Do I Need Flood Insurance?

Did you know that your homeowners insurance does not cover water damage due to natural flooding? Overflowing rivers, tidal surges, city storm drain backups, and storm driven rain may flood your home but unless you have specific coverage against these perils, you're likely on your own.

In addition to natural flood disasters, your homeowner's insurance policy most likely specifically excludes flooding due to sewer backups and "seepage." Some insurance companies do offer special endorsements for coverage due to sewer backups. If you want this type of coverage, call your insurance agent and see if it's available. Water seepage is considered a maintenance issue and is not generally covered by insurance. Your best protection against water seepage is to evaluate and maintain your home.

Flood insurance is available to cover your home against flooding. This type of insurance is often referred to as a "single peril" policy. The National Flood Insurance Program offers policies covering natural flooding such as storm surges, snow melt, heavy rains, levee failures, blocked storm drains, and other flood events. However, a flood must be significant enough in order for the flood insurance to kick in. For example, the floodwaters must either affect two or more properties or cover at least two acres.

Some lenders require flood insurance policies, normally if you live within a designated flood plain. Flood hazard maps are used to determine a property's risk. High risk properties need a standard policy.

If you don't live in a flood plain, you probably won't be required to obtain a flood insurance policy. However, flood insurance is available for low to moderate risk properties. Nearly 25% of all flood insurance claims are located in these lower risk areas. Policies for low-to-moderate risk properties are less expensive. These policies are called "preferred risk" policies.

You can purchase flood insurance from your own insurance agent or locate an approved insurance agent through the FloodSmart.gov Web site. Shopping around for flood insurance isn't necessary because rates are set by the National Flood Insurance Program and are based on flood maps.

An interesting note if you're considering buying flood insurance is that there is a 30-day waiting period before your policy goes into effect. You can't look at the weather report and decide to buy flood insurance just before a hurricane makes landfall. The two exceptions to this waiting period are when the initial purchase is made in conjunction with certain loans in high risk areas or when the initial purchase is made within a year of a flood map change.

Water damage can and will occur regardless of whether you have flood insurance. Having the right type of policy can help you pay for repairs. The Dryout Network is experienced at drying out and restoring your water damaged home or business as well as working with the various insurance claims processes.

Mr. Mark Decherd
http://www.dryout.net
1415 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, Fl. 33907
1-800-330-1504
Water Damage

Prepare Your Home For Rising Waters

Floods can strike quickly, catching many homeowners unawares. Even a small amount of water can lead to thousands of dollars worth of damage, both to personal items and to the structural integrity of the house. In order to reduce the amount of damage your home incurs, it's imperative to plan ahead long before the storm hits.

The first thing you need to do as a homeowner is to make sure that you have sufficient property insurance. In addition to standard home insurance, you need to purchase flood insurance as well. Even if you do not live in a high risk area for flooding, it's still a good idea to get the extra insurance. While you may never need it, this small investment could seriously pay off in the long run.

Make sure that the flood insurance you do have will provide adequate coverage for your property and belongings, and always keep a copy of your insurance papers safe and out of water's reach.

Formulate an escape plan with your family that includes emergency exit points and a common meeting place. There's a good chance that you'll be separated from loved ones during a flood, so be sure to prepare ahead of time. Don't forget to plan ahead for your pets' safety as well. Many emergency shelters don't allow pets, so have a backup safe house ready for them.

Educate the entire family on where first aid supplies and food stores can be found, and instruct them on the dangers of flood waters. Small amounts of flooding can be appealing to children who want to play in the water. You should however, assume that the water is unsafe. It's very likely that it's contaminated with sewage and spilled chemicals, so avoid contact with it if at all possible.

To protect your home in a flood, again, preparation is key. Seal air bricks, attach flood barriers to windows and doors, and place sandbags around the perimeter of your house to divert incoming water. It's also advisable to plug sinks with something sturdy in order to keep water from surging up through the drains

Turn off your gas and electricity so you don't risk electrocution, and move dangerous chemicals to a higher floor so they don't spill and contaminate the water. Remove what curtains and rugs you possibly can, and relocate whatever furniture you can to higher ground. If this isn't possible, try raising heavier pieces on bricks to reduce their contact with water. Anything that's dear to you, move upstairs. Otherwise, there's a strong chance that it'll be lost to the flood waters.

Once the flooding hits, you will want to have a first aid kit, flashlight, and a wind-up radio on hand. Gather necessary medications and supplies, and get to safety at your first opportunity. You'll be able to breathe a sigh a relief knowing that you and your family have done all you can to keep yourselves and your property as safe as possible.

Search for real estate in Bellingham WA. All Whatcom listings including Lynden, Blaine and Lake Samish real estate. Access photos, virtual tours, neighborhood info, maps and more at BuyerMax.com.

Drywall Tools You Need

If you want to take on the task of drywalling, then you will need the right tools for the occasion. Drywall tools are essential for getting that sturdy, smooth wall you need to create. If you have never hung drywall before, your local hardware superstore no doubt has classes you can take to let you in on the secrets of the pros. But even their classes can't save you if you don't have the right tools for drywalling.

Drywall Tools: The Basics

To get your drywalling started, these are the pieces of drywall equipment you'll need:

- Two kinds of trowels - a plastic one and a corner one.

- Some kind of sanding material, be it a sanding machine or sandpaper - a sanding machine is much easier for most of the walls, but you will need some sandpaper, and a sanding pole to get the top of the wall.

- a drill - a cordless drill is the easiest tool for drywalling.

- a utility knife

- a large T-square for measuring and cutting your drywall.

- a steel or plastic corner tool

- two knifes, one four inches and one ten inches. These are for tape and for those finishing they drywall

- a container for mixing your drywall solutions. If you want to avoid rust, go stainless steel.

- assorted cloths, tape, and brushes.

- taping tools

Working with Drywall Tools

Drywall is too important a job to take on without any experience whatsoever. Although you can find information on the internet about how to drywall, sitting through a class on the subject is really the best way to go for a novice.

After you're sure you know how to get the job done, make your plans and buy the right amount of materials (plus a little extra for those little mistakes). When you get started, move from top to bottom, making sure you are leaving as little space between the boards as possible. If you make a mistake, you can fix it later by sanding, but doing it right the first time is worth the hassle.

When the drywall is up on the walls, you will need to begin the process of smoothing. This process takes three days, minimum, even if you have done an impeccable job with the drywall. You'll need to apply at least two smoothing coats and a finishing coat. Make sure everything is sanded to perfection before you slap on that finishing coat, because there is no going back after that.

Greg Hansward's summaries can be found on a lot of web publications tied to information on drywall finishing tools and drywalling and mudding tools. You might come across his contributions on drywall taping tools at various other sources for drywall taping tools tips.

Factors That Contribute to the Cost of Your Roof

So you have roof damage, and you need to have the damage repaired. So where do you start? Well, first you should consider what must be done to repair the roof, and also make an estimate of what the job will cost.

The first thing to consider is the roof type. Is it gabled, or hipped or some other type? The type of roof and the pitch of the roof must be recorded in order to get a proper estimate. Other roof types include flat roofs, mansard roofs, bonnet roofs, saltbox roofs, gambrel (barn) roofs, and shed roofs.Flat roofs are gaining in popularity due to some newer methods of drainage.

Along with type and pitch, determine the square footage of the base of your home. All this information together will give you a good idea of the quantity of materials required for the job.

Next, consider the type of material you wish to use. Some people like metal roofs, and these are very good in the sense that they are very durable; they may be, however, out of your price range. I myself have no problems with asphalt shingles, as long as they are rated for 20 years or more.

There are other options to consider like attic ventilation systems and skylights. We have a skylight, and it is really a nice option - it adds a nice brightness to our living room.

Lastly, don't forget to get at least three quotes from contractors. Contractor quotes sometimes differ quite a bit, and with proper research, you can save thousands of dollars!

For more advice in minimizing roofing cost, please visit our website: http://roofing-cost.com

Apartment Move-in Checklist

A new apartment is an exciting prospect. It means new friends and neighbors, new attractions and, hopefully, a better place to live. To make sure that your new apartment remains exciting and doesn't yield nasty surprises, there are several things to check that you might not have considered both within the apartment and in the area you'll be moving to.

Inside

Check the faucets and showers in the kitchen and all the bathrooms to make sure there is good water pressure and that the hot water heater is working.

Make sure the toilet flushes correctly; there's nothing worse than a toilet that doesn't flush properly or that constantly leaks water into the bowl.

Check all the lights in the apartment to make sure they work. If they don't, have the landlord replace the bulbs first, but it may be the fixture itself.

Check the level of cell phone reception in all the rooms in the apartment. These days, many people use their cell phones almost exclusively; checking now can spare you aggravation and annoyance later.

Check all the appliances to make sure they are working properly. Make sure the refrigerator is cooling, the stove and oven work and the microwave, air conditioner and heater.

Check for signs of any insect infestation. Look in the cabinets, around the baseboards; the apartment should be well cleaned.

Listen for sounds of outside traffic. How soundproof are the walls? If you're near a busy highway, or in an urban area, traffic will be a constant.

Check the action of all the doors. Do they open and close smoothly? Do you have to push or pull very hard to open or close any of them?

Check the carpeted areas for wear and tear. Are there any discolored or damaged areas? Is the carpet pulling up in any corners or pulling away from any spot? Also check for water damage on the walls or ceilings at this time.

Outside

Check out the reputation of the landlord with other residents. Do they take care of issues in a timely manner? Do they respond to complaints quickly?

Check out the road system and public transportation. This will give you a good idea of how long it will take you to get to specific places like work, school, the grocery store or the gym.

How safe is the area? Do your homework and find out what the crime rate is like. Is the community gated and patrolled at night?

What are the area's schools like? A quick check on the Internet will tell you if the local schools get a passing or failing grade.

Does the complex provide a playground or park? If not, is there one nearby where you can walk your dog, let the kids play or just relax in the evenings?

Where will you wash laundry? If a washer and dryer is not provided, or at least hookups for them in the apartment, where can you wash your clothes?

Joy Hinson is the marketing manager of Rental Markets Inc. who manages Apartments-in-Atlanta.com, a website dedicated to promoting Atlanta Apartments providing resources, and information as well as an apartment search for people looking to move to Atlanta, Georgia.

Vintage Silk Cleaning

Vintage silk can be damaged by dirt that is trapped within the folds of the garment or any exposure to light, heat, and dust. Some of the damages by the stains may not be recovered and can tear during cleaning. Use caution while following the steps below to clean vintage silk.

Start by spreading a dry towel under the silk garment. Then, wring out a damp towel and use it to moisten the surface of the silk. Next, make a solution of 1/8 cup liquid detergent and three cups water. Dip a sponge in the solution. You should go with the grain of the vintage silk and gently rub the sponge on the area you wish to be cleaning. Then, dip another soft sponge in clean water and blot where the spot is to rinse the soapy solution off. Next, mix two cups water and four tablespoons white distilled water. Using a clean towel, apply it to the cloth surface. These two solutions prevent damage from the vintage silk.

Lastly, you should lay the vintage silk between the folds of a dry towel and gently press it to dry. To remove wrinkles from the fabric, iron on the lowest setting and approach with caution. Use the tips below while applying the above steps:

Use a cotton swab instead of a sponge to clean any small stains.
Do not wring out any vintage silk. This can damage the silk.
Do not use any steam when ironing.
If this vintage silk is antique, contact a vintage restoration expert to help you out if you have questions.

Once you have followed the simple steps below, your vintage silk should now be looking as clean as you bought it.

Don't forget to check back to http://www.paolettiscleaners.com for more cleaning tips and advice.

Please visit http://www.paolettiscleaners.com to see more cleaning tips.

Kids Picnic Table

A kids picnic table is one of those simple things in life that the whole family can enjoy. Children love helping to build things. And a picnic table is simple enough that even if you never finished a wood working project before, this little craft can be done in under an hour. Only a hand full of tools are needed, and this varies only slightly depending on how much involvement an adult wants to have in the proses:

A wooden stool or saw horses:

A square set for making 90 degree markings

An adjustable or open end wrench

Measuring tape:

Pencil

Hammer

Drill and drill bits.

Screw driver (wood screws - 20 or so)

12 x Carriage bolts (" wide by 2" long w/ nuts and bolts)

If the kids picnic table is meant to be a kids only project, a hand drill and hand saw can be used under adult supervision. Otherwise, pre-drilling and cutting with power tools can drastically cut down on time and 're-dos'. Either way, square headed screw are recommended because they do not slip with a screw driver and goggles should be worn because drill bits do have a way of snapping.

Then there is the wood. 8 - 1x6 (seats and tabletop) and 9 -1x3 (legs, seat supports, table supports and brace) should do the trick. Being as we are just building a kids picnic table, there is no need to go over board (no pun intended) with red cedar or any thing fancy like that. It is recommended that you do not use pressed, treated wood though because of the chemicals and health factors. Pine is a typical wood used for this project. Untreated wood can be used if the table is to be used indoors. If the table is intended to be left outside, choose a wood type that has a natural resistance to decay in preference to a pressure-treated wood. The local lumber store will be able to assist in this. Either way, if it you wish the have it last longer then a year, you should treat it with some kind of sealer to avoid water damage, warping and splinters.

When all is said and done, your new kids picnic table will be cause your children to light up at there own handy work and want to use it every night. You can even truly make it there own by letting them paint it, carve on it and draw on it... what can it hurt. It will be much more then just a place to sit and eat. Find more family camping and picnic fun here

My son has been in Boy Scouts for 4 years now and he is working on his Star Ranking. I have been adopted as an assistant and have enjoyed just about every camp out they have gone on. I've learned a lot from those little guys, and must say that I look forward to these monthly outings each and every time. Rain or shine, winter or summer.

How to Remove Mold Effectively

After finding mold in their home, many people begin to panic. However, this is not necessary. There are several, simple instructions that can teach you how to remove mold from your home with moderate effort. Before beginning, it is important to remember to cover your mouth and nose with a mask to protect your lungs as it can be difficult to determine if the mold is harmful or not.

As such, goggles and rubber gloves are also key. Mold can be very dangerous and can cause a whole range of health issues, ranging from headaches to cancer. Therefore, your protection should be taken very seriously.

First, move all clean furniture in the infected area to a mold free room. Then seal the air vents to prevent further spreading to other parts of your home. To protect yourself, open a window to keep the air circulating.

Next, put all contaminated items that cannot be saved into trash bags and take them immediately outside.

Your next step is to determine how to remove mold from the various surfaces that are infected. Mold can be removed from hard plastic and glass surfaces with the aid of non-ammonia soap or bleach. Allow the cleaner to penetrate the area for 15-20 minutes before removing. With some scrubbing, these surfaces can become completely mold free. Wood can be scrubbed and then sanded, but other porous surfaces are not as simple.

Dry-wall and carpeting, for example, must be completely removed and replaced. Be sure to clean the area around these to ensure that the mold does not come back.

Once all of these surfaces are mold-free, disinfect them with bleach. Also, washing with a borate-based solution can help prevent mold in the future.

For additional information there is a wealth of books available with further instruction on how to remove mold. If you have a particularly large area of infestation, it may be beneficial to consult a professional in order to learn the best strategies on how to remove mold from entire homes or buildings.

If you have mold in your home, you should know that it's very dangerous and can even be deadly. Find out now how to rid your home of mold and the dangers by visiting http://www.moldbegone.info today. It may be the best decision you've ever made.

Pouring Cement Foundation of Your Home (As Owner-Contractor) Includes Window Bucks and Window Wells

When building your own home (or any other home for that matter) you must know where your windows will be placed in the basement. In addition you need to have the window bucks and window wells ordered and delivered before the forms are set up, because the window bucks must be placed in the forms exactly where you want them as the forms are set up. I ordered both the bucks and window wells myself, and had them both delivered before the foundation forms were set up. You will probably need to pay for them at the time of delivery, unless you have an account with the provider.

After the foundation is poured and the forms are removed, the cement sealant is applied by a sealant sub-contractor. Then the window wells will be attached to the concrete by whomever you designate to do the job. Be sure to sign a contract with the sub who will do the sealant, stating what he is expected to do, how much he will charge, and how soon he will do the job.

You can see the tar sealant and the window wells in the picture.

While acting as the general contractor of your own home, by paying for the window wells and window bucks yourself, you will likely save some money.

It is very important that the placement of your windows in the basement be decided before starting your housebuild project. You need to be sure to consider where the deck(s) and outside stairs will be placed out from the main floor, so that a basement window is not infringing upon the same space.

We had that problem, and had to relocate the deck slightly to the left of where we had intended it to be. Instead of the deck being off from the family room, it actually is off the kitchen instead.

The windows in the foundation of your basement are placed with window bucks and protected by window wells, and are absolutely necessary to remember when building your new home as owner-contractor.

Linda Baxter is a musician, playing piano and organ and conducted a small choir for 14 years. She arranges music and enjoys creative ways of teaching piano to students. She is a stay at home Mom of nine children, (22 grandchildren now) who acted as General Contractor for building their retirement home. She hired and paid subcontractors, was overseer of all construction work (with the help of her husband, RL), and did most of this from her "armchair".and telephone. She freely shares her experiences on her website, http://www.home-built4u.com, hoping to help other potential owner/builders escape some of the pitfalls she and RL experienced, while being their own General Contractor.

Summer Solstice - Bask in the Golden Hue

Summer Solstice, which is on June 20, is essentially a geographical phenomenon. Before we delve into the depths of the whys and the hows, it would be worthwhile to make it clear at the very onset that it has a lot of other aspects that must be taken into consideration if we are to understand the vast gamut of associations that can be linked to this annual event. These aspects can be cultural, traditional or merely symbolic. If we are to fully comprehend the significance of the term 'summer solstice', let us begin by the geographical explanations.

The sun is directly overhead a particular latitude in the north and south of the equator every year. It is the latitude of twenty three and a half degrees on either side. When the sun is on that particular latitude in the north, it is called summer solstice. Similarly, when the sun is on the same degree in the southern hemisphere, it is called winter solstice. In Latin, solstice means 'to stand still'. This is the last latitude to have the sun directly overhead. Then on, the degrees recede and the sun is directly overhead the equator and finally, into the southern hemisphere. This is the cycle. Therefore, June 20 is the longest in the northern hemisphere and consequently, the night is the shortest.

Summer solstice is the peak of summer. Snow begins to thaw in places where they had not budged previously. That is why the summer solstice is looked upon as the 'beginning of something' in many cultures. There are festivities and events in many regions.

It can also be interpreted as a new dawn in terms of relationships. If you had been going through a rather rough patch in with your love, this is the time to let the sun pierce through the veils of darkness that have lately accumulated between the two of you. Studies suggest that people are in their cheerful best when the weather is good and breezy. The warm glow of the lovely weather does a lot of good to evaporate the drudgery that had rusted your soul during the long, dull and monotonous winter. It is time to throw of the shackles and disperse the gloomy fog.

Summer Solstice is the time for celebrations galore. Anyway, you do not need an excuse to bask in the warm sunlight. Just go out and revel in the myriad colors of summer. It is a shot-lived joy that Nature herself offers us. This is the time for people who love outdoor activities. Since your energy levels are on a high, you also feel like doing work that you have been pushing around through the year! The length of the days being long, you also get a lot of time to spend outdoors.

A special mention must be made of the setting sun, as Shelley put it - 'In the golden lightning/ Of the sunken sun'. Its one of those rare pleasures in life that come to you irrespective of your social or economic status. You just need to have a heart that appreciates beauty. Make sure you have a field day!

Dorothy Smith, the author of this article, writes about the events & special occasions. Want to know more about summer solstice celebrations or summer solstice cards? Celebrate summer solstice by sending free ecards.

Reducing Your Flood Insurance Premium

How much of your property is covered by your insurance policy? Have you limited the cover of some contents of your house to cut the cost of your insurance premium? Only when emergencies arise like flooding and you find all your precious possessions float away or get damaged right before your eyes, and you get an amount that is not enough to cover all your losses or have your house rebuilt , you will realize that cutting costs is not a good idea after all.

However, there are hundreds of ways to reduce your insurance premium. The rule is not to tie yourself to the very first insurance provider that comes your way. There are so many insurance companies in the United Kingdom that you can choose from. Take the time out to get as many quotes as possible so you can compare their features and get a cheaper premium.

The next thing you can do is to come up with necessary measures to secure your home. Floods can not be prevented but you can do something to reduce the risk of damage to your home and the contents. You can not relax and leave everything to your flood insurance provider, most especially if your house is located in a flood zone area.

When you have made measures to secure your home and property, your insurance company will see that you have made preventive measures and see you as a better risk. Then they may lower the premium quotes. Look out for special offers and bonuses some insurance providers will be offering to their clients from time to time. Some insurance providers may even offer discounts on certain policies and this is something you also have to keep an eye on.

If the house and the contents you acquired are under mortgage, chances are your mortgage lender may provide the flood insurance for your property for them to feel safe that their investment is protected but you still have a choice to shop around for an insurance company which can give you the best deal.

If you make your own choice, the mortgage lender may also have to check and approve the flood insurance policy you chose. They may check the policy details to see that your property is in good cover when emergencies arise.

Again, take time to browse and shop around for several quotations before you make your decision. You can navigate through the web for all the insurance providers in your area. If you have sifted through your search, make a call and get additional information.

If you have several quotations already and you still have not decided on one who offers the most reasonable flood insurance premium and can satisfy your needs, you may also consider paying a higher excess. This can be a cheap way to get an excellent policy, but at a reduced price. Paying a larger excess, in the event of an emergency is a small price to pay when you consider the sums involved in recovering the total value of your property and possessions.

If you are looking for information or advice on flood insurance or flood plain insurance or reducing your flood insurance premium, visit us now. FloodInsuranceAdvice.com is a goldmine for information on all aspects of flood insurance.

Why Buyers Should Attend House Inspections

While many buyers are enamored with the idea purchasing a house, they often fail to fully investigate the house in question. House inspectors can do this for you, but you should also attend the inspection.

While you are out looking a perspective houses, you probably noticed a few things. Unless the seller is foolish, most houses are going to be in excellent shape. The landscaping will be nice and up-to-date, the painful look excellent, the house will be very clean and so on. You will find this on most houses for one primary reason. The seller wants to sell the house! The question, of course, is whether the house is truly in good shape, or just looks nice.

As a buyer, because without saying that you should always demand a house inspection by a qualified professional. The purpose of the house inspection is to take a closer look at the quality of the house. A house inspector is going to check for things like internal water damage, termites, rot and other things that appear to be problematic. Obviously, you want to know if there are any serious problems underlying the pristine exterior of your potential house.

While most buyers know that they need a house inspection, they often don't understand the importance of attending the house inspection themselves. In fact, you should try to get the seller to attend the house inspection is well if you can pull it off. The reason for this has everything to do with reasonableness. When you and the seller both attend a house inspection, you get a first-hand account of what is right and what is wrong with the house. This will almost always cut out any riffraff from the seller about whether there is a serious problem or not. This makes negotiating a financial solution to any potential problems much easier and much more straightforward.

Even if there are no problems with the house of any significance, you should still attend house inspection. Why? Well, there is a practical answer. If you attend the house inspection, you're going to get an introduction to the practical things related to the house. You're going to find out where things such as the gas valve, water valve, electrical box and other key little things are located. You may think this is something you can do easily on your own, but you'd be surprised how hard it is to find certain things on a house.

For house buyers, house inspections are an important step in making sure you're getting a quality piece of property. That being said, it is a mistake to just rely on a report from a house inspector. You are committing to a large amount of debt, so make sure that you get out there and understand what you're buying.

Raynor James is with FSBO America - FSBO homes for sale by owner.