You might already know that asbestos bad for you. However, the dangers of asbestos exposure can be misunderstood, so it is important that you find trusted resources to help you understand them. This is especially true if you find asbestos in your home or office. When it comes to asbestos health risks, the asbestos levels will have an impact. It might also depend on which of the 2 main types of asbestos you find. So if you realize you’re exposed to asbestos, don’t panic. Talk to someone you trust and figure out what you should do about it. Your doctor or a trusted medical resource will have accurate information.
If you need asbestos removed, you should contact an asbestos removal contractor in your area. These people are professionals who are trained to deal with asbestos and mitigate any risk they might come across. If you need a contractor, there are several ways to find a good one. First, you can ask around. If someone you know has hired someone to remove asbestos, they might have recommendations for you. You can also look online to see who is available near you.
While natural disasters can occur at any time, they tend to be more prevalent in certain regions of the country during specific times of the year. Given this, it’s important for homeowners and renters alike to have the right type and level of insurance coverage. While insurance premiums may continue to rise, having coverage can make a significant difference when individuals and their families need to move or rebuild.
A Brief Overview of Homeowners and Renters Insurance
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners released a study in February 2016. The results showed that homeowners insurance premiums rose 5.6% in 2012. The following year, these premiums rose again by 6.0%.
During the second quarter of 2015, it was determined that the home-ownership rate in the United States was 63.4%. While the remaining percentage might have been in the process of purchasing a home, it’s more likely that they were renting a house or an apartment. ORC International conducted a 2015 Insurance Information Institute poll. The results showed that 95% of homeowners had homeowners insurance at that time. However, the poll also revealed that just 40% of renters were covered by renters insurance.
Recent data shows that roughly 20% of all insurance claims are somehow related to water damage. Floodsmart indicates that if a 2,000 square foot home that sustains 12 inches of water damage could cost over $50,000 to repair. Given this, it makes good sense to have flood, as well as fire insurance, along with fire basic homeowners and renters insurance coverage.
Insured Losses and Natural Disasters for 2014 and 2015
During 2014 and 2015, there were a large number of natural disasters that occurred throughout the United States. According to Munich Re, the insured losses for 2014 were over $15.3 billion. In 2015, however, these losses increased and amounted to $16.1 billion.
Since these losses resulted from different types of natural disasters, here is a categorical summary in hierarchical order:
- Severe thunderstorms: $9.6 billion
- Winter storms and cold waves: $3.5 billion
- Wildfires, heat waves, and drought: $1.9 billion
The Vital Resources Provided by Emergency Construction Services
While it’s important to be aware of emergency construction services before a natural disaster strikes, if your home has already suffered damage due to a natural disaster, it’s important to learn what is available for you on an emergency basis. The services that you require will of course depend on the type and severity of damage that your house has sustained.
Asbestos Encapsulation Services
As you are likely aware, asbestos can pose a serious health risk. In the event that your home has experienced a fire or has been partially demolished by high winds, it would be a good idea to ask for asbestos testing. If asbestos is present in your home, it’s essential to have a construction service conduct an asbestos encapsulation. The asbestos encapsulation can be removed before you begin reconstructing or remodeling your home. You can learn more about asbestos encapsulation and other asbestos abatement services from your contractor.
Mold Removal Services
Has your home sustained interior water damage? If this is the case, there’s a good chance that mold may be developing. Even though you may not see it at the moment, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t beginning to proliferate. When an environment hasn’t been previously treated, mold will usually begin to appear and further develop within 24 to 48 hours. The presence of mold, especially indoors, can also prove to be a serious health risk for you, your family, and any household pets that you may have.
Contact Your Local Emergency Construction Service for More Information
Once you contact your local emergency construction services, you can further discuss these and other potential repairs. Even if you believe your home is currently habitable, it’s important to make sure that there aren’t any issues that could pose potential dangers and health risks.