Where Does Mold Come From? The Main Causes of Mold in Homes

Believe it or not, more than half of American homes have an active mold problem. When left untreated, that mold can lead to severe upper respiratory issues, putting your family at risk. Though it’s possible to clean and remove mold once and for all, it’s far better to prevent it in the first place. But you can’t do that if you’re stuck asking yourself, “where does mold come from?” If you don’t know, don’t panic. Here are a few of the most common causes of mold and what you can do to prevent mold growth from happening at all.

Leaks in the Roof

Mold thrives in damp and humid places, and anytime you have an active leak in the roof, mold can grow. Unfortunately, it’s hard to detect roof leaks before the damage gets severe. This means mold has plenty of time to grow and spread long before you think to call a roofer.

Fixing the roof leak will keep more damage from happening, but you’ll still need to get a professional mold remediation specialist to get rid of the mold spores for good. The best way to prevent mold from roof leaks is to schedule regular roof inspections and stay on top of maintenance tasks. If you notice missing shingles, get them replaced to protect against water intrusion. If you have dirty gutters, clean them out to allow water to drain off your roof quickly.

These simple tasks will extend your roof’s life and help to keep your home mold-free in the first place.

Poorly Ventilated Bathrooms

Every type of human activity produces humidity. Your breath carries moisture into the air. Running the sink increases the humidity of the room, and bathing steams up small spaces in no time flat. All that moisture creates the perfect conditions for mold to grow in the space. And it can grow on almost any surface.

Take a look around your bathroom. If you notice discoloration on the walls, in tile grout, and inside your cabinets, it’s probably mold. The best way to prevent the mold is to run the ventilation fan anytime you’re using the bathroom. For most bathroom mold issues, regular cleaning will be enough to control it, but if you’ve let the issue go for months on end, you may need a mold remediation service company to help.

Too Much Insulation

Believe it or not, it is possible to have too much insulation in your home. When this happens, air can’t circulate from outside and moisture can’t escape through the walls. Even worse, the insulation traps heat with the moisture, creating the perfect breeding ground for mold growth.

If there are spores in the air, they’ll grow quickly and spread throughout the attic. The best way to prevent the damage is to work with a roofing contractor and get your insulation levels assessed. If you have too much insulation, they’ll be able to remove some and restore the proper airflow levels to the space. This results in a properly ventilated attic that allows heat and moisture to escape throughout the year.

Darkness

Mold grows fastest in dark spaces. This is because the sun’s UV rays kill spores before they can start growing.

If a room doesn’t get enough direct sunlight, mold can spread quickly. Periodically check rooms that don’t get a lot of direct sunlight. These can include the basement, laundry room and even storage closets. If they feel overly humid, it’s only a matter of time before mold starts to grow.

Your best bet is to make sure the spaces stay as dry as possible. If you have a sump pump in the basement, make sure it’s working properly. This will reduce humidity levels in the basement and makes the environment less ideal for mold and mildew in the first place.

Leaky Pipes

Unfortunately, leaky pipes can happen anywhere in your house, and it’s hard to detect them when the damage is minor. That means they can do extensive damage to your house long before you even notice the problem.

It’s not uncommon for leaky pipes and water damage from them to lead to mold growth inside the walls. Once it starts, the mold can spread throughout the sheetrock and wooden supports. Keep mold from leaky pipes at bay by having your plumbing inspected every year. As pipes age and deteriorate, you may need to replace them to keep your home safe and dry.

If you do have a leak that’s led to a mold problem, schedule a professional cleanup immediately.

Excessive Condensation

Condensation happens when hot air hits a cold surface. It can happen anywhere in the house, not just the bathroom.

When condensation is severe, it can lead to pools of water around windows, doors, and soak into the materials, creating long-term damp spots. These spots become the ideal habitat for mold growth. Whenever possible, try to keep condensation to a minimum. Open windows to let out humidity, circulate the air inside your house with fans, and invest in weather stripping to keep cold drafts outside where they belong.

If mold grows as a result of condensation, it should be easy to spot. Look for dark specks along the surfaces of your home. In most cases, you can clean the mold away with a diluted vinegar solution.

If the problem was not caught right away, you may be better off calling a mold remediation company. The last thing any homeowner wants is a continual mold problem popping up whenever the weather conditions are right.

Answering the Question, “Where Does Mold Come From?”

If you’ve been asking yourself “where does mold come from” as you notice dark patches of it around the house, you’re not alone. Mold can pop up anywhere, but it all comes down to the presence of water in the space.

The minute you see mold around the house, take action. Contact us today to schedule a mold remediation consultation and let our team get rid of those unsightly and unhealthy spores.

The article "Where Does Mold Come From? The Main Causes of Mold in Homes" was first published at BMSCat.com

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What Is Storm Damage Restoration?

Living in an area prone to storm damage can make for an eventful time as a homeowner. An unexpected tornado, hailstorm, or hurricane can rain devastation upon everyone for miles. Some storm damage can lead to severe property damage, including flooding and wind damage. During the winter, ice damming and frozen pipes are cause for concern. There is always something around each corner when you’re a homeowner.

In the blink of an eye, the weather can take a turn for the worse. When it does, you need a local restoration company capable of responding fast and with the utmost efficiency.

Common Types of Storm Damage

A severe storm can be frightening and downright dangerous. As such, safety must be your first and most significant priority. But to remain safe in the event of a storm, you need to understand the storm damage associated with each front.

• Winter Storm Damage – Every year, winter storms tear through quiet neighborhoods and leave behind an absolute mess. When it comes to blizzards and hailstorms, structural and roofing damage tends to be the biggest causes of concern. These winter storms are often accompanied by high-speed wind and ice, both of which can exacerbate the issues at hand.
• Hail Damage – Hail can occur anywhere in the country. Typically, hail ranges in size from .2 inches to 1.75 inches but has been recorded bigger at times. Unfortunately, hail damage is not always visible. You need to watch for cracked shingles, dents, and bent roofing vents or pipes.
• Flood Damage – Depending on the type of storm, you may be dealing with a lot of unwanted water where it doesn’t belong. Flooding poses a serious risk to both your property and your safety. Furthermore, flooding often leads to dangerous contamination and property damage to the foundation, support beams, and walls. Your home can literally collapse around you.

Storm Damage Restoration

When a major storm can occur at any time, you need a local restoration company that is always ready. Your chosen restoration team should be able to arrive within the hour, ready to work.
Even better, your team should be flexible – able to address any damage or situation that arises. In some cases, storm damage can mean starting over from nothing.

During the storm damage restoration process, any standing water is addressed. If there is a burst pipe or broken window allowing more rain or water into the home, these will be addressed first. Then, the team will take steps to reduce the contamination caused by flood water.

Lastly, once standing water and mold are addressed, the restoration team will begin the actual repair and restoration process. Any damaged building materials and possessions will be assessed, salvaged, and restored or disposed of properly.

The entire process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the extent of the damage.

In the event of severe storm damage, call Fort Collins Restoration Pro for 24/7 property restoration services. You’ll find storm damage restoration, water damage restoration, and more! Learn more about Fort Collins Restoration Pro by clicking here.

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How to Repair Your Home After the First Floor Floods

Renovating a home can be an exciting experience, but repair work? Not so much. When your home is damaged by the destructive nature of water, it can be frustrating and may feel as if you’re taking a few steps back on adding value to your home. However, the repair process is essential to get your home back to its original state — or better. When it comes to water damage, first-floor flooding is not an uncommon ordeal. To rectify the situation, you will need to call in professionals who provide drying services. Depending on the reason for the flood, you may also need to have drywall, insulation, and flooring repaired or removed. But, let’s not jump too far ahead. Here’s a step-by-step guide to assist you with repairing your home after the first-floor floods.

The 12 Main Steps

How you react in the first few moments of noticing your home is flooding may decide how much damage it sustains. Here are 12 critical steps to help you minimize and rectify damage to your home when the first floor floods. These are the exact steps that our water cleanup services company does in order to restore your home.

1. Identify the Cause of the Flood

When homeowners think of a flooded first floor, natural disasters probably come to mind. However, the first floor can flood for many other reasons, such as the following.

• Burst pipes
• Faulty washing machine hose
• Leaking appliances, such as the water heater
• Overflowing dishwasher
• Overflowing toilet or blockage in the sewer system
• Pipe left on while the drain is covered or blocked

2. Stop the Flow

If you are able to identify the source of the water and can turn it off, do so. For example, you may cut the water supply in the home, turn off the dripping or leaking faucet, or plug out the water heater. If you must wade through water to do this, call the professionals and wait outside to prevent possible electrocution.

3. Cut the Power

If you can make it to the fuse box without passing through water, then turn off the power to the affected areas in the home. This will also help to reduce the possibility of electrocution. If you cannot make it to the fuse box without passing through water, call the professionals and wait outside.

4. Inspect for Damage

If the flood was caused by natural disasters, then do a thorough inspection of the home and call the relevant authorities to resolve the issue. Here are some of the things you should keep an eye out for.

• Damage to electric, gas, sewer and water lines.
• Structural damage, such as cracked foundations or warping.

5. Document the Damage

While you wait for the professionals to arrive, be sure to document the damage in the home as best as possible. This may be necessary for insurance purposes. Make notes, take pictures, and even take video footage where possible.

6. Call the Insurance Company

The best time to call the insurance company is right away, especially if the flood is due to natural disasters. Phone lines to the company may be busy, so the sooner you call, the further up the line you are on their waiting list. If you are unable to reach your local agent, consider calling headquarters.

7. Hire Water Restoration Professionals

Some insurance companies will send out their own licensed contractors to survey the damage, quote an estimate, and provide disaster cleanup and restoration services. However, in cases of an emergency, you may be asked to find your own contractors. You will then be reimbursed after the work is completed.

8. Remove the Water

As soon as you receive the go-ahead to remove the water from your home, get started. If the problem is widespread in your community, companies may have their hands full. So, get a head start on your home by doing some of the work yourself. Rent a sump pump or wet vac to begin drying water out of the home. However, avoid plugging these machines into sockets that were in the affected area, especially if the water rose to the level of those sockets.

9. Remove Wet & Damaged Items

There is no point in drying the area only to leave wet items inside. This would only provide a breeding ground for mold and harmful bacteria. Removing the carpeting and drywall will require professional help. However, you can remove soaked furniture, rugs, clothes, and appliances on your own. If any food came into contact with the water, you must throw those out as well due to possible contamination.

10. Dry the Area

Unfortunately, removing the water and wet items does not make an area dry. To ensure the area is truly dry, you must use a dehumidifier. If only one small room is affected, a personal dehumidifier should do the trick until the professionals arrive. Commercial-grade dehumidifiers, however, are larger and far more powerful.

11. Replace Material

Unlike Fort Collins Restoration Pro, many contractors who provide drying services do not replace the drywall, insulation, and carpeting they may remove from your home. As a result, you may need to call in another team of contractors to replace and re-install these items. This should also be covered by your insurance company.

12. Ventilate

Provided that opening the windows won’t let more moisture in, it’s a good idea to air out the home. Also, open drawers and cabinets. Ventilating will help to reduce the moldy smell that may begin to form while you wait for the drying and repair process to be completed. If you are unable to open your windows, then consider installing HEPA air filters to improve the air quality in the home.

Additional Tips

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when inspecting and repairing your home after the first-floor floods.

• Sometimes during a natural disaster, the lights go out. This may make it seem safe to venture into flood waters in or outside of your home. However, whenever possible, always turn off the fuse box.
• When documenting the damage to your home, take notes and photograph the area from multiple angles. If possible, immediately back the photos up to cloud storage online as the device may later become lost or damaged.
• Clear water does not always equal safe water. Water could be contaminated with chemicals and sewer material. Because of this, it’s important to wear protective gear when possible to enter the home. This may include gloves, water boots, and waders.
• Water increases the weight of items around the home, so take care when moving rugs, furniture, and other heavy items to reduce injury. If possible, enlist the help of others and follow best practices for safe lifting.
• If the flooding was due to natural disasters and you have lost windows and doors in the process, be sure to safeguard your home by boarding them up. This keeps out both burglars and wildlife.

If your home has recently flooded, Fort Collins Restoration Pro has the tools, the skills, and the team to provide drying services and repair work. We don’t believe in leaving any job unfinished, so once your home is dry and cleared of all contamination, we will begin the process of restoring your walls, flooring and any other damaged area. All you have to do to get started is call us at (720) 721-3365. Our emergency services are available statewide, 24 hours per day. Find out more by visiting our website.

The post "How to Repair Your Home After the First Floor Floods" was first published at: United Water Restoration

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Home Destroyed in Fire by Plane

Fire Damage after Small Plane Crash

On the evening of Friday March 24^th, a small Cessna Citation I plane crashed into a suburban home in Marietta, Georgia. The plane was traveling from Wilmington, Delaware to Fulton County Airport when the pilot reported to air traffic control he was having issues with the autopilot feature. Moments later witnesses watched as the plane spun out and nose dived into a neighborhood, just five minutes from Kennesaw State University where their spring football game was taking place. At around 7:20pm police responded to reports of the crash and discovered the plane had come over the house and crashed in the front yard, caught fire and exploded leading to the home to catching fire. The flames spread quickly engulfing the house and damaging the side of a neighbors home. Thankfully no one was present when the plane crashed, but sadly the pilot did pass away. Our hearts to go out to those affected by this tragic accident. For more information click here … 

We are Here to Help.

If your home should suffer from any kind of fire damage or disaster call Fort Collins Restoration Pro. When you have a fire there can be toxic chemicals that put your health at risk. Trust the experts. We provide 24/7/365 disaster restoration services specializing in fire damage restoration as well as smoke and odor removal. We have a licensed, expert team ready to restore your home back to pre-disaster condition quickly and affordably. Visit us at: www.FortCollinsRestorationPro.com or contact us at: (720) 721-3365. Remember at Fort Collins Restoration Pro, your family is our family.

The article "Home Destroyed in Fire by Plane" was first published at: ChooseReliable.com

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How to Save Water-Damaged Photos, Books, and Documents

During a flooding incident, your documents and books are at great risk. Both the water and the ensuing humidity in the air can cause permanent deterioration. The good news is that you can save most of your papers and books, but only if you act fast and work with caution.

It’s important to start salvaging your water-damaged photos, books, and documents within two days or they will start to become moldy and deteriorate. A professional water damage cleanup company can help with this process.

Saving Water-Damaged Photos

• Save pictures in frames when they are still drenched, otherwise you might damage the photos when trying to remove them. To safely separate a wet photo from a picture frame, gently rinse both photo and frame with water, and carefully remove the photo.
• For saving very old photos, consult a professional conservator first. These historical photographs are more sensitive to damage and restoration.
• When you’re ready, remove the photos from the water or mud being careful not to touch the front of the photos.
• Place the photos image side up onto a rigid surface like a board.
• If photos have dirt on them, rinse them gently using clean water in a bucket or sink.
• After cleaning the photos, lay them on blotting paper, such as a paper towel. Don’t use newspapers to prevent ink from smudging the photos.
• Dry the photos indoors. Don’t take them outside as sunlight and wind will cause photos to curl more quickly.
• Let photos air-dry, but change the paper towels every one to two hours.
• If drying the photos is not your first priority, you can buy some time by freezing them. Just make sure to first rinse them of dirt and stack them between sheets of wax paper. This will make them easier to separate when treated.

Saving Water-Damaged Books and Documents

• Remove your documents from the water with care. If the papers are dirty, gently rinse them and lay them on a flat surface on top of blotted paper. Use paper towels without prints and avoid newspaper. Keep changing the paper towels.
• Don’t dry them outside where sunlight and wind can curl the items. Let them air-dry indoors and run an oscillating fan in the room to increase air circulation and speed up drying.
• For waterlogged books, place one absorbent paper between every 20 to 50 wet pages and lay the books flat to dry. Change the blotting paper every few hours.
• If you can put the books in a vertical position, try to fan the pages out and allow to air-dry. Speed up the drying process using a fan.
• To postpone the drying of paper documents or books, seal them in plastic zipper bags and stick them in the freezer. This helps preserve them and stops mold from developing until they’re ready to be restored.
• If papers and books smell musty after drying, place them in an open box and put that inside a closed container with baking soda to absorb odors. Don’t let baking soda touch the books.

Although you may be able to follow all of these steps yourself, hiring a document and photo restoration professional is generally a safer alternative. Trained technicians have the equipment and experience to salvage sensitive documents and bring them safely back to life. Fort more information visit www.FortCollinsRestorationPro.com or call (720) 721-3365.

The Article "How to Save Water-Damaged Photos, Books, and Documents" was first published at: www.ProClean.com

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The Importance of Professional Mold Remediation

There is mold everywhere. It’s in the air you breathe, the office you work in, and the comfort of your living room. You cannot escape mold spores, to some extent. Without the right conditions, however, these spores cannot settle and begin to grow.

It is that growth that truly causes harmful mold exposure in most people. Many homes experience severe mold growth, especially after serious water damage. That’s when heavy-duty Fort Collins mold remediation comes into play.

Health Concerns

The mold spores released from a household infestation can cause serious illnesses among family members. Mold spores tend to ignite allergic reactions in those with sensitivities to mold. For everyone else, short and longterm mold exposure often causes symptoms similar to that of the common cold or flu. You may notice sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, skin rashes, a sore throat, and even the occasional respiratory disease.

Hidden Mold

When it comes to mold in the home, most homeowners are keen to save some money and tackle the growth themselves. However, they are often ill-equipped to handle the situation. They may even end up spreading the mold further by disturbing the spores.

Let a professional team of mold remediation experts tackle the job. Not only will they eliminate the obvious mold problem for good, but they will also assess your home for signs of hidden mold growth that you might not have noticed. Often, mold will hide in the ductwork, in the air handling unit, underneath wallpaper, and even in the crawlspace or basement.

Prevention Methods

When the mold infestation is not handled properly or in a timely manner, the chance of regrowth is always a possibility. Spores hide in the furniture or air ducts, where they eventually spread into other rooms or behind the walls.

Professional mold remediation, in its final stages, also includes prevention techniques. Once all mold is removed, experts will address any underlying causes of the mold (moisture, humidity, and ventilation concerns). These can all be tackled to prevent mold from regrowing in the house.

As soon as you spot mold in your home or business, you should call a professional. Mold experts from Restoration 1 are trained and equipped to tackle all types of mold. There are many unique types of fungus, and only a knowledgable expert can accurately assess each one.

Schedule 24-hour mold remediation from Fort Collins Restoration Pro. Feel free to call Fort Collins Restoration Pro at any time; we are available for 24-hour cleanup and restoration services.

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Why You Need A Certified Water Restoration Company To Restore Water Damage