Posts Tagged ‘Miami Mold Damage Super Restoration’

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Mold in HVAC Ductwork

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

The presence of mold in a home or building can result in a significant indoor air quality problem. Any species of black mold poses a potential health threat to the building’s occupants. Many mold problems originate in the HVAC ductwork where there is an ideal environment for mold propagation.

As mold breaks down different materials to obtain nutrients, the byproducts include volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). While the mold continues to grow, spores are released to establish new colonies. The combination of VOC’s and mold spores in the air stream triggers allergic reactions in people with sensitivities. There are a variety of health issues associated with mold contact including skin rashes, lesions and even invasive disease.

Moisture and Ductwork

Uninsulated duct systems often create condensation issues that result in moisture on the interior surface of the bare sheet metal. Even internally insulated ductwork can experience mold growth if the system is improperly sized. Anywhere there is a source of moisture, mold will begin to grow.

Most heating and air conditioning systems include a blower to distribute conditioned air throughout the building. When mold is present in the ductwork system, the fan also pushes spores and VOC’s into every sub domain in the structure. As a result, addressing mold growth in a duct system is a primary remediation objective.

Cleaning and Prevention

Many water, mold and fire restoration companies specialize in removing mold colonies and installing preventative measures to eliminate future growth. In any remediation operation, the source of the moisture in the duct system must be isolated and eliminated.

Professional cleaning of the ductwork includes using disinfectants to kill existing mold colonies. A variety of different technology is employed to thoroughly clean the ductwork such as compressed air washing, HEPA filtration and manual scrubbing.

To prevent the reestablishment of mold in the ductwork, a strategy of filtration and eradication is most often employed. This usually includes HEPA filtration or electronic air cleaners installed directly in the air stream. Other devices such as UV lamps and ozone generators will prevent colonies from recurring and ensure that the home or business will remain mold free.

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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Allergies related to mold exposure

Monday, July 26th, 2010

Chances are that you have encountered mold at one point in your life. From a leaky bathroom faucet to an old loaf of bread, mold can grow in many places. Unfortunately, allergies related to mold exposure are a serious problem for many people. It is estimated that 10% of Americans are allergic to mold.

Symptoms of a mold allergy include dizziness, nose bleeds, nausea, difficulty breathing and skin rashes. In serious cases of overexposure, mold can even cause death. If you suspect that you are allergic to mold, check with your doctor for a mold allergy skin test.

The first step in treating a mold allergy is eliminating exposure. If that is not possible, your doctor might recommend antihistamine medications or a series of allergy shots to help reduce symptoms.

Unfortunately, detecting mold in your home can be difficult. Mold can grow year-round in many types of environments. When mold grows in a visible location, it is apparent to the naked eye in the form of brown or black spots. However, it can also grow in places that you are unlikely to see, such as closets, refrigerator door gaskets, air conditioner units and carpets.

If you suspect that your home is harboring dangerous mold allergens, it’s time to call in the professionals. A water, mold and fire restoration company can assess the extent of the damage in your home and repair any damage that has been done. After a professional restoration company has completed the task, you can rest assured that your home is mold-free.

The cost of professional water, mold and fire restoration varies depending on the extent of the job. Be sure to check your homeowner’s insurance to see if the work is covered under you policy.

Once the experts have cleared your home of mold, be sure to keep up regular maintenance to ensure a mold outbreak does not occur again. Keep an eye out for leaks, and inspect windows and doors regularly to ensure that unwanted moisture cannot enter your home.

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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Home Sick: Toxic Mold From Water Damage

Friday, July 23rd, 2010
Mold is a type of fungus that can only grow in moist conditions, and it is sure to form if the moisture content in a house is not controlled. The most common household molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria, and Aspergillus. Most of these molds are either black or white in appearance. Mold is destructive to the home because it destroys the materials that it grows on, due to the physiology of the fungus. Unlike plants, fungi can not make their own food, so they produce enzymes that break down whatever food source they happen to be attached to. Wood, drywall, carpet, and other materials make an excellent source of food for mold. This is why mold from flood damage and water damage is the worst enemy.

In addition, certain molds in the living environment can make a person very ill because they release allergens called mytotoxins. These function by killing healthy cells in the infected organism. People with asthma must especially be on guard as these can trigger severe attacks. A normally healthy person can become very ill from exposure to mold toxins as well. Prolonged exposure induces severe headaches, swelling, irritated skin, and respiratory illness. It would be especially disastrous to have mold growing where a young child or elderly person spends a lot of time, because the effects are harder on their bodies. The mold of most concern is called Stachybotrys chartarum, a dreaded green-black colored mold. This species has been blamed for causing acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage in infants, a condition in which the blood vessels in the fast growing lungs rupture.

Most insurance companies do not cover mold damage, but do cover water damage from leaks. these reasons make it very important to make sure that all leaks in the home are repaired promptly, and that any existing mold is killed and cleaned as soon as possible.

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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Carpets Must be Thoroughly Dried to Prevent Health Conditions

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
The importance of thoroughly drying carpets after water damage cannot be stressed enough. There are important steps to follow if the homeowner prefers do it yourself methods instead of hiring professionals. The homeowner must realize that interior fibers of the carpet may still contain moisture even if the surface appears dry. This moisture causes the growth of bacteria, viruses, parasites, mold, and mildew. Respiratory infections, asthma, internal bleeding, and even death can occur from this growth. The removal of mold is an expensive and time-consuming process that must be dealt with by professionals.

The damaged carpet must be removed from the room and laid outside in the sunlight. If the rug is too large to accomplish this, it must be rolled up from the floor so towels can dry the carpet and floor underneath. Oftentimes the padding must be removed and discarded since it will be unsalvageable. Circulating air by using fans, dehumidifiers, heaters, and air conditioners also helps the drying process. Keeping doors and windows open allows sunlight to warm and dry the carpet. This do it yourself process can take two or more days to complete. Another method is to rent a wet/dry vacuum to extract the excess water from the carpet.

Water damage results from the broken water pipes of a dishwasher, washing machine, sink, or bathtub. Rain water can leak from the roof onto the floor and carpet in the room below. Backup of the commode in the bathroom can leave a terrible aftermath not only in the bathroom but nearby rooms. It is important to wear protective clothing such as rubber gloves and boots, and face and eye protection from any splash while cleaning. A bleach and water solution must be properly applied to sanitize and disinfect the area affected by this type of damage.

Leaving moist carpet in a room can also damage the floor itself whether it is concrete, tile, laminate, or hardwood. Dry rotted floors cause even more problems. The importance of thoroughly drying carpets after water damage can be a heavy burden on homeowners. If excess moisture is not removed promptly and properly, the health and well being of family members can be affected as well as further damage to the home itself.

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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Water Damaged Homes In Summer – What You Need To Know

Monday, July 19th, 2010

For many summer is a blessing. However for those dealing with a water damaged home summer can be a nightmare. On top of the obvious repairs for water damaged homes one hidden danger is especially present – mold. But first before we get into why summer is such a bad season for mold growth, let us discuss what mold is and what causes mold.

Mold is essentially a small fungi that can be found in most homes and places of residence. These small fungi reproduce through spores and of the thousands of species of mold only a few are toxic towards humans. This is not to say that the non-toxic mold cannot have negative health effects, certain molds has been shown through studies to cause allergies, adverse reactions and respiratory diseases even though deemed “non-toxic.” Although found in most homes, it is when water damage occurs that a mold infestation can become out of control and a contractor must be brought in.

There are three conditions that mold requires to grow: nutrients, moisture and time. Since cellulose (a common mold nutrient) is present in most homes and mold spores have nothing but time, the only ingredient needed for mold to grow water. This can come in the form of excessive moisture in the air or from water damage, a particular hazard for mold growth. This can be especially hazardous in the summer time, as the damage from water can be multiplied exponentially by the season.

The reason behind this is due to the humidity that summer brings. Xerophilic molds use the surrounding humidity as their only source of water, so when the summer heat brings in the humidity mold has all the ingredients it needs to reproduce. To top that off, water damage soaks the surrounding environment with even more moisture so that other types of mold can grow. So on top of the physical damage from water the infestation of mold is in a sense the icing on the cake.

Once infested, mold must be cleaned with a detergent that physically removes the spores from the environment. Many products render mold inactive, however toxic molds can still cause illness or even death if left untreated. There are specialists who clean mold, but care should be made so that the cost of removal doesn’t exceed the cost of the home. Certain homes may be cheaper to condemn and rebuild than to remove mold.

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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Is Your Condo Protected?

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
So, you finally made a leap of faith and purchased your dream condo, but how do you know that it is properly protected? More often than not, your condo’s maintenance will be under the supervision of your respective condo association, who may not be hiring the proper restoration companies to take care of water, mold, and fire damage. So how can you convince them to do so? This guide will help you learn how to make sure that your condo association is using the best restoration company available to properly take care of water, mold, and fire damage if and when it occurs.

The first thing you will want to do when making sure that your condo association chooses a company that can properly manage such damage issues is to communicate to them the huge disadvantages of not contracting a company that can handle such repairs. Make it clear to them that hiring an unqualified company can lead to more damage and unforseen lost time. Let them know that hiring a qualified company will mean less headaches and less work for them in the long and short-term. More often than not, condo associations will hire a company based on their price quotes and not on the actual quality of work. Though this may seem smart to them, this is a huge mistake for those that own condos under the supervision of the association, since it can mean that the job will not be done right the first time. Such scenarios can lead to lost time for the condo owners, as well as an embarrassment when friends or family decide to visit them and see subpar work done, or worse, no work done at all on the damaged areas of their residence.

The second thing you’ll want to communicate to your condo association is that a cheap price quote from their current unqualified vendor may not translate into any price savings whatsoever. Let them know that a cheap price quote often means cheap work done, which usually only leads to more repairs down the road, which cause even more expenses, since the job wasn’t not done right the first time.

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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Mold Education

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Although it isn’t as obvious as water or fire damage, home owners should be on the lookout for mold damage. Not only does it cause unpleasant, musty smells throughout a home, some molds can cause serious health risks. The longer mold is allowed to sit, the more extensive the damage can become. Mold damage will significantly lower the resale value of a home and may require heavy repairs to correct if allowed to grow out of control.

When Am I At Risk For Mold Damage?

Mold is most common in areas that are hot and damp or otherwise humid. This can naturally occur due to summer heat or rain, particularly in homes with inferior insulation. Natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods are also common causes of mold damage. Mold can also be the result of unnoticed leaks or poor plumbing.

What Are The Signs Of Mold Damage?

Mold and mildew tend to produce a very distinctive musty odor. Different types of mold are more pungent than others. It will also produce spores that can be seen floating in the air. These spores can cause allergies to act up, sometimes severely. Other signs of mold include white or black spots growing on walls or ceiling tiles.

Not only mold is readily visible. It can be growing behind walls or within surfaces for some time before becoming apparent on the surface. The dangerous health effects of mold can still persist even if it can not be seen.

What Are The Dangers Of Mold Damage?

Most types of mold will cause only minor allergenic problems. However, some types of mold can release “mycotoxins”, which can cause severe and persistent health problems to all who are exposed. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, and severe respiratory distress.

If you feel that your home has a mold or fungus problem, contact a professional immediately to help clean the affected area. By hiring a cleaner, you can ensure that knowledgeable, skilled workers will attend to your mold damage and insure that your home is clean and safe for your family. Don’t let mold damage ruin your home or health! Call today to get rid of the mold and get on with your life.

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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Mold Inspection Tests

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Are you sure your home or business doesn’t have mold? Mold inspection tests assess and identify mold and other potential air pollutants in your home. Standard equipment alert you to potential toxic activity found in humid climates. The best way to find your home or offices vulnerability is by performing a mold inspection test.

Definition of Mold

Mold is a type of fungi that produce appendage growths on damp or decaying material. Mold reproduces by spores that can become airborne for extended time and last through temperature changes. The fungi thrive in moisture filled areas including building materials.

Importance of Inspection Tests
Mold inspection tests are beneficial because they fully examine for current and future mold occurrences. Inspections are extremely useful because they find the source, identify it and detect existing mold .These indispensable examinations aid in superior cleanup of the fungi and preventing future growths.

Mold Health Risks

The presence of fungus can produce various health-related illnesses. Toxic mold can produce skin rashes, immune problem, and nausea among other problems. Allergy problems from mold are itchy burning eyes prone to infection and dizziness and other symptoms. Pets, young children and the elderly have an increased risk of sick due to presence of molding spores.

Mold exposure can happen in various ways that can be detrimental to health and wellbeing. Spores are airborne; therefore they can enter through respiratory system. Touching or ingesting items that contain fungi are other ways to becoming exposed to mold.

Could I have mold?

Mold grows prevalent in areas with constantly high humid climates. Buildings that contain leaky plumbing or a musty smell may contain fungi. Walls and ceilings that have water damage may already contain fungus spores.

If you have any of the above problems, then you may already have mold. Mold inspection tests evaluate fungus probability in your home.

Mold inspection tests are advantageous for buildings in humid climates and damp conditions. Mold is a fungus that can negatively affect health and lead to illness, don’t risk your health.

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 Dangers of Water, Mold and Fire Damage

Monday, April 12th, 2010

 Even the most cautious and prepared homeowners may find themselves in a position of having standing water in their home. There’s only so much you can to protect your home from hurricanes and regional flooding. Pipes can burst unexpectedly, even when you are away on vacation. And when a house has standing water, mold is the next course of evolution. Unless the water is thoroughly and properly dried, mold can be left with a prime surface for growing. Often unseen and undetected, the spores released can migrate through carpets and soft sheetrock walls, causing serious physical ailments. Even with smoke alarms and other preventions in place, your home can still fall victim to fire. Defective appliances can find their way into any home and kitchen accidents can happen even with the most careful chefs at work. Whether the tragedy affecting your home is water, mold or fire damage, Super Restoration can help you rescue your home.

Water will take the easiest path of travel. This is a well-known fact. What people don’t always realize is that the easiest path of travel may well be straight up a sheetrock wall. When standing water is present in a home, it can easily wick up the sheetrock, creating further damage. It will spread quickly through carpets and into any lower levels. It may seem like a simple matter to dry the floor, but getting the underlying padding and subfloor dry can pose a greater challenge. Yet drying these hidden areas fully and quickly is vital to preventing the growth of mold. Super Restoration will respond to your call quickly, with the right equipment to clear the water and moisture from your home.

Southern Florida has warm temperatures and high humidity, which encourages the growth of mold to begin with. Once mold establishes itself in a home it does not take long to spread and cause extensive damage. With Super Restoration you can rest assured that the mold will not be given the chance to take hold. Any existing mold will be thoroughly and safely removed and the areas cleaned.

In addition to checking all affected areas for mold, the subfloor, structural materials and crawl spaces must be inspected for damage. Rot that occurs due to water damage can continue to spread even after the standing water is removed. And anyplace that remains even slightly damp afterwards can easily become a breeding ground for potentially toxic mold. Trust Super Restoration to check your home so that you won’t have to worry about hidden damage.

Fire can completely destroy a home. But even a small kitchen fire that you were able to extinguish with your home extinguisher can leave behind serious challenges. Smoke and soot can leave an unhealthy film on appliances and furnishings that can create breathing problems. Sheetrock walls can absorb the smoke, causing further damage and a smell that persists long after the fire was put out. The smoke can also react with metal building materials in the house, creating unsafe conditions. Super Restoration specializes in clearing soot and smoke from your home, leaving you with a fresh, safe, clean environment.

Water, mold and fire have the potential to make your home uninhabitable. When tragedy strikes your home, call Super Restoration so that you can rest easy knowing that your house will be clean, safe and secure for many more years to come.

In your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059

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Mold Inspection

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

Super Restoration not only specializes in mold remediation, but also provides quality mold inspection services. This can be an important part of buying a home or a business, as the effects of mold not only affects the quality of the property, but can also affect the way people breathe and feel.

Mold inspection is especially important for properties that have experienced flooding, a leaky roof, or any other type of water damage. Mold may be visually apparent in some areas, but other areas with mold damage may not be as obvious. During their mold inspection process, Super Restoration will not only be able to trace the source of the mold, but can also test the mold to find out if it is allergenic, cosmetic, pathogenic or even toxic.

While some mold may not be visible, it is still likely that you will be able to smell it. This is where the experts at Super Restoration really earn their money, as they will be able to find the location of the mold and get rid of that disturbing odor without the need for the source of the problem to be visible.

The advancements in construction have resulted in increased energy efficiency, but the way structures are being built now can be a problem when it comes to mold. Because mold thrives in dark, moist, and warm crevices, the “green” construction that is part of building these days can lead to mold developing. Super Restoration has the experience and knowledge to assess areas that could present problems with mold, as well as the ability to inspect the air for mold spores, which are inherently present anywhere mold exists. Their inspectors leave no corner unturned. They will check behind washing machines, in dark corners of closets, under cabinets, in crawl spaces, attics, duct work, and anywhere else they need to be sure your property is safe from mold.

In the event that they do find a mold problem, Super Restoration will be able to solve it as they are also experts in mold remediation. They can take care of the source of the mold by using the necessary biocides to kill it, and then clean the area with professional equipment and strong solvents to be sure any mold spores will also be dead.

When mold inspection is necessary, it only makes sense to hire a company that also specializes in mold remediation. That’s what makes Super Restoration a logical choice for Florida home and business owners.

In your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059

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