Water Damage Answers

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.

 

Break the Mold: Banish Mold with these Basic Home Maintenance Steps

 

What if you could break the mold on mold? You can! The key to controlling mold is preventing it from arriving in the first place. We’ve all heard horror stories about mold-infested homes that have had to be completely gutted. Obviously, if your home is already infested to this point, these basic steps will be too little, too late. But for the rest of us, paying attention to drips, leaks, and condensation can make a huge difference.

 

Why pay attention to drips, leaks, and condensation? Because water is mold’s best friend. If you can control the water, you have the upper hand in your battle against mold. Keep in mind that mold spores are everywhere. All they need to set up a colony is water and a food source. When mold spores find a water source, they thrive and grow, eating the surface material that it has landed on whether it be paint, drywall, carpet, material, insulation, or wallpaper. Since you can’t rid your home of its building materials and furnishings, and since you’ll never be able to eradicate mold spores, your only practical choice is to control the water on which mold flourishes.

 

Controlling Drips

Let’s take a methodical approach and start with controlling drips. Even if you don’t consider yourself handy around the house, fixing drips is one of the easiest do-it-yourself jobs you’ll find. Go room-by-room through your house and examine all water sources for drips. This includes faucets, shower heads, hose bibs – anywhere water comes out. Repair any drips that you find. This may require a quick trip to the hardware store for replacement aerators, washers, or other plumbing items.

 

Controlling Leaks    

Leaks are similar to drips. While drips typically come from faucets, drips come from cracked pipes, worn out lines, loose hose connecters, poorly sealed plumbing components, cracked windows, and other broken or damaged parts. This time, instead of going room-by-room in search of water, start at the top and work your way down. Start with the roof and work your way down to the basement in search of water leaks.

 

Look for stained ceilings and walls, wet carpets below windows, water damage around appliances as clues that a leak may be present. While you’re at it, make sure to check drip pans, condensate reservoirs, and other water collection devices and empty any collected water. Depending on the nature of the leak, the repair may require professional help. For example, if your roof is leaking, you may need to hire a roofer to repair the leak. On the other hand, if the refrigerator is leaking because of a small hole in the icemaker’s water line, you may be able to replace the water line on your own.

 

Controlling Condensation

Condensation, which is moisture in the air, often forms in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. It also forms on walls and windows in poorly ventilated homes under certain conditions. It can also form in between the panes of double-paned windows. One of the easiest ways to control most condensation problems is through ventilation systems. Your home may have an adequate ventilation system in place that is no longer doing its job efficiently due to a clog or it may not have a decent system in place at all. For example, dryer vents can become clogged with lint which can lead to problems exhausting moist air out of the home when drying your clothes. Unclogging the vent can solve this problem. On the other hand, you may need to install an exhaust vent in your kitchen or bathroom if your home is not currently equipped with these crucial devices. Once installed, make sure to use them to remove moist air from these areas after showering or cooking.

 

Controlling drips, leaks, and condensation can make a big impact in preventing mold. Make checking for leaks, drips, and condensation a regular part of your home maintenance routine and break the mold on mold!

 

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 was the Last Time Your Reviewed Your Insurance Policy?

 

If you’re like most homeowners, you carefully selected a homeowner’s insurance policy when you purchased your home. You made sure that you had adequate coverage based on the value of your home, its contents, and your financial needs at the time. However, if you’ve been in your home for a number of years, it’s highly likely that your situation has changed – for better or for worse. For example:

 

Your home may be over- or under-insured.

The cost of rebuilding in your community may be much higher now than it was at the time of purchase.

You may have valuable personal property that is not fully covered.

You may have higher.

You may be paying too much.

You may have liabilities that aren’t adequately covered such as a potentially vicious dog or a swimming pool.

 

Whether you are hoping to save money by finding a better insurance policy or increasing your deductible in exchange for lower premiums or want to ensure that you have the right amount of insurance for your situation, now is an excellent time to review your insurance policy.

 

Dwelling Coverage

The first step is to examine your current policy and compare your existing coverage with your current insurance needs. Have you added on to your home either through a remodel or by adding a pool or outbuildings? Chances are, your lender would have insisted that you increase your insurance at the time but this may have been overlooked if you self-financed the addition.

 

In addition to considering the additions to your home, consider the cost to rebuild should your home be completely destroyed. Your home may have increased or decreased in value since you purchased it but the home’s market value is not what you are insuring. You are insuring the cost to rebuild it from the ground up and these costs are not related to how much the home is worth but rather they are related to how much local building costs and materials are at the time you need to rebuild your home. Check with your local building association, real estate agent, or insurance agent to find out how much local rebuilding costs are per square foot and then multiply that number times the square footage of your home to determine an approximate rebuilding cost. Make sure that your home is insured for at least this much, more so if your home is extensively upgraded.

 

Personal Property Coverage

Next, take a look at your personal property coverage. Have you accumulated a lot of possessions since you moved in? Are all of these items covered? Probably not, especially if your policy limits artwork, jewelry, furs, coin collections, and electronics. Pay close attention to the details of the policy and consider purchasing endorsements for valuable items currently limited by your policy. In addition, make sure that your policy offers “replacement cost” coverage rather than “actual cash value.”

 

Liability Coverage

Your homeowner’s insurance policy provides liability to others, up to policy limits. If you or a family member causes bodily harm to others, even off your property, this liability coverage provides protection, up to policy limits, against lawsuits. It also covers damage caused by your pets; however, some breeds of dogs may be excluded so pay attention to the policy’s terms and consider increasing your liability coverage’s if you feel the amounts are not adequate. In addition, you may want to consider an umbrella policy depending on your financial circumstances and net worth.

 

Living Expenses

If your home were to be completely destroyed, where would you live while you rebuild? Does your policy provide for living expenses such as rent during rebuilding? Does it provide temporary benefits such as paying for hotels and meals during an evacuation?

 

Additional Considerations

Many insurance companies offer guaranteed building cost, building code coverage’s, and inflation guard options that provide you with additional peace of mind that you will not quickly outgrow your coverage.

 

Raising your deductible can reduce your homeowner’s insurance premiums.

Shopping around can yield better coverage’s at a lower price.

 

You may qualify for discounts for items like security systems and automatic fire sprinklers.

 

You may qualify for discounts if you insure your cars and homeowner’s insurance with the same company.

 

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

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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.