One of the biggest dangers for your home or business is the presence of mold. Mold can do a lot of damage to your physical structure and can causes long-term debilitating illnesses. Mold can even cause cancer.

That’s why mold must be treated immediately.

Mold isn’t one of those problems you can kick down the curb and deal with later. If you don’t deal with your mold problem, it is only going to get worse. And the worse it gets, the most costly the solution becomes – and there’s no telling how much damage is has done to the people and pets who live in your home or work in you business.

There are three ways that can determine whether you have mold

What you see: The visual clues are the most obvious. If you see spots (black, green, white, gray) on the walls, ceilings, around the windows or on the baseboards, you’re dealing with mold. Sometimes you see a discolored are or a stain that looks speckled or fuzzy. Maybe the drywall or wood is warped or there is bubbling or peeling of paint. Condensation is also a visual indication that something is going on.

What you smell: Even if you don’t see any visual sign, your nose may help you detect the mold. If it has that “old basement” or persistent musty odor, that’s almost a guarantee that you’ve got a mold issue. That smell seems to always be present and returns quickly, even after the area is cleaned out. You might notice it more in certain parts of the house, maybe a closet or near the heating vents. Your nose knows! Listen to it.

How your property reacts: Since mold needs moisture, there could be signs that is already forming. Are there water stains on your ceiling or wall? Are parts of the drywall squishy and give way to a slight touch? Does the floor feel uneven or soft? Have you had recent leaks from the roof or windows? Are the carpets or drapes damp? Do you see condensation on the heating and cooling ducts? Don’t ignore these signs.

If this is true for you, don’t delay about calling a trained technician to come and appraise the situation. A trained technician can diagnose what’s going on and set out a plan for you to follow.

A trained technician from First In Restoration has the equipment needed to fix the problem, whether it’s a simple solution or requires a more complicated answer. Depending on your policy, your homeowner’s insurance may or may not provide coverage, but our techs will document the damage and the work performed so you have the information you need for your insurance provider.

If you suspect mold, proper testing is an important step. Mold testing should be performed by an IICRC-certified technician, and samples should be sent to an environmental lab for analysis. This helps confirm what is present and gives the technician the information needed to recommend the proper next steps.

If you suspect mold in your home or business, proper testing is an important step. Mold testing should be performed by an IICRC-certified technician, and samples should be sent to an environmental lab for analysis. This helps confirm what is present and gives the technician the information needed to recommend the proper next steps.

Call First In Restoration. Our trained team can assess the damage, help identify the source of the moisture, and create a plan to properly test and address the mold before it gets worse.

Call First In Restoration today: (678) 483-7284

Everyone ignores their water heater – until it is too late. But if you pay attention, you may be able to pick up on some clues that indicate your water heater may be headed toward trouble.

It’s best to catch a simple problem ahead of time, because when a water heater blows, it can cause plenty of water damage that could cost you a lot of money. That is why it’s best to understand how to spot the potential trouble.

The chances of your water heater exploding are remote. Although it has occurred – and can cause tremendous damage – that isn’t likely to happen.

More often than not, damage incurred from water heaters is due to a leak. If you see brown water come out of your faucets, or if your hot water smells like rotten eggs, this may indicate that the tank inside the water heater is corroded. This sign of weakness in the appliance can make it easier to rupture or leak – even explode.

And if you see any leaks around the water heater that have puddled or accumulated on the floor, it is important to call a plumber to investigate the matter. A trained plumber will be able to diagnose the problem with your water heater and offer a solution. It may be as simple as flushing the sediment from the tank or a loose connection. But it may be time to replace your water heater – and it’s better to get ahead of the problem.

However, if you have had damage due to a leak – or flood – caused by your water heater, it is imperative to call a trained water restoration professional. The technicians at “In First Restoration” can clean up the water damage, dry out your space and make sure it’s ready for the new unit.

If you do have water damage, don’t try to clean it up on your own. Water restoration professionals can restore your home and ensure there’s no chance for dangerous mold to grow in hidden areas. 

If you haven’t walked by your water heater lately, take a minute to give it a quick glance. If you see a problem, call your plumber. If you don’t have a plumber, don’t worry – First In Restoration has a partnership with an emergency plumber who is available 24/7, so call us first and we can help connect you with the right professional.

And if it’s become a big problem, call First In Restoration to clean up the mess from your water heater leak: (678) 483-7284

If the weatherman is predicting heavy rains – or even a tropical storm – in your area, you know there’s a good chance that you’ll be dealing with cleanup issues. But there are steps you can take to mitigate the amount of damage incurred. In fact, with the proper preventative measures, you might avoid it altogether.

So what are some smart steps to take to help prevent water damage in case of an impending storm? Here are a few ideas that could possibly save you some time – and money.

Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear. By removing the debis (leaves, old Frisbees, pizza boxes for Breaking Bad afficionados) you can make sure the water flows. Then, make sure the downspouts extend away from the house so the water will be dispersed in the appropriate places.
Take a look at the roof and make sure there are no missing shingles. If you see edges that are lifted up, take time to nail them down or repair them. Double-check the flashing around the chimney and the ventilation fans to make sure they’re in good condition and have the appropriate seal.

Make sure the soil is sloped away from the foundation. In extreme cases you might want to consider grabbing some sandbags.

Since you want to prevent the water from sneaking into the house, close and lock everything – a locked door has a tighter seal. If you have older windows, consider using a plastic sheet and painter’s tape to secure them.

Don’t forget the garage. If your driveway slopes down, put sandbags at the entrance. And, just to be sure, get everything off the floor. You could use a rack or an old wooden pallet, the kind that businesses will just throw away.

Don’t forget to have extra buckets and tarps ready – along with plenty of towels. (Keep that wet vac handy, too, just in case you need it.)

Once the storm is over, take a quick inventory of any damage. You’ll want to check the roof for possible leaks and you’ll want to dispose of any wet material as soon as possible – because failure to do so can lead to mold. Start running fans and dehumidifiers as soon as possible to dry things out.

Hopefully you’ll avoid damage from Mother Nature’s latest incident, but if you have storm or water damage, the next step should be to reach out to a trained water mitigation specialist. Make that call first and the trained technician can help examine the damage and help walk you through the process of filing an insurance claim. That could help you get the most possible money from your insurance claim.

If your home or business has storm or water damage, call First In Restoration first. Our trained team can assess the damage, help dry out the affected areas, document the restoration process, and guide you through the next steps.

Call First In Restoration today: (678) 483-7284