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.

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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.