Livingston Reporting - page 354

Tips to Prevent Fire Damage

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Every 23 seconds a fire department responds to a fire. Fire damage is done to a home structure every 66 seconds. That isn’t the worst of it though. One person is injured by fire every 32 minutes and death occurs almost every 3 hours. Actually, house fires are the 2nd leading cause of death. Fire changes you. It damages possessions, emotions, and lives leaving a devastating mark on the future. Fire, accidental or not, can destroy you. Fire damage causes monetary and emotional distress along with possibly changing the structure of your family. The death of a parent or child would be the most devastating fire damage imaginable. The following are easy things your family can do to help prevent fire damage and keep your family safe.

1) Prevent fire damage by eliminating a myriad of accidental fire sources such as: cigarettes, curling iron, deep fryers, fire crackers, and candles from being used inside your home.

2) Check all electrical wires in your home especially if you have a home that is a little older. Replace older appliances that might be faulty. Professional electricians and hired technicians can help in these areas.

3) Vacuum out dryer vents every three to six months. Dryer lint can build up, heat up and then fire up. A little preventative maintenance can eliminate the possibility of fire damage to your home from dryer lint.

4) Use caution using electric heaters. Keep blankets and curtains form touching baseboard or electric heat sources.

5) Use extra caution is the kitchen. Do not use deep fryers or fryers. Watch all boiling water – a boil over can cause fires.

6) When you leave a room, makes sure to never leave a candle burning. The smell good when they are being used properly, in the care of a responsible adult. They don’t smell so good when they cause your home to burst into flames.

7) Hire a professional to come out and clean your fire place and chimney on a regular basis. If your fireplace uses propane have a professional come out and check all of the switches. Regular maintenance can help prevent needless fires when it comes to your fireplaces.

8 ) Lighters and matches should only be used by adults. Never let a child touch a lighter – they look fun and are hard to resist. Temptation leads to house fires.

9) Lastly, replace batteries in your fire detectors and smoke alarms. If a fire starts in your house and your fire detectors are in working order you will only lose replaceable items and not the lives of your loved ones.

Fire damage is preventable; all you need to do is prevent fires form starting. A little caution goes a long way in fire prevention.

http://www.tcirestoration.com/fire.htm

Go Maher

Controlling Mold Before You Need Mold Remediation

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Moisture
Odor
Life threatening
Destructive

Nothing about mold sounds attractive except mold remediation. There are thousands of ways to treat mold once it appears. Reversing and then stopping the effects of mold can cost a lot of money. When I think of mold remediation I think don’t think about correcting an existent problem but instead of how I can prevent mold from needing remediation! The following are steps you can take to prevent mold, an organic substance that can grow any where moisture and oxygen are, from taking route in your home.

Preventing mold from happening is a lot easier that getting rid of a mold infestation once it starts. The old saying “a little prevention goes a long way” is defiantly the case when talking about mold remediation.

You can begin by controlling the moisture levels inside your home. Buildings that are tightly sealed with little ventilation are just asking for mold to come hang out in them. Make sure that there is proper ventilation in your attic and crawl space. If the area feels or smells damp have a professional out to rectify the problem before the mold starts to grow. It is also important to make sure your roof does not leak and to check the seals around the windows and doors. Keep an eye out for how the landscaping and gutters direct the flow of water. It is best to have the water drained away from the house into, perhaps the ground or a reservoir to reuse later in a garden. A sloped ground area going away from the homes foundation will also suffice.

Once you have control over the moisture getting in and out of your homes structure lets look at problems that can exist inside. Uncontrolled humidity in the home can lead to many different problems. If installing a new heating and cool system check to see if you can add a dehumidifier onto the system. If this is not an option you can purchase a dehumidifier at your local Meijer in Brighton, Howell, or Wixom. Adding a ceiling or exhaust fan to areas in your home, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements also helps control the humidity levels.

Leaking pipes and plumbing are a huge hot spot for mold spores to pop up. It is best to do a quick check every three to six months around your home to look for wet spots or condensation build up. Pockets of water develop quickly. It is best to prevent them but if this is not the case catching them early will eliminate mold.

Appliances such as dryers should be specially vented. It is best to have appliances, such as these, vented directly outside your home. Many contractors have taken to venting moisture-generating appliances into the homes attic. I would not recommend this as a form of mold remediation. It is always best to vent directly to the outside of the home.

Clean and dry any spot in your home immediately. Whether your pet has had an accident or your child has spilled their juice the best prevention to keep mold from growing is immediate action. It is necessary to have the area spot cleaned, deep cleaned and dried. A house fan can do the trick in most situations but if you find your socks still feeling damp when you step in the affected area it is best to call in a professional. Carpet installers often have industrial fans that they use on larger spots.

If you have been unfortunate enough to have had a mold issue after taking all the above steps it is important to find a reputable, reliable mold remediation company that will help you remove the mold problem and will guide you in the proper ways to fix and alleviate future mold reoccurrences.

http://www.tcirestoration.com/mold.htm

TCI Restoration

What to Look For Inspecting a Used Car for Water Damage

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Just because you don’t live in an area that is prone to flash flooding, hurricanes, or torrential rains doesn’t mean you should not worry about water damage when checking out a used car. Many vehicles each year sustain significant water damage and are then transported thousands of miles away to areas such as Livingston County, to be sold. Vehicles that have been involved in flooding often appear, on the outside, to be in perfect condition when in reality they have sustained major water damage. This article will provide you with tips on determining if the car you are looking into is a water damaged lemon or a certifiable good deal.

1) Before you spend a dime on mechanics, vehicle reports, or the vehicle itself do a little private eye investigation on the vehicle itself.
• Sit in the vehicle – Does it have a unique wet smell? Can you spot any obvious signs of mold, mildew or rust? The dash board and closed compartments are good hiding spots.
• Turn the vehicle on – Is everything in properly working order? Do the lights turn on inside the car? Do the wipers work? Is the heater blowing hot air? How about the air conditioning?
• Step out of the vehicle and bend down – Check out underneath the floor mats, feel the floor boards. Are they damp? Can you see visible rings of dried puddles of water? Do you see a buildup of mud or dirt? Look and see if the screws that hold the door panels and dashboard have signs of rust. These are all signs of water damage.
• Bend a little further – Is there any rust build up or signs of corrosion on the undercarriage? Can you see damage that looks unique to a vehicle in particular to the model or age of the car?

2) After a little self inspection it should be easy to determine whether or not you should pursue any further action toward the purchase of a vehicle. If you determine the vehicle looks good to you go ahead and hire a trusted mechanic to inspect the vehicle. They have a trained eye for what to expect from a used vehicle and will know what damage to look for especially when it comes to water damage.

3) Lastly, do a little title research before you hand over that check. If a vehicle has had any type of water damage the vehicle history report will have it listed.

4) If all the above check out you can certainly drive away feeling confident that you have purchase a vehicle clear of any water damage.

http://www.tcirestoration.com/water.htm

TCI Restoration

Pool Fences – Safety First

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You’d be hard-pressed to find a kid who didn’t want to live in a house with a swimming pool. Kids love to swim, and the idea of being able to swim whenever they want in the summer is irresistible to them. Many parents want to give their kids the pool of their dreams, but are hesitant to install a pool in the backyard because of the possible safety hazards. This is a valid concern, since the leading cause of death for children under the age of five is accidental drowning. But you can give your kids what they want and still keep them safe by installing pool fences around your pool.

There are many types of pool fences, ranging from vinyl or aluminum fencing to simple nets to decorate wrought iron fencing. All of these options will help to keep your children safe from the danger of falling into the pool and drowning. And that’s the primary purpose of the fence, after all: to keep your children safe. It can also prevent people from sneaking onto your property to enjoy your pool without your permission. A good pool fence should allow you to get the maximum enjoyment out of your swimming pool while mitigating any concerns you might have.

While there are several different types of fencing that do a perfectly adequate job of protecting your children and protecting your pool, you don’t just want any kind of fencing. You want to be sure to choose from pool fences that meet your specific needs. If you have small children, you’d need a fence with narrow slats that your children can’t crawl through. If you have pets, you’ll need a fence that is low enough to prevent your puppy or kitten from crawling through and falling into the pool. You want to be sure to evaluate your needs before choosing a fence.

Ultimately, there’s no reason that this safety measure can’t add to the aesthetic of your home as well. There are plenty of attractive pool fences on the market, and there’s sure to be one that fits your home’s sensibility. You should choose a fencing contractor that offers a variety of styles for you to choose from. There are plenty of contractors that offer different styles of safe fences, so you ought to be able to find a fence that will meet your needs and still fit in with your home’s existing style. You can be safe and beautiful at the same time.

iFenceUSA

Aluminum Fencing – Strong and Beautiful

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When people describe their dream home, many of them describe a swimming pool in the back. Having your own private swimming pool is the height of luxury. Some people are lucky enough to find and purchase the house of their dreams. But dreams can quickly turn to nightmares if proper safety precautions aren’t taken. There’s a reason that drowning is the leading cause of death for children under the age of five. So if a swimming pool is part of your vision for the ideal home, then a pool fence should be a part of that vision, too. aluminum fencing in particular is growing in popularity as a way to safeguard swimming pools.

Aluminum fencing is a solid investment. If you erect fencing around your pool, then you can be sure that your children are safe from falling into it. It will give you peace of mind for years to come, until your children are old enough to trust around the pool on their own. And if you have special needs, such as smaller children or pets, there are usually options that you can add to standard aluminum fences to make them safer. When it comes to safety, you don’t want to take any chances.

Aluminum is quite sturdy. Aluminum fencing is a lasting investment. Once you put it in, it’ll stay put and stay strong for many years. It also does a great job of keeping unsupervised children and pets out of the pool area. Aluminum fences are often cheaper than wrought iron fencing, and are also much easier to maintain. They not only stand up well against children and pets, but also to the weather and the elements. Your pool will quit before the fencing does. And it’s important to get fencing that is hardy because there’s no point in fencing off the area only for the fence to break and a child to wander in unsupervised.

And aluminum fencing is available in several styles and different colors, so that you don’t have to sacrifice style for safety. Both of these are important. You don’t need to sacrifice the aesthetic of your home in order to benefit from the safety features of an aluminum fence. From classical to modern, they can make practically anything you want out of aluminum. So be sure to get it all when you shop for an aluminum pool fence: you can have both style and function.

iFenceUSA

Aluminum Fence – Protecting Your Pool

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Every summer, kids all over the United States beg their parents to put a pool in the backyard. Most of these parents decline their children’s requests, for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, it’s an issue of money or an issue of space. Oftentimes, however, it’s a simple matter of safety concerns. Fortunately for the kids, if the objection is the latter, then there is a simple solution to the problem. If you don’t want to get a pool because it might pose a threat to your children’s safety, simply consider installing an aluminum fence around the pool once it’s completed.

If you’re concerned that installing a swimming pool might jeopardize your children’s safety, you have a valid concern. Accidental drowning is actually the number one cause of death in children under the age of five. So you’re not being paranoid or unreasonable if you’re concerned about this happening to your child. But there are easy solutions to this problem, such as strict supervision and a physical barrier like an aluminum fence. These fences are relatively inexpensive, and they go a long way towards making your pool safer. Most kids would rather that their parents put in a pool with the fence around it than not put in a pool at all.

Aluminum is sturdy and versatile, so an aluminum fence is an excellent solution to this problem. Aluminum is resistant to children, pets, and the elements, so when you buy aluminum fencing you know that you are making an investment for the future. This isn’t something you’re going to have to replace every few years. Quality aluminum fencing will last for a very long time. It should at least last until you feel comfortable letting your kids swim without adult supervision, which may not be until they graduate college, depending on how big a worrywart the parent is.

Summer wouldn’t be much fun if there wasn’t any swimming involved. Conversely, summer would be so much more fun if you could spend a lot of time at the pool. And nothing would make this more convenient than having a pool in your own backyard. Once you’ve addressed the issue of safety by putting up an aluminum fence to protect your children from any poolside accidents, you will be free to focus on the reason you decided to install a pool on your premises in the first place: so that you could have fun with your family.

iFenceUSA

How To Choose The Best Aluminum Fence For Your Pool

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When you have a swimming pool and need to find the best fencing available, one of the most popular is the aluminum fence. This fencing is made to last and offers much needed safety around any pool. Before you choose the best aluminum fencing for your pool, there are some important things to take into consideration.

By taking the following things into consideration, you will be able to easily find the right type of aluminum fencing for your particular pool.

1. Purpose – It is important that you know the purpose of your fencing. Is it for safety reasons? Do you want it to add more good looks to your home? Knowing the purpose of the fence will make it much easier to decide on the right type of aluminum.

For anyone that is looking for a fence that is functional, sturdy and custom made then you may want to approach the manufacturer directly. This gives you the chance to select the type of aluminum that is used for your fence. The manufacturer will then make your fence according to your specifications.

This is a more expensive option and won’t be right for everyone, but that is why the purpose of your fencing is important. If you don’t need custom fencing, then you can find it much cheaper and still have it provide the safety you need.

2. Manufacturer’s credentials – If you are going to purchase aluminum fencing, then it is very important that you take time to check the manufacturer’s credentials. There are regulations for pool fences that are strict.

It is important that you be sure the manufacturer adheres to these required specifications. This not only ensures that all pool fencing laws will be followed, but it will also ensure that you get a good quality fence that will last for a really long time.

3. Local and state laws – Always take time to find out the local and state laws on aluminum fencing to be sure that you are following those laws. Breaking the laws can end up costing you in the future, so always be sure you know what the laws are before purchasing any fencing for your pool to save yourself problems later on.

Now that you know the most important things to take into consideration when choosing the best aluminum fence for your pool, you will be able to make a much more informed decision. Just remember to do your homework and before you know it, you will have the perfect aluminum fencing protecting your pool.

iFenceUSA

How Do You Choose The Right Swimming Pool Fence For Your Particular Pool?

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If you have a swimming pool in your back yard, it is essential that you have a good swimming pool fence around your pool. This is very important for safety of your family and anyone else that could happen upon your pool. There are many different types of fencing available that it can be hard to choose the right one for your particular fence.

In order to choose the right pool fence, there are some important things that you need to do and look for before making your final decision. Here is the most important thing to do and look for to help you make the most informed decision possible about the fencing that should enclose your pool.

One: Research – You have to take time to do your homework. There are many different types of fences that you can get these days that you have to know what these are. Some of the different types are: metal, wood, mesh, glass and even plastic fences.

Be sure to find a fence that is durable and reliable for keeping people out of the pool area when you are not around. The metal fences are very popular because they last for a very long time.

The wood fences are also popular for safety and because they look good with any home. With this type, every few years’ repairs will be needed. The mesh fence is popular since it is removable. This would be a good idea if you are going to use a pool only for a short time, or if you plan on taking the fencing with you if you move in the future.

Be sure to get online and research the different types of fences that are available. It is also a good idea to take time to visit your local supply store or fencing store to check out your options closer.

Two: Decide on your options – Besides the different types of pool fences that are available, you also have other options to decide on. Fences these days come in many different styles, shapes, sizes and even designs.

Knowing what these different options are will help you make a much more informed decision about the best one for your particular pool. You also need to know about additional safety options such as pool covers.

Now that you know the most important things to do and look for, all that is left is for you to get started. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can have the right swimming pool fence around your particular pool to help keep everyone safe.

iFenceUSA

6 Advantages To Using Aluminum Fencing Around Your Pool

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When you need to put a fence around your pool, there are many different types that you can choose to use. One of the most popular types is the aluminum fencing. There are many advantages to using this type of fence around any swimming pool.

Knowing what these advantages are will help you see why this is the most popular type of fence for nearly every pool these days and why you may want to use this type also for your pool fence. Here are the most important advantages to this type of fencing.

One: Don’t rust easily – The aluminum fencing doesn’t rust as easily as iron fencing does. These fences are given a powder coat finish that keeps the surface protected from rusting. This means that the aluminum fence will last a long time and won’t need to be replaced as often as other types will need to be.

Two: With this type of fence, the fasteners, brackets and rivets holding the fence together, along with then aluminum fence itself is strong and durable. This provides good looks and strength that is very important for good fencing.

Three: Aluminum is a very easy metal to work with and this means that there are different style choices and adornment options that allow you to get a customized fence that fits the look of your home.

Four: Little or no maintenance – This type of fence means that there is only a little maintenance or no maintenance at all. It all depends on the care that exercised during manufacturing that will determine if there is little or no maintenance. Take time to research this before choosing your fencing.

Five: Durable and easy to install – Aluminum is a durable metal that will usually come with a lifetime warranty. This is very good for anyone with a pool because it means that fence will last and won’t need to be replaced like other fences might. Plus, these fences are easy for anyone to install.

Six: Affordable pricing – Aluminum is one of the most affordable metals there is for fencing. This means that if you do your homework, you can easily find a fence that is within your budget without a lot of hassle.

Now that you know the main advantages to using aluminum fencing around your pool, you just need to take time to decide if this is the right fencing for your particular pool. Do your homework and make the most informed decision possible. Just don’t delay in making your fencing choice because safety is very important and a fence is needed immediately to ensure that safety for everyone.

iFenceUSA

Essential Reasons Why Pool Fencing Is Imperative For Your Pool

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Having pool fencing around your swimming pool is imperative for so many different reasons. Knowing what these reasons are will help you see why you need to ensure right away that your pool has a barrier around it. If you don’t have the pool enclosed, there are all kinds of different problems that can happen.

To help you understand more about why a fence is imperative, here are the most important reasons a fence is needed around your swimming pool.

1. Safety – When you have a pool, safety is the number one most important thing to think about. You have to keep kids and animals safe from your pool when no one is around. You don’t want kids or animals getting into your pool because too many bad and dangerous things can happen.

You have an obligation as a pool owner to ensure that your pool is as protected as it can be from others. Safety is definitely the most important reason and you should never take this lightly. Always get a pool around the pool immediately or you could end up regretting it.

2. Your liability – When you have a pool, if something should happen to an animal or child in your pool, whether you are there or not, you will be held liable for it. You have to ensure that your liability is protected so that nothing like this ever happens. Protecting others and protecting your liability is a great reason to have a fence around your pool.

3. The law – In most states, it is required that a pool has a fence around it. You need to take time to check the local and state laws so you understand exactly what it required for protective fencing.

Don’t forget to do this because if your pool doesn’t follow the laws of your local city or state, you will eventually get caught and have to add a fence. It is better to do it now so you know that you are protecting everyone and not breaking any laws that could end up costing you later.

These are the most important reasons why pool fencing is so imperative for anyone that has a pool. Don’t assume that a fence is not needed because this can lead to all kinds of problems that could have been avoided. Instead, take time now to get a good fence put around your home so you know everything is safe and secure.

iFenceUSA