professional news

RIA Offers Tips for After the Tornadoes and Storms

As North Carolina and much of the Southern United States continues to rebuild following the horrific tornadoes that affected the area and as the area starts to prepare for the start of Hurricane Season, the RIA has these tips for homeowners following a storm loss:

  • notify your insurance company of the loss
  • take photos of each room for future reference and insurance claims.  This will provide a digital inventory of some visible contents.
  • wear heavy rubber gloves or work gloves and thick soled shoes, preferably not tennis shoes since there can be exposed nails, glass and other sharp objects
  • remove standing water from flat surfaces by sponging and blotting
  • open windows to ventilate the area.  Open drawers and cabinets for interior drying but don't force them open
  • homeowners with appropriate insurance coverage may hire any restoration company they choose and are not limited to only those suggested by an insurer

 

                    Author:  Patricia L. Harman

     Date Published:  05/04/2011   www.restorationindustry.org

PROTECTING YOUR WATER PIPES FROM FREEZING WEATHER

Freezing temperatures can sneak up on homeowners in the South and can lead to some serious problems to unprepared water pipes.  As we head deeper into the winter months, here are a few tips to help prepare your home and protect your pipes:

  • Seal openings where cold air can reach unprotected water pipes
  • Leave cabinet doors open under kitchen and bathroom sinks in order to circulate warmer room air around the pipes
  • Let faucets drip slowly to keep water flowing to help prevent pressure from building up in the pipes
  • Insulate pipes in attics and crawl spaces
  • Exterior pipes need to be drained or enclosed in insulation
  • Leave your heat on at least 55° F if you are away from home for any length of time

 

Lead-based Paint Hazard Management

Lead poisoning occurs when lead builds up in the body over a period of months or years. Lead interferes with a variety of body processes and even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems. Children under the age of 6 are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning, which can severely affect mental and physical development causing potentially permanent learning and behavior disorders. At very high levels, lead poisoning can be fatal.

Because the most common sources of lead poisoning in children are lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust from older buildings, North Carolina adopted the North Carolina Lead-Based Paint Hazard Management Program for Renovation, Repair and Painting effective January 1, 2010.  This general statute requires certification for renovators, dust sampling technicians, and firms conducting renovation, repair, and painting activities for compensation that disturb lead-based paint in housing or child-occupied facilities built before 1978 (NC General Statute 10A N.C.A.C. 41C .0900).