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People who are spending their first winter in their new home and have never owned a home before might not think about the kind of damage a burst water pipe can cause.

New homeowners do not often think about this very real problem and it can lead to some very expensive consequences.

Water pipes in the home that are not properly insulated can freeze and burst in the winter if the temperature drops to below 20 degrees. Even a crack that is only one-eighth of an inch can let out over 250 gallons of water each day and the water damage this can cause can potentially be catastrophic.

Your floors, clothes, carpet, and personal items will be damaged and as the water dries up and spring returns, it will leave you with a more serious problem.

This problem is mold and when water damage to your home is not repaired correctly or not repaired at all, it can grow in your home and make your entire family become sick over time.

While most insurance policies do not cover mold, water damage is usually covered to some extent. Preventing water damage to your home that is covered can help you prevent the mold damage to your home that is not covered and while any kind of water damage can cause this mold to grow, but burst frozen pipes are one of the easiest things to prevent.

One of the first things that you should do during the winter is to cover your indoor water pipes with insulation.

Where possible, make sure warm air can get to your pipes during a deep freeze. Do this either by opening the cabinets under your kitchen and bathroom sinks or placing a space heater in the room with these pipes.

If you are going to use space heaters, be careful and do not leave them unattended for long or where they can possibly catch things on fire. Do not use extension cords with space heaters and keep anything that could catch fire preferably over 5 feet away or you could be facing a fire damage problem instead of water.

Disconnect any garden hoses and make sure cracks in your homes foundation are sealed so cold air, water, and snow can not get inside to your pipes.

Keeping a small bit of water running through hot and cold water faucets can also mean the difference between a busted and an un-busted pipe.

Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
flood and water damage cleanup and
water damage restoration> companies across the united states.

Any excess amount of water coming into contact with the foundation or the inside of your home can be structurally damaging.

If you own the home you are currently living in, one of the best things that you can do to prevent this damage is to learn how to direct runoff water away from your home.

If you live in a rainy climate or even a snowy one (even snow melts eventually in most places), you should take special care to protect the structural integrity of your home.

This is best done by making sure that you have good surface drainage outside of your home and this involves your roof, gutters, and downspouts.

Downspout extensions also need to be paid attention to and you need to make sure that they direct water as far as possible from your homes foundation.

Making sure your roof is properly angled according to where you live. Roofs with higher pitches are the most common in areas where snow tends to be heavy.

Because snow can easily slide off the roof instead of being allowed to sit there and not only stress your roof because of the weight, but when it starts to melt, it will cause the water damage you are trying to avoid.

Water should not be allowed to accumulate on your roof for any period of time and this is why your roof should be angled so the water will run into the gutters.

The gutters to your home should be large enough to handle heavy amounts of rainfall, especially if you live in an area where heavy rain is common.

They should also be cleaned out on a regular basis and be free of clogs of any kind. It might not be a fun home improvement activity for you or anyone you hire to do it for you, but doing this as opposed to having to repair water damage to your home will save you money in the long run.

The downspouts that are connected to your gutters are what directs the water from the gutters down to the ground where a downspout extension should be located.

This is to make sure the water from your roof does not collect around your foundation. These are normally located around the corners of the home, but can be found in other areas.

The easier it is for water to get away from your home, the more money you will end up saving in the future.

Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
New York flood water damage restoration and other states and cities such as
South Carolina mold remediation companies across the united states.

If you are planning a bathroom remodel, think about lighting needs and how to best update for both function and pleasure.

Providing adequate light in a bathroom is very important. What fixtures you install will depend on the size and the needs of your specific bathroom.

The vanity is usually a focal point in a bathroom, and often the first thing a visitor sees. Lighting in the vanity area needs to both function well for grooming tasks and also be attractive and pleasing to the eye.

the fixtures installed, even in many of the new homes are often inadequate in the vanity area. The vanity is used on a daily basis for grooming and needs lighting that will not provide shadows.

Although bar lights over the mirror can be very attractive and are quite popular, they are not the best for the vanity area. The light in this area should be on both sides of the mirror at about face level in order to eliminate shadows when applying makeup.

Illuminating specific bathroom areas

Those who are fortunate enough to have a larger bath may have a number of areas and functions that could be enhanced by appropriate lighting.

Recessed or general purpose lighting can be adequate for short in and out trips to the bathroom and provide light for taking medications, brushing your teeth or taking a shower.

Providing the option of subdued lighting can add a touch of glamour and relaxation during a luxurious soak in the tub. This may be something to consider if you want to create a spa like atmosphere in your bathroom. In a bath with a large soaker tub or a whirlpool tub, subdued lighting can add much to the experience.

In the tub area precautions need to be taken. Check your local codes to see what is allowed, and what safety precautions you should take.

In some areas of the country, fluorescent lighting is required in a bathroom. If codes in your area have this requirement, consult a lighting expert about fluorescent bulbs and colors. There are various color shades of lighting that emanate from these bulbs and some are more pleasing than others.

Bathroom lighting fixtures are available today in a wide variety of attractive styles and finishes. You’ll find fixtures in whatever style or finish you prefer whether it is vintage, traditional or contemporary.

Select bathroom lighting that provides both adequate light for your needs as well as adding to your decor. The fixtures you choose can add just the right touch to complete the look and style you prefer in your new bathroom.

More about bathroom lighting and many good tips for electrical and wiring .

Have you been putting off much needed repairs, or delaying a long awaited home renovation project because of the prohibitive costs? If you have, there may be some hope for those unfinished or yet to be started projects.

When you shop online for your home improvement needs, you can find a vast amount of information and products. If your project is focused on kitchen cabinet replacement or refacing, you can find many sites that are dedicated to giving you the widest assortment of kitchen cabinets you can find in one sitting. You will be able to choose from different materials, at various prices that fall far below retail. You can find wholesale kitchen cabinet sites that have everything you need to have a new kitchen cabinet, including the hardware, at the absolute lowest prices.

Furniture and appliances can be found at much cheaper prices when you search on the internet. You can find ceiling fans of all shapes and designs and for indoor and outdoor use. You can find top quality name brand ceiling fans and the accessories that making owning a ceiling fan more convenient, at prices that will leave you weak. You can always visit showrooms and see in person the type of ceiling fan or other appliance you want, then go home and research it on the internet. You will be afforded with a wide range of prices and styles, and you will easily be able to comparison shop to ensure you get the best value at the best price.

The same can be said of flooring and the options available. You can find solid hardwood flooring, laminate flooring, and ceramic tile flooring to name just a few of the materials flooring can be made of. You can find special deals and ways to do some jobs yourself when you search on the internet. You can be taken step by step through laying a floor properly, no matter what kind of material you choose. Installing a floor can be a daunting job, but with instructions from the internet and a helper to aid you in your quest, you can save hundreds of dollars on the installation. Add that to the wholesale prices you spent for your new floors, and you are already way ahead of the game.

You can search the web to learn how to install floorings, kitchen cabinets and even install a new countertop. When all these items are bought at a low cost, you can save even more when you can do it yourself. You will virtually have classes that not only take you step by step, but they often offer video as well.

For people who are planning a new kitchen, you can find a website that mimics the room you want to renovate, and you can choose colors, move furniture and appliances in order for you to get the kitchen you have long been dreaming of owning.

Looking for online savings for any home renovation is a good idea. You can still visit stores to get the look and feel of something you are looking to buy, but you can go and get the same items at much lower prices when you look on the internet.

James Brown writes about Black Rhino Tools promotion code, MoreHome.com coupon code and TK Recon.com promo code

Your laundry room, basement, and roof are almost as likely to have water damage and leaks as your bathrooms and your kitchen are. So, what can you do about it?

Check your washing machine hoses often for moisture around the ends of the hose and signs of cracking or weak spots. The hose should be replaced as often as is necessary, but this should not be more than every three to five years.

The water heater in your home can pose problems, as well. If there are areas of rust on the tank or wet areas in the floor nearby, you might have a leak on your hands.

Hot water heaters should be located in the lowest level of your home possible, preferably the basement, and always next to a floor drain. If it has to be installed on upper floors, it should be installed inside a large drain pan and the water directed to a drain in the floor.

This way, if it begins leaking, it will not damage your floors or any area of your home on the next floor down.

Your air conditioner collects condensation and each one should have a drain pan line to direct the water collected by your air conditioner.

Outside your home, any low spots around your houses foundation should be filled in so that water drains away from the house and not toward it and end up seeping in through any flaws in the structure.

Caulking around windows and doors should be inspected; if it is cracked or missing anywhere, it is best to remove it and completely re-caulk it.

The area round your roof should be draining properly and if it is not, water seeps into the wood and causes it to rot.

A leaky roof can be a definite cause of water damage and is another thing that is not uncommon. Keep your gutters and downspouts free from leaves and other debris that can prevent the water from leaving the roof efficiently.

Do not walk on your roof unless you have to for repairs and it could be wise to invest in a roof preservative to help limit the amount of water your roof sponges up.

Wood soaks up water pretty easily and if you want to prevent water damage to your home, it is a good idea to get a sealant for wooden areas of your home that are exposed to the elements.

Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
New Jersey mold damage restoration and other states and cities such as
Connecticut mold remediation companies across the united states.

Once you evaluate the situation of water damage to your home, some important steps need to take place to make the restoration process as painless as possible. We have laid out a process for you to follow in just such an emergency.

Water damaged homes or buildings should begin by removing any water damaged items from the home like furniture, paintings, photographs, and etcetera and allowing them to dry out outside the home.

Squeeze as much water as possible out of couch cushions and try to leave them outside in the sun for as little time as possible, because sun damage can also occur if they are left exposed for too long.

If the floors of your home are covered in mud or silt, washing them with clean water is usually the only solution. Do not rush the drying of the floors or what is called warping or buckling.

If you can, remove any insulation from under the floor to allow air to circulate. Rapid drying of hardwood floors by using heating, air conditioning, or other forced air to help dry the floors can cause cupping. Completely drying them naturally can take weeks or months.

Any electrical components in the house, like AC outlets, should be replaced if the water level was high enough to damage them.

Again, make sure there is no electricity running to that area of your building or even to the entire building itself. When dealing with flooded properties, the possibility of electrocution is great.

Do not be so quick to remove all the water in your basement. The walls of the basement could collapse due to the ground outside that is still saturated with water and the water still standing in your basement could be the only thing stopping this.

After the water around the house has drained away, pump out two or three feet, mark the water level, and wait until the next day. If the water level in the basement rises, do not continue pumping out the water.

In most cases, washing wet mud away from objects with clean water before drying them is a good idea. Unless it is an antique item of special significance, this is generally the way to go.

If it does fall into the category of antique or historic, consult a specialist as quickly as possible.

Air circulation through the building is essential to drying it out entirely. Heaters should not be used and air conditioners should be used sparingly, if at all.

Forcing the building to dry unnaturally can possibly cause even more damage.

Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
water damage restoration companies and
mold remediation companies across the united states.

One of the most damaging things to a building, especially a residential one, is mold.

While there are many kinds of mold and some are good and even used to make certain foods, when it grows inside your home it tends to lead to not only structural damage, but damage to the health of the people living in it as well.

Home buyers are becoming more and more aware of the mold problem and wondering what they can do about it. Not only because of the health consequences of mold, but also of the damage it can do to the value of their home.

Here are a few things you can do to help prevent mold from growing in your home.

Ventilating your household properly and in the right places is essential. Mold grows in warm, humid areas of your home that are not properly ventilated. It does not need standing water to grow, only a humidity of over around 65% and if the humidity in the house is kept low enough, mold cannot grow.

If you see condensation start to build up on a windowpane inside your house, this can be a sign that the humidity in your home is too high.

Keep these areas wiped dry as much as possible until you can determine the best way to keep this from happening. Try a de-humidifier to help solve this problem.

Something else that helps with mold growth prevention is paperless sheetrock. This might be only feasible if you are planning on building a completely new home, but if you are doing any heavy remodeling or adding on any new space, paperless sheetrock is best because mold loves to feed on paper.

If you store papers and other items in your basement like cardboard boxes, do not store them directly in contact with the floor, especially if there is a chance that they could come into contact with moisture such as leaks around the indoor foundation or a leaky water heater. As stated before, mold eats paper and needs moisture to survive.

Clean up spills and any leaks you find in your home as quickly as possible and if you have a fan in your bathroom that can be used to let heat and steam outside the house, use it while showering.

If you can vent the heat from items like clothes dryers and stoves to the outside of the house, do this while they are in use, as well.

Cold surfaces in the home such as pipes, especially in basements, should be insulated so condensation does not form. This not only prevents mold, but also helps to prevent the pipes from rusting.

With some smart actions, preventing mold from growing in your home is not just beneficial, it is easy.

The benefits of a mold free home definitely outweigh the cost of going to the small bit of trouble to keep it that way.

Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
flood and water damage cleanup and
water damage restoration> companies across the united states.