Finding Help In A Water Emergency

Standing water in your home -  whether from rain, broken pipes or a hole in the roof– requires an immediate and professional response. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when you when experience major water damage in Newburgh:

Starting Cleanup On Your Own

The worst mistake that homeowners can make is jumping into clean-up without a plan and adequate documentation. Don’t clean up anything by yourself until you document the damage. Engage your disaster restoration service first; choose one very familiar with working with insurance companies. They can successfully complete the needed paperwork and help you prepare all documentation to prove the extent of damages to your carrier.

Underestimating A Dangerous Situation

Even when damage doesn’t look extensive, you need to be aware of hidden dangers. Don’t wade into water; you might trip or cut yourself. Turn off the electricity to any area with standing water; you will need a good flashlight to see the debris.

Remember all water is not equal; be aware that sources could include sewage waste, chemicals, and seawater.  Knowing the contaminants in the water is imperative since it determines the safety equipment required and the course of remediation.

Using The Wrong Techniques And Equipment

Common household cleaning items such as mops, brooms, and shop vacuums work well for an everyday kitchen spill. However, even the best home vacuum or steam cleaner is no match for standing water in the house. By the time you can get the carpet dry, moisture damage and mold might have already started. Professional water damage remediation teams bring the manpower plus include industrial strength tools and products. Get a team that can work faster than the potential damage.

Waiting Too Long For Service

The most expensive mistake you can make is delaying a full response. The hours that you spend dabbing, wiping and trying to contain the mess have an exponential effect on future damage. As the dirty water gets absorbed into any porous surfaces, the mold spores begin to grow and create a second problem to solve. So the sooner you get an experienced disaster restoration service out to your property, the fewer problems in the long run. 

Rushing To Hire Help

Invest some time when choosing a team. Ask your neighbors for recommendations, read reviews, check with the BBB.  Gather quotes from a few companies and compare the offerings. When selecting your bid, don’t just go for the service that offered you the lowest cost. Trust the team that best analyzes your situation and can clearly explain the reasoning.

Attempting Demolition With Amateurs

Anyone would dread a demolition project; inexperienced contractors could make the problem worse. Consult with a team that takes the time to assess your situation, determines steps to lessen any damage and streamline the reconstruction process. The common goal should be to find the least costly, least intrusive demolition method for the damage at hand.

Safety must be a priority. Demolition can reveal certain health and safety hazards including mold, asbestos, and lead. Choose a team that will comply with all precautions to ensure materials are handled safely. 

Do You Need Water Damage Experts In Newburgh?

Now that you have a minute to assess the damage, are you able to handle the Water Damage Cleanup  in Newburgh yourself? A full-service company can get the equipment and resources you need to protect your home from further harm. Consider which options you might need: water damage mitigation, biohazard remediation, board-up services, temporary power, or even complete reconstruction. Your first step is to contact Hudson Valley DKI at (845) 637-3987 or hudsonvalleydki.com

Water Damage Newburgh

Whether your water damage in Newburgh is due to flooding or broken pipes, Hudson Valley DKI is here to help you in your time of need!

Protect Your Property From Spring Water Damage

Spring brings warmer temperatures, and warmer temperatures mean melting snow.  Melting snow and spring showers on a just-thawed ground can create a recipe for disaster. Soggy, uneven ground can puddle and cause flooding.  Sometimes this run-off can seep into your property through leaks and cracks in the foundation causing damage to the building structure, furnishings, and facilitate the perfect environment for mold and mildew.  What steps can you take to help re-route the water and protect your property from water damage in Newburgh?  Here are some items to be aware of…

Ice Damming

Ice dams occur after a heavy snowfall when warm air in the attic causes the temperature of the roof to rise and the snow to melt.  As snowmelt runs down the roof, it refreezes when reaching the colder roof edge, forming a mound of ice.  Ice dams are those chunks of ice that form along the edges of your roof, and while frozen, they’re no more trouble than the icicles that hang down. But during the warmer parts of the day, water melting off the roof pools behind the ice.  With nowhere else for the water to go, it seeps back up under the shingles. Ice dams allow water from melting snow and ice to pool on the roof which will eventually leak into your home.  Sometimes water can find its way 5 to 10 ft. back up under the shingles. Eventually, it drips through the roof into the soffits, walls, and worst of all, onto your ceilings.  If you wish to remove snow from your roof, do so safely. After a heavy snowstorm, rake the snow off your roof line to prevent ice dams from forming, and remove icicles.  This will prevent ice dams from forming and water damage inside your home from happening.

Spring Runoff

Melting snow can seep into the soil next to your foundation, causing water damage to crawl spaces, basements, and corner joints where the wall meets the floor.  Grading the ground closest to your foundation can help prevent this from happening. Build up the soil in order to have at least a six-inch slope from the foundation to at least ten feet from the property to keep water from seeping into the foundation or basement.

Clogged Gutters

Clogged gutters can cause water to spill over the side, down the walls of your home and seep into the foundation. Make sure your gutters are free of debris to ensure proper water flow.  It is important to position downspouts away from your property.  Extenders can be used to ensure the water is directed 2 or 3 feet away from the foundation.  Your gutters are your first line of defense.  However, houses without gutters often have leakage problems caused by water splashing against the foundation. Digging a trench, lined with thick plastic or pipe can be used to divert the runoff from the roofline.  Covering the area with landscaping materials or stones will prevent debris from blocking the flow of water.

Water that has seeped into your home through any of these scenarios cause a perfect habitat for mold growth.  Mold is known to cause health problems if not taken care of properly by certified mold remediation specialists.  By finding water damage quickly you can prevent unnecessary damage.  If you are in the Newburgh area, Hudson Valley Contracting-DKI is on call 24 hours a day for your water damage disaster.

Protect Your Property From Spring Water Damage

Spring brings warmer temperatures, and warmer temperatures mean melting snow.  Melting snow and spring showers on a just-thawed ground can create a recipe for disaster. Soggy, uneven ground can puddle and cause flooding.  Sometimes this run-off can seep into your property through leaks and cracks in the foundation causing damage to the building structure, furnishings, and facilitate the perfect environment for mold and mildew.  What steps can you take to help re-route the water and protect your property from water damage in Newburgh?  Here are some items to be aware of…

Ice Damming

Ice dams occur after a heavy snowfall when warm air in the attic causes the temperature of the roof to rise and the snow to melt.  As snowmelt runs down the roof, it refreezes when reaching the colder roof edge, forming a mound of ice.  Ice dams are those chunks of ice that form along the edges of your roof, and while frozen, they’re no more trouble than the icicles that hang down. But during the warmer parts of the day, water melting off the roof pools behind the ice.  With nowhere else for the water to go, it seeps back up under the shingles. Ice dams allow water from melting snow and ice to pool on the roof which will eventually leak into your home.  Sometimes water can find its way 5 to 10 ft. back up under the shingles. Eventually, it drips through the roof into the soffits, walls, and worst of all, onto your ceilings.  If you wish to remove snow from your roof, do so safely. After a heavy snowstorm, rake the snow off your roof line to prevent ice dams from forming, and remove icicles.  This will prevent ice dams from forming and water damage inside your home from happening

Spring Runoff

Melting snow can seep into the soil next to your foundation, causing water damage to crawl spaces, basements, and corner joints where the wall meets the floor.  Grading the ground closest to your foundation can help prevent this from happening. Build up the soil in order to have at least a six-inch slope from the foundation to at least ten feet from the property to keep water from seeping into the foundation or basement.

Clogged Gutters

Clogged gutters can cause water to spill over the side, down the walls of your home and seep into the foundation. Make sure your gutters are free of debris to ensure proper water flow.  It is important to position downspouts away from your property.  Extenders can be used to ensure the water is directed 2 or 3 feet away from the foundation.  Your gutters are your first line of defense.  However, houses without gutters often have leakage problems caused by water splashing against the foundation. Digging a trench, lined with thick plastic or pipe can be used to divert the runoff from the roofline.  Covering the area with landscaping materials or stones will prevent debris from blocking the flow of water.

Water that has seeped into your home through any of these scenarios cause a perfect habitat for mold growth.  Mold is known to cause health problems if not taken care of properly by certified mold remediation specialists.  By finding water damage quickly you can prevent unnecessary damage.  If you are in the Newburgh area, Hudson Valley Contracting-DKI is on call 24 hours a day for your water damage disaster.

Mold Removal New Burgh

If you suspect or spot mold growth in your home, call Hudson Valley DKI for mold removal in New Burgh and get to the root of the problem to prevent additional damage or mold growth.

Protect Your Property From Spring Water Damage

Spring brings warmer temperatures, and warmer temperatures mean melting snow.  Melting snow and spring showers on a just-thawed ground can create a recipe for disaster. Soggy, uneven ground can puddle and cause flooding.  Sometimes this run-off can seep into your property through leaks and cracks in the foundation causing damage to the building structure, furnishings, and facilitate the perfect environment for mold and mildew.  What steps can you take to help re-route the water and protect your property from water damage in Newburgh?  Here are some items to be aware of…

Ice Damming

Ice dams occur after a heavy snowfall when warm air in the attic causes the temperature of the roof to rise and the snow to melt.  As snowmelt runs down the roof, it refreezes when reaching the colder roof edge, forming a mound of ice.  Ice dams are those chunks of ice that form along the edges of your roof, and while frozen, they’re no more trouble than the icicles that hang down. But during the warmer parts of the day, water melting off the roof pools behind the ice.  With nowhere else for the water to go, it seeps back up under the shingles. Ice dams allow water from melting snow and ice to pool on the roof which will eventually leak into your home.  Sometimes water can find its way 5 to 10 ft. back up under the shingles. Eventually, it drips through the roof into the soffits, walls, and worst of all, onto your ceilings.  If you wish to remove snow from your roof, do so safely. After a heavy snowstorm, rake the snow off your roof line to prevent ice dams from forming, and remove icicles.  This will prevent ice dams from forming and water damage inside your home from happening

Spring Runoff

Melting snow can seep into the soil next to your foundation, causing water damage to crawl spaces, basements, and corner joints where the wall meets the floor.  Grading the ground closest to your foundation can help prevent this from happening. Build up the soil in order to have at least a six-inch slope from the foundation to at least ten feet from the property to keep water from seeping into the foundation or basement.

Clogged Gutters

Clogged gutters can cause water to spill over the side, down the walls of your home and seep into the foundation. Make sure your gutters are free of debris to ensure proper water flow.  It is important to position downspouts away from your property.  Extenders can be used to ensure the water is directed 2 or 3 feet away from the foundation.  Your gutters are your first line of defense.  However, houses without gutters often have leakage problems caused by water splashing against the foundation. Digging a trench, lined with thick plastic or pipe can be used to divert the runoff from the roofline.  Covering the area with landscaping materials or stones will prevent debris from blocking the flow of water.

Water that has seeped into your home through any of these scenarios cause a perfect habitat for mold growth.  Mold is known to cause health problems if not taken care of properly by certified mold remediation specialists.  By finding water damage quickly you can prevent unnecessary damage.  If you are in the Newburgh area, Hudson Valley Contracting-DKI is on call 24 hours a day for your water damage disaster.

Hudson Valley DKI

                                                        4 Fire Damage Myths Debunked

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, Hudson Valley DKI 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 Hudson Valley DKI that knows every step of the fire and smoke restoration process and how to do it correctly.