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

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.