How To Get Rid of Black Mold

9/11/2023 (Permalink)

Mold growing in residential home in Colorado Spings, CO.

If you smell a musty odor in your home in Colorado Springs, CO, a mold inspection is in order. You may have fungus hiding under cabinets, in the attic or in your air conditioner ducts. Locating the problem is only the first step to solving it, though. Here is some helpful information to know before mold mitigation experts arrive at your home.

Information About Mold Mitigation You Need To Know

Where Is Stachybotrys Typically Found?

Stachybotrys, or black mold, needs a warm, wet area that contains cellulose fibers to thrive. There are several common places where it can be found:

• Drywall
• Carpet
• Ceiling tiles
• Wood furniture
• Wood paneling

Once a growth gets started, it can multiply quickly. An air test may not reveal stachybotrys strain, because it is often dampened down by extreme moisture. This, however, can make it especially difficult to get rid of without professional mitigation.

How Do Specialists Mitigate Mold Damage?

After the mold inspection reveals the location and extent of the problem, the real work begins. Mold may be black or greenish in color and can infest a whole wall. Once it starts growing down into the pores of the drywall, a surface cleaning won't suffice. The materials must be completely torn out to get rid of it. Once all the house mold is gone, the remaining surfaces must be cleaned and dried to prevent additional growth. Before technicians can rebuild the structure and bring in new flooring and ceiling tiles, an additional test is helpful to ensure that no fungus problem remains. Restoration is the final step to getting your house back to normal.

If you suspect you have stachybotrys or any other black mold in your home, a professional mold inspection can give you the confirmation you need to start the mitigation process. No matter what kind of mold you have, prompt attention and thorough remediation are vital steps for getting rid of it.

What Do I Do if My Fire Sprinklers Accidentally Discharge?

8/31/2023 (Permalink)

Consider these tips if your Fire Sprinklers Accidentally Discharge.

Many commercial building owners are wary about having a fire sprinkler system in their commercial buildings because of the risk of it accidentally discharging and flooding the building. Although the chance is minuscule, there are no guarantees that something won't happen at some point.

If your Colorado Springs, CO sprinklers do go off for whatever reason, getting the water deluge stopped quickly is the primary goal. If you can contain it right away, you can typically avoid significant water damage. There are various reasons why fire sprinklers sometimes discharge unexpectedly.

• Overheating
• Freezing
• Defects and Damage
• Corrosion
• Vandalism

Steps To Take After an Accidental Discharge

Getting a fire sprinkler inspection once a year can help prevent accidents. An inspection can also ensure your sprinkler system will work properly if you need it. If, by chance, you've experienced this misfortune, you know it's essential to understand what steps to take to immediately begin mitigating the damage.

1. Cut Off the Water Supply

First, shut off the sprinklers' water supply. If it's just an accidental discharge, you can do it yourself. However, if they went off due to a fire, the fire department would have to turn them off.

2. Call For Help

Most likely, you won't be able to shut off the water in time to avoid a lot of water in your building. It's best to hire flood damage restoration specialists to handle the job. This company can do most of the work, such as extracting the standing water, removing unsalvageable materials, cleaning, sanitizing, drying, and repairing structural damage. They have industrial-grade equipment such as water pumps, fans, and dehumidifiers for fast, effective remediation. They can also perform an inspection when they finish the job to make sure you can avoid mold growth. Hiring professionals can give you peace of mind knowing your building is returned to its preloss condition.

3. Detail the Damage

As soon as you get everything under control and can safely do so, it's best to document the flooding and other damage with notes, photos and videos to show your insurance adjuster for a more accurate claim. They will want proof of the damage from as close to the time of the occurrence as possible.

4. Contact Your Insurance Company

Next, contact your insurance company to commence the claim process. They will probably send an adjuster to survey the damage in person. The restoration company will likely bill your insurance company directly for the work they perform; this should avoid out-of-pocket costs, at least in the short term.

5. Salvage the System Parts

In the case of an accidental discharge, it's helpful to save as many of the sprinkler parts as you can. Doing this can help professionals determine why the system was activated. When your fire sprinklers go off for seemingly no reason, you can incur a significant loss.

However, the risk of a fire is greater than the risk of flooding from an accidental discharge, so it's definitely preferable to have a sprinkler system in your building. At the same time, it can also prove beneficial to know what actions to take if the worst happens. Taking quick action can help you mitigate the loss as much as possible.

Why Board Up Services Are Necessary After a Fire

8/31/2023 (Permalink)

Board up home in Colorado Springs, CO, after fire damage.

If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a fire in your Colorado Springs, CO, home, there are many steps you need to take to help restore your living space. While you go through the recovery process, it’s important to have board-up services performed on your home to help protect it from further damage. Here are some of the main benefits of having your home boarded up during the fire cleanup process.

Helps Prevent Further Damage

While you’re already dealing with costly fire damage, the last thing you want is for your home to become exposed to additional harm. Failing to have your building boarded up in the aftermath of a fire can make it vulnerable to elements such as:

• High winds
• Water
• Debris
• Animals

Be sure to cover up any holes in your roof or walls by using emergency board-up services in order to keep further damage at bay.

Satisfies Insurance Requirements

In many cases, your insurance company will require you to take reasonable measures to prevent additional harm to your home after a fire. These measures may include board-up or tarp over services. In order to have your insurance claim approved, make sure you have restorative services performed on your home as soon as possible.

Keeps Away Intruders

If your home is left exposed after a fire incident, it can invite intruders to cause further damage. Whether they steal your property or access your private information, home intruders can find many ways to wreak more havoc on your living space. When you have your home boarded up by professional services, you can prevent intruders from entering your home and causing more distress.

Contacting an emergency restoration company to perform board-up services can safeguard your home after a fire incident. It's crucial to take this simple step to protect your living space from any additional forms of damage.

Is Your Water Heater Making Strange Noises?

8/31/2023 (Permalink)

Make regular maintenance on your water heater to avoid damage in your Black Forest, CO, home.

Water heater noises are not unheard of, but they can definitely be not only annoying but also worrisome. Is the noise indicative of a problem with the appliance, or is it just getting older? You should hire professionals to regularly maintain your Black Forest, CO, home's appliances to keep them running at their best. However, there's a good chance at some point in your water heater's life you'll hear it making sounds.

What Is Causing All the Noise?

1. The Top Heating Element Is Loose

The top heating element on your electric heater could make a humming noise. When cold water flows into the tank, it can cause the heating element to vibrate, which causes humming. This issue can usually be solved simply by tightening the heating element.

2. Sediment and Minerals Have Accumulated

Mineral deposits and sediment can begin building up in the heater's tank, gradually accumulating over time. The mineral deposits tend to coat the tank's interior while the sediment will settle at the bottom. Mineral buildup is more of an issue in locations with hard water. When the water heats, the minerals traveling within the water will separate and stick to the inside of the tank (i.e., limescale buildup). As the water heats up, steam builds up underneath sediment. The bubbles can make a loud popping noise. A water heater flush should be performed occasionally as part of the maintenance process so that this buildup doesn't get out of control. A rumbling sound can happen due to similar circumstances, indicating that the sediment buildup has become significant.

3. Water Pressure Is Fluctuating

If you hear a ticking sound, your plumbing could be experiencing pressure fluctuations. It could be coming from one of the water inlet or outlet nipples if they have a heat trap. These types of nipples improve the energy efficiency of a water heater but can cause noises at times.

4. Water Flow Is Being Blocked

Do you hear your unit making noise when you run the hot water? If you hear a sizzling noise, it could mean that water flow is being restricted.

5. The Water Source Is Causing Issues

Maybe you hear a popping sound coming from the water heater. In this case, it could be the anode rod if it's made of aluminum. Aluminum can react with a high pH level, causing aluminum hydroxide to form a gel-like material in the tank. If this happens, you'll need to flush the tank and replace the anode rod with one made of magnesium that won't create a reaction.

6. Condensation and Leaks Are Occurring

If you hear a sound like running water coming from the unit, you may have a pipe leak. You could also get a sizzling sound from the appliance if you have a gas heater with a condensation problem. If you don't catch this issue right away, you may not only need a plumber but also a water damage restoration professional.

Water heater problems can be annoying and possibly even damaging to the unit and your home. Anytime you hear strange noises, be on the safe side and have someone inspect your heater and plumbing.

Mold Prevention After Flooding

8/18/2023 (Permalink)

Mold growth in Colorado Springs, CO.

If a heavy storm floods your home in Colorado Springs, CO, you want to call water damage specialists right away. Delaying remediation can lead not only to further saturation and subsequent damage but also to secondary issues such as mold growth. To keep rampant fungus from invading your home, you must have water damage repaired as soon as possible.

3 Steps For Mold Prevention After Flooding

1. Water Removal

Getting rid of excess water after a flooding event entails more than just pumping the standing water out of your living room. There are many places unwanted moisture can hide:

• In crawl spaces
• Behind walls

2. Under carpets or tiles

Mitigation experts know exactly where to look to dry your home and prevent secondary damage. They understand each step they need to follow to head off secondary damage at the pass.
Fast Remediation
Mold growth can occur within as little as 24 hours after a flood. Mold feeds on moisture and bacteria, and that's exactly what constitutes the floodwater that invades your home. If you hesitate to call the professionals or try to deal with the problem on your own, you may end up costing yourself a lot of money in the long run.

3. Thorough Cleanup

Even if you do call for water damage repair as soon as the storm passes, widespread destruction throughout your area can present a challenge to timely remediation from local services. If mold removal has to be added to the list of services you need for your home to be restored, it's imperative that the cleanup job is thorough. Mitigation professionals know that they must do more than wipe down the surfaces where mold is showing. They may have to tear out and replace porous materials that the fungus infiltrates to keep it from coming back.

Getting rid of the water in your home after a flood in a timely manner solves more than one problem. It gets your home back to normal faster and prevents further complications such as mold growth.

3 Times When Fire Damage May Not Be Covered by Insurance

9/15/2022 (Permalink)

A fire can leave severe damage to your building.

Property insurance usually provides coverage for damage caused by a home fire. However, there are circumstances where most property insurance policies will not cover the damage. These are three of the most common.

3 Most Common Times When Fire Damage May Not Be Covered by Insurance

1. The Fire Was Deliberately Set by the Homeowner

Arson is a criminal act where someone deliberately sets fire to their own property or the property of another. Almost all insurance policies exclude coverage for intentional and criminal acts. If you or a member of your household deliberately set fire to your property, then your insurance company will probably deny the claim and you may face criminal prosecution. However, the insurance company has to be able to prove that the fire was started by arson.

2. The Fire Was Caused by an Act of War

Most insurance companies also exclude coverage for damage from a home fire that occurs because of an act of war. Fortunately, there are few times when this exclusion would ever come into play. Actions that may be considered acts of war include insurrections, revolutions, invasions, military coups and terrorism. This exclusion exists because of the potential cost of claims and the difficulty involved in computing an appropriate premium to charge.

3. The Property Is Vacant

Most insurance policies exclude damage caused by a vacant home fire if the fire was deliberately set. This is because policies exclude damage caused by vandalism or malicious mischief when a building has been vacant for more than 30 days before the loss. However, this provision is a topic of legal debate and whether your insurance company can exclude coverage for fire restoration largely depends on the legal interpretation of the courts in Black Forest, CO.

Most damage from a home fire is covered by property insurance; however, there are times when exclusions may apply. Your insurance company must be able to prove that the damage falls under one of the exclusion clauses in your policy to successfully deny a claim.

3 Ways SERVPRO Is Faster To Any Size Disaster

9/15/2022 (Permalink)

Faster To Any Size Disaster

As one of the leaders in the restoration industry, SERVPRO prides itself on making damage from storms, water, fire and mold “Like it never even happened." SERVPRO's more than 1,700 nationwide franchises are Faster To Any Size Disaster for a variety of reasons.

SERVPRO is Faster To Any Size Disaster 

1. Highly Trained Professionals

Each of SERVPRO's 1,700 franchise locations is staffed by highly trained restoration specialists. This has helped make the franchise a trusted leader in the industry and a preferred vendor for many local and national insurance companies. SERVPRO knows how to get an insurance claim processed quickly and effectively.

2. Residential and Commercial Services

Whether your client is a homeowner or a business owner, SERVPRO has the skills and training to be Faster To Any Size Disaster. Franchises provide emergency flood damage restoration, total home cleaning, mold remediation, fire damage restoration, storm damage restoration and cleaning services to residents in Colorado Springs, CO.

Additionally, SERVPRO professionals work hard to restore the appearance and function of commercial properties to make it “Like it never even happened.” Franchise professionals have the expertise and training to handle both large and small commercial restorations and there is always a location nearby to help with commercial fire or water damage restoration, commercial mold remediation, commercial cleaning services and commercial storm and disaster recovery.

3. Always Available

SERVPRO franchise professionals are available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Whether a disaster happens in the middle of the workweek or the middle of the night on a Sunday, SERVPRO is Here to Help. Franchise professionals know that insurance adjusters are busy and clients want to get back to their normal lives as fast as possible.

The team at SERVPRO knows how to leverage the network of SERVPRO franchises to get results for customers fast. You can count on SERVPRO to be Faster To Any Size Disaster whether you are dealing with a major storm, a small fire or anything in between.

How To Safely Clean Up Water Damage

9/15/2022 (Permalink)

Damage from a broken pipe can be troublesome.

A broken pipe has created quite the mess in your home. Everything is wet, items are ruined, and you're faced with cleaning up the mess. While you wait for a water restoration company in Colorado Springs, CO, it's tempting to get inside and tackle the chaos. Be careful though. Water damage can have hazards, and it's best to remain safe. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you clean up the property.

3 Tips To Clean Up Water Damage 

1. Survey Electrical Damage

Before working in the room, look around for electrical threats. Check for water in home appliances and outlet areas. If this has occurred, then wait for the professionals. You should also head to the electrical box and turn off the circuit breakers to the impacted areas. Do not use televisions, fans, or vacuums. Think safety first.

2. Remove and Protect

When the broken pipe burst, it released an overwhelming amount of water, drenching floors and walls and ruining personal items. Save what you can by removing the damp belongings, particularly those with coloring. Allow these to dry on a porch or in a garage, any place that minimizes additional discoloration. Furthermore, remove any toys or objects that could help create space and make it easier for the repair crew.

3. Clean up the Water

When picking up after flooding, you need to prioritize drying out the room. One thing you can do is turn the air conditioning down to combat moisture. In addition, you'll want to locate a mop (not a vacuum) and begin wiping up the floor. Grab towels and wipe down the furniture. In fact, place aluminum foil underneath chair and sofa legs to create a barrier between the wet ground the furniture.

Damage from a broken pipe can be troublesome. If you want to begin to clean up, take precautions. Turn off the electricity. Then, salvage items by removing them to another room. Ultimately, you'll want to dry the room out as best as possible.

4 Things To Know About Water Damage

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

Mold growth due to untreated water damage.

Out of the disasters that people worry about when it comes to their homes, water is among the top. A pipe burst or leak can create thousands of dollars in damage, requiring the expertise of a water mitigation company in Black Forest, CO. For the average homeowner, there are several things you may not understand about water damage, but there are at least four things you should.

4 Facts About Water Damage

1. It's Compounding

Water damage does not occur in its own little bubble. The damage quickly spreads and evolves. For example, a small leak in a water line may seem minor, but if left untreated for too long, it can lead to mold growth and other issues. When faced with a water emergency, time is of the essence.

2. It's Expensive

While most water problems can be mitigated early before the costs swell, many issues occur behind walls, which means that by the time a homeowner is aware of the issue, significant damage has occurred. The best way to prevent hidden problems is to have an annual or semiannual assessment of your home's plumbing.

3. It's Salvageable

While a pipe burst can seem beyond repair because of the level of harm to your house, it is not. There are dedicated mitigation companies for water damage repair. While the damage may be extensive, most of the time, it is repairable.

4. It's Avoidable

The most common misconception of water problems is that they are unavoidable. Most water crises are avoidable with proper prevention measures. For example, many people fall victim to flooding every year, but with the installation of a sump pump or backwater valves, you can limit your risks, if not eliminate them.

Are you ready for water damage? Do you know how to avoid it? Contact a local water mitigation service to discuss prevention methods and to ensure that you are informed about all water damage possibilities, even a pipe burst. Do not let your home fall victim to preventative issues.

Important Steps to Take After Fire Sprinklers Discharge

7/31/2022 (Permalink)

A fire sprinkler.

Your business in Colorado Springs, CO, could experience the impacts of flooding from a variety of sources. While a strong storm with heavy rains remains the most likely culprit, your building could also have a catastrophic plumbing breakdown. Another possibility is the discharge of your fire sprinkler system while putting out a fire; even an accidental sprinkler discharge, though rare, could release hundreds or thousands of gallons of water into your facility. When fire sprinklers go off in a commercial building, the following steps should be taken.

Cleaning Up Water Damage After a Sprinkler Discharge

Stop the Water From Flowing

Quickly after a fire has been put out, or immediately in the case of an accidental discharge. the water from the sprinkler system should be turned off. This will stop water from soaking flooring, ceilings, furniture and other valuable items. Limiting the amount of water that discharges is one of the most effective ways to limit water damage to your building. All managers and all maintenance workers should know the location of all relevant shut-off valves for the facility.

Call a Local Restoration Company

As soon as things are under control, a call should be made for commercial building restoration services. A team of highly-trained workers will arrive within a couple of hours and begin to inspect and assess the damage to your building. The lead workers will take action to ensure the building is safe, and then they will formulate a comprehensive restoration plan.
Each plan will cover water removal, drying and cleaning and sanitizing. The final stages will cover repairs and construction of damaged structures. One qualified company can perform all of these services.

Contact Insurance for Flooding Coverage

Each water event is handled differently by insurance companies and your coverage will depend upon your policy. In many cases, a fire sprinkler discharge, whether accidental or necessary, is covered by insurance. An experienced restoration company should be able to work together with the insurance adjuster and your company. This provides accuracy and speed and often leads to quicker and more reliable reimbursement for damages and claims.

Inspect the Finished Work

The goal of any professional restoration company is to return your building to its original condition before any flooding occurred. For your satisfaction, take a look at all the work that was done. Make sure that all repairs match the original look of the building. Watch out for any remaining stains or discolored areas. There should be no unpleasant odors coming from the damaged area.
With water damage, it is also important to be on the lookout for mold growth. If the wet area was not properly dried, mold could begin to become visible in a week or two. A professional restoration company will test the humidity of your facility and monitor the situation for any type of secondary damage.

No matter the source, the flooding of your business can be a challenging situation and it calls for a number of timely actions. The restoration process should go smoothly so long as you immediately reach out to an experienced mitigation team.