Effects of Flood Damage to Indoor Air Quality

During flood damage in Decatur GA the indoor air quality in your home or office may appear to be the least of your problems. However, failure to do water damage restoration in Decatur GA and flood damage restoration in Decatur GA  contaminated materials and to reduce moisture and humidity can present serious long-term health risks. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and mold. They can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the flood.

This article discusses problems about the effects of food damage to indoor air quality, as well as other potential effects of flooding, on long-term indoor air quality and the steps you can take to lessen these effects. Although the information contained here emphasizes residential flood damage repair in Decatur GA, it is also applicable to other types of buildings like commercial and industrial.

Often, we think that inundation issues in homes come from wild weather and big storms. However, broken water supply lines, appliance failures such as washing machines as well as damaged roofs allowing rainfalls in your house may also cause important water damage and eventually lead to flooding.

This water is considered as “clean water” which does not pose harm to humans and isn’t contaminated with sewage, bacteria or viruses. But actions need to be taken very rapidly to avoid further damage.

Water spreads to other areas rapidly damaging the flooring, the walls and the furniture on its way. More specifically, wood and metal furniture, as well as carpet, can be stained and discolored and paper goods will more likely swell and split.

 

Furniture will keep deteriorating and swelling, the water will also begin to penetrate the plasterboard and the finished building materials causing a musty odor.

Please note that the water damage involving clean water at the start may quickly become a greywater situation. Once clean water enters in contact with other surfaces and materials, as they will start dissolving and release contaminants over time will change the conditions of the water to grey.

Standing water is a breeding ground for microorganisms, which can become airborne and be inhaled. Where floodwater contains sewage or decaying animal carcass infectious disease is of concern. Even when flooding due to rainwater, the growth of microorganisms can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. For these health reasons, and to lessen structural damage, all standing water should be removed as quickly as possible.

The clean water will be upgraded to a grey category, which will cause beginning mold growth, along with a very strong musty odor impacting the Indoor Air Quality. Obviously furniture, plasterboard, and other porous building materials will keep swelling and disintegrating and electronic components will also be affected and may malfunction.

The greywater will become completely unsanitary and turn into black water as chemicals and other contaminants from building materials and furniture dissolve into the water. Not only will it contribute to water contamination but also to further discoloration and destruction compromising all building materials as well as contents. Mold spores will keep growing which will affect dramatically the Indoor Air Quality and a Decatur Ga mold removal company and a general contractor in Decatur GA like ServiceMaster by Lovejoy is required to enter the contaminated area.

Time is crucial when an important water event such as flooding occurs in your property involving any type of water. The quicker your water damaged house is taken care of by a  professional water damage restoration company such as ServiceMaster by Lovejoy, the less destruction is caused and the easier the recovery process. Contact ServiceMaster by Lovejoy at 678-293-0297 for all your mold inspection and remediation needs in Decatur, GA, and nearby counties. Visit https://www.servicemasterbylovejoy.com.

Common Types of Mold Found in Your Home

Molds are simple, minuscule organisms that develop anywhere in your home, both indoors or outdoors. There are two common ways by which these spores spread. First is through the air, where they can pass in by means of open ventilation systems, windows, and doorways. Secondly, spores can attach to objects or people, like clothing and shoes. 

 

These mold spores grow well in ideal conditions, such as in moist and warm areas. If the environment is not ideal for these spores, they do not continue to grow and flourish. A few examples of areas that can cultivate these mold spores are places with no ventilation like the back of a closet or floors where leakage and flooding  commonly happen. Service Master by Lovejoy is a general contractor in Sandy Springs GA. As a trusted Sandy Springs GA mold removal company,  Service Master by Lovejoy  offers services of utmost quality without breaking the bank. 

 

There are three classifications of harmful molds. These are:

 

a. Allergenic: These are molds that cause allergies and allergic reactions like asthma attacks.

 

b. Pathogenic: These are molds that cause complications to those already suffering from acute illnesses. 

 

c. Toxinogenic: These are the most harmful molds as they can lead to severe or deadly health conditions by producing toxic substances.

 

Here are the common types of mold that you may encounter at home.

 

1. Acremonium

This type of mold is classified as toxinogenic. It starts as a small moist mold that turns into a fine, powdered substance often colored pink, white, grey, or orange. Prolonged contact to this type of mold can weaken brain function and lead to severe illnesses in the bone marrow and immune system. It can usually be found in damp areas where flooding is a common occurrence. At ServiceMaster by Lovejoy, water damage restoration in Sandy Springs GA is possible as the personnel is equipped and capable of doing such. 

 

2. Alternaria 

It is the most ordinary kind of allergenic mold. They are commonly found in bathrooms and bathtubs, as well as underneath leaking sinks. This type of mold disperses quickly, making it necessary to be removed as soon as possible. For mold inspection in Sandy Springs GA, Service Master by Lovejoy conducts these types of inspections and ensures that molds are scrubbed off before they can do any harm. 

 

3.  Aspergillus 

It is the most common mold found in most American households. Although an allergenic, it is capable of developing into a more toxic mold depending on the environment. When neglected, this mold is hazardous as it is capable of generating a deadly carcinogen, called aflatoxins. 

 

These are but few of the many molds that can cause harmful effects to your health. Health problems caused by these molds can be prevented, and ServiceMaster by Lovejoy is the leading company in mold remediation in Sandy Springs GA. 

 

ServiceMaster by LoveJoy is a leading contractor that specializes in mold inspection and remediation in the Sandy Springs GA area. Get the service of the experts and ensure a healthy and mold-free environment for you and your family. Contact ServiceMaster by Lovejoy at 678-293-0297 for all your mold inspection and remediation needs in Sandy Springs, GA and nearby counties. Visit https://www.servicemasterbylovejoy.com.

Symptoms of Mold Exposure

The occurrence of disasters is inevitable like the rampage of a flood after the thunderstorm/hurricane. It has pernicious and threatening effects against the residents’ health and houses.

 

Flashing flood water is unstoppable due to the fact that it rushes towards the lower ground level as part of the gravitational phenomena, but areas within the low-level zone are expected to hold the floodwater until it dries up through soil absorption or evaporation. 

 

One of the lasting and dreadful effects of the flood is its absorption to the wood materials of the house that results in the wood’s decomposition. This wood rottenness will generate moisture that will, later on, be nested with fungi by the growth of the molds. 

 

The growth of the molds is unhealthy and triggers allergy attacks to the residents. The spores of the molds are usually inhaled precedent the attacks and this is the most common symptom that demonstrates the presence of the molds. Other symptoms are the exacerbation of the airways that will cause nasal congestion, nasal stuffiness, wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, and throat irritation, eye irritation, and in some cases, skin irritation.

 

Further, the extended exposure to molds can diminish lung function and may cause prolonged health problems such as asthma attacks. 

 

On the other hand, the steps of mold removal are tedious processes, which need the utilization of the proper tools and solutions. Since the solutions are chemical substances that may likewise cause further respiratory problems, they may worsen the health disadvantages against the homeowners together with their families.  

 

However, some homeowners still decide to clean their damped homes manually. They usually opt to ignore the danger or chemical effect in order not to spend money for the remediation of the properties. Aside from that, other homeowners fail to be informed on the bad effects of mold exposures. 

 

This situation is risky and to resolve this problem, the process of remediation and restoration should be facilitated and undertaken by a professional firm like the ServiceMaster by Lovejoy. We provide businesses and homeowners the highest quality of water, fire, mold remediation services.

 

We have the committed team that ensures the utmost service to clean all areas of your home using high-end equipment to get rid of the molds and will ultimately remediate and restore your home to its healthy state. To uphold the efficient engagement, our highly skilled technicians undertake the proficient works in a careful approach. 

 

For your needs about water damage restoration in Atlanta GA, Atlanta GA mold removal company, general contractor in Atlanta GA, mold inspection in Atlanta GA, and mold remediation in Atlanta GA, please visit our official website to learn the details at https://www.servicemasterbylovejoy.com.

 

You may also reach us at 678-293-0297 for all your mold inspection and remediation needs in Atlanta, GA and nearby counties.

 

To provide you with our utmost attention and service, we encourage you to give us a call to experience the paramount capability of our team for your utmost service satisfaction.