When most people think of water damage, they instantly think of their property. Can your personal items be restored or replaced? pets

But how does it impact the things most precious to us? How does it impact our pets?

If you have any pets in your home after you sustain damage, remove them as quickly as possible. Different types of pets require different action.

If you have fish, change out the water. Thoroughly clean any materials within the fish tank, such as plants, rocks, and any display items. Move them to a safe part of the home, or to a new home until you complete restoration. 

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1. Assess the damage. If your home is safe to enter, assess the damage and move quickly to begin restoration.photographs

2. Remove any items that can be saved. Move books, photographs, artwork, and other personal belongings to a safe, secure area.

3. Separate and dry photographs thoroughly before replacing in books or frames. Photo restoration services are available to retrieve severely damaged photographs.

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Most homes here in the Denver metro area have basements. And chances are you’ve thought about finishing off an unfinished basement, or basement remodel remodeling it to add some of the newest features on the market today, like a cozy home theater or a custom wine cellar.

Whether your basement is currently unfinished, or needs updating, one thing holding you back may be the chance for flooding and water damage. Who wants to put thousands of dollars into new basement design, only to have water damage a short time later?

While nothing can ever guarantee your house will not experience flooding or water damage, there are some practical steps to take to ensure low risk.

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Mold can grow in the smallest of places, and house sometimes can be very hard to discover. Yet the implications can be severe both to your home, and to your health.

Because Colorado ranks 9th in the United States for incidence of mold and mold intrusion, its important to inspect your home regularly for indications and sources of indoor moisture and mold growth. If you find water or moisture, take steps to eliminate them as quickly as possible. And if you find leaks, or if sudden flooding occurs, it is essential to correct the problem quickly.

·    Stop the source of leak.

·    Remove standing water with mops or with a wet vacuum.

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Water damage can be one of the biggest disasters we face within our home and around our property. Here’s a collection of photographs to show you some amazing water damage disasters, and to help you keep in mind how important it is to fix problems around your home quickly before they turn into disasters.

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image source

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Exposure to mold isn’t healthy for anyone. Yet for some people, the risks of mold exposure are increasingly higher.

  • Young children
  • Individuals with existing respiratory conditions, such as allergies or asthma
  • Persons with a weakened immune system, including people with HIV, cancer, or other chronic diseases
  • The elderly

People that fall into these categories also vary in their sensitivities to hazordous mold mold. Some indoor molds, such as Fusarium and Stachybotrys, have varying levels of toxic properties, called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are not always present, and depend on where the mold is growing, on what type of surface, and under what conditions.

When mycotoxins are present, they occur in both the living and dead mold spores, and may also exist on the materials in which they grew. So even if you have found mold spores and begin cleaning, the mold spores can become airborne and begin producing on another surface.

Currently there is no test available to determine whether mold growth is producing dangerous toxins. Likewise, there is no blood or urine test to determine the exposure to spores or its toxins.

Instead, its important to keep watch for mold exposure, and clean the area thoroughly if any mold growth is found. Use appropriate prevention measures, and contact a mold remediation contractor with any questions.

image source macrophile

Looking for a company to help you repair damages and restore your home to its original condition after a fire?checklist Use this worksheet as you call, email or visit with fire restoration companies in your local area.

1. How long have you been in business? How many years of experience do you have in fire and water damage restoration?

2. What type of industry training have you had? Do you have any certifications? Do your employees all receive thorough training?

3. What type of background checks to you do when hiring employees? Are you insured?

4. What are your prices? Do you offer free estimates? Do you work directly with insurance companies?

5. How long does the process take on average? What type of treatments do you use? Are they safe to be around during the process?

6. What equipment do you use throughout the process? How do you evaluate the condition of the loss?

7. What is your guarantee during the process, and for the life of your work? What signals that your work is complete?

Water damage at any time can be a frustrating experience. Whether it heavy rainfall occurs after a heavy rainfall, and it penetrates through your roof; or a pipe freezes and breaks, and floods out your basement, the damage can occur quickly and be extensive. It can be wearisome sorting through your things, and working with your insurance to get things cleaned up as soon as possible.

The first thing to do is put a stop to the water flow, or contain it to as small an area as possible. After a call to your insurance agent, you’ll probably do best with a restoration company that specializes in water damage.

Not all water damage restoration companies are equal. Always start by asking for experience and referrals. The best companies will have a well trained staff, and have training in everything from proper flood cleanup, to sewer and mold removal, and finally to rebuilding qualifications to put your home back to its original structure.

Also look for a company that can help you work with the insurance company as well as handle the water damage. Because they deal with insurance claims on a weekly basis, they should be able to answer your questions and provide you with the materials you’ll need to satisfy documentation needed by your agent.

The basic restoration process includes:

  • Removal of all items affected by the water
  • Thorough cleaning of ceiling, walls, floors, carpets, furniture, and any other valuables
  • Dehumidifying
  • Correction of the problem that caused water damage
  • Restoration, including repairs, repainting, and repurchasing items destroyed by water

While it is difficult hiring a company for services you’re not quite sure of, trust your instincts. If you’ve done your research, and click with one personality, go with that firm. The key is to have trust, as they will have a major affect on your home and your lifestyle until the job is complete.

image source nespresso

We live with mold every day. health risks from mold

Leave a loaf of bread in the cupboard too long and you’ll soon see a green mold begin to grow.

The problem comes in wet locations where a greenish-black fungi called Stachybotrys Chartarum starts to form. This fungus is considered to be a toxic mold, and can be a major health risk for many people. In particular, it likes high-cellulose material such as dry wall, carpet, wall paper, ceiling tiles, and thermal insulation.

When major flooding occurs in our homes, it’s fairly obvious we need immediate cleanup to avoid potential risks down the road. But it’s not just the large incidents that can bring on the most problems. Plumbing problems, house water leaks, drain blockage, condensation – all can cause major damage over time, and be susceptible to highly toxic mold.

For some people, exposure to toxic mold may have little or no impact or risk. To others, the health hazard is extremely high, often with life threatening results. The trouble is there is no way to assess who is at high risk until the situation arises and it’s too late.

Toxic mold can bring on the following 10 health risks:

1. headaches
2. flu like symptoms
3. sore throats
4. nose bleeds
5. chronic fatigue
6. depression
7. allergic relations
8. aspergillosis, or lung conditions
9. cancer
10. brain damage

Because of the potential life threatening illnesses related to mold, immediate removal is required. The quicker you start the process, the less likely chance of being affected by mold related illnesses.

Please read our other mold related articles:

Can I Use Bleach To Kill Mold

3 Tips To Keep Mold Out Of Your Home

How To Choose A Mold Remediator In Colorado

The water heater broke.

The drainage system backed up. water droplets

Whatever caused the water damage in your home; it isn’t just about removing the water. It’s also about restoring the area to its original condition.

Before you can begin the drying process, the water needs to be extracted from the area. The quicker the water is removed, the less chance you’ll have water damage to the walls, floors, and ceiling.

After extraction, the area should be dehumidified to remove any additional moisture not removed through extraction. Simply drying can cause more damage to the area. Warm air holds moisture. With dehumidifiers, water vapor is collected from the warm air, while constantly circulating dry air back into the area. The process is continued until the area is thoroughly dry.

The faster this process is started, the less chance you’ll sustain damage.

Even in small floods and mishaps, the chance of sustaining major damage is still a possibility. Timeliness and proper equipment is your key to getting your home back to original condition.

[Paul Davis Restoration in Denver Colorado brings you the Dry-In 3 Guarantee. We guarantee your home can be dried out in 3 days, to ensure you the most convenient and economical service for your water damaged home.]

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