When water damage leads to mold, it can cause problems for you and your property, and nothing feels the same afterward. Of course, once you resolve the issue, things improve. It’s one of the most potent one-two punches, like Batman and Robin. Water damage is no laughing matter, especially when it leads to mold, which can cause severe problems for your property. While water is essential when it’s where it should be like in a tub, sink, bucket, or hose it can cause significant damage when it gets out of control. Uncontrolled water can wreak havoc on a property and its surroundings, often leading to costly repairs. As the chart illustrates, regularly checking your property’s water lines, flushing systems, and drainage systems can help prevent significant issues like sewage backups and other water intrusions. Regular maintenance is vital in avoiding such disasters.
One of the most fatal of these can be a burst pipe. Burst pipes can cause water to hit a property in all directions, damaging carpeting, padding, vinyl flooring, baseboards, walls, trims, insulation, studs, etc. You name it. If it is in the overflowing water’s path, it will get damaged. Many customers want to avoid removing damaged materials when they experience water damage or flooding in Chicago. It is imperative to prevent the one-two punch, that is, water damage and mold removal, to get at the source of the problem immediately. The drying process needs to take place right away. Otherwise, the bacteria we know as black mold and other species of mold can develop quickly.
SAFETY ALWAYS!
We must be calm and remember to handle first things first.
1. Shut off the water supply to the home.
2. Turn off the electricity, if possible, in the area or location of the damage
3. please do not use appliances or power tools in that area if you must leave the electricity on.
4. Do not use electrical outlets in or around the damp areas.
These precautions will keep you from making a fatal mistake until help arrives. Get Help Fast! Get professional help from a trusted disaster recovery service company that knows water damage, flooding, and wet basements and how to deal with rising water issues. It’s not worth the headache or the expense of trying to do it yourself. Remember, you are dealing with the one-two punch and water damage that can and usually leads to mold. Get wet items out of the way as soon as humanly possible. Be careful not to grab too much at once, as this can be back-breaking, exhausting and counter-productive.
When help arrives, the professional water damage and mold restoration company in Chicago will extract the water from the area as quickly as possible. If the water level is too high, submersible pumps may be set up. Of course, if it is not, a water extraction machine of some sort will do the job!
Once all the wet items, damp carpet and padding, wet furniture, clothing, etc. have been removed from the area, moisture readings should be taken at regular intervals.
Once this is done, it may be necessary, and on many occasions it is, to have the baseboards popped off and have the drywall possibly removed from 2 feet up to 4 feet high from the floor. Sometimes, to drill a few holes at various intervals would suffice to let air flow assist in drying out the space. Therefore, a good supply of air movers is necessary to circulate the air space. The water damage restoration company will employ commercial drying equipment such as a dehumidifier to lower moisture and humidity levels to prevent your property walls, doors, and trims from buckling and of excess moisture if they have not already reached that stage upon their arrival. Here is where the expertise of the water damage contractor comes in. Suppose you have not waited too long to call, and the restoration process starts immediately. In that case, mold prevention can occur before the bacteria starts in its saturated environment. If the call to get help after water damage or water intrusion occurs beyond the 48 to 72-hour period, then the second part of the one-two punch has a license to establish itself in your property, and it will start to devour or feed on as much of your porous materials as possible.
BLACK MOLD CAN WREAK HAVOC!
The average customer must wait longer to do anything about the water intrusion to their property. Then there are the ones that act right away, you know, the do-it-yourselfers! Now, while there is nothing wrong with doing it yourself to save some money, there is a problem with not doing the job right. And let’s face it: 85% of the time, the customer must handle the job right. How do we know they didn’t? They start seeing that nasty stuff above on their walls, baseboards, trim, doorways, etc. It is a tell-tale sign that something needs to be implemented right or overlooked. It means that there was moisture that was missing somewhere. Moisture is the catalyst that allows mold to grow. And mold needs to be eaten. So, it searches out areas where it can feast on helpless materials. Old clothing, shoes, tablecloths, drywall, wood, furniture made of wood products, curtains, anything that it can devour, will devour.
BLACK MOLD AND YOUR HEALTH
When Stachybotrys mold grows on wet material, the spores do not disperse as easily because a sticky/slimy coating holds them together. When the material dries out or is disturbed, the spores will spread through the air.
Mold remediation professionals’ main concern is preventing the spread of black mold. This is accomplished through containment, which creates a poly barrier around the area where the Stachybotrys mold is growing.
This procedure is so essential because Stachybotrys spreads by releasing spores. Mold-contaminated materials must be removed and disposed of because mold does not just grow on the material’s surface; it has root-like tendrils called mycelia, meaning it can penetrate the surface.
Typically, Stachybotrys mold grows in clusters at the end of stem-like structures known as hyphae.
Stachybotrys produces a mycotoxin (i.e., poison from a fungus) named trichothecenes.
Stachybotrys black mold is a health concern because animal studies have shown that one of the significant effects of trichothecenes is immuno-suppression.
Even low-level exposure can suppress the immune system, resulting in bacterial and viral infections, coughing, skin irritation, and other allergic reactions, and there is some speculation that it may even cause cancer.
Therefore, removing the deadly strain as soon as possible is paramount.
It’s essential to be cautious when selecting a company to handle mold issues. Many online and local businesses may claim expertise, but thorough research is necessary. Investigate their level of knowledge, how long they’ve been in business, and whether they can provide references or examples of their work, such as photos. Check their online reputation. Do they have solid reviews? While every company may receive complaints, what truly matters is how they handle them. A company that proactively addresses concerns and resolves issues demonstrates quality service. Seek out a business that communicates effectively, making you feel like part of the family. Most importantly, find a company that understands the stress and challenges of dealing with water damage and mold, which is critical to receiving the support you need.
DOES YOUR WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION COMPANY QUALIFY?
Now that you have finally hired someone to eliminate your problem, will you be happy with the outcome? Well, you will know once they get underway and the finished product sits before you. Having some strange people enter your home can be unnerving. But life is a gamble. So you did all your research and finally decided I’m going with Company B. You like Company B. They handled your call. They were professional at the front end. They followed up. They were on time. Why did they even make you feel when they arrived that you made the right decision and you could finally put this matter to rest? They are good communicators. You can ask questions without feeling like you’ll be given a deadly look. You know, the go away lady, I’ve got work to do. You’re laughing. Sounds like you’ve been there. With Company B, you feel good that you are getting your questions answered, and you know why they are spraying that stuff on your wood, floor, or walls. You know how long it needs to sit. You know what those big pieces of equipment are.
You can relax because Company B is on the case. Good service costs money. If you want to get Bentley service and pay for a Smart Car, Guess what you’ll get. You’re innovative if you say Smart Car service now, while there is nothing wrong with a Smart Car. When considering volume, size, and cost compared to a Bentley. There is a reason the pricing is different. The quality, the name, the service, and everything else goes behind owning a Bentley. It is no different with your water damage and mold removal two-punch. The adage, you get what you pay for. If it is done differently the first time, you pay more anyway. You didn’t need the Bentley and that Smart Car.
Isn’t it wise to just go ahead and get the job done right the first time so you can move on with your life? Yes, it is!
Here’s the Deal! We follow the appropriate steps for Proper Mold Removal:
1. Setup and containment of the damaged area(s)
2. HEPA vacuuming of all exposed or infected surfaces
3. Proper removal and anti-microbial wipe down of hard surfaces, including furniture, with mold cleaner
4. Removal of infected porous materials if necessary (known as demolition)
5. Negative Air Machine (NAM) or Air Scrubber operation
6. Properly bagging and discarding contaminated items for removal from premises
7. Anti-microbial treatment and Biocide application
8. HEPA vacuuming again to ensure complete removal
9. Encapsulation sealant process
The CleanUP Guys are Chicago mold removal and mold remediation specialists! At the service in the entire Chicago area for more than 21 years!
