Helpful Tips

What You Need to Know About Plumbing Leak Repair

There are a wide variety of ways plumbing systems fail and cause water to flood into a structure. The most immediate action is to stop the flow of the water by shutting off the waterline to the broken fixture or turn off the main waterline to the house.

After you have connected with the appropriate service provider(s) you will need to prepare for their arrival. Have open and close parking available for the service vehicle(s). If this is a night-time visit, turn on your exterior lights.

Keep young children and pets away from the work area(s). It is advisable to remove ornaments and clutter from near the work area. That usually requires removing cleaning products from under sinks and towels and floor mats from bathrooms, etc. Service technicians will usually assist in moving larger items, even furniture if that becomes necessary.

When a water damage cleanup company is present during the time a plumber is working, the plumber may request that standing water and debris be removed so the plumber won’t have to work in a flooded location. Water drying equipment won’t be installed or turned on until the plumbing work has been completed.

What You Need to Know About Sewer Rooting

After you have engaged the appropriate service provider(s) you should prepare for their arrival. Have close parking available for their service vehicle(s). Some rooting services may need to park close to the exterior drain cleanout. If this is a night-time visit, have your exterior lights on.

Often sewer rooting equipment (called snakes) are inserted into interior drainpipes or through sewage line vents located on the roof. That’s why it is important to keep young children and pets away from the work area. It’s also advisable to remove ornaments and clutter from the work area. The service technicians will usually assist in moving larger furniture and items if that becomes necessary.

The bacterium in sewage remains trapped in the water until it is disturbed and made airborne by physical actions such as sweeping or scrubbing. It is best to leave the sewage cleanup to professionals. Persons removing standing sewage should wear protective clothing including face mask coving, or a professional respirator. Technicians qualified in sewage cleanup know how to implement removal technics that minimize the spread of bacterial contamination, including ways clean the air to remove 99.9% of airborne gases and particles.

When a water damage cleanup/ restoration company and sewer rooter service are working at the same time, the plumber will request that any standing water and debris be removed so the plumber doesn’t need to work in a flooded and contaminated space. The restorative drying equipment won’t be turned on until the plumber is finished. It is best that your family and occupants stay away from the contaminated space until you have been informed it is safe to return. If your clothing, or towels, etc., got contaminated, launder them in hot water using detergent and add disinfectant such as Lysol to the wash.

What You Need to Know About 24/7 Water Heater Repair / Replacement

After you have engaged the appropriate service provider you should prepare for their arrival. Have a close parking location available for the service vehicle. If this is a night-time visit, turn your exterior lights on.

The water heater service technician will need unobstructed access to the water heater. Water heaters are often in a garage or outdoor service closet. Too often these spaces are used for storage. Be sure there is easy access to the water heater location and the immediate space around the heater is not blocked by tools, boxes, or clutter. Give the technicians elbow room to work.

Repair persons also require an unobstructed path to be able to remove and cart away the old water heater and deliver the replacement heater. They may also have to be able to access water, gas, and electricity turnoffs.

Always keep young children and pets away from the work area.

What You Need to Know About HVAC Repair

After you have arrangements with the appropriate service provider(s) you should prepare for their arrival by having a close parking space available for their service vehicle(s). If this is a night-time visit, turn your exterior lights on.

Most HVAC units are located rooftop or next to the house at ground level. However, service technicians also require access to the interior thermostat during the repair process. Be sure the thermostat is accessible to the repair personnel and keep young children and pets away from
the location while the technician is working.

When an HVAC unit must be replaced the work will be scheduled for daytime hours. When a crane is required to remove and install a rooftop HVAC unit, company will require special parking and may need to seek approval from the City or a Homeowner Association. The fire department may be notified when a red-curb fire zone may be the only parking alternative for the crane.

While many repairs can be made on an emergency basis, it’s unlikely that replacement of a large unit can happen within 24-hours, 48 to 72 hours is more reasonable. It may be necessary to arrange for temporary housing while the HVAC unit is out of service and until the replacement is installed and operating.

What You Need to Know About Emergency Electrical Repair

After you have engaged the electrical repair contractor you will prepare for their arrival. Have parking available for the service vehicle. If this is a night-time visit, turn on your exterior lights.

The electrician will need unobstructed access to the electrical service panel and the locations in the home where repairs may need to be made. You may need to remove small furniture, ornaments, and clutter too. The service technician will usually assist in moving larger items and furniture if that becomes necessary to access work areas.

Keep young children and pets away from the work area.

What You Need to Know About Water Damage / Mitigation Service

After you have called for the appropriate service provider(s) you should prepare for their arrival. Make close parking available for the service vehicle(s). Restoration companies usually send a two-person crew to a water loss in one or two trucks. You might enquire about the number of service vehicles that will arrive. If this is a night-time visit, be sure to turn your exterior lights on.

Keep young children and pets away from the wet areas.

Water spreads quickly. It flows downward by gravity, and it wicks upward by absorption. Standing water is like an iceberg, there is usually more hidden below the surface than what is easily visible.

During the wait time you could inspect inside closets for signs of moisture and on the opposite sides of walls too. Pick up all items from the floor that are in or near any moisture. Remove cardboard, paper, clothing, and electronics that are easily damaged by water. The service technicians will usually move the larger furniture items if that becomes necessary.

Service technicians use sensitive moisture sensors, including thermal imaging equipment to locate the full extent of hidden moisture. This helps the technicians scope out a plan for moisture extraction and for the installation of their drying equipment in all the right places.

Restorative drying equipment consisting of air-movers (fans) and dehumidifiers. These machine are installed in a wet structure to dry the building materials and remove (evaporate) the dampness from the indoor air. The goal of mitigation/restoration companies is to dry a structure in three to five days.

Water Damage Mitigation Contractors provide the following services:

  • Water and moisture detectioon
  • Water extraction (clean water and sewage water)
  • Surface disinfecting
  • Indoor air quality control
  • Furniture manipulation
  • Structural drying
  • Content drying
  • Document drying
  • Mold prevention
  • Odor control

The drying equipment is noisy, causing some homeowners to seek relief from the noise by turning the equipment off for several hours at a time. Turning equipment off for even a few hours will dramatically retard the drying process and can add one or more days to the drying time. Some insurance policies contain language that warns a homeowner that interference with the restoration process may be grounds to deny the claim.

Fortunately, insurance policies make provision for alternative/temporary housing during a significant property damage event. Ask your insurance provider or adjustor if this is applicable for your loss. Your water damage restoration contractor will be pleased to speak to your insurance adjuster about this on your behalf.

What You Need to Know About Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Service

Note: If your home has been severely damaged, the fire department will take charge and provide directions about vacating the property. The utilities will be turned off and a fire source investigation may be scheduled. The fire department will conduct a post fire structural safety inspection. You will be notified by the fire department when entry is possible including “walk- through” time. During a walk through, you can be accompanied by your 123HELP fire and smoke mitigation/restoration company, general contractor, and insurance adjuster.

The following instructions are for less-serious fire events, such as a stovetop cooking fire that may have only scarred the surface of the kitchen cabinets and spread a small to moderate amount of soot into your home, but not rendering your entire structure uninhabitable.

Daytime Arrival: After you have called for the appropriate service provider(s) you should prepare for their arrival. Have close parking available for their service vehicle(s). Fire restoration companies usually send a four to six-person crew in two or more vehicles to a fire/smoke loss cleanup. You might enquire about the number of people and service vehicles that will arrive.

Nighttime Arrival: During nighttime hours restoration companies often send only one or two representatives for the purpose of scoping the project, providing safety instructions, and to measure, photograph, and document the damage. At that time, they collect the insurance claim number and get their work order signed. The restoration industry believes it’s best to schedule a morning arrival for the cleanup/restoration crew.

While cleanup work is under way, young children and pets should not be present. Many insurance policies make provisions for alternative/temporary housing during a moderate to significant property damage event. Consult with your insurance provider or adjustor if this is applicable for your situation.

Fire and Smoke Damage Contractors provide the following services:

  • Debris removal
  • Removal. of soot (there are four types of soot, each requires a specific cleaning method) 
  • Wall and ceiling washing
  • Air cleaning using HEPA air scrubbers
  • HVAC system cleaning
  • Deodorization by ozone/hydroxyl technology
  • Textile cleaning including clothing, furniture, draperies, and carpets
  • Content cleaning including electronics and artwork 
  • Structural repairs such as cabinet replacement and others

Please understand that some of your contents such as clothing, artwork, and electronics are transported to off-site specialty cleaning facilities.

Even a small fire can be a traumatic because it spreads a cloud of microscopic soot particles throughout a home, even into closed closets and drawers. Have confidence, quality restoration companies produce remarkable results.

What You Need to Know About Board Up for Damaged Windows, Etc.

After you have called for the appropriate service provider(s) you will want to prepare for their arrival. Provide close parking for their service vehicle(s). Typical board up crews are two persons with one truck.

If this is a night-time visit, turn on your exterior lights.

Be safe, broken windows create dangerous conditions:

  • Glass shards from a broken window can cover a wide swath of an interior room and they are a serious hazard. Leave the glass cleanup to the professionals 
  • Board up companies will remove the major debris so they can install the security boards, they usually do not perform a detailed cleanup
  • Carpets contaminated with glass shards should be replaced 

After the board-up has been completed you may need to hire a non-emergency glass cleanup service. Contact your 123HELP approved or a trauma/crime scene cleanup company, fire damage cleanup contractor, or water damage cleanup contractor for addition assistance.

What You Need to Know About Garage Door Repair

After you have called for a garage door repair contractor you will want to prepare for their arrival:

  • Remove your vehicles from the garage and driveway
  • Clear items away from the garage door springs and side rails
  • Make clear access for a step ladder to be placed under the ceiling mounted garage door opener(s)
  • Keep children and pets away from the work area

Garage door repair or the replacement of the springs, roller bearing, lift motors, and control panels requires about three hours. The replacement of an actual damaged door takes longer. Door replacement may not be performed on an emergency basis because the replacement door may need to be manufactured so it’s customized for the opening and to made to match the architecture of your home. This is critical for homes in managed communities.

What You Need to Know About Roof Tarping & Roof Repair

There are numbers of ways a roof can become damaged. Windstorms, hailstorms, and fallen trees are the most common causes according to insurance reports. These scenarios are usually covered by your insurance company.

After you have called for roof tarping and roof repair service you will want to prepare for their arrival. Provide close parking for their service vehicle. The driveway in front of an inhouse garage is ideal. The typical roof tarping crew is comprised of two persons with one truck.

Please Note: Roof tarping and roof repair is seldom performed at nighttime or as a storm is raging. It’s too dangerous to go onto a roof in the dark, or when there is rain and wind. However, if the service company is willing to come to your home to scope and sign the job, go for it, because in the aftermath of a storm appointments fill up. Within a day it becomes difficult to get a return phone call.

Be safe, a broken/damaged roof can create dangerous conditions:

  • Rainwater can enter the interior of the structure
  • Damaged electrical wiring can be a fire damage
  • Collapsed ceilings can drop debris below
  • When a tree falls on a house, the windows are often damaged. If broken glass is littering the interior leave glass cleanup to the professionals

After the tarping has been completed and weather conditions are favorable the roof repair and interior cleanup can commence. Remember, 123HELP water damage or fire cleanup clean-up contractors can provide interior cleaning and structural repairs.

What You Need to Know About Emergency Locksmith Service

After you have called for emergency assistance from a locksmith you will want to be waiting and prepared for their arrival and that means having proof of your identification and home ownership.

There may be occasions when you are not able to meet with the locksmith personally. Perhaps, you’re out of town and are having your door unlocked for a guest or tenant? It’s possible to provide proof of ownership electronically by way of a cellphone. Locksmiths make these types of arrangements frequently. Often a neighbor is called upon to verify that a digital photo of your drivers’ license is indeed you, and they will confirm you are the owner of the property.

Unlocking a door goes quickly, often in five to ten minutes. However, replacing locks and making duplicate keys will take a little longer.

What You Need to Know About Appliance Repair

After you have called for an appliance repair provider, you will want to prepare for their arrival by having a close parking space for their service vehicle. If your repair person is making a night visit be sure to have the porch light on.

Based upon the skill set and experiences of your appliance repair contractor they should be able to repair a wide range of appliances. Remember, they will require an unobstructed path to the location where they will be working on and plenty of elbow. They may require access to water, gas, and electricity turnoffs.

Always keep young children and pets away from their work area.

Understand, that some appliance repairs projects may require purchasing or ordering parts and that will extend the repair time. When it is decided that replacing the appliance is the best option your appliance repair service provider can haul the old appliance away and help install the replacement model.

What You Need to Know About Emergency Handyman Service

After you have called for a handyman service, you will want to prepare for their arrival.
Handyman contractors usually work solo. Provide open and close parking for their service vehicle so it is convenient for them to transport tools and materials to and from their vehicle. If your handyman is making a night visit have the porch light on.

Based upon the skill set and experiences of your handyman, they probably provide a diverse range of services. However, handyman services are subject to state contracting laws and depending on their licensing level, they are regulated to stay within specific project cost guidelines. You can be confident that 123HELP handyman contractors are insured and committed to following the rules.

A handyman will require an unobstructed path to the location(s) they are working on and ample space to work. Areas under sinks may need to be emptied and so forth. The technician may also have to access the water, gas, and electricity turnoffs.

Always keep young children and pets away from their work area.

What You Need to Know About Tree Removal Service

Emergency tree removal isn’t only for a fallen tree. Their services can be proactive to remove trees that are leaning and posing a potential threat to fall. That’s always the safest and most cost-effective use of their service.

However, most times, tree removal companies respond for an unplanned/fallen tree removal. When they are contacted during an active storm they may opt to wait until weather conditions improve, or they may only remove a portion of the tree to facilitate roof tarping or to make access to a doorway. In such cases, they would return during better weather conditions to remove the remaining portion of the tree and perform the debris removal.

Please understand, tree removal is a highly skilled and difficult, even dangerous trade. The safety of the tree removal crew is always paramount. Tree removal experts are adept at working with roof tarping companies, electrical contractors, and other service providers when these companies are involved in the overall project. Your tree removal service company must be empowered to take charge of every aspect of work until the tree is completely removed.

Fallen trees can damage structures, fences, and landscaping. You may require other 123HELP service providers:

  • Emergency roof tarping and repair
  • Emergency window board up
  • Fence repair
  • Emergency electrical repair
  • Water damage mitigation/restoration

Remember, your 123HELP service providers are standing by to help.

What You Need to Know About Emergency Fence Repair

There are many reasons why a fence falls or becomes damaged and must be repaired or replaced. For example, when a vehicle strikes a fence. When this happens at night, the gap in the fence can be boarded up and secured for security purposes. However, the formal cleanup and repair will usually be made during daylight hours. The same principle holds true when a fence falls during a windstorm. The final repair will be made when the weather conditions and
the condition of the ground are more favorable.

An insurance policy generally covers fence repair costs when the fence falls because of wind damage or being struck by a vehicle. However, fence damage that results from poor maintenance and neglect is seldom an insured loss.

What You Need to Know About Emergency Critter Removal

Wild animals trapped or living in your crawlspace, basement, shed, or yard present a health threat and there is always fear that they might attack people and domesticated pets. Wild animal removal companies provide the humane removal of the following critters:

  • Bats
  • Birds
  • Pack Rats
  • Roof Rats
  • Mice
  • Possums
  • Racoons
  • Skunks
  • Squirrels
  • Snakes

Please, understand that certain critter removal projects provide immediate results while other removal projects may require baiting and trapping over more than one visit. Your 123HELP critter removal expert will provide the best solution for your wild animal problem. Consider this, the services of a 123HELP Trauma /Crime Scene cleanup company may be required to remove the hazardous contamination and mess that the animals have left behind.

What You Need to Know About Emergency Pool Service

Before your swimming pool repair technician arrives have your swimming pool equipment enclosure prepared so there is space to work. You may have to temporarily remove chemicals, tools, and other items from the equipment location.

Your swimming pool equipment works hard, and it requires routine maintenance. As pool equipment ages the small parts and motors wear out. Our 123HELP emergency pool repair service providers can usually repair your systems so you a can continue to use and enjoy your pool.

These repair professionals will also provide honest advice about when it makes sense to replace aging equipment that is near or at the end of its’ serviceable life. There comes a time when replacement is the best option. The silver lining…there are many technical advancements in new equipment that reduce energy costs, operate more quietly, and deliver a longer and more dependable service life.

Whether your equipment requires a simple repair, an overhaul, or replacement the emergency service provider will be there for you to help solve the problem the right way.

What You Need to Know About Trauma / Crime Scene Cleanup

Trauma and crime scene cleanup is a specialty service to remediate locations that have been impacted by toxic chemicals, bacterium, and other substances that are a health threat to people and animals. The technicians that perform this work have been trained to follow OSHA, EPA, and CDC guidelines and recommendations. The cleaning procedures are often performed under containment, including inside portable negative air chambers. The technicians usually wear PPE (personal protective equipment.)

These are many of the services performed by trauma and crime scene clean up specialists:

  • Unattended death
  • Bodily fluids
  • Fingerprint dust
  • Animal debris (feces, nests, dead bodies)
  • Crime scene chalk
  • Bio-hazard chemical cleanup
  • Fuel oils
  • Poisons, fertilizers, etc. 
  • Meth lab and grow house cleanup

Obviously, it is critical that you, family members, and pets stay away from these kinds of contaminated locations before the cleanup team arrives and after their work commences.