Upgrading your crawl space has numerous benefits besides clearing out the riff-raff. Knowing you’re providing a clean air environment, you’ll have cleaner air, lower power bills, and peace of mind. Call Allied Restoration. We can visually assess your crawl space for any issues needing remediation. We can also give you an estimate for a crawl space encapsulation, which is the best way to keep uninvited guests at bay.

Why Crawl Space Encapsulation

Every crawl space should be clear of any debris and moisture free. That’s far from reality in most cases. If you ventured down into your crawl space right now, you might be surprised at what you find. Maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised and find a litter of new kittens and their mom. Odds are, whatever you find won’t be as pleasant.

Crawl space encapsulation may sound like overkill, but the benefits far outweigh the cons. The air under your floorboards gets circulated into your home. The dust from rodent droppings and any decaying debris is in the air too. Although difficult to see, types of mold found in homes are your biggest concern. When water enters the crawl space, mold will start to grow. Statistics indicate that 50% of homes in the United States have mold problems. Respiratory illnesses can be brought on or escalated with mold in the air.

DIY Sealing Of Your Crawl Space

Before you decide to DIY seal your crawl space, here are a few considerations. Put on old clothes, grab a mask (we all have them), a flashlight, and goggles. Inform a family member that you’re going to check the crawl space. If you see a giant spider, scream, and knock yourself out, you want someone to find you. Once you’re below, look for signs of rodents, moisture of any kind, and mold. Is there debris that you need to haul away? Look at the condition of debris, floor joists, and floor boards. Do you see evidence of mold or rot? Many people think spraying a little bleach on mold will fix the problem. Read this article for more information: Does using bleach kill mold?

Call Allied Restoration, and we’ll eliminate your crawl space problems leaving you with a dry, clean crawl space.

Encapsulation Will Save You Money

Having an upgraded crawl space has numerous benefits. Anyone living in your house with a respiratory illness may need less medication. A tightly sealed crawl space is estimated to save up to 30% on cooling and heating costs. Keeping rodents out can save you money on the insulation and electrical wiring they seem to fancy. Repairing wood rot damage is expensive and disruptive.

Is All Mold Dangerous

All mold isn’t dangerous, but none of it belongs in your crawl space. Your favorite stinky cheese in your refrigerator has mold on it. Penicillin has saved innumerable lives. You might see mold in your bathroom from hot showers. But unattended mold in your crawl space can wreak havoc. Moisture can compromise the air quality, lead to rot, and even cause structural damage.

There’s no need to belly crawl under your house to check out your crawl space. Call Allied Restoration. We’ll brave the creepy crawlies, so you don’t have to. We are trained to recognize the villains and eradicate them for you. After an assessment, we can give you an estimate to make your crawl space safe, dry, and clean.

But what is the right type of insulation for you? Consider these types of insulation to help you decide.

Fiberglass Batt Attic Insulation

Fiberglass batt insulation comes in small, pre-cut sections that resemble a blanket. They’re easy to place anywhere, and you can cut them down to size if needed. This is the most common type of insulation in homes.

While fiberglass batt attic insulation can cause skin irritation, you can install it yourself if you prefer to DIY. Just make sure you’re protecting your eyes, nose, mouth, and skin.

It’s also cheap and best suited for areas that don’t have obstructions. However, fiberglass batt insulation doesn’t have as much heat retention as other insulation types.

Fiberglass Roll Attic Insulation

Another popular and easy-to-use option is fiberglass roll insulation. It can be harder to maneuver than batt insulation once unrolled, but it’s easy to transport while rolled.

You can get fiberglass roll insulation in lengths as long as 40 feet, and it’s best suited for large areas. Although it leaves fewer gaps than batt insulation can, it’s also not the best for heat retention.

Loose-Fill Fiberglass Insulation

Loose-fill, or blown-in, fiberglass attic insulation requires special machinery to install, so it should only be done by professionals, like Allied Restoration in Gambrills, Maryland.

Although the professional installation can deter the DIY homeowner, loose-fill fiberglass can fill in wall cavities and eliminate gaps. It’s great for oddly shaped areas and is quick to install. However, it can be more costly since it requires professional installation with specific equipment.

Cellulose Attic Insulation

A more dense option than fiberglass, cellulose attic insulation is also more eco-friendly, as it’s composed of recycled paper products. When ammonium sulfate or borate is added to the insulation during manufacturing, it makes the cellulose fire-retardant and insect-resistant.

The density makes it a great product for heat and cold air retention, which is a pro in four-season Maryland. However, cellulose insulation can create a lot of dust during the installation process.

Spray Foam Insulation

One of three plastics makeup spray foam attic insulation: polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, or polyurethane. You can buy a spray foam insulation kit to DIY the installation or have a professional do it.

Although spray foam insulation is one of the most expensive options, it also has some of the best performance of other attic insulation materials. The spray foam can fit in the nooks and crannies other materials may not reach and will work in large and small spaces.

Choosing The Right Attic Insulation

With several options to choose from, which is best for you? Contact Allied Restoration in Gambrills, Maryland, and we’ll come out to provide a free estimate on which insulation method is the right choice for your home.

A home emergency kit should be on hand. You should schedule a family meeting every six months to discuss how and where to shelter. Remind everyone what you expect if you experience a profound or severe thunderstorm.

You can prepare your property for thunderstorm readiness by calling Allied Restoration. We can remove dead tree limbs and prune large shrubs that could blow through windows or damage the roof. Perhaps you have a shed that you should have secured professionally. We can help.

Thunderstorm Readiness Home Emergency Kit

If you don’t already have a thunderstorm readiness home emergency kit, you’re not alone. CDC.gov estimates that only 48% of American households have emergency provisions for disasters.

You don’t have to piecemeal your kit together with so many options on the market now. Check out these 20 must-have items for a home emergency kit.

Your home emergency kit should have flashlights, extra fresh batteries, a charged power block for electronics if the power goes out, canned food, and lots of bottled water, among other items. A first aid kit should also be readily available.

Family Meeting for Thunderstorm Readiness

When you schedule your family meeting, you may meet with some resistance. Power through anyway. It is not the time to try and organize family members when disaster has already struck.

The first key point you’ll want to make sure everyone is clear on is where to meet. It should be an area of your home away from windows and doors. Do not shelter in the attic since large flying debris or tree branches can fall, possibly destroying your roof.

Discuss the best method of communication since all family members may not be home when the storm strikes. With thunderstorm readiness preparation, you’ll reduce the impulse to panic.

Other Thunderstorm Readiness Preparations

Go outside and take a good look at your property. Has it been too long since you’ve had those beautiful, grand trees trimmed? Large bushes can take out windows in a catastrophic thunderstorm too. Is your shed adequately secured?

If you have animals or kids, you likely have jungle gyms or a dog house in your yard that need consideration. If you have farm animals, you have probably already taken care of thunderstorm readiness for their living quarters.

Actionable Severe Thunderstorm Warning Steps

Shelter indoors, away from doors and windows, and away from the largest trees on the property, in case one crashes down. This is an excellent time to let the dishes sit in the sink and skip a shower. Water and electricity don’t make good friends for us if your house gets struck by lightning. Any electrical device can be problematic too.

Most severe thunderstorms don’t last more than about 30 minutes. A lot of damage can happen in that amount of time. Resist the urge to do tasks that can be dangerous. You’ll hear the storm passing. The wind will start to die down, and before too long, hopefully, you will be able to return to normal activities.

We take thunderstorm readiness seriously at Allied Restoration. We’ve been helping families prepare for years. Call Allied Restoration today so we can help you make a plan and prepare your property and maximize your family’s safety.

Call Allied Restoration, and we’ll locate the leak. It could be from the roof, a water heater, or leaking toilets or sinks. A licensed contractor must evaluate the leak’s source and repair the problem before taking care of the cosmetic issues.

Do I Need to Worry About a Leak?

My ceiling is dry now. Do I need to worry about a leak? Don’t feel bad if you noticed the leak a while ago and it slipped your mind. That nasty stain on your ceiling is easy to forget unless you’re sitting under it and water starts dripping on your head.

The bottom line is that whatever caused the stain in the first place needs to be corrected, or you could be dealing with more extensive damages in the future.

Leaks from the roof may not show themselves in fair weather. The leak still exists and will cause more damage the longer you wait to fix the source of the leak.

Water Damage Issues and Repairs

Call a licensed professional now if you’ve just weathered a massive storm and have evidence of water damage. No good will come of prolonging the call. It will only aggravate the problem.

If a disastrous storm hasn’t recently hit you, there are several familiar places your leak could be coming from. Consider anywhere in your home that has a water source. Think bathroom sinks, toilets, bathtubs, or showers, as possibilities. Are the appliances in your laundry room old? What kind of shape is your water heater in?

Where’s the Leak Coming From

If you are interested in finding the leak source, there are a few pointers that might make it easier. Remember that seasoned professionals can have difficulty finding the source of a leak because water follows the path of least resistance. The leak’s origin could be a fair distance from where it presents itself.

Start under the wet ceiling and pace the distance to the closest wall, or measure off. Consider what room is directly overhead. If it’s the attic, grab a flashlight and check for evidence of water. Look carefully for any signs of moisture. If you have a roof leak, it may travel quite a distance before finding its way to where you see the wet ceiling.

Check the caulking around the toilet and bathtub if there’s a bathroom above the wet ceiling. Have you had any overflow issues anywhere in your house? If so, now is time to take care of these problems before they take a toll on your home.

Allied Restoration is a long-standing, respected licensed company with professional technicians ready to assist you. Call us, and we’ll be able to repair the leak to ensure your home doesn’t end up with mold or structural damage. We are extensively trained for flood and water damage. We have assisted residential and commercial clients with emergency water extraction services. If you have water problems, give us a call and take a deep breath. We’ll restore your home to its dry, cozy self as quickly as possible so that you can rest easy.

Unless you’re well versed in cleaning the exterior of your home, give Allied Restoration a call. We’ll send a professional to your home to meet with you and provide you with a detailed estimate.

What is Power Washing?

You’ve heard of pressure washing and power washing. What is the difference between the two? Power washing is much more powerful and dangerous, left to inexperienced hands. The water comes out at up to 311ºF, a temperature well over the boiling point. It can melt parts of your home that you’d prefer to keep intact. Not to mention, it can give you or someone else severe burns.

What Surfaces Can I Power Wash?

A power washer is an incredibly effective tool in qualified hands. It can strip away stubborn stains and clean hard-to-reach areas. The hot water also sanitizes surfaces and is excellent at disintegrating organic materials growing on unwanted exterior areas.

Power washing is often used on concrete, stone walls, driveways, and highly durable surfaces. Water from a power washer is very powerful at 1,500 to 4,400 PSI or higher.

What is Soft Washing?

Soft wash is similar to pressure washing with a lower PSI making it an excellent tool for general maintenance. The PSI comes in at 500 PSI or less, and the temperature is roughly 140ºF. Although the person operating the machine needs to exercise care, it’s less likely to do damage.

Soft Wash uses a pressure washer, but the spray comes out of a broader tip, reducing the pressure.

What Surfaces Should I Soft Wash?

Soft Wash is ideal for returning luster to outdoor wood furniture, cedar shake roofs or siding, vinyl siding, and stucco.

Spring and fall soft wash maintenance will keep your home and furnishings clean and extend their lifespan. Watching the dirt wash away from dingy siding, outdoor wooden furniture, and screens is gratifying.

Soft washing uses eco-friendly cleaning solutions that keep the protective coating on your siding intact. It will also break down organisms living on the surfaces and dirt.

This lower-impact cleaning method may take more than one application if you’ve gone too far between cleanings.

Power Washing vs. Soft Wash

Choosing between power washing and soft washing is determined primarily by how long you’ve put off exterior maintenance and what surfaces need attention. If the outside of your home has a grungy look, it may be time to call the professionals and have them assess your needs.

Taking on the entire exterior of your house is a big job. Depending on the size of your home, it will take an inexperienced person a week or more. Using the wrong tools and compromising the exterior of your home would be a very costly mistake.

If you know it’s time to spruce things up and bring some pizzazz back to your home’s curb appeal, call Allied Restoration. We’ll send a technician to evaluate your needs and give you a detailed estimate. Then when the work starts, you can rest assured Allied Restoration will do it to the highest standards. Grab a lawn chair and watch your home transform before your eyes.

Call Allied Restoration, and we’ll send a technician out to your home to assess the situation.

Why is My Basement Wet?

A leaky basement can happen regardless of the age of the home. Several factors can contribute to compromising the integrity of the waterproofing of your basement. When water doesn’t drain appropriately at the foundation walls or under the foundation, you’ve got to address the issue as soon as possible to minimize damage. A musty smell is a sure sign that water is migrating into your living space. If you already see water on the floor or seeping down the walls, don’t panic. Call Allied Restoration, and we’ll let you know the best approach for your waterproofing basement repairs and what you’re up against. It may be as simple as unclogging the existing drainage system.

Are Waterproofing Basement Repairs a Good DIY Project?

Unless you’ve been trained by a licensed, professional waterproofing company, this is one job best left to professionals. Even if you have the skills, this generally isn’t a one-person job. Determining the water source that’s migrating into your basement is complicated. There could be more than one source. After the extent of the leaking is determined, you’ll know the best approach to get your living space dry.

Options for Waterproofing Basement Repairs

When a home is new, the foundation walls and foundation are waterproofed. Even so, leaking can occur if you experience heavy freeze-thaw in your area. The dirt the house was built on is another factor. Now that you’ve been in your home for several years, settling may occur, causing some cracks allowing water to find its way into your basement.

Ideally, waterproofing the exterior is best. But once the house is built, a tremendous amount of excavation would be necessary to waterproof the exterior. If the thought of having your entire yard torn up makes you cringe, you’re not alone. Your basement waterproofing repairs might be able to be done from the inside.

Costs and Considerations

Repair costs vary greatly depending on the extent of the work. Getting an estimate and recommendations are the first steps. You’ll also want to consider replacing that old carpet while you’re at it. Once the waterproofing basement repairs are complete, you may wish to update your basement. If the problem is minor, you’ll still be out hundreds of dollars. An extensive job will run into the thousands. Waiting is never a good idea with waterproofing. Any moisture will start to grow mold on carpet, wood, and nearly all building materials. The longer you wait, the more extensive the damage will be.

If you’ve noticed any signs of moisture in your basement or crawl space, give Allied Restoration a call. We’re licensed professionals who will restore your basement to a dry environment. Give us a call and let us take care of your waterproofing problem so you can check that off your list.

Depending on where the pipe burst and its severity, it could determine just how bad the damage will be.

So, what happens when a pipe bursts in your home?

How to Recognize Warning Signs of Pipe Bursts

The good news is that pipes usually don’t burst overnight. This buys you have a little time to look for any potential warning signs. Some signs may be harder to find, so keep an eye out for:

Water Pressure Problems

Low water pressure points to a sign that something is wrong. More times than not, this suggests that a burst has occurred. Water goes directly through the hole rather than the faucet, which lowers water pressure.

Puddles

These are more significant and spread further than a leak. Water gathers in more areas like the floor and walls when puddles happen. Leaks remain more contained to one location.

Wall Stains

This is probably one of the most telling indicators that a pipe has burst. When you notice a stain on your wall, there is a high probability you have a burst pipe behind it.

High Water Bill

You probably have a burst pipe if your monthly water bill jumps up above normal levels. Excess amounts of water seep through the hole or break in your line, wasting water as your bill goes up.

What to Do If Your Pipes Bursts

Once you notice warning signs of pipe bursts, you can take action. The first step you can take to stop it is turn off your water quickly. This will minimize water damage as the water flowing through the pipes should stop. If you can’t locate the main water valve, call a plumber.

The next step would be to locate where the pipe burst. Look for any of the warning signs mentioned earlier in the article. Once you find the spot, consider calling a professional, depending on the damage. Hire a plumber to repair pipes and an electrician to repair any damage to electrical components.

How to Prevent Pipe Bursts

You can do a few things to help prevent pipes bursts. The more you can do to save yourself the stress and financial burden, the better. I listed some of them below:

• Drain outdoor hoses when the weather gets colder
• Add insulation to areas with pipes that remain cold, like a garage, an unfinished basement, or an attic
• Use foam tubing to insulate pipes
• Never let your home temperature go below 55 degrees Fahrenheit
• Allow cold water to drip from your faucets when temperatures drop below freezing.

These handy little tips will help to ensure your pipes don’t burst. Planning will save you keep money in your pocket a little longer. When you need us, call Allied Restoration to help you recover when your pipes burst! We are the home restoration specialists you need on your side!

Did you know 40 types of bats make their homes in America? Bats seek shelter from predators or hibernate from September to April. They can fit into spaces as small as a half to a quarter inch and make their way into chimneys, walls, and attics. Once they are in your attic, they can cause severe and expensive damage to your home.

Home Destruction by Bats

These tiny-winged creatures may not cause much harm to humans. They rarely bite us. But that doesn’t mean they won’t cause damage to our homes.

While they won’t take a bite out of the building, they can still cause costly harm to the structure.

Bat guano and urine build up over time which can ruin insulation, leak through sheetrock, and drip through ceilings. This bat excrement contains high uric acid levels, which erodes metal compounds like copper and bronze, stone, concrete, and even wood. Guano contains minerals like phosphate, ammonium, and potassium, which can cause moisture between cracks and weaken the structure of your home.

Getting Them Out of Your Attic

Attics are ideal for bats who prefer dry, warm, sheltered places. Since they love dark locations, they’ll be comfortable to start roosting there.

Bats are also not easy to get rid of. They cannot be quickly captured and carried outside. Exterminating them is not a good option since it is illegal in most states.

So how do we get rid of them?

There are some remedies you can try. You might want to try installing bright lights which repel them. Bats also don’t like anything that reflects light, such as aluminum foil, mirrors, or even old CDs, so you may want to hang strips of these items. Lastly, you can try spraying cinnamon, white phenol, or eucalyptus to keep them away.

But the best action you can take is to call a professional pest control specialist.

Stopping Bats from Coming Back

Getting rid of the bats is only half the equation. The other half of knowing how to keep them away for good.

The first place to start is by getting a full inspection of the exterior of your home. Look for holes, cracks, and spaces between architectural elements, especially in tight corners. Don’t forget loose boards, torn screws, and missing tines on ventilation screens. Some entrance holes may not be easy to see. Bats can squeeze through openings that are fractions of an inch.

Once you find out where the holes and gaps are, it’s time to seal them up to prevent further entry. Repair or replace broken or torn vents and screens. Fill holes with caulk or similar material. Openings with metal screens should be covered, and make sure you secure vents and chimney caps.

Performing these simple fixes will close potential entrances and prevent bats from entering your home. If you suspect a bat problem in your home… call us at Allied Restoration. We’ll come out to perform an inspection and get those bats out of there!

There are a lot of issues that can wreak havoc on your home’s foundation. Water will find its way in through any crack or crevice, causing preventable problems with ongoing maintenance or some value-added jobs a contractor can complete. Many of these related home improvement jobs can be backbreaking or tedious, depending on your enthusiasm for DIY projects.

Allied Restoration can keep your foundation dry using several effective methods. Hence, your home remains stable and will retain its value for years to come.

Signs You Need to Keep Your Foundation Dry

Many older homes were built with basements. Even if you only have a crawl space upon close inspection, you may be able to identify problems. Starting with the interior, go down into your basement or venture into your crawl space. If it smells musty, that’s not a good sign. If the basement feels cooler than appropriate, you may have water seeping through your foundation. Damp floors and walls are a dead giveaway.

Clogged Gutters

Now head outside and take a look at your gutters. When was the last time you cleaned them? Clogged gutters pose many problems. When heavy rain comes, they fill up, and the water overflows down the side of the house directly towards your foundation. Homebuilders design gutters to take water away from the home to protect the structure.

Landscaping

Take a look at the foundation. If you have deep crevasses where the dirt meets the concrete, it’s an easy entry for water to migrate into your home. Your landscaping plays a crucial part in keeping your foundation dry. Having curbing installed around the flower beds need to be lower than the foundation. You may need to modify the areas you’ve planted near the house. Plants are good. Don’t get me wrong. They soak up water before it can get to your foundation if planted correctly. Because you’ll water them regularly, it also keeps the dirt from cracking during extreme drought, allowing water in after a heavy rain pour.

Look at the trees planted near the house. Are they getting so big the roots threaten to push up the foundation? Think about the sidewalks you’ve seen popping up due to the roots of a beautiful old tree.

Solutions for Keeping Your Foundation Dry

If you’ve already suffered visual damage, don’t delay. Call Allied Restoration. We can help you assess the situation and come up with solutions.

French Drain

If heavy rain and standing water are a problem, you may opt for a French drain. We dig a trench down around your foundation. Then, a perforated pipe is set on top of the gravel and covered with more rock. The pipe redirects the water to another area away from your foundation.

Gutters and Downspouts

Maintenance will extend the life of your gutters, and you should get them checked a few times a year, depending on how many trees are in your yard. Extended downspouts are a consideration to direct water further away from the house and a simple fix if appropriate.

Hopefully, you don’t have a much-loved tree encroaching on the foundation. Taking it down may be the only way to fix that problem.

Even if you haven’t seen any visual signs of your foundation leaking, calling for a professional assessment of your foundation may save you money and headaches down the road. At Allied Restoration, we have licensed professionals trained to identify problems. Call us now and protect the foundation of your home.

Mold and Mildew

Bacteria growth quickly happens where there is moisture. Mold and mildew are forms of bacteria, and they thrive where it’s wet. Because a basement is underground, there’s moisture all around the outside of it. All it takes is a crack in a wall or a bad seal in a window to allow moisture in.

Keep your basement as dry as possible. A sump pump is usually in a sump pit in the lowest part of the home. When the pit fills with groundwater, sensors kick on the pump, expelling water from the house. Sump pumps keep a basement from flooding and are a good way to dry a basement.

Another way to keep mold and mildew away is to run a dehumidifier. This is an electrical appliance that removes water from the air. The water collects in a basin and must be emptied for the dehumidifier to continue working. Pulling water out of the air, especially in humid conditions, can help keep the musty smell out of the basement.

Having good gutters on your home will also help to keep your basement dry. It’s helpful to invest in gutters if your home doesn’t have them. If there are gutters, make sure they are not cracked or need repairs. Gutters keep water away from the house as rain falls or snow melts, reducing the chance of water in the basement.

Mold and mildew love absorbent materials. So, if either is in your basement, you may need to rip out and replace the carpet. There could be furniture, fabrics, or cardboard that you have to toss.

Mold can be hard to irradicate, so you might need a professional.

Most odors in basements are usually due to mold and mildew. Depending on the age of your home and how well the previous owners maintained it, you may always have a slight musty smell that never goes away.

Sewer Gas

What isn’t a slight smell is the odor from sewer gas. It can make your basement smell like rotten eggs, garbage, or human waste.

If your basement has a sewer smell, you may have a big problem that requires immediate action.

Homes have a basement floor drain. This drain runs deep into your sewer line. If you smell sewer gas, it could mean damage to the drain line. Or the drain line could be clogged and need to be cleaned.

All floor drains come equipped with a water trap. A water trap regularly holds a small amount of water to keep sewer gasses from coming up through the pipe. However, a water trap can dry out if the pipeline’s not used for some time. This allows sewer gases to come through. An easy fix is to pour hot water into the drain to get water back into the trap, keeping the smell out.

Dead Animals Have a Weird Smell

Unwanted house pests like mice and bats may not only live in your home, but they sometimes die in your home. The smell of a decomposing animal can permeate a basement. If you find them where you can’t easily get to them, like behind a wall, only time will cover the odor.

To prevent rodents or other small animals from getting in your home, walk around the outside of your home to make sure no openings are inviting them inside.

Here to Help

Suppose your basement has a musty smell that you can’t remedy. In that case, the experts at Allied Restoration in Gambrills, Maryland, can help. We are mold removal experts. Call us anytime at 410-BUILDER (410-284-5337) to schedule a free estimate.