Nestled in between Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, the residents of Long Island are used to having to deal with water damage of one kind or another. Flood and tide waters rise and envelop basements along the coast, sewage systems back up during the winter and can't handle the heavy precipitations. In Spring, snow melt causes additional water damage problems on Long Island. It is located in a Northern zone of the country that frequently sees adverse weather conditions.
Long Island, unlike many of the other boroughs of New York City, is made up of single family homes and duplexes that have traditional gutters and downspouts. These need to be kept clean and unobstructed, particularly during winter months, to avoid water damage. Downspouts should be extended out from the home six to eight feet and the lot itself should be graded so water drains off properly.
From Hempstead to the Hamptons, Long Island is one of the most picturesque and open places in the New York City area. Though not considered by many to be part of the city itself, Long Island is definitely a suburb within striking distance of Manhattan. The municipalities on Long Island are independent and each carries the responsibility of maintaining its water and sewage system, but the crossing roads, like the Long Island Expressway, are subject to water damage also. These fall under the State Highway Department.
The homes and businesses of Long Island are the responsibility of the owners of those buildings. Water damage that is incurred requires private funding to repair and can be avoided with some precautionary measures. Winterizing your home is a good precaution. Have the basement, roof and drainage system inspected and add insulation if needed. Wrap your pipes. Burst pipes can cause significant water damage in the winter and lead to the shutdown of your heating system when you need it the most.
The term ?water damage? can refer to a number of different things. The most obvious that comes to mind is flooding that results from elemental conditions or internal breaks in the plumbing system, but there is much more to it. The initial water damage, when cleaned up, can cause residual problems such as mold and insect infestations. These factors can be damaging to the health of your family and household pets.
To avoid mold build-up, make sure that all areas affected by water damage are dried thoroughly and aired out. Wet wood can be an attractant to termites and carpenter ants. Many of the homes on Long Island are wood structures that were built quite a few years ago and will be opened up to this residual water damage if not treated properly. Hire a water damage professional who knows what they're doing whenever you have a water related problem of any kind. Even better, have some preventative repairs and maintenance done on your home before you have to experience it. If you're going to live in a beautiful place like Long Island, you should live comfortably without the headaches of water damage.
Insurance companies are great, for the most part. Your items are covered- but exactly what does that entail? Unless you specifically cover them, there are certain things that will not be covered by even the best policy. Your grandmother's duvet cover, for example, may not be covered and even if it were, would cash really cover your heartbreak if something like water damage happens to it? Water damage restoration can help, but exactly how much can it do to replace your personal and well-loved belongings?
Water damage restoration might be easiest in the long run for those generic, mundane parts of the home, but not the special things that really set you apart from other families. Assess your damage. Which parts of the home can be salvaged and which are beyond hope? Be realistic. Allow your insurance company to make their own assessment before trying to do any water damage restoration on your own. Moving or cleaning up things too soon may lessen the amount of an insurance check that you will be entitled to. Is there anything sadder than seeing your house ruined by water damage and then getting less than you had thought you would in the bargain?
After the insurance company finishes the water damage inspection, go carefully through your belongings and be realistic. Will you ever be satisfied with the water damage restoration efforts of that five dollar table that never did stand straight anyway? Water damage causes more problems than what is immediately obvious, so if you do not think that you can save the item, it is best to throw it out and replace it. But, there are certain things that are either too big or too expensive to just replace- so of course there will be the desire to try some water damage restoration techniques before giving up.
Water damage in the bedroom can spell disaster, especially if the damage is on the bed. First strip the bed and see how far the water has made it. If the water damage is from the floor up, then check your bed frame for structural damage. If the water damage can from the ceiling- then start by stripping the sheets. Is the mattress wet? If the mattress is soaked all the way through ( to the box springs) then salvaging it might be impossible. If the damage does not go all the way through however, restoration might still work. If the water damage occurs during the spring or summer months and you have the physical help, let the sunshine and fresh air help you out with your water damage restoration project.
Make sure that you have a dry place to take the mattress, ( no need to cause any further water damage, right?), and take it outdoors. If at all possible, prop it up on its side for better air circulation and faster drying times. The mattress companies do not recommend this practice, but if you can get it dry it is ruined anyway, so a little side damage can not be any worse. If you cannot find the help or a dry place, open the window and position a fan blowing on the mattress to circulate air. As long as there is no obvious mold growth or odor, you can count your water damage restoration of your mattress a success once it is fully dry. If a water based stain remains, there are stain remover products that you can possibly try, but realistically, it is a mattress which is covered for the majority of its life span anyway.
Both Leo Nov & Isolde Werry are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Leo Nov has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home, Education and Site Promotion. Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS.com, a leading service provider for water damage cleanups. To learn more about