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We’ve seen the extreme scenarios on TV shows such as MythBusters; “Water Heater Explodes and Leaves Hole In Roof,” but, what happens to cause water heaters to fail? Water heaters typically go bad for two reasons: Not changing the anode rod, which leads to corrosion that eats through the tank. If you haven’t had your water heater’s anode rod replaced (typically about every 10 years), it can become a ticking time bomb that can fail very soon. Sediment covering the electric elements / gas burner, at which point performance will be reduced. This will often cause “popping” noises, as the elements get quite hot and then cause water trapped within the sediment to almost instantaneously boil, causing a tiny explosion as the water turns to vapor. So, now that we know that, what can we do to stop a potential disaster? Since most people don’t maintenance their water heater on a regular basis (due to it being out of sight and out of mind), that’s one place you can start; Regularly turn your water heater up past 140 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any potentially deadly microbes If you know what to look for on your anode rod, replace it when it needs replacing. If not, contact a certified professional to take a look at it for you. Clean around / replace burner elements when they need replacing. Periodically check the relief valve. These can become blocked or corroded over, and if so, it is a good idea to contact a professional. Unfortunately, since most people do not have the opportunity to do the above steps, or the knowledge on what to look for when maintaining water heaters, it increases the chances that the water heater won’t be properly maintained and may fail. If you maintain your water heater, you can expect many years of use out of it. If you are unsure of when yours was last serviced, Absolute Flood Response can put you in contact with one of our GREAT plumbing company partners here in Las Vegas, NV to help keep your equipment serviced and to keep you safe!

With the holidays behind us now and to mark new beginnings, AFR Construction has put together three resolutions that will help make your home cleaner and more efficient in the coming year. 1: Crush The Clutter The least expensive (and best) way to start making your home better is to clean out the clutter that we all accumulate over the course of the year(s). We all acquire stuff, and, without regular purging, we end up with closets, spare bedrooms and drawers jam-packed of things that we may never even use. In addition, the clutter tends to make homes feel dated and dirty. So, this year, go room-by-room and clear out anything you don’t use regularly. (We suggest donating to charity for the tax write-off on your taxes). If you MUST stash items, do it with useful items that are best kept out of sight, such as music CDs, remote controls, your collection of shoes, etc. Once you clear your counters and coffee tables, you’ll notice an immediate difference. 2: Keep Your Home Cleaner, Easier Don’t make excuses! Little things go a long way when it comes to keeping your home clean in this new year. In our household, we make sure that the little things don’t pile up (such as making sure the daily stuff such as loading the dishwasher or putting dirty clothes in the hamper aren’t overlooked) so that the larger tasks don’t seems so daunting! Our larger tasks (such as cleaning house weekly or bi-weekly) can be overwhelming, so we make sure that our relevant cleaning supplies are organized in a carrier. This also helps with focusing on one task at a time, rather than trying to take on the whole house! While one person vacuums, another can be wiping down mirrors and windows to get rid of fingerprints or rogue toothpaste. Once that’s done, you can move onto other tasks. This allows you to get the satisfaction of a completed chore while still working toward other goals! By dividing and conquering, your house can get cleaner quicker and leaves more time on the weekend for family fun and games! 3: Ready Your Home To Entertain As we begin the year, some people make the resolution to spend more time with family and friends. In those cases, take stock of your living space and determine if your entertaining areas could use an update. While you don’t necessarily need to go the route of a full remodel, sometimes all it takes is a fresh coat of paint and a fresh look for a dated space. Pulling out an underused accent color from your existing décor and painting a wall or using it to update some colors of your accent furniture can help the space feel fresh. Also, a rug that really ties the room together can be the piece you didn’t know you needed. And while we don’t necessarily adhere to fengshui in our home, we definitely believe that sometimes simply rearranging your existing furniture can inject some life into a staid space.

Insurance can be very confusing to most homeowners, especially when a disaster strikes, so, Absolute Flood Response does everything we can to make sure the process goes smoothly for homeowners, so that all you have to worry about it you and your family, not if the job will get done right. Absolute Flood Response is so confident about our experience and expertise working with insurance companies that we will begin work on your project as soon as possible. We have an excellent knowledge of the insurance process. This means we can expedite the entire process to make the necessary repairs and get you back in your home or building in record time. As soon as we arrive, we digitally document any and all damage we see on site. If necessary, we will assist you in submitting the claim and the process of filling out damage assessment forms detailing the value of your property in the same format required by a wide range of insurance providers. Absolute Flood Response will create a detailed assessment / invoice for your insurance company using Xactimate, the same software accepted industry-wide by adjusters and carriers. Depending on your policy, insurance companies should pay most, if not all, of the cost to repair any water damage, fire damage, smoke damage and sewer backups as well as any rebuilding that needs to be performed. In addition, to make sure everything continues to go smoothly, one of our Certified technicians will meet personally with the field adjuster from your insurance company when they come to inspect your property. If disaster happens, it is important to have a knowledgeable mediator on your side. Trust Absolute Flood Response to successfully complete your claim and restore your premises to an as new condition. We will make sure your claim is represented accurately so you can get your home or business back to its pre-loss condition as soon as possible. For the best restoration services in Las Vegas, call (702) 243-5663 and allow us the privilege of serving you.

So, you’ve made the decision to remodel your bathroom. You may be asking yourself “Now what?” Well, AFR Construction has a list of hints and tips to help you plan this next addition to your lovely home. Remodeling your bathroom can not only increase the long-term value of your home, but, it is also one of the most cost-effective ways to do so. It can also go a long way toward improving the quality of your life and satisfaction in your home. Starting a bathroom remodel is scary, exciting, and nerve racking, but, in the end, it is all worth it! A well thought out and flexible plan can keep things moving and ensure that you are never left wondering “What’s next?”. Here are five tips and tricks to keep in mind when planning your next bathroom remodel. 1. Time Frame When does this project have to be finished by? Do you have another bathroom in your home to use or are you staying with a friend? This is important to fully think out so that you can decide what parts of the remodeling project you can realistically DIY and what parts you should hire out. 2. List It Out New tiling? Lighting? Fixtures? Moving walls? Cabinets? Adding another sink? A stand-alone shower? This list will come in handy for the budget. 3. Find Inspiration Start a bathroom remodel “IdeaBook” on houzz.com and share it to collaborate with AFR Construction. Do you want a drop-in tub? Do you love subway tile? Grout color? Different grout color for walls and floor? What about vanity lights? Add as many inspiring images as you like and we will use that as a basis to help you plan the look of your remodel. 4. Make A Budget Based on listing everything out, come up with a number that you’re happy with. Also realize things come up in bathroom (and all) remodels, so remember to give yourself some wiggle room. 5. Who Ya Gonna Call? With the help of AFR’s professional installation and remodeling expertise, your remodel will be in the seasoned hands of a professional. We can handle any situation from plumbing, electrical, fabrication, installation and so much more! Call (702) 243-5663 or email us at info@AFRconstruction.net today

Starting a remodeling project can be overwhelming. There’s the budget to plan, the design to determine, materials to purchase, and so on. It’s hard to know where to begin! Setting a schedule can be a great help with staying on track and seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Although home remodeling projects rarely run exactly as scheduled, if you plan ahead you’ll be better prepared for the unexpected and better able to manage your time and resources. Whether your project is a minor facelift that takes just a few weeks, or a major remodel that goes on for several months, AFR Construction’s design team can help you put together a timeline that makes it bearable. Week 1: Pre-Measure Qualified measuring is critical to a successful home remodel. Before your job begins, your installation professional will conduct a thorough site evaluation including an expert pre-measure. The accuracy of their measurements at the beginning of your remodel will help to ensure a proper fit. Demolition needs, structural changes, and utility access are critical components of your home remodeling project and will be important to address with your installation professional early in the process. Week 2: Define Your Dream Room Put together a project plan to identify your timeline, budget considerations, lifestyle demands, remodeling goals, appliances, fixtures and furnishing considerations and design preferences. Be sure to keep all contact and product information relating to your home remodel project together. The AFR Construction Design Center is the perfect location to do this. Weeks 2-3: Design Phase If your project happens to be a kitchen or bath, our helpful office staff will help you schedule an appointment with one of our expert kitchen and bath designers to create a custom room that meets your individual needs and personal budget. Weeks 4-6: Shopping Time! This is when we’ll need to select and order all of your materials. Depending on your project, you’ll need to choose cabinets, sinks, countertops, backsplash, fixtures, appliances, lighting, plumbing, flooring and paint colors. Weeks 7-8: Product Delivery We work to identify and prepare an area to store your cabinets and products being delivered for installation. This area must be dry, secure, sheltered from weather, and large enough to hold all products ordered for installation. Our installation professionals inspect all products upon delivery. Missing or damaged materials will delay your project. Week 9-10: The Demo This is when the real works begins. Our workers will begin pulling up old flooring and removing old fixtures and appliances in preparation for your new materials. If you’re remodeling a kitchen, consider relocating your microwave, refrigerator, and any small portable appliances to another room. Also be sure your budget includes ordering food in and eating out – this is when your family’s hub will be taken away, at least temporarily. Our installation professionals should review site preparation requirements with you at this time. Be prepared to remove the contents of your existing cabinets and drawers, clear countertops, and remove all antiques, breakables, mirrors and other valuables from the area. Weeks 10-15: Installation The first thing to be installed will be your flooring. Next up will be cabinets, followed by countertops. Once those core items are in place, the painting will begin. When your room has a fresh coat of paint, you’ll begin to see your new space taking shape. Countertops and backsplash will be installed after the paint is dry. New appliances will be positioned next. Plumbing and lighting will be the last elements to be installed. Upon completion, ensure that the products and the installation are completed to your satisfaction before final payment is made. Planning a home remodeling project is a great deal of work, and can take a toll on a busy household, but if you’ve got a plan in place to guide you through each phase, you’ll get through it that much more smoothly. And in the end, you’ll have the room you envisioned to enjoy – and that makes it all worthwhile.

When you think of the term “hoarding” what comes to mind? No doubt many people think of homes full of piles of old newspapers, or bags of garbage piling up. Some people may even simply think of the A&E show “Hoarders” and some of the incredible lengths that some people will go to in order to avoid throwing anything out. According to the American Psychiatric Association, hoarding is a serious psychological problem in which the person with the hoarding disorder has persistent difficulty parting with possessions. This clutter is more than just a mess, however. A hoarder will often have collected for years or even decades, leaving only enough room to get around in their-now maze-like house. A home that has been affected by hoarding can be not only a cleaning crew’s nightmare, but also a hazard to live and work in. Among the hazards are collapses, fires and even structural integrity. Collapses are caused by the piles of material collected by the hoarder. These piles can become unstable over time and might topple over onto an occupant of the house, or, someone working in there to remove the clutter, causing possible injury. One of the most famous examples of this happened to a pair of brothers who were hoarders, and whose bodies were not found for weeks by authorities due to a collapse in their house. As collections of possessions grow inside the house, so does the risk of fire and other associated hazards. With more flammable materials lying around, fire can spread more quickly. Larger accumulations of possessions in a maze-like living space can also cause problems for rescue workers who may have to try and navigate the house if someone is trapped inside. This doesn’t even begin to discuss the problem of the stresses that these collections can often put houses under. When built correctly, load-bearing parts of a house are meant to support only a certain amount of weight. However, as these collections grow, floors can buckle under the weight of these materials, causing unsafe living conditions where floors are crushed under the weight of a hoarder’s collection. The problem of mold in a house is only exacerbated by the inability to find it due to immense clutter. A pipe could develop cracks or leaks and this problem would not be found for months or even years, becoming a breeding ground for mold. This danger can last even longer when you consider that the clutter in the house must be removed before remediation can occur, leading to mold continuing to grow for a longer period of time. Mold spores can also be released into the air during the cleanup, due to all the moving and touching of damaged materials affected by the mold. We recommend that if you come into contact with mold in a hoarders’ house, call in a professional such as Absolute Flood Response. We will ensure that the job is done right the first time and that everything will be done to make sure that the mold will be contained to the areas that it is already in, and not spread to other parts of the house.

A renovation project is clearly an undertaking that costs money — but how much? The answer, of course, depends on the work that is done and the cost of labor locally. But a new study out from Houzz reveals the midrange annual costs for renovations across the U.S., data that could serve as a good starting point as you plan. The survey also asked renovating homeowners what caused their projects to go over budget. The Houzz & Home survey collected information from nearly 150,000 registered users of Houzz, including more than 72,000 homeowners who renovated their primary home. Read the rest of the study HERE for insights from this sizable group.

Mold is disgusting. But, concern about having mold in your home goes far beyond being simply grossed out. Mold is a serious health hazard; triggering existing allergy and asthma symptoms but also causing certain kinds of respiratory issues and other diseases. All of a sudden, that leaky pipe or the ceiling that needs patching goes from a problem that you’ll ‘get to someday’ into a potential hazard for you and your family. It’s not just limited to areas with high humidity or old buildings in need of repair. Mold is resilient, and it can grow in even the smallest area that offers favorable conditions to it. In mold’s case, that means somewhere with moisture. Kitchens, bathrooms, crawl spaces, basements, these are all the most common kinds of places that mold can settle in your home. Sometimes it’ll be easy to spot, other times you might not know it’s there until it’s already affecting your health. That’s why it’s so important that the moment you might suspect the presence of mold or detect any kind of water damage, the removal process begins. Contacting a professional to take care of any potential mold problems is a fast, easy way to make sure the job gets done correctly the first time and doesn’t come back any time soon. Trained professionals know how to protect themselves from mold and not only remove the contaminated material but also correct whatever caused the mold in the first place. If you’re worried you might have mold in your home, contact Absolute Flood Response, your local Certified Property Restoration Service professionals, immediately to assess the situation. We provide free visual mold inspection services and, in an emergency, can arrive within 60 minutes.

A Houzz ideabook is a place where you can store ideas and build dreams. It’s where you save your favorite home design photos and product shots, notes, PDFs and other details of your home project. You can also use your Houzz ideabook to communicate with others working on the project. For example, if you’re dreaming of a kitchen remodel, collecting photos of kitchens you like can help you pinpoint the styles, colors and layouts that appeal to you. When you’re ready to get started on the remodel, you can email your collection to a pro you’re working with to show what you want and start narrowing down your choices. With a simple setting change, you can let others add comments and photos also, turning your ideabook into a joint project workbook.