Remove Mold ASAP to Avoid These Health Risks

For many homeowners, especially first-time ones, mold presents an aesthetic issue. After all, patches of mold growing in basements, kitchens, and attic spaces are unsightly. What homeowners have to remember, though, is that the presence of mold is more than just a matter of appearance.

Prolonged exposure to mold can present a variety of health risks, especially among children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. As such, any mold found in your home should be eliminated by professional mold removal specialists ASAP. Otherwise, you risk developing the following health problems:

Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma

Mold spores are an allergen that can easily cause allergic rhinitis to flare up; for others, spores can act as a trigger for asthma attacks. Normally, there aren’t enough spores in the air to trigger allergies or asthma. Unfortunately, mold growth in an enclosed space can significantly increase the amount of spores floating in the air.

Common Causes of Water Damage

Water damage restoration can be a costly project to undertake. The best way to avoid shelling out for repairs is to detect the common causes of water damage and correctly address them before they become an expensive problem. Untreated water damage can ruin properties and lead to mold growth, which is not only dangerous to your home’s infrastructure, but also to your health.

 

Top 2 Causes of Water Damage

There are several possible causes for water damage in the home, but these can be divided into two categories:

1. Piping problems. Water damage from piping problems can result from leaky and broken pipes, clogged toilets, leaky roofs, and broken dishwasher hoses.

2. Natural Disasters. Floods, heavy snow, heavy rains are also responsible for a lot water damages in Michigan homes. Once a home has been affected by any kind of water damage, this should be cleaned up immediately to avoid long-term property damage.

Water Damage Categories

Determining the severity of the damage can help you gauge on how you will proceed with the water damage restoration plans and flood cleanup strategy.

• Category 1: Clean water that does will not harm the inhabitants of the home. Usually comes from broken appliances of sink overflows.

• Category 2: Often called “grey water”, is contaminated water that may cause sickness if ingested. Water is usually from broken toilets and broken sump pumps.

• Category 3: Known as “black water”, it is unsanitary water that contains bacteria and other organisms that causes sicknesses. Possible sources are from sewage and contamination of standing water.

 Any type of water damage can become a serious problem if it is not addressed properly. If you feel as if you are not capable enough to clean up or fix your current water damage situation, call in a professional who will gladly help you while also doing their best to prevent any future water damages.

A List of Things You Can Restore After a Flood

If you think a little water will do you no harm, you might want to reconsider once you are on the receiving end of a flood. Floodwater can inundate your property, soaking everything in a mixture of water, mud, and other debris that might have been swept up. It will take some time for the waters to recede, and until then your property and everything inside it are at risk of water damage.

Water damage is a serious issue. Floods can leave behind nasty stains that can be difficult to remove. Wooden furniture, wood floors, and other parts of a house that are made of wood are at risk of warping from being submerged in water, and could be a target for termites. Severe cases of water damage can accelerate the growth of mold and bacteria in furniture and the walls, which can endanger homeowners and their families.

If you must salvage belongings from your home, prioritize recouping furniture without upholstery. Furniture with fabric and cushions are sure to waterlogged with too much of the floodwater to be of any use, and could be breeding grounds for bacteria and mold. Mattresses also will need to be replaced. As for the home itself, it would be best to call upon a professional company to handle the drying, cleaning, and possible reconstruction of the property. Although homeowners can manage these tasks on their own, the expert opinion and skills of these companies will prove invaluable.

San Diego Mold Inspection and Removal Company Eliminates Pathogen Risk

From rainwater finding its way to their interiors, to leakage coming from water repositories, San Diego homes are vulnerable to mold infestation. The spring air carries with it spores that would grow and thrive in damp areas. With all of the health complications that come with these silent agents of destruction, it is imperative for homeowners to thoroughly clean areas that may serve as these pathogens’ breeding grounds. San Diego mold inspection and removal specialist company, EcoPure Restoration, can help homeowners rid their abodes of these unwanted guests.
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Simple Steps to Prevent Water Damage

Water damage is one of the major culprits that can weaken the foundation of a house. When water damage is left to set, it can result in damp wood which attracts termites, carpenter ants, and a mold infestation. Avoid having to deal with damaging infestations pesky flood cleanup in the future and invest in these simple water damage preventing measures:

Establish Good Drainage

Routinely clean out gutters to prevent water from clogging the sides of your house which can damage the siding and foundation. This can cause cracks in the foundation, creating a pathway for water to enter your home. Create a slope in your yard at least 6 inches over a 10-foot span from the foundation. This slope will create a buffer between the water and your home; this is important for homes with crawl spaces as excess water will not pool underneath the floor.

Routinely Check for Water Leaks and Get it Fixed

Leaks, even the smallest ones, can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. They can cause wood to rot which will attract pests like termites. Fixing a leak as soon as possible, decreases the chances of the water damage to spread.

Water Damage Restoration

If you were not able to prepare before the rainy season, it is important to invest in a water damage restoration plan. A professional may be able to save your house from further damage if you act on it right away. Get your home flood ready and avoid costly water damage by following these simple steps in the future.

Up in Smoke: Fire Damage in Homes

Nothing can be more traumatic and dangerous to any homeowner than a house fire. Aside from being deadly to the members of the households, conflagrations can destroy properties and possessions. Even when an inferno has been put out, the damage caused is often irreparable. There are ways, however, to restore parts of a home that have been ravaged by fire, assuming the building remains relatively intact and durable, and that the owner wishes to keep much of the original structure.

Fires leave buildings in a terrible mess by turning things to ash, melting objects, or even warping certain materials beyond recognition. Items that have been thoroughly damaged by a blaze should be replaced. The concrete parts of a burned house might have a good chance of resisting the blaze , but might be covered in a layer of soot as a result. These surfaces can be restored, and even reused if still serviceable.

Pay Less for Combined San Diego Flood Damage Restoration Services

San Diego flood damage problems are usually associated with the rainy season. Home flooding, however, may come from surprising sources. A broken water main, a faulty washing machine, and leaky pipes are some of the culprits that cause flooding even when it isn’t raining hard. Water is water, whether it comes from the heavens or your broken plumbing, and it needs to be addressed. Flood restoration for San Diego homes can become expensive, but EcoPure Restoration is offering a workaround for that during the month of Daylight Savings kickoff. From March 1 to May 1, 2015, if you contract the company’s services to dry out your water-damaged home and also complete the reconstruction process, they will pay up to $1,000 towards your insurance deductible. You can bring order back to your home and hurt less in the pocket, too.
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Black Mold and the Need for a Mold Professional

Mold thrives in areas where four critical factors – moisture, temperature, mold spores, and mold food – are present. Consequently, the most mold-infested rooms in a home are typically the attic, crawlspaces, wall interior, bathrooms, and basement. Mold growth is also a likely consequence of flooding and faulty pipes.

Handling a Crawlspace Moisture Problem

Crawlspaces are one of the many important features of a home. Without them, there would be no way to access the structure’s electrical and plumbing systems should they ever be in need of repair or replacement. Most of the time, crawlspaces need to be vented to allow air to circulate from the space to the building exterior. Depending on where you live, however, venting a crawlspace can be suboptimal; the vents may introduce humid exterior air into the property, causing excess moisture in building materials, which can lead to a multitude of problems.

The Intensity of Water Intrusion

Following a flood, the first order of business for restoration services is to remove the water and residue from the house. After that, they deal with the water that had already seeped its way into the structure. The level of dehumidification necessary depends on how much floodwater the walls and floor have absorbed.

The IICRC S500 standard divides the intensity of water intrusion into four classes:

Mold Clean-Up Facts

The thought of mold invading our houses is terrifying; but before panicking there are some facts about mold inside the house you should know.

 
• Mold can be found everywhere and it is very hard to avoid being exposed to it.

• It grows all year round and is found both indoors and outside.

• It only takes moisture, warmth, and food for mold to grow.

• Common places for mold to grow inside the house are bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.

• In just 48 hours, mold can begin to grow in a moist environment with the aid of the right room temperature.

• It is difficult to avoid mold spores, but regular cleaning can help in preventing severe mold infestation.

Determine the Clean Up

When it comes to mold remediation, there are a few factors to consider before deciding on who should handle the situation. First thing to look at is the size of the infestation. If the problem covers less than 10 square foot, you will be able to clean it up yourself with household cleaning products.

If the mold infestation expands wider than the 10 square foot radius or if the growth is alarming to the point that a foul smell is created, a professional mold remediation expert should be called in for help. It is crucial to address a mold infestation as soon as possible because there are many health ramifications that can occur if it is left untreated. Not only will the mold destroy your home, but it can endanger your family’s respiratory health as well.