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The Dangers of DIY Rodent Removal: Why Professional Help Is Essential

Are you concerned that rodents could be living in your attic or crawl space? Whether you have seen them yourself, heard them moving about, or spotted other signs, you should act sooner rather than later. However, DIY rodent removal solutions are typically more trouble than they are worth. Here’s why you should stick with the professionals for rodent proofing and removals. Rodents Pose a Serious Health Risk Rodents of all kinds can carry a wide range of diseases. This makes them a serious health risk, which is a big part of why you need them gone as soon as possible. However, it also makes dealing with them yourself potentially dangerous. Several serious diseases can be spread by the common mice and rats that you may find in your attic or crawl space. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM), hantavirus, rat bite fever, and more can be carried by rodents themselves or the variety of fleas and mites that come with them. Remember that most of these diseases aren’t related to mouse or rat bites or scratches. Instead, just handling them in any way can pose a risk of infection. It’s not safe to handle live or dead rodents without the proper safety equipment and precautions. Professionals have that equipment to ensure everyone’s safety. It’s Not Just About Direct Contact When dealing with a rodent infestation, you have more to worry about than just a direct encounter with a mouse or rat. They also contaminate the areas where they live, which could mean your home. Digging through areas where you suspect there to be a rodent infestation can still expose you to potential health risks. Rodents leave behind droppings that can spread disease. If you’re trying to remove a nest yourself, you’ll come into contact with those droppings. They’ll also be found throughout the

Oct 31 2023

The Dangers of Delaying Mold Remediation in Washington Attics and Crawl Spaces

Mold infestations aren’t something you can simply ignore and hope for the best. Mold poses a serious health risk to you and your family. Additionally, mold damage negatively impacts the value of your home. If you have a mold issue, it will only worsen over time, especially due to the climate in Washington. Here are some reasons why you need mold remediation now. Mold Is a Serious Health Risk Health is one of the most important things to consider during any mold infestation. The simple fact of the matter is that mold is such a big deal due to both its immediate and long-term health effects. While mold in your attic or crawl space may not seem like a serious threat, spores can find their way into the air. When inhaled, mold spores can cause a variety of respiratory symptoms. Cough, wheezing, and other allergy-like symptoms are common. This is particularly true for people with existing respiratory conditions, young children, and older adults. Over time, you and your family can develop chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS). This is more colloquially referred to as toxic mold syndrome. Significant exposure can lead to a wide range of symptoms, such as fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, and more. Having mold remediation as soon as possible can prevent this long-term impact. Mold Can Spread Quickly You might think your mold problem is isolated, and you can safely ignore it or simply clean it up with household products and forget about it. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case at all. At the first sign of mold, you should reach out for immediate mold remediation. Keep in mind that if you can see visible mold, there is unseen growth present as well. Once mold has taken hold, it can quickly spread to other parts of your house.

Oct 24 2023

Why You Should Invest in an Attic Cleanup for Your Orange County Home

Keeping the attic uncluttered is typically a low-priority task for most homeowners. In fact, you very well might have inherited a mess from the former owners. In any case, if your attic has become a mess over the years, you shouldn’t leave it as is, of course, because there are many benefits to a clean attic, but before you crack down on tidying efforts, you should also consider the more unique benefits of professional attic cleaning. Eliminating Potential Nesting Areas for Pests One of the most important reasons why you should have a clean attic in Orange County, California, is to reduce your risk of pest infiltration. The region is home to a wide range of rodents and birds who would love to take advantage of a messy attic. These intruders require a sheltered environment where they can stay safe from predators, the elements, and other threats, and if they can find a way into your attic, it presents them with the perfect spot. Any old clothing, cardboard boxes, or other items stored in your attic can more than provide them with nesting materials. Clutter also makes it less likely that you’ll spot these pests. They can hide away out of sight for years without being noticed, but in all that time, they’re contributing nothing but added waste and biological hazards to your home. With that said, clearing out clutter makes your attic less hospitable for any unwanted guests. Blocking Potential Pest Entry Points A professional attic cleaning can also help reveal potential entry points for such pests. If your attic is currently cluttered, it’s fair to say that you’d never be able to spot the tiny gaps and holes that are letting rodents and birds inside. By hiring professionals, you can also have a thorough inspection completed alongside your

Oct 17 2023

Why Proper Attic Insulation Is Vital in Washington’s Rainy Season

From October to March each year, rain and cold temperatures pose a variety of hazards to homes throughout Washington. Fortunately, you can take steps to protect your home. Upgrading or replacing your home’s attic insulation is one simple project that can make a major difference and deliver many unique benefits. EPA Recommendations When it comes to attic insulation, there’s no need for any guesswork. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides recommendations for insulation levels throughout the U.S. through its Energy Star program. Every county in the U.S. is assigned a climate zone ranging from 1 to 8. Zone 1 has minimal insulation requirements, while Zone 8 has the most significant requirements. Counties in Washington fall under one of three zones: 4, 5, and 6. Washington’s coastal region has the highest temperatures, so it is assigned to Zone 4. Further inland is largely Zone 5, while the state’s northeastern corner falls into frigid Zone 6. The EPA assigns recommended insulation R-values for each zone. R-values are determined by both the material and thickness of the insulation used. Zone 4 requires attic insulation of R38 to R60. Zone 5 and 6 both have the same requirement, R49 to R60. Preventing Ice Dams Ice dams are large blocks of ice that can form along the edge of the roof and in gutters. They aren’t a major concern along the Washington coast, but much of the state must contend with them. Ice dams block meltwater from running off the roof, potentially causing lasting damage. Ice dams are more likely to form when your roof is too warm. This can happen when inadequate insulation fails to isolate your attic from the rest of your home. Without good attic insulation, heat from your home melts ice and snow on your roof. The meltwater then runs down

Oct 3 2023

The Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning and Repair for Energy Efficiency

Your home’s heating and cooling system relies on ductwork to spread hot or cold air and regulate temperatures. However, that ductwork can become dirty and fall into disrepair as the years go by. Professional air duct cleaning and repair can make your ductwork feel new again. Residential Air Ducts Are Often in Disrepair Unfortunately, ductwork is often among the most neglected systems in your home. Chances are that your home has damaged ductwork that is leaking air right now, and that’s on top of the bad joints and seals that contribute to gradual losses. Ductwork is often hurriedly installed during new construction. With tight deadlines, ensuring quality isn’t at the top of the contractor’s checklist. Instead, they install it so it’s “good enough” and don’t worry about the impact years down the line. If you don’t notice any serious issues with your heating or cooling, you could still have ductwork problems. Dust, dander, and dirt build up over time, even if your ductwork operates properly. This can lead to worse air quality and poor performance from your HVAC system. Leaks pose an even more serious problem. Hot or cold air escapes if your ductwork becomes partially disconnected at joins or has tears anywhere in the system. Instead of heating or cooling your home, that energy is completely wasted. Your HVAC system has to use more energy to make up the difference. If you don’t remember the last time you had any work done on your ducts, then chances are an inspection is in order. You can have a cleaning and inspection done at the same time to remove dirt and identify any leaks that need attention. Air duct cleaning and repairs are beneficial in almost any home that hasn’t had them recently. Cleaning Air Ducts Helps Your HVAC System One

Sep 19 2023

Preventing Pest Infestations: Attic Cleaning Tips for San Diego Residents

Pests pose a problem no matter where you are. However, the specific type of pests you’ll be dealing with depends on where you live. In San Diego and up the coast, there are plenty of rodents and birds that can find their way into your attic. Fortunately, by understanding the potential risks and impacts of pest infestations and following these key pest removal and prevention tips, you can effectively protect your San Diego attic and home. Common Pests You’ll Find in San Diego Homes San Diego is home to a wide variety of different pests. Rats are among the most common, and their increased size compared to mice means you’re more likely to notice them as well. You will find plenty of roof and wood rats in San Diego. Roof rats love to climb, so they’re more likely to be in your attic, while wood rats tend to stay outdoors. You can also find a wide range of bird species taking up roosts in attics throughout San Diego. Common pigeons are widespread and can work their way into your attic, although they typically nest outdoors. House sparrows are named for their proclivity to nest indoors, and their smaller size lets them infiltrate through tiny holes. How Pests Impact Your Home These pests can pose a real problem to your home. While they rely on an existing gap of some kind to enter, they often widen and expand that gap over time. This can allow for larger pests to enter, along with exposing your home’s structure to the elements. You can find yourself with water damage to your roof over time. Rodents and birds also often use insulation as a nesting material. They will rip up and move insulation, which lowers its effectiveness as holes allow for easier heat transfer. They

Sep 5 2023

The Dangers of DIY Rodent Removal: Why Professional Help Is Essential

The Dangers of Delaying Mold Remediation in Washington Attics and Crawl Spaces

Why You Should Invest in an Attic Cleanup for Your Orange County Home

Why Proper Attic Insulation Is Vital in Washington’s Rainy Season

The Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning and Repair for Energy Efficiency

Preventing Pest Infestations: Attic Cleaning Tips for San Diego Residents

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