The Flood Co. Blog

Archive for the ‘Mold’ Category

If your basement was recently flooded and if you are in need of a cleanup service, your best bet would be to hire a professional fire and water restoration contractor who will use their expertise, equipment and know how to clean out your basement in a safe and efficient manner.

Water damage cleanup is tricky as there is often more to it than just what meets the eye. Some homeowners are under the impression that merely pumping the water out is enough. They could not be more wrong about this.

The perils of water damage are listed below and it will hopefully allow you to realize the importance of hiring a fire and water restoration contractor to do a professional job for you.

• Pumping the water out – If your basement has a lot of water, it is very important that you pump out the water at a slow rate. Pumping out water at a very fast rate will result in reduced pressure inside the basement as the pressure outside the basement will increase. This can cause the basement walls to cave in which is definitely something that you want to avoid during the basement cleanup. A professional fire and water restoration contractor will know exactly how to tackle your flooding problem.
• Estimating the damage – Depending on how long the water has been present, it might be difficult to salvage everything after a water damage cleanup. A fire and water restoration contractor will easily be able to tell you if your floors, carpets or walls are salvageable or if they have to be torn down as they are beyond repair.
• Moisture damage – Not a lot of people know that moisture damage goes hand in hand with water damage. This will mean that a basement flood cleanup will also have to address moisture related problems that can affect areas of the house that are untouched by the water.
• Mold damage – When there is water and moisture, there will be mold. You want to avoid mold at all costs and it is best that you let a professional flood cleanup contractor to survey your house for potential mold problems that might have arisen out of your flooding problem.
• Equipment – Unless the flooding is minor, you will need quite powerful equipment that is commercial grade to carry out the basement flood cleanup. Renting such equipment or buying such equipment can be a very expensive process. A much better alternative would be to let a professional flooding cleanup company take care of the cleanup for you as they will already possess high grade dehumidifiers, pumps, water extraction units and other specialized equipment.
• Safety – If you are going to approach a basement flood cleanup on your own, you have to be aware of various problems such as electrocution, natural gas leaks and even watch out for other dangers such as snakes which can suddenly show up in a basement. If you are not sure about any of the above mentioned dangers, you will save yourself a lot of trouble by allowing a professional cleaning company to do the job for you.

Today was fun. One of the things that helps make the job interesting, is the variety. I had two mold inspections this afternoon. The second one was a bit of a suprise. When I showed up there was a film crew. They were filming a reality Tv series about flipping houses; or buying houses fixing them up and reselling them. Alot of the properties are forclosures, and have problems that need fixing. Well some of the problems in todays home was some mold in the basement. They had me sign a release, put on a microphone and then we were ready to start our inspection. We went into the property and looked at the problem areas together. They asked lots of questions, which was a great way to keep the inspection interesting and informative, with cameras rolling of course.

Facing a problem caused by flooded water? Try not to solve the problem with a hair dryer as this will only add to the amount of damages. Call in a water damage restoration service that provides experienced professionals to clean up the property and minimize the damages.

If your home has been damaged by a flood, leakage of a pipe or overflowing tubs, you should take immediate steps to start the mitigation process. First of all, don’t try to clean the property yourselves after the flooding rather get help from the water damage restoration services. Such issues shouldn’t be taken lightly or ignored as these can cause serious damages to property as well as the health of the residents with the growth of the mold.

It is vital for water damage restoration to have the right tools and equipment, whether the disaster is too much or just a little. Different aspects of mitigation require different equipment that only water damage restoration services have. Such services are only a phone call away and you should call them up as soon as possible since flood water damages the home as well as the articles very quickly. To restore the buildings, these services have latest equipment such as wet- dry vacuum unit, wood floor drying tools, industrial driers, dehumidifiers, high powered drying fans, air scrubbers and some others.

When choosing a water damage restoration service, you should consider the services they provide. Many companies provide only the removal of water whereas others provide structural drying along with other services. The basic services offered are:

Assessment of the damaged property – After drying the whole area, the professionals assess the property and find the source of flood (in case of a pipe leakage or sewage breakout ) and fix the problem altogether.

Water extraction – The first thing the experts take on is the extraction of water from the damaged property. They use highly advanced tools to remove the water and dry the entire area thoroughly.

Content manipulation – It is the process in which experts analyze the contents of the home such as furniture, appliances, carpets, curtains and others. The articles that can be saved are referred to drying whereas the others are discarded.

Structural drying – After analyzing the contents of the home, the professional take effective measures to salvage the items that have been affected by the water.

Sanitizing of the property – If your home has been affected by the flood water, it becomes extremely essential to sanitize the property in order to decontaminate the place.

Odor removal – When the water remains in the building, it leaves a musty smell which makes living inside the house even after the mitigation hard. So, you should hire a service that deodorizes the property.

Mold remediation – Mold growth is something that needs to attended to immediately. Make sure your restoration service removes the harmful microorganisms from your home.

Insurance Claim – Some services also provide the insurance claim filing services. You should always file for an insurance compensation since the cost of clean up and restoration after a disaster can be very high.

Employing a service that has good experience and expert work force is crucial to the mitigation process. Only a professional will deal with the different aspects of required restoration and the remediation. The water damage clean up requires proper attention for limiting the damages to the minimal and making the home a safe place to live. So, call in the experts from the services to restore your resident after a damage.

When you need water damage cleanup the key is moisture control. Moisture control is important so you don’t get mold in your home. There are many things to think about when it comes to mold. If you had to perform water damage cleanup and you have mold in your home then you most likely didn’t get the home dry enough. When moisture still lingers in the home then mold will begin to grow. If you have mold then it needs to be cleaned up immediately and the moisture problem needs to be remedied.Water damage cleanup needs to happen within a day or two from the flooding. You should not put off the cleanup efforts because mold grows quickly.

The water damaged areas need to be cleaned up and completely dried. This may require a professional if you cannot get the areas dry. The areas cannot contain moisture as this is just a feeding ground for mold. If you have more than two feet of mold then you should have a professional perform the cleanup. This is because it is common for people to have severe allergic reactions to mold and you can also become very sick. You cannot just kill mold. The mold must be entirely removed. You also need to get to the source and cure what is causing the mold from growing. This might require a professional service. When you need water damage cleanup you need to be sure the job is done right. If you decide to clean the water damage yourself then you must be sure the structure is entirely dry and there is no moisture. Mold will grow if there is moisture in the structure anywhere in a home. This can be dangerous to all of the occupants of the home.

Flood cleanup repair and insurance companies get on their toes as calls start to swamp them about burst and frozen water pipes with the coming of the cold months of winter. This is not a minor issue localised to particular areas, but instead an ordeal faced head on by many property owners and businesses, as about a quarter of a million household and commercial properties across the nation have water damage due to frozen and burst pipes annually. To put water damage from frozen pipes in perception, the number of insurance claims arising from burst pipes is around 5 times greater than those from fire damage. Remember that homeowners’ insurance coverage usually cover water damages attributable to unexpected or sudden plumbing disasters, but not ones that are because of insufficient reasonable maintenance. As a result, homeowners are expected to adopt proper and diligent maintenance actions. Flood Cleanup can be very steep so it is advisable to get helpful advice.

Numerous homes and businesses in the Northern Utah cope with water damage attributable to frozen, burst pipes in the wintertime. As a pipe freezes after which it cracks or breaks, the resulting water damage can impact not only personal belongings but also the structural integrity of the property, causing the deterioration of walls, floors, foundations, basements and crawlspace. Mold is yet another concern of water damage, especially if not dealt with in due time. It is prudent for homeowners to keep track of the forecasts for upcoming extreme cold weather; time and money, both are taken into account while determining water damages costs.

What causes water damage and how could a water pipe burst? Water, which is liquid at room temperature, freezes and turns to ice when temperatures drop below zero. As liquid water becomes solid ice, it expands. During extreme cold temperatures, the frozen water in the pipes in our homes expands and cracks or breaks the pipe. In essence, the frozen water molecules don’t fit in the pipe space they are in as a result of their expansion. As temperatures rise and ice thaws and starts melting, water leaks out from the cracks in the pipes. When pipes burst, repairs become mandatory. Repairing burst pipes can be expensive. However, not repairing the pipes and allowing them to leak will eventually cause much greater water damage and will increase the cost of repairs dramatically because of the prospects for mold, structural damage and the potential impact to content water damage.

Are pipes in attics, cellars and crawlspace more apt to freeze? Any pipe in your Northern Utah home has a possibility of freezing and bursting, however some pipes have a higher possibility of breaking than the others. Pipes placed outdoors, such as the main pipe that carries water to your home, can easily burst and develop cracks. Exterior wall pipes as well as attic pipes, basement or crawlspace pipes and garage pipes tend to be more liable to freeze and burst. You must check your water supply system and insulate pipes to reduce the possibilities of water damages in the house.

Whenever frozen pipe burst, make sure you turn your main water supply off when a pipe freezes and bursts. You may also call up a plumber to do so; but, if leaking water has already caused damages, its advisable to go ahead and take services of a water damage refurbishment company in Northern Utah. Expert water damage repair professionals in Northern Utah are experienced with insurance billing and therefore are qualified to file a claim with your insurance company directly. Flood cleanup arising out from burst pipes are usually covered in household insurance policies.

Water Damage Repairs brought about by floods

Floods in Utah

Water damages are everywhere in your household. They may be caused by different factors but their effects are usually the same. They can be as big as property losses or as small as a water spot. But then again, these damages can be frustrating and tedious when they evolve into a bigger problem.

Floods are usually one of the causes of water damages. And the kinds of floods would entail the intensity of the damage that can be done. For instance, there are many types of floods that usually flood Utah: urban, flash and river flooding. And most of the floods in Utah are caused by snow melt and mountain runoff which can be considered disastrous.

When residing in a place like Utah, it is important to be aware of what you can do to be prepared. The first thing that you should prioritize is the strength of your own homes. Having a strong home would entail having a safer place to stay in times of these scary disasters. But if your house cannot really handle the strength of the catastrophe, it would be wise to evacuate and find a safer place.

There is worse condition in the home after result of the heavy flood. Flood water is the source of bacteria & mold growth in house & it is important you to start water damage repair procedure immediately to prevent damage to your home.

It is very important that you throw out the thing that are damaged by water; and ensure that make a list of all the damaged things for insurance. Getting rid of house hold & personal items can be a painful experience. It should be done to protect your health. If there is water damage to your walls & floors, you must repair the damage. It is best to call an expert to perform the cleanup & restore your home to a living condition once again.

There are a few tips to apply during a flood:

Never plug in electrics or try to turn your electricity off in standing water. Call a qualified technician.

When it comes to water and flood damage, cleanup should begin within 24-48 hours to prevent the growth of mold and other harmful bacteria.

Never try to do work without the proper knowledge as it can do more damage to the house.

Water damage is something that no one wants to happen in their home, but there may be times that it does occur. That is why it is vital for everyone to know the dos and don’ts for water damage cleanup.

Knowing the do’s and don’ts will help you know exactly what needs to be done to get it done right. It will also help you see why delaying in the cleanup can be a big mistake.

Let’s start with the dos for cleanup.

1. Consider the temperature outside and if it is above 60 degrees, then use a dehumidifier to help clean up the water.

2. Start the cleanup by mopping up as much water as you possibly can using a mop or a dry cloth, depending on how much water there is.

3. If water gets onto any of your wood furniture, slowly dry them instead of letting them sit in direct sunlight to dry. The sun can cause damage to the wood.

Slowly drying the wood without using any heat will help prevent the wood from warping and becoming deformed.

4. Have fans going to help speed up the drying and circulate the air.

5. Get rid of any rugs that has been too damaged by the water to be cleaned or repaired easily. If you can clean them, then be sure to take care of this right away.

Be sure you wash the rugs thoroughly using hot water and then get them really dry before placing them back. Only put them back after all of the water has been cleaned up.

6. Large furniture needs to be dried or cleaned thoroughly right away or you could end up with mold problems. This will make it unsafe for your family to breathe the air in your home.

If you don’t want to do the drying or cleaning yourself of your large furniture, then you can hire professionals to handle it for you.

Now you need to know the don’ts, which are below:

1. Don’t use an ordinary household vacuum to clean up water. You will need to have an industrial wet or dry vacuum to use instead to get the job done right.

2. Don’t ever use electrical appliances, even if you are wearing rubber boots while you are standing on wet carpet or floors.

3. Be sure to turn off the electric switch in your home before starting the cleanup. This will ensure your safety when you are doing cleanup in any room of the home that has water in it.

4. Don’t lift or try and replace carpet that is glued down. Lifting it incorrectly can cause the carpet to shrink and that is why it should be handled by a professional.

Now that you know the dos and don’ts for water damage cleanup, you can be sure the job is done right. You may want to hire water restoration experts to do it for you, if you don’t feel comfortable doing the cleanup yourself. Either way you decide to do it, just be sure that it is done immediately or other problems can occur that you don’t need or want.

Has your home gotten water damaged and now you need to do water damage cleanup, but are not sure if you should do this yourself or hire a professional? The answer is completely up to you, but to help you make the smart choice for your cleanup you need to know some important information about water cleanup.

Before the water cleanup can be done it is important to determine all the areas that will need to be cleaned. If you have carpet where the water damage was then the carpet will need to be pulled up to remove the water underneath it. Then if the carpet can be cleaned you can clean it or if it is damaged beyond repair then you will have to remove it.

You will also need to watch for water in the walls which can be very hard to clean up if you don’t know how to do it correctly. The professionals have the knowledge and expertise to cleanup water from anywhere it is found. This is knowledge that you will have to take time to learn before you can do cleanup if you want to ensure that it is done right.

Another thing that will have to be done is to check the ceilings for sagging, dampness and brown stains. If the problem is really bad then the ceiling will have to be replaced. Insulation will also have to be discarded if it is wet so that the joists can dry and then new insulation will need to be installed.

No matter where the water cleanup needs to be done you have to always be conscious of the wires and electrical outlets because water around these areas can easily cause electrocution. For many people this is reason enough for them to hire professionals because not knowing what you are doing can be really dangerous for you.

Professionals know the dangers and are prepared to deal with them without injuring themselves or someone else. Plus, any areas of your home that are wet will have to be sanitized and this can be hard to do if you don’t have the knowledge for it.

If you don’t sanitize the area then you can end up with mold and bacteria which will be unhealthy for anyone living in your home.

Now that you know this important information about water damage cleanup; all that remains is to take the time to decide if you want to attempt the cleanup yourself or if you are going to hire a professional to do it for you. Just remember that this type of cleanup can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing and this will help you make up your mind about the smart choice for you.

Where a property has been subject to a serious blaze; the owners are often left with the daunting fact that the need to repair both the fire damage as well as flood damage. Due to the huge amounts of water that must be used to put a blaze out it is likely that the property will be left with a few inches of water on the floors. There can be a strong temptation for many to carry out their own fire and flood restoration following a fire, without fully understanding the risks.

A shock to the system

A potentially lethal danger that must be considered by those carrying out their own fire and flood restoration is that of electrocution. The damage that is caused by fire can frequently leave electrics exposed. These wires provide the opportunity for an electric shock – especially when combined with the excess water in the building.

Toxic risks

The possibility that there could be unseen toxins in the air is the next factor you must consider if attempting your own fire and flood restoration. Toxic mold will often form in concealed areas of flooded buildings and poses a serious health risk. In addition there is a good chance that toxic fumes from burnt materials could still be present in the property.

Structural weaknesses

The final risk that must always be kept in mind is the damage that can be sustained by the physical structure of a building that has suffered from fire and flood damage. Just flooding or fire on its own has the power to make floors and walls unsafe. A combination of the two only serves to multiply the risk of floors falling in and walls collapsing.

The safest option

We suggest that anyone thinking of carrying out their own fire and flood restoration should first ponder employing a specialist service first. Most property owners will be able to claim on their insurance for the cost of fire and flood restoration. We suggest that you are better advised to bring in a specialized restoration team, who have all the right equipment, rather than put yourself at risk.