Month: April 2016

How to Locate a Water Leak

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How to Locate a Water Leak in your HomeMold starts growing as soon as humidity and temperature reach a point that’s hospitable for it to do so.  Just after a storm is the perfect time for mold, fungus, and mildew to start growing and spreading more spores into the air.  Keeping your air drier (at roughly 45% humidity) can help mitigate and mold growth, but if surface moisture from leaks is present, it won’t prevent mold from growing.  The best recourse (especially after a storm) is to run a quick check of your home to look for leaks.

Finding a water leak is never a fun event, but it’s better to find the leak before it leads to damage or an expensive water bill.

Plumbing Leak Detection

First, you should identify whether or not you have a leak within your plumbing system.  Make sure that no water is running in your home.  If that means turning off water to toilets and the water heater, then do so.  Go out and take a look at your water meter (a quick call to your utility billing department can tell you where the meter is) and take a look at the dial.  If it isn’t moving, then no water is flowing through the system.

If the dial does show movement, then you have a leak somewhere.  Turn off the water at your home’s main shut-off valve.  This will cut off all water inside the home.  Check the meter again, if the dial is still moving, then the leak is outside of your home.  Otherwise, the leak is indoors (not a simply problem).

Pressure Leaks:

Water heading toward a faucet, shower head, or even a toilet is under pressure.  If there’s a leak here, it’s usually pretty obvious.  Constantly filling toilets, dripping sinks, or puddles of water will become apparent very quickly if the leak is on a pressurized side of your plumbing system.  A quick visual inspection of your home should reveal the leak.

Return Water:

Returns from fixtures, faucets and appliances are usually gravity assisted, rather than being pumped away.  This makes finding a leak from waste-water lines incredibly difficult.  The signs of a return-line leak are usually caused by puddles, warping floorboards, and stained walls.  To find a leak that hasn’t caused any damage yet, you’ll need a professional to examine your home for the leak.

Once you’ve fixed all the leaks you can find, test the water meter again.  If you’ve fixed everything, the dial will stay steady and won’t show any water moving through the pipes of your home.

Roof Leak Detection

Of course, water leaks aren’t always from faulty plumbing or fixtures in your home.  During and just after a storm, roof leaks are most evident.  Inspecting your roof after a storm is always important to help identify any damage sustained from high winds, hail, or pooling water in the crevices and valleys of your roof.

A visual inspection of your attic and roof is really the best way to find a leak.  Use a pair of binoculars to inspect the roof for damaged shingles, rubber seals around vents and exhausts, and inspect gaskets for damage.  You might need to climb onto the roof for a closer inspection if you’re worried about possible damage or there are places on your roof you can’t see from the ground.  Take a moment to inspect the gutters and any joins for pooling water or trapped debris.  If water is pooling, it will find its way into your home eventually.

If you’re in the middle of a storm, or have just finish one, enter your attic with a flashlight and shine it around the ceiling.  Any water will reflect the light and highlight drips or leaks.  Be sure to follow any leaks to their source, as the drip is usually not the location of the leak.

Once you’ve found the source of the leak, mark it clearly.  Wait until the roof dries off, then climb on top of your roof.  Have someone tap loudly on the leak location so you can find it from the other side.  Inspect the site for damage and repair as necessary.  If you can’t find the source of the leak yourself, it’s best to call a professional repair before the next storm occurs.

PRO TIP:  If you know your roof is leaking, but there’s not a storm in sight, use a little water from a hose to help find the source of the leak.  Keep someone inside the attic with a flashlight so they can find where the leak is coming from while you water the roof.  BE CAREFUL, and make sure you leave a dry area to climb down safely.

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What Causes Water Damage In Homes?

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Even though water is a necessity in homes, it can be destructive if given the chance, which can potentially cost you a lot of money in repairs. Here are some common causes of water damage in homes. For more information, contact a professional who specializes in water damage restoration and mold removal in Plano.

burst-pipe

Leaky or Broken Pipes

One of the most common causes of water damage in homes is leaking or broken
pipes. Leaks can result from corrosion or loose joint connections. Pipes
can burst for a variety of reasons: age and corrosion, invasive tree roots
excessive, water pressure within pipes, and frozen pipes. When water is
unintentionally released from plumbing lines, it can damage your ceiling
and walls, cause wooden beams and joists to rot, and cause your concrete
foundation to swell. The excess moisture can also encourage mold and mildew
to grow rampantly by creating an ideal environment for them to do so.
If you discover a lot of mold in your house, contact a mold remediation
expert immediately.

Clogged Pipes

Your home’s drains and toilets can become clogged, and then back
up into your home. Not only is this situation messy, but it also can be
a serious health hazard, especially if wastewater and sewage is involved.
Also, blocked drains and sewer lines can cause water pressure to build
up in your pipes, which can lead to ruptures or leaks.

Moist Basements

Basements tend to be dark and damp, mainly when little to nothing has been
done to waterproof them. Since concrete is porous, water from the ground
can seep into foundations and raise the humidity level in basements. Unfinished
basements have networks of exposed plumbing pipes, which can be concerning
if they leak or burst. Wet basements are also perfect places for mold
and mildew to grow.

Storm Flooding

Though rare, flooding caused by storms can be potentially disastrous. If
you live in an area where floods are an issue from time to time, take
the necessary precautions to protect yourself from the need for water
damage repair.

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The Mold Remediation Process

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When you’re in need of
mold remediation near Plano, it’s best to know the facts. If you think you have mold,
either by smelling it or seeing it, call a professional mold removal company
to perform a mold inspection throughout your home.

As you can see in the video, a licensed mold removal company will walk
through your home with a mold detector. This will determine if there are
elevated levels of moisture and possible mold in those areas. They will
test walls, under sinks, attics, and crawlspaces. Once they’ve located
the mold, they’ll begin removal using trusted techniques that sanitize
the home. If they have further recommendations against further mold outbreaks,
such as fixing a leaky faucet or removing carpet, heed them. Save yourself
a lot of time, frustration, and money by stopping mold before it attacks.

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How to Prevent Household Mold

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If you suspect your home may be exhibiting mold symptoms near Plano, keep in mind the environmental factors that can lead to mold growth.
Mold’s ideal environment consists of oxygen, a temperature between
72 ºF and 85 ºF, and moisture. An environment that is friendly
to mold is similar to that of you and your family’s home, which
is why mold growth is common in indoor environments. Reducing the moisture
in an area is one of the best ways to prevent mold growth. This can be
done by making sure there are no water leaks in the pipes and walls, and
that there is proper drainage around the foundation of your home.

If you discover mold in your home, the professionals at RestoPros Inc.
are dedicated to mold removal and remediation and have your safety in
mind. We will assess your house with a mold inspection before beginning
the mold remediation process, then use proven techniques to remove the
mold in a safe and controlled way, and later test your air for quality
and safety.

Temperature for Mold Growth

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How to Prepare for Mold Removal

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Have mold in your home? The fastest, easiest, and most effective means of getting rid of your mold problem is to schedule removal with a professional mold remediation company in Plano. Although there is nothing you need to do to get your home ready for mold removal, it’s recommended that you remove valuables, family heirlooms, firearms, and other expensive or personal items from the mold-infested area. And if parts of your home will be blocked or the HVAC system will be turned off for a prolonged period of time, you should stay in a hotel or make other arrangements with friends or family during the remediation.

If you aren’t positive you have a mold problem but fear that you
do, contact a mold remediation provider and schedule a mold inspection.
If testing confirms the presence of mold in your home, you will be presented
with a comprehensive mold remediation plan so you can make arrangements
and prepare for the upcoming mold removal.

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What to Know About Hiring a Mold Inspector

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Indoor mold can pose a serious health risk, especially for people with
allergies and asthmatics. Exposure to certain types of indoor mold can
even be deadly in some cases, which is why it’s important that you
get rid of mold as soon as you spot it in your home. Unfortunately, not
all mold infestations are that easy to diagnose. Most of the time, mold
problems are hidden out of sight in the attic, crawlspace, or behind walls.
Although these mold growths are out of sight, people inside the house
can still breathe in the mold spores and experience the negative consequences
of exposure. The good news is that a mold inspector can quickly identify
if you have a mold problem and where the infestation is located. Here
are some things you can expect when hiring a mold inspector in Plano.

Initial Mold Testing

When you schedule mold testing with a mold remediation company, you should expect a licensed third-party Mold Assessment Consultant to carry out the inspection to ensure there’s no conflict of interest. During this initial testing, air and/or surface samples will be taken and analyzed in a laboratory setting to confirm the presence of mold in your home. You should be provided with a copy of the mold testing results and an explanation of how to interpret the results and what they mean.

Written Mold Removal Protocol

If mold is detected in your home, a mold removal protocol will be created
to outline exactly what steps are recommended to rid your home of the
mold problem. This protocol will give you peace of mind knowing the mold
remediator is not taking advantage of you. If any recommended step doesn’t
make sense, you can get a second opinion from another mold removal provider.

Clearance Testing

After the mold has been removed, the remediation company should bring back
the Mold Assessment Consultant to perform a thorough clearance inspection
to make sure that the air quality inside your home is at a healthy level.
If the Mold Assessment Consultant is satisfied with the results, he or
she will sign a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation.

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How Mold Testing Works

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Mold and mildew in homes can be nasty and potentially harmful. Not only is mold unpleasant to look at, but it also can be a hazardous to your health. Two of the most common ways to have your home tested for mold is by using a store-bought test kit and by hiring a professional. If you suspect that an excessive amount of mold is growing in your home, test for mold in your house near Plano as soon as possible. If a mold infestation is visually detectible, there’s really no need to test for it—that is, unless you’re testing for a specific type of mold like toxic black mold.

You can buy a mold testing kit at your local hardware or department store.
The cost of these kits depends on the manufacturer and how involved the
process is. You either take a sample from a surface in your home or you
can sample the indoor air for mold spores. Once your sample is acquired,
it’s sent to a lab for analysis. Though store-bought kits are helpful,
they are not the most accurate tests. Only a trained and certified mold
remediation specialist can test for mold with precision.

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Could Your House be Making You Sick?

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There are lots of things that can make you sick, but the last thing you
would expect is that your home is causing you or your family to experience
health issues. Your home is supposed to be a safe and comfortable place,
not something that causes you or your family to become terribly sick.
Unfortunately, when hidden mold is in the mix, the inside of your home
is the last place you want to be. Exposure to indoor mold can lead to
a wide range of health problems for you and your family, which is why
it’s important that you schedule mold inspection and remediation
at the first sign of hidden mold in your home. Here’s a look closer
look at these symptoms, as well as other signs of indoor mold and who
to call for
mold remediation in Plano.

Health Effects of Indoor Mold

The type and severity of health effects that result from exposure to indoor
mold depends on a number of different factors, including the type of mold
present in the home and the overall health of the person(s) exposed to
the mold. Exposure to indoor mold is most often associated with symptoms
that mirror a cold or flu (sinus congestion, sore throat, headache, etc.) but more
serious health effects can include internal bleeding, difficulty breathing, and cancer.

Signs of a Mold Problem

If you notice the allergic symptoms described above when you’re at
home but you feel better when you go outside, this is a strong indication
that you have a mold problem. In addition to noticing the health symptoms
of mold exposure, there are other signs that can point to a mold problem
in your home, including strong musty odors and seeing visible mold growth.

Professional Mold Detection and Remediation

Don’t take any chances with your family’s health; if you have
even the slightest inclination that mold is growing in your home and making
your family sick, schedule mold testing with a mold removal company in
Plano. If mold is confirmed, you will be provided with a detailed mold
remediation plan that outlines the recommended steps for improving the
air quality in your home and removing the threat of mold.

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Does Your Home Have a Mold Problem?

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Maybe you’ve suffered a recent flood, or there have been leaks in
your roof or walls lately. No matter the reasons, if you suspect you
might have mold in your house near Plano, you need to consult a mold and mildew removal company right
away. Mold can cause serious health problems, as well as cost you a lot
of money in household damages. Here are a few ways to tell if you have mold.

Something Smells Moldy

Moldy SmellOne of your biggest clues to mold in the house is going to be the smell
of it. It may be a whiff here and there, or a very distinct smell every
time you enter the house. If your home has a history of flooding or water
damage, then even a whiff every once in a while could be enough cause
to think you have mold. Professional removal companies have mold detectors
that can determine 100% if your home has mold.

Something Looks Moldy

Sometimes mold is hidden in the walls, under carpets and flooring, or behind
leaking appliances. You may not always see it, and that’s why a
moldy smell is going to help you diagnose mold. If you do see mold, even
a little bit, don’t ignore it. Mold doesn’t always look black
or brown, like most people might think. It may look like a cluster of
black dots, gray, green or white-colored. If something doesn’t look
right in your home, inspect and clean it right away. If it’s mold,
it could be a symptom of a bigger problem, such as leaks or a bigger mold
colony. Better to nip it in the bud as soon as possible than brush it
off and regret it later.

Something Looks Wet

Sometimes you may not smell or see the mold, but it’s there because
it’s located in a wet location. If you have improperly sealed flooring
or walls in your bathroom, leaky spots in an attic, or leftover flooding
damage, you might have mold growing. Consult your mold removal company for help.

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