Category Archives: Blog

What Exactly Is Black Mold?

A common black mold is called Stachybotrys chartarum. It could also have a greenish hue. It thrives on materials like paper, cotton, and wood. In its airborne spores and fungal pieces, it sometimes creates hazardous compounds.

Mycotoxins are what they are, and eating them may be harmful. There is no association between breathing in Stachybotrys chartarum mycotoxins and fatal illnesses. People with allergies, asthma and other hypersensitivities are in danger, nevertheless.

There is no proof that symptoms like exhaustion, memory loss, an inability to concentrate, or a headache are brought on by black mold. The “toxic mold syndrome” label has been applied to these symptoms, however, this is mostly a result of media hype. However, some individuals are allergic to mold. It must constantly be taken out of your house.

How Does Black Mold Develop?

Molds play a crucial role in our ecosystem. They break down decaying plants and animals. If the circumstances are correct, any kind of mold may develop. Mold spreads and thrives swiftly in the correct environments, which include:

• 40 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit is the temperature range.
• 70% or more moisture content (humidity)
• An adequate supply of food (such as drywall)
• Oxygen

Anywhere in your home that has these circumstances may support the growth of mold. Where the mold is most likely to develop is in:

• Somewhere that has had a water leak.
• Basements, where humidity levels are often greater.
• Any locations that often condense water.
• Any locations where there has not been any flood restoration.
• Bathrooms and other moist spaces with little ventilation.

Symptoms Of Exposure To Black Mold

People who are allergic to mold or those who are exposed to it for a long time may have symptoms as a result. The following are the most typical signs of mold exposure: coughing, drip post nasal, eyes, nose, or throat itch sneezing as well as dry, scaly skin, and a blocked nose.

If you have asthma, use caution. An attack might be brought on by mold exposure. A mold-induced asthma episode may present with any of the following symptoms: respiration difficulty, wheezing, having a tight chest, and coughing.

The Removal of Black Mold

Keep yourself safe

If you discover mold in your home, you shouldn’t be concerned about getting it tested. No matter what kind of mold it is, you should remove it. Prior to attempting to eliminate mold, take safety measures. To prevent inhaling mold spores, use an N-95 face mask. Wear goggles without ventilation holes to protect your eyes, and gloves to protect your hands.

Find the mold and remove it

Finding and doing a water removal for the mold’s water supply is the most crucial step in mold removal. Without moisture, mold cannot develop. So, if an item exhibits mold growth or water damage, it should be thrown away immediately. Moisture is absorbed by porous materials including carpet, padding, drywall, and paper. Over moldy surfaces, you should not caulk or paint. Prior to painting is removing the mold and dry the surfaces as mold will cause painted surfaces to peel. To prevent the spread of mold spores, use plastic sheeting to isolate a moldy area from the rest of your home.
Clean any moldy hard surfaces with soap and water before completely drying them.
Before removing any moldy things from the room, place them in a plastic bag to stop the spread of mold spores, and to catch any of them that may be in the air in your home.

With bleach, use caution

If you’re using bleach to remove mold never combine it with any other home cleaners, particularly those that include ammonia. A deadly gas that may kill you is created when bleach and ammonia are combined so always read and abide by the manufacturer’s instructions before using bleach or any other cleaning product. Also, allow in fresh air when using bleach, and open your windows and doors. Moreover, to protect your skin and eyes from it, put on rubber boots, gloves, and goggles.

Mold Prevention Methods

In order to stop mold from forming in your house, moisture must be managed. The following advice will assist in preventing mold from becoming a problem and avoid the necessity for mold remediation or water damage restoration Bartlett services:

• Reduce the humidity in your home to under 50%. This may be helped with the use of a dehumidifier or air conditioner. Ensure that your home is dry, clean, and has enough ventilation, and eliminate any water leaks right now.
• In the kitchen and bathroom, use ventilation fans. Don’t install carpet in areas that are prone to become wet,  and ensure that damp floor mats are rapidly dry.

How to Spot Water Damage In House?

Numerous events, such as hurricanes, violent thunderstorms, localized floods, broken pipes, and leaky appliances, may result in water damage. It also manifests in a variety of ways. It may enter your walls, floors, and ceilings rapidly or gradually, leaving behind slightly different symptoms of damage in each location. Water damage may happen if a leak is ignored or not discovered right away. Wet rot may lead to structural problems, wood deterioration, mold growth, and other health risks, as well as future financial difficulties. When attempting to find water damage, keep an eye out for these symptoms:

Warning Indicators Of Water Damage
To Your Ceiling

• Paint that is flaking, bubbling, or peeling; fractured surface with tiny fissures or a more extensive spiderweb pattern with a common occurrence of brownish water stains.
• Thriving mold in dark, and damp places like basements, particularly in the crevices between the walls and the roof, and in ceilings that have sagged and bowed.
• Water damage that looks like rust or a dark yellow coloration on the affected area, and if the air has a musty smell.

Warning Indicators Of Water Damage
To Your Walls

• The main sign is plasterboard that has been loosened. You should try to push on the places where water damage is suspected if you can do so safely. Even if the outside of a wall doesn’t seem damaged, water damage may be present if it dips inward or gets depressed.
• Wall discoloration, which is often seen as streaks that extend horizontally from the afflicted location. These streaks may be very short or rather lengthy.
• Paint that’s peeling, bubbling, or has cracks. When water seeps through a wall, it may cause the paint on the outside to shift, which can result in bubbles of varied sizes and a musty odor.

Warning Indicators Of Water Damage
To Your Floors

Keep an eye out for the following indicators of water damage on your floors, keeping in mind that hardwood flooring is particularly vulnerable to it:

When the floor buckles, it might tear up at the seams, and flooring cracking or bubbling due to warping, mold or mildew might be the cause of the floor’s discoloration. Concavity is when the ends of the board rise while the center is somewhat depressed. Also, crowning occurs when moisture in the floor evaporates, causing the center to rise while the sides sink and the boards become rounded. It can appear with scents and fragrances of mustiness

Do You Suspect Water Damage
But Can’t See It?

Watch Out For These Frequent Signs Among
Water Damages!

Black mold, which usually appears in wall and ceiling cracks, is a major health risk in poorly maintained homes, if there was an unexpected jump in the water bill, colorational blemishes, odors and scents of mustiness as well as damaged or distorted walls, ceilings, and/or flooring, flaking layers of paint or paper this indicates the possible need for water damage restoration Bartlett.

If you believe that mold has become an invisible resident in your home or business, then we at CCR Damage Restoration can help you clarify your concerns and eliminate the problem. Our specialists are trained and certified in mold removal, and we can provide you with an accurate and honest assessment of the severity of the problem on your property. We have very accurate inspection techniques and highly sensitive mold testing to help identify and locate mold contamination.

Mold and Mold Spores

Understanding the difference between mold and mildew will help you determine the nature of the problem you are facing. The term mold refers to different specific types of mold or fungi and is used when describing mold growth. Typically, mold is found where there is a high degree of moisture, such as in showers and windowsills.

Mold is a category that includes many species of microscopic fungi that can live on any organic matter, such as ceilings, walls, floors, clothing, and paper. In buildings with basements or sublevels, a noticeable musty odor is common.

Mold spores reproduce naturally, so it is impossible to maintain a “mold-free” structure. If there is dust, there are mold spores. This is a fact and these mold spores pose little threat to the indoor air quality of the property and its occupants. Their health risk will depend on the extent to which the building materials can be kept clean and dry. When mold spores enter your home or business and land on damp surfaces, mold will begin to grow. The presence of mold in a property is not normal and this fact should be addressed promptly whenever its presence is detected by hiring a professional mold remediation service.

Can Mold on walls make you sick?

The answer is yes. Exposure to damp, moldy areas may cause various health issues, especially for people who have respiratory diseases or preconditions, such as asthma, emphysema, and other restrictive respiratory illnesses or are allergic to mold. Symptoms may include:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Skin rash

Anyone having been exposed to mold spores and presenting any of these symptoms, either a single one or associated, should consult your physician, a healthcare provider, your state or local health department, or the Centers for Disease Control’s website, www.cdc.gov/mold.

Mold Contamination & Testing

Often, mold contamination on your property can be found with a quick inspection. Although it may not be visible, your house or place of business may have high quantities of airborne mold. The proper way to evaluate your air quality or mold problem is to hire a professional mold remediation service. The CCR Damage Restoration certified specialists can answer many of your questions over the phone and will also provide you with professional advice regarding your specific situation. Be aware that we even offer free, on-site mold assessments during normal business hours to further address your air quality and mold concerns.

Building material changes, accelerated construction methods, occupant negligence in
managing moisture intrusion and humidity, and an increased reliance on mechanical heating and cooling for comfort have all contributed to a significant increase in recent years of mold growth in buildings. Concerns over air quality have also increased as a result of people’s awareness of this fact, significant media attention, and legal actions.

Assessing individual mold and air quality concerns can be very difficult because professional indoor air quality (IAQ) organizations, state governments, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have not agreed upon threshold exposure limits or levels of visible mold growth that should constitute a concern for occupant and worker’s safety. Since hidden or disguised mold development and contamination due to settled spores (not visible) that are spread from areas of real growth are not taken into account, measuring visible levels of mold growth alone has clearer limits, although not accurate when measuring the problem extent. IAQ and mold treatment are fields that are always changing.

How can I get rid of mold?

Indoor humidity control is the best way to prevent and control mold growth inside the property. When mold is present on your property, fixing the water damage and problem is just as important as removing it. Removing the mold and not fixing the moisture problem will only cause the mold to reappear.

On the question of whether you should call a professional or do the cleanup yourself if the area where mold has developed is less than 1 square meter, you can probably do the cleanup without any problems. However, you should keep in mind the following guidelines suggested by the CDC:

If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covering more than 1 square meter, refer to the EPA guidelines for mold removal.
If you choose to hire a professional mold removal service, make sure they are experienced in mold removal. Check references. CCR Damage Restoration specializes in mold removal and has a team of certified specialists with years of experience.

If you suspect that your heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold, consult EPA guidance

Should your home’s air ducts be cleaned before taking further action?
Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect it is contaminated with mold, as it could spread mold throughout the building or property.

If the water damage and/or mold was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, call a professional experienced in cleaning and remediating buildings damaged by contaminated water.

If you have health problems, consult a health professional before beginning cleanup.
What should be done before proceeding with mold removal?

Here are some useful tips to follow in the presence of mold.
Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible.
Dry all items thoroughly.
Clean mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water and dry them thoroughly.
Throw away all items that are made of absorbent or porous materials, such as carpeting or ceiling tiles.
Wear protective clothing, including long pants, goggles, rubber gloves, and a mask when cleaning mold-covered surfaces.
Clean mold and dry surfaces before painting.
In the case of valuable items or when dealing with fond memories, if you are unsure how to clean them, consult a professional.

No one wants to have a mold problem. But if you are facing this problem, don’t hesitate to call CCR Damage Restoration. We’ll do a comprehensive assessment of your problem and suggest the best plan to fix it.

Water Damage and Mold Growth

If there is any water damage in a residential or commercial property, the only chance to prevent mold growth to start and keep the quality of the air you’re breathing is this one. The majority of property owners in areas with heavy rain are aware of this and that is why they are so afraid of water damage. The likelihood of this kind of damage is proportional to the intensity of the rain. Water damages almost everything, from wood furniture and upholstered items to electronics and home appliances, and may cost thousands of dollars.

We, at CCR Damage Restoration, have the expertise and the proper tools to speed the flood cleanup process up and make it more efficient. Our trained specialists also have the know-how to restore or replace broken objects while addressing the flood cleanup.

Some aspects of water damage are more relevant than others, but as a property owner, the following issues should be considered essential when managing and/or even preventing water flooding:

Know the details of your water damage insurance policy

Prevent basement water flooding
Know your indoor plumbing system and keep it in good condition

Water damage and Insurance
Be aware that there are different types of water damage insurance policies that provide different kinds of coverage.

Property insurance provides coverage for burst pipes caused by rain and wind. In general, damage caused by water running from the top down, such as rain and sprinklers, is covered in the standard homeowner’s insurance policy. Proper property maintenance and knowledge of these types of water damage insurance are some of the best ways to prevent it from
becoming a catastrophic event.

There are TWO main ways to protect your basement from water flooding. The first action would be to seal or reseal your basement. Water enters the basement through cracks in the building foundation or floor slabs. Painting vulnerable areas with a water sealant can prevent water damage in your basement. Another way is to make sure water drains away from the house. After a storm, and especially if the ground is already saturated, rainwater flows into the building, down the outside of the foundation wall, and potentially penetrates through any cracks.

Periodic maintenance and knowledge of your interior plumbing systems are very important aspects of preventing water damage to your job site or home. Be sure to:

• Inspect appliance hoses and faucets.
• Inspect showers and bathtubs.

If you are going to be away from home for an extended period, turn off the water supply to the washing machine.

When leaving, never leave the washing machine or dishwasher running.
Know the location of your home’s main water shut-off valve.
Periodically inspect plumbing and heating pipes.

At CCR Damage Restoration all water damage consultations are free. We know how serious and important this type of situation is and we are aware that in these cases professional help is more than advisable, it is essential. CCR Damage Restoration has well-trained, experienced, and committed specialists you can rely on when these difficult and uncertain circumstances strike.

We know that this is a lot of information to digest, but our water damage restoration crew is ready to help you. If you have a water damage emergency in your home or business, it’s important that you act quickly to minimize the losses and prevent damage to the structure. Contact us for professional assistance.

Water is a very dangerous element that can cause extensive damage to one’s home which can result in costly repairs for the tenant. What makes it even worse is that when water penetrates your structure it comes from every angle at the same time and can trap you with nowhere to go!
Make sure you take preventative measures to keep the damage from becoming unsalvageable. Being aware of what causes water damage is the first step to understanding the steps you need to take going forward if you ever find yourself caught in one of these terrible situations.
Here are water damage causes that homeowners need to be aware of.

• Leaky Water Pipes

It’s common for most homeowners to underestimate the damage that bad water pipes in their homes can cause. Pipes are sometimes in the walls, the attic or even sometimes located in your basement. Though they can not be seen you still want to be cognizant that they are present in your home and if extreme water pressure, material deterioration, or water temperatures become unmanageable you could have a catastrophic event on your hands.
To take precautionary measures you should always analyze the integrity of your pipes to make sure they are in good working condition. Another step you can take is keeping your water heater turned down low to prevent cold shock from occurring,

• Clogged Drainages

Clogged drains go overlooked a lot of the time as an insignificant problem. However this can balloon into a huge problem if not kept in check.
When you leave this issue unattended you may get a water build up that can lead to water damage and mold growth. Understand that mold grows better in environments that include moisture.
The first step in solving this issue is finding out what caused the problem in the first place. There are a couple things you can look at to find this information such as leftover food, hair, or even toilet paper in your drain. If you notice anything unusual about your drainage consult a professional for help with this manner. A water damage restoration Lake Forest contractor can clear your pipes and get you back up in running in no time.

• Malfunctioning Appliances

Malfunctioning appliances can be another culprit for water damage that you should consider. This issue could be solely involving the actual hardware, the wiring or the tubing inside of it. These three things are usually involved to some extent if you’re having a problem.
Picture this scenario playing out in your mind. Imagine you have a broken HVAC system in your home. Your HVAC system can bring about leaks in your walls and leave you with a water damage ceiling problem. This issue often calls for a HVAC professional to come and take a look at your system to get to the root of the problem before fixing it. To mitigate these issues you want to get your appliances checked consistently for signs of deterioration. Another step you can take is to read the instruction manual of any appliances you are using and understand what safety measures you need to take to ensure that they are functioning properly.

• Blocked Gutters

Blocked gutters can signal that you have a serious situation on your hands. Blocked gutters occurs when water can’t flow uninhibited through your gutters. This issue can result in water building up on your roof and causing leaks and mold within your structure.
From the naked eye your gutter will look visibly clean but there is more than likely an underlying problem right beneath the surface. It’s imperative to regularly check the joints and pipes especially if you have a gutter that is well above the ground.
If you do notice anything clogged it is best practice to consult a professional to get it cleared up for you the right way.
Conclusion
Water damage is a well known issue among homeowners and can result in costly repairs. It’s a problem that can cause havoc to every part of your home at any time of the year. With that being said there are ways to prevent this from becoming a catastrophic event.
Understanding what causes water damage will go a long way in helping you to keep your home safe. In the event that you do run into a situation where you encounter a major leak or anything else we are the professional flood cleanup crew you need help fix the damage and get your structure back in working condition in no time.

We provide water restoration services for you to keep your family safe from these harmful occurrences. We are experienced in finding the source of your problem and attacking it head on from start to finish.