Water Damage Repair: What to Expect When You Call a Professional

Water damage can occur unexpectedly and with catastrophic results. Your property can experience water damage due to a plumbing problem, an overflowing bath, or flooding due to bad weather. And when not addressed swiftly, the water can flood the floors, wet the drywall, soak furniture, stain walls and items, and cause electrical damage. 

When the water is left to sit for more than 8 hours, it can cause structural damage, such as cracks in the walls or foundation of the building. It can also trigger the growth of mold and mildew, cause unpleasant odor, raise repair costs, and increase the risk of health problems, like asthma. 

That is why it is important to call a professional water damage restoration service to help you handle the problem as soon as it occurs.

So what can you expect from a water damage repair professional?

  1. Respond quickly

Reputable water damage remediation professionals typically have a standby 24/7 emergency response. You won’t surprise or burden them by making that distress call. In fact, the best technicians will arrive at your property within hours of your call.

A swift response will help prevent further damage, including swelling, splitting, and staining of walls, floors, and items. Also, a speedy response will help salvage precious items, which can be removed from the affected areas, cleaned and restored quickly, helping to mitigate losses. 

Critically, the technicians will remove the water quickly and prevent potential growth of mold and mildew.

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we run and operate an emergency water damage restoration service that emphasizes quality and rapid response.

 When you call us, we’ll ask you a few quick questions about the damage, source of the damage, condition of the premises, insurance information, condition of electrical circuits within the premises, and availability of electricity around the premises. Generally, we’ll then prepare for the restoration and leave for your premises, arriving within 30 minutes to 1 hour.

  1. Evaluate the damage carefully

A professional restoration service will assess the damage objectively and with a critical eye, unearthing issues that may be difficult to see such as unapparent mold growth. This prevents major problems later on.

When technicians from West Central Equipment and Restoration arrive at your property, you should expect them to conduct a detailed inspection. The inspection helps to identify the source of the water and to stop more water from rushing in.

The technicians will also identify the type of water (category 1, 2 or 3) and check if it is contaminated. Also, they will assess the damage, develop solutions, assess the safety of the property, and debrief everyone involved.

  1. Protect your valuable items

Water damage technicians know their job and will carry it out carefully to minimize potential damage to various items. So upon arrival, they will quickly take steps to protect the property and facilitate the entire recovery process, such as moving furniture and other property and cordoning off unaffected property. 

Expect the professionals to take steps, such as boarding up, roof tarping, and blocking or moving contents, property and furniture. These steps will prevent exposure to chemicals that may be harmful, minimize contact with bacteria from contaminated water, prevent exposure to mold spores that can trigger respiratory problems, and limit contact with compromised electrical systems that may lead to electrical shock.

  1. Extract and remove excess water

A critical step in water damage remediation is removal of the excess water. In fact, one of the major reasons for working with professionals is their ability to remove excess water quickly and safely to minimize damage to your property.

Expect quality professional remediation services to use powerful equipment such as submersible pumps and industrial-grade extractors to remove the water. The water removal steps used will be methodical and scrupulous to ensure reduced drying time, minimize primary water damage, prevent mold growth, and curb secondary water damage.

After visible excess water is removed, some water will be left hidden within porous materials like wood, drywall and hard-to-access areas within the premises.  The professionals will use industrial-grade dryers, blowers, dehumidifiers to remove left-over water and reach an acceptable level of dryness.

  1. Dry affected areas quickly and efficiently

Expect a professional service to come with the right equipment that will help to dry the affected areas swiftly and effectively. This will ensure that water does not sit longer in the building to cause worse structural damage or mold growth. By manipulating temperature and relative humidity, the professionals will ensure the premises are completely rid of unwanted water and moisture.

  1. Dispose and restore various items

When the premises are dry, water damage restoration technicians will clean the walls, floors, and other surfaces using a method that is suitable and safe for their surface condition, the kind of water contamination, and extent of water damage.

Then, using special drying techniques, such as drying chambers, they will restore valuable items like documents and fine art, furniture and furnishings, electronic equipment, computers and machinery, and flooring.

But for items that are too damaged to recover or restore, the technicians will dispose of them in a safe and efficient manner. 

  1. Deodorize and sanitize the property

Depending on the type of water your premises have been exposed to, you can expect a serious, persistent, and difficult-to-remove odor to emerge. Therefore, the technicians will prioritize removal of unpleasant odors by deploying special techniques, scrubbers, and fogging.

And to enhance the safety and good health of the occupants, the water damaged property and items are sanitized.  The entire premise is treated with a disinfectant to kill pathogenic organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, mold, allergens, and other bio-contaminants

  1. Carry out repairs and restore the property

Once they are satisfied with the work done so far, the technicians will conduct further testing and monitoring of all the affected areas. You’ll also be asked to review the work completed.

And lastly, the technicians will conduct the necessary repairs to restore the property to its pre-damage condition.  For example, they can remove the damaged drywall and replace it with a new one. 

Restoration services can also include repainting the walls, rebuilding and reconstructing damaged areas as well as carrying out restorative carpet cleaning and even removing the old and installing a new tile, wooden or marble floors. 

Water damage can be tragic when response is not immediate and effective. Having your property restored by skilled, experienced technicians will save you money, limit additional damage, and prevent long-term problems since when done right the first time.

For more information on water damage restoration services in Lecanto, Florida, visit the site “West Central Equipment and Restoration.”

What Do I Do If My House Floods?

Typhoons and heavy rains are not the only reason why there’s flooding in your house. Your house may flood due to an overflowing toilet, a burst pipe, or a breakdown of your washing machine.

Untidy and dangerous

When your house floods, you need to quickly bring the situation under control to prevent potential exposure to contaminated water or widespread damage to your property and belongings.

Flood water is usually not clean and may contain harmful bacteria, viruses, molds, fungi, fecal matter, chemicals, dissolved gasses, and even snakes or other creatures. 

While the most immediate risk posed by floodwater is damage to your property and loss of possessions, it can also create health risks for your family.

The substances in flood water can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, eye irritations, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. 

What should you do after a flood in your house?

If it is a massive flood, evacuate your family to a safe place and wait until your home is safe again to re-enter. 

For a small flood, you will need to wear protective gear, stop the water from the source, remove the water, and dry your house. Wearing protective equipment such as rubber gloves and boots will protect you from injuries and bacteria-filled water.

Since water and electricity are a dangerous mix, you should turn off electricity in your house before you start removing the water. Ensure the electrical breaker is off before you step on wet areas or handle any electronics and appliances connected to electricity. If turning off the power in your house means standing on wet areas or in contact with plugged appliances and electronics, call an electrician to turn the power off.

Prepare to make your claim

Before you remove the floodwater, remember to document the damage first. Documentation is crucial when making an insurance claim. It will show your home insurance provider the specific damages to your property and belongings. Take several photographs and video footage of the damages. 

Also, create a list of what’s damaged and indicate whether it can be repaired, cleaned, or disposed of. Note the value of every item and take as many photos before, during, and after the cleanup. With these records, your adjuster will have an easy time during a damage assessment.

Call your home insurance provider to send an adjuster to your house as you document the damage. The insurance adjuster assigned to your claim will help you quantify the damage, confirm that the damages are covered and assist you in finding contractors to repair your home.

Sometimes you may pay for emergency expenses to bring the flood under control.

For example, you may pay a plumber to shut down the water supply. When you pay for any emergency services, keep the receipts. Your home insurance provider will likely pay for the emergency mitigation expenses as part of your overall claim. Some insurers will cover additional costs if the flood requires you move outside your home.

What is the best thing to do after flooding?

Contacting a reputable flood damage restoration company is the essential first step, depending on the extent of water damage. Whether it originates from a broken pipe, a leaking appliance, sewer backup, a flooded basement, or flooding after a fire has been extinguished, it brings serious problems that will need to be addressed. 

If you don’t remove the floodwater immediately, mold can begin to grow within as little as 24 hours, even from small amounts of moisture.

You need to deal with it quickly and effectively to prevent widespread damage. A flood restoration service will promptly respond, clean up the water, dry and disinfect the area, and make the necessary repairs within a short time.

Water and moisture can damage hardwood floors fast, so the restoration process should begin as soon as possible. Flood damage restoration should begin within the first 24 to 48 hours after the disaster. Professional service will ensure a safe and correct water removal as soon as you call them to your property.

When the flood is due to gray or black water from sinks and sewers, you must avoid direct contact with the water. Working with a professional flood damage restoration company with the right expertise and protective equipment will help to clean the water safely.

In some cases, you may need to remove flooring, drywall, and insulation to prevent mold and mildew from spreading in your home. Furniture may also need to be dried, cleaned, or thrown away, depending on the extent of the damage. 

When professionals carry out these tasks, they’ll also try to salvage valuable belongings, reduce losses, and minimize the overall cost of the damages and restoration.

Lastly, working with a flood restoration company will enable you to get the right advice. After water damage, you will need to determine whether your drywall, wet carpet, appliances, or furniture are destroyed or can be reused. 

The flood damage restoration professionals will inspect your property and give expert advice on the extent of damage, necessary repairs, and measures to prevent future floods.

Dedicated, professional flood damage restoration in Lecanto, Florida

Do you live in flood-prone areas in Florida? Would you like professional assistance with water damage restoration? 

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we provide expert flood damage restoration services throughout Florida. 

We offer:

  • 24/7 rapid response
  • Proper inspection and damage assessment
  • Meticulous water removal and extraction
  • Complete dehumidification
  • Cleaning and sanitizing
  • Mold testing and remediation
  • Air quality testing
  • Debris removal
  • Restoration of damaged areas

Our extensive experience tackling insurance claims will help you get a more accurate and fair settlement claim from your insurance provider. 

Call us today for more information on flood and water damage restoration!

24 Hour Emergency Fire and Water Damage Restoration

You’re a business owner and you want to partner with a fire and water damage expert that can provide a quick remedy with the least possible downtime to your business?

Or you are a homeowner who cares about the comfort of your loved ones should a fire or water damage occur in your property?

If so, you can trust West Central Equipment and Restoration with your fire and water damage restoration. We offer a 24-hour emergency restoration service that will help repair and restore your home with minimal downtime and losses.

Need immediate help ?

A fire on your property is a scary and an ultimately destructive affair. Uncontrolled fire can quickly spread through the property, destroy valuables, and inflict immense structural damage. 

And since the fire is likely to expose and destroy your property’s water system, you can expect it to be accompanied by water damage, making the situation more overwhelming and stressful. And of course water can be absorbed by porous building materials, worsening the damage and causing mold growth.

So when your home or business is impacted by fire or water disaster, you need immediate help to mitigate potential damage quickly.  You also need the right calibrated intervention to tackle the soot, smoke, residual odor, water damage, and any other damages beyond the fire or water, including structural damage from the fire extinguishing efforts, together with smoke damage.

Having a trusted restoration company you can reliably turn to at the hour of need can make a huge difference. 

Why Go West Central 24-hour emergency fire and water damage restoration?

Working with a company that does all critical aspects of fire and water damage restoration will save you money, time and hassle. You’ll have trained experienced professionals assess the fire or water damage promptly, help you understand the extent and severity of the damage, and guide you to make the best decisions on how to restore your property.

Go West Central also uses the most targeted and advanced equipment to detect hidden moisture, extract standing water, clear smoke, soot and foul odor, and repair damaged areas. And critically, it will massively improve the chances of having your insurance claim fully covered.

In fact, as soon as your property is declared safe to enter after a fire or water, you can expect our technicians to quickly inspect the damages and make a full assessment. And if any parts—doors, walls, windows or sections of the roof—have been compromised by the fire, we’ll work to quickly to secure the property to protect your property from further damage.

You can trust the professionals at Go West Central to cover exposed access points, like missing walls, blown out windows, doors, holes in the roof to minimize both damages and expenses to your home or business.

Why Go West Central Equipment and Restoration ?

At Go West Central, we offer a full service 24-hour emergency fire and water damage restoration to homes and businesses throughout Florida and the southeastern United States. You can rely on our certified repair technicians that are trained in fire, soot and smoke damage repair to complete the necessary repairs after the fire, using proper protocol to carry out the repairs until you’re satisfied. Plus, we use powerful water extractors and dehumidification equipment to completely dry the affected areas

The goal of our 24-hour fire and water damage restoration is to protect your investments and your health. So our professionals will arrive as quickly as possible, contain the fire or water from spreading, minimize the damage, and effectively restore the damaged areas. We use time-tested, effective and successful restoration solutions.

Our technicians specialize in business and residential fire and water damage restoration, with training and experience on restoring salvageable items, minimizing the damage, speeding up the drying process, and accurate documentation of the entire process. That’s why we have earned the reputation as a trusted leader in fire and water damage, specialty cleaning, mold remediation, and so much more.

Want to work with a 24/7 fire and water restoration service that you can trust? At Go West Central Equipment and Restoration, you can count on us. We’ll respond immediately to your fire or water damage emergency. 

 

What to Do After a Flood

It is quite distressing to find your home getting flooded after a long day at work. Torn between being exasperated and panicked about stopping it, what is the best course of action to take?

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we understand how devastating a flood can be. We have worked with homeowners for many years in emergency flood situations. We know that only swift, coordinated action can prevent the horrors associated with floods.

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So what should you do when your house floods?

  1. Stop the water from the source

You won’t do anything consequential if you allow more water to rush into your home. You will be overwhelmed in no time.

Therefore, the first step must be to identify and stop the source of the water. Unless the flooding is due to an act of nature, like extreme weather, you must immediately locate the source and turn it off or seal it up. If that would take time, turn off the main water valve to your house.

  1. Turn off electricity

You have cut off the water supply, but there is already water in your house. Unfortunately, water and electricity are not good friends. And if electricity is still on, the risk of electrocution is quite high. It is imperative that you turn off all electrical systems right away.

You don’t have to expose yourself by walking through the water to reach the fuse box. If you must step through the water to get to the fuse box, call an electrician to handle it for you.

Additionally, you shouldn’t use electrical appliances or equipment while standing in the water or if the items are wet.

  1. Evacuate the premises

When your home is flooded, it is more likely that the water will be contaminated and hazardous. The house must be evacuated to avoid exposure to contaminated water or increased risk of drowning.

Get everyone out safely and unhurt, and take them to a dry, secure spot outside your house—probably in the backyard or the home of a neighbor or friend.

If the flooding is due to a natural disaster, find a temporary shelter and relocate everyone to that place as soon as possible.

  1. Seek immediate help

Now that you’ve evacuated everyone, you must begin the restoration process. But don’t do it alone; you need help. If you are a renter, call your landlord to inform him about the flooding.

But if you are a homeowner, call your insurer and describe the extent of the water damage your home has suffered. Make sure your insurer clarifies whether you need to wait for an adjuster to visit your home before cleanup and repair can start.

  1. Document the situation

Before you have the place cleaned up, proper documentation of the situation is necessary. You can do this by writing short notes about the situation, including the rooms and items affected and the severity of the damage.

You should also use your cell phone camera to take photographs and record videos of all aspects of the flood damage.

You will need a detailed account of the flood damage to proceed with your insurance claim. Make sure to wear appropriate protective gear, such as gloves, waterproof boots, and waders, as you move around to document the situation.

  1. Clean your home

Once your homeowners insurance company has given you the go-ahead, you can start the cleanup. The faster you do this, the higher the chances of reducing mold, rot, and bacteria. Swift water extraction and the drying of affected areas also prevent more costly problems down the road.

However, flood cleanup is a long and hectic process involving water removal, salvaging personal items, drying the space, and disinfecting affected areas and objects touched by the water. You won’t be able to do it alone, especially if the affected area is large.

Call an emergency flood damage remediation service to help you clean the place.

  1. Prevent mold damage

Flooding can cause direct structural damage and loss of items, but if the water sits in your house for more than 24 hours, it runs the risk of secondary damage due to mold growth.

In some cases, there is a growth of black or toxic mold that has long-term adverse effects on health.

Mold growth is prevented through quick removal of water and drying of affected areas. If several areas of your home are affected, you need a professional water damage restoration service to remove the moisture and dry up the place.

If only a small area is affected, you can remove the water yourself and clean the place with a stronger cleaner, such as a bleach solution.

Timely and effective water damage restoration

No matter the cause of flooding, prompt action is necessary to protect your family, prevent health hazards, save your home, and recoup the cost of repairs as much as possible from your insurer.

Having a flood damage remediation service handle the situation helps to minimize the losses related to flood damage.

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we offer a 24/7, all-year professional emergency flood damage restoration service.

We have skilled and experienced technicians with the capacity to quickly identify the source of the water, stop the inflow, clean up the place, dry all affected items and areas, and prevent mold growth.

We will arrive at your home soon after you call us and work professionally to restore your home.

Call us today for flood damage remediation in Lecanto, Florida, at (352) 270-8417.

5 Steps to Proper Mold Removal

When water, fire, mold, dust, smoke, storms and other hazards strike your property, you could suffer a significant setback in your quality of life or business revenue. The experience is upsetting. You want to repair and restore everything as soon as possible.

Restoring property on your own can be an overwhelming job. It demands extreme effort, special equipment and a lot of time. But with the help of a professional restoration service, you can quickly and efficiently get through it with minimal disruption to your business and life.

West Central Equipment and Restoration is a trusted leader in quality restoration services in Lecanto, Florida. You can rely on us, whether you need emergency flood damage restoration, plumbing leak recovery, or carpet and upholstery maintenance cleaning. Whatever you need, we have the training, equipment, and experience to make your property feel like home again.

  1. Remarkable professionals

West Central Equipment and Restoration is a specialized service with a dedicated team of experts who get things back up and running in your home or business. We treat you and your property with respect and care. You can expect a careful inspection and a tailored revitalization plan.

We show up for all appointments on time, consider your expectations and preferences, and stay in constant communication with you until the job is done. And if you are not happy with the cleaning and restoration results, we come back and make things right. Our goal is to ensure your total satisfaction.

  1. Prompt, reliable service

Disasters call for a timely response and a quick turnaround. That’s why our team of cleaning and restoration experts is available 24/7 all year to help you recover from an unexpected water or fire-related emergency.

We provide scheduled cleaning services Monday through Friday and weekend assistance through our emergency hotline. We will work with your insurance provider to ensure that your property is quickly restored to an optimal condition.

  1. Appropriate tools and cleaning products

At West Central, we apply science, skill and cutting-edge technology to bring superior results with our restoration and cleaning services. When we arrive at your property after a disaster, you can expect a thorough inspection, the removal of non-salvageable materials, quickly pre-cleaned impacted items, and a prompt clearing up of the mess.

We use our state-of-the-art equipment—such as air scrubbers, air movers, water floor drying systems, dehumidifiers, and sub-floor drying equipment—to tackle the damage correctly and efficiently. 

We are experts in cleaning different surfaces such as granite, hardwood and glass, and we use environment-friendly, pet-friendly products that protect the health of all your family members or co-workers. 

No need to worry about cleaning old, heavy stains or facing toxic fumes because we use only the safest products.

  1. Consistently high-quality service

Depending on the amount of time and energy you have when cleaning your property, you may neglect details such as mopping bathroom floors or dusting the microwave oven. Because you spend so much time in the same space, you may overlook areas that need extra attention.

When West Central does the job, you will be surprised by the details our professionals can spot during the first walk-through. We will send 2 or 3 skilled technicians to your home or office, depending on the layout of your home. Our restoration experts will inspect every nook and cranny and clean the entire space thoroughly.

What services do we offer?

  1. Water damage restoration

Water damage is more common than you might think. It could be a result of unexpected flooding, frozen pipe, broken pipe, or sewage backup in your home or office.

At West Central, we are fully equipped with the proper training, tools and equipment to quickly extract water and dry affected areas of your building. Our certified professionals will use the best equipment and drying processes to get your home back to normal within a short time.

  1. Fire damage, smoke, and soot restoration

Whatever the size of the fire disaster, we are dedicated to ensuring that you get your property back to its best condition possible. Our focus on training ensures we have the expertise and skills needed to promptly restore your property after a fire disaster. We do everything possible to leave your home free from smoke, soot or unpleasant odor after a fire.

  1. Mold remediation

You may have mold growth in your home due to poor air circulation, the presence of moisture, or the type of building materials used. When moisture is present, mold can grow and colonize your home.

If you are experiencing increased severity of allergies, living with a musty odor, or have mold growth on your walls, furniture or floors, then you should give our mold remediation team a call. We will remedy the situation and work with you to prevent future mold growth.

  1. HVAC and air duct cleaning

Are you suffering from allergies, asthma, headaches or frequent respiratory ailments due to excessive dust in your home? In an airtight home, indoor air quality is significantly lowered, and your household dust may contain dust mites, mold, mildew, pollen or animal dander.

Unfortunately, many of these contaminants are circulated through the central air system in your home and can aggravate asthma, allergies, and respiratory illnesses.

West Central has powerful state-of-the-art extraction machines to help clean your ducts and ensure improved indoor air quality. We have certified duct cleaning technicians to complete the job effectively.

  1. Residential cleaning

Minor mishaps happen at home. Your kids spill drinks, your pets have accidents, and your home gets dirty. At one time or another, you may need cleaning services ranging from air duct cleaning, rug and upholstery cleaning, carpet cleaning, stain removal, odor removal, debris removal, asbestos abatement, or the removal of biohazard contaminants.

West Central can ease the burden of maintaining your home. We have the expertise and equipment to make your house feel like home again by creating a safe, clean, and comfortable living environment for your family.

  1. Commercial restoration and cleaning

A water, mold, or fire disaster can disrupt the operation of your business. But a professional restoration and cleaning service will get you up and running again with minimal impact on your daily business activities.

At West Central, we pride ourselves on being a commercial restoration company you can trust. We will make sure you know our restoration plan for your business from the start of the cleaning and recovery process to the end. 

Call West Central and do it right

When it comes to disaster recovery, time is of the essence. The longer you wait, the more costly it gets. You have to find professionals who will do the job right away and do it right the first time. 

When you hire us, you get:

  1.   Highly trained restoration technicians
  2.   Thorough inspection of areas to be cleaned
  3.   Advanced restoration and cleaning equipment
  4.   Faster response to any size disaster
  5.   Experienced navigation of the insurance process
  6.   Professional service
  7.   Expert advice
  8.   Guaranteed results

We are currently serving Lecanto, Florida, for jobs large and small. Whether you want to quickly dry your carpet after substantial water damage or treat a property for mold removal, our experts will effectively tackle your task while keeping you up to date on any crucial changes. We are available 24/7 all year with our friendly dispatchers and technicians on-call at all times.

For more information, call West Central Equipment and Restoration at (352) 270-8417.

What You Need to Know About Mold Growth in Your Home

Key takeaways

  • Mold is a type of fungal growth that develops on damp materials and areas, and can cause significant damage, losses, and health effects when found indoors.
  • Exposure to mold can lead to various health issues, including nasal and sinus congestion, eye irritation, skin irritation, respiratory problems and more. People with severely suppressed immune systems or existing respiratory conditions are particularly susceptible.
  • To prevent mold growth, it is important to identify and control sources of moisture in your home, such as roof leaks, indoor plumbing leaks, and poor ventilation. Regular cleaning and repair of gutters, proper ventilation of heating and cooking appliances, and keeping air-conditioning and heating systems in good working order can also help prevent mold growth.”
What You Need to Know About Mold Growth in Your Home

Mold is a fungal growth that develops on damp materials and areas. Also called mildew, mold is a natural part of the environment. It helps break down and digest dead organic matter, such as fallen leaves, grass, vegetation, and trees.

However, mold growth indoors must be avoided as it can cause massive damage, losses, and adverse health effects.

Can mold make your family sick?

Although some people are more sensitive to mold exposure than others, extensive indoor mold contamination leads to health problems.

For example, some molds produce harmful chemicals called mycotoxins. Exposure to high levels of mycotoxins can cause neurological problems and death.

Health issues related to mold exposure include:

  1. Nasal and sinus congestion
  2. Eye irritation
  3. Skin irritation such as a rash
  4. Runny nose and persistent sneezing
  5. Itchy, red, watery eyes
  6. Respiratory problems like cough, chest tightness, wheezing and difficulty breathing, or throat irritation

While infections and illnesses due to mold exposure are rare, people with severely suppressed immune systems, such as HIV/AIDS, organ transplant patients, or chemotherapy patients, can have severe illnesses when exposed to mold. People with existing respiratory conditions like asthma, chronic lung disease, allergies, and emphysema are also very susceptible.

What causes mold growth indoors?

Molds reproduce through tiny, lightweight spores that float and travel through the air. When the spores settle on damp surfaces, they begin to grow within 24 to 48 hours. As they grow, they spread and eventually damage adjacent organic materials.

The spores require sufficient moisture, proper nutrients, and optimum temperature to grow into new mold colonies. This means most indoor mold growths are due to the presence of water or moisture resulting from incomplete drying of flooring materials, flooding, or leaky roofs.

The moisture may also be due to poor building maintenance, indoor plumbing problems, or condensation of surfaces cooler than the moisture-laden air.

Because mold growth requires food sources, they grow on cellulose-based building materials like plywood, furring strips, drywalls, finish carpentry, wood framing, cabinetry, composite wood flooring, carpets, and carpet padding. Plus, in carpets, an organic load such as dust and cellulose provides the food they need to grow.

Where does mold grow?

Mold grows in areas with a lot of moisture. You will find their colonies around leaks in roofs, windows, seals of refrigerator doors, pipes, areas previously flooded, and the surfaces of and around air conditioners. You can also find mold growths on bathroom tiles, shower stalls, shower curtains, paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, drywall, carpet, insulation, paints, fabric, and upholstery.

How do you know if mold is in your home?
As molds grow, they produce a musty odor that spreads throughout your home. So one of the easiest ways to tell that mold is in your home is the stuffy odor produced by the fungi.

You can also detect mold growth by its appearance. As molds grow, they spread as a fuzzy, discolored, or slimy patch that increases in size. You can check for signs of mold-related warping, staining, or patches underneath surfaces such as walls, carpets, cabinets, and wallpaper.

How do you prevent mold growth?

Because mold flourishes in places with moisture, you need to identify and control water problems in your home. Some of the most common sources of moisture include roof leaks, indoor plumbing leaks, and outdoor drainage problems.

Moisture may also come from wet clothes drying inside your home, clothes dryer venting indoors, poor or improper ventilation of heating and cooking appliances, and humidifiers. Likewise, increased indoor moisture may be a result of steam from the bathroom or kitchen, condensation on cool surfaces, and damp basements and crawl spaces.

To prevent mold growth, you should clean and repair roof gutters, keep air-conditioning drip pans clean, dry areas of moisture or condensation, and ensure adequate ventilation. Plus, you should keep drainage lines clear and treat affected surfaces with fungicidal encapsulation coating after cleaning.

How do you get rid of mold?

a. Moisture control
Identify and correct any sources of water, dampness, or new mold growth. Pay more attention to high moisture areas such as bathrooms.

b. Discard porous materials
If there is extensive mold growth on a certain porous material, such as drywall, ceiling tile, paper, or carpeting, discard the material. You should also discard all wet materials that you cannot clean or dry thoroughly.

c. Proper cleaning of surfaces
For hard surfaces that are not decayed or rotten, you can clean them with soap and water. Only clean the areas yourself if they are small and pose no risk of spreading mold spores to other areas.

If you realize that the moisture cannot be practically eliminated from affected materials, use diluted chlorine bleach—1 cup bleach in 5 gallons of water—to control mold growth. But when using the bleach or any cleaner, make sure to allow enough ventilation to prevent eye, throat or nose irritation.

d. Hire a certified remediation specialist
If mold colonies have spread in your home and covered larger areas (at least 10 feet), call a certified mold remediation expert to help. You should also hire an expert if you are highly sensitive to mold.

Exceptional Residential Mold Remediation

Have you noticed signs of mold growth in your property? Do you need professional intervention to resolve the problem permanently?

Call West Central Equipment and Restoration to help you with mold cleaning.

At West Central in Lecanto, Florida, we will respond quickly to assess your indoor environment, clean the mold, remove badly damaged items, eliminate spores, and restore healthy indoor air quality.

We make sure to permanently eliminate any traces of mold through efficient techniques such as dry brushing of solid wood surfaces, wet vacuuming of wet materials, damp wiping with water and detergent, and HEPA vacuuming to eliminate all spores from your home. Plus, we use safe, effective antifungal solutions.

If you have specific concerns or need assistance with mold removal in Lecanto, Florida, call us anytime day or night at (352) 270-8417.

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