Blog Archives

So, Your Carpet is Smelly in Toms River, NJ

4/28/2023

There are many reasons why a carpet can become smelly, from pet odors to heavy soiling and other causes. However, what some don’t realize is a little water damage in Toms River, NJ can cause a big problem with the condition of their carpet, even after it seems the carpet has dried.

Water intrusions can be from many sources. If it is from a toilet (raw sewage), it’s almost always best to discard the carpet and pad and get something new. While doing that, be sure the subfloor is also cleaned and disinfected appropriately, by a company that provides emergency cleanup in Toms River, NJ. If it is from an overflowing sink or a leaky pipe, the damage can usually be limited so purchasing new flooring isn’t always necessary.

But one of the biggest problems is waiting too long no matter the cause of the water damage in your home.

When you discover a wet carpet or rug, it’s time to get to work. Remove the water with extraction, and get some air movement and ventilation started on removing moisture.

However, here’s the problem. If the carpet isn’t dried really fast, like how professional water damage experts can dry carpet using their specialized tools and equipment, a persistent musty smell can develop. There’s not much a homeowner can do to fix that issue. In the winter months, when humidity is low, you may not notice the odor that much. But when summer arrives, with the higher humidity, those odors will come back with a vengeance.

Even worse, mold can begin to grow. No one wants mold damage in Toms River, NJ!

What’s the best solution? Call your water damage cleanup in Toms River, NJ pros right away, before real damage sets it. They’ll be right over to save the day.

Mysterious Mustiness in Deptford, NJ

4/23/2023

It’s easy to know where musty or moldy odors are coming from after you have suffered from water damage in Deptford, NJ, which happens from a burst pipe in Deptford, NJ, overflowing toilet or flooding from rainwater, to mention a few.

But what do you do when you notice a mysterious “musty” odor in your home? Nothing is broken. There was no big storm. The sump pump is chugging away like normal.

Mysterious musty odors can be caused by a variety of situations. Figuring out where they are coming from and remediating them is the challenge.

What are some common causes?

Ice dams are the bane of winter. Ice dams are created on roofs in cold climates. They develop when snow accumulates on a roof with a slope, the snow starts to melt and the water slowly moves down the slope to the eaves or gutters. The water can’t drain because of the amount of debris in the gutters, such as from leaves. It then refreezes, creating an ice dam, which means during the next thaw water can’t drain through the obstruction. This then causes leaks through the roofing material, and into your home. If the water intrusion is minimal, you might not even know it is happening, until your nose knows… detecting that mysterious musty smell in Deptford, NJ.

Leaky drains are another cause of musty odors. If the leak is very slow, water can drip, drip, drip… and over time cause damage under sinks. You don’t notice it because it’s hidden, and the amount of water is contained in a small area. But you start to notice the smell, that mysterious mustiness that you are determined to eradicate.

Severe condensation on windows is easy to see but often homeowners don’t appreciate the damage potential. This odor-causing issue is caused by excessive moisture in the home, especially in the winter when windows draw the moisture onto cold surfaces. The moisture itself isn’t the problem. The problem is when the moisture moves down into the window sills and any natural woodwork or even wall interiors get wet and create that mysterious musty odor.

What can you do? Do an inspection. Look at all areas in your home that water can intrude or accumulate. Your restoration pros have the equipment to do it right, with moisture meters and special cameras that detect moisture.

Be smart. Give your local water damage cleanup in Deptford, NJ company a call.

What the EPA Says About MOLD

4/19/2023

When the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, speaks… most of us listen.

And the EPA has much to say about mold, which can affect health in minor, irritating ways (slight respiratory issues) to severe life-threatening reactions, resulting in medical care and the unthinkable.

Here are the edited highlights from the EPA.gov site, along with our own thoughts, that all households should consider. Of course, the EPA recommends that everyone should fix plumbing leaks, water intrusion issues, and keep all interior surfaces clean and dry at all times. If you do this, mold should not be an issue. But if it happens, here are some tips.

Mold cleaning in Toms River, NJ

Who should do the cleanup? There are a number of factors. First, consider the size of the mold problem. If less than 10 square feet, you may be able to handle the cleanup yourself. However, with water damage in Toms River, NJ and mold growth more than 10 feet, consult an expert. And there is no way to know 100% if even a small amount of mold could have an adverse health effect on you or those you care about.

HVAC and air conveyance systems

Don’t minimize the impact that mold can have in your ductwork or other air conveyance areas. Hidden mold may be out of sight, but it should be taken seriously. Slight musty odors should trigger an investigation. Get your duct work inspected immediately and have the work done by a professional.

Restrooms, shower stalls and more

Mold is normal in some areas, like in the corner of a shower stall. Don’t panic. Just clean it up. But if you need help, hire a mold damage cleanup in Toms River, NJ company. A very small amount of mold damage in Toms River, NJ is no doubt fresh and can be easily removed.

Hiring a pro

If you decide to contact and use a water damage cleanup in Toms River, NJ company or a mold removal service, be a smart consumer and check their references and credentials. There are many “companies” that claim to be experts in mold removal, but they are far from qualified.

Do the right thing with mold. When you know you have it, you should know how to get rid of it. The easiest, best, and safest way is to let a disaster restoration, water damage, or mold remediation company do the work. After all, it pays to call a pro.

Mold in Unlikely Places in Atlantic City, NJ

4/16/2023

Many people have a fear of mold damage in Atlantic City, NJ and what it can do to your health, especially if you have sensitivities or allergies to mold spores.

When you think of mold growth and contamination in your home, you assume it would apply to dark, damp basements and what can occur after a pipe breaks or other water damage situation. And you would be right, most of the time, needing basement cleanup in Atlantic City, NJ.

But there are other issues that can come up that involve mold, and it doesn’t have to be in a dark basement or after a water damage event. If you have moisture, a food source, and especially dark conditions, mold can grow.

Your bedroom

As scary as it may sound, it’s true. Mold can grow on and even inside your mattress. As you sleep, you perspire, and that moisture can be all that mold needs to start to grow. While you can clean visible mold from the surface of your mattress, it is very difficult to get clean what is inside the mattress. A professional cleaning company may be able to help. But prevention is what you should concentrate on, and an appropriate mattress pad/cover will help.

Your bathroom

Common areas that can experience mold growth are around the base of toilets, shower stalls or bathtubs, and under sinks, such as in cabinet areas. It’s no surprise when you spot some mold in those areas, as it can grow from water damage in Atlantic City, NJ. However, mold can also grow on cleaning supplies that haven’t been used in a few days, and even on toothbrushes such as those left unused because of a trip away. Anything you use that involves moisture (brushes, scrub pads, buckets) and especially stored in a dark place, be sure to clean and dry them completely.

Your kitchen

The kitchen is a mold playground, because of all the food sources combined with potential moisture. There are so many places mold can grow they can’t all be mentioned here, but obvious ones include inside and behind the refrigerator, under the sink, and in cabinets. Mold growth inside the refrigerator goes against logic that mold requires warmth – it is obviously not always true. Frequent inspections of dark areas where mold may grow unnoticed is important, such as under sinks and where there are pipes that can leak or simply have condensation on them.

If you do find mold, do the smart thing and call your favorite mold damage cleanup in Atlantic City, NJ company. After all, it pays to call a pro!

Evidence of Water Damage in Toms River, NJ

4/13/2023

When something fails, such as a high-pressure fresh water source to your toilet… or perhaps a leaky drain pipe underneath the kitchen sink… no matter what it may be, you usually know what to do.
You know the drill… clean it up, get it dry, and call a professional water damage cleanup in Toms River, NJ company to ensure all is good and there is no possible way mold can grow, which would lead to mold damage in Toms River, NJ. You want peace of mind, and this is the way to get it.

However, sometimes you just don’t know when things happen, when things leak or when water intrusion occurs — because it can be slowly invasive and build up over time.
There are several steps to determining if you have an actual water damage in Toms River, NJ situation and when you must call a pro — and when you can do it yourself. Remember, you can’t be too cautious with the well-being of your loved ones.

The nose knows
Damp and wet areas affected by water intrusion demonstrate themselves after a day or two with a very easy to detect odor. It will just smell wet, musty, and unhealthy. If you detect anything like that, it’s time to do some serious investigating. You may not actually see the water intrusion, but no doubt it is probably there. Order a mold test in Toms River, NJ.

Surface damage
You can often see swelling materials, such as the particle board under a sink, providing evidence of water intrusion. When things buckle, even if you notice it after the surface has dried, there is potential of subsequent water damage, because if it leaked once… it will again!

Stains
You can usually see this in the ceilings and areas around water sources. Sometimes it is around windows. If you detect water marks (think of a carpet under a water fountain in a building) then you need to put your investigative hat on and figure out if it is a big deal or not — and most likely, it will be a big deal.

The evidence of water damage can be easy to see, and sometimes it hides and continues to affect surfaces and your health until it becomes a serious issue. If you have any water damage issues or questions, do the right thing. Call your favorite water damage professional company today. After all, it pays to call a pro!

The Leaky Hot Water Tank in Cherry Hill, NJ

4/9/2023

What a mess! What are we going to do!

Have you ever said something like that? If you have experienced a water leak in Cherry Hill, NJ… you probably have.

When it happened, hopefully it was in an unfinished basement and not in an area of the house that suffered severe water damage in Cherry Hill, NJ.

Leaks can happen anytime there is contained water, in any broken pipes in Cherry Hill, NJ, hose, or appliance. For hot water heaters, you add the element of pressure and heat. A leak can quickly turn into a spray of water, and flood damage in Cherry Hill, NJ.

To add insult to injury, when you discover a hot water tank is leaking or flooding your home and you turn off the water, chances are those remaining 50, 60, 70, 80 or more gallons are still going to come out to haunt you. Some water tanks are big. Good for multiple occupants in your home… bad for flooding.

Adding insult to injury, when your hot water tank fails, you not only have to clean up the mess, but now you don’t have… hot water. It’s a cold shower for everyone until you get it fixed.

Of course, if a leaking hot water tank ruins your day, it’s time to bring in the water damage professionals. But there are some steps you can take so this never (hopefully!) happens to you.

An aging issue
Like any appliance, the older it gets, the more likely it may have issues. Some experts say a tank should last between 8-12 years. How long have you had your tank? If much longer than that, you may be living on borrowed time! Replacement may be necessary.

Healthy checkups
You can keep an eye on things yourself. Once a month, look over your hot water tank, inspecting for evidence of water seepage. Often, this comes from underneath the tank. If any moisture is noticeable, call a plumber and get it fixed ASAP.

An annual inspection by a plumbing company is a good idea as well. These visits are not that expensive and can really save you in the long run.

Flush away troubles
When you don’t see it, you don’t think about it. But inside your water tank, sediment and residues are building up. These can cause all kinds of issues. You can flush out your tank by (after reducing the temperature, of course) attaching a garden hose to the connection at the bottom of the tank and removing all the gunk and goo down there. It will have to drain somewhere, which could be a challenge. Of course, if you don’t want to mess with this, have your emergency plumbing service in Cherry Hill, NJ do it for you.

When the unthinkable happens, though, and you are facing inches (hopefully not feet!) of water to clean up, and damaged belongings in your home as well, it’s time to call your water damage experts. After all, it pays to call a pro!

Prepare for Spring Flooding

4/5/2023

At the end of every winter, we might forget about the previous spring rains and subsequent flooding that might have occurred in the area. And you want to make sure you know which company can handle water damage cleanup in Trenton, NJ.

But when unrelenting rain starts to fall, one thing you don’t want to experience is regret in not being prepared, whether it is from leaks related to your roofing, windows, or the possibility of a flooded basement in Trenton, NJ.

While those might seem like minor issues, when they happen to you, they quickly move up to disastrous. Making sure your home is safe, secure, and devices like your sump pump (if you have a basement) are in good condition.

But when heavy rains hit your area, and flooding is a possibility, the website ready.gov has some great advice for your preparedness plan.

Make a plan

This is important to do in advance, as when an emergency strikes you will be in panic mode. Have a discussion with family members, about what you will do, where you will go, where you might meet up if separated and mobile phones are not working.

Be sure to discuss your pets as well and have a plan for them. Human life is invaluable, and we feel the same way about our pets.

Have a written list of important phone numbers in case your cell phone loses charge or isn’t functioning. Make sure your local restoration company is on there so they can clean up water damage in Trenton, NJ.

Build a ‘go-kit’

Have the necessities in a backpack or other easy-to-grab bag. Necessities include documents, such as birth certificates, passports, legal documents, and other papers you should not lose. Having some cash is important in the event credit cards can’t be used.

Clothing, medications, and other necessities should also be in your ‘go-kit’ supplies.

Basically, think about what you simply can’t go without for several days if you have to be out of your home.

Check your insurance policy

Now is the time to make sure you have coverage for natural disasters that might strike your home. Don’t assume. Ask your insurance agent and make sure you have it spelled out clearly in your policy. Not all natural events are covered by regular homeowner policies.

But if the unthinkable does happen to your home, and it becomes damaged by any disaster event, do the right thing and get it all fixed quickly — and safely. Doing the cleanup yourself can expose you to future potential hazards. Call your favorite restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro!