Mold Damage Remediation Services Available In The San Luis Obisbo, Cambria, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Cayucos, Templeton, Atascadero and King City Area

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

Mold Damage Remediation Services Available In The San Luis Obisbo, Cambria, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Cayucos, Templeton, Atascadero and King City Area

Mold on your property can come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. However, there can also be mold that is invisible to the naked eye, making mold contamination considerably hard to diagnose without the right equipment.

Just having the right conditions allows mold to grow anywhere on your property. Whether it is clear and sunny, or cloudy and rainy mold damage can occur in your San Luis Obisbo, Cambria, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Cayucos, Templeton, Atascadero and King City Area

Fungus or mold has obtained a rather bad reputation over the years. However, the truth is, that mold is no more damaging than fire, or water. In fact, water itself is a major element mold needs to grow.

Mold is a fungus that occurs naturally within our environment. Our eco-system uses these microscopic organisms to process decomposing materials. Without mold, many forms of antibiotics, vitamins, and other medical solutions used today would be impossible.

Our expert mold remediation specialists at SERVPRO provide you with a variety of services that make locating and controlling mold found in your home easier. While also helping you avoid creating the conditions that need to exist for regrowth to occur. You should begin by having our technicians perform a full inspection of your property. You may notice some problems, while our technicians find larger issues hiding just out of sight.

SERVPRO technicians understand where mold might begin. Starting with locating water sources found in your home that can cause mold to get out of control. Water issues including from plumbing leaks, excessive condensation on your windows, and HVAC system drain off can cause mold growth in your home. Many of the materials used to build your home serve as a food source, so, anywhere that you find excessive or constant moisture adds the final ingredient mold needs to spread.

Even if the only mold you find on your property is completely dry, it is important to have a trained professional perform your remediation. Dry mold spreads microscopic mold spores through the air that you cannot see, leading you to spread contamination to other areas and cause more problems. SERVPRO’s expert team utilizes air movers and negative-airflow machines in combination with HEPA filters to trap microscopic spores and get mold growth under control.

Ceiling Tile Discoloration in San Luis Obispo: Culprits and Causes

1/4/2022 (Permalink)

Imagine it, you’ve found the perfect home for your business, with just one or two pesky discolored ceiling tiles. It’s not a big deal, right? Not quite. Beyond being unsightly, ceiling tile discoloration can have serious causes, from water damage to tile mold. Before you overlook a stain or two, learn some of their top causes in San Luis Obispo, Ca.

About Ceiling Tiles

Dropped tile ceilings are a common go-to for many commercial buildings across the country. Reasons include:

• Affordability
• Easy removal for access to HVAC and electrical system
• Clean, simple appearance

Drop tiles can create a pleasant, conservative look but can quickly take on a downright ugly appearance when they become stained. Here are some of the reasons that happens.

Age
Dropped tile ceilings have been popular for decades and in some buildings, have been in place for that long. The older the tiles the more likely they’ve been exposed to cigarette smoke and other pollutants. The result can be a darker color that may be impossible to get rid of.

Water Damage
Brown spots are often the biggest giveaway to a leak somewhere above the tile. They often start small and radiate outward over time. Beyond being an eyesore, these spots often signal bigger problems like tile mold, and should never be ignored.

Lighting
The ultraviolet light so common in offices is not great for ceiling tiles. Over time, tiles exposed to UV rays can take on a sickly hue that isn’t very attractive.

From water leaks and tile mold to harsh light, there are lots of things that can trigger tile discoloration. When you see tile discoloration, it’s worth the time and money to replace the tile. Because tile mold can spread, if you suspect water damage is the culprit, make sure you consult a mold remediator. It could save you expense and headaches in the long run.

SERVPRO Shares Nine Benefits of hiring a Professional Restoration Company

1/2/2022 (Permalink)

9 Benefits of Hiring a Professional Restoration Company like SERVPRO of Morro Bay / King City

After a storm, fire, or water damage to a property, a DIY cleaning may seem tempting but is a recipe for further damage and loss. SERVPRO shares below the benefits of hiring a professional water damage restoration company to help return a property to its original state. 

• Restore instead of replace

Only a professional team has the expertise and know-how to quickly investigate and identify what can be restored and what simply needs to be replaced. An amateur eye with limited skills and equipment may decide to discard contents that a professional may be able to restore. This enables cost-saving by avoiding replacements, eliminates the need for an insurance claim, and saves precious contents that may have sentimental or legal value.

At the same time, a professional restoration expert would not waste time and money on restoring something unsalvageable. 

• Distinguish between materials

It takes a professional eye to analyze the different types of surfaces and apply the right cleaning method for optimum results. An amateur cleaning gone wrong won’t just lead to a waste of money but also a permanent loss of the contents. For instance, professionals have the experience to clean and restore a section of drywall, which saves a lot of mess, time, and cost of replacing it. An amateur may not have the skills or the knowledge to address this issue.

• Work with insurance companies

A professional damage restoration company that works with a property owner can assist with insurance claims from the initial call through the completion of mitigation. Most homeowners don’t have the expertise or the experience in filing insurance claims, which may be required in cases of severe property damage. A professional restoration team offers the additional advantage of commitment and smooth processing of insurance claims.

• Provide correct estimates

Professional restoration firms provide correct estimates which enables them to process claims quickly and efficiently. The awareness of the most current technologies and methods for the restoration process enables the team to reduce property claims costs. 

• Offer state-of-the-art equipment

A professional restoration company like SERVPRO has the latest equipment and technology to assess the damage accurately. The complete restoration process is monitored and documented from the beginning till the end. An amateur may hire the equipment but may not have the skill to use it efficiently. This may in turn lead to a lot of time wastage while secondary damage escalates.

• Upgrade and train

Professional restoration teams undergo constant training and development to stay at par with current industry certifications. This continuous up-gradation keeps the team on top of their game and ensures that property owners experience the most updated restoration process. 

Additionally, a professional restoration company has the business licenses and insurance coverage necessary for such a business.

• Timely service

A professional water damage restoration company is punctual and accurate in its work. It takes just one call to schedule an appointment with a professional restoration company like SERVPRO that offers its services 24X7. Its competent technicians with their top-notch training and advanced restoration tools can get the job done. Swiftly and accurately.

• Protect the health

Severe water damage caused by floods or fire extinguishing activity poses a massive risk of secondary water damage such as mold and contaminated water. These adverse conditions can lead to severe health effects. A professional water damage restoration company can remedy the contaminated water situation as well as other related issues. It is important to get a property sanitized and cleaned at the earliest by a professional team to protect one’s health. 

Why SERVPRO?

• SERVPRO uses state-of-the-art equipment to bring the damaged property back to its original state. SERVPRO of Morro Bay / King City is constantly updating its fleet and equipment so clients in Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Cambria, or surrounding areas can quickly access the services. 

• With over 1,700 US and Canadian Franchise locations, SERVPRO is strategically positioned to respond faster to an emergency of any magnitude.

• The SERVPRO staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. They receive initial in-house training and constant skill up-gradation at the corporate training facility and also acquire the regular IICRC-industry certification.

For water damage restoration, call SERVPRO of Morro Bay / King City today at (805-674-5771)  or e-mail at admin@SERVPROmbkc.com

Disaster Cleaning in Paso Robles

12/27/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Morro Bay / King City utilizes specialized professional cleaning products.  SERVPRO not only manufactures and distributes these products, we have chemists on staff that develop our propriety products. 

This allows us to have a good solution for most situations.  We can clean things like rust, marker, soot, or even tricky red stains from carpets.  We clean soot from walls, ceilings, even hard and soft contents.  We also clean up bio-hazard materials  such as trauma scenes. 

Because of our arsenal of products, we are able to clean, deodorize, disinfect almost anything we encounter.  Not all companies can say they have the resources to do that. 

When fire damage, water damage, mold, duct cleaning, carpet cleaning or specialty stain removal services are needed, we are here to help! Call SERVPRO of Morro Bay / King City at (805) 674-5771.

Why an ERP is Absolutely Necessary for Your Business

1/8/2021 (Permalink)

An ERP, or Emergency Ready Plan, is a method of planning for emergencies before they even occur. Why should your business have an ERP? Your emergency strategy will be carefully devised to guide you and your employees when taking the decisive action necessary during a disaster of any size. The SERVPRO Ready Plan information will give you the security of emergency preparedness, and your plan information can be downloaded into our Ready Plan app to instantly share with SERVPRO so that the damage can be intercepted right away. 

Here are some things to consider while putting your ERP into place:

Planning Ahead

• Talk with your employees to formulate as many disaster scenarios as they can come up with. The most recent hurricanes that have hit Texas have created numerous learning opportunities for preparedness. Studying such tragedies can help you more effectively project other possible disasters to better plan for them. 

Protecting Everyone

• It is necessary to create an ERP that protects anyone in the building. The Department of Homeland Security refers to this as “Protective Actions for Life Safety,” and includes:
• Fire Drills. Rehearsals for action during a fire.
• Sheltering. Sheltering staff during a natural disaster.
• Sheltering in Place. Sheltering staff during a man-made emergency.
• Lockdown. Eluding an active shooter.

Incident Stabilization

• Stabilizing an incident means preventing further damage on the scene. This can be accomplished by training your employees in various rescue procedures including:
• First Aid and CPR
• Proper Use of Fire Extinguishers

Evacuation Team

• Without guidance during an evacuation, people will often panic. Consider adding an evacuation team to your ERP:
• Assign point persons to guide evacuees out of the building.
• Appoint helpers to assist persons with disabilities.
• If an exit is blocked by a hazard such as a collapsed ceiling, make sure the evacuation team is trained to redirect employees to an alternate exit.

SERVPRO of Morro Bay to King City is a reliable, professional provider of emergency cleaning and restoration services when you experience fire and water damage. SERVPRO can expertly help you devise an effective Emergency Readiness Plan for your business here in the Grapevine area.

What to Expect From a Fire Damage Restoration Project

12/30/2020 (Permalink)

A fire damage event is difficult for the home or business owner on many levels, and the restoration process that follows can be intimidating. Today we are sharing what you can expect from a fire restoration project. Each fire event is a little different, and each will require a unique solution, although the overall general process stays the same. The steps we are listing below will illustrate the SERVPRO process for the average fire damage emergency.

• Emergency Contact. Your restoration process begins the moment that you contact us. Our representative will ask you questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us to respond with the appropriate equipment and resources for your particular situation.
• Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment. Our team will carefully inspect and test all the adjoining rooms of your home or business to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is vital to us, allowing us to develop the perfect plan of action for your property.
• Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service. Fire damage will often compromise the condition of windows, walls, and roofing. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we will board up missing windows and walls, and place tarps on damaged areas of the roof.
• Water Removal and Drying. If water damage is present, the water removal process will begin almost immediately, with the goal of removing the majority of the water. Our team will then employ dehumidifiers and air movers to remove any remaining water and complete the drying process.
• Removal of Smoke and Soot From All Surfaces. SERVPRO uses specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and all other surfaces.
• Cleaning and Sanitizing. We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. Our team uses a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to the condition they were in before the fire. We are also trained to remove lingering odors, using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.
• Restoration. This is the final step - getting your home or business back to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, installing new carpet, or painting surfaces, or it may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various rooms or areas.

Here at SERVPRO of Grapevine/NE Tarrant County, we are ready to help if your Grapevine home or business suffers from damage due to fire or water. You can also count on us when it comes to mold remediation and prevention.

Fire and smoke damage do's and dont's

11/18/2020 (Permalink)

While fire damage restoration is better left in the hands of professionals, there are some things you can do on your own. Take note, however, that DIY fire restoration is something you want to do only when the severity of the fire and smoke damage is small.

Fire damage can be a devastating experience both for home and business owners. Fire damage is difficult to overcome and repair, but there are simple things you can do to motivate the process. When you’re wondering what to do after a fire, here’s a look at things to do (and things not to do) during the fire restoration process.

DOS FOR FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION

Your checklist for after a fire should contain certain non-negotiable tasks, including:

• DO contact a certified restoration specialist: Make sure you immediately contact a certified fire and smoke restoration professional for remediation services
• DO turn off utilities: Turn of water, electricity, gas, and any other utilities until a professional can evaluate if any of these systems were damaged during the fire.
• DO break out the vacuum: A professional should provide service, but you can enhance the professional’s chances of success by doing the first pass on your own. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment and go over your upholstered furniture. Your furniture will look better as soon as the soot is removed. Also, cover your furniture with a sheet if you need to sit on it while waiting for professional help. This will prevent the soot and ash from grinding into your upholstery.
• DO address your carpets, floors, and countertops: Give similar treatment to your carpets. Vacuum them for an immediate and superficial improvement over the damaged state. It will help prevent soot from grinding deeper into the carpet’s roots. Countertops and hardwood floors should be wiped clean to prevent the soot from deeply staining and clinging to the surfaces.
• DO check your appliances: Your utilities should be off. Make sure to empty your freezer and refrigerator, and leave the doors open to prevent mold and mildew. Likewise, winterize your plumbing and drain your hot water heater and boiler. In the absence of heat during the fire damage restoration process, fluids can freeze and cause burst pipes and other damage.
• DO take care of pets: Remove pets from your fire-damaged home. Lingering soot and smoke can be harmful to them.

DON’TS FOR FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION

Your checklist should also include several things to avoid at all times, including:

• DON’T use your AC, heater or electronics: Wait until a professional arrives on the scene — same with electronics like the television, computers, and DVD players. Turning on electronics can create greater damage.
• DON’T clean walls or clothing: Also, do not clean walls, ceilings, and other similar surfaces, and wait to clean your clothing and similar garments. A professional should examine them first and provide advice.
• DON’T eat leftover food: Never eat anything that was in the home during the fire. It is most likely not safe to consume due to contamination from smoke, soot, or contaminants introduced to the environment when the fire was being extinguished.
• DON’T wipe away powder from extinguishers: Forgo trying to clean up any staining from the powder discharged by a fire extinguisher. It is best to let professionals guide the cleanup of these areas.

• ALWAYS CALL AN EXPERT
• If you’re wondering what to do after a fire, it’s always tempting to start the cleanup process immediately and do as much as possible. The best course of action is to hire a certified professional to provide expert knowledge and service. The situation requires specialized tools and knowledge that only a professional can provide. A trusted professional will offer an after-fire checklist that will help speed along the fire and smoke damage cleanup process. Consulting a professional will help you restore your property back to like-new condition as quickly as possible.

Top reasons to choose SERVPRO

11/18/2020 (Permalink)

You may be wondering why you should choose SERVPRO of Morro Bay to King City instead of one of the other dozens of restorations companies, let us tell you why:

1. 20+ Years Experience in the Industry

- Owners Heather &  Robert opened their first franchise over 20 years ago after they experiences not one but two kitchen fires.  They have been leading the way since!

2. Respond Immediately when you need us most.

-Home emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Morro Bay to King City provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays. You can expect an immediate response time, day, or night.

3. Qualified Technicians and Team Members

-Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s Corporate Training Facility to regular IICRC industry certifications, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Our training program includes the following: IICRC training, Employee Certification training, E-Learning programs, and Continuing Education Classes.

4. We are ready and equip to handle any loss whether it be small or large

• SERVPRO of Morro Bay to King City is ready to handle your loss whether it is a water loss caused by a leaky dishwasher in your home or water loss in your commercial business caused by fire sprinklers throughout the entire structure.

5. We understand the stress of a loss in your home

• We at SERVPRO of Morro Bay to King City understand the stress a hardship in your home can cause and our staff is there to make it as easy as possible. Our technicians know it is your house but treat it with respect like their own.  Our hope is to take that stress from you and make it “Like it never even happened.”

How to Remove Smoke Odor in Atascadero

9/15/2020 (Permalink)

How to Remove Smoke Odor

The lingering smells of smoke from cigarettes and cigars are irritating for many. Candles, kitchen stoves, toasters, fireplaces and the dreaded unintentional fires also emit smoke odors that waft through a home, leaving homeowners scratching their heads for effective methods to cleanse the inside air.

Problems with Smoke Odor

The smell of smoke is far from welcoming. In fact, small smoke particles from wood smoke can trigger respiratory reactions. People with asthma, a lung condition or a heart condition will experience wheezing and chest tightness when they breathe in the wood smoke particles. Other ill effects of breathing in smoke particles include an exacerbation of the asthma or bronchitis sufferers’ symptoms.

Older people especially must preserve their health against smoke fumes, since seniors are more likely than young people to have chronic lung or heart ailments. Children, too, are vulnerable to the ill effects of second hand smoke. Reports indicate 7,500 to 15,000 children are hospitalized with respiratory tract infections caused by secondhand smoke.

Inhaling smoke can be deadly. In the United States, approximately 3,000 people die annually as a main result of smoke inhalation caused by residential fires.

Tips for Removing Smoke Odor

Smoke particles cause the unpleasant smell of smoke. When left unchecked, the smoke particles remain in place, continuously unleashing the smoke odors. To effectively remove the smell of smoke, the smoke particles must be dislodged. Simply masking the odors with scented products does little to resolve the underlying odor issue.

When homeowners spend 90 percent of their time indoors, improving the air quality is an important task. An ozone generator is a homeowner’s most effective tool, as it removes the actual smoke particles that cause the smoke odors. Ozone generators can be rented, which leads to hefty expenses.

Here is how to remove smoke odor from your home using a variety of methods:

Vinegar

Vinegar is a common household product with many functional uses. Place bowls of white vinegar throughout the home. The vinegar will absorb odors over the span of several days, leaving the rooms with a fresh scent. Homeowners also have the option of wiping down the walls, floors, and other areas affected by smoke with white vinegar.

Baking Soda

Another product frequently found within the home is baking soda, and homeowners have easy access to the powerful cleansing effects of this natural odor reducer. Similar to the odor absorption powers of white vinegar, baking soda can be placed in bowls around the home. The baking soda will absorb the smoke odors. Homeowners can also sprinkle generous amounts of baking soda along carpets and furniture, leaving the baking soda to sit for a few hours, then vacuuming.

Ventilation

Bust open the doors and windows on a fine summer day. The gusts of clean outside air will gradually thin out the smoky odors. Smoke smells will blow away in the wind, leaving your home with improved air quality.

Charcoal

The charcoal grillers use on their grill is an effective odor absorber. An air purifier that features a charcoal filter is an excellent way to combat smoke odors. Homeowners can also place bowls of charcoal around the home to eliminate smoke smells. The charcoal absorbs smoke odors, in the same vein as vinegar and baking soda.

Smokers who smoke inside the home can put a bowl of charcoal close to the ashtray to instantly absorb the smoke. Prevent recurring smoke odors by not permitting smoking indoors.

Newspapers

When you’re done reading the comics, scrunch up the newspaper into a ball. Leave the newspaper around the home and experience its gradual, odor-eating abilities. Newspapers are excellent odor absorbers, though the effects may take 48 hours to materialize.

Borax

Grab a rag and wash down the walls with Borax. The Borax works to remove the actual smoke particles stuck to the walls or flooring, so it is a far better method than absorption. Wipe down your walls with 2 gallons of water combined with a half cup of Borax and a half teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. Rinse away the solution with clean water. The smoke particles and the resulting odors will be washed down the drain.

Steam Cleaner

Smoke particles that have become lodged into carpets, upholstery and curtains can be effectively eliminated by a powerful steam cleaner. While most homeowners are not likely to have a steam cleaner sitting around the house, one can be inexpensively rented from a local hardware store. Use this gadget to deep clean every fabric surface.

Febreeze

Another odor absorber, Febreeze works because it contains a chemical compound known as cyclodextrin, which grips odors. Spray Febreeze generously around the home to reduce the smells of smoke.

Professional Smoke Odor Removal Services

The most effective way to eliminate smoke odors is to hire a professional smoke damage restoration company. The technicians will zap away the smoke particles with advanced technology, leaving your home, its furnishings and all surfaces free from the overpowering elements of smoke.

SERVPRO Morro Bay to King City is a reputable fire and smoke damage restoration service provider. Our specialists are trained and experienced in resolving odor issues related to smoke, soot and fire. Every household item the smoke particles have settled into, from stainless steel, marble and tile to upholstery and carpeting, will be thoroughly cleansed.

Our skilled technicians are experts in smoke odor mitigation. Advanced technology is utilized as a powerful means of odor elimination. SERVPRO of Morro Bay to King City professionals use hydroxyl and ozone deodorization to dislodge all smoke particles and the resulting odors. Our technicians will also pinpoint the source of the smoke odors and remove it immediately.

Smoke odor is a messy matter. When left alone, smoke can permanently damage household furnishings and structural elements of a home. Swift and proper cleaning will ensure the affected property within a home is restored.

SERVPRO Morro Bay to King City, reliably serves the San Luis Obispo County and Monterey County, communities of homes and businesses. We are available 24 hours a day to take emergency calls.

3 Services SERVPRO Provides After Storms

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

3 Services SERVPRO Provides

Demand for damage mitigation and restoration services spikes after a severe storm's in Morro Bay. Insurance agents and adjusters need to be able to rely on a local mitigation and restoration company to provide timely storm response services. Here are three services that make a local SERVPRO Morro Bay to King City the right choice for storm restoration.

1. Disaster Response

No matter how many properties are affected by a storm, a Disaster Response Team can arrive on each location within a matter of hours. Independent mitigation and restoration services are more likely to be backlogged than a national corporation that can dispatch employees and equipment from nearby franchises to areas that have experienced large losses.

2. Mitigation and Cleanup

The initial stage of storm response involves mitigating damage. In the case of structural damage, this may involve boarding up broken windows or breaches in a building envelope or tarping over a damaged roof. Standing water resulting from flood damage should be extracted as soon as possible. A full-service company can ensure that these initial measures contribute toward complete storm restoration.

3. All-In-One Restoration

A company that offers mitigation and restoration services can reduce the workload on insurance agents and adjusters while simplifying the claim process for property owners. Relying on a one-stop shop may make miscommunication less likely, prevent scheduling conflicts and allow for a faster and more thorough restoration job. Depending on a single service also means that the initial estimate is likely to be more accurate.

These storm restoration services set SERVPRO Morro Bay to King City apart from independent companies. The business model means that each location has the backing of a national corporation and the ability to call on nearby locations for additional personnel and equipment. A single estimate from a service that can clean up damage and rebuild a commercial property can also be more convenient for insurance agents, adjusters, and clients.

Can My Home Be Reassessed While I Have a Mortgage?

9/23/2019 (Permalink)

How to Negotiate the Assessment Value

Tax assessments on real estate provide revenue for local public services, such as education. Your municipality or county tax authority, usually an assessor or treasurer, bills you annually based on your property's current recorded value. The tax authority may reassess the value now and then or when major changes to the property or its title occur, regardless of whether a mortgage lien exists on the home.

Reassessment Basics

A change in ownership, such as the sale of your home, triggers a tax reassessment. The tax authority bills the new owner based on the value at the time of sale, which is usually higher than its value under previous ownership. The assessor compares the property to recent sales and assessments conducted in the area in order to arrive at a value. Reassessment also follows construction or additions to a home, which increases the property's value. Taking out a building permit lets the assessor know you plan to add a structure or add to the home's existing structure. Structural repairs generally do not trigger reassessment.

Tax assessments on real estate provide revenue for local public services, such as education. Your municipality or county tax authority, usually an assessor or treasurer, bills you annually based on your property's current recorded value. The tax authority may reassess the value now and then or when major changes to the property or its title occur, regardless of whether a mortgage lien exists on the home.

Mortgage Appraisals

Mortgage lenders rely on a certain protocol to determine property values which is different from that used by tax assessors. Your mortgage lender requires an appraisal report by a licensed professional to ensure the home is sufficient collateral for the loan. It appraises the home when you obtain a mortgage to buy or refinance; therefore, your mortgage lender's last appraised value may vary greatly from the assessor's. While you have a mortgage, your tax authority may reassess your home's value every so often, usually no more than once every two to three years, according to Kiplinger.

Tax assessments on real estate provide revenue for local public services, such as education. Your municipality or county tax authority, usually an assessor or treasurer, bills you annually based on your property's current recorded value. The tax authority may reassess the value now and then or when major changes to the property or its title occur, regardless of whether a mortgage lien exists on the home. 

Reassessment Mortgage Effects

A tax reassessment affects your total housing costs, as an increased assessment raises your annual tax bill. When you pay taxes monthly through an escrow impound account handled by your lender, your monthly payments also go up. An escrow account allows your lender to collect one-twelfth of your tax bill along with your mortgage payment. The tax assessor sends the lender a copy of your bill annually or semi-annually, depending on your locality's tax-billing schedule. The bill reflects any changes due to reassessment.

Tax assessments on real estate provide revenue for local public services, such as education. Your municipality or county tax authority, usually an assessor or treasurer, bills you annually based on your property's current recorded value. The tax authority may reassess the value now and then or when major changes to the property or its title occur, regardless of whether a mortgage lien exists on the home.

Assessment Appeal

Up to 60 percent of properties may be overvalued by the assessor, according to Kiplinger. Because assessments do not move with market fluctuations, you may have to prove that your home's value is actually lower than the tax assessor's value to get a break on your bill. Errors in the assessor's records and a decline in property values since the last assessment are common reasons for assessment appeals. The process typically involves writing a letter and providing a professional appraisal or gathering valid comparable properties which you send to the assessor.

Fall Yard Cleanup & Maintenance Checklist

9/16/2019 (Permalink)

Autumn means football games and visits to the local pumpkin patch. It also means it’s time to get your yard ready for winter. The right preparation now will save you time and energy when spring rolls around, and will keep you and your family safe in the yard year-round. Make sure you get the most out of your yard next year by following our checklist of fall cleanup musts.

1. Clean out debris.

Fallen leaves and weeds are the perfect place for pests to settle in for the winter. Clear out flower beds to keep the critters at bay. Pay special attention to rose beds, as their foliage can foster disease over the winter.

2. Till the vegetable garden.

After the final harvest, pull out old vegetable plants, remove debris, and completely till the whole plot. If you compost, now is the time to add a layer of compost to help nurture your soil for planting next spring.

3. Trim Rogue Branches.

Trim up any large or out-of-place tree branches that may cause trouble during the winter. You don’t want any branches breaking and falling during the snowfall to come.

4. Clean out the gutters.

Not all fall cleanup is in the yard. This is the perfect time to clear leaves and other debris from rain gutters. Check for proper drainage, clear out any blockages with a small garden trowel, and rinse with a hose.

5. Dry everything out.

Drain all water from hoses, fountains, and drip irrigation systems, and store them in a dry place. Water left standing over the winter may damage your equipment.

6. Aerate.

Break up soil to keep water from pooling and guarantee that nutrients will reach the roots over the winter. A garden fork will do the job for small yards, but larger yards may require a walk-behind aerator, which should be available to rent for a reasonable price.

7. Feed the lawn.

Send your yard into winter with the nutrients it needs to survive the long, cold sleep. Add a fall lawn fertilizer with high phosphorous content to encourage root growth and enjoy a lush, green lawn come spring.

8. Rake and mulch.

Don’t let fallen leaves get the best of you; if left unattended they can suffocate the grass. Rake them up, shred them, and use them as mulch for young trees, shrubs, and flower beds. You might even be able to skip the raking part if you use a lawn mower to mulch the leaves in your yard.

9. Prune trees and shrubs.

Trim any dead branches and cut back overgrown trees and bushes. If you have blooming perennials like clematis or roses, now is the time to prune them and train the branches.

10. Give it one last mow.

Set your mower to a low setting and give the lawn a close buzz before winter sets in. This helps the soil dry out more quickly in the spring, which leads to a lusher lawn.

11. Divide and cut back perennials.

If your perennials really took off this year, go ahead and spread the love. Divide plants and add them to other beds where they will also do well. This saves money and time in the spring. Fall-blooming perennials like chrysanthemums shouldn’t be divided now — wait and divide them in the spring.

12. Protect cold-sensitive plants.

Keep sensitive perennials, shrubs, and roses in top shape through the cold days of winter. Add mulch to the base and wrap plants in cloth barriers to prevent damage from freezing. Depending on the hardiness of the plant and your climate, you can use a single sheet or blanket or wrap them in a combination of cloth and plastic.

13. Plant bulbs, shrubs, and fall annuals.

Some plants do best when planted in the fall. If you want to add new shrubs or spring bulbs like hyacinth, now is the time to get them in the ground. Fall annuals like pansies are also a great addition to keep some color in your yard as other plants go to sleep.

14. Protect the deck.

Prevent the growth of mold and mildew by giving the deck a good power wash. If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can rent one from a garden store. Once the deck is clean and dry, add a weatherproofing stain to protect the wood from moisture damage over the winter.

15. Clean tools and store them.

Don’t throw your gardening tools in the shed and forget about them until spring. Take time to give them a good cleaning and add a light coat of oil to prevent rust during the cold season.

If you follow this checklist you’re bound to have a wonderfully winterized yard that will be ready to wow you with lush, green bounty once the warm weather returns.

Financial Benefits of Solar Power

9/8/2019 (Permalink)

Solar power gives you the ability to enjoy a better way of living

The benefits of solar energy include more than just savings on your electrical expenses – home and business owners can take advantage of state and federal incentives to pay off a system quicker, and start making money earlier.

In short, the financial benefits of solar power range from immediate reductions in the out-of-pocket costs, to long-term programs designed to provide steady income for decades.

1. Electricity Savings:

With a solar power system, you avoid frequent rate hikes associated with fossil fuels. An average residential system in New Jersey will produce approximately 8,400 kWh every year.

At an average utility rate of $0.16 per kWh, you’ll save $1,344 in the first year if you purchase the system. And that doesn’t count the income that could be generated by SREC’s on top of that!

If you opt to have solar installed for no money out of pocket rather than purchasing, you still get to sign up for a lower, more predictable and locked in rate for your electricity.

2. Incentives:

Incentives are unique as the individual states that implement them. Facets of incentives depend on whether the system is for commercial or residential purposes. States with incentives typically have rebate-based incentives, production-based incentives or a combination of the two, all of which make the benefits of solar energy more accessible for the average citizen. The federal government also offers tax credits and grants for renewable energy systems.

3. Increased Property Value:

An often overlooked financial benefit of solar power is the value it adds to a home.

First-Aid Kits in the Office: What You Need and How to Manage It

8/22/2019 (Permalink)

First-Aid Kits in the Office

First-aid kits are a necessary but often forgotten item in your office. When an accident occurs, however, no tool is more valuable.

If you haven’t thought about your company’s kit in a while, now would be a good time to refresh yourself. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that small work sites, including offices, should have a well-stocked and easily accessible first-aid kit on hand for employees. More than one kit is often necessary for spaces with at least four employees.

What to Include

It’s generally less expensive (and time-consuming) to purchase a prestocked first-aid kit. These kits should include, at a bare minimum, the following types of items:

• Gauze pads (multiple sizes)
• Box adhesive bandages
• Gauze roller bandages
• Triangular bandages
• Wound cleaning supplies (such as moistened towelettes, cotton balls and hydrogen peroxide)
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Adhesive tape
• Latex gloves
• Resuscitation equipment (such as a resuscitation bag)
• Elastic wraps
• Splint
• Directions for obtaining emergency service
• A blanket

Many kits offer more than this, and some offer specialized components designed to meet the needs of various concerns — such as offices where there’s a risk of chemical exposure. But just having and stocking a kit properly is the first step.

Managing an Emergency Medical Kit

Kits aren’t meant to be tossed into the closet and forgotten about until there’s an emergency. Additionally, they shouldn’t be used constantly without replenishing their supplies. Here are a few tips for ensuring supplies are properly managed:

• You first want to make sure supplies are readily accessible. Inform employees upon hiring where first-aid supplies are, when to use them and how to access them in an emergency.
• Store kits in an area where they’re easily accessible but also safe from exposure to heat, cold or other damage. That could be in a cabinet in your break room that’s away from the windows and food.
• Once it’s all stocked, check on the supplies in the first-aid kit at least one time a month. Link a specific event that happens during each month (like when you conduct inventory) with restocking supplies in the office emergency kit so you don’t forget.

You can consider additions to the kit, such as over-the-counter pain medications and medications for treating allergic reactions, but inform employees of the risks of using these products upon hire.

Beyond the Supplies

Creating an emergency medical plan should also be at the top of your to-do list. All management or other office personnel should be given specific training on properly assessing medical situations and responding to them. This includes simple steps to caring for a bleeding wound to more intense problems related to administering CPR.

Keeping first-aid kits simply makes sense. Proper training of personnel in both using and managing these kits, however, is also important. It’s advisable to have twice the amount of supplies on hand, perhaps in two different locations, as a backup. This is only effective, though, if your office team knows when and how to use these products properly.