Restoration 1 Kitchener

At Restoration 1 Kitchener we specialize in water damage restoration services. We also offer mould remediation, fire and smoke clean up and storm response services.

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Heading off on holiday? Have fun but don’t forget these simple tips! 

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Mundane - But Essential - Spring Home Repair Must Dos

Spring is coming (no really, it is) and that means it's time to step back and take stock of your home and access just what these long, harsh winter months have done to it. Yes, we know that the interior design part of a good spring clean is more fun - new curtains, new bedlinens etc. - but there are some more mundane, at yet very important, maintenance and repair issues that should be addressed first. Here are what we suggest are probably right at the top of the list:

Check the Roof - Get that ladder out (or call in someone with a ladder) and inspect your roof carefully. It does not matter what kind of roofing you have - shingles, tin or even concrete - the winter weather can do all kinds of damage, from stripping away the tiles that should be acting as your home's first line of defense against water damage to creating cracks that are not too much of a big deal right now but if left as is could become real problems in just a few months when the weather warms up and causes them to expand.

Repair any damage you encounter right away, as a little expense now will be nothing compared to the cost of a full scale water damage cleanup if your roof becomes too compromised to do its job.

Get in the Gutters - The guttering that surrounds your home is its second line of defence against water damage, as its job is to direct rain away from your roof and home, protecting both in the process. Gutters have a tendency to become clogged and damaged in the winter though, so they need a through once over - and a good clean - as well.

Check the Seals - The seals around windows and doors can be easily compromised by cold weather, causing them to contract, harden or crack. If left unrepaired such damage will allow moisture to seep in and cause gradual water damage. Doing so will also help ensure that your air conditioning will be more efficient this year, saving you more money than you might realize (until you get that smaller utility bill.)

In the Laundry Room - Carefully check your washing machine;s fill hose.  You are looking for any cracks or kinks that could become holes that, in turn, could become leaks. A leaky hose under pressure can cause some serious water damage in a very short period of time.

While you are in the laundry room you should also take some time to clean out your dryer vent. Even the lint screens on the most expensive dryers cannot catch it all and so over time lint builds up in the dryer vent itself. This will not only reduce the machine's efficiency but it is also a serious fire hazard.  

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What are Ice Dams and Why Should I Care?

Ice dams are pesky things. They occur when it snows and not just when it snows a lot either, just an inch or two can do it. What happens is that warm air inside a building, your home for instance, rises and begins the melt any snow and ice that is on the roof. This mushy mess then drains along the roof, under the snow, until it reaches the overhang. As the overhang is usually the same temperature as the air around it the ice and snow melt freezes again forming an ice dam.

Contrary to many people's mistaken beliefs, gutters themselves do not cause ice dams. They can make the problem worse though by providing a convenient resting spot for melting/refreezing snow. When the gutters fill with ice they obviously weaken and will often bend and then fall away from the property, bringing the downspouts, fascia and everything else crashing down with them.

What are the Telltale Signs of Ice Dams

The very first indicator that a problem ice dam is forming is the appearance of icicles. Many people fail to see them as a problem though, mainly because they are so pretty and shiny and suit the season so well. So sadly the most many homeowners actually do about them is take some arty pictures and post them up on Instagram.

But problems are brewing. Those lovely icicles are the overflow of the melted mush, meaning that there was so much of it that is began overflowing from the gutters and then froze as it headed towards the ground. That almost certainly also means that all your gutters are currently good for is serving as a mini ice rink for the smaller members of the local wildlife population and they are doing nothing to protect your home at all.

What Damage can Ice Dams Do?

Believe it or not ice dams actually cause millions of dollars in property damage - especially water damage - every year. Some of it is the slow to notice kind like sagging gutters, the odd loose shingle that eventually falls off, peeling exterior paint and cracking plaster on the interior walls. However slow this all occurs though it is all building up and devaluing your home, and undermining its overall structure, every single day.

Water damage from ice dams also occurs in the attic. It seeps through attic insulation, thinning it and causing it to begin to drop away. That of course means that lots more energy is escaping from your home and your heating bills will go up. It also leaves the attic prone to damage and the likelihood that leaks will develop that will affect the floors below.

Then there is mould. As water seeps into little cracks in the walls, the trapped moisture levels rise and mould happily begins to move in. By the time a nasty musty smell begins to alert you to the fact that something might be wrong it may very well be too late and you may have a veritable colony of mould growing behind your walls.

Preventing Ice Dams

So is there anything you can do to prevent ice dams from occurring in the first place? The easiest thing you can do - although it does involve extra physical labor - is to keep your roof, and your gutters, as ice free as possible. You can also make sure that your attic insulation is up to scratch and is trapping as much heat in the house as possible to keep your roof cooler.

A DIY Fix to Minimize Ice Dam Water Damage

So, an ice dam is in place. Is there anything you can do to minimize the damage. There is quite a neat little trick that Bob Vila detailed on 'This Old House' a while back that works rather well:

Fill one leg of a pair of tights with an ice melt that contains calcium chloride (it will say so on the bag) Place the filled hose onto the edge of the roof so that it is crossing the ice dam and hanging over the gutter. If necessary use a long-handled garden rake or hoe to push into place.

What will happen next is that the calcium chloride will melt through the snow and ice and create a little channel for any ice melt and water to flow down into the gutters or off the roof. Don't substitute calcium chloride for rock salt though, as the iron in the rock salt will stain your shingles leaving an ugly mess behind in the spring.

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Snow Overload - How to Tell When Your Roof Can't Take the Strain

Flooding - and worse - often occurs in winter when a roof leaks or even collapses because it was just not up to handling the weight of snow that fell upon it. But can a homeowner know when the latest snowfall is a danger to their home rather than just a nuisance in their life?

Understanding Snow Loads

Determining the snow load your roof is under is the key to deciding whether or not you need to take evasive action and remove it immediately, either by yourself if you have a willing and able helper or by calling in a professional snow removal company, or are safe to allow it melt away by itself. The snowfall totals shown on the local weather forecast are not, in themselves, a reliable indicator though.

How heavy snow is depends upon how wet it is. As you might imagine wet snow is far heavier than the light, dry flakes. In fact six inches of wet snow is equal to the weight of about 38 inches of dry snow!

How do you know what kind of snow is falling? Head outside and take a look for yourself. The good news for those living in a home built within the last 30 years or so is that building codes require that any roof be constructed to meet the demand of the heaviest average snowfall in the area in which it is located.

Even that is no guarantee though as changing weather patterns have led to some unusually severe snowstorms in recent and if yours is an older home the codes it was built to did not necessarily address the snow weight issue effectively.

How Will I Know There's a Problem?

There are some tell tale signs that will point to the fact that your roof is struggling under the weight of the snow that has fallen on it. The most readily obvious is that the doors in the interior of your home, especially those on upper floors, will begin sticking. This is because the framing of the house is literally being pushed down by the snow. New cracks in the interior walls can be a sign of a problem as well. Finally, if you have had extensive conversion work done in the attic you roof is likely to be at a greater risk for a cave in or leakage as well.

Taking Action

If you suspect that the snow on your roof is causing it undue strain then the obvious course of action called for is to remove as much of it as possible as quickly as possible. As most roof are not exactly very accessible undertaking snow removal from them, especially very heavy wet snow, is not the easiest, or the safest, prospect in the world.

In most cases calling in a professional snow removal service is a better idea. These are the people who have the expertise, person power and tools to get the job done the right way without damaging the roof or making matters worse.

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Tops Tips for Maintaining Fireplace Safety All Season Long

A quiet winter's night in in front of a roaring fire. What could be nicer? Many homeowners are lucky enough to be able to enjoy this kind of evening in their own home as well as the savings that can be reaped by turning down the central heating and allowing the fireplace to warm the space for a while instead.

A real fireplace can also be quite a hazardous thing as well though, if it is not used with care and caution. That does not just mean being careful while the fire is lit but also being aware of just what you should be doing to help ensure that your fireplace is properly cared for and maintained. Here are some of the basics that any fireplace owner needs to be aware of.

Avoid Wood Woes

When choosing a wood to burn on your fireplace you do need to take care. Whenever possible stick to a well seasoned firewood in one of the following varieties; oak, maple, birch, almond wood, and fruitwood. Softwoods like pine, along with green, wet woods should be avoided because they lead to creosote buildup within your chimney far faster.

Why is that a problem? Because creosote is problem. This sticky, tarry buildup is the stuff that is primarily responsible for fireplace related housefires. Some creosote buildup is inevitable - which is why chimney cleaning is a must - but by making a habit of only burning seasoned hardwoods you can help keep it to a minimum between professional chimney sweepings.

Where There's Smoke

A smoky fire in a fireplace is not something you should see. If your roaring fire belches smoke into the room then one of two things is wrong; either the flue is not properly adjusted or your chimney is very dirty and needs to be cleaned asap.

Addressing the dirty chimney means calling in the pros. As to the flue, once your fire is nice and hot it only needs to be open a small amount to let the smoke escape in the correct manner. Open it too far and smoke will begin to enter the room.

Ash Issues

You do need to keep a certain amount of ash in your fireplace during the months when it is in use as this will help protect the fireplace floor and insulate the coals. You do not need too much though. Keep a layer of ash about a 1/2 inch thick as any more than that becomes a fire risk and as ash is acidic it will also attract excess moisture, potentially leading to a mouldy fireplace.

Call in the Pros Early

Make an appointment every year to have your chimney swept before you light it for the first time. Bearing in mind that it can be hard to get hold of a good chimney sweep book your cleaning appointment early, as finding anyone who has the spare time in winter can be tough.

When your chimney sweep does arrive make sure that they check the chimney cap. This is the filter that prevents rain and snow, leaves and even little critters from entering the chimney and it should be nice and clean to begin the burning season.

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Winter Storm Warning: Cold Weather Disaster Prevention 101

In many ways, winter storms are kind of like those guests who turn up unexpectedly during the holidays; they can be a real nuisance and demand far too much attention but they can also, with the right preparations, maybe even be enjoyed. So, like a good host or hostess who always has that extra supply of crackers, cheese, wine and soda on hand just in case, if you are a sensible homeowner and take some basic precautions can take a lot of the fear out of watching those winter storm warnings.

Winterizing Your Cozy Nest

Check Your Insulation Situation

Although you may not think of them as a weather related disaster at first, sky high energy bills can certainly prove to be a big financial headache. A poorly insulated home loses heat every second, costing you money every minute. Make sure that your home is properly insulated, not just up in the attic and down in the basement but within the walls as well.

Doors and windows are also potentially big energy drains. Make sure that every single one of them is weather striped and crack free and if you have older windows that are not double glazed mimic that effect by applying plastic over the inner panes (and then consider replacing them next spring)

Finally make sure that all of the pipes snaking around your home are properly lagged. You do not need to spend a fortune to do so either, newspaper will help keep the pipes warm and if you cover that with a layer of plastic that will keep moisture, which could easily freeze quickly if the temperature drops, away from the pipes themselves as well.

Keep Things Moving Outside Too

Yes, the idea of dragging out a ladder to clean your gutters is probably not the most appealing idea in the world, especially when it is cold. However, even a gutter that is partially obstructed can cause all kinds of problems in the winter and are the inadvertent cause of much of the water damage that affects homes every year.

Even if your pipes are very well lagged, if the temperatures drop very quickly they may still freeze. Leaving faucets dripping, just a tiny bit, can help prevent that it the event of extreme cold.

Speaking of the great outdoors, there may be dangers around your property you are unaware of. Check your yard for overhanging branches and even unhealthy trees especially, as a harsh winter storm can send such things crashing into your home with potentially disastrous consequences.

Be Prepared

While we are not suggesting that you build a bunker preparation can be the real key to surviving winter storms. Do you have all of the following in place?

A supply of non perishable food and drink that can be consumed without cooking? Alternative sources of light such as battery powered pr better still handcranked- flashlights and candles (as well as the safety matches to light them.)

Alternative heat sources such as a paraffin heater or even firewood.

A basic first aid kit, as well as an extra supply of any essential medications.

Salt or even cat litter to help making getting across ice easier.

Heavy duty snow shovel

Pet and/or baby supplies.

Lots of extra hats, scarves and layerable warm clothing.

In addition, even if things don't get so nasty that you lose power for extended amounts of time, or worse still your home is flooded you can still make things easier for yourself by making sure your snow blower works, or your shovels are sharp, that you have an independant way to charge your vehicle's battery (cold tends to kill them easily) and some extra fuel.

If Worst Comes to Worst

Even the best laid plans can go awry and even the best prepared homes can be damaged by the effects of a winter storm. To be ready for the worst make sure that you have up to date flood insurance. Flood insurance is rarely bundled into a homeowners policy so double check all of your coverages now. You should also make sure that you have the number of a disaster remediation company on hand so that you can call them right away if necessary.

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Simple Safety Tips to Help Prevent Christmas Holiday Fires

Christmas is coming (in just about six weeks!) and there is so much to look forward to. The family gatherings, the decorations, the presents, the food! Lost among all of the exciting preparations can be the fact that the busy holiday season can also be a dangerous time at home. Every year fire departments have to attend fire calls that are specifically , and very sadly, holiday related.

Christmas Tree Safety

Many of those calls unfortunately relate to fires caused by the seemingly simplest of holiday decoration; a Christmas tree. Living in Canada and in the area we do it seems a terrible shame to opt for a plastic Christmas tree when there are so many beautiful live alternatives available, but unless you follow some very basic safety rules that pretty tree may end up causing a seasonal fire. Here are some of the most important points to keep in mind, even if you do go the 'fake' tree route, as most of them apply to all Christmas trees, no matter what kind.

Buying Tips

If you are shopping for a real tree look for one with fresh green needles that is not 'shedding' excessively. Starting out with a 'dry' tree can be a fire hazard right from the get go.

If fake is the way you intend to go this year then make sure that the tree you purchase is labeled, certified, or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant.

Placement Tips

If yours is a live Christmas tree it should be securely housed in a sturdy stand. Before doing so however saw 1 - 2 " off the trunk to ensure a snug fit. Water the tree immediately and make sure that you check and replenish that water every day that the tree remains on display.

No Christmas tree should be placed any closer than three feet away from any source of heat, including radiators, heating vents and even floor lamps. And no matter what may look cute on Christmas cards your tree should never be placed anywhere near a fireplace and never even partially obscure an essential exit from the room.

Lighting Tips

Only use Christmas tree lights that have independent laboratory certification and that you have thoroughly tested yourself before placing on the tree. If the any part of the wiring is frayed or worn don't take the risk of using the set at all, replace it. And as LED lights burn cooler than their traditional counterparts they really are the best choice for a live Christmas tree, even if they cost a dollar or two more to buy.

Again, even if the idea of placing candles near or around your tree seems very visually appealing it is something you should never do.

Never leave Christmas tree lights on when no one is home and always ensure that they are all switched off - and unplugged - before retiring to bed every night.

After Christmas

A live Christmas tree is usually pretty much a completly dead one by the time the holiday season is over and as soon as it is removed from its stand it will become a dry and brittle one within less than an hour or so.

As such a tree is a real fire hazard it should never be placed leaning against your home or shed, even for a little while. Find out where there is a CHristmas tree recycling center near you before you dismantle the tree and make plans to take it there right after you take it down.

Holiday Cooking Safety

The kitchen is a very busy place during the holidays, making it even more hazardous than usual. As cooking fires are the number one cause of domestic fires in general it is crucial that you do not let all of the hustle and bustle of holiday food prep distract you from the safety basics:

Remain in the kitchen whenever you are using the stovetop to cook and ensure that all pot handles are turned inwards to avoid accidental snags in a busy kitchen that could result in serious injury.

Do not pop the turkey in the oven and then leave the home. Turkey skin ignites easily, especially as the bird is usually in a pan surrounded by boiling hot juices. This applies to all other roasts as well.

Turn off your oven and all burners when not in use, even if you plan on making use of them in just a few minutes.

Keep all lighters and matches secured in a cupboard, only making use of them when absolutely necessary.

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Avoiding Snowmelt Disasters This Winter

It's only the first week of November, but our neighbours in the States have already been hit by some record snowfalls, so the chances are good that the white stuff is not too far away from us here in Canada either. Pretty as it is (white Christmases and all of that good stuff) the snow can cause all kinds of problems while it is falling, when it is lying on the ground and especially as it begins to melt away. If the snow melts quickly then your home may be at risk for flooding, even if you have never had a problem with such things before.

Fortunately there are some fairly simple precautions you can take to prevent a snowmelt related flood from causing havoc in your home. Here are some of the most efficient:

Remove as much of the snow covering the areas around your home's foundation first. The edges of your lot should be your second priority as in most cases this the average home lot will drain along these 'pathways'. You should also make sure that all of the areas in front of drain pipes are snow free, to avoid back ups there.

Keep the snow in your yard, as pushing it out into the street may blocks drains, leading to problems for you and your neighbours. A central snowpile in the yard may not look very pretty and it may be inconvenient but it's often the safest solution for your home.

Check your roof for excess snow. If there has been a very heavy snowfall that white stuff is much heavier than you might imagine and that weight could lead to a nasty roof collapse, especially if yours is an older home. Climbing up to clear it yourself is not a great idea though, so if the roof is too high for you use a roof rake to remove at least some of the weight then you may have to turn to a pro for help.

If the remaining snow is melting fast sandbagging places where water could possibly enter your home - basement windows and doors especially - can be a great last line of defense.

Snow shovelling is tough work. You can make the almost inevitable task easier either by treating yourself to a new snowblower as an early holiday gift or by finding the number of a reliable local snow removal service and getting on their list now before their busy season begins.

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Do You Have a 'Leaky' Basement? Tips for Preventing Disaster

Imagine what might be one of a homeowner's ultimate nightmares; they just paid thousands to have a brand new home office/home gym/rec room/home theater added to their home. The new addition is in the basement, a great idea the homeowner believed as before this useful home improvement it was just tens of square feet of dead space. Then along comes a flood and wipes out all of that hard work in minutes.

Any basement, no matter how old or new the home, has the potential to flood as it is the lowest level of the structure and as more often than not a below grade structure; that is, at least a part of it is built underground. it is fair to say though that some basements are far more prone to flooding than others and before you ever consider turning an unused basement into a living space of some kind.

How Might Water Get into Your Basement?

As a general rule, water will usually take the 'path of least resistance' into a home, meaning that it is not forcing its way into the home but taking advantage of faults and weaknesses to enter instead. These are the six most common ways water enters a basement:

Through the wall

Through the floor

Through cracks in the foundation of the house

Through the windows

In the seams between the wall and floor

As a result of clogged rain gutters

These are very general statements though. If you have never done so before, there are a number of warning signs to look for that will usually indicate that your basement is what you might term a 'leaky basement' and that you will have to commision some remodelling and repair before you could ever consider using the space on a daily basis. And even if you do not have any such plans, a flood in an unfinished, unused basement can still cause all kinds of damage and headaches.

What should you be on the lookout for? All of the following can be warning signs of a leaky basement:

Humid, damp air, no matter what the weather is like outside

Rings of dampness at the base of concrete walls

Condensation in the summer

Unpleasant odors with no obvious source

Staining on walls or floor areas

Peeling or blistering paint

Areas of mould (even small ones)

Efflorescence – This is a term for a white crystal like, powdery, even fluffy looking deposit on surfaces like concrete, brick or tile. It id the result of water seepage through the object. Water has dissolved natural salts in the object and even after things are dry the salt has been left behind on the surface, as you can see below:

Wall Cracks

Pooled water in window wells

If you observe any of these warning signs then it is time for action, whether you have plans to renovate the space or not. Call in a professional, so that they can properly access the risks and advise you on a proper plan to waterproof your basement as far as is possible.

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Preventing - or Dealing With - Frozen Pipes

Feel that chill in the air? Winter's coming and all of the extreme weather it brings with it that, as pretty as it can be to look at, can cause all kinds of havoc. One possible problem facing every homeowner - as we all have plumbing systems in our homes - is what would happen if the pipes froze and then burst.

How Do Pipes Freeze and Burst?

Contrary to popular belief the simple act of ice forming in a pipe is rarely enough to burst it. They burst because the water pressure in the pipe increases to try to push water past the frozen blockage and it is this increased pressure that is the real problem.

The pipes that are most likely to burst if they get frozen during a cold snap are those in the coolest areas of the home, usually the basement and or attic. And as these are places you probably don't go too often, or often enough to notice a problem in time, the best course of action is to do your best to put in place what preventative measures you can.

Preventing Pipes From Freezing

There is no foolproof way to prevent pipes from freezing, especially if the temperatures drop below about 20F, but there are some precautions you can take that will lessen the likelihood of it happening. Here are some of them:

Check to make sure that all of the pipes in the attic, crawl spaces and especially the basement are properly insulated. You may also want to consider insulating them further by wrapping them loosely in newspaper of plastic.

Allow faucets to drip a little during very cold weather. It might be a little annoying but it should help keep the water in the pipes moving.

Keep your thermostats set at a steady temperature. Often the most dramatic temperature drops outside will occur overnight, so if you have lowered the heat then the pipes are more likely to freeze.

What Happens if Disaster Strikes

Often the first sign that a pipe is frozen is that you will turn on a faucet and nothing will come out. If that occurs don't wait, call for professional help right then, before the pipe has a chance to burst. DO NOT try to thaw the pipe with a blow torch or other type of flame as that is far too dangerous. You can try to thaw the pipe with a hand held blowdryer but only do that if you are in a very dry area as to do so in moist conditions is obviously an electrocution risk.

If the worst occurs and a pipe bursts, turn off the water supply but leave any faucets attached to it open. Should your home flood as a result of a broken pipe, your best chance to minimize damage is to call for professional help as soon as possible. Many damage restoration services, including Restoration 1 Kitchener are available 24/7 so that you can do just that.