Monday, December 31, 2012

The reasons why speedy flood cleanup is crucial


Coming home from vacation to find out that your home has become a victim to a major flood can be a very disturbing time for most people. However, you should not dwell on the emotional side of things because you need to put as much effort as you can into rectifying the problem as soon as possible. The reasons for this may not be apparent straight away; however, you need to understand that the longer that all that standing, stagnant water remains in your home, the more you are risking your health and the health of your loved ones.
Upon first noticing that your home has a flood problem, you should contact your local flood clean-up company to help you deal with the problem, as typically a flooded home is not usually something that you can handle by yourself. Your local flood clean-up company will be able to respond to your call at any time of the day or night and they will have professionally trained staff and the latest in high specification equipment to help you overcome the problem of your flooded home.
As stated earlier, the longer that you leave the flood water in situ, the bigger risk that it poses to your health and the health of your family and even pets. The flood water may well contain raw sewage, depending on where it has come from and this will be a serious health hazard due to the amount of bacteria contained within it. This can make people in the property seriously ill and can even hospitalize people who come into contact with it.
Therefore, that is why you should not enter the flooded area but instead make sure that you call out a flood clean-up company who will be armed with the necessary safety equipment and clothing to help them avoid contamination. It is important to use an expert in water extraction Atlanta can rely on.
Mold spores are another problem that can arise when faced with a major flood or water seepage problem. Mold can begin to grow within 48 hours and in no time at all it can grow exponentially, and before you know it you will have a major infestation on your hands, bringing with it more problems and more cost. 

Sunday, December 30, 2012

The importance of water damage restoration


When your home or business has suffered from severe flood damage because of an extreme weather event or a burst pipe or blocked drain, even something as the water used to extinguish a fire at a neighboring home.
When affected by water damage cleanup Atlanta residents know it needs to be undertaken quickly in order to avoid the associated problems that come from leaving standing water in situ, such as structural damage.
At the first sign of trouble you should make sure that you contact your local water damage remediation company to help you deal with the problem. Any proficient water damage remediation company will be able to respond to your first call within a few minutes and when they arrive they will be able to provide you with a free quote on the amount of water damage remediation needed.
Technology is an important factor when it comes to water damage restoration, any specialist team of water damage remediation experts should arrive at your property armed with the latest in high-tech water removal apparatus. However, be aware that some companies offer a less than expert service, so make sure that the company, you hire are licensed and all of their workforce have IICRC (Institute of Cleaning, Inspection and Restoration Certification) certificates. This qualification means that they have been trained to a high standard and they are in fact still learning about all of the latest industry advancements.
Making sure that the surrounding air is clean is crucial for the success of any water damage restoration attempt. A piece of equipment known as an air scrubber is commonly used to rid the air of harmful chemicals and particles and other assorted airborne problems such as mold spores. Theses air scrubbers work by pulling in the dirty air, cleaning it using HEPA filters and then sending the clean air back out again.
The problem with standing water is that it helps to breed mold, bacteria and viruses and all of these can cause serious health difficulties, especially to those people who are already suffering from a pre-existing health problem.
Standing water breeds bacteria, viruses, and mold that become airborne and when inhaled put people at risk for lung disease. Because there may be sewage in the flood water, or because many water emergencies are due to pipe breakage that may include sewage, the toxins will likely make the growth of microorganisms even worse. Even when the flooding is due to “clean” rain water or sprinkler systems, the growth of microorganisms can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Our expert specialists restore the air and head off serious allergic reactions that can lead to lung disease.


Saturday, December 29, 2012

Speedy flood clean up is essential to avoid mold growth


As a home or business property owner, having to consider the possibility that your property may fall victim to flooding is not a pleasant one. However, it is a fact that more and more homes and business are beginning to suffer from flooding events as the weather patterns and climate change begins to take hold. Every day somewhere in your area a home is at risk to flooding, be it from an act of nature, such as a storm or a sudden thaw of melted snow, to something from within your property, such as a burst water pipe or a blocked drain.
Whatever the reason, a flooded home or business is one that is going to cause you no end of problems and can cause significant health problems if left unchecked. That is why when your property has fallen victim to any kind of flooding or water intrusion problem, you will need to take immediate action in order to commence flood clean up. When it comes to basement flooding Atlanta homes are particularly prone to mold thanks to the humid climate.
If left for too long, the flooded or water damaged area can be susceptible to mold and mildew growth. These nasty fungi will first be noticeable by the nasty musty smell that they emit and that is when you need to think seriously about locating the source and dealing with it quickly. This is because heavy mold growth can be damaging to your health and the health of any other person in the building. Mold spores are released into the air and are inhaled by anyone passing by and this can lead to breathing difficulties and skin problems.
Of all the different types, black mold is the most dangerous, and it can grow very quickly indeed given the right conditions. This is the kind of infestation that can have a serious affect to health, especially for those people who already have breathing problems such as asthma and bronchitis.
In order to avoid the scenario whereby mold becomes a major problem, you will need to seek out a local flood clean up company at the first signs of a flooding problem within your property. A professional flood clean up company will be able to respond to your initial call within minutes and their highly trained staff will make a detailed assessment of what kind of flood clean up is required.



Friday, December 28, 2012

Restore your carpet to its former glory


One of the main knock-on effects of water damage in house Atlanta residents face is the damage that can happen to your carpeting and when that occurs, you should make sure that you use a company that has experience in carpet drying.
Carpet drying needs to be undertaken within 48 hours. This is to help prevent mold and mildew growth which can affect your health if you leave it to spread. Professional carpet drying involves the use of the latest in high specification water removal and carpet drying technology and chemical sprays to help prevent mold growth.
The prevention of mold is a major part of any major carpet drying process following a flooding event taking place. The reason for this because of what mold actually is and what harm it can do. Mold and especially black mold is harmful because of the fact that it releases spores into the atmosphere, and these can then be inhaled by passers by and this can cause significant health problems.
That is why the amount of time that your carpet remains damp is important, act quickly and you can avoid the growth of toxic black mold, leave it for too long and you will soon discover that your carpet has become a breeding ground for mold. Plus water can damage the foam backing of your carpet meaning it is going to be less likely that you will be able to salvage it. Taking quick remedial action can help to prevent this from happening and you may find that you can keep your existing carpeting rather than having to pay out for a whole new one.
The kind of technology used in carpet drying includes powerful vacuums and air moving machines as well as dehumidifiers and steam cleaners. Powerful vacuums are often used that are capable of removing vast amounts of standing water from deep within both the carpet fibers and the carpet backing. These are used in conjunction with powerful air scrubbers and dehumidifiers that help to clean and purify the surrounding air, thus making sure that the carpet does not fall victim to mold growth due to excess moisture in the air.
The final process includes using a steam cleaner and a final spraying of a chemical solution that helps to prevent mold growth and before you know it your carpet will be restored to its former glory.







Thursday, December 27, 2012

Mold removal is crucial to maintain a healthy home


If you home is suffering from mold growth, you may very well be wondering why you have mold? Well if your home has had the misfortune to suffer from a major flooding event caused by a river bursting its banks or from a burst pipe or blocked sewer outlet. If the water intrusion is not dealt with quickly enough it will cause mold to grow and spread and before long you will have a major mold and mildew problem on your hands.
If you are wondering why the mold and mildew needs to be removed then you should look no further than the health affects mold growth can have on you and your family. These health problems can range from skin problems such as rashes and problems with the sinus and eyes. There are more dangerous health problems associated with the inhalation of airborne mold spores, and that is the breathing problems that can occur, such as asthma and bronchitis. The groups most susceptible to these more serious health problems are children, the elderly and those who already have pre-existing health problems. The only way to prevent this from happening is for the affected area to undergo complete mold removal.
So what does total mold removal actually involve?
Well to begin with, in order to stop the mold spores from spreading, typically the affected area is isolated from the rest of the property and this is usually completed by using plastic sheeting. Then once the room has been isolated the mold removal process can begin. The mold removal equipment utilized typically involves vacuums and air filtration equipment that is fitted with High Efficiency Particulate Absorbing (HEPA) filters. These help to prevent the spread of the mold spores into the atmosphere as they are being removed. Then once the area has been vacuumed the area is sprayed with an anti microbial solution to further prevent the growth of mold in the future. Then a second vacuuming, using vacuums fitted with HEPA filters takes place to make sure that there are no errant mold spores in the atmosphere. When it comes to water damage mold removal Atlanta residents should turn to professionals for help.



Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Maintain your wellbeing by removing all traces of mold from your property


If a home or business premises has recently suffered from an unexpected flooding incident or burst pipe Atlanta people may not realize that if not dealt with properly, your home or business premises could fall foul to mold growth.
Mold spores are all around us and all they need to multiply are to find a nice moisture rich spot that is typically undisturbed and dark. Areas that are typically exposed to water, such as the kitchen and bathroom are the places where you are most likely to discover mold growth in your property. However, any unexpected water intrusion into other parts of your home or business premises will leave it susceptible to mold growth if the affected area is not dried correctly. When you have had the misfortune to discover unwanted water or moisture in your home or office, then it is advisable to check the affected area for mold, which can begin to form in as little as 48 hours after a flooding or water leak.
The first signs of mold infestation are usually an unpleasant musty odor that will be noticeable to you when you get near to the affected area. However, you may not notice a smell but the mold could still be there anyway so you may need to employ the services of a mold removal company to locate and remove the problem.
Once mold has begun to spread it can quickly grow out of control and the more work will be required to eliminate the problem. Mold is toxic, especially black mold and once it has released its spores into the surrounding atmosphere it can typically cause health problems for anybody who comes into contact with it. These health problems come in a variety of different ailments, ranging from skin problems such as rashes and itchy skin, to problems with the eyes and the sinuses. Once inhaled the spores can play havoc with the respiratory systems of humans and animals alike. These can cause serious breathing issues such as bronchitis and asthma, and the groups most at risk are the elderly, the young (especially babies) and people who already have pre-existing breathing problems.



Monday, December 24, 2012

Limit the damage sewage can do to your home


Raw sewage is not something that most people want to think about, however, you may not have a choice if you find that raw sewage has entered your home or place of work. Raw sewage contamination will require sewer cleanup and this should only be done by a team oh highly trained individuals who have the correct tools and safety equipment to deal with this highly toxic spill.
The spill itself may be caused by a number of different reasons and these can range from a blocked drain or a collapsed sewer of as a result of a significant amount of rainfall, so much rain that it causes the drains to overflow. An additional cause may come from not maintaining any septic tanks or systems your property may have and again this can also be affected by significant amounts of rainfall.
If exposed to this toxic waste it can make people and pets severely ill and the health risks can even be fatal. This is for the reason that raw sewage contains a wide array of different bacteria and coming into contact with this can cause health problems so severe that it may lead to hospitalization.
A professional sewer cleanup company will be able to deal with the problem by using the correct safety equipment and procedures that are to be followed as standard in these kinds of situations. When hit with sewage backup Atlanta residents and business owners should not mess with it without professional assistance.
The first thing that will need to be done is to remove the sewage from the affected area, and this is accomplished by the use of high powered pumping equipment, and special vacuums that can remove gallons of water within minutes. The water is then stored safely inside tanks that allow the offending water to be disposed of safely rather than returning it back into the local sewer system.
When choosing a sewer cleanup company, make sure that you choose one that is available 24 hours per day, 365 days of the year, because a sewer leak can happen at any time of the day or night and you will need a company with a speedy response time in order to limit the damage.