Mold. The word strikes fear in your heart. Its scientific name, fungi, sounds even more frightening. Mold comes in several varieties including Acremonium, Cladosporium, Dreschslera, Epicoccum, Penicillium, Stachybotrys and Trichoderma. Try pronouncing those! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) isn't too concerned about your pronunciation, but they do suggest you don't allow mold in your home. In … [Read more...]
Got Mold? Learn Learn How to Prevent Mold from Growing in Your House
Where Does Mold Come From? The Main Causes of Mold in Homes
Believe it or not, more than half of American homes have an active mold problem. When left untreated, that mold can lead to severe upper respiratory issues, putting your family at risk. Though it’s possible to clean and remove mold once and for all, it’s far better to prevent it in the first place. But you can’t do that if you’re stuck asking yourself, “where does mold come from?” If you don’t know, don’t panic. Here … [Read more...]
How To Ensure Fire Safety for Your Home This Summer
Throughout the western US, especially in California, widespread damage from catastrophic wildfires has increased in both frequency and scale in the past 10-15 years. Whether attributable to climate change or other factors, it's undeniable. The fall of 2018 was particularly bad, with the horrific Camp Fire killing dozens and leveling the entire community of Paradise in northern California. Life will never be the same … [Read more...]
How to Remove Smoke Smell After a Fire
If you've had a house fire, you're not alone. Believe it or not, there are over 355 thousand house fires in the U.S. every year. Every single one of them have had struggles associated with the fire, but there's one that isn't talked about as much. All of those victims had to figure out how to get rid of that disgusting smell that's left over. Luckily, we can help with that. Let's talk about how to get rid of fire … [Read more...]
What to Expect From the Atlantic Hurricane Season
What to Expect From the Atlantic Hurricane Season The summer will be heating up soon enough and so too will the Atlantic hurricane season. Over a six-month period - stretching from June 1 to Nov. 30 - business owners up and down the eastern seaboard hold their collective breath, hoping that a tropical storm won't arrive at their doorstep. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, … [Read more...]
Why you should fear floods if you’re unprepared
Why you should fear floods if you're unprepared If you've paid attention to the news lately - or if you live in one of the affected regions - you know the Midwest has received massive amounts of flooding. In Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota, among others, farmlands have been destroyed and cattle tragically swept away by swollen rivers overflowing. At one point in mid-March 2019, at least 75 cities were in … [Read more...]
7 Best Practices for Building a Hurricane-Proof House
Over the past several years, Americans have witnessed some of the most devastating hurricanes to ever hit during many of our lifetimes. In 2017, Hurricane Maria wreaked havoc on the United States territory of Puerto Rico, claiming the lives of over 2,900 residents. The storm knocked out power to the entire island and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. Then, in 2018, Hurricane Michael made headlines as … [Read more...]
Everything You Need to Know About the Mold Remediation Process
What is that musty smell? You ask yourself this while crinkling your nose when you walk into your bathroom. This smell didn’t exist a few weeks ago. The truth is that this scent usually indicates a mold problem. If it’s just a small amount of mold you may be able to take care of it on your own with a few safety precautions. If it’s an infestation, that’s another story. You’ll have to call a mold remediation … [Read more...]
Tarping a Roof and Other Emergency Repairs to Take Care of After a Storm
It seems like every day there’s breaking news about some sort of major weather event. From devastating hurricanes and tornados, to raging monsoons and bomb cyclones, people all across the United States are impacted by the wrath of Mother Nature. Are you prepared for the next major storm? When a major storm rolls through, it often leaves plenty of damage in its wake. During the aftermath, insurance companies are … [Read more...]
5 Factors That Affect Water Damage Repair Costs
Water is a force of nature to be reckoned with and has the amazing power to both create and destroy anything in it's path. It created the Grand Canyon, it keeps us alive, and unfortunately, it can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home. If you live in a snowy, but affordable city like Minneapolis, Minnesota or a rainy city like Miami, then listen up! If your home has water damage, repairing it … [Read more...]
Why Time Is of the Essence When It Comes to Fire Damage Restoration
Startled by the sound of a fire alarm going off, you're suddenly awake in the middle of the night. You rush out of bed and get yourself and your family out of the house. Once you and your family are safe, you call the fire department to come and calm the flames. After the smoke clears and the fire department leaves, you see your belongings covered in soot and water. It can be overwhelming seeing the damages that fire … [Read more...]
In the Calm After the Storm: How to Check Your Home for Storm Damage
When Mother Nature hits, your home is often in the path of destruction. Storm damage, however minor, can cause expensive long-term problems when repairs aren't carried out quickly. High winds, heavy rain, flooding, and even lightning can all cause damage to your property. From water running down roof beams into the walls to debris damaging windows, there are many ways a storm or hurricane can damage your … [Read more...]