Posts Tagged ‘Mold Damage Broward County’

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How Fast Can Mold Grow And Become A Problem?

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010
Unfortunately, mold can be found almost anywhere. However, when mold is present in the indoor environment there is usually moisture present. Mold especially likes to grow where temperatures are 68°F, dim lighting, and very little air circulation. Mold spores are known to travel throughout the air, attach itself to any damp surface, and then begin breaking down the material as it grows. Therefore, it is vitally important for homeowners to contact a mold remediation company when they have experienced a flood or fire in their home.

How Fast Can Mold Grow?

Surprisingly, mold will start growing immediately after spores are attached to an item. Mold can easily grow within 24 to 48 hours, and will begin to colonize in 1 to 12 days. Most times, mold is already a problem before it is discovered. Due to the fact, that the spores are hard to destroy, mold will sometimes return even after the mold source is gone. That’s why it is vitally important to contact a mold restoration company for appropriate and permanent remediation.

When Can I Know That Mold May Be Present In My Home?

Homeowners who have experienced certain problems which are known to be favorable to mold, will usually have mold present. Such mold causing problems are:

Fire
Flood
Plumbing leaks
Leaky Roof
Swollen floor boards/walls
Water stained ceilings

Where Does In-Door Mold Like To Grow?

In-door mold likes to grow on wet cellulose materials. However, homeowners should keep in mind that mold can still grow even when the moisture problem has been fixed. At this time the mold will go dormant, and continue surviving without moisture. Most likely, mold will just continue to feed on materials such as sheetrock, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, carpet, wood, adhesives, paints, upholstery, and fabric.

What Are The Health Effects Due To Mold Exposure?

Mold can be extremely harmful to people. Many of the symptoms related to mold resembles that of a common cold or allergy condition. Therefore, often times the appropriate diagnoses goes undetected. However, most common symptoms that are associated with mold exposure are:

Wheezy/coughing
Watery/Red Eyes
Nasal and sinus congestion
Throat irritation
Skin irritation
Nosebleeds
Headaches
Extreme fatigue
Memory loss
Dizziness
Fevers

In addition, mold can also cause very serious conditions, and can be fatal to infants, seniors, and adults with previously compromised immune systems.

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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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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Flood Insurance vs. Homeowners Insurance

Friday, August 6th, 2010
A flooded home is something most homeowners think they will never have to deal with, so they often opt for the minimum coverage on their insurance policy. Unfortunately, the cause of the flooding impacts whether or not a standard homeowners insurance policy will cover the damages and repairs. Many homeowners do not find out they have the incorrect coverage until they have standing water in their home.

Flood Insurance vs. Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance covers the cost of a water, mold and fire restoration company to repair damages caused by flooding that is the result of broken pipes and sewage system backups. Some natural disasters may be covered under a basic homeowners insurance policy. For example, if a storm knocks a tree onto the roof of the home and flooding from the rain results, the homeowners insurance policy will cover the water damages in the home. As a general rule, for the homeowners insurance policy to cover flooding damage the water must come from inside the home or from rain.

Flood insurance picks up where homeowners insurance leaves off, providing coverage for flooding caused from the ground. Flooding caused by flash floods or overflowing streams, creeks and rivers is not covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy. Flood insurance must be purchased in addition to the standard homeowners insurance policy, and it does not become effective immediately. A thirty day waiver period applies, meaning that if a flood occurs in the first thirty days of the policy the damages and repairs will not be covered. With this in mind, flood insurance should be purchased at least thirty days in advance of the rainy season for your area.

Prevention and Restoration

It is important to call a professional water and mold restoration company as soon as flooding happens in the home. Standing water can cause a serious health risk, and mold can be very dangerous to remove on your own. Your insurance will cover the costs of repairs, and will require you to use the services of a licensed professional. In widespread flooding, these professionals become very busy, so always plan ahead so you know who you will call in the event of a flooded home. The best way to protect your family’s health and your home is to make sure you have the proper insurance coverage in place before flooding happens.

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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Lead Based Paint Remediation

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Lead based paint remediation is a job for a professional company that is certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This certification ensures that the company is knowledgeable and competent in water, mold, and fire restoration when handling lead-based paint. The managers, inspectors, and technicians of a lead-safe certified company take classes and do field work to garner skills and expertise in safely removing and disposing of lead-based paint. The debris from it is hazardous waste.

A new federal law applies as of April 22, 2010. It compels contractors that execute renovation, restoration, and painting projects that unsettles an area bigger than 6 square feet of paint in structures constructed before 1978 to be trained and certified in work habits that stop lead contamination. This law applies to work done in homes, day care facilities, and schools.

Professionals know the correct procedures to lessen, control, and confine lead dust produced by removing lead-based paint. They specialize in water damage repair, mold inspection and elimination, and fire damage renovation.

People usually get lead poisoning from lead contaminated dust or deteriorating lead-based paint. All of the methods for paint removal which includes heat guns, torches, sandpaper, chemicals, and scrapers may generate floating lead dust and fumes. People can inhale or ingest these dangerous contaminates, which cause lead poisoning. This poisoning may cause irreparable brain damage in children. In adults it may cause nerve damage, decrease muscle coordination, and raise blood pressure.

But trained professionals working for a water, mold, and fire restoration company know how to control the lead dust that is stirred up during the elimination or abatement process. The strict procedures they follow prevents the lead dust from contaminating your home, day car facility or school.

The professionals can remove window sills, molding, and trim to strip the paint outdoors. The restoration company can remove and change or cover-up lead-based paint. They can restore your home to a lead paint free condition that is safe for your family.

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 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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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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Structural Drying

Monday, April 12th, 2010

Super Restoration is the company to call when flood, tornadoes, storms or burst pipes have caused excessive moisture and water to soak the walls and floors of your home or office. This is not a situation that can be fixed with do-it-yourself measures even though you have done everything you can. The water mains are turned off, the storm is passed but now you have to deal with the consequences. You need professional help with the equipment to dry all the different sections of the structure as well as treat the mold and mildew that will have started forming immediately.

Structural drying is required as soon as possible after a water disaster. The longer the time laps from the flood, the larger the damaged area becomes because mold and rot will continue to grow and spread into other areas. Saturated building materials need to be removed as quickly as possible and the remaining structure needs to be dried to prevent collapse. Quick mitigation of water damaged structures will ultimately reduce the expenses for rebuilding as well as the costs to the insurance company.

Super Restoration knows buildings in South Florida and what is the best way for structural drying and mitigation. They know what materials need to be immediately extracted and what can be dried in place. They know where and how to make openings in walls, ceilings and floors so internal areas can be thoroughly dried. Their equipment includes dryers, fans and dehumidifiers to dry every corner. Some areas may not look like they have been affected by the moisture but Super Restoration knows that the building materials may have become moist, just enough to start growing mold and mildew, even if they don’t look wet or were not directly affected by the flood.

There is no guesswork for Super Restoration. They provide accurate documentation concerning your home or business which includes moisture readings, digital photos, a complete written report of everything they did and infrared images all of which are standard procedure that will give you the confidence that the job was correctly done. These documents will help you later if faulty workmanship is the cause of your troubles.

Super Restoration guarantees their work. Once they have dried your structure there will be no secondary damages. Every day they are working to mitigate your damage they will use infrared imaging to be sure all of the moisture is gone. With structural drying speed is very important and Super Restoration is ready 24/7.

In your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059

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