Fire aftermath: What items should be thrown away?

4/11/2023 (Permalink)

Throwing away specific fire damaged content to ensure your home is safe after a fire loss.

Experiencing a fire can be a traumatic and overwhelming event for anyone. After the fire has been put out, there are numerous tasks that need to be completed, one of which is determining what items should be thrown away. It's essential to understand which items are safe to keep and which items could pose a danger to your safety.

First and foremost, any food items that have been exposed to smoke or heat should be thrown away. Even if the food doesn't show any signs of damage, such as melting or charring, it could have been contaminated by smoke or toxic gases. This is especially true for canned goods, as the heat from the fire can cause the cans to explode or rupture. It's best to err on the side of caution and dispose of all food items.

Clothing and linens that have been affected by smoke or water damage should also be thrown away. Smoke can leave a residue on fabrics that is difficult to remove. In addition, water damage can cause mold and mildew to grow, which can lead to secondary damages.

Furniture that has been burned or heavily damaged should also be disposed of. Not only is it unsightly, but it can also be a hazard. The structural integrity of the furniture may have been compromised, and it could collapse or break if someone tries to sit on it or use it.

Electronics that have been exposed to heat or water damage should be thrown away. Even if the electronics appear to be working correctly, they could be dangerous to use. Electrical components can be damaged by heat, and water can cause short circuits, which could lead to electrical shocks or fires.

Any cleaning products or chemicals that were exposed to heat or fire should be thrown away. Heat can cause these products to react in unexpected ways, which could be hazardous. In addition, smoke and toxic gases can penetrate the packaging of these products, making them dangerous to use.

It's essential to remember that even items that appear to be undamaged could pose a danger to your health or safety. Smoke and toxic gases can permeate materials, and heat can compromise the integrity of structures and components. If you're unsure whether an item should be thrown away, it's best to err on the side of caution and dispose of it.

In conclusion, after a fire, it's crucial to be vigilant about what items should be thrown away. Any food items, clothing, linens, furniture, electronics, mattresses, pillows, and cleaning products that have been exposed to smoke, heat, or water damage should be disposed of. It's important to remember that even items that appear to be undamaged could pose danger to your safety, and it's best to err on the side of caution when deciding what to keep and what to throw away.

Water Heater Malfunction Noises

3/16/2023 (Permalink)

If your water heater is making unusual noises, call a professional.

Water heaters are essential household appliances that help us keep our homes warm and comfortable. However, if you've noticed a strange noise coming from your water heater, it could be a sign of an issue that's causing problems for the appliance or even for your entire home. In this article we'll explain what these noises are, why they happen and how to get them fixed—fast!

Clanging noises.

If you hear clanging or banging noises coming from your water heater, it could be a sign of damage or failure. You should have a professional inspect your appliance as soon as possible to determine whether the problem is serious.

If the sound comes from inside the tank, it could mean that there's sediment build-up on internal parts and they're hitting each other when hot water flows through them. This may require professional cleaning or replacement of some parts--and if left untreated, could lead to more extensive damage down the road.

Creaking noises.

If you hear a creak or groan coming from your water heater, it could be a sign of a problem.

If your tank has been running for an extended period of time, it may need to be drained before refilling with fresh water and restarting the heating process. This can help prevent build-up in the tank and improve efficiency over time.

Knocking noises.

If your water heater is making knocking noises, that's usually a sign of sediment buildup. Sediment buildup can cause your water heater to malfunction and even leak, which can lead to expensive repairs or even damage to your home. In addition to these issues, sediment buildup may also cause the unit to fail prematurely.

Pulsating sounds.

Pulsating sounds are usually caused by a faulty expansion tank. This is a small device that sits on top of the water heater, filled with pressurized air. If it fails, it can cause your water heater to make noises that sound like pops or hisses.

If you hear this kind of noise coming from behind your wall or under your floorboards, get in touch with an expert immediately! Your home may not be safe if there's any sort of structural damage going on behind its walls. In addition to checking for structural issues (like cracks), they'll also look at whether or not the expansion tank needs replacing and whether replacing it will fix any other problems that might have caused this issue in the first place

Roaring water noises.

If your water heater is making a roaring sound, it could be caused by water hammer. Water hammer is a noise that happens when the water in your pipes moves too quickly and hits them with force. This can cause damage to both your pipes and appliances--and if you hear this sound coming from your hot water heater, it's time to call a plumber!

If your water heater is making unusual noises, it could be a sign of trouble. You should get in touch with a professional as soon as possible. SERVPRO is here to help 24/7 for your water restoration emergency if you have a water loss from a faulty water heater.

Signs of a leaking pipe in your home

2/9/2023 (Permalink)

Signs of leaking pipes in your home? Give SERVPRO a call today!

Leaking pipes are one of the most common home repair issues. If you suspect that you have a leaky pipe in your home, check for stains on your walls, ceilings or floors where moisture could build up over time and create damage.

Stains on the walls and ceilings

If you notice stains on the walls and ceilings of your home, it's possible that a pipe is leaking. The most common cause of such leaks is water seeping through the walls, but leaky pipes in the attic or basement can also cause these stains. These stains can be easy to see or hidden behind furniture or curtains.

A steady dripping sound

A steady drip or a gurgling sound can indicate a leak. If you hear the drip of water (or even better, see it!), there’s likely a problem with your pipes or faucets. Standing water is also an indication that you have a water leak somewhere close. Check corners or under sinks and appliances which could be a potential water damaged area from a refrigerator or washing machine. If you suspect that you have an issue with your pipes, call professionally licensed plumbers immediately to come take care of the problem before it gets worse.

Leaks under sinks or toilets

Leaking toilets, sinks, showers, and bathtubs can leave your bathroom with water damage. An unexplained spike in your water bill is the most common notice that you could potentially have a leaking pipe or pipe break in your home or business.

But how do you know if it’s just a leaky faucet or something bigger? The good news is, detecting a leak can be relatively simple: most leaks can be detected by following two steps: first, finding the source of the leak (i.e., where it’s occurring); and second, determining its extent (i.e., how much damage has been done).

Cost to Repair

Leaking pipes can lead to serious water damage which can be costly to repair. Leaks are also more likely to occur if your home has been built or renovated since the mid-1990s, when new piping materials and installation methods were introduced.

If you think you might have a leak, it’s important that you get into contact with a plumber as soon as possible after seeing signs that there could be one. The longer an issue goes undetected, the more damage will occur inside your home and the more expensive repairs will become. If you need help locating professionals who can help identify and fix leaks in your home or office building.

Your water bill is a good indicator of whether or not your home has a leak. If you see an increase in your water bill over the last few months and you’re not sure why, there could be a problem with your pipes. You may want to call an expert to help diagnose the problem.

How to Create an Emergency Response Plan for Your Business

1/9/2023 (Permalink)

Take the time to develop an Emergency Response Plan.

How to Create an Emergency Response Plan for Your Business

A business continuity plan is a preparedness strategy that enables an organization to recover quickly after experiencing a disruptive event. The plan includes the necessary processes, procedures, and resources to enable businesses to resume operations as soon as possible following an emergency or disaster. The goal of any business continuity plan is to minimize disruption, maintain normal operations and help organizations recover quickly from incidents such as fires, floods, and power outages. Businesses can use these tips for developing their own emergency response plans:

Step 1: Develop a Business Continuity Policy

A business continuity policy is the first step toward creating an emergency response plan for your business. A good business continuity policy should:

• Be documented. It's important that everyone in your organization knows what's expected of them during an emergency, so a written document outlining the plan will help ensure they're on board and ready to go when it comes time to put it into action.
• Be communicated to all employees. You may think everyone already knows how things work around here, but chances are there are some folks who haven't heard about this new policy yet (or maybe even been invited into the fold). Make sure you get all hands on deck by sending out a message with details about what's going down if an emergency strikes and make sure it gets read by as many people as possible—that way no one will be left in the dark about what needs doing when it really counts!
• Be reviewed regularly. Your company has probably experienced some changes since last year (or even last month), so it makes sense that your plan might need updating from time-to-time as well; unfortunately this isn't always enough though because old habits die hard--meaning some folks may still fall back into old routines instead of following protocol! So how do we fix this problem? By reviewing both policies periodically throughout each year—and especially after major shifts happen within management teams or departments--not only does this ensure nothing slips through cracks but also helps keep everyone focused on staying up-to-date with changing demands too!

Step 2: Review Your Business' Facility, Operations, and Supply Chain

After you've done your research, it's time to review your business' facility, operations, and supply chain. This is where you'll make sure that everything is up to code and ready for whatever comes your way (or at least as much as possible).

You can start by reviewing the basics of how you do business:

• The building's design and construction materials.
• Your workplace safety practices.
• How quickly workers can exit in case of an emergency.

If you have any questions about these areas or need help improving them, then reach out to local fire departments. They're an excellent source of information on what works—and what doesn't—when it comes to emergency planning.

Step 3: Determine Critical Systems and Processes

In this step, you’ll review the critical services and processes that are necessary for the business to function. These are the systems and processes that must be restored first if an emergency occurs. For example, if your business depends on a computer system or software application to run its operations (like accounting), it is essential to identify all of these systems as they will need to be restored sooner than others.

If you have identified any critical systems or processes in your plan, make sure they include:

• A list of all systems and processes that will be needed for operation after an emergency event.
• Details about how each one operates.
• The person responsible for managing each system or process.
• A timeline indicating when each item should be restored after an emergency.

Step 4: Establish Recovery Objectives

As you begin to establish your emergency response plan, it's important to define the problem. A solution without a clear target will be like trying to hit a moving target—you have no idea whether your efforts are effective or not. That's why you should take time to define what success looks like in each phase of your recovery.

Set realistic objectives and goals for yourself, but be ambitious at the same time. You can easily set short-term fitness goals that are within reach if you work hard enough and make them happen! 

For example, if you want to develop more muscle mass by focusing on heavy lifting exercises like squats, deadlifts, overhead presses, bench press variations and barbell rows, then consider these tangible results:

• 3 months: gain 5 pounds of lean muscle mass by focusing on compound lifts; increase strength by 10% or more; perform 6-8 reps with 85% your 1RM weight in back squat.
• 6 months: gain 15 pounds of lean muscle mass by focusing on compound lifts; increase strength by 20-30%; perform 8-10 reps with 80% your 1RM weight in back squat.

Step 5: Identify Recovery Strategies

Next, you will want to identify recovery strategies. Recovery strategies are the plans you will use to recover from a disaster or emergency. They include:

• Business continuity plan
• Disaster recovery plan
• Business resumption plan

It's important to note that these three plans are separate processes, but they all help your business get back on its feet after an incident. You can read more about them in our article "Business Continuity Planning 101.”

Step 6: Create an Emergency Response Plan

Once you have created your emergency response plan, make sure it is up-to-date and ready for use.

• Update your plan every year or after any change in the business.
• Check with local government agencies to find out what laws apply to your business, as each state has regulations on how you need to handle emergencies.
• Train employees on the plan before an emergency occurs so everyone knows what they should do when an incident occurs.

Step 7: Test and Evaluate the Business Continuity Plan

Once all the steps are complete, it's time to test your plan. You don't need to do this every year—just once or twice. Make sure you know who will be responsible for each step in case of an emergency, and make sure they know what they're supposed to do.

If you have a business continuity manager who will oversee this testing, then it's a good idea for them to make sure there aren't any holes in the plan that haven't been filled out yet. They can also help with creating new policies as needed: if something happens during testing that wasn't anticipated by your original plan, then it's important for someone like this person (or yourself) to fill out those missing pieces so everything stays accurate over time.

Finally, make sure everyone knows about the business continuity plan in writing! You should put up signs around your office explaining what each part of the process is and where people can find further information regarding their role within it—and remind everyone at least monthly how important these steps are when dealing with emergencies!

Responsibility

As a business owner, it's your responsibility to ensure that your employees are safe during an emergency. But even if you're not the owner of the company, creating an emergency response plan is still important for you. Here's why:

• An emergency response plan will help save lives. If you're in a situation where there's been flooding or fire, having a plan in place can determine whether or not people survive by getting out of harm’s way as quickly as possible.
• A good emergency response plan will also minimize financial losses due to damage and injury claims. Business owners should be aware that they could be held liable if they don't have plans in place to prevent emergencies from happening in their workplace!

The most important thing is to take the time to develop an emergency response plan for your business. The plan should be reviewed and updated regularly so that it’s always relevant and ready for any eventuality.

Why Closing the Bedroom Door Matters to Prevent Fire Damage

12/1/2022 (Permalink)

Fire is fast!

Why Closing the Bedroom Door Matters to Prevent Fire Damage

If you want to be better protected from fire, then it is important to close your bedroom door at night. This may seem like a strange recommendation, but it is one that has been endorsed by numerous fire departments across the country. Understanding why this is so vital can help you sleep more soundly at night and get out of your home quickly if there is ever a fire in it.

A closed bedroom door can help protect you from a fire.

If your home catches on fire, it's important that everyone gets out safely. A closed bedroom door can make this easier by slowing the spread of fire and smoke from the rest of your home. By giving people additional time to get out, closing doors can be a lifesaving step in an emergency like this one.

Bedroom doors can help slow the spread of fire and smoke throughout the rest of a home.

When it comes to fire damage, the door is a good friend. Doors can help slow the spread of fire and smoke from the rest of your house. This can provide you with a layer of protection between you and the flames. It also provides a barrier that helps contain fire damage in one room.

For doors to do their job as a barrier against heat, they need to meet certain requirements:

• The door should be constructed with professional grade materials
• It should have reinforced frames that can hold up against high temperatures
• It should be fitted with self-closing hinges, so that it stays closed when not in use

A closed bedroom door can give people additional time to get out of a burning home.

• Closing the door to your bedroom can give you up to 30 seconds of additional time.
• The room will be less smoky, which is especially important if you or anyone in the house has asthma or other respiratory problems.
• The closed door will help keep fire from spreading to the other rooms of your home. A closed bedroom door can prevent smoke and flames from entering other rooms, reducing damage by keeping them cool and making it easier for firefighters to put out any remaining fires in those areas of your home (or apartment).

Fire departments recommend that you sleep with your bedroom door closed.

It’s important to know that when you sleep with a closed door, you’re giving yourself more time to escape. In addition, if a fire occurs in the middle of the night, closing your bedroom door will reduce smoke inhalation and save your life.

For pets and children who can’t help but wander around at night, it’s important to keep them safe by keeping their doors closed. Leaving an open door allows them access to other areas of your home where they could get trapped or injured without any warning.

It is important to close your bedroom door at night to be better protected in case there is a house fire.

It's important to keep in mind that fires spread quickly, and closed doors can slow the spread of fire and smoke from one room to another.

Closing your bedroom door will give your family members an opportunity to get out of a burning home without being injured by flying embers or smoke inhalation. It also give firefighters and advantage by helping them get ahead of the progress of the fire. 

As such, most fire departments recommend that you sleep with your bedroom door closed if possible—and it's an effective way for you or other members of your household to protect themselves.

I hope that this information will help you to understand the importance of keeping your bedroom door closed at night. I know it seems like a small thing, but if there is ever a fire in your Puyallup, WA home, it could mean the difference between safety and danger. Please keep this in mind as you go through each night and make sure all doors are shut before going to sleep!

Why does my toilet leak every time I flush?

11/9/2022 (Permalink)

If you are experiencing a toilet leak and you can't fix it call a professional.

Why Does My Toilet Leak Every Time I Flush?

You can fix most toilet leaks yourself with a little elbow grease (and maybe some plumber's putty). In this post we'll discuss why toilets leak and how to tell if you have a leaky tank or bowl.

Toilets leak for a lot of reasons.

You’re not alone. Many people have experienced a toilet leak, and it can be difficult to determine why it happens. There are many reasons that a toilet might leak, including:

• A clogged drain line
• A loose flapper or flush handle
• A leaking shut off valve on the tank
• A cracked or broken tank

1. Dry wax ring or improper installation.

If your toilet leaks every time, you flush it, you may have a leaky wax ring.

The wax ring is a rubber or PVC device that fits between the toilet bowl and the floor to prevent leaks from occurring. When properly installed and maintained, it should last for about two years before needing replacement. Leakage can often occur once the wax ring ages and or due to improper installation.  

2. Tank flange can be broken or tank not tightened.

If you've tried to diagnose the leak and determined it's coming from your tank, then the problem could be that:

• Your tank flange is broken or not tightened properly. This will allow water to run down into the bowl of your toilet. The flange is a metal piece that sits between the tank and bowl, giving you a tight seal against leaks.
• Your toilet isn't level, causing one side of your toilet to be higher than another (often due to uneven flooring). If this happens, water can run out of one side when flushed since there's no longer an airtight seal around the toilet base.
• Your support is broken or not installed properly and cannot withstand heavy usage without falling apart under repeated use or shifting over time.

3. A worn out, cracked or damaged flapper, which is the most common reason for a leaking toilet tank.

The most common reason for a leaking toilet is a worn-out, cracked, or damaged flapper. The flapper is the rubber seal that keeps the water in your tank and not on your floor. Replacing it yourself takes only a few minutes and costs less than $10 at hardware stores. If you don't feel comfortable doing that yourself, you can have a plumber replace it for about $50-$100.

4. A tilted or loose toilet bowl may cause water to slowly leak from the base of the toilet and pool in the bathroom floor around the toilet.

If your toilet is leaking, either water is coming out of the base of the toilet or there is a pool of water around it. In both cases, you should check to make sure that the bowl isn't tilted or loose.

If your floor is not level, this can cause your toilet bowl to become tilted. To fix this problem, adjust the bolts connecting your toilet to its base until they're barely touching each other.

If your floor has shifted or moved over time and no longer supports your toilet securely, it could be loose and therefore prone to leaking. In this case, unclamp from under any pedestals that support it and then gently lift on all four sides until it's level again before replacing any clamps or pedestals you removed in order for them not to get lost down there somewhere!

5. Condensation on a toilet tank is another possibility if you see droplets of water underneath or on your tank lid, along with damp walls and floors around your toilet.

If you're noticing condensation on your toilet tank, it's not always a sure sign that the leak is coming from inside the toilet. Condensation can be caused by several factors:

• A leaking roof or window AC unit outside of your bathroom
• A faulty humidifier in another room that's sending moisture into your walls and flooring
• An air-conditioner is running constantly and adding humidity to the air in your house.

6. A damaged shut-off valve causing a drip at the angle stop of your toilet supply line, where it’s attached to the angle stop (wall shut off) just below the tank, which generally means that you have a slow leak in your toilet supply line.

If none of the above suggestions have resolved your leak, it could be that there is a problem with the actual shut-off valve or supply line itself. The first step to finding this out is to check for leaks in each of these components:

• Shut off valve
• Angle stop (wall shut-off) just below tank
• Supply line from shut off valve to wall and/or floor drain connection. Check for kinks in lines, cracks in PVC pipes, and breaks in copper pipes.

The good news is that most of these problems can be fixed quickly and easily. All it takes is a little know-how, some time, and patience—and maybe even a sense of humor!

What does commercial property insurance policy cover?

10/6/2022 (Permalink)

Is your commercial property covered by insurance?

What Does A Commercial Property Insurance Policy Cover?

Commercial property insurance is one of the most confusing types of insurance policies. This is because there are so many different sub-types of coverage and so many ways that the policy can be customized. In this article, we're going to go through each type of commercial property coverage so that you know exactly what your policy covers.

Understanding what a commercial property insurance policy covers can be confusing.

You understand that a property insurance policy covers the physical structure of your building, but what about all the other important aspects of owning a business? A commercial property insurance policy also provides coverage for:

• Business income - you'll be reimbursed for any lost income if your business must close temporarily due to damage from an insured peril
• Building ordinance or law - this protects against legal expenses when you must comply with new building ordinances and laws
• Personal property inventory can be covered up to $100,000 under most policies

There are three types of coverage on a commercial property insurance policy.

These include business income, commercial property, and building ordinances or laws.

• Business income: This coverage reimburses you for your business's operational costs if it has been shut down due to damage caused by fire or smoke, theft, vandalism, or other covered perils.
• Commercial property: This coverage protects against losses if insured properties are damaged or destroyed by covered perils like fire and vandalism.
• Building ordinance or law: It pays for expenses related to rebuilding damaged structures under local laws and ordinances when they're in compliance with those laws at the time of loss.

The first coverage is Commercial Property.

The first coverage is commercial property. Commercial property insurance covers the building and the land on which it sits. It covers you for fire damage or natural disasters, but it also covers your own negligence and vandalism. The policy will also cover losses caused by theft, wind damage, water damage from plumbing issues, or floods caused by weather events like hurricanes or tornadoes. This can be a combination policy that includes separate coverage for each component of your building:

If one part of your building is damaged in an accident or disaster, then that portion will be covered under its own specific policy limit (the amount of money assigned to pay for damages associated with certain types of damages).

The second coverage of the policy is Building Ordinance or Law.

A building ordinance or law coverage on a commercial property insurance policy is required by most cities and counties where you operate your business. It provides protection from liability for any damage that may result from violating local codes. This coverage is also often required by lenders to secure financing.

The third coverage is Business Income for business owners with retail, office, or other types of service space.

If you are a business owner, buying this coverage is highly recommended. Business income coverage protects a business against loss of income due to direct physical damage or interruption of business because of a covered peril. This policy pays the business owner's net operating profit during the period in which their property was damaged, and they could not conduct normal operations.

Business income covers losses that occur during the following time periods:

• From the date of loss to the date when your building is repaired or replaced and ready for normal use
• From the date when it becomes impossible for you to conduct your regular trade or profession because of an insured peril until it becomes possible again

The most confusing type of coverage is Commercial Property because there are so many sub-types of coverage involved.

The most confusing type of coverage is Commercial Property because there are so many sub-types of coverage involved. There are two main categories: fire and water damage, which can be further broken down into several other types of damage. Commercial property insurance is the most confusing because it addresses all the different types of accidents that could happen to your building or property and the things inside it.

At the end of the day, commercial property insurance is an important protection for your business. If something happens to your building or inventory, it’s essential that you have enough coverage to cover any expenses related to repairs or replacement.

FAQs About Mold Damage

8/25/2022 (Permalink)

Mold and moisture go hand in hand.

If a storm has caused flooding in your Puyallup, WA business, you have approximately one to two days to act if you want to prevent mold growth. Since mold can destroy your building, you want to act. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the prevention of mold after a storm.

What Steps Can You Take To Prevent Mold and Water Damage?

When dealing with standing water after a flood, there are some basic things you need to do immediately before help arrives. This includes:

• Turning off the water
• Turning off the HVAC units
• Turning off the fans
• Pick up any irreplaceable items from the floor
• Move furniture and equipment out of the wet areas

Can Business Owners Dry Water by Themselves?

While you may believe you can prevent mold growth by setting up fans and shop vacs to remove the water, you are not actually getting all of the moisture. Instead of attempting this on your own, you should hire a storm remediation company with the proper tools to dry your building.

Does Water Always Lead To Mold?

When your business has not dried out within 24 hours of the disaster, mold growth is certain. Despite folk tales, mold grows without discrimination, no matter the season. In other words, unless you experienced minimal water intrusion, it is almost guaranteed that you will get mold after flooding.

Can You Remove Mold Yourself?

Although most people will attempt to kill mold with bleach, you will likely do more damage using this method. In other words, you should avoid removing mold yourself and hire a professional with the proper cleanup methods.

Can Mold Die When It Dries?

Mold does not die when it dries up. When there is no moisture, it simply goes dormant. Once dormant mold finds more moisture, it starts to grow. Unless you remove it, you will not remedy it by leaving it alone.

As a business owner, you want to protect your site from mold and other harmful bacteria. Therefore, you need to know more about flooding and mold.

How To Stay Safe During a Flood

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

Let us help when you experience storm damage.

Flood Safety Tips

Storms can create unexpected circumstances in Sumner, WA. One minute your home may be fine, but the next you have rising waters in your basement. Because the situation can change so quickly, you need to know how to stay safe during a storm-caused flood. Keep these flood safety tips in mind whenever bad weather approaches.

Stay Out of the Water

Did you know that as little as six inches of moving water can cause you to lose your balance? Because it doesn't take high waters, you need to be careful whenever you have to walk through any type of flood. If you must walk through a flood, keep these safety tips in mind:

• Use a walking stick.
• Hold on to something sturdy.
• Walk quickly and cautiously.

While the waters may not be moving in your house, they can still pose a health and safety risk. However, as a homeowner, you cannot always avoid the flooded parts of your space. You also want to avoid standing water outside of your house even if you're in your car.

Avoid Electrical Equipment

Water conducts electricity, so you want to avoid electrical equipment whenever you are in standing water. If you know there is electricity running through your basement flood, you should turn off the power to your home before anyone enters the lower levels for the best flood safety. Even if you are damp and not currently in water, you should avoid the electricity.

Call for Help

Storm-caused flooding can trap you in the upper levels of your home. If you need emergency help during a storm, you should call someone as soon as you can. After the danger has passed, you may need help restoring your home. Getting in touch with storm restoration services can make your cleanup process much easier.

The heavy rains of a storm may cause flooding in Sumner, WA. Knowing the best flood safety techniques can keep you and your home in one piece during a disaster.

5 Common Types of Household Mold

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

5 Common Types of Household Mold

It's not uncommon to discover mold growing in your Puyallup, WA, home. Mold growth can occur under several different circumstances, depending on the type of fungi in question. Before you begin your mold remediation process, you should identify which species is the culprit.

1. Stachybotrys
More commonly referred to as the infamous black mold, Stachybotrys is perhaps the most common type of residential mold. Much like the name implies, it has a dark green or black color and may feel slimy to the touch. It's very common in places that come into frequent contact with water, or in areas that have recently suffered some form of water damage.

2. Alternaria
This species of mold is often confused for black mold, as it thrives under the same damp or high humidity conditions, has a very similar appearance and is just about as common as its cousin. Instead of feeling slimy, Alternaria has an almost velvety texture due to the wispy dark green or brown hairs that sprout on its surface.

3. Chaetomium
Once again, this type of mold growth is quite common in water damaged structures. When it first appears, it boasts a white or gray color before slowly fading to dark brown or black over time. You're more likely to smell this species before you see it, due to its musty odor.

4. Aureobasidium
You should check for this type of fungus behind your wallpaper or on painted wooden surfaces. This mold appears pink or brown in color when it's young and slowly fades to black over time, much like chaetomium.

5. Cladosporium
This versatile species of mold can thrive in both warm and cold environments. You're most likely to find it growing in your carpeting, upholstery and other types of fabrics. It boasts a soft, suede-like texture and green coloring.

You could potentially find several different mold species growing in your home, so it's important that you know which common varieties to look for. Contact mold remediation experts like SERVPRO of Puyallup/Sumner for assistance if you do discover mold growth in your home.