Irregular weather patterns and more urban sprawl (and asphalt) are leading to more flood damage than ever before. FEMA recently predicted that total area in the United States at risk of flooding could increase by 45 percent by 2100. The National Resources Defense Council has documented eight recent flood events of a size expected to occur just once every 500 to 1,000 years.

And while not everyone lives in a high-risk area, everyone does live in a potential flood zone. Water damage In Panama City Beach can lead to full-scale destruction of a home. Even relatively minor damage, like a busted pipe, can cost thousands of dollars to repair. But homeowners in Panama City Beach can mitigate some of the risks.

Evaluate Your Risk

Homeowners can calculate their flood risk by visiting Floodsmart.Gov, the website of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This federal program sets flood insurance rates using FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps, which show a community’s base flood elevations, flood zones, and floodplain boundaries.  

If you’re considering buying a home, find out whether the property has ever been flooded. Some states require real-estate records to include that information. Better yet, Ask the neighborhood oldtimers whether there’s been flooding in the area.

Elevate The Major Appliances

Step One – Utilities, boilers, central air-conditioning units, and other HVAC equipment normally located at the lowest level of homes are particularly vulnerable to flood damage. Consider bringing them to higher ground, either by building platforms or by moving them to another floor.

Step Two – Replace these before they fail and flood your home from INSIDE. It is only a matter of time before the bottom rusts out on that 20-year-old water heater.

Install A Sewage Water Backstop

Cities that deal with persistent and costly stormwater flooding on the Florida coast have various municipal programs to fund the installation of backflow prevention valves. These devices can help keep overtaxed sewer mains from backing up into basements. If your basement floor drain backs up after heavy rains, consider installing one of these devices.

Improve Your Landscaping

Living so close to the coast, Panama City families can tweak their gardens and yards to absorb or funnel excess rain away from the home. A 5 percent to 10 percent slope away from the home for a minimum of 10 feet will reduce foundation leakage.

Porous outdoor surfaces help water seep into the ground instead of streaming toward your home. Digging depressions known as swales to channel stormwater runoff away from your house, converting concrete or asphalt driveways to gravel or brick, and using absorbent mulch can help manage heavy rain and reduce potential flood damage.  

Raise Electricity Out Of The Danger Zone

If you have a high risk of water damage in your property, consider moving some of the electrical infrastructures to higher ground.

.Raise the main breaker or fuse box and the utility meter above the potential flood level for your home or to a higher floor.

.Raise outlets and switches to higher levels in rooms if allowed by local or state codes.

.Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters to prevent electrical hazards.

.Raise heating equipment and air conditioners to higher levels, a higher floor, or to the attic. Floor reinforcements may be needed to handle the extra weight.

.Outside air conditioners can be installed on a higher platform above potential water levels.

Washers, dryers, and water-conditioning equipment can be relocated to higher floors or raised onto secure platforms inside the lower levels. Provide spillage pans and overflow drains to prevent water damage from leaks.  

If equipment cannot be moved to higher levels, construct sturdy platforms and raise them up from the existing floor level.

For Water Damage In Panama City Beach

https://daystarcleaning.com/mold-removal/

Looking for DIY fire restoration tips? Let us end your search right here. Fire and smoke damage restoration should never be attempted on your own. In fact, trying to restore your Prairieville home following a fire without professional help will only increase the damages already done, and expose you to a lot of unnecessary risks.

Fire Damage Restoration In Prairieville

Following a fire, one of the biggest risks is lingering health hazards. Smoke and soot left over after the flames have been extinguished are not only difficult to remove, but also full of dangerous byproducts. Many items that burn in a fire release different toxins upon combustion. Breathing in smoke and other odors left behind from these materials can cause damage to the brain and lungs. Porous materials like wood, drywall, insulation, furniture, and carpet hold onto smoke long after the fire is extinguished. When inhaled, the byproducts of smoke may cause coughing, wheezing, asthma, bronchitis, and shortness of breath. Without the proper safety equipment and training, you risk exposing yourself to harmful respiratory problems.  

These dangerous byproducts can also be irritating to the skin. They always prove difficult to remove and wipe away because they adhere to all types of surfaces. When attempting to clean residue on your own without the proper cleaning solution and equipment, you expose your skin to irritants. Scrubbing not only disrupts particles and exposes them to your skin, but it also releases them into the air where they can be inhaled. Ash remains warm even after a fire goes out, so it must be handled with care because it may cause burns. Our eyes are extremely sensitive to smoke and soot, and instant watering and redness can occur upon exposure. By simply being in the area affected by fire damage, you risk causing injury and irritation to your body.

Your home’s structural integrity is also at risk following a fire. Never re-entered a home that has suffered fire damage in Prairieville until it has been deemed safe by a professional inspector. Tit is not worth the risk of ceilings falling and floors deteriorating on you. A lot of the more serious damage is not always obvious to those without the proper training and experience, so even though it may appear safe at a glance, that does not mean you should attempt to enter. Hidden damage is a huge threat when attempting fire damage restoration. Not knowing what to look for could end up costing you much more in damages down the road.  

Finding mold inside your Panama City home isn’t just annoying, but it is frustrating. Successful mold removal requires taking a few steps and working with a qualified mold remediation company to make sure the mold is removed and eliminated properly. Mold usually comes from an unidentified water source like a roof leak or a pipe leak, but can also come from very obvious water problems like flooding. To remove mold effectively, it is important that the source of the moisture is identified and eliminated. At Daystar Cleaning And Restoration, our certified professionals are highly skilled in identifying the source of your mold problem and taking care of it so that it does not continue to be a problem.

Understanding Indoor Mold

Mold is a living thing. It is a very simple thing and takes very little to survive. It usually grows in places where moisture is present. Places with standing water is a great place for mold to grow. Mold can even grow on ceilings and walls. This can happen in a very humid room, such as a bathroom. Mold spreads by producing spores. Mold also grows in places where there is no moving air or in temperatures that are around sixty to eighty degrees. When you see mold in your home, it is important to take immediate action to remove it. Because it is so small and does not need a lot to live, mold can hide for a long time. Usually, when you see mold, the problem is usually worse than you may think.

DIY Mold Removal

Removing and cleaning up mold contamination on your own is not recommended. It may be tempting to try to take care of the problem on your own, but mold removal is complicated and can be dangerous to your health. Professional mold removal requires certified and trained techs who have the proper mold removal safety gear and equipment to contain the problem and keep it from spreading. The experts at Daystar Cleaning and Restoration recommend contacting a professional before you attempt to take on a mold removal project on your own.

Mold Removal In Panama City

So how can you handle mold removal? Well, luckily there are professionals who understand the importance of killing off mold for good. Professionals like those at Daystar Cleaning and Restoration, located in Panama City, Florida, know the best techniques to remove mold. It is important to find a company that will partner with someone who can come and inspect the area that the mold resides. Then these professionals will come in and contain the mold so that the spores do not spread and cause more damage.

In Daystar Cleaning and Restoration, we specialize in all areas of water damage restoration in Panama City Beach! Contact us 24/7, 365 days and get an immediate response!

Finding mold inside your Panama City home isn’t just annoying, but it is frustrating. Successful mold removal requires taking a few steps and working with a qualified mold remediation company to make sure the mold is removed and eliminated properly. Mold usually comes from an unidentified water source like a roof leak or a pipe leak, but can also come from very obvious water problems like flooding. To remove mold effectively, it is important that the source of the moisture is identified and eliminated. At Daystar Cleaning And Restoration, our certified professionals are highly skilled in identifying the source of your mold problem and taking care of it so that it does not continue to be a problem.

Understanding Indoor Mold

Mold is a living thing. It is a very simple thing and takes very little to survive. It usually grows in places where moisture is present. Places with standing water is a great place for mold to grow. Mold can even grow on ceilings and walls. This can happen in a very humid room, such as a bathroom. Mold spreads by producing spores. Mold also grows in places where there is no moving air or in temperatures that are around sixty to eighty degrees. When you see mold in your home, it is important to take immediate action to remove it. Because it is so small and does not need a lot to live, mold can hide for a long time. Usually, when you see mold, the problem is usually worse than you may think.

DIY Mold Removal

Removing and cleaning up mold contamination on your own is not recommended. It may be tempting to try to take care of the problem on your own, but mold removal is complicated and can be dangerous to your health. Professional mold removal requires certified and trained techs who have the proper mold removal safety gear and equipment to contain the problem and keep it from spreading. The experts at Daystar Cleaning and Restoration recommend contacting a professional before you attempt to take on a mold removal project on your own.

Mold Removal In Panama City

So how can you handle mold removal? Well, luckily there are professionals who understand the importance of killing off mold for good. Professionals like those at Daystar Cleaning and Restoration, located in Panama City, Florida, know the best techniques to remove mold. It is important to find a company that will partner with someone who can come and inspect the area that the mold resides. Then these professionals will come in and contain the mold so that the spores do not spread and cause more damage.

Finding mold inside your Panama City home isn’t just annoying, but it is frustrating. Successful mold removal requires taking a few steps and working with a qualified mold remediation company to make sure the mold is removed and eliminated properly. Mold usually comes from an unidentified water source like a roof leak or a pipe leak, but can also come from very obvious water problems like flooding. To remove mold effectively, it is important that the source of the moisture is identified and eliminated. At Daystar Cleaning And Restoration, our certified professionals are highly skilled in identifying the source of your mold problem and taking care of it so that it does not continue to be a problem.

Understanding Indoor Mold

Mold is a living thing. It is a very simple thing and takes very little to survive. It usually grows in places where moisture is present. Places with standing water is a great place for mold to grow. Mold can even grow on ceilings and walls. This can happen in a very humid room, such as a bathroom. Mold spreads by producing spores. Mold also grows in places where there is no moving air or in temperatures that are around sixty to eighty degrees. When you see mold in your home, it is important to take immediate action to remove it. Because it is so small and does not need a lot to live, mold can hide for a long time. Usually, when you see mold, the problem is usually worse than you may think.

DIY Mold Removal

Removing and cleaning up mold contamination on your own is not recommended. It may be tempting to try to take care of the problem on your own, but mold removal is complicated and can be dangerous to your health. Professional mold removal requires certified and trained techs who have the proper mold removal safety gear and equipment to contain the problem and keep it from spreading. The experts at Daystar Cleaning and Restoration recommend contacting a professional before you attempt to take on a mold removal project on your own.

Mold Removal In Panama City

So how can you handle mold removal? Well, luckily there are professionals who understand the importance of killing off mold for good. Professionals like those at Daystar Cleaning and Restoration, located in Panama City, Florida, know the best techniques to remove mold. It is important to find a company that will partner with someone who can come and inspect the area that the mold resides. Then these professionals will come in and contain the mold so that the spores do not spread and cause more damage.

Just about everyone agrees with the fact that mold is one of the last things they would ever want in their home. Not only is it gross and sends a musty odor throughout your home, but it can also be detrimental to your health. This is especially true for the young, elderly, and those with weak immune systems. Fortunately, most instances of mold can be prevented if you are active in preventing from ever becoming an issue in the first place. Our professional mold removal technicians at Daystar Cleaning in Bay County deal with mold every day and the vast amount of mold problems could have been prevented. Below are six tips you can use TODAY to ensure that your home remains mold free.

Dry Wet Spots Immediately

Without moisture, mold will never be able to grow so it makes sense that this is a huge priority for preventing mold growth. If any moisture spots accumulate in your home, you should make sure to have them dried within 24 hours. This is because mold can begin to grow within 24-48 hours after the environment it can grow in is created. Usually, it takes closer to 48 hours than to 24, but just to be safe you should try to have all the moisture dried out within 24 hours.

Think Ahead By Using Mold Resistant Products

Whether you are building a new home or renovating an old one, you should consider investing in mold resistant products to decrease the probability of mold growth in the future. Examples of this include mold-resistant drywall and paint that contains mold-inhibitors inside it.

Monitor Your Indoor Humidity Levels

The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 60 percent. You can measure humidity with a moisture meter purchased from your local hardware store. You’ll also be able to detect high humidity by simply paying attention to potential problem areas in your home. Telltale signs of excessive humidity include condensation on windows, pipes, and walls.

Direct Water Away From Your Home

The ground near your home should be sufficiently sloped away from your foundation so that water does not pool and collect there. If it isn’t sloped correctly, water is likely to collect and seep into your crawlspace and basement.

Improve Air Flow In Your Home

As temperatures decrease, the air is able to hold less moisture which subsequently leads to a smaller chance of mold growth. To increase airflow in your home, you can use fans, run your

AC, open doors between rooms, and open doors to closets that may be colder than the rooms they are in.

Water damage issues may be caused by broken pipes, blocked or damaged drains, worn out appliances, storms, fire damage, and from many other sources inside and outside of your Panama City home. The appropriate cleanup treatment depends on the nature of the water damage. Some water carries contaminants and should be considered dangerous, so you really don’t want to start cleaning up this type of damage on your own without the proper gear. Whatever the origin, the prospects for restoration depend largely on the speed with which your home and personal property can be dried. Even clean water can generate mildew and other bacterial growth if neglected.

Did you know that water damage disasters can be categorized by the type of water that is involved?

                        There are three water damage categories to consider when dealing with water damage.

CATEGORY 1: CLEAR WATER

Clear water is the safest category to clean up and does not pose an immediate health risk. Clear water typically comes from clean water sources such as a malfunctioning appliance, faucets, cracked clean water lines. When dealing with clear water, it is important to react quickly, even clean water can cause a lot of damage if left to long.

CATEGORY 2: GREY WATER

Gray water refers to water that is not contaminated by fecal matter, but is not clean and clear. Gray water typically includes water from washing machines, showers, and bathtubs, dishwashers, and sinks. This type of water damage contains fewer pathogens than a category 3 wastewater and can induce illness if ingested. Gray water can turn to black water if left unattended too long, causing serious health hazards for your family.

CATEGORY 3: BLACK WATER

Black water refers to wastewater that has been contaminated with fecal matter. Black water typically comes from, clogged plumbing systems, clogged toilets and external sewage systems, this includes raw sewage. Sadly, this colored water is the most dangerous type of water damage you will experience. It contains dangerous bacteria, pathogens and, potentially, dangerous chemicals. Because of the unsanitary conditions of this category of water, absorbent and porous items such as carpets, furniture, drywall, and clothing are often damaged beyond repair. When dealing with black water you must take the necessary safety precautions to avoid health risks and serious illnesses. When dealing with black water, it is extremely important to have the proper (PPE) personal protective equipment before entering contaminated areas.

Whether your water damage comes from a flood, damaged plumbing or a roof failure, you need expert help to clean up the damage and restore your home. You need a professional restoration team like Daystar Cleaning in Panama City to:

·         Pump out any remaining water.

·         Remove dangerous and damaged material.

·         Dry and clean ceilings, walls, floors, and carpets with professional drying equipment, after the damaged material is removed.

Water damage issues may be caused by broken pipes, blocked or damaged drains, worn out appliances, storms, fire damage, and from many other sources inside and outside of your Panama City home. The appropriate cleanup treatment depends on the nature of the water damage. Some water carries contaminants and should be considered dangerous, so you really don’t want to start cleaning up this type of damage on your own without the proper gear. Whatever the origin, the prospects for restoration depend largely on the speed with which your home and personal property can be dried. Even clean water can generate mildew and other bacterial growth if neglected.

Did you know that water damage disasters can be categorized by the type of water that is involved?

                        There are three water damage categories to consider when dealing with water damage.

CATEGORY 1: CLEAR WATER

Clear water is the safest category to clean up and does not pose an immediate health risk. Clear water typically comes from clean water sources such as a malfunctioning appliance, faucets, cracked clean water lines. When dealing with clear water, it is important to react quickly, even clean water can cause a lot of damage if left to long.

CATEGORY 2: GREY WATER

Gray water refers to water that is not contaminated by fecal matter, but is not clean and clear. Gray water typically includes water from washing machines, showers, and bathtubs, dishwashers, and sinks. This type of water damage contains fewer pathogens than a category 3 wastewater and can induce illness if ingested. Gray water can turn to black water if left unattended too long, causing serious health hazards for your family.

CATEGORY 3: BLACK WATER

Black water refers to wastewater that has been contaminated with fecal matter. Black water typically comes from, clogged plumbing systems, clogged toilets and external sewage systems, this includes raw sewage. Sadly, this colored water is the most dangerous type of water damage you will experience. It contains dangerous bacteria, pathogens and, potentially, dangerous chemicals. Because of the unsanitary conditions of this category of water, absorbent and porous items such as carpets, furniture, drywall, and clothing are often damaged beyond repair. When dealing with black water you must take the necessary safety precautions to avoid health risks and serious illnesses. When dealing with black water, it is extremely important to have the proper (PPE) personal protective equipment before entering contaminated areas.

Whether your water damage comes from a flood, damaged plumbing or a roof failure, you need expert help to clean up the damage and restore your home. You need a professional restoration team like Daystar Cleaning in Panama City to:

·         Pump out any remaining water.

·         Remove dangerous and damaged material.

·         Dry and clean ceilings, walls, floors, and carpets with professional drying            equipment, after the damaged material is removed.

Toilets, sinks, showers, and tubs all require plumbing to work. As these fixtures wear over time, they are susceptible to corrosion, loosened connections, and damage. Unfortunately, with all the water and all the potential problems, we at daystar cleaning & restoration hate to say that bathrooms are very prone to water damage. No need to despair; here are some ways that you can help prevent water damage from occurring in your bathroom in Panama City Beach.

Keep drains clean and clear

When drains get blockages or clogs, it disrupts the flow of water, leading to overflow and flooding. Soap scum, grime, and hair are all common culprits of drain clogs in bathrooms. Since you cannot avoid these things going down your sink and shower drain, what you can do is help to minimize what actually makes it down the drain. Drain shields and guards are inexpensive purchases that you place over the drain to filter what can and cannot go down them. They catch hair and excess soap scum and grime so you can wipe them down instead of letting them run down the drain where they can build up and eventually cause clogs. You should also clean out drains periodically with commercial-grade drain cleaner or a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water. This will prevent too much build-up from forming inside the drainpipe and help reduce the risk of clogs.

Do not overwork your toilet

When toilets clog and overflow, it creates a messy problem. Save yourself the trouble of toilet water damage restoration by watching how much you are putting down your toilet. Make sure that you are not putting too much toilet paper down the toilet, and do not flush anything other products. Sanitary wipes and other personal hygiene products should be thrown away in the garbage; not flushed down the toilet where they can cause blockages. You should also pay attention to the water level in your toilet. If it is too low, or too high, there could be a drainage problem somewhere. If you have small children in your home, be sure to teach them not to flush anything down the toilet, and keep a close watch on them.

Inspect your shower and tub regularly

Grout and caulk are key players in sealing fixtures and keeping water from leaking out of the shower and tub. If you notice that caulk or grout in your bathroom is chipped, cracked, or deteriorating, repair it right away. You should consider reapplying caulk every few years to avoid any leaks. If there are any cracks or other damaged areas in your shower or tub, get them corrected before letting the water run in that area.  Keep tubs and showers clean from build-up that could wash down the drain.

Water Damage Restoration In Panama City Beach