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We take our job and your health very seriously. Absolute Flood Response requires all technicians to be certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). As certified mold professionals, we follow the IICRC-S520 standard of care guidelines as well as have post-remediation tests done by a 3rd-party indoor air quality hygienist to certify that the job is done correctly on every large mold job. Slight discolorations on the walls and ceiling may go unnoticed for a long time as they gradually spread and get more severe. Even if they are noticed, they often are ignored because it is thought that some discoloration will occur as a part of normal wear and tear in a home. Molds spread throughout the living space leading to serious health consequences. Symptoms caused by mold allergy are watery, itchy eyes, a chronic cough, headaches or migraines, difficulty breathing, rashes, tiredness, sinus problems, nasal blockage and frequent sneezing. Absolute Flood Response also offers “Free Contactless Mold Inspections For Homeowners”. We have the expertise and experience to contain and remove mold from your home, and restore it back to its pre-loss condition. You can rest assured that mold problems have been properly addressed because we use clearance tests to verify that our job was done right each and every time. When it happens to you, you don’t have to ask yourself “My house has mold, now what do I do?” Call (702) 243-5663 for the best mold remediation services in Las Vegas and allow us the privilege of serving you.

We’ve seen the extreme scenarios on TV shows such as MythBusters; “Water Heater Explodes and Leaves Hole In Roof,” but, what happens to cause water heaters to fail? Water heaters typically go bad for two reasons: Not changing the anode rod, which leads to corrosion that eats through the tank. If you haven’t had your water heater’s anode rod replaced (typically about every 10 years), it can become a ticking time bomb that can fail very soon. Sediment covering the electric elements / gas burner, at which point performance will be reduced. This will often cause “popping” noises, as the elements get quite hot and then cause water trapped within the sediment to almost instantaneously boil, causing a tiny explosion as the water turns to vapor. So, now that we know that, what can we do to stop a potential disaster? Since most people don’t maintenance their water heater on a regular basis (due to it being out of sight and out of mind), that’s one place you can start; Regularly turn your water heater up past 140 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any potentially deadly microbes If you know what to look for on your anode rod, replace it when it needs replacing. If not, contact a certified professional to take a look at it for you. Clean around / replace burner elements when they need replacing. Periodically check the relief valve. These can become blocked or corroded over, and if so, it is a good idea to contact a professional. Unfortunately, since most people do not have the opportunity to do the above steps, or the knowledge on what to look for when maintaining water heaters, it increases the chances that the water heater won’t be properly maintained and may fail. If you maintain your water heater, you can expect many years of use out of it. If you are unsure of when yours was last serviced, Absolute Flood Response can put you in contact with one of our GREAT plumbing company partners here in Las Vegas, NV to help keep your equipment serviced and to keep you safe!

Insurance can be very confusing to most homeowners, especially when a disaster strikes, so, Absolute Flood Response does everything we can to make sure the process goes smoothly for homeowners, so that all you have to worry about it you and your family, not if the job will get done right. Absolute Flood Response is so confident about our experience and expertise working with insurance companies that we will begin work on your project as soon as possible. We have an excellent knowledge of the insurance process. This means we can expedite the entire process to make the necessary repairs and get you back in your home or building in record time. As soon as we arrive, we digitally document any and all damage we see on site. If necessary, we will assist you in submitting the claim and the process of filling out damage assessment forms detailing the value of your property in the same format required by a wide range of insurance providers. Absolute Flood Response will create a detailed assessment / invoice for your insurance company using Xactimate, the same software accepted industry-wide by adjusters and carriers. Depending on your policy, insurance companies should pay most, if not all, of the cost to repair any water damage, fire damage, smoke damage and sewer backups as well as any rebuilding that needs to be performed. In addition, to make sure everything continues to go smoothly, one of our Certified technicians will meet personally with the field adjuster from your insurance company when they come to inspect your property. If disaster happens, it is important to have a knowledgeable mediator on your side. Trust Absolute Flood Response to successfully complete your claim and restore your premises to an as new condition. We will make sure your claim is represented accurately so you can get your home or business back to its pre-loss condition as soon as possible. For the best restoration services in Las Vegas, call (702) 243-5663 and allow us the privilege of serving you.

When you think of the term “hoarding” what comes to mind? No doubt many people think of homes full of piles of old newspapers, or bags of garbage piling up. Some people may even simply think of the A&E show “Hoarders” and some of the incredible lengths that some people will go to in order to avoid throwing anything out. According to the American Psychiatric Association, hoarding is a serious psychological problem in which the person with the hoarding disorder has persistent difficulty parting with possessions. This clutter is more than just a mess, however. A hoarder will often have collected for years or even decades, leaving only enough room to get around in their-now maze-like house. A home that has been affected by hoarding can be not only a cleaning crew’s nightmare, but also a hazard to live and work in. Among the hazards are collapses, fires and even structural integrity. Collapses are caused by the piles of material collected by the hoarder. These piles can become unstable over time and might topple over onto an occupant of the house, or, someone working in there to remove the clutter, causing possible injury. One of the most famous examples of this happened to a pair of brothers who were hoarders, and whose bodies were not found for weeks by authorities due to a collapse in their house. As collections of possessions grow inside the house, so does the risk of fire and other associated hazards. With more flammable materials lying around, fire can spread more quickly. Larger accumulations of possessions in a maze-like living space can also cause problems for rescue workers who may have to try and navigate the house if someone is trapped inside. This doesn’t even begin to discuss the problem of the stresses that these collections can often put houses under. When built correctly, load-bearing parts of a house are meant to support only a certain amount of weight. However, as these collections grow, floors can buckle under the weight of these materials, causing unsafe living conditions where floors are crushed under the weight of a hoarder’s collection. The problem of mold in a house is only exacerbated by the inability to find it due to immense clutter. A pipe could develop cracks or leaks and this problem would not be found for months or even years, becoming a breeding ground for mold. This danger can last even longer when you consider that the clutter in the house must be removed before remediation can occur, leading to mold continuing to grow for a longer period of time. Mold spores can also be released into the air during the cleanup, due to all the moving and touching of damaged materials affected by the mold. We recommend that if you come into contact with mold in a hoarders’ house, call in a professional such as Absolute Flood Response. We will ensure that the job is done right the first time and that everything will be done to make sure that the mold will be contained to the areas that it is already in, and not spread to other parts of the house.

Mold is disgusting. But, concern about having mold in your home goes far beyond being simply grossed out. Mold is a serious health hazard; triggering existing allergy and asthma symptoms but also causing certain kinds of respiratory issues and other diseases. All of a sudden, that leaky pipe or the ceiling that needs patching goes from a problem that you’ll ‘get to someday’ into a potential hazard for you and your family. It’s not just limited to areas with high humidity or old buildings in need of repair. Mold is resilient, and it can grow in even the smallest area that offers favorable conditions to it. In mold’s case, that means somewhere with moisture. Kitchens, bathrooms, crawl spaces, basements, these are all the most common kinds of places that mold can settle in your home. Sometimes it’ll be easy to spot, other times you might not know it’s there until it’s already affecting your health. That’s why it’s so important that the moment you might suspect the presence of mold or detect any kind of water damage, the removal process begins. Contacting a professional to take care of any potential mold problems is a fast, easy way to make sure the job gets done correctly the first time and doesn’t come back any time soon. Trained professionals know how to protect themselves from mold and not only remove the contaminated material but also correct whatever caused the mold in the first place. If you’re worried you might have mold in your home, contact Absolute Flood Response, your local Certified Property Restoration Service professionals, immediately to assess the situation. We provide free visual mold inspection services and, in an emergency, can arrive within 60 minutes.

Construction work, restoration and remediation efforts, and commercial cleaning activities are connected in a big way by a small thing: dust. Dust describes small particles, particularly those that settle out of the air. Until recently in history, most dust was only made up of natural, organic materials, such as soil, organic matter, insects, skin cells, hair, and clothing fibers. While these still make up a lot of dust, modern dust now contains measurable quantities of potentially harmful particulates. Working with plywood, particleboard, engineered wood, laminate flooring, and similar products produces sawdust that includes chemicals rather than just wood dust. Interior dust may also contain many natural materials that can cause problems. Asbestos, mold spores, fragments, and mycotoxins are natural but can be very detrimental. Bacteria and viruses are also recovered from interior dust. Health and medical specialists have learned that these microorganisms cling to dust particles to more easily travel around a building. Therefore, they focus on dust control as a key component of reducing infections. In order to make dust control part of the work process, this involves up to six different techniques: The erection of plastic barriers that separate the work area from other parts of the structure. Applying negative pressure inside the work area to keep dust generated during the project from moving place to place in the structure. Filtration of the air being removed from the work area or being collected in vacuums. Dust collection at the point of creation by utilizing shrouds on power tools or vacuum nozzles in the immediate vicinity of the work. Detailed cleaning of all surfaces in the work zone with products/techniques designed to capture small particles. The use of air cleaning methods — such as air scrubbing — during the detailed cleaning to ensure that small dust particles are captured and removed rather than resuspended in the air. As dust control continues to grow in importance, Absolute Flood Response and AFR Construction ensure the safety of your family and home on every job we do.

Can water damage to carpet be repaired? Some homeowners may think that this type of loss cannot be recovered. Fortunately, in many cases with the right process, the carpet can be restored. What should a homeowner do if this happens? The most important step is to contact a specialized technician that is trained to handle this type of situation. When a company is found, make sure that that business is associated with the Institute of Inspection Cleaning, Restoration and Certification, or the IICRC. The IICRC is a non-profit organization that sets the standards for the industry. This non-profit also provides certification to technicians. IICRC-certified technicians are highly skilled and know what to do when flooring in a home is in need of repair. Time is of the essence when water damage occurs. Mold can begin to grow if the water is left standing for long. The experienced technician will come out and assess the damage and determine whether or not the carpet can be salvaged. There are a number of factors that go into deciding this. One of the factors to consider is the source of the water. Is it clean and pure, or did sewage get mixed in during the incident? If the water contains harmful bacteria and is allowed to sit for an extended period of time, carpeting may need to be replaced. Only a trained technician can accurately assess the damage and determine what steps need to be taken. Water damage to your carpet is a frustrating situation. To ensure peace of mind, contact a certified technician that can handle this type of situation and get things back to normal. Special thanks to the IICRC for this information.

Determining your category of water loss on your next mitigation job is very important to everyone involved. So then how do we know what is a Category 2 Water Loss? The S500 says: “A Category 2 Water Loss contains significant contamination and has potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contacted by humans.” So what category of loss do we have? Thats hard to say and is going to take some investigation on your part. Each water restoration job will be unique with all of the different factors that come into play. When looking for possible contaminants to determine a category of loss you have to take into consideration the condition of the property you are working with and also the source of water. The condition of the property will influence your decision as to which category you are choosing. If the building is already not in the best state you have to make sure you take that into consideration based on where the water is going. If there is elevated bacteria in a building you are entering the first thing you may notice is the smell. If your nose is smelling it, then it is probably there. The source of water will play a role in determining the category. Where did it originate from? A washing machine, a dishwasher, a toilet, or is it from rain or flooding? All will coming into play when making your decision. Time and temperature will also help you come to a conclusion on this. Ask yourself? How long has the water been sitting there? Is there potential for mold growth based on the time it has been sitting and the temperature inside of the structure? As told to us from Jeremy Reets in our NEWEST ReetsTV Water Restoration Pro Series video he tells us to make sure when we are on our next water restoration job and determining the category of loss to: - Look for Significant Contamination - Adjust Our Process Accordingly - Make Sure That We are Throughly Cleaning Before we Begin to Dry

In Las Vegas indoor water damage is more common then you might think. Not by flash floods from heavy rains but from indoor pluming issues. Indoor flooding can happen for a number of reasons and sometimes it’s inevitable. But, for the most part, mishaps can be avoided by regularly maintaining your home’s plumbing fixtures and appliances. Common causes of indoor flooding: Broken pipes Malfunctioning dishwashers Leaking washing machines Frozen pipes Broken or backed-up toilets and sinks Burst appliance hoses Clogged sewer drain Burst water heater Luckily, most of these problems can be prevented. Never ignore a leaking pipe. Inspect that all pipes are in good condition, free of holes and that all fittings are snug. By replacing your washing machine hose every three to five years, you will reduce the odds of it bursting and flooding your home. You’d be surprised how much water can pour out of a hose in a small amount of time. Swap out your rubber dishwasher hose for a steel-braided one; they are much more durable and cost around $20. Don’t use your toilet as a wastebasket. Even though some products are labeled as flushable, it doesn’t mean they are. Things like paper towels, facial tissues, wipes, and feminine hygiene products all contribute to clogging your sewer drain. Use your garbage disposal wisely. Do not discard large amounts of food down the disposal and never pour cooking oil or fat down the drain. By doing so, you’re potentially creating a clog in your sewer drain which can cause sewage to back-up into your home. Blanket exposed pipes that are outside of your home. This helps to prevent the cold air from freezing the water inside the pipes. Flooding can cause a lot of damage, especially when you’re not home to get it under control. Don’t run your washing machine or dishwasher unless you’re home. You wouldn’t want to come back to a flooded house. Know where the water shutoff valves are in your home as well as where the main shutoff valve is. This can come in handy if a pipe were to break or your toilet started to overflow. Unfortunately, disasters still happen. That’s why it’s important to have homeowner’s insurance and a policy that covers flood damage. Repairing your home after a flood can be costly. Having a policy set in place is going to protect you from paying thousands of dollars out of pocket. As soon as a flood happens, don’t hesitate to call a flood restoration company; the sooner, the better. The longer you allow water to stand in your home, the more damage you’re going to encounter. The next step to take is starting a claim with your insurance company. Once your claim is started, Absolute Flood Response will work with your claim adjuster so you don’t have to. As you have learned, a broken water line in your home can be a big problem, but when a sewage line gets backed up or breaks, flooding your home, it comes with a lot of additional immediate hazards. Sewage is full of bacteria that are extremely dangerous to your health and it’s important that you call Absolute Flood Response as soon as it happens. It’s essential that the remediation process is started as soon as possible. No matter what time of day, Absolute Flood Response is there to help you. In sixty minutes or less, they will be at your door ready to reverse the damage. Don’t let standing water ruin your home and turn your life upside down. Do what you can to prevent flooding but in case it does happen, know that the professionals at Absolute Flood Response are there to help you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Have you ever wondered how to get rid of common household problems? These handy tips and tricks should help with even the most stubborn of minor problems!

Indoor mold can begin to grow within 24-48 hours. This happens when spores settle on a surface that is moist such as cardboard, drywall or flooring. Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria and Aspergillus are the four most common indoor molds. To prevent mold from growing in your home, it’s essential to control the humidity levels. This means having proper ventilation in showers, laundry rooms and kitchens. It’s also important to fix leaks as soon as they happen and to clean up after a flood, being sure to thoroughly dry any surfaces that came in contact with water. Replacing areas of drywall or flooring may also be necessary. The following are common symptoms of mold exposure: Sinus congestion and runny nose Coughing Wheezing, difficulty breathing, tightness of chest Eye irritation Skin irritation Headaches Nausea and vomiting Sneezing and sneezing fits Fever Mold is prevalent outdoors as well as indoors and has been around for millions of years. It assists in the decomposition of organic materials such as leaves, wood and plants, but is capable of breaking down synthetic materials such as paint and adhesives. If mold has started to grow in your home, it’s crucial to have it removed and the source of the moisture fixed. The process of removing the mold is called “ mold remediation”. This involves evaluating the area affected and determining the best and safest way to remove the mold. If it’s not taken care of, serious health issues can arise. If anyone in your family is experiencing these symptoms, call a mold remediation company right away to come out and check your home for mold. It is also recommended to seek medical attention to be sure that everyone in your household will recover from the exposure. Mold can appear a few different ways. Black, gray-brown, gray-green and white are common colors and mold growing behind vinyl wallpaper can be orange, pink or purple. It often looks splotchy and clustered but can also appear thread like. Aside from the health effects mold causes, other signs of an infestation include odor. When mold grows, it releases microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) which are the reason for the strong “musty odor” associated with mold. The best way to avoid mold is to prevent it. Always clean up thoroughly after a flood and get leaks fixed immediately. Remember, where there is moisture, mold is bound to grow. References: EPA reference on Mold and Moisture

Why Is Mold Growing In My Home? Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture. Can Mold Cause Health Problems? Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. How Do I Get Rid Of Mold? It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don’t fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back. Finally, it’s important to remember that if a mold problem and it’s sources are not properly dealt with in the proper manner, it can and will return, which is why it’s important to contact a certified mold remediation specialist such as Absolute Flood Response, to ensure that it is done right the first time. Call today with any questions at (702) 243-5663! Remember: The key to mold control is moisture control. If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem. It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. Many thanks to the EPA for this great information!