FAQs

There is nothing more frustrating than the buckling of your beautiful hardwood floors or a nasty brown water stain on your ceiling. Except, perhaps, learning that there is mold on top of those things. Water damage restoration and clean up are part of life, especially when you live in a world that rains. However, while I can’t promise you will never have to deal with water damage, below is a list of ways to do your best to prevent the preventable water damage to your home.

Water damage occurs when there is water or moisture on material over a period of time. Water damage can occur as a result of a burst pipe, a leaking roof, or a malfunctioning pipe. Natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires can also result in substantial water damage. Also any type of standing moisture can be the cause of immediate water damage. Make regular inspections of your home to check potential trouble spots.

Kitchen – Water damage prevention

• Check the hoses and pipes of the dishwasher, refrigerator, and sink to make sure there aren’t any leaks.
• Use plenty of water when operating garbage disposals so that waste is flushed out of the system.
• React quickly to small leaks around water heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers, and other appliances before they become more troublesome ones.
• Follow the recommended maintenance procedures for your appliances.

Bathroom – Water damage prevention

• Check caulking around the sinks, tubs, and toilets.
• Make sure the toilets aren’t clogged.

Laundry room – Water damage prevention

• Inspect washing machine hoses for cracking, fraying, or bulging. Replace the hose if you find any problems.
• Wet spots around the water heater may indicate a problem. Try placing a drain pan under the water heater.
• Change filters on the air conditioning regularly and get a contractor to make regular inspections.
• Don’t wash heavy-duty dirt down drains and don’t put extremely dirty clothing in clothes washers. Instead, use a garden hose on the soiled item outside the house, so that the dirt doesn’t get into the drainage system inside the house.

Roof – Water damage prevention

• Keep debris out of gutters, downspouts, roots, and valleys.
• Ventilate the roof to reduce moisture and heat build-up in the attic.
• Use a preservative to prevent weathering and damage to the roof.

General – Water damage prevention

• Know where the main water shutoffs to your home are located.
• Install water shutoff valves on water lines under sinks and toilets, and leading to outside faucets.
• Be aware of what goes down drains (grease, lint, and dirt in particular).
• When a problem does arise, hire an established contractor who has a good reputation.
• When a plumber is at the house to make repairs, have him or her conduct a quick check on other appliances, drains, and pipes to ensure that everything is in proper working order.
• Don’t leave the room after you have turned on the water, especially full force, in the bathtub or a sink.

While I can’t promise that Mother Nature will never wield her ugly head in the direction of your home, it is important for you to know how to prevent the small types of water damage. If, however, water damage does occur, it is very important that you call water damage services immediately for water restoration and mold remediation before a bad problem becomes worse.

How do I know If I Have mold, need professional mold removal, or mold clean up in my central Ohio home or business?

The first and most important step is determining whether or not what you have is actually mold. Many times, water stains are mistaken for mold and mold is almost always suspected when musty odors are present.

Have you had:

1. Recurrent water leaks, burst pipes, HVAC leaks, a wet basement or a damp crawlspace?
2. Water stains on walls, floors or ceilings?
3. Discolorations on basement walls or other building materials?
4. Musty, moldy odors?​

If you can answer yes to any of the previous questions, you may want to consider having your home or business inspected and tested for mold. There may be no warning of a mold problem in your home or business until someone becomes ill.

Mold can hide in thousands of places at any time of the year; basements, attics, bathrooms and any other place that shows evidence of moisture are a few common problem areas. A key fact to remember is mold isn’t always visible; this is why it’s important to have a thorough mold inspection done by professionals in Mold remediation and mold clean up.

The good news is you know you have a serious problem. You know that you have mold and you know this you need to get rid of it NOW. You are not letting that water spot in your ceiling go ignored or the weird smell in your basement waft up the stairs. You are smart. You know that you need to call someone to fix your problem as soon as possible. Or you know now. The first thing you need to do is call a professional.

They will be able to search your home and not only remove the mold but also remove that source. Chances are you have a serious leak somewhere in your home causing water damage. Water damage leads to mold and mildew. As if the sagging ceiling is not ugly enough, now you have to worry about all of the health effects that coincide with water damage.

Anywhere in your house where you may have had water damage or water damage repair, you will also need to look into mildew removal and mold remediation. Look for visible mold growth (may appear cottony, velvety, granular, or leathery and have varied colors of white, gray, brown, black, yellow, green). Mold often appears as discoloration, staining, or fuzzy growth on the surface of building materials or furnishings. Look for signs of excess moisture or water damage mold.

Variations of health symptoms that may occur include coughing, wheezing, nasal and throat conditions. People with asthma or allergies who are sensitive to mold may notice their symptoms worsen. Individuals with a severely weakened immune system who are exposed to moldy environments are at risk of developing serious fungal respiratory infections. Still considering just painting over that stain? I don’t think so! Call your local water damage services now!

While the icicles hanging from the roof may appear beautiful, they can be the cause of what is known as an ice damn. If that is the case, you may be in for (or already have) some serious damages to your home. Because ice dams are formed of water, when the water melts it can seep into your attic and more so into your home causing mold and mildew to form.

Much like the same damages caused by a leaky roof during a rain storm or a burst pipe, the damages caused from an ice dam can be catastrophic. In the winter your roof gets covered with snow. The warm air from inside the house rises up into the attic space. Once in the attic, the warm air continuous to rise up until it reaches the top of the roof. It is then that the roof surface warms up and starts to melt the snow. The newly melted snow runs down the surface of the roof underneath the snow-pack.

When the melted water reaches that cooler area of the roof, it refreezes forming a wall of ice. This wall of ice is called an ice dam. The ice dam traps melted water and eventually it causes the melted water to rise up underneath the shingles (now you need shingle repairs!), which allows it to get inside your house and cause extensive water damage to your property. This damage may not be immediately apparent as water gets absorbed by the installation, dry wall and plaster in your walls and ceilings.

The insulation that has become wet can no longer insulate your home properly and needs to be replaced and you may need roof repairs. The damages to dry walls and rotten wood will also require replacing. As the insulation gets wet and the shingles begin to warp; the dry wall in your home becomes covered in mold and mildew; the ice forming a dam has become so apparent that now it is repelling the water as it has no more room in the eaves and sends the water anywhere else. Since you may not spend a lot of time in your attic, you may not even know that there is a serious problem. But the first sign of ice damming are those icicles forming around the perimeter of your home.

Most people do not understand the hazardous effects that mold can have on their well being. If you have mold growing anywhere in your home, perhaps from mold caused by mildew and water damage or water damage to hardwood floors, it is important to call a professional in to have them remediate the affected areas before serious health issues occur.

Water damage is perhaps one of the most upsetting and frustrating ailments a home can endure. Not only does it result in the demise of precious antiques and stain your ceiling, but it also can cause mold and mildew which is hazardous to your health. Water damage to hardwood floors, mildew removal, flooded basements, and ceiling repair are all part of the aftermath of water damage and need to be taken care of immediately.

The best thing you can do if you have a serious ice damming problem or water damage from ice damming and leaks is to call a roofing contractor and/or water damage services for mold remediation. Trying to prevent or repair the damage yourself can be dangerous and may also cause more harm than good. Unless you have experience with these issues, call your local contractor before you cause more damage.

Lock the House Before Criminals or the Elements Get In! I don’t care where you live. You might live in the same neighborhood as the Cleavers, if you do not board up your home, SOMETHING is going to get into your home. It may not be as serious as a criminal (but who’s to say it won’t be?) but there are other damaging threats that can creep into your home if it is not boarded up properly.

Often people are more afraid of who might get into their home than what. That isn’t to say that you shouldn’t lock your doors and pay more attention to your windows being shut, however, the damage that a raccoon or other animal can cause from being in your house is just as important to prevent. And if that doesn’t persuade you to board your house up think about all of the water damage, mold, mildew and permanent issues that will occur inside of your home from changes in weather.

Rain does not care if your window is broken. If the water can get inside, it will. Animals are searching for a warm, dry place to inhabit, if your home can’t keep them out, they will get in.

The only person who can prevent future damages to your home if you. You need to call a professional and have them board up your home properly. Don’t risk your homes well being and your families on trying to board up your home yourself. You would not install a security system in your home with the knowledge you found online so why would you leave the security of your home to anyone but professionals? You have worked hard to make your house a home, let a profession help you keep it that way.

Whether you have just moved into your new home, you’re planning to sell your current or you just want a nice place to hang out, a refinished basement is always a good idea. Typically, basement finishing costs 50% of the cost of a new addition, increasing the value of your home by as much as 97%. Refinishing your basement is an investment into your home that is worth making. Once you decide that you want to refinish your basement, the first thing you want to do is call a contractor that is qualified for the work and put a budget together.

You probably have a million ideas running through your head; movie theatre or a bar or a game room, but it is important to talk with someone who knows the in’s and out’s of contracting a basement that can help you to put a realistic budget together so that you can acquire your dream basement. Waterproofing and insulation is a top priority; remember, the basement is below ground.

The  U.S. Department of Energy gives a detailed overview with cost estimates for a wide range of options. Your local planning department should also have specific regulations on ceiling height, access doors and ventilation. Building permits will vary in costs and need to be added to your budget. Overall, the costs will depend on what you plan and can afford to do in this project.

It will also depend on local pricing for materials, labor and permits. Thus, think about what you want to accomplish in basement space, make a design plan and budget, and call a professional for an estimate. The luxuries you choose to install in the basement will be a large factor. While a basic 1,000 square foot basement remodel could cost $15,000 to $25,000, the same area with upgraded, specialized touches could cost double that if you want fancy amenities. Bathrooms, water connections, heat sources; these will be main sources of extra cost.

A fire in your home is both tragic and traumatic. While your natural instinct may be to go back inside to survey the damage after the fire seems to be out, do not enter your home immediately. Fires can rekindle from hidden, smoldering remains. Normally, the fire department will see that utilities (water, electricity and natural gas) are either safe to use or are disconnected before they leave the site.

Do not attempt to turn on utilities yourself. Also, food, beverages and medicine exposed to heat, smoke, soot and water should not be consumed. Make sure you contact your local police departments to let them know the site will be unoccupied. Beginning immediately, save receipts for any money you spend. These receipts are important in showing the insurance company what money you have spent related to your fire loss and also for verifying losses claimed on your income tax. If it is safe to do so, try to locate the following items:

• identification, such as driver’s licenses and Social Security cards
• insurance information
• medication information
• eyeglasses, hearing aids or other prosthetic devices
• valuables, such as credit cards, bank books, cash and jewelry​

Do not throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made. All damages are taken into consideration in developing your insurance claim. If you are considering contracting for inventory or repair services, discuss your plans with your insurance agent/company first. Contacting a professional fire restorer is in your best interest.

They deal with problems similar to yours every day like smoke clean up, smoke removal, fire clean up, and home fire restoration. If your insurance agent doesn’t suggest someone, look in the yellow pages of the telephone directory under “Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners” or “Fire and Water Damage Restoration”.

Keep in mind most professional fire restorers will travel a certain distance to restore fire damaged property. Inquire about the experience the fire restorer has had and, if possible, secure some references of persons they have served. Usually the professional fire restorer can provide helpful hints to prevent further damage, determine which items can be refurbished, and estimate the cost of deodorizing and cleaning your home.

Hiring a professional fire restorer can be costly, but the best way to remove smoke odor and soot is with the appropriate equipment and appropriate chemicals. Also keep in mind that since water was most likely used to put out the fire, water damage and mold clean up may also be prevalent when calling emergency restoration services.