Mold Prevention And Possible Solutions

Mold prevention and sometimes solution(s) can be as simple as the following:

• Install a properly vented fan in the bathroom and cooking area (many fans are improperly connected to the outside and are instead adding moisture to an attic area)

• Ensure that there are no leaks behind washing machines or under sinks

• Check to see that the exhaust from a dryer is properly vented

• Buy a temperature and relative humidity gauge and ensure that the structure is not exceeding 55% relative humidity for long periods of time…do not exceed 60% RH

• If you are experiencing mold problems in a bedroom closet on an outside wall, you can increase airflow in that area

• Circulate air if you can with your furnace system to avoid pockets of stagnant air and higher humidity

•       Call for a professional to perform an inspection

•     Do not try to save money by turning your thermostat down to 50°f when you leave on vacation (it is always better to set it at 60°). Remember, mold will grow if moisture condenses and cool outside walls will act as a condenser place…(chronic moisture will result in mold).

Black or toxic mold are often phrases used to terrify and intimidate building owners into quickly agreeing to a service that might be more costly than necessary.  Any mold on drywall, wood framing, carpet or furniture will cause damage and degrade the atmosphere.  Active and inactive mold are constantly sending out spores to start new colonies.  The spores in the air and other micotoxins can compromise the health of some people.  One individual might live in moldy conditions for years with no observable health effects.  Another might have immediate respiratory difficulties resulting in serious complications.  The effects are not predictable and sometimes the real culprit is not known.  For mold and moisture inspections Call Bales DKI @ 800-492-2537 

http://www.http://www.balesrestoration.com/ 

Thermal Imaging: What does it tell you?

One of the important tools BALES Restoration technicians use is an infrared camera.  This camera is used to find temperature variations in walls, ceilings and floors.  If variations are found, they sometimes show a pattern that would be similar to what would be expected if bulk water were present.  However, these “water-like” images must be verified through the use of other instruments as the temperature variations might be from another source.  The camera itself is extremely useful and is now virtually indispensable as a survey and detection instrument.  We have learned to “verify” what it tells us with other instruments. 

Proactively Drying Wet Wood Floors

While visiting a store today, the salesclerk asked me the following question: “I had a water damage about two years ago, and I let the oak wood flooring sit for about 7-8 months until it went flat: was that the right thing to do?” What a question!

I sometimes think that the restoration companies and adjusters of the world now understand that even if the floors will go flat in 3-9 months that other unseen and damaging things can be happening beneath the finished wood. There is the almost absolute certainty that the fasteners whether staples or nails will have rusted and are not holding as well. The backs and sides of the boards will be contaminated with a degree of mold. It is impossible for there not to be if it took that long to dry.

The correct and appropriate steps are to either dry quickly to get the structural moisture content below 16% as soon as possible and to eliminate the cupping, or remove the wet flooring and dry the subfloor (much more costly). Drying the finished wood in place will absolutely preclude mold from developing. Finishing can occur after the floor has finished its acclimation period which generally runs another 30-90 days. Never refinish a floor that is not in equilibrium, and if your floor refinisher does not say that, you need an expert.



Commercial Restoration Work Experience

Bales works with insurance companies, property management  groups, school systems, building contractors as well as city, state and the federal government. We will help set up disaster preparedness plans so that when the unexpected happens you are ready to act and minimize loss.

Bales commercial experience includes:

The remediation of 24,000 square feet of flooded hardwoods in a large bakery with no disruption to the baking process - An historic Anacortes hotel with occupied rooms and restaurant facility that stayed operational during our remediation process - Mulitple schools; classrooms, auditoriums, gymnasiums, cafeterias - Libraries, banks,  post offices - Multistoried apartment complexes and office buildings that kept on with normal occupancy - High security clearance drying in "black ops" buildings - Secured armed forces facilities - Medical facilities - New construction water damage prevention and warranty work - Commercial showrooms of many types, stayed operational such as flooring and furniture stores - Home improvement store flooded in the custom kitchen cabinet display area and was set up to dry with customers able to shop - Retirement homes that stayed occupied while being dried

   

    



WATER DAMAGE TIPS: DO'S AND DON'TS

Under the law, it is your right to determine what company will perform work in your home or business. Some insurance carriers have “preferred contractors” that they recommend, who have agreements with the insurance companies to handle water losses in a certain manner, and at pre-determined prices. You should be aware that these companies might rely on these referrals from the insurance carriers for their company’s livelihood.  This could create a conflict of interest. These companies might not hold the protection of your health and property as their top priority. Bales works for you; to protect your interest, not just the insurance company’s even if they do recommend Bales.
Water damage mitigation is something that must be dealt with quickly and effectively. Most insurance policies not only cover the cost of water damage mitigation, but also require the policyholder to take the necessary steps to prevent further loss and damage. Preventing the presence of mold is one of many concerns for those who have suffered from a water damage event,  but it should not be the only, or primary concern. In fact,  people have so many misconceptions about water damage and the potential for mold growth, that we decided to offer this consumer education message, so when you need to select a water damage mitigation company, you can make an informed intelligent decision.
Here are the steps you can take immediately following a water damage event to help minimize secondary damage as well as precautions that should be taken during water damage mitigation to protect your health and safety. Then, we also list seven questions you should ask a water damage mitigation company before inviting them into your home.
Water damage mitigation is a specialized field requiring special protective measures, specialized equipment and testing capabilities as well as certain engineering controls to protect you and your property. Most restoration contractors know how to perform simple drying and site clean up. Experienced companies, such as Bales Restoration, know how to provide restoration services that protect not only the structure, but also you and your family’s health.
Water damage can be the starting point for many serious problems that can affect a building, damage personal property and present serious health risks to occupants. To restore property and protect health, a professional restoration contractor must carefully manage the project.  He has to be knowledgeable in several disciplines... stopping bacteria from spreading, preventing mold growth, preventing secondary damage and saving the structure and its many contents. Additionally, he must be able to communicate with the water damage victims and insurance company representatives with confidence and authority. Water damaged structures can be the perfect breeding place for mold. Poor indoor ventilation can also cause molds to thrive. Wet building materials and humid indoor air are mold's best friends.
Sometimes the less-experienced restorer will compound problems during water damage by not understanding the proper steps and precautions that must be taken and how critical the passing of time is. The EPA says; "Stop the water leak quickly and begin restoration during the first 24 hours. It is important start drying water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth".
While mold requires high humidity and/or wet surfaces in order to grow, it also requires a food source. Indoors, many molds grow on leather, paper and many building materials. Molds can also grow and thrive on bio-film such as cooking grease.
The most effective way to prevent mold growth on water damage is to begin the drying process quickly. Restoration companies which are aware of possible mold growth problems usually know how to dry structural materials by lowering the indoor humidity, judiciously move air and in some cases heat the affected area. This is usually an effective way to dry a building because material removal is minimized and mold growth is retarded.
Knowing how to determine exactly what is wet during a water loss is a critical part of the job. If areas of moisture are overlooked, molds and bacteria can grow. To protect your property and health, all of the excess moisture must be found and removed. Bales technicians use moisture sensors, as well as infrared technology, that is capable of "reading" wallboard, masonry and wood to find hidden moisture that is often difficult to detect.
Sometimes water flows unseen down the inside of wall cavities. Other times standing water will wick up a wall. Unless water stains appear, this moisture could go undetected until molds and odor problems occur. This is one of the reasons a professional is equipped with the proper instruments to detect and locate wet areas before the drying process begins. Today's restoration is more than drying wet carpets.
There are different types of water damage. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) have developed the industry standard for water damage mitigation. The IICRC S-500. This document classifies water damage into three categories; Category 1, category 2 and category 3.
Category 1 or clean water is that in which the source of the water is from a clean water source such as a plumbing supply line or that wet structure which has not "become" contaminated.
Category 2 or gray water damage is that in which the source of the water may contain chemicals or other contaminates that could cause discomfort or sickness to the occupants. Some examples of this would be an appliance discharge, a broken waterbed or fish tank or overflows from toilet bowls. Category 1 water can become category 2 water damage if left too long before appropriate drying efforts are employed. 
Category 3 or black water contains pathogenic agents and is grossly unsanitary. Examples include toilet backflow that originate from beyond the toilet trap, flooding from seawater, ground surface water or rising water from rivers and streams. Category 2 water that is not removed promptly, is appropriately re-classified as category 3 water damage.
When a sewage backup affects a structure, a unique set of restoration techniques must be employed to safely handle the situation. Federal, state and local government agencies agree that the best protocol of restoration is to follow the published standards and guidelines developed by the IICRC.
During sewage backups or other "black water damages", large amounts of bacteria can enter the interior environment and pose potentially serious health risks to the occupants. In fact, the bacteria introduced to the structure could stay active for up to one month or longer if left untreated. Advanced restoration methods should be employed to rid the structure of all traces of sewage and make the structure clean and safe for occupancy.
In a black water damage, care must be taken to not disturb the bacteria in the water and make it airborne. When bacteria are contained in the water and not sent airborne, it is not easily breathable by restoration workers or occupants. This means that doors and windows should usually remain closed during clean up. The typical fans and blowers used to dry a structure that has experienced a "clean water damage" (non-sewage) should not be used in the early stages of a sewage clean-up project.
Negative air machines, equipped with HEPA (high efficient particulate air "filters") should be utilized to remove bacteria and other contaminants from the air during restoration work. Standing water and bulk sewage must be extracted with self-contained vacuum equipment with proper waste holding tanks which must be disposed of properly.  Hard surfaces that are impacted must be cleaned and sanitized.  Soft structural materials such as carpeting, carpet pads, plaster wallboard should be removed and properly disposed of.  Any material that absorbs substantial amounts of moisture and cannot be adequately cleaned, should be removed. Once contaminated materials have been removed, a second application of sanitizers should be applied to all work surfaces.
As you can see, time is of the essence when dealing with a water damage event. Steps that you can take to minimize the damages and protect your family are:
•Eliminate the source of water if possible, or contact appropriate parties to eliminate the water source or to make necessary repairs. Keep any parts that are replaced for your insurance company to inspect.
•If there is no risk of electrical shock, turn off circuit breakers supplying electricity to wet areas; unplug and remove any small electrical devices currently located on wet floor coverings or other wet surfaces.
•Remove and secure small furniture items to minimize rust or other stains and expedite restoration.
•Place aluminum foil under legs of wood furniture, especially antiques that might permanently stain carpet.
•Hang draperies and pin up furniture skirts to prevent contact with wet floor coverings, and to minimize damage such as water marks, browning, dye transfer or migration.
•Remove books, shoes, paper goods, fabrics, potted plants or other items that might stain the carpet (check especially under beds and in closets for these items).
•Remove and secure breakables, moisture sensitive or high-value items.
•Make plans for restoration crews to remove large furniture items from affected areas. Don’t forget the china cabinet, entertainment center, waterbeds or aquariums.
•Be aware that time is a crucial factor, and delays in loss mitigation and restoration might result in adverse health and safety effects, and additional damage to the structure and contents.
In Category 2 and Category 3 Water Damage you should also:
•Turn off the HVAC or air handling system if safely accessible.
•Protect yourself against contact with sewage or sewage-contaminated items.
•Wear gloves, boots, goggles, protective clothing and a respirator if you absolutely have to perform any cleaning or handling of sewage-contaminated items.
•Wash your hands after handling any sewage-contaminated items.
•Contact your doctor if you have any adverse health effects.
Things that you should not do include:
•Use your home vacuum (wet/dry vacuum) since electrical shock might result, as well as damage the equipment itself.
•Place newspaper on wet surfaces since some newspaper ink transfers easily.
•Walk on wet surfaces any more than necessary in order to minimize safety hazards and to keep from spreading damage and possible contaminants.
•Activate the HVAC system if it has been directly contacted by water, or if it might serve as a means of spreading contamination.
•Adjust indoor air temperatures unless instructed by a qualified restoration technician.
•Enter an area that has standing water because of the potential for electrical shock hazards.
In category 2 or 3 water damage do not:
•Consume any food that has been left out in a contaminated environment.
•Use personal hygiene items that have been left out in a contaminated environment.
•Turn on fans to dry things out.
Do not stay in the building if you:
•Have respiratory problems, including allergies and asthma.
•You are under the age of 2 or over the age of 60.
•Have a weakened immune system because of illness, medication or any other reason.
When selecting a water damage mitigation company for your project consider the following:
•Is the company a member in good standing with the Restoration Industry Association (RIA)
•Does the company employ individuals who hold advanced certifications to perform water damage mitigation by industry trade associations such as the Water Loss Institute or the IICRC?
•How many years of experience does the company have in the field of water damage mitigation?
•Can they provide proof that the company is properly licensed, bonded and insured as required by Washington State?
•Does the company follow accepted standards for water damage mitigation such as those published by the IICRC?
•Does the company have the necessary testing to locate areas of damage not visible to the naked eye?
•Does the company have the necessary drying equipment to ensure a complete and competent mitigation?
There is much more to water damage restoration than is often imagined. When water damage strikes, most persons are concerned with the wet carpets, which are usually a soggy mess. An experienced restoration contractor has many other concerns. He knows anyone can rent or buy fans to dry a wet carpet. In fact, in recent years, carpet and carpet cushion have been designed and manufactured to better withstand water. Using special microscopic applications on carpet fiber, many carpets are made to slow mold growth.
Today, with the widespread use of drywall vs. plaster, engineered wood products vs. wood, and the use of vinyl wall-coverings, moisture can become trapped and provide the needed environment for mold growth.   Appropriate management of these water problems is the key to reducing microbial growth to help to ensure the health of building and it’s occupants.
If you currently have an emergency situation, call us at 800-492-2537 NOW! and we will dispatch a crew to your location usually within the hour.  Our emergency services line is answered 24 hours a day; 365 per year. We invite you to give us a call and our trained customer service staff who are all certified mitigation specialists would be happy to assist you with any questions or comments.