How Leaky Roofs Cause Moldy Ceilings

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

A leaky roof cause a moldy ceiling

When your property in Atascocita, TX, suffers roof damage, you probably do not think about other problems that might spring up as a result. However, if the leak goes unchecked, you could find yourself looking at a dark spot on the ceiling and wondering if it is black mold.

Signs of a Leaky Roof

A roof leak can go unnoticed for some time, but there are signs that will tell you that you need to do a quick inspection for water damage:

• A musty attic
• Dark spots on ceilings and walls
• Decaying wood in the attic
• Damaged or missing shingles
• A ceiling leak or skylight leak
  
  

If you notice any of these signs, you should have a commercial restoration and mold remediation expert inspect your property. It takes time for water to get through your roof, layers of insulation and into your ceiling, so the problem could be larger than you think.

How Leaks Help Mold Grow
Stachybotrys chartarum, or black mold, is the most well-known, but many kinds of fungus can settle into your building because of a roof leak. No matter the type, all mold needs three things: moisture, food, and a warm environment. A leaky roof can provide all three of these essentials by letting moisture into attic spaces that contain porous materials such as wood, insulation and drywall that, once wet, lack the proper ventilation to dry out.

Fixing the Problem
If you find that you have a leaky roof, the first step to preventing any further issues is to fix it. Because the damage could be more extensive than it seems, hiring professionals to handle repairs and any resulting mold issues is the safest way to go.
Dealing with any kind of mold, not just black mold, is a business owner’s nightmare, but with early detection and the right help, your building will be back to working condition in no time.

What You Need to Know About Mold Growth

7/31/2022 (Permalink)

Mold damage in a home in Houston, TX.

What You Should Know About Mold Development

 When you own a home, you may sometimes experience certain problems. One common issue you may face is the growth of black mold. If this is your first time seeing mold in your Houston, TX, home, then you may have some questions. The following information can help.

1. Why Does Mold Grow in Your Home?

Mold is a fungus that exists in most environments, which is why black mold growth is so common. If it has shown up in your house, the most likely reason is that you have some water damage. This fungus needs moisture to grow and, once it has it, can spread quite rapidly. In some cases, a colony may appear in just a day or two.

2. Will It Go Away On Its Own?

You might be hoping that if you just leave it alone long enough, the mold will simply go away. However, this is not the case. In order to remove it, you will need to have mold cleanup done, preferably by a professional. During this process, the area should be blocked off to prevent mold spores from spreading to other areas of the house. Once this has been done, the growth will be removed, and the area will be thoroughly dried and sanitized.

3. How Do You Keep It From Coming Back?

The key to preventing mold from returning is keeping moisture at bay. If you have had mold growth in the past, it is likely to return if you are not careful. Whether it is from a leaky pipe, storm damage, or high humidity, a moisture problem will make it easy for the fungus to grow. Proper maintenance, regular cleaning, and using a dehumidifier can help keep this from happening.
If you have black mold in your home, you shouldn’t ignore it or try to get rid of it on your own as this can result in further damage. A mold remediation specialist will have the necessary training, experience, and equipment to safely and thoroughly remove the growth.

3 Tips for Creating a Business Inventory for Your Insurance

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

A simple inventory list can make a big difference when filing an insurance claim for your business in Crosby, TX.

Tips On Creating Your Inventory List

Today, technology has made creating a business inventory easier than ever. Smartphones and tablets have brought the tools you need to your fingertips. A simple inventory list can make a big difference when filing an insurance claim for your business in Crosby, TX. It will prevent you from having to try to recount all of your equipment and belongings to an insurance agent. This means you can spend your time focusing on choosing a disaster remediation company. This is especially helpful if your business has been around for a while and accumulated many things. Here are some tips on creating your inventory list.

1. Make a Video
An insurance claim can result in a big payout if you have proper documentation. A video offers irrefutable evidence and quickens the amount of time you will receive your money. Therefore, creating a video of your items can be a big step for protecting your business. In other words, this is a crucial task. Try to get all of your business items in the video.

2. Keep It Simple
This is neither a movie nor a documentary, so you don't need to worry about good lighting or editing. Just take a video camera and walk through each room of your business. Open all of your closets or storage containers and film these items. You can talk about each item if you want, or stay silent.

3. Focus on Expensive Items
Any high-end electronics or equipment in your business will need special attention. Make sure you get these items in the video, along with any model and serial numbers. Not only can this give you a better payout, but it can help the restoration company, such as SERVPRO, establish proper remediation procedures.
You don't want to rely on memory when recounting your business' inventory for an insurance claim. Instead, create a simple video that focuses on high-dollar items so you can get the most out of your insurance company.

Pretesting and Insurance Claims

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

24/7 Immediate response to any type of loss.

Most insurance agents and claims adjusters know that pretesting is an important part of the claim process after residential damage has occurred in Harmaston, TX. This testing reduces claims expenses, as any property that is deemed restorable is less expensive than that which must be completely replaced. Fortunately, SERVPRO can help with this stage and other parts of the claims process through its damage assessment and other related restoration services.

How Does SERVPRO Help?

This residential restoration company helps insurance agents and adjusters quickly yet carefully assess the restorability of property:

• Technicians can provide a quick and efficient assessment of residential damage from fire, water, or mold that includes the crucial pretest step.
• 24/7 response teams are available for most emergency situations.
• Local and corporate resources are available for insurance providers and homeowners at each franchised SERVPRO location.
• Each location has the ability to provide an itemized inventory list of losses in Excel format to any insurance company as needed.

SERVPRO is also a “Preferred Vendor” for most agencies, so insurance professionals know that they are working with some of the best technicians in the industry when they work with a SERVPRO team during pretesting and other stages of the insurance claim process. These professionals are here to assist homeowners, insurance agents and claims adjusters every step of the way by providing the most thorough and helpful damage services possible.

Here to Help

The claims process needs to be as quick and painless as possible for both insurance companies and their clients. Working with a local Harmaston, TX, SERVPRO team can help an agent or claims professional keep everyone as happy as possible while saving money for everyone along the way. Pretesting is important, but it is not always easy to accomplish with some restoration teams. SERVPRO understands that this process is a necessity and will complete it carefully and thoroughly.

Recognizing Mold – What It Is and Isn’t

1/30/2022 (Permalink)

Mold can grow anywhere.

Most property owners know to have a high index of suspicion if you see something black and furry growing on your walls. But do you really know what’s black mold and what’s something else? Knowing the difference can make a big difference for your wallet, not to mention your peace of mind. A house mold inspection is your best bet but here are also a few tips for knowing what is mold in your Pittsville, TX, home, and what’s not mold.

Understanding Mold

Recent years have seen mold gain lots of media attention. It’s not always harmful – indeed, some forms are used to make medicines. But some of the nastier sorts have been linked to:

• Unpleasant smells
• Damaged property

What Mold Isn’t

Surprisingly, there are numerous mold lookalikes.

- Mildew
This actually is a kind of mold. But mildew tends to grow on flat surfaces and causes far less damage than mold.

- Dirt
With its black, sooty and caked-on appearance, dirt can be a surprising lookalike for mold. But even stubborn dirt doesn’t require professional removal – just a sponge and some elbow grease.

- Soap Scum
Gathering in wet areas, soap scum can also darken and look like mold. But soap scum doesn’t tend to smell and like dirt, it’s easily removed with a little effort. A mold inspection can help spot the difference.

What Mold Is
So, we know what isn’t mold, but what is? You can get some general clues if what you are seeing is:

• black and velvety in appearance
  
• has a musty odor
  
• doesn’t wipe off
  
• is in a dark area
  

The best way to know what you’re dealing with for sure is to get a mold inspection. Next, you’ll know what steps to take for mold removal and to ultimately get your property back in tip-top condition.