How Water Removal and Dryout Help Prevent Mold Growth

When water damage happens, the key to a successful restoration of your home is to remove all standing water – fast! This way, your home can dry up as soon as possible.

By removing moisture in all the affected areas of your home after a flood or water damage, you minimize the risk of mildew and mold growth. Otherwise, you may be facing a mold problem within a few days.

When your home has been flooded, the best thing to do to avoid mold growth is to hire a professional. Here are some of the reasons:

•   Mold Prevention – Mold will grow after only a day or so. Thus, it is crucial to act fast after a flood. Get out of your home and go back inside only when it’s safe to do so.

You can help water damage professionals by taking things that were not flooded out of your house. This will protect your dry things while your house is undergoing clean-up.

•   Removing Flood Water – Remove as much flood water as you can using mops and buckets. Remove all the mud, dirt, and debris inside your home as well. If you have pumping equipment, use it. If you can’t do it on your own, just wait for the water removal pros to arrive.

•   Drying Up Your Home Following a Flood – After a flood, the sooner you can dry your home, the better. This will help prevent or minimize mold growth. Use fans, dehumidifiers, or heaters to help speed up the drying process. But, you need to make sure that it’s safe to use these devices first. You can also open the windows for ventilation if the outside air isn’t humid.

•   Removing Flooded Carpets – If your carpets got wet, you should get rid of them right away. A carpet’s back padding will not dry out easily, especially if it’s been saturated. It will only smell bad and encourage mold growth.

•   Removing Flooded Drywalls – If your rooms are flooded, mold can grow on the walls or in the wall cavities. In this case, you will need to cut away the lower part of the drywall no less than 12” above the part that got wet.

If you notice mold growing on other drywalls, you also need to get rid of the affected portions. It is very difficult to get rid of mold from porous materials such as drywalls. Dispose of the moldy or wet drywall right away.

•   Removing Other Flooded Materials – You should get rid of other flooded porous building materials like wall panelling. It is often alright to keep wood materials. Just make sure there is no mold growth and they are dried out. You should also get rid of all insulation that got wet. Like carpet backing, it takes a long time to dry.

Final Word

By allowing a professional to help in your water removal and dry out needs after a flood, you can be sure that your home will not only be safe to move back into after the job. There will also be no more traces of mold growth that can pose health hazards to you and your family.

How Water Removal and Dryout Help Prevent Mold Growth posted first on https://restorationcrew.blogspot.com

Common Causes of Water Damage in a Home

A lot of people think that water damage restoration services are not necessary – until they come face to face with a serious problem! These include water slowly creeping into your home and water surging from a busted pipe. Often, people only call a water damage restoration service provider when any of these things happen. By then, damage may already be significant.

Following are some of the more common causes of mold and water damage:

• Flat Roof – A flat roof is only as good as a sloped roof – until problems start to show. To function well, a flat roof must have a bit of a gradient. Despite their name, flat roofs aren’t supposed to be flat at all. In theory, a flat roof must have a slight convex to allow water to flow off into the gutters.

But, the slight slope can often be undermined by different factors. It can also deteriorate, and can turn into a concave-shaped or completely flat roof. Build-up of branches, leaves, and debris may put pressure on the roof’s weakest point, and cause a slight inward collapse. Water will then pool on the roof and not run off.

The cold weather can create “ice dams.” A normal water puddle on your flat roof would often run off. But, when the puddle’s edges freeze because of the cold weather, it will trap the water.

• Gutters – A malfunctioning gutter system can also cause significant water damage. A gutter’s job is to direct water away from the roof, and the building. But, the gutter cannot perform its job well when there are branches, leaves, and other debris clogging it.

When this happens, water will flow over the edge of the gutter. It will run down the building’s side. You can tell if this is happening by checking your wall paint. If there are dirty water marks on the wall, then it may be a sign of a clogged gutter.

If there are cracks or holes in the gutter, water will also leak down the sides of the building even when there is no heavy rainfall. More serious water damage problems can happen if you don’t address the issue right away. For one, it may lead to mold infestation.

• Leaking Pipes – A leaking pipe can cause a major water damage without you knowing it. Water can slowly leak under the floor boards or in a loft. The dripping may only be very subtle, and will be almost unnoticeable. But, the constant dampness can lead to black mold and more serious water damage.

Different factors can cause leaking pipes. If your water has the wrong acidity level, it won’t allow film to form inside your copper pipes. They will dissolve easily. Cold temperatures can also cause problems of freezing over. Not turning off your tap or valve properly may also cause corrosion to set in.

These are only a few common causes of water damage in your home. Brownish or yellowish water from your taps, or low water pressure are some possible indications of leaks. To be sure, have a professional check your home.

Common Causes of Water Damage in a Home posted first on https://restorationcrew.blogspot.com

Plumbing Hints and Tips That Save

Tips to keep your money from going down the drain

When it comes to plumbing, there are certain preventive measures that can help you avoid unnecessary water (and money) loss. From cutting down on daily water use and making sure taps and pipes are in good shape, conserving water and reducing bills is easier than you might think.

• Turn off those taps

  A dripping tap is more than just an annoying sound; it can waste up to 15 gallons of water per day and add approximately $100 to your yearly water bill. To avoid wasting precious water, make sure you turn your taps off all the way. If a fully closed tap continues to leak, have it repaired or replaced. Investing in plumbing maintenance now will help you save money in the long run.

• Go for low-flow

  Installing a low-flow showerhead is an easy way to significantly reduce water consumption. Even a 10 minute shower with a conventional showerhead can use up to 42 gallons of water. Low-flow showerheads are easy to install and use far less water. Go the extra mile and set a household shower time limit. The teenagers in the house may be less than impressed, but your reduced water bill will be worth the complaints.

• Expose hidden leaks

  Not all water leaks can be spotted with the naked eye. Some leaks are hidden and require some detective work on the part of the homeowner to be found. To determine if your home has any hidden leaks, check your water meter before and after a specific period of time when no water has been used. If the meter has changed, there may be a leak lurking somewhere in your home.

• Don't neglect your drains

  Drains are often overlooked until they become clogged and no longer work effectively. To keep your drains in working order and avoid unwanted build-up, pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down them on a monthly basis. In the bathroom, use strainers in the sink and bathtub drains to keep hair and soap out of your pipes. Avoid using harsh chemical drain cleaners as they are harmful to the environment and can damage your pipes.
  
  
  Read More: https://www.directenergy.com/learning-center/home-improvement/plumbing-tips-for-savings 
  Related Article: Plumbing Tips from a Plumber For Avoiding Blocked Drains In Your Home