When it Rains…It Pours! What to do when you have Flooding!

We all have heard the phrase “when it rains, it pours”, and this past week has  proven this phrase true in Michigan. With all of the storms that have been sweeping through this spring, it is only a matter of time before all the rain tries to find a way into your home! When it rains day after day, the water builds up and seeps deep down into the ground; this leads to water buildup around the edges of your home! This is particularly dangerous when you have an underground basement; all of the walls will be surrounded by the water buildup, and water may begin to flood into your home. With all of the storms hitting this past week in Michigan, we at Champion Property Management wanted to give you some tips on what to do whenever you are faced with flooding due to rain or severe weather. The following tips may help you survive these rain spells and keep your home and belongings in good condition!

Health and safety

Health and Safety should be your top concern when dealing with basement flooding.  Apart from the mess, a flooded basement presents hazards which require special precautions.

• Flooding may affect electrical and gas systems including related appliances, creating the possibility of serious electrical shock or explosion.
• Flood water could be highly contaminated with disease/bacteria from raw sewage and other pollutants.
• During clean up you may be exposed to a range of contaminants including corrosive cleaning agents and irritants found in leftover sludge. Resulting molds and mildew can trigger problems for asthmatics.
• Water damage may also seriously weaken wall and ceiling structures.

Tips to minimize basement damage

Here are some tips to minimize the damage to your basement when flooding has occurred:

• If water is backing up from your building drain, DO NOT flush the toilet, run the washing machine, the dishwasher or turn on any taps – this will only create further flooding. You should call a plumber immediately.
• Report the Flooding to your city. This is important. Reporting a flooded basement allows us to track the immediate source of the problem in your neighborhood and also to plan ahead for future investigations into the sanitary and/or storm systems.
• City staff will inspect the problem, assess the flooding damage and determine its source. The City will recommend what you should do to prevent another basement flood in the future.
• If you have insurance coverage for sewer backups, you may want to call your insurance company as soon as possible and report any property damage caused by the flooding. Take photographs of the damage and keep receipts for payments for emergency repair work and clean-up work done to prevent or reduce further damage.

The clean up

Cleaning up is a messy and unpleasant job. Here are some tips on how to protect yourself while getting rid of the mess:

• Wear protective clothing – overalls, gloves, protective eyeglasses, rubber boots and a face mask.
• Stay clear of electrical equipment. Do not attempt to change any fuses if you are standing in water or on damp ground.
• If you can, shut off the electrical power.
• If weather permits, open basement windows to allow fresh air in.  In addition to speeding the drying process this helps to prevent odors.
• Remove items of value that are in, or near, the source of water.
• Roll back or remove rugs close to the source of water.
• Use old rags or wet/dry vacuums to eliminate excess water.
• Fans and/or dehumidifiers can reduce dampness and speed drying.
• Minor debris can be left out for regular garbage pick-up.
• Scrub affected furniture with antibacterial soap and water and place outside to dry (weather permitting), or steam clean.
• Clean and deodorize carpets or have them professionally cleaned.
• Disinfect the walls and the floor using a chlorine bleach and water solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water). Wait for the area to dry completely before re-using it.
• Throw out canned goods and other foods that may have been affected by flood waters. If your freezer has lost power, move frozen food to a neighbor’s freezer, or throw it out if you cannot keep it frozen.
• If the source of the problem is a leaking water meter turn off the valve in front of the meter.  Place rags or pails beneath the meter to catch the drips or if the valve is spraying water, wrap towels around the leaking valve.

If water is widespread and there is serious damage, it is suggested that you:

• Make a written list of all property that is damaged
• Note which property is permanently damaged (i.e. won’t be usable after being properly dried).
• Take photos to document the water spread and the wet property.
• Advise your insurance agent or broker promptly.

If you find that these tips are not enough help for you, or that you have other flooding problems, please feel free to write to us and we will try to help you find solutions for any problems flooding in your home may have caused! It may also be best for you to call a local plumber or professional that will be able to help you if you feel the flooding in your home is too much for you to take care of! We wish you good luck in battling the rest of these spring storms sweeping the country and keeping your homes flood free!

These tips were collected from http://goo.gl/7Xtg4 .

Beautiful, Brick, 3 Bedroom, Ranch Home Available For Rent Today!

Looking for a beautiful, brick, 3 bedroom home in the Clinton Township area? Well look no further because we have just the home for you! Our North Price property is not only affordable, but it is also full of great amenities making this a perfect place to call home. Now as someone looking for a rental property, you may think to yourself “Sure it is a perfect place to call home, but that is what every advertisement says about every property! What makes this home so ‘special’?” We would love to tell you just why we believe that this house would make a great home for you; here is why:

This house features hardwood floors throughout, immediately contributing to giving a warm and rich feeling upon entering the front door. Walking into the house you will find yourself in a comfortable living room that flows right into the dining area and the kitchen. The open layout creates a friendly and inviting atmosphere; it is perfect for entertaining as all of your guests will be able to converse comfortably, despite being in different parts of the home.  Aside from the layout, you will be pleased to find that there are more positive aspects to this property…the fantastic amenities. The kitchen features oak cabinetry as well as a stove, refrigerator, and a dishwasher. Anyone who loves spending time cooking and in the kitchen will love this room!

Not an indoors person who will appreciate the kitchen amenities as much as others? No problem! This house also features gorgeous and spacious front and back yards. You will find that the yards are perfect for gardening, for children to play, or for entertaining guests!

Another great aspect about this property making it great for entertaining guests, the fully finished basement! The basement is an added bonus to the house that is a fantastic space to enjoy with your friends and family. Since it is finished, you can enjoy the space comfortably too!
Aside from the spacious basement, this North Price house has even more space to utilize; the property features an attached two car garage perfect for storage or protecting your cars. This space offers protection for cars during the blustery winter’s Michigan is known for. We guarantee you will love this amenity all year round, but especially after the first winter snowstorm when you do not have to scrape your car off!

This house full of wonderful amenities is ready for you to call it “home” so call us today at 586-978-4444; we would love to answer your questions and set up an appointment to see this beautiful, brick, 3 bedroom, ranch!

Out with the Old, In with the New!

With the new fresh spring season in full gear, this is a time when many people find themselves bored with their homes. Most people decide to rid their homes of old decorations and create a fresh, new atmosphere for the new season. Whether it be a simple remodel to your home — such as changing paint colors in a room or re-arranging the furniture — or doing a full scale remodel, making changes to your home is a great way to freshen up a space and give your home a new feel. While it is important to remodel after your own personal taste (after all your home is where you live so you should love what it appearance it has), there are a few remodeling “faux pas” according to the experts.  (MONEY Magazine) spoke with designers, as well as various other remodeling experts, and found out a few tips (a couple which may surprise you!) for remodeling that you will definitely want to follow this spring as you are revamping your home!

“1. Being a slave to fashion

The more up-to-the-minute your project is today, the more out-of-date it will seem in five or 10 years.

Skip trends such as glass tiles, wire-hung track lighting, and vessel sinks (the kind that sit on the counter-top like a salad bowl), says Schultz.

Instead, go with classic choices that match the house’s original style.

For a bathroom in a 1920s colonial, for example, that might mean a white pedestal sink and subway-tile wainscoting, but those choices wouldn’t look so timeless in a 1980s contemporary.

You can find retailers specializing in period products at traditional-building.com.

2. Skimping on the design

The payoff you’ll get on a redo will diminish if the project isn’t well thought out, says Omaha appraiser John Bredemeyer, spokesman for the Appraisal Institute, a standards-setting organization.

If you’re building an addition or moving interior walls, it’s worth spending $1,000 to $3,000 to hire an architect (to draw a plan, not project-manage).

Spring Housing Guide 2011

True, many contractors and showroom salespeople/designers can provide plans, but they don’t have an architect’s specialized training.

3. Over investing in the kitchen

Yes, great kitchens sell houses.

But there’s a limit to what you can recoup for granite counter-tops and commercial-grade appliances. Because the kitchen generally represents 5% to 15% of a home’s value, limit your kitchen renovation budget to that range — and do the work only if your kitchen is in really bad shape, says Bredemeyer. (Estimate your home’s value at zillow.com.)

4. Counting on a big pay-back for going green

Greater energy efficiency alone rarely justifies a pricey project.

Take windows. Window companies may tell you that replacing old ones ($300 to $1,200 each) will knock 50% off your energy bills. But windows really account for only about 15% of a house’s heat loss, says Jerry Thatcher of Energy Diagnostics, a green-building certifier in Valparaiso, Ind., so you’d save just $50 to $175 a year.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t go ahead with new windows. As long as they match your home’s style, new windows will add value. They’ll open and shut easier, tilt in for cleaning, and reduce draftiness — they just won’t pay for themselves too.”

Remodeling your home whether it is a big or small project should be fun and exciting! Make sure you take time to think about exactly what you are trying to achieve from the changes you will make to your home before you start the project. Having an exact vision of what you want will help make the project run smoother and take less time. Be sure to take these tips into consideration as you begin thinking and planning for your new spring revamping of your home; happy remodeling!

(full MONEY-Magazine article: http://goo.gl/CucKe)