Whalen Restoration Services Inc.

8 Tips for Safe Summer Barbeques

May 24, 2021 / whalen

According to the Nation Fire Protection Association, an average of 10,600 home fires are started by grills each year. With May, June, July, and August being the peak months for grill fires, it’s the perfect time to learn the do’s and don’ts of outdoor grilling.

Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your home and other attached structures, including garages and porches. This applies to both charcoal and gas grills. The farther away from your home, the lower the risk of fire.
Clean your grill regularly, if not after every usage. If you allow grease and fat to build up on your grill, they provide more fuel for fire. By regularly cleaning your grill, you not only decrease the risk of a fire but it also helps food cook better.
Check your grill for gas leaks regularly. Make a solution with one part water and one part dish soap and apply it to the line that connects the grill to the gas tank. If bubbles appear on the line when you turn on the gas, that’s a sign that the hose has tiny holes or that the connections are not tight enough.
Keep water and a fire extinguisher within a couple of steps from your grill. More importantly, know how to use the fire extinguisher! If you are unsure how to use the extinguisher, don’t waste time fiddling with it before calling 911.

DON’T

Leave your grill unattended. Fires can double in size every minute. In case the grill catches fire, an adult should be around to extinguish it quickly.
Turn on the gas while your grill lid is closed. If you do this, it causes gas to build up in your grill and can instantly turn into a fireball when the grill lid is opened.
Overload your grill with food. Although it seems time efficient, cooking too much food, especially fatty meats, can cause excess fat to drip down onto the grill flames. This excess fat is highly flammable and can cause a large flare-up.
Use a grill indoors. People often think that it is safe to use a grill inside, however, this is not true. Besides a fire hazard, it also creates a serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning that can kill you, your family, and your pets.

As fire restoration experts, we advise everyone to be vigilant when grilling. Unfortunately, fire damage incidents can still happen to the most cautious homeowners. If your property experiences fire, smoke, or soot damage, contact Whalen Restoration Services for professional and reliable fire restoration services.

How To Prevent Mold In Your Attic

May 7, 2021 / whalen

The attic is one area of the home that is very likely to be neglected or ignored. Since attics are often “out of sight, out of mind”, they can easily become a hotbed for mold. Roof leaks, poor ventilation, and other condensation related problems are some of the most common causes of excessive attic moisture and mold growth. Unattended mold in your home attic space can reproduce, leading to potential structural deterioration. However, with proper care, you can help prevent the growth of mold in your attic.

Here Are Some Tips On How to Maintain a Mold-Free Attic

Inspect Your Attic Monthly

Check regularly for rook leaks that may produce moisture. This is the best way to ensure that a leak does not go unnoticed for too long. Inspect the insulation and wood for discoloration, as discoloration may be a sign of water damage.

Check for wet areas in roof valleys (where two roofs join at an angle). These areas are highly susceptible to rook leaks and may lead to excess water and moisture damage if not properly fixed.

Ensure Proper Attic Ventilation

Without adequate ventilation, moisture levels in your attic may significantly increase. This is particularly important in the winter, when warm air rises to the ceiling, enters the attic, and condenses on the cold surfaces. Proper ventilation, using rafter vents and soffits, allows the heat and moisture to escape. Constant air exchange will keep attic humidity low and significantly reduce the chance for mold growth.

Ensure Proper Insulation Installation

Attic insulation controls the temperature and moisture levels by preventing warmer air from penetrating into the colder attic. Ensure that the insulation of the floor, heating ducts, and other regions and surfaces are adequately insulated, and that the insulation is in good shape.

Do not over insulate. Your roof needs a certain amount of heat to reach it so it can dry out the moisture in the air. By adding too much insulation, your cold attic may mix with wet winter air and produce mold growth.

Vent Appliances Directly to the Outside

Make sure that your dryer, kitchen, and bathroom vents are vented to the outside of your home and not in the attic. Each appliance and vent should have its own dedicated port to transport the hot air outside. Otherwise, your ventilation system could be overwhelmed and not maintain moisture levels efficiently.

For all your mold remediation services, give Whalen Restoration Services a call at (508) 760-1911, or check out our website for more information.

How to Protect Your Home From Unwanted Pests & Animals

April 21, 2021 / whalen

There is a variety of unwanted pests & animals that can cause extensive damage to one’s home or business. Knowing all the negative consequences that come from animal infestations, it is only natural that you would want to protect your property against these critters.

Below are five ways you can help prevent wildlife from becoming a nuisance and making your home their home.

Clean Up Your Home
- The first thing you should do to protect your home is to clean your entire home, even areas that are difficult to reach. Hard to reach areas like between appliances and counters are some of wildlife’s favorite places to find food. Be sure to regularly vacuum and sweep your floors to keep the kitchen and living areas free of food and crumbs.
Ensure Food is Securely Covered and Stored
- Pay special attention to pantries, drawers, and cabinets. Pests are constantly looking for food sources to feast on. Make sure to place all food in sealed, hard to access containers. Consider keeping your pet’s food in sealed containers as well. Pet food that is not properly stored can become an enticing food source.
Cover and Secure Your Trash
- This is important both inside your house and outside. If you leave a bag of garbage in front of your door, you could be attracting unwanted animals to your home. Be sure to put garbage in a trash can and keep that trash can in your garage or shed, if possible. If this is not an option, make sure to secure your bins so they are difficult to open and topple over. This can be done with the use of lids and bungee cords.
Make Necessary Repairs to Your Home
- Inspect your home thoroughly to look for any small holes, especially near entry and exit points. Be sure to seal any holes and cracks as wildlife can use these as easy entryways into your home. Your chimney also provides an access point for critters . Consider investing in a chimney cap to prevent unwanted wildlife entry.
Apply Special Coverings Over Your Roof Vents
- Roof vents are by far one of the most susceptible areas of intrusions by wildlife. Typically raccoons and squirrels are know to destroy roof vents and use them as an entry point. Roof vents can be covered by screening, but the material used must be strong enough to prevent animals from physically removing it and/or chewing through it. Applying protective screening to your roof vents will substantially reduce the risk of being broken into by a wild animal.

If you do suspect intrusive animals in your home or business, you should contact an animal removal service immediately. Once the animals are properly removed, that is when our team can come in and begin to restore all affected areas.

Wildlife should be respected and appreciated within its natural habitat. However, we understand that unwanted wildlife can cause costly damage to your property – that is why we are here to help.

To learn more about our Wildlife Damage Restoration Services, click here or contact us at (508) 760-1911.

Helpful Tips for Preventing Spring Thaw Damage

April 7, 2021 / whalen

Spring is notorious for its unpredictable weather. To ensure that you and your home are protected during the rainy season, we are providing five tips on how to prepare for the spring thaw and prevent water damage.

Check your home’s drainage – to prevent flooding you must keep water away from the foundation of your home. This is best done with the assistance of a sump pump. A sump pump protects your basement from flooding by transporting excess water around your home’s foundation safely outside. If you already have a sump pump, make sure it is clean, the intake valve is clear, and the system is properly working.
Maintain gutters and downspouts – ensure that they are not filled with debris. Remove leaves, ice, and snow so water can move freely away from your home. Backed up gutters and downspouts are likely to cause overflows and flooding.
Install water alarm and flood sensors. These devices are designed to send an alert when unwanted water is detected in the home. This can be extremely helpful to secondary Cape homeowners that may not live in their homes full-time.
Rearrange items in the basement. Relocate sensitive, important items to upper levels of your home or move them onto shelves or pallets. By elevating your valuable items, you lower the risk of them getting damaged in unexpected floods.
Reevaluate your homeowner’s insurance policy. Most homeowners’ policies do not include flood damage, so make sure you have adequate coverage. It is important to purchase this protection separately, if necessary.

Most importantly, if you do experience any water damage or flooding, be sure to contact Whalen Restorations as soon as possible. For more information on our water damage restoration services, click here.