Caring For Leather Furniture Preventing Water Damage

Quality leather furniture doesn’t just look like a million bucks – it feels like it too. Since it is a natural material, it warms to your body in the winter but feels cool in the summer. We at G.S. Jones in Pittsburgh know that leather lasts much longer than other upholstery, and if it’s well-maintained, it will get better with age — an investment. However, avoiding water is the key to a long, happy life together.

Genuine or not

When you shop for furniture, you should know exactly what to look for in your leather:

Bonded leather is the bottom tier of leather grades; it isn’t 100% real leather. It is made with the scrap pieces of other leather and is bonded using a synthetic material. Most water damage problems are not worth the cost of repairs at this level.

Genuine Leather

Genuine leather doesn’t just mean that the product is made of real leather (which it is), but it is of a low quality. Several layers of low quality leather will be bonded together with glue, and then painted or stamped to give it a more natural appearance. It only looks like a better-quality leather.

Top Grain

Top grain leather furniture is more luxurious – like fine handbags and shoes. Since the split layer has been removed, the material is far thinner, making it easier for the manufacturer to manipulate. The surface of top grain is worn down to create a uniformly smooth surface and is often treated to produce a singular color, as well as protect the material and help it repel any potential staining liquids.

It will not age as well with use. If it gets water damage, have a GS Jones representative help you assess the chances for restoration based on the value remaining in the piece.

Full Grain

Full grain leather is the highest quality leather on the market. It has not been sanded or buffed out to reduce imperfections; it shows the natural grain of the hide.  Full-grain will develop a rich patina as it ages, looking more and more beautiful as you use it. It’s widely recognized as the best and highest-quality leather money can buy.

If you invest in an item made with full-grain leather, you will probably have that item for the rest of your life if you take care of it properly. The average couch is used for hours every day; leather upholstery withstands a lot of weight over a long period of time. So full-grain pays dividends with its durability.

Normal Maintenance for Leather in Good Condition

Like wood, leather can fade, stiffen, and crack when placed close to heat sources because it can dry up. Avoid placing it very close to fireplaces or in a spot that gets direct sunlight. Use a clean, white cloth to dust every couple of weeks so that it stays clean. Vacuum in crevices and along the bottom when you wipe down the rest of the surface.

Use a good leather conditioner every six months to a year. Never use harsh soap, cleaning solvents, detergents, or ammonia to clean stains. Never soak the stain heavily with water. All these methods may actually be more damaging than the stain itself.

How to Treat a Spill

Water damage weakens leather; it dissolves and evaporates natural oils, leaving the leather dry and cracked. With a modest spill, mop up immediately. Air dry your leather furniture away from sunlight and direct sources of heat. Avoid using the furniture before it is completely dry as sitting on damp leather will cause it to stretch even further.

Disaster Cleanup in Pittsburg with G.S. Jones

If your furniture has been exposed to water for more than an hour, or has sat in standing water, contact GS Jones to see it right way. Leather will break down quickly and mold can begin to grow in as little as 24 hours.

G.S. Jones applies common sense to the restoration of contents.  First, a determination as to whether the entire dwelling needs to be moved to the secure climate controlled warehouse facility or if a portion of the dwellings contents need to be relocated. The entire job will be coordinated with you for the less disruption and the most success..

When you have suffered a property loss, count on G.S. Jones to recover as many of your possessions as possible.  When disaster strikes like water damage in Pittsburg, you will need a reliable inventory system, knowledgeable team and the best tools: various ultrasonic machines, washing machines, cleaning stations, ozone rooms, and secured vaults. Get back into your home sooner – stress free with the highly trained staff and state of the art facilities.

Four Reasons To Avoid DIY Water Damage Restoration

Thanks to the vast amount of ok information available on the internet today, DIY projects have become hugely popular. Along with that popularity comes the desires for many to attempt a DIY approach to water damage restoration as a result of flooding in their home. While this may sound appealing at first glance, there are actually many reasons as to why a DIY water damage restoration project may be far more work and stress than you would really like to take upon yourself. Below are four reasons as to why DIY water damage restoration projects usually aren’t the best idea. Therefore, if your home is affected by water damage your best bet is to contact the professional restoration company. Our team of restoration professionals GS Jones in the Swissvale area is one such company here for you and all your water damage needs.

You Don’t Have The Same Quality Equipment-

One of the greatest advantages of hiring a professional restoration contractor is that they have top of the line industrial water damage restoration equipment. Using this equipment can make all the difference in restoring any flood disaster or water damage to your home quickly enough before it causes serious damage and getting the job done right the first time.

It Can Take A Lot Of Time-

Water damage cleanup is a time-intensive endeavor. It isn’t something you can just lightly commit yourself to. To ensure that the effects of the water damage won’t continue to plague you months down the road you need to make sure you clean up all the water the first time. However, this can take a while and is not easy work. If you do decide to take the restoration process on by yourself, you really need to consider the amount of free time you have and if you have the time necessary to really get the job done right.

It Can Be Dangerous-

Water damage restoration has a lot of inherent dangers to it. Three of the most common are structural damage, contaminated water, and electrocution. Structural damage is causing a hazard to your is rare, but it is still something to be aware of. Sometimes the force of a flood or water just sitting in your home can cause enough damage to the structure to put you in danger. Second, floodwater often contains harmful bacteria and microorganisms that can cause serious diseases if you come into contact with them. Finally, if your electricity isn’t shut off and water has pooled in your home you put yourself at risk of being electrocuted.

Less Stress On You-

With your busy schedule, adding an entire water damage restoration project on top it will probably cause you a lot of unnecessary stress and late nights. On top of the stress of your home being flooded and your possessions damaged, there’s no need for you to further burden yourself by taking on the restoration process alone. Fortunately, our team of certified for water damage repair in Dormont area is only one call away for high-quality and stress-free water damage restoration.

Being Prepared When Disaster Strikes

Disaster can strike at any time, at any place, and most likely when we least expect it. If a disaster were to strike your home or even the city of Pittsburgh in its entirety, make sure you are prepared with a game plan. The Huffington Post provides 10 helpful steps to make sure your game plan is set to run smoothly:

1.    Know what you’ll face

Part of preparation is knowing exactly what kind of disasters you might face and knowing what to do in each situation. Don’t overlook your chances of severe weather. If you think you live in a disaster-free zone, chances are you’re wrong.

2.    Learn your area’s evacuation routes and shelter locations

The time to figure these things out isn’t in the face of a natural disaster. Evacuations are actually pretty common, so it will serve you well to know the details ahead of time.

3.    Know how you’ll reconnect with people who matter

If cell networks aren’t working, you don’t just need to worry about how your Netflix stream will be affected. Consider how you will contact your family or your roommates. Figuring this out ahead of time can make everything so much easier in a difficult situation.

4.    Sign up for emergency alerts and know how officials will communicate with you during a disaster

You can get these on your cell phone if you haven’t disabled them already. We know the blaring noise overtaking the silent mode on your phone can be annoying, but this is probably the best way to learn about emergencies in today’s day and age. The emergency alert system also broadcasts over the radio and television.

5.    Learn what to do if you’re caught away from home

Obviously, you may not be at home when disaster strikes. In the case of an unexpected emergency, you should be prepared to react from different locations, including your workplace or car.

6.    Have a kit and know how to use it

This includes food, water, basic first aid supplies and other emergency equipment that you might already have (think flashlights and duct tape). The key is to have this assembled and ready to use, not scattered all over your house.

7.    Keep in mind people who may need special preparation

Kids, infants, people with disabilities and seniors may all need special considerations while planning for an emergency. If you or a family member need medication or special equipment, make sure you have a plan to bring it with you.

8.    Prepare for your pets

The goal of emergency preparedness is to keep the whole family safe — and that includes our furry friends. If you need to evacuate, you should never leave your pet behind. Try to evacuate to a friend or family member’s house, as pets may not be allowed inside public shelters. Keep a pet emergency kit on hand with food and other important items.

9.    Learn emergency skills that can always come in handy

Make sure you know little things that can make a huge difference, like how to use a fire extinguisher or perform basic first aid. You can also learn how to shut off utilities in your house in case of a disaster that may involve or damage gas, water or electrical lines.

10.  Find out how to help your community during a disaster

Want to help out even more? Learn how you can be a community leader during a disaster or teach others how to be prepared.

Once the dust has settled, everybody is safe and it is clear to re-enter the area, make sure you call GS Jones Restoration to help get your home restored and back to normal as quickly as possible, with no stress to you.

Fire Damage Restoration in 7 Steps

Rule #1 after a fire: make sure everyone in the home is safe. Rule #2: make sure you have a reputable Pittsburgh-area restoration company on your side to walk you through the entire restoration process. We certainly hope you choose G.S. Jones! The better the company, the more smoothly the restoration process will go – from working with the insurance company to ensuring the job is done correctly from start to finish. Look for customer testimonials, ask family and friends, and go with your gut.

The fire damage restoration process can usually get started within 24 hours of the fire itself, depending on the situation. You can certainly start working with us and your insurance company to get the ball rolling before our technicians even enter your home. Our #1 goal is to get you back in your home and make a traumatic experience less so by providing top-notch customer care.

So… let’s walk through the process of properly getting rid of fire and smoke damage in your home.

•        The restoration company gets the call and responds as quickly as possible. The longer you let the smoke and soot sit, the harder it will be to fix the damage that’s been done.
•          An estimator will take a walk through your home and see the damage, and create a plan of action. This estimator will likely also be able to work with your insurance adjuster or insurance company during the loss.
•      Crews will come in and box up any contents in your home that may have been damaged – from clothing and bedding to dishes, electronics, etc., that are salvageable. Believe it or not, many of the items in your home could be saved through special cleaning and restoration techniques in an experienced contents restoration division. If one of your children has a special stuffed animal, doll, blanket, or other sentimental item that could help them through this tough time, we are happy to clean that first and return it to you as soon as possible.
•      Restoration begins. This could include removing carpet or other porous materials, scrubbing down walls with special solutions that will remove the soot and the odor, and wipe every single surface over and over until it’s clean. It could also mean doing things like removing cabinets from the wall to clean behind them, or removing charred beams saturated with smoke and soot.
•       Address the smoke damage. If not properly removed, the smoke smell can reappear during a change in the weather, a presence of moisture, or other environmental changes. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced team making sure not only that your home is clean and the visible damage removed, but also that the smell is removed as well.
•       Do any needed reconstruction work. This is pretty self-explanatory! Any rebuilding that needs to be done happens during this phase of the process. This is also when carpeting and other finishings are reinstalled.
•      Items are returned to your home! When they were removed from your home, they were carefully packed up according to room and location. When they are returned to you, it will be the same scenario – except everything will look as it did before the fire.