Home improvement doesn't have to be an expensive, time-consuming task. Some wall art, a new carpet, or just new towels are easy ways to update your home. Read the following article and discover some great tips on how you can improve the look of your home.

Look at what you want to accomplish, this is a great tip to assist you on your journey towards home improvement. Your personal touch will greatly enhance the look of any home improvement project.

Choose wood floors for your home if you can afford it. Although laminate might look real and be easy to clean, you cannot refinish it. In the coming years a real wood floor can be refinished, whereas a laminate floor must be completely replaced.

To lower the electric costs associated to illuminating your yard, you can change your regular light to one that contains a motion sensor. You can still turn the light on manually when you need to, and most models also let you fine tune the sensitivity.

Protect the floor in any room you are going to paint. This will keep any excess paint from damaging your carpet or floor. Using old layers of newspaper is an inexpensive and very effective way to protect your flooring. A paint cloth works well too, as you simply need to create a barrier to prevent the paint from hitting the floor.

Home improvements can help a house, and be fun too. If you are beginner you need to know if you need permits or what the regulations are. What do you need to do to learn about the local codes? Well, start reading the tips listed below!

Keep an eye out for carpet installation deals, whether at home improvement chain stores or local stores. In order to increase sales of carpeting, they often include very low cost installation packages for their customers. Since the installation is so cheap during these times, this is when you should have it done.

In order to make home improvements, evaluate what look you are going for. While this is a good idea, you should also make sure that each improvement is practical.

Make sure you understand your style before customizing your home. The decorating style that you choose should serve as the catalyst for your project. If you're not paying attention, you might choose decorations in multiple styles without noticing that they clash. Starting over again may cost you thousands of dollars and add weeks to the completion date.

Downspouts, gutters, and chimneys are often not noticed for home improvements. These are important aspects of the home and they need to be cleaned and maintained to be sure they are working properly. Chimneys are fire hazards if they are neglected. Downspouts and gutters can become useless due to debris, which in turn, can cause water damage.

Perhaps your home needs some repair but you are unsure how to approach it. Is this ringing any bells for you? People procrastinate due to a lack of knowledge. This article will provide you with some great information that can help you to get your house updated and feeling new again.

Add weather stripping to doors and windows to give your home's energy efficiency a big boost. Weatherstripping is very cheap and easy to do, it will stop cold air from coming in your home and you will save money on energy. Also, this helps to reduce drafts for a better living environment.

If you have small rooms in your home, they can feel gloomy, but they don't have to! Get some light in there! If there are windows, clean them and keep your blinds open. A room will instantly look bigger with a little natural light. Keep clutter to a minimum and stick with light, subdued paint colors. Your tiny room won't seem all that tiny anymore.

You need to give a thought to the context of your neighborhood before you engage in extensive remodeling work. A Victorian home on a block of saltbox cottages is going to stand out like a sore thumb. A remodel that blends seamlessly into the existing neighborhood has a greater chance of selling when it's time to move.

These are a number of simple, do-it-yourself home improvement tasks, even if you're only a beginner.

You can make your home prettier, more livable and more valuable with good home improvement schemes. Use the advice offered below to help you get started on those big and small home-improvement projects.

You should hire a contractor when taking on a major home improvement project. Without specialized training in designing living spaces, your own ideas may lack the necessary details to allow your home to function optimally. Someone who professionally designs will do it the right way and you will avoid any disaster.

It isn't necessary to hire a professional designer to achieve a professional look. Pick up books, look through magazines and visits blogs to help you. You might get just the inspiration you need from a picture in a magazine. Literature can also provide you with the information you need to get your project done.

Home improvement projects allow you to stamp your own style on your home, and they can be simple to do if you plan projects out. This makes the work itself more efficient by freeing you from making design decisions and letting you concentrate on doing the job at hand. Use homes you love as inspiration, or take inspiration from your favorite home-improvement shows.

Learn how to recognize what kind of jobs you can tackle yourself and which ones need to be handled by a skilled professional. Read this article to know when to call a professional and when you can do it yourself.

As you plan a home renovation, think about the difference in value between something you personally like and something that will appeal to potential future buyers. You could make your home less attractive to a buyer if you make it stand out from others in the neighborhood.

If you are in a dwelling with limited space, and don't have the space for both a washer and dryer, think about buying a unit that combines the two together. Many combined washer-dryer models can fit in compact spaces or under counters. The combo unit is really convenient, as it combines the wash and dry cycle into one.

If you are going to put in any paneling, paint some stripes on the walls. Regardless of the care you take when installing paneling, the old wall can sometimes be seen showing through the paneling. To help camouflage this effect and keep this from being distracting, measure out where each panel will meet before your installation. Try to select a color of paint that matches as closely as possible.

Are you looking for inspiration for a home repair project? Are you wondering how to handle restoration work around your home? In this article, we will present some useful ideas and information to assist you in completing interesting, fresh home improvement projects with ease.

If you want your ceiling to look like it is higher, you can use these two very easy tricks. Paint your walls or add a floor lamp. This will make an optical illusion that any eyes will follow. The eye focuses on the tall lines, causing the ceilings to seem higher.

Almost anyone of any experience level can fix leaky faucets. Repairing a faucet quickly will minimize wasted water as well as wasted dollars on your bill. You can save some money on your water bill.

Homes with attractive view have a higher selling price than other homes on the market. You should look at the cost as something that is for your own pleasure. Some people like a view of the ocean, while other would prefer a nice view of the sunset each night.

Be sure to set up an emergency escape plan and familiarize everyone in the household with it. People generally panic when things go awry. Working out safety escape routes before an emergency strikes can save you and your family members' lives. So have a family meeting to make escape plans, and consider all the ramifications of each.

Figuring out how to make your home improvements may seem overwhelming. But, when you see the results, you will see it was well worth it. Taking that first step requires proper planning and basic skills. This article will show you some quick and easy ways to get the most from your next home improvement project.

Plain lampshades can often be spartan and boring. By decorating these shades with stencils and paint from a craft store, you can turn a dreary lamp into a focal point in any room. Not only can you match the color or theme of the room, but you can even match the design of rugs or other aspects to tie the room together.

For the best quality home improvements, consider what you want to accomplish before you begin. Once you have begun the project, having a plan will make it easier to follow through on. Get inspiration from the homes of your friends, magazines or home improvement television shows.

If you are working in the kitchen, around fireplaces or anything else that has a gas line, make sure that you locate the gas shutoff before you begin your home improvement project. Caution is the best guide for these projects. Be careful not to puncture, or otherwise penetrate the line at any point during your project, as it could lead to a leak of explosive gas.

Remodeling a home can be a huge burden, or it can solve many lifestyle dilemmas; it all depends on how you go about it. The suggestions ahead can provide you with some additional perspective to apply to your next job. By using these tips, your home improvement venture will be a successful one.

Plain lampshades can make your whole room look boring. You can pep up your lamp shades by getting some stencils and acrylic paint, and decorating them to your taste. This livens up the room without having to buy new lamp shades.

Don't make foolish improvements. For instance, having an uncovered deck in Arizona or a sun room that has no ventilation in Michigan would be nonsensical renovations that will have potential buyers questioning your house upkeep decisions. Be sure you stick with the improvements that are actually wanted and don't overdo it. Keep the actual climate in mind.

It's important to have fun when making home improvements. Of course, doing a good job is paramount, but you should still enjoy the completion of a project. If you do not enjoy what you are doing, you are more likely to make mistakes. If this is what your experience turns into, ask a professional for help.

Does your home have mold? If you own your house or apartment, mold can be an expensive issue to fix, and a persistent problem. And it is not just the cost either - many forms of mold are extremely bad for your health, if ingested over a period, so you need to get it sorted. If you are in any doubt about whether you have mold, what type you have, or where it is concentrated, you should pick from any of the best mold test kits and check it out for yourself. They are all inexpensive and can help you start to fix the problem.

However, you need to know the early-warning signs in order to start your investigation. Mold can often grow in places you rarely inspect, and can even spread behind stud walls, chimneys, or large items of furniture like wardrobes. One of the most common places for mold to grow is in your HVAC unit, which will then spread it through your home. Many test kits will sample from your air con unit, but some will not. In some instances, you may even need to change the heating and cooling system in your home, if mold gets bad, so if this is the case you should consult our guide to the best central air conditioning units.

Hopefully, though, you will spot one of the signs your home has mold early, and get it fixed before it spreads.

Spring is finally here and we’re beginning to see the world slowly come back to life. Like many homeowners, you’re probably feeling reenergized. Taking advantage of more time outdoors is great, but you’re also likely starting some projects around the house.

Everyone has their own list, with projects varying from simply decluttering and deep cleaning to giving the entire yard a complete overhaul. Regardless of whatever items are already on your list, one thing you should add to it is a home energy assessment.

Spring is the Perfect Time for a Home Energy Assessment

An energy assessment is an assessment of your home’s energy efficiency. The experts at Able Home Performance will conduct a thorough investigation of your home to locate areas of inefficiency.

When we know where things like air leaks and spots with inadequate insulation are, we’ll be able to recommend specific upgrades. Our comprehensive report following an energy assessment will detail unique improvements that when implemented will increase your home’s comfort, health, and energy efficiency.

Since the weather is finally warmer and you’re not heating your home, but still not turning on the air conditioner, now is the ideal moment to address concerns with energy efficiency and comfort. Many homeowners don’t realize just how much of an impact an energy assessment and the subsequent improvements can make. However, if your home was too cold this past winter or your energy bills were through the roof, making changes now will help to ensure the summer and each season after is more comfortable and affordable.

1. Contact your insurance company right away.

If you have insurance on your property, you’ll want to call them as soon as the fire is safely extinguished.

Familiarize yourself with your insurance policy so that you know what is covered, and you can ensure you receive full and fair payment. The best thing you can do is read through your insurance coverage and familiarize yourself with what it entails. Each policy is different, so this will greatly affect how you decide to move forward. In the case of home insurance, a majority of policies cover the value of the home as it was before the fire. In the event of a total loss, the insurance company may settle by paying you the policy amount for the home in addition to whatever contents were in the home at the time of the fire.

Other expenses, like the demolition of the home, may also be covered. Take pictures or videos to document everything that was damaged or destroyed so that you have proof to show the insurance company. Don’t throw anything away, and make a list of all the damaged or lost items, too. The more you have to back up your claim, the better. If your adjuster can physically see the items, it makes the claims process much more seamless. If you experienced a total loss and were unable to save any necessities, let your insurance company know. You may be entitled to a partial payout to recover items you need immediately. Be sure to keep detailed notes of any communications with your insurance company, and save all documents. Email, as opposed to phone, is a great way to keep record of communications.

A flooded basement, moldy drywall and mildewed grout are no fun to deal with. Here are tips to help you prevent water damage and mold growth from happening in the first place, and tips for handling these situations if they do occur.

Tip 1: Control Indoor Moisture to Prevent Mold

The key to stopping mold and mildew is controlling dampness. The worst infestations usually occur in damp crawlspaces, in attics and walls where water has leaked in from the outside, and in basements with poor foundation drainage. Stopping leaks, ensuring good ventilation in attics, keeping crawlspaces dry and routing water away from the foundation are the best defenses.

Tip 2: Make Sure Your Bath Fan Is Big Enough

The next thing to consider for how to prevent mold after water damage is whether your bath fan is big enough. If the fans aren’t clearing out most of the moisture in your bathrooms after five to 10 minutes, your fans may not be moving enough air. Fans are certified by the volume (cfm, or cubic feet per minute) of air exhausted out of the room. To find the recommended fan capacity for your bathroom, multiply the bathroom square footage by 1.1 (assuming an 8-ft. ceiling; for a 9-ft. ceiling, multiply by 1.5). Check the cfm volume of your fan, usually marked on a label under the grille. Replace it with a larger model if it’s too small for the size of your bathroom. Here’s what to do if you spot mold on your bathroom walls.

Kitchen remodeling is a fantastic alternative. Moreover, it has the power to bring a new life into your old kitchen structure. In fact, enhancing the appearance of your home is one benefit of kitchen remodeling.

It is apparent that kitchens undergo many tears and wear. As they deal with the accumulation of grease, oil, and other issues. These issues are hard to repair. Hence, the benefits of kitchen remodeling are numerous and give your house a new and improved appearance.

If you are searching for kitchen renovations services you do not need to worry. Able Construction LLC., offers these services. Moreover, they will remodel your kitchen according to your preference and make sure you have a kitchen that looks stunning.

What are the Benefits of Kitchen Remodeling?

Every part of your home may need a much amount of remodeling. If you plan to improve the appearance of your house, the kitchen is one of the essential rooms in your home that needs considerable improvement. Here are the benefits of kitchen remodeling that you need to know.

Enhances Functionality

When renovating the kitchen, you make either some reductions or additions. Nonetheless, all these remodeling aim at improving the general purpose of the kitchen. In fact, cooking in a remodeled kitchen becomes more easy, fun, and efficient to complete.

old can grow anywhere it can find oxygen, moisture and organic material, and it's particularly happy in damp, humid areas of the home — so it's no surprise that mold in the basement is a common problem for homeowners.

Basement mold is often the result of a source of moisture — leaky foundations or condensation from appliances are typical culprits. One of the first steps in the prevention of basement mold is to ensure that your basement is free of any moisture and doesn't support a damp, humid environment where mold can thrive.

If mold in the basement is already a problem in your home, there are many options for the control and removal basement mold. Depending on the extent and severity of the problem, and the type of mold, you may need to explore options for professional mold removal. In particular, cases of severe toxic black mold growth may require professional care.

For nontoxic species of mold and less severe mold growth, there are many DIY solutions for the prevention and control of mold in the basement. After removing any mold-covered debris, such as dry wall, insulation, carpet or sub-flooring, hard surfaces can be treated with commercial products containing ammonia and bleach. Basement mold removal on tile or linoleum can also be performed with vinegar or a borax and water solution.

You may already be familiar with the existence of mold. It naturally occurs if there is excess humidity in an area. It can grow on furniture, carpets, appliances, floors, drywall, and plaster walls. However, it seems like only a few take it seriously.

Mold can cause serious damage to your home structure as well as to your health. When mold grows on walls, floors, and foundations, it can cause the structure to weaken. If left uncontrolled for a long time, it will eventually rot the structure resulting in permanent and expensive damage.

Furthermore, mold can cause a variety of adverse side effects on human health. If a healthy human is exposed to mold for a significant period of time, they may experience skin irritation, itchy eyes, stuffy nose, and wheezing. For those who have pre-existing conditions, the effects can be worse and even life-threatening if the mold growing in your homes are similar to Stachybotrys.

MOLD STRUCTURAL DAMAGE

If you are interested in learning about how mold can cause structural damage to your houses, then you are in the right place. Continue reading down below for details that you need to know about.

Where does mold frequently grow?

In scenarios where fire damage is also accompanied by water damage to a property, it is best to get in touch with a full emergency professional restoration company. Able Construction can help cater both water and fire damage and help restore your business or home to its original condition.

A fire can be a devastating event, whether it occurs at home or a business. Not only does a fire cause damage due to the heat and flames alone, the after-effects can include hazardous debris, soot, odor, and ash throughout the building site and can cause surface discoloration and damage to equipment if not treated immediately. In addition, there can also be substantial water damage caused by firefighting efforts when suppressing the fire.

The Hidden Dangers of Post-Fire Water Damage

Even though the flames may have been extinguished, there are usually a number of other issues at hand that need to be dealt with after a fire. Since fire fighters use large amounts of water to fight the flames, the aftermath of water damage to property can often include sogginess, saturation and even hazardous mold growth.

Professional water damage cleanup services include preventing sogginess and saturation from setting in. Both these problems can easily impact by posing a serious threat to building structures, interior furnishings, important documents, records and other office equipment. At the same time, extensive water damage after a fire can also compromise the structural integrity of the building.

When something goes wrong in your home, the sooner you call a restoration company, the better. Waiting even a few hours after the damage occurs can make matters worse. A restoration company can prevent further damage and restore the property that has already been affected.

Water Damage

No matter what causes it, water damage quickly allows water to gather in small spaces of your home. That water can seep into wood and other materials, causing mold and mildew to grow. It only takes a day for mold and mildew to grow; any time that passes after that only gives the problem time to get worse. The longer you wait to call a restoration company, the more dangerous the problem becomes for you and your family.

Water damage can become destructive. When you call a restoration company, experts know exactly where to look for problems that you might not have noticed. Furthermore, professionals have all of the knowledge and equipment necessary to completely restore your home.

Fire Damage

A fire can greatly damage your home and property. Smoke can destroy your property and other personal items. Additionally, soot can damage walls and other items that weren’t even touched by the flames of the fire.

A serious fire will leave black soot and a strong smell on all your home’s surfaces. With time, the smell will leave hard surfaces, but the softer ones like carpet, drapes and furniture cushions will soak that smell in. You’ve got to take special measures to get that smell out. Here are 5 tips that’ll make the cleaning process easier.

1. AIR IT OUT

The first logical thing that you’ll want to do is air out your entire house. Keep every door and window in the entire house open for a full day to let it completely ventilate and let as much fresh air in as possible. If you’ve got any fans in the house, ceiling or otherwise, set them up on full-blast facing out the doors. Getting as much of the smell out this way, before you get started with the real cleaning, will give you a leg up.

2. POSITIVE PRESSURE

The act of airing out your property is necessary but it’s not going to do all that much in the grand scheme of things. Air the house out until you can’t tell if it’s making any difference anymore. Then, you’re going to use a positive pressure method. Positive pressure is when the air pressure outside the home is greater than the air pressure inside the home, resulting in the air inside leaving for outside. Theoretically, this will do an even better job of getting the smell out than just opening the windows and letting it go. Here’s how you do it:

Mold & Mildew

You probably guessed that this would make the top 5 list. Water damage contributes to the growth of mold and mildew in your home. As you may know, mold can cause breathing problems & more health issues for you and your family. Mold especially affects people who have allergies, asthma, and other respiratory diseases. Something that seems insignificant, such as a small leak, only needs 48 hours to grow mold.

This issue can be solved easily. We will dry out and clean up the water damage, all while keeping an eye out for mold. Should we find any signs of mold, we will have a conversation with you about the best ways we can take care of the problem. Call us for our commercial and residential water damage services.

Structural Problems

Severe water damage can weaken your home’s structural stability. Your roof, walls, floors, & even your home’s foundation can be affected by the damages left behind from water. Avoid permanent damage in your home by hiring us to:

• Locate the source of water damages.
• Determine the total areas affected.
• Remove water quickly & efficiently.
• Dry all affected areas.

There are 3 main types of smoke and residues that can be left behind by fire damage in your home:

1. Synthetic: These synthetic residues appear when oil-based materials are burned such as plastics and fabrics. This could include everything from window coverings, furniture, carpets, and electronics. When synthetic materials burn, they will produce a thick black smoke, leaving behind a smeary residue that can create quite the mess if not cleaned up properly. In these situations, avoid touching any of the residue to prevent smearing as vacuuming is the best approach to cleaning the residues left behind, followed by dry-chem sponge cleaning.

2. Protein: Fires caused by the burning of proteins such as meats and beans for example will leave behind a yellowish-brown residue. The texture of which is greasy feeling and can stick to any surface, making it a pain to clean up. Make sure you head over to your local Home-Depot type shop and ask for the proper fire cleaning chemical that will work well on cleaning up after protein fires.

3. Natural: These types of fires are caused by the burning of natural products such as wood and paper. They produce dry powdery residue that is greyish-black in color. These residues are easier to clean up than the synthetic or protein residues. Removing the residues can be done by vacuuming with a bristled brush, followed by dry-chem sponge cleaning.

It is important to keep your home or business clean and safe during this pandemic. However, do you understand the difference between cleaning and disinfecting? These two practices are very different but it is important they are practiced in tandem.

What is cleaning?

Cleaning is the process of physically removing germs, dirt, and other impurities from the surface areas. To accomplish this, it is important to use all-purpose cleaning agents and a microfiber cloth or terry rag to lift away the soil.

This is the best practice for cleaning your surfaces and removing soil form high touch surfaces. However it is important to realize that cleaning only REMOVES germs from the surface it does not kill them. To kill the organisms left behind a disinfectant must be applied.

What is disinfecting?

Disinfecting kills germs but does not clean soil from the surfaces. Disinfectants need to be used after cleaning agents because they cannot break through soils on surfaces. To kill germs disinfectants usually contain any of the three following chemicals; quaternary ammonium chloride (QUATS), peroxide (Hydrogen-Peroxide based), or hypochlorite (bleached based).

In addition to making your home more comfortable, sealing air leaks and adding insulation can also reduce your energy use which may lower your heating and cooling bills. Just like you wouldn’t go outside during winter without a coat, your home needs layers too protect itself against the cold too.

Air sealing is the process of sealing cracks and other sources of leaks in your home to prevent heated air from escaping and unwanted outside air from entering your home.

Insulation is a protective barrier between heated or cooled areas of your home and the outside to reduce heat loss and regulate air flow.

Here are the top five reasons to air seal and insulate your home:

1. Increase comfort

When cold air enters your home, it lowers the temperature of the house and overworks your furnace. Your furnace then struggles to maintain the thermostat’s specified temperature. By reducing drafts and air leaks, your furnace will work more efficiently.

2. Reduce energy waste by up to 20 percent

After you seal leaks and insulate, your furnace doesn’t have to work has hard a break and you gain as much as 20 percent of heated air back in your home.

While it’s possible your home is already conserving energy so efficiently you don’t need an audit, most homes consume more energy than they need. An energy audit does more than help you save energy—it increases your personal comfort and the value of your home.

The benefits of a home energy audit

Other than home savings, how does an energy audit benefit you? Reasons to hire a home energy auditor include the following:

Understand your energy usage

An energy audit lets you understand where and how energy is used. Understanding where and how your home uses (or wastes) energy empowers you to make productive changes to your home or lifestyle.

Identify your potential energy-saving opportunities

Once a home energy auditor identifies where your home requires energy improvements, you can take steps to resolve the issue. An audit may reveal the need to clean your air ducts, for instance, or it might suggest that you need to replace worn window weatherstripping. Fixing these problems will make your home more energy efficient.

Improve your health and safety

During an audit, homeowners commonly identify air leakage around doors, a lack of proper insulation or unwanted sources of moisture. Once moisture problems are identified, steps can be taken to maintain ideal home humidity, which can yield positive health results—especially for family members who live with allergies or asthma.

Don’t Panic

Whenever a pipe bursts and causes flooding, it’s easy to panic. However, it’s important to remain calm and keep a leveled head. The best way to respond is to find the emergency shut off valve for your water supply. By turning off the water you can minimize the water damage that can accumulate, whether it’s inside the basement or elsewhere within your home.

Determine the Damage

Once the water is off, you can take your time to find our how waterlogged your house is. Burst pipes are no joke and you must move quickly to avoid old and mildew infestations. If you still have lead pipes this is a good time to replace them. Copper and PVC pipes are higher quality and won’t affect your health.

Inspect the Plumbing

Once the water damage has been handled, you can then inspect the overall condition o your home’s plumbing. Look for signs of cracks, leaks or holes in any of the pipes or any of the joints where they connect. If you spot a pin hole, then you can patch it up with duct tape or electrical tape. Hairline fractures call for pipe sealant. If you see larger cracks then its time to call a professional to come and help.

We have dealt with difficult ice dams and the flooding they can cause. When dealing an event like this it is important to work with the professionals who know how to deal with the situation. Able has worked on many projects to restore flooded homes to their best look.

Preventing and Defrosting Frozen Pipes

Low temperatures can lead to freezing air and ground temperatures, which can play havoc with pipes still filled with water. Both inside and outside your home, it’s important to either evacuate, insulate, or warm pipes to avoid freezing. And know how to deal with a frozen or burst pipe:

• Evacuation: Before the first freeze, make sure to empty unused pipes of water. For example, for irrigation systems such as sprinklers, get them blown out or drained.
• Insulation: When possible, insulate your pipes and water fixtures. This can include covering outdoor faucets and wrapping pipes in uninsulated parts of your home.
• Warming: You can also leave pipes running overnight with a slight trickle of water (around 55 degrees Fahrenheit) to keep them from freezing.

If you do encounter a frozen pipe: do not panic. This is often found when water is stopped in the pipe. Search for either a dripping or ice-covered pipe and listen for a hollow sound. You can use a hair dryer or pick up heat tape from your local hardware store. If the pipe has burst, make sure to shut off the water before starting repairs.

The growth of mold and mildew will always be a big issue for property owners. They can destroy the integrity of one’s property and even put one’s health at risk, but what is black mold? In a nutshell, it is made up of several species of toxic mold that thrives in humid environments but most professionals focus on specific type: Stachybotrys chartarum. It can be recognized by their greenish-black color on the surfaces they grow on.

How dangerous is black mold? As we have mentioned above, they are toxic. Hence, exposure to them can lead to different health issues. On top of that, they can also aggravate existing medical conditions. Don’t worry, we’re going to talk more about what these are in a bit, and most importantly, how to get rid of black mold.

Signs and Symptoms

Color – The first sign is the color. It can be identified by its black or greenish-black hue. There are certain species that manifest with a grayish color and a powdery texture.

Symptoms – Aside from the visual effect of black mold, you can also identify black mold in your home with its strong distinguished odor. The smell can be pretty hard to miss but we certainly recommend getting the help of a professional when in doubt.

Responds Immediately When a Disaster Strikes

Did your restoration company respond as soon as possible when a disaster struck your home or business? Its important when you have a disaster for the company you hire to respond immediately and jump straight into action. At Able not only do we have someone to always answer your calls 24/7/365 but we will have a truck to your home or business as soon as possible in an emergency.

Employs Licensed, Insured and Well-Trained Teams

When researching and talking to restoration companies make sure to ask the right questions. For instance, do they have the proper licenses, is the company and its employees insured and what kind of training they offer their employees and how they stay up to date. We make sure our teams are always licensed, insured and properly trained before we sent them to any clients’ home. We have a training system which has the most up-to-date training available. Our best in class training strategy gives you the best experience when working with us.

Reputable Local References

Are you working with a restoration recommended by a neighbor, friend or family member? Then you could very well be working with the best possible company they know. We think it is important to always leave a client with more then they were expecting. While we might not know your friends and families’ directly, we have a lot of former clients who have nothing but nice things to say about us.

Disconnect Hoses – Standing water in a hose may freeze back into the pipes and create and ice block that can stop your water flow, it could even burst pipes and create damage to walls, floors and even the foundation.

Clean Gutters and Downspouts – Clean your gutters at least twice a year to avoid blockage and ice dams. Standing water can cause damage to your gutters and roof, and unmanaged overflow may create puddles that could damage your foundation. Don’t forget to clean downspouts to ensure water can flow through and secure downspouts so that they point away from the home

Maintain Trees and Vegetation – Thriving shrubs can be beautiful thing – except when their roots wrap around your pipes and break them. That’s why it’s important to minimize landscaping near utility pipes or remove trees and shrubs that have become too big.

Know your Water Main – Know the location of your water main and shut it off if you leave for an extended amount of time. If no water goes in to the house, chances are no faucet drips can wreak havoc on your home.

Check Appliances Regularly – Check and maintain your appliances regularly for leaks according to manufacturer’s directions.

Virtual home energy assessments are similar to home energy assessments but adjusted to operate in the current climate. We have made it possible to perform this no-cost service through virtual channels, such as a zoom meeting call. Each call will take approximately 90 mins, providing that you have provided all requested information prior to your appointment.

Are you qualified for a Virtual No-Cost Home Energy Assessment? If the following points apply to your home then you are qualified for a virtual assessment:

• Customers must live in a 1-4-unit home.
• Customers must have full access to the house and the ability to install recommended instant saving products received (i.e. lightbulbs).
• Customers must be comfortable working with the energy specialist over the phone and able to use technology such as video chat and/or sending photos of the home over email.
• Customers who meet household income guidelines may instead be eligible for enhanced offers through the Mass Save Income Eligible Program.
• This program is available to residential customers of the Sponsors of Mass Save.
• Eligibility for some rebates/incentives is based on findings from the Home Energy Assessment.

The annual average of fires caused by grills is just over 10,000. Gas grills cause more fires then both charcoal and electric grills. Avoid a fire and follow these nine steps to make sure your home is safe when you start barbecuing.

1. Grill outside and away from any structures

It is important for your grill to be placed in an open space which is away from any overhanging branches or under your house.

2. Make sure your grill is stable

Your grill should be a flat surface and anchored down to ensure it won’t tip over. Consider using a grill pad or splatter matt underneath your frill to protect a deck or patio.

3. Keep your grill clean

Remove and grease or fat build up from the grill and the tray below the grill often. If you are using a charcoal grill make sure the coals are completely cooled off before disposing of them in a metal container.

4. Check for propane leaks on your gas grill

Before the season’s first barbecue, check the gas tank hose for leaks by applying a light soap and water solution to the hose and then turning on the gas. If there is a propane leak, the solution will bubble. Other signs of a propane leak include the smell of gas near the barbecue or a flame that won’t light.

A sump pump can be the difference between a costly flooding incident and a dry basement. There are two types of sump pumps, “submersible” pumps are installed under the floor in your basements, while the “pedestal” pump sits above your sump basin. Sump pumps are used to “pump” groundwater away from your home and will evacuate large quantities of water, such as flooding, to other areas, such as storm drains. It is important to maintain your sump pump, so it can keep your basement dry all year long. Learn more about sump pump maintenance and avoid these common mistakes.

Common sump pump maintenance mistakes

DIY Installation

If you’ve never installed a sump pump, don’t risk doing it yourself. You might end up paying a lot more for damages than for the cost of professional installation. Hire a plumbing professional to avoid the risks.

No Backup Power

During a powerful storm, your home can lose power, causing your sump pump to shut down. Should you experience flooding in your basement, a sump pump would redirect any incoming water. Keep your sump pump working during a power outage by connecting it to a backup power source, such as a generator or battery backup system.

Our customers have nothing but nice things to say about us. We work our hardest to make sure we are considerate and aware of our customers homes and to leave as little trace as possible while still performing the best possible service. But don't take our word for it - see what our customers have to say:

“I wanted to send a huge, THANK YOU!!! to you and team. We noticed an immediate shift in the coolness of our home as Andrew and his work partner progressed through the day.

Andrew and the team were so kind and very informative - letting us know what they were doing as they moved through each part of the day and Andrew's overall upbeat energy was a welcome change in our home for the day. Additionally, both gentlemen were very respectful of our home and in the clean-up and sanitizing process. We are so happy to have a MUCH cooler house during the peak of summer and look forward to having heat better contained come winter.

Our interactions with Able Home Performance have been smooth from start to finish and we just want to say, Thank you!”

When you choose Able Home Performance you will be working with an expert in the Mass Save program, we put our best efforts into serving our customers in a professional manner. The energy efficiency upgrades we can make to your home will save you money and let you live more comfortably at home.

Hurricanes can cause a lot of damage to properties and shatter how you live. As we are in the middle of hurricane season, it is important to be prepared if one of these devastating storms hits where you live. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and your homes and businesses.

1. Have a plan to get out

If you live in a mobile home or on the coast it is important to have a plan to evacuate. The local government will issue instructions in the event a storm hits. It is wise to have your own plan and know where the nearest shelter is located to make sure you know where to go in the event of an emergency.

2. Keep non-perishable emergency supplies on hand

When a hurricane warning is issued, the stores get over crowded with people getting the last-minute supplies. Get ahead of this rush by having a small stockpile on hand.

• Extra Batteries
• Candles or lamps with fuel
• Matches (stored in dry places)
• Materials and tools for emergency home repairs – such as heavy plastic sheeting, plywood, a hammer, etc.
• A three-day supply of drinking water
• Food that you don’t have to refrigerate or cook
• First aid supplies
• A portable NOAA weather Radio
• A wrench and other basic tools
• A flashlight

Expertise® scored 173 mold remediation companies in Boston, MA and scored us as one of the top companies in the area. Expertise has a goal to connect people with local experts. They use a reliable scoring system to judge each company based on what customers value. They scored us based on five selection criteria:

1. Reputation – A history of delighted customers and outstanding service
2. Credibility – Building customer confidence with licensing accreditation and awards
3. Experience – Master of their craft, based on years of practical experience and education
4. Availability – Consistently approachable and responsive, so customers never feel ignored
5. Professionalism – Providing service with honesty, reliability and respect

Able prides itself on working with our customers to provide excellent service and professionalism with anyone who gives us a call. Over 22 years of experience equips our team to evict mold and ensure it doesn’t come back. Mold can spread and grow fast showing up anywhere in your home, we are familiar with how it works and are ready to take it on where ever it may show up.

If you have any mold concerns give us a call at 781-335-0000

It’s terrible when a disaster strikes one’s home or place of business, as a restoration company we excel in offering restoration and repair services when a serious disaster hits your property. A Restoration company can clean, remove and repair any damage to your home caused by fire, water or mold. At Able we provide these services with a special touch. We are always thinking about you, when you call us we will do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Open 24/7/365 – We pride ourselves on always having a live representative answering your phone calls. Not only will we answer your calls any day or night, but if you need us there as soon as possible we will send one of our outstanding project managers out to you right away. This is a service we are happy to extend as we know when a disaster hits you need information as soon as possible.

Best Techniques – A disaster can be more than just the pain of dealing with a broken house. At Able we choose the least invasive techniques to repair your property. A common practice when dealing with flooding is to cut the wet areas and replace it, we have equipment which can dry these areas without needing to take away the existing areas.

Since the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic Able has been working closely with an industry giant in the automotive sales and service business. We have partnered with them to disinfect their showrooms and service areas before they started to re-open, and continued since they have resumed welcoming customers into their buildings.

With nearly 35 locations in MA our client has a high-end clientele and a high demand for our help – they’re the best at what they do because they take care of their employees and customers; hiring Able to routinely (and properly) disinfect their Chambers dealerships is more proof of that.

In order to provide peace of mind and insure the facilities are cleaned and disinfected, these dealerships continue to take that extra step to give their customers and employees a feeling of safety when visiting any of their locations. We leave our notice of disinfection stating that the property has been disinfected by the leading professionals in the bio-hazard remediation industry.

What can we do for you – how can we augment your routine cleaning and truly provide the mandatory disinfection necessary to operate safely in the COVID-19 era?

We have worked with many clients, with different requirements – all who have all been grateful for our fast and cost-effective services.

Experiencing a fire at your business or home is a life changing event. Damage to the property and the interruption of the day to day living and working cycles create a stressful situation. Make the right decision - choose Able, we're experts.

We are proud of the positive results of the challenging work we perform. Our customers think that we are worthy of praise - see what the Cynthia and Patrick had to say:

Since 1997 Able has been on call 24/7/365, ready to provide emergency fire restoration services. Our Project Managers and Technicians have the certifications, experience and professionalism to properly treat and remediate your home or commercial property. Whether it's drying the structure, remediating smoke damage, cleaning the contents and textiles or undertaking demolition and re-construction, Able delivers results.

Able provides Commercial Property Sanitizing and Disinfection services for the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

We have multiple protocols available to you - which works best for your needs?

• Hydroxyl Generating Machines: to disinfect the air
• Hand Wipe Down: with EPA registered disinfectant
• Electrostatic Mist: positively charged disinfectant application - clings to surfaces
• ATP Clearance Testing: is available

Cost is based on the layout and content in the building and the protocols chosen by the customer to meet the needs of their space.

Looking for a price?

Get a no-cost, no obligation free estimate.

Have you had to close your business due to Massachusetts' COVID-19 Non-Essential Shutdown? Thinking about doing a deep cleaning while your office is closed, but don’t know where to start - contact us for a no-cost estimate.

3/31/20 UPDATE: According to a correction made to their prior article, USA Today has now reported that novel COVID-19 RNA (genetic material) has been found living on surfaces for at least 2 weeks. While this seems like bad news keep in mind the article has been updated to reflect that this is not the virus living for 2 weeks, but rather the virus' genetic material (RNA) which has not been proven to cause a fomite infection.

The CDC reported findings of the RNA of the virus detected seventeen days after passengers vacated the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship. Covid-19 genetic material was found in cabins where passengers were both symptomatic as well as asymptomatic. The cabins that were examined were purposely not yet cleaned or disinfected, and show what not taking any preventative action can lead to.