Disaster Tips

Why Rapid Response is Critical
When the full consequences of water damage are overlooked, the simplest water damage can turn into a costly reconstruction process. This is why Complete Restoration professionals respond quickly.

Within minutes…: Water contamination spreads to unaffected areas traveling around, under, over and even through most building materials.
Within hours…: Sheetrock swells and disintegrates while bacterial odor becomes apparent.
Within days…: Mold appears along with a “musty” odor.
Within weeks…: Mold associated with prolonged dampness penetrates organic host materials (paper covering sheetrock, paneling, wood, etc.) and mold can form.

3 Categories of Water Damage

Understanding the three categories of water damage is essential in determining proper procedures to minimize damage and safely restore structure, contents and materials.

Clean Water – Clean water poses no substantial harm to humans if treated correctly. It originates from sources such as water supply lines and tub or sink overflows with no contaminants.
Gray Water – Gray water has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness. It contains a significant level of contaminations. Examples include:
- Discharge from dishwashers or washing machines
- Sump pump failures
- Toilet overflows
Time and temperature aggravate Category 2 contamination levels. Gray water remaining untreated for longer than 48 hours may change to black water.
Black Water – Black water contains pathogenic agents and is grossly unsanitary. It includes sewage and contaminated water sources such as ground surface water and rising water from rivers or streams.

Incorrect or delayed action can jeopardize or seriously impeded satisfactory restoration. Rely on Complete Restoration to provide quick, professional emergency response and service.

Frozen Pipes
Things to look for: frozen pipes to outside water lines, hose bibs, etc. The copper lines can crack if water is left in them and freeze through the winter. If your basement is finished, it’s going to be difficult to properly inspect those lines. The best thing a homeowner can do is turn on their outside water and pay attention to the water pressure. It is common for a lot of pressure to be released immediately, but then it will reduce, sometimes a little and sometimes drastically. That depends on the size of the crack in the pipe. If you notice a reduction in pressure, turn off the water and call a plumber. If you would like a referral for a dependable plumber, you can give our office a call.

Swamp coolers and air conditioners also pose a hazard from frozen lines or lines that have become loose or disconnected. So it is important to check those lines before using them. These few steps can prevent major disruptions in homeowners' lives. But sometimes homeowners may take all of these preventative measures and these in-home disasters still happen. If that does, Complete Restoration is highly experienced in restoring your home the right way and in a timely manner. We can eliminate the headaches that result from these disasters.

Fire and Smoke

Facts: Each year fire kills more Americans than all natural disasters combined. About 2 million fires are reported each year. Many others go unreported, causing additional injuries and property loss. Direct property loss due to fires is estimated at $8.6 billion annually.
Causes of Fires and Fire Deaths: Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. It is also the leading cause of home fire injuries. Cooking fires often result from unattended cooking and human error, rather than mechanical failure of stoves or ovens.
Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths. Smoke alarms and smolder-resistant bedding and upholstered furniture are significant fire deterrents.
Heating is the second leading cause of residential fires and the second leading cause of fire deaths. However, heating fires are a larger problem in single family homes than in apartments. Unlike apartments, the heating systems in family homes are often not professionally maintained.
Arson is the third leading cause of both residential fires and fire deaths. In commercial properties, arson is the major cause of death, injuries and dollar loss.
Fire is FAST: In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house. In minutes, a house can be engulfed in flames. Most fires occur when people are asleep. If you wake up to a fire, you won’t have time to grab your valuables because fire spreads too quickly and the smoke is too thick. There is only time to escape.
Fire is HOT: Heat is more threatening than flames! A fire’s heat alone can kill. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super hot air will scorch your lungs. This heat melts clothes to your skin. In five minutes, a room can get so hot that everything in it ignites at once: this is called a flashover.
Fire is DARK: Fire isn’t bright, it’s pitch black. Fire starts bright but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness. If you wake up to a fire you may be blinded, disoriented, and unable to find your way around the home you have lived in for years.
Fire is DEADLY: Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. Fire uses up the oxygen you need and produces smoke and poisonous gases that kill. Breathing even small amounts of smoke and toxic gases can make you drowsy, disoriented and short of breath. The odorless, colorless fumes can lull you into a deep sleep before the flames reach your door. You may not wake up in time to escape.
WHAT SAVES LIVES: A working smoke alarm dramatically increases a person’s chance of surviving a fire. Approximately 88% of U.S. homes have at least one smoke alarm. However, these alarms are not always properly maintained and may not work in an emergency. There has been a disturbing increase over the last ten years in the number of fires that occur in home with non-functioning alarms. It is estimated that over 40% of residential fires and three-fifths of residential fatalities occur in homes without smoke alarms.

Residential sprinklers have become more cost effective for homes. However, few homes are currently protected by them.