Water damage repair can be hazardous. The most common types of hazard? Contaminated water and mold. Both pose a huge threat to you and your family.
Thankfully personal protective equipment, also known as PPE, is readily available this day in age.
In this third part of our series on water damage repair, we look at recommended PPE for both contaminated water removal and mold removal. As always, these articles are merely suggestions, and we do not recommend removing toxic materials unless you are certified to do so and you understand the risks!
Your PPE protects against three major forms of contamination:
+ Inhalation - Breathing contaminated air.
+ Ingestion - Contaminated materials entering your mouth, nose or eyes.
+ Skin Contact - Contaminated materials touching your body and exposing you to illness.
Sounds delightful, right? Use the following PPE to combat these elements:
When water damage occurs, the first step is assessing the source of the water and thus its category. This is important because the category determines what can be saved and what can't be saved.
Let's start with the easy diagnosis: Category III Water
Remember, category III water has either sewage or toxic chemical potential. This includes not just raw sewage, but water from a source of raw sewage. For example, a toilet overflow from the bowl, even if the water in the bowl was "clean" just prior to the overflow, should be treated as category III because the source of the contamination. Think about it this way: no matter how clean water sitting in a toilet might be, you likely would not add Kool Aid to it and mix it up for a nice summer drink, right?
Salvaging After Category III Water Damage
When category III water damage occurs, all porous surfaces should be removed with full personal protective equipment on (we'll look at this equipment in a subsequent post). Drywall, carpet, carpet pad, insulation, baseboard, wood flooring, rugs, furnishings, etc. You name it. It should be discarded.
Now, if you have an antique rug from the 1650's worth more than our national debt, you of course would try to save it by hiring a restoration company specializing in textiles. But if the products are not unique, they should be tossed. It's for the safety of your family.
Non-porous materials, like tile, concrete, plumbing fixtures, etc. can be cleaned with a standard biocide cleaner and left in the home. You may want to get a a relatively strong biocide from a janitorial supply company. When using such products, be sure to follow the use label on the product explicitly. Not doing so can harm the occupants of the home and is also illegal.
Salvaging After Category I and II Water Damage
In contrast to category III water damage, salvaging materials after category I or II water damage depends on the actual damage to the material, not necessarily the contamination to the material. In essence, you are concerned more about the finished product rather than endangering the occupants.
A few months back we featured a series on identifying, isolating and drying water damage in the home. The series left off after an effective drying system is set-up, and your home is on its way back to a livable condition.
Over the next week or so, we will look at how to actually repair water damaged material. Here's what we will cover:
* What materials can be salvaged and what needs to be discarded
* Personal protective equipment
* Safely removing contaminated or moldy materials
* Tips for making the repair easier on yourself or your contractors
Before getting too far into the series, here is a refresher on water remediation category terms. These terms will be used throughout the series:
In our last post, I shared a few lessons from our rental property search phase, including how to avoid neighboring pit bulls.
As escrows begin to close (three this week!) I spent much of the last week feverishly purchasing material. Here's my method for balancing urgently needing product with desperately needed good pricing.
Today I will focus specifically on developing my material list.
Step 1: Build the List
The first step in purchasing is knowing what to purchase. I walk each job in detail and compile a room-by-room material list. It's painstaking but necessary. Sure, it causes a few minor strokes when uncovering items initially missed in the initial pre-offer walk through, but all in all it's not too bad. Upon completing the walk each of the properties has a 3-4 page list of materials.
Step 2: Excel-ize the List
Back at the ranch (ok, not the ranch, but it sounds better than "back at the office") I transcribe my list from hand-written to Excel. Lots of cut-n-paste here folks. In fact, I have become a bit of a hot-key expert. I'm sure to enter quantities next to each item as I input; this becomes invaluable when searching the isles of Home Depot. I initially input my material list by room code, item description, quantity and approximate location in our local Home Depot. I know, sounds like overkill, but it makes shopping much easier.
The 3rd and final step before buying a rental: Bring in the Pros
One of the more enjoyable aspects of these job walks has been learning from the pros. Sure, I fancy myself knowledgeable about many aspects of home improvement and commercial construction, but it takes a lifetime to accumulate trade knowledge like the pros. They are, after all, pros.
When we go to purchase a property, I'm always bringing them along. My roofer, HVAC guy, electrician, plumber and sometimes flooring sub are all key members of our team. I enjoy sitting back and listening as they discuss the intricacies of their individual trade. They offer great advice and really help me effectively assess the project scope and budget.
Who is on your team? What are your lessons from looking at properties in the past?
#2 in our 3 step series of how to buy a rental property without being gashed.
Lesson 2: Speak Loudly and Carry a Big Stick
I was in a back bedroom of one home the other day, and heard a scream from the back yard. This was not the scream of a child or a woman, but that of a grown man. A large grown man. He was running for his life. From a pit bull. He shot through the back door and into the living room, startling all of us with both his yelps of fear and his surprising quickness for a man of his girth.
It was my HVAC guy, and he was procuring serial numbers off a condenser in the back yard that needs replacement. Apparently the neighbors dog had been vacationing in this homes back yard since it went vacant months ago. She was not too happy people were prodding through her stomping grounds.
What started out a year ago as a friendly venture to purchase "a few" investment properties turned into 12 properties (15 total rental units) and basically a second full-time job. Merry Christmas to me, right?
Thankfully my business partner Ryan, who has more real estate savvy in his right pinkie than I do in my whole head, is running point on the actual transactions. But that leaves me with the exciting (read: terrifying) prospect of renovating at least 8 properties in the next four months. (4 of the 12 are in near move-in condition).
So get ready, because for the next few months my guest posts will be laden with talk of rehabs, frustration with neighbors and the occasional home improvement revelation.
To begin with, I want to share three lessons I have learned in the last 2 months as I have walked 40+ properties to analyze rehab costs. Sit back, relax, and get ready to pity me...
We asked our editors for some gift guide ideas and the first to respond was Deren. Here's his gift guide that is perfect for home improvement newbies.
In our part of the United States, low-priced "starter homes" are selling right and left. Impressive deals abound and new home buyers are rightfully benefiting from great market conditions.
In the spirit of new-home ownership, I assembled a list of 6 tools perfect for home improvement newbies. With these items you will be well on your way toward a comprehensive workshop for an array of products.
A few comments on selection criteria:
1. I have used all of these tools myself (or perhaps a slightly older model) and find them impressive to say the least.
2. My selections are based on VALUE. I hate pointless product features; they only appeal to people who don't know what they are doing. My selections are not top-of-the-line, all the bells and whistles, have-to-take-out-a-loan-to-purchase tools.They get the job done for a great price.
3. Below I will share the product link, but I won't explain every last facet of the tool. I figure Amazon does a better job at this. I simply tell you why I find the product to be such an impressive buy.
So, here we go!
Zircon StudSensor i60 Center-Finding Stud Finder
What It Is: A stud finder is, quite simply, a tool for pinpointing the location of wood (and in some models, metal) structural elements behind drywall, tile, or most other wall surfaces.
When You Use It: A stud finder is essential for many home improvement projects. Installing crown molding, baseboard, chair rail, putting in closet inserts, hanging heavy items on the wall; all require identifying solid backing.
Why I'm In Love With The Zircon i60:
1. The Zircon i60 is light-weight. Since you will be holding it to a wall or ceiling repeatedly, light-weight and maneuverability are essential for comfortable use.
2. The electrical current sensor. The Zircon i60 notifies the user when an electrical current is present in the wall, allowing you to avoid penetrating wiring when installing the fastener.
3. The Zircon i60 uses LED lighting displays, not LCD. LED (you know, the little colored light) is much more durable than LCD (like your digital watch screen). My stud finder takes a lot of abuse, and LCD would just not last in my toolbox. Besides, unless you want to download music videos and watch them on your stud finder, an LCD is overkill.
Bessey D-BKWH Quick-Change Folding Utility Knife
What It Is: A utility knife is an all-purpose cutting tool that uses removable, disposable razor blades.
When You Use It: Ummm, any time you cut something? I use mine to sharpen a pencil, cut through plastic sheeting or cardboard, open a tube of caulking, etc.
Why I Am In Love With The Bessey D-BKWH:
1. Extremely quick blade change. I mean, I can change a blade in under 6 seconds, no joke. (I actually timed myself. I admit, I am a total tool nerd...) Simply unsnap the lock bar, slide out the main clasp, change the blade, slide the main clasp back in and snap the lock bar in place. Done. No need for a screwdriver or any other tools.
2. Safety. Throughout the blade-change process, you are never exposed to difficult movements that create a cutting danger. I have used utility knives that force you to slide locks adjacent to the blade. Can't tell you how many times I nearly severed tendons trying to open a stuck slide lock.
3. The Bessey D-BKWH folds in half when not in use, allowing for safe and simple storage in a pocket or a tool belt. When working on my projects, I simply slide this knife into my jeans pocket at the beginning of the day, and never think about it again until I need to use it. When a need arises, I just grab it from my pocket, flip it open, and I'm ready to go.
4. Once flipped open, the knife is ready to go. I can't stand the knives that force you to slide the blade in and out. So often the slide gets stuck, creating great annoyance when you have to disassemble the knife just to fix the sliding mechanism. No hassle like this with the Bessey D-BKWH.
Newborn Bros & Co #111 1/10GAL Hex Rod Caulker
What It Is: A caulking gun, or caulker, is a tool used for dispensing any product out of a tube container.
When You Use It: Use a caulking gun for an array of projects that require caulking or adhesive. I use mine mostly for caulking paint-grade trim and adhering wall paneling.
Why I Am In Love With The Newborn Bros Caulker:
1. Durability. I dare you to break it. It's more durable than Tiger Woods' image. Oh, wait...
2. It showcases a whopping two features: A puncture tool and a spout-cutter. Both are used to open a new tube of caulking or adhesive.
3. I love simple tools, and this is the poster-boy for simple and effective tools.
A curious sector of society actually enjoys doing taxes. In fact, they do it for a living. They are called accountants.
I do not understand them. I can't relate to their passion. I break into a cold sweat when they unexpectedly call in April with grave news. But, alas, they keep us away from tax evasion and out of jail. (Well, most of us...)
A few months ago I traded some accounting help for some home improvement help. I'm sure glad I did. Not only did I get great advice on avoiding tax penalties from a trusted professional, but I got to spend most of a Saturday with a good friend, helping him embark on what will be many weekends of finish carpentry, caulking, painting, and nagging from his lovely wife about what a mess he is making.
What I Got Out Of It
There is something we all love about sharing our passion, and certainly our knowledge. Maybe it validates our skills in some far away, deep part of our psyche.
What I enjoyed most about helping my friend was seeing his excitement as he realized how easy something really was. All he needed was someone to show him a few tricks and he was on his way. By the time I left, his precision in accounting had translated to finish carpentry and he was in a quazi numerical/home improvement euphoria.
It was like Bob Vila and Euclid had a love child, and he was up on a ladder right next to me. (This is assuming Bob Vila and Euclid would be attracted to each other, and, let's face it, Bob Vila's beard does him no favors...)
What He Got Out of It
My friend came away with solid direction on where to head next on his home improvement project. He learned how to set up a miter saw, how to easily cut stop-blocks for the crown molding so it lines up perfectly on the fence, how to measure and cut once (hopefully) for each piece of molding, how to lay a mean caulk bead and how to work while keeping one eye on a college football game.
Oh, and he also ended up with my caulking gun following my hasty departure due to lateness for a "date" with my wife.
What You Should Do
So, this holiday season, why not share the wealth? As a reader of this fine blog, you have some home improvement knowledge or at least a healthy passion for it.
Why not find a friend or a relative in need and give them the gift of, well, you for Christmas. It is cheap, and you will have a great time.
And who knows, maybe you will come across a Euclidian love child yourself...
A reader recently submitted this question that we feel could be helpful to a lot of other first-time home builders.
My wife and I live in a small suburban condo but dream of building our own house someday. We hope that staying here another year or two will help us afford the big move. My question is, and maybe some of the readers have resources as well, how do we go about designing/building our own home? Do we contract an architect? Where do we start?
Our featured writer Deren S. Monday shares 3 things you must consider before building a new home.
Step 1: Do you really want to build?
The current economic conditions (at least in North America) put into question the financial benefit of building a home versus purchasing a "used" home and renovating (or not, depending on the condition). To evaluate this issue, go to zillow.com and find price per square foot costs for buying used homes in your area.
Be sure to research comparable homes to the home you are considering building. Similar in size, condition, neighborhood, etc. Then, call a few local custom home builders and ask for an approximate cost per square foot for new custom homes. Be sure to factor in the land cost, as zillow will include the land cost but the custom home builder certainly will not.
If you still find building a new home to be your choice, go to step 2. My guess is the cost for new in this market will be substantially higher than used...
Step 2: Get inspired
Collect everything you can find that inspires you to build your own home. Pictures from magazines, websites, homes in your neighborhood or city, etc. Just collect it all. Your eventual designer and contractor will be able to take these "likes" and break them down to the essence of what you like.
For example, you may fall in love with a certain picture of a kitchen. You may not know why. A clever architect will be able to extract the origin of your favor, perhaps is the lighting, or the tone of the colors, or the surfaces or the...
