Floods are generally not covered by homeowner’s insurance policies.  That’s why it’s important to consider a flood insurance policy for your home or business.  Hurricane Irene left many people with water damage to their basements or dwellings, people who never had water damage to their structure prior to the hurricane’s wrath of fury! Most of these people did NOT have flood insurance and had to pay out of pocket for the repairs.  Severe weather could increase your risk of flooding.  Flood insurance policies will help you protect your property against heavy rains and rapid snowmelt.

Residential and Commercial flood insurance policies are available to both owners and renters of a property.  You can choose if you want a) contents only, b) building only or c) both.  You can purchase a policy for as little as $129/year.

In order to qualify for a flood insurance policy you must live in a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

If you live in a high risk or Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), you are more than twice as likely to suffer water damage by flood than by fire.  Also, if you live in a SFHA and received disaster assistance in the form of a federal grant or loan, you must cover the building for flood insurance for as long as you own it.

There is a 30 day waiting period for all new flood insurance policies.

For more information visit www.floodsmart.gov .

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.

Every August through October, New Jersey and Pennsylvania residents start paying more attention the storm reports. Knowing that hurricane season is in full swing, anyone of these Atlantic named storms can make their way up to the Philadelphia region and cause some havoc. Storm damage in the form of severe floods, tree damage from high winds or even some funnel clouds and hail storms can send homeowners into a tail spin. Even with better technology to help the experts make longer range forecasts, here in the Delaware Valley no one wants to take action until the storm is upon us which may be too late. Read the rest of this entry »

Water damage from rusty pipes or old heating systems can occur anywhere in the Delaware Valley, including Newtown, Makefield, Pennington, Langhorne, Levittown, Southampton, NE Philadelphia, Pennsauken and Burlington County NJ. Each community within the Delaware Valley has its own unique story – and its own unique challenges.

This story focuses on Levittown, a truly unique community, built by Levitt and Sons and consisting of (originally) only six models of moderately priced homes. All were originally constructed as single family dwellings. Over time homes have been renovated, and the evidence of these six models has become less distinct.

In the essence of speed, Levitt and Sons used a unique step based “assembly line style” of building method. While the house, obviously, remained stationary, construction crews moved from house to house; each with one specialized task, resulting in a finished home every 16 minutes. Construction occurred between 1952 and 1958, 17,311 homes in total were completed over this time. A challenge that many Levittown residents have encountered over the years is as a result of heating system installed in these homes – Radiant Heat.

There have been several downfalls identified with the original construction of Radiant Heat Systems in Levittown. Many of these downfalls resulted in water damage occurring out of sight over time.

• Heat Loss – Clearly heat loss is an issue with all heating systems. Heat loss can occur where drafts have been indicated in the structure of the home (windows/doors). However, in the installation of Radiant Heat in Levittown, heat loss most often occurs from the lack of insulation that was installed under the edges of the concrete floors.
• The simple science of the interaction of copper and concrete is a significant downfall in the original construction of the system. Without a protective barrier in place, corrosion was inevitable.
• It was common in the original construction of the Radiant Heat systems to not place a vapor barrier beneath the slab. At the time the intent was to save money, however, as time went by the copper began to leak into the ground. Because the leak did not rise up through the floor, homeowners were largely unaware of the water damage occurring.
• Depending on how the copper tubing was installed, the pipes could be prone to breakage. Construction of the Levittown community occurred quickly, and some critics note that due to the speed on construction, and the emphasis on cost savings, materials were crude, and labor perhaps not as skilled.
• Some have said that the issue is with the slab construction. 2×4’s were placed across a gravel bed to hold up the radiant pipes. Then they poured the concrete. Inevitably there were spots in the slab that were thinner and more prone to cracking. Once the concrete cracked, the pipes were next.

While many Radiant Heat Systems in Levittown lasted for decades, some problems proved too costly to repair and lead homeowners to install baseboard heating systems instead.

It’s not a question of if your system will leak, it’s when it will (if it hasn’t started to already).

There are numerous benefits to Radiant Heat Systems, newly constructed systems are certainly considered energy efficient and can keep your home at a consistent temperature throughout the cold winter season. Not to mention the heated floors!

However the construction of older systems, such as the systems originally installed in the Levittown area, were considered “primitive”. Today, many contractors use PEX tubing, a cross linked polyethylene product and rubber tubing in lieu of copper. Installers find the mix of PEX and rubber tubing creates a system that can take more stress than inflexible copper.

So what should you do if you have a Radiant Heat System installed in your home? The key is in the maintenance. If you have an original Radiant Heat System installed in your home, have your system assessed by professionals to ensure that problems are not brewing. Water damage, even subtle over time, can cause greater problems including mold. Water damage restoration started earlier can be a much simpler (and less costly) endeavor then if left for a longer term

If you have a newly installed system – have it inspected regularly to catch small problems BEFORE they get out of control.

MDL Restoration is proud to serve the water restoration needs of the Levittown community and the greater Philadelphia area. Your home is at the heart of your family – and we understand the investment you’ve made in your home. Together we can protect your investment well into the future!

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.