way to ensure a high level of service and quality. You should also ensure that they are experienced and highly reputable. They should also have a strong customer service team to deal with any questions you might have.
Water damage restoration start-up costs will vary according to the type of business you are starting. Most out-of-pocket costs will come from equipment. Choosing the right equipment is important. You want the equipment to be durable and long-lasting. Rotomolded equipment will last much longer than injection molded equipment and will be more tolerant to walls.
IICRC certification does not mean that a company must have a listing on the IICRC website. But it can help your business get work from insurance adjusters and agents. The IICRC also maintains a list of invalid companies and will accept complaints about those companies.
Service Area
Water damage restoration companies can provide a range of services to help homeowners get back to their normal lives. Some of these services include the drying of soiled surfaces and the removal of carpets. Other services include moisture control and basement waterproofing. Many of these companies have a 24-hour hotline and offer email scheduling.
When choosing a water damage restoration service, consider the service area that they serve. Also, consider the types of damages each company handles. Check how quick they are to arrive and if they carry insurance. You’ll want a company that can get to your home quickly. The faster water damage restoration crews can arrive, the better your home’s chances of survival.
If you’re looking for a local company, you’ll need to consider whether their service area is wide. Some companies only have one location, so their response time may be slow. Moreover, you should also ask about any additional fees. If you’re worried about the timeline, you may want to consider a different company.
Once you’ve identified a water damage restoration company near you, check to see if they’re insured. Most companies will provide insurance for their work, but make sure to ask for it in writing. It’s important to get a guarantee on their work, as some may charge extra if you’re outside their service area.
Whether you’re looking for residential water damage restoration or commercial water damage cleanup, the professionals at Advanced DRI have experience and expertise. Their technicians are highly trained and use certified cleaning and disinfectant products. They can also handle mold remediation and restoration as well. You can also ask for their credentials, as well.
Customer Service
Customer service is an important component of any service-based business, including water damage restoration. After all, people want to know what is happening, how much it will cost, and how they can help. To meet this need, a water damage restoration company should have a dedicated customer service department that is available to answer questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Customers should also look for a company that is available to provide emergency service. They should also offer quick response times. The faster water damage restoration crews arrive, the better for home owners. If the restoration process is delayed by multiple companies, homeowners may end up paying more than they need to.
The customer service team of water damage restoration companies near me is staffed by professionals with years of experience and proven knowledge of the industry. Whether you need a water extraction company, flood mitigation services, or mold remediation, there’s an experienced water damage restoration company near you. Water Damage Restoration Team can handle storm-related flooding and hardwood floor water damages, as well as leaking water from different home appliances. Their services include damage repair and water extraction, odor control, and structural drying. You can call them to schedule an appointment at any time to get immediate help.
When you hire a water damage restoration company near me, ask about the turnaround time and the costs involved. If they can’t meet this timeline, you may need to find a company with a more local presence. Customer service is a crucial part of the process, and good communication is key.
If you’re considering hiring a water damage restoration company near you, be sure to read their customer reviews. The reviews will help you make an informed decision about who to hire and how they handle your case. You don’t want to end up paying for services that you can get elsewhere. If you have any concerns or questions, contact the company’s customer service team.
A good water damage restoration service will also assess the damage to your home. Some water damage restoration companies even offer free inspections. They can assess the extent of structural damage in your home and make recommendations for the best approach.
Spotting Water Damage During a Walk Through
Buying a home can be an exciting and scary time. It is a huge investment, and you want to make sure that you don’t buy a home that will end up having and million and one problems with it starting the day after you close. One thing that can affect a home throughout several years is if there is a water damage cleanup issue that has never been seen to. So here are some ways to identify water damage during your home walk through and to know if the house is still worth the price.
Smell
The most obvious indicator that a home has water damage is if it smells like mold or mildew right when you walk in the door. This smell is hard to hide and it is usually present in homes that have been sitting for several months. You may wonder if you will be able to identify this smell when you walk into a home, but you shouldn’t worry. If a home smells like wet towels that have been sitting on the ground for a few days, you can be pretty sure that the mold or mildew is in the walls and the carpet. Though you can be sure that you have a mold problem, smells cannot tell you how extensive the problem is. You will need to have your local Monticello water damage cleanup company such as Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc. walk through with you to determine the extent of the damage. Though some can be well hidden and might not be fully uncovered until you start doing the repairs.
Frozen Pipes
If the home you are looking at has sat through a winter season and hasn’t been winterized, you likely will have burst pipes throughout the home. This can be evident with puddles on the floor, soft spots in subflooring and staining or holes in the ceilings. You will need to consult a professional about this water damage cleanup issue since frozen pipes could be a very easy, localized fix or it could flood and extend throughout the entire home.
Staining
You might even see mold if it has gotten very bad. You will be able to see black splotches trailing up and down drywall in homes that are in desperate need of water damage cleanup. If you have water damage on the outside surface of your walls, you can almost bet that you have water damage and mold on the inside of the walls as well. Mold is not something you should take care of yourself and it can be very dangerous to your health to breathe in the spores. If you are considering a home that has water damage, make sure you contact a restoration company to help you figure out doing repairs before you move in or before you start renovating your flip.
It is important to have professional help when you are dealing with a home that needs water damage cleanup. The best thing you can do if you are considering buying a home with problems is to have a water damage restoration company come out and give you a consolation of what you can expect the repairs will look like.
How to Recover After a Fire
Fire is one of the most destructive and violent events that can happen to you as a homeowner in Warwick. One minute you have a beautiful home where you and your family are safe from the outside world. Then in a blink of an eye, everything changes, what do you do now? Who do you turn to? The first thing you need to do after the fire has been put out would be to call in a local fire damage cleanup team, like Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc.Hudson Valley DKI.
Once the fire has been extinguished and the visible damage has been taken care of, the focus will shift to the even more important, the hidden damage to the structure of your home, not to mention the health risks it creates. Even if the fire damaged only a small portion of your Warwick home it is essential to have the structure checked because the heat from the fire may have weakened parts of your foundation.
Damage to your foundation can cause weak spots that can lead to the total collapse of your home. Damage to the structure of your home isn’t the only damage that a fire can cause. There are several types of damages you may have to deal with, unless you call in a fire damage cleanup professional, they can take care of the damages for you. Plumes of smoke that are produced by fire spread a nasty brew of chemicals that damage everything that it settles on. The Chemicals and water used to extinguish the fire will accelerate the rusting in the metal units in your home. Smoke and soot particles can form a weak acid that if left unchecked will begin to eat away at the wood in your home. Wood will weaken and become discolored. Over a period of time, the wood will peel and crack.
Of all the things that smoke damages, none is more precious than the health of your family. Constant exposure to smoke residue can trigger various skin rashes and respiratory ailments. In some of the most severe cases, asthma attacks can be induced by smoke and cause additional casualties long after the fire’s last embers are extinguished. Even after the worst of the fire damage has been removed and repaired, the smoke odor and soot can become increasingly harder to repair. After a short amount of time soot will cause the carpets to become permanently discolored, the glass will need to be replaced as well as all fixtures. The caustic acids in soot and ash can continue causing damage until your home has been properly cleaned and sanitized.
Smoke and soot cannot be cleaned by normal cleaning products, soot collects in hidden spaces and hard to reach places in the structure of your home. It is extremely important to have a team of fire damage professionals can help you recover from your fire experience. Professionals will have access to all the equipment needed to restore your home to pre-fire conditions. Any fire damage cleanup company worth their salt will be available 24/7 so they can respond quickly to your call for help.
Smoke Damage Hazards
After the immediate damage caused by a fire, the lingering smoke damage is one of the most damaging effects of a fire. Smoke damage can discolor your walls and carpet, make your home smell terrible, and cause you serious health problems. Below are some of the specifics of 4 of the most common hazards posed by smoke damage. Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc. in the Goshen, New York area, is here to help you with all your smoke damage restoration concerns.
Respiratory Issues
This is the most hazardous result of smoke damage. Smoke and soot can be very dangerous and hazardous if inhaled. Even though the visible smoke is no longer present, its effects linger. You should be very cautious going back to your home after a fire. It would be wise to wear the appropriate respiration protection as well.
Soot particles are a part of the smoke and pose a serious threat. Soot particles are microscopic and will spread everywhere. They also contain burnt particles or a variety of materials. Oftentimes, those particles are remnants of plastic or metals. As a result, you could potentially inhale many dangerous materials without even knowing it.
Skin and Eye Irritation
Along with damaging your respiratory system, the smoke and soot particles can also irritate your skin and eyes. Along with irritation, the could also cause skin dryness. You can use some lotion to combat the dryness, but if you are exposed to the smoke enough, it could cause more serious skin issues to develop.
Discoloration
When it comes to discoloration, the more porous the material, the worse shape it will be in. If it is porous, the smoke will seep into it and potentially even cause the discoloration to be permanent. Soot that is acidic is important to look out for as well. The acid in the soot will cause discoloration to occur more quickly. Therefore, in response to a fire, it’s critical that you contact the professionals as soon as possible so they can begin working on it right away to prevent the damage from becoming worse.
Lingering Smoke Smell
The smoke smell that remains after a fire is just terrible. It’s that the last thing that anyone ever wants to have to smell. Fortunately, there are restoration companies, like Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc. that have trained technicians who have the equipment necessary to get the smoke smell removed from your home. Not only does this just remove the unpleasant smell, but it will make your home safe to be in again by preventing you from inhaling the smoke and soot.
It’s important to remember that once the fire has been put out that there is still plenty of work to do. The smoke and soot that lingers can have many hazardous results for your health and for the shape of your home.
Getting Your Home Winter-Ready
Parts of the Midwest have already seen snowflakes flying this fall, and as we all know – Hudson Valley won’t be far behind! Before it gets too frigid and snowy, there are some things you can do to make sure your home is ready to withstand another winter and another potential water damage emergency. The professionals at Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc. would like you to take some precautions and make sure you don’t have to experience a disaster this year.
When was the last time you took a good look at your gutters? It’s important that gutters are free and clear of debris year-round, including going into winter so ice and snow have a place in which to melt and drain away from your home. Overflowing gutters put unnecessary strain on your roof, which would eventually collapse under the weight. So many basement floods are the result of clogged gutters – we’ve seen it happen more times than we care to admit! As you’re cleaning your gutters, it’s a good idea to make sure water is being sent away from your home all around.
This includes cracks in the foundation of your home, or in walkways, steps, or other stonework. This will help ensure water and cold air stay outside your home, and where walkways are concerned – gives you a nice, smooth surface for shoveling. Cracks can cause water to leak into your home and the water can damage the structure of your home. Protect your walls, ceilings, and floors so that water does not destroy them.
- Look for energy efficiency problems
Have you ever walked past a window or door in your home and felt a draft? It’s a good idea to think about making some energy efficiency improvements if that’s happened to you. This could mean caulking around doors and windows and adding weather stripping, adding extra insulation in the attic, and repairing cracked or broken windows. Often, local energy companies offer free energy efficiency audits of customers’ homes to show you where improvements could be made in your home to improve energy efficiency and in turn, reduce your energy bills.
No one wants their furnace going out at 1 a.m. in the middle of January. So, it’s a good idea to spend a little bit of money now to have your furnace or boiler inspected to make sure everything is running as it should, and you are getting maximum efficiency from your system.
If you’re one of those homeowners who can’t get enough of a real wood-burning fireplace, make sure it’s ready to go for the winter months! If you haven’t had your chimney cleaned out in some time, you should consider having a chimney sweep come and do the job for you. Even if everything looks fine to the naked eye, there could be creosote buildup on the inside of the chimney, or even internal water damage, where some bricks need to be tuck-pointed.
Oh …. And while you’re having the fireplace readied for some cozy winter nights, don’t forget to stock up on nice, dry firewood.
Are you ready in case there’s another massive snow or ice storm this winter? Usually, we have enough warning to stock up, but it’s still a good idea to have an emergency kit with water, non-perishable food items, flashlights, etc. on hand just in case. If you’ve been without power for long periods of time in previous winters, you could also consider purchasing a generator. Also, have contact information ready to contact a professional service just in case you do experience water damage or a fire disaster.
If you are in Hudson Valley, keep in mind that if you happen to experience a water damage emergency and need professional services to help restore your property, contact the certified & insured professionals at Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc..
Fire Damage Myths and the Truth Behind Them
Fire can cause catastrophic amounts of damage to your home or business, you may even call it the ultimate annihilator. Fire consumes almost everything in its path and what it doesn’t consume it damages. The path left behind fire usually consists of the charred, sooty, and oily residue of what used to be there. As a home or business owner, you are responsible for the safety of the people, contents, and property. Fire prevention safety should be on the top of your list. With that in mind, Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc. in has decided to debunk some common fire damage restoration myths that you may have heard.
First Fire Damage Myth: Smoke Detectors Are All I Need.
Smoke detectors are great at providing an early warning…when in working order. Make sure your smoke detectors are installed properly and have well-charged batteries. Smoke detectors can provide you and your family with the opportunity to stop before it gets out of hand, however, there may be some unforeseen factors that can go wrong. It is crucial that you have an evacuation plan in place for fire damage emergencies. Sit down with your family, housemates, or employees and put together an emergency preparedness plan so, if the time comes, everyone can evacuation the property safely.
You may also want to invest in the appropriate fire extinguishers or sprinkler system for your home or business. Providing that additional layer of safety can go a long way in preventing fire damage to your property and saving the lives of property residents. Fun Fact: fire sprinkler systems are eligible for insurance rate savings and can increase property value.
Second Fire Damage Myth: Sprinklers Cause Way More Damage
When a fire occurs, typically, only the sprinkler within range of the fire will active, releasing water directing on the fire. The other sprinklers will remain dormant unless the fire spreads. Roughly 85% of the time, during a fire, only one sprinkler will be active.
With that in mind, fire sprinklers can reduce damage and property loss significantly. The sprinkler system will quickly eliminate the heat and control the smoke from the fire, limiting the damage the fire is able to cause. Any resulting water damage is minimal compared to the water damage caused by fire-fighting hose lines.
Third Fire Damage Myth: Most Fires Are Caused My Electrical Malfunctions
According to FEMA, The US Fire Administration, electrical malfunctions is not the leading cause of fire damage, nor is it the second-leading cause of fire damage. Cooking is responsible for nearly half of all house fires reported in the United States. Heating comes in a far second, causing over 12% of the house fires in the US. Electrical house fires come in third with consisting of only 6% of the house fires in the US.
Fourth Fire Damage Myth: Flames Pose The Biggest Threat In A Fire
Flames can cause some major destruction, but smoke inhalation is responsible for most fire-related deaths. Smoke is chalk full of toxic chemicals and is easily inhaled, leading to unconsciousness and then death.
For fire damage and smoke damage cleanup and restoration, make sure you contact a professional certified and insured company like Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc. that knows every step of the fire and smoke restoration process and how to do it correctly.
Answers to Common Questions About a House Flood
As a homeowner, it’s not uncommon to make the occasional call to a local plumber, electrician, or handyman for a few small projects or issues around your house. However, when it’s time to call a restoration company, you know there’s likely a bigger problem present. At Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc., we realize many people don’t even know what a restoration company is until they need our help – but the good news is, we can help with a lot of problems, and answer a lot of your questions about the whole process.
When someone calls us about a flood in their Goshen home, our goal is to instill a sense in you quickly that we understand the problem and can get you quickly on the path to fixing it. We are happy to answer your questions, and understand the better you understand this restoration and insurance claim process, the better you’ll be able to cope and recover from the flood itself.
So here are three of the most common questions we’re asked after a house flood.
- Am I covered?
It’s probably no surprise that homeowner’s almost immediately want to know if the water loss will be covered. Unfortunately, we don’t have a straight answer for that question, but based on trends we can offer you a pretty good idea of whether or not it will be. To put it simply, there are two categories: flood damage and water damage. Flood damage is when water comes in from outside your home, and generally, in instances where that flooding is due to a swollen river or lake, that won’t be covered by a standard homeowner insurance policy. This type of damage requires actual flood insurance. On the flip side, if a pipe bursts in your home and your basement is flooded, it’s probably covered. That is considered water damage.
If you aren’t sure what exactly is on your insurance policy, we certainly suggest speaking with your insurance agent about your coverage sooner than later.
And, if you’re calling us once the water loss has happened, rest assured that we also will work with your insurance company to see what is covered and what is not so you understand what you’re dealing with right off the bat.
- Who do I call for help?
When there is a fire in your house, you automatically know to call 911. But what if there’s a flood or water damage? Calling a restoration company, like Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc., is a very good first step to be sure the drying and restoration process gets started quickly. The sooner the drying begins, the less extensive the damage to your home will be and the quicker the entire restoration process will go.
It’s also wise to put in a call to your insurance agent or company to talk through what has happened and get the claim opened. This could also help ease any worries you might have about your policy covering, or not covering, the damage.
If the event is severe and you need help beyond a restoration company, you can consider calling the Red Cross or a local shelter. Those are options mostly for after a natural disaster but are great resources year-round when families suffer a disaster of any kind.
- How much will this cost?
This goes hand-in-hand with the question about coverage, and unfortunately, it’s not something we can answer. Every situation is unique. However, you’ll see as the restoration process gets underway, we communicate often about as much as we can so you will understand the costs from start to finish of the project so there are no gray areas, and hopefully no surprises.
A high-quality water damage restoration company like Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc. in Goshen will be able to answer all of your questions and meet all of your needs. Contact a professional in any water emergency situation.
Common Reasons for Water Damage and How to Prevent It
After finding water damage in their home, most people’s first reaction will be to ask how this happened, and how to prevent it from happening again. If you aren’t sure how the water damage in your home was caused, start looking at the three most common causes of water damage.
Flat Roof
It’s pretty obvious that flat roofs are a lot harder to drain than pitched roofs. Even though most flat roofs are slanted slightly to allow water to exit the roof through drainage points towards the edges, these can easily become clogged. If this happens or if the roof is not angled correctly, water can collect on the roof and begin to seep through and into the house over time. If you have a flat roof, it is important that you check to make sure there isn’t any water buildup after heavy snow or rainfall.
Gutters
If you have a pitched roof, gutters are vital to making sure rainwater is not only drained off of your roof, but also directed far enough away from your home that it doesn’t over saturate the ground and cause flooding on the ground level. Gutters can also be easily clogged with leaves, mud, sticks, etc. Because of this, it is important to clean out your gutters regularly. If they are clogged or even broken, it won’t be able to carry water away from your home. Instead, water can spill through cracks and breaks, or overflow and land right next to your house and eventually make its way inside, causing an even bigger, more expensive problem.
Leaky Pipes
If you turn on water from any source and you notice water coming out of anywhere other than the faucet, under your sink perhaps, you’ve got a leaky pipe. Pipes have tons of connections on their road from the supply to your faucets and older connections can start to leak after a few years. Then there’s the nightmare scenario of a burst pipe. Pipes usually burst because the water inside them freezes, causing the metal pipe to rupture and once it thaws and the water is turned on, you are going to have a huge mess. If this disaster strikes, cut off the water supply and call Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc. to ensure the mess is properly and completely cleaned up.
Though these are a few of the most common reasons for water damage, they are far from the only reasons. A lot of the time, spotting water damage from any water source can be difficult. Here are some signs to look out for:
If your paint begins to bubble, peel, chip, or show any evidence of discoloration, that’s one of the easier signs of water damage to identify
Deteriorating caulk around the base of your sink faucet or windows is another sneaky sign of water damage.
If you’re noticing that your doors (or windows, for that matter) are becoming increasingly difficult to open or close, that could be a result of them taking on water like a sponge. Wood windows and doors are clearly the most susceptible to this sneaky sign of water damage.
A cracked foundation could be a result of water seeping in. This could likely be a result of improper drainage from gutters and downspouts, among other sources.
Eventually, water damage will start to emit a musty, mildewy smell. Listen to your nose, it is on your side.
If you are experiencing any type of water damage in Goshen, contact a trusted, certified professional water restoration team like Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc..
Tips for Preventing Fire Damage
Fire can break out in residential homes at any time, on any day of the year, and with little warning. Just last month Gardnertown Magnet School was temporarily evacuated when a small electrical fire broke out I the basement. Luckily, local firefighters were able to stop the fire from spreading and no one was injured. When a fire breaks out in your home it can be costly and emotionally draining. Lifetimes of family memories can go up in smoke within a matter of minutes. At Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc. in Newburgh New York, we believe in fire prevention and safety. As much as we love helping those in need recover from fire damage disaster, we want to help them prevent these devastating disasters. Take the following steps to prevent a fire damage disaster from occurring.
Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are one of the first lines of defense when it comes to stopping a house fire. The alarm should be mounted on the ceiling in the center of the room, hall, or stairway. Be sure and check the battery in the alarm every six months. Never install a smoke detector by a window, vent, or doorway. Fire often occur at night while you are sleeping that is why smoke detectors are so important. Smoke detectors will give you an early warning and help save your loved one’s lives if they are placed and maintained properly.
Appliances
Check all plugins for any signs of damage and avoid overloading plugins or extension cords. If any cord looks frayed replace it immediately. Faulty wiring and old outlets are two main causes of house fires. Keep all appliances free of grease build up and unplug small appliances when not in use. Home appliances such as stoves and dryers are also known to cause house fires. Keep lint trap cleaned out in the dryer if trap becomes clogged it can cause the dryer to overheat and start a fire.
Fireplaces
If your home has a wood stove or chimney always open the damper when starting a fire, leave the flu open even if the fire is only smoldering. Have your chimney cleaned yearly to keep chimney free of debris. If your chimney does not already have one, invest in a spark arrestor to prevent sparks from escaping the chimney. Use a chain mesh screen to keep your flooring and furniture safe from sparks. Woodstove chimneys must be clear of debris rust and or cracks. Never use starter fluid to start a fire, water down ashes before discarding them. If you have a gas fireplace make sure there are two separate locations for a gas valve. You will want a backup valve to shut off the gas if a problem arises.
Roofs
Having a roof made of fire proof materials such as metal, clay or asphalt shingles can go a long way in preventing fire damage. Trim any overhanging branches and keep the roof free of any other debris that could potentially spread fire. Gutters should be cleaned twice a year to prevent the buildup of leaves and any other fire hazardous material.
Following these steps will go a long way in preventing a house fire but there is no guarantee that a fire still won’t breakout. Make sure you have an escape plan in place, educate family members, be repaired. Hold fire drills regularly so that family members know what to do and where to go if a fire breaks out. You may not be able to protect your loved ones from every calamity but with a little common sense and planning you will be able to spot potential fire hazards and stop them before the unthinkable happens when a fire strikes.
If your home does suffer from fire damage contact your local authorities first and foremost and then call a professional fire damage restoration company to clean up and damage left behind.
Dealing with Fire Damage from a Fireplace
Fireplaces and wood stoves are cozy and warm throughout the season. But in order to keep the air healthy and reduce the risk of fire, you need to be aware of how to safely operate them and the risks they pose. Dealing with a fire damaged home because of a faulty or ill-kept fireplace is probably the last thing you want to do. Here are some tips on staying safe and healthy all while staying warm this winter.
Bad Wood
Burning wood improperly can produce dangerous emissions such as carbon monoxide, organic gas, and heavy smoke. To avoid this danger:
-Avoid burning softwoods, and never burn newly cut or wet wood.
to allow the dissipation of creosote oil.
-Don’t burn wood that has been painted, treated or made with glue (such as particle boards).
-Never burn papers that contain bleaches or dyes. The particles produced by these can clog the air passages in a fireplace or wood stove and also produce noxious, corrosive or even carcinogenic gasses.
Chimneys
-In the fall, it’s necessary to watch for a weak chimney draft. The difference in temperature between chimney smoke and the outdoor air can cause all sorts of problems such as cracks, a faulty chimney, and smoke not rising as quickly as it should which could cause too much smoke to be in the room.
-Back-puffing is also a danger. An obstructed chimney causes smoke to build up in the house. Blockage can be caused by soot and creosote buildup or by other acts of nature such as bird’s nests.
-Have your chimney inspected and/or cleaned at least once a year
Precautions to Take Before Lighting a Fire
-Use proper fireplace equipment.
-Keep a grate under the firebox that allows the fire to “breathe” and ensures proper combustion of the firewood.
-When building a fire, place the wood at the back of the fireplace.
-Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
-Don’t put rugs in front of the fireplace unless they are non-combustible hearth rugs made especially for the purpose.
-Have protective doors or a fire screen in front of the fire.
-Keep all combustibles at least 36 inches away from the fire, but the further away, the better.
-Make sure that your fireplace has proper clearances when it is installed. If not, the heat of usage over the years can cause a dangerously low “ignition” temperature to surrounding wood, in a hidden space behind your wall or in the flue chase. You won’t know it’s happened until a fire breaks out.
-Check for bird’s nests not only in the flue or chimney but on the roof or in trees above the chimney opening. The first fire of the season could send a hot ember to a nearby nest that falls on your roof or in your attic.
Having a fireplace can truly bring a room together and make it that much cozier, but the last thing you want is for it to turn your room into a health hazard or worse, light up in flames and settle into ash. Take the proper precautions to prevent fire damage and continue to cozy up next to the fire this winter.
If a fire does break out in your home or on your property do not hesitate to contact Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc. for fire damage cleanup and repair services. Our technicians are available 24/7.
