Category: Restoration (Page 1 of 8)

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.

Cleaning up after Cape Cod’s tornadoes

July 25, 2019 / whalen

South Dennis, MA Tornado Weather 7/23/19

When you think of Cape Cod, Massachusetts what sort of weather dangers come to mind? Hurricanes and Nor’easters are common answers, but “tornado” isn’t common at all. Seeing the aftermath of this week’s high grade EF1s that impacted Yarmouth, Dennis, Harwich, Chatham and surrounding areas, that may change. Although Cape Cod wasn’t specifically prepared for the sudden impact of the rare weather event, the response of the towns and first responders was fantastic and thankfully no serious injuries have been reported.

Once the storm had passed the sun came out for a moment allowing us a quick peek of blue sky. Although that tempted people to want to walk about and survey the aftereffects, local authorities urged everyone to stay inside. The hours after a natural disaster are the most crucial for restoration efforts. Immediate dangers need to be assessed, unsafe/impassible roads need to be blocked off and detour points need to be established, medial emergency responders need to be able to safely navigate the labyrinth of streets, utility emergency responders need the limited routes as clear as possible as they work to assess services, and as the tree blockades are found they need to be accessed quickly by fellers (because no one in need of an ambulance wants them stuck in a labyrinth of downed trees!). In addition to all that, downed wires are deadly and until they’ve been identified and secured it’s simply not safe.

Cape Cod Tornado Damage Willow Tree Uproots in Brewster, MA

With any natural disaster first you assess and secure, then clean-up and restore. Any serious wind event brings a surge of calls to professional restoration companies from property owners who’ve had trees fall on their home or business. The first thing to do is remove the tree from the structure. Once that is safely done and the tree is on the ground it’s important to immediately board-up any openings it created. After the property has been secured then it’s time to assess the interior damage.

When it comes to insurance coverage this is where things can vary significantly from owner to owner. The deductible on a policy is the portion you are personally responsible for paying out of pocket on a claim. Some policies have a special wind deductible that is different than the standard policy deductible (and often quite larger). If you have a wind deductible on your policy and the wind of the storm toppled a tree on your home then that’s the deductible you’ll be looking at paying with your claim. Other policies may narrow the criteria of the special deductible to hurricanes and named storms, not all wind events. An interesting exclusion we’ve run into on some calls is that although some insurance companies may include the cost to remove the tree from the structure in the claim, removing the tree from the property may not be included and then it’s up to the homeowner to get it chopped up and moved away (or stacked to season for cozy winter fires). These variables and this week’s storm are reasons why our monthly maintenance checklist schedule has you review the different deductibles of your policies with your agent at least once a year.

Cape Cod Tornado Wind downs Brewster Tree at Farm

The support and acts of kindness seen and heard around the community have our hearts overflowing. Let’s keep that strength showing. If you see a first responder, thank them. If you’re still without power, be patient. Crews are still working around the clock to get you back up and running. A smile and snack will help them do that more than any complaint ever will. If you’ve offered a helping hand, even something as simple as checking in on your elderly or ill neighbors, thank you!

Have any questions about emergency board-up services or natural disaster response? Send us a message or give us a call! Sharing and supporting the #CapeStrong spirit? Show us on Facebook or Twitter! @whalenrestoration @whalenservices

Uninvited Guests in the Attic

May 14, 2019 / whalen

Do you provide insulation removal services?

That’s a question we are asked quite often, and it’s usually followed by a story of how a property owner found animals in their attic. Well the answer is yes! We do! They’re not just looking a basic material removal job at that point though, they’re in need of animal damage cleaning services. Our technicians are trained and properly equipped to handle the removal of the contaminated insulation, both batt and blown-in, and the cleaning and sanitizing of any affected structure.

Why hire professions for animal damage cleaning?

First off, NEVER TOUCH ANIMAL DROPPINGS or urine affected material with bare hands! They can harbor viruses and other harmful contaminates. Animal damage projects should be handled with the upmost care, taking all necessary precautions to protect you and the rest of your home. Our technicians wear Tyvek personal protection equipment (PPE) and respirators.

Why would animal activity require immediate attention?

If they’ve gotten into the attic, they can eventually make their way into your living space too. We’ve had calls where squirrels had a field day enjoying a spacious home, making beds of what was beautiful brand-new upholstery, and where water damage was caused by mice gnawing away at flex plumbing! The longer you wait, the more damage they can cause, the more germs they can spread and the more they can multiply!

If you hear something, smell something, or see any signs that you have animals in your home or business call a pest/critter control company right away. Once the animals have been eradicated, call Whalen Restoration Services to clean things up for you!

It’s Personal…

February 14, 2019 / whalen

What’s More Personal Than a Person’s Home?

We all hope that we’ll never need the services of a professional restoration company. The reality is that you or someone you know will have a situation that requires them. Why should Whalen Restoration Services be the first choice for Cape Cod, MA property owners? Most people want to work with an established company that has a great reputation. They want the company to be licensed and insured, the workers to be experienced and trained, and the best tools available to be used with up-to-date techniques. There isn’t a restoration company that won’t claim to have all of these positive attributes. Our special difference: Whether the project involves a residential property or a commercial property, our President, Bill Whalen, is tuned in to the needs of the owner.

Bill ensures that all of us at Whalen Restoration Services realize that there is nothing more personal than someone’s home. If put in the same situation we would want to be back in our own homes as soon as possible, and we work diligently to be sure that our clients are. Business owners have additional concerns, specifically the expense of being unable to operate the business while the restoration is ongoing. We helped one restaurant owner who had a fire just before a major holiday, and another restaurant owner whose building was hit by a car at the height of the summer season. Anyone who is familiar with Cape Cod knows that being closed during those times would be devastating for business! We also saved business for a hotel where, had we not responded in the fashion that we did, a wedding would have been forfeited. Our timely restorations also saved the insurance companies significantly in all of these cases. Bill’s empathy and understanding for the business owner contributes immensely to the successful completion of their restoration projects.

Many of us here at Whalen Restoration Services have homes and families of our own, so we completely understand that it is personal to have us in yours. This business is even family owned and operated. These are huge reasons why we’re committed to restoring every residential and commercial property to its pre-loss condition in a timely fashion with quality and courtesy.

Want to learn more about Bill and our office staff? Read on!