ServiceMaster Drying and Recovery Blog

February 14, 2012    

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Water Damage Restoration - What is it? Part 1 of a Series

Have you ever had a water intrusion in your home or place of business? If so, you may be familiar with the process of water damage restoration. If you haven't, you may not realize how often these types of incidents occur, or that there is an entire industry dedicated to restoring water damaged property. Although many carpet cleaning companies advertise themselves as water extraction companies, they may not have the proper training, equipment or technology to sufficiently handle a water loss.

When a property experiences a water intrusion, quick action is essential. First, the source of the water must be located and stopped. Having a water damage restoration specialist like ServiceMaster Drying and Recovery arrive as soon as possible is the best way to ensure that secondary damage (damage to building materials such as drywall, carpet, wood floors, tile, etc.) is minimized or prevented. Water extraction is the next essential step. Shop vacs found in most homes and extraction wands used by most carpet cleaning companies are not able to extract water at the rate of professional equipment built for the sole purpose of water damage restoration. Did you know that professional water extraction is 1200 times faster than evaporation? This means that setting a fan on a wet carpet will take 1200 times as long to remove the water than extracting the water. Wet materials such as carpet, drywall, and even wood floors can be restored back to pre-loss condition after a water damage IF they are dried QUICKLY. TIME is the key to successful remediation.Once water is sufficiently extracted, fans and dehumidifiers must be used to completely dry the structure and contents. Call an expert like ServiceMaster Drying and Recovery right away and you have a much better chance of saving your property and preventing secondary damage like MOLD.

Next in the series: Where did the water come from? It matters...

January 25, 2012

Do you have questions about mold? Do you think that mold may be growing in your home or business? Have you had a water damage occur and are wondering if mold is the result? Here are some common myths about mold:

Myths about Mold   Tweet

Myth No. 1: Mold grows only on paper, wood and other organic material

Facts: Mold will grow on any surface, including glass, fiberglass and even steel. Mold needs three things to grow: 1) mold spores, which are always in the air; 2) moisture; and 3) a food source, which can be as simple as household dust. Houses are constructed using a wide variety of organic materials; as a result, the only effective strategy to control mold is to control moisture.

Myth No. 2: Mold can be entirely eliminated from an indoor environment

Facts: Only "clean room" technologies—which are too expensive and unnecessary for the home or office—can eliminate mold spores. Therefore, the only thing you can control in your home or office is moisture. We all benefit from some molds, including the species that led to the development of penicillin. Mold plays a critical role in the processing of natural wastes such as leaves, grass and branches, turning them into topsoil.

Myth No. 3: Mold is the only moisture control issue of concern

Facts: While excessive moisture causes mold, it also fosters the growth of dust mites and bacteria, as well as attracts cockroaches and rodents. Moisture will ultimately damage finishes and otherwise shorten the useful life of any building. So, not only does excessive moisture make a building less comfortable, it will ultimately diminish the building’s value.

Myth No. 4: If you don’t see mold, you don’t have it

Facts: Mold is an insidious pest that at its very early stages is quite natural and unassuming. Often, mold can be found hiding in spaces around pipes, behind cabinets and under sinks. By the time you know it's there, it can be a significant problem. It may be visible or invisible, even in amplified situations, and therefore only detectable to trained professionals. Control and remediation should be left to experts who understand the potential hazards and practice the best and most current practices.

Myth No. 5: Cleaning visible mold on a surface will eliminate it

Facts: Mold can become latent and reactivate. Tiny mold spores replicate every 24 hours and often grow back. They grow due to a source of water, so the source must be located and repaired for the long-term. It is also much easier to clean off hard surfaces using water and detergent, and then drying the surface thoroughly.For absorbent, porous materials such as ceiling tiles, drywall, and carpeting, surface cleaning is often not enough; the materials should be removed by trained professionals. It is dangerous for unqualified individuals to remove or move materials that have mold; moving mold around often spreads spores increasing the risks to the property and it's occupants.

December 28, 2011                                                Tweet

It is that time of year when we start to put away our holiday decor and really take a good look at our homes. How about a clean start for the new year? Here are some ingredients that can be used to save money on home cleansers - not to mention they are (mostly) non-toxic and do a great job cleaning! Be sure to have these on hand as you begin to get your house in order:

Baking Soda:

Borax:

Cornstarch:

Essential Oils:

Lemons and Lemon Juice:

Salt:

Toothpaste:

Vinegar:

Hydrogen Peroxide:

December 14, 2011

Ten Tips for Christmas Tree Safety        Tweet

ServiceMaster Drying and Recovery offers fire and smoke damage restoration, so we know that this time of year sees an increase in house fires, and unfortunately, the Christmas tree is often the source. Here are ten tips to help you with Christmas tree safety:

1. Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

2. Before placing the tree in the stand, cut one to two inches from the base of the trunk.

3. Make sure the tree is away from any heat source (like a fireplace, radiator, candle, heating vent, or lamp/light).

4. Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.

5. Add water to the tree stand and be sure to add water daily.

6. Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory - some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.

7. Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.

8. Connect no more than three strands of mini strings set or a maximum of 50 scew-in bulbs.

9. Never use lit candles to decorate a tree.

10. Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.