How to Prevent Flood Damage in Stockbridge, GA

The impact of flood damage in Stockbridge, GA at your  property can be greatly reduced if the flood is dealt with quickly and efficiently. However, the primary damage caused by floodwater is often just the beginning. 

Secondary damage can have long-term and serious consequences. If flood water potentially contains sewage or any other contaminants, this should be dealt with by a professional flood damage repair and restoration company in Stockbridge, GA. In any flood damage event, safety is paramount and it is important that a thorough risk assessment is undertaken. Check the status of your utilities; turn off the electric supply at the mains if necessary. Record everything throughout the process using photography, video and written documentation as evidence. If there is any doubt, contact a professional water damage restoration company in Stockbridge, GA that will have the equipment and resources to deal with it quickly and safely.

Here are some tips to prevent flood damage in Stockbridge, GA.

 

• Make permanent changes to your home to reduce the risk of flood damage in Stockbridge GA. This may include laying ceramic tiles on the ground floor, replacing chipboard cupboards with stainless-steel, solid wood or plastic ones, and replacing fitted carpets with rugs.
• Outdoor alterations to resist flood damage include replacing wooden window frames and doors with uPVC ones. However, this may not be permitted in conservation areas, so check with the local council’s planning department. Other repairs include fitting a non-return valve at each drain and water inlet and replacing existing air vents with flood-resistant ventilation bricks.
• Ask your builder to raise the damp-proof course and to seal all the floors at the ground level.
• Make all home electrics safer by raising the electrical socket height to a minimum of 1.5 meters above the ground floor. Make sure that all electrical devices such as TVs are also at least 1.5 meters above the ground floor. Reduce internal flood damage to walls by using lime rather than gypsum-based plaster. Hide all valuable objects on the upper floors or on shelves that are very highly mounted on the wall.
• When flooding is imminent, block the bottom of external doors with sandbags to stop water from getting into the house. Fit covers over the external air bricks. Plastic sheeting will suffice in an emergency if no better cover is available.
• When the flood is imminent, make sure that all sinks and baths are firmly plugged to stop any water that backs up the outlet pipes from getting into the house. Seal around any toilets and washing machine outlets to reduce the risk of the same type of water back-up.

ServiceMaster by Lovejoy is a GC general contractor in Stockbridge GA  providing service to a range of different industries. We have many years of experience and a well-deserved reputation within the flood damage repair and restoration industry in Stockbridge GA. We are happy to assist and advise further.

If you are in need of a water damage restoration service in Stockbridge GA, ServiceMaster by Lovejoy is a superb option for you. Our business is fully licensed and insured, and our technicians are professionally trained and certified, so you can rest assured that the job will be done correctly and efficiently. Please call our emergency line at 678-293-0297, and we will be available to you as soon as possible.

How Does Mold Affect Structural Integrity

Buildings and structures experience many problems and issues that can be caused by natural calamities, design failures, and lack of maintenance. One of the structural issues that are being experienced in the state of Georgia are caused by mold infestation. This type of problem is difficult to determine and immediate detection may be impossible because symptoms are not visible and seen until severe infestation is already taking place. The State of Georgia has federal rules and regulations concerning mold infestation especially in rented areas where tenants’ health may be put to risk. Sandy Springs, GA mold inspection companies render services for mold infestation and damage control.

Molds grow in places that have high levels of humidity and moisture, poor ventilation, leaks in roof, gutters, pipes and windows. It also grows on cardboard, walls, ceiling, and tiles. Exposure to mold can lead to respiratory problems, especially for children. It can cause coughing, sneezing, difficulty in breathing, skin irritation, allergies, and trigger asthma. 

Molds should not be treated without professional help from inspectors and contractors because mishandling and self-treatment would only cost more in the end. Inspection companies for mold remediation in Sandy Spring, GA should be able to provide clear and adequate explanation of the processes involved in clearing mold from homes and buildings. In some cases, homes should be evacuated immediately until the house is totally cleared from mold. It could take weeks or months, or in worst case scenarios, some cases even took 6 months to a year before finally being cleared from mold infestation. 

Steps in determining if mold is present:

· Before buying a property or a house, make sure to have a mold testing done to make sure that no mold problems will occur after acquiring it.

· Look for mold spores or visible dark spots in the ceiling, walls, basement, and attics. If mold spores are visible, immediately contact a mold specialist or inspector.

·  If you are experiencing difficulty in breathing whenever inside the house or the facility, this may suggest the presence of mold.

· Other symptoms include coughing, nasal congestion, allergies and asthma.

· If there is a history of flooding in your area, mold testing should be done.

· If there are leaks and high level of moisture inside the house, mold may be present.

If these signs are present in your home, immediately call inspection companies for mold remediation in Sandy Spring, GA. Mold remediation is part of the maintenance of the structure.  Delay to action can lead to more expenses because mold doesn’t just stick on the surface of the structure but also penetrates to the interior of the walls, columns, beams, and slab. It will eventually spread to all the parts of the structure and will affect its structural integrity.

Molds may not be visible but can have an adverse effect to the entirety of the structure. The presence of mold should be determined as soon as possible in order to save the structure and lessen the expense for maintenance. Sandy Spring GA mold inspection companies are available for mold remediation. Contact ServiceMaster by Lovejoy at 678-293-0297 for all your water damage restoration and structural drying needs in Sandy Springs, GA and nearby counties. Visit https://www.servicemasterbylovejoy.com.

Health Risks Associated With Mold Growth

Do you have watery eyes, a runny nose, and an itchy throat? Are you frequently sneezing two days after you started coughing? Then come the wheezing and difficulty of breathing. You have been taking vitamin C supplements and are constantly on antihistamine drugs. You’ll feel better for a while. Then, you start sneezing again. Call ServiceMaster by Lovejoy for a mold inspection.

You then notice the blackish-green substance under your carpet. This is probably from the juice your toddler spilled that has not dried out, but upon taking a closer look, you discover that it is mold.

Mold is a type of fungus that consists of small organisms. Its color can be black, white, orange, green, or purple. Molds live well on moisture and multiply by means of tiny, lightweight spores that travel through the air.

Molds are found almost everywhere. They are beneficial to the environment in terms of breaking down dead materials. You’re exposed to mold every day. Mold spores are usually harmless when inhaled in small amounts.

However, when they land on a damp area in your home, they can start to multiply. Spores can then be released into the air where they can be easily inhaled. You could experience health problems if you’re sensitive to it and inhale a large amount. A person's sensitivity to molds can increase through repeated exposure, causing more severe allergic reactions. These problems are worse indoors when they cause indoor air quality problems.

Those who have higher risks of illnesses caused by molds are those who live or work in establishments that are exposed to moisture and are not adequately ventilated. Infants, children, the elderly, immune-compromised patients, and those with respiratory problems are also at risk.

The sources of moisture in your home or businesses may include; flooding, damp basement or crawl space, leaky roof, leaky plumbing, humidifiers, poorly ventilated areas, and/or clothes dryer vented indoors.

You may prevent molds by doing the following:

• Use dehumidifiers in damp areas, such as the basement

• Fix leaks in the roof, walls, windows, or pipes

• Ventilate bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas

• Vent the clothes dryer to the outside

• Use mold-resistant paint

• Dry areas that are wet or have been flooded within 24 to 48 hours, and throw out anything that cannot be completely dried

Checking and testing for mold can be taxing and expensive. When you see and smell it, it must be removed immediately. To effectively remove mold and prevent its return, contact a professional. ServiceMaster by Lovejoy offers mold remediation in Atlanta and surrounding areas. It is the trusted  general contractor in Atlanta GA that has been providing homes and businesses top-notch quality services of water, fire, and mold remediation since 1995. ServiceMaster by Lovejoy, your Atlanta GA mold damage remediation company, has highly trained professionals, proven equipment, and monitoring system, thus you are guaranteed fast and effective services.

Other contractors may offer these services. ServiceMaster by Lovejoy, however, has the years of quality service, the knowledge, tools, and National Company Resources.

Contact ServiceMaster by Lovejoy at 678-293-0297 for all your water damage restoration and structural drying needs in Atlanta, GA and nearby counties.

So, when a strange fungus is growing in your homes and businesses, call ServiceMaster by Lovejoy. Don't wait for it to cause health hazards to you, your family or employees. Let ServiceMaster by Lovejoy restore your area back to normal and prevent this nasty fungus from coming back.  For other details and information, please visit our website at https://www.servicemasterbylovejoy.com.