The following is a check list to get your home ready for colder/sub-zero outdoor temperatures

exterior hose bibs – do not leave exterior hose bibs remaining charged with water and not drained. Most modern hose bibs are a “frost-free” design which allows water to drain out the section of the hose bib that is not in heated space. From the outside when you are turning off the faucet the actual valve stop is about six inches inside the wall cavity in the heated space. This designed intention is so that the supply line and hose-bib sections that remain charged with water are read more

Mould contamination (or contamination from the kingdom of fungi) is easily spreadable throughout indoor environments…when unqualified deconstruction methods are used, and especially when moulds, mildew and fungi are disturbed during deconstruction/tear out procedures, and the environment is not controlled as is commonly the case, the potential for cross contamination is always 100% guaranteed to spread contaminates beyond the affected area(s).

The kingdom of fungi exists naturally in our environment, and we need it as much as we need the plant kingdom and the animal kingdom. Its simply biological read more

So you think you can call a carpet cleaner and the odor and urine stains will be gone…?

Nope… in fact cleaning your carpets will make the problem worse…have you tried this before?

Understanding what your up against is the key to knowing how to over come this difficult problem.

Let us start with the basic description of the problem.

When your pet; dog, cat, bunny ferret or unruly room mate urinates in your home, especially on carpet or flooring, the urine load dries (fries) into a form of salt (salvine)… if you simply try to steam-clean or hot water extract, you will simply load the descant read more

Although Mother Nature is uncontrollable and always in charge, there are things we can do to prepare for high water and flooding threats like heavy rains, forecasted weather systems and heavy snowpacks.

Keeping abreast of the professionally managed environment forecasting facts that are shared publicly is our best defence when preparing for inevitable threats to our property because of high-water tables. The first thing we need to do is pay attention to the local environmental and weather forecasting so we can be prepared for high water, spring run off, and abnormal weather events.

1. Typically federal, and municipal forecasts will alert us in advance of aggressive weather systems like abnormal rainfall and unusually high snow-packs. Assessing your proximity to bodies water that are close to your property are critical to planning and executing flood control plans. Ask yourself, are you close enough for swelling rivers and streams to spill over and find their way to your property?

If so, its read more

Is your property affected buy a dewatering system like a sump pump and well? If so, it is important to check the system for proper operation prior to rising water tables.

A typical system consists of a drainage drywell (drain-rock) surrounding a well case with a pump mounted in the well case activated by a float switch. When well fills with water to a pre-set height the float switch is activated turning on the pump which then pumps the water out of the well through plumbing lines to be safely discharged away from the protected structure.

To check the system for proper operation.

1. Make sure the pump is plugged in to a proper GFI receptacle.
2. Test that the power receptacle is supplying power by using a test light or an extension cord that is equipped with a power indicator light.
3. Lift the float switch slowly until the pump is activated. Then let it back down slowly until the pump shuts off. Take notice of the position that the float must be in to activate the pump, this information is critical so that you can adjust the level of water that is acceptable to you before pump out is required.

Note: its is read more

It is common for irrigation systems even after fall time blow-out for there to be leaks and breakage do too freezing, ground erosion, soil movement and incomplete water evacuation.

In most cases broken irrigation lines cause flooding inside a living space because of hydraulic pressure exerted against a building foundation wall or basement floor slab.

The best way to avoid water damage and building water intrusions as a result of irrigation systems is too charged lines and closely monitor them at the same time.

Broken waterlines in an irrigation system are read more

You know how everybody assumes flooding and/or spring flooding is caused by massive rainstorms, hurricanes, swelling rivers or water runoff from the hills above…well I am here to tell you that way more spring floods are caused because you forgot to take the hose off the outdoor hose bib last fall…. And I would know because I have spent the last 30 + years mitigating and repairing the damage caused by the above-described scenario. Not to mention the fact that HYDRACLEAN Disaster Restoration Services deploys catastrophic loss crews through-out Canada when mother nature doles out devastatingly read more

Part 2 – SILICA
The safe removal of hazardous materials should be carried out by a qualified contractor such as HYDRACLEAN Disaster Restoration Services or an equally qualified contractor in your area in accordance with regulatory safe work practices.

SILICA DUST or Crystalline Silica / Concrete dust is Commonly found in cement products like cement leveling compounds, tile thin-set, tile grout, floor tiles, wall tiles, concrete floors, concrete foundation walls, cinder blocks, Bricks, paving stones, and most concrete products. Silica is also used for grinding and polishing glass and stone.

Silica read more

Part 1 – ASBESTOS
The safe removal of hazardous materials should be carried out by a qualified contractor such as HYDRACLEAN Disaster Restoration Services or an equally qualified abatement contractor in your area in accordance with regulatory safe work practices.

Common Hazardous Materials found in Buildings.

ASBESTOS Is commonly present in building materials used in construction right up till 1990. Asbestos fibers were extremely common in building materials found in homes, buildings and schools and were outlawed in Canada and the United States by the year 1980.

Building materials that may read more

One of the least expected but most affected materials in your home after being exposed to standing water from a sudden and unexpected water escape are the walls. Often people think that the flooring like carpet laminate and hardwood are the only affected materials, On the contrary this is simply not the case.

Most walls are constructed using 2×4 lumber and/or steel framing studs, these walls are then covered with drywall/sheetrock (gypsum board) and finished by taping and mudding seams and painted to finish. The drywall/sheetrock is extremely absorbent when exposed to standing water, in read more