Author: Bakers Team

Mold is commonly found in damp, dark, wet areas. It is a fungus that spreads over areas via spores that travel by water and air. They can cause problems inside of homes that experience water damage if they aren’t addressed and eradicated quickly.

Hidden Baggage: The Issues that Arise when Facing Mold

Mold has a few telltale signs to warn homeowners of its presence. The signs to look for include:

• Sudden respiratory issues or allergy flare-ups
• Strong, musty or mildewy odors
• Dark spots on walls, flooring, and ceilings
• White, green, or black fuzzy patches on textiles
• Peeling paint or wallpaper
• Peeling caulk or grout

No matter which category the mold is classified as, they do not belong inside of a residence. The three types of mold categories are based on their impact on one’s health:

• Allergenic molds include some species of Penicillium, Alternaria, and Cladosporium. While less dangerous than other types of molds, these trigger allergic reactions and can exacerbate asthma symptoms.
• Pathogenic molds can cause infections or diseases. Individuals with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk, though chronic exposure or exposure to a large quantity can affect otherwise healthy people. Aspergillus, for example, can cause aspergillosis, a lung infection.
• Toxic molds pose serious health risks to humans and animals due to the mycotoxins produced. High levels of exposure can lead to neurological problems, and in some cases, death. Stachybotrys chartarum is well-known for its toxicity, going by the common name of black mold.

How Mold Pops Up Uninvited

Mold spores can begin growing into colonies in as little as 24 to 48 hours after a structure has experienced water damage. Water damage can occur from numerous different sources. Various factors can cause mold, and identifying the source of moisture that created the optimal growing environment is crucial to ensure the mold doesn’t return. Tools like moisture meters and infrared cameras are imperative during the initial inspection and assessment to determine the source of moisture. Common causes include the following:

• High humidity levels
• Poor ventilation
• Standing or hidden water
• Water damage that occurred from a storm, burst plumbing pipe, or leaky roof; or from firefighting efforts.

Removal and Prevention

Safely removing mold and other fungi is a task best left to a professional restoration team who understands the importance of a safe, clean environment. Experts utilize the latest technology and most advanced equipment to thoroughly assess the extent of mold present, contain all affected areas, and safely remove and remediate the contaminants.

Moisture meters and infrared cameras are important tools a professional team uses during the assessment and throughout the restoration. These identify locations of hidden water, ensuring the team has access to extract and dry out the entire affected area. Air scrubbers are utilized to filter the air, catching any airborne spores to ensure the air quality is safe to breathe.

Mold may invite itself into the home without your permission, but you hold the power in reclaiming your home and removing mold from it. Maintain proper ventilation in rooms that regularly experience high moisture to ensure it doesn’t return!

Water damage disasters don’t take holidays or follow standard business hours. When they happen, it’s important to understand the correct actions to take and mistakes to avoid. Neglecting the situation can make matters worse. Quick action can prevent worsening damages and increased expenses!

Dangers of Ignoring Water Damage

The extent of damage is determined by the water category and the length of time that has passed. The category of water indicates its potential health hazards. There are 3 categories:

• Category 1 is “clean water”. This means that the source of water is sanitary and does not pose health risks. Common examples include faucet leaks, supply line breaks, and melting snow or ice.
• Category 2 may contain levels of contaminants that can cause illness if ingested. This type of water is known as “grey water,” and can include dishwasher leaks and washing machine overflows.
• Category 3 water is the most hazardous to handle. Known as “black water,” it can cause illness or even death. Sewage backups, toilet overflows with fecal matter, and flooding from rivers or streams are common examples.

Water damage emergencies can be stressful, but these problems don’t go away on their own. Ignoring a small issue allows the damage to accumulate and worsen. As water sits, it can seep into floors, walls, and ceilings. This can weaken structural integrity and require extensive reconstruction and rebuilding efforts.

Evaporated water can travel throughout the interior environment, trapping vapor in areas like crawlspaces, closets, and inside of walls. These moist environments create the perfect conditions for mold to grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Exposure to the skin and lungs poses hazards to your health, including respiratory issues, rashes, and allergic reactions.

Personal items, such as furniture, electronics, and documents, can be ruined by water damage. Fast action is crucial when it comes to salvaging these items. Porous materials such as wood and fabrics can absorb and retain water. The longer that these items are exposed to water, the greater the resulting damage. As wood becomes waterlogged, it swells and eventually cracks. Quick removal greatly increases the success rate of restoring an item or home to its original condition.

How Can Water Damage Happen?

Water damage occurs when water infiltrates an area it shouldn’t be in. Water damage can happen from many different sources, including:

• Broken or leaking plumbing pipes.
• Malfunctioning appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, and dishwashers.
• Clogged drains or blocked pipes, especially in bathrooms and kitchens.
• Weather incidents such as heavy rain, hurricanes, and flooding.
• Sewage backups can be especially harmful, as they introduce pathogens and bacteria to the home.

Identifying and repairing the cause and source of water damage is key to preventing further damage and future incidents. The signs of water damage depend on the extent of damages and source of offending water. Some common signs to look for include:

• Water stains, appearing as discolored patches or rings, on walls, ceilings, or floors.
• Warped, sagging, or buckling floors.
• Peeling or bubbling paint or wallpaper can indicate that water has seeped through, causing it to separate from the wall.

Musty odors, alerting to the presence of mold or mildew growth.

Ignoring these signs can be a slippery slope leading to more extensive and costly repairs in the future. Contacting a professional to be on site as soon as you notice water damage can significantly reduce the cost of restoration and repair.

Consequences of Delayed Action

Untreated water damage worsens over time. These can result in the need for expensive repairs, lowering a property’s value significantly. Warped ceilings, walls, and flooring send a warning signal to potential buyers that more extensive damage exists under the surface. Foundational erosion, sagging beams, and rotten wood are costly structural repairs that substantially devalue a home.

Ignoring small damages can escalate the repairs cost considerably down the line. Addressing necessary repairs promptly can help to safeguard your property value and ensure a safe and healthy living environment for yourself and your family.

Home fires are terrifying and tragic to experience. Fires are capable of causing immense damage in short periods of time. They are regarded as one of the most destructive disasters that can impact a home.

The Potential Damages

Fires burn through and destroy most materials they encounter. Paper products, textiles, and wood can be irreparably damaged within minutes. While certain building materials can be more fire-resistant than others, there are very few resources on Earth that are completely fireproof. Resistance allows materials to prevent or delay the passage of excessive heat and fire.

When fires break out in a home, soft contents are some of the most vulnerable. Textiles such as bedding, curtains, and clothing can spread fire quickly from item to item. Materials that offer more fire resistance, such as cement, brick, and glass, are still vulnerable to damage if exposed to high heat or fire for a lengthy period of time. Glass, for example, has different levels of fire damage resistance. Tempered glass is the most fire-resistant, offering four times the protection that untampered glass offers.

Fire damage conjures up images of charred wood, billowing black smoke, and scorched structural bones of homes. These images aren’t inaccurate, but they don’t show the complete picture. Some damages take time to show up, such as discoloration or staining on walls and other objects.

Water damage can also be present after fire damage disasters, considering that emergency fire response crews deploy an average of 3,000 gallons of water to put out home fires. Excess water that it not extracting promptly can lead to mold growth and structural deterioration.

Depending on the nature of the fire, soot can appear in different forms. Ranging from dry and powdery to wet and sticky, this residue is capable of corroding metal and etching glass. Smoke odors require specialized techniques in order to fully remove them.

To Replace or to Restore? That is the Question

Ash and smoke reach further areas than where a fire is contained to, and can continue to damage items long after flames have been extinguished. Smoke particles can embed themselves easily into fabrics and other textiles and can be difficult to fully remove. These particles can continue to give off unpleasant odors.

The cost difference between replacing damaged contents and structures, and salvaging and restoring what survived the wreckage, is often a primary concern for homeowners. Preserving sections of a building, or salvaging materials to restore and reuse, can save property owners significant time and money compared to complete reconstruction which demolishes and rebuilds the entire structure.
Most homeowners policies offer replacement cost coverage or actual cash value when it comes to covering the cost of damaged items.

Replacement cost coverage allows you to replace damaged items with new ones of similar kind and quality. Depreciation is not calculated. This is often the type of policy for dwelling coverage.
Actual cash value takes the items original cost and calculates its current value minus the depreciation. This is the more common type of coverage for personal property.

Extended replacement cost is an optional add-on, but allows for covering the cost of rebuilding your home if it’s more than what the policy limit allows. There is typically a limit to the additional percentage of coverage.

Guaranteed replacement cost covers the full cost of rebuilding your home no matter how much it totals. Deductibles are the only out-of-pocket expense a homeowner can expect to pay.

Preventative Measures

Homeowners can deploy a few measures to prevent the extent of fire damage they may encounter after a disaster. Fire damage disasters are some of the most destructive tragedies that can impact a person and their family.

Installing and testing smoke alarms regularly, and examining appliances and wiring at regular intervals can detect and resolve problems that could lead to a fire igniting. Preparing a plan of action to navigate various fire damage scenarios and keeping a fire extinguisher accessible in the home can help in minimizing overall damages.

Keep matches and lighters out of reach of young children. Teach age-appropriate fire safety measures. When cooking, use care and attention, and never leave an active stove unattended. Grease fires make up the largest percentage of home fires.

Implementing proper fire safety practices can significantly reduce the destruction that fire damage disasters cause. Catastrophes don’t choose convenient times to strike. That’s why having a plan of action and being prepared can expedite the recovery process and get you back to your usual daily routine faster.