Blog Archives

Sensitive to Mold and Other Allergens in Tuckerton, N.J.

1/28/2021

DID YOU KNOW that even the healthiest of individuals can still feel negative effects in the presence of some common things around the house?

It’s not something that necessarily has to start growing in the basement of your house after a flood. It’s something that can “just happen” and it’s not good news. But it can be easily fixed.

First of all, what are we talking about?

Old stuff brought in
There are some items that can come into your home that can trigger your allergies or other sensitivities. These can include cardboard boxes, packages and other items sent or brought to you. The worse of these would be old stuff, things that have been around a while, gathering allergens.

Old ‘normal’ stuff
We’ve all been to a library and sniffed old books. OK, maybe not all of us, but those that remember books and libraries can relate. These old books and documents can be allergen triggers, so be sure to remember this before checking them out or taking them into your home.
Also, some of these things could have had water damage in Tuckerton, N.J. at one time.

Old decorations
Sure, the holidays are a time when you use ornaments and stuff, and this is just a few times a year… but you have to store them, right? Remember that they can bring in allergens. It might be best to give them at least a wipe-down, if not a complete cleaning, before putting them into the attic. As well as getting a mold test in Tuckerton, N.J., preventing issues in the attic.

Old mattresses
Ick. This is a tough one, and sometimes a sensitive issue. Sure, it’s OK to pass on mattresses from one generation to another (what is family for?), but what are you getting when you inherit an old mattress or other bedding from someone not close to you? And don’t be tempted by that new-looking mattress at your neighbor’s garage sale. You just don’t know what you are getting into. Did you know that every mattress has dust mites?

Old rugs and carpet
Rugs and carpet are very important to you, but be sure to have them inspected by your carpet cleaning pro before bringing them into your home. These are items that can collect all types of allergens and other contaminants that can affect you and your family.

Don’t be afraid to throw old stuff out. Remember, it’s your home and your family’s health. Protect it!

Just make sure that what you bring into your home is safe and sound — and safe for any allergy or asthma issues you or your family may have. It's easy to have a professional come in for Mold removal in Tuckerton, N.J.

Who Lives in a Flood Zone? You Do in Trenton, N.J.

1/21/2021

There’s some surprising news from the experts at the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Everyone lives in a flood zone. Yes, you read that right.

Of course, if your home is at the top of a mountain, you are probably at low risk from flooding. But most homes are at lower elevations, bringing higher risks.

How common are floods? In the past five years, according to the NFIP, all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods.

And bad news for homeowners is their homeowner’s insurance does not cover flood damage. You need special flood insurance for that.

To protect yourself, you need some flood facts so you realize the danger and can purchase the proper flood insurance program for your home and risk level.

Flood facts from the NFIP

·      Just a few inches of water in your home can cost many thousands of dollars to repair. This comes out of your pocket if your insurance doesn’t cover it. Be sure you may be in need of emergency plumbing service in Trenton, N.J

·      Flash floods can bring walls of water 10-15 feet high. Imagine that hitting your home!

·      A vehicle can easily be carried away by just two feet of rushing water. You don’t want to think about what can happen if you are in the car…

·      New land development can increase flood risk.

·      Floods can be caused by different sources, such as hurricanes, winter storms, snow melt and other events.

·      In a high-risk area, your home is more likely to be damaged by flood than by fire.

·      Since 1978, The NFIP has paid nearly $50 billion for flood insurance claims and related costs (as of 2/17/15).

There are many more flood facts, but these can get you researching what you need to protect what’s important to you: Your home and your family. For extra safety, have a mold inspection in Trenton, N.J.

And remember, if any type of flooding happens to you, keep your water damage in Trenton,N.J. pro on speed dial! He’ll be right over to save the day.

Here you can see before and after in Cherry Hill, N.J.

1/15/2021

This picture shows an attic which had water damage in Cherry Hill, N.J. We were called out to do a mold inspection in Cherry Hill, N.J. We found out that water was slowing leaking into the attic area for a long period of time, which caused this discoloration and evidence of mold. The next step was mold removal in Cherry Hill, N.J., and as you can see, it turned out beautiful! When seeking a clean up job, always best to call a professional.

Hidden Leaks in Warminster, Pa.

1/15/2021

When a pipe breaks, you know it. Water spewing everywhere, making all kinds of noise and a huge mess that leads to all kinds of expensive damage. Calling for emergency plumbing service in Warminster,Pa. is a must.

When a pipe leaks, that’s a different story as you may not discover it until expensive damage occurs.

Under every sink in your home, you have two types of pipes: Supply and drain. Either type can leak and cause all kinds of damage, often at a slow but steady rate, and not only to the floor directly under the pipes. Water can run down into the subfloor, into floor cavities and even into rooms underneath.

Adding insult to injury, you don’t know this is happening because, usually, it’s all out of sight.

The worse part of looking for leaks under sinks is there is usually a bunch of stuff down there, and you will have to move it around or — better yet — remove it all completely so you can do a thorough inspection.

Look for warped wood, boards or other signs of water damage in Warminster, Pa.. Use a tissue paper to wipe each pipe connection, both supply and drain. Any type of moisture will be detectable using tissue paper. If a supply pipe is leaking, that’s dangerous because there is pressure that can cause it to steadily increase the rate of the leak. For the drain pipe, gently shake it to see if it is loose. Drain pipes can loosen on their own and begin leaking.

If you have pipes that are leaking, don’t delay. Fix them yourself if you are handy. If not, call your favorite plumber.

Any type of water damage you discover should be inspected and remediated by a qualified water damage restoration company. Play it safe and when you find you have a leaky pipe, call your water damage pros. They’ll be right over.
If may be wise to have mold testing in Warminster, Pa., after things are restored to normal conditions.

The Saga of Sewage in Bensalem, Pa.

1/12/2021

When water damage in Bensalem, Pa. strikes your basement, or any part of the home, you panic a little. But it isn’t too bad as long as it isn’t too deep.

But when sewage strikes, that’s an entirely different situation. Raw sewage can’t be as easily removed and cleaned as a typical water intrusion, such as from a storm or pipe that has broken.

The first order of business is to find out whose sewage it is. Did it come from your own home because it couldn’t drain properly? Is it a simple overflow from the toilet? Or is it from the sewer system backing up from the street? This is a good time to call for emergency plumbing service in Bensalem, Pa.

There’s a big, big difference dealing with your own poo and the poo of all your neighbors.

The small jobs

As mentioned, sewage can occur from a simple toilet overflow. Those dirty jobs are easy to handle. Put on rubber gloves, preferably rubber boots, and other protective gear so there is no skin contact. A wet/dry vacuum is a handle tool for picking up raw sewage, since you are dealing with just one overflow and the amount is small. After removing the waste, use a powerful disinfectant on the floor to clean the last of it up. If you have carpet, that might need to be replaced.

The big jobs

Some sewage backups occur because of a failed sewer system, not just a simple overflow of a toilet.

A common issue with sewer issues is when your sewer line is attacked by tree roots. Over time, roots can work their way into the sewer line, as they search for water. The roots grow into the line, expanding and eventually plugging up the line completely. Then your normal household use of the plumbing system backs up into the home.

The worst type is a backflow from the public sewer system, where gallons — or even hundreds of gallons — of raw sewage from all types of sources can enter your home. There are various causes of this, but the bottom line is you now have contaminants that are very hazardous to your health.

When this happens, it’s time to protect yourself. Don’t attempt to go into the basement and clean it yourself, even if you have face masks and skin protection. The biological hazards are too great.

When the situation is cleaned up and all items are dry, a mold inspection in Bensalem, Pa. could be your best bet.

This is one of those times you must call a professional water damage company, one that specializes in sewage issues. After all, it pays to call a pro!

Triage Tips to Save Contents in Warminster, Pa.

1/11/2021

The main goal for protecting your home from water damage in Warminster, Pa., situations is to prepare and anticipate what can happen.

This means many things, such as keeping your sump pump in good working condition, repairing leaky pipes and dripping faucets, and ensuring that during cold weather your home is snug and tight against intruding freezing temperatures.

But things do happen. Pipes break, spewing water everywhere. Flood waters can enter your home and wreak havoc while you are away. Leaky plumbing fixtures can slowly cause damage and spawn mold growth. At that point a mold inspection in Warminster, Pa. would be the right move.

When this occurs, it affects not only the building materials of your home, such as the walls, floors, and ceilings, but the contents as well. You know, the valuables you care so much about. These can be anything from stuffed animals to books to photographs to electronic equipment and more. Even mementos that just can’t be replaced.

If any of this occurs to you and your home, use these tips for best content triage strategies.

Safety first
Before doing any type of work in your home after a water damage situation, make sure you are safe. This means your electricity and power sources are turned off (if appropriate and the damage warrants this), and water has been extracted or reduced to a minimum level. Having an emergency plumbing service in Warminster, Pa. can be a great help

Document everything
Before starting work, and during the work process, take pictures of everything. What you can’t dry and save yourself will no doubt be replaced with insurance dollars. But without proof, you might have a fight on your hands with your insurance company.

Act fast!
When contents get wet, damage is minimal — for now. Get those valuables up off wet surfaces and do what you can to dry them out and set them where they won’t cause more damage and where they can dry. Depending on the items, move them out into the sun for faster drying. Documents, pictures, and other similar valuables will need careful handling and professional care.

Prioritize
There are some items more valuable to you than others, and emotions can get involved. Prioritize what you are going to save. Odd are, if you don’t call a professional restoration company right away, you aren’t going to be able to save everything. Electronics and other valuables may be beyond saving. Don’t waste time on what can’t be saved. That’s what insurance is for.

When you have any type of disaster situations at your home, whether from fire, smoke, floods, or water damage, do the right thing. Contact your favorite disaster restoration company. And have mold testing in Warminster Pa., just to be sure . After all, it pays to call a pro!

So Your Carpet Is Smelly…in Southampton,Pa.

1/10/2021

There are many reasons why a carpet can become smelly, from pet odors to heavy soiling and other causes. However, what some don’t realize is a little water intrusion can cause a big problem with the condition of their carpet, even after it seems the carpet has dried. There could be an unseen mold issue. Having a mold inspection in Southampton, Pa., can be a good idea.

Water intrusions can be from many sources. If it is from a toilet (raw sewage), it’s almost always best to discard the carpet and pad and get something new. While doing that, be sure the subfloor is also cleaned and disinfected appropriately, and sealed if necessary. If it is from an overflowing sink or a leaky pipe, the damage can usually be limited so purchasing new flooring isn’t always necessary.

But one of the biggest problems is waiting too long no matter the cause of the water damage in your home.

When you discover a wet carpet or rug, it’s time to get to work. Remove the water with extraction, and get some air movement and ventilation started on removing moisture. Down the road a mold test in Southampton, Pa. can save you in the long run.

However, here’s the problem. If the carpet isn’t dried really fast, like how professional water damage experts can dry carpet using their specialized tools and equipment, a persistent musty smell can develop. There’s not much a homeowner can do to fix that issue. In the winter months, when humidity is low, you may not notice the odor that much. But when summer arrives, with the higher humidity, those odors will come back with a vengeance.

Even worse, mold can begin to grow. No one wants potentially dangerous mold in their homes!

What’s the best solution? Call your water damage in Southampton, Pa. professionals right away, before real damage sets it. They’ll be right over to save the day.

Frozen… but not Broken in Rockledge, Pa.

1/7/2021

Most people, when they think of frozen pipes in their homes, automatically think of broken pipes, spewing a huge mess that soaks carpet, subfloors, walls and more… requiring the attention of their water damage professional.

But many times, a frozen pipe doesn’t necessarily become a broken pipe. You might have experienced this yourself: You go into a bathroom, during a really cold part of winter, turn on the faucet and nothing comes out. Or perhaps only a trickle dribbles into the sink.

This is a nuisance that must be dealt with quickly, before the pipe actually breaks and creates a larger problem. Having emergency plumbing service in Rockledge, Pa. can be very helpful.

Preventing this from ever happening is the best course of action. Here are some things you can do when temperatures dip well below freezing:

Take control of the temperature in your home. Some, especially when leaving for a few days, will set the temperature lower to save money. But keep your home at 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Installing a thermostat that you can control remotely with your smartphone means you can monitor your home 24/7 while traveling.
While home, when temperatures are extremely cold, open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warmer air to flow among the pipes and, for problem sinks that have had their pipes freeze in the past, or that you feel might freeze, allow a slow trickle of water to run.
Keep garage doors closed if you have water supply pipes in the walls or ceiling of your garage. This occurs especially when a bathroom is next to or above a garage. When you pull your vehicles into the garage, immediately shut the garage door so the heat from the engine can help warm the garage.

But if a frozen pipe does happen, your only recourse is to thaw it. This might take some time. Warm up your house, and use safe heat, such as a hair dryer, to warm the area where the pipe is frozen. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or other heat source fired by fuel, and don’t use open flames. If you can’t determine where the frozen pipe is, a local plumbing company can help.

And, of course, if the worst happens and a pipe does break, call your water damage in Rockledge, Pa. professional.

How Dangerous is Mold in Your Home in Newtown, Pa.?

1/7/2021

Everyone wants the safest, healthiest home environment for their families. You would do anything to protect your loved ones from exposure to any substance that could cause them harm.

One of those feared substances is “mold” and with what you have seen in the news in recent years, exposure to harmful or “toxic” mold has affected the health of countless people — folks just like you.

This brings up the all-important question: Just exactly how dangerous is mold in homes?

That’s a tricky question, because there are many types of mold and mold is virtually everywhere. There is probably a little bit in your basement right now. Your shoes when you came home yesterday no doubt brought in a few mold spores. Mold spores can be in breathable space and travel in the air. Always best to get a mold test in Newtown, Pa.

When you step outside, you are surrounded by mold. There’s nothing you can do about that. The main concern is usually what’s in the home, not outside, although if you are sensitive to mold you should avoid all damp areas that could promote mold growth, inside and out.

Some people are affected by even the smallest amounts of mold. They may have nasal issues, watery eyes, coughing and other physical reactions. A smaller segment of the population are very sensitive to exposure to mold, having severe reactions that can be life threatening. Others aren’t affected at all, and can be around and/or exposure to all types of molds with no apparent sensitivities.

The CDC has plenty of information for those concerned with mold in homes. One of the issues they raise is keeping moisture out of homes. “Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding and water damage in Newtown, Pa.,” according to the CDC government website.

The issue is twofold if mold is growing in your home. You must clean it up or have it cleaned up, and you must fix the moisture problem. You can do your research on how to fix the problem, but the best solution is, no doubt, getting expert advice from your professional water damage restoration contractor or mold removal in Newtown, Pa. remediation company. Keep your family safe. Call the experts.

Mold and air ducts in New Hope, Pa.

1/5/2021

With warm air and humidity, there is always a chance that mold can grow, and if it grows in your air ducts, there’s really no way to know it is happening without a professional inspection.

And in the event of a water damage in New Hope, Pa. the situation, especially if moisture (water) intrudes into your air ducts, the risks increase that mold can be growing. Even when dried out, mold spore particulates can become airborne and cause respiratory issues. Never a bad idea to have a mold test in New Hope, Pa.

If someone in your household develops allergies or unexplained symptoms, it could be due to mold exposure. This doesn’t mean there is “deadly” mold in your home. It means certain individuals have a specific allergic reaction to mold. Everyone is different. Mold removal in New Hope, Pa. can be a simple answer.

If there is any doubt as to whether mold exists in your duct work or not, do the right thing. Call your favorite cleaning company right away. After all, it pays to call a pro!

PHILADELPHIA DISASTER RESTORATION COMES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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Steven St. Juste
11 months ago

"Extremely professional and willing to go above and beyond to meet my needs as a customer. It's great to find trustworthy and honest contractors! I will definitely be recommending this company to anyone who needs mold remediation service. 5 stars isn't enough!"

Andressa Smith
A year ago

"Our basement got flooded last month from the Tropical Storm Isaias, We immediately called 20+ companies and no kidding, no one was able to come within 3+ days because so many folks got flooded too (in fact they all put me in their waiting lists). We found PDR number after scouring the internet, and were able to talk to Jo (the owner of PDR). He was able to come the next day with his crew (it must have been several trucks!) to our house and literally did an amazing (and fast!) job of water mitigation. The next several days was dry out process and his crew again checked daily for the moisture content of the basement! All the meantime Jo was also helping us understanding if there're other issues (other than torrential rain) that worsen the flood. He checked the french drain channel system, all the pipes etc around the house. And most importantly he also helped me so much with the INSURANCE claim! Wow! We also had Jo and Ryan rebuild the basement. They worked with our budget and incredibly fast in rebuilding our basement. They started last Tuesday and we have the basement fully done and finished in less than one week. The price they gave us was also reasonable, they worked with our budget and tried to give us the best for our money. We cannot thank Jo and Ryan (and Ben and Mike, and the rest of his crew) enough. It's been a stressful situation but we are glad we had PDR to help us putting our basement back - they are definitely professional and trustworthy. If you find yourself in our situation, got yourself a flooded basement and in need of someone reliable, fast and trustworthy - call Jo! Just do it!"

Kevin Diep
1 review

"Jo was very knowledgeable. Ryan and Ben were extra awesome. thumbs up. very good job."

Jennifer K,
Bensalem PA

"Thank you for the quick response and professionalism you showed during a very trying time for us. You went above and beyond to make this whole horrible experience a pleasant one. A million thank yous - it is wonderful to see companies with great customer service.

Contact Us
Philadelphia Disaster Restoration
3600 Drumore Dr.
Philadelphia, PA 19154
Phone. 215-880-1143