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Restoration Articles
Browse every article from the Abbotts blog, newest first. Each one covers a specific water, fire, mold, storm or cleanup topic.
Commercial Flood Burst Pipes
Commercial Flood Burst Pipes A 10,000 square foot building sustained water damage from burst pipes when temperatures dropped. Tenants had just moved out and the building was up for sale. The damage impacted the office areas as well as warehouse. Abbotts provided...
Sewage backup in basement in Highlands Ranch, CO
Sewage Backup Do's and Don'ts Sewage backup tops the list 'Homeowner Horrors'. The smell is just the beginning - a disgusting reminder of the bacteria, viruses, parasites and hazardous waste that has invaded your home. Even in small amounts, sewage can pose health...
10 Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes
Here are 10 Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes Winter has stormed into Denver and most of Colorado, bringing snow, ice and plummeting temperatures that can wreak havoc on plumbing. A ruptured water line can cause extensive, costly damage and disrupt your life or business....
Pasquini’s Pizzeria Fire
Pasquini's Pizzeria Fire The morning of Friday, December 6, 2016, a fire broke out at Pasquini's Pizzeria, the popular eatery and local landmark on South Broadway that has been serving fresh American Italian food for more than 25 years. The fire broke out about 7...
Winterization Checklist: Avoid Costly Water Damage
Winterization Checklist: Avoid Costly Water Damage The Denver Metro Area continues to enjoy above average temperatures for October and November. These unseasonably warm temperatures can lead some homeowners to procrastinate their fall winterization. Unfortunately, La...
The Facts About Asbestos
The Facts About Asbestos Asbestos fiber is made from naturally occurring silicate crystals. Its fire resistance and good insulating properties made it a popular building material until late in the 20th century when research pointed to it causing serious health...
Pueblo West DryOut
Appliance failure leads to flooding damage A dishwasher failed in this Pueblo West home resulting in flooding on the main level and into the lower level basement. Our crews extracted the water then set up drying equipment in an effort to salvage hardwood floors and...
Commercial Dryout Golden
Commercial Dryout Golden Abbotts performed a dry down of multiple businesses in Golden, CO when they experienced flooding due to rain.
Meth Lab Cleanup Facts
Meth Lab Cleanup Facts What is methamphetamine or meth? These days, unfortunately, any housing authority manager or landlord knows what methamphetamine or meth is. The insidiously addictive nervous system stimulant is cheap, easy to make and, therefore, ubiquitous....
Crime Scene Cleanup Qualifications
Crime Scene Cleanup Qualifications Scenes of trauma present unique challenges and are subject to numerous stringent regulations and standards. The unfortunate fact is that trauma scenes often result in biological contamination and must be treated as such. In order to...
A few good questions will help you avoid unnecessary repair bills in times of chaos.
A few good questions will help you avoid unnecessary repair bills in times of chaos. The following story is a cautionary tale. A Minnesota couple is looking at $21k in repair costs when routine city maintenance caused toilets to overflow. In addition to these...
Tips to Avoid Water Damage in your Home
Tips to Avoid Water Damage in your Home Water damage in your home is never expected but it can happen to anyone! This is a problem that is dreaded by a lot of property owners and renters. The average cost of water damage is about $20,000 per 6 inches. Keep...
What should you be asking your water restoration company?
What should you be asking your water restoration company? Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to employ the restoration company that is suggested to you by your insurance company. Insurance companies have many agendas that may not be in your best interests,...
Melting Snow and Ice Means Water … and Odor
Melting Snow and Ice Means Water … and Odor Most Coloradans know well enough the dangers of the rugged state’s seasonal changes. Winter brings snow and ice and the potential for frozen, broken pipes. Spring brings the thaw, which can turn to flooding when seasonal...
Meth Labs Leave Behind Toxic Ghosts That Can Haunt Your Family or Business
Meth Labs Leave Behind Toxic Ghosts That Can Haunt Your Family or Business “I have a family and rarely even have a glass of wine. What does methamphetamine have to do with me?” you ask. Any home could be haunted with toxic meth lab contamination. The Devil You Don’t...
Seasonal Allergies Are a Reminder of Mold Health Risks
Seasonal Allergies Are a Reminder of Mold Health Risks Summertime ... and the Livin' Is Sneezy What, you ask, do respiratory allergic reactions to pollen have to do with mold? Good question. Here’s the connection. Hot, Dry = Pollen (and Mold Risk) Pollen that has...
Tips for Commercial Fire Prevention
Tips for Commercial Fire Prevention As a business owner, you are probably aware of the many threats to your livelihood. Some of these are preventable and others are not. While not every workplace fire can be totally avoided, there are some steps you and your staff can...
Outdoor Fire Safety Tips
Outdoor Fire Safety Tips As the warmer season approaches, it's time to refresh our memories about outdoor fire safety. Spring and early summer are great times to get your property cleaned up and ready for the hot, fire-prone months. It is also the time when we have...
Is Black Mold Toxic to Your Family?
Black mold, or stachybotrys chartarum, is often referred to as “toxic” black mold. That’s because it produces trichothecene mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are nasty poisons that can cause serious health problems and even death. Mycotoxins from fungi like black mold have been...
8 Tips for Fireplace Safety
8 Tips for Fireplace Safety Winter is the time when a crackling fire in your fireplace sounds like the perfect cozy addition to a chilly day. But before you spark some kindling and throw on another log, it is imperative you make sure your fireplace is in good working...
Illegal Marijuana Grow Operation Clean Up Tips
States like Colorado that have legalized marijuana for medicinal or recreational use have experienced unforeseen problems with illegal grow operations. In particular, concealed grow operations in apartments have increased. The concealed, enclosed and poorly ventilated...
Holiday Safety Tips from your Family at Abbotts
Holiday Safety Tips from your Family at Abbotts The winter holiday season is a festive and eventful time. Celebrations, gatherings and visits from house guests make the season a memorable one, year after year. Unfortunately, national statistics show that house fires...
Prepare Your Sprinklers For The Cold Season
Prepare Your Sprinklers For The Cold Season As the warmer fall days are quickly coming to a close, it is time for a reminder to shut down and winterize your sprinkler system! It is important to get rid of any remaining water from the pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads...
Kitchen Safety: How To Put Out A Grease Fire
How Do You Put out a Grease Fire? Normally cooking doesn't present a lot of serious hazards. You might nick your finger while chopping or leave that pan of cookies in the oven too long, leaving you with a smoky kitchen- but in terms of serious danger to ourselves or...
Pressure Washing & Blasting
Pressure Washing & Blasting Power washing is perhaps the restoration industry's most commonly used tool. Capable of removing just about anything from any surface, pressure washing is used to quickly restore many types of mediums to their original (or better)...
Thermal Imaging
Thermal Imaging You don’t have to tear down a wall to see what’s happening behind it! Thermal Imaging is a unique and powerful tool that is very useful in flood and fire restoration efforts. Thermal imaging cameras reveal a variety of small temperature differences...
1,000 Year Flooding Events and Large-Loss Restoration Projects
1,000 Year Flooding Events and Large-Loss Restoration Projects When a large flooding event occurs in your area, the clean-up effort can be daunting and emotional. Unfortunately, everyone in the affected area will likely need some kind of restoration work done on their...
Drain Cleaning
Drain Cleaning Drain cleaning is a common procedure that many restoration companies offer as a part of their services to both residential and commercial clients. It is also a procedure that needs to be done properly to ensure that pipes are not damaged or backed up...
Art Restoration
Art Restoration Damaged artwork is yet another item that restoration companies deal with when your property incurs water, fire, mold, sewer or other damage. Reputable disaster restoration companies should work alongside insurance providers and claims adjusters while...
How Do I Know If I Have Mold In My Crawlspace
How Do I Know If I Have Mold In My Crawlspace? Mold can be a precarious threat to your home or business and its inhabitants. Known health risks associated with exposure to common strains of mold spores are: respiratory irritation and infections, skin or eye reactions,...