Mold came, saw and is slowly conquering its quest of a hostile takeover.

What do you plan on doing about it?

Before you grab your yellow latex gloves, bottle of cleaning solution and bucket full of water, take a moment to review this list of things you should not do when cleaning up mold.

What You Should NOT Do When Cleaning Up Mold

1. Do NOT attempt to clean mold damaged areas larger than 3’ x 3’. If you’re dealing with a large mold infestation, it is better to contact a mold remediation company like ServiceMASTER Absolute in Lemon Grove.
2. Do NOT attempt to cleanup mold without the proper protective gear (gloves, mask, etc).
3. Do NOT use bleach to cleanup mold. Bleach does not effectively kill viable spores and source colonies before evaporating into the air. Look into using anti-microbial products instead.
4. Do NOT use fans near areas with mold damage or spray chemicals on mold. Doing this will scatter harmful mold spores into the air, further diminishing the air quality in your home and spread them about your house.
5. Do NOT paint or apply a sealant over mold. This will not kill the mold or eliminate the issue, only temporarily mask it until the mold eats the paint. (Yes, paint is a food source for mold!)
6. Do NOT underestimate the health risks associated with mold. Dead mold spores still pose a risk and will continue to give off toxins until it’s removed.

Were you surprised to learn about anything on this list? Is there anything we forgot? Feel free to share your thoughts!

Photo Credit: carlpenergy

The road to recovery can be difficult and it’s best to take the appropriate steps to make sure the fire damage restoration process goes as quickly and smoothly as possible.

So, what steps can you take to make sure that happens?

Get in Touch with a Fire Restoration Company

Once the fire is out, it’s important that you contact a fire damage restoration company like ServiceMASTER Absolute in Lemon Grove as soon as possible.

The acidic properties within soot and smoke can easily cause irreversible damage if it’s not cleaned up in a timely fashion, not to mention that it’s only a matter of time before mold pops up as a result of all the water damage caused by the fire extinguishing efforts, so don’t hesitate in calling in the fire restoration professionals!

They will be able to assess the soot & smoke damage caused by the fire, pack out and restore your furniture and contents as necessary and repair your home to its previous condition.

Cleanup What You Can – If It’s Safe to Do So

Although it’s a good idea to lean on the expertise of the fire damage restoration crew to get your home cleaned up and restored, there are a few things you can do to help expedite the cleanup process.

Keep in mind that you should only participate in the fire damage cleanup process if it’s safe for you to do so – there are plenty of safety hazards lurking within a fire damaged structure. However, if your home has been cleared for a safe re-entry, here are a few things you can do to get the cleanup process started:

• If the temperature outside is above 60 degrees, open the doors and windows to air out your home and help reduce the smell of smoke.
• Cover carpeted high traffic areas with sheets or towels to prevent additional soiling.
• Change the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced air.
• Tape cheese cloth over air ducts and supply registers to capture any loose soot in the air.
• Wipe soot and smoke residue off of houseplants and move them to an area that did not suffer fire damage.
• Wipe residue from porcelain and chrome fixtures to prevent etching or permanent damage.
• Gently dust off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles off upholstery, drapes and carpets.
• Throw out any food that you suspect may have been exposed to soot or smoke from the fire. This includes canned or packaged food goods along with any beverages that were stored closed to the fire.
• If your electricity is off, empty out your frig and freezer and leave the doors open to allow it to air out. If the electricity on, then you can place charcoal inside instead.

Last but not least, if you decide to partake in the fire damage restoration process, make sure that you do not touch anything using your bare hands. The natural oils on your hands will inflict further damage to your belongings when combined with smoke residue, so make sure you wear gloves when cleaning up!

Considering that mold can grow virtually anywhere, it may seem impossible to keep it from flourishing in your home. The last thing any homeowner wants to deal with is musty odors that never fade, unsightly stains on the walls and never-ending health problems stemming from mold allergies.

Of course, the best approach would be preventing mold growth before it starts, but how?

Here are 9 steps you can take to prevent mold growth in your home:

1. Keep clutter to a minimum.
   Aside from eating up space, clutter hinders airflow and prevents proper airflow throughout your home. Move furniture and drapes away from vents and grilles to keep the air circulating.
2. Control indoor climate.
   Mold issues often arise during hot, humid summers. If you live in an area with high humidity, make sure you set the air conditioner to a temperature that will cool your home, but won’t cause condensation or send energy bills through the roof. Setting the thermostat to 78 degrees will keep moisture at bay and maximize energy efficiency – just make sure you shut your doors and windows while it’s running.
3. Shut doors & windows during wet seasons.
   Be sure that you keep windows and doors closed during wet or rainy weather conditions to avoid moisture entering the environment.
4. Don’t overuse your humidifier.
   Excessive use of a humidifier can contribute to conditions favorable for moisture build-up and mold growth. If you’re using a humidifier and notice water condensation on your windows, walls or pictures, then you may want to move it or turn it off.
5. Fix Leaks ASAP.
   Failing to address water leaks in a timely fashion will lead to water damage and create the perfect breeding grounds for mold.
6. Keep your roof gutters in good repair.
   A mold problem may be stemming from a roof leak caused by full or damaged gutters, so have your roof gutters cleaned and inspected for damage on a regular basis.
7. Monitor indoor humidity.
   Indoor humidity should be between 30-50%, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If you’re not sure what the humidity level is inside your home, a quick trip to the local hardware store to pick up a Hygrometer will help figure it out.
8. Verify that water drains AWAY from your home.
   Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.
9. Use mold-resistant products when possible.
   Planning on doing some home renovations? Use mold-resistant drywall or mold-resistant Sheetrock and mold inhibitors for paints to prevent moisture absorption, which ultimately prevents mold growth.

Do you have any other tips on how to prevent mold growth in your home? Share them below!

Your mind may start drawing blanks if you suddenly discover your basement flooded overnight or a water supply line broke and flooded your kitchen, so you may want to think about the appropriate course of action when disaster strikes.

Of course, you may think about calling your local water damage restoration company, like ServiceMASTER Absolute in San Diego, but here are some other steps that you can take to minimize the amount of water damage done to your home.

Tip #1 – Put Your Personal Safety First

Before starting the water damage restoration process, stop for a moment to consider your personal safety first.

Water and electricity are a dangerous combination; can you enter the room without putting yourself at risk of an electric shock?  If there are any electric appliances in the affected area, make sure you cut the power to that room before entering it to eliminate the risk of getting electrocuted.

In addition to avoiding any electrical hazards, you will want to be careful when walking on wet floors to make sure you don’t slip and fall.

Tip #2 – Locate the Water Source – and Stop It!

Once you’ve determined that it’s safe to enter the area, find out where the water is coming from and stop the leak.  Saying that may sound silly, but in the heat of the moment you may think to start grabbing items that you don’t want to suffer water damage  instead of attempting to fix the root of the problem.

If you cannot determine where the water is coming from, or if you suspect that the water is the result of a ruptured pipe, turn off your home’s water supply to minimize the amount of damage.

Tip #3 – Contact Your Local Water Damage Restoration Company

If you’re dealing with an extensive amount of water damage, contact your local water damage restoration company immediately.

ServiceMASTER Absolute offers 24-hour emergency water damage restoration services for both residential and commercial properties in the San Diego area and can be on-site within the hour. You can contact ServiceMASTER Absolute by calling 800-677-6756 or by filling out the online service request form.

Tip #4 – Get a Jump-start on the Water Cleanup Process

Once help is on the way, you can start the next phase of the water damage restoration process by removing personal belongings and getting a head-start on the water cleanup process if it’s safe to do so.

Just keep in mind that there are certain things that you should do along with things you shouldn’t do.

Unfortunately, with water being the life source of virtually every living being, a consistent supply of water is necessary in every home.

With the presence of water comes the risk of a property experiencing some form of water damage: a toilet may overflow, a pipe will rupture, the water heater will spring a leak or Mother Nature will unleash her fury and flood your home and surrounding area.

But what about the slow leaks or plumbing issues that quietly damages your home behind the scenes?

It is important for any current or prospective building/home owners to know the hidden signs of water damage that may clue them in on water leaks that have gone undetected or even determine if their home has suffered from water damage in the past.

Common Signs of Hidden Water Damage

• Peeling wallpaper or wavy, raised lines in paint – If water happens to leak behind a wall, it may result in raised, wavy lines or cause the wallpaper adhesive to peel.
• Baseboards/trim separating from the wall – Prolonged exposure to water may cause swelling, which may push the baseboard from their flush placement against the wall.
• Unusual swelling in manufactured wood furniture – Water may cause wood furniture to swell if spills are not cleaned up in a timely fashion.
• Areas of darkened grout on tile floors – If the grout in your bathroom tile is darker around the toilet, it’s likely that the toilet seal is leaking.
• Inexplicable moisture in carpet or other flooring – If a pipe ruptures in your concrete slab, it can slowly lead to warped floor boards, cracked tile or damp carpet if the right amount of water is soaked up by the under-padding.
• Blotches of condensation on ceilings or “sweating walls.” – A common sign that excessive moisture is festering behind the walls. This can be caused by a leak or a mixture of high humidity, poor ventilation and/or inadequate insulation.
• Mold in corners or on walls/ceilings – The presence of mold or mildew is a solid sign that the area has been exposed to water and the right amount of humidity for at least 48 hours.
• Watermarks or brownish, rusty stains on ceilings – Yes, those ceiling marks & stains commonly seen in office buildings are a sign of a previous or existing leak.
• Swollen door casing or door alignment – Are you suddenly having trouble closing or opening a door? A water leak may be at fault.

Photo Credit: Timmy

Recently two separate fires in the Escondido area were both caused by clothes dryers, one of which caused $15,000 in damage. Fires caused by clothes dryers are not uncommon and dryers ignite an estimated 15,500 fires in the United States annually.

Between 360,000 – 400,000 home structure fires occur each year, resulting in 7 billion dollars in property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association. With such alarming statistics, it’s important for us to do everything we can to minimize our chances of contributing to them. But how?

Simple. We can educate ourselves on what the leading causes for house fires are and how we can go about avoiding them.

Top 10 Leading Causes of House Fires

1. Distracted Cooks (and Neglected Cookware)
   Don’t wander off when cooking – an overheating pot or grease splattering pan can easily lead to a kitchen fire. Keep towels, rags, oven mitts and any other combustible materials away from heat sources as well.
2. Heaters
   Always keep space heaters and radiators at least 3 feet from anything flammable and avoid using them as a way to dry off any materials. For those of you with a furnace or chimney, it would be worth your while to have it inspected and/or serviced by a certified technician on a regular basis.
3. Irresponsible Smoking
   If you smoke indoors, be careful not to light up a cigarette if you’re feeling drowsy – the last thing you want is to fall asleep and have your cigarette slip from your fingers and light your clothes, furniture or carpet on fire! Also make sure that you use large, deep ashtrays that are placed away from anything that’s easily set afire.
4. Electrical Appliances & Wiring
   Frayed appliance wires, electric cords under rugs, overloaded outlets – these are all things that can lead to a fire. Perhaps it’s time you double-check your appliances for loose/frayed cords, brush up on your knowledge of electrical cord safety and have an electrician inspect the wiring in your home if you have to unplug one appliance to use another or notice your lights dim when you turn an appliance on.
5. Candles
   Regardless if you’re lighting candles to make the house smell good, “set the mood,” or serve as a light source when the electricity goes out, make sure you set them in a sturdy holder away from all combustible materials. Be sure that you don’t leave them unattended for extended periods of time or completely forget about them altogether!
6. Children Playing with Fire
   In addition to keeping matches and lighters far from their child’s reach, it’s imperative that parents speak to their kids about fire safety and why it’s important they do not play with fire. Children often set fires out of curiosity or mischief, so it’s better to curb the urge before it hits.
7. Clothes Dryers
   Always be sure to clean the lint trap for your clothes dryer after each use to avoid build-up and reserve the dryer for clothing that is specifically designed to be machine dried. Failing to do so can result in a fire that can easily spread to the rest of your home.
8. Holiday Decorations
   Nothing’s safer than a dying tree wrapped in electrical cords, right? If you go for a live Christmas tree during the holidays, be sure to keep it well watered and away from candles, radiators, space heaters, fireplaces and any other type of heating equipment.
9. Flammable Liquids
   Chances are you have some kind of flammable liquid in your home – hey, even using certain haircare products can send your hair up in flames under the right conditions! Beyond that, it’s important that you store any fuels, solvents, cleaning agents or any other combustible solutions in a cool, well-ventilated area and far away from any heating sources.
10. Fireplaces & Barbeque Grills
    Propane and charcoal grills should only be operated outdoors and away from the home, deck railings or overhanging branches. It’s also crucial that you regularly clean your grill and check it for any potential leaks.

Photo Credit: That Other Paper

However, fire damage structures are full of hidden dangers and it is important that you wait until your home is deemed safe for re-entry by a trained professional before taking your first step back inside.

If you don’t, you could easily be exposing yourself to one of the following dangers lingering within a fire damaged building.

Airborne Dangers Such as Smoke, Soot and… Mold Spores?

By entering a fire damaged home without the proper facemask or respiratory filters, you’re exposing yourself to all of the airborne irritants caused by the fire and water used to put it out.

While smoke & soot are obvious airborne dangers present in a house fire, mold and mold spores are not exactly dangers that immediately come to mind and yet they are very much a threat within 24-48 hours of a house fire.

Therefore it is best to keep children, expecting mothers, seniors, smokers and anyone with a pre-existing lung or cardiovascular problem away from fire damaged homes to avoid smoke, soot or mold induced complications.

Hazards Caused by Water Damage

Aside from paving the way for mold colonies to develop, the water used to extinguish a house fire can cause additional safety risks. Not watching where you step could lead to a nasty fall if you step on a slippery (wet) floor and water saturated walls present a window of opportunity for an electric shock or two.

If your home has suffered from fire & water damage, don’t bother using any of the electronics exposed to the blaze and contact the power company to cut off the electricity while the water damage is being addressed. Of course, you will want to coordinate the power suspension with the needs of your selected water & fire restoration company.

Risks Imposed by Ash & Debris

Exposed wiring, nails, broken glass and fragments of wood, metal and plastic – your fire damaged home will be the perfect place for you to cut, burn or injure yourself in one way or another.

Aside from that, there will be pockets of ash for you to step into or kick up, fueling the amount of cancer causing airborne toxins in the air, which may include asbestos, arsenic or even lead.

As you can tell, there are plenty of reasons to avoid entering your home or property following a house fire. To ensure that your personal safety – or the safety of your family – is not put in jeopardy, it is best that you consult the expertise of a professional restoration company to have your belongings removed and your home properly cleaned, repaired and restored to its previous glory.

ServiceMASTER Absolute offers packout, water damage restoration and fire remediation services to the San Diego area, so feel free to give them a call if your property has recently suffered from fire or water damage. They offer 24-hour emergency service and have a team of certified and friendly professionals that are always ready to help when disaster strikes.

Photo Credit: dvs

Did you know that there are different types of water damage that call for different cleanup and restoration techniques?

While we can all agree that water can be quite the menace – causing wood to rot and metal to rust while paving the way for mold to grow – it may not be common knowledge that there are actually 3 basic categories of water damage. And they all call for different remediation processes.

Determining what category of water damage is actually the second course of action when your building has suffered water damage, with the task of shutting off the water source being the first.

To provide insight on how you can determine which classification you’re dealing with, we will explore the 3 water categories as they’re defined by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).

The 3 Categories of Water Damage

Category 1: “Clean Water”

As the name implies, “clean water” is not contaminated at the source and is not harmful if consumed by humans or animals. Clean water damage may result from a broken dishwasher or washing machine supply line or overflowing bathroom sink or tub.

Clean water damage can be addressed by removing the excess water and adequately drying out the affected area(s).

Any “clean water” spills left untreated for 72 hours will become “grey water.”

Category 2: “Grey Water”

Grey water contains bio-contaminants, chemicals and other forms of contamination that may lead to discomfort or illness if ingested by humans or animals. Grey water damage is often the result of a ruptured waterbed, overflowing toilet bowl with urine in it, aquarium water leak or a broken outgoing appliance supply line.

Given the safety hazards, proper remediation for grey water damage involves removing the excess water and thoroughly cleaning, disinfecting and drying the affected area(s).

“Grey water” left untreated for more than 48 hours can be classified as “black water.”

Category 3:  “Black Water”

Black water is highly contaminated at the source and poses a serious health risk (severe illness or death) to both humans and animals due to the pathogenic agents it carries. Sources of black water include sewage spills, rising water from rivers or streams, ground surface water, flooding from seawater or even toilet backflows originating from beyond the toilet trap.

Due to the severe safety hazards presented by black water damage, it is strongly recommended to seek the expertise of a trained professional to ensure the affected areas are properly dried, disinfected and restored as necessary.

Don’t Hesitate to Call the Water Damage Restoration Experts

If your home or office has recently suffered from water damage – regardless if it’s from clean water, gray water or black water – don’t hesitate to call a certified water damage restoration company. The faster you call, the better chance you will have at minimizing the damage.

ServiceMASTER Absolute offers water damage remediation services to all of San Diego County and our qualified, IICRC certified professionals are equipped with both the knowledge and tools to handle even the largest water damage and flood related issues.

Category 3 Photo Credit: Waldec

This process is known as a “packout.”

During the packout process, a team of highly trained packout professionals will:

• Document all of the contents and furniture to ensure that they are properly returned to their original location.
• Carefully wrap all furnishings and pack all personal belongings using standard moving boxes and materials to protect the items during both transport and storage.
• Transport the items to a safe location for storage, which may be done:
  • In-house if the loss is small and there is space available within the home or office.
  • On-site using a container/Pod if minor water and/or fire damage repairs need to be made to the building.
  • Off-site in our secure, climate-controlled warehouse when there is a large amount of structural damage, the property is undergoing reconstruction or when the contents need to be restored and/or repaired.
• Provide the homeowners (or tenants) with a copy of the detailed inventory list.
• If restoration or repairs are needed, the packout team will clean, deodorize and make the necessary repairs in order to restore items to their pre-loss condition.  Items will then be repacked and rewrapped until they’re moved back to their original location.
• When your home or office has been fully restored, all of your packout belongings will be returned back to their initial location – allowing you to finally get back to normal!

If you need your contents moved, stored and restored in the San Diego area, the packout experts at ServiceMASTER Absolute are ready to help.

We offer 24-hour emergency services and our packout team is highly trained and certified in the best packout practices to ensure your personal items – including family heirlooms, priceless artwork and expensive electronics – are properly packed, stored and restored as needed.

However, unless we keep structures completely void of any form of moisture build-up, mold will continue to invade our homes and wreak havoc if not controlled.

Maybe it’s time we take a closer look at the mysterious fungi that insists on sharing our domain with us. As they say, knowledge is power and perhaps the more we understand mold, the better we can address it when we come face-to-face with it.

So, without further ado, here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about mold:

1. Mold will develop and flourish anywhere where there is water, high humidity and a cellulose-rich food source such as wood, paper, fabric, wallpaper glue and other common household materials.
2. Sunlight is not necessary in order for mold to grow.
3. Mold spreads via tiny particles called “spores,” which can cause allergic reactions (sinus congestion, eye irritation, sore throat, etc)  in those sensitive to it.
4. You cannot completely eliminate mold spores in your home, but you CAN prevent mold growth by controlling humidity, keeping areas free of excess moisture, etc.
5. “Mycotoxins” are released into the air by mold spores, which are then inhaled or absorbed through the skin, sometimes leading to toxic reactions when exposure is high enough.
6. Stachybotrys – which is the form of fungi known as “black mold” or “toxic black mold” – is least likely to become airborne, surprisingly uncommon and typically only present in buildings that have suffered from severe flood or water damage.
7. To minimize the chances of mold, it’s recommended that you avoid carpeting kitchens, bathrooms, basements or any other areas prone to moisture.
8. Mold is present almost everywhere and is a part of the natural decay process of organic materials.
9. The well-known antibiotic, Penicillian is actually derived from Penicillium fungi.
10. Mold was actually the cause of the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840’s, which claimed the lives of millions and sparked the immigration of 2 million others.

There you have it, folks!

If your home recently suffered from water damage that resulted in extensive mold growth, be sure to call the mold remediation experts at ServiceMASTER Absolute for help. We offer 24-hour service and our team is highly trained and certified in the mold remediation process.

Photo Credit: Creative Tools