First Call Restoration coordinated the complete renovation of the wood floors throughout the house which involved replacing some flooring, refinishing, and painting base boards and new base shoe throughout the house. The furniture was moved out of the house during this process. Everything was done in a timely manner and the end result is beautiful and professionally done. Dan Murphy was easy to work with and managed the project professionally. I would use them again
– Karen Klausner.
I can’t say enough good things about Dan Murphy and his team. They were all extremely professional and timely. They work each team did to restore my basement was outstanding. Everything was explained to me properly, and there were no surprises. I hope to never have flooding again, but if I do, I am calling Dan! I would recommend him and his crew to anyone!
– Drew Honaker.
The Ministry of Health released Specific Guidance For Sick People Self-Isolating In Apartments Last Week, but those who pushed for the advice to be published already want to see it changed.
A key focus of the guidance is about air ventilation and circulation – something that is easy to do if you can open your windows, but less so if you can’t.
Many apartment buildings operate a centralised air conditioning and ventilation system, which often recycled air.
University of Auckland aerosol chemist Dr Joel Rindelaub said there was a risk the virus could spread to neighbouring apartments any time there could not be “100 percent fresh air”.
“What a body corporate want to do is to try to reduce the amount of recycled air, maybe set up some filtration, to make sure that there can be clean air to breathe,” he said.
The guidance states “it is important to ensure that recycled air is not shared between apartments”.
But Joel Rindelaub said that was difficult and he thought all ventilation systems in New Zealand need to be improved.
(BPT) – There’s nothing quite like owning a home. You feel the pride of achieving a financial goal and the comfort of having a sanctuary and space of your own in which to build a lifetime of memories.
Occasionally, there’s also the element of surprise when things suddenly break – like appliances, the furnace, or the water heater – and need to be fixed or replaced. Water damage is the most common – and unwanted – a surprise for homeowners. According to Mercury Insurance, water-related damages accounted for more than 45% of its homeowner’s insurance claims in 2020, resulting in $160 million in property damage.
“A water leak can happen at any time, so it’s important for homeowners to routinely check for potential sources to help combat this,” said Christopher O’Rourke, vice president of property claims at Mercury Insurance. “It’s also important to address the cause of brown spots on the ceiling or bulges in the walls immediately – these usually indicate a leak or water build-up, and most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover long-term leaks. Left untreated, this can lead to extensive damage.”
Show your home a little TLC to protect against water damage by inspecting these three areas in and around it.
Periodically check the pipes underneath the bathroom sink for cracks or leaks. A leaky pipe can be a sign of a more significant issue that might eventually cause your pipes to burst, like high water pressure or corrosion. Regardless of the cause, consult with a professional to have them assess and fix it.
The seal created by the caulk around your sink, tub, and shower help prevent water from seeping into spaces where it doesn’t belong, but it won’t last forever. Ensure the caulk isn’t worn or cracked, and apply a new layer if needed.
If water leaks from the base of your toilet, or it wobbles when you sit, it’s time to replace the wax ring. Wax rings help form a watertight seal between the bottom of a toilet and the sewer pipe. The ring usually lasts the life of the toilet, but it can dry out and fail, so pay attention to malfunction signs.
“Once a week, make a point of turning faucets on and off and flushing toilets to ensure water continues flowing through the pipes properly,” O’Rourke adds.
Like in the bathroom, the pipes beneath the kitchen sink need to be checked regularly for leaks and cracks.
Kitchen appliances with hoses that connect to your water supply – refrigerators with icemakers or water dispensers and dishwashers – are another potential source for leaks. Rubber hoses can wear out, blister or crack, and will need to be replaced over time. Consider replacing this type of hose with a steel-braided version as these are less likely to fail.
Your washing machine probably isn’t in your kitchen but be sure to inspect its hose as well. The hose connection can loosen during wash cycle vibrations, so check to ensure it’s tight.
Be sure to keep rain gutters and downspouts free of debris to prevent clogs and position downspouts from directing water away from the house.
Holes, cracks, and gaps can be entry points for unwelcome water, which can cause rot or structural damage. Walk the perimeter of your home to look for imperfections in its facade. Inspect the condition of the weather stripping on your windows and doors to ensure they are properly sealed to keep out the elements. Also, look for damaged, missing, or lost roof shingles, which can be seen from proper vantage points on the ground.
If you note any damage to your home’s exterior walls or roof, consult with a professional to determine the following steps to fix the spots where water can potentially enter.
O’Rourke also recommends that homeowners consider installing a water leak detection system. “Smart home devices like water leak detection or shutoff systems can monitor for leaks around the clock, and some can automatically shut off the main water supply if a leak or burst pipe is identified. These types of devices can offer peace of mind and might even qualify you for an insurance discount.”
Water damage is an ever-present threat in a rental property. Almost every room in a home has water running through it. And water tends to go where it’s not wanted. If there is the slightest leak or crack, water will find its way through it.
Additionally, many activities people do in a home uses water. Leading to spills, and people forgetting to turn off faucets or unplug their sinks. Human errors increase the probability water will damage a rental property.
The fact is water damage is hard to detect and costly to repair, it’s easy to see why this is a source of conflict between landlords and tenants. So when these conflicts arise tenants, blame landlords who own the property and should take care of it, and Landlords claim tenants use the property and should be responsible for it.
Tenants try to push all responsibility for fixing water damage to the property owner. On their part, landlords try to get tenants to assume more responsibility for repairing water damage. This conflict is why, of all the maintenance issues that make tenants terminate their lease, water damage tops the list.
But the question is, whose responsibility should it be to fix water damage in a rental property? The answer is not simple. It depends on a combination of state laws and the lease agreement signed by the tenants and landlords.
Below we explain the best way for landlords and tenants to resolve this issue.
What is the Landlord’s Responsibility?
The basis for the landlord’s responsibility is created by the principle of “implied warranty of habitability.” This law requires property owners to guarantee that a home is habitable before they hand it over to tenants. According to the law, a residence is habitable if it has adequate and working plumbing, among other things. In addition to providing these amenities, the law also demands that landlords maintain the home in a livable state for the whole period that the tenant lives there.
What this means, is that the property owner is primarily responsible for the maintenance of a home’s plumbing, and by extension, any water damage that occurs. Landlords have to ensure that the water supply is constant and adequate in the house. And there are two ways they fulfill this obligation.
We can sum up the landlord’s role in fixing water damage as follows. Firstly, since a home’s plumbing is part of the home’s structures, and the landlord owns the house, it’s the landlord’s responsibility to maintain the plumbing. Secondly, since the landlord gave a warranty to the tenant that the property is habitable, it is the landlord’s responsibility to keep the home in that state.
These conditions are only altered if a tenant does something to damage the landlord’s property or fails to live up to the terms of the lease agreement that they signed. Bringing us to the tenant’s responsibility for fixing water damage.
What is the Tenant’s Responsibility?
Just as landlords are responsible for providing and maintaining a home’s plumbing, tenants are also required to use that plumbing responsibly. If the tenant misuses the plumbing – through neglectful or malicious behavior – the tenant will be responsible for the damage. For instance, if a tenant allows a sink to overflow and floods the home, that tenant will pay the owner to fix the damage. But this is not where the tenant’s responsibilities end.
In conclusion, responsibility for water damage in a rental property is shared between landlords and tenants, with landlords taking the more significant share. To ensure there are no misunderstandings over this issue, landlords should include these terms in their lease and explicitly explain them to their tenants.
Brad and the team came through when we needed them most, and they stayed until the issues resolved. It was a pleasure to interact with Brad and the team (even when I was stressed due to the situation of extensive damage to water under our wood floors). I recommend them and will call them first if we ever have any more events.
Deborah Reiman
Brad and his team did such a good job helping us out with our issue. They were reasonable, timely, respectful, professional, and eased us throughout the whole process. Highly recommend! Thanks guys!
Arin Morris
I found water had leaked into my furnished basement and needed a repair FAST. I interviewed 2 companies and chose First Call Restoration due to their thorough assessment of the affected areas and the clear outline of the needed work. All the water mitigation work has now been completed perfectly. The entire crew was knowledgeable, courteous and professional. They explained every step along the way. I highly recommended them and would choose them again if ever needed.
Beverly Hynes
As a first time homeowner, I was extremely stressed out when my basement flooded after heavy rain. The original clean up crew recommended Dan Murphy and his team and I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER! I honestly didn’t know what to expect in terms of support and communication but Dan continued to impress me with his responsiveness and qualtiy work. I don’t wish flooding on anyone, but should it happen to you, please reach out to Dan and his team to bring make your space normal again. It looks even better than I expected and I’m so thankful!
Michelle Plante
