Posted on

7 Tips For Winterizing to Avoid Homeowners Insurance Claims

Frozen burst pipes

Winter weather causes billions in homeowners insurance claims losses each year—it doesn’t have to.

Water damage, particularly the kind related to frozen or burst pipes accounts for the major share of homeowners insurance claims in Michigan.

Wrapping your pipes during winter months is recommended along with keeping your home at 65 degrees or more. Knowing where your home’s water shutoff valve is located will allow you to quickly shut off the water at its source in an emergency.

Following some basic maintenance steps can prevent catastrophic water damage from ruining your home and costing you money and grief. Be prepared by addressing problem areas around your home, here are a few tips: 

  1. Protect Indoor Pipes Burst pipes can cause up to $5,000 or more in damage. Pipe insulation costs a little as 50 cents per linear foot making it an inexpensive way to ward off frozen pipe issues. Insulation can be installed yourself around any exposed copper or PVC water pipes. 37% of all burst pipes occur in the basement so make sure to pay special attention to that area.
  2. Insulate Your Attic or Crawl Space
    By keeping your attic cooler, you can prevent ice dams from forming and damaging your roof. Insulating the attic with properly rated insulation will help to keep your attic cool and avoid any unnecessary pitfalls.
  3. Service Your Furnace and Chimney
    Heating equipment, fireplaces, and chimneys are some of the biggest culprits of home fires, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Having them serviced and inspected annually is a safe practice. Be sure to have the inspector examine the condition of the chimney—brick periodically needs maintenance to keep water from leaking in.
  4. Repair Loose Roofing & Shingles
    Doing a once-around your property to inspect your roof can go a long way to warding of potential hazards. If you notice loose, damaged, or missing shingles, have a licensed roofing contractor do a deeper inspection so and mend any damage before the first snow flies. It has been said that a single cubic foot of snow or ice can weigh 20 to 25 pounds—that kind of pressure can cause shifting of shingles, allowing water to penetrate your roof and leak into your home.
  5. Clean and Inspect Gutters
    Clogged gutters can cause water to back up and then freeze once temperatures drop. Keep gutters clear and properly connected to ensure that melting snow runs off your roof and through your downspouts.
  6. Prune Dead Branches
    Branches covered in snow can easily break and cause safety hazards aside from the potential to cause thousands of dollars of roof damage. Before the first snow, have a reputable contractor, remove dead or protruding branches that might compromise your property.
  7. Secure Outdoor Water Sources
    Drain and store garden hoses before the first inkling of frost to eliminate any chance they’ll freeze or burst. Shut off the water-supply valve to hose bibs, from inside your house or basement, then open the outdoor spigot  so any water trapped inside will drain free. Simply shutting off the spigot will cause trapped water to freeze and cause a burst pipe inside.

If you experience any kind of water damage to your home in Michigan don’t hesitate to contact us at Advance Restoration—We’re there when you need us.

Posted on

3 Simple Ways to Ensure Your Fireplace is Safe

pet by fireplace

A fireplace is one of the leading causes of house fire in the cold weather months. Avoid the pitfalls of fire and smoke damage with these five steps.

Before you light your first fire of the season, follow these tips to be sure your fireplace and chimney are in good shape.

#1 Check the Firebox

Be on the lookout for gaps, cracks, and signs of wear on the lining of the firebox. Seeing the steel sheath beneath the lining is a clear sign that your lining is impaired. A corroded lining can cause excessive heat to build up inside causing fire and smoke damage.

#2 Smoke Stains on Fireplace

Smoke leaves its mark. If you see smoke stains on the ceiling it could mean smoke is making its way through cracks or gaps betwixt the hearth and firebox.   Hearths in older homes commonly pull away from the firebox during settling. When this occurs, sparks can fall into the crevasse and up goes the smoke. Unfortunately, if this is happening, you will need a professional to fix it.

If you notice smoke stains on the outside of the hearth above the fireplace itself, it may be the flue damper. In this case, the damper can be hand-operated to help control the airflow into the fireplace. Oftentimes the damper mechanism can become caked with soot and crud that keeps it from working properly. If this is the situation, smoke can plume out of the fireplace causing smoke damage and odors that permeate the home and its contents. Call a professional or handyman to repair the damper mechanism before using the fireplace.

#3 Inspect the Fireplace Chimney

Okay, you may not want to get up on the roof to look down the chimney. However, you should not simply disregard it. Inspecting the chimney is one of the most important things you can do before lighting a fire in your fireplace. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends an annual inspection by a qualified professional. Simply guessing that your chimney is in working order is what helps to account for an average of 22,300 chimney fires annually, according to the CSIA. 

Use these tips to avoid fire disasters and you will enjoy a safe and cozy cold weather season. If, by chance, you experience smoke and fire damage, call the experts at Advance Restoration for cleanup and restoration help. 866-465-2409.

Posted on

Wind Damage and Tornadoes

Hazardous wind damage weather outlook for many counties including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, St. Clair, Lapeer, Genesee, Shiawassee, and Saginaw

 

According to surfacing weather reports, there is a chance of severe wind damage due to high winds occurring Tuesday through early Wednesday morning. High winds and thunderstorms are expected across southeastern Michigan becoming more severe by evening as they become more intense.

Wind gusts up to 60 MPH could cause wind damage and injury according to forecast and isolated tornadoes toward the southern border of Michigan could potentially pass through.

Tornadoes can happen anywhere and anytime with the potential to bring intense winds and funnels. If you are under tornado warning, find a safe shelter immediately.

  • Take shelter in a sturdy building with a safe room such as a basement or storm cellar
  • Small interior rooms make good shelter on the lowest level of your home
  • Stay away from doors, windows and outside walls
  • Watch for flying debris
  • Take cover by shielding your head and neck with your arms or other sturdy covering

For more information on how to stay safe when a storm or tornado threatens, download this Tornado Information Sheet from FEMA. If you experience property damage in southeast Michigan due to storm you can find information to help you recover quickly by clicking here.

Posted on

DO YOU NEED MOLD REMEDIATION IN MICHIGAN?

It’s crucial to pursue water restoration within 24 to 48 hours of a flood if you hope to avoid mold remediation in Michigan. That’s why Advance Restoration offers 24/7 emergency services—to minimize damage by providing the fastest possible response.

Failure to act quickly could lead to a mold problem. Here are the signs to watch for:

  • Large patches of discolored walls, ceilings, or floors
  • Persistent musty odor
  • Standing water in areas that should be dry
  • Mold spores discovered in the HVAC system

OUR CERTIFIED MOLD REMEDIATION COMPANY NEARBY IS READY TO HELP SERVE YOU

The team at Advance Restoration is certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to perform water and mold remediation. You can take a few steps to clean up mold before the professionals arrive, but for your safety and to ensure the mold won’t return, it’s best to hire a professional. Let us do the brunt of the work for you.

Our certified mold remediation process entails:

  • Identify the extent of the mold problem – We send a professional microbiologist to your property to determine where the mold is growing, what type of mold it is, and how widespread the problem has become.
  • Contain the mold – We isolate the affected area to avoid contaminating the rest of your home during the treatment process.
  • Filter the air – Our team runs air cleaners with HEPA filters to rid the air of mold spores intent on landing, growing, and exacerbating the problem.
  • Remove mold from walls, ceilings, floors, and ductwork – Because mold penetrates surfaces as deeply as possible, it’s best to dispose of any moldy porous materials, including carpet, carpet padding, ceiling tiles, insulation, and drywall. Nonporous and semi-porous materials such as metal, glass, hard plastic, concrete, and wood are often salvageable using antimicrobial cleaners and sealants.
  • Restore mold-infested belongings – We take the contaminated contents of your building to our climate-controlled storage facility for mold treatment, deodorization, and drying. We use state-of-the-art content restoration techniques to recover as many of your possessions as possible.
  • Prevent mold regeneration – After cleaning up existing mold, it’s vital to address the source of the moisture that caused the mold growth in the first place. We identify that source and devise a plan of action to ensure the mold doesn’t return.

If you notice any of these signs of mold growth in your Michigan building, contact Advance Restoration at 877-581-9176 as soon as possible to begin remediation.

Posted on

3 Proactive Home Improvement Tips for Fall

Fall brings the perfect weather for performing those last-minute DIY home improvement projects

While September reigns in cooler temps and summer activities waning what better time to show your house a little extra TLC. Use these 3 home improvement tips to save money on costly property damage repairs down the road.

Home Fire extinguisher

Home Improvement Tip #1: Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

According to the American Red Cross, home fires have increased, rising 10 percent since 2000. Generally, home fires are more prevalent during the fall and winter, with December and January being peak months. So, there is no time like the present to get started and avoid fire damage repairs altogether.

Fire extinguishers can break down over time and malfunction. Keep your home safe sound by getting your fire extinguishers checked by certified professionals every six years. Buying one for each floor of your house is a good plan—don’t forget the garage!

Home roof damage

Home Improvement Tip #2: Inspect Your Roof

Roof repairs can be a costly improvement project, but so can water damage restoration. Do a walkaround of your home to inspect the roof, siding, grading and gutters—to ward off issues in advance. It’s a lot easier to fix in the fall than on a snowy winter’s day.

Tree Trimming Improvement

Home Improvement Tip #3: Preventative Tree Trimming 

Winter storms are on the horizon and heavy snow and ice has been known to tumble a tree branch or two. Those dead branches can be deadly for your roof. Not to mention, your gutters, siding, and windows. A simple home improvement task can ward off these pitfalls—trim all branches within 3 feet of the house. Trimming your branches could save you oodles of cash on roof damage & repairs.

Are You Beyond DIY—Need Help with Property Damage?

Maybe you’ve done your due diligence or perhaps not, we’re here to help. If you find you have roof leaks, fire damage, or water damage give us a call and one of our friendly assistants will be happy to connect you to one of our property damage experts. 866-465-2409.

Posted on

#1 CAUSE OF HOUSE FIRE—COOKING!

What you should know about house fire and your homeowners fire insurance coverage

Cooking is the #1 cause of house fires according to the National Fire Protection Association. Kitchen fire damage can be devastating— even worse, finding out that the home fire section of your homeowner’s policy does not fully cover your losses.

If you’ve experienced a minor kitchen fire or even a major home fire destroying your entire home— make sure you have adequate home fire insurance coverage to repair or replace destroyed property. After a fire is not the time to find out that your policy is incomplete. Here are some things to consider when buying or updating your policy:

  • Get the right home insurance coverage for your needs
  • Know the value of your home and possessions
  • Purchase replacement cost instead of actual cash value
  • Ask your insurance agent about guaranteed replacement cost for your home structure
  • Make sure your disaster living expenses are accounted for

Putting the right policy in place to make sure your home fire insurance coverage limits can cover you in the event of a total loss is important and by following these simple tips you will be closer to the coverage you deserve. You may want to visit FreeAdvice.com to understand your home insurance options.

Advance Restoration is a disaster restoration company devoted to fully restoring clients facing house fire damage including smoke & soot damage and content restoration. We want you to stay safe and believe it’s important to have a plan in place so that when fires flare up, you and your family know what to do—download a free fire Escape-Planning_Guide  provided by the National Fire Protection Association. Stay safe.

Posted on

FALL PREPARATION—3 Tips For Winter

3 Fall Preparation Tips for Avoiding Winter Property Damage.

Although it’s only fall…winter is looming whether we like it or not! Fall leaves can wreck havoc on our gutters and downspouts, add snow, ice and cold temperatures and you have a fine recipe for winter storm damage. Fall preparation is the perfect anecdote to winter hazards.

We love to hear from our customers, but we hope it’s just to say, “Hello, we miss you guys” rather than, “hurry, our roof caved in!”

Here are a few simple Fall preparation tips you can do to prepare for cold weather that will save you time, money, and a phone call to Advance Restoration—even though we love hearing from you!

  • Frost proof your faucet-If the shut off valve to your spigot is outside, you are at risk of a leaky or frozen pipe that could potential thaw and crack in the spring causing water damage inside and outside your home. Insulate these pipes now to prevent from freezing or better yet, install a frost proof faucet that extends a pipe from the outside into the house so that the shut-off point and washer are on the inside and away from the elements.
  • Invest in a roof rake-The average roof can hold up to four feet of fresh snow and as snow begins to melt or collect from multiple storms, the weight of the snow can become too much for your roof to handle. The combined weight of snow and water puts your roof at a higher risk of roof damage due to collapse. Invest in a roof rake now so you can be ready; it can be your best friend after a winter storm.
  • Consider purchasing flood insurance-Consider purchasing flood insurance, if you live in a flood-prone area, to cover possible flood damage that may occur during the spring thaw. Homeowners’ policies do not cover damage from floods. Ask your insurance agent about the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) if you are at risk. More information on NFIP is available at Fema.gov.

If you prepare for the cold weather you will be in much better shape to enjoy time with friends and family by that cozy and clean fireplace. You might even have time to bake some cookies and drop them by Advance Restoration (just thought we’d sneak that in there!). If freezing temperatures have gotten the best of you— we’re just a phone call away and ready to serve with 24/7 emergency service. You can also check out our resources page for more tips and important disaster recovery information and links.

Posted on

Water Damage — Is Landscaping the Culprit?

Because of their low-lying positions, basements and crawlspaces are prone to leaks, moisture, mold, and water damage.  Unfortunately water damage to home structures is common due to invasive indoor and outdoor water sources.

One of the most prominent causes of water damage is your landscaping. The grade of your property must be designed to slope away from your foundation as water always runs downhill. Flowerbeds, although beautiful, can also pose a danger if planted too close to your foundation.

The good news is there are preventative steps you can take to ensure that your landscaping doesn’t contribute to basement or crawl space damage.

  • Check the grade of your landscape. Your landscape should slope away from your structure so that water flows away from, not toward your foundation.
  • Be sure to use fill dirt rather than topsoil in the areas surrounding the structure. Topsoil is absorbent and will take in lots of water and become over saturated eventually seeping into the ground and potentially making its way into cracks in your foundation.
  • Keep flowerbed plantings away from the foundation to keep water from traveling along your foundation’s wall.
  • Use a heavier ground cover as opposed to wood chips, which can wash away during a heavy storm clogging drainage ditches and causing them to overflow. Rocks or heavier mulch will be more likely to stay in place and the good news is you will be raking less of it off your lawn.
  • Shrubs and trees should be kept trimmed back away from the structure. Plantings that are too close to the home can cause water to run down the side of the structure making their way into cracks and crevices eventually causing moisture damage or serious leaks.
  • Keep gutters clean and free of leaves and debris that can cause water to dam up and overflow.

If you find yourself with a wet basement due to flooding or leaks caused by landscaping, hard rains, or water overflow there is hope. Contact a water damage specialist who is knowledgeable about water extraction, structural drying, dehumidification, and mold damage.

Posted on

Homeowners Insurance. What’s Covered?

Homeowner's Insurance Coverage

You may be stunned to learn what your Homeowner’s policy doesn’t cover

Basic homeowners insurance policies cover your home and its contents if damaged or ruined. Hence, here is the complete list:

  • Fire
  • Lightning
  • Hail (dependent on area)
  • Windstorm (except in hurricane zones)
  • Smoke
  • Vandalism (excluded by some policies)
  • Theft
  • Explosion
  • Volcanic eruption
  • Riots
  • Civil Commotion
  • Vehicles (and airborne projectiles)
  • Aircraft (and airborne projectiles)

Some states don’t sell these basic policies. As a result, ssome require upgrades to cover more damages.

The Dreaded Homeowners Insurance Upgrade

An upgraded policy or HO-2 adds additional protection to your home and its contents. Subsequently, the HO-1 covers all of the items listed above, with these additions:

  • Weight of snow, ice, or sleet
  • Floods from appliances, plumbing, fire-protection sprinkler systems, and HVAC mishaps. Electronics such as computers are not a covered item.
  • Glass breakage
  • Abrupt collapse or caving of building

And so, this list applies also to homeowner’s insurance for condominiums or co-ops and is commonly referred to as HO-6 rather than HO-2.

The aforementioned lists are exactly what is covered on HO-1, HO-2, and HO-6. Consequently, if there’s a world apocalypse and that’s not on the list…it’s not covered.

But wait! There’s always HO-3 Homeowner’s Insurance

HO-3 is the most comprehensive form of homeowner’s insurance coverage. Accordingly, HO-3 covers just about everything you can imagine. In what follows, there are some specific exceptions:

  • Floods
  • Earthquakes
  • Wars
  • Nuclear accidents
  • Landslides
  • Mudslides
  • Sinkholes

The HO-3 policy also does not cover world apocalypse (War) but it does cover a lot.

What isn’t Covered by Homeowners Insurance

No one policy covers every possible type of damage that can destroy your property. Here’s what typical homeowners’ policies will not cover:

  • Improper or neglected maintenance
  • Hurricanes
  • Floods
  • Earthquakes
  • Mudslides
  • Landslides
  • Sinkholes
  • War
  • Nuclear accidents
  • Sewer backups
  • Sump pump failure
  • Ground movement and holes caused by mining
  • Pollution

Additional policies can be purchased to cover some, but not all, of these disasters. Even if insurance was available for the most common disasters in your area, you may not qualify if your property has distinct features. These features cause your home to be more vulnerable such as a thatched roof in an area where wildfires are the norm.

Additional Items Covered by Homeowners Insurance

Here are four more items that are covered:

  • Landscaping, hardscaping and outbuildings (up to 10% of your policy, 5% for plants)
  • Damage or loss of personal belongings (laptops, computers, jewelry, etc.)
  • Temporary living expenses if your home is unlivable (hotel bills and meals)
  • Injuries or accidents at home (slip and fall, dog bites, etc.)

What if you have an Older Home?

That’s what HO-8 is for. 

When your home is older, and it is no longer reasonable to assume you could replace it to its original status. HO-8 steps in. Items such as electrical that could not be replaced as original and meet current code requirements.

A HO-8 policy covers many of the same disasters as the basic HO-1 policy. HO-8 will only pay repair costs to market value not replacement value.

It is possible to purchase a “Law and Ordinance” policy that covers the cost of rebuilding using current building codes.

That about covers the ins and outs of homeowner’s policies. If you experience damage to your home or property and you are not sure if you are covered under your homeowner’s policy, give Advance Restoration a call at 866-465-2409. One of our experts will walk you through your policy’s coverage.

Posted on

Typical Home Inspections—What They Don’t Say

Home inspector

 

It’s what is not included in home inspections that’s important

Typical home inspections do not include looking for insect or animal infestations or cracks that cause water damage, or mold. E-gads! Most people assume that these dastardly home damaging items are part of every home inspection punch list, but inspectors are not licensed to find them.

Mold, rats, termites, oh my! Home Inspections nightmares.

Your inspector may note that the floors are spongy or saggy. There may be evidence of termites in your home or insulation is torn and tattered possibly caused by rats.  Black junk on the walls might be evidence of growing fungus however; to prove that it indeed is termite, rodent, or mold infestation, you need to hire a specialist.

Don’t take a dive into unknown waters

Is your home inspector certified for all types of damage to your property? If your home has a swimming pool, for instance, they may turn on the pump or heater to ensure working condition but may not look for cracks that cause leaks and ultimately water damage. To get to the bottom of what is really going on, you may need to hire a septic systems expert or a property damage expert. A pool leak could cause significant flood damage issues considering the amount of water it contains.

Roof walking, or not?

Your inspector is not required to get onto the roof to inspect it. If the roof is more than one story high, and the weather is bad, they may stay squarely planted on the ground—taking notes from there. Walking the roof is the way a true property damage specialist will inspect it. A professional will look for damaged gutters, loose or missing shingles, or clogged downspouts as well as the general condition of the roof.  In addition,  a specialist will check inside the home for areas that appear to be compromised by leaks.

Call a property damage expert If your home inspection even slightly eludes to termites, rats, mold, cracks, leaks, or missing shingles. A consultation can help to eliminate the possibility of damage that can be hidden from the naked eye of a novice.  Advance Restoration specializes in property damage from water damage to fire damage, roof damage to mold remediation and, with our free assessment promotion, there is nothing to lose.