How to be Safe After a Disaster?

General Safety Tips

Prior to entering a building, must check the building for a structural damage of if it is safe to enter. Make sure that the structure is not weakened or shifted.

Turn off any gas lines. Open the house to let the gas escape.

Wear protective gears such as gloves for hands to avoid injury, mask to avoid inhaling any remaining gas, hard hats to avoid any falling debris and sturdy shoes to not to step on any debris (watch out for nails, broken glasses, holes, splinters and falling plaster).

When entering a damage building only use a flashlight. Matches, lighters and torches sparks can ignite the gas and cause a fire or an explosion.

Never use any appliances, they may cause an electric shock, overheat, or start a fire. Make sure everything has dried up and all appliances are repaired and safe to use.

SAFE Water Supply

Flush plumbing features with a bucket of water to be sure they are open.

Septic tanks that overflows might mix with the water that flows through our house’s plumbing. 

Check if tubes and pipes have leaks. Call a Plumbing expert for the repair.

Do not drink the water from faucets. Let the authority inspect the water for sanitary reasons.

Private water is also not safe, boiling the water thoroughly before drinking must be done first.

Electrical Safety

Do not use the electrical system in a damaged building until it has been checked by a professional electrician.

Start the Clean Up: Contents Cleaning

Start the general clean up as soon as possible, especially after the flood. Make sure to completely dry and clean the whole house before living in it.

Moist areas can be a home for molds. Before molds build up, call a backup for Structural Drying.

Delay permanent repairs until buildings are thoroughly dry.

Keep the Children Safe

Keep the chemicals, disinfectant, poisons for insects and pests control out of children reach.

Be sure children are safe and kept in a cool dry place. Never leave the children or let them play around the damage buildings or any unsafe place.

Boil and sanitize children’s toys, cribs, playpens and play equipment. Toys that are hard to wash and clean can be discarded.

Do not allow children to play in contaminated water or sand. Cleaning buckets are not to be played with children, even with small amounts of liquid and if they topple into a bucket, it may not tip over and they could drown

Each situation should be handled with caution to keep the safety of valuables. Whole House Cleaning should be performed by an expert to prevent serious issues later. ServiceMaster by Lovejoy Reconstruction Team is licensed and insured as a general contractor to handle all your repairs and reconstruction services for damages due to storm, natural disasters and more.  Contact ServiceMaster by Lovejoy, a service provider, near Atlanta, Sandy Spring, Decatur, Stockbridge, Conyers, McDonough, Stone Mountain, Covington, Social Circle, DeKalb and surrounding areas. Call 678–293–0297,

·         Water Damage

·         Dehumidification

·         Structural Drying

·         Fire Damage

·         Contents Cleaning

·         Fire Damage Reconstruction

·         Soot and Smoke Damage

·         Storm and Disaster Emergency Team

·         Mold Inspection & Remediation

·         Water and Storm Damage

·         Water Removal

·         Construction and Repairs

Protect your Home from Molds

Don’t you know that moisture inside your home are the best place for mold occurrence?

Molds are pervasive, which means it exists anywhere and everywhere. With their huge population, they can be hazardous to our health, which can lead to serious respiratory infections and causing allergic reactions.

The only way to get rid of it is to locate where it mostly grows, so it can go through the process called Mold Remediation.

First is to locate the moisture.

Molds are likely to appear in moist areas such as leaky roofs, indoor plumbing problems, floods, or building-maintenance.

Those common building materials such as drywall, furring strips, plywood, and carpets usually the areas to where molds usually occur.

If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold, it is part of an identified moisture problem, for instance, or there is mold near the intake to the system. Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold - it could spread mold throughout the building.

Create a remediation plan

If you hire a Mold Remediation expert after the inspection the team will create a documentary, such as photos or videos for them to create a remediation plan. In this case, the team will know how everything will be done. It also includes the warranty and the liability of the company.

Calculate the extent of the contamination

The team should figure out the extent of the contamination to ensure that all infected areas are thoroughly treated.

There are guidelines that need to be followed. These guidelines are commonly used in the construction industry and recommend six levels of mold remediation based on the square footage of the molds

MOLD Remediation Process – The process always includes the cleanup of the existing molds as well as prevents the new growth without harming the homeowners and the handyman.

The cleanup process is the same for Level 1 and Level 2 mold remediation and comprises these steps:

• Repair the water problem
• Isolate the contaminated area.
• Suppress dust.
• Remove materials.
• Place materials in plastic bags.
• Clean
• Clean the affected area and egress.
• Visibility test
• Dry
• Replace.

The Final Check Up

This where we need the documentation papers. It will determine if the correct procedure is done. Compare the photo or the video that has been taken before the process has taken place. After the remediation process, an environmental testing company will come (depending on the contractor) or needed to verify that the molds are completely gone and has been prevented.

Mold Remediation process cannot be done by an ordinary handyman, if the area cannot be thoroughly cleaned the mold will keep growing which will compromise your family’s safety.

Having molds in your home not only can look horrid, but it also airs serious health concerns. To effectively remove mold and prevent its return, you need to hire a Mold Remediation Professional. Call ServiceMaster by Lovejoy at 678-293-0297 for  Mold Remediation. For those residing in Georgia specifically in Atlanta, McDonough, Stockbridge, Jonesboro, Lovejoy and, Forest Park and nearby areas.

https://www.servicemasterbylovejoy.com/mold-inspection-remediation-atlanta-sandy-springs-decatur-stockbridge-conyers-mcdonough-stone-mountain-covington-social-circle-dekalb/

·         Water Damage

·         Dehumidification

·         Structural Drying

·         Fire Damage

·         Contents Cleaning

·         Fire Damage Reconstruction

·         Soot and Smoke Damage

·         Storm and Disaster Emergency Team

·         Mold Inspection & Remediation

·         Water and Storm Damage

·         Water Removal

·         Construction and Repairs

Inspect the Home Plumbing Before Acquiring the Property

To buy a real estate property is an investment. Do not buy a house with a lot of plumbingproblems. Let the real estate agent coordinate with the developer to fix it before purchasing. The property is ready for comfortable move in together with the members of the family. It is convenient to the part of the buyers, who will soon be the homeowner. A new home is a pride, but you need to be wise not to waste your time, effort and money. Before acquiring it through paying the price of the house and lot, you should inspect the overall plumbing system of the property. A house with plumbing concerns is dreadful. How can you check all by yourself the plumbing lines without the help of an expert? Contact your real estate agent and schedule when you could visit the property before you will finalize the transaction. You need to get ready for the inspection. On-site assessment, check the possible defect you can find to have them repaired beforehand. The kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms are the essential part of the home where you mostly stay. You must be keen with all the details, such as by turning on all the faucets in the kitchen, bathroom and shower simultaneously. All of them should have a steady flow. Otherwise there is a possibility of pipeline issue.  Then, check the toilet if the flush is working and check if there are water leaks. Water waste will greatly increase your water bill if not address appropriately. These are only a few of the things you need to check in terms of plumbing matter.

You may consult with an expert or professional in the field of plumbing. Are you residing in Georgia? ServiceMaster by Lovejoy offers home plumbing inspection for the security and benefit of homeowners to avoid costly repair. With our efficient team of plumbers, you do not have to trouble yourself with plumbing concerns. Call us now at 678-293-0297. We offer 24/7 plumbing service. For more details of our plumbing service, check this link,https://www.servicemasterbylovejoy.com/plumbing-services-atlanta-sandy-springs-decatur-stockbridge-conyers-mcdonough-stone-mountain-covington-social-circle-dekalb/.

The Process of Home Structural Drying

Restoration is the primary solution in structural drying process. It is critical to handlewater damage and to dry the structure and contents as fast as possible. The goal of this method is to eliminate or avoid the additional damages and build-up of mold, bacteria and foul odors. If not attended right away the water gets contaminated if there is a delay in the completion of drying operation. When people who are living or staying in the home where exposed to moisture to bacteria and molds, that may result to health issues. The longer the period of stay of stagnant water caused the material of structures absorbed the water and lead to poor quality.

These are the steps of structural drying process. First, is to distinguish the water damaged area and separate the dry portions. Second, is to assess the extent and grounds of damage. This will classify the cleanup method and equipment to be used to restore the property. Third, is to start the segregation of salvageable items, inventory of contents, cleaning and dehumidification. Last, is to return the salvaged items and sort the area back to pre-water damage condition. Observe the area by doing an inspection to make sure the drying process is completely performed.

You can contact an expert or professional in terms of property restoration, to help you out with the contents and structural drying of your belongings. ServiceMaster by Lovejoy will enlighten you on the extent of damage in your property and how would be the most efficient way to have it back to pre-damage state. To avail our service, for those residing in Georgia specifically in Atlanta,McDonough, Stockbridge, Jonesboro, Lovejoy and, Forest Park and nearby areas, you can contact us at 678-293-0297. Visit our website, https://www.servicemasterbylovejoy.com/water-damage/structural-drying-atlanta-sandy-springs-decatur-stockbridge-conyers-mcdonough-stone-mountain-covington-social-circle-dekalb/, for more details and other services.