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Tag: "water damage"

Water Damage Mold Removal and Other Expenses Related to a Flood

Water Damage Mold Removal and Other Expenses Related to a Flood

[ 0 ] July 5, 2010

Water Damage Mold Removal

Floodwater damage often means more than a damaged wood floor or carpet. Water causes all kinds of damages most people don’t even think about. For one thing, water damage often leads to mold growth. Water damage mold removal can cost you lots of time and possibly money. However, it’s something you must do if the problem arises. That’s only the tip of the iceberg when talking about the damaging effects of water.

Serious flood damage in a home is devastating. A small flood that affects only one room isn’t too bad. You can easily deal with that on your own. You can dry the carpet or floor and continue as usual. Unfortunately, it’s not always that easy.

A serious flood can destroy your valued possessions. It can also poses serious health risks to the health of the entire family. This is why you should not let water or damaged items sit in your home for long and immediate mold removal is a must.

Here are three ways that floodwater can damage your home:

1. The water can cause a terrible smell. Sewage water or water from a muddy creek stinks. Your home will smell awful until everything is clean. If your home has this foul odor, get your family out.

Breathing in dirty air is terrible for your lungs and health. The only remedy to this situation might be to throw some things away. More than likely, your carpet will definitely have to go. Cleaning it might help, so you can give it a try. You will probably lose some of your personal belongings and items in the aftermath.

2. Flood water usually leaves dark spots on the walls. It’s often possible to see how high the water rose based on the walls. Wherever the dark stains stop, that’s as high as the water reached. This will be really noticeable if you have wallpaper. More than likely, the wallpaper will need to be replaced.

3. Flood water can damage items such as the shoes, hardwood flooring, drywall and insulation. Other concerns could also occur, such as plumbing malfunctions and accidental leaks. All of these things will cost money and time to replace.

The list above is just three of many ways that floodwater can damage any home. A family can lose almost everything. If you live in an area that often floods, make sure you have the proper insurance. That will at least lighten the financial burden.

Getting the water and dampness taken care of is very important. If you leave the conditions as they are, mold can start to grow. That will add the need for water damage mold removal in addition to the other costs. Plus, there’s a chance the water damage mold will be the toxic kind. That’s unlikely to happen, but it’s certainly a possibility.

Play it safe and repair the situation as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse the problems will become.

Drywall Mold and What To Do About It

[ 0 ] April 20, 2010

Drywall Mold

Drywall mold can create a lot of unnecessary health problems and structural damage if it is left untreated for even a short amount of time. Black mold, which is generally associated with this type of damage, gives off corrosive gases that can become extremely toxic to your health. That’s why it’s very important that homeowners remove the mold damage immediately before the problem become severe.

So if you’re seeing little black spots on your walls, you’ll need to take the steps necessary to eliminate the water damage mold and make your home a safe environment once again. And to help you get started on your mold removal process, here’s what you need to know.

First, assess the situation and make sure what’s on your walls in really a fungus. One of the most common signs that there are molds growing on your walls is by taking a whiff. If the results are a musty smell, then you’ve got a mold problem. Another sign is by checking for a source. Is there moisture or some form of water damage? Do the walls feel damp or cold to the touch? If so, you’ve got mold.

Once you know you really have a problem, you’ll need to figure out whether or not the damage is extreme (more than 10 square feet), which will require professional services or minimal (less than 10 square feet), which you can take on yourself.

If you know the job is one you can do yourself, you’ll need to gather some safety supplies including rubber gloves, goggles and a respiratory paper surgical mask. Without these items you will be exposing your health to the dangers of the mold since their spores can quickly and easily travel at the slightest touch.

Other supplies you will need include an exacto knife, clean rags, a sandpaper, scrub brush, patch kit for drywall and a mold cleaner designed to specifically remove toxic mold.

Next you’ll want to remove the areas of the wall where the mold is present because you cannot clean this particular type of wall. After removing the contaminated areas, you’ll need to sand over any wooden joints where is was attached to the moldy wall to remove any traces of the toxic fungus.

Once the areas are sanded, you’ll need to use a cleaner that will penetrate into the wood’s surface and kill the mold permanently. Mold cleaners can be found at most hardware and farming stores, as well as discount stores.

After you’ve applied the product and followed the manufacturer’s directions, you’ll need to let the area thoroughly dry and then apply the patch kit to repair the damaged area of the wall. And you’re done.

Remember, the sooner you remove the drywall mold, the less the damage will be. However, in some instances the damages can become hidden and once that happens a professional is generally needed to correct the situation and make your home safe once again. So please don’t skip the help when it’s needed, your health and home both depend on it.