Restoration Blog

Is it time to upgrade your crawl space? You’re not alone if you haven’t given it a second thought. Most people don’t see their crawl spaces for years. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean there isn’t any activity. Your crawl space might host mice, squirrels, spiders, and other less-than-desirable tenants. The smallest and potentially most dangerous is mold. Upgrading your crawl space has numerous benefits besides clearing out the riff-raff. Knowing you’re providing a clean air environment, you’ll have cleaner air, lower power bills, and peace of mind. Call Allied Restoration. We can visually assess your crawl space for any issues needing remediation. We can also give you an estimate for a crawl space encapsulation, which is the best way to keep uninvited guests at bay. Why Crawl Space Encapsulation Every crawl space should be clear of any debris and moisture free. That’s far from reality in most cases. If you ventured

Attic insulation can help keep your Maryland home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It can lower your energy bill and improve air quality, stabilize room temperatures, and improve your home’s resale value. But what is the right type of insulation for you? Consider these types of insulation to help you decide. Fiberglass Batt Attic Insulation Fiberglass batt insulation comes in small, pre-cut sections that resemble a blanket. They’re easy to place anywhere, and you can cut them down to size if needed. This is the most common type of insulation in homes. While fiberglass batt attic insulation can cause skin irritation, you can install it yourself if you prefer to DIY. Just make sure you’re protecting your eyes, nose, mouth, and skin. It’s also cheap and best suited for areas that don’t have obstructions. However, fiberglass batt insulation doesn’t have as much heat retention as other

Thunderstorm readiness is vital to address before a situation turns dire. Heavy thunderstorms are serious, and preparedness can help keep your family, pets, and home secure. There are no guarantees, but having a game plan in place ahead of time is in your best interest. A home emergency kit should be on hand. You should schedule a family meeting every six months to discuss how and where to shelter. Remind everyone what you expect if you experience a profound or severe thunderstorm. You can prepare your property for thunderstorm readiness by calling Allied Restoration. We can remove dead tree limbs and prune large shrubs that could blow through windows or damage the roof. Perhaps you have a shed that you should have secured professionally. We can help. Thunderstorm Readiness Home Emergency Kit If you don’t already have a thunderstorm readiness home emergency kit, you’re not alone. CDC.gov estimates that only

Do you have a wet ceiling? If you do, you’ll have more to do than deal with the ugly stain in the living room. That wet ceiling is the calling card of a leak somewhere that you’ll need to locate and repair before dealing with that repulsive eye sore. Call Allied Restoration, and we’ll locate the leak. It could be from the roof, a water heater, or leaking toilets or sinks. A licensed contractor must evaluate the leak’s source and repair the problem before taking care of the cosmetic issues. Do I Need to Worry About a Leak? My ceiling is dry now. Do I need to worry about a leak? Don’t feel bad if you noticed the leak a while ago and it slipped your mind. That nasty stain on your ceiling is easy to forget unless you’re sitting under it and water starts dripping on your head. The

If it’s time to spruce up the exterior of your home, are you debating power washing vs. soft washing? Knowing the difference and what will work best for your house is vital. Unless you’re well versed in cleaning the exterior of your home, give Allied Restoration a call. We’ll send a professional to your home to meet with you and provide you with a detailed estimate. What is Power Washing? You’ve heard of pressure washing and power washing. What is the difference between the two? Power washing is much more powerful and dangerous, left to inexperienced hands. The water comes out at up to 311ºF, a temperature well over the boiling point. It can melt parts of your home that you’d prefer to keep intact. Not to mention, it can give you or someone else severe burns. What Surfaces Can I Power Wash? A power washer is an incredibly effective

You’ve noticed a musty smell in your basement. That’s a sure sign that waterproofing basement repairs are in order. When water finds its way into your finished basement, one of the first things you’ll notice is a musty smell. Unless your teenage son has left dozens of pairs of dirty socks down there, you’ll need to call a professional. Call Allied Restoration, and we’ll send a technician out to your home to assess the situation. Why is My Basement Wet? A leaky basement can happen regardless of the age of the home. Several factors can contribute to compromising the integrity of the waterproofing of your basement. When water doesn’t drain appropriately at the foundation walls or under the foundation, you’ve got to address the issue as soon as possible to minimize damage. A musty smell is a sure sign that water is migrating into your living space. If you already

There are a variety of things can cause pipe bursts in your house. They range from freezing temperatures to high water pressure to physical damage to the pipes. When they do burst, they cause damage that could be severe. Depending on where the pipe burst and its severity, it could determine just how bad the damage will be. So, what happens when a pipe bursts in your home? How to Recognize Warning Signs of Pipe Bursts The good news is that pipes usually don’t burst overnight. This buys you have a little time to look for any potential warning signs. Some signs may be harder to find, so keep an eye out for: Water Pressure Problems Low water pressure points to a sign that something is wrong. More times than not, this suggests that a burst has occurred. Water goes directly through the hole rather than the faucet, which lowers

Here’s how most first encounters with Bats go… “Hey, Honey, I think we have bats in the attic?” Her husband opened the attic door and entered. He was greeted with two beady little eyes staring back at him as he ran back out the door. You may be wondering if this scenario can happen to you. The answer is yes, it can. Did you know 40 types of bats make their homes in America? Bats seek shelter from predators or hibernate from September to April. They can fit into spaces as small as a half to a quarter inch and make their way into chimneys, walls, and attics. Once they are in your attic, they can cause severe and expensive damage to your home. Home Destruction by Bats These tiny-winged creatures may not cause much harm to humans. They rarely bite us. But that doesn’t mean they won’t cause damage to

Keeping your foundation dry is critical to maintaining an integral part of your home. People often forget about it until a problem arises because it’s out of sight, out of mind. There are a lot of issues that can wreak havoc on your home’s foundation. Water will find its way in through any crack or crevice, causing preventable problems with ongoing maintenance or some value-added jobs a contractor can complete. Many of these related home improvement jobs can be backbreaking or tedious, depending on your enthusiasm for DIY projects. Allied Restoration can keep your foundation dry using several effective methods. Hence, your home remains stable and will retain its value for years to come. Signs You Need to Keep Your Foundation Dry Many older homes were built with basements. Even if you only have a crawl space upon close inspection, you may be able to identify problems. Starting with the

A basement can be great in a home but what if there is a weird smell? Basements can provide extra storage. It can provide an additional bedroom or bathroom. It can be a great area for a man cave, kids’ playroom, or a family TV room. But it can also be a place where weird smells can start and spread. Let’s talk about why your basement might have a weird smell and what you can do about it. Mold and Mildew Bacteria growth quickly happens where there is moisture. Mold and mildew are forms of bacteria, and they thrive where it’s wet. Because a basement is underground, there’s moisture all around the outside of it. All it takes is a crack in a wall or a bad seal in a window to allow moisture in. Keep your basement as dry as possible. A sump pump is usually in a sump pit