Posts Tagged ‘Super Restoration’

« Older Entries

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

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Smoke Odor Removal

Monday, August 30th, 2010
A fire on any scale can be a disastrous event, and often it is not just the fire damage itself that has to be dealt with. Cleaning up after a fire or accident that has left smoke or soot damage can be just as challenging as cleaning up the burned material. Smoke and soot have a tendency to penetrate many other rooms in a structure, often permeating things like furniture, drapes, clothing, and carpets. While vacuuming and wiping may help with the surface material, removing the smell usually proves to be the biggest challenge.

Removal of smoke and soot after a fire should always be left up to a professional, even in cases where the fire was small like a cooking accident. If the smoke and soot removal is not performed properly, there are real health risks that can arise. Smoke and soot are made up of fine particulates that float very easily when disturbed and are very easy to inhale. Some of these particulates come from toxic materials like burning plastics. An improperly cleaned piece of furniture, for instance, can become a source of smoke odor and respiratory irritants for many months after a fire.

Not all surfaces and materials can be cleaned of smoke odor in the same manner; some materials require specific chemicals and treatments to remove smoke odors and soot. Special techniques are needed for certain materials, particularly porous ones like concrete, masonry, drywall, and ceramic. These materials can absorb smoke odors and fine particles into walls, floors, and ceilings making them almost impossible to remove. Contacting an experienced professional in time can make the difference between salvage and reconstruction.

Relying on a professional for smoke odor removal also ensures that the items that can be saved, will be saved. Many times a professional can rescue furniture or other items that were considered a total loss. The chemicals and treatments used for smoke odor removal can also be hazardous if mishandled or used improperly, possibly posing health risks and making the situation worse.

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

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Call One Company if You Have an Emergency

Friday, August 27th, 2010
People do not like to think that emergencies can happen to them, but ignoring the possibility does not prevent them from occurring. It is always best to be prepared and know what to do if you should find it necessary to deal with an unpleasant situation. When you have a plan in mind, it is easier to remain calm and reassure your family if you are faced with a disaster.

If fire, water or mold causes damage to your home, it may not be safe to live there until you get the damage repaired, so you will want restoration to begin as soon as possible. It is wise to have an arrangement with a reputable company in place, so that if an emergency occurs, one quick phone call will get the process started immediately. Large loss response capabilities allow a customer to call one company for large and small emergencies. An emergency is always traumatic, but a dependable restoration company can help you to get back in your home in a reasonable time, so the disruption of your family’s lives will not need to be any longer than necessary.

When you deal with experienced restoration experts, you can have the assurance of knowing that they will handle your valuable possessions with the utmost care and get your family back in your home as quickly as possible. They will know the correct process to use during the entire procedure so that all details are covered. For instance, if you have water damage, they must dry the area thoroughly to prevent mold from forming, and inspect electronic appliances and equipment to ensure that they are safe to use again.

It is better to be prepared for something that does not happen than for something to happen for which you are not prepared. When you are ready for possible emergencies, you can be stress free and know that you have done the best that you can to take care of your family in any situation. Like the insurance that we hope we will never need, we hope we will not need emergency recovery services, but if we need either, we will be thankful that we took the necessary steps to have them.

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

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

The Insured’s Responsibility to Mitigate Immediately

Monday, August 23rd, 2010
If you have homeowner’s or flood insurance, are you aware of your responsibility to mitigate the loss? You need to take action to keep a problem from getting worse after making a claim or observing a problem. Failure to do so may affect the amount that your insurance will pay.

~What Does Mitigation Mean?

Imagine that a pipe breaks, causing a flood in your home. You have a responsibility as the insured party to make arrangements to stop the leak and clean up the water to prevent further damages. If you do not take these steps, the damage will get worse and more expensive. In this case, mold may begin to grow or water damage will increase.

~What are the Consequences of Not Mitigating Loss?

One legal case, Higginbotham v. New Hampshire Indem. Co., found that homeowners whose roof was damaged could receive payment for the damaged roof, but not for the water damage that occurred over several months before the roof was repaired. The judge determined that the homeowner could and should have taken action to prevent water from leaking through the damaged roof.

~How to Mitigate Against Further Damage

Be sure to contact your insurance company immediately and to take pictures of the damage that has already occurred. Then, take steps to prevent the problem from getting worse. This may include making temporary repairs, such as boarding up a broken window, or shutting off utilities, such as water to a damaged pipe. If a flood occurred, be sure to allow the area to completely dry to prevent the growth of mold or rust. You may also need to contact an expert to assist in repairs or flood cleanup. Save all of your receipts from supplies and repairs. Your insurance company may be able to provide emergency cash for these costs or may reimburse you after the fact.

By taking steps to reduce the chance of further damage, you are protecting your investment and avoiding unpleasant surprises down the road. If you have any questions about your responsibility in an insurance claim, ask your insurance company or a trusted expert for the type of damage that occurred.

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

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Cleaning Soot from Porous and Non-Porous Items

Friday, August 20th, 2010
Cleaning soot from porous and non-porous items is a major task. Soot is a result of the incomplete combustion of wood, coal, diesel oil or other materials. Soot is normally found in the form of a black powdery substance consisting mainly of carbon. Soot will absorb energy from sunlight rather than reflect it thus it is seen as one of the main sources of global warming. This is particularly true if soot happens to settle on snow or ice. Soot particles in the air are a contributing cause for many respiratory illnesses. A common cause of soot is burning wood in a fireplace. Fire damage to residential and commercial properties will require the careful removal of soot during the clean-up process. Fire restoration services will often, due to the nature of the damage, necessitate the need for water and mold restoration in a simultaneous fashion.

Professional fire restoration services will be able to properly and completely clean and remove all soot from the premises. Removing soot from porous items is difficult but possible. Soot can penetrate into porous items due to the unique physical qualities of the surface of the item. Leaving the soot on these items can have drastic negative consequences. Chemical deposits can be left behind which can later be transferred into the air by heating and air conditioning systems and cause respiratory issues. Items that cannot be cleaned of soot completely should be discarded for this reason.

Non-porous items are generally easier to clean. Glass and other non-porous surfaces can normally be restored with appropriate cleaning equipment and supplies. The equipment utilized to clean up after a fire includes high tech Industrial ultrasonic equipment used to clean computers completely. High pressure water is another technique used on appropriate surfaces. The equipment and supplies utilized by professional restoration companies is intended to restore the residential or commercial property to living or working quality with no presence of soot.

Fire restoration services must be sought from a fully trained professional. Cleaning up after a fire is not the same thing as removing excess soot from a fireplace area.

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

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Sewer back-up contamination clean-up methods

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
Sewer back-up contamination is not a pleasant thought but is a reality to many otherwise clean households each year. If this happens to you, what is the best clean-up method to tackle the job inside your house? Sewage is any refuse liquids or waste matters that are usually carried away through a sewage pipe. When these pipes back up, quite often brought on during storms when there is an excess of water flowing into these systems, the sewage can back up and end up inside your house. When this happens, it’s important to know how to clean it up.

First and foremost, it should always be assumed that waste carried through the sewage lines is hazardous as some of it could very well contain human feces and various waste products that could transmit numerous diseases such as intestinal diseases, hepatitis and even asthma disorders, just to name a few.

Since not only disease-transmitting waste backs up into the house, but an abundance of water comes along with it, the danger of mold developing is of utmost concern. Certain types of mold can turn a clean, healthy household environment into one that is uninhabitable as mold can cause serious health problems that can even lead to death.

Because of the health risks involved when sewage backs up into your house, they way it is cleaned up is vitally important. While there are helpful tips on how to clean up using bleach mixtures, which kills disease and mold, do-it-yourself sewage cleanup can be tedious, time-consuming and dangerous for your health. it may be best to consider calling a professional waste removal company who is familiar with proper water removal especially when dealing with issues of potential mold and waste. Some such companies even offer 24 hour assistance, so the sooner they are called, the sooner you can rest easy knowing your house is free of potential harmful disease causing invaders. By leaving the clean up to an experienced company that handles sewage backup removal, you can be assured that your household will once again be a clean, livable place to enjoy.

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

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Can Wet Carpets Be Saved?

Monday, August 16th, 2010
In the case of a flood or other emergency, many property owners wonder if their carpets can survive the damage. When a carpet gets very wet, the water or other liquid will seep into the pad that is under the carpet. If the water sits in the pad for too long or takes too long to dry, the carpet pad can mold and give off unpleasant odors.

In the case that the carpet pad has been allowed to mold, the carpet will have to be removed and the either the pad or the carpet and the pad will have to be replaced. A company that specializes in carpet restoration will be able to determine whether the carpet is salvageable or what the best restorative option will be. Unfortunately, in most cases after a flooding, the carpet pad will need to be removed, even if the carpet can be restored.

If the carpet has not been visibly damaged, it may be possible to restore the carpet. If the pad needs to replaced, the carpet will need to be removed from the area and thoroughly cleaned. The floor underneath the padding will also need to be cleaned, disinfected, and allowed to dry. If the flooding only affected a very small area, this may be able to be done alone. However, if a large area was affected, a professional will most likely be needed to complete the job.

When restoring the carpet, the most important thing is to make sure that the carpets are allowed to dry properly. If possible, the carpet should not be placed onto the dry carpet pad until it is completely dry. The carpets should be allowed to dry either outside or in a well ventilated area. If the carpets must be dried inside the property, they can be dried using a wet-dry vac. This machine will suck up the water that is soaking the carpet fibers and help speed up the drying process. Fans should then be placed inside the room and windows should be left open if the conditions permit. While wet carpets may be difficult to save, it is possible if the conditions are right and if done by a knowledgeable and experienced individual.

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

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

How to choose the right emergency restoration company (IICRC certification)

Friday, August 13th, 2010

When you’re dealing with damage that has occurred as a result of an emergency situation, such as water, mold or fire damage, it is imperative that you choose the right emergency restoration company. Many people don’t exactly know which steps to take when dealing with such emergencies. However, a good company who knows what they’re talking about will be able to help anyone deal with the situation at hand and get through it as quickly and calmly as possible. Choosing the right emergency restoration company doesn’t have to be difficult, so long as you know what you’re looking for.

Bottom line, the most important factor is that the company be IICRC certified. Without the proper certification, there’s no reason to go any further. A company who is IICRC certified is one who likely knows what they’re talking about, and will be instrumental to helping you navigate your situation. If certification is not in place, don’t even consider hiring the company.

It is important to also take into consideration the reputation of the company. If a company has a good reputation throughout the community, chances are they will be a good choice. If the company’s reputation is poor, you may want to steer clear of them, no matter how low their rates. Many people set their rates based upon their experience, and as the old saying goes, you often get what you pay for.

Choosing the right emergency restoration company is important, and you should take care in doing so as carefully as possible. The more effort you put in, the more streamlined the situation will be.

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

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Portable Air Conditioning Rental

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
A portable air conditioning rental is mostly needed after water, mold or fire damage to a home or business. A restoration company that specializes in building restoration and clean-up will be able to offer a portable air conditioning unit for rent until the whole air conditioning is repaired and working properly. While the restoration work is being done, the company will offer a portable air conditioning unit that can be carried from place to place depending on where it is needed. If someone is sitting in their kitchen and it’s hot, they can keep the portable right beside them. When finished in the kitchen, they can easily pick it up and carry it into another room where they can still remain cool.

After the initial restoration work is completed, it still can take a long time for the building to dry. That is why a restoration company should be able to provide temporary climate control including equipment rental to their customers. This not only includes a portable air conditioning unit, but also a heating unit, depending on what time of the year it happens to be, or what part of the country is affected.

There are also companies that specialize in just the portable rentals and necessary temporary equipment needed until the home or business gets back to normal. These companies can come over and see exactly what the problem is, what is needed, and set up the rental process for you.

A restoration company not only cleans up, drys out and repairs any damage caused by many natural or unnatural disasters, but can also provide valuable information on preventative measures to keep this from happening again. They can advise on ways to prevent flooding, stop mold from growing, and to practice safety measures to prevent fires. Just like a doctor will advise someone to quit smoking so they can avoid getting lung cancer, the restoration company can advise customers on ways to stop more damage from happening again.

Of course, there are some things that cannot be helped. There are hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires and other disasters that someone can only do so much to prevent damage. So there is always a need for a restoration company and a portable air conditioning rental unit.

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

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Desiccant Dehumidification vs. Refrigerant Dehumidification

Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Flooding occurs from pipe damage or natural disaster. After the flood, water laden spaces must be dealt with. When there is a fire, often the greatest damage is not caused by the flames. Water damage from sprinkler systems or hoses can lead to tremendous loss if not dealt with quickly and correctly.

A major step in the restoration process is getting rid of the moisture. Removing the moisture in the building using one of two methods, desiccant or refrigerant dehumidification, is going to prevent mold growth and is an integral part of the remediation process.

Desiccant dehumidifiers work by utilizing a silica gel to attract the moisture out of the air. Incoming air flows over a wheel filled with silica. As the moisture is absorbed, a furnace acts to reactivate the silica and the process continues. The result is incredibly dry air being reintroduced to the structure being treated.

A great advantage of desiccant dehumidification is that it is not dependant on the ambient air temperature and can continue to operate at full capacity even in freezing conditions. A desiccant dehumidifier should be used under these conditions. The returning air will be very dry and hot, so moisture exchange is going to continue at an accelerated rate.

Desiccant units are available in a variety of sizes, but most will be large units used to dehumidify a large space very quickly. Entire homes or buildings can be restored to ideal moisture levels preventing mold establishment.

Refrigerant based dehumidifiers work very similarly to the small home use units often used in basements to control moisture. Cooling coils act on the inflow of air to cause condensation to form on the coil. The water drips into a collection pan and is pumped to a drain. Low-grain refrigerant units can achieve dryness levels much greater than other forms of refrigerant dehumidification and should be used in remediation.

The advantage of refrigerant dehumidifiers is their portability. They can be easily placed in a closet or small room where damage is isolated. When temperatures drop, supplemental heating may be necessary to allow a refrigerant dehumidifier to work correctly and maximum efficiency.

Each dehumidification method has its place in the total restoration and damage prevention process, and a good remediation company will know when and how to apply each to its advantage in getting a building dry quickly and efficiently.

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

Tags: ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

« Older Entries