Color Your World with Tile…

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Get inspired with new textures and styles of tile to add warmth and color to those drab walls. Oh the possibilities!

M.A. Restoration Featured Tomorrow Morning on “Improving Your Home” WTAG Radio Show

Mark Johnson, owner of M.A. Restoration Inc., will be a guest on the “Improving Your Home” Show on WTAG 580 AM Radio (OR 94.9 FM)  from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.  Mark and Sam Rosario (Host of “Improving Your Home”) will be discussing Ice Dams, Frozen Pipes, Insurance Claims and Mold Growth.  It should be interesting conversation considering the weather we are currently having with this powerfully packed storm “Nemo”.  Tune in…you may learn something!

Click the link to listen to this segment at a later date or other previously aired segments http://www.wtag.com/pages/improvingyourhome.html

Stay safe and warm!

Helpful article we found on how to get that “yucky musty” smell out of furniture! Great tips!!

Depending on how old the furniture is and the type of wood, removing musty smells can be a challenge.  The source of how the furniture received the smell will also dictate what process will work or not…read more

There’s Nothing Like a New Bathroom!

Okay, so even though we own a remodeling company, we have figured out how refreshing it is to have a “new” updated look to a bathroom.  Yes, we admit, our main bathrooms are looking a little old and tired and it’s time to change.  But, we just recently renovated some attic space into livable space and added another bathroom in our home.  We couldn’t be happier with the results.  There is so much to choose from in tile and color and even though it is a little space, it packs a great punch.  So when you are in the market to transform a closet to a bathroom, or just wanting to renovate an existing bathroom – just think of the possibilities.  You’ll soon want to find excuses to be in your new space!

Insurance Claim Article from coveredclaims.com

This recent article from www.coveredclaims.com gives homeowners great insight into the insurance claim process and things to be aware of before opening an insurance claim.

Ten things people do all the time to screw up their own insurance claim

It’s crazy, but people do things all the time to make their insurance claim harder than it needs to be and their settlement smaller than it needs to be. Educate yourself and don’t make these common mistakes!

Spring Has Sprung!

Spring time is here; by tackling these small tasks you can give your home a mini face lift leaving a big impact.

Indoor Maintenance:

• Clean your windows inside and out. Replace those torn and damaged screens.
• Check caulking around all doors and windows. Improper caulking allows for moisture to get inside your walls and cause mold.
• Go to the Attic: look for streams of light coming through the holes through your roof. Make sure there is enough insulation for summer and winter. Too little insulation can cause ice dams in your attic.

Outdoor Maintenance:

• Check your siding. Pay special attention to areas where paint is missing or chipping away, these are especially susceptible to rot.
• Replace worn weather stripping and you’ll keep the cool air in and the warm air out!
• Inspect your gutters and downspouts to see that they haven’t pulled loose and that they aren’t clogged.  Clogging usually occurs at the elbow in a drainage system, where the downspout connects to the gutter. Make sure downspouts are extended away from the foundation.
• Check for possible damage to the roof. Look for missing, cracked, or broken shingles and make note for any needed repairs.
• Check garden hoses for dry rot and inspect hose faucets for possible freeze damage.

Quick Tips on Mold Prevention:

1. Plumbing leaks or defects in the home that lead to moisture buildup should be repaired immediately.

2. Leakage or water damaged areas should be dried and treated within 24-48 hours.

3. Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners during humid seasons.

4. Maintain ventilation throughout your home.

5. Mold inhibitors can be added to household paints.

6. Keep your indoor humidity between 30%-50%.

7. Use your bathroom fans when showering, Consider installing timers on the fan to run for a set peroid of time after your done showering.

8. Appliances such as clothes dryers and stoves should be vented to the outdoors if possible.

Invisible Signs of Mold in Your Home

There are the more obvious signs of mold growing in your home. Spotting on your walls, or the musty odor in your basement, but there are also invisible signs of mold growth that we need to pay attention to . Do you experience eye, throat or skin irritation while in your home? This could be a huge indicator of a mold issue. Do you have various degrees of headache? Do you feel fatigued or restless while in your home? These are signs of mold colonizing in your home.

Beware of Where Your Used Furniture Comes From…

Have you ever been in your grandmother’s basement and had a “find” of a cool antique table, brought it home and placed it in your main living quarters?  Perhaps you were given a couch for your kid’s playroom.  Whatever the circumstance, just be aware of where this “used” furniture comes from and what may be on it!

We all know basements have been known to be musty and damp – some more than others.  If something is stored in that kind of an environment, over a period of time, mold spores can start to form.

We recently were called by a homeowner that was concerned with mold in their home.  Upon further inspection, we had found that the leather couch that had been loaned to them was covered with mold.  It was an easy oversight taking into consideration the coloration of the leather.  We’ve also noticed this before with wood furniture – mold easily attaches to the wood surfaces and is hard to detect.

So just a word to the wise…check any items thoroughly when bringing them from a basement or any storage area that may be damp before introducing them into your living environment.  It will keep the guesswork down and the mold spores out!

Protect your Home from Impending “Hurricane Irene”

Even though we are not on the coast, strong winds and torrential rains have the potential to cause damage to your home. Here are several tips to minimize possible water intrusion into your home. Make sure these are done before the storm arrives.

1. Clear storm drains near your home.
2. Clean gutters of any debris.
3. Make sure downspouts are connected and discharge points are cleared.
4. If you have a sump pump, make sure it is plugged in and functioning properly.
    (Test it by filling the sump pump basin with water, and making sure it discharges
      away from your home.)
5. Trim back any dead branches on trees that are close to your home.

Remember, your home is meant to shed water – it will be better protected by ensuring that all systems designed to help with this are in place and performing their best.