WATER OUT OREGON WATER DAMAGE SPECIALIST

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Friday, September 30, 2011

Oregon Flood Season Coming

Water Out Oregon wants you to be prepared for a flood. Water Out Oregon suggest you vist www.ready.gov This site has great information on how to prepair for a flood. Also if you are in a flood plain purchase insurance to cover you in the event of a flood. When you do get flood insurance Water Out Oregon suggest getting not just the structural portion but also the contents portion. Most basic flood policies do not cover the contents of your home. And when you need help in a event please contact Water Out Oregon @ www.wateroutoregon.com . Water Out Oregon will travel to disaster events in Oregon, Washington and beyond by request.

8:11 pm pdt Comments

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Plan for Water Damage and Flooding

If you are a homeowner in Portland, Oregon and anywhere you may be, remember that your home can suffer from water damage. This can be brought upon by flooding, storms, leaking pipes, busted valve, holes in roof and walls. The good news is you would not have to face the situation alone. The experts of Water Out Oregon, Portland OR will be available to restore your home properly.

If you leave water standing in an area of your home for a long time, you can expect that your home would be damaged. Water soaked area would provide moisture allowing molds to breed. Molds would not only cause structures of your home to deteriorate but as well cause damage to your health.

For flooded homes, the best option to take is to call on the experts of Water Out Oregon Portland OR. Flood water can contain chemicals, bacteria, fungi and many other impurities that would not only cause diseases but as well death. Contact with this type of contaminated water should be avoided at all cost. The experts from Water Out Oreogn Portland OR will have protective clothing and gears before entering a home that has been flooded. Water Out Oregon professionals would also have the knowledge, expertise, training and equipment needed in rescuing your home from water damage.

8:37 am pdt Comments

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

what not to say

Be careful how you report damage to your insurance company. While you should be truthful, make sure you explain the situation using the most accurate language — or you could find your claim denied.

"What you say initially can affect the outcome of your claim. Many people believe their house is flooded because it's full of water — but it's not a 'flood' by the insurance definition," says Allan Sabel of Sabel Adjusters, a Bridgeport, Conn.-based adjusting firm.

This may seem like a minor distinction, but your insurer has a very narrow definition of a "flood," which is not covered by home insurance. To an insurance company, flooding means that the water came from an overflow of a lake, stream, river or other body of water. If it didn't, don't even say the word "flood," says Sabel. If your basement is filled with water due to a burst pipe, it's not a flood — even if its depth is knee-high.

"You just have to be careful," Sabel says. "Know exactly what is in your policy, what's covered, what's not covered, and report your claim accurately."

Call Water Out Oregon 503-572-5458

8:28 pm pdt Comments

Preventing Water Damage

Each year, water-related damages cost property owners and renters billions of dollars. The most common damage results from plumbing problems (tubs, toilets, pipe breaks, showers), rain water, washing machines and frozen pipe breaks. By taking certain precautionary measures, and by following proper clean-up procedures, you may be able to lessen the severity of damage that may occur should a water-related problem present itself.

Preparation Tips

Here are some steps you can take to help save your home from permanent water damage. A few precautions are:

When on vacation, shut off your water. This can help to reduce the chance of flooding from a washing machine hose or frozen pipe break.
Let faucets continuously drip during extremely cold weather to prevent pipes from bursting.
Clean downspouts and gutters regularly to prevent roof damage from overflowing water.
At least once a year, inspect and replace worn fittings or loose hose connections on household appliances that use water.

Safety Tips

Keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging due to retained water.
Avoid using electrical appliances that may have been damaged by fire, heat or water.
Do not use any electrical equipment/appliances while standing on wet carpet or floors.
Avoid using televisions and other electrical appliances while standing on wet floors, particularly if the floor is concrete.
If electricity is still on, do not enter rooms where standing water is present.

Recovery Tips

Call for professional help immediately. Prompt attention and proper clean up can help prevent further water damage, as well as bacteria or mold growth.
In rooms where the ceiling is not sagging, but merely wet, remove fixtures so that wet wiring can dry.
Mop or blot as much excess water as possible – spread out damp books to dry, wipe wooden furniture dry and prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying.

Call Water Out Oregon @503-572-5458

9:00 am pdt Comments

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Smoke Damage

Smoke is inevitable by-product of fires. We may think of it as simply a dark cloud, but smoke also contains finely dispersed liquids and gases. In fact, the most dangerous components of smoke are the invisible gases present during the fire.

After the fire, the gases disperse but the smoke solids and liquids remain on exposed surfaces. These deposits are more accurately called “smoke residue” than “smoke”, because they are no longer the same as the heated cloud generated by the fire.

Smoke residues vary in character. Some appear as dry particles, others as smeary flakes, still others are sticky liquids. The type of residue depends on the items that burned and their rate of combustion. Smoke residues often emit obnoxious odors which persist long after the fire.

Questions of toxicity often arise, particularly when the odor is intense. Off-gassing may cause eyes to tear, particularly in confined spaces. While no studies have been performed on the effects of breathing smoke residues after a fire, it seems obvious that they cannot be healthful. It is important to remember, however, that smoke residues are not the same threat to health.

In typical residential fires the introduction of outside air by direct ventilation will quickly lower odor levels as well as allergic responses. Complete and permanent return of burned components and effective cleaning procedures.Thorough cleaning with appropriate detergents does neutralize and remove smoke residues.

Occasionally smoke residues seem to penetrate finishes or stain absorbent surfaces. These are permanent changes in the materials themselves rather than retained smoke residue. Because smoke residues are often acidic, prompt removal from exposed metals is important in order to minimize corrosion.

It is important to note that, in an overwhelming majority of cases, prompt and effective restoration services provided by a certified firm can return smoke-damaged items to their original attractive and wholesome state.

4:09 pm pdt Comments

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Fall Tips to Prevent Water Damage Claims # 1

First and foremost, turn off your exterior faucets valves from the inside, open the faucet to drain the water and remove garden hoses. If these valves are left open the water inside the pipe near the exterior can freeze and expand causing the pipe to burst, when it warms above freezing the ice will melt and you will have water running into the interior of your home until it is turned off. Even if you have ‘frost-proof’ faucets it is still important to turn them off from inside of your home. They can freeze and burst, usually in the valve itself, so you will not know this has happened until you turn the faucet on in the spring. If you do not have an interior shut off valve we recommend that you place an insulated cover over the faucet which can be purchased at your local hardware store.
Clean Leaves and Debris from your Gutters. Once the leaves have fallen, clean your gutters and downspouts. Plugged gutters and downspouts can cause water to seep in next to the foundation and cause basement flooding. Many insurance companies do not cover water damage from seepage. Make sure your downspouts run at least six feet from the foundation, and your landscaping is slopped away from your foundation for at least six feet.
Clean you sump pump pit. Once the ground has frozen, remove your sump pump and clean the pit it sits in. Sand and silt will accumulate in the bottom of the pit and can reduce the life of the pump. Replace the pump and check for proper operation of the float. When water is flowing in the pit in the spring is not a good time to find it is malfunctioning.

We hope these helpful tips will prevent you from finding a flood in your home. If you do have a Water Damage emergency call our 24 hour Water and Fire Damage hotline at 503-572-5458 for an immediate response.

9:46 am pdt Comments

Saturday, September 17, 2011

8:50 pm pdt Comments

Water Out Oregon is requesting subjects you want info on

8:41 pm pdt Comments

Fall Is Here in Portland, Oregon

Last week it was almost 100 now I think I have to wear pants again.

11:14 am pdt Comments

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1) Water Damage Drying

2) Structural Smoke Cleaning

3) Content Cleaning and Packout Services

4) Warehousing

5) Mold Remediation

Preparation Tips

Safety Tips

Recovery Tips