Blog Archives

3 Ways to Avoid Water Damage in Port Republic, N.J.

2/25/2022

What is a water damage? It’s anything that happens in your home that causes problems for you and your family.

It can be a simple over-flowing of a sink onto the kitchen floor. Or perhaps a toilet didn’t flush properly and it sloshed out a bit onto the bathroom floor. Then again it can be a little more serious such as from a broken pipe that spewed water everywhere in the basement when it was time for spring watering of the flowers.

No matter what, a water damage in your home is bad news. Even the tiniest bit of water can cause all kinds of problems, from the worse (mold damage) to the least (pesky odors).

There are three things you can do to help prevent water damage in Port Republic, N.J. in your home.

Know the water supply turn-off location. If a pipe breaks and spews water all over, knowing how to turn off the water is important. You have pipes and water supply points all over your home. The one main turn-off location should be on everyone’s mind.

Repair leaking faucets now. What may be dripping slowly can quickly become a bigger problem soon. And don’t forget those hoses under the sink that feed the dripping faucet. They can burst, too. Look for wet areas under all sinks.

Change the hoses on your washing machine. Washing machine hoses are pretty cheap to replace but if one of them were to burst, it’s disaster time. These hoses are always under pressure and if they, for some reason, tend to break when you are not at home.

While there are other ways water damage situations an occur in your home, these are the common ones. Don’t make a mistake… prepare now and avoid problems in the future. But if you do have a water problem, it is always good to get a mold inspection in Port Republic, N.J. down the road. You want to avoid toxic black mold removal in Port Republic, N.J.

But when the worst thing happens, such as a water damage in your home, don’t delay. Call your water damage pro today!

These Are Dangerous Waters in Barnegat N.J.

2/22/2022

DID YOU KNOW that even a little bit of water in the wrong place can be downright dangerous?

That’s right. You want your home to be clean and dry, but once in a while, it happens… a pipe breaks, a basement floods, or a roof doesn’t do its job and the water comes right in. These are the times unseen black toxic mold moval in Barnegat, N.J. is needed.

While a small amount of water can be cleaned up easily, large amounts require a professional service. And the “categories” of water damage in Barnegat, N.J. should be considered, no matter how much water is involved.

Category 1: Normal, “clean” water from a clean source like a leaky pipe, a sink, etc. This type of water is not considered dangerous, but if left unattended, it can quickly become harmful.

Category 2: This is “grey” water and may contain contaminants and bacteria that could be harmful to your health. At this point, it’s best to call a professional water damage company.

Category 3: This is “black” water and always considered dangerous to health of occupants. Do not attempt to clean this type of water, which consists of contaminants from sewage, toilet back-ups and flood waters. Always call a pro!

These are the times that a mold inspection in Barnegat, N.J. are very necessary.

While it may be tempting to grab the wet-dry vacuum and clean up water on your own, consider the risks to your health and to your family. It doesn’t take long at all for a small amount of water to become a big problem, such as mold. Using a professional for mold removal in Barnegat, N.J. is your safest and most effective thing to do.

Be smart — call a water damage pro!

Hiding in the Shadows in Osborne Island, N.J.

2/19/2022

DID YOU KNOW that mold can develop in your home and all it takes are three common things?

1.    Moisture: Mold needs moisture to grow, which is why you see it all the time in showers and baths… and, unfortunately, in basements. You can clean up the mold in a shower or bath, but when you see it in other parts of the home, it’s best to call a pro.

2.    Food: Mold is alive, and needs to eat. So usually you won’t see mold growing on plastic surfaces in your home. It will grow on wood and other organic surfaces. However, dirt in the carpet or on the floor can be a food source, so keeping your house super clean is smart. Any kind of water damage in Osborne Island, N.J. can cause a problem.

3.    Darkness: Mold likes the shadows of your home, and grows quickly in the dark. That’s why basements are often the first place mold is discovered. Always a good idea to get a mold test in Osborne Island N.J.

Do-it yourself mold removal?

If you are going to clean up some mold in your house, it’s important to protect yourself. A mold removal specialist knows the dangers of mold, and if you hire a pro, you will see him all suited up and protected against possible contamination. A professional knows how to handle black toxic mold in Osborne Island, N.J. if found.

For cleaning up very small amounts of mold, like you might find in a shower stall, be sure to wear rubber gloves, the type that come up to your elbows. And wear a good mask, the type the EPA recommends (like an N-95 from your hardware store) so that you don’t inhale mold spores. Spores are actually the dangerous part of mold, and they are very tiny and float in the air, which means you can breathe them in. Eye protection goggles are also smart, but avoid goggles that have holes in them.

Remember, do-it-yourself mold removal in Osborne Island, N.J. is only for those common molds like in showers and baths. Anything else? Call a pro!

Water, Water Everywhere in Atlantic City, N.J.

2/19/2022

DID YOU KNOW that water is the most essential element of life? That’s right. We all need water. We need it to bathe, to drink, to water plants and the grass, and even to enjoy recreationally, such as in a swimming pool.

But are there times when you may wish water was scarce? Yes, such as when some water ends up where it shouldn’t be, like on your valuable wood floor.

When that happens, you must clean it up quickly. If you don’t, permanent water damage in Atlantic City, N.J., can occur.

Any remaining water in your valuable wood floor means there is the potential of the floor warping and then requiring expensive sanding and refinishing. Worst case scenario? You may have to replace areas of the wood floor that can’t be fixed. Ouch! That’s expensive. And you may need mold removal in Atlantic City, N.J.

Here’s the problem, though, the real challenge. When water does intrude, you can dry the wood floor with mops, towels and even that old box fan you have in the attic, but did you get it all? Is the water totally gone? You touch the floor; it seems dry, but is it really dry?

It would be nice if there was a way to determine if all moisture was removed after your home suffered from water damage.

Wait a second… is there a way? And a good thing to do is have a mold test in Atlantic City, N.J. to prevent future problems.

There is! There are specialized companies that have some really cool equipment that can detect even the smallest amount of moisture. Like in carpet, in walls, in your wood floors, for example. And this can help you avoid the worst thing, black toxic mold in Atlantic City, N.J.

And that’s why calling a company specializing in moisture detection is a smart decision. Do it right. Call a water damage restoration pro.

The Saga of Sewage in Ocean City, N.J.

2/13/2022

When water damage in Ocean City, N.J. strikes your basement, or any part of the home, you panic a little. But it isn’t too bad as long as it isn’t too deep.

But when sewage strikes, that’s an entirely different situation. Raw sewage can’t be as easily removed and cleaned as a typical water intrusion, such as from a storm or pipe that has broken.

The first order of business is to find out whose sewage it is. Did it come from your own home because it couldn’t drain properly? Is it a simple overflow from the toilet? Or is it from the sewer system backing up from the street?

There’s a big, big difference dealing with your own poo and the poo of all your neighbors.

The small jobs

As mentioned, sewage can occur from a simple toilet overflow. Those dirty jobs are easy to handle. Put on rubber gloves, preferably rubber boots, and other protective gear so there is no skin contact. A wet/dry vacuum is a handle tool for picking up raw sewage, since you are dealing with just one overflow and the amount is small. After removing the waste, use a powerful disinfectant on the floor to clean the last of it up. If you have carpet, that might need to be replaced.

The big jobs

Some sewage backups occur because of a failed sewer system, not just a simple overflow of a toilet.

A common issue with sewer issues is when your sewer line is attacked by tree roots. Over time, roots can work their way into the sewer line, as they search for water. The roots grow into the line, expanding and eventually plugging up the line completely. Then your normal household use of the plumbing system backs up into the home.

The worst type is a backflow from the public sewer system, where gallons — or even hundreds of gallons — of raw sewage from all types of sources can enter your home. There are various causes of this, but the bottom line is you now have contaminants that are very hazardous to your health.

When this happens, it’s time to protect yourself. Don’t attempt to go into the basement and clean it yourself, even if you have face masks and skin protection. The biological hazards are too great. If the water problem is continuing, a much worse problem can occur. Be sure to have a mold test in Ocean City, N.J.
Avoiding the growth of growth of black toxic mold in Ocean City, N.J.

This is one of those times you must call a professional water damage company, one that specializes in sewage issues. After all, it pays to call a pro!

It is best to use a professional for mold removal in Ocean City, N.J. and all water related issues.

Frozen… but not Broken in Absecon, N.J.

2/7/2022

Most people, when they think of frozen pipes in their homes, automatically think of broken pipes, spewing a huge mess that soaks carpet, subfloors, walls and more… requiring the attention of their water damage in Absecon, N.J. professional.

But many times, a frozen pipe doesn’t necessarily become a broken pipe. You might have experienced this yourself: You go into a bathroom, during a really cold part of winter, turn on the faucet and nothing comes out. Or perhaps only a trickle dribbles into the sink.

This is a nuisance that must be dealt with quickly, before the pipe actually breaks and creates a larger problem. And the problem could continue into a mold issue, getting a mold test in Absecon, N.J. would be your next move.

Preventing this from ever happening is the best course of action. Here are some things you can do when temperatures dip well below freezing:

Take control of the temperature in your home. Some, especially when leaving for a few days, will set the temperature lower to save money. But keep your home at 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Installing a thermostat that you can control remotely with your smartphone means you can monitor your home 24/7 while traveling.
While home, when temperatures are extremely cold, open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warmer air to flow among the pipes and, for problem sinks that have had their pipes freeze in the past, or that you feel might freeze, allow a slow trickle of water to run.
Keep garage doors closed if you have water supply pipes in the walls or ceiling of your garage. This occurs especially when a bathroom is next to or above a garage. When you pull your vehicles into the garage, immediately shut the garage door so the heat from the engine can help warm the garage.

But if a frozen pipe does happen, your only recourse is to thaw it. This might take some time. Warm up your house, and use safe heat, such as a hair dryer, to warm the area where the pipe is frozen. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or other heat source fired by fuel, and don’t use open flames. If you can’t determine where the frozen pipe is, a local plumbing company can help.
And if mold should start to grow, mold removal in Absecon, N.J. is always best done by a porfessional.

And, of course, if the worst happens and a pipe does break, call your water damage professional.

How Dangerous is Mold in Your Home, in Mystic Island, N.J.?

2/2/2022

Everyone wants the safest, healthiest home environment for their families. You would do anything to protect your loved ones from exposure to any substance that could cause them harm.

One of those feared substances is “mold” and with what you have seen in the news in recent years, exposure to harmful or Black Toxic mold in Mystic Island, N.J. has affected the health of countless people — folks just like you.

This brings up the all-important question: Just exactly how dangerous is mold in homes? And when is the best time for a mold test in Mystic Island, N.J.

That’s a tricky question, because there are many types of mold and mold is virtually everywhere. There is probably a little bit in your basement right now. Your shoes when you came home yesterday no doubt brought in a few mold spores. Mold spores can be in breathable space and travel in the air.

When you step outside, you are surrounded by mold. There’s nothing you can do about that. The main concern is usually what’s in the home, not outside, although if you are sensitive to mold you should avoid all damp areas that could promote mold growth, inside and out. Water damage in Mystic Island N.J. can promote the growth of mold.

Some people are affected by even the smallest amounts of mold. They may have nasal issues, watery eyes, coughing and other physical reactions. A smaller segment of the population are very sensitive to exposure to mold, having severe reactions that can be life threatening. Others aren’t affected at all, and can be around and/or exposure to all types of molds with no apparent sensitivities. Those that are effected need to have mold removal in Mystic Island, N.J.

The CDC has plenty of information for those concerned with mold in homes. One of the issues they raise is keeping moisture out of homes. “Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding,” according to the CDC government website.
A mold inspection in Mystic Island N.J. can give you answers and peace of mind.

The issue is twofold if mold is growing in your home. You must clean it up or have it cleaned up, and you must fix the moisture problem. You can do your research on how to fix the problem, but the best solution is, no doubt, getting expert advice from your professional water damage restoration contractor or mold removal or remediation company. Keep your family safe. Call the experts.