Superior Restoration

It’s Friday and you know what that means? Question answering time! This week I got a few rather amusing questions that I fully intend to answer in less than serious ways with maybe some helpful hints mixed in. Now you have to read all of this, because there is a secret word somewhere in it, and if you don’t read every sentence you might miss it and we left out. Okay, the secret word is fleedy.

Question One: Why is it so damned hot!?

Answer: Well you see someone (me) had made a comment just last week commenting about how it was near the end of June and I was perfectly comfortable in long pants, and how it felt like early spring, not summer. In classic fashion I jinxed it and Mother Nature went “Oh, oh silly child. You know what happens now.” And she gave us hideous heat. This happened last year too, when I said, “Tornadoes are hideiously rare around here. I’m not worried” and two days later I could see a tornado from my house. Or that time I said “Sweetie,” I was addressing my significant other in regards to climate here “Hurricanes generally dissipate by the time they get this far north. We rarely see these kinds of storms” Cue Hurricane Irene. Or even better “It’s October! They can’t be serious with snow— we’ll get a light dusting and that’s it.” And Winter storm Alfred crippled the state for nearly two weeks. So, this is my fault. Terribly sorry.

Question Two: I’ve noticed there are several rather nerdy references in your blogs. Are they intentional?

Answer: Yes. A nerd writes these blogs and I like to leave little hints of that in my writing. Personally I’m happy someone noticed. I’m still trying to figure out who keeps sending me Doctor Who related cleaning questions, because I want more. I’m still working on a proper response to the last one.

Question Three: (from the same person as Question 2) Almost everything you write are very basic common sense tips, why not something more detailed?

Answer: Well the first main reason is that I personally lack common sense. Seeing as how I’ve learned the simplest solution is almost always the best I pass them along. I don’t know about you, but I tend to overthink simple problems, or if there is a BIG problem like “Oh my, my basement is flooded with six feet of water what do I do?” I go online to find the answer. From experiences based on customers, and my/ other people in the office I try to give fool-proof ways to handle whatever the world throws at your home. I’ve done a few more detailed blogs in some of my week long dedicated themes, but actually my basic ones seem to do more good. What details? Send a note.

Question Four: Where’s my zombie blog?

Answer: I swear when I think of something good to write there will be another one. I may make a separate blog page just for those entries since they are more “fantasy restoration” stories. I think I just made up that genre. Zombie blogs are a great way to discuss trauma decontamination without taking about death in a serious way. There is a level of detachment that lets you know what is one, but you don’t think of the situation as a suicide or bad accident. All restoration companies dance around this topic or just not talk about it. I think you all have the right to information, so by reading those you know what we do. I’ll have a new one up within the next few weeks.

Right! So those are the questions for all of you. Please give us more, we love to answer them. If I don’t know the answer I will find it and give credible sources. Oh, and I lied about the secret word. The secret word is really poofle.

Hey everyone, apparently our two blogs yesterday were actually read. I know what a concept huh? I had three questions come in, so I thought I might answer them. Oh, and to the fourth who asked why I don’t respond to the question directly: I don’t just because it will spam our other linked in social media sites. I’d rather not do that. Anyways without further adieu here’s our answers…

Question One: “You know I heard a story recently about a family on a boat who lost their two kids because of carbon monoxide. What’s going on there?

Answer: I think the case you’re referring to was a rather famous case from the late 1990s that happened on one of the great lakes I believe. The two children swam under the boat and came upt o play under the anchored boat where there was an air pocket. However this pocket was for the exhaust. The children ended up losing consciousness and drowning. Since then carbon monoxide detectors are expected in all boats, and the general consensus that you should not ever go under a boat.

Remember that a boat does run on gas, which means there is a chance of carbon monoxide poisoning in the interior. Make sure to have a battery operated detector functioning at all times.

Question Two: “I have a house, and I do have fire detectors, but I also have this ancient fire extinguisher under my kitchen sink. Will that still work?

Answer: The best way to tell is to look at the card attached to the device. I should have an expiration date somewhere on it. If it’s over that date it’s time to get a new one. Every home should have one, especially in the kitchen.

Question Three: “this isn’t really a question but a story. About four years ago my house caught on fire, it wasn’t like we lost the house but I had gone to fold laundry while dinner was cooking. I smelled smoke but the fire detector had not gone off. By the time I got to the kitchen there was thick black smoke! Why wasn’t the smoke detector going off? So the fire department came and handled the fire, but then I found out why. Apparently my husband had taken out the batteries because it was chirping. Not “Oh hey maybe I should just put in new batteries” What if I had gone outside? Or what if it was worse? Or at night? My point is don’t be lazy and just let the thing beep, get a damned step stool and put in new batteries. Oh, and I called you guys to clean up the smoke damage. Good job by the way.”

Reply: I almost want to giggle at this but it is a serious situation. We are very sorry  that this ever happened, but glad we could help. Doing a little research on ye olde google I’ve discovered you’re not alone. Actually I read one story about a couple who bought a house and didn’t check the detectors. All the batteries were out, and it nearly killed them when a fire broke out. We’re just happy that in your case everyone was okay, I’m sure your husband got an ear full. Thanks for writing in!

We love hearing from you, it means a lot to us to know that you guys are taking what we are saying day after day to heart. If you have stories, questions, or ideas for future blogs please send us a message on Facebook, twitter, or just click over on our ask box here on tumblr. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can!

Today I am taking some time to discuss three of the questions I’ve gotten this week that didn’t relate to our topics. I’ve done a bit of research on them and hope that I can answer your questions properly. If not feel free to tell me.

The first question comes from a woman who signed the note “super mom”. Nice name by the way. She asks: I live in Connecticut, and after last year I’m getting scared of tornadoes. “I’ve read there are these safe rooms that can be built into your house that are tornado proof. Is this a good idea to get one or am I overreacting?”

I’ve read about these, and they have had some great success in the past. I’ve read a lot, and I mean a lot of stories about people surviving EF4 to EF5 twisters without a scratch because of these. Tornadoes can happen anywhere this is true, but those systems can cost as much as $10,000 for a family sized unit. Personally I feel that if you live in Connecticut and have a basement you should be fine, however if you don’t it might not be a bad idea to have a storm shelter. Regardless I don’t think there is any overreacting when it comes to peace of mind. If you feel like your family will be safer in having it, then go for it. I just have no idea where placed around here make them. Most of what I’ve found is in the mid-west. More power to you for researching this topic, you are a super-mom.

The second question came from an anonymous person on tumblr. I will take a moment to say we don’t mind if you don’t say who you are, it’s entirely your call. This person left us a message yesterday after apparently seeing a news article we posted to our Facebook on the danger of riptides. They ask: “Hey this is all fine and good, but I don’t see the danger it poses to our home”

Anonymous person you are right. Riptides shouldn’t affect your home unless you live underwater. Which I hope you don’t. Actually we posted that because we know people are getting ready for vacations, or are already on them. We love our customers like family, and if we find some important information we pass it along. This doesn’t mean I’ll start posting “OMG Facebook is going charge us if you don’t put this in your status” No, no I will only post fact based information about weather, safety, or news stories showing what can happen. With that said please be aware that if you live along the shore storm surges can cause catastrophic damage to your home, and your life. If high storm surges are projected during a storm seek safer ground immediately.

The third came from a woman who sent us an email. Her name is Jill, and she’s given us a few really amazing questions before. Jill asks: I know we’re covered home security systems and fire detectors before, but what about carbon monoxide? I know I would like to know more about it and how I can prevent exposure to my family. Think you can help?”

Absolutely! I won’t answer this question here, but I will write a comprehensive blog on the topic tomorrow. I’ll go through different detectors and problems in a three part series: fire detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and causes, and natural gas leaks. I love readers who ask questions, they make my day. Really, if you have any questions we don’t put it at the bottom of every blog entry for nothing. We will answer them all.

So here it goes.. Do you have questions about home hazards, cleaning, water, fire, mold, trauma clean up, carpet cleaning, weather disasters, or possible threats to your home? Leave us a message in our ask box, send us a message on twitter or Facebook, or email us at servicepro44@gmail.com . We answer questions Monday- Friday from 8am to 2pm, and are happy to help.