Category: Home Damage Repair Professionals

At Project X Restoration in Denver, we know it’s important that you understand how to protect your home from common causes of fires. One disaster that is often the most devastating on families and homeowners is a fire. Aside from the damage to your property and belongings, the worst part is that a large majority of such fires are completely preventable. So, we have put together the following list to help prevent it from happening to you.

The most common house fires start in the kitchen and are often caused by leaving something cooking on the stovetop or from careless use of flammable oils and grease.

To prevent this from happening, never leave something cooking in your home when no one is home. There is always a chance that you will delayed in getting home and it may be too late by the time you arrive. Leaving something simmering on the stove while you nap or perform other tasks is also a bad idea. People often think that slow cookers can be left unattended without issue and this can be a surprising cause of fire. Be sure to check your slow cooker, and even your oven, at regular intervals of 15-30 minutes.

In case of a grease fire, the first rule is not to panic. Place a lid over the flame and turn off the heat. Avoid using salt, flour, or baking soda to extinguish the flames. These substances can cause the fire to flare and burn people or it can cause grease to splatter, potentially spreading the fire. A good way to avoid letting it get so hot that it catches fire is to never leave oil unattended.

Smoking

Careless use of cigars, cigarettes, and pipes lead to some of the deadliest fires in homes. Most of these types of fires are caused by someone falling asleep while smoking. The cigar, cigarette, or pipe falls and catches nearby items, like the carpet or furniture, on fire. To avoid this, be sure to extinguish smoking materials completely. Running water into any ashtray before dumping the remnants in the garbage is the best method for ensuring the contents are still smoldering.

Also avoid smoking in bed, especially if you are really tired or are intoxicated. Be sure all smoking materials are completely extinguished. Try to smoke in areas with very few flammable materials or limit your smoking to outside areas.

Dryers

Every year, there are more that 14,000 fires that stem from clothing dryers. Lack of maintenance and proper cleaning is the number one reason a dryer catches fire. Leaving laundry and storing combustibles near the dryer also contribute to a high number of fires, especially around gas dryers which have open flames. To avoid this type of fire, clean your lint trap or filter after every use of the dryer. Clean the dryer exhaust hose annually. If the lint build-up in the hose is substantial or if it was difficult to remove, it is time to replace the hose with a new one. All combustible materials should be kept at a safe distance (3-4 feet) from any heat generating equipment such as dryers, water heaters, furnaces, and portable heaters.

Candles

There are more than 12,000 household fires associated with the use of candles every year. Half of these fires originate from candles in bedrooms. Burning candles are prone to tipping over and setting nearby items on fire. To prevent this, always use a sturdy candle holder that is difficult to knock over. Never leave a candle burning unattended. Be sure the areas around candles are free from any flammable objects and always blow out candles before going to sleep or leaving the room or your home. Be aware that even candles in glass containers can cause fires. The containers can shatter due to overheating which spreads the hot wax and flames.

Electrical Appliances and Wiring

Most people think that faulty wiring inside a home’s walls causes electrical fires. While this is a common reason, more electrical fires are caused by the wiring attached to electrical appliances.

Too many appliances run off of a single outlet can cause wires to overheat and catch fire. To prevent this, only use one extension cord for each outlet. Your extension cords should all have a UL label attached to them assuring they meet certain standards. Be sure to use the correct size extension cord for the device you are using. Cords should not be run under carpets or rugs because traffic can wear away the protective coating and cause them to spark. Never use a malfunctioning appliance and beware of using older appliances.

If you experience any odd smells, odd noises, or sparks, discontinue use immediately and replace the device with a new one. Pay careful attention to any odd flickers or thrown circuit breakers. They can be cause for major concern and it may be wise to have an electrician inspect it for potential problems

Flammable Liquids

Often people do not pay close attention to how they store flammable liquids. Flammable liquids should never be stored in the home. They should be kept in a separate space with good ventilation and moderate temperatures. Always use such liquids for their intended use only. Be aware of any warnings that may be provided.

For example, most people are unaware that the fumes of gasoline are more flammable than the actual liquid. This is an important detail if you are working with gasoline, like cleaning a spill after filling your lawn mower. Any rags that have been saturated with gas should be placed in a metal container. The lid should be tight since the rags can ignite themselves and catch on fire.

Finally, be sure that you have working smoke detectors and that you have fire extinguishers in rooms that are prone to fire such as the kitchen, laundry room, and garage. We hope that these tips inform you on how to protect your home from common causes of fires. We at Project X Restoration want you and your home to be safe, but if you find yourself in a situation, we can be there to assist you with cleanup and restoration, often in less than an hour.

While at least 1 in 50 people face hoarding issues, our staff at Project X in Denver can help explain what’s the process of a hoarder clean up. We’ve assisted in hoarding cleanup for many of our Colorado neighbors. Project X is by your side every step of the way. We are committed to being respectful and discrete and will assist you in decluttering, addressing acute cleaning needs such as mold or biohazards, providing structural repairs, and remodeling to return your home to its original state.

A hoarder clean up is not easy, but that’s why Project X believes in creating a comfortable and safe space where all needs, concerns, and boundaries are addressed prior to and during the hoarding cleanup. Let’s go through the step-by-step process of a hoarder clean up.

Understanding the Hoarder

We know that by simply discussing the cleanup it can be stressful to you. We understand how allowing our Project X team to come into your home will trigger many emotions. That’s why we promise to:

• Help you determine what items are valuable and absolutely essential
• Do our best to identify possessions that can be cleaned and kept
• Be honest about what items pose a health risk and need to be discarded
• Involve you in all decisions and not rush you through the process
• Not judge you or the condition of your home
• Show you respect and kindness at all times
• Encourage you at every step and celebrate your progress

 

Develop a Plan

Many of the hoarding situations can be dangerous, containing mold and bacteria, pests and dead animals, and fecal matter, and may pose a fire hazard. But no matter the situation, our goal is to restore your home to a safe living condition.

We develop a plan with your well-being in mind as well. We want to be sensitive to your emotional needs and anxieties as we declutter and sanitize your home. Our goal is to show respect for you and your things throughout the process.

Our Project X team will do the heavy lifting. We will be responsible for removing large piles of garbage, repairing property damage, cleaning intensively, and organizing. We will look at the situation and make a work plan that will include a list of tasks with their priorities.

Safety

One of our top priorities is to keep everyone safe as we complete our tasks of cleaning the home. We will need you to make some difficult decisions about how to handle specific items of sentimental value, documents, and other things. We will take every precaution to avoid biological contaminants, fire hazards, structural collapses, but don’t worry we know how to handle it.

We will also want to clear a path for safe entry and exit and start to clear the items from the nearest room first. We always use appropriate professional equipment and cleaning supplies to remove the items and disinfect the premises.

Disposal

We will use a dumpster to throw away all the discarded and damaged items. 

Staging Area

There will need to be a staging area which is an open space where we will put the contents in order to sort them out and organize the items. It is best if it is a covered area to protect the things from the weather. The staging area will be used for all of the items that might be able to be saved, sold or given away.

Organize and Make Decisions

We will begin cleaning the house, one room at a time, getting rid of the throw-away items and helping sift through the things that are salvageable.

The kitchen and bathrooms are often the toughest to clean, so we usually begin with those rooms. Starting with the bathroom allows us to have clean running water and soap which will help us stay safe. It is unlikely that there will be items of value found in the bathroom, so it is often easy to get rid of everything including toiletries, towels, and fixtures. The surfaces can be cleaned quickly.

Then it is best to tackle the kitchen where we remove the trash, old food, and clean surfaces. The dishes and cookware can be taken to the staging area and cleaned up or disposed of.

After the kitchen is cleaned, we will move on to another room, leaving the closets and storage areas for last because they take a lot of work.

It’s best to get rid of the trash first. This includes the garbage and the items that can not be saved. Our Project X team knows which medicines, fuels, explosive substances, oil-based paint, and other items must be disposed of in a particular way for health and safety.

Create a recycling area where you can put any items that can be recycled. 

We usually begin at the top of the pile and work down, working on removing things stacked on tables, sofas, beds, and chairs. We will continue until we clear it down to the floor. We will ask you to look through your items like clothes, purses, and bags for any forgotten cash, jewelry, or other worthwhile items. Once we clear the room we may even move the furniture out so we can clean the entire room and make repairs if needed.

In the staging area, we will put your items into groups. For example, we may sort them by usable things that you want to keep, usable things you want to donate or give away, and throw away items. Going through the items in the usable categories can sometimes take some time. Deciding what you want to keep and what you want to donate can be stressful and time-consuming. Some items need to be gone through carefully so you don’t miss important items like letters, family pictures, and other important documents. Many things may be sentimental to you like documents, artwork, and items with special meaning. We just want to make sure any of those items are also safe for you to keep.

Once we have the donations determined, you can choose a charity to receive them. Many charities will come and get your donations. You need to know what they will and won’t accept. Any items donated may be able to be used as a tax deduction.

Clean and Repair

Once we have your house cleared out, then begins the intensive and thorough cleaning. This can take some time. There may need to be some repairs done to the home. We can help you with those as well, including mold removal and remediation, water damage restoration, biohazard cleanup, carpet cleaning, asbestos abatement, and remodeling and construction. Your furniture and appliances need to be completely cleaned and disinfected. Those items can then be organized and put back in the home.

Once you understand what’s the process of a hoarder clean up and the clutter is gone, our Project X Restoration in Denver experts can provide your home with all necessary cleaning and repair services in order to restore it to a safe, livable condition.

Please contact us today for more information.

When disaster hits, Project X can clean up the damage while you focus on what matters. Today, let’s cover Water Damage Restoration Part 2: Saving Books and Papers. Just know that when you call our Denver restoration experts, we will respond immediately. When your home floods, we are there for you, cleaning up, restoring, and remodeling. That leaves you free to rescue things like letters, tax and legal papers, marriage licenses, wills, birth certificates and old books that could be irreparably damaged if you don’t take action to save them.

In addition to the damage water can cause, mold can create a real health issue from keeping damaged items made from paper. So how can you save your water-damaged important papers and special books? If you begin the process quickly enough, they can be cleaned and dried. Here’s how to do it.

Remove the Books and Papers

Gently remove the books and papers from the water.

Rinse the Items

You may need to carefully rinse the papers and books with cold, clean water in a sink or bucket. If the papers are fragile, lay them out on a flat surface and rinse them with a light water spray.

Lay Them Out

You should lay the papers by themselves on a flat, clean surface, or hang them on a string. Keep them out of the sunlight. Sometimes they may need to dry out a little bit before pulling them apart.

The water-damaged papers and books should be placed on blotter paper, like plain white paper towels, so the moisture can be absorbed. Avoid newspaper and printed paper towels because the ink can bleed onto your paper items.

Dry Them

Now you need to dry the books and papers. Some people like to use a fan to speed it up. For books, absorbent paper can be placed between the soaked papers and laying the books flat. Change out the blotting paper when they get soaked.

Just like restoring photos, if you are short on time or there are too many papers to deal with, you can seal them in Ziploc bags and put them in your freezer. This stops more damage to the paper and books until you can get to them.

Sometimes just being in the location of a flood and the humidity can cause mold to grow. So, even if the books and papers aren’t wet, they should still be air dried with fans if possible.

Get Rid of the Smell

After they are dry, do the papers and books still smell musty? If so, keep them in a cool, dry place. If after a few days they still smell, put them in an open container with a box of baking soda. The baking soda should absorb the smell. Make sure the baking soda does not touch the papers.

Mold

The papers and books should be checked for mold. If there is mold, copy or scan the papers and then throw them away.

If you act quickly, salvaging important documents is possible. Hopefully you learned something from our guide, Water Damage Restoration Part 2: Saving Books and Papers. If you ever find yourself in need of our help, call our experts at Project X Restoration in Denver when your home has water damage and we will get to work immediately. We’ll develop a complete restoration plan and get your home back to its pre-loss state.

If you suffer a flood, Project X Restoration can help restore your home and life. Today, we present Water Damage Restoration Part 1: Salvaging Photos. Sure, water damage can ruin expensive items like televisions and furniture, but our clients often focus their energy on saving sentimental possessions such as photos. While “things” can be purchased again, we know that it may be impossible to replace these precious mementos. Today, we offer some suggestions on how to save your photos from water damage.

Remove Photos

After you’ve located the water damaged photos, very carefully remove the photos from water. If they are in albums or stacked on top of each other, separate them. Do your best to not rub them or touch the wet surface of the photo.

Try to take out any photos that are in frames when they are still wet. If you don’t, the picture can stick to the glass when it dries. If that happens the photo will most likely be damaged. Keep the glass and photo together as you rinse them with flowing water. The water will usually separate the photo from the glass.

It’s best to begin saving the pictures within two days of the water damage or they can start to mold or stick together. After that happens, saving them becomes more difficult.

You can prioritize which photos to do first. You might want to start with the ones that have no negatives since they will be harder to replace or the ones that mean the most to you.

Rinse with Water

Usually, the photos have been submerged in dirty, muddy or contaminated water. You will want to gently rinse both sides of the pictures with cold, clean water from a bucket or a sink. Change the water often to make sure it is always clean. Again, try not to rub the photos.

Lay Flat

It’s best to gently lay the wet photos with the picture side up on a clean piece of blotting paper, like a paper towel, as soon as you can. If you use newspapers or paper towels with prints the ink may come off on your photos. It’s best to do this indoors to avoid the sun and the wind which can damage and curl the photos. Don’t forget to change the blotting paper. Your goal is to dry the photos.

Delayed Drying

Sometimes you just don’t have time to dry your water-damaged photos right away. If that’s the case, rinse them and stack the wet pictures between wax paper sheets and seal them in a Ziploc plastic bag.

One trick is to freeze the photos in the bag to stop the damage. If you do this the right way, your photos can be defrosted, separated and air-dried at a later time.

If you experience water damage, contact the restoration specialists at Project X in Denver. We’ll take care of the heavy lifting while you focus on what’s most important to you. Though it would be far better if you never need it, we hope this quick guide, Water Damage Restoration Part 1: Salvaging Photos, helps you save some of your most important and irreplaceable memories.

The idea of living with mold is pretty scary and there are several mold types that look similar to black mold. That’s why you need Project X Restoration in Denver to help in identifying mold in your home. If you have leaky pipes, roof leaks, lack of ventilation, floods, water in the basement, or condensation, you may have toxic black mold. Did you know that after your home has suffered water damage, mold can begin to grow in two days? That’s how fast mold can create a wide variety of dangerous health risks for you and your family.

An article in Black Mold Award Space, explains how to know if you have black mold growing in your home. Toxic black mold looks slimy and greenish-black. It needs water to grow. With water, it begins to feed off of organic materials like drywall, wood, and cloth. Stachybotrys Chartarum is the real name for black mold. It produces toxins called mycotoxins.

There are signs that mold may be present in your home, including musty odors, humid conditions, itchy eyes and runny nose, dizziness and headaches, long-term dampness, stained or discolored floors and walls, peeled paint and bubbling wallpaper, warped walls and bowed supports, or damp surfaces.

Identifying mold in your home is important because its mycotoxins can create symptoms like nausea, respiratory problems, mental impairment, tiredness, skin inflammation, hemorrhage, damage to internal organs, irritation of the mucous membranes, and immune system suppression. Toxic black mold can lead to permanent health problems and even death. The mycotoxins kill neurons in the brain and impair your mental ability. They can also cause nervous disorders such as tremors and personality changes such as mood swings and irritability.

As soon as you suspect mold may be in your home or business, call our experts at Project X in Denver. We will begin the process of mold removal immediately. The more you are exposed to toxic black mold, the more damage to your health. It’s also important that you have it removed the right way. If not, large amounts of spores and mycotoxins can be released into the air for you to breathe. At Project X, we’re experienced and knowledgeable in all the best practices for proper remediation.

If we find mold in your home, we will recommend that you and your family move out as soon as you can, until we can get rid of it. You don’t need to risk any more damage to your health from breathing in the spores in the air.

As for remediation, the first thing we will do is find and fix the water problem. Once the water is gone and everything is completely dry, mold will not be able to grow. We’ll then carefully clean up the mold-infected area. If repairs need to be made, such as replacing drywall, carpeting and any other contaminated materials, we can help with all restoration projects big or small.

Identifying mold in your home is just the beginning. But our mold remediation experts at Project X Restoration in Denver can take care of it for you by eliminating the black mold and returning your home to good health. Contact us today for more information and to schedule an inspection.

Your home has been flooded. You’ve filed a claim for water damages, but now you’re wondering is mold removal covered by insurance policies? Unfortunately, damage is not always included in homeowner’s insurance. That’s why it’s important to address the water damage that could result in potential mold problems. However, if you suspect mold, simply contact Project X in Denver to help you get rid of the mold problem lurking in your house.

The Dangers of Being Exposed to Mold

According to this online resource, symptoms of toxic black mold include issues that affect your neurological, respiratory, immune, reproductive, and circulatory systems. Also common are problems with your skin, vision and eyes, as well as tiredness and discomfort. Mold can also cause a wide range of other illnesses. If you have mold in your home or have been exposed, you may notice throat irritation, coughing, eye irritation, and nasal stuffiness.

Addressing the Moisture and Mold Issues

If you’ve had a flood and are concerned about mold, give Project X a call right away. Our mold experts will conduct a free on-site inspection to identify the mold type and the extent of your contamination. The most important thing we’ll pinpoint is the underlying water problem that will need to be addressed in order to stop the mold growth. Finally, we’ll test the air for mold spores. If these spores are present, we can provide moisture control by decreasing the humidity level and applying adequate ventilation.

Once our mold experts inspect your property, determine the extent of the water damage and identify all mold-related problems, we will give you a removal and remediation plan along with a no-obligation estimate. We’ll then move forward restoring your home to a pre-damage state.

Mold in your tile and grout can be removed by scrubbing it using a mold-killing solution. Once all the mold is gone, a grout sealer can be used to prevent the mold from growing back.

If the walls have mold, portions can be sliced out and the rest saved. However, unpainted drywall will need to be removed. On painted drywall, often times you can wipe it down with the mold-killing cleaner. If mold is on your wall-to-wall carpeting, the carpeting needs to be taken up and thrown away.

A complete cleaning of your heating and air conditioning systems may be needed to get rid of the mold spores and toxins from the air. You should seal and insulate doors and crevices to make sure that condensation does not get in your home.

Is Mold Removal Covered by Insurance Policies?

Whether or not your insurance will pay for the mold removal depends on your policy coverage and may be determined by what caused the mold. Usually, insurance will not cover water or mold damage caused by improper maintenance and related flooding. Some policies provide coverage if it came from an accidental water loss like a burst pipe, while others specifically exclude or limit coverage for mold from those causes as well. It will really come down to your policy so be sure to read the fine print or contact your agent to make sure you’re covered.

If your home has been flooded, you may be wondering is mold removal covered by insurance policies? At Project X in Denver, we have a lot of experience in working with carriers and will help you figure everything out, including all the complicated paperwork. Even if your policy does not cover mold damage, you can rest assured that we provide quality work for honest prices. We’ll fix your water damage and eliminate the mold so you can concentrate on getting your life back together. 

At Project X Restoration in Denver, we take pride in our commitment to help make people’s lives better during their time of need. Our ability to restore your home or business with honesty, integrity, and professionalism during fire damage asbestos removal is always a top priority for our experienced restoration team. We are locally owned and operated and our services come with a 100% satisfaction and workmanship warranty. So, when you need fire damage asbestos removal, we are ready to help you.

If your home or commercial building has suffered a fire that reveals the presence of asbestos, Project X in Denver can facilitate removal services to meet your unique needs. Our certified and experienced independent contractors are ready to take on any project, big or small.

What is asbestos?

It describes a group of minerals that were used for their heat resistance and insulating properties, particularly in acoustic ceilings, roofing materials, vinyl flooring, plaster walls, and duct insulation, as well as other areas before the dangers of asbestos, were known.

The types of asbestos that are regulated are Anthophyllite, Crocidolite, Tremolite, Chrysotile, Amosite, and Actinolite. Asbestos deposits can be found throughout the world and are still mined in Australia, South America, Canada, and South Africa.

In the mid-1970s, the EPA banned asbestos due to concerns over the health effects of exposure to carcinogenic asbestos fibers. Issues that were found to be linked to asbestos include cancer, lung disease, and mesothelioma.

Asbestosis is a lung disease that causes scarring of the lungs. Eventually, this scarring may reduce the function of the lungs. The latency period (the time between the exposure and the onset of the disease) is often 25-40 years.

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung, the chest, and the lining of the abdominal wall, that is caused by asbestos exposure. The latency period is often 15-50 years.

Asbestos exposure can also cause lung cancer. If you smoke and you are exposed to asbestos, you have a much greater chance (50 to 84 times greater) of developing lung cancer. In addition, cancer of the gastrointestinal tract can also be caused by asbestos exposure. The latency period for these cancers is often 15-30 years.

Many older homes and commercial buildings still contain extremely dangerous asbestos fibers. So, if your property is damaged by flood, fire, any type of other emergency situation, or you are doing remodeling or renovation work, you’ll likely need asbestos abatement and removal from Project X. Immediate removal is the only way to ensure your property is completely safe again. With our help, it will be done properly and comprehensively to give you peace of mind.

What happens to asbestos in a fire?

If asbestos is exposed to extremely high heat like a fire, it can become brittle and breakable and turn into a very serious health hazard. This is why it is important to only work with experienced professionals to handle the cleanup after fire has damaged your property if it contains asbestos. Again, only licensed fire damage asbestos removal professionals can complete the job safely and correctly.

What happens is that once the fire causes the asbestos to be broken and airborne, the fibers can be inhaled by your family, employees, first responders, cleanup workers and anyone else who might be exposed to the site of the fire. This can cause severe issues and as described above, lead to a number deadly health issues.

We know that the smoke from fires is highly dangerous because it contains a mix of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water vapor, fine particulate matter, hydrocarbons and non-organic and organic substances. But if there are asbestos fibers added to the mix it is especially harmful. You should stay at least 1,000 feet away from this type of burning debris to protect yourself from asbestos exposure. Protective gear will help, but you really need to be trained to know how to handle this situation. That’s where our professionals come in.

Once the fire has been extinguished, the asbestos and burned material residue needs to be removed by cleanup crews. Our Project X experts will examine the site and check out the roofing materials, ceiling tiles, insulation, asphalt, and flooring as they are the areas most likely to contain asbestos. We will respond quickly to identify and remove any potential threats posed to your health by damaged asbestos from the fire.

When and how is asbestos a hazard?

Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers that may become airborne if and when they’re disturbed – whether due to renovation construction or something more catastrophic like a fire. If these fibers get into the air, you can inhale them into your lungs where they may cause dangerous health issues. Researchers still have not determined a safe level of exposure but the higher the concentration of fibers and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of contracting an asbestos-related disease.

Asbestos-containing materials in your home should not pose a hazard to people if it’s in good condition. The asbestos should be left alone and its condition monitored. But if the asbestos is disturbed or the materials become damaged, then it can quickly become a hazard when the fibers separate and become airborne.

When you need help, bring in the professionals

At Project X, we are committed to our community and you. We’re locally owned and operated, have an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and we back all work with a guarantee. We’re proud to be Denver’s trusted choice for cleanup, restoration, and remodeling, as well as fire damage asbestos removal. To get the job done right, we only work with licensed, certified and insured professionals. From estimate to completion, we’ll manage and coordinate everything for you, giving you peace of mind that your home or commercial space will be safe and free of asbestos

If you experience a devastating fire, don’t hesitate to call Project X Restoration. We take on all jobs, big or small. We’ll handle your fire damage asbestos removal needs from start to finish.

There’s no guaranteed way to protect your home from basement flooding. One nasty storm or a burst pipe, and its game over. That’s where Project X Restoration in Denver comes in to save the day. Make us your first call if your basement floods, and we’ll respond no matter the day or time. Our experts will stop the water damage before it spreads and get your home or business back to its original condition.

To protect your home from basement flooding, there’s actually a great resource called the Handbook for Reducing Basement Flooding from the Institute of Catastrophic Loss Reduction. This complete guide gives suggestions on what you can do to be more knowledgeable, and of course, better prepared. Let’s take a look at a few highlights from the guide.

First and foremost, you should know what your insurance covers and if it’s adequate enough to cover a flooded basement. Talk to your insurance agent and make sure you have coverage for repairing water damage and sewage backups, as well as restoring your basement and replacing its contents.

How to Prevent Basement Flooding

While we all know that basements can flood, many of us don’t take the precautions necessary to reduce our risk. Here are six great ways to keep your basement dry or lessen the damage.

1. Don’t Pour Oils, and Grease Down the Drain

Oils and grease should be thrown away. Don’t pour them down your drain because they can back up your pipes. They solidify when they cool and can cause a backup that could flood your basement.

2. Clean Out Your Eaves and Downspouts

To protect your home from basement flooding, make sure you have good drainage from your roof. If you don’t clean your eaves and downspouts, clogs can cause water will fill up and spill over. In winter, pooled water may freeze, causing breaks and water to run down, which can collect at the foundation.

3. Fill Cracks in Your Foundation

If the groundwater level around your home gets high, it may be able to get into foundation cracks and cause a leak. If you have cracks in your home’s foundation or walls, seal them up.

4. Keep Catch Basins Clear of Debris

Storm sewer grates located on the street are responsible for storm runoff drainage to the storm sewer. These grates can get covered with debris and prevent water from draining, which can then cause or worsen flooding. Keep the debris away from the drainage grates.

5. Check Your Sump Pump

A sump pump in your basement collects groundwater and pumps it away from the house. If you don’t have one, you should absolutely get one. If you do have a sump pump, make sure it’s sized properly, maintained, and has backup power.

6. Be Careful of What’s in Your Basement

Since your basement is the most likely area in your home to be flooded, be careful of what you store on the floor. If you can, put your things in protective bins and up off the floor on shelves.

Also consider not putting expensive or sentimental items in the basement like TVs and other electronics, gaming equipment, pool tables, exercise equipment, heirlooms, and antiques.

Take Home Protection to the Next Level

There are several things that can be done around your home to make a flood less likely. While the scope of these projects might be beyond the abilities of a handy homeowner, they can certainly help protect your home from basement flooding. These are also great things to look for when buying a new home!

• Foundation Drainage System – There are a variety of types, such as the French Drain, all of which direct water away from the home and its foundation.

• Lot grading – Make sure the slope of your yard allows the water to flow away from your home.

• Backfill – You should fill and grade any settled backfill areas close to your foundation so it will allow water to drain away from the home.
• Fix Reverse-Slope Driveways – A reverse-slope driveway is one that goes downhill towards the home, rather than downhill toward the road. These driveways increase your chance of flooding. Think about changing your driveway slope.

 

We hope you find these suggestions to protect your home from basement flooding helpful. Of course, even if you take every precaution in the book, flooding may occur. That’s when you’ll be happy to know Project X Restoration in Denver. We’ll respond no matter the day or time. Our experts can mitigate damage and start the process of restoring your property right away.

If your home or business floods, you have to think fast. It’s better to know what to do if your pipes burst or freeze before it happens. The first step is to call Project X Restoration in Denver. We’re available 24/7 and will immediately dispatch a team to help stop the flooding, mitigate the damages and restore your property. Of course, the best thing you can do is to prepare your pipes so they don’t burst or freeze.

Prepare Your Pipes

As you probably already know, water in your pipes can freeze when the weather gets very cold. This creates powerful pressure on the pipes and can cause them to break. Here are some ways to prepare your pipes and prevent them from bursting.

• Have your faucets repaired and replace the washers.
• Leave access doors or hatches slightly open to allow warmer air to circulate in the spaces beneath the roof.
• Wrap insulation around your water tank.
• Wrap thick insulation around your pipes.
• Make sure your outside hoses are disconnected and turned off at the inside water valve.

What to Do if Your Pipes Freeze

If you suspect frozen pipes in your home or business, first turn off the water supply in case they burst. You’ll also want to protect your possessions by moving them away from the area you’re investigating.  And be sure to cover the electrical box to prevent any water from getting to it.

Now, it’s time to try and locate the frozen section or sections of pipe by checking the flow of water from your faucets and toilets. If the flow is very low or non-existent, then you may have a frozen pipe nearby. Feel the pipe to find the frozen area and check for bulges.

Once you’ve located the frozen section of the pipe, use a hair dryer or hot water bottle to thaw out the pipe. Don’t use a blowtorch because you may do more damage than good. Don’t forget to open the faucets near the frozen pipe, so when it melts it has somewhere to go.

What to Do if Your Pipes Burst

If the worst happens and your pipes burst, you should know what to do because the quicker you respond the fewer damages you will suffer and the sooner you can begin to restore your home or business. Here’s your action list to respond to a flood from frozen and broken pipes.

• You must turn off the water supply to avoid flooding. Everyone should know where the water turn off is at your home or business.
• Open all the cold water faucets and flush the toilets to drain the system of as much water as possible to avoid flooding.
• Turn off your heating system and drain the system by opening the hot water faucets.
• If there are any electrical boxes near the busted pipes, make sure you shut them down the main electrical box.
• If you can, scoop and remove excess water. Get out of the way if you see your ceilings bulging.
• Call your insurance office’s emergency helpline. They can help you begin the claims process and instruct you on how to get payment for your repairs.
• Take pictures and notes of the damage and the cause.
• Get the leak professionally repaired, keeping copies of the receipts and what was done.

Get prepared for what to do if your pipes burst or freeze, but if the unthinkable happens, don’t hesitate to call our experts at Project X Restoration in Denver. Remember, we’re here for you 24/7 and will help you through the entire process of restoring your property.

When a basement floods, even the most experienced DIY homeowners in the Denver area should weigh the many cons that come with taking on the job yourself. Here, our water disaster experts at Project X Restoration in Denver provide a bit of advice on what to do if your basement floods.

First and foremost, do not to enter the flooded area until a qualified professional tells you it is safe.

Your first concern needs to be the health and safety of you and your family. A flooded basement is extremely dangerous. These are just some of the hazards of flooded basements:

• Electrical Shock

A wet basement creates a real danger of electrical shock. Don’t turn on the lights or touch the electrical plugs. Be careful, but if it’s safe, turn off the electrical power at the main breaker box.

• Pollutants

A flooded basement may have raw sewage that may contain bacteria bringing sickness and diseases. Wear protective items including gloves, safety glasses, a face mask and be sure to wash thoroughly after any contact with sewage or items touched by sewage.

• Gas leaks

This should be a no-brainer when it comes to what to do if your basement floods. If you smell gas, get everyone out of the house right away. When you are safe, contact your utility company. They may even have an emergency line for this purpose.

• Chemicals

Even during the cleaning up phase, there are many contaminants in the water both from the flood water and from the harsh cleaning mixtures. Don’t go in the water unless you have to.

• Structural Damage

Some floods even weaken structural elements such as the walls and ceilings. If there are any signs of compromise, leave the area immediately.

• Sewage Backup

If a sewage backup caused the flooding or you are not sure yet, don’t run the washing machine or dishwasher, and don’t flush the toilet because it might make the flooding worse. 

What to Do if Your Basement Floods

If a burst water supply pipe caused the flooding, shut off the main incoming water valve to help reduce damage. Flood water from a pipe will be clean and usually comes from an upper level of the house. You should always know where your house water shut-off is located and keep clear, safe access to it.

Once you and your family are safe, your next step is to make two phone calls. One to your insurance company and one to Project X to mitigate damage right away. For any water or flood emergency, we’re here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And we can even be on site anywhere in the Denver metro area in an hour or less and get to work right away. We’ll stop the water damage before it spreads and get your home or business back to its pre-loss condition.It’s important to know what to do if your basement floods. Our water disaster experts at Project X Restoration in Denver can help keep you and your family safe and begin to mitigate the flood damage.