I was recently interviewed by the Tribune family of companies for an article highlighting the importance of remaining vigilant regarding mold growth inside homes.
If you have any mold concerns, take a moment to read the article
http://www.triblocal.com/Park_Ridge/detail/209378.html
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Top 5 Causes of Water Damage in the Home
1. Broken pipes & hoses – burst water main, aging old pipes, washing machine supply hoses and ice maker hoses that fail: Remedy – Buy the metal braided washing machine lines and copper pipes for ice makers. Have a plumber come in and inspect pipes in old homes and replace them with PVC if necessary. A few dollars spent now is worth thousands later!
2. Accidents: Overflowing bathtubs or broken toilets. The most common cause: children! Anyone reading this post who has small children can relate – probably with a smile and a story of your own. Remedy - Watch kids! Water is fascinating – especially when it's flowing over the tub and toilet rim!
3. Sewer back up: Presents a health hazard, smells bad, looks worse. Most common cause: Tree roots invading and clogging drain lines – trees like the readily available fertilizer and water! Remedy: Call your plumber and ask them about enzyme drain treatments that can be flushed on a monthly basis during Spring and Summer months when tree roots grow most prolifically.
4. Long term basement humidity. The most common cause: hydrostatic pressure and aging infrastructure. The simple solution: install a dehumidifier. However, that's a symptomatic fix and only works for a small amount of water. For large scale water intrusion, contact the experts to get an assessment. Once you receive the report, and ONLY then, contact a basement waterproofing expert and make sure you get THREE quotes.
5. Flash flooding: This is the rarest type of water intrusion in the home. It occurs when you least expect it and in areas that traditionally don't expect flooding. Remedy – Always purchase flood insurance if available!
Remember: With any kind of water damage in the home, time is of the essence! Drying the home in three days or less prevents growth of potentially dangerous mold.
2. Accidents: Overflowing bathtubs or broken toilets. The most common cause: children! Anyone reading this post who has small children can relate – probably with a smile and a story of your own. Remedy - Watch kids! Water is fascinating – especially when it's flowing over the tub and toilet rim!
3. Sewer back up: Presents a health hazard, smells bad, looks worse. Most common cause: Tree roots invading and clogging drain lines – trees like the readily available fertilizer and water! Remedy: Call your plumber and ask them about enzyme drain treatments that can be flushed on a monthly basis during Spring and Summer months when tree roots grow most prolifically.
4. Long term basement humidity. The most common cause: hydrostatic pressure and aging infrastructure. The simple solution: install a dehumidifier. However, that's a symptomatic fix and only works for a small amount of water. For large scale water intrusion, contact the experts to get an assessment. Once you receive the report, and ONLY then, contact a basement waterproofing expert and make sure you get THREE quotes.
5. Flash flooding: This is the rarest type of water intrusion in the home. It occurs when you least expect it and in areas that traditionally don't expect flooding. Remedy – Always purchase flood insurance if available!
Remember: With any kind of water damage in the home, time is of the essence! Drying the home in three days or less prevents growth of potentially dangerous mold.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Top 5 Causes of Water Damage in the Home
Top 5 Causes of Water Damage in the home
1. Broken pipes&hoses – burst water main, aging old pipes, washing machine supply hoses and ice maker hoses that fail: Remedy – get Thee to Home Depot or Lowes and buy the metal braided washing machine lines and copper pipes for ice makers. Have a plumber come in and inspect pipes in old homes and replace them with PVC if necessary. A few dollars spent now is worth thousands later!
2. Accidents: Overflowing bathtubs or broken toilets. The most common cause: children! Anyone reading this post who has small children can relate – probably with a smile and a story of your own. Remedy - Watch kids! Water is fascinating – especially when it's flowing over the tub and toilet rim!
3. Sewer back up: Oooo, nasty! Most common cause: Tree roots invading and clogging drain lines – trees like the readily available fertilizer and water! Remedy: Home Depot and Lowes both sport "enzyme" drain treatments that can be flushed on a monthly basis during Spring and Summer months when tree roots grow most prolifically.
4. Long term basement humidity. The most common cause: hydrostatic pressure and aging infrastructure. The simple solution: install a dehumidifier. However, that's a symptomatic fix and only works for a small amount of water. For large scale water intrusion, contact the experts – home inspectors first – to get an assessment. Once you receive the report, and ONLY then, contact a basement waterproofing expert and make sure you get THREE quotes.
5. Flash flooding: This is the rarest type of water intrusion in the home. It occurs when you least expect it (like Monty Python's Spanish Inquisition) and in areas that traditionally don't expect flooding. Remedy – Always purchase flood insurance if available!
Remember: With any kind of water damage in the home, time is of the essence! Drying the home in three days or less prevents growth of toxic mold.
1. Broken pipes&hoses – burst water main, aging old pipes, washing machine supply hoses and ice maker hoses that fail: Remedy – get Thee to Home Depot or Lowes and buy the metal braided washing machine lines and copper pipes for ice makers. Have a plumber come in and inspect pipes in old homes and replace them with PVC if necessary. A few dollars spent now is worth thousands later!
2. Accidents: Overflowing bathtubs or broken toilets. The most common cause: children! Anyone reading this post who has small children can relate – probably with a smile and a story of your own. Remedy - Watch kids! Water is fascinating – especially when it's flowing over the tub and toilet rim!
3. Sewer back up: Oooo, nasty! Most common cause: Tree roots invading and clogging drain lines – trees like the readily available fertilizer and water! Remedy: Home Depot and Lowes both sport "enzyme" drain treatments that can be flushed on a monthly basis during Spring and Summer months when tree roots grow most prolifically.
4. Long term basement humidity. The most common cause: hydrostatic pressure and aging infrastructure. The simple solution: install a dehumidifier. However, that's a symptomatic fix and only works for a small amount of water. For large scale water intrusion, contact the experts – home inspectors first – to get an assessment. Once you receive the report, and ONLY then, contact a basement waterproofing expert and make sure you get THREE quotes.
5. Flash flooding: This is the rarest type of water intrusion in the home. It occurs when you least expect it (like Monty Python's Spanish Inquisition) and in areas that traditionally don't expect flooding. Remedy – Always purchase flood insurance if available!
Remember: With any kind of water damage in the home, time is of the essence! Drying the home in three days or less prevents growth of toxic mold.
Monday, July 12, 2010
8 Tips to Prevent Mold Growth in the Basement
1. Keep the humidity levels in check: Ideal humidity levels in your basement should be below 45% To do this, use a dehumidifier.
2. Do not grow plants inside the basement.
3. Keep your basement clutter free! Clutter disrupts the free flow of air in your basement and increases humidity - creating the perfect breeding ground for mold.
4. Use only plastic storage boxes&bins. Cardboard provides the perfect growth medium for mold!
5. Say ‘No' to wood - Make sure that you are not storing wood in your basement. Wood makes for an ideal habitat for the mold to grow.
6. Use an exhaust fan to vent out and stale and humid air and let fresh air in.
7. Insulate water pipes - cold water pipes cause condensation of moisture on the exterior of the pipes .
8. Use extensions to drain gutter water away from the foundation of the house
.
2. Do not grow plants inside the basement.
3. Keep your basement clutter free! Clutter disrupts the free flow of air in your basement and increases humidity - creating the perfect breeding ground for mold.
4. Use only plastic storage boxes&bins. Cardboard provides the perfect growth medium for mold!
5. Say ‘No' to wood - Make sure that you are not storing wood in your basement. Wood makes for an ideal habitat for the mold to grow.
6. Use an exhaust fan to vent out and stale and humid air and let fresh air in.
7. Insulate water pipes - cold water pipes cause condensation of moisture on the exterior of the pipes .
8. Use extensions to drain gutter water away from the foundation of the house
.
8 Tips to Prevent Mold in the Basement
1. Keep the humidity levels in check: Ideal humidity levels in your basement should be below 45% To do this, use a dehumidifier.
2. Do not grow plants inside the basement.
3. Keep your basement clutter free! Clutter disrupts the free flow of air in your basement and increases humidity - creating the perfect breeding ground for mold.
4. Use only plastic storage boxes&bins. Cardboard provides the perfect growth medium for mold!
5. Say ‘No' to wood - Make sure that you are not storing wood in your basement. Wood makes for an ideal habitat for the mold to grow.
6. Use an exhaust fan to vent out and stale and humid air and let fresh air in.
7. Insulate water pipes - cold water pipes cause condensation of moisture on the exterior of the pipes .
8. Use extensions to drain gutter water away from the foundation of the house.
2. Do not grow plants inside the basement.
3. Keep your basement clutter free! Clutter disrupts the free flow of air in your basement and increases humidity - creating the perfect breeding ground for mold.
4. Use only plastic storage boxes&bins. Cardboard provides the perfect growth medium for mold!
5. Say ‘No' to wood - Make sure that you are not storing wood in your basement. Wood makes for an ideal habitat for the mold to grow.
6. Use an exhaust fan to vent out and stale and humid air and let fresh air in.
7. Insulate water pipes - cold water pipes cause condensation of moisture on the exterior of the pipes .
8. Use extensions to drain gutter water away from the foundation of the house.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Tips to Reduce Losses from Water and Storm Damage
Water damage is a real threat for property owners. In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute in the last year, 22 per 1,000 households have entered a claim for water related damage. Water damage can often result from weather, such as storms or melting snow, or more often, from common household malfunctions such as pipe leaks, washing machine malfunctions or other plumbing problems.
Follow these guidelines to help minimize the loss and prevent further damage:
Insurance
> Call your agent.
> Take photographs of the damage.
> Keep all receipts from hotel stays, home repair materials, etc.
Plumbing
> Check pipes on well pumps and irrigation systems annually.
> If sewage is backing up in the shower or under the toilet, your whole system is backed up. Call a professional and don’t use other sinks or toilets.
Roofing
> If the neighbor’s roof is missing shingles after a storm, you can assume that yours probably is also missing shigles.
> If it is safe to do so and only a few shingles are gone, try to cover the area with a plastic garbage bag.
> If it is safe to do so and you have a large area of ripped tar paper or wood, cover it with a tarpaulin.
> Call a roofer immediately.
Electric
> Most damage to electrical systems comes from water.
> Appliances exposed to water should be serviced before being used again.
> Check for sparks or frayed wires if wires are exposed call an electrician and do not turn on the power.
> If it appears that water has infiltrated your breaker box, call an electrician.
> Avoid fallen and dangling wires.
> If a limb has fallen on a power line, turn off the power and call the utility company.
> If a fallen limb touches your property do not attempt to clear them as they may be tangled in power lines. Call an electrician and a tree service company.
Flooding (Take these steps to minimize damage before the restoration professional arrives.)
> Throw out all food, including canned goods, medicines and cosmetics that have been touched by flood water.
> Keep a photographic inventory of anything that must be thrown out.
> Don’t take pets into a flooded area and never let them drink standing flood water.
Miscellaneous
> Turn on air conditioner if damage occurs in summer.
> Move valuable paintings, art objects and photos to a safe, dry place.
> Open closet doors, furniture drawers and luggage to aid in drying.
> Remove any wet fabrics and dry immediately.
> Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
> Stay out of any rooms where the ceiling is sagging from trapped water.
> Turn off the breaker before unplugging appliances.
Follow these guidelines to help minimize the loss and prevent further damage:
Insurance
> Call your agent.
> Take photographs of the damage.
> Keep all receipts from hotel stays, home repair materials, etc.
Plumbing
> Check pipes on well pumps and irrigation systems annually.
> If sewage is backing up in the shower or under the toilet, your whole system is backed up. Call a professional and don’t use other sinks or toilets.
Roofing
> If the neighbor’s roof is missing shingles after a storm, you can assume that yours probably is also missing shigles.
> If it is safe to do so and only a few shingles are gone, try to cover the area with a plastic garbage bag.
> If it is safe to do so and you have a large area of ripped tar paper or wood, cover it with a tarpaulin.
> Call a roofer immediately.
Electric
> Most damage to electrical systems comes from water.
> Appliances exposed to water should be serviced before being used again.
> Check for sparks or frayed wires if wires are exposed call an electrician and do not turn on the power.
> If it appears that water has infiltrated your breaker box, call an electrician.
> Avoid fallen and dangling wires.
> If a limb has fallen on a power line, turn off the power and call the utility company.
> If a fallen limb touches your property do not attempt to clear them as they may be tangled in power lines. Call an electrician and a tree service company.
Flooding (Take these steps to minimize damage before the restoration professional arrives.)
> Throw out all food, including canned goods, medicines and cosmetics that have been touched by flood water.
> Keep a photographic inventory of anything that must be thrown out.
> Don’t take pets into a flooded area and never let them drink standing flood water.
Miscellaneous
> Turn on air conditioner if damage occurs in summer.
> Move valuable paintings, art objects and photos to a safe, dry place.
> Open closet doors, furniture drawers and luggage to aid in drying.
> Remove any wet fabrics and dry immediately.
> Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
> Stay out of any rooms where the ceiling is sagging from trapped water.
> Turn off the breaker before unplugging appliances.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Untreated Water Damage to a Property Can Lead to Mold Hazards & Health Concerns
Water damage is any damage done because of water. You can even refer to water spilled on your handwritten notebook as water damage, if the content in the book was damaged or destroyed.
Almost everyone has faced water damage at sometime. Water damage to a property is caused by so many reasons; it could be because of leaking roofs, leaking pipes, leaking faucets, floods, storms and rains.
With so many causes of water damage, these require adequate care to be taken to avoid the water damage occurring in your residence or business. Your plumbing system should be checked on an annual basis. Have a licensed plumber check your sump pump, lift pump, battery back-up system, and your sewer system that takes water from your home or business to the outside sewage system.
Inevitably, water damage seems to creep its way into people's lives and properties at some point in time. Water tends to create major damage to anything that is in its way. Carpets, books, wood, electronics, almost everything we have inside a home or office has the potential to get damaged by water. Water damage can be managed if the property owner takes action in a timely manner.
PuroClean Property Restoration Specialists specializes in restoration after water damage and provides emergency services; it is PuroClean's responsibility to dry, clean the premises, and also leaving it mold free. Being careful and prompt is what is required when controlling water damage and protecting your property and possessions from the potential effects of water damage.
In the past mold damage was a covered insurance loss when it resulted from a covered peril, such as a broken pipe, a storm, or fire suppression efforts, but not when it occurs gradually over time due to wear and tear, or after untended to water damage.
Public awareness and scientific knowledge of the health hazards of mold have
increased dramatically over the past several years. Techniques for cleaning mold have also become more sophisticated and can be expensive. Today, most insurance companies do not cover mold claims under existing policies and are rewriting their policies to exclude all coverage for mold, regardless of origin.
The best medicine for mold is prevention. If your property sustained recent water damage, it is vital to have the water removed and the structure dried immediately to prevent mold from growing. Our system is designed to remove moisture from your building before mold can begin to grow. Our emergency response team will help determine the cause, the best method of removal, and the necessary steps to help prevent it from recurring.
PuroClean works with Environmental Hygienists and Laboratories in an effort to protect you and your family from potentially dangerous mold situations. If mold is detected, your first step is to call professionals like PuroClean who know how to safely and completely deal with mold. PuroClean has:
> Inspection & Testing Procedures & Tools
> Professional Drying with the Best Equipment
> Mold Remediation with Customer Satisfaction Guarantee
> Professional Deodorization
> Cleaning & Sanitation of Structure, Fixtures & Contents
> Containment and Removal in Affected Area
> HEPA Negative Air Filtration and Vacuuming
Almost everyone has faced water damage at sometime. Water damage to a property is caused by so many reasons; it could be because of leaking roofs, leaking pipes, leaking faucets, floods, storms and rains.
With so many causes of water damage, these require adequate care to be taken to avoid the water damage occurring in your residence or business. Your plumbing system should be checked on an annual basis. Have a licensed plumber check your sump pump, lift pump, battery back-up system, and your sewer system that takes water from your home or business to the outside sewage system.
Inevitably, water damage seems to creep its way into people's lives and properties at some point in time. Water tends to create major damage to anything that is in its way. Carpets, books, wood, electronics, almost everything we have inside a home or office has the potential to get damaged by water. Water damage can be managed if the property owner takes action in a timely manner.
PuroClean Property Restoration Specialists specializes in restoration after water damage and provides emergency services; it is PuroClean's responsibility to dry, clean the premises, and also leaving it mold free. Being careful and prompt is what is required when controlling water damage and protecting your property and possessions from the potential effects of water damage.
In the past mold damage was a covered insurance loss when it resulted from a covered peril, such as a broken pipe, a storm, or fire suppression efforts, but not when it occurs gradually over time due to wear and tear, or after untended to water damage.
Public awareness and scientific knowledge of the health hazards of mold have
increased dramatically over the past several years. Techniques for cleaning mold have also become more sophisticated and can be expensive. Today, most insurance companies do not cover mold claims under existing policies and are rewriting their policies to exclude all coverage for mold, regardless of origin.
The best medicine for mold is prevention. If your property sustained recent water damage, it is vital to have the water removed and the structure dried immediately to prevent mold from growing. Our system is designed to remove moisture from your building before mold can begin to grow. Our emergency response team will help determine the cause, the best method of removal, and the necessary steps to help prevent it from recurring.
PuroClean works with Environmental Hygienists and Laboratories in an effort to protect you and your family from potentially dangerous mold situations. If mold is detected, your first step is to call professionals like PuroClean who know how to safely and completely deal with mold. PuroClean has:
> Inspection & Testing Procedures & Tools
> Professional Drying with the Best Equipment
> Mold Remediation with Customer Satisfaction Guarantee
> Professional Deodorization
> Cleaning & Sanitation of Structure, Fixtures & Contents
> Containment and Removal in Affected Area
> HEPA Negative Air Filtration and Vacuuming
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