Your Congress Heights Restoration Company

Dealing with water damage in your Washington DC property usually involves a lot of work. If the water damage is extensive, you might even have to temporarily vacate the premises until your home or place of business is ready for occupancy. The best way to deal with a heavy cleanup process is to go through the tasks step by step. Below, we’ll explore the questions you’ll need to answer and steps to conduct when tackling water damage restoration in Washington DC. Questions to Ask When Dealing with Water Damage in Washington DC Before anything else, asking the following questions will be helpful to inform your next steps. What type of water flooded your property? Three types of water can damage your property: clean, gray, and black. Clean water is rainwater that leaks on your ceiling or the water from the mains that comes out of your faucets. This water is harmless to your health, and you can clean up the mess easily without professional help. Gray water is dirty water from washing clothes, dishes, taking showers, etc. While it’s not toxic, this water still needs to be drained properly. Black water comes from sewers and murky floodwater. It brings with it solid and liquid wastes, contaminants, and bacteria. If black water passes through your home, you’ll need to act quickly by cleaning and disinfecting your interiors and belongings as it is hazardous to your health. Will your insurance cover the repairs? Review your home insurance policy and see if your policy covers the water damage to your property. Most policies cover accidental or unprecedented incidents like a pipe bursting or plumbing getting damaged due to external factors like a falling tree. However, gradual damage due to neglect is typically not covered by insurance. Steps for Water Damage Restoration in Washington DC 1. Turn off the water mains and electricity. If the flooding is ongoing as you arrive on your property, the first thing you need to do is stop it if you can. If the cause is faulty plumbing, turn off the mains immediately and include the electricity for safety. Essentially, this is to minimize the danger of anyone experiencing electrocution while on your property. Moreover, do not enter your house or building if there’s still water present inside. Call an electrician if you can’t access the electricity mains without walking through the wet areas of your house or building. 2. Call your insurance provider. The earlier you call our insurance company, the better. The first thing insurance companies that provide coverage for water damage restoration in Washington DC do is send a claims adjuster to inspect your property and assess the severity, scope, and cause of the damage. Claims adjusters need to be one of the first at the scene to make accurate assessments of the water damage to your property. From that first visit, you’ll know if your insurance company will want to revisit you for additional checks for the different categories covered in your policy (e.g., flood damage, structural damage, and other living expenses if your house becomes uninhabitable from the water damage). 3. Do an ocular inspection on the damage to your property. Conduct your assessment of the damage to your property by looking for signs of structural damage, like moist pillars, baseboards, warped ceilings, and flooring. Remember to check for signs of damage beneath the carpets, too. It’s best to do this with the insurance adjuster present so you can discuss what needs replacing and which repairs will be covered by your policy. Documenting the damage to your house or property is crucial and it involves taking various pictures and videos from critical angles. The documentation may help if you need to file additional claims for water damage on your Washington DC property. 4. Collect your salvageable belongings. Once you get the green light to start cleaning up, begin by saving your undamaged belongings. Thoroughly dry and store your valuables somewhere safe and secure until the building is safe and ready to occupy again. For the items you use daily like clothes, beddings, glassware, and dinnerware, ensure they are completely dry and disinfected before using them. As for furniture, consider taking furniture pieces to restoration specialists if you don’t want to dispose of them. It’s difficult to restore wooden and cushioned furniture with water damage using DIY methods, plus they could become breeding grounds for mold or bacteria without professional cleaning and disinfection. 5. Clean the area and dry out any remaining wet areas. Once you’ve cleared all your belongings, you can finally tend to the building. Start by cleaning and removing all debris. If a flood caused the damage, there’s bound to be many damaged items left on your premises that will need to be disposed of. Consider the type of water that flooded your property: is it clean, gray, or black? The dirtier and more contaminated the water is, the higher the urgency to disinfect the place and prevent the spread of disease-causing bacteria. One of the most important steps is to dry out all the wet areas, especially the rooms with very little to zero natural ventilation. Open the windows and doors, and use fans and dehumidifiers if possible to speed up the drying. 6. Remove and throw out damaged porous materials. Unfortunately, any porous material that’s been drenched in dirty water needs to go. It’s hard to dry these materials entirely or get them 100 percent clean again. But the more significant concern is the potential for mold infestation. Mold can grow on moist surfaces within 72 hours (hence the need to dry out water-damaged rooms as quickly as possible), and bacteria grows fast in warm, damp places, too. Here are some examples of household items made with porous materials: Pillows, mattresses, and blankets Curtains and other fabrics Sofas Carpets Wall and floor insulation Unfinished wood furniture Drywall and unsealed concrete surfaces are also porous surfaces. Therefore, hiring professional cleaners to clean, disinfect, and remove all traces of mold and bacteria-breeding dirt would be advisable. Talk to Our Restoration Specialists for Properties with Water Damage in Washington DC Seeking professional water damage restoration experts saves your home or building from falling further into disrepair. Restoration 1 is the go-to team in Washington, DC, for property repairs, remediation, and restoration work. We address water damage from hurricanes, flooding, sewer leaks, and faulty indoor plumbing and work with all insurance carriers in the United States. If you have experienced water damage on your property, get in touch with the considerate professionals at Restoration 1 of Washington DC.

Indoor mold is a tricky problem. If you discovered mold in your bathroom, and the remediation and restoration process has just finished, you may not be aware that a second mold infestation is brewing in your kitchen. This brings us to the one place you shouldn’t overlook if you have a mold problem: your vents and air ducts. HVAC units push air with high moisture content through air ducts and vents. As temperatures shift from 60 to 90 degrees, these narrow spaces become ideal for mold and mildew. Now, mold spores are light and invisible to the naked eye. They float on air and can quickly spread via air ducts. If the conditions in the ducts are just right – humid and moist – bacterial growth can start. Next thing you know, you’re experiencing health complications and seeing signs of mold damage in your house again. To avoid the detrimental effects of mold on your home and family’s health, have your HVAC system checked by experts in mold remediation in Washington, DC. Signs You Need Air Duct Cleaning and Mold Remediation How often do you think about cleaning out your air ducts? If the answer is seldom, you’re not alone. Air vents get the “out of sight, out of mind” treatment from many. Don’t commit the same mistake, and watch out for the following signs of mold in your HVAC system: Musty Odor: If there’s mold in your AC, heater vents, and air ducts, you’ll notice a dank, musty smell that worsens when you turn on the air conditioning or heating. Increasingly Severe Allergy-like Symptoms: People sensitive to mold spores will immediately experience allergic symptoms, like sneezing, itchiness and redness around the eyes, a scratchy throat, etc. If these symptoms persist even if you keep your home spotless, and if they worsen the more you spend time inside your house, hidden mold could be the problem. Inexplicable Health Problems: Prolonged mold exposure can also lead to various health problems. Mold is the likely culprit if these symptoms seem to happen or worsen when you’re at home: Respiratory issues (i.e., coughing, wheezing, congested sinuses) Frequent headaches Chest pains Brain fog Black Dust or Spotting: A visual inspection of the vents and air ducts should confirm the presence of mold. Black dust or spotting on the vents is usually a telltale sign of mold in an AC or air duct. Consult experts in mold removal in Washington, DC, if this red flag appears. Clogged AC Drain and Condensate Pans: Since spores need water to proliferate, the chances of mold increase sharply if your HVAC system has drainage and condensate issues. It would be fortunate if dust is all you find when you check your vents. A standard air duct cleaning would then suffice. However, if you discover a large amount of mold, you’ll likely need professional mold remediation. What To Expect From Professional Mold Remediation in Washington, DC Mold remediation must be done carefully and using appropriate tools and equipment. It’s okay to use a wet wipe to remove mold when it is only a tiny speck on a smooth, hard surface. However, if the microbial growth occurs on a porous surface or if there’s more than you’re comfortable cleaning on your own, it would be better to call a professional. Here’s what usually happens when you hire a company offering mold removal in Washington, DC: Inspection: Mold remediation specialists open your air ducts or AC unit to look for mold. Remediation: Specialists with proper protective and remediation equipment will remove the mold and disinfect the affected areas. Cleanup and Minor Demolition: If the mold left substantial damage to the vents and adjacent materials like wood, wallpaper, or insulation foam, your mold remediation company might recommend removing the damaged parts and hiring restoration specialists to repair them. Air Quality Test: Once mold remediation is done, a final air quality test should be conducted with the ventilation system turned on. A common mistake in mold remediation is that companies perform the air quality test with the ventilation off. Their results would come out clean, keeping everyone in the dark about any remaining mold in the air ducts. Hiring an expert in mold remediation in Washington, DC, is crucial to ridding your house of mold. If done incorrectly, mold removal can cause spores to spread further in your home. Mold remediation, therefore, is a job that should be done right the first time. Choose a company that upholds high standards in mold remediation and property restoration. Contact Restoration 1 of Washington, DC, to schedule a consultation and request a cost estimate.

Homeowners dread finding mold thriving unnoticed anywhere in their homes. Mold exists naturally in nature and has a meaningful ecological role. However, mold can be harmful to health and can damage properties. It’s crucial to get professionals to remove mold from your property as soon as possible.   How much does mold inspection cost? Below, we take a look at some of the average estimates.   Mold Removal Costs: The Real Picture When you’re paying for mold remediation, you’re not just paying for the actual removal of the mold. You should also receive other services that may be necessary to ensure its complete removal. Some factors also affect the total cost of the service. These include:   The severity of the infestation or the amount of mold to be removed. The size of the affected area. The accessibility and location of the affected area.  Whether or not there’s a need for special equipment.  If supplementary services like mold inspection, moisture mapping, air quality tests, and HVAC inspection are required.  Any temporary repairs after remediation.   Forbes estimates the average mold inspection cost at $650, with $300 at the lowest and over $1,000 at the highest. The range can go even higher in situations when a third-party company has to come in to do some pre- or post-mold remediation work, such as minor demolitions and construction debris removal.    For comparison, here are the estimates from other sources:   Bob Vila: average $648, range of $295 – $1,010 Angi/HomeAdvisor: average of $648, range of $298 – $999 Fixr: average of $500, range of $450 – $800   If we include the cost of repairing structural damage and restoring your house’s former condition, the estimates can easily climb to five figures, depending on how big of a renovation needs to be done.   If you’re thinking, would it be possible to lessen mold removal costs and exclude the peripheral services to reduce your overall bill? It may be possible. However, you might still have to pay for demolition equipment and tarp-over services if your mold situation is so bad that the damaged areas are unsalvageable. Remediators will have to remove the rotten materials before treating the affected area with disinfectants and mold-killing products.  Demolition may be necessary if the mold has eaten through drywall and cladding. There’s a huge chance that the fungi have spread further through the gaps and crevices in walls, floors, and ceilings. In this case, remediators cannot just remove mold removal costs from the total estimate and quote you that smaller figure. They would have to do additional services such as moisture mapping and debris removal to eliminate all the mold and prevent further damage to your property.   How Does Mold Affect Your Health?   You must be wondering why we’re discussing health risks when we’re talking about mold remediation costs. This is because the earlier you detect mold, the cheaper it will be to remove it. Mold has a distinctive smell and appearance, but if it thrives somewhere hidden behind a wall cladding or underneath your bathroom tiles, members of your household might experience health symptoms before you see or smell mold.   People react differently to mold. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, people with asthma, those who are immunodeficient, or allergic to mold may experience the following symptoms more intensely every time they are near the infested area:   Uncontrollable sneezing and stuffy nose Shortness of breath Tightening sensation in the chest and difficulty breathing Itchy, watery eyes

All homeowners dread finding mold thriving unnoticed anywhere in their homes. Mold exists naturally in nature and has a meaningful ecological role. However, it is harmful to people’s health and damage properties. As such, it is crucial to get professionals to remove mold from your property as soon as possible.   An important question comes to mind: how much does mold inspection cost? Let’s take a look at the latest estimates. Mold Removal Costs: The Real Picture When you’re paying for mold remediation, you’re not just paying for the actual removal of the mold. You’re also paying for other services that may be necessary to ensure its complete removal. Some factors also affect the total cost of the service. These include:   The severity of the infestation or the amount of mold to be removed. The size of the affected area. The accessibility and location of the affected area.  Whether or not there’s a need for special equipment.  If supplementary services like mold inspection, moisture mapping, air quality tests, and HVAC inspection are required.  Any temporary repairs after remediation.   Forbes estimates the average mold inspection cost at $650, with $300 at the lowest and over $1,000 at the highest. The range can go even higher in situations when a third-party company has to come in to do some pre- or post-mold remediation work, like minor demolitions and construction debris removal.    For comparison, here are the estimates from other sources:   Bob Vila: average $648, range of $295 – $1,010 Angi/HomeAdvisor: average of $648, range of $298 – $999 Fixr: average of $500, range of $450 – $800   If we include the cost of repairing structural damage and restoring your house’s former condition, the estimates can easily climb to five figures, depending on how big of a renovation needs to be done.   If you’re thinking, would it be possible to remove mold removal costs and exclude the peripheral services to reduce your overall bill? It may be possible. However, you might still have to pay for demolition equipment and tarp-over services if your mold situation is so bad that the damaged areas are unsalvageable. Remediators will have to remove the rotten materials before treating the affected area with disinfectants and mold-killing products.  Demolitions may be necessary if the mold has eaten through drywall and cladding. There’s a huge chance that the fungi have spread further through the gaps and crevices in walls, floors, and ceilings. In this case, remediators cannot just remove mold removal costs from the total estimate and quote you that smaller figure. They would have to do additional services like moisture mapping and debris removal to eliminate all the mold and prevent further damage to your property.   How Does Mold Affect Your Health?   You must be wondering why we’re discussing health risks when we’re talking about mold remediation costs. This is because the earlier you detect mold, the cheaper it will be to remove it. Mold has a distinctive smell and appearance, but if it thrives somewhere hidden behind a wall cladding or underneath your bathroom tiles, your household might experience health symptoms before you see or smell mold.   People react differently to mold. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, people with asthma, those who are immunodeficient, or allergic to mold may experience the following symptoms more intensely every time they are near the infested area:   Uncontrollable sneezing and stuffy nose Shortness of breath Tightening sensation in the chest and difficulty breathing Itchy, watery eyes

The end of the year is fast approaching, which means the time for decorations and celebrations is also drawing near. However, while this season is filled with gatherings and gift-giving, it pays to remember that this is also when the number of residential structure fires shoots up. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, nearly 156,000 winter holiday fires cause 2,600 injuries and up to $936 million in property damage yearly.  Things are bound to get chaotic with more cooking happening and more holiday decorations adorning your home. With that said, implementing these Christmas safety tips can help you avoid preventable disasters and, most importantly, make it through the holiday season safe and sound.     Stay Alert and Attentive While Cooking Whether you’re hosting a feast or simply whipping up your signature dish for your family, keep these fire safety tips in mind to prevent cooking fires:  Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling accessories when cooking, as these could catch fire.  Keep potholders, dish towels, oven mitts, and other flammable items away from the stovetop.  Never leave the kitchen unattended when cooking. If you must step out for a moment, it’s best to take pans off the heat to avoid risks.  If you are tired, sleepy, or have consumed alcohol, have someone else take over the cooking. Learn What To Do in Case of a Cooking Fire Knowing what to do to prevent a fire in the kitchen is important, but so is understanding how to respond in case of a cooking fire.  When a fire starts to grow uncontrollably, the automatic response may be to pour water on the flaming pot or move it to the sink. While using water can douse burning wood, paper, and other similar materials, liquids like oil and grease are another story. Water can cause hot oil or steam to splash, potentially injuring you and spreading the fire further.  Should a small fire start in your kitchen, follow these fire safety guidelines:  For smaller flames, slide a lid across the top of the burning pot or pan to smother the fire. Turn off the heat and leave it covered until it has cooled.  Use baking soda to put out small grease fires.  For oven fires, turn off the oven and keep its door closed. This should let the fire burn out on its own, but it’s best to get your fire extinguisher ready if the flames climb to the stovetop.  For fires rapidly spreading and producing extensive smoke, leave the kitchen immediately, close the door, and call the fire department. Choose the Right Tree When talking about holiday safety, one of the first and most important things to keep in mind is that a dry tree is a huge fire risk. So to keep your home safe – and your Christmas tree looking great – make sure your Christmas tree is fresh and has plenty of water. Placing it away from heat sources and monitoring its water level helps prevent it from becoming a fire hazard.  On the other hand, if you’re switching to an artificial tree this year, a practical holiday safety tip is to check that it’s made from fire-resistant materials.  Check Your Decorations  There are so many home decor items that can bring life to your home this holiday season. However, if you have kids or furry friends at home, it’s helpful to be mindful of what you’re using to deck the halls. For example, mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherries, and poinsettias are widely used in holiday floral displays but are toxic when ingested.  Shiny ornaments can also be a little too tempting for little ones. For glass safety, consider hanging all breakable decorations at the top of the tree or securing them to the wall, where they won’t be able to reach.  Finally, remember that the same lights that bring holiday cheer can also become a safety hazard if not used properly. Install the right type of lights indoors and outdoors, and replace sets with frayed wires or broken sockets as soon as possible.  Practice Electrical Safety  Decorative lights help create that festive mood inside homes. However, as you start setting up your string lights or twinkly bulbs, make sure that you’re not putting too many plugs into a single electrical outlet. Doing so can cause overheating and electrical malfunctions that quickly lead to devastating fires.  Here are some more Christmas safety tips for preventing electrical fires:    Purchase only lights and electric decorations with the UL mark. UL-listed products have been manufactured to high safety standards and received complete testing.  Whether new or previously used, inspect all lights for signs of damage before putting them up.  Turn off all Christmas lights before leaving the house or going to bed.  The Fire and Smoke Damage Experts To Call As you spend this holiday season reuniting with family and friends, it’s best to keep these Christmas safety tips in mind. Staying attentive while you cook, keeping your tree fresh, hanging breakable ornaments out of children’s reach, and practicing electrical safety can all go a long way in keeping fire hazards at bay.  With that said, know that expert help is available in case a fire has already affected your home. Restoration 1 is here 24/7 to get your Washington property back to its pre-fire condition, no matter the scope of the damage. Let our certified experts help you recover from this difficult time by offering the most caring services. Contact us anytime to get started.    RESOURCES Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name**

All residential and commercial properties in Washington are vulnerable to different types of property damage. This is why every property owner should have a trusted restoration company in Washington, DC. In case of bad weather, emergencies, or natural wear and tear causing significant property damage, having professional restoration services done can ensure the safety and structural integrity of your property.  What can you expect when you work with a restoration company in Washington, DC? Restoration 1 has built a national reputation for quality restoration services delivered to properties within their area. Here’s what you can expect in terms of services and results when you hire our team.  Emergency Response Depending on where your property is located and its condition, it may be susceptible to unexpected damage. For instance, those who live in low-elevation areas in Washington, DC, are more likely to experience flooding. There’s also the risk of property damage from other types of inclement weather.  Many repair service providers only operate during typical business hours. While some types of damage can wait, more serious concerns need to be addressed immediately to avoid damage from getting worse. That’s why emergency services that go to your property any time of the day can be a valuable service.  Our emergency response teams take steps to save your property while preventing damage spread to other parts of your property. We can provide fast turnaround times for services like flood cleanup to minimize the risk of severe water damage.  Water Damage Services Water damage can have devastating effects on your property, but it’s a tricky issue to handle as it can happen anywhere on your property. In some cases, it’s a broken roof leading to leaks within your property’s structure. Water damage can also be a faulty plumbing system. Natural disasters like floods can damage the foundation and lower areas of your property. It can also lead to other types of damage, such as microbial growth.  Wth property restoration service, you can have a team of certified professionals that take steps to find the best course of action. At Restoration 1, our process for handling water damage often boils down to: Mitigation: If necessary, our team will find the source of the water damage and stop it from causing any further damage. With our 24/7 Emergency Service Response, we can provide this any time of the day to prevent lasting damage.  Inspection: Our technicians scout your property for the cause of water damage and what can be done to address it. Signs like excess moisture, stained walls, soaked insulation, and other damage to porous materials can have lasting effects on your property’s safety.  Cleanup: We remove damaged parts of your home that can’t be salvaged or repaired anymore. Water-damaged parts of your property (particularly parts like the wooden structure that holds the property together) can be beyond repair and will need to be replaced. Porous materials like wood must also either be replaced or dried thoroughly to prevent microbial growth.  Restoration: Once your property is ready for our restoration company’s services, we can start rebuilding your property to its original appearance and condition. Depending on the damaged parts and what you want to preserve, our team can find a way to deliver quality results.  Mold Remediation A form of water damage, restoration services also offer mold clean up. After floods or plumbing issues, it can be difficult to totally remove all moisture from porous materials. This can lead to microbial growth around the property within 72 hours. DIY solutions aren’t as effective and can actually lead to further damage and mold spores spreading to the rest of the property.  Having professionals ensures that mold is cut from the source. The process also reduces the amount of water damage that spreads around the property.  Fire Damage Restoration Your restoration company in Washington, DC, can also handle the aftermath of fire damage. Aside from the burnt areas caused by fires, the heat and smoke could have compromised some of the remaining areas. This makes the entire property a structural hazard, which is why it’s not recommended to return back inside a property until professionals have taken a look at the damage. See Why Property Owners in Washington DC Trust Restoration 1 Restoration 1 is your reliable source for restoration services in Washington, DC. Trust our certified and well-trained team of technicians to handle your property with care and see it returned to you in its best possible condition. 

Slab foundations provide an extra layer of protection for your property. They can prevent issues like water damage and floor damage, as well as protect your property from gas or pests that could be hiding in your crawlspace. However, that’s not to say that your slabs aren’t prone to their own issues.    If there’s an issue with your plumbing system or sewer line, it could result in water damage that leads to a slab leak. You will notice many signs if this is the case, and it’s crucial for your home’s structure that you don’t ignore any of the warning signs of a slab leak. Here are some things to look out for and what you need to do if you see any.    How to Tell If You Have a Slab Leak   Since your water lines are underneath the concrete, any issues with your plumbing can go unnoticed. This means that you might not know you have a slab leak until you see signs of significant water damage. These are some of the warning signs of a slab leak you should look out for: Water Spots: These would be on your floor and the lower part of your wall. This is a major warning sign if it’s found in places where water isn’t common, apart from your bathroom and kitchen. Floor Damage: Some types of flooring are not resistant to water and may also show signs of floor damage. This includes warped floorboards, swollen floors, and floors that are dark and damp.  Mold and Mildew: These are an effect of water damage. You might also notice an unexplained odor on the floors.  Cracks In Your Foundation: This is a sign that your foundation is shifting, which could be water damage affecting its structural soundness. Your foundation may also appear swollen or raised. Decreased Water Pressure: This can suggest that there’s a cracked pipe in your plumbing, causing you to have low water pressure, especially in the shower. A good way to confirm a leak in your plumbing system is by closing all your water fixtures and observing if your water meter is still running.  Sounds of Water Leaking: If you can hear the sound of running water that’s coming from the ground, this suggests that there’s a leak within your slab foundation.    Since the affected pipes are under concrete, getting to it and handling the issue on your own is not possible. Your best solution is to close your main water valve and contact a professional to address your plumbing issues.  Let Restoration 1 Handle Water Damage and Floor Damage Resulting From Slab Leaks   Once you’ve handled your slab leak, the issues in your home may not be truly over. While some of the warning signs may no longer be present, there’s no way for you to tell the severity of the damage done to your property. Water damage and floor damage can remain and even worsen until you’ve had it treated by a professional restoration company like Restoration 1.    At Restoration 1, our technicians are extensively trained and experienced in handling different types of water damage. Let us assess the damage caused by slab leaks and take steps to restore your property and prevent it from getting out of hand. This includes mold, floor damage, foundation damage, and other issues that can cause long-term damage to your property.    Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name** I consent to receive text messages from this business. Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Δ

A portable heater is a necessity in many homes during winter as the outdoor temperature plummets to below zero. Unfortunately, many residential fires happen because of a malfunction or improper positioning of portable and electric heaters. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that one in seven home fires is due to heating equipment . Moreover, 81 percent of deaths resulting from home heating fires involved portable space heaters.   Every time winter approaches, it helps to brush up on our knowledge of electric heater safety and the best practices for preventing an accidental fire in our homes. Common Causes of Fires Involving Heating Equipment Many use portable electric space heaters that disperse heat through convection, which means they circulate warm air. Many households use a portable heater instead of central heating to save on costs (a heater can keep its immediate vicinity warm for hours). Moreover, they can move the heater wherever they need to be.   Portable heaters are best suited for rooms or small apartments. They are also more economical to use instead of heating your entire bedroom, living room, or house when all you want is to stay warm in bed or on your couch while binge-watching holiday specials.   What makes a space heater dangerous? Fire safety problems emerge when flammable objects are placed too close to a heater. Even if it doesn’t use fuel or firewood that can throw off sparks, its radiant heat can still ignite a fire.    Here are some examples of objects that can ignite if left too close to a space heater:   Carpets and rugs   Heaters that use natural gas or kerosene can also cause a fire if the fuel chamber leaks. Corroded fuel lines or tanks are also massive fire hazards.    It bears mentioning that apart from compromising fire safety, fuel leaks can cause incomplete combustion, increasing carbon monoxide production and putting people’s lives in danger.     With these in mind, here’s a comprehensive list of the best practices for ensuring your safety while you stay warm this winter. Fire Safety Tips: How to Use a Portable Heater Safely Choose a heater from a reputable and trusted manufacturer. Be mindful of choosing older models, especially those without built-in timers and other modern electric heater safety features.  Consider buying a heater with a thermostat and automatic shut-off feature when the heater is knocked over. The former will prevent overheating, while the latter offers extra protection in case someone accidentally bumps into a working heater. Plug your electric heater directly into an outlet. Don’t use extension cords because they increase the risk of electric overload, overheating, and other electricity-related fire hazards. Never let electric cords lie across a hallway, doorway, or floor space people in your household often walk over. Don’t put wires below carpets because that can increase their wear and tear rate. Maintain a safe distance of 3 feet between any flammable object and your heater. That includes furniture, laundry, books, toys, curtains, and electronics. Place your heater on a hard, even surface like tiles, stone, or laminated wood floor. Never place a heater on top of a carpet or rug. Make sure your heater is well-ventilated. This is another reason for maintaining a 3-foot space around the heater. Keep your heater out of your pets’ or young children’s reach. Place it somewhere high, beyond the reach of curious noses and hands.  If you can’t elevate your heater, make sure it is sufficiently fenced-in to keep pets and people from getting too near. Don’t leave a space heater unattended. Don’t leave it in a room unattended or leave it on while you sleep – it’s not worth the risk. Using your home’s central heating or tucking hot water bottles under the bedclothes are safer methods to stay warm while you sleep. Consider installing a carbon monoxide detector, especially if you’re using fuel or a wood stove.  Only use manufacturer-recommended fuel for your heater. Don’t pour liquid fuel into a space heater when it’s hot. Watch out for physical signs of damage, especially in the electrical components and fuel lines. Regularly check and clean exhaust ducts to ensure they are unobstructed.  Avoid using too many electrical appliances while using an electric heater to prevent overloading.   Keep Safe and Warm This Winter: Get in Touch With Restoration 1 of Washington DC Keep these electric heater safety tips in mind this upcoming winter to eliminate the fire hazards in your home and, more importantly, ensure your family’s safety.    If you want to consult fire damage professionals for advice on how to reduce fire risks associated with space heaters, Restoration 1 can help. We have experts in fire damage repairs and restoration who can give you concrete tips on how to stay warm without compromising your household’s safety during winter.  Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name**

The gutter system is crucial in preventing water damage to a home or building, but unfortunately, it is also easily overlooked. Gutters are attached just beneath the edges of the roof and are often unnoticed until they get backed up or sag with wear and tear. And, when gutter damage starts, more trouble could follow.   Let’s talk about the importance of gutter cleaning and the possible consequences of neglecting this particular upkeep in your home or property in Washington, DC. Why Is Gutter Cleaning Important?   Gutters must be clean to be fully functional and live their expected lifespan. Dirty gutters filled with debris, usually fallen leaves and broken twigs from nearby trees, deteriorate quickly and show signs of wear and tear.    Clean gutters do the best job of collecting rainwater flowing from the roof and directing it to the correct drainage or rainwater collection systems. Without gutters, rainwater will fall off a roof’s edges and saturate the ground surrounding the building, turning it muddy and soft. The Consequences of Dirty Gutters   A muddy lawn or yard is highly inconvenient, but that might be the least of your worries when you have gutter damage.    Let’s take a look at the problems that could stem from neglecting to clean your gutters:   Low Curb Appeal: Damaged gutters are very easy to spot. They sag, are visibly discolored, and have metal components that are warped out of place. In addition, properties with failing gutter systems often have muddy lawns and doorsteps.    Foundational Damage: Roof runoffs that don’t drain properly will turn the ground that supports a building’s foundation soft and moist. This is dangerous because the water can seep into the basement or the crawl space underneath the building, making them weak and unstable.   Backed-up Downspouts: Gutters along the roof’s edge connect to vertical pipes that lead straight to a drain in the ground or a water collection tank. When it rains, the debris collected on the gutters washes away through the downspouts. But if too much dirt has accumulated, the downspouts can become clogged, forcing water to overflow at the top, spill over the gutter channels, and saturate the soil below.   Frozen Gutters: In winter, ice can form in clogged downspouts and gutter channels. Once winter rolls in, clogged gutter systems will freeze solid; then, once the weather starts warming up again, the ice will melt and cause more damage to the property.    Roof Damage: The freeze-thaw cycles that wreak havoc in a dirty gutter system will also take a toll on the roof. In winter, the ice will weigh the entire roof system down, causing it to sag and weaken. If the debris remains well into spring and the rainy season, water will back up the roof, causing leaks and other roof damage.   Water Damage: This follows on the heels of gutter and roof damage. Leaks that start small will get worse if not repaired immediately. If the water penetrating the roof system is substantial, the ceiling, interior walls, and insulation can also sustain some damage.   Mold: Whenever there is water damage, you always have to look out for mold. Microbial growth can occur within 72 hours of mold spores coming into contact with water. Assuming that spores have made their way inside a building, all it takes is an indoor flood – or in this case, water damage on the ceilings and walls – for mold to flourish.   Any one of these issues are a headache on their own. However, considering it’s rare to have just one issue at any given time because these problems are often the direct result of another, it’s ultimately best to invest time and effort in cleaning your gutters. Tips for Cleaning Gutters   The first thing you need to clean gutters is a sturdy extension ladder with a stable base that can reach the edge of your roof. Additionally, get someone else to stay on the ground and hold the ladder steady while you go up it. Then, once the ladder is secured against the siding, you can reach the gutter with a small broom and sweep away the leaves, twigs, and dirt. You may even be able to sweep them off with just a gloved hand if the debris is loose and dry.   Alternatively, you can use a leaf blower to reach farther from where you’re standing on the ladder. You can also use other tools, like tongs, a water hose, a power washer, or extendable tools with a hook-shape at the end that allow you to reach into a gutter line with both feet on the ground.  Call Restoration 1 for Damage Prevention and Restoration   Gutters need cleaning at least once or twice a year, usually before and after autumn. It’s a doable job, but if you don’t have the time or tools to do it safely, you can always call a professional cleaning company to do it for you.  If you discover that your gutters already have some damage, and you suspect your roof has some water damage as well, then you’ll need a lot more than cleaning. To prevent the damage from worsening, call a water damage repair and restoration company immediately.  Fortunately, Washington DC residents can call on Restoration 1 for gutter and water damage repairs. Our certified experts are highly trained and insured. We work efficiently to restore your property to its original condition as soon as possible. So if the dirty gutters in your home or property have already caused damage, get in touch with Restoration 1 of Washington DC today.  RESOURCES Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name** I consent to receive text messages from this business. Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Δ

With the start of Autumn approaching, temperatures are dropping fast, which means wintertime is right around the corner. Now is the time most homeowners think about preparing their homes for the colder months. Every homeowner can benefit from taking at least a few steps toward winter readiness. In doing so, you can make sure that you and your family stay comfortable throughout the coldness of winter while also ensuring that your home emerges in tip-top shape when spring comes along. If you haven’t started preparing your home for winter in Washington, DC, don’t fret – we’ve got you covered. Take a look at our list of essentials to perform to make sure your home is winter-ready below. Check Your Drainage Filing to drain your lawn before the winter can cause serious damage to your yard and your home’s foundation come springtime. Pools of water left undrained turn into solid patches of ice when temperatures are below freezing. When they thaw in the spring, these pools of water can drown your plants and grass and even seep into your home’s foundation, which leads to water damage. Before winter, make sure to conduct some maintenance checks: Check your drainage for low spots. If you find any, drain standing water and fill them in with some soil. Check your rain gutter downspouts to see if water is moved away from your home. Doing so eliminates the risk of water damage when the water thaws. Check Your Gutters Checking your gutters for blockage is always recommended before winter comes. Water and snow may collect on your roof and gutters due to leaves and other debris impeding their flow. As a result, any water on your roof might freeze again and thaw together with snow in spring. This overwhelms your gutter system, which means water will make its way into your home and lead to even more problems. As autumn ends and winter begins, keep your gutters free from leaves, twigs, and other debris. Make sure that your gutters are clog-free so they can continue to do what they are supposed to do: funnel water away from your roof and away from your home. Prune and Trim Your Trees Pruning and trimming your trees is one of the best ways to protect your home in the winter. Meanwhile, failing to do so can create more opportunities for trees to capture snow and ice during the snow season, which means a higher risk of tree damage and water damage. When trimming your trees and shrubs, make sure to do so during winter and not before. Cutting trees too early encourages new growth instead of dormancy, which can be a problem if trees don’t have available food and water during winter. Perform an Electrical Check and Energy Audit An electrical check is essential before winter to see the overall health of your electrical connections and wiring. Through this thorough inspection, you ensure that your electrical system can handle the increased load due to an increased need for indoor heating. This also eliminates any potential risk of problems later on. An energy audit is also helpful if you want to optimize energy efficiency. This means checking if your home is properly insulated. Inspect your door seals, fill out drafty outlets, and seal air leakages to create a warm, comfortable home ready for the Washington, DC winter. Call the Water Restoration Experts in Washington, DC Preparing your home for winter is absolutely essential to ensure that you and your family are well-prepared to face the cold months ahead. This should help you avoid any unforeseen circumstances that could deal considerable water damage to your property. Fortunately, water restoration experts in Washington, DC, are on standby to serve your needs. If you require emergency water damage restoration, call Restoration 1 of Washington, DC! RESOURCES Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name** I consent to receive text messages from this business. Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Δ

Mold is an unsightly problem that should be addressed as soon as it emerges. It can adversely affect your property and your health, which is enough reason to observe best practices for preventing mold growth. The Consequences of Mold Those allergic to mold spores can suffer severe symptoms like fatigue, coughing, headaches, and memory loss. Others who don’t have immediate adverse reactions to mold exposure can still develop health problems in the long term. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), frequent or prolonged mold exposure may result in upper respiratory tract issues like wheezing and difficulty breathing. It can also exacerbate symptoms in people with asthma. A mold infestation can adversely affect your property’s market value. This is because mold leaves an unmistakable and distinctive mark on walls, floors, and ceilings. Even after eliminating the problem, many real estate buyers will still hesitate to close a deal on the house or building if it has a history of mold infestation. Mold can be devastating – the more severe the infestation, the more significant the consequences. Fortunately, this is also a problem you can avoid through prevention and timely mold remediation in Washington DC. Steps for Preventing Mold At Home Mold prevention is all about consistently maintaining an environment that is hostile to mold. Simply put, you need to ensure that your home doesn’t become an ideal breeding ground for mold spores to grow and proliferate. Below is a quick overview of the conditions that allow mold to thrive: Moist environments Damp, porous surfaces High humidity To prevent mold from growing indoors, it’s best to create an environment that is unfavorable for their development. Here are ten habits and practices for preventing mold in your home: Keep the indoor humidity levels in your home between 30 and 60 percent. Use dehumidifiers, especially in your basement and unventilated rooms prone to condensation. Install exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms. These parts of the house often have wet surfaces (e.g., the kitchen sink, shower stall, and the floor around the toilet), and exhaust fans help dry them faster. Regularly clean your bathrooms with bleach or cleaning products that can kill mold. Regularly check indoor plumbing for leaks. Regularly check your rain gutters and roof for leaks, too. Fix leaks in your home as quickly as possible. Clean your roof during spring and summer. Remove the leaves and debris from your gutters to prevent clogging when it rains. Remove rugs and carpets when they are exposed to water. Wash and dry them thoroughly before laying them again on the floor. Avoid overwatering your indoor potted plants. Put a catch basin underneath the pots so it will be easy to collect and drain the excess water whenever you water your plants. Mold Prevention SOPs: What to Do After a Successful Mold Remediation Despite our best efforts, mold can still make its way into our homes. Fortunately, when that happens, you can call an expert mold remediation company to eliminate the problem for you. A seasoned company like Restoration 1, for example, can handle all types of residential mold problems. An experienced team has the equipment and know-how to remove mold without the risk of spore dispersal. However, there’s still some work left after successful mold remediation in Washington DC. Here are some measures you can implement to prevent mold from growing again in your home: Investigate the source of the moisture and find out what you can do to keep the area dry. Common sources of microbial growth in houses are condensation on window panes, plumbing leaks that saturate the drywall, damaged gutters, and leaky ceilings. Once you’ve determined the cause, contact professionals who can correct the problem. Improve your indoor ventilation by installing exhaust fans where necessary. You may also consider switching to windows you can open instead of permanently closed glass panels. Use natural dehumidifiers to keep small corners and often-used surfaces dry. Baking soda, charcoal, rock salt, and calcium chloride are ideal. You can also use them as a supplement to dehumidifiers and exhaust fans. Turn on your air conditioner in the summer and set it to “dry.” ACs work like dehumidifiers because they remove moisture from the air indoors and provide ventilation. Throw out porous materials infested with mold. Non-porous materials with treated surfaces are easy to clean, and you can reuse them after removing all the mold. However, for items like throw pillows, carpets, curtains, and untreated wood furniture, there’s no guarantee that microbial growth will be 100 percent terminated or that the object won’t be infested again. It will be safer and possibly more cost-effective to throw them out and buy new ones instead. Experts on Mold Remediation in Washington DC Mold prevention should become a habit and an integral part of your daily routine in order for it to be effective. Microbial growth will emerge wherever and whenever given the opportunity. Moreover, a house is an ideal environment for mold if it’s kept unventilated. The easiest and best way to avoid mold is to incorporate the tips listed above into your daily routine. If, however, microbial growth persists, you can always count on professionals like Restoration 1 to remove microbial growth in your home. Call Restoration 1 of Washington DC at (202) 946-5752 or fill out the contact form on our website. With our expert advice and help, you can protect your health, your household’s well-being, and your home’s market value from destructive mold.

Dealing with water damage in your Washington DC property usually involves a lot of work. If the water damage is extensive, you might even have to temporarily vacate the premises until your home or place of business is ready for occupancy. The best way to deal with a heavy cleanup process is to go through the tasks step by step. Below, we’ll explore the questions you’ll need to answer and steps to conduct when tackling water damage restoration in Washington DC. Questions to Ask When Dealing with Water Damage in Washington DC Before anything else, asking the following questions will be helpful to inform your next steps. What type of water flooded your property? Three types of water can damage your property: clean, gray, and black. Clean water is rainwater that leaks on your ceiling or the water from the mains that comes out of your faucets. This water is harmless to your health, and you can clean up the mess easily without professional help. Gray water is dirty water from washing clothes, dishes, taking showers, etc. While it’s not toxic, this water still needs to be drained properly. Black water comes from sewers and murky floodwater. It brings with it solid and liquid wastes, contaminants, and bacteria. If black water passes through your home, you’ll need to act quickly by cleaning and disinfecting your interiors and belongings as it is hazardous to your health. Will your insurance cover the repairs? Review your home insurance policy and see if your policy covers the water damage to your property. Most policies cover accidental or unprecedented incidents like a pipe bursting or plumbing getting damaged due to external factors like a falling tree. However, gradual damage due to neglect is typically not covered by insurance. Steps for Water Damage Restoration in Washington DC 1. Turn off the water mains and electricity. If the flooding is ongoing as you arrive on your property, the first thing you need to do is stop it if you can. If the cause is faulty plumbing, turn off the mains immediately and include the electricity for safety. Essentially, this is to minimize the danger of anyone experiencing electrocution while on your property. Moreover, do not enter your house or building if there’s still water present inside. Call an electrician if you can’t access the electricity mains without walking through the wet areas of your house or building. 2. Call your insurance provider. The earlier you call our insurance company, the better. The first thing insurance companies that provide coverage for water damage restoration in Washington DC do is send a claims adjuster to inspect your property and assess the severity, scope, and cause of the damage. Claims adjusters need to be one of the first at the scene to make accurate assessments of the water damage to your property. From that first visit, you’ll know if your insurance company will want to revisit you for additional checks for the different categories covered in your policy (e.g., flood damage, structural damage, and other living expenses if your house becomes uninhabitable from the water damage). 3. Do an ocular inspection on the damage to your property. Conduct your assessment of the damage to your property by looking for signs of structural damage, like moist pillars, baseboards, warped ceilings, and flooring. Remember to check for signs of damage beneath the carpets, too. It’s best to do this with the insurance adjuster present so you can discuss what needs replacing and which repairs will be covered by your policy. Documenting the damage to your house or property is crucial and it involves taking various pictures and videos from critical angles. The documentation may help if you need to file additional claims for water damage on your Washington DC property. 4. Collect your salvageable belongings. Once you get the green light to start cleaning up, begin by saving your undamaged belongings. Thoroughly dry and store your valuables somewhere safe and secure until the building is safe and ready to occupy again. For the items you use daily like clothes, beddings, glassware, and dinnerware, ensure they are completely dry and disinfected before using them. As for furniture, consider taking furniture pieces to restoration specialists if you don’t want to dispose of them. It’s difficult to restore wooden and cushioned furniture with water damage using DIY methods, plus they could become breeding grounds for mold or bacteria without professional cleaning and disinfection. 5. Clean the area and dry out any remaining wet areas. Once you’ve cleared all your belongings, you can finally tend to the building. Start by cleaning and removing all debris. If a flood caused the damage, there’s bound to be many damaged items left on your premises that will need to be disposed of. Consider the type of water that flooded your property: is it clean, gray, or black? The dirtier and more contaminated the water is, the higher the urgency to disinfect the place and prevent the spread of disease-causing bacteria. One of the most important steps is to dry out all the wet areas, especially the rooms with very little to zero natural ventilation. Open the windows and doors, and use fans and dehumidifiers if possible to speed up the drying. 6. Remove and throw out damaged porous materials. Unfortunately, any porous material that’s been drenched in dirty water needs to go. It’s hard to dry these materials entirely or get them 100 percent clean again. But the more significant concern is the potential for mold infestation. Mold can grow on moist surfaces within 72 hours (hence the need to dry out water-damaged rooms as quickly as possible), and bacteria grows fast in warm, damp places, too. Here are some examples of household items made with porous materials: Pillows, mattresses, and blankets Curtains and other fabrics Sofas Carpets Wall and floor insulation Unfinished wood furniture Drywall and unsealed concrete surfaces are also porous surfaces. Therefore, hiring professional cleaners to clean, disinfect, and remove all traces of mold and bacteria-breeding dirt would be advisable. Talk to Our Restoration Specialists for Properties with Water Damage in Washington DC Seeking professional water damage restoration experts saves your home or building from falling further into disrepair. Restoration 1 is the go-to team in Washington, DC, for property repairs, remediation, and restoration work. We address water damage from hurricanes, flooding, sewer leaks, and faulty indoor plumbing and work with all insurance carriers in the United States. If you have experienced water damage on your property, get in touch with the considerate professionals at Restoration 1 of Washington DC.