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Common Causes of Disasters in Singapore

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Common Causes of Singapore Disasters

‘Disaster strikes’…even before you come to terms with the actual impact of a disaster, the very thought of it sends shivers down your spine! While there is hardly any place on earth that has not come under the grip of disasters, certain regions are more vulnerable to them due to their prevailing climatic conditions and proximity to seismic belts and volcanoes. Apart from the geographical factors, external inducers such as rampant industrialization, irresponsible handling of chemical wastes and toxins, faulty infrastructure and rapid buildup of mold and fungus in the home and office interiors also contribute to a variety of disasters that are known to mankind.

So, are disasters completely unavoidable? Is there nothing that can be done to lessen their adverse impact? If you have been thinking along these lines lately, then here’s a comprehensive guide for you that outlines disasters in general and those that are common to Singapore. Needless to say, when a disaster strikes, prompt disaster recovery and restoration actions are what eventually matter and should be prioritized if loss mitigation and swift resumption of critical operations are your prime goals.

Types of Disasters

Disasters can be natural or induced. Natural disasters, often dubbed as ‘Acts of God’, can take you by surprise completely as they are quite unpredictable and leave us with practically little or no time at all to plan for them in advance. Earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, tornados, cyclones, tsunamis and hurricanes are a few of the well-known natural calamities that pose immense potential to human life and property.

Man-made disasters are more often than not an outcome of technological hazards and can be curbed to a great extent with responsible usage of perilous materials and periodic maintenance of the accident-prone infrastructures and buildings. Floods, nuclear explosions, electrical fires, engineering hazards, environmental damage, chronic indoor air-related health disorders and industrial mishaps like oil spills and gas leaks are few of the uncalled-for events that classify as human-caused disasters.

Importance of Rapid Disaster Recovery and Restoration

One of the significant aspects that have a far-reaching impact on the extent of the damage caused by a disaster is our ability to respond to the calamity in the shortest possible duration. When disaster strikes, every minute counts. Under such circumstances, a prompt response plays a vital role in bringing the situation under control and restoring the affected properties to their pre-loss condition in the least possible time. This is of paramount importance when you want to resume normalcy as fast as you can and reduce the losses incurred due to disruption of services.

Hiring rapid disaster recovery and restoration services can go a long way in managing a catastrophe effectively and can mitigate the detrimental aftermath of a disaster to a great extent. Swift disaster recovery is also essential for mitigating financial losses as your insurance company may not cover the full amount of the damage arising out of natural or man-made disasters.

Disasters That Are Quite Rampant in Singapore

While the locational advantage of Singapore shelters it from many natural calamities, man-made disasters are not uncommon to the island nation. Mentioned below are few of the common causes that trigger disasters in Singapore and warrant urgent and expert response to ensure loss mitigation.

Flood

Common Causes of Disasters in Singapore - Flood

Due to its warm tropical rainforest climate, Singapore witnesses recurrent shower spells that often exceed the average rainfall thresholds. This makes the country prone to frequent flash floods such as the ones that occurred between 2010 and 2013 and led to many casualties along with disrupted businesses. Another lesser known cause of floods is the accidental or fire-triggered activation of fire sprinkler systems which can cause accumulation of water in our home or office premises, thereby inducing a flood-like situation.

Whenever there is a flood, you run a risk of disrupted services and businesses for days to come as the excess water can make the premises inaccessible and damage valuable machinery and documents. Moreover, it leads to formation of moisture in your environment which, in turn, encourages the growth of mold and bacteria. The residual moisture can cause destruction and deterioration of priceless art and documents, corrosion of hardware and electronic gadgets and trigger mechanical failure – a potential fire hazard.

In order to salvage the situation quickly, it is important to seek the professional services of a certified disaster recovery and restoration company like Disaster Restoration Singapore (DRS) that has the latest techniques and equipment to remove the surplus water quickly and leave your premises spick and span in no time. Apart from water removal, DRS offers comprehensive flood damage recovery services that include management of undetected moisture, document recovery, mold remediation and elimination of odor resulting from mold and bacterial infestation.

Related Post: What to Expect from Water Damage Restoration Specialists

Fire

Common Causes of Disasters in Singapore - Fire

Fires are one of the most deadly disasters that can cause irrevocable damage to human lives and properties. Singapore is no stranger to the perils of fire outbreaks as evident from the 1961 Bukit Ho Swee Fire that ravaged many homes and destroyed property to the tune of SGD 2 million. Neither is the country protected from the hazards of smog as the forest fires of neighbouring Indonesia produce haze which also spreads to Singapore and the surrounding regions. Moreover, the island nation has year-round hot weather which is well-suited to heat waves and wildfires. In addition, flammable liquids, faulty wiring, malfunctioning electrical equipment and combustible chemicals and gases are few of the common causes that trigger fires in the Lion City.

Most fire disasters are accompanied with billows of smoke and soot that can provoke a plethora of health-related disorders such as eye irritation and respiratory diseases. Moreover, the ongoing fire generates a variety of poisonous gases and corrosive by-products that can adversely affect the surrounding materials and assets. Reaching out for the emergency corrosion mitigation services of an expert disaster recovery and restoration agency can ensure that the leftover smoke is quickly removed and the risk-prone surfaces are urgently treated with a corrosion inhibitor. Companies like DRS also come with specialty equipment like air scrubbers that are enabled with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration systems. These air scrubbers purify the contaminated indoor air by extracting the fine air-borne smoke and odor particles that are imperceptible to the naked eye and remain suspended in the air long after the fire has been extinguished.

Mold Damage

Common Causes of Disasters in Singapore - Mold Damage

It is a known fact that microbiological agents such as mold and fungus are key contributors to inferior indoor air quality and are instrumental in causing chronic health problems in individuals at home and at the workplace. Mold and fungus thrive well in the warm and moist weather of Singapore and the presence of chemicals and post-flood moisture can also contribute to their formation and growth. They are also notorious for causing the Sick Building Syndrome.

Reversing the damage inflicted by these microbiological agents is a complex task that is best left to the skilled services of a reputed mold and fungus remediation company like DRS. They are armed with vast experience in this arena and boast state-of-the-art machinery, the latest technology and advanced anti-microbial treatment methodologies to disinfect, deodorize and restore the affected surroundings to healthy conditions.

Related Post: Mold Remediation in a Flight Simulator

Industrial Hazards

Common Causes of Disasters in Singapore - Industrial Hazard

Undeniably, industrial hazards remain one of the most alarming disasters of the 21st century and are known to kill many innocent lives, leave thousands injured and destroy valuable properties and goods, sometimes worth billions of dollars! They manifest themselves in the form of fires, explosions and leakage of lethal chemical wastes and toxic fumes that cause grave damage to the environment. Typically, chemical plants, oil refineries and depots, natural gas processing units etc. deal with a significant amount of flammable materials at high temperatures and pressures and are therefore more vulnerable to industrial disasters.

The technologically advanced nation of Singapore has also experienced one of the worst-known industrial disasters in 1978 when the Greek tanker ‘Spyros’ exploded. The horrific industrial accident took many lives and triggered a flash fire that made immediate rescue operations near-impossible.

Any chemical disaster recovery demands a speedy removal of the dangerous spills and wastes in order to alleviate the long-term consequences of impaired health and environmental pollution. It is imperative that you avail yourself of the expertise of highly-trained technicians of an experienced disaster restoration company in Singapore. These Subject Matter Experts are well-versed with the process of disposing hazardous waste to a pre-approved disposal site in a safe and timely manner.

Related Post: Chemical Disaster Recovery in a Singapore University

Conclusion

Leading disaster recovery companies in Singapore like DRS are renowned for their fast response times in the wake of a chemical disaster and are known to offer 24/7 emergency restoration services throughout the country. Disaster Restoration Singapore has the most up-to-date disaster restoration and personal protective equipment as well as in-house specialists who arrive at the affected site within an hour of activation to undertake a quick assessment of the incident. They also assist with the collection of necessary evidence that is indispensable for further investigation and root cause analysis of the mishap.

Lastly, one must bear in mind that while the occurrence and prevention of a disaster may or may not be in our control at all times, post-disaster recovery and restoration of our important assets and critical business activities are certainly achievable – provided we waste no time and call upon the professional services of a certified disaster recovery company in Singapore.

<div class="footer-new-cta"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p>If you’re experiencing flood and water damage, call DRS now.</p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p>Our subject matter experts and our highly-trained technicians experienced in flood and water damage clean-up, recovery and restoration are ready to help you.</p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p class="footer-new-cta-a"><a href="tel:+6592229222">Call DRS today at 9222 9222!</a></p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><a href="/contact-us"><div class="new-footer-cta-btn">Contact Us</div></a><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></div>

What to Expect from Water Damage Restoration Specialists

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What to Expect from Water Damage Restoration Specialists

In the event you are affected by water damage like burst water pipes, sewage backups, flooding, etc., here’s a list of 11 steps you should expect professional restoration specialists to take:

1. 24-Hour Emergency Contact, Rapid Response

Water damage acts very fast. Your water damage restoration needs to be deployed rapidly too.

Within one hour, furniture submerged in water can start to swell, split and stain. Within 48 hours, mold, mildew and bacteria will start to affect surfaces and fabrics. If recovery begins within 24 hours of getting wet, there is a higher possibility of restoring the affected materials, helping to mitigate your losses.

Therefore, you should contact water damage restoration specialists immediately.

Professional water damage restoration specialists maintain a 24-hour emergency call centre to deal with all emergencies.

When you do call them, the call representative will ask questions in a systematic manner to collect details of:

  • the damage,
  • the source of damage,
  • the condition of your premises,
  • your insurance information,
  • the condition of electrical circuits within the premises,
  • the availability of electricity around the premises.

They should also reassure you about any concerns you might have about the water damage.

The restoration specialists should be present at your premises within 1 to 2 hours of the call to conduct the initial site damage assessment.

In the ideal scenario, you should call immediately upon realizing that water damage has occurred. Restoration is most effective when the assessment is done within 1 to 2 hours of the damage. This is a crucial step in creating an effective plan of action that will result in a successful restoration.

2. Inspection of Premises and Assessment of Water Damage

Once they arrive at your premises, the restoration specialists will conduct a detailed inspection of your property.

The following is a brief breakdown of the process:

  1. Identification of Water Source
  2. Cessation of Water Ingress From Source
  3. Checking for Contaminated Water
  4. Identification of Type of Water (Category 1, 2 or 3)
  5. Damage Assessment
  6. Solution Assessment
  7. Safety Assessment
  8. Safety Debrief to Occupants, Owners and Recovery and Restoration Personnel
Related Post: Water Damage Restoration Offered by Disaster Restoration Singapore

3. Temporary Protective Measures

While restoration and recovery works are in progress, it is important to:

  • facilitate the restoration by the moving of furniture and other property,
  • cordon off unaffected property safely,
  • protect property from further water damage that may be continuing, etc.

Professional water damage restoration specialists provide the following services to protect your property and to facilitate the whole recovery process to ensure your premises are returned to a pre-loss condition effectively and efficiently:

  1. Board-Up
  2. Roof Tarp
  3. Blocking or Moving Contents, Property and Furniture (Warehousing if Necessary)
  4. Safety Debrief to Occupants and Owners

4. Extraction and Removal of Visible Excess Water

The first step the professionals should undertake after inspection, assessment and removing property from your premises is the efficient and rapid extraction of visible excess water from your premises.

Depending on the amount of water, the equipment they use may include powerful submersible pumps and industrial-strength extractors which may be truck-mounted. This helps to reduce the drying time, reduces primary water damage and helps to prevent mold growth and secondary water damage.

Once complete, professional water damage restoration specialists will inspect your floors to assess whether they should be restored or disposed of.

There are 3 main steps in this stage:

  1. Organized and Efficient Move-Out of Property & Belongings
  2. Excess Water Removal Using Extractors
  3. Flooring Inspection (Carpets, Pads, Wooden Floors and Marble Floors)

5. Drying and Dehumidification to Remove Retained and Hidden Water

Even after all visible excess water has been removed, water is still retained and remains hidden within your premises, especially within porous materials like drywall and wood and hard-to-access areas within your premises.

From this point on, your water damage restoration specialists will be constantly detecting your premises for moisture and water, and constantly testing the levels of moisture in different areas of your premises to ensure the return of your premises to an acceptable level of dryness.

They will use industrial-grade dryers, blowers, dehumidifiers, and manipulate temperature and relative humidity to ensure your premises are completely rid of the unwanted water and moisture.

These are the steps water damage restoration specialists will take at this stage:

  1. Detection of Retained and Hidden Water Using Infrared Cameras
  2. Moisture Testing Using Hydrosensors & Hygrometers
  3. Deployment of Dryers
  4. Deployment of Blowers
  5. Deployment of Dehumidifiers
  6. Inspection of Walls and Floors

6. Disposal

Once your premises have reached acceptable levels of dryness which are both reasonable and acceptable to you while fulfilling international restoration standards, some items may be considered too damaged for recovery or restoration. Professional water damage restoration specialists will then ensure that these items are disposed of in a safe and efficient manner.

7. Cleaning of Walls and Floors (On-Site)

At this stage, after all the water is removed and drying and dehumidification has been successfully carried out, the floors, walls and other surfaces in your premises will be cleaned using the method best suited to the surface condition, the kind of water contamination, the extent of water damage and your needs.

Related Post: Cleaning Up Your Home After a Flood

8. Content Restoration (On-Site and Off-Site)

For full restoration and recovery, many of the valuable contents in your premises require special drying techniques like drying chambers with special temperature and humidity controls. In such cases, your contents will be moved off-site for special restoration works to be carried out.
Professional water damage restoration technicians will also restore important machinery, fine art, documents and your furnishings:

  1. Documents & Fine Art
  2. Electronic Equipment, Machinery and Computers
  3. Furniture & Furnishings
  4. Flooring – Carpets, Underlays, Wooden Floors, Marble Floors

9. Deodorization

Water is a universal solvent and reacts with almost any material. This can be seen especially in the odors emitted off premises and property that has recently been damaged by water. These odors are serious, persistent, and cannot be removed by normal air fresheners and deodorizers. The removal of unpleasant odors is thus one of the most important priorities in water damage restoration.

The following steps will be taken at this stage to remove these unpleasant odors:

  1. Deployment of Air Scrubbers
  2. Deployment of Fogging

10. Sanitization with Antimicrobials

In many water damage cases, it is paramount to ensure the safety and good health of all occupants of affected premises. The whole premises are treated with a disinfectant to kill all pathogenic microorganisms, which include germs, bacteria, viruses, fungi, mold, allergens and other bio-contaminants.

You can also opt for a special antimicrobial treatment – AEGIS Microbe Shield – which will protect all treated areas with a protective coating that kills microbes upon contact.

Related Post: Moldy Collector Stamp Damaged by Water Ingress

11. Completion of Water Damage Restoration – Repair and Move-In

Once the restoration experts conduct further testing and monitoring of all affected areas, repair works are undertaken to restore your premises to its pre-loss condition.

Professional restoration specialists may either perform the following services by themselves or find reliable sub-contractors to do the work for them:

  1. Drywall Removal and Installation
  2. Hardwood Floor Repair
  3. Tile Floor Repair
  4. Painting
  5. Carpet Repair and Installation
  6. Building Services and Reconstruction
  7. Restorative Carpet Cleaning/Wooden Floor or Marble Floor Polishing

Once all of the above is done, you will be ready to move in to your newly restored premises with peace of mind, knowing that the restoration specialists did a thorough and professional job.

Keep this article handy or in mind should you ever have to face water-damaged premises.

<div class="footer-new-cta"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p>If you’re experiencing flood and water damage, call DRS now.</p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p>Our subject matter experts and our highly-trained technicians experienced in flood and water damage clean-up, recovery and restoration are ready to help you.</p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p class="footer-new-cta-a"><a href="tel:+6592229222">Call DRS today at 9222 9222!</a></p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><a href="/contact-us"><div class="new-footer-cta-btn">Contact Us</div></a><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></div>

Cleaning Up Your Home After a Flood

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Cleaning Up Home after Flood in Singapore

One of the most common types of natural disasters that plague independent home owners is flooding. It may be the result of heavy rains, storms, or tidal waves emanating from earthquakes in the sea. In cases when the accumulation of the water is insignificant, homeowners may be able to prevent their property and furniture from too much damage due to water. If, on the other hand, the water logging is substantial, you can have a tough time salvaging your home and belongings.

When a home gets damaged by flood, it becomes necessary to clean and mend all the affected parts. More often than not, the victims of water damage in all homes are the same – the basement, the roof, the walls, the floor, the furniture, and the appliances.

The sight of your home soaked in and damaged by water can be heartbreaking to say the least, and can leave you shaken. It becomes difficult to think straight in the face of such adversity. It is, however, extremely important that you get a grip of yourself and handle the situation calmly.

Mentioned ahead are a few steps that you can take in cleaning up your home after a flood.

Related Post: Water Damage Restoration Offered by Disaster Restoration Singapore

Make Sure the Area is Secure

In order to salvage your property, one of the first things you need to do is evaluate the damage and get rid of all the wet material from your home. Before you do so, ensure that your home is safe to enter, especially if the water hasn’t completely receded. Check with local officials to make sure that the area is secure.

When water is logged in homes for extended periods of time, they run a danger of it getting affected by structural issues. Do not enter your basement if water is still accumulated and the power still connected to avoid the risk of getting electrocuted. Even if the water has retreated, enter your home only after ensuring that the power is off.

Apart from that, there may be several of your belongings, including electrical appliances that can be sunken under water, just waiting to cause potential electrical hazards when turned on. Hence, it is best to disconnect the power, unplug the devices and remove them from the scene immediately. Remember, the faster you get them out of the water, the higher will be the chances of saving them.

If mechanical devices such as the furnace, the water heater and/or gas valves were also submerged in the water, it is suggested that you get them replaced altogether instead of getting them repaired and reusing them to be on the safe side.

Take Care of the Basement

Your basement will probably be the worst hit among all the other areas in your home during a flood. This area will likely require the most cleaning. If your basement has windows, open them up for the stench to escape and let fresh air and sunlight in.

Remove any standing water with the help of buckets, old towels and mops. If your sewers are clear, you can pour the water into the drain; or else pour it into your lawn. Be wary of using electronic gadgets such as sump pumps or a wet/dry vacuum to get rid of the water as it is a bad conductor of electricity. Use them only if your basement is severely flooded and you have safe power supply. For best results and your safety, engage the services of flood damage restoration experts to help you with this.

Related Post: All Water-Damaged Losses are Not the Same

Dry Them Out

Opening the basement windows will help in drying it out in some time. In the absence of windows, place fans and a dehumidifier in the basement to allow it to dry and enable air circulation. If you have a finished basement and the drywall was affected, you’ll have to separate the areas touched by the water as the drywall will disintegrate and the paper backing can cause/increase mold.

Remove the Carpeting

Take your carpets and rugs off of the floor and remove their underpadding. If you get your carpet cleaned and sanitized, there’s a good chance you will be able to recover it. Cleaning it yourself can cause it to shrink, so it is advised to get it cleaned through a professional service. The underpadding tends to absorb a lot of water, and hence, it is unlikely that you’ll be able to save it.

Related Post: Can Carpets Damaged by Sewer Backups Be Restored?

Disinfect Your Home

Cleaning Up Mold at Home after Flood

Once the water has been removed, you will need to shovel out all the mud (if any) from the basement. Remove stains from the floor and the walls with the help of a high-pressure hose or with a brush dipped in a detergent-water solution. Clean water can be used to wash everything that has been retrieved from the flood.

Once that’s done, clean everything again with hot soapy water. Disinfect all the flood-affected areas of your home using a solution made with ½ cup chlorine bleach and a gallon of water. Scrub the basement with it, spray it on your belongings and dip small items into it. Doing so is important to prevent the growth of mold.

Watch Out for Signs of Mold and Mildew

Most flood-affected homes end up being afflicted by mold. It is, therefore, important to act immediately if you notice a musty odor in your home, or see mold developing on your walls. Mold is known to be commonly present in the following areas –

  • Under the sinks in your bathroom and kitchen, especially if they leak
  • Behind/under electrical appliances that make use of water, such as washing machines, dishwashers and refrigerators
  • Leaky ceilings
  • Around doors and windows
  • High humidity areas such as the basement and the laundry room

Conclusion

Yes, the whole house takes an immense beating due to flood waters, which can wreak havoc and destroy your home. Taking quick and sensible measures, however, can go a long way in helping you minimize its adverse effects. Cleaning your home with the above tips in mind will help you bring it back to its normal state to a certain extent. Hiring professional cleaners will make this process more hassle-free and will also prove to be helpful in saving more of your property. Remember, quick and smart measures are going to be your best allies in restoring normalcy in your home.

<div class="footer-new-cta"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p>If you’re experiencing flood and water damage, call DRS now.</p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p>Our subject matter experts and our highly-trained technicians experienced in flood and water damage clean-up, recovery and restoration are ready to help you.</p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><p class="footer-new-cta-a"><a href="tel:+6592229222">Call DRS today at 9222 9222!</a></p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><a href="/contact-us"><div class="new-footer-cta-btn">Contact Us</div></a><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></div>

Emergency Response

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Disaster Restoration’s highly trained and certified team goes into action immediately following a disaster, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Emergency services include water extraction, dehumidification, debris removal, contents pack-outs, demolition — everything necessary to contain damage, secure the structure, and reduce the eventual cost of the loss.

We are specialists in Flood & Fire Restoration and are highly trained to deal with any situation that arises, whether it is a small flood from a washing machine leak to major fire damage. This incorporates domestic and industrial sites. We are members of the, IICRC, the Institute of Inspection Cleaning, Restoration & Certification and the ASCR, the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration in the United States of America.

For Flood & Fire emergencies, we have a quick response team, which aims to be on the scene within hours. Our main concern is to prevent further loss occurring to property, whilst implementing procedures that will make the transition to normality as smooth and stress-free as possible for the client. This involves assessing what damage has been caused and limiting any further damage to property. In the case of a fire after taking readings for the Relative Humidity and the Temperature, we would remove any items of value from smoke affected areas into a drying area, or remove them off site to a storage area for inspection and decontamination. This includes all books, papers, pictures, clothes, as well as furniture.

DETAILED ESTIMATES: A thorough independent and impartial evaluation of all damage will expedite the insurance claim process so restoration work can begin quickly.

INSPECTION AND APPRAISAL OF DAMAGES: Our technicians are experts in building construction, and carpet and fabric properties. Their many years of experience with thorough inspections and appraisals of damaged structures result in a guaranteed price for repairs with no surprises when the work is done.

COMPLETE CLEANING SERVICES: Our personnel have over 15 years of experience in cleaning up after all types of disasters. This wealth of experience helps us to tackle new disaster scenario we encounter.

EMERGENCY SERVICES: Our services include water removal from leaks or flooding, effective odor control, professional deodorization and emergency board up after a fire.

EXPERT RESTORATION: Comfort and peace may well be shaken after a loss but will return after Disaster Restoration finishes the complete restoration of the damaged areas.

PROPERTY & FIXTURES RESTORATION: Followed by the initial preliminary clean up operation, thorough washing down all walls, ceilings and floors, this would also involve fogging the building, which applies a smoke & odour neutralizer to all the areas that the smoke has reached. Also we may place a JetaZone unit in each smoke-affected area which will deodorise the entire premises. This can be done in minutes, or be run overnight on a time controlled basis. The upholstery, carpets and curtains where possible will be cleaned on site or cleaned at our facility and returned to the loss location or put into storage. All electronic equipment are checked for smoke damage and then dry / wet washed to remove all traces of smoke and carbon etc. In other words, all items that are restorable will be returned to site as quickly as possible, thus keeping the restoration time to a minimum and returning things back to normality.

Delay in action can result in permanent damage and costly replacement. So, when disaster strikes callDisaster Restoration at (+65) – 6241 9443 or (+65) – 9222 9222 immediately – without obligation for a FREE consultation to save $$$$$$$$.

Businesses and homes are two biggest assets and it is natural to want to get possessions back in order after water, fire or smoke damage. These tips will assist in taking the proper action until professional assistance arrives and increase the chances for a successful restoration.