Drywall Water Damage

Selasa, 18 September 2018

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Kamis, 13 September 2018

Black Mold on Drywall? Get Rid of It Right Away

No sane homeowner in the world can put up with having black mold on the drywall of their houses. Not only it makes your house interior look dirty and unkempt, it can also cause some serious health issues. This is why many people always prefer getting rid of it or any other kind of mold. Just like the number one unwanted guest.

Is Black Mold On The Drywall Really Dangerous?

Let’s just face it; a drywall is one of the materials at home easily infested by fungi and other types of mold. The others are wood, carpet, tiles, and grout.

If you are still curious about how dangerous it is, you may check out media like Medical Mycology and Fungal Biology. Not only disgusting, the existence of black mold at home, especially on the drywall, will make the residents of the house fall sick easily. Perhaps you can still take it if it only happens once or twice.

However, nobody wants to get sick all the time.

Black Mold On The Drywall In The Basement

How do we get rid of the black mold on the drywall in the basement, since the basement is located underground where it can be damp and moist, especially during summer or if you live in a tropical area?

These are the tools you need to remove the black mold on the drywall in your basement:

Glasses
Respirator mask
Knife or a keyhole saw
Bleach to disinfect
Two fans for ventilation
Disposable gloves
Sponge and a bucket
Detergent without ammonia in it
Wet-dry vacuum cleaner

This is how the process goes:

Stop the leaking water and ventilate the basement

After fixing the pipe, you can start removing the mold with the materials you have. Close the doors so the mold will not travel to other rooms. Once you finish removing, leave the drywall and open the windows while turning on the fans to air the basement.

If you cannot fix the leaking pipes yourself, call the plumber.

Remove the affected surface

Wearing rubber gloves, goggles, and mask, you can start using the keyhole saw or knife to cut the affected surface. Dump the contaminated parts into a garbage disposal.

Clean the affected area

With a bucket of hot water and detergent, clean the affected area. Scrub it thoroughly and rinse it before you vacuum it to soak up the moisture. After that, use the bleach to disinfect the area.

Black Mold On The Drywall In The Bedroom

Since there are many things in the bedroom, you might want to shift or move away some furniture to expose the affected area. The process is the same thing with the previous chapter. To be on the safe side, you can either move the furniture out of the room first or wrap them all in plastic to avoid the mold from affecting them.

Black Mold On The Drywall In The Garage

Besides the basement, the garage is also another part of the house that mold often visits. If you have not had a garage yet or would like to build one, make sure the materials used for the garage are inhospitable for any mold.

However, if your garage is already made of not-so-ideal materials and the mold has already infested, you can start cleaning the same way. How to prevent the mold from returning to the same spot or spreading on the drywall in your garage? Work on the air ventilation. You can either use an air-dehumidifier or have better ventilation. Once in a while, let the sunshine in so the mold will not return to your drywall.

What Kills Black Mold On Drywall?

There are ways to kill black mold or any kind of mold on your drywall. If you live in tropical areas, you have both the advantage and disadvantage. Thanks to the sunlight, you have a natural way to kill black mold so it does not return home easily. This is why your parent always suggests that you open your bedroom window every morning.

When the temperature rises in tropical areas, the level of humidity also rises. This is why you have to do a regular check on certain areas around your house. Once you spot even a small blob of dark-looking mold, do not just take it for granted. Start cleaning up right away.

Besides regular cleaning, make sure that you always have the bleaching products handy. Bleach always works wonders as a disinfectant, so it makes any kind of mold go away. Other materials that work wonders to get rid of the mold besides bleach include:

Ammonia
Borax
Hydrogen peroxide.

Last but not least, make sure that you look after your health very well and choose the good quality materials for your home. This includes the drywall. So next time, you will not have so much trouble with the black mold on drywall.

Source:https://cleanwaterpartners.org

What to Do with Water Damage - D.C. Area Paint & Drywall Advice

Almost every house will, at some point, suffer from water damage. Water damage can lead to unsightly discoloration, ruined drywall, or peeling paint. If water damage is not properly dealt with, it can lead to more serious problems, such as musty smells and mold growth in your home. It is important for home owners to know what to do in the case of water damage.

COMMON CAUSES OF WATER DAMAGE

One common cause of water damage is leaking or burst water pipes. We have recently experienced a cold snap in the Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. area, which has led to many homes having water pipes freeze and burst.

Another cause of water damage that we see primarily during the warm months of the year is condensation. When the air is warm and humid, as we often experience in the D.C. area during the summer, condensation can collect on cool surfaces such as water pipes and toilet tanks.

All year round, there is snow and rain which may cause water damage -- whether from a leaking roof, improper soil drainage around your home, faulty or clogged gutters, worn out window caulking, or old siding.

MAKE SURE THE SOURCE OF WATER IS STOPPED OR REPAIRED

The first step to repairing the damage is to make sure that the source of the water has been thoroughly dealt with. This may involve having plumbing repaired or replaced. If condensation is the source of water, pipes can be insulated. Running an air conditioner or a dehumidifier may reduce humidity enough that condensation does not collect. If water is coming in from outdoors, the cause of the leakage will need to be discovered and dealt with. Once the source of water has been eliminated, the area should be dried thoroughly.

If There is Mold or Mildew, Get it Removed or Remediated
The next step is to determine whether there is any mold or mildew. Often if water has been in the home for some time, there will be mildew or mold. If any mold or mildew is present, the area will need to be cleaned. It may also need to be treated to prevent the mold or mildew from returning or spreading, and the affected drywall or wood may need to be removed. Once these initial steps have been taken to ensure that no further damage occurs from continued moisture or mold/mildew, you are ready to make that area of your home beautiful again.

REPAIR WATER-DAMAGED DRYWALL

If drywall needed to be removed to access pipes, to dry the interior of a wall, to remove mold, or for any other reason; the next step is to repair these openings. The drywall will need to be patched and allowed adequate time to dry.

Prime Where It's Needed
Now your wall is ready to be primed. Any bare drywall or patched areas should be primed. Choose a primer that will also hide any remaining water stains if needed. Stain blocking primers can be oil based or water based. More severe water stains may require oil based primer to completely cover them. Many stain blockers also contain mildew and mold fighting properties.

TOP COAT OF INTERIOR PAINT

Finally, you are ready for the final step to make your home as good as new. After priming the surfaces, you are ready to apply a beautiful top coat of paint. Now that your source of water damage has been repaired, and your wall surface thoroughly prepared, this new paint should look beautiful and can be enjoyed for a long time.

Call Williams Professional Painting
If you are in the Virginia, Maryland, or Washington D.C. areas, and are dealing with water damage or another home repair job, you will save yourself many hours and headaches by working with professional painters and water damage restorers.

We at Williams Professional Painting would love to help you care for your home. We have expertly trained craftsmen, we use only premium quality products, and we guarantee our work. In addition to interior painting, we offer drywall repair and installation, and carpentry repair. Call us today to get your project started!

Source:https://www.williamsprofessionalpainting.com

Prevent Water Damage with an Automatic Shut Off Valve

A water heater leak, no matter how small it is, can cost a lot of money, even if you’re home when the leak occurs. To protect against unexpected catastrophes, installing an automatic shut off valve is the easiest and most affordable approach.

The Topeka Capital Journal points out that having an automatic shut off valve is imperative for any type of water-using appliance, namely water heaters but also dishwashers, washing machines, toilets, and even some refrigerators.

Purpose of an Automatic Shut Off Valve

With an automatic shut off valve, the leak is detected early and the flow is stopped. Even better, some types of automatic shut off valves include a disconnect for the power as well, which could mean the difference between repairing a leak and replacing your water heater.

The idea is to have a device in place that can measure small amounts of water and turn off the flow before major damage can result.

How Does it Work?

Most automatic shut off valves work the same way, using a sensor that is able to detect the presence of a liquid. When the sensor receives a positive feedback for water or other liquids, it sends a signal to an electronic switch and the water supply is shut off.

High end sensors will also turn off the power to your water heater, eliminating the problem of burnt heating elements in an empty water tank. There are even digital shut off valves that will send a signal to your cell phone and allow you take control of the situation remotely, shutting down the water, turning off the power, and finally setting up an appointment with a plumber or other professional.

What Does it Cost?

floodstop-FS3-4NPT-reviewThe good news is that an automatic shut off for your water heater is relatively inexpensive.

Economy models start at around $60, and high end digital models will run you around $200. The best bet is to look for something ranging between $100 and $150, and offering the features that are most appealing to your personal needs.

And before you balk at the idea of spending more than $100 on a protective device, take into consideration that tearing out carpet alone could cost you more, and that’s before any actual repairs are made to a water damaged floor.

If we were to recommend one unit, it would have to be the FloodStop FS3/4NPT. It has a 3/4″ inlet and outlet, a good sensor which is simply placed on the floor or pan below the water heater, and it just flat out works.

It’s great insurance to have and is one of the easiest units to install (it helps when the instructions are clear and easy to follow). One thing during installation, use a thread sealant as opposed to teflon tape when making your connections. If your water heater is not on a ground floor or in the attic, the FloodStop is a must.

Installing an Automatic Shut Off Valve

install-water-heater-shut-off-valveInstalling a shut off valve is an easy process, usually requiring a pipe wrench, a screwdriver, and not much else.

Most automatic shut off valves are composed of three primary parts: The valve, the controller, and the moisture detector. Place the detector at the lowest point, generally in the drain pan of the water heater, mount the controller on a wall or other stable surface, and install the valve inline between the tank and the water inlet pipe.

For additional protection, some shut off valves support multiple detectors so that you can shut down the water if leaks are detected in other locations as well.

Why Automatic Shut Off Valves Save Money

A little water on the floor is least of your worries when a leak happens. Carpet and rugs get ruined quickly, drywall absorbs water and turns into mush, wooden studs begin to decay, and that’s before you take into account the dangers of a water-logged floor– or ceiling space.

Allstate Insurance reports that while home insurance may cover the cleanup after a leak happens, it will not usually pay to repair the source of the leak at all, and if the insurance company determines that the leak was due to homeowner negligence there may not be any coverage at all.

When you consider the mounting costs of repair and cleanup, investing in an automatic shut off valve is a minor expense.

Maintenance Matters

Very few water heater leaks become a major problem overnight, and most costly leaks can be prevented with a little maintenance. Check the lines leading to and away from your water heater quarterly or even more often, and replace or repair problems as soon as they are detected.

A $20 repair today could literally save you thousands tomorrow, and putting off repairs until the last minute could easily add several hundred dollars to the repair bill. Coupled with an automatic shut off valve, regular maintenance can keep your water heater operating flawlessly for many years.

Source:https://www.waterheaterhub.com

How To Repair Water Damage From A Leaking Water Heater

A leaking hot water heater is usually inexpensive to fix, but the consequences of not making repairs can mount quickly. Even though newer homes and businesses are built with a drain pan for the water heater to prevent a leak from causing water damage, the pan will fill up quickly and many water heaters don’t have this pan.

An automatic shut-off valve is excellent insurance to have in any situation, especially when the water heater unit is located inside the home. Damage from water leaking out of your water heater is imminent unless fixed quickly, and the costs go up the longer the problem goes uncorrected. The culprit may have been something as simple as a pressure relief valve needing replacing or something catastrophic like a tank failure.

Here’s what you need to do to repair water damage in various places as well as how to get rid of mold and mildew caused by the water damage.

Removing Mold and Mildew

water-damage-moldThe most common form of damage, especially if the leaking water heater isn’t repaired in a timely manner, is mold and mildew. Mold can be particularly dangerous to certain individuals and should be treated quickly.

You can make a mixture of 1 cup bleach to 7 cups water to kill mold and mildew. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and lightly cover the affected area. wet a sponge or rag with the mixture and use it to wash the mess away. Wipe the area with clean water to remove residue. Repeat as necessary.

For long-term mold build-up, the process may need to be repeated. When complete, paint the area to reduce future growth.

Baseboards and Trim

Soft woodwork such as base board or corner trim is easily ruined by prolonged contact with water.

To remove damaged trim, carefully cut along the edges of the damaged piece with a sharp utility knife to break the paint seal. Use a putty knife or wide screwdriver to carefully pry the piece out from the wall until you can grip it with your hand. Start at one end of the piece and work towards the other, pulling each nail out slowly to avoid causing additional damage.

Paint or stain the replacement trim and allow it to dry before putting it in place.

Wood Floors

water-damage-wood-floorWater will cause discoloration in wood flooring and may lead to warping if the floor remains saturated for an extended period of time.

In some cases, stains can be removed by using a wax stripping solution and rewaxing the floor. It may even be necessary to sand the floor and apply a new polyurethane finish.

In more advanced cases of a water damaged floor, repairing the subfloor may even be necessary. For best results, refinish the entire room, as trying to repair a small area will be visible for many years, providing an obvious indication that the floor has had some form of damage.

Carpets

In most situations, you can save the carpet if you act soon enough.

A shop vac is usually sufficient, as long as it is rated for fluids, but you can also rent a carpet cleaner at most hardware and grocery stores. When you’re not able to vacuum any more water out of the carpet, place one or more fans (or better yet, a good air mover) so that you can cover the entire area with moving air, using the highest speed setting.

Cool dry air is useful in drying a carpet, so turn your air conditioner to a cool temperature and leave it running overnight. If you have a carpet cleaner, use it in the normal fashion after the carpet has been dried. For tough stains, use a scrub brush dipped in the bleach mixture described above before cleaning.

Drywall Repair

For small area of drywall damage, you can make repairs using a patch. Carefully cut out the damaged area, making sure that both side cuts are centered over a stud. If necessary, make the hole larger to accomplish this.

Toenail a horizontal 2×4 between the studs at the top of the hole, centered between the existing drywall and the newly cut opening. If the opening spans more than one stud, you will need to use multiple pieces of 2×4 as well. These pieces are used to keep the old and new drywall flush and to give you an easy way of fastening the patch in place.

Place the replacement piece in the opening and insert drywall screws every 8 inches around the opening. Using a putty knife, apply drywall compound around the edges and allow them to dry. Dampen a stiff sponge and carefully wipe the excess drywall compound off. For best results, repaint the entire room.

Plaster Repair

Small areas of damaged plaster can be drilled out and patched using spackling, but larger areas will require more intensive patching.

Using a rotary tool or grinder, cut the damaged plaster out. The cut will be very shallow, usually around 1/2 inch, and cutting deeper could damage the underlying lath. Set a fan to blow into the opening and leave it running until the interior of the wall has dried. Replaster the affected area and allow it to dry.

Source:https://www.waterheaterhub.com

Water Damage Insurance Claim Tips

As a water damage restoration company, the most common question we get from homeowners is “does insurance cover water damage?”. The answer to that question depends on the source of the water damage and how quickly the problem is addressed.

It’s important to remember that not all insurance policies are alike, so it’s best to call your insurance agent and read your policy.

Here are the most common water damage claims we help our customers file and the likelihood that they’ll be covered by your insurance company:

Bathroom Leak Insurance Claim

Most of the fixtures in your bathroom are connected to a water supply line, which means there’s a lot of opportunities for leaks. Plumbing pipe leaks, toilet leaks, and shower leaks are common, but will homeowners insurance cover these bathroom leaks?

If the leak happened abruptly and was addressed immediately (as opposed to a slow leak that had been ignored for months) then insurance is likely to cover this. It’s important to immediately address bathroom leaks, especially if they’re located on an upper floor.

Bathroom leaks on an upper floor might potentially lead to ceiling leak water damage.

Ceiling Leak Water Damage Insurance Claim

Leaky roofs, broken pipes, or a bathroom leak can cause ceiling water damage. Insurance claims like these vary in their success rate. If the ceiling water damage resulted from a gradual, on-going leak that the homeowner neglected then it might not be covered.

Vice versa, if the damage resulted in something sudden and accidental, like a burst pipe, then insurance companies are likely to cover this.

As soon as you notice ceiling water damage, it’s important to address it immediately. Signs of ceiling water damage include peeling paint, brown water stains, bulging in the ceiling, or mold growth.

does homeowners insurance cover pipes that burstBurst Pipe Insurance Claim
Any pipe connected to a water supply line has a chance of bursting. Pipes burst when they freeze, but they can also break due to old age or tree root intrusion.

Homeowners insurance tends to cover pipes that burst, as these events are seen as sudden and accidental, and ultimately out of your control.

Kitchen Water Damage Insurance Claim

There are many appliances in your kitchen that are connected to a water supply line, such as sinks, refrigerators, and dishwashers. When these appliances spring a leak, the water can spread to nearby floors, walls, and surrounding cabinetry. This is especially frustrating for homeowners who’ve invested a lot of money in wood floors and cabinets.

If the water damage resulted from a broken pipe or appliance, then most insurance companies will cover all of the repairs or at least cover a portion of the damage.

Kitchen cabinet water damage insurance coverage will vary depending on the extent of the damage and your particular insurance policy. Sometimes water damage only affects a portion of the cabinetry and other times contractors will need to completely remove the cabinets in order to access water damaged drywall behind them.

If the water damage was accidental, they will most likely cover repair and rebuilding costs. During this process, water damage contractors will extract the water and then dismantle and repair your cabinets on-site. If your lucky, your policy may cover the cost of a kitchen remodel.

toilet overflow insurance claimToilet Overflow Insurance Claim
Toilet overflows happen for a variety of reasons— sewage backups, clogged pipes, or maybe your kid dropped a toy in there. Regardless of the cause, toilet overflows are always gross.

The water inside the bowl is highly unsanitary and can cause an extensive amount of damage. Most standard insurance policies cover this type of water damage.

This coverage usually includes water cleanup, sewage removal, sanitization, and repairs to surrounding floors and furniture.

Water Damage From Dishwasher Insurance Claim

Most insurance policies cover water damage from leaky plumbing, which includes appliances like your dishwasher.

In some cases, the water damage isn’t visible until your wood floors are warping or there’s mildew growing on your walls. But if you noticed water puddling around your dishwasher and didn’t do anything about it then your insurance company will probably not have any sympathy for you.

According to Insurance Advisor, most insurance companies will cover repair costs if the water damage was hidden in walls or underneath floors, and was impossible for the homeowner to discover earlier.

is water damage from leaking roof covered by insuranceLeaking Roof Insurance Claim
The roof is one of the most expensive parts of the home to repair. They’re also the most vulnerable to damages and require a lot of maintenance.

If a storm knocked off shingles and rainwater started leaking through the roof, your policy will likely cover this. This coverage might include roof repairs, storm damage repairs, and temporary roof tarping.

Insurance companies expect you to do as much as you can to prevent damages to your home. If the roof damage happened because you forgot to do your chores, like cleaning up the gutters, chances are your insurance won’t cover this.

Regular roof maintenance, such as cleaning the gutters, repairing damaged shingles, and removing debris, can prevent roof damage.

Water Damage Insurance Claim Tips

As a restoration company, we’re kind of experts when it comes to dealing with insurance adjusters. Here are some water damage insurance claim tips so that you get the most compensation for your losses.

Contact Your Insurance Company ASAP

Keep your policy number at hand and be prepared to provide them with detailed information of damages.

Take Note Of Everything

Keep detailed records of everything during the initial call. This includes the name of the agent you’re speaking to, the date of the call, the time, and what was discussed.

Keeping this information handy will help you if you experience a problem with your claim.

Document the Damage

DON’T throw anything out or try to make permanent repairs before the adjuster is able to estimate the damages. Doing this may void coverage. Take photographic evidence of damages, make a detailed list of damaged items, and provide receipts if you have them available.

Time For Damage Control

You’ll want to (and your insurance company expects you to) do as much as you can to prevent further damages. These are considered emergency repairs and will not affect your coverage.

If your house is flooding or if you’re suffering from storm damage, soak up as much of the water as possible, dry out waterlogged items, and board up broken windows.

Keep receipts for the cost of these emergency repairs, and if you’ve had to relocate, keep receipts for any travel or lodging expenses.

Water Damage Not Covered By Insurance

Again all insurance policies are different, but here’s the general rule of thumb to follow: If the water damage resulted from something sudden and accidental insurance companies will likely cover this. If the water damage resulted from lack of maintenance (i.e. ignoring a leaky sink), insurance companies might not cover these repairs.

In the insurance world, there’s an important difference between water damage and flood damage. Flood damage refers to external water damage sources such as heavy rains, hurricanes, and overflowing rivers. Standard homeowners insurance policies don’t cover water damage from natural flooding. Flood damage insurance usually has to be purchased separately through the National Flood Insurance Program run by FEMA.

Insurance companies likely also won’t help when it comes to a broken water main. A water main is a large pipe that runs underneath streets. The water main is connected to individual pipelines and supplies customers with water.

Unfortunately, because the water main is located outside of your home, insurance companies aren’t held liable for them.

This means you need to take up the problem with the municipality that owns the water main. Contact them to report the break and document the damages to your home.

Source:https://regentrestoration.com

Why Drywall Repair Before Interior Painting is Essential

Before professional painters start on your interior painting project, it’s important to ask them about repairing your drywall. Walls, trim, and ceilings are all prone to minor blemishes like small cracks, and major damage from certain conditions. While you may think that your damaged drywall is just a cosmetic nuisance, drywall repair is essential if you desire a finished, polished look inside your home.

What Causes Damaged Drywall?

While drywall is an exceptional product due to its strength and durability, it can’t stay intact forever. Aside from the obvious wear and tear your interior walls experience from everyday living (e.g. nailing pictures to walls, moving furniture, kids rough housing), drywall damage often occurs for the following reasons:

Moisture and Temperature Fluctuations. Humidity and temperature changes are a common reason why cracks form and loose joint tape occurs. A professional drywall repair service can repair drywall cracks and get your joint tape looking good as new.
Settling of Your Home. House shifting can cause unsightly cracks to develop in your drywall. Before scheduling an appointment for drywall repair and interior painting, be sure to make sure your painter fixes settling cracks prior to applying paint.
Water Leaks. If you see water stains and drywall bowing or bubbling, you could have a slow water leak behind the drywall. Make sure to investigate behind the wall prior to repair painting.

Why is Drywall Repair Before Interior Painting Important?

If you’re thinking about delaying your drywall repair, or decide to paint over the damage, you take the risk of your top coat paint flaking off. The look of your home interior and completed paint job will also suffer from holes, cracks, and other aesthetic flaws.

Hiring a professional drywall repair service before interior painting is essential for these reasons and others:

Repairing cracks, holes, or dents in your drywall will result in a smoother interior paint application that lasts. A smooth, fresh paint application performed by a professional painting company can enhance the entire look and feel of your home interior.
Drywall repair leaves the elements outside where they belong. The most important function of your home’s drywall is that it keeps wind, moisture, pests, and insulation from entering your home. But when your drywall develops holes or cracks, these things can get inside your house.
Cold or warm outdoor air exposure due to cracks and holes in drywall can negatively impact energy efficiency. This can leave you with larger electric and gas bills.

How Much Does Drywall Repair Cost?

Pricing for drywall repair varies and depends on the extent of the damage. A professional drywall repair service will factor in how much labor and materials will be needed to get the job done well and on time. By requesting a free drywall repair quote you will know the exact price you will pay so there won’t be any surprises. You’ll also receive written explanations of what steps are necessary to keep your home interior looking great.

Leave Drywall Repair to Professionals
While drywall repair may seem like a simple task you can complete yourself, it’s important to know that repairing interior walls before painting requires trained professionals who work on jobs like these every day. Even if your walls only have minor holes or cracks, a professional drywall repair service is required if you want drywall repair and interior painting results that last for decades.

Source:https://www.sharperimpressionspainting.com