Water Damage Blog
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Mold is a very dangerous entity to have in your home. It is important to remove it due to the harm it can cause to your health and the health of your loved ones. With enough knowledge you can locate and identify the possible growth of mold in your home. In hiring PuroClean all of your needs, whatever they may be, will be met on a professional level. The successful remediation of mold can be met by PuroClean. Being IICSC certified, the company ensures a proper removal, disposal, and restoration of mold damage.
What is mold?
Mold can be deadly to some, or could cause serious health problems- but what exactly is mold? What makes it dangerous to our health? How can it be deadly? Mold is classified as a fungi, it’s a key organism in our outside world. It contributes to the breakdown of materials, circulating the natural way of life. But when mold begins to grow inside our homes, in an isolated area, is when it becomes something harmful.
Mold creates microscopic organisms that travel in the air, and settle down on material. The organisms then digest organic material and produce spores, which spread very fast. Just about all materials are vulnerable to mold spores, some more than others. Drywall, carpet, pad, and wood flooring are all excellent subjects to grow and expand on, but mold needs food, or moisture to grow. More likely than not, mold will be the outcome of a water loss, whether it’s big or small.
If mold does end up growing in our home, what makes it dangerous to our health? When mold spores are airborne they are invisible to our eyes, so we cannot possibly see what we are breathing in. With mold spores in our lungs, we can end up with itchy eyes, a running nose, and coughing (just to name a few). In more severe cases, you can develop itching and sensitive rashes. Coughing can also be severe since %8 of the population has asthma, which should be evaluated by a doctor if excessive.
 What a Mold Spore looks like How can mold be deadly? Mold is considered deadly when classified as ‘toxic mold’. There are hundreds of different species of mold, some that are not very harmful at all. But there are some that are harmful and those species of mold are considered to be black mold. Black mold is a toxic mold and if inhaled can cause medical complications, depending on how long, and how much is inhaled.
What causes mold to grow?
Mold can grow from many substances; however, mold is more commonly associated with water damage. The more water, the heavier the damage will be. Also, depending on the material the mold spores sit on play a large role in how fast mold will grow, and what type of mold will grow. Over long periods of time, mold will continuously get worse. If you have a heavy leak of water and are unaware of it, months can go by while mold grows. After a while the mold will produce somewhat of an earthy odor. This is when you will want to consult a restoration company about your home damage.
How can mold be removed?
Once it is established that mold is indeed present in your home, a restoration company will contain the area the mold is growing in, as to not infect the rest of your home, since mold spores travel through the air. The next step would be drying out the excess water present, using machines such as the Rover (a machine which uses the weight of the technician riding it to extract water). The technicians will then use Dehumidifiers and Air Scrubbers equipped with Hepa filters to scrub all of the mold spores in the air, as to not infect any other areas contained. After the drying process is done, the removal of the mold will proceed. Your hired technicians will remove any drywall and flooring infected with mold, and will scrub the inside structure of your wall with wired brushes. Note, the technicians will be wearing full body suits and full face respirators while removing the mold, to protect their health. Scrubbing and sanding will continue until all signs of mold are removed. Your technicians will also use cleaning agents specifically designed to eliminate mold during this process. A restoration company may sometimes use sealant type paint such as KILZ to seal the structure being remediated.
There are many reasons why it is recommended that you hire a restoration company to take care of this tedious task. PuroClean, an IICSC certified company will handle your water loss and home restoration with proper equipment and qualified, trained technicians who know how to handle mold in the safest and most efficient way.
Posted in DIY water and mold damage, Mold damage, mold removal, mold removal advice, mold spore removal
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Tagged black mold, black mold contamination, Black Mold Remediation, mold removal, mold spores, puroclean, Rancho Cordova Mold Removal, removing mold, Restoration company, Sacramento mold removal, The Paramedics Of Property Damage, water damage
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Category 3 Water Damage
There are three separate water damage classifications, the least severe first, followed by the more severe. Category 3 water damage is by far the worst, not only because of the damage it causes, but the health risks it brings with it.
What is considered category 3 water damage?
Category 3 water damage will come into play when:
- Outside water, whether from rain, rivers, sea water, or even aquariums enters the home. This water can contain bacteria or agents harmful to one’s health.
- More situations that can cause category 3 water damage are sewage, and infected toilet overflow. The reasons these are considered category 3 are because there are known, and unknown harmful substances present inside of these waters.
When category 3 water damage occurs in your home, you will want to hire professionals to handle it. With experts, not only will you avoid unnecessary exposure to bacteria, but you will get professional results.
Unsanitary – Black Water
Category 3 water damage is often associated with black water. Black water can contain bacteria or harmful agents to health. Some of the harmful agents that can be present in Black water, or category 3, are Hepatitis A, and Adenoviruses. This water may often be from sewage, outside rain water, and may contain an odor. The first thing professional technicians will consider are the health facts of the people occupying the home, and their living arrangement. It is our main priority to ensure the safety of anyone exposed in or near the area of a category 3 water loss.
Time is also something to take into serious consideration. Water damage comes in 3 categories, but the first 2, can easily escalate into a category 3. The longer water sits, the worse the damage will be. Especially depending on how many bacteria, fungus, and mold spores are present in the water. When water sits, we allow it time for the mold spores to grow, depending on the material it is soaked in; it can grow rapidly, or gradually. Organic materials are very vulnerable and will be infected slightly faster than other materials. However, the typical time for mold growth ranges from 2-3 days, and can remain unnoticed for months, if not treated at the time of the water damage.
The Remediation Process
Once your hired technicians discuss with you all health concerns and classify the class and category of your water loss, we will walk you through the process of removing bacteria infected water. Depending on the amount of water present, the removal of excess water is important. There are many machines used for this. Among the most popular is the Rover, it will remove 98% of water. Air Movers will then be placed, changing the liquid into a vapor (evaporation). With the vapor in the air, we will then place Dehumidifiers to remove it and dry any additional areas. Most water damage is best removed with Dehumidifiers.
Additional work may have to be done depending on the damage.
There are reasons it is not recommended to take on a job like this on your own. There are many extensive requirements and equipment needed. When handling category 3 water losses, professionals will wear full body suits, respirator masks, and gloves because of the infected water and of the cleaning agents used to bring your home back to its normal state. Wearing body suits, gloves, and masks are vital to our technicians health, safety always comes first. Handling agents like these are better left to a trained Technician to ensure the job is done efficiently and effectively.
Not only will the professionals handle the water damage, but we will help you with your insurance claims, and take away the amount of stress you will have to undergo. In a tragic time of home damage, dealing with what can be listed as a home disaster, having the support and help in small and large areas can make a big difference to a homeowner and their family. We strive to make this process as simple, easy, and stress free as possible. After the water is removed, and your home is water free, no longer at risk of mold growth, or health complications, it is guaranteed you will be satisfied with the amount of skill and professionalism put into the restoration.
Posted in DIY water and mold damage, Flood damage advice, Flood damage warnings, Mold damage, Water damage advice
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Tagged Black Water, category 3 water damage, mold, Mold Remediation, Mold Remediation Sacramento, mold removal, Mold Removal Rancho Cordova, Mold Removal Sacramento, puroclean, PuroClean Equipment, PuroClean Home Rescue, Rancho Cordova Water Damage, Remediation, Sacramento water damage, The Paraedics Of Property Damage, Unsanitary Water, water damage, Water Mitigation
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Water damage can be classified as a tragic event to most people who experience it. The causes of water damage can range from a simple burst pipe, to an extreme storm. With the spontaneous weather changes, and bizarre incidences that occur in the world today, water damage happens more often than not. With this being said, it is very important to know the ins and outs of water damage, and the restoration process.
Water spreads very fast and gravity does what it is supposed to, it will pull the water to its lowest point. Water will then begin to puddle and soak into the material it is set on. The longer the water remains there, the more damage it will cause. At this point, the water damage may be visible. If it soaks into carpet flooring, it will damage all layers. Such as the carpet itself, the pad laid underneath, and the sub-floor. What about hardwood floors? What can water damage do to it?
When It Comes To Hardwood Floors
More often than not in homes today, you will find hardwood floors instead of carpet. Even if there is carpet in the main parts of the home, you will still find hardwood flooring in rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms, or small bedrooms.
The drying process of hardwood flooring is much different than carpet flooring. Water can be trapped, floors can be damaged, and mold can grow. Mold is especially efficient on hardwood floors, because it is made out of organic materials.
Extracting water from carpet flooring is simpler because of the amount of equipment that is specifically made for that material. Most water extraction equipment used on carpet cannot be used on hardwood floors but this does not mean it is impossible. In fact, there have been many cases of drying all water, along with saving the original flooring installed.
The important things to take note of: include the amount of water that has spread, the type of hardwood flooring, and time. When the damage occurs, it is important to call professionals right away. The professionals will let you know if your damage is too severe to save your flooring or if the flooring can be dried out and saved.
What can happen to an untreated hardwood floor?
- Morphing can occur, along with splitting.
- Morphing can lead to cupping, making the floors unsteady and a safety hazard.
- Mold can grow and make the floors un-savable.
To save your hardwood floors, dehumidifying is an option. The downside of using a dehumidifier is that it may not get all of the water. If this is a problem, pulling a small portion of the floor can be an inexpensive and fast. If the water damage is more severe, the whole floor may have to be removed.
What other damage can occur in homes after a water damage?
Drywall is the shell of a home, what happens when water is introduced to it? Water is heavy, especially when absorbed, the more it is absorbed, the heavier the material will be. This can cause a ceiling to basically peel off of it’s own structure, leaving you without a ceiling, or wall. The water will also be absorbed into the insulation behind the drywall, which makes matters much worse since drywall and insulation are both great breeding grounds for mold. Both materials can hold a substantial amount of water, which more times than not, results in the removal of them.
Then comes the damage you cannot see. Sure, a lot of the damage will be very visible on the outside, but we can’t possibly see behind these walls, and not everyone has the right tools and technology to find out. The effects you will not be able to see can be the rotting of wood, metal materials rusting, and the growth of mold, just to list a few. And depending on the category and class the damage is listed in, the effects could be more, and could be worse. In any category and class of water damage, health concerns are always brought into play. The health concerns can be even worse depending on the family living in the affected home, and their present health problems. Allergies and asthma are difficult to have by themselves, but when mold is introduced to such health problems, rashes, itching, running eyes, and aggravated asthma symptoms can occur. These health concerns are why it is important to not let water damage go untreated, and why it is recommended to hire professionals. This way the problem can be treated by Technicians specifically trained to keep you and your home healthy.
Posted in DIY water and mold damage
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Tagged mold, puroclean, Rancho Cordova, Rancho Cordova PuroClean, Rancho Cordova Restoration Services, Remediation, restoration, Rot, Rotted Wood, Sacramento Restoration Company, water, water damage, Water Damage Companies
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It is understandable that the first steps of repair are stressful, and modifications done on ones own are most aggravating. Although most feel strongly about carrying out the restoration on their own, this can sometimes prolong impairments and cause further damage to both property and oneself. People tend to be hesitant in hiring professional water restoration companies because they are unaware of the benefits of hiring the experienced. These benefits range from a peace of mind to safer outcomes.
Benefits
• 24/7 Emergency Response – Situations are responded to without any delay. Situations which deal with water removal are understood to be urgent and technicians will be availed to you at once at any time of day. To exert any restoration of your own can further damage and in some cases can result in a lengthy process. With clients in mind, 24/7 services are available at your call.
• Trained Technicians – The professional damage restoration company will have qualified and experienced technicians. The technicians have gone through extensive restoration training and prescreening before they are able to act on a job. With proper restoration exercise, this assures all work to be carried out in an appropriate and legitimate manner.
• Equipment – With the extraction of water in damages due to flood, the clean up depends upon various heavy duty equipments. Fortunately for clients, we carry all the machinery that is essential for reformation at reasonable costs.
• Assistance with Insurance – It can be difficult to understand the process of insurance especially at a time in which could be an emergency. However, our trained technicians will be able to discuss estimates and consider all services that can be provided.
When an expert in a damage restoration company is hired, you are guaranteed to have the damages dealt with in a proper and more efficient manner. Ultimately, when done professionally, the restoration will be without a doubt reliable and definite.
Posted in DIY water and mold damage
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Tagged Choosing a restoration company, emergency response, home insurance companies, mold, puroclean, Remediation, removing mold, Restoration services, sacramento, The removal of mold, water damage, water damage equipment
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The only thing worse than water damage in your home that you know about is the water damage in your home that you don’t know about. The water you see can be promptly removed and the affected area treated to prevent long term damage. Unseen water problems may go unnoticed for weeks or even months before they are discovered, at which point the damage is done, and the cost of repair and restoration may have increased dramatically.
 An ounce of prevention... Water damage occurs for a variety of reasons such as leaks, floods, overflowing sinks or tubs, ice dams on your roof, water backing up into the basement, or malfunctioning toilets and sewer systems. While many of these problems are almost immediately visible, some are not, and those are the ones that can cause the greatest number of problems and become the most costly to repair.
The best way to avoid these unpleasant discoveries is to be proactive in the inspection of your home for any signs that unwanted water is present, locating the source of the problem and shutting it off, and then beginning prompt repairs on the damaged area. The faster you act, the less severe the impact of the water on your property will be.
So how do you look for water damage? And where do you begin?
First, check the exterior of your home, specifically the gutters that are designed to channel excess water out and away from your home in the event of rain or severe weather. If the gutters are dripping or overflowing, then you probably have a back up or a clog. Water should be able to flow freely through gutters and downspouts and be deposited in a manner that directs it away from your home. It’s best to have the downspouts extend out a few feet from your home to prevent water from going under your home’s foundation.
Look for stationary water or unusual accumulation around the property, which is a sure sign of water problems. If water is damming up against your home then your property is probably sloping towards your home and re-grading is required. Water should always flow away from your foundation.
Learn to read your water meter and do it every no and then. If there is a sudden rise in the use of water or a spike in your water bill, chances are there is a leak somewhere. You can test this theory by closing off the water supply and then checking a reading a few hours apart. If there is a variation on the reading, then a leak is almost certainly present. If you suspect a leak somewhere then call a leak detection specialist and have them look for the leak. It’s best to find the leak before you start finding the symptoms.
Wooden and laminate floors almost always give up signs of water damage through staining, softening, or warping. Any one of these signs may be traced back to a water problem. Home appliances may also spring leaks affecting the flooring and drywall in their immediate vicinity. Appliances located upstairs may also affect first floor ceilings.
Door and window frames and the wall surrounding them should be checked for signs of softening or staining, since broken seals can allow easy access by water or condensation. Broken window seals are one of the most common sources for slowly developing water damage. A tube of silicone is much cheaper than needing to call a mold removal company later on down the road.
In these tough economic times “an ounce of prevention” should still be everyones philosophy. The key to avoiding costly water damage repair bills is to stay ahead of the problem. Continuously inspecting your home wards off costly damage and expensive repairs.
Posted in DIY water and mold damage, Water damage advice
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Tagged appliance leaks, flood prevention, foundation damage, grade property, prevent water damage, repair gutters, stop water damage, Water damage prevention, water damage tips, window frame leaks
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