by Flagship Staff | Jun 5, 2017 | Blog
Nothing puts you on edge like a big storm. Whether it’s pounding rain and crashing thunder or a blizzard that knocks out the power for days, nasty weather can have you questioning your family’s fundamental security—and the steadfastness of the home that keeps you safe.
In fact, a really bad squall challenges all the things you usually take for granted: you have visions of your home being swept away, Wizard-of-Oz-style, on a gust of wind, with all your possessions—not to mention a major investment—airborne in one fell swoop.
Of course, it’s probably not going to happen like that. Most storm damage is a bit less dramatic, though no less anxiety-provoking. Leaks, ice dams, and fallen tree branches all present hazards that can make you and your family more susceptible to bad weather—and cost thousands of dollars to repair. Not all storm damage is avoidable, of course, but you can shore up a lot of vulnerabilities just by keeping a close watch over your roof maintenance.
Give Your Gutters a Good Flush
Your home’s gutters actually serve a purpose, and believe it or not, that function is not just to add to your home maintenance checklist. Your drainage system carries water and debris away from your roof and back onto the ground, where it belongs. But when your gutters are clogged, water backs up onto your roof and siding. This speeds up leaks and puts you at risk of more subtle problems, such as mold and roof rot. To keep your home in the clear, make sure to get up on the ladder at least twice a year—once in the fall, and once in the spring.
Put the Damper on Ice Dams
Icicles may look quaint hanging from the eaves of a gingerbread home, but in real life, they’re dangerous predictors of trouble to come. Icicles are usually a sign that your home has an ice dam—a buildup of ice layers from snow melting and refreezing when it hits the colder outer edges of your roof. Why’s that so bad? Ice is a lot heavier than snow—a one-inch layer of ice weighs about five pounds per square foot. Multiply that 20 or 30 times and you’ve got a real problem on your hands. Ice dams often block drainage systems and prevent runoff that could help lighten the load. And since roofs aren’t made to withstand standing water and ice, the dams can cause them to buckle, degrade, and leak over time. Ice formations are usually a sign that you have inadequate insulation or poor ventilation in your home. A roofing inspector can spot both problems—and solving these issues means you’ll use less energy to heat your home, too! Win-win!
Don’t Take Your Time Fixing Missing Shingles
I don’t need to tell you that missing shingles are a problem. If you’re a homeowner, you probably already know that a broken or absent shingle will set you up for leaks. But unless you have water dripping onto your kitchen table, it’s one of those issues that’s easy to ignore. However, you may not be as leak-free as you think. Water infiltration can occur in attics or inside walls—places where you may not see it until you have a full-blown mold infestation on your hands. Do yourself a favor and hammer out replacement shingles sooner, rather than later. It could save you a lot of trouble next time it rains.
Undergo Regular Roofing Inspections
Speaking of missing shingles, did you know you should have your roof inspected every three to five years? Unless you’re fond of ladders, you probably don’t get up on your roof all that often. And that can make it hard to see issues that aren’t visible from the ground. But a qualified inspector can seek out tiny, nearly-invisible problems—like pinhole leaks—which can cost you a lot if they’re not caught early on. Some roofing contractors even offer inspection services for free, so there’s no financial incentive to skip them—especially when a small repair now can save you the cost of a new roofing installation in a year or two.
Trim Back Nearby Branches
The old oak tree in the yard: a symbol of your deep familial roots and community connections. But when the winds blow, the branches may break, and when the bough breaks, your roof’s integrity is not far behind. Branches carried at high wind speeds can slam into your roof, causing damages untold. Protect your roof by hiring an arborist—a good tree guy will trim overhanging branches and inspect for rotting tree trunks that could be knocked over by one bad blow. A little preparation may not reel in every little fear, but you’ll definitely rest easier the next time it storms. Bring on the rain!
by Flagship Staff | May 29, 2017 | Blog
While operating a lawn mower is a common task this time of year, it can be dangerous. Flying debris, moving and hot parts, and errors in judgment can quickly lead to serious injury.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 80,000 people make an unexpected trip to the emergency room each year because of lawn mower injuries. Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe this lawn-mowing season.
1. Inspect your lawn. Before cutting your lawn, take a quick walk around your property. Look for debris that could cause injury if it shot out of your lawn mower, including
Stones
Sticks
Mulch
Children’s toys
If you live in a neighborhood with lots of dog walkers, you may also want to make sure there are no unwanted surprises.
2. Pay attention to your surroundings. If your neighborhood is active, pay attention to what’s going on around you. Be on the lookout for walkers/runners, strollers, and small children riding their bikes. If they come into close proximity to you, stop mowing and shut off your lawn mower. This will prevent debris from shooting out in their direction and allow parents to be heard if they’re giving their children commands like, “Stop at the corner” or “Watch for cars.”
3. Train your yard crew. If you have kids, they may be eager to help you cut the lawn. If they’re like my 13-year-old, an opportunity to earn money may be the motivator. If you let them help, it’s recommended that kids be at least 12 years old to operate a push mower. If you have a riding mower, the recommended age is 16.
You would never just turn over the keys of your car to a new driver, and the same holds true with the lawn mower. Explain to them how the lawn mower works, emphasizing safety and different scenarios they may encounter. Cut a couple of rows so they can see how it’s done. When it’s their turn, walk with them and provide instruction. Once you feel confident, let them try it on their own. I would, however, recommend that you stay close and watch the first few times.
4. Enforce a no play zone. When cutting the lawn, it’s important to keep your children out of harm’s way. Let them know that when you’re cutting, they’re not allowed near you. Tell them where they can play or what they can do to pass the time until you’re finished. In addition, it’s always a good idea to leave your pets inside.
5. Avoid giving rides. While it may seem harmless to give your kids or others a ride, it’s best to avoid this. In the blink of an eye, slips and falls can lead to serious, or even deadly, accidents.
6. Go with the flow. If you have steep slopes in your yard, make sure you drive up and down and not side to side. While the crossing patterns may be more visually appealing, you’ll prevent mower rollover if you avoid this.
7. Protect your eyes. It’s always important to wear glasses or goggles when working in your yard, especially if you’re cutting around trees with low hanging branches.
8. Wear appropriate shoes. This seems like a no brainer, but being a flip-flop guy, I know it’s tempting to wear them. Instead, wear shoes or boots with good traction and stability. Uneven ground or slippery areas can lead to injuries.
9. Protect your ears. Wear earplugs or safety earmuffs when using your lawn mower, trimmer, or blower. According to Consumer Reports, we should try to avoid extended exposure to sound that’s 75 to 85 decibels or more. Above that, hearing protection should be worn. Lawn mowers, sporting events, concerts, and movie theaters can produce sounds well over 100 decibels. Hearing protection is easy to get and affordable. I recently bought a 30-count box of foam earplugs for less than $10.
10. Always inspect with the motor off. A sudden clog caused by a clump of grass or other yard debris may tempt you to lift up the lawn mower to clear it. Always shut down the mower before conducting a physical inspection.
11. Cool down time. After a hard day’s work, give your lawn mower time to cool down before storing it. A lawn mower’s muffler can reach 240 degrees Fahrenheit and can cause a fire if it’s stored next to flammable objects.
Do you have any tips or information you’d like to share? I’d love to hear them; please share them in the box below.
by Flagship Staff | May 22, 2017 | Blog
The electrical load on a household has significantly increased in the last 50 years. Today most people have at least one computer, several televisions, gaming systems, cell phones … all requiring electricity. According to the US Census Bureau, more than half the homes in the US were constructed before 1970, before many of these modern conveniences were invented. Amy Justman, personal lines senior underwriter, will explain if your house is at risk.
Before 1970, 60amp two-wire service was common. Today, minimums start at 100amp, three-wire service. Depending on the size of the home and its electrical load, 150 or 200amps may be required. Therefore, unless a home’s electrical system has been upgraded, it’s outdated and at risk of being overburdened.
Additionally, there are two brands of circuit breaker panels manufactured between 1950 and 1990 that have serious design flaws and put older homes with these panels at even more risk. They are Zinsco and Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) panels along with Stab-Loc circuit breakers. Now obsolete, millions of homes still have these panels today. While they may work fine for years, one overcurrent or short circuit and they can overheat and start a fire.
Experts report that both FPE and Zinsco breaker panels have major faults that could pose a real danger for fire, electrical shock, and injury:
1.They don’t meet today’s updated safety codes.
2.They have significant design flaws.
3.They may have manufacturing defects.
Inside Federal Pacific panels, there are several potential problems with the breakers: overcrowding, loose connections, they can easily split, and they may still be active when in the off or down position.
In addition to these concerns, the found that, when using UL 289 test conditions, the materials used to construct the breakers may be weak. As a result, the breakers may not trip and the panel could catch fire.
Each year, an estimated 2,800 fires directly result from Federal Pacific panel breaker malfunction. Federal Pacific Electric has been out of business for many years, but the danger and damage caused by their negligence continues.
Problems with certain Zinsco panels may not be easily visible; however, electricians often find that breakers cannot be removed from the bus bar because they melted together. In that condition, a breaker would be unable to trip, allowing an unsafe amount of electricity into the home. This could lead to a potential fire.
A second known failure is when the breakers blow out the side, causing an electrical arc explosion.
And a third problem is that even if they appear to be shut off, they can still be conducting electricity which puts you at risk for electrical shock! Only licensed electricians should inspect and remove these breakers. It’s recommended the entire electrical panel be replaced, not just the damaged circuit breakers.
The circuit breaker panel is one of a home’s most important mechanical systems. If you have one of these panels or you have less than 100 amp electrical service, please contact a licensed electrician for an inspection. The cost of maintaining the electrical system is well worth the investment to keep your home, and more importantly your family, safe.
Do you have any tips or information you’d like to share? I’d love to hear them; please share them in the box below.
Source
http://www.ismypanelsafe.com/index.aspx
by Flagship Staff | May 15, 2017 | Blog
With nicer weather on the way, we’ll start seeing a flurry of activity in our neighborhoods. Neighbors will begin walking/running, grilling out, and starting yard cleanup to deal with what Mother Nature left behind.
Neighborhood kids will begin knocking on your door to see if your kids can play. Scooters, bikes, and trampolines will be back in use.
With this flurry of activity, it’s important to make sure your property is safe for your children and their friends. All too often we hear news reports about children being injured or killed while playing outside.
Here are some safety tips that can keep your children, their friends, and your neighborhood safe.
Overhead garage door
Every day we drive in and out of the garage. With the simple push of a button, we can open and close our overhead garage door without much effort.
Have you ever taken the time to make sure your garage door is operating safely? Today, overhead garage doors have photo eyes (safety sensors) that are mounted approximately six inches off the floor. If an object blocks the view of the photo eyes, the door shouldn’t close.
Bumping into the sensors with your lawnmower or bicycle, however, can knock these sensors out of alignment and result in them not operating correctly. Check out three quick safety tips from LiftMaster to make sure your garage door safety features are working properly.
Garage utility/service door
Depending on weather patterns and the direction your garage faces, wind can whip through your garage aggressively. If you leave your service door open, it’s important to make sure the wind can’t slam it shut. When my brother was a young boy, he almost lost a finger because the wind caught the door. Consider installing a doorstop on your service door. This way, you can go in and out when working on yard projects and your kids will remain safe.
Backing out of the driveway
So often we hear tragic stories about people backing out of their driveways and injuring or killing a small child. If you have small children, or they live in your neighborhood, be extra cautious.
If you can avoid backing out of your driveway whenever possible, that’s the safest route. If not, walk around your car and look for children playing in your driveway or riding up and down the sidewalk on their bicycles. If the area looks clear, slowly back out and listen. I recommend keeping the radio off. Laughing or screaming children can be a sign they’re entering your area. Continuously turn your head and look in the mirrors. If you have a back-up camera, don’t rely on this 100% of the time. They do have some limitations.
Uneven concrete
Winter weather can be brutal on sidewalks, driveways, and roadways, causing significant cracking and shifting of concrete. If you notice large cracks or uneven concrete on your property, consider having it repaired right away. This can help avoid trip and falls which could lead to significant injuries.
Cabinets
If your garage cabinet is like mine, you probably store chemicals and yard tools that can be dangerous to small children. Here are a couple of recommendations to keep them safe.
1. Buy a cabinet that locks.
2. Don’t store your kid’s toys on lower shelves. Buy/use a different cabinet for their toys.
3. Store dangerous chemicals or sharp pruning tools on high shelves out of the reach of children.
4. Talk to your children about safety and explain to them why they need to stay away from the cabinet.
Do you have any tips or information you’d like to share? I’d love to hear them; please share them in the box below.
by Flagship Staff | May 8, 2017 | Blog
Mother Nature has been a bit slow in turning up the heat this spring; however, when she does, you’ll probably start thinking about yard work and outdoor projects you want to accomplish this year.
If you have a large project on your list, it may be time to call in a landscape professional. Here are some things to keep in mind when looking for the right landscape contractor for your job.
1. Set a budget. It’s wise to estimate project costs ahead of time. Your concept may not be in accord with your pocket book. By setting a budget, you’ll be able to find the appropriate landscaper for the job. Since every landscaper prefers a certain job, it doesn’t pay to call a landscaper who’s interested in $25,000 jobs if yours is only $5,000.
2. Make sure the landscaper is properly insured. It’s important to make sure the landscape professional can provide proof of workers’ compensation and liability insurance. Workers’ compensation insurance provides protection in case a worker is injured while doing a job on your property. Liability insurance protects your property. Never assume the landscape contractor has insurance. That assumption could cost you money in damages.
3. Ask for references. While you can do a lot of research on the internet, good old-fashioned references may be the safer way to go. Just because someone has a nice website page and photos, doesn’t mean they’re qualified to do the work. Affordable stock photos can be purchased by anyone.
4. Get it in writing. Having a written contract in place can put your mind at ease. Written contracts can identify:
–Start and completion dates
–Scope of the work to be completed
–Pricing
–Payment schedule
–Contact information
5. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Researching a contractor on the BBB’s website can be very helpful. The BBB Business Review provides:
–Contact information
–Description of the company
–Complaints
–Customer reviews
–BBB rating
–Number of years in business
–The type of work they do
–The management team
6. Go with your gut. As with anything in life, there are times when you get a feeling that something isn’t right. If you experience that when meeting with a landscape contractor, don’t ignore it. Remember, it’s your home and your money. You want to enjoy your project when it’s completed not look at it with regret.
