Spring is finally here. Flowers are starting to bloom, but it also means it’s the start of the rainy season. While the spring can bring welcome relief after the long winter months, flooding is a real concern for homeowners. You don’t need to live in a flood zone to fall victim to flooding. It’s best for everyone to be prepared in case the worst happens. While those in flood zones are more likely to experience some level of flooding, the reality is that it could occur anywhere. Changes in the area could create flood zones in areas that were deemed safe in the past and major weather storms could cause severe flooding that extends into zones that aren’t used to experiencing the flooding. All homeowners should take the time to make sure they’re prepared just in case anything happens. It’s important for them to make sure they...

If you live in certain areas of the country where homes typically have basements, it's smart to have a sump pump (or 2) in the lower spots in the basement. Most homeowners understand the benefits of having such a system in their basement, and that's definitely the case when they've invested a lot of money refinishing their basement to turn it into livable space their family can enjoy. If you're going to spend that much money on your home, it's only smart to protect that investment by installing a relatively inexpensive (at least as it compares to the cost of a typical basement finishing project) water mitigation system. But like any mechanical system in your home, it's not fail proof. In fact, all too often when they're expected to perform to protect your home they fail and the consequences can be disastrous.   What do I do if...

We got an interesting call today. A homeowner got home to discover they had about 4 inches of black raw sewage in their basement bathroom and there were maggots in the filth. We don't need to say it, but we will anyways: that is NOT a situation you should ever consider trying to cleanup on your own. This homeowner was wise enough to understand the situation was dire and called us. We deal with raw sewage in basements all the time, so we know exactly what we're up against. But occasionally a brave (or foolish, depending on how you want to look at it) homeowner will decide they can cleanup the mess on their own...big mistake and here's why.   Raw sewage is toxic and can make you very sick.   If you have sewage damage in your basement due to a clogged sewer line, the first thing you need to understand is that the situation...

Mold can grow in virtually every area of a home and on any surface, if given the right environment. That includes your beautiful carpets that you spend so much energy trying to keep clean and looking beautiful. While there can be many common causes for mold in a home, when it comes to moldy carpets there are a few things you can do to reduce the chances you ever have to deal with it.   Steps to prevent mold damage to your carpets   Mold damage can be expensive. Not to mention the health effects it can bring upon inhabitants of the dwelling with a mold problem. As with many aspects of home maintenance, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Not only can moldy carpets be unsightly and need to be replaced, they can be the tip of the iceberg in terms of more substantial damage to your property. So consider taking...