Posts Tagged ‘Miami Mold Damage’

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

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

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

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

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

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

How Can Super Restoration Provide Emergency Power to Homes and Businesses?

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

People who need emergency power in a hurry can trust Super Restoration to provide emergency power to meet a host of needs quickly and efficiently. Here’s a brief look at some of the ways that Super Restoration can help you meet your power needs in an emergency:

–Our modern portable generators can help you meet emergency mobile power needs efficiently anywhere at any time.
This is the case because Super Restoration features a variety of portable generators which feature a rugged and simple design that saves space. This allows Super Restoration to safely transport them anywhere using trailers that can be conveniently parked anywhere you need them.

Super Restoration also uses a variety of generators that can generate enough power to meet the needs of practically anyone.
We feature Magnum generators which range in output from 30kW to 500kW. These generators are easy to use and they can be set up anywhere quickly to meet the needs of homes and businesses that need a mobile power source in a hurry.

–In addition, Super Restoration also offers prompt and courteous installation services that make it easier for you to use our generators right away.
Super Restoration features highly trained technical specialists that are trained to quickly install and monitor all of our units. Our specialists also work hard to ensure prompt delivery. This gives Super Restoration’s technical specialists every opportunity to ensure that our units will continually provide reliable service to our clients.

-Finally, Super Restoration also provides power sources for people who have lost power due to a fire or a natural disaster.
This is especially important in South Florida where hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters can occur throughout the year. Super Restoration offers clients a full line of generators that can be used after a natural disaster occurs that are easy to use and easy to maintain. As a result, Super Restoration can also help people who have been affected by a fire or natural disaster in South Florida recovers as soon as possible.

As a result of these services, Super Restoration can help commercial and residential customers find and use emergency power sources at a moment’s notice. As a result, give Super Restoration a call today to see how they can help you with your emergency power needs. We’d be happy to show you how we can help you find the right generator to meet your emergency power needs.

In your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059

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

Buying a Home or Property? Get A Mold Inspection by Super Restoration

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

Although the negative effects of mold in the home have been known for quite some time, over the last ten years, more attention has been paid to just how detrimental mold may be for a person’s health. There are times when the presence of mold is obvious – it has a distinct smell and can often be seen. Still, mold can get into areas between floors and walls and beneath insulation where it is much harder to find. If you are considering buying a property or a home, it is a wise move to have a mold inspection completed by Super Restoration before putting any money down. Mold can seriously devalue an investment, so it definitely pays to know if there is a problem before paying top-dollar.

Signs of mold
Whether or not a property’s mold issues are outwardly obvious, a mold inspection by Super Restoration will help you get an understanding of the scope of this potential problem. Because prospective buyers do not have the opportunity to live in a home before they buy it, there is no way to accurately assess the long-term health consequences of being exposed to such a home’s fungus. Be sure to ask the previous owners about how they feel from a physical perspective – hopefully, they will be honest. It will save a lot of time and frustration if you do a little mold detective work before going under contract.

Mold inspection services
Because the harmfulness of mold-exposure is well-established, a thorough inspection by the experienced staff at Super Restoration is pretty much mandatory, if you want the entire buying process to run as smoothly as possible. Super Restoration will not only evaluate the malevolence of visible mold, they will also test areas that are covered by insulation. No stone will be left unturned, which means that the air will also be tested for the presence of mold. After the Super Restoration inspection is complete, a technician will go over the results and explain the options.

Removing the mold

If a mold problem can be quickly eradicated, mitigation services may make fiscal sense – especially if the sellers are willing to reduce their asking price. The certified team at Super Restoration will locate and block off the moisture source that is causing the mold. The mold will then be completely eliminated down to the spore through the use of biocides and solvents.

There are certain aspects of the home or property purchasing experience that are completely out of the buyer’s control. Fortunately, a mold inspection by Super Restoration is a simple step that can be taken to ensure that there are no nasty surprises down the road. There is no excuse for not identifying and addressing a mold problem before buying a house or property.

At your service!

Rene Vargas
1800 516 8059
Rene@superrestoration.com
www.superrestoration.com

Super Restoration Can Restore Documentation Ruined by Water

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Hello,

Water damage can happen to a home or business at any time. Spills and water leaks are actually quite common. Any resulting loss of vital documentation can have serious consequences. Document restoration means the recovery of information or data from books, papers, and other forms of media that have sustained water damage. Super Restoration can recover important information from documentation damaged by water. Our goal is to restore the document and all of the information it contains to prime condition . Where possible, Super Restoration will return books, papers, and other forms of documentation to a condition that is safe and ready for use.

Many laws require businesses to retain, or maintain, information for a number of years. A copy isn’t appropriate for many forms of documentation such as signed business contracts, tax records, and legal files. Paper documentation that has been damaged by water will stick together and certainly be damaged when it’s pulled apart. Mold will begin to grow on the documentation if it is left to air dry, destroying important information. Those handling documentation that has become moldy are exposed to elevated health risks. Paper documentation will become brittle and subject to damage if it’s left to air dry. Losing vital documentation can cause serious problems for normal business activity. In a worst-case scenario, a company affected by water damage could be forced to go out of business.

Super Restoration utilizes the most modern equipment, technology, and advanced techniques to achieve the best restoration and data recovery possible. Some techniques used to recover documents damaged by water include desiccant drying, refrigerated desiccant drying, and freeze drying. Desiccant drying is accomplished in a sealed container using substances that are hygroscopic in nature. Hygroscopic substances attract molecules of water from their surrounding environment through absorption or adsorption. Adsorption is the sticking of the water molecules to the substance. Freeze drying is a dehydration process. The wet material is frozen to a temperature between minus fifty degrees to minus eighty degrees Celsius. Pressure is reduced and enough heat is added to allow the frozen water particles to evaporate.

Super Restoration specializes in emergency property restoration and recovery. We provide full service solutions with our state-of-the-art facilities. Super Restoration has On-Site Disaster Recovery Teams who are extremely capable and ready to serve your document and data restoration and recovery needs.

Thank You

Rene Vargas
www.SuperRestoration.com
Phone: 1-800-516-8059