INFORMATION ON STRUCTURE FIRES

According to nattybongo.tv structure fires totaled 487,500 in 2013 and caused 2,855 14,075 civilian injuries and $9.5 billion in property damage. Every 65 seconds one structure fire was reported.

WATCH THIS VIDEO - This could be your home

Cooking Fires

Did you know that most house fires start in the kitchen? As of today cooking is still the leading cause of home fires. The smallest spec of grease could cause your entire home to be engulfed in flames. For those that have an electric stove please note that this type of stove is involved in more house fires than gas stoves. Do not leave anything flammable like alcohol or towels near the stove while cooking. Be sure to keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen for emergencies.

Space Heaters

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that more than 25,000 residential fires and more than 300 deaths are caused each year by space heaters. 

Space Heater Tips:

-Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from furniture or other combustible 
  materials. (Curtains, bedding and etc.)

-Avoid placing space heaters on carpet or rugs.

-Turn space heaters off if there is no supervision. Even brand new units can        

  malfunction.
-It is best to purchase a unit with a tip-over safety switch. This will automatically 
 shut off the  unit if it falls over.  
-Do not attempt to use unvented combustion heaters inside your home. They will 
  produce  carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide which is harmful to your health.

-Use a heavy-duty extension cord if one is needed.

Dryer Fires

According to dundasjafine.com 15,000 dryer fires occur each year. The most common source of dryer fires is list and household dust. Together they can cause a blockage causing the dryer to catch fire. To prevent dryer fires detach the dryer from the air duct that runs through the home. Make sure the passage way is clear. In some cases you may need a professional to clean out of your dryer vent for you. Also, be sure to clean the vent trap on the dryer after each load of laundry. The outside vent trap on the outside of the home should also be maintained to ensure it is lint free.

Vinyl ducting is no longer recommended and is more likely to catch fire.

Smoking Fires

There are about 7,600 smoking-related fires in homes each year says http://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/smoking.html. Use caution when smoking in the home. There are many combustibles in every room of the house. Never leave a cigarette unattended.  

Electrical Fires

Electrical fires can sometimes be prevented. If you are not a licensed electrician do not attempt to wire anything in your home yourself. Hire a professional to avoid potential issues. Many electrical fires cannot be prevented so make sure your smoke alarm is in working order to detect and smoke.

  

Undocumented Student Statistics	Data
Average number of residential home fires each year	374,000
Average number of deaths each year from home fires	2,600
Average number of injuries due to home fires each year	12,975
Average annual dollar loss to due to home fires	$7.32 billion
Cause of Home Fires	Percent of Fires
Cooking	56 %
Heating	16 %
Electrical Malfunction	9 %
Other Unintentional, Careless	8 %
Open Flame	6 %
Intentional	5 %

Source: http://www.statisticbrain.com 

Have you ever walked through a building after it has caught fire? I have, and it's devastating. The smell lingers in your nostrils even when you are out of the home, you feel wet mushy drywall under your feet, you can not touch anything because smoke damage is everywhere and the sight of ones belongings damaged by soot is a sad one. I will never forget the feeling that overwhelms me when I have walked through a fire. I hope that no one ever has to experience this in their life time but not all fires can be prevented. If you neighbor has a fire and the wind changes it can cause your home to catch fire. Who would you turn to if this happened to you?

There are many things that follow a fire so make sure you have a trustworthy company that is reliable so they can assist you. Rainbow International would like to be that company in your time of need. If you have smoke damage or suffer a fire loss please contact our service line for assistance with your mitigation, contents, textiles and rebuild - 708.460.0911.

THANKSGIVING LEADS TO FIRES AT SOME HOMES

On Thanksgiving Day, there are more residential fires than any other day of the year. Most of these fires occur between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Every year deep-fryer fires are responsible for five deaths, 60 injuries, the destruction of 900 homes, and more than $15-million in property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Use precaution when cooking this holiday to avoid cooking fires.

According to State Farm, over the last 7 years Texas has had the most reported turkey fires and Illinois follows as the second state. http://www.foxnews.com/…/this-state-has-most-deep-fried-tu…/ Use precaution when cooking this holiday to avoid cooking fires.

I had previously serviced a fire loss due to the homeowner cooking in his garage. When asked why are you cooking in your garage anyway he told me “I’ve cooked in my garage before on cold days and nothings happened”. Unfortunately this time he lost everything in it as well as a majority of his home.

Play it safe this turkey day by keeping the following in mind while cooking:
-DO NOT deep fry your turkey in the garage. As cold as it is this time of year you must deep fry your turkey outside the garage far away from your home or vehicle. Every year people attempt this and many cause a flash over fire that sends their home into a blaze. 
-DO NOT over fill your deep fryer with oil. This can cause a fire. 
-Verify the temperature your fryer should be heated to. The recommended temperature for a deep fryer is typically 375 degrees. Temperatures that reach higher than the recommended temp. can cause a fire. 
-Defrost your turkey before deep frying. 
-Slowly lower your turkey into the oil to avoid oil spilling over onto the propane. 
-Avoid using deep fryers that claim they can be used in the home. 
-Keep towels and alcohol away from the stove and oven area. 
-Keep a fire extinguisher on hand.

See how deep fried turkeys can catch fire:

http://www.syracuse.com/…/12_greatest_deep-fried_turkey.html 
http://www.al.com/…/…/11/turkey_frying_gone_bad_what_no.html

A fire can ignite and take over your home in seconds! Even if a small fire occurs the smoke damage left behind can drastically affect a home and cause you to have to file a claim. Should damage occur contact Rainbow International to assist in restoring your property damage: 708.460.0911.

Get to know Rainbow International of South & West Suburbs and see photos of their work by checking out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rainbow-International-of-South-West-Suburbs/211496272371049?ref=hl

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND IF YOU HAVE A LOSS -  HOW TO AVOID GETTING RIPPED OFF

With all the storms and fires we see every year there is a steady increase in the number of

storm chasers, shady board up crews and public adjusters (PA's) preying on homeowners. Don't become a victim and be weary of people that were not sent by your insurance company. No one ever thinks their house is going to catch fire so they are not mentally or psychically prepared for what follows. Here are some things to keep in mind to avoid being scammed if you suffer a loss.

If you suffer any type of loss turn to your insurance agent for guidance. Don't rely on some person who shows up while your home is still a blaze or tells you they are gonna waive your deductible if you just sign this piece of paper. During this tragic time you need someone you know, someone you trust, someone who recommended coverage's to keep you protected in times like this.

Focus on the now and not the many things to come just yet. First make sure your family and pets are safe. This is the time to think of what you need from your home: personal belongings, keys, important papers, photo ids, insurance policy, things of value (they may be hidden), money & checking, clothes (if they do not have fire/smoke or water damage), medicine (if it does not have fire/smoke damage) and anything else you feel you need. Keep in mind that if your home is boarded up it may be days before you can renter. 

Figure out where you are going to stay: family, friends or even a hotel. If you had a fire loss your insurance can typically assist in making arrangements for you to stay in a hotel. Do NOT telling anyone other than family, friends or your insurance where you are staying.

While you are trying to figure out where you are going to lay your head tonight you need to prepare yourself for the vultures that will be flocking around your property. Random people will be approaching you saying they can help you. Some will lie and say anything to find out what insurance company you have so they can claim to be sent from that company. Do NOT give these people any information about your insurance, yourself, your work place or where you will be staying. Some may even offer you money and claim that you don't have to sign any paperwork for this so called gift. No one is going to offer you money and not hound you for something in return. Avoid these people at all costs. They do not care about your family and getting you back home. Their main focus is how they can maximize your claim so they can make more money. Once the checks start to come they will disappear and your home will be left unfinished. 

It may be a few days before your insurance adjuster can make it out to inspect your property. During this time your phone will be blowing up and people may even show to your hotel looking for you. These chasers main goal is to get you to sign with them before your adjuster even sees your property. This gives them an opportunity to "spike" the job. This refers to throwing some equipment in your home while taking some of your items out of the home to make it appear as though things are already moving along. The last thing you want is to have some random company touching your property or your personal property before anything has been approved. During times of continuous storms insurance adjusters are a lot more understanding if water damage losses are addressed before they are able to inspect your property. In these types of cases it is recommended that you inform your adjuster that you have a company that can clean up the damage. They will inform you take pictures of everything for documentation. Water damage losses need to be addressed in a timely manner to prevent further damage such as mold. Because of the overwhelming amount of claims storms bring insurance adjusters can quickly get backed up. Many will even recommend that you proceed with having a restoration clean up your water loss opposed to prevent mold from forming. In regards to fire losses, the longer contents are left in a boarded up smoke damaged building the more damage they can take on. Of course you want to act right away and see things moving out and demotion beginning but do NOT do anything until your insurance adjuster approves or you may affect your claim. Because there are so many things that go into addressing a fire loss (demolition/structure/rebuild, contents/total loss, temporary housing, and etc.) you should always run things by your insurance adjuster before any type of work is performed. Because there are so many shady companies out there trying to maximize a claim by ripping of the insurance company there are certain protocols that need to be followed. Your insurance policy has a cap on the structure as well as the contents. This means your insurance is only going to pay out so much and that total depends on the amount of coverage you choose. If a shady company you let take over your claim submits a large bill then you are responsible for remaining balance after your insurance proceeds run out.

Once your adjuster comes out they will inspect your property so they can develop a scope of the work. This may take some time if your loss is severe. Thorough measurements and pictures must be taken so they have accurate documentation. Every building material in your home needs to be accounted for and a price is then calculated so they know how much it will accurately cost to restore your home.Take advantage of this time with your adjuster and ask questions. What will be covered and what won't, how much money do I have to use for expenses such as food and clothing, how long can I stay in a hotel, am I going to move into a temporary home (if the loss is severe enough), can I still eat any food in my fridge or cabinets (not recommended in severe fire/smoke loss), can I still use my medicine (not recommended in severe fire/smoke loss) or any other important question you need an answer to. It make take some time before your scope of work is finalized. KEEP ALL YOUR RECEIPTS for anything purchased while you are out of your home so you can be reimbursed. Make sure you have a good understanding of what you can be reimbursed for. Many people assume they will be reimbursed for any food lost due to power outage from a storm. They do not realize that the food loss amount needs to exceed your deductible and your deductible needs to be met before anything would even be paid. Keep in mind all policies are different and you would need to verify with your insurance agent.

While you are trying to get your life back in order after a fire loss you should be thinking of who you are going to use to help you restore your home and your contents. Are you going to go with your insurance companies recommended vendor, your friend/family member that is a general contractor or a company that you found on your own? Now is the time to think of what your needs are and who can meet them. It is usually best to find a company that is a full service restoration company like Rainbow International. Full service refers to a company that can assist with the mitigation, clean up, smoke removal, content pack out/cleaning/storage/total loss list, potential mold issues and the rebuild. There are many contractors out there that limit their specialty. If they have limited services you will then need to find one company to handle your contents and another company to rebuild your home. The most important thing a restoration company must have is IICRC certifications in fire, smoke, water and mold. This certification means they know and abide by restoration guidelines and are capable of handling the issues many general contractors don't know how to handle. Research potential companies to avoid future conflict and to put you at peace knowing you made a good decision with your life's investment. Google is endless at allowing you to do some thorough research. Look at a companies website, testimonials, pictures of their work, feedback online from clients, BBB rating/complaints, Cook/Dupage/Will County lawsuits, Facebook and anything else that aids in your decision making. As the policy holder you have the right to choose whomever you want to restore your home but researching companies is a critical aspect in the decision making. 

Before cleaning and construction can even begin your contents need to be addressed. Some may be salvageable so they will need to be packed out and stored until they can be cleaned. Your textiles will need to go to a dry cleaner that is experienced in cleaning smoke damaged clothing. Severely damaged clothing can NOT be laundered at the laundry mat because the smoke smell will still linger after it's been washed. Your non-salvageable items will be written down on a total loss list (also known as a non-sal) and you will be reimbursed for these items. If some items are not recognizable they may need your help to list damaged items from memory. Keep in mind that you may not see the items that are packed out of your home for months so be sure you have everything you need. Did you know that if you choose to go with a public adjuster in Illinois they can receive up to ten percent of the total amount they negotiated for your contents? 

Now is the time to hope you choose to go with a RCV policy over a ACV policy. Hopefully you also went with the recommenced building replacement amount your insurance agent offered. Keep in mind there is this thing insurance companies like to call "depreciation". This means that things depreciate over time so they are going to pay you but they are going to withhold some of the value since it is not new. A new shirt is different than a old shirt that has been worn a million times and in now shrunk and faded. Newly installed carpet is different than carpet that has a wear pattern from being walked on over the last ten years. In regards to your contents, you will receive multiple checks to replace your contents minus depreciation if you have a RCV policy. The catch is that you will not receive the full amount for that item unless you go out and repurchase the lost item and submit your receipt for it. If you have a ACV policy you will only receive one check for your contents minus depreciation. When restoring your home your insurance company takes into consideration the age of your building materials and they cost the replace them. Again, a new roof is different than a twenty five year old roof. Did you know that if you choose to go with a public adjuster in Illinois they can receive up to ten percent of the total amount they negotiated for your structure?  If you hire a public adjuster to negotiate your claim you are now looking at giving away twenty percent of your insurance proceeds (10% for contents and 10% for structure)! 

 CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE INFORMATION ON THE CLAIMS PROCESS

If you suffer a water loss then there is a chance that your home can be restored with minimal to no demolition depending on your damage. Rapid Structural Drying (RSD) dries building materials in place. Rainbow International implements the latest RSD technology when addressing water damage situations. Many companies come in and cut out walls and tear up flooring because it increases the size of the claim and the amount they can bill for. Construction often leads to higher bills so it is always best to try and save what you possibly can. Extensive demolition is often unnecessary and just forces the insurance company to raise rates to cover over inflated jobs. Did you know that in most cases clean water can be sucked through the padding and the carpet to dry the sub floor opposed to ripping up the carpet and padding? Thanks to advance technology and top of the line equipment the insides of walls, carpets and sub floor can now avoid being torn apart. There are situations such as sewage damage and flood damage where carpet and padding needs to be replaced. Ask questions so you have a good understanding why a company recommends the services they are performing. Many people don't realize the average going rate for insurance repair or mitigation so they are often stunned by a final bill. The latest technology can dry your home out in three to four days opposed to inconveniencing you by running equipment for seven days. Effective equipment isn't cheap but it gets your home back to normal with a quicker turn around. Minimal damage and the accurate insurance coverage will assist in keeping costs low. If you are under insured or did not take advantage of the additional coverage's that were recommended then you may be looking at higher out of pocket cost. Please keep in mind that each circumstance will always dictate the outcome. 

If you are looking for a honest and reliable restoration company that can assist you with your fire, smoke, water, mold and wind damage contact Rainbow International at 708.460.0911.
Check us out on the web by Googling Rainbow International of South West Suburbs.

WHY WOULD I NEED RENTERS INSURANCE?

What if you are a tenant and your home caught fire? Would you be protected? Most people assume that a fire or water damage is never going to happen to them so why waste money on renters insurance. You take all the right precautions to prevent fires at home you think. You unplug all electrical cords when leaving the home, blow out your candles at night and have a fire extinguisher nearby when cooking. No matter what you do property damage is unpredictable. The only way you can prepare for it is by making sure you have renters insurance if you are a tenant.

Take this picture for example. What if the home on the left caught fire? Flames grow higher and higher while giant gusts of wind force neighboring flames onto your building. Your building has now suffered a fire and you most likely have too.

Picture courtesy of Chicago Fire Media @CFDMedia

One thing to consider is if the person who caused the fire had renter's insurance, which would include liability insurance. You may have a legal claim against the neighbor but if you didn’t have money for a small monthly renter’s insurance fee will you have enough money for a lawyer? You may have some recourse as to having the right to cancel your lease if your apartment is not reasonably habitable but what about your damaged items?

Did you know that your landlord is not obligated to replace your contests if they were damaged? The landlord’s ONLY responsibility is to restore the structure. Visualize picking up a building and turn it upside down while shaking it. Everything that falls out is considered contents while the part that stays intact is the structure. The contents are your personal property and you are responsible for replacing them.

If your apartment suffers a fire there are not many options to restore you property or replace your property if you do not have renters insurance. Most of your items will be so badly damaged by the gallons of water used to put out the fire they cannot be salvaged. If wet items have been left in the boarded up building while the fire is under investigation and other procedures prolong your re entry then wet items will soon become moldy. Items that did not get wet may be so badly damaged by smoke you will not be able to clean them with house hold cleaners alone. Bringing your clothes to the laundromat is not really an option since basic laundry soaps cannot remove contaminates that have been embedded into the clothing. Smoke damaged textiles must be taken to professional cleaners and their services will be costly for cleaning these special items. Without renters insurance the only financial support you can receive is from the Red Cross. Just once will they offer a small amount of money so there is usually just enough money to provide you with a hotel for the night. Not much is typically left over to feed and clothe your entire family for a few days. Without renters insurance you now have the financial stress of where you are going to live aside from how you are going to replace all over your destroyed items. Restoration companies can provide no assistance in restoring salvageable items if you do not have insurance or the means to pay for these services.

Definition of Renter's Insurance - A form of property insurance that provides coverage for a policy holder's belongings and liability within a rental property.

Renters insurance protects against more than you may think. From a property standpoint, it also protects against theft, vandalism, and even renters insurance named perils unlikely to be found in most apartments. If someone steals something of yours then it can be replaced by your renters insurance. If your property is damaged by malicious mischief, you can be made whole. If someone else even causes damage within your unit and the damage carries over to your neighbors unit then the liability part of your renters insurance could cover this damage even though you didn't personally cause it.

According to KPHO News, any given household has a one in four chance of having a fire large enough to be reported to a fire department in a lifetime. In America some consider the average of daily fires to range aground 1,024 nationwide. If this is an accurate risk than those odds are astronomical. Just because you haven’t experienced a loss in the past does not guarantee you will never see it happen. You can’t let your past experience of luck affect your perception of future statistics. Even if you don’t personally cause damage to your items you have no idea what your neighbor might do. Any one person with more than four neighbors is highly likely to suffer a loss caused by a fire during his lifetime, even if it’s not their home that has the fire. I personally seen an entire three floor brick building in Chicago get whiped out because the second floor tenant caused a fire while cooking chicken nuggets. None of the tenants had renters insurance and virtually everything was destroyed. I was only able to offer guidance as I carried a single box of salvage items to a woman’s car as she stood there and cried. True story! Protect yourself from the unknown by obtaining renters insurance.

Link to KPO News: http://www.kpho.com/story/19775901/homes-face-1-in-4-odds-of-major-fire

HAVE YOU HAD A HEATING SYSTEM INSPECTION LATELY?

When winter is around the corner it means that your furnace will soon be seeing a lot of use. Now is the time to prep your furnace and get an inspection to make sure it is proper working order. According to the United States Fire Association 54,500 heating fires occur in residential homes each year. Did you know that heating systems are the number 2 cause of house fires? The three leading factors that cause your heating system to catch on fire are operational error, misuse of heating equipment and mechanical failure. Many of these fires can be prevented through proper maintenance and proper use of heating equipment. You can prevent these kinds of fires by scheduling yearly maintenance on the furnace, boiler and chimney with a certified HVAC company. Something as simple as a ball of lint in your furnace could catch fire if it goes unnoticed.

Before you will be relying heavily on your furnace it is a good idea to pick a mild day to turn it on to see how it’s running. It’s better to find out if you have any issues before temperatures drop. Scheduling a yearly duct cleaning performed by a HVAC professional isn't a bad idea either. This can prevent obstructions that can block the passage ways that lead to your furnace.

Remember to change your furnace filers often. On average, it’s suggested that furnace filters should be changed every three to four months.

If a fire starts in a chimney or the flue, it is most likely caused by old and crumbling materials that easily catch fire. The continuous heating and cooling of the bricks causes the inside of the chimney to degrade overtime. Because of this, the bricks and mortar can easily catch fire. Ask your HVAC technician about installing or inspecting your chimney liner. This is a metal liner that hooks up to your furnace and goes all the way up the chimney out to the roof. This liner prevents combustible materials from coming in contact with the heat from the furnace. Liners can also boost your systems efficiency by providing a better draft vent for the combustion gases the furnace or boiler create.  

Fires that originate in the boiler or furnace are most likely due to a system malfunction or the presence of combustibles in or near the system. Have you ever noticed a burning smell when you first start up your heating system? That smell is derived from dust, debris and other combustibles that have built up inside your furnace or boiler overtime. Once your furnace is ignited those combustibles are burning up. If you let your heating system go without proper maintenance then it can take a toll on the system causing it to work harder. This often leads to a malfunction in the system that can ultimately lead to a fire.

Virtually every gas furnace produces some amount of carbon monoxide. A clean and efficient furnace will only produce minimal amounts while dirty furnaces can produce deadly amounts. Carbon monoxide is color less and odor less and can cause flu like symptoms, disorientation and even death. If you haven’t had a furnace inspection in awhile it is a good idea not only for your heating system but also for your health.

SICK BUILDING SYNDROME (SBS) vs. BUILDING RELATED ILLNESS (BRI)

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

Experiencing health problems and not sure why? You may be suffering from Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). Wikipedia.org defines SBS as situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.

MedicineNet.com states a 1984 World Health Organization Committee report suggested that up to 30 percent of new and remodeled buildings worldwide may be the subject of excessive complaints related to indoor air quality.

If you suffer from acute symptoms when in a particular building, but feel better when you’re not within that building, then it is possible you may be experiencing SBS. Most of the complainants feel relief soon after leaving the building. With SBS, no clinically defined disease or specific chemical or biological contaminant can be determined as the cause of the symptoms. Though it is difficult to pinpoint the main cause one common cause could be mold. People’s complaints may be centralized to one particular room or may be widespread throughout the building. Anyone can be affected by SBS, but people in modern buildings without opening windows and with mechanical ventilation or air conditioning are at higher risk. Everyone is affected differently so some people may have reactions while others may not.

Contributing factors of SBS:

• Improper ventilation – amount of air circulation though the building. If moisture is present in a building that has poor ventilation then there is a chance that mold can form.
• Chemical contaminants from indoor sources – examples are adhesives, carpeting, upholstery, manufactured wood products, copy machines, pesticides and cleaning agents that can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Chemical contaminants from outdoor sources – examples are pollutants from motor vehicle exhausts, plumbing vents and building exhausts (bathrooms and kitchens).
• Biological contaminants - examples are bacteria, molds, pollen and viruses.
• Building design -  when a building is operated or maintained in a manner that is inconsistent with its original design or prescribed operating procedures.
• Poor standards of cleanliness in the working environment.

Symptoms of SBS that cause acute discomfort:

• Headache
• Eye irritation
• Nose irritation
• Throat irritation/dry cough
• Dry or itchy skin
• Dizziness and nausea
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Fatigue
• Sensitivity to odors

Solutions to SBS:

• Increasing the ventilation rates and air distribution is often a cost-effective means of reducing indoor pollutant levels. Ventilation should meet building code standards.
• Removal or modification of the pollutant source is the most effective approach to solving a known source of an indoor air quality problem when this solution is practical.
• Air filters can aid in removing some pollution but it will not remove everything.
• Mold remediation must be performed if mold is found. Mold spores will continue to spread if moisture and poor ventilation are not addressed.
• If you think that your working environment is making you ill, talk to your colleagues to see whether they are having similar symptoms.
• If SBS appears to be a workplace issue, raise it with your health and safety representative. Your employer has a duty of care to investigate the problem. The environmental health services of your local authority or your local Health and Safety Executive (HSE) office may also be able to provide help and advice about how to deal with SBS.

Building Related Illness (BRI)

Is your environment or an airtight building making you sick? You may be experiencing Building Related Illness (BRI). Merriam-webster.com/ defines BRI as a clinically diagnosable disease or condition caused by a microorganisms including many species of bacteria and fungi present in a building. BRI’s can be specific or nonspecific. BRI diagnoses are based on history of exposure and clinical findings. 

Airtight buildings are characterized by having sealed windows and dependence on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for circulation of air. Central air conditioning systems in office buildings, hotels and hospitals are sources of contaminated water for BRI outbreaks.

Specific BRI’s are those for which a link between BRI and illness is proved. Causes can be directly attributed to airborne building pollutants such as:

• Legionella infection - Legionellosis refers to 2 distinct clinical syndromes: Legionnaires disease, which most often manifests as severe pneumonia accompanied by multisystemic disease, and Pontiac fever, which is an acute, febrile, self-limited, viral-like illness. Symptoms include:  flu-like syndrome with acute fever, chills, malaise, myalgias, headache, or confusion. Nausea, loose stools or watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, cough, and arthralgias also frequently occur. Pneumonic manifestations may include dyspnea, pleuritic pain, and hemoptysis. Bradycardia relative to fever may occur, especially in severe cases.
• Occupational asthma - Occupational asthma is reversible airway obstruction that develops after months to years of sensitization to an allergen encountered in the workplace. Symptoms include: shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, and cough, often with upper respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, rhinorrhea, and tearing. Upper airway and conjunctival symptoms may precede the typical asthmatic symptoms by months or years. Symptoms may develop during work hours after specific dust or vapor exposure but often do not become apparent until several hours after leaving work
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis - a syndrome of cough, dyspnea, and fatigue caused by sensitization and subsequent hypersensitivity to environmental. Acute, subacute, and chronic forms exist; all are characterized by acute interstitial inflammation and development of granulomas and fibrosis with long-term exposure.
• Inhalational fever –a febrile reaction caused by exposure to organic aerosols or dusts.

Many health effects are caused by exposure to the interior environment of water damaged buildings. Untreated moisture issues and poor circulation can lead to mold growth. Some species of mold produce mycotoxins which are some of the most toxic substances in existence. The most common types of mold that are found indoors include Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria, Aspergillus and Stachybotrys chartarum (also known black mold). Exposure to mold can lead to acute symptoms that cause heath problems in certain individuals. Illnesses due to mold exposure falls under the category of BRI.

Nonspecific BRI’s refer to illness’s in which there is no specific link between building-related exposure and illness is more difficult to prove. Sick building syndrome falls into this category.

Case of BRI:

Rainbow International of South & West Suburbs was contacted by an insurance agent to inspect a property after a child in the home was diagnosed with mold in her lungs. She had been experiencing acute symptoms but the family was unaware that mold had been hiding in the home. During Rainbows inspection an abundance of mold was found hiding in the attic. The mold had continued to grow due to moisture issues that were caused by poor ventilation. The mold appeared to be toxic due to the reaction the child was experiencing. If you believe you have health issues caused by your environment then you should seek a doctor’s professional opinion. If you suspect mold within your home or business contact Rainbow International for an inspection or to perform mold remediation:708.460.0911.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS THAT AFFECT WATER DAMAGE CLEAN UP COSTS

Many things factor into water damage restoration costs seeing as each circumstance is different. It is impossible to gauge the extent of the destruction until the area is thoroughly inspected. The following are contributing factors regarding water damage cleanup costs.

Insurance:

· Depending how the water entered your home will determine if your insurance will cover it or not. Water damage and flood damage are two different types of coverage. Flood insurance will only cover a flood and not water damage. See more information at: http://blogsbynikiramirez.blogspot.com/2014/04/flood-damage-vs-water-damage.html

· If the water enters through your sewer then you need to have a sewer and drain endorsement. See more information at: http://blogsbynikiramirez.blogspot.com/2014/04/understandsewer-backup-waterbackups-do.html

· If the water overflows due to sump pump failure then you need to have sump pump back up endorsement. See more information at: http://blogsbynikiramirez.blogspot.com/2014/03/understand-sump-pump-overflow-sump-pump.html

· The amount of coverage you have for mitigation.

· The amount of coverage you have for building replacement cost.

· Your deductible amount - If the cost of the damage greatly exceeds your deductible then it is worth filing a claim.

· If you do not have insurance coverage then all expenses will be paid out of pocket. If you have a limited amount of coverage you will have to pay out of pocket for the amount that exceeds your   coverage.

· Mold can form as a result of water damage and most insurance companies do not cover mold so you must verify your policy.

Structure:

· Extent of the damage is the biggest determining factor.

· Cost to fix the source of the water issue – Failed sump pump, broken pipe, water heater leak, cracks in foundation, roof, etc.

· Location of the destruction - Some materials are easier to replace than others.

· If the furnace was affected it may need to be cleaned, fixed, or replaced.

· Finished/unfinished basement.

· Building materials of the outer walls - Drywall can sometimes be saved in a clean water loss but   will need to be removed if it has made contact with contaminated water.

· Type of flooring - Carpet and padding, tile, laminate, or hardwood.

· The length of time building materials make contact with water.

· Square footage of the affected area and height that the water rose to.

According to Homeadvisor.com. the average amount spent to repair water damage in Chicago is $3,564. They accumulated this number off of only 33 profiles that submitted their information. This is just a general figure and each person's circumstance is different but this figure shows you that water damage can cost thousands and put a dent in your pocket. 

According to Homewyse, the cost to repair water damage averages $11.08 - $11.69 per square foot in 2014. This Water Damage Repair cost estimate is calculated from average material costs, unit labor productivity rates and national average hourly labor wages. The extent of damage can greatly increase costs. You can expect to pay fees around this bracket or higher for a licensed, bonded and insured contractor. WATER DAMAGE CLEAN UP SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY AN IICRC SERVICE PROFESSIONAL. IICRC.ORG

Equipment:

· Many people think it is simply a guessing game when it comes to how much equipment should be used. The amount of equipment that is needed to efficiently perform a task is determined by the extent of the damage and the square footage of the affected area. Rainbow International uses   a mathematical formula that includes these factors to determine the amount of equipment needed. This prevents the use of unneeded equipment and extra costs.

Type of water loss:

· Category 1 – Clean water, no health risk. Very good potential of saving contents and structural      surfaces.

· Category 2 – Grey water, possible health risk. Affected carpet pad will have to be replaced.
· Category 3 – Black water, major health risk. Most porous objects and surfaces will have to be replaced including drywall and carpet.

 IF YOUR HOME HAS TAKEN ON WATER AFTER A STORM

Severe weather brings a high volume of insurance claims. There may be anywhere from hundreds to thousands of claims being field at this time. Because of this, insurance adjusters may not be able to inspect your property for one to several weeks depending on the order in which your claim came in and the severity of your loss. Many property damage restoration companies also have a waiting list due to the influx of calls. If you seek assistance from one of these companies you will most likely be informed that there is a waiting list and that you should not wait if someone is able to provide service to you sooner. If you do not have coverage you will be expected to pay out of pocket for water damage clean up services.

Many homes loose power during severe weather. Your home must have power in order to address the standing water or the water will return. If you have no power you can still be proactive by doing the following the things:

•  Prevent electric wires from making contact with water. Avoid standing in water to prevent electrical shock. 
• Turn off the breaker in the damaged are before you unplug or remove any electrical devices located on wet carpet.
• Hook your sump pump and fridge up to a generator. The generator will keep your sump pump running so that the home does not take on any more water.
• Take pictures of the standing water for documentation. Dispose of items contaminated by sewage.
• Make a list of damaged items and the price of the item. This information will be needed for reimbursement of your contents. Please note that you will not be reimbursed for spoiled food if it is less than your deductible. If it is over your deductible and you can provide proof you will still need to pay your deductible in order to be reimbursed.
• Do not open the fridge to ensure it stays cold.
• Wear protective equipment and pick items up off the ground to prevent them from sitting in standing water. The faster you get items out of water’s way, the more likely you’ll be able to save them. Water damage is progressive and items that could be restored within the first 48 hours of the water damage may not be restored if clean up is prolonged.
• Keep the door to the basement shut to prevent mold spores from traveling to other areas of the home.

If power has been restored and the water starts to recede you are still left with another problem on your hands. Standing water that is a result of your sump pump or sewer contains contaminants and is not considered a clean water loss. Because of this, it is best to have a water damage service professional assist your with your clean up. You can do the following things while waiting for a restoration company to assist you:

•  Push remaining water toward the sewer drain. 
• Once the water has receded you are then left with damp items that are often not salvageable. If you want to dispose of these items you must have accurate documentation if you will be seeking reimbursement from your insurance company. Take pictures of these items for documentation. Some insurance adjusters are understanding if contaminated items have sat for days and needed to be disposed of but it is up to the homeowner to provide proof of damage.
•  Mold will form as a result of moisture so the area that had standing water needs to be dried as quickly as possible. If humidity inside the home is not controlled, items that were not damaged from the original water damage could be damaged as a result of absorbing moisture from the air. Your air conditioner can act as a dehumidifier. Dry air helps the standing water evaporate and will slowly draw moisture out of the walls, carpet and other wet areas. In times of severe weather most restoration companies will not have extra equipment that can be rented out.
• Open basement windows if it is not raining. This will improve ventilation.
• Remove baseboards to allow air in.
• Place aluminum foil under the legs of any furniture which is in contact with we carpet to aid in preventing stains on carpet that can be saved.