Repairing Homes From Smoke and Soot Damage
February 10, 2012
Fire can be damaging indeed, but the smoke that follows can be devastating and destroying, it spreads out on a larger area and pollutes everything it comes in contact with. Normally, it is recommended to get your home repaired by a professional fire restorer, because there is not much room for error and you will get quality service, instead of the time and effort taken on repairing the damage on your own. However, it does not mean that you cannot repair home from smoke and fire damage.
Here is how you can do it:
1. Keep your windows open. You can install a circular fan or a portable box fan to reduce the strong, offensive smell of the smoke
2. You can moisten cheesecloth pieces and keep them over the vents, intake and outtake areas in the home. The cheesecloth can absorb any remaining soot in the air, and prevent it from spreading around the room.
3. Replace attic insulation that has been at the receiving end of smoke damage.
4. There is a good chance of residual soot that may be stuck in carpets and upholstery. You can use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dirt and smoke traces from such kinds of tough, absorbent material. Hold the vacuum nozzle, a little ahead, above the material, so that you are actually removing soot, instead of pushing it further deep inside the fabric.
5. After cleaning upholstery and carpets, you can cover them with plastic sheets. This will prevent any soot or dust floating in the air to be trapped inside them again.
6. Copper and brass items like bathroom fixtures can be cleaned with copper or brass cleaner. It is important to take prompt action and clean them quickly because the smoke film can easily and permanently damage brass and copper items within just 24 hours.
7. For cleaning smoke damaged clothing, curtains and other fabric, you can submerge these clothes overnight in a gallon of warm water, mixed with a cup of dishwashing agent. Drain and wash the items the next day. In case of items that can be bleached, you can mix 1 cup of chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of water and 4 to 6 tablespoons of trisodium phosphate. Soak these items overnight, then rinse with clean water and keep them to dry. You can buy trisodium phosphate at most hardware stores.
8. You can wipe hard surfaces like table-tops, walls, counters, ceilings with a sponge. Compared to wet ones, dry cleaning sponges work better. If it was a grease fire that caused the damage, you can use sponge dipped in luke-warm water to wipe soot surfaces.
9. If you find that bleaching and soaking do not remove the smoke damage entirely, you can take the items to a dry cleaner, which have tools and material to wipe away traces of smoke damage.
10. Some people use deodorizing sprays to bring down the smoke odor. This is not recommended because the scented sprays can cause chemical reaction; it can interact with the smoke odor to release new, harmful odors.
11. One should remember not to keep food packages open. Smoke can contaminate food and this can pose a greater health risk.
12. Finally, never enter a smoke damaged home without getting the official approval from the fire safety marshal. There may be structural damage in the home which may cause injury while you are undertaking the job of cleaning and repairing.
Roof Repairs Know What You Can Do
December 12, 2011
Roof repairs have to be done ideally before the rainy days and the cold weather. It is a sensible thing to check the roof and shingles properly for any cracks or corrosion that you can take care of. You can choose to repair the roof yourself or hire professionals to do the needful. If you have confidence to do it yourself, you can do it but if you feel that you do not have the expertise meant for it, you can hire a contractor or roof repairer who can help you with this.
Do not take roof repairs lightly, if you ignore it, there can be damage not only to the ceiling but also to the floorings, the carpets, the furniture, the electronics and other appliances. You can check the roof for any problems or potential problems during the summer or spring months. Checking does not only mean looking out for leaks or cracks but also to find out the overall condition of the roof. You can find out if there is any mold, mildew or lichen growth in the lining or water accumulation. If your roof is in good condition your home will also be in shape for a long period of time.
Remember that there have been quite a few accidents due to not taking proper precautions while repairing the roof. Safety is definitely a priority and if you are not wearing the right gear or not having the correct tool-box, there can be problems. For instance, if you are not careful while climbing up the roof or if you do not have proper things like ladder and other safety equipment, you may end up hurting yourself badly. Also it is important to carry the right kind of tools and sealant. If you are climbing up along a steep line, it can be difficult to carry the toolbox. So, it is better if you climb up the roof first and if you have a helper who can give you these things by climbing a few steps up the ladder.
Next, you should use your flashlight to inspect for any cracks or holes in the shingles or in other parts of roofs like the vents, chimneys etc. Through the set of tools like hammer, nails and cement, you can get rid of the old shingles and fix the new ones. It is important to apply cement copiously and evenly. Chimneys are known for being prone to leaks. Look out for the metals around the chimney, it may have become loose. You may have to apply fresh coat of cement to tighten the area. Reseal any vents in the roofs that may be faulty. For instance, if you see anything that is coming out the roof, it may mean that even though the roof is in good condition, the openings can cause a problem. So, make sure that you reseal them properly in order to avoid any problem.
DIY Plumbing Tips and How-to’s
October 14, 2011
Some money saving tips every property owner should familiarize themselves with to save money with plumbing expenses.
Homeowners should learn a thing or two about plumbing. This is because every now and then, problems will arise; the faucet might not work, the toilet might not flush, or the drainage in your bathroom might get clogged. If you don’t know how to address these problems then you will surely get all stressed out when they occur. Although there are instances when you will need to call a plumber, it does pay to know DIY plumbing repair.
Toilets – Most toilet issues center on water leakage so if there’s something wrong with your toilet, you should for possible leaks. If your toilet makes sounds all the time, then it is a problem called a running toilet. This can be fixed by (1) loosening the flush handle by cranking several times, or (2) replacing the flapper valve inside the toilet’s tank. Another issue with toilets is dripping. As you can see, this is another water leakage issue. To fix this, all you have to do is turn off the valve, which is located below the tank. If the dripping ceases, proceed to check the rubber seals as well as any possible cracks in the tank. If the rubber seal is broken or damaged, or if the tank has visible cracks, then you should call your plumber.
Faucets - If you notice that your faucet is leaking, the first thing you need to do is to turn it off and then shutoff the main house valve. If you have a Phillips screw or something similar to it, you can take the faucet apart. Then, clean the faucet hole, the stem, and the washer. Make sure they are clean and if you notice the washer being flat then it needs to be replaced. You may also need to check the washer seat (inside the body of the faucet) and if you notice that it’s damaged then you should replace it as well. Once done, you can re-install your faucet tightly and securely, and it should be working well again. If it is a washerless faucet, then you simply need to replace its parts to get it working properly.
Showerheads – If your showerhead is not functioning the way it used to (ie low pressure or leaking), then it calls for a checkup, which you can do on your own. Unscrew the arm from the pipe using a wrench, then clean the arm threads. Once done, simply screw it back tightly. If the problem is leakage, what you can do is to unscrew the showerhead and then look for the O-ring. Simply replace this with a new one; screw back and the problem should be fixed.
Now that you know some simple tips, you could be more confident that the next time an issue arises, you can certainly get it fixed right away. Take note though that while most plumbing do-it-yourself tasks can be done quickly, there are times that it just won’t work no matter what you do. In such cases, it is recommended that you call a plumber.
