Posts Tagged ‘Miami Water Damage’

Mold Infestation in a Miami Home

Thursday, November 10th, 2011
Mold Inspection Miami Florida

Mold inspection in miami Florida

Here we go again! more mold. We all know that South Florida is a very humid place and we are all pretty aware of the many health issues cause by mold, but what happens when your house is infected with mold from top to bottom and you have a lease agreement? A story shared with us by WSVN or Channel 7, involved a couple experiencing health issues till they got to the root of it. Mold is every where! and most tenants will cover it up and lease it to you, be precarious and inspect any place you are thinking of moving in to before signing the lease. Better safe than sorry.

We keep talking about the dangers of mold and how it can affect your health, the fact is that mold creeps up faster than you might think and creates a very unhealthy environment for everyone that comes in contact with it. You do not have to touch mold to be aware of its hazardous capabilities, mold is more like a silent killer, before you see it you breath it, Mold is a micro organism found in soil and in dead decaying matter, you can find mold almost every where, it helps the breakdown of wood and leaves. This micro organisms will grown only under the right conditions, usually wet and humid areas. when exposed to mold, people can become very sick. Health Issues Cause by Mold can be tricky since most of them can be easily mistaken for the common flu.

Water Damage from Old Pipes and Hoses

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010
Water damage can be as devastating to a home as fire damage. Whether the water comes from flooding or from a burst pipe, a large portion of your home and possessions can be subjected to major damage or loss.

One major source of water damage is old pipes within your home or old, worn out hoses. Because there is often a large volume of water flowing through pipes and hoses, a great deal of damage can occur when these conduits burst or are damaged. Maintaining the pipes and hoses in your home, as well as turning off or monitoring water flow at certain times, can help prevent this kind of damage.

Prevent Bursting Pipes

Pipes bursting during the winter are a common cause of major water damage. This can be particularly devastating if you are away on a holiday vacation when it occurs. Old pipes, because they can be weaker and may be already partially damaged, are more susceptible to bursting. In order to prevent pipes from bursting, you should:

*Replace old or damaged pipes.
*Install insulation on your pipes. This is relatively inexpensive and easy to install.
*Turn the thermostat down to as low as 55 degrees, but do not turn it off completely.
*Have a friend or neighbor stop by to check your home.

Preventing Leakage from Hoses

Garden hoses and hoses attached to appliances can also lead to water leaks and damage. To prevent this type of damage, you should:

* Drain hoses completely after use. Do not leave the hose sitting with water in it.
*Turn off the water flow to washing machine hoses if you are going to be gone for a period of time.
*Replace any old or damaged hoses.

By following these simple guidelines, you can protect your home by greatly reducing the chances of water damage from old pipes and hoses.

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

Water Damage Effects on Linoleum Flooring

Monday, September 27th, 2010
When torrential rains or busted water pipes flood a house, homeowners are at a loss. Most people do not know how to deal effectively with a flooded home. Some things in a water-damaged home are not salvageable. However, linoleum is not one of them if handled in the proper manner. That is why many people hire a restoration company to clean up after a floor has been flooded.

Wiping the water from linoleum is simply not sufficient. Linoleum will stain if exposed to water for a long period. The linoleum needs removed quickly and thoroughly dried to salvage it. That is only the beginning step. The sub floor has to completely dry as well. The sub floor is the foundation for the linoleum, so it is vital that that it be done right.

The sub floor requires quick and thorough drying, or the homeowner will experience problems in the future. If linoleum lies on a damp sub floor, mold will grow in the moist environment between the two. It may take a little longer, but if the sub floor is anything other than concrete, it will begin to rot. The homeowner may never see the mold or rot until it is too late to do anything but replace the entire sub floor and linoleum.

One advantage to hiring a restoration company is they have the equipment needed to dry the floor as quickly as possible. A restoration company will remove and salvage the linoleum by using big fans and vacuums. Fans and vacuums brought into the home will thoroughly dry the sub floors. When the floor is completely dry, the salvaged linoleum can be re-laid. Since the floor is dry, no mold or rot will exist between the linoleum and the sub floor.

The majority of insurance companies will pay, or partially pay, for the cost of a restoration company. It will depend on each individual insurance policy and coverage. It is more cost effective, for an insurance company to pay to have everything dried thoroughly, than the replacement cost of linoleum and sub floor later.

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

Do you have the proper insurance for water damage?

Friday, September 17th, 2010
No one goes to sleep and thinks that they will wake up to a major flood or natural disaster. However, emergencies and accidents are not planned. If your home or office has experienced water damage, it is important to really protect yourself. The right insurance means that you will be able to clean up and repair your space after there is some serious water damage. The following are some of the many things to consider when searching for proper coverage for such issues.

First, always read up on any home or property insurance plan you may have. Make sure that it specifically states that it will cover water damage. You do not want to have a natural disaster strike only to realize that because the word water is not mentioned in the plan that you will not be covered. The fine print really does matter. This is why you should ask any and all questions before you sign on the dotted line and commit to any one plan or company. Be smart about this investment so that you always have the help you need when a crisis or emergency strikes.

Similarly, talk to the company to see how such damages or issues are dealt with. Some companies will work with a restoration company and have any and all repairs – from dealing with mold to cleaning up the water – dealt with directly. However, other coverage or plans will offer you payouts so that you can then handle the damage yourself. It is important to know how this process works so that you are not surprised when it comes time to deal with such an issue.

The more prepared you are, the better off you will be. Do not wonder if your insurance plan covers water damage. Ask the company and try to amend this if you find out you do not have coverage. Water damage can ruin a home: not only can it destroy your property but it can result in mold and wood warping, which could make your home unlivable. Protect yourself so that you have the help you need following a flood or emergency.

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

Where did this water come from?

Monday, September 13th, 2010
The most common cause of water damage is flooding due to a river or creek jumping its banks and coming into your home. Other less common causes of water damage can be just as detrimental to your home and your belongings.

Water Heater Leaks
Most homes have a water heater, and most homeowners do not think about it unless it is either not working properly or bursts. Therefore, it is often out of sight, and out of mind for most homeowners. It is common for these to leak as they age, and over time, the leaking can cause significant damage to the floor and subfloor on which the water heater sits. Therefore, it is important to check your water heater and if there is water leaking from either the top or bottom, call a maintenance man to take a look to determine if you could have a larger problem on your hands.

Pipe Bursting Or Leaking
The walls of most homes not only separate living spaces from one another, but also house wiring and plumbing that serves your family’s needs. Pipes buried in between pieces of plaster or sheetrock can burst from freezing or just from age. Older pipes are prone to have weak spots that could burst and cause water damage within the walls that can go unnoticed if it is only a small drip. If you notice wet spots at the bottom of your walls, it may be indicative of a larger problem.

Ew… Mold!
All water damage, large or small, can cause mold to incubate and grow in your home. Mold is unhealthy to all people, but especially young children and the elderly. Breathing in mold spores can cause respiratory issues and can cause you to develop a more serious problem. Therefore, it is important that if your home sustains water damage from an obvious flood or one of the more subtle ways described above, you must contact a remediation company immediately to ensure that the damage is addressed.

Hopefully, these helpful tips on water damage have been helpful and will allow you to be more aware of what may be going on in your home that is difficult to detect.

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

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

What is Water Damage Mitigation

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
Anyone who has ever suffered significant water damage to their home knows how frustrating of a situation it can be. Not only is water damage unhealthy to live in/around, it can significantly decrease the resale value of your home. Fortunately, it is possible to remedy the negative effects of water damage through a process known as water damage mitigation.

Put simply, water damage mitigation is the process of repairing whatever damage has been caused by excessive moisture. The process and extent of the job can vary dramatically by circumstance. For instance, a small patch of mold caused by excessive moisture is something that can be mitigated rather easily. However, a crumbling foundation that has suffered years of water damage can be a massive job. In such cases, structures can be in such bad shape that they must be demolished. While these situations are rare, they do exist.

The fact is, living in a home that has even a small amount of water damage can be unsafe, as well as unhealthy. Mold (especially black mold) that is born out of excessive moisture can be very hazardous to one’s health, and can cause respiratory issues if inhaled. While it may seem as if getting rid of a mold problem is something that one can do on their own, this is never recommended. Since professionals work with mold on a regular basis, they know the process inside and out, and are aware of all necessary safety details. Doing the job on your own can sometimes make the problem worse, and can be hazardous to your health.

Water damage mitigation does not have to be expensive, and is a process that should be done as soon as possible, as the more water damage accumulates, the harder and more intensive the mitigation process becomes. Don’t live in a home riddled with moisture issues any longer – choose water damage mitigation today.

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

How Infrared Thermal Imaging Helps People Hurt by Water Damage

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

Infrared thermal imaging is is a technology which involves cameras that see infrared light rather than the light that is visible to the human eye. Infrared light is the type of light that transmits heat from one place to another. When you feel the warmth of the sunlight on your skin, this is the resultfire of infrared light. Because infrared light is emitted by anything that contains heat, including objects at room temperature, infrared light can be used by thermal imaging technology to see in the dark. It can also be used to see the difference in temperature between different objects.

Because water retains its temperature more resiliently than most materials within the home, it is usually either warmer or cooler than the surrounding materials, depending on where the water is coming from. Buildings that are saturated with water can be easily located in this way. Within the building or home that is suffering from water damage, infrared thermal imaging can be used to easily locate building materials which have become wet. Wet materials stand out against the surrounding environment due to their differing temperatures. In this way, assessments of the true damage to a building or home can be made easily and quickly. Water damage that is hidden from plain view, in the ceiling or behind the drywall, can be seen with infrared cameras.

Mitigating water damage has become much easier as a result, allowing trained professionals to quickly asses which areas of the building need to be inspected further with other equipment such as moisture meters. However, infrared cameras are only useful for people skilled with using them. They do not tell the person who is using them whether or not something is wet directly, the only tell them if something is hotter or colder than the surrounding environment. It takes a skilled professional to use this information to make an educated guess about whether or not building materials may be saturated with water.

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

Storm Response

Monday, May 10th, 2010

The weather can turn ugly on a dime and Mother Nature can wreak havoc on your home and your lives. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods or any severe weather storm can produce enough water to damage everything you own and love. Storm drains and sewage systems overflow at a moment’s notice and the contamination can be devastating enough to produce water-borne toxins that could permanently damage a home if not professionally and expediently cleaned and sanitized.

The worst scenario, left unattended, is that water-producing mold, mildew and bacteria will spread like the plague throughout your home. When the storms of life overwhelm you, call an expert like Super Restoration who will know how and where to begin the restoration and healing process.

Oftentimes, these storm disasters cause fires which can devastate a residence or business even if the structure is left standing and virtually untouched by the flames. The smell of soot and smoke can overwhelm a structure, the contents and the smell can linger long after the fire has been put out. Super Restoration’s skilled technicians will remove all the soot and smoke that is left behind so you won’t be left out in the heat or the cold.

Because every man or woman’s home is their castle and no two castles are the same size, no job is too big or too small for Super Restoration. Every castle may not have been created equal, but they are equally important for the folks who are suffering from a catastrophic event.

Super Restoration has all the right stuff from drying equipment to high-powered extraction vehicles and even a state-of-the-art facility to house, clean and restore your contents. The certified technicians have the expertise to restore your home or business to the original condition. One phone call is all it takes to start rebuilding your residence or business and your life. The compassionate staff at Super Restoration understands that you want and need to be kept in the loop and fully involved and informed every rebuilding step of the way. Whether it is relocating your belongings to our state-of-the-art facility for cleaning and restoration, or the disposable of those contents that cannot be salvaged, we can handle all of your needs but we won’t make a move without informing you first.

Rest assured, when bad weather wreaks havoc in your life and trouble strikes your residence or your business, Super Restoration is your number one 24 Hour Emergency Response Specialists.

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