Planning A BR Remodel

Planning A Bathroom Remodel

The two best parts of a kitchen remodel are the planning stage, and the completion. If you plan well, the middle stage won't be so bad either. Use this guide to help you finalize your vision for your kitchen with a qualified contractor who can bring your vision to life.

Planning A Kitchen Remodel

Preparing for Mold Remediation

The two best parts of a kitchen remodel are the planning stage, and the completion. If you plan well, the middle stage won't be so bad either. Use this guide to help you finalize your vision for your kitchen with a qualified contractor who can bring your vision to life.

stormdamage feature

How to Tell if There is Structural Damage from a Storm

When storms strike, they can do a lot of damage to your property. Storms have been known to cause significant structural damage from flooding and wind damage. Storms may also lead to fire from lightning strikes and electrical malfunctions, which can cause further problems for your home and family. If you notice signs of structural damage after a storm has passed, it is crucial that you take the problem seriously and call the team at Green Restoration & Reconstruction as soon as possible. Storms can break your home, but they do not have to destroy it.

The first thing to know about storm damage repairs is how to tell if there really is a problem at all. There are a few ways that storms can cause major issues for your home. Storm damage can cause flooding, whether it is from torrential rain or broken pipes, which may lead to water damage and mold if not dealt with quickly. Storms can also wreak havoc on your roofing system, leading to leaks and holes that could pose a hazard for your home. Storms can even cause electrical problems, such as short circuits and malfunctions that can lead to a fire. Storm damage may be a bit more obvious if there is a huge hole in your roof or a lightning bolt through your living room, but the earlier these problems are addressed, the better for everyone involved. Storms don't always show their face as obviously as tornadoes and hurricanes do, so it can be more difficult to detect storm damage on your property.

Signs of Structural Damage

The signs of storm damage are important to know. If you are unsure about whether or not your home has storm damage, there are a few things to look for that could indicate structural damage. Storm damage can cause cracks in walls, ceilings, and floors if it causes shifting of the foundation. Storms can also bring high winds that lead to siding damage on your exterior walls or shingles.

Signs your foundation has been compromised include:

  • Cracks in the floors and walls around doorframes, windows, or staircases.
  • Cracks in your foundation (horizontal cracks are the most dangerous)
  • Holes or cracks in walls or floors.
  • Your home is shifting from its originMissing shingles

Signs your roof has been compromised include:

  • Missing shingles
  • Blistering, softening, or other signs of rotting wood.
  • A shift in the pitch of your roof.
  • Water leakage inside your home near the chimney and vents.

Signs your Drainage System has been compromised include:

  • Water coming up through your basement floor
  • Water coming in through the walls
  • Leaks inside your home.

The good news about storm damage is that it can be fixed. Storm damage may have caused structural issues, but it does not have to affect the integrity of your home. Storms are just one of the things that Green Restoration & Reconstruction excel at handling. We understand how important your family is to you, and we know that any kind of damage to your home can cause a lot of extra stress. Storm damage may not always be obvious, but the earlier you catch it, the easier it will be to fix.

If you notice any signs of storm damage on your property, contact Green Restoration & Reconstruction as soon as possible. Storms don't have to destroy your home if they're caught early enough. If left unaddressed, storm damage can cause even more problems for you and your family. Storms may bring rain, but we'll bring the sunshine back to your home.

Storm damage is a stressful experience, and we understand that it can bring up a lot of questions about your home. If you notice storm damage or have already been informed by your insurance company that there may be storm damage, reach out to Green Restoration & Reconstruction as soon as possible. Our team will work with your insurance company to get the repairs you need and to restore your home to pre-loss conditions.

Mold_Featured_Image

How to Prepare for Mold Remediation

Here at Green Restoration, we come in after the remediation crew has cleared out the problem and work with your insurance company to make your space look new. We can put you in touch with the best remediation crews in the area. But before facing a mold remediation project, consider the following.

How Does Mold Remediation Work?

Contrary to what the internet might have you believe, mold removal is very rarely a DIY project. Mold can be hidden behind sheetrock, under flooring, inside walls, and in crawl spaces. It is usually hidden until it makes itself known as a visible spot (or spots) on the wall or ceiling. Mold removal should always be left to the pros.
Most professionals who do mold remediation carry commercial-grade air movers and air scrubbers and use HEPA vacuums.  They will strategically place fans to move around the air in your space as well as fogging machines (foggers look like a water hose with a machine attached) that emit antimicrobial agents into the problem area.

The goal is to get the mold spores active and airborne so that they can be removed by the machines. Depending on how bad the problem is, mold remediation may include the removal of sheetrock, flooring, ceiling tiles, or even cabinetry.

How to Prepare for Mold Remediation

  1. Do not touch it!
    As is the case with most types of remediation, the first order of business is to leave everything alone. Anything you've touched may have to be discarded so wear gloves and don't forget your respirator mask. Unless instructed otherwise by the remediation crew, do not enter the area until after they have completed the project. Moving items out of the area could spread the mold further.
  2. Don't turn on fans.
    It may seem logical to use a fan to air out a moldy space, to dry the water causing the problem. However, fans - when not used by qualified remediation specialists, are more likely to spread the mold spores throughout the house. (I've seen one situation where a mattress had gotten wet in one room causing mold in that space. The homeowner used a fan to air out the room and spread the mold throughout the entire house in just two days.)
  3. Wait for the green light.
    Remediation is a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it. So let them do their work and give the area at least 24 hours before you return to assess the damage and clean up any residual mold or mildew.
  4. Call Green Restoration & Reconstruction to Rebuild Your Space.
    Time For Restoration & Reconstruction

The goal of restoration construction is to clean and restore your home to its pre-loss condition. Green Restoration & Reconstruction will work with your insurance adjuster to determine what items can be saved, restored, and/or replaced. The first step in any loss recovery process is mitigation which includes extraction, removal of damaged materials, and drying the structure as quickly as possible. Our team has recovered from hundreds of losses so we have seen it all when it comes to dealing with flooded homes and businesses.

We have the experience needed to handle everything from full-scale commercial properties down to smaller residential jobs.

Our team specializes in restorative construction, especially following water, fire, or storm-related disaster. We know how to prevent additional problems. We work with your insurance company every step of the way, filling out all required paperwork in a timely manner, and we move quickly to get your life back to normal.

Our assistance helps you to expedite the claims process and get the restoration results you need as fast as possible.

in_home-featured

In-Home Leaks

Life can be funny sometimes and it will usually be at the worst possible time. The washing machine does a jig spewing water and suds everywhere. Not everything that happens to your home, happens as a result of weather. Water seepage can occur wherever there is a container to hold it and a leak, either the pipes or the water heater or a leak in the kitchen faucet goes unnoticed until the subflooring and flooring is affected. When it happens in the kitchen, it often means repairing not just the leak itself, but everything that leak affected.

Leaky faucets can also end up causing damage to your foundation, walls, and floors. It’s not so much the leak itself that can be hazardous to you and your family’s health, but the mold, mildew, and material damage that leak has caused. These problems can develop unseen in the structure and foundations of your home and might only be discovered after it has caused costly damages.

Stagnant water can cause allow unwanted insects and bacteria to breed around your home or office. These potential problems can all be avoided by getting an experienced professional to look at your leaking taps or pipes when you first notice them.

An unchecked water leak can:

  • Lead to deteriorated caulk and grout, which can result in water leaking through and damaging floorboards and ceilings throughout your home.
  • Can cause costly structural damage to your home if left unchecked.
  • Can affect subflooring as well. Will easily add ten percent to your water bill.

After assessing the damages, you want to talk to a company that knows how to make your home whole. You want a company that knows how to talk to your insurance company about reconstruction services as well as a company that will listen to YOU for how you want the remodel to go. Green Restoration and Reconstruction is the company for you.  They have years of experience in remodeling and expertise in dealing with the parameters of what is your insurance and staying within budget.

Being prepared for the worst is being proactive against it. Having the right insurance coverage and the right team to assist in making things right again is peace of mind worth having.  Green Reconstruction and Reconstruction is the right company for your family to make the worst of times better.

other-wither-hzrds-FE

Other Winter Hazards to Consider

Winter in the greater New Jersey area, brings with it special circumstances when it comes to the vulnerabilities of your home, from flashing on your chimney to the frames of your doors.

When temperatures drop below freezing, moisture in the soil beneath a home freezes and expand. This expansion causes lateral pressure to the foundation above it and causes an upheaval movement. This movement can cause cracks in the walls, floors, and ceilings, which can lead to further damage.

Winter Hazards to Consider:

The windows and doorways which keep winter outside your door, have their own set of issues:

  • Fluctuations in winter temperature cause caulk to pull away from windows, which in turn creates drafts that let warm air out and cold air in.
  • Your doors when exposed to wintry conditions after a harsh winter often need to be shimmed.
  • The frames around your doors can grow soft and damp, which can lead to wood rot and a welcome mat to termites in the spring.  If the damage to the frame is extensive consider replacing the entire door frame.
broken-window

The chimney can present particular issues, among them:

  • The bricks of your chimney expand and contract during daily winter temperature fluctuations, this can lead to displaced bricks.
  • Flashing, the metal sheet where the chimney and roof meet does not always adhere to the roof properly which means water and ice can leak into it and then your home.
  • The displaced bricks of your chimney can lead to a pest problem, like mice, rats, and other outside vermin will always seek warmth, shelter, and food.  And rodents will chew wires as well as insulation.
ice-damage-chimney

Though most decks are built to withstand the elements if your deck is not weather coated correctly:

  • Winter moisture is a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
  • Moisture leaching can cause discoloration of your deck.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

After assessing the damages, you want to talk to a company that knows how to make your home whole. You want a company that knows how to talk to your insurance company about reconstruction services as well as a company that will listen to YOU for how you want the remodel to go. Green Restoration and Reconstruction is the company for you. They have years of experience in remodeling and expertise in dealing with the parameters of what is your insurance and staying within budget.

Being prepared for the worst is being proactive against it. Having the right insurance coverage and the right team to assist in making things right again is peace of mind worth having.  Green Reconstruction and Remodeling is the right company for your family to make the worst of times better.

ice-hazards-fe

Ice Hazards

Ice brings with it a different set of issues, some very hazardous to your home. As winter comes to be upon us, there will be more weather reports concerning snow. And depending on temperature, wrapped into snowstorms there are concerns for sleet, freezing rain or ice. When you can hear the snow, it is no longer snow. While sleet is made up of pellets that will bounce off a surface, freezing rain will form a solid sheet of ice, making it the more dangerous of the two.

Effects of ice on your home:

  • Yes, icicles look pretty dangling from your home. The weight of these ice formations can rip the gutters off your house! As well as damage your shingles.  So, remember to clear off the icicles and check your shingles after a storm.
  • Ice can freeze and melt and refreeze several times during the cold weather, depending on temperature and how warm your roof gets.  This can damage your drywall and plaster, as well as seepage into your attic causing water-stained ceilings.
  • Ice dams occur when your gutters get overwhelmed with ice.  An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas.
  • Ice forming on your roof can cause serious problems.   A roof collapse can happen when a roof cannot bear the weight of ice and snow.
  • The bricks of the chimney expand and contract during daily winter temperature fluctuations. And water can get underneath the chimney flashing.   Water gets behind the mortar and flashing causing it to freeze, which leads it to fail after the inevitable thaw.
icey-house

The roof is not the only cause for concern regarding ice hazard issues. Ice can damage your foundation due to the frost heave cycle: when the ground freezes and then ultimately melts again. The frost heave cycle can result in the soil shifting and moving under your home’s concrete foundation, causing cracks and other damage. While trees are great for shade in the summer, ice covered limbs can easily prove a hazard not only to power lines but to possible damage if a large limb falls on your home or siding.

After assessing the damages, you want to talk to a company that knows how to make your home whole. You want a company that knows how to talk to your insurance company about reconstruction services as well as a company that will listen to YOU for how you want the remodel to go. Green Restoration and Reconstruction is the company for you.  They have years of experience in remodeling and expertise in dealing with the parameters of what is your insurance and staying within budget.

Being prepared for the worst is being proactive against it. Having the right insurance coverage and the right team to assist in making things right again is peace of mind worth having.  Green Reconstruction and Remodeling is the right company for your family to make the worst of times better.

water-damage-blog

Water Damage in Your Home

water-damage2

When the mistiness of spring leads into a soggy summer sliding into a sopping fall, where rivers rise, crest and spill over the banksand small creeks swallow land and trees, water damage can literally enter every crevice of your home. One of the several problems with water is that even when it ‘stops’ moving; it can still cause significant damage simply by pooling; leading to the formation of both mildew and mold. Wood that has been compromised being submerged in water may be susceptible to deterioration as well as insect infestation.

Water damage, increases the risk of fire as well as structural damage:

water-damage
  • Attempts to use electrical appliances that have been exposed to water.
  • Improper generator use or maintenance.
  • Damage to above-ground gas lines.
  • The pressure on the foundation walls increases and can result in cracks and leaks that allow water to penetrate the foundation.

What you do not want to do is add issues or stress to an already upsetting situation.

As with any crisis contact your insurance company as soon as possible; as well as calling for remediation services, which will handle the clean out and cleanup the damage. This is important not only for assessing damages, but also for peace of mind for you and your family.

water-damage3

You want a company that knows how to talk to your insurance company about reconstruction services as well as a company that will listen to YOU for how you want the remodel to go. Green Restoration and Reconstruction is the company for you. They have years of experience in remodeling and expertise in dealing with the parameters of what is your insurance and staying within budget.

Being prepared for the worst is the right protection against it. Having the right insurance coverage and the right team to assist in making things right again is a peace of mind worth having. Green Reconstruction and Remodeling is the right company for your family to make the worst of times better.