Thursday, October 18, 2012

Coming Home To Roost - Post Storm Mold


The lead in for several blog entries now has been the same, that 2011 has been an incredibly busy year when it comes to severe weather. Homes and businesses have been damaged at best, and swept away at worst. For those affected, coming home after the storm can be a very rude awakening.

The level of damage left behind can be staggering, overwhelming, and often traumatizing for property owners. The aftereffects of water can many times be far more destructive than even fire, and the bad news is, water isn't done even when the initial damage has been inflicted.

Untreated water can contribute to the premature rotting of wood or rusting of metal, both of which can compromise the structural stability of your home. Worse, mold can appear, usually within 48 hours of a water damage event (or sooner of the water is sewage based).

The high water and humidity levels left behind by recent storms may mean that homeowners are in for a rather unpleasant homecoming.

Mold usually grows anywhere there is sufficient moisture for it to do so. In homes this usually means behind baseboards, inside of walls, or the interior of drywall construction.

Dr. John Cohn, an allergist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, says mold can trigger allergies, or in rare cases, other illnesses, but common sense measures can prevent problems.

"I don't think you need to go to extraordinary lengths to treat mold as a particularly dangerous, toxic compound."

Basically, mold can be prevented by simply removing the excess water as soon as possible and drying everything out quickly. The faster humidity levels in your home can be reduced, the less likely the chances for a mold problem to develop.

Too many people mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply remove the excess water. Quite the contrary, some water has to be actively looked for. Water has a way of getting into areas of your home that you might not think to look in, usually your basement or crawlspaces, which can become ideal spots for mold to begin to grow.

No, ALL the water has to be removed, every surface completely dried out, cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized in order to prevent mold growth. In the event that mold is discovered, it is not enough to simply remove it. The affected area will have to be properly treated in order to prevent the mold from returning. Proper treatment includes reducing the level of humidity and moisture in the affected area, providing proper ventilation.basically creating an environment that is non-conducive to mold growth.

Water Damage Local.com is a nationwide network of water restoration providers, available 24/7, with a full staff of trained and experienced professionals, as well as the tool and procedures you need for getting water, mud, silt, debris, and yes, even mold out of your home following a water damage catastrophe. One of our professionals can be at your door within an hour of your call, ready to assess your problem and being the restoration process.

Don't let water damage open the door to additional problems for your home or place of business. Contact the pros at Water Damage Local.com today!





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