Safety Rules for Fixing Water Damage

Severe water damage caused by the likes of flooded basements are not easy to fix due to the hazards present. Some safety rules have to be followed to avoid accidents or any incident that can endanger your family’s health. Here are some tips on how you can safely assess and eventually fix water damage in your home.

Meet the Molds: Penicillium

There’s one genus of mold that’s synonymous with antibiotics: Penicillium. Unlike most home molds, Penicillium doesn’t thrive on the walls and ceilings but on your food. It’s the green or blue mold that grows on just about everything edible, such as bread. Ingesting food infested with this mold can trigger serious allergic reactions.

Then again, how is the Penicillium in antibiotics any safer? This is because the Penicillin is the result of isolation of the Penicillium, namely the species Penicillium chrysogenum. The process is complicated, but the byproduct should be a different substance that won’t trigger any severe allergic reaction when ingested.

Water Damage: Know the Causes

Water damage is a very common but deceptive problem that isn’t normally seen by the naked eye. This raises the need for professional moisture detection, to determine if there really is damage within the structure of a home or business establishment. Here are the causes of water damage that property owners need to know to keep their investment protected:

Leaky Pipes

As households and buildings age, the pipes also deteriorate. Check the bathroom, laundry area, kitchen, and other areas with plumbing to see if your pipes are still in sturdy condition.

Natural Disaster

Aggressive weather disturbances force storm surges in homes and buildings. During the rainy or snowy season, the home must be adequately protected to prevent water from breaching the property, whether through the basement, attic, or main floor.

HVACs

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems can also be a cause of water damage. Not only does a malfunctioning HVAC unit leak water, but also hastens the development of molds and other damages.

Water damage is a serious problem that can eventually compromise the structural integrity of any type of building. By knowing its causes, you can be equipped with enough knowledge to take preventive measures. However, in cases that you are still unsure of the problem, you can contact your local restoration and cleaning professionals for help.

Tips on Preventing Mold Damage at Home

Stealthy but deadly–few other words could describe the silent danger that are molds. Not only do they chip away at your home’s structural integrity, but they also pose a threat to your family’s health. You can stop this from happening by hiring efficient mold remediation professionals; however, there’s one important role that falls on your shoulders: prevention.

Eliminate Clutter

Clean and de-clutter your home as often as you can, especially in or around your HVAC vents. When an AC vent is blocked for example, it causes the air around the object to condense, thus turning into moisture that could facilitate mold development. This could also happen just about anywhere on humid days, which brings us to the next factor.

Get a Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers are essential parts of your HVAC system, especially if you live in particularly humid climate. The ideal humidity level inside a home at 68° Fahrenheit should be between 30% and 50%, and dehumidifiers use condensation to absorb moisture from the air in pretty much the same way air conditioners absorb heat from the surrounding air.

Prevent HVAC Leaks

Make it a point to inspect the area around your air conditioner unit or heater for any signs of leaking fluid. Moisture from HVAC leaks is one of the major causes of mold growth and damage to home structure.

If molds have been detected in the home, it’s important that you get professional mold removal services for the safety and protection of both your health and your home.