Finding a quality contractor to work on your home can be challenging, but after a natural disaster, it’s even more complicated. With more homeowners needing urgent repair work, contractors are quickly overloaded with requests and opportunities for less-than-honest dealings abound. Read more

When a major leak, flooding or similar water-related emergency occurs in your home, knowing how to respond can make all the difference in preventing (or at least minimizing) subsequent water damage. Follow this 5-step response procedure: Read more

When most people think of water damage, they tend to envision the most dramatic instance imaginable, such as flooding. However, the truth is that water damage can strike in a variety of forms. Even something as seemingly innocuous as a spill on the carpet or a small drip from a washing machine hose can be a potential catalyst if given enough time. In any case, while the forms of water damage vary, each can compromise a home’s structural stability and sanitation. Read more

Landslides are a yearly threat to residents of the Bay Area. The region’s sudden, strong autumnal rainstorms and steep slopes can combine to make the perfect landslide conditions. Because landslides occur with little warning, it’s important to learn how to keep your loved ones safe. There are also steps homeowners can take to minimize potential damage.

If you think your property is at risk:

1. Learn about the history of your property. Areas that have experienced landslides in the past are likely to experience them again. Your city may keep records of past landslides, and you can also try this landslide inventory-mapping tool (in beta) from the California Department of Conservation.

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Silent, it grows undetected. Hidden, it lurks beneath your floors and inside your walls. No, it’s not some alien from a science fiction movie—it’s mold! While less terrifying than an extraterrestrial invasion, mold is nonetheless a pervasive problem found in homes throughout the Bay Area. Due to its potentially serious health repercussions, combating mold requires a proactive approach, both in terms of prevention and dealing with it remedially. To shed some light on this important subject, we’ve asked four Diamond Certified Expert Contributors to weigh in with their professional knowledge of mold prevention and remediation. Read more