3 Ways a Big Earthquake Could Affect Your Home

Major earthquakes can leave a big impact behind and not just on homes directly in the earthquake's epicenter. Most people think about an earthquake and picture cracked walls and broken windows, but there's a lot more that could go wrong during these disasters. Even if your house doesn't take a direct hit, you might still need the services of a Utah disaster clean up company. Here are three ways that an earthquake might affect you and your home.

Structural Damage

This is the most obvious earthquake effect and the one that people tend to think of first. Major structural damage could include a collapsed roof, fallen walls, or compromised basement. Minor damage is less obvious but can cause big problems over time. This could include:

• cracks in the foundation that let water in
• leaning joists which might cause the house to slowly collapse
• unsealed windows and doors, compromising your weather-stripping
• small leaks in the roof which will worsen over time
• compromised sewer pipes that create a health hazard

Fire Damage

Sadly, in some cases an earthquake can trigger a house fire. These fires may burn for some time as emergency services struggle to deal with multiple calls. House fires may be caused by anything from severed propane lines to damaged, sparking electronics and appliances. If you keep hazardous chemicals in the garage, they might also get knocked over and create an explosive mixture. Finally, remember that where there's fire, there's also smoke. Smoke can permeate furniture and carpet, damaging everything from the ceiling down and creating an unsafe living situation.

Water Damage

The pipes that lead to your house are quite vulnerable to water damage since they are buried in the earth. During even minor earthquakes, there's a good chance that something will get cracked and leak. Major leaks can wash out a section of your foundation or flood your basement. Minor leaks lead to long-term structural damage and health-harming mold issues.

Disaster Cleanup is Just a Call Away

At Utah Flood Cleanup, we're a team of highly trained professionals with nearly three decades' experience helping families recover from natural disasters and home damage. From flooding to fire, we'll help you restore your home or business when the worst hits. We offer multiple financing options and, in many cases, can work with your insurance. Contact us today to learn more about our cleanup services.

Author Statement:
Josh Ray is a disaster cleanup professional and the owner of Utah Flood Cleanup. He is a certified mold professional, asbestos inspector, water damage IICRC carpet cleaning professional, and holds an RRP certification. You can rest easy knowing an experienced professional is helping repair your fire damage, water damage, or mold remediation issue.
Utah Flood Cleanup
685 E. 2850 N.
North Ogden, UT 84414
(801) 416-2666

Utah’s Flooding Concerns Due to Heavy Snow

Heavy snow has pounded the Beehive State recently. Flooding worries are fast becoming serious concerns for the residents and officials in the state of Utah. Flooding fears have kept public officials busy preparing for a potential serious weather event. 

In no time — spring will arrive and the Utah thaw will begin.  The snow-covered ground becomes liquid. The resulting water follows the law of gravity and collects at the lowest elevation. This is when flood damage occurs. This is when a flood repair Utah-based company can help.

Spring has caused the dreaded runoff!

To make matters worse, it is challenging predicting just how bad this potential disaster might be.  This is due to the many variables that determine the overall flood risk. 

• How fast are temperatures rising this spring?  
• What is the current weather cycle?
• How late in the season did snowfall subside? 

The reality is, it is up to Mother Nature. We can only guess at what’s to come, and then, act fast.  

Doing What We Can

Governmental agencies — at a county, city and town level — throughout the state activate emergency plans when the winter’s weather-pattern setups a real potential for a significant flooding event. District water managers reduce reservoir levels to better manage the anticipated runoff.

The Emergency Plan Evolves

Over the next few weeks, as public officials monitor weather conditions, the emergency plan is modified to meet new weather measurements. These include:

• The current river volume.
• The measured rate of the melting snow.
• The current reservoir amount.

FEMA has You Covered

The Federal Emergency Management Administration is the primary source for flood insurance coverage. The federal government is tasked with the responsibility of managing FEMA’s countrywide insurance program that is open to all homeowners. 

Remember, typical homeowners’ insurance policies DO NOT cover flooding. This lack of flood insurance leaves us open to significant risk and loss. 

Should you need a flood repair Utah-style professional company, reach out to the experts at Utah Flood Cleanup.

The Take-Away

Utah's residents are advised to heed this cautionary message from weather experts monitoring current weather conditions. Don't forget though, Mother Earth determines the outcome of this potential flooding event, we can only prepare.

Should damage occur, reach out to the flood professionals at the flood repair Utah-based company, the Utah Flood Cleanup company. We are ready to serve Utah residents whose homes have been damaged from significant flooding.

Author Statement:
Josh Ray is a disaster cleanup professional and the owner of Utah Flood Cleanup. He is a certified mold professional, asbestos inspector, water damage IICRC carpet cleaning professional, and holds an RRP certification. You can rest easy knowing an experienced professional is helping repair your fire damage, water damage, or mold remediation issue.

Utah Flood Cleanup
685 E. 2850 N.
North Ogden, UT 84414
(801) 416-2666

Mold Is Your Worst Enemy. 5 Ways To Defeat It

Mold can turn into your home’s greatest threat, yet it often remains hidden until the damage is too extensive to ignore. Mold affects everything from walls to ceilings, floors, and personal belongings, and it can even cause respiratory problems over time. Certain varieties like black mold are especially dangerous and must be dealt with professionally. However, there are ways you can prevent mold from growing and spreading before it gets out of control. These top 5 tips will help you defeat mold and ensure it never causes havoc in your home again!

1. A Strong Defense

The best way to protect your home is by being prepared and preventing mold in the first place. Before rainy seasons, ensure that your property is free from any damage that could allow water to drip inside. This is especially important in:

• Garages
• Basements
• Gutters
• Drainage systems
• Attics

Periodically check on the above areas along with storage areas so you can spot mold before it causes extensive damage. You may notice mold due to its musty odor and appearance of black, grey, or white dots that are bunched together. Patterns vary depending on the cause of the mold and the surface it’s attached to, but you’ll often know it when you see it.

2. Keep Your Home Dry and Cool

Humid weather and moisture can create mold over time, but you can minimize the exposure before it gets worse. Some things to try include:

• Ventilating the bathroom during and after a shower
• Keeping your gutters clean to ensure water flows away from your roof and foundation
• Using fans to prevent humid air from settling around your house
• Drying up any spills or leaks immediately
• Cleaning and drying crevices around sinks, bathtubs, and other at-risk areas

3. Tidy Your Storage

Mold thrives in damp places, and this means that your old collection of books in the garage is a prime target for mold growth. Try to keep your belongings as organized as possible so you can quickly spot any signs of mold. If you live in an especially humid climate, you may even wish to seal paper belongings such as books or photographs in plastic to prevent damage.

4. Scrub Away New Mold Immediately

Mold can occur quickly in areas like bathrooms or kitchens due to high water exposure. Even the steam from your shower can create mold over time on the ceiling. Simply use a vinegar and water solution on a sponge to gently remove mold spores from most surfaces. When dealing with tougher surfaces like ceramic sinks and metal faucets, you can also add baking soda to the mix for extra power.

5. Contact Mold Abatement Professionals to Assist You Today

In many cases, the mold may be too difficult or dangerous to remove on your own. When dealing with excessive damage or toxic black molds, you should leave it to mold remediation professionals to get the job done. Trying to fix everything on your own can lead to property damage or health problems since the mold spores become airborne during removal.

Here at Utah Flood Cleanup, we know how to deal with all types of mold emergencies. Our professional and licensed team is available 24/7 to provide immediate services whenever mold damage occurs. We’ll assess the damage and work quickly to:

• Find the source of the mold

• Clean all affected areas

• Ensure your property is safe

• Help prevent future growth

Contact us today for a free consultation to see how we can help you. We've been fighting mold since 1992, and with our expertise, you’ll never have to worry about mold again!

Author Statement:
Josh Ray is a disaster cleanup professional and the owner of Utah Flood Cleanup. He is a certified mold professional, asbestos inspector, water damage IICRC carpet cleaning professional, and holds a RRP certification. You can rest easy knowing an experienced professional is helping repair you fire damage, water damage, or mold remediation issue.

Utah Flood Cleanup
685 E. 2850 N.
North Ogden, UT 84414
(801) 416-2666

Asbestos Related Illnesses And Your Health

Did you know that asbestos exposure can cause a whole slew of health issues, including long-term illnesses? This includes respiratory problems, various types of cancer, down to the more minor discomfort of skin irritation. If you have been exposed to asbestos through the workplace, your home or elsewhere, it is important that you visit a doctor to determine if you have developed any health issues and receive treatment as soon as possible.

How Asbestos Exposure Occurs

You should know that asbestos is in the form of tiny fibers that escape into the air. When someone breathes the fibers in, they can remain in your lungs for a long while. Fibers that are allowed to build up in your lungs can cause serious problems, including the following:

• Pleural effusion, which is an excess of fluid that builds up in the pleural space (which is between the chest wall and the lungs).
• Pleural plaque is a condition that consists of a thickening of the tissues around the diaphragm and lungs. This tissue also hardens up, and in rare instances, the pleura can thicken until it compresses part of the person's lung.
• Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects only the pleura.
• Asbestosis is scarring of the lung tissue. Individuals who develop this scarring have a greater risk for getting lung cancer, especially when it is someone who is a smoker.
• Lung cancer develops in the lung tissue, particularly the cells that line the individual's air passages.
• Cancer of the abdominal cavity lining (known as the peritoneum) also is possible.

Outlook for Asbestos-Related Illnesses

The outlook for someone who has such an illness varies based on their length of exposure and how much time passes before diagnosis and treatment. Today, this mineral is not used all that often, so far less people are becoming ill from asbestos exposure. People who have worked in certain industries, including working with pipe insulation, ships, and boilers are at greater risk.

Seek Asbestos Abatement for Your Property

If you're worried there may be asbestos on your residential or commercial property, ask for immediate assistance from our cleanup services team. We work hard to remove any hazardous materials from the premises to reduce any further exposure. Don't be concerned about the cost - in many instances, your insurance will cover asbestos abatement in Utah, as well as cleanup of mildew, mold, standing water and debris. Reach out to us for information today.

Author Statement:
Josh Ray is a disaster cleanup professional and the owner of Utah Flood Cleanup. He is a certified mold professional, asbestos inspector, water damage IICRC carpet cleaning professional, and holds a RRP certification. You can rest easy knowing an experienced professional is helping repair you fire damage, water damage, or mold remediation issue.

Utah Flood Cleanup
685 E. 2850 N.
North Ogden, UT 84414
(801) 416-2666

3 Fire Safety Tips for Thanksgiving

Many American families embrace the Thanksgiving as a social holiday where friends and families gather to party, cook, and eat. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, Thanksgiving is the leading day where the nation witnesses accidents caused by cooking fires. The agency notes that the day reports three times the number of fire than any other days.

Statistics

US fire department reported over 1,700 fires during 2015 thanksgiving, which was the highest day during that year. The department reported about 1,570 cooking fires at homes during the 2016 Thanksgiving day. The home cooking fires are high during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Christmas Eve respectively.

Safety tips

Unattended cooking and cooking equipment are the leading causes of home cooking fires. As you make preparation for Thanksgiving Day, keep your family and friends from harm and your property from loss by observing safety tips.

Remain attentive and cautious while at kitchen since unattended cooking accounts for highest number of fire deaths and cooking fires. Also, keep an eye on the kitchen equipment for malfunction.

• Avoid leaving the kitchen when food is cooking
• When needed outside the kitchen, set timer in the kitchen to avoid distractions.
• Remove all tripping hazards from the kitchen such as bags, toys, children or pets.
• All appliances with electric cords should be kept well from dangling.
• Ensure that smoke alarms are operational.

The US Fire Department says that flammable items such as candles account for more than 15,000 residential fires that cause an estimated loss of $540 million each year.

• Keep flammable items away from the kitchen.
• Keep children from reaching utility lighters and matches.
• Items that can easily catch fire should be kept away from cooking area.
• Avoid leaving children alone in the kitchen or an area with a lit candle.
• Use battery-operated and flameless candles.

Take precautions to guarantee a safe and enjoyable holiday

• Wear protective goggles to keep eyes safe from oil splatter.
• Wear well-insulated and long gloves while handling hot equipment such as pot, lids, and handles
• Consider children safety while making decorations.
• Avoid using flammable decorations during Thanksgiving.

As you prepare for your Thanksgiving holiday, observe the safety tips to avoid unnecessary injuries, deaths or loss of property. Contact us at for fire damage restoration and more information.

Author Statement:
Josh Ray is a disaster cleanup professional and the owner of Utah Flood Cleanup. He is a certified mold professional, asbestos inspector, water damage IICRC carpet cleaning professional, and holds a RRP certification. You can rest easy knowing an experienced professional is helping repair you fire damage, water damage, or mold remediation issue.

Utah Flood Cleanup
685 E. 2850 N.
North Ogden, UT 84414
(801) 416-2666

5 Reasons to Hire a Restoration Professional After a Fire

Utah has had its fair share of wildfires over the years some of which end up burning residential buildings or businesses. Coping with fire damage is often traumatic and confusing. Apart from dealing with the tragedy itself, you also have to think about restoration.
Here are 5 reasons why you should consider enlisting the services of a fire restoration company:

1. Safety

The danger isn’t over once the fire has been put out. Cleaning up after a fire could be potentially dangerous. Depending on how severe the fire was, your home could be structurally unsafe. There could also be sharp objects, exposed piping, or broken glass in the rubble. All of these pose serious safety concerns.

2. They have the appropriate equipment

Such companies specialize in cleaning up after fires. Consequently, they have the right tools and equipment such as air movers, heavy-duty dehumidifiers, odor removers, and other products designed to get rid of smoke and soot. Besides, they are equipped with personal protective attire which protects their bodies and faces from exposure to fires, soot, and smoke.

3. Compliance with Local Laws

Fire restoration companies are industry regulated. They will handle the cleanup in a way that does not breach local laws and regulations which you might not be aware of. Such regulations could include how and where to dump the fire debris.

4. Quicker cleanup 

A fire restoration company usually sends a team to handle the cleanup. They will take a significantly lesser amount of time than if you handled the cleanup yourself. A quick cleanup is essential after a fire. The longer the damage is left, the harder it is to restore your to a livable condition or even salvage undamaged or slightly damaged belongings.

5. They Work with Insurance Companies

A fire restoration company will usually inspect, assess, and document the extent of damage to your property. For this reason, most of them work closely with insurance companies. They could help you navigate through the numerous insurance forms and other paperwork.

Handling the cleanup yourself after a fire could increase the damages exponentially. Should you have concerns about property damage in your business or home, contact us today for free consultation. Utah Flood Cleanup is a fire damage restoration Utah company that offers 24-hour emergency services in Ogden Utah and surrounding neighborhoods.

Author Statement:

Josh Ray is a disaster cleanup professional and the owner of Utah Flood Cleanup. He is a certified mold professional, asbestos inspector, water damage IICRC carpet cleaning professional, and holds a RRP certification. You can rest easy knowing an experienced professional is helping repair fire damage, water damage, or mold remediation issue.

Utah Flood Cleanup

685 E. 2850 N.
North Ogden, UT 84414
(801) 416-2666

3 Things You Probably Don't Know About Water Damage Insurance Claims

Water damage is one of the last things that you would want to find in your home. No one would love to come back home to a flooded basement or any other related water issues. Unfortunately, water damage has replaced fire as the primary cause of home destructions in the United States. This means that the chances of experiencing water damage in your home are pretty high.

The costs associated with cleaning, repairs, decontamination, temporary relocation, and general disaster clean up Salt Lake City can run into thousands of dollars, and that is where water damage insurance claims come into play. Insurance companies usually classify water damage into several categories depending on the cause of the damage. The primary causes of water damage in homes include; sewer back up, flooding, seepage, or infiltration. Here are the top three things you probably didn’t know about water damage insurance claims.

Water Damage Makes Up the Largest Percentage of Home Insurance Claims

Typically, more than 75% of the claims filed by homeowners on their home insurance policies are due to water damage in their homes. The risk of water damage continues to rise because of the increased number of severe storms across the country in the recent past. Water damage insurance claims are also on the rise since a substantial number of homeowners are renovating their basements and converting them into storage areas or entertainment zones.

To make sure that your home is adequately protected against water damage and to save yourself from the hassle of filing a claim, it is good to ensure that you become proactive. Perform regular maintenance tasks on your sump pump, eaves, foundation and also winterize your home.

Insurance Doesn’t Always Cover All Water-Related Damage

It is true that your insurance might cover some types of water damage, but it is good to understand the fact that not all types of water damages are covered under your basic home insurance policy. For instance, if you have a wet basement or a leaky roof that you have been ignoring for a while, your insurance might not help with the repairs. As a fact, the insurance company will only cover the water damage if it occurred as a result of a weather-related catastrophe.

There Are Different Insurance Policies for Water Damage and Flood Damage

Most homeowners tend to assume that their basic home insurance policy protects them against flooding which is wrong. Although you might be tempted to think that water is water, that statement doesn’t count when it comes to water damage insurance claims. If you live in a flood-prone area, make sure that you purchase flood insurance that will protect your home against flood damage. When you report any water-damage related claim to your insurance provider, make sure that you specify whether the claim is for flood damage or water damage.

Have you experienced water damage in your Utah home? Contact Utah Flood Cleanup today for thorough cleanup. We offer flood, fire, and mold cleanup. We provide 24/7 emergency service and a five-year guarantee on our work. Contact us today for a free phone consultation.


Author Statement:
Josh Ray is a disaster cleanup professional and the owner of Utah Flood Cleanup. He is a certified mold professional, asbestos inspector, water damage IICRC carpet cleaning professional, and holds a RRP certification. You can rest easy knowing an experienced professional is helping repair you fire damage, water damage, or mold remediation issue.

Utah Flood Cleanup
685 E. 2850 N.
North Ogden, UT 84414
(801) 416-2666