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The Basics of Mold:

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!

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Mold Remediation, Testing & Removal Services

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.

When is it time to replace a water heater?

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!

Absolute Flood Response Works With Your Insurance For You

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.