Water Damage Answers

The ABCs of Water Damage Restoration

 

When it comes to water damage, many crucial steps must be taken to restore your home to its previous condition. From stopping the water from pouring in, extracting the water, drying out the home, and cleaning and disinfecting the mess to preventing mold, repairing plumbing, and replacing waterlogged building materials and ruined contents, the task of restoring your home is monumental. There are literally hundreds of steps that the water damage restoration team must perform. In addition, you’ll have your own set of steps to take care of such as filling out insurance claims forms and finding temporary housing. While water damage restoration is complex, it can be summed up by remember the following ABCs of water damage restoration.

 

·        Assess the Damage – Before a water damage company can get to work, it must first assess the damage. This may be as simple as identifying the source of the water and the extent of its reach to more difficult assessments and site surveys. Properly assessing the nature of the water event allows the water damage company to use the right type of equipment and techniques for the job at hand.

 

·        Banish the Water – One of the first steps is to stop the water from its onslaught and then banish the water from the building. Temporary plumbing, roofing, or other structural repairs may be needed, water valves may need to be shut off, and water extraction processes applied.

 

·        Clean Up – Once the water has been banished, a residual mess is left behind – even if the water came from a relatively clean source. All affected contents, furnishings, and building materials must be cleaned and disinfected.

 

·        Dry Out and Decontaminate – Removing the water and cleaning affected areas doesn’t end the job. The building must be completely dried out and decontaminated. Water damage restoration companies use industrial strength blowers and other drying equipment to quickly dry the building as well as strong disinfectants and mold inhibitors to ensure that your water damaged building doesn’t harbor harmful organisms.

 

·        Exercise Caution – Throughout the water damage restoration process, extreme caution is required. Not only is there a risk of electrocution due to water and electricity, the flood waters are likely contaminated with bacteria, chemicals, and other harmful contaminants. After the building has been dried, mold becomes a concern. The water damage restoration team is well aware of these risks and dons appropriate protective gear while also following a strict set of safety precautions.

 

·        Fast Forward to the three R’s: Restore, Repair, and Recover – While an entire book can be written on the various steps involved in water damage restoration, let’s fast forward to the three R’s: Restore, Repair, and Recover. The primary goal of the water damage restoration company is to restore your home to its previous condition. This involves each of the preceding steps and many others. Carpets may need to be replaced, drapes cleaned, new wallpaper installed, and so on. In addition, structural and plumbing repairs may be needed such as tearing out water damaged drywall and floorboards, installing new insulation, repairing broken plumbing, and so on. Once all of the drying, cleaning, repairing, and restoring tasks are done, you can finally focus on recovering. Floods and water damage events cause huge messes and take their toll.

 

When you hire a professional water damage restoration company, you’ve taken your first step toward recovering and getting your life back.

 

By: Mr. Mark Decherd

 

For more information and other articles by Mark Decherd go to:

 

Dryout® Inc.
1415 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, Fl. 33907
http://dryout.typepad.com/water-damage-answers/
239-437-7100

<A HREF="http://www.dryout.net">Water Damage</A>

 

<A HREF="http://dryout.net/mold_removal.cfm">Mold</A>

 

Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water damage repair, restoration and reconstruction of commercial and residential properties damaged by fire, water and other disasters by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.

 

How to Live with Mold - or Not!

 

So, you have a few spots of mold appearing here and there. No big deal, right? Certainly, you can live with a little bit of mildew, dealing with spots as they appear. However, mold isn’t merely something to co-exist with complacently. In fact, mold colonies are made up of microscopic organisms, many of which are harmful.

 

Before you decide to live with mold in your home, consider this: those stuffy noses, irritated eyes, and respiratory ailments you and your family have been suffering from could be due to mold exposure! If any of your family members is pregnant, has asthma, is elderly, is an infant, or has a compromised immune system, they are at a higher risk for potential adverse health effects from mold.

 

From a health standpoint alone, you do not want to live with mold. Even if there weren’t unhealthy side effects, mold has other negatives including: aesthetics (mold spots and large patches of mold are ugly!), smell (entering a moldy home is unpleasant due to the musty stench), and property damage.

 

While a few spots of mold on your bathroom ceiling may be easy to overlook, larger mold spots are eye grabbers. Moldy wallpaper and dark patches on your walls, furnishings, or carpets is unsightly and may have your house guests questioning your housekeeping skills or worse – wondering if your home is going to make them sick. Take a look around your home as if you were a homebuyer. Would you want to buy a home with obvious signs of mold?

 

Not only is mold unhealthy and visually unappealing, it stinks! Even if you can’t see mold in your home, your nose will alert you to its presence thanks to its musty odor. However, your sense of smell may have become accustomed to the unique smells of your own home; you may not smell the obvious! One way to overcome this is to take a short vacation, leaving your home closed up. When you return, you’ll be more likely to detect a musty odor. This is a good time to follow your nose and see if you can find the area where the smell originates.

 

You’ve likely heard horror stories of homeowners who have had to demolish their homes because of mold. While your house isn’t likely to be encased in mold, even a small area of mold infestation can lead to significant damage to your property. Mold literally eats the materials on which it resides. Therefore, if you have mold on your carpet, the mold is devouring the carpet’s fibers! If you have mold on your walls, it is eating the wallpaper, paint, and drywall! The same goes for drapes, upholstery, ceiling tiles, and other porous surfaces. With its deep roots, mold quickly returns after a surface cleaning, much like a weed, making cleanup a temporary measure. In many cases, the only way to get rid of the mold is to discard the infested materials. Throwing away sheets of drywall, insulation, carpets, or furnishings means that these materials must be replaced. Depending on what’s been damaged, repairs can be costly – and your homeowners insurance may specifically exclude mold damage from your coverage!

 

If you notice mold in your home, it’s not going to go away by itself and you certainly should not “live with it.” As a living organism, mold reproduces and colonies grow, making the problem progressively worse. The sooner you can stop mold, the happier – and most likely healthier – you will be.

 

  

By: Mr. Mark Decherd

 

For more information and other articles by Mark Decherd go to:

 

Dryout® Inc.
1415 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, Fl. 33907

239-437-7100

 

 

Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water damage repair, restoration and reconstruction of commercial and residential properties damaged by fire, water and other disasters by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.

Tips for Avoiding Water Damage

 

If you’ve ever experienced water damage, or if you know people who have, then you likely know that the aftermath of a flood or plumbing accident isn’t pretty – or cheap. As with most unpleasant things, taking preventative measures to avoid water damage in the first place makes sense. Not only are most of the water damage prevention steps easy to perform, they are generally inexpensive, if not free!

 

Before you begin, consider some of the common causes of water damage: drips, leaks, and clogs. With these root causes in mind, inspect your house and take action! This may involve a bit of work on your part such as cleaning out rain gutters and clogged drains, and it may require a few trips to the hardware store to buy new hoses, caulk, washers, and fittings. However, your efforts are well worth doing as a simple overflow could cost you hundreds of dollars in water damage mop up costs and repairs.

 

Dealing with Drips

While drips and leaks are similar, let’s address them separately. When inspecting your home for drips, use your sense of hearing as you inspect the following areas:

·        Sinks, including the faucet as well as the plumbing underneath the sink

·        Any appliances with hoses such as washing machines, refrigerators, water heaters, and dishwashers. Pay attention to heating and air conditioning systems as well as these systems produce water and often have hoses leading to drip pans or drains.

·        Any area with exposed plumbing. This includes basements, crawl spaces, unfinished sections of your garage, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and outdoor areas such as hose bibs and exposed sprinkler lines.

 

Look for signs of water and listen for the telltale sign of drips. Sometimes the repair is as simple as tightening a water valve while other repairs may require new fittings, hoses, or washers. Replace any hoses that show signs of deterioration such as brittle washing machine hoses.

 

Dealing with Leaks

Like drips, you’ll find leaks in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and other areas where water lines run. However, leaks can be more difficult to detect. After all, a slow leak may not make a drip, drip, drip sound. In fact, the leak can be well hidden, slowly causing damage. Look for signs of water leaks by inspecting areas around windows and appliances for signs of moisture. You may notice damp carpet, water stains, or mildew. Basement leaks and seepage are also common, so be sure to check your basement, using your sense of smell as you search for signs of water damage.

 

Repairing leaks can be as simple as caulking a leaking window or replacing a leaking pipe. Ignoring leaks almost always leads to further damage.

 

Dealing with Clogs

Clogs are responsible for water damage due to overflows. After all, if a drain is clogged, water has nowhere to go. Typical areas to clean and maintain for preventing clogs include:

·        Sump pump drains

·        Rain gutters

·        Toilets

·        Kitchen disposals

·        Sinks and tubs

·        Outdoor drains

·        Laundry drains

 

Regularly inspect drains and gutters and clean out the gunk as needed. Use a plumbing snake to clear clogged pipes and keep a toilet plunger handy for clogged toilets.

 

These are easy water damage prevention steps that you can take today to prevent costly water damage cleanup and repair costs tomorrow.

 

By: Mr. Mark Decherd

 

For more information and other articles by Mark Decherd go to:

 

Dryout® Inc.
1415 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, Fl. 33907

239-437-7100

<A HREF="http://www.dryout.net">Water Damage</A>

 

 

Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water damage repair, restoration and reconstruction of commercial and residential properties damaged by fire, water and other disasters by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.

 

Take Action Now and Choose a Water Damage Company before Water Damage Occurs

Take Action Now and Choose a Water Damage Company before Water Damage Occurs

 

Life is filled with its crises, some minor, some major. How we deal with events often correlates to how well we’ve prepared for them. For example, if you know that a hurricane is coming, you’ll take several preemptive actions to better protect your home such as installing storm shutters or placing sandbags in strategic areas. On the other hand, some catastrophes arrive unannounced such as a pipe bursting in your home overnight, flooding it with water. You had no warning, so you have an unexpected mess on your hands.

 

Water damage occurs regularly, regardless of where you live. Whether you live in a high-risk flood plain or the middle of a desert, your home is at risk of sustaining water damage. Now you’ve been warned. So, what preemptive actions are you going to take to help you cope? One of the most important steps is to do your homework and select a water damage cleanup and remediation company long before the damage occurs. This is because you won’t have time to research water damage companies in the immediate aftermath of a flood. You simply won’t have time. And even if you took your time, each hour spent trying to find a reputable company to dry out your home is an additional hour where water is allowed to cause further damage.

 

Do yourself a favor and do your homework now, before you need a water damage company. Look for companies that promise a prompt response as a starting point. After all, if you have a burst pipe pumping thousands of gallons of water into your home, you don’t want to wait two or three days for a technician to arrive. Once you have a list of potential water damage companies, start researching their company values and histories. What are the capabilities of each company? What type of commitment do they have toward customer service and satisfaction? What services are offered?

 

Much of this research can be done online; however, nothing beats picking up the phone and talking with a company representative. The company will appreciate that you’re considering it for future work and should be happy to explain its services and what you can expect. If the company isn’t willing to provide you with information or appears to be unprofessional, keep dialing. You want a water damage company that knows its business and values customers like you!

 

Once you’ve narrowed down your list to two or three professional water damage companies, ask for references and call them. Past customers will be able to tell you exactly how the company performed for them. They can tell you about the company’s response time, professionalism, and quality of the work. They can also tell you if the company did a thorough job, if the technicians were professional and polite, and whether or not they would use the company again. These are the details that only a customer is qualified to tell. For example, a company Web site may declare “We do a thorough cleanup job,” but a customer can tell you what they encountered in real life.

 

Finally, keep the phone numbers of your top three water damage companies handy with your number one pick highlighted. Keep this list by your phone or posted prominently with other emergency phone numbers. Should you have a water emergency, call your number one pick right away. If your first choice is not available, you’ll have two other companies to call as a backup. With time ticking and water rising, you’ll be glad you did your homework because help will soon be on your way.

 

By: Mr. Mark Decherd

 

For more information and other articles by Mark Decherd go to:

 

Dryout® Inc.
1415 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, Fl. 33907

239-437-7100

 

 

Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water damage repair, restoration and reconstruction of commercial and residential properties damaged by fire, water and other disasters by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.

 

If You Leave it Wet – You Might Regret

 

Have you ever noticed a damp area in the home and figured, “I’ll get to that later”? It could be a damp spot under a window, the floorboards near the bathtub, a secluded area in the basement, or any other wet area. It’s tempting to postpone dealing with these minor issues because they are just that: minor. Or are they?

 

The problem with leaving an area wet, even an area where you don’t spend much time such as the basement, is that while you may be ignoring the problem, the problem isn’t going away. In fact, it’s growing. While nature has a natural process, evaporation, for drying standing water, in the home this isn’t enough. Plus, these incidents are usually fed by continuous leaks, condensation, and seepage. Even if you dry the affected area one day, if the water source is not repaired, then the water will return shortly after.

 

Not only is the problem area continuously wet, the water is slowly doing damage to surrounding surfaces. You may need to replace carpets, rugs, baseboards, floorboards, wallpaper, drapes, and other materials due to water damage. That’s regret number one. Had you not left it wet, you’d have no regret. But now, you have a construction bill that you would not have had before.

 

This wouldn’t be so bad if the water damage was limited to replacing a few floorboards. However, there’s a second regret that is likely to affect you. Standing water in the home is a breeding ground for an unwelcome guest: mold. And it’s an attractive place for mold to settle with its water source and plentiful nutrients. Unfortunately, if mold is allowed to grow unchecked in your home, it can become a serious health concern.

 

Plus, mold, like water, is extremely damaging to the materials it comes in contact with. Remember those “plentiful nutrients” just mentioned? Mold essentially eats the surface it resides on! If you have moldy carpets, mold is consuming the carpet’s fibers. If notice mold on the drywall or ceiling tiles, mold is eating those building materials. 

 

Left unchecked, those damp areas of your home can soon become severely damaged areas. Instead of a minor repair bill, you could be faced with a huge one. Building materials may need to be removed and replaced, your house may need mold remediation, and you could be wondering why you have a runny nose all the time.

 

Do your home, and your health, a favor by regularly inspecting your house for wetness. Pay special attention to areas where water is likely to appear such as around windows and doors, around appliances, and around plumbing. Use four of your five senses including sight (looking for signs of water and condensation), sound (listening for drips), smell (sniffing for mold and mildew odors), and touch (feeling for dampness).

 

Once you’ve discovered a leak, puddle, or damp area, evaluate it. How did it get wet? Dry the area and immediately address the source of the problem. You may need to re-caulk a window or replace a plumbing fitting. The problem may be more serious, requiring the services of an expert. Whatever the cause, don’t ignore it. You’ll regret it if you do.

 

By: Mr. Mark Decherd

 

For more information and other articles by Mark Decherd go to:

 

Dryout® Inc.
1415 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, Fl. 33907

239-437-7100

 

 

Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water damage repair, restoration and reconstruction of commercial and residential properties damaged by fire, water and other disasters by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.

 

 

 

When to Stop Mopping and Start Calling

 

When it comes to water damage, there comes a point where you realize it’s time to stop mopping and start calling. Sure, some minor plumbing leaks and even a few major water issues can be effectively mopped up by the average homeowner. However, water is extremely damaging and the resulting damage is often best left to the pros. So, when do you know when it’s time to hang up the mop and reach for the phone?

 

Clue #1: Your first clue is when the home is unsafe to enter. This could be because of raging waters, electrocution hazards, damage to the structure, fallen trees, and other dangers. Don’t attempt to mop up in unsafe conditions. Instead, call a pro.

 

Clue #2: Your next clue is the sheer volume of the water flowing. It’s simple: the more water, the more water damage. Just about all water damage professionals understand the urgency of these situations and have built their companies on a model that prioritizes emergencies. These pros have their phones on 24/7 and are dedicated to providing waterlogged customers with a prompt response. They don’t arrive with mops; they arrive with industrial strength water extraction and drying equipment. Where you’d be bailing buckets of water out of your home for days on end, water damage pros quickly extract the water and set up industrial blowers. End result: Your home will be drier faster with dramatically less damage.

 

Clue #3: Your next clue involves the nature of the water incident. If a toilet overflows in the downstairs bathroom, the mop up job is far easier to handle than if the upstairs bathtub overflows and soaks through the ceiling and walls to the floors below. Likewise, a burst pipe almost always requires a call to the pros. Not only must the water be mopped up and the home dried out, repairs to the plumbing, walls, and floors must also be made. You’ll be calling a pro anyway, so the sooner you make that call, the better.

 

Clue #4: The water is contaminated. Contamination ranges from rust and debris to chemicals and raw sewage. Whenever the water source is questionable, stop mopping and call a professional. Water damage professionals are equipped to handle the hazards from the initial mop up and drying to the final cleaning and application of commercial disinfectants.  

 

Clue #5: You see (or smell) signs of mold. As you’re mopping, you’re not likely to notice mold at this point. Rather this clue arrives a day or two after you’ve mopped up the home. Mold is a serious aftereffect of water damage, bringing with it potential health problems and structural damage. Nip mold in the bud by calling a water damage / mold remediation professional at first whiff.

 

Clue #6: The water damage is caused by a covered homeowner’s insurance incident. When you know that a water event is covered by your insurance, call the professionals and rest easy knowing that your home is in good hands. Of course, water damage claims can be tricky as some water damage is covered by insurance and some isn’t.

 

Your safety, the potential for additional damage, the sheer volume of the task at hand, the nature of the plumbing incident, and potential health risks associated with water damage are all compelling reasons to stop mopping and start calling. Another good reason: if you want the job done correctly, call a pro. 

 

By: Mr. Mark Decherd

 

For more information and other articles by Mark Decherd go to:

 

Dryout® Inc.
1415 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, Fl. 33907
239-437-7100

 

 

Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water damage repair, restoration and reconstruction of commercial and residential properties damaged by fire, water and other disasters by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.

 

How to Fix Smelly Carpet

 

Does your house smell like a locker room or dirty sweat socks? Whether your whole house has smelly carpet or just a room or two, the odor can be overwhelming. Common carpet odors range from cat urine and smoke odors to mildew and that oh-so-pungent sweaty sock smell. Steam cleaning the carpets oftentimes makes the smell worse, especially if the water isn’t properly extracted during the process. In fact, your carpet may not have been overly smelly until after a water mishap.

 

Wet carpets are generally smelly carpets. If you think about it, all the dirt, debris, spills, and pet accidents soak deep into your carpet, often seeping down into the pad. Even if you mopped up the spill and regularly vacuum your carpet, the carpet pad gets nasty. Then, when you have a plumbing accident or rent a steam cleaner, your carpet becomes soggy. All that debris mixes with water and nature does its work, hastening the decomposition process which is a smelly process! Add in the potential for mold and mildew grow and it’s no wonder your carpet stinks.

 

Steps for fixing a smelly carpet range from home remedies such as sprinkling baking soda on the carpet to professional treatments. How you approach the job depends on the extent of the odor as well as its cause.

 

Detecting Carpet Odors

If you’ve lived in the house for some time, you may be accustomed to its smells and less likely to notice them whereas a visitor will immediately notice a foul smell. You would likely suspect that a smoke odor is likely present if you allow smoking in the home. Likewise, if your home has indoor pets, your carpet may have pet odors. If you’re unsure, ask a trusted friend to help you identify the odor. A fresh nose knows!

 

General Odors

For general carpet odors and refreshening, ordinary baking soda does wonders. Arm & Hammer recommends “a sprinkle a day.” First test for color fastness and then sprinkle baking soda on your carpets, allowing it to sit for about 15 minutes before vacuuming as normal. Anecdotal reports from users indicate that while baking soda has helped with odors, some users suspect that baking soda adversely affected their vacuum cleaners.

 

If you’re not comfortable using ordinary baking soda, you can try commercial products developed specifically for deodorizing carpets and upholstery such as Arm & Hammer’s carpet and room deodorizers or a Febreeze product. Many of these products are designed to “neutralize” odors rather than cover them up. Neutralizing the odor is preferable to simply spraying an air freshener as once the air freshener dissipates, the odor returns.

 

Many commercial carpet deodorizers are formulated to conquer specific odors such as pet odors or smoke. Likewise, many home remedies circulate the Internet targeting specific carpet odors such as using solutions containing ingredients as varied as vinegar, Listerine, or hydrogen peroxide. The problem with home remedies is color fastness. For example, you wouldn’t pour bleach on your carpets, would you? Then why would you spray peroxide on them?

 

Soggy Carpets

As previously mentioned, soggy carpets are smelly carpets. Whenever a water accident occurs, extracting the water immediately is crucial! The longer the water sits, the more smelly it will become. Use a water extraction type vacuum cleaner and extract as much water as possible or hire a water extraction company to do the job for you and then use fans to circulate air and further facilitate drying. For minor plumbing overflows, once the carpet is dry, the odor will likely become less noticeable. However, it may return the next time the carpet gets wet.

 

Depending on the extent of the water damage, you may need to pull the carpet to expose the pad. You may even have to replace the pad! Obviously the more difficult deodorization tasks such as a waterlogged carpet pad require professional help. Professional water extraction companies typically have access to more powerful deodorizers than those sold directly to consumers.

 

While hiring a pro to fix your smelly carpets may be more expensive than a box of baking soda or a can of carpet deodorizer, the results are worth it! If you can salvage your carpets and save yourself the cost of re-carpeting your home, hiring a pro for a professional deodorizing is money well spent.

 

 

By: Mr. Mark Decherd

 

For more information and other articles by Mark Decherd go to:

 

Dryout® Inc.
1415 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, Fl. 33907

239-437-7100

<A HREF="http://www.dryout.net">Water Damage</A>

 

Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water damage repair, restoration and reconstruction of commercial and residential properties damaged by fire, water and other disasters by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.

 

Water Removal as Fast as You Can

 

Mop, mop, as fast as you can. You can’t catch me – I’m the water damage man!

 

While the above is a silly little rhyme, keep it in mind the next time your house springs a leak or gets flooded. The urgency is real! Whether it’s a slow, seeping leak or a full blown water emergency, the sooner you get that water mopped up the less damage you will have to contend with later. Let’s take a look at a couple of scenarios.

 

Scenario #1: Dishwasher Overflow

The dishwater has overflowed and you are already late for work. You manage to turn off the water and power, but don’t have time to deal with mopping up the water until after work. No worries, right? It’s just water – and it’s clean water. Wrong. As the water sits in a puddle on your kitchen floor, it’s causing damage. It’s seeping into your hardwood floors or through the tile grout. It’s lapping against the bases of your kitchen cabinets, damaging them slowly but surely. It may even get to your drywall or seep into nearby drapes or carpets causing stains at best or, if undetected, future mildew growth.

 

Scenario #2: Leaking Roof

Your roof springs a leak and water is pouring in. Despite your best efforts, pots and pans did not fully catch and contain the water and you didn’t notice the water that collected at the bottom of one of the interior walls. A few days later, the roof has been patched and the pots and pans put away. But a lingering smell permeates the house: mildew.

 

Scenario #3: Burst Water Pipe

A pipe bursts while you are on vacation. A neighbor notices that water is flowing out of your home through the gap below your front door. He shuts off the main water valve to your home and tracks you down at your hotel. You arrive home as quickly as you can but it’s been several days since the pipe burst and flooded your home. What awaits you? A severely water damaged house with black mold throughout!

 

Each of these scenarios could be improved with a prompt water removal response. In the case of the overflowing dishwasher, water removal isn’t that difficult. Since most kitchen floors are either tile, linoleum, or hardwood, mopping up the water after an overflow is relatively easy. Letting the water sit allows it to seep and damage surfaces that would normally resist water for a short time. By ignoring the problem for the time being, damaged kitchen cabinets, loose tiles or warped floorboards, and mildew on nearby surfaces could result! These same damages could be prevented by promptly removing water! 

 

After a storm, it’s always a smart idea to inspect the interior for signs of water leaks and mop up the water ASAP. After all, not only can unnoticed water damage surfaces, it attracts mold. Not only will surface repairs need to be made, the mold and its resulting odor will also need to be dealt with.

 

As for the burst pipe while away from home, there’s not much you can do from afar other than count on the help of your neighbors. However, you can prepare for emergencies while you’re away by giving a trusted neighbor a key to your home and asking him to keep an eye on the house while you’re gone. In scenario #3, had the attentive neighbor called a water extraction company and allowed the pros in with the house key, most of the water damage would have been prevented.

 

No matter how the water arrived, mopping it up as fast as you can is essential in minimizing the damage. All homeowners should be prepared for the possibility of a flood or plumbing accident. Make sure that you know:

·       Where the circuit breakers are located so that you can turn of the electricity before risking your life

·       Where the main and local water shut-off valves are located so that you can stop the flow of water

·       Where your mop up supplies are located

 

Invest in a good mop, clean, absorbent towels and sponges, a wet vac-type vacuum cleaner, a bucket, fans, and plastic sheeting or a large tarp (for an emergency roof patch). Keep your water damage cleanup supplies where they are readily accessible and be prepared to use them at the first sight of the water damage man.

   

By: Mr. Mark Decherd

 

For more information and other articles by Mark Decherd go to:

 

Dryout® Inc.
1415 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, Fl. 33907

239-437-7100

<A HREF="http://www.dryout.net">Water Damage</A>

 

Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water damage repair, restoration and reconstruction of commercial and residential properties damaged by fire, water and other disasters by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.

 

Bleach Mold Away, Think So? Think Again!

 

Thinking about swabbing those mold spots with bleach? Think again. This home remedy, which was once widely used and even recommended by government agencies as a first defense against mold, is NOT recommended. In fact, the EPA now recommends against using mold in its publication titled A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home. This publication says:

“The use of a chemical or biocide that kills organisms such as mold (chlorine bleach, for example) is not recommended as a routine practice during mold cleanup.”  

 

Why not? After all, homemakers have been spraying bleach on mold spots for generations. There are several compelling reasons not to use bleach as a mold cleanup agent including its health effects, limited effectiveness, and potential to cause additional damage to building materials.

 

Adverse Health Effects of Chlorine Bleach

If you’re concerned about mold’s health effects, why would you want to subject yourself and your family to a dangerous chemical? Take a look at the warning label on your bleach bottle and you’ll see an exhaustive list of potential dangers such as:

“IRRITANT: May cause severe skin and eye irritation or chemical burns to broken skin. Causes eye damage. . . Strong oxidizer: Do not use or mix with other household chemicals such as toilet bowl cleaners, rust removers, acid or ammonia containing products. To do so will release hazardous gasses. . . Wear safety glasses and rubber gloves when handling this product. Wash after handling. Use with adequate ventilation.”

 

In addition to the corrosive and irritating effects of bleach, if you or a family member is allergic to chlorine, using household bleach in the home should be avoided as chlorine gas could be emitted in the presence of other chemicals.

 

When bleach mixes with other chemicals such as ammonia or acid, hazardous, sometimes fatal, gasses are released that can cause coughing, shortness of breath, irritation to eyes, nose and throat, chest pain, vomiting, fluid buildup in the lungs, pneumonia, or even death at higher exposures.

 

While you may not intend to mix chemicals, inadvertent mixing can occur. For example, if your toilet has a ring of mold, you may be tempted to pour some bleach in the toilet bowl in an effort to bleach the mold away. But what about that automatic toilet cleaner that you installed in the tank? What chemicals does it infuse into the water with each flush?

 

Ammonia is commonly found in glass cleaners, paints, and urine while acid is often found in toilet bowl cleaners, glass cleaners, drain cleaners, automatic dish detergents/rinses, rust removers, lime and calcium removers, brick and concrete cleaners, and vinegar.

 

Limited Effectiveness of Bleach on Mold

Even if bleach weren’t so toxic to you and your family, it has a limited effectiveness on mold. While bleach can kill mold on hard, porous surfaces, it is ineffective at killing mold when applied to porous building materials such as wood products. Mold sends out deep roots which penetrate wallpaper, drywall, ceiling tiles, carpets, insulation, baseboards, and upholstery. Since the bleach is unable to reach these roots, the mold quickly grows back after the initial application of bleach.

 

Bleach’s Damaging Effects to Materials

If you take a look at the warning label on your bleach bottle, you’ll likely see additional warnings such as:

“Prolonged contact with metal such as silver may cause pitting or discoloration.”

 

While you’re more likely to try mold on your walls than on your family’s heirloom silver set, these warnings should not be taken lightly. For example, if you pour bleach into a sink and allow it to sit for a few minutes, you may notice discoloration around the stainless steel drain. In addition to its damaging effect on metals, bleach and commercial “mildew removers” containing bleach should not be applied to marble or natural stone, wood or painted surfaces, aluminum, faucets, fabrics, carpets, and paper. These are but a few examples of surfaces that should be avoided that are commonly listed on products containing bleach. Corrosion and bleaching are among the adverse effects.

 

With its adverse health effects, limited effectiveness on solving mold problems, and damaging effects on the surfaces where mold is found, bleach is perhaps the worst possible choice for dealing with mold and mildew. If your house has a few flecks of mold, a good scrubbing with gentle cleansers followed by controlling the underlying moisture problem may be enough. If the problem is more severe, contact a professional mold remediation company for safe mold removal.

 

By: Mr. Mark Decherd

 

For more information and other articles by Mark Decherd go to:

 

Dryout® Inc.
1415 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, Fl. 33907

239-437-7100

 

Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water damage repair, restoration and reconstruction of commercial and residential properties damaged by fire, water and other disasters by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.

 

Water Damage and Insurance Claims: Which to submit, which to pay out of pocket

 

Most of us know that insurance premiums often climb after filing insurance claims. After all, the more you cost the insurance company in claims, the higher a risk you become. Homeowners insurance often covers water damage, but which water damage claims will cost you in increased future insurance premiums and which will not? How do you know which water damage claim to file and which one to pay out of pocket?

 

First, let’s look at one of the reasons why water damage claims raise red flags with insurance companies: the potential for future mold claims. It is conceivable that after the water has been cleaned up and the final bills paid, a mold claim will be next. It is also conceivable that following a water damage claim, the insurance company may expect these future expenses and raise your premiums in anticipation – or worse yet cancel your policy.

 

Next, let’s look at the total cost for repairs versus the amount of your insurance deductible. A typical homeowners insurance policy has a $500 deductible. If the water damage repairs fall below that amount, definitely pay for repairs out of pocket. If the water damage repairs are only slightly above your deductible amount, consider paying out of pocket anyway because insurance companies often look at frequency of claims. Having a series of small insurance claims on your policy may raise red flags, perhaps even being more likely to raise your premiums than a single large claim. In addition to raising alarms with your existing insurance company, these claims are recorded in a national database which is accessible by all insurance companies. Should you switch insurance companies, the new company will see a history of claims filed and price your premium accordingly.

 

Did you know that as soon as you call your insurance company about a water damage issue in your home a claim may be opened and recorded? Even if you are calling to find out if the damage is covered, if the insurance company opens a claim, the claim will appear as part of your claim history even if the insurance company is not involved in the repairs. Once again, your claims history is considered by future insurance companies, so be careful about calling the insurance company directly. Instead, call your insurance agent or obtain estimates from water damage contractors before filing the claim.  

 

Some states have introduced legislation prohibiting insurance companies from using certain types of claims, such as weather events, to base insurance ratings upon or impose surcharges on the policy. Each state has its own insurance laws, so make sure to browse your state’s insurance department’s Web site before submitting, or not submitting, a water damage claim. For example, if your roof needs to be replaced after a windstorm, the resulting claim might not result in a premium increase depending on your state’s insurance laws.

 

Another example illustrates how states restrict certain types of water damage claims. In Texas, an insurance company cannot raise your insurance premiums or deny coverage for an appliance-related water damage claim if the following two conditions have been met:

·       The water damage was properly repaired and remediated

·       The water damage repair/remediation was inspected and certified

However, if three or more appliance-related water damage claims are filed in three years, then the insurance company can increase your premiums or deny coverage.

 

So, which water damage claims should you pay out of pocket?

·        Any water damage claims that fall below your deductible amount

·        Any water damage claims that you can reasonably afford to pay that could potentially raise red flags with your insurance company

 

Which water damage claims should you submit to your insurance company?

·       Any water damage claims above your deductible amount that are protected from rate increases under your state’s insurance laws

·       Major water damage claims where extensive repairs are necessary and paying out of pocket isn’t reasonable.

 

Since it’s advisable to pay many water damage claims out of pocket, consider raising your insurance deductible to $1000 or more and receive the benefit of a large premium decrease. Put these savings into an emergency account for out-of-pocket repairs.

 

By: Mr. Mark Decherd

 

For more information and other articles by Mark Decherd go to:

 

Dryout® Inc.
1415 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, Fl. 33907

239-437-7100

 

Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water damage repair, restoration and reconstruction of commercial and residential properties damaged by fire, water and other disasters by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.