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National Preparedness Month: Be Prepared [SLIDESHOW]

Melissa — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 17:00:22 +0000

Don’t wait for a natural disaster or other catastrophe before you think about what your family would do in an emergency. September is National Preparedness Month, and it gives you the perfect opportunity to get ready for whatever Mother Nature may have in store. Whether it's a hurricane, a tornado, an earthquake, a wildfire or some other catastrophe, there are specific steps you can take to make sure you’re ready. [slideshow]

3 Smart Ways to Check a Used Car for Water Damage

The Storm Crew — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:04:30 +0000

Buying a used car can be a stressful process—one that involves wading your way through a sea of lemons before finding that diamond in the rough. And once you discover a car that appears to be in good shape, figuring out its history can be a whole different story. As avid storm watchers, we know that flooding and severe weather can wreak havoc on vehicles. Unfortunately for buyers, that kind of damage is often easy for sellers to conceal. In the wake of major storms, severely damaged cars can end up on lots thousands of miles away, showing few signs of damage. Consider taking these steps to see whether your prospective purchase has been damaged by severe weather:

Look for cosmetic clues

Examine the car’s carpeting and upholstery to make sure it matches the rest of the interior and fits well. If not, the original may have been replaced to conceal discoloration, fading or staining caused by water damage. You should also reach under the dashboard to bend the wires and make sure they are flexible. Wires that have gotten wet will often crack after drying.

As avid storm watchers, we know that flooding and severe weather can wreak havoc on vehicles. Unfortunately for buyers, that kind of damage is often easy for sellers to conceal.

In addition, take a look at the dashboard, below the seats, and inside the trunk and glove compartment for signs of mud and rust—too much grit and grime can be a dealbreaker. However, also beware if everything’s sparkling clean under the hood, as this may indicate the car has been pressure washed to remove signs of mud or soot.

Check the electrical system

Make sure to turn the car on and note that all gauges work properly. All of the internal warning lights, including ABS (anti-lock brake system) and air bag lights, should turn on when you start the ignition. You should also consider testing the headlights, turn signals, windshield wipers, radio, heater and air conditioner, as a flaw in these systems could indicate previous storm damage. If you’re unsure whether these components work, have the car inspected by a mechanic before you put any money down.

Ask for a vehicle history report

A vehicle history report can give you some key insight about a car’s life experience. These reports provide information about problems a vehicle has had in the past and can tell you whether it’s been registered in an area that’s at risk for floods or hurricanes. If the seller doesn’t give you a vehicle history report, you can use the car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to obtain one online through CARFAX or a similar website, or VINCheck, a tool set up by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. When buying a used car, these simple precautions can help you make sure you get what you paid for. For helpful hints about vehicle maintenance, check out the Tools and Resources section on Allstate.com.

Hurricane Season Approaches: 4 Ways to Waterproof Your Stuff

Debbie Hanson, First Alert — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:04:30 +0000

Taking advantage of the calm before a storm to prepare can help keep you afloat when severe weather strikes. So, with May 19th kicking off Hurricane Preparedness Week, this might be the time to think about enhancing the basics of your emergency kit (water, food, prescriptions, radio, flashlights, batteries, etc.) with waterproof supplies that can help keep your home and valuables safe and dry, and your family a bit more calm during a big storm. Here are a few of my top picks: Water alarm: Place a battery-operated water alarm anywhere a potential leak or flooding may occur—like near a sump pump, water heater or basement window well—for an alert even when the power fails. Waterproof safe: Keep important documents (mortgage papers, birth certificates, passports, etc.) protected inside a waterproof safe. If your home is damaged from flooding, these documents will be essential in the rebuild. Waterproof cellphone case: Stay connected when it matters most with a waterproof smartphone case that provides full access to all device functions. Space bags: You probably know them for their “space-saving” properties, but these airtight, watertight bags can protect your belongings even when they’re submerged in water. Preparedness is key when it comes to any emergencies – whether hurricane, fire, flood or earthquake. For additional items that should be included in your basic emergency kit, The National Hurricane Center’s checklist is a great place to start.

Debbie Hanson is director of external affairs for First Alert, a trusted brand in home safety products.

Digital DIY: Fixing Your Faucet via Text

George — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:09:44 +0000

Last weekend, my friend Richelle texted me that she wanted to fix a leaky faucet and with her husband out of town, she needed help to get the job done while avoiding water damage. Knowing that I'm a bit of a DIY junkie, she asked me to walk her through the process via text. It was a new experience for me and it turned out so well, I thought I'd share the whole exchange here with some screenshots of our "digital DIY."

Connect with me on Google+ or follow me on Twitter.

Protect Your Family’s Health with a Properly Lined Crawl Space

Roy Spencer, Perma-Seal — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:40:39 +0000

You may not want to think about it, but the odors and gases (and all the critters) in your crawl space have a free pass into your home—particularly in the winter months when houses are sealed tight. During heating season, the natural airflow of a home draws crawl space air directly into your upstairs living space (what’s known as the “stack” effect). In fact, about 50 percent of the air you breathe in your home is said to originate from the basement or crawlspace. A properly cared-for crawlspace can help maintain your home's structure.

What lies beneath

So, what are the issues you need to ferret out? Moisture, for one. It’s a major contributor to mildew, fungi, and mold, which has been blamed for everything from rashes and runny noses to severe asthma and liver problems. Moisture is also a magnet for spiders, snakes, termites and other nasty pests. Radon is another problem that can originate in dirt or gravel crawl spaces. You can’t see or smell radon—it’s an odorless, colorless gas—but it has major health implications: it’s said to be the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to the EPA.

Simple solutions

Fortunately, there are relatively simple ways to identify and mitigate these serious health risks. Moisture and mold are commonly spotted with a quick visual inspection or through a “sniff” test: a damp, musty smell is a good sign that there’s excess moisture lurking about. And while radon itself is invisible, radon test kits can uncover the problem. They are widely available, and easy to use. Once you’ve pinpointed the problems, the best first step is to encapsulate your crawl space with a durable, puncture-resistant wall liner that will act as a barrier to insects, gases and odors. You can also help the problem by including a drainage system (a sump pump and a drain tile system) that will redirect any water or moisture that does make its way in. A good last step is spray foam, which minimizes moisture and acts as a nice energy-saver. These are projects an avid DIYer can take on. But, if the idea overwhelms you, there are many professional companies that can provide you with a permanent solution—particularly if your problem is radon ... that’s something best left to the experts.

What not to do

Regardless of who does the work, there are a couple of things you’ll want to make sure NOT to do. Pumping in concrete, for instance, is an all-around bad idea. That’s because the process introduces hundreds of gallons of water that will ultimately soak into your floor joists and add to the already high humidity levels in your crawl space. Also, pumped concrete floors are different than basement floors; they are chalky and dusty and can introduce more chemicals into the air. Another no-no: spraying closed-cell foam in the crawl space. Spray foam is commonly sprayed at the point where the foundation meets the floor joists. Sealing this joint with a closed-cell material will cause wood rot and severe damage to your home’s structure. Be sure that you use an “open-cell” or “open-weave” type of insulation. No one really wants to think about what lurks in the underworld of a house. But taking a few simple steps to identify and mitigate the problems can protect your family and transform your crawlspace into a safe, dry and critter-free area of your home.

Content and images courtesy of guest blogger Perma-Seal.

Buyer Beware: Your Used Car May Have Been in a Hurricane

Brendan — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:51:17 +0000

Just because a hurricane has dissipated doesn't mean it has stopped cutting a path of destruction throughout the United States. Those who think that the danger is gone once the flood waters have receded might be in for something of a rude awakening – especially the thousands who might be buying flood damaged cars without even knowing it. It’s something that happens after every major hurricane. The car market is suddenly “flooded” with used cars priced so low that they may raise your eyebrows. Although a price that’s too good to be true isn’t always a dead giveaway that you’re dealing with someone who’s selling damaged cars, it can certainly be taken as a warning sign that the vehicle you’re eyeing might have seen a troubled past. Because buying flood damaged cars can cost you a fortune in repairs and because they can actually be dangerous on the road, it’s critical that you know what to look for to ensure you’re not buying into one.

Be wary of buying cars from private sellers without getting a full inspection.
Always have a qualified mechanic perform an inspection, regardless of who you’re buying a used car from.
If you decide to deal only with car dealerships, ensure the one you’re patronizing hasn’t been in the news lately and hasn’t seen the inside of too many courtrooms. This may require you to do some homework, but it’ll be worth the effort to rule out any seedy dealerships.
Look for mildew, water stains and sand under the floor mats and carpeting.
Evidence of mud or dirt in the spare tire stowage is often another sign that a car’s been underwater.
Lift the hood and look for rust around electrical connections and general oxidation.
Rusty screws will also tip you off to a vehicle that’s been exposed to flood water.
Use VINCheck, a free service from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, which will tell you if a car’s been damaged in a flood, stolen, or declared as salvage. The NMVTIS (National Motor Vehicle Title Information System) is also another great resource to check a vehicle’s history before putting down your hard earned money.

It’s perfectly legal for someone to sell a car that’s been previously damaged in a flood. What’s not legal is selling damaged cars without disclosing their full history to a buyer first. If you own a flood damaged car and sell it to someone without being totally up front about it, this omission could get you into serious hot water. If you want to avoid being suckered into buying a flood damaged car, never let a price that’s too good to pass up prevent you from doing your due diligence.

Preparing for Disaster Before it Strikes

Brendan — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:33:14 +0000

Emergency Preparedness Beyond Bottled Water and Batteries

September is National Preparedness Month, a dedicated time to get your home organized for disaster preparation. Whether you prepare for a hurricane or an earthquake or a flash flood depends on the likelihood of these disasters occurring in your area, but the basics of natural disaster preparedness are the same, requiring these four elements to have a fully organized home emergency plan.

Personal Information

What information would be important to have if your home suddenly was destroyed by a flood, earthquake, or tornado? Many people think more about having a stockpile of peanut butter than they do about having their personal identification and essential documents accessible. My favorite resource for organizing your important documents is the Vital Records PortaVault, which you can zip up and literally grab and go with its carrying strap. You can also manage your important documents securely online with services like Delphi Vital Information Manager. Our computer hard drives also contain crucial information, including most of our family photos nowadays, so make sure they are backed up remotely and securely in case they are destroyed. Services like Carbonite and Mozy are excellent and reliable.

Home Inventory

Preparing for disaster includes documenting the contents of your home in the event they need replacement. Creating a home inventory also helps to make sure your insurance coverage is adequate for what you actually own. You might be surprised at the value of your home’s contents! Allstate’s free Digital Locker app for the iPhone makes it easy to take photos and make notations on every item and keep them securely with you. You can also use free web-based services like Know Your Stuff®.

Personal Safety

Disaster preparedness also includes having a family emergency plan. How will you reach each other? Where will you meet? Who are others close to your family who can be a helpful part of your family disaster plan? What are evacuation routes near your home? What are your fire escape and tornado shelter plans? Ready.gov has a step-by-step emergency planner you can complete online to walk you through creating your disaster plans, as well as printable forms you can fill out. And don’t forget your pets! Ready.gov has some suggestions to prepare for your pets’ comfort and safety as well.

Home Emergency Kits

We all know we need bottled water and batteries, but have you thought about having a corded telephone in case the power goes out, or an extra pair of prescription glasses? FEMA has a full checklist, and Ready.gov has a checklist as well. Make a note on your calendar to review your supplies once a year after you’ve assembled them and replace expired items. Preparing for a disaster may not be the first fun thing on your to-do list, but it’s the ultimate way of being fully organized, and it’s essential planning for survival and restoration. Share your experiences and emergency preparedness tips in the comments! Allstate Insurance Company does not own and is not affiliated with Vital Records PortaVault, Delphi Vital Information Manager, Carbonite, Mozy, Know Your Stuff®, Ready.gov or FEMA. Allstate makes no warranties or representations and is not liable for any goods or services provided by these organizations.

Lorie Marrero is a guest blogger from The Clutter Diet. In exchange for sharing this content, the Allstate Community has compensated her via cash payment.

How to Protect Your Basement From Sewer Backup

Roy Spencer, Perma-Seal — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:21:48 +0000

Have you ever experienced a large amount of standing water in your basement after a heavy rainstorm? Do you wonder where it comes from and how so much ends up in your home? If the water has come up through any plumbing fixtures or you have standing water over your floor drain, there’s a good chance that you are experiencing municipal sewer backup.

It is not uncommon during heavy rainstorms for municipal sanitary sewers to become overloaded with more volume than they can handle. And the result, since almost all municipal sewer systems are gravity fed, is the excess water being forced back through your sewer line towards your home and into your basement and other low lying drains in that area. Large quantities of sewage-contaminated water can be pushed through floor drains, toilets or showers and can create a potentially dangerous and unhealthy environment in your home. If your sewers backup into your basement, the most important thing to remember is DO NOT WALK IN or TOUCH the standing water! The power must be turned off first to avoid any risk of electrocution. You do not have to live with the fear of your sewers backing up into your home. You can protect your home and your family from the unhealthy environment create from municipal sewer backup. A sewer backup prevention system is the answer. Generally, these types of systems are beyond the skill level of your standard do-it-yourselfer and will require professional help. Sewer backup prevention can likely be accomplished with the help of professional basement waterproofing contractors and/or licensed plumbers experienced in these situations. A professional contractor should install a double-, or triple-valve system that provides protection and comes with a significant warranty. Most Systems can be installed in your front yard and are almost undetectable. The check valves are placed into the sewer line so when the sewer is overloaded and pushes water toward your home, they will automatically close and keep the sewage contaminated water out of your basement. The pump and basin, as shown above, will provide the advantage of being able to use your household plumbing during times of sewer backup.

Content and images courtesy of Perma-Seal.