Your Very Own Flood.  Philadelphia Disaster Restoration.

 
Invasions happen. And as statistics show, it happens often.
 
No, we aren’t talking about invasions of the criminal kind. What we are talking about is an invasion of… water.
 
Your own personal flood. In your house.
 
These events can be devastating, in more ways than one. It’s not just an inconvenience. It’s also damaging to valuable materials, some that just can’t be replaced, and steals much of your time as you clean up after the mess.
 
When a flood occurs in your home, what’s your natural, spontaneous reaction? Call your insurance agent. That’s what most do. And that’s smart, as you don’t want to spend more time and money on this recovery project than necessary.
 
But you still have to do your homework. Trusting your insurance company is one thing. Knowing who to hire is another. Remember, it’s your home and your insurance policy. You have some significant input in who is hired to come into your home.
 
The first thing to consider is being safe. No matter how valuable something is, it’s not as valuable as the health and well-being of your family. Make sure everyone is safe and secure, that the power is turned off in areas affected, such as those with electrical components. But be careful! Just leaving your home and letting the pros go in and take care of everything, scoping out the job, is often recommended. It’s difficult to do because you want to start looking for valuables and protecting your property.
 
Next is, stand up for your rights. Insurance companies often attempt to limit their exposure and what they will pay. Your typical insurance policy means you have the right to have your home and belongings returned to “pre-loss” condition. Your professional water damage company is on your side. They want to do the work right and they do not want to cut corners.
 
When a flood happens, it can be an emotional event. Remember, though, if everyone is safe, the “stuff” that is ruined can be replaced.
 
Do the right thing when your home suffers from any type of water loss. Call your favorite disaster restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro!
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How to Avoid a Moldy Basement.  Philadelphia Disaster Restoration.

 
There are many types of mold that can be found in a home, whether the problem is caused by faulty construction, water damage, leaky plumbing, or other issues.
 
But what some people report is, despite no evident water damage or plumbing situations, no heavy rains, to name a few issues, they still get mold in their basements, often on the inside of their exterior block walls.
 
Nobody wants that. Mold can be dangerous to people who have exposure sensitivities to it.
 
What can you do to avoid a moldy basement problem? There are several simple steps and procedures…
 
Know your numbers
It’s important to understand humidity and monitor those moisture levels in your home. A simple hygrometer you can buy online or in a retail store gives you this information, as easy as a thermometer tells you the temperature.
 
Use a dehumidifier
Basements are known to be humid and damp, even with no evident moisture intrusion issues. A dehumidifier can remove many pints of water from the air each day. You can choose one that you have to dump the water from on a schedule, or have it drain automatically into a floor drain or sump pump. You will be amazed how much water you can remove and keep mold at bay with a dehumidifier.
 
Use exhaust fans
Simple fans can be installed that move moisture-laden air from the inside to the outside, like you would do with a bathroom exhaust fan. This might be a chore for the pros, so have them take a look at your home and see what options they might offer.
 
Inspect outside drainage
One issue that is common is moisture building up on the outside of block walls, and this moisture can seep into the interior walls of those blocks, adding too much humidity in the basement. Ensure all ground water flows away from your home and doesn’t puddle up against the walls.
 
This advice is for common issues. But if the worst happens, such as a broken pipe or water flooding into your home, now you are into a serious issue. Do the right thing and call your water damage restoration company today. After all, it pays to call a pro!
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Categories of Mold Contamination.  Philadelphia Disaster Restoration.

 
When things get damp, humid, musty, smelly… there could be trouble brewing, even if you can’t see the source of the issue.
 
When your nose senses suspicious odors, especially in areas such as dark, enclosed basements, as one example, thoughts often go to, “Do I have mold?”
 
It’s a concern everyone should have, because specific types of mold, depending on an individual’s sensitives, can be hazardous to health.
 
While this topic and potential issues aren’t meant to alarm you, being informed is important and a protection to yourself and to your family. And one way to be informed is to know the various types of mold, at least a few of the common ones found in homes.
 
Alternaria
This type of mold is common as well, and normally shows up in damp areas, such as a shower, sink, under cabinets, and dark areas that may be humid. This type of mold usually, to those sensitive to it, causes asthma attacks and other allergic reactions.
 
Aspergillus
One common mold found indoors is aspergillus. It isn’t considered a substantial health threat, but it can cause issues with those who are sensitive to molds. Some severe reactions can include inflammation of the lungs, infection of the respiratory system, and other symptomatic reactions to exposure to this mold spore.
 
Aureobasidium
This mold grows best on wooden surfaces, such as natural wood furnishings, and also in paint and wallpaper, to name a few. It often exhibits a black/pink color. Over time, this mold can cause severe allergic reactions to sensitive individuals.
 
Chaetomium
The last mold we will cover here is often caused by some type of water damage situation. It can usually be found in drywall, especially when wet from water damage or other moisture intrusion. You usually identify this type of mold by its musty or “old” odor in the home.
 
Cladosporium
Often found in soil, cellulose and plant debris, in both cool and warm areas, on various surfaces such as carpet, wood floors, and fabrics. Exposure can cause breathing challenges and respiratory issues.
 
These are just a few types of mold common to homes. Do your research and you will find a very long list of potential mold threats; some of them sound extremely risky to be around.
 
Remember, if you have any questions about water damage, mold contamination, mold spores, musty odors, and potential health threats to your family and home, call your disaster restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro!