(Serving Philadelphia PA, Bensalem PA, Cherry Hill NJ, Cinnaminson NJ, Deptford NJ, Horsham PA, Huntingdon Valley PA, Levittown PA, Pennsauken, NJ, Southampton PA, Trenton NJ, Voorhees NJ, Warminster PA, Willow Grove PA)
There are many types of mold, and you never want to put yourself or your family at risk when you see some in your house. When it is in your home, it’s time to call a mold removal in Bensalem, PA professional. Fast! But outside the house? That’s a different matter altogether. One fact people don’t always appreciate is mold is everywhere. It’s a product of nature, and found inside and outside. When you find it inside, the mold spores can become concentrated, and depending on the severity of allergic reactions, can even be dangerous. That’s why mold contamination in a structure must be remediated by a house mold removal in Bensalem, PA professional. Mold that is outside your home is especially noticeable when it is on your home, such as the wood, vinyl or brick siding, or horizontal areas such as decking. When that happens, don’t panic… this mold is where it should be and isn’t much of a danger, unless you or those in your household are prone to allergen exposure associated with mold spores - mold testing in Bensalem, PA. If you don’t have allergen issues, then a regular cleaning of the exterior of your home should be a simple task. You have several options you can utilize to accomplish this. Clean and scrub The oldest, tried-and-true method of cleaning the exterior of your home from soil, debris, and mold, involves a bucket, brush, sudsing detergent, ladders, and hoses. Using a pump-up sprayer to wet down the exterior means you can get better contact and soak time, and your scrubbing and “elbow grease” efforts are minimized. Choose a small section at a time. If your cleaning solution dries out, you must re-apply solution and start over. Wash the section, rinse it thoroughly, and allow to dry and then inspect. It may take a couple of cleanings to get the results you want. Any moldy soils that you wash away, make sure you don’t get them on your clothing and bring them inside. Power washing This is the most effective, time-saving method of cleaning the exterior of your home and removing mold growth. You can purchase power washing equipment inexpensively, and you can spend hundreds of dollars as well. The inexpensive version will be electric, and the expensive version powered by gasoline. Either way works well; gas powered versions will be more powerful and faster to use. As with any surface, apply your detergent and allow it to soak. Then power wash the exterior, washing off soil and mold away from you. Always be safe. Any contact you have with mold, be sure to wash off completely and don’t track it into your home. Use a pro Your favorite cleaning and restoration company knows how to tackle this type of chore best. Do the smart thing and save some time and even some money. And headaches as well. Call them up. After all, it pays to call a mold remediation in Bensalem, PA pro!
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(Serving Philadelphia PA, Bensalem PA, Cherry Hill NJ, Cinnaminson NJ, Deptford NJ, Horsham PA, Huntingdon Valley PA, Levittown PA, Pennsauken, NJ, Southampton PA, Trenton NJ, Voorhees NJ, Warminster PA, Willow Grove PA)
When winter comes along, most think about what they can do to keep their house warm and draft-free. They make sure any weather stripping is in good shape; they have the furnace and/or fireplace inspected; and perhaps have the ductwork cleaned. What many don’t consider is what’s outside, such as the hose attached to the hose bib on the side of the home. You know, what you used nearly every day to water the lawn, garden, and flowers. Remember, water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and while that may not feel so cold to you as you wear a light sweater or jacket, it’s enough for ice to form and pressure to build up in the hose bib. When that happens, the pressure that builds up can damage the hose bib and break it - burst pipe cleanup in Philadelphia, PA You might be saying, “I have a frost-free hose bib” — and while that is good and even better than a traditional hose bib, don’t trust it too much. They have been known to fail and cause flooding in homes. Now, you might be wondering why all the fuss. The hose bib might freeze and break and… it might not. If it does break, nothing really happens all winter and you just might think all is well. The problem is in the spring. When that hose bib is turned on, the break from the frozen water is back in the wall, not outside the wall where you hook up the hose. So as you are merrily watering away during a nice, spring day, you are also watering the inside of your home, perhaps flooding your basement with water resulting in needing basement mold cleanup in Philadelphia, PA. You can test your hose bib easily in the spring. Hook up your hose, crimp it, and turn on your hose bib. Listen carefully. If you hear water running in the wall, quickly turn it off. You have a break and probably need the services of a burst pipe cleanup in Philadelphia, PA plumber. But if the worst happens, and you do have any type of flooding in your home — no matter the source — do the smart thing. Call your water damage company. After all, it pays to call a burst pipe dryout in Philadelphia, PA pro! (Serving Philadelphia PA, Bensalem PA, Cherry Hill NJ, Cinnaminson NJ, Deptford NJ, Horsham PA, Huntingdon Valley PA, Levittown PA, Pennsauken, NJ, Southampton PA, Trenton NJ, Voorhees NJ, Warminster PA, Willow Grove PA)
Many water damage restoration company in Philadelphia, PA have been called by good people just like you who need help “just sucking up the water from the carpet.” This can be water from an overflowing sink, toilet, maybe a washing machine that got a little ambitious during the spin cycle… or it could be from something more serious, like a burst pipe dryout in Philadelphia, PA or roof damage from a storm. No matter what, some homeowners only see and think about the squishy carpet and don’t know about all those other areas in the home where water has affected it. That kind of thinking can get you into a lot of trouble. While water can just damage the carpet, it usually goes other places as well… such as down the register vents into floors below, behind baseboards and then under the walls and then up the drywall, into other rooms, under furniture that you never move, and into all kinds of other areas. It can also get into wood floors you thought were watertight, creating all kinds of very expensive problems if you don’t get it all dried out quick. Sucking up the water is just part of the job. Detecting where the moisture really went is important, as well as using professional tools and drying equipment to reach those areas and get them like they were before — bone dry, and safe for your family before you need house mold removal in Philadelphia, PA. Calling your water damage pro immediately and then listening to his expert advice is something smart consumers (just like you) must do when water causes damage to your home. If you wait too long, you invite a host of difficulties, such as mold and odors that are challenging to remove. Remember, it’s not “just the carpet” — it can be other areas of your home as well. Don’t take a chance. Call your water damage restoration in Philadelphia, PA pro. (Serving Philadelphia PA, Bensalem PA, Cherry Hill NJ, Cinnaminson NJ, Deptford NJ, Horsham PA, Huntingdon Valley PA, Levittown PA, Pennsauken, NJ, Southampton PA, Trenton NJ, Voorhees NJ, Warminster PA, Willow Grove PA)
When the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, speaks… most of us listen. And the EPA has much to say about mold removal in Philadelphia, PA, which can affect health in minor, irritating ways (slight respiratory issues) to severe life-threatening reactions, resulting in medical care and the unthinkable. Here are the edited highlights from the EPA.gov site, along with our own thoughts, that all households should consider. Of course, the EPA recommends that everyone should fix plumbing leaks, water intrusion issues - flood cleanup in Philadelphia, PA, and keep all interior surfaces clean and dry at all times. If you do this, mold should not be an issue. But if it happens, here are some tips. Mold cleanup Who should do the cleanup? There are a number of factors. First, consider the size of the mold problem - mold testing in Philadelphia, PA. If less than 10 square feet, you may be able to handle the cleanup yourself. However, with water damage repairs in Philadelphia, PA and mold growth more than 10 feet, consult an expert. And there is no way to know 100% if even a small amount of mold could have an adverse health effect on you or those you care about. HVAC and air conveyance systems Don’t minimize the impact that mold can have in your ductwork or other air conveyance areas. Hidden mold may be out of sight, but it should be taken seriously. Slight musty odors should trigger an investigation. Get your duct work inspected immediately and have the work done by a professional flood damage cleanup in Philadelphia, PA company. Restrooms, shower stalls and more Mold is normal in some areas, like in the corner of a shower stall. Don’t panic. Just clean it up. But if you need help, hire a pro. A very small amount of mold is no doubt fresh and can be easily removed. Hiring a pro If you decide to contact and use a disaster restoration company or a mold removal service, be a smart consumer and check their references and credentials. There are many “companies” that claim to be experts in mold removal, but they are far from qualified. Do the right thing with mold. When you know you have it, you should know how to get rid of it. The easiest, best, and safest way is to let a disaster restoration, water damage, or mold remediation company do the work. After all, it pays to call a mold remediation in Philadelphia, PA pro. (Serving Philadelphia PA, Bensalem PA, Cherry Hill NJ, Cinnaminson NJ, Deptford NJ, Horsham PA, Huntingdon Valley PA, Levittown PA, Pennsauken, NJ, Southampton PA, Trenton NJ, Voorhees NJ, Warminster PA, Willow Grove PA)
There are many types of mold that can be found in a home, whether the problem is caused by faulty construction, water damage, leaky plumbing, or other issues - mold testing in Levittown, PA. But what some people report is, despite no evident water damage or plumbing situations, no heavy rains, to name a few issues, they still get mold in their basements, often on the inside of their exterior block walls - water damage restoration in Levittown, PA. Nobody wants that. Mold can be dangerous to people who have exposure sensitivities to it. What can you do to avoid a moldy basement problem? There are several simple steps and procedures… Know your numbers It’s important to understand humidity and monitor those moisture levels in your home. A simple hygrometer you can buy online or in a retail store gives you this information, as easy as a thermometer tells you the temperature. Use a dehumidifier Basements are known to be humid and damp, even with no evident moisture intrusion issues - musty smell basement in Levittown, PA. A dehumidifier can remove many pints of water from the air each day. You can choose one that you have to dump the water from on a schedule, or have it drain automatically into a floor drain or sump pump. You will be amazed how much water you can remove and keep mold at bay with a dehumidifier. Use exhaust fans Simple fans can be installed that move moisture-laden air from the inside to the outside, like you would do with a bathroom exhaust fan. This might be a chore for the pros, so have them take a look at your home and see what options they might offer. Inspect outside drainage One issue that is common is moisture building up on the outside of block walls, and this moisture can seep into the interior walls of those blocks, adding too much humidity in the basement. Ensure all ground water flows away from your home and doesn’t puddle up against the walls. This advice is for common issues. But if the worst happens, such as a broken pipe or water flooding into your home, now you are into a serious issue. Do the right thing and call your water damage restoration company today. After all, it pays to call a water damage restoration company in Levittown, PA! (Serving Philadelphia PA, Bensalem PA, Cherry Hill NJ, Cinnaminson NJ, Deptford NJ, Horsham PA, Huntingdon Valley PA, Levittown PA, Pennsauken, NJ, Southampton PA, Trenton NJ, Voorhees NJ, Warminster PA, Willow Grove PA)
When something happens to your home, something that damages it, you have one thought in mind: What you can do to fix it and repair it so you can get on with your lives. That damage can come from many sources. It can be a tree falling onto your roof. It can be water seeping into the basement - clean up water in basement in Philadelphia, PA. It can be water gushing from a broken pipe. It can be from a failed sump pump. It can even be more catastrophic, such as from high winds or even a hurricane, if you live in parts of the country that are subject to those types of storms. When any of these issues occur, someone has to pay for the repairs. That’s where professional mold removal in Philadelphia, PA companies come to the rescue. They have the know-how and expert skills to fix any issues that arise from disaster restoration situations. But again… someone has to pay… You might be thinking that your homeowner’s insurance plan will cover any disasters that might occur. The typical insurance plan does cover most issues — but not all. Some of them do not cover specific types of flooding situations. If a pipe outside your home, such as an outside spigot, were to break and flood your home, that may not be covered. Every policy is somewhat different. It’s smart — in advance — to discuss with your insurance agent about what is covered and what is not, and to get a handle on your deductible, as you are responsible for that in the event of a loss. When insurance fails… Unless you have a pretty healthy balance in your checking account, you may be looking for some assistance if your homeowner’s policy comes up short. Besides the obvious use of credit cards to pay for work on your home, there is government assistance you can use for help. The U.S. Small Business Administration is the answer for many people. And not just those who own businesses. The SBA has money to loan to homeowners as well, those who find themselves in a situation where they need money to do necessary and significant repairs to their homes. The SBA has disaster loan application forms online that you can find with a simple online search. As with all disaster restoration situations, it’s always smart to get the best help available. Do the right thing and call your favorite disaster restoration company. After all, it pays to call a professional water damage restoration company in Philadelphia, PA! (Serving Philadelphia PA, Bensalem PA, Cherry Hill NJ, Cinnaminson NJ, Deptford NJ, Horsham PA, Huntingdon Valley PA, Levittown PA, Pennsauken, NJ, Southampton PA, Trenton NJ, Voorhees NJ, Warminster PA, Willow Grove PA)
Even the smallest amount of water that intrudes into your home can quickly gravitate from a nuisance to a significant issue. And a water intrusion that involves hundreds or thousands of gallons of water may mean you become homeless for a short time, while the water damage cleanup in Philadelphia, PA is performed. Did you know that water losses are given classifications? One water loss isn’t always like the next. There are differences, but all need water damage restoration in Philadelphia, PA. Many water damage situations involve a basement, and often a sump pump failure. Others are from broken pipe cleanup in Philadelphia, PA. When this occurs, along with other types of water loss situations, did you know the water type is classified by professional water damage restoration experts as “clean?” That’s right. Even if it looks dirty, because of a lower amount of potentially hazardous contaminants in the water, it is given a “Category 1” classification. However, this type of water loss can quickly escalate into a more dangerous situation, if not removed and affected materials dried out quickly. Then we have water damage situations that may contain potentially hazardous contaminants and bacteria that could be harmful to your health. An example would be a toilet that overflows, that doesn’t involve raw sewage. This would be a “Category 2” classification. A Category 1 can become a Category 2 if left unattended, because of bacteria and microbial growth occurring over time. And it gets worse from here. A “Category 3” water damage situation is “black” water and is always considered dangerous to the health of occupants in a home or building. An example would be a raw sewage backup and contamination. Another would be flood waters, since you aren’t sure of the source of the water or where it has been. The contamination involved would dictate wearing personal protective equipment and even respirators. Never risk your health; get an emergency plumbing service in Philadelphia, PA. For Category 1 and Category 2, there is a chance you could extract and dry the area yourself. Often, it ends up in frustration and even mold growth. But for Category 3, never attempt this on your own. In fact, play it safe. Always call a professional water damage company when you have any type of flooding situation in your home. After all, it pays to call a pro water damage restoration company in Philadelphia, PA! (Serving Philadelphia PA, Bensalem PA, Cherry Hill NJ, Cinnaminson NJ, Deptford NJ, Horsham PA, Huntingdon Valley PA, Levittown PA, Pennsauken, NJ, Southampton PA, Trenton NJ, Voorhees NJ, Warminster PA, Willow Grove PA)
There are many steps you can take as a responsible homeowner when flooding occurs in your home, whether from an overflowing toilet or a failed sump pump - you'll need water damage restoration in Philadelphia, PA. First of all, keep it safe. Do not do anything that can cause physical harm to yourself or your family, which can mean working in areas with electricity that have water damage restoration company in Philadelphia, PA. Pick things up. When water intrudes, picking up smaller items and placing them out of harm’s way is important. For objects you value, normally smaller items, and can get to without danger to yourself, start wiping them off and getting them dry. Although your water damage cleanup in Philadelphia, PA pro will handle the final cleaning and restoring of valuable objects, you can do much to help the process. Some materials are sensitive, and need special attention. These can include wood furniture, fabrics, upholstery, rugs, art and other valuable items. If you can remove these from flooded areas and wipe them off and allow them to dry, you might assist the drying and restoration process. Especially pick up and allow to hang in a safe place items such as valuable rugs. As a general rule, get things up off the floor. These would be especially larger, more valuable items, such as sofas, chairs, tables, etc. Most water damage situations are just a few inches deep, so putting these items up could be possible and very helpful to preserve their value. But if not, don’t worry… your water damage pro (who is no doubt now on the way) can handle it. He has special wood or foam blocks or other items to do the job to protect your furniture and larger items. But no matter what, don’t delay in doing what is best: Calling your water damage repairs in Philadelphia, PA pro! (Serving Philadelphia PA, Bensalem PA, Cherry Hill NJ, Cinnaminson NJ, Deptford NJ, Horsham PA, Huntingdon Valley PA, Levittown PA, Pennsauken, NJ, Southampton PA, Trenton NJ, Voorhees NJ, Warminster PA, Willow Grove PA)
What a mess! What are we going to do! Have you ever said something like that? If you have experienced a leaky hot water tank… you probably have. When it happened, hopefully it was in an unfinished basement and not in an area of the house that suffered severe damage, but you'll need basement mold cleanup in Philadelphia, PA. Leaks can happen anytime there is contained water, in any pipe, hose, or appliance. For hot water heaters, you add the element of pressure and heat. A leak can quickly turn into a spray of water, and a bad flood. To add insult to injury, when you discover a hot water tank is leaking or flooding your home - where you'll need water damage restoration in Philadelphia, PA - and you turn off the water, chances are those remaining 50, 60, 70, 80 or more gallons are still going to come out to haunt you. Some water tanks are big. Good for multiple occupants in your home… bad for flooding. Adding insult to injury, when your hot water tank fails, you not only have to clean up the mess, but now you don’t have… hot water. It’s a cold shower for everyone until you get it fixed. Of course, if a leaking hot water tank ruins your day, it’s time to bring in the clean up water in basement in Philadelphia, PA professionals. But there are some steps you can take so this never (hopefully!) happens to you. An aging issue Like any appliance, the older it gets, the more likely it may have issues. Some experts say a tank should last between 8-12 years. How long have you had your tank? If much longer than that, you may be living on borrowed time! Replacement may be necessary. Healthy checkups You can keep an eye on things yourself. Once a month, look over your hot water tank, inspecting for evidence of water seepage. Often, this comes from underneath the tank. If any moisture is noticeable, call a plumber and get it fixed ASAP. An annual inspection by a plumbing company is a good idea as well. These visits are not that expensive and can really save you in the long run. Flush away troubles When you don’t see it, you don’t think about it. But inside your water tank, sediment and residues are building up. These can cause all kinds of issues. You can flush out your tank by (after reducing the temperature, of course) attaching a garden hose to the connection at the bottom of the tank and removing all the gunk and goo down there. It will have to drain somewhere, which could be a challenge. Of course, if you don’t want to mess with this, have your plumber do it for you. When the unthinkable happens, though, and you are facing inches (hopefully not feet!) of water to clean up, and damaged belongings in your home as well, it’s time to call your water damage experts. After all, it pays to call a water damage restoration in Philadelphia, PA pro! |
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August 2024
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