We’re all guilty of walking through our daily lives saying, “I’ve got to this, I’ve got to do that.” Life is busy with work, school, sports and many other commitments that demand our time beyond the number of hours in each day. We know there are important tasks that need to be addressed like having a will drawn up or updated, buying life insurance or starting a retirement fund. Another, less thought about task, but just as important, is recording the belongings in our homes.

Whether you choose to photograph or videotape the items, i.e. jewelry, electronics, collectibles, antiques, etc., it is extremely important to log these items for insurance purposes. Insurance companies that provide homeowners coverage encourage their clients to be pro-active in creating a registry of personal belongings, in case of a fire or significant water loss that could destroy such items in, literally, a matter of minutes!

It doesn’t matter if you live in Levittown or Yardley, Bensalem or Doylestown, disasters happen and many times with little or no advanced warning. The restoration process can be long and drawn out, not to mention stressful and tedious. By preparing in advance you can aid the insurance adjuster to account for all important articles in your home to make sure you are properly reimbursed.

Water damage is the leading cause of insurance claims and needs to be taken seriously. Whether it’s a big loss or a small loss, acting quickly lessens the consequences of further damage. As with any emergency situation, there are do’s and don’ts that need to be considered to avoid injury or increased damage. Do not attempt to repair any damage or dispose of any affected belongings before they have been inspected and photographed. First, CALL MDL RESTORATION, INC! Secondly, call your insurance carrier to report a claim.

• Shut off source of water supply
• Turn off circuit breakers near wet areas
• Remove excess water by mopping or blotting the affected area
• Wipe excess water from wood surfaces and don’t allow to dry in the sun
• Prop up furniture on balls of aluminum foil or blocks to separate from wet carpet
• Lift drapes off flooring
• Remove valuable objects to a dry, safe place
• If possible, without electrical risk, have fans running to help dry out surfaces

Do’s for Contaminated Water

• AVOID all contact with sewage and sewage contaminated items!
• Wash hand thoroughly

• Enter a room with standing water to avoid electrical shock hazards
• Try to lift we carpet
• Leave magazines/books/newspapers on wet surfaces that could cause staining
• Use vacuum
• Use tv’s or other appliances
• Turn on ceiling fans
• Wait to call MDL RESTORATION, INC!

• Walk on damaged or wet areas, will spread contaminants
• Turn on HVAC system, could spread contaminated air
• Use household fans, will also spread contaminated air

Mold is very dangerous if it is lurking in your home or business. Many people think they can pour some bleach on it and it will disappear…but that isn’t true.

If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don’t fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back. The clean-up should be done by a professional restoration company who knows how to tackle the source of the problem and remediate it properly!

Exposure to mold can cause irritability to the eyes, skin, nose and throat. Headaches, flu-like symptoms, breathing problems and even asthma attacks can occur with prolonged contact to mold. Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed.

Moisture control is the key to mold control.

MDL Restoration, Inc. is proud to announce our sponsorship of John Fitch Elementary School’s Sign Language Choir in Bristol Township School District! The choir will perform at many venues throughout the year, beginning with a Trenton Devils game on March 25, 2011. Other venues include Trenton Thunder and Phillies games. They recently performed at Rider College.

The choir was created by music teacher Mrs. Lynne Winner, a teacher in Bristol Township for 22 years. Only children who exemplify good behavior are permitted into the group and are required to uphold the “good behavior” model. Most of the children in the choir are 3rd, 4th and 5th graders, with a few 6th graders that assist with the younger children. The choir has become so popular among the students that Mrs. Winner created a Sign Language Club for the younger students who will progress into the choir as they become older and maintain their good behavior status.

The process was long, the requirements were many, but we did it!

Many insurance companies have done away with Preferred Vendor Lists, leaving homeowners on their own to find a reputable contractor to place their trust in after suffering a loss in their home. Travelers Insurance is not one of them. Travelers scrutinizes its contractor applicants thoroughly before allowing them to become a member of their elite force.

So, rest assured you are dealing with a professional company in MDL Restoration, Inc.! We are fully licensed and insured, IICRC certified and EPA Lead Paint certified. Customer service is our highest priority! Our ability to walk you through every step of the process is our signature.

If you experience a loss in your home, no matter which company you are insured with, trust MDL Restoration to do it right the first time!

• FREE Consultations
• Discounts on deductibles
• State-of-the-art equipment

Prepare for winter! The cold weather is upon us and there are many things you need to do to prepare your home from becoming the victim of an unfortunate insurance claim.

• Service your heater. Puff backs are very common during the winter months and are more contaminating than you think. The oil residue seeps into the pores of plastic, wood, drywall and other surfaces. The longer the residue sits the harder it is to clean (or save) the surface and rid of the contamination.
• Turn off your outside hoses/water spigots. These can freeze then break and the water may cause leakage into the ground/walls of your home and lead to mold formation.
• Make sure your main water source is turned off if you go on vacation, even if you leave for a day or two. Without continuous use, water pipes can freeze, burst and create major damage to your home.
• Clean your gutters. Water can build up and creep into the walls of your home.
• Candles are a major cause of fires. Keep candles away from walls, curtains, papers and other flammable materials.
• Check your smoke detectors.

MDL Restoration, Inc. is dedicated to giving you a quick response and professional customer service should you experience a traumatic situation. Our technicians will assess your loss, explain in full detail how they will remediate it and walk with you through the entire process.

Hurricane season is upon us. So is the possibility of water damage to your home or business. Please note whether you use a Public Adjuster or go directly through your insurance company, it is important to begin the cleanup process as quickly as possible! (This applies to leaking roofs, plumbing or any kind of water seepage) Ninety-eight percent of water loss claims are covered by homeowner’s insurance policies. Don’t wait! Call MDL Restoration!

With water comes mold. With mold comes health issues. With health issues come doctor’s visits and co-pays, money you can avoid having to spend if you act quickly to remove and dry the water from your home or business as soon as possible! Mold spores begin forming 24-48 hours after the water enters the premises. Waiting for your insurance adjuster to arrive or your public adjuster to get a final monetary agreement from your insurance carrier can take days or even weeks. The longer the water damage/mold remains during a loss, the more the cost of the claim. If weeks go by, please don’t be surprised if your insurance company doesn’t cover the mold removal. Holding out for more money doesn’t always work to your favor! Take care of the problem right away and deal with the insurance company later. It is to your benefit to do so!

MDL Restoration, Inc. gives free consultations and will discount your homeowner’s deductible. Check us out and see how our team of professionals can help you in your time of need.

Over the many years I spent on the police force, I’ve had the unfortunate experience of being dispatched to the scene of a violent crime or serious accident involving blood and bodily fluids. I have never been actively involved with crime scene cleanup, but I have crossed paths with many companies who specialize in the cleanup of crime scenes, blood, suicide, gross filth and general biohazard conditions and I commend every professional technician employed in the industry. It is a very detailed and labor intensive process that requires specialized training, including compassion and caring. These trained professionals rise to the occasion when helping a homeowner or lessee left with the daunting task of having his/her home or apartment cleaned after such an occasion.

It is my belief that public servants should feel obligated to assist those left to clean the aftermath of a crime or trauma scene as much as possible. People facing adverse circumstances as these usually don’t know who to turn to when the emergency responders are gone. It is not necessary to “sell” any particular company, but to ensure the victim knows that crime scene cleanup companies and other blood cleanup services are available. Their expertise is valuable in getting the job done correctly the first time.

Written by Robert Sackett Retired Philadelphia Police Officer