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Different Types of Mold Growth In A Home

Friday, September 10th, 2010
Mold growth in a home can rapidly cause damage in a number of ways. The presence of mold can not only ruin the interior of the house such as carpet, carpet padding or wood work, it can also cause health problems that will increase over time if not properly treated. When faced with a mold problem, the first step is to remove any visible mold such as obviously damage carpets, rugs or items. In some cases it is necessary to have a professional remove them. Removing visible mold is only the first step, not all mold may be obvious to the eye, making a mold restoration company a necessity in restoring the home to its previous state.

Penicillium is one of the most commonly found types of mold in homes. It is most often found on decaying food or soil as well as dust in central air units and can cause health problems and allergies in both humans and animals. Spores of this mold spread easily through the air.

Cladosporium, a powdery dark colored mold, is found on a number of surfaces though mostly on dead organic materials. It is known to cause a number of health problems such as rashes and other skin issues in humans.

Stachybotrys is often referred to as black mold, one of the most dangerous types that is found in homes. This mold produces toxins that can cause serious health complications such as headaches, asthma and cancer. Mold of this variety grows in places that are harder to clean without professional services.

Memnoniella often is found in cottons, woods or other porous materials. It is normally found growing in places where Stachbotrys grows as they are commonly found growing together. This mold is very dangerous and causes serious health problems if left untreated.

Mold of any variety can cause not only structural damage but health conditions which may develop into serious complications if not treated. The most effective method to restoring a home to a mold free state is by hiring professionals who specialize in mold removal and treatment.

Call us today for a free consultation 800-516-8059 or by email at: info@superrestoration.comIn your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059

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Furniture Restoration After a Fire is Possible

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
A house fire is a life altering event. If the owner or renter is lucky enough to have the house minimally damaged, there is still the aftermath. Insurance investigators will do their job once the claim is filed. When the claim is awarded, repair contractors must be hired. Most insurance covers personal belongings and furniture. Often, furniture is written off as a total loss because of the difficulties involved with removing smoke and soot from fabric. Most people will discard the damaged furnishings for this reason.

However, there are times when furniture can be restored and it is economical to do so. Quality and antique furniture may be impossible to replace. A lot of furniture sold now is just not as well-made as that made in the past. For instance, the frame of a sofa may be constructed from a lesser and lighter wood than the hardwoods used in the past. A dresser of yesterday may be all solid wood compared to modern dressers that often incorporate fiber board, paneling and veneers in their construction.

This is not a task for amateurs. Soot and smoke are toxic and contain cancer-causing carcinogens. The work can be tedious, which encourages a progressively sloppy effort. For these reasons, a professional water/ fire damage company should be hired to do the work. It must be done as soon as possible, because the longer the soot sits, the more it will sink in to the fabric or wood.

The restoration professionals have the tools and knowledge to repair furniture in the best manner possible. Each piece of furniture will be inspected to determine the proper course of action. Furniture can be cleaned, reupholstered, refinished and repaired as needed. Deodorization processes are able to remove the all-invasive smell of smoke. Furniture may require water removal techniques such as extraction and the application of desiccants. It will then be placed in dehumidified environment.

Cost is a major concern. Most fire restoration services will provide an estimate that compares the value of replacement with restoration. The consumer has a choice whether or not to restore fire and water damaged furniture. Many choose to save their furniture after learning that it is possible.

Call us today for a free consultation 800-516-8059 or by email at: info@superrestoration.comIn your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059

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How a Restoration Company Can Help with Water, Fire, and Mold Damage to Carpet

Monday, September 6th, 2010
Water damage to carpet will be inevitable for many people. With the amount of pipes that burst during winter seasons, or just faulty water pipes in general, homes and businesses can be affected with massive amounts of damage. There is also fire damage that can happen if a home or a business catches on fire. When water is left in carpet for a long period of time, mold can start to set in, and a home can be a dangerous and toxic place to be in. Most water damaged carpets in small areas can be taken care of with a water filtration vacuum cleaner, but if a person’s entire house is damaged, or if a business has many floors of water damaged carpet, they are going to need a better recourse. Restoration companies were created to help homes and businesses save their property from massive amounts of water, fire, flood, and mold damage to carpet.

Restoration companies can bring carpets back from the brink by returning carpets back to their original conditions. Most restoration companies are equipped to help homes and businesses that have been affected by natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, rainstorms, mudslides, monsoons, and windstorms, as well as burst pipes, sewer damage, fires, and explosions. No job is too big for most restoration companies. The areas of a home or business that a restoration company can work with are, fire damage, burned walls, clean up, restore, recover, redesign, and reconstruction. Restoration companies have the most state of the art equipment that can perform a dry down of a home or business when water damage has occurred. Their equipment can extract water from any carpet and floor boards underneath. Then,they will use a combination of demolitions, drying equipment, and air movers to further the restoration process. They are also equipped with infra red cameras that can find water damage that is unseen by most people. Once a home or business has been dried down, the recovery stage can take place. This is where the carpet will be restored, redesigned, and reconstructed.

Once a home or a business has been accessed for damages, a restoration company can have carpet back to new again within a few days time. Getting to the water damaged areas as quick as possible will help to save a home or a business from destruction.

Call us today for a free consultation 800-516-8059 or by email at: info@superrestoration.comIn your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059

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How to protect and prolong the life of tile

Friday, September 3rd, 2010
Decorative tile has become a popular decorating item in many homes. While tile adds to the home’s appeal, it is not without its weakness. Water can extensively damage tile and cause mold to grow in a person’s home.

A common place to find tile in a home is in the bathroom, specifically in a shower. These tiles are most often placed over drywall, as in homes built between 1965 to 1990, or cement walling, as found in newer homes. While tiles make for a sturdy shower space, they remain susceptible to damage from water left after a person bathes.

If a shower has a drywall backing, the remaining water will travel to the drywall, causing it to expand and swell. This expansion then causes the tile to become loose and perhaps even crack. The damage from cracked and loose tiles can be so significant as to warrant a shower’s needing to be entirely replaced. Cement walls do not absorb water; however, the water, instead of being absorbed into the walls, will travel to the showers floor. The water will then seep onto any surrounding floor tiling or carpeting and cause mold. Again, the damage can be so great that the homeowner may need to replace the flooring.

Home restoration professionals commonly recommend that a homeowner using grout to seal the cracks in between tiles to prevent the water from seeping into drywall. Grout is a cement-based product that, while not waterproof, prevents for some time the seeping of water into the drywall. Even more so, a homeowner should use inspect a shower’s grout and routinely replace it to ensure that the tiles will not be damaged. The grout should then be sealed with caulking. For newer showers that have cement walls, it is recommended that a weephole be placed in the shower. A weephole allows the water to travel back into the shower without damaging outside flooring or tiling. A weephole should never be filled with grout or caulk. Without an adequate weephole, a cement-backed tile shower stands to suffer damage to the shower pan and surrounding flooring.

Call us today for a free consultation 800-516-8059 or by email at: info@superrestoration.comIn your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059

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The Cost of Peace of Mind

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
Property ownership can be both rewarding and fraught with uncertainty. Costly nuisances such as water, mold, or fire damage can come without warning. The purpose of insurance is to offset the high cost of uncertainty. The keyword here is offset, because peace of mind comes at a cost.

The insured–the party who purchases the insurance–must pay a premium and a deductible to the insurer. The insurer is the company offering the insurance. The premium must be paid regardless of whether there is property damage. The premium is the amount that the insured pays for the option to allocate the risk of property damage to the insurer. The deductible, on the other hand, is the threshold amount that the insured must pay the insurer before the insurer will reach into its coffers to cover the remainder of the expenses associated with the property damage.

For example, if the deductible is $1000 and the property damage totals $5000, then the insured must pay the $1000 before the insurer will pay the remaining $4000. The same is true if the damage is $20,000 with a $1000 deductible. The insured must pay the first $1000 before the insurance company will pay the remaining $19,000.

It is possible to have a deductible of zero; however, the price of a low deductible is generally a high premium. The reverse is also true; the price of a low premium is a high deductible.

The choice between a high deductible or a high premium generally hinges on risk. For instance, a person who lives in a floodplain or a place known for its fires may choose to pay a higher premium in exchange for a lower deductible. Where risk is difficult to predict, the choice will boil down to what you can afford.

Either way, it is difficult not to choose the security of insurance.

Call us today for a free consultation 800-516-8059 or by email at: info@superrestoration.com

In your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059

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Smoke Odor Removal

Monday, August 30th, 2010
A fire on any scale can be a disastrous event, and often it is not just the fire damage itself that has to be dealt with. Cleaning up after a fire or accident that has left smoke or soot damage can be just as challenging as cleaning up the burned material. Smoke and soot have a tendency to penetrate many other rooms in a structure, often permeating things like furniture, drapes, clothing, and carpets. While vacuuming and wiping may help with the surface material, removing the smell usually proves to be the biggest challenge.

Removal of smoke and soot after a fire should always be left up to a professional, even in cases where the fire was small like a cooking accident. If the smoke and soot removal is not performed properly, there are real health risks that can arise. Smoke and soot are made up of fine particulates that float very easily when disturbed and are very easy to inhale. Some of these particulates come from toxic materials like burning plastics. An improperly cleaned piece of furniture, for instance, can become a source of smoke odor and respiratory irritants for many months after a fire.

Not all surfaces and materials can be cleaned of smoke odor in the same manner; some materials require specific chemicals and treatments to remove smoke odors and soot. Special techniques are needed for certain materials, particularly porous ones like concrete, masonry, drywall, and ceramic. These materials can absorb smoke odors and fine particles into walls, floors, and ceilings making them almost impossible to remove. Contacting an experienced professional in time can make the difference between salvage and reconstruction.

Relying on a professional for smoke odor removal also ensures that the items that can be saved, will be saved. Many times a professional can rescue furniture or other items that were considered a total loss. The chemicals and treatments used for smoke odor removal can also be hazardous if mishandled or used improperly, possibly posing health risks and making the situation worse.

Call us today for a free consultation 800-516-8059 or by email at: info@superrestoration.com

In your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059

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Call One Company if You Have an Emergency

Friday, August 27th, 2010
People do not like to think that emergencies can happen to them, but ignoring the possibility does not prevent them from occurring. It is always best to be prepared and know what to do if you should find it necessary to deal with an unpleasant situation. When you have a plan in mind, it is easier to remain calm and reassure your family if you are faced with a disaster.

If fire, water or mold causes damage to your home, it may not be safe to live there until you get the damage repaired, so you will want restoration to begin as soon as possible. It is wise to have an arrangement with a reputable company in place, so that if an emergency occurs, one quick phone call will get the process started immediately. Large loss response capabilities allow a customer to call one company for large and small emergencies. An emergency is always traumatic, but a dependable restoration company can help you to get back in your home in a reasonable time, so the disruption of your family’s lives will not need to be any longer than necessary.

When you deal with experienced restoration experts, you can have the assurance of knowing that they will handle your valuable possessions with the utmost care and get your family back in your home as quickly as possible. They will know the correct process to use during the entire procedure so that all details are covered. For instance, if you have water damage, they must dry the area thoroughly to prevent mold from forming, and inspect electronic appliances and equipment to ensure that they are safe to use again.

It is better to be prepared for something that does not happen than for something to happen for which you are not prepared. When you are ready for possible emergencies, you can be stress free and know that you have done the best that you can to take care of your family in any situation. Like the insurance that we hope we will never need, we hope we will not need emergency recovery services, but if we need either, we will be thankful that we took the necessary steps to have them.

Call us today for a free consultation 800-516-8059 or by email at: info@superrestoration.com

In your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059

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Remediation of Contaminated Chinese Drywall

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010
Defective or tainted drywall imported from China between 2001 and 2007 could give off sulfur gases which create a noxious odor and corrode metal surfaces. Sulfur emissions have been found to damage air conditioners, electrical wiring, copper plumbing, appliances, and electronics. Known adverse health effects from the contaminated drywall include nosebleeds, allergies, rashes, and headaches. Long term health effects of exposure to the sulfur fumes from the tainted drywall are unknown, although the United States government has begun several studies. The tainted drywall includes an estimated 20 million square feet in more than 65,000 American homes.

Issues with the contaminated drywall were first reported in 2008. The affected drywall (also known as wallboard, gypsum board, or plasterboard) was transported through ports in Florida, Texas, New Orleans, and California. The exact cause of the high concentrations of sulfur in the gypsum used to make the drywall has not been ascertained although experts believe the drywall was contaminated with fly ash during mining.

Homeowners who suspect they have tainted Chinese drywall should first consult a physician regarding the health effects. Then a certified electrician should be hired to examine the property for electrical or fire hazards. Following the inspection, homeowners should notify state/local officials as well as their insurance company, who can direct the homeowner to resources available to assist in remediating the contaminated drywall.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the Interim Remediation Guidance for Homes with Problem Drywall on April 3, 2010, which recommends that all possible problem drywall, all fire safety alarm devices including smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, all electrical components and wiring, all service piping, and all fire suppression systems be removed and replaced by a qualified professional. Additional items subjected to cross-contamination may also need to be replaced. Common items susceptible to cross-contamination include furniture, air conditioners, carpet, hardwood flooring, vinyl flooring, tile flooring, cabinets, countertops, trim, moldings, baseboards, and bathroom fixtures.

During and following removal of contaminated drywall and associated materials, the Consumer Safety Commission recommends using a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum and periodic ventilation of the residence to reduce the concentration of sulfur in air.

Call us today for a free consultation 800-516-8059 or by email at: info@superrestoration.com

In your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059

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The Insured’s Responsibility to Mitigate Immediately

Monday, August 23rd, 2010
If you have homeowner’s or flood insurance, are you aware of your responsibility to mitigate the loss? You need to take action to keep a problem from getting worse after making a claim or observing a problem. Failure to do so may affect the amount that your insurance will pay.

~What Does Mitigation Mean?

Imagine that a pipe breaks, causing a flood in your home. You have a responsibility as the insured party to make arrangements to stop the leak and clean up the water to prevent further damages. If you do not take these steps, the damage will get worse and more expensive. In this case, mold may begin to grow or water damage will increase.

~What are the Consequences of Not Mitigating Loss?

One legal case, Higginbotham v. New Hampshire Indem. Co., found that homeowners whose roof was damaged could receive payment for the damaged roof, but not for the water damage that occurred over several months before the roof was repaired. The judge determined that the homeowner could and should have taken action to prevent water from leaking through the damaged roof.

~How to Mitigate Against Further Damage

Be sure to contact your insurance company immediately and to take pictures of the damage that has already occurred. Then, take steps to prevent the problem from getting worse. This may include making temporary repairs, such as boarding up a broken window, or shutting off utilities, such as water to a damaged pipe. If a flood occurred, be sure to allow the area to completely dry to prevent the growth of mold or rust. You may also need to contact an expert to assist in repairs or flood cleanup. Save all of your receipts from supplies and repairs. Your insurance company may be able to provide emergency cash for these costs or may reimburse you after the fact.

By taking steps to reduce the chance of further damage, you are protecting your investment and avoiding unpleasant surprises down the road. If you have any questions about your responsibility in an insurance claim, ask your insurance company or a trusted expert for the type of damage that occurred.

Call us today for a free consultation 800-516-8059 or by email at: info@superrestoration.com

In your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059

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Cleaning Soot from Porous and Non-Porous Items

Friday, August 20th, 2010
Cleaning soot from porous and non-porous items is a major task. Soot is a result of the incomplete combustion of wood, coal, diesel oil or other materials. Soot is normally found in the form of a black powdery substance consisting mainly of carbon. Soot will absorb energy from sunlight rather than reflect it thus it is seen as one of the main sources of global warming. This is particularly true if soot happens to settle on snow or ice. Soot particles in the air are a contributing cause for many respiratory illnesses. A common cause of soot is burning wood in a fireplace. Fire damage to residential and commercial properties will require the careful removal of soot during the clean-up process. Fire restoration services will often, due to the nature of the damage, necessitate the need for water and mold restoration in a simultaneous fashion.

Professional fire restoration services will be able to properly and completely clean and remove all soot from the premises. Removing soot from porous items is difficult but possible. Soot can penetrate into porous items due to the unique physical qualities of the surface of the item. Leaving the soot on these items can have drastic negative consequences. Chemical deposits can be left behind which can later be transferred into the air by heating and air conditioning systems and cause respiratory issues. Items that cannot be cleaned of soot completely should be discarded for this reason.

Non-porous items are generally easier to clean. Glass and other non-porous surfaces can normally be restored with appropriate cleaning equipment and supplies. The equipment utilized to clean up after a fire includes high tech Industrial ultrasonic equipment used to clean computers completely. High pressure water is another technique used on appropriate surfaces. The equipment and supplies utilized by professional restoration companies is intended to restore the residential or commercial property to living or working quality with no presence of soot.

Fire restoration services must be sought from a fully trained professional. Cleaning up after a fire is not the same thing as removing excess soot from a fireplace area.

Call us today for a free consultation 800-516-8059 or by email at: info@superrestoration.com

In your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059

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