Mold: How Green, Orange and Red Does Your Garden Grow?

Of all the things that we must face in the maintenance of our homes, mold can be one of the most pervasive and difficult to combat. Just the mention of the words “mold problem” can be enough to give some home owners an involuntary shudder. Mold in the home can lead to unsightly, colorful growths (or blooms) and can lead to a variety of problems – including health related issues like asthma or other respiratory-related illnesses.

Mold, when left unchecked, can spread throughout the interior of a house. It’s a subversive problem that can spread unchecked in exterior and interior spaces (yes, even inside the walls of our home). This unbridled growth can drastically affect our health, safety and budgets – mold remediations can end up costing five digits to clean up.

As with all home-related problems, the damage and rise to mold and mold-related issues can be minimized with a little practical advice and some basic home preparation. To follow are ten of our recommendations for combating the problem in your home:

1. Keep Moisture Levels Low

   Mold thrives on moisture in the air. Keep humidity levels in the home low to prevent the spreading and growth of mold spores. The EPA suggests keeping humidity levels between 30-50%.

2. Clean Up Spills or Standing Water Quickly

   Mold grows in wet spaces. Keep the danger of mold blooms forming by cleaning up spilled or standing water as soon as possible.

3. Reduce Clutter

   Clutter in the home can reduce airflow which can lead to mold formation. Reduce the amount of items and simplify your environment to increase airflow throughout your home.

4. Reduce Shower Moisture

   Open bathroom windows and turn on bathroom fan during showers to help disperse moisture. Continue to run the fan for 15-20 minutes after the water is turned off to remove remaining moisture from the bathroom.

5. Clean or Repair Roof Gutters

   Gutters that overflow due to the backup of debris can overflow along the roof and cause mold issues. Be sure to clean (and repair) home gutters in order to keep water from pooling along the roofline.

6. Re-Direct Water Away from the House

   Look for places along the edges of the foundation where significant water can pool, and re-direct the flow to avoid water seepage into the foundation or basement of the home.

7. Use a De-humidifier

   De-humidifiers can be a great tool to keep humidity levels low in the house and prevent mold from forming. A portable de-humidifier will set you back about $150-200, but it’s money well spent if keeps your interior mold free.

These preventative tips can help to reduce the likelihood of mold developing or becoming a real problem in the home. But what do you do if you already have mold in the home and you fear the health and welfare of yourself and family members? Northern Arizona Restoration has years of experience when it comes to home restoration and damage remediation. Our staff of trained and certified experts can quickly detect mold problems and determine the best way to combat the infection. Give us a call today or contact us through the website with your questions, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Last month we showed you that taking a few preventative measures around your home could help to prevent potential water damage. In the second of our two part series of preventative tips we’ll take a look at the bathroom and the roof. Here are a few things to check for in those areas:

And in the Bathroom:

• The dangers of water damage don’t just come from leaky pipes. Be sure to watch the amount of toilet paper put into toilets (especially low flow devices). These can easily cause water to overflow when flushed.
• Check the base of your toilet for unexplained water pools. This could be a result of a problems with the wax ring under the toilet.
• As with your sinks, it’s a good idea to check the caulking around your bathtubs. Water commonly spills over and inadequate caulking can allow water to slip into walls and under floors. Five dollars worth of preventative maintenance can save thousands down the road.

Don’t forget to watch that roof:

• Perhaps one of the most worrisome areas for water leaks is the roof above our heads. Check at least once a year (after a rain) to make sure that there are no leaks coming through the roof.
• Perform annual maintenance to keep away moss, dirt and other deposits. These substances can pool or collect water on the roof, causing damage to shingles.

Despite all of this prevention, we may still find ourselves needing to deal with water leaks and potential damage. If you notice a slow water leak or pooling act fast to get it cleaned up and get use a fan to completely dry out the affected area to prevent the formation of mold. If the leak persists, it might be time call a professional plumber.

If damage occurs in the home or a commercial space from excessive water damage, Northern Arizona Restoration can help. We have 80 years of combined experience in dealing with water and its damaging effects. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have. We’re happy to help.

In our day-to-day work we see a lot of damage to homes and commercial structures due to water. It’s a substance that no matter how hard you try to keep out, it seems to be working just as hard to get back in. Taking a few preventative measures around your home can help to prevent water damage. In the first of this two part series of preventative tips we’ll take a look at the kitchen and the laundry room:

In the Kitchen:

• If you have a dishwasher, It’s a good idea to check the hose connection under the sink from time-to-time. Even a slow drip can lead to larger problems.
• Check the bottom of your dishwasher for any evidence of leaking water.
• Refrigerators with ice makers can be another potential source of water damage. Check the hose connections every couple of months to make sure there are no drips or even excessive condensation forming.
• Periodically check the pipes under your sink for leaks and make sure that sinks are caulked well to stop water from the faucet from leaking into the bottom of the cabinet.

In the Laundry Room:

• Regularly check water hoses on the washing machine to ensure that there are no leaks. The regular movement of a washer is enough to work hoses loose over a period of time. While you’re at it check your dryer vents to ensure you do not have a fire danger brewing.
• Check the top and base of your water heater to for excessive moisture or pooling water. This can be one of the first signs that the device might be getting ready to fail.
• Follow the same advice listed above for sinks and vanities in the laundry area.

In our next installment we’ll take a look at what to check for in the bathroom and the roof.

If water damage does occur in your home or commercial space, Northern Arizona Restoration can help. We have 80 years of combined experience in dealing with water and its damaging effects. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have. We’re happy to help.

Modern convenience is a great thing, isn’t it? Our household appliances help to streamline the work we need to do on a day-to-day basis – easing the load and allowing us to focus on other things. But, these amazing helpers, while giving us a measure of freedom, can also be the source of disaster and loss when not properly cared for and maintained.

Read more →

Living in Flagstaff we’re rarely short on extreme weather. Year after year we live amongst long days of sun; torrential, seasonal rain and snow – sometimes lots of snow. As a result our houses can take a beating as they endure the yearly wear and tear of the elements.

Snow is one element we know all about. We see the effects of it all around us as we watch the inches and eventually feet drop to the ground. Where we might not notice the effect, though, is when it comes to our houses. The buildup can cause a series of issues that can result in permanent damage to our dwellings.

Read more →

The importance of the smoke detector is often over looked despite being one of the most powerful tools in our home defense system. Last year there were 384,000 residential fires in the United States, resulting in nearly $7.5 billion in structural and personal damages. While there is no direct data on how many of those were the result of failing smoke detectors, it’s clear that installing and maintaining these warning devices can be the deciding difference when it comes to home damage as the result of a fire.

Read more →

In Northern Arizona we find that many homes are damaged due to freezing pipes. A few easy steps to prevent your pipes from freezing can save you a lot of trouble and a lot of money.

Step 1
Open all sink cabinet doors and leave them open.

Step 2
Turn off the water at the street, or at your water heater. Your water heater has a shut off valve (turn a quarter turn).

Step 3
Go outside and open your exterior water faucet, your inside sinks and flush your toilet to drain out any water.

Step 4
Never turn off your thermostat! You can set it in the low 60′s.

Read more →