To Effectively Eliminate Mold, Do These Three Things

6/17/2021 (Permalink)

Black mold damage in Gothard, CA.

Three Things To Do To Get Rid Of Mold

Black mold thrives in damp, dark areas, using humidity to reproduce. Residents may think that with the water source eliminated, fungus spores are likely to die independently. Removing that moisture, however, isn't enough to solve your problems. If those spores remain, mold is still in the home; therefore, homeowners in Gothard, CA, should understand the full extent of cleaning procedures. To get rid of mold, do the following three things.

1. Dry Out Space
Removing wetness is vital to mold cleanup because it mitigates the spread. Without the water, the spores are less likely to multiply, meaning residents have less infestation to deal with. Cutting off this supply, though, only hinders additional reproduction. It doesn't kill the organisms. It doesn't make them disappear.

2. Remove Structures
Take out the polluted materials. Doing so is the best method to ensuring organisms do not regrow or remain. Black mold is microscopically tiny, penetrating deep within porous materials. That means your house has possible trouble with any of the following:

• Upholstery
  
• Wood
  
• Paper
  
• Ceiling tiles
  
• Flooring
  
• Drywall
  
  

If any of these are contaminated, work with a water restoration company to determine whether pieces should be torn out or sanitized with high-tech content cleaning equipment. If in doubt, remember that tear-outs are simply a means of protection

3. Scrub Thoroughly
With the moisture problem under control, turn your attention to nonporous pieces that could have spores on the outside. For instance, the air conditioner unit should be meticulously scrubbed. Wash walls and furniture with warm water and soap. Apply an antimicrobial spray to surfaces. These processes reduce the likelihood of future concerns.
Don't expect black mold to vanish on its own. It's there until you take it off of your land. Therefore, while water reduction is vital to limiting obstacles, it's not a complete solution. It would be best if you also prioritized removing polluted materials and scrubbing the area thoroughly.

What Type of Air Purifier Will Remove Mold Spores?

3/25/2021 (Permalink)

HEPA filters are rated to remove 99.9% of particles .03 microns in size from the air that passes through

What Type of Air Purifier Will Remove Mold Spores?

When homeowners consider air filtration, they often quickly decide they want to purchase an air purifier. However, do not rush into a purchase without first performing some necessary research. Purifiers can be expensive appliances, with the price ranging between $100 and beyond $1,000. If you are interested in a purifier because of a concern over mold, then consider talking to a certified mold remediation specialist in Gothard, CA. You will also want to consider a few things before purchase.

Spore size
Filtration
Price point

Spore Size
Mold spores are between one and five microns in size. Therefore, when looking for a purifier to combat mold, you will want to find a system that can remove particles between the specified mold ranges. Most manufacturers will provide a clear label on the packaging telling you which elements the system can help protect against.

Filtration
Not every purifier comes at air filtration in the same way. Several machines will only use a carbon filter, which is OK for removing many common pollutants from the air. Unfortunately, carbon filters will not remove all sizes of spores, meaning that you may still be breathing in spores daily. You want to find a purifier that uses a HEPA filter. HEPA filters can remove particles as small as 0.3 microns, which means all mold spores.

Price Point
How much do you have to spend? At the low end of the price range, you may be able to find a single room purifier. If you need a whole house filtration system, then you are looking at spending in the thousands for the system. You can speak with a mold remediation expert to determine the appropriate size for your home and your situation.
While not every homeowner is concerned with air filtration, those with allergies and particular ailments require purifiers. Talk to an expert to find out how much you may need to spend to get the level of protection you desire.

Protect Your Business From Spring Thaw and Flooding

3/25/2021 (Permalink)

Check to make sure that your gutters and drains are clear.

Tips You Can Use To Get Your Business Ready For A Spring Flood

Everyone gets excited when the first signs of spring emerge. While you are busy preparing your business for sunny activities, take a moment to think about the building you are operating out of. A lot of things take place behind the scenes in your building in Gothard, CA, and if you are not ready for the change in temperatures and potential flooding, you may wind up with extra bills and a long to-do list. 

Protect Against Water Damage Outside
Start by taking care of the outside. Check to make sure that your gutters and drains are clear and that snow can get away from your building easily. If you don't do this, puddles can form around your foundation, get inside your building, and cause serious damage that you will have to pay to fix. Instead, channel this water into your gardens or a water reservoir so you can save it and use it later. Similarly, you will want to clear any drains in your parking lot so your customers do not have to drive or walk through puddles. Don't forget to knock any remaining snow mounds over so that they melt quicker.
If you have a water feature, you are going to have a few additional steps. These include:

• Checking the water pump
  
• Thawing your frozen pipe
  
• Checking for leaks in the plumbing
  
  

Give Your Building a Thorough Inspection
The next step is to take care of the inside. Start by performing maintenance tasks on your furnace and hot water tank. Then, check the ceiling to make sure that your roof is not leaking and letting snowmelt in. Finish by performing maintenance on your sump pump in case you do encounter flooding.
If your business is prepared, it can handle even the worst flooding the spring may bring. However, if you find your business underwater, the best thing you can do is seek water damage remediation professionals to help you clean it up and get open as soon as possible.

3 Things To Understand About Roof Mitigation

3/25/2021 (Permalink)

Roof damaged in a Beach Boulevard, CA home.

3 Things To Understand About Roof Mitigation

Walking out after a hail storm, residents may glance around, grateful that only a few branches fell from the trees. Windows seem secure. Cars are left alone. Unbeknownst to them, though, those branches slammed into the roof prior to hitting the ground, creating holes in the shingles. Without proper evaluations, water could infiltrate, building up in crawl spaces. When finally discovered, homeowners must hope that roof damage repair is minimal. To protect your property in Beach Boulevard, CA, here are three things that help mitigate this potential trouble and costs.

1. Know the Symptoms of a Problem
After hail or heavy storms, it's best to inspect the area thoroughly. You could pay an expert to inspect the roofing, immediately catching a problem. If that's not possible, then remain vigilant about any changes to your place. The following are indicators that wind damage has occurred:

• unusual material in the gutters
  
• wet spots, curls or stains on the shingles
  paint beginning to peel
  
• dips or unusual drops
  
• water stains or rings on the ceiling
  
  

2. Contact Professional Services
Call a local water restoration company. Ensure that the establishment completes testing, as appropriate, national credentials and can handle multiple stages of roof damage repairs. The service should have a 24-hour emergency call-out crew who can promptly check on the concern. If any openings are discovered, workers should board up or place tarps over any exposed or questionable areas.

3. Don't Skimp on Wind Damage Restoration
It's tempting to patch up and move on; however, if the entire location isn't considered, additional issues may arise. Water within the attic or insulation could linger, creating mold or rot; therefore, during remediation, clear out any form of contamination and thoroughly dry out the premises. Replace anything ruined with new parts, hopefully avoiding the necessity for further action down the road.
Proactive action can often mitigate large roof damage bills and massive projects. It requires remaining keenly aware of situations and acting swiftly when something suspicious arises.

4 Elements of the Need for Early Testing

2/25/2021 (Permalink)

Mold growth on walls due to humidity.

4 Elements of the Need for Early Testing

One of the first steps in water cleanup and restoration is a thorough inspection and damage assessment. As part of this assessment, the technician may complete pretesting to keep costs down. This early action helps technicians create a plan of action and come up with a cost estimate. There are several good reasons for doing this testing:

Hidden Damage

When water flows through your building, it causes a variety of problems, including ruining furnishings and textiles, causing mold growth, and weakening structural elements of the building. Pretesting before you file an insurance claim means that unseen damages, such as mold behind interior walls can be identified and addressed in the claim. Otherwise, unseen damage won't be part of the initial claim.

Contaminated Water

The second element of the testing is determining the type of water affecting the property. The level of contamination of the water in the building will affect the restoration services. For example, the clean water from a burst pipe under the sink doesn't require the same highly specialized equipment and techniques that black water with feces and hazardous chemicals requires.

Claim Accuracy

As cleanup and restoration technicians work through their testing, you should take careful notes. All of the information included in the reports and your notes will help the insurance agent complete the insurance claim. Your notes will also help you understand the rest of the process.

Low Costs

How does this early testing keep costs down? First, it ensures that hidden damage doesn't have the chance to lead to more damage. Second, the completed pre-assessment protects technicians and the people living or working in the building from exposure to contaminants in the water. Finally, avoiding mistakes when filing the claim prevents unnecessary expenditures.
Pretesting is one way that restoration professionals keep costs low. When you find water damage in your Beach Boulevard, CA, building, make sure that this early testing is part of the process.