Most people associate flooding with the spring thaw and excess rain in the summer.
However, did you know that flooding is common in the winter?
One of the primary causes of flooding in the winter is frozen pipes that burst.
The purpose of this article is to explain how to prevent your pipes from freezing and, most importantly, the top three actions you must take if you face a flooding situation.
Preventing Frozen Pipes Infographic
The infographic below, courtesy of the Punctual Plumber in Houston, shows you what you need to do to prevent pipes from freezing in your home during the winter. It has excellent tips. Proactive action can save you lots of time and headaches, so review the infographic carefully.
All life, including plants, animals, and humans, comprises cells. Cells require water to survive; water is the giver of life; without it, we can not survive.
Unfortunately, water can also be a very destructive force, causing extensive damage to property and potentially disease and sickness if the water is category 2 or 3. You need to act immediately when your house is flooded to minimize the health concerns caused by category 2 and 3 water and the health and structural impact that mold can have on your property.
Mold is a fungus. Unlike plants that derive food from chlorophyll and photosynthesis, mold requires water to thrive and can begin growing rapidly within 24 to 48 hours after a flood. The three life forces essential for mold growth are moisture, warmth, and a food source. For those dealing with the aftermath of a flood, flood damage cleanup Chicago services are crucial to prevent mold from taking hold and spreading in the affected areas:
1. A food source includes materials high in cellulose, such as paper, wood, drywall, wallpaper, carpet, ceiling tiles, dust, and dirt. Notice that this is what most homes are made of.
2. The ideal temperature which ranges from 41 to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Most importantly, mold needs water for its cells to function properly. Without water and moisture, mold will not grow.
Mold has a purpose in our ecosystem, i.e., it breaks down dead organic matter. In fact, we inhale mold spores every day when we are outside, and most people don’t usually have health issues because the concentration of spores is not that high. The primary reason that mold becomes an issue in homes rests with the fact that the spore count increases to levels that cause sickness, and this is the number one reason you want to prevent mold growth in your home. When you consider the purpose of mold in our ecosystem, it is not too surprising that mold is a health hazard.
Some people do not get sick from mold or may not even realize they are ill and don’t pay much attention to mold if it grows in their homes. Don’t ignore the problem! Long-term exposure to mold will have health consequences. If you do not pay attention to the health consequences, remember that mold is like a parasite or cancer and will continue to feed on your home until it is removed. In short, once mold grows, it will continue to feed, leading to structural concerns caused by rotting wood, potentially causing foundations to buckle, roofs to collapse, and other structural issues. To save your property value, remediate the mold and bear in mind that mold removal can be costly, so to minimize cost, address the problem as soon as possible.
Now that you understand why mold is such a huge concern when flooding occurs, here are the three steps you must take.
#1 Shut Off Breaker In Flooded Areas
To avoid electrical shocks, you need to shut off the breakers in the flooded areas and contact your electrical utility if you need further assistance.
Furthermore, if you plan to begin some of the clean-up process yourself, be safe and wear rubber gloves, boots, protective clothing, and a respirator.
#2 Call A Restoration Contractor That Understands Flood Restoration
Call The CleanUp Guys immediately so we can begin the clean-up process and start pumping water out. We have the experience, protective gear, and equipment to clean the area properly. Don’t wait!
Our main objective is to get the water out to begin drying the area with air movers and dehumidifiers. As outlined above, mold needs water, so our number one objective is to remove the water and begin the drying process first to minimize mold proliferation and then begin the clean-up process.
#3 Contact Your Insurance Company and Get Your Claim Process Started
Dealing with a flooding disaster can be very stressful and overwhelming. To ensure that your property is restored to its pre-flooding condition, contact your insurance company immediately so that they can begin the claim process and coordinate the work with the restoration contractor you hire. Remember, as the customer, you have the right to choose any restoration contractor you want to work with!
The CleanUp Guys are here to help. If you need assistance, call us at (773) 885-8528 or send us an email. We look forward to serving you.