How Water Damage May Lead to a Mold Issue

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

Are there visible yellowish-brown stains on your house’s roof or walls? Do you sense a musty odor as soon as you walk in?

If your answer is yes, then this means that your house has water damage— a problem that you shouldn’t ignore for an extended amount of time because it can cause serious damage.

We have assembled a few basics to help you in understanding this issue:

Water Damage Categories

According to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certification (IICRC), there are three categories of water damage:

• Category 1 includes water damage involving clean water such as the one released due to the breakage of water supply lines or overflow of tubs or sinks.

• Category 2 includes water damage caused by grey water, which is the wastewater that includes chemical, biological or physical impurities. Examples of grey water include drainage from dishwaters and washing machines, toilet bowls containing urine, sump pump failures, etc.

• Category 3 includes water damage caused by black water. This water damage starts from category 2, but it can soon turn into category 3 if you don’t take the necessary steps to counter it.

Water Damage Classes

According to IICRC, there are four classes of water damage based on the evaporation rate:

• Class 1 type of water damage has a slower evaporation rate and it is not spread over a large area. In this type of water damage, the furniture and other items don’t absorb water quickly.

• Class 2 water damage has a fast evaporation rate. It is spread over a large area and has a water depth of less than twenty-four inches.

• Class 3 has the fastest evaporation rate and the water usually pours from overhead and affects the whole house. It damages everything from furniture and carpets to the walls, ceilings and flooring.

• Class 4 water damage has low humidity due to which the items absorb water at a slow pace.

What to do in case of Water Damage?

You should take the following steps in case of water damage:

• Turn off the affected area’s electricity.
• Identify the category of water damage and take steps accordingly.
• Remove furniture and other items from the standing water.
• Call a restoration company.

Torrance! Follow these safety tips if you suspect mold

2/8/2021 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of Torrance for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Torrance specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (310)320-2112

A Funny Story About Mold Damage

4/20/2019 (Permalink)

The Strange Entity on the Wall

Samantha had always been into strange things and by that we mean the Ouija board, calling upon spirits through her magic ball, and what not. After one of her particular sessions, she went down into the basement to do her laundry. As she turned on the overhead light, she saw this huge black shape on the wall. There was black ooze dripping from the shape and making a puddle on the floor.

Scared, Samantha ran up and called her mom. After talking to her, she made the next call to the local priest. Turns out, her mother had advised her to get an exorcism done… on the wall. When the priest came to the house, Samantha directed him to the basement and stood back as he took out the things to perform the exorcism. As he was about to start the sermon, he slipped and fell on the black puddle. The priest scrambled back and held out his cross. When nothing happened, he brought his hand closer to his face and smelled the black goo. Eyebrows raised, he turned back to Samantha and said in a deadpan voice, “Child, this is mold!”

Don't be like Samantha and her mother, read our blogs on mold to learn more about how it can affect you and your property. SERVPRO is here to help!