We got our hands on the Original Water Alarm – WA01 – by Gizmode Innovations and put it through some rigorous testing. This water alarm is very loud and can be heard in basements, cabinets, or other remote places that are susceptible to moisture or leaks. This handy device screams at 110+ dB. It is very sensitive and therefore a perfect option for basements that have potential moisture problems. This alarm comes with a 1 year warranty, has a long battery life (chirps when battery runs low), and the easiest to use.

We tested it first by setting it in a dish of water just to make sure it worked. It sure did… boy was it loud. Then as soon as we pulled it out of the water, the loud water alarm stopped. To test the sensitivity, we placed the alarm on a dry piece of paper. At one end of the paper, we placed a damp sponge dipped in blue food coloring. We were able to watch the paper absorb the blue water and how it traveled toward the alarm. This process took a while and was done this way to simulate a slow moisture build-up. As soon as the blue water reached the sensor – maybe a whisker shy – it started screeching.

Chicago experienced a sudden drop in temperature recently which was a perfect time to test for condensation. This drop in temperature also dried the air significantly so the humidifier kicked on to add moisture to the air. We set the water alarm on the concrete floor and checked the humidity each day. We kept the property at a constant 74 degrees and gradually raised the humidity. The alarm was triggered when the humidity reached 68%. It felt a bit muggy, but not wet. Even the concrete floor did not feel wet. But when we picked it up, it turned off. So, not only is this little alarm good for detection obvious moisture, small leaks and full blown water infiltration, it is a warning device for mold.

Water Alarm – A small investment

For under $30 you get piece of mind knowing that you have a chance to save your home from potential disaster. Whether it’s a small plumbing leak that slowly decays your home, basement flooding, or high humidity, you’ll be alerted so you can take action. Available at Amazon.com

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Flood Specialists, Inc. is proud to announce a new water damage consulting division giving you the option to have a mitigation specialist consult on your mold, biohazard, fire, flood and disaster projects, on the use of drying equipment and/or drying methodology. Our technicians are certified and trained in the use of all equipment and cleaning methods.

Whether you are on a do-it-yourself mission or a plumber, electrician, general contractors or other trade and have run into a problem that you would prefer to handle yourself, with the help of our consultants, of course. We can offer suggestions, equipment rental options, supplies, delivery, placement and instructions on using the equipment. You do the labor and cleanup meanwhile inheriting a new trade knowledge.

We recognize that the best way to bring back rental customers is to teach product knowledge. If you are hesitant about purchasing that big-ticket item, like a dry ice or soda blaster; rent and learn how to use the machinery prior to purchase, so you can decide what options are necessary for your type of use and intent. Our water damage consulting division staff will walk you through the pros and cons of the different mediums and offer our expert recommendations.

Sometimes buying a piece of equipment is not worth purchasing for just a few uses a year. Renting is sometimes the better cost-effective option. We clean and maintain our equipment regularly, something you don’t have to worry about. However, if you are flirting with the possibility of growing your business to include blasting, mold, fire, water damage restoration. Learn and rent the tools of the trade.

Why Use Our Water Damage Consulting Division?

Many businesses have used our water damage consulting division as “training wheels” before they take off running with new technology. When workshops and seminars are inconvenient for the crisis at hand, utilize our consultation services. We have 20 years experience in the business and are only happy to help. You can call our toll-free number 1-888-502-5699 for 24 hour access to the tools and equipment needed for disaster relief.

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Flood Specialists, Inc. has a fleet of great and meticulously maintained and cared for water damage equipment. Why do specialty trades and weekend warriors need to buy equipment for rare use occasions? No longer for just ‘friends of the trade’; we have the equipment and knowledge at hand for the public’s convenience.

Flood Specialists, Inc. is proud to announce a new equipment rental division giving you the option to rent restoration equipment. We have specialty equipment geared for fire and flood clean up that you cannot find at your normal rental houses. We offer equipment, delivery, placement and consultations. Our technicians are certified and trained in the use of all equipment and cleaning methods.

We have medium blasting equipment that includes dry ice and soda blasting. Whereas dry ice blasting is a relative new technology, the results are phenomenal and applications are endless. It can remove fire or smoke damage, eliminate mold, remove efflorescence from masonry, and restore old brick pavers. It is a non-abrasive and non-flammable cleaning method. Pressurized air is used to create mini explosions of frozen carbon dioxide (the gas we exhale) on the surface lifting dirt, oil, and debris. When dry ice melts it just turns into a gas and there is no secondary cleanup of the blasting medium. It truly is a more cost-effective way to clean, as it cuts down on cleaning time and labor hours.

Some people prefer the odor absorbing method of baking soda blasting. Imagine that little yellow box removing smoke and fire odors from a home. There is nothing more effective. Soda blasting is so effective it was used to restore the Statue of Liberty in the 1980s. Baking soda is so safe we use it to brush our teeth! It is perfect for cleaning in the food service industry.

Remediation, reconstruction professionals and the do-it-yourselfer turn to Flood Specialists, Inc. for their tool and equipment rental needs. Our extensive fleet of equipment includes air movers, negative air machines, dehumidifiers, extractors, blowers, axial fans and the supplies you need are all available for rent. We also have a limited supply of used equipment for sale. You can call our toll-free number 1-888-502-5699 for 24 hour access to the tools and equipment needed for disaster relief.

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Water damage loss to a person’s home or business can occur in many ways. Avoiding this damage is a simple as a little common sense and routine maintenance.
Foreclosed/Vacated Homes and Businesses – Unheated structures can have frozen pipe bursts

When a house or business is left unheated, and the temperature drops to 10 degrees below zero, water pipes can freeze and burst. Later when the temperature rises, the ice melts and water flows freely from the pipes. The property is now flooded and the typical homeowner’s insurance policy may not cover the loss if the home was unoccupied and had no heat. The claim could be denied because of failure to upkeep maintenance that may have prevented the damage. A heads up for the snowbirds; before turning off the power for the winter, check your policy and take the necessary precautions against freezing weather conditions.

In the case of foreclosed homes, it is a common and cheap practice by banks to make a property ‘look’ good but not safe. This superficial “house-lift” causes a wet weakened structure with hidden biohazards like bacteria and mold spores. When these properties are purchased by an investor or new home owner, prior to moving in, make sure to have microbial samples taken to rule out that these types of shortcuts have been used. Property owners should leave a minimal amount of heat on to insure the pipes do not burst. The minimum amount of heat required to make sure the pipes do not burst in an empty home or business is 58ºF/14ºC. Although the ambient temperature of the interior of the home may be well above freezing temperatures, the temperature within the walls and basement will be much cooler, depending upon how well it is insulated. Winterize your home properly.

Bathroom – shower or toilet overflow

You can simply be taking a bath and overflow your bathtub or shower tub. In some instances, children can flood a bathroom floor and cause the ceiling beneath the floor to leak. Addressing the water spots and stains without drying or sanitizing, is just like putting a Band-Aid over a gaping wound. The extent of the damage has to be evaluated and properly dried to ensure that there is not damage to the underlying support of the bathroom floor and no hidden mold occurring between the floors and ceiling. Time is of the essence, do not wait until the inner levels develop mold and mildew.

Water damaged hardwood flooring can be saved if drying is started quickly. A remedy that water damage restorers use is a floor drying system called Injectidry and it reduces cupping and warping of hardwood floors. Flood Specialists, Inc. has been saving hardwood floors for many years using the Injectidry Floor Drying System. We can generally save about 92% of the wooden floors that we dry, avoiding replacement and costly repair. It consists of pads that are taped to the floor and a vacuum that simultaneously sucks water out on a vapor level and drying the flooring from the inside out. Moisture readings will be able to monitor how dry the floor is getting. The time it takes the floor to dry is based on the type of floor, how close together the joints are and how saturated the core of the floor board is. Knowing how to dry out wet wooden floors fast is the best way to prevent mold damage or replacement.

Toilet overflows – You can have a situation where someone has flushed tampons, pads, rags or paper towels down a toilet, clogging the waste line and an overflow of sewage takes place in the surrounding drains and toilets. This situation is called “black” water damage and requires special handling and removal of damaged items and fixtures. Black water is water that has been contaminated with fecal matter and urine as opposed to “grey” water from showers, laundry rooms, and kitchens. Black water is heavily polluted and contains pathogens. Do not touch anything contaminated with black water. Let specialists handle the area and all its contents.

Kitchen – Refrigerator/Dishwasher water line burst:

You may suffer a water damage situation by means of a burst pipe, a line rupture, and/or malfunctioning vinyl or copper feeding line to your kitchen appliances. Moving your refrigerator can dislodge the tubing if it has been fitted too short or loose. Pay careful attention when moving your appliances around. If you notice a leak; turn the water source clockwise to stop the water flow until you can get it looked at. Empty unheated homes can also cause these lines to burst. Take the necessary precautions and include these lines when you opt to drain your water sources.

Water Heater – Malfunctioning Valve or Rust and Corrosion

If you have ever suffered a water damage situation in the basement and the water table was over a foot tall; you should replace the water heater because the lining of the water heater is usually fiberglass insulation. If this not addressed, it will retain water within the water heater and rust out the bottom of the water heater faster. This rust damage can cause leaks and water damage to occur all over again.

Leaky Roofs

Ice damming is a situation in which there is ice packed gutters, preventing the snow melt to drain off of your roof properly. Large icicles are a telltale sign of a roof that is not providing proper drainage. The water rivets down the roof and hits an ‘ice blockage’ and pools or travels inward into the home and causes water damage. This water can damage walls, ceilings, insulation and other areas.

Laundry – Hose dislodged from drain

Ever seen an exaggerated rickety old washer on a spin cycle hop around in a commercial? In real life washer machine spin cycles can be a bit bouncy and noisy when loads are unbalanced or when you throw in a pair of shoes to wash. That hopping machine can dislodge itself from the drain and cause water damage.

What To Do When Water Damage Loss Occurs

If you do have a water damage situation on your hands make sure to find reputable water damage specialists; to tent, dry, decontaminate and biowash the affected areas. Make sure they have infrared scanning capability to insure the moisture has been addressed. Beware of “multi-tasking” public adjusters who rent and place drying equipment for a few hours. They are not certified to deal with water damaged structures and cannot assess or remedy the problem efficiently. Damage to the underlying structure can cost tens of thousands of dollars in repair, remodel, mold and remediation costs. It is your investment to protect, addressed promptly and intelligently, a good water damage team can save you money in costly repairs.

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If you thought the only time water damage could happen was during severe summer storms, you are wrong. Winter can be just as bad or be the cause for Springtime issues. Winter is also a popular time for fires.

The frigid temperatures of winter are slowly creeping up on us. Soon we’ll have snow and ice and it will be too cold and possibly too late to winterize your home. Why would you winterize if you’ve never had problems in the past? The simple answer is that you may have never had a power outage during a blizzard or it hasn’t gotten cold enough. Consider what happens when there is a power outage. Your home gets cold and can’t keep the plumbing warm enough to keep them from freezing. Once they do, there is a good chance they will crack. When the power returns and your home heating restores the temperature in the house, the pipes will thaw and water will drain out the cracks caused by the freeze. You can avoid this mess by buying pipe insulation at your local home improvement store.

Winter Water Damage Prevention

• Make sure you change your furnace filter frequently. A clogged filter makes your furnace work harder resulting in it running more often. Not only does this cost you more money, but it increases the chances of starting a fire.
• Clear away anything flammable from your furnace. Keep everything at least a 6 feet away.
• Check your smoke alarms and replace batteries. Consider a smoke detector that works on AC power and battery backup.
• Check your fireplace and chimney. Make sure there are no rodents or birds living there.
• Get your chimney cleaned if you haven’t done so in a while.
• Water your Christmas tree daily. A 6ft tree can take a gallon or more per day.
• If you clean your fireplace, be sure the ashes are completely extinguished before disposing of them. If unsure, douse with water.

Spring Water Damage Prevention

• Disconnect and drain your garden hose so it doesn’t freeze and damage your hose. Store your garden hose in the garage after all the water has drained from it.
• Make sure your gutters are clean and free of debris. If water is unable to drain into the downspouts, it will drain over the side and down by your home foundation.
• Make sure all debris is removed from around the base of your home.
• Plumbing that is close to external walls above the freeze line should be wrapped with insulation.
• Outdoor water faucets should be checked for leaks and repaired.

If you are not sure how to do any of these things, give us a call.

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When people think of preventing water damage, they immediately think of their sump pumps, floor drains, and foundation cracks. It’s funny how most people ignore the most important preventative measure there is from keeping rainfall from seeping down the side of your foundation and into your basement. What am I talking about? I’m referring to the grade of your landscape – not to be confused as the grade you get in school.

House on a hill

If you have a new home, you’ll notice that your house is on a hill. That hill may not be very big but the dirt at the base of your house is higher up than the outer reaches of your yard. The angle in which the ground slopes away from your house is the grade. The steeper the grade, the fast the water runs away from your house and the better you are at preventing water damage. Older homes were often built on flat land before it was known that grading helped keep basements dry.

If you have an older home or a new home in which the grade of your landscape is not sloping away from your house and allowing water to accumulate at the base of your foundation, you’ll want to follow these simple steps thereby preventing water damage from happening in the future.

• Add dirt, preferably good top soil mixed with some regular brown dirt, to the base of your home and grade it so it slopes away from your house.
• Add mulch to the base of your property at least 2-4 inches thick and 2-3 feet out from your house. This should also be done so it slopes away from your home.
• Remove leaves and debris accumulation from exterior walls.
• Trim trees so they are a few feet away from your outside walls and siding.
• Adjust your sprinklers so they do not spray your house or the mulch around the house.
• Wall cracks, either in the cement between bricks or concrete, should be patched. Tuck-pointing should done if the home is older and show signs of deterioration.
• Gutters should be clean and free of leaves and other debris.

Stop the water from getting inside

Preventing water damage is as easy as focusing on the outside first. Doing so minimizes the ability for water to get inside. Following the steps above will save you time and money in the long run and keep your basement dry. If you have a landscape grade problem that is beyond your level of ability, call Flood Specialists, Inc. for advice or recommendations on landscaping companies who specialize in water damage prevention. It’s still not too late. Do this before the first big snow.

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Homeowners Insurance Does Not Cover Flooding? We get this question quite frequently. Usually right after a homeowner speaks to their insurance company about a claim they want to file. Unfortunately, in most cases the homeowner is told they are going to have to pay for the repairs themselves because the insurance company will not. Most homeowners in Illinois do not have “Flood” coverage which covers you when the river across the street overflows, or a severe storm causes rainwater to flow into your basement.

Call Us Before Calling Your Insurance

One of the biggest mistakes many homeowners make is to call their insurance company first. By the time the conversation is over, the homeowner is left feeling helpless and very frustrated. This is because the homeowner said the wrong things or used the wrong terminology when talking to the insurance agent.

Homeowners insurance and Flood Insurance are two separate policies. One is provided by your insurance company, and the other is provided by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). NFIP was created by Congress back in 1968 to give property owners an opportunity to buy insurance for floods and to help reduce future flood risks. Homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. Visit http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/ for more info about flood coverage.

An example of this happened this year to a couple in Westchester, IL. We’ll call them Betty and Bob to protect their identity. Anyway, Betty and Bob found their home with over a foot of water in the basement after a major storm. They called their insurance and told them they had a “flood” and that the water “must have gotten into the basement through cracks in the foundation or the windows”. The insurance company offered to come take a look but said they probably couldn’t do anything because it was ‘flood’ related. Betty and Bob were in luck because they called us right after speaking with the insurance company. We were able to come out and find that they had a blocked floor drain, and a ruptured hot water heater.

Sometimes the damage is a result of sewer backups which can happen during very severe rain storms. Again, this is something that should be left to professionals to determine. Flood Specialists, Inc. works with your insurance to help you avoid unnecessary out-of-pocket costs.

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The Flood Specialists, Inc. crew is in New Jersey and have witnessed “absolute devastation” caused by Hurricane Sandy. “Seeing video footage back home in Chicago while preparing the trucks with equipment and supplies was nothing compared to seeing it firsthand”, said Mario.

This apparently has inspired them to work through very little sleep and logistical challenges like power outages, fuel shortages, no vacancies, and cancelled flights. For instance, the hotel they are staying in is being run via generator, but they have no power in the rooms. This means no hot water or lights. They have to find their way with flashlights, and as one of the technicians said, “the icy shower actually helps wake me up.”

As dire as it seems, the team knows that 8.2 million other people in the area are taking that same icy shower if they are lucky enough to even have running water or a roof over their head.

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A question we get occasionally is about roof leaks and whether just replacing shingles is enough. The simple answer is ‘maybe’. As mentioned in a post written by Alan and Heather Davis (Signs Your Roof Needs Repair), there could be all kinds of issues with your roof.

In their post they describe things to look for but we feel most homeowners and buyers need a visual example of what a homeowner should look for BEFORE major problems occur. The picture in their post shows an obvious roof problem but not all roof problems are obvious.

Shingle Curling & Cupping

The images below show shingles that are curling and cupping. This happens at the end of their life span – right before they start to fall off during the next big storm.

What Causes Shingles to Curl

Your shingles are exposed to direct sunlight and absorb heat. That heat transfers into your attic through convection. Later in the evening when the outside air cools down, your attic is still hot. This trapped heat underneath your shingles causes them to curl. Curled shingles are an obvious indication that the attic has poor ventilation. Many homes we’ve repaired usually have blown-in cellulose insulation covering soffit vents.

Other Issues That Cause Roof Leaks

• Algae and mold growth. Dark streaks running down your roof is usually algae. Mold growth usually happens on the underside of your roof. You’ll need to go up into the attic to see it.
• Damaged flashing around vents and chimney.
• Sand in your gutter. When you can see high granule counts in your gutter, your shingles are either old, have been exposed to extreme weather, or just cheap quality shingles.
• Disintegrating shingles means you haven’t been paying attention to your roof. It means your shingles are long overdue to be replaced and chances are you already have additional damage.

Anyway, if you have a leak, you need to get if fixed before the damage gets worse. If you’ve waited too long and the damage is more than just a leak, you’re better off calling Flood Specialists, Inc. rather than a roofer. A roofer will simply replace your singles so your roof stops leaking. Flood Specialists will replace your shingles so your roof stops leaking AND fix the damage caused by the leak.

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Flood Specialists, Inc. recognizes the need for water damage technicians to come together under a unified network. A water mitigation network. The advantages are great, from sharing a workload during a disaster, equipment rental resources, and consulting upcoming new businesses.

Flood Specialists, Inc. is growing and would like to welcome small restoration, general construction, and specialty trade companies into the Flood Specialists Water Mitigation Network. We have a need to delegate surplus and specialty work. We are looking to fill a niche, by unifying a network of hardworking tradesmen that deliver quality work to our customers.

Our name stands apart from others because we have been in business for over 20 years and have superior customer satisfaction. We have earned an A+ business rating status with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) for several years.

From the beginning we have taken the time to learn the fire, biohazard, and water damage restoration techniques and we want the Flood Specialists Water Mitigation Network to be comprised of the industry’s best. We are looking for companies that are IICRC qualified and are current on the latest drying and cleaning techniques.

Join the Flood Specialists Water Mitigation Network, and together we can revolutionize the quality of the work performed for water mitigation claims. We can utilize the funds allotted from insurance companies to provide superior quality mitigation and reconstruction work. Imagine a distraught customer having their possessions destroyed in a disaster and having to rebuild; being overjoyed at your ability to restore their property to a BETTER than pre-loss condition. That is our goal each and every time we go out on a call. Excellent customer service is our priority every day.

We consistently outperform our competitors and never undercut our customers in quality materials or craftsmanship. We understand that a knowledgeable consumer is a happy consumer. We walk our customers through our restoration procedure; provide invaluable tips and information utilizing the best mitigation equipment, addressing all concerns. We make our course of action understandable and we involve property owners or managers in decisions and options; making the entire expeditious process painless.

More often now than before, we are called to repair or change something that another company has done that the customer wasn’t happy with. Rather than that happening with our company we prefer to involve the customer from the start. Our vision is to be a brand associated with excellence and while other networks are satisfied with being the “HMO” of water mitigation service, making policyholders negotiate and argue against substandard quality, we want our customers to be the winners. The loss of property, time and money is a lot to suffer through, and we are in the business to make it all better, period.

For more information about the Flood Specialists Water Mitigation Network, call 1- 888-502-5699 or email network@floodspecialists.com

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