.webp)
From burst pipes to severe weather, water damage is a serious threat that can cause extensive property damage and long-term health risks such as mold growth.
A leaky roof is among the most aggravating things a homeowner must deal with. What’s worse is that you may not even know your roof is leaking until you spot signs of water damage, such as stains on the ceiling or mold growing on the roof.
Learn more-(1).webp)
Do you live in a city where the weather seems to have it out for your property? Of course, some cities are just more prone to prop
Learn more
Dry air causes many problems, so a growing number of homeowners are installing humidifiers to combat them. But what does a humidif
Learn more
When your kitchen or bathroom drains stink, it can quickly make your home uncomfortable. If you’re fighting a smelly drain at home
Learn more
Inhaling smoke is the number one cause of health injuries due to fires. More than 50 percent of fatalities from fire disasters are
Learn more
Is it risky to live on a floodplain? (Possibly!) What should you do if you do? (Buy flood insurance and more.) How were floodplain
Learn more
Ready to dive into our comprehensive data set to see how your city stacks up against the rest? We created this sortable data table to help you make informed investment and adaptation decisions for the future.
\nUnderstanding U.S. cities' risks is crucial in making informed decisions and preparing for the future. As the impact of climate change is felt nationwide, it's essential to stay informed, prioritize safety measures, and support policies that protect our communities.
\nWhen natural disasters, like floods and fires, strike, they can leave property owners frustrated and with a sense of urgency to get back up and running as soon as possible. At Rainbow Restoration, we’re here to ease some of that burden with a full suite of residential and commercial restoration services to help you get your business and property back on track so you can breathe easily.
\nTo find the most at-risk cities for property damage, we started with a list of the 100 most populated cities in the U.S. and ranked them from 1 to 100 based on flood, fire, heat, and wind risk factors from RiskFactor.com.
\nWe then assigned weights to each factor depending on how much they could affect property owners. Based on the weights, each city we analyzed was given a score out of 100. Using projections from RiskFactor.com, we were also able to find the cities that could see the most significant increases in property damage from flood and fire over the next 30 years.
\r\n"}, { "custom_dt_modified":"2025-07-08T06:21:33Z", "custom_s_local_url":"/blog/the-rainbow-restoration-guide-to-humidifiers", "custom_s_opus_version":"2", "custom_s_heading":"The Rainbow Restoration Guide to Humidifiers", "custom_s_local_dba":"none", "custom_dt_created":"2025-07-08T00:00:00Z", "custom_s_category":"tips-and-hints", "custom_ss_category":["tips-and-hints"], "custom_s_article_summary_Image_url":"/us/en-us/rainbow-restoration/_assets/images/Blog/rbw-us-blog-the-rainbow-restoration-guide-to-humidifiers.webp", "custom_t_content_summary_Desc":"Dry air causes many problems, so a growing number of homeowners are installing humidifiers to combat them. But what does a humidif", "custom_t_content_summary_Image_url_alt":"Humidifiers Guide.", "custom_t_heading":"The Rainbow Restoration Guide to Humidifiers", "custom_t_content":"![\"Humidifiers](\"http://dig-www-nei-rbw2-test.nblydev.com/us/en-us/rainbow-restoration/_assets/images/Blog/rbw-us-blog-the-rainbow-restoration-guide-to-humidifiers.webp\")
\nRainbow Restoration highlights the importance of humidifiers for maintaining healthy indoor air quality and preventing property damage.\n
| \n
Dry air causes many problems, so a growing number of homeowners are installing humidifiers to combat them. But what does a humidifier even do, and do you need one? Let the experts at Rainbow Restoration® help answer all your questions.
\nThe purpose of a humidifier is to add moisture to the air. This restores much-needed relative humidity to indoor air during the winter when cold temperatures cause the moisture level to drop.
\nA humidifier can make your home healthier and more comfortable. Added moisture also keeps wood furniture and floors from cracking and helps your home feel warmer. It’s amazing the difference a little humidity can make!
\nDifferent types of humidifiers operate in slightly different ways, but basically, a humidifier emits water vapor to increase the relative humidity level. The most common type, called an evaporative humidifier, includes a reservoir of cold water that dispenses into a basin. A wicking filter absorbs the water, and as a fan blows, the air passing through the filter picks up moisture.
\nA whole-house evaporative humidifier works similarly, but since it’s installed in the ductwork, the air throughout your entire house receives added moisture. Water from your plumbing system flows down a metal mesh screen, and air traveling through the ductwork picks up moisture from this screen as it circulates your home. A humidistat allows you to set the humidity at the desired level. Typically 30 to 50 percent relative humidity is best.
\nEven if your house is warm in the winter, it may still be uncomfortable if the humidity is low. Here are the top signs you could benefit from installing a humidifier:
\nLow humidity is prominent in the winter, but high humidity can be problematic in the summer. A dehumidifier serves the opposite purpose of a humidifier—that is, it reduces the moisture content in the air. Portable and whole-house versions are available to bring the relative humidity level below 50 percent in the summer.
\nWhen you run the air conditioner, the unit not only cools your home—it also dehumidifies the air. But sometimes, this isn’t enough. Here are the top signs you could benefit from installing a dehumidifier:
\nIf you’re unsure whether you need a humidifier or dehumidifier, or you have questions regarding home restoration, please contact Rainbow Restoration®.
\nTo help meet all of your home service needs, check out Neighborly. Once on the site, click on \"Join the Community\" to find providers to service all your home needs.
\r\n"}, { "custom_dt_modified":"2025-07-08T06:21:28Z", "custom_s_local_url":"/blog/how-to-clean-a-smelly-drain", "custom_s_opus_version":"2", "custom_s_heading":"How to Clean a Smelly Drain", "custom_s_local_dba":"none", "custom_dt_created":"2025-07-08T00:00:00Z", "custom_s_category":"plumbing", "custom_ss_category":["plumbing"], "custom_s_article_summary_Image_url":"/us/en-us/rainbow-restoration/_assets/images/rbw-blog-how-to-clean-a-smelly-drain.webp", "custom_t_content_summary_Desc":"When your kitchen or bathroom drains stink, it can quickly make your home uncomfortable. If you’re fighting a smelly drain at home", "custom_t_content_summary_Image_url_alt":"Need to know how to clean a smelly drain – fast? Rainbow Restoration is here to help you with simple DIY drain and garbage disposal cleaning solutions.", "custom_t_heading":"How to Clean a Smelly Drain"}, { "custom_dt_modified":"2025-07-08T06:20:57Z", "custom_s_local_url":"/blog/smoke-and-lungs-an-unhealthy-mix", "custom_s_opus_version":"2", "custom_s_heading":"Smoke and Lungs: An Unhealthy Mix", "custom_s_local_dba":"none", "custom_dt_created":"2025-07-08T00:00:00Z", "custom_s_category":"fire-safety", "custom_ss_category":["fire-safety"], "custom_s_article_summary_Image_url":"/us/en-us/_assets/images/rbw-blog-smoke-lungs-banner.webp", "custom_t_content_summary_Desc":"Inhaling smoke is the number one cause of health injuries due to fires. More than 50 percent of fatalities from fire disasters are", "custom_t_content_summary_Image_url_alt":"Smoke and Lungs: An Unhealthy Mix blog banner", "custom_t_heading":"Smoke and Lungs: An Unhealthy Mix", "custom_t_content":"\nAccording to Rainbow Restoration, smoke exposure poses serious health risks, particularly to lung health.\n
| \n
Inhaling smoke is the number one cause of health injuries due to fires. More than 50 percent of fatalities from fire disasters are due to smoke inhalation instead of burns.
\nThe smoke from fires is composed of heated particles and gases from the objects inside the property being burned. Sources of fire smoke can range from burning structures, forests, brush, and crops to tires, plastics, wastes, fabrics, or wood. When the smoke containing the particles and gases from these items is inhaled into the body, it becomes very dangerous to your health, especially your lungs.
\nShortness of breath
\nInhaling smoke can damage the respiratory tract making it difficult to inhale and breathe properly. This may decrease the amount of oxygen delivered to the blood or prohibit the body’s cells from properly using the oxygen due to the chemicals from smoke.
\nCough
\nIrritation of the respiratory tract may cause the body to produce mucous which causes reflex coughing. The mucous coughed up can be black from the fire soot or clear depending on the particles inhaled from the fire smoke.
\nHoarseness
\nThe irritants in the smoke can irritate the vocal cords or cause swelling or constriction of the airways. The mucous collecting in the airway can also cause blockages that cause a gruff, scratchiness to your voice.
\nHeadaches
\nExposure to the carbon monoxide in fire smoke triggers headaches in most people. Carbon monoxide poisoning is serious and should be treated promptly. The common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, nausea, vomiting, or confusion.
\nEye, Nose and Skin Irritation
\nSmoke irritates the eyes and causes them to turn red or become irritated. In some cases, the heat and smoke from the fire can result in burns to the cornea. The nostrils and nasal passages may swell or have black soot in them depending on the amount of smoke inhaled. Skin color may also change to red or bluish color after exposure to fire smoke.
\nMental confusion
\nLower levels of oxygen to the brain can often result in times of confusion or fainting. In serious cases, it can also trigger seizures and other potential complications.
\nAggravated existing health conditions
\nSmoke inhalation can aggravate preexisting health conditions such as heart disease, asthma, or lung disease. Studies show that some people without existing lung conditions who are exposed to heavy smoke may have temporary changes in lung function, causing difficulty in breathing.
\nFirst, remove yourself and others from the scene of the fire to avoid further smoke inhalation. Then, watch for the signs and symptoms of smoke inhalation effects. Hoarse voice, trouble breathing, excessive coughing, and mental confusion are all signs you need to seek medical attention. It’s much better to be checked out by a medical professional than to risk the smoke inhalation effects worsening. Call for immediate help if someone needs it.
\nWhen a fire disaster invades your home, your property, your belongings, and your family, you want to know that everything will be okay. The professionals at Rainbow Restoration® understand what property owners are going through, and are there to help professional, reliable fire and smoke restoration services when you need it most.
\n\nAccording to Rainbow Restoration, a floodplain is a low-lying area adjacent to a river or stream, prone to flooding during heavy rainfall or snowmelt.\n
| \n
Is it risky to live on a floodplain? (Possibly!) What should you do if you do? (Buy flood insurance and more.) How were floodplains created? What benefits do they offer to the natural world and its inhabitants? If you have questions about floodplains, you’ll find your answers here.
\nWhether you live on or near a floodplain, are planning to move near one, or just want to learn more, keep reading for the details about this natural landscape.
\nA floodplain is a naturally occurring, low-lying area surrounding a waterway that regularly overflows. Weather patterns and shifting waterways over hundreds or thousands of years create natural floodplains. Water flows through the floodplain, which allows the sediment to settle, forming piles along the sides, known as levees. As a result, the floodplain features a flat area, or streambed, with steep edges on the perimeter, also known as stream banks.
\nDepending on the location, a floodplain can be a minor component of a landscape or the primary feature. Some are so small they may not show up on a map, while others are very large, like those that surround the Mississippi River.
\nFloodplains offer myriad benefits to the natural world and humans, including:
\nAccording to the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA), there are three different types of floodplains:
\nThe terms floodplain and floodway sound similar, but they have different designations and purposes. A floodway lies within the floodplain boundary and must be completely clear of buildings and structures to allow the floodwaters to pass during a flood event. Buildings in a floodway could alter the flood watercourse, increasing flood risk to surrounding areas. On the other hand, FEMA allows certain buildings and structures to be erected in specific parts of a floodplain, including the areas designated as the 1% and 2% floodplains.
\nFloodplain zones help builders and homeowners determine the level of risk associated with building in or inhabiting areas near a waterway (lake, river, stream, creek). Insurance agents use flood maps to identify the zones, which guide them in determining flood insurance requirements and coverage costs.
\nYou can experience a devastating flood event, even if you live in a low-risk zone. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) states that more than 20% of claims come from areas outside of high-risk flood zones, including homes that would be affected by a dam failure that may be miles and miles away. Whether you live in a high- or low-risk floodplain zone, purchasing flood insurance is crucial to protect against financial losses resulting from floods, even if not required. Even a couple of inches of water can lead to several thousand or tens of thousands of dollars of damage.
\nIf you choose to live in a floodplain zone, there are some important considerations to make:
\nIf you experience a damaging flood event in a floodplain zone, your local Rainbow Restoration is ready to help. As IICRC-certified water damage restoration professionals, our experienced technicians provide remediation and restoration services to get your home or business back to its pre-loss condition. Call now for 24/7 emergency service or request an appointment online.
\nIf you close your business after a flood or other natural disaster, there are steps to take before re-opening, like flushing water lines. Learn how to flush your water lines from our friends at Mr. Rooter® Plumbing. Mr. Rooter is a fellow member of the Neighborly® family of trusted home service brands.
\r\n"}] }}