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How long does it take for mold to grow?

May 1st, 2023 | Blog 1st, May at 10:02 PM

When it comes to basements, one of the biggest problems that homeowners encounter is water. Water intrusion can cause a whole host of issues, from foundation damage to property loss. However, one of the more dangerous outcomes of water intrusion is mold growth. Mold can grow quickly and silently, leading to health problems for anyone who occupies the affected space. So, how long does it take for mold to grow in basements? Let’s take a closer look.

Mold is a type of fungus that requires three things to grow: moisture, warmth, and a food source. In basements, where conditions are often damp and cool, mold can take hold relatively quickly. In fact, experts estimate that it can only take 24-48 hours for mold to begin growing once moisture is present.

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When it comes to basements, there are a few common sources of moisture that can lead to mold growth. Some of these include:

  • High humidity levels: Basements are often cooler than the rest of the house, meaning they can be prone to high humidity levels. This moisture can come from a variety of sources, such as leaks, condensation, or improper ventilation.
  • Flooding: If your basement has ever been flooded, you’re at increased risk for mold growth. Even after water has been cleaned up, moisture can remain in the walls, floors, and other surfaces, providing a perfect breeding ground for mold.
  • Plumbing leaks: Plumbing leaks can occur anywhere in the home, but they’re particularly problematic in basements. Because many basements are finished spaces, leaks can go undetected for long periods of time, leading to serious mold growth.

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How long does it take for mold to grow?
mold in your basement
So, how can you tell if you have mold in your basement? Some signs to look out for include:

  • A musty or moldy smell: If you notice a strong, unpleasant odor in your basement, it could be a sign of mold growth.
  • Visible mold growth: In some cases, mold growth will be visible on surfaces like walls or floors. Mold can appear in a variety of colors, including green, black, white, or gray.
  • Health problems: If you or anyone in your family is experiencing unexplained health problems, such as respiratory issues or allergies, it could be a sign of mold exposure.

If you suspect that you have mold in your basement, it’s important to take action quickly. The longer you wait, the more difficult and expensive it can be to remediate the problem. Here are some steps you can take to address mold in your basement:

  • Identify the source of the moisture: Before you can effectively deal with mold, you need to address the underlying moisture problem. This may involve fixing leaks, improving ventilation, or installing a dehumidifier.
  • Clean and disinfect the affected area: Depending on the extent of the mold growth, you may be able to clean and disinfect affected surfaces yourself. However, in more severe cases, it may be necessary to hire a professional mold remediation company.
  • Take steps to prevent future mold growth: Once you’ve dealt with the existing mold, it’s important to take steps to prevent it from reoccurring. This may involve ongoing maintenance, such as regularly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, or making structural changes to improve ventilation and prevent leaks.

In conclusion, mold growth can be a serious problem in basements due to the conditions that are typically present in these spaces. If you suspect that you have mold in your basement, don’t wait to take action. The longer you wait, the more difficult and expensive it can be to remediate the problem. By identifying the source of the moisture, cleaning and disinfecting affected surfaces, and taking steps to prevent future growth, you can ensure that your basement is a safe and healthy space for your family.

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Restoration Management

April 12th, 2016 | Blog, Commercial Water Damage 12th, April at 3:49 PM

When customers contact us to get help for their water damage emergency, we understand that they are in a very vulnerable position. Quite often, they don’t get the opportunity to thoroughly research the company who will be coming into their home to clean up water that is ruining their personal possessions. As we get to know our customers, we understand that restoration management is the key to gaining their confidence.

There are key aspects of restoration management, and specifically for water damage restoration companies the importance is high.

  • Water Damage Restoration Contractor References – Just the other day, a customer called us at 2:30am with news that her toilet had overflowed and was running for about 2 hours. Water was everywhere and she could not reach her insurance company. This particular customer found our reviews on Yelp and she was able to easily ascertain through our multiple reviews that we are reliable, conscientious, concerned and professional. These traits are the hallmark of all of our Yelp reviews and we are proud of them. As a licensed contractor, we are obligated to uphold the integrity of our company or our license could be jeopardized. Not to mention, our method of working, simply put, is “Do Unto Others As You Would Have Done To You”.
  • Communication is Key – We’ve got years of experience handling water damage clean up jobs. It’s our job and we do it every day. But it’s likely that our customers have never experienced a flood in their home. When we walk into a customer’s home, we know that their single largest asset has been damaged by water and, if not dried out fast and efficiently, dangerous mold could cause devastating sickness. We want our customers to be educated and informed as to what we are doing and why. We encourage open communication with our technicians, as well as the water mitigation insurance adjuster, so progress can be made to get the property back into shape quickly. It behooves us to have great communication with our customers.
  • Direct Insurance Billing – No one likes to be gouged in pricing and we have found that our customers respect us more if we continue our transparent communication by keeping our prices affordable. Even if the insurance company is paying for the water damage in their property, our customers want to know that they have chosen a company with high integrity and not just someone trying to make money on their water damage loss. We have always offered pricing based on the industry standard pricing tool known as Xactimate. Xactimate offers a line by line itemization of what the insurance company is being charged for and at what prices.
  • The Fine Details – When all is said and done, we have found that our customers appreciate knowing the fine details concerning their property restoration. How long will it take to get my property back into shape? What will the insurance company pay? Will I have to pay out of pocket for any repairs? How do I pay my insurance deductible? Does the insurance company send me the check or will they pay the restoration company directly? The last thing we want to do is to make our customers feel uncomfortable. Whether it involves the clean up and repair of their property, or the final payment as we pack up our equipment, there are questions that need to be answered without hesitation.

Restoration management is a job not everyone is cut out for. It takes great communication skills, understanding customers and the ability to keep things running smoothly. In the end, we just want the opportunity to do a good job and know that we have helped our customers. Like the lady calling us at 2:30 am, you really have to know who you’re inviting into your home in the wee hours. Luckily, she called a company who cares and who knew what to do.

Is Your Home Showing Signs of Water Damage in Los Angeles?

March 8th, 2014 | Blog 8th, March at 4:27 PM

Water damage in Los Angeles should be a serious concern for every homeowner. There are many ways that water can get into your house, and in many cases, it can be tough to spot the damage before it turns into an expensive and annoying problem.

One of the first noticeable characteristics of an issue with water in your home is small leak in a pipe or even the tiniest drips of a faucet. You may already be cleaning up these telltale problems without even realizing it. When the problem starts to really develop, you’ll start to notice water stains on areas of your ceiling or floorboards that are beginning to weaken and rot out. Once water issues really get going in your home, they can quickly lead to big problems with mold and rotting.

Become your own inspector by taking a look at each room in your home. In the kitchen and bathrooms where leaks most often occur, look for things like water spots in the cabinets, stains on the ceilings and black dots, which indicates mold growth. It’s also a good idea to check around all of your appliances for signs of moistures and water stains.

Check the rest of your house carefully, keeping in mind that basement areas and your attic and roof also need to be carefully monitored for water damage. If you live in an area where cold weather is the norm, look for signs of cracked pipes and tears in the hoses, as these can cause big problems with leaking and water pressure issues. These types of problems must be addressed right away, as they are indicative of an impending problem that could potentially be much more expensive to clean up!

To avoid a full on flood in your basement and in the other areas of your home, take your inspections seriously and call the experts for a professional inspection at least once a year. This is the absolute best way to avoid water damage in your home and can save you thousands of dollars in repairs in year.

State Farm Insurance Water Damage & Flood Protection Tips for Homeowners

March 1st, 2014 | Blog 1st, March at 4:31 PM

Did you know that floods are more devastating to homes than any other natural disaster in the US? It’s a fact that a flood can cause tons of damage to your home, and while you may not be able to avoid it or be able to predict when it will happen to you, there are some things you can do to protect your home from water damage in a flood.

The first step that every homeowner should take is to find out if in their homeowners State Farm insurance, water damage and flooding are covered. Most standard policies do not include coverage for damage that results from a flood, so it’s always a good idea to find before there is a problem. In most cases, federal aid from the government is only available if the flood resulted in a presidential declaration of a disaster area, so it pays to be prepared.

Long before a flood hits, there are steps you can take to minimize the damage that occurs to your home. While it’s impossible in some cases to keep the water out, doing things like elevating appliances and installing backflow valves to prevent water from backing into the areas where it normally drains can make a big difference. It can also be helpful to take steps outside of your home to reduce potential damage. Choosing plants for your landscaping that are resistant to eroding soil can also have a big impact the next time there’s a big storm and can protect your home from water damage. This is a great way to protect your property, and as an added bonus, it can improve the look of your home as well.

Devices that detect water and sound an alarm can also be incredibly helpful when installed in areas like the basement, attic, or any other potentially troublesome areas of your home. With these types of devices, you can receive warning if your water heater fails or if water starts leaking in through a crack in your roof, making it easy to catch small issues long before they have the chance to turn into big problems.

Professional Techniques for Water Extraction in Los Angeles

February 22nd, 2014 | Blog, Commercial Water Damage 22nd, February at 4:54 AM

Most homeowners know that when your home becomes flooded due to a storm or because of a pipe that bursts in your home, there is typically a great deal of cleanup required. This type of specialty work is best handled by a professional team who is trained in dealing with water damage. Getting the water completely out of your home is a very important first step. If you’ve ever wondered how the pros handle water extraction in Los Angeles, then read on!

Unfortunately, water can cause big problems when it floods your living space, but luckily the experts have all the right gear to get the water out as quickly as possible. The exact equipment and methods used will vary by company and by the amount of water that is being dealt with. In general, most companies utilize some type of professional water extraction equipment in order to physically remove water from your floors, furniture and carpets. This is an important first step in any water cleanup and restoration projects, as getting rid of all moisture will substantially reduce the chances of further damage occurring and can also reduce your overall repair costs in the end.

In addition to removing the water, experts in water restoration also bring in professional dehumidifying equipment and drying machines in order to speed up the process and get your home’s humidity back to an optimum level. If the carpets and padding are soaked completely through and don’t respond to the initial drying techniques, then they are typically either pulled up and replaced or they are pulled up and dried out in a separate location. It all comes down to how long the water has been there and how much of the carpeting can be saved from mold and mildew damage.

The best way to ensure that you get complete water extraction and restoration after a flood is to work with a company that you can trust. A reputable company will be willing to answer all of your questions about the cleanup and restoration process and will be upfront with their pricing and about what kind of water extraction processes they use. When you find a company that you can rely on to do the best job for your home, you’ll be able to relax and wait for your home to be restored to it’s fully glory.

What Are Home Inspectors Looking for with Water Damage in Long Beach?

February 15th, 2014 | Blog, Commercial Water Damage 15th, February at 4:55 AM

Have you experienced water damage in Long Beach? If you have recently experienced water damage or are having your home inspected for signs of damage because you are getting ready to list it for sale, then you may be wondering what home inspectors are looking for when they come to your home. Being prepared with some the following helpful information can help make the process easier.

For most homeowner, the big problem with water damage typically isn’t restricted to just one room in the house. Water that seeps in throughout the home through unseen cracks or holes in the foundation or walls isn’t always noticed by the naked eye, but this is just he type of thing that home inspectors are looking. Specially, inspectors take a look at the most common areas of the home where water can get in, including the roof, basement, chimney, foundation and windows, in addition to other areas of the home where water can cause serious damage.

The roof is one area of the home where water damage inspection is incredibly important. A good home inspector will check the roof for signs of leaks, which may include signs on the walls or ceiling and will also look for areas where the roof has become weak or unstable. These are all signs that water damage has caused problems with the roof that need to be addressed.

Your basement is also a key area where water may be causing damage. During a home inspection, the inspector will look for signs of damage in your foundation walls, basement floor and any windows. Damaged areas may be soggy to the touch, have areas where mold has already developed or have developed an odor. In some cases, however, you may not even be able to tell that water damage is present, but an inspector that is trained in what to look for knows exactly how to spot it.

Tips for Sewage Cleanup in Orange County

February 8th, 2014 | Blog, Commercial Water Damage 8th, February at 5:05 AM

Sewage cleanup in Orange County is no laughing matter. If you’ve experienced sewage flooding into your home or your place of business, then you know just how messy and potentially dangerous a sewage backup in your home can be. Sewage isn’t just smelly and gross, it’s also incredibly dangerous, as it’s filled with bacteria and fungal matter that can cause illness. When you clean up sewage properly, it’s possible to get your home or office back to a healthy, safe place to be.

When sewage backs up in your home, it can lead to numerous medical problems, including hepatitis, kidney and liver damage, and even asthma and allergies. As the water and matter flows into and around your home, it leaves behind incredibly dangerous organisms that have to be cleaned up the right way. Professionals that work with water restoration and sewage cleanup deal with these issues on a regular basis. They know that coming into contact with sewage either by handling it directly or by inhaling it when they are around it can be incredibly dangerous, which is why water restoration companies like to act fast when there has been a sewage problem. By getting on top of the clean up process fast, the pros can get your home back to a safe and comfortable state as quickly as possible.

In many cases, taking some simple precautions can prevent sewage backups. First, never put items like grease down your garbage disposal or drain and avoid flushing bulky paper products down your toilet. Second, avoid planting big plants or trees too close to your plumbing lines, or the roots could start to develop around your pipes and cause problems. Finally, consider installing a backwater prevention valve. This handy little device lets sewage flow out of your plumbing line, while keeping it from flowing back in. Taking these easy step can help prevent big sewage problems in the future.

 

When Should Homeowners File Allstate Insurance Water Damage Claims?

February 1st, 2014 | Blog, Commercial Water Damage 1st, February at 5:11 AM

Insurance claims for homeowners that are water related can be tricky to deal with, as most individuals don’t really know what is covered by their insurance policy until they need to file a claim for damage. There are some things that you should know about Allstate insurance water damage claims and claims made to other insurance companies that can make it much easier to deal with water damage in your home.

Being prepared with relevant information is the best way to handle your water damage claim, so it pays to be informed when purchasing a homeowners policy. When you purchase homeowners insurance, be sure to ask about what is covered and what is excluded when it comes to water damage. Keep in mind that policies will differ greatly from one company to the next, so take the time to understand yours fully before disaster hits.

In many cases, homeowners insurance covers water damage claims that result from storms and emergency situations, such as a broken pipe or water heater. You typically won’t be paid for claims that are the result of neglect, normal wear and tear and other cases where the homeowner could have prevented the damage by taking care of routine home maintenance. Ask your insurance company for specific details of what is covered if you aren’t sure.

Depending on the policy that you have and the type of damage you have sustained, you may or may not be covered in cases where the flooding has occurred as the result of an equipment failure (i.e. a broken water heater failing or dishwasher breaking down and flooding the kitchen), a sewage back up, or water from a flooded river. The best thing you can do for yourself is to take lots of pictures of the damage, be prepared to discuss your claim with your insurance agent and be patient with the claims process. By keeping a clear head and being prepared, you can ensure the smoothest possible flood cleanup.

Eco-Friendly Tips for Repairing Water Damage in Malibu

January 25th, 2014 | Blog, Commercial Water Damage 25th, January at 5:15 AM

When your home has been invaded by flooding due to a storm, a broken pipe or other incident, it’s important to take action right away in order to get the situation under control. If you wait too long to clean up after a flood, you could end up with more structural damage, a huge mold problem and extensive property damage that you won’t be able to repair. Luckily, there are eco-friendly ways to keep water damage in Malibu from ruining your home that are effective and safe.

The most important thing to remember when performing eco-friendly water damage clean up project is that a quick response is the key to reducing damage. If your home has water damage, the best thing you can do is to pick up the phone and get in touch with your local water restoration experts. These types of trained and certified technicians move fast to clean up water damage, bringing in industrial dryers, dehumidifiers and other specialized equipment that gets the job done as quickly as possible. Cleaning up the mess as quickly as possible is the best thing you can do for the environment and for your own health.

During a water damage cleanup, it’s important to properly dispose of hazardous materials and to make sure that all trash and contaminated items are properly disposed of. You don’t want to just leave damaged items laying around until you get them to the dump or into a local dumpster. Get rid of your damaged items right away by gathering them together into a big pile and separating out what can be saved and what should be tossed. Specialized containers, trash bags and stick on labels can make this part of the cleanup process much easier to complet

When water removal experts are brought in to perform a cleanup after a flood, they typically use air scrubbers to minimize pollutants in the air and environmentally friendly antimicrobial treatments to reduce mold and mildew. This helps to clean not only the surfaces in your home by the air that you breathe as well.

When Nature Hits: Cleaning Up Flood Damage in Woodland Hills

January 18th, 2014 | Blog, Commercial Water Damage 18th, January at 5:18 AM

If you’ve been hit with a flood, you are probably looking around your home and wondering how to clean up flood damage in Woodland Hills. There are important things to remember about your health and safety when cleaning up after a flood. The most important thing to keep in mind? Flood water is dirty! After a flood, the water that floods into your home is essentially filled with raw sewage, contaminants and bacteria, so it’s important to take some steps to protect your health in order to prevent bigger problems down the road.

If your home has been flooded, don’t enter it without a facemask, heavy working gloves, hand sanitizer and safety glasses. When you are walking through affected areas or attempting some cleanup tasks, you need to make sure that water doesn’t splash up into your eyes, nose or mouth, as you could end up ingesting dangerous germs. It’s also a good idea to wear heavy, waterproof boots and rubber waders to protect your skin and clothing.

For those who are lucky enough to have items that are salvageable after a flood, it’s a good idea to pack them away in big plastic containers or in large moving boxes that have been lined with heavy sheets of plastic or heavy-duty garbage bags. Once you’ve got your belongings together, take them to a clean area where they can be deodorized and sanitized. You may also need to wash them in a standard washing machine to prevent mold and mildew from developing.

Once your belongings and furniture have been removed, the water restoration process can begin. This includes making sure that all water has been removed and that the area is completely dried and then repaired as needed. These jobs are best handled by water restoration experts who know how to get the job done right the first time. Utilizing these types of services is the best way to protect yourself and your home from extensive flood damage.