We will be wrapping up our 3-leg mold myth segment with a doozy of a myth. It is one that home owners are terrified of – their homes and properties depreciating in value because of mold contamination. Most individuals fail to realize that mold is a result of water damage, and instead deem the property unworthy because it fell victim to mold.

The difference between a home that loses value because of mold contamination and one that doesn’t depends on the decontamination approach. Most remediation services only do half the job, they merely remove the visible signs of mold; but that is not all that is needed. Mold spores are airborne particles, meaning that if they are not removed from the air, and are treated only on the moist surfaces, then the particles will remain there. Any remediation approach that fails to decontaminate an entire structure simply fails altogether. And likewise, any attempt to maintain the value of a contaminated home will fail.

If you want to maintain the value of your home you must hire a company who supplies a total indoor air quality approach. While it may seem like it’s impossible to maintain the value of your home after a traumatic experience like mold remediation, it is plausible as long as your hire the correct decontamination approach.

As we promised, we are continuing our “Mold Myths” segment, and the next one on the chopping block is the ill-concieved notion that mold contamination is a result of one’s socio-economic status. Nothing could be less true than this myth. Mold is a result of water damage, and lack of correct water extraction.

No one is immune to the perils of mold. While there is some truth to every tall-tale – older, less-expensive homes are more like to have poorer heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, mold contamination can occur in the most expensive and prestigious homes in the country. Don’t believe us? Well, we’ll take this opportunity to cite some examples.

The Texas Governor’s mansion sits at the heart of downtown Austin, Texas. It is a well to-do neighborhood, with perfectly manicured landscapes that would rival any other home in the county. The only thing is that the man who was the governor of Texas at the time, who would later on become President, had to contract a mold remediation company to rid the building of the problem.

Then-Governor George W. Bush is not the only higher-tier personality who has experienced mold problems. Michael Jordan, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, Ed McMahon, Bianca Jagger and Lou Ferrigno have all had to hire professionals to rid their lives of mold.

Whether you’re struggling to make ends meet or president of the United States, mold can affect you.

Mold myths – they have been perpetuated for years now, and at times contaminated homes go untouched because of the negative stigma associated with them. When it comes to residential properties mold remediation is more often than not ignored because of the close proximity of the houses, and the labels that a home can get stamped with if the neighbors find out. Things get even worse when it comes to business, no business wants to be associated with mold, even if it just the result of water damage.

That is why we are about to have a three segment series on some of the most popular mold myths, and facts that disprove them.

Mold myth number one: Only messy or filthy houses have mold. This may because our moms engraved into our brains that if we didn’t clean our rooms, or had immaculate living facilities, that dirt would trail in, and what’s associated with being dirty? Mold. This is probably the biggest contributor to the mold stigma, and the ironic thing about it is that it’s false.

Mold is a fungus, which is common in outdoor air. It reproduces by producing microscopic particles called spores. Mold spores are so minuscule that more than 250,000 can fit on the head of a pin. This makes it especially easy for them to travel to any environment, but they are attracted by moisture-rich environments. And no matter how much you clean after a hurricane has struck, and water extraction services have been hired, mold can still come about because of the moisture.

So in essence mold does not mean you are filthy and unhygienic, it just means that there is moisture present in property. Even the cleanest house on the block can be a breeding ground for toxic mold.

Water damage can come about because of a variety of things, not just water disasters; for example, water suppression from trying to put out a fire is a main culprit for water damage. That is why we are so concerned with the wildfire risks in Florida counties.

29 Florida counties have been forced to ban open fires because of the drought conditions and rampant wildfires in the areas. What constitutes an open fire? Well for 22 of those counties, the ban covers fireworks. Just in time for Fourth of July, yippee!

The Florida Division of Forestry said Tuesday that more than 440 active wildfires were destroying land across the state. Two forest rangers were killed fighting one of the fires at the Georgia border Monday. Our condolences for the families of those forest rangers.

Why is Florida in flames? The heat and lack of rain have contributed to one of the worst years for wildfires in recent history in Florida. You can’t tell us you haven’t felt the heat in the past couple of days. The forestry division says that through Tuesday, 3,800 wildfires have consumed nearly 400 square miles in Florida. Alachua, Marlon, Polk, Volusia, Brevard and Osceola are among the counties where local governments have included fireworks in their burn bans. We’re sorry kids, but your homes and forests come before sparklers do.

Hurricane. Season. Those two words can strike fear in even the burliest of men in South Florida. Hurricanes bring with them discomfort, damage, even fatalities. That is why it is always best to be better safe than sorry, and now what you’re going up against, and avoid as much water damage as you can. So what’s in store for the 2011 NOAA Forecast? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is expecting an above-normal hurricane season this year, uh-oh.

NOAA is predicting the following for the 6 hurricane season months:

• 12 to 18 named storms with at least 39 mph or higher, of which:
• 6 to 10 could become hurricanes, with winds of 74 mph or higher, including:
• 3 to 6 major hurricanes. Major hurricanes consist of categories 3 or higher, winds of 111 mph or higher.

Now don’t get too scared, each of these ranges has a 70% likelihood; but, yes there is always a but, it is predicted that the activity will exceed the seasonal average of 11 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes.

“The United States was fortunate last year. Winds steered most of the season’s tropical storms and all hurricanes away from our coastlines,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “However we can’t count on luck to get us through this season. We need to be prepared, especially with this above-normal outlook.”

We may have an idea of the numbers, but we don’t know where they can, or will, fall. Landfall is dictated by weather patterns in place at the time the storm approaches. Just think back on the tornadoes that hit the South and the flooding in the spring, those serve as a reminder that damage can occur anywhere.

With the beginning of hurricane season in South Florida comes the possibility of water damage. There is nothing more terrifying to a Miami property owner than the impending doom of a hurricane. That is why we, and the Florida Department of Transportation, are about to remind you the cardinal rules of hurricane season when it comes to evacuating, because Ananth Prasad, the FDOT secretary, said “while Florida has been fortunate to avoid significant hurricane activity the past few years, we must be vigilant in preparing for this season, especially with the above-normal outlook.” That’s not good news!

• Know your designated evacuation routes. Know where you need to go, and where you and your family are safest; which at times is not at home, so do not be stubborn and put your life at risk.
• Be patient and expect traffic when evacuating. Everyone is trying to get to a safer place, remain calm.
• Use service areas and rest areas for brief stops. We mean it, time is not on your side when a hurricane is approaching. Evacuate your area as soon as possible.
• Disabled vehicles or those that have been involved in crashes should wait for emergency responders away from traffic if possible
• Although this may seem obvious, before leaving fill up on gas, no matter how long the lines may be.
• Take bottled water with you; at least 72 hours worth of food, mostly non-perishables and limiting salty foods. Pack medications.

And if these tips weren’t enough for you, you can always call 511 to speak to officials who will provide evacuation and emergency travel information.

Some times you don’t really need to call professionals for water extraction services, there are ways to prevent water damage. We’re about to let you in on nine different ways you can prevent the worst from happening.

1. Check all your household appliances. Not only are they expensive and costly to replace, but they can also jeopardize your safety. Make sure the hoses on appliances are in tip-top shape, that the drains are not blocked by debris, and that none of the appliances are leaking. If there is a tear in a hose, a drain is blocked, or there is excessive moisture in the air because of an appliance, water damage can occur.

2. Buy only quality household appliances. Homeowners should only invest in household appliances that have made the grade. This means that not only should they have been made by a reputable company, but they should also have passed safety tests and quality standards. While we know cheaper prices can prove to be very seductive, they can also prove to be a liability in the long run.

3. Check all plumbing. This includes all showers, sinks, tubs, toilets, etc. Make it a habit to check under kitchen sinks and bathroom sinks. The drainage pipes should not be leaking. You should also check for any leaking around toilets or shower. If these areas remain wet a while after someone has used them then that is a sign that their are problems. As much as possible, do not hang or place deodorizers, decorations, sanitizers, and the likes near toilet bowls. These are often the cause of toilets clogging and causing water damage at home.

4. Keep appliances and plumbing clean. Well-maintained appliances do more work, need less repairs, and have lower risks for water damage, it’s a no-brainer. If your plumbing is free of debris and is clean then the water will flow more freely and less clogging will occur.

5.  Check all pipes. If there are mysterious water stains on your walls then these are signs that the pipes beneath them can be leaking. In order to prevent water damage from occurring keep an eye out for suspicious water stains, and perform regular check-ups on your pipes.

6. Check all doors and windows. Make sure that all doors and windows are installed correctly and are not allowing too much rain or moisture into your property. Ensure that all the door and window seals are closed tight to prevent water damage.

7. Always inspect the roof. A lot of property owners forget to check their roofs, when in reality it is one of the most vulnerable parts of your property because it is always exposed. It deteriorates a lot quicker than other elements, that is why you need to be constantly inspecting it to make sure it is still intact. Replace anything that has cracked, and cover anything that has opened up.

8. Keep your most important valuables in a safe. Water damage can never be 100 percent completely prevented from starting in a home, so think and act ahead. Keep all important documents, books, photographs, and other things of value that are vulnerable to water damage in a safe.

9. Install water alarms. Water alarms work just like fire alarms, they sound off when there is excessive moisture in an area. Although they may be expensive, they are an investment when it comes to protecting your property.

You can never really completely prevent water damage, but these nine steps can make you make all the more prepared.

You know what they say – misery loves company, and that proves to be especially true when it comes to water damage and stress. It’s hard to believe the possibility of water extraction without imagining the headaches that are behind it.  But have no fear! There are ways to prepare yourself, and they are not only physically, but mentally as well!

1. Know the vale of your asset. You should always know what you’re in for, especially when it comes to your property and its valuables. Before a crisis strikes you need to determine the value of your affected asset, so that when damage does occur you know what needs to be fixed first, what can be tossed, and if it would prove to be more economic to just move out entirely.

2. Do a financial check-up. Aside from surveying your property you need to know how you are doing financially, in general. This is because water damage restoration can prove to be extremely expensive, and you need to know what you’re going up against, and what you are taking into battle.

3. Take concrete steps to prevent water damage from happening again. Get in touch with the water damage experts in your area and conduct research so that the next time this may happen you know who to call. Who knows, it may be us! You can also install sump pumps, these help drain out the water and prevent the accumulation of it. Aside from the extreme, you can also change the locations of things in your properties, e.g. install higher shelves, place the antiques and furniture in high surfaces, etc.

4. Be more optimistic! We know that it will be stressful, but freaking out about it and going crazy over it will not make anything better, only worse. Stay positive and tell yourself everything will be alright, and that you are doing everything you can do. Empower yourself so that you can kick water damage to the curb!

One of the worst things that can happen to anyone is the loss of his or her precious memories. Nothing hits more close to home than the damaged photographs, or remnants of them, after water damage has occurred; but there are ways to change the inevitable fate of those flooded photos.

We took the time to investigate the restoration process of photos, because we know that water extraction is not easy and the potential loss of our keepsakes only makes it worse. . Antiques and old photographs are irreplaceable even if scans and reprints can be performed. The sentimental or intrinsic values of these old photos can never be replaced.

So where do we begin? Well, for starters, you need to perform the restoration process as soon as possible, preferably within 48 hours of the damage occurring. That is because mold and mildew can grow if too much time has elapsed, the main goal is to  reduce the humidity and prevent the growth of these microorganisms.

Photos should be handled with the utmost care, only being touched on the edges, because if they are handled directly smears and smudges can occur. And if two images are stuck together do not pull them apart because the picture sides will be ruined. These can be separated by slow rinsing them in cold water until the individual photos separate.

Each photo should be laid out flat on paper towels with the photo-emulsion side facing up. Do not use printed paper towels because the ink or colors can transfer on to the photo, completely ruining the process. Slowly air dry them using a low-power air blower or place them inside an isolated room with a dehumidifier.

While we know that nothing can take the place of original, digital back ups are good alternatives if it is a lost cause.

Water has very strong destructive properties and water damage, although it can be underestimated, can have debilitating effects on print mediums. Books, for example, can be warped or reformed to the point that they are unrecognizable. Especially if you, the homeowner, decided to dry them on your own accord using improper ways of performing document drying. You can’t say we didn’t warn you! You may also be surprised as to how quickly the book can be damaged, it only takes one to four hours soaked in water for the pages to swell and the binding to deform.

Books are very difficult to restore because of the bounded pages, which often result to pages sticking or adhering to one another causing irreversible damages. When it comes to drying books and manuals the most effective method would be the vacuum-freeze drying technique. It consists of the wet item being frozen at an incredibly fast rate so as to prevent the water from creating further deterioration on the paper material. The book is then placed inside a vacuum chamber, and the temperature inside the chamber is slowly elevated to thaw the material out. The chamber fits perfectly for this method because it removes evaporated moisture as the temperature increases.

It may not be worth to spend the money to purchase the machine, or hire someone to perform the process, unless it is a rare or antique book. You will have to weight the costs and benefits of such a procedure. You may want to consider trying a less effective technique, like air-drying. When you air-dry a book you must use paper towels to remove extra water from the book surface, and spread talcum powder throughout the pages so as to prevent the pages from sticking. The book should be held at both covers so the pages can be air-blown without the pages sticking to one another as they dry out.  Or you can try using a dehumidifier. Again, pages should be sprinkled with talcum powder to prevent them from sticking with one another.

Whatever your method of choice be sure to use the utmost caution in order to prevent any further deformation.