Different Ways To Dry Out Your Home After Flooding

There are few things more inconvenient than your home flooding, except perhaps trying to take care of things after flooding. 

On top of having to deal with all of your items that have been damaged, you also have to find a way to dry out your home, and fast. No one wants that water sitting for too long causing additional damage.

So what are some of the different ways to dry out your home after you’ve experienced a flood? Here are some of our go-to’s.

1. Clear Out

Before anything, you’ll want to clear the items out of your home, especially those larger things that have encountered some water damage. Getting them out in the sun after flooding will help them to dry out faster. It will also give you a better idea of what kind of damage you need to tackle inside your home, and whatever method you choose to dry it out, it will be made much easier without the barriers of possessions like furniture.

2. Pump Water

One option you have is using a sump pump. This involves using a submersible pump that moves the water out of the house, usually through a pipe or a hose. This is a great option if you have standing water. It can quickly move the excess water out of the house so that you can start to tackle some of the other damage caused by the water.

3. Powerful Fans

Increasing the air circulation in your home could also be a solution for the flooding. With smaller-scale flooding, simply opening the doors and windows can make a difference. But in cases where you need airflow that’s a bit more heavy-duty, it could be worth it to rent out some powerful fans to get the air circulating.

4. Dehumidify

You may find that eliminating excess moisture in the air is a necessity for effectively drying out your home after a flood. Get a high-quality dehumidifier and let it work its magic. If you decide to go this route, you’ll want to be sure to keep all of your doors and windows closed, that way, you’re preventing more humidity from getting into the house.

5. Wet/Dry Shop Vacs

While not every shop vac is made to accommodate a home flooding, if you’re using the right kind, it could be just the thing to progress the drying out process in your flooded home. These can work wonders, especially with sucking the water out of your carpeting, potentially preventing the need to replace your flooring.

Contact Black Diamond Restoration

Finding the right solutions to dry out your home after flooding can feel overwhelming, but the process doesn’t have to be stressful. Here at Black Diamond Restoration, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality water damage restoration services to families and businesses in the Salt Lake Valley in Utah. Contact us today to get more information on how we can take the stress of flooding repairs off your plate!

Preventing Fire Disasters

Preventing fire disasters should be a top priority when considering the safety and wellbeing of you and your home. 

Keep reading to find out more about keeping yourself and your loved ones safe from fire disasters. 

Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms

When a fire starts somewhere in your home, you want to be aware of it ASAP so that you can either put it out or get out safely. That’s where your smoke alarms come in; they can be your first indication that something is amiss and make all the difference when it comes to preventing fire disasters. Here are our tips for installing and maintaining your smoke alarms: 

  • Ensure you have fire alarms installed on every floor of your home, particularly inside and outside sleeping areas. 
  • Test your smoke alarms every month and replace batteries as necessary. 

Establish a Fire Escape Plan

According to the American Red Cross, you may only have as little as two minutes to escape your home in some fire emergencies. That sobering statistic means that it is vital that you and your loved ones have a fire escape plan so that you can leave as soon as possible. The steps to creating a fire escape plan for your household are as follows:

  1. Gather the members of your house and walk through each room of your home, discussing all the potential exits and escape routes. Your plan should include at least two possible ways to escape each room in case one is blocked.
  2. Pick a meeting place for your household to gather after escaping the house. Ensure that it is easy to get to but far enough away from the burning home to be safe. 
  3. Practice your fire escape plan until each member of your family can get out of the house in under two minutes. Practice yelling fire, crawling under smoke, and testing door handles. 

Practice your fire escape plan at least twice a year to keep it fresh in everyone’s minds, and update the plan as necessary. 

Additional Fire Prevention Tips

More tips for fire prevention and safety include:

  • Properly store flammable household items – Some everyday flammable household items include aerosols, nail polish remover, paint thinner, cooking oil, and flour. These items should be kept far away from an open flame and stored at room temperature in a safe location. 
  • Check your home appliances and wiring- Frayed or damaged wiring or faulty appliances can be a significant fire risk. Make sure to examine appliances and wiring regularly so that you can catch any irregularities before they become problems. 

Contact Black Diamond Restoration

If you would like to learn more about preventing fire disasters, contact the experts at Black Diamond Restoration. We specialize in fire, water, mold, sewage, and storm damage, as well as biohazard cleanup. We offer 24/7 emergency services because we understand that disasters don’t just happen during business hours. So if your home has been damaged, call us today to schedule your service. We serve Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas in Utah. 

How to Stay Safe During a Thunderstorm

Have you ever been in a thunderstorm and not known what to do? Keep reading to find out how you can keep yourself safe next time you hear thunder. 

Thunderstorms are most common during the spring and summer months, so now is the perfect time to read up on our best safety tips. 

What Are Thunderstorms? 

According to the NSSL, a thunderstorm is a rainstorm during which you also hear thunder. Thunder comes from lightning, so during all thunderstorms, lightning also strikes. Thunderstorms are created by convection, an upward atmospheric movement created by surface heating. 

Dangers of Thunderstorms

Although thunder itself may not be terrifying, there will also be lightning when there is thunder. The odds of lightning strikes are one in a million; however, lightning strikes can be deadly and cause around 27 deaths in the United States every year. Lightning can also strike land, houses, and other personal property, causing damage. 

In addition to lightning, excessive rain can be dangerous, causing property damage and unsafe driving conditions. In extreme situations, rainfall can cause flash flooding, which can be very dangerous and even fatal. 

What to do During a Thunderstorm

Follow the 30-30 rule; if you see lightning while outside, count to 30 and if you reach 30 before hearing thunder, According to the CDC, the best thing you can do is head indoors. If you can’t go inside, a hard-top vehicle with the windows rolled up can also offer protection. Even while inside, it’s important to exercise caution still, as a third of all lightning strike injuries occur indoors. While inside, avoid contact with water, corded phones, electronic equipment, 

There are a few things you should avoid while lightning is present:

  • Do not seek shelter under a lone-standing tree. 
  • Stay away from objects that can conduct electricity, including chain link fences, windmills, or powerlines. 
  • Do not lie flat on the ground; instead, attempt to minimize your contact with the earth by assuming a ball-like position, tucking your head, and putting your hands over your ears.  
  • Never enter into a body of water while lightning is present. Suppose you see lightning while swimming move out of and away from lakes, ponds, rivers, etc. 
  • Never seek shelter under a rocky overhang or cliff in case of falling rock.
  • Stay away from concrete walls and floors, as lightning can travel through the metal rebar inside. 

After you hear the last clap of thunder, wait for at least 30 minutes before resuming any outdoor activities. 

Contact the Experts at Black Diamond Restoration

If your home has sustained damage during a thunderstorm, you must seek repair services as soon as possible. That’s where Black Diamond Restoration comes in; we repair storm, water, fire, and mold damage, in addition to so much more. We offer 24/7 services in the Murray and Salt Lake City, Utah, areas because we know that emergencies don’t just happen during regular business hours. So call us today to schedule an assessment. 

How To Make a 72 Hour Preparedness Kit

If you’ve ever found yourself in a sticky situation, you may have used or needed a 72 hour preparedness kit. 

But what is a 72 hour kit, why would you need it, and how do you make one? Keep reading to find out. 

What is a 72 Hour Preparedness Kit?

A 72 hour kit is a three-day supply of necessities pre-packed in an easy to carry backpack or duffel bag. 

Why Would You Need One?

You never know when you’ll have to leave your home or shelter in place due to an emergency. The purpose of a 72 hour kit is to make sure you and your family are prepared to leave quickly in the event of unforeseen circumstances. This could be in case of evacuation due to fire or hurricane, or to even make sure you have enough supplies should you be trapped in your own home for any reason. 

How Do You Make One?

First you’ll want to choose a durable, easy to carry backpack or duffle bag for each member of your family, one that can hold a lot of supplies without becoming compromised. Then you’ll need to choose what you fill it with. Some of the recommended 72 hour kit items include:

  • 3 day supply of food
  • 3 day supply of water
  • First aid kit
  • Flashlight
  • Extra batteries
  • Dust mask
  • Whistle (or another way to signal for help)
  • Local maps
  • Manual can opener
  • Warm blankets
  • Cash or travelers checks
  • Extra clothing
  • A pair of comfortable shoes
  • Copies of important documents

While the aforementioned items are standard in packing any emergency bag, your kit should be tailored to you. Consider packing some of these additional items based on your own needs or the needs of your family members:

  • Baby formula
  • Pet food
  • Prescription medications
  • Prescription contacts or eyeglasses

You can find a complete list of recommended items here

Keep in Mind

Here are a few things to keep in mind after your 72 hour kits have been made:

  • Make sure to store your kits in a cool, dry location so that they won’t be susceptible to water or mold. 
  • Keep your kits in an easy to access location so that you’ll be able to find them quickly in case of emergency. 
  • Because you never know when an emergency could happen, it’s a good idea to make a kit to keep at home, work, and in your car, so you’ll be prepared no matter where you are. 
  • Go through your kits at least once a year in order to update them and remove any expired items. 

Let Black Diamond Restoration Help

If you’ve ever been in a situation where you’ve used a 72 hour preparedness kit, it’s likely that you could use home restoration services. That’s where Black Diamond Restoration comes in, we specialize in restoring homes with flood, fire, storm, and mold damage back to their former glory. Contact us today to get a free quote on your home restoration project, we serve the Murray and Salt Lake City, Utah, areas.

Home Fire Pit: Safety Precautions You Should Be Taking

If you have a home fire pit, there are some safety precautions you should be taking for the safety of both you and your home. 

Fire pits are a great way to turn your yard into the ultimate hangout spot during the summer, but without the proper supervision they can get out of control fast causing serious damage and even injury.

Keep reading to find out how you can keep yourself safe while enjoying your fire pit. 

Check Wind Conditions

Avoid using your fire pit on particularly windy days as a strong gust of wind could blow embers into grass or trees

Use the Correct Lumber

Utilize wood sold specifically for fire pit use, or even wood that’s recently fallen from a tree. Avoid using leftover construction lumber of any sort, as this kind of wood has been treated with all sorts of chemicals that you don’t want to be breathing in or cooking into your food as you enjoy your fire pit. 

Build the Fire Out in the Open

Building a fire directly under a tree or covered porch is a recipe for disaster. Instead of taking any risks, make sure to build your fire out in the open where there’s no possibility of lighting a tree overhang on fire or causing smoke damage to your covered porch. 

Never Leave Your Fire Unattended

Leaving your fire unattended even for a moment can have devastating results. Quench live embers with water and ensure that all wood pieces are no longer burning in order to make sure your fire is completely out before leaving the fire pit area. Although a slightly active fire may not seem like a big deal, some of the biggest wildfires in U.S. history have resulted from unattended, almost-extinguished fires igniting nearby trees or grass. 

If you are an adult using a fire pit with children, you’ll also want to make sure you never leave them unattended near the fire. Fire can be visually appealing to children, and they may not yet understand fire safety, so it’s best to keep a close watch on them at all times.  

Keep Flammable Items Away From the Fire

Wooden, paper, and plastic items are all flammable and can be easily lit if put too close to the fire. Even certain clothing items and human hair can be highly flammable, so it’s important to avoid stepping too close to the fire or leaning over it. There is always the possibility that you get too close to the fire pit, or even fall in, and you could sustain serious burns within a matter of seconds. 

Contact Black Diamond Restoration

If your home fire pit gets out of control this summer, Contact Black Diamond Restoration. We specialize in fire cleanup so you don’t have to go through any additional frustration or worry regarding your fire mishap. Call us today to get a free quote on your restoration project, we serve the Salt Lake City, Utah, area. 

Can Mold Cause Illnesses?

Can mold cause illnesses? Definitely. Keep reading to find out what illnesses mold can cause, and how to prevent them. 

Symptoms of Mold Exposure

Molds can produce allergens, irritants, and even deadly substances known as mycotoxins. These substances can float through the air in mold spores which can then be breathed in, potentially causing respiratory issues. Not everyone is sensitive to mold infestations in the home, however. For those who are sensitive, mold exposure can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

  • Memory loss 
  • Lethargy
  • Stuffy nose
  • Wheezing
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Itchy eyes or skin

These symptoms can be especially severe for those with allergies, pre-existing respiratory conditions, or the elderly. Additionally, those who work around large mold infestations for long periods of time like farmers working with infested hay are also more likely to have severe symptoms. 

Mold Exposure in Children

Children can suffer all the aforementioned symptoms of mold exposure, but they may be at risk of more serious conditions as well. A tentative link has been established between mold exposure and asthma in young children, especially those who are genetically predisposed to the condition. Additionally, there may be a link between mold exposure and acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants, although further study is required in this area. 

Mold Prevention

In order to not let mold cause illnesses in your home you’ll need to take steps to prevent mold from forming. You can do this by:

  • Depriving mold of moisture. Mold requires moisture to grow, so the most essential step in mold prevention is to control moisture levels within your home with a dehumidifier and an air conditioner in warmer months. 
  • Drying water damaged areas within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. 
  • Properly ventilating potentially moist areas in your home such as the kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom. 
  • Promptly fixing any leaks in your ceiling, windows, or plumbing, as they occur to prevent water damage and excess moisture.  
  • Avoid carpeting areas like bathrooms or basements that may receive a lot of moisture. 
  • Cleaning up any mold that you do find promptly and effectively to keep it from spreading.

Mold Removal

Large mold infestations should always be removed by a professional, although you can attempt to remove smaller patches yourself. You can do this by mixing a fourth tablespoon of baking soda with a spray bottle of water, then spraying and scrubbing the affected area until it’s clean. If the mold patch continually returns it’s an indicator of a bigger problem within the area, and again should be dealt with by a professional. 

Contact Black Diamond Restoration

If you’ve got mold you just can’t get rid of, it’s likely time to seek expert help. Before you let mold cause illnesses in your household, Contact Black Diamond Restoration to get your free mold removal estimate. We offer 24/7 emergency service because we understand that mold, fire and water damage doesn’t just happen during business hours. We serve the Murray and Salt Lake City, Utah, areas.

What You Should Do in the Face of a Natural Disaster

Natural disasters are as scary as they are unexpected. From hurricane to earthquake, here’s what you should do when faced with a natural disaster. 

Before the Disaster

If you are able to prepare for a disaster beforehand, here are some key tips:

  • Fill your car with gas – If you end up needing to evacuate you’ll want your car’s tank full so you can get to safety quickly. 
  • Charge your phone – If you’re left without power you’ll want a fully charged phone to be able to stay connected with loved ones. It would also be a good idea to have charged power banks ready as well. 
  • Stock up on supplies – You should obtain enough food and water to support the members of your household for at least a week, including your pets. Obtain a first aid kit and fill your tub with water so you’ll have an emergency supply. 
  • Prepare your home – Home preparation varies depending on whatever situation you’re dealing with. In the case of an earthquake, you’ll want to make sure you can turn gas lines off, and bolt down any heavy appliances. For wildfires, you’ll want to clean out your gutters, and for tornadoes and hurricanes, you’ll want to board up any windows. 

During the Natural Disaster

Oftentimes there is no warning proceeding a disaster, but there are still some ways you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe:

  • Keep away from floodwater and standing water – Standing water attracts mosquitoes and getting too close can increase your chances of contracting a mosquito-borne illness. Additionally, floodwater can hide dangerous objects or be contaminated with sewage or other potential risks.
  • Avoid tap water – During floods or hurricanes tap water can become contaminated, and therefore unsafe to use or drink. The CDC also recommends avoiding plumbing during thunderstorms as it can increase your chances of being struck by lightning. 
  • Follow authority instructions – If you are told to evacuate, do so, and do not return home until you are told it is safe. 
  • Avoid cables or wires – Do not touch any exposed cables or wires as they can cause serious injury. 
  • Avoid wet appliances – Do not use wet electrical appliances until they have been cleaned and serviced, and avoid turning on the lights until you know that the electrical grid in your area has not been damaged. 

Post Disaster

If your home has been flooded make sure to clean any affected areas and household items before using them again to avoid contamination. Throw away any food that may have been in the fridge during a power outage, and use insect repellent to keep mosquitos away from you and any pets. 

Let Black Diamond Restoration Help

If your home or business has been affected by a natural disaster, you need expert help, contact Black Diamond Restoration today. We specialize in water, fire, and storm cleanup, so we’ll be prepared to restore your space no matter what your circumstances may be. Call us today for a free damage assessment, we serve Salt Lake City, Utah, and the surrounding areas.

What are the Biggest Fire Hazards in Your Home?

House fires are a terrifying, but very real possibility. The best way to prevent house fires is by identifying the biggest fire hazards in your home. 

Keep reading to find out what you should keep an eye on, and some tips on how to prevent your home from going up in flames. 

Bad Wiring

Electrical fires account for over 50,000 home fires a year and $1.5 billion dollars in property damage. Simple things like putting a nail in the wall to hang a picture can easily pierce a piece of wiring with disastrous results. To help prevent electrical fires, replace your circuit breakers with arc-fault circuit interrupters, which can be found in most hardware stores. These circuit interrupters can detect irregularities in insulation and wiring connections and stop them before a fire starts. 

Kitchen Clutter

A whopping 41 percent of house fires begin in the kitchen. A portion of these fires occur when combustible products like paper towels, food packaging, cookbooks, and recipe cards get too close to active stove burners. To help prevent fires in the kitchen never leave any cooking unattended, and keep a three-foot radius between combustible materials and your stove’s burners. 

Old Appliances

Although that vintage toaster you found may look pretty cool, it could be well past its time in terms of safety. Older appliances were made according to outdated safety codes, and may also contain frayed wires. Look for modern electronics that have the UL label, signifying they have been deemed safe by Underwriters Laboratories, and If you’re not willing to let your vintage find go, consider having it professionally rewired.

Loose Outlets

We’ve all been there: you try to plug a cord in, and it slides back out. This is because you’re dealing with an outlet where the blades inside have loosened. It’s not only annoying but also dangerous as loose outlets can generate a lot of heat that could result in a fire. To prevent an outlet fire, replace loose outlets as soon as you spot them.   

Your Dryer

Clothes dryers are one of the biggest fire hazards. According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 17,000 dryer fires are reported each year, causing 51 deaths, 380 injuries, and $236 million in property loss. Regularly cleaning out your lint filter isn’t a surefire way to prevent dryer fires either, because 34% of these fires are caused by the failure to clean dryer vents. The best way to prevent dryer blazes is to have your dryer professionally cleaned every two years. 

Contact Black Diamond Restoration Today

Now that you’re aware of the biggest fire hazards in your home, hopefully, you can prevent any future house fires. However, if the unexpected happens, contact the experts at Black Diamond Restoration. We have decades of experience in fire restoration, and with our fast and responsive service, we can have your home or business looking like new in no time. We are based out of Murray, Utah, and we serve Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas. 

Five Signs That Mold Could Be Hiding in Your Home

Mold is an incredibly common problem in homes, and it’s as dangerous and invasive as it is unsightly.

Toxicology expert Ronald E Gots states that, while no one knows the exact number of homes that have mold hidden behind the walls, but his best current estimate is nearly 70%. In fact, it is thought that it is very unlikely that there isn’t a home on earth that doesn’t have some Stachybotrys spores lurking. Because the issue is so common, it’s essential to know and understand the different signs of mold in your house so you can address the problem as soon as possible.

Below you’ll find some signs that mold could be hiding in your home.

Signs There Could Be Mold in Your Home

VISIBLE SPORES — The most obvious way to tell if your house has mold is if you can see it. Unfortunately, once you can see spores, it usually indicates you have a big problem. If this occurs, you should definitely call in the pros that have adequate supplies and equipment.

UNEXPLAINABLE HEALTH CONCERNS — Nearly a third of Americans have genes that make them vulnerable to mold-related health issues. If you have unexplainable health problems, you might have been exposed to mold. Here’s a list of common symptoms of mold exposure:

  • Chronic cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing
  • Frequent headaches that have worsened over time
  • Runny nose or congestion
  • Rashes or hives on your skin
  • Sinusitis 
  • Asthma flare-up
  • Sore or scratchy throat
  • Watery, red, or itchy eyes

MUSTY ODOR — If you notice a musty, moldy smell in your home, that could indicate you have a mold problem. Because different old species have different scents, pinpointing a mold odor can be tricky. If you notice something unusual-smelling in your house, it could be mold and is worth looking into.

SIGNS OF WATER DAMAGE — Water damage and mold often go hand-in-hand. If your home has suffered water damage, it’s important to look for signs of mold. Here are a few signs of water damage:

  • Peeling or bubbling paint on your ceiling or walls
  • Stains or discolored spots on your walls, ceiling, or floors
  • Soft, bouncy, or squishy areas in your flooring

EXCESS MOISTURE — If your home experiences excess moisture, such as lots of condensation on windows, metal pipes, or other glass and metal pieces in your home, there’s a chance mold is present. Mold thrives in warm, humid places. Properties with humidity issues typically will also have mold problems. Regulating the humidity in your home can prevent future mold problems in their tracks.

Contact Black Diamond Restoration

Unfortunately, mold in your home does not just go away on its own and only worsens with time. Because airborne mold is more challenging to capture, it is crucial to handle the problem right away with the right tools. As soon as you learn there’s mold in your house, contact the trusted professionals at Black Diamond Restoration. Our team of skilled experts is dedicated to your health and is committed to restoring your home to its former state. Contact us today. We serve Salt Lake City, Murray, and neighboring areas.

How to Effectively Clean the Rain Gutters on Your Home

Rain gutters are an essential component of your home, and a key piece in ensuring your property does not suffer water damage. 

Your property’s gutter system has many responsibilities. Rain gutters are responsible for preventing large icicles from forming and help keep your foundation in good condition. They protect the exterior walls of your home by gathering water and diverting it away from your home and landscaping, which reduces the number of puddles and pooling water on walkways. Gutters that are not cleaned out cannot effectively function and can make your facia boards and soffit begin to deteriorate and rot. Thankfully, cleaning your gutters is pretty straightforward.

Continue scrolling to learn how you can effectively clean your gutters.

How to Clean Your Rain Gutters

Rain gutters need to be cleaned at least once a year, ideally twice, and whenever else is necessary throughout the year. Once the snow melts come spring and again in autumn after the leaves have fallen and before the first snowfall, are perfect times to perform this task. Here’s how you can get the job done yourself:

STEP #1 — SAFETY FIRST: Staying safe should be your number one priority. Remember to use a sturdy ladder on sturdy ground and never clean or maintain your gutters from your roof. 

STEP #2 — GATHER YOUR GEAR: Gather all the gear you will require for the job. You’ll need a thick pair of gloves, safety goggles, a ladder, your favorite gutter cleaning tools, a couple of buckets (one for your tools, the other for debris you remove), a long garden hose and spray nozzle, and a long-sleeved shirt to protect your arms.

STEP #3 — REMOVE GUARDS: If your gutter system features gutter guards or covers, you’ll need to remove them before you begin.

STEP #4 — LET THE DIRTY WORK BEGIN: Find a place near a downspout to start. Begin by removing large chunks of leaves, twigs, and other debris with your hands or a tool and discard them in your bucket that’s securely hooked to your ladder. Use your hose and nozzle to clear out finer bits from your gutter. If your gutters are not draining well, check downspouts for clogs. Once your gutters are clean, you can replace your gutter guards.

STEP #5 — INSPECT YOUR GUTTERS: While you’re up there, make sure your gutter system is securely fastened to your home and that there are no leaks.

Helpful Tips and Tricks from the Pros

  • Always check the weather before cleaning your gutters — it is much easier to remove dry leaves than wet debris.
  • If you suspect there’s a leak, empty a bucket full of water into your gutters and watch for drips. Before you make any repairs, make sure your gutters have thoroughly dried.
  • Add the debris you removed from your gutters to your compost pile.

Contact Black Diamond Restoration

Rain gutters that are clogged cannot work effectively and leave your home at risk for water damage and flooding.

If your home suffers damage due to water, contact the professionals at Black Diamond Restoration. Our skilled technicians are experts in mold, flood, smoke, and fire remediation and are available 24/7 for emergencies. When disaster strikes, you want a trusted team that is dedicated to restoring your home. Contact our restoration pros today. We serve Layton, Salt Lake City, Provo, and surrounding Utah cities!