If I have a Water Leak, Who Do I Call First?

 Your home is your safe haven. It is where you go to retreat from all the regular stresses of life. Sometimes, stress happens even in your own home. The shower breaks. You find a water leak over the new carpet.

By having a plan for emergency, REStar Services can help take some of the stress away from an uncomfortable situation. Water leaks happen. However, many homeowners unknowingly make a bad situation worse by having no plan of attack in this emergency. 

1.      If you have a preferred professional (i.e., plumber, roofer, agent) who you have on speed-dial, we recommend contacting this individual first. The odds are that this person is familiar with your particular home. Therefore, they know what is normal and what is not in your unique situation. 

2.      If you do not have a handyman in mind, give us a call. We will be happy to refer you to one of our trusted business relationships who is less than 20-minutes away from your location. Many of our referred professionals have top-ratings on reputable review websites such as HomeAdvisor and Angie’s List. Reviews and ratings are unpaid forms of feedback from real customers. Unlike paid advertisements, reviews are based on firsthand experience. With reviews, you can see honest feedback from other people who have been in your water-soaked shoes. 

3.      When dealing with a water leak, the important thing to remember is that you are playing against the clock. Florida has high humidity and this can cause mold growth. This condition is especially true in the summer when heat scorches the temperature towards the 90s. Mold growth will lead to further damage, cost, and headaches.

Contact REStar Services at (844) RESTAR-1 when you have water damage so that the next steps can be taken toward repairing your water leak. We’ll put a stop to future home damage. A happy home is something you deserve to come back to every day.  

If you have Water Damage, call the Experts at REStar Services: (844) RESTAR-1. Visit us: http://www.REStarServices.com

HOW TO: Build an Emergency Supply Disaster Kit

In this How-To Series, we'll be explaining how to quickly and easily build your at-home emergency supply disaster kit. These will cover just the basics -- you will probably want to adjust based on your individual needs.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

1. Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
2. Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
3. Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
4. Flashlight and extra batteries
5. First aid kit
6. Whistle to signal for help
7. Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
8. Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
9. Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
10. Manual can opener for food
11. Local maps
12. Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Read more at http://www.ready.gov/kit

If you have Water or Storm Damage, call the Experts at REStar Services: (844) RESTAR-1. Visit us: http://www.REStarServices.com

Weather Forecast: Rain, rain, and more rain...

Summer in Florida means sunshine, heat, and daily afternoon rainshowers. The next seven days predict 50%+ chance of rain every single day. If your roof, windows, or walls are old or simply not water-proofed, you may have water leaks.

If you spot evidence of water in YOUR home, don't wait -- call us today at (321) 251-1887 and let us do an inspection! Our experts will repair and dry your home quickly.

Oftentimes, your homeowner's insurance will cover some or ALL of the costs of water damage restoration and repairs. Please check your individual policy for details.


If you have Water Damage, call the Experts at REStar Services: (844) RESTAR-1. Our regular office hours are 8:30am - 5:30pm Monday through Friday. Visit us: http://www.REStarServices.com

3 Tips to Prepare for Storm Season

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th with the peak usually occurring between August and October.  It has been nine years since a major hurricane has made landfall in Florida, but the threat comes with each new season.  These storms can cause catastrophic damage to your home. The daily, smaller storms we get can also cause serious damage.

1) Review your insurance policy
Now is the best time to review your homeowner’s insurance policy to see exactly what is covered.  Most policies cover damage from storms including wind, hail, tornado, or hurricane damage.  You may however be required to carry additional coverage for flood damage.  It is best to speak with your insurance agent about your policy exclusions and coverage limitations.  You do not want to wait until after you have experienced a loss to find out that you are not covered.

2) Check your trees
Many homes sustain damage as a result of a tree or limb falling onto the structure during a storm.  Check to see if you have any trees with branches near or touching your home.  Limbs that are too close to the house should be trimmed back.  You should also inspect your trees to see if they appear healthy.  Healthier trees will be more likely to sustain high winds during a storm.  It is best to consult with an arborist for help in preparing the trees on your property for storm season. REStar Services can refer a tree specialist in your area.

3) Clean the gutters
The purpose of gutters and downspouts is to carry the water away from your home.  If your gutters are not clear of debris, or the downspouts are not properly attached, water from storms can damage your roof or foundation.  Take the time to clean your gutters and make sure all of the downspouts are in place.  This is one of the easiest things you can do to help prepare your home for storm season.

If you have Water Damage, Storm Damage, or Flood Damage, call the experts at REStar Services: (844) RESTAR-1. Visit us: http://www.REStarServices.com

New Year! New Roof?

Water Damage Restoration in Central Florida - Roof Leaks

Roofs in Florida take a real beating, with the heat, rain and ever-present threat of storm damage. You might be noticing signs of aging on your roof, or even damage and leaks. Is it time to for a new roof? Here's what to look for and what to know:

Signs of Damage

A leak is one of the biggest signs you’ve waited too long to replace your roof. You want to catch problems before the leaks happen by looking out for these problems:

• Shingle problems - Missing or cracked shingles mean there’s an area of your roof that isn’t properly protected.
• Loose seams - Water can get under the edges of the shingles if they’re not adhering properly. Older roofs may have lots of these loose seams, which could indicate a replacement is in order.
• Granules in the gutters - Do you see small, pebble-like debris in gutters or downspouts? The shingles are deteriorating.
• Inside damage - You may not have a full-fledged leak, but some moisture may be getting through your roof into your attic or ceiling. Look for cracking paint or slightly discolored areas of the ceiling plaster or drywall.

Weather issues

Florida is known for the hot sun, steamy, rainy summers and extreme weather. Here are weather issues you should be aware of:

• Sun - The ultraviolet rays from the sun will wear down your roof materials over time. The parts of your roof that face west or south may see damage first.
• Rain and condensation - Water can get under shingles or into other layers of the roof, and if left to sit, can cause rotting and decay. Mold and mildew can also form from this moisture.
• Wind - High winds can damage shingles and expose the underlying layers to water. After extreme wind storms, check for damage caused by falling branches and other debris.

Happy Holidays from REStar Services!

Happy Holidays to you and yours from REStar Services.

We wish you the best this holiday season!

How to Avoid a Fire from a Turkey Fryer

Thanksgiving reminds us to be grateful for the good people and circumstances in our lives. It's also a time to eat a whole lot of food! And no other food is as prominent as the Thanksgiving turkey.

If you choose to fry your turkey this year with a turkey fryer, REStar Services would like to remind you of some helpful tips for avoiding accidental fires when using a turkey fryer:

Safety tips for deep-frying your turkey:

• Place the fryer on a level surface
• Don’t overfill the fryer with too much oil
• Peanut oil is a safer oil than other oils to use for frying
• Wear shoes!
• Use a very long thermometer to take the bird’s temperature
• Be careful when lowering the turkey into the hot oil
• Have a dry-chemical fire extinguisher handy while cooking

If you DO have a turkey fryer fire:

• Call 911 before putting the fire out or have someone calling 911 while you’re dealing with the fire.
• Don’t try to move the fryer once it’s caught on fire. It’ll just cause the oil to splash, spatter and spill.
• Do not use water! Oil fires do NOT react well with water.
• If you have one, try to smother the fire with a pan lid
• Use baking soda or a dry-chemical fire-extinguisher to put out the fire

Fry responsibly and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

If you have Fire Damage, call the Fire Damage Restoration Experts at REStar Services: (844) RESTAR-1. Our regular office hours are 8:30am - 5:30pm Monday through Friday. Visit us: http://www.REStarServices.com

Top 5 causes of Water Damage you should be aware of

REStar Services wants you to be aware of these top 5 causes of water damage:

1. Home Mismanagement - This is the number one cause of not just water damage but also other home-related damages. This could lead to mold damage and cockroach infestation. Always keep your house healthy, clean it regularly, fix problems as soon as they arise and do constant renovations.
   
2. Bad Weather - Constant rain and storms can cause water damage. Rainwater can seep into your roofs while it clogs the gutters and be absorbed into your windowsills. You cannot do anything about this natural phenomenon.
   
3. Constant Flooding - Caused by either rain, street sewage problems or river overflows. Flooding in the home is messy and can bring in toxins, pollutants and other impurities from outside.
   
4. Broken Fixtures - This could be in the form of overflowing sinks, broken dishwashers and bathtubs that are already leaking. If you do not get an expert to fix them immediately, molds and foul odors might come into the picture; not to mention suffering from a high water bill.
   
5. Loose and Rusted Pipes - not only damaging in terms of leaks but could also contaminate drinking water through deposits of metal particles.

If you have Water Damage, visible mold growth, or even suspect that you may have mold growth, call the Mold Remediation Experts at REStar Services: (844) RESTAR-1. Our regular office hours are 8:30am - 5:30pm Monday through Friday. Visit us: http://www.REStarServices.com

Wishing everyone a Happy Halloween!

From all of us at REStar Services, we hope you have a Happy & Safe Halloween!

 If you have damage to your property due to Storm, Flood, Mold, Fire, Smoke, or Water, call our team today: (321) 251-1887. Our regular office hours are 8:30am - 5:30pm Monday through Friday. Our 24 hour line: (844) RESTAR-1. Visit us: http://www.REStarServices.com.