Preventing Mold In Your Basement or Crawl Space

During these warm summer days, our homes can become a source of mold. This is especially true for homes with basements or crawl spaces. There are several things you can do to prevent mold in your basement.

1.     Clean any existing mold and eliminate excessive moisture. This seems obvious, but it is important if you find existing mold that you clean it immediately and determine the cause.

2.     Vacuum and clean regularly to remove possible sources of growth. Pay special attention to the areas of your basement or crawl space that are likely to generate a lot of moisture.

3.     Area rugs and/or washable floor surfaces are better to combat mold than wall-to-wall carpeting. When using area rugs, launder them periodically.

4.     Do not store materials such as paper, books, clothes, or other possible sources of food for mold in the humid parts of your home. If you have to store these items, use airtight containers or packaging to avoid having moisture collect on these items.

5.     Consider using a dehumidifier. The cool basement floor and walls can be a source of moisture build-up that may be avoided with a dehumidifier.

6.     If you have water problems in your basement or crawl space, clean up affected areas as quickly as possible and take immediate steps to resolve the source of the problem. PuroClean will help you contain damage to a property and expedite the restoration process by delivering state-of-the art services.

The South Charlotte PuroClean team has national certifications and we’re in your neighborhood. Let the PuroClean team put their expertise to work for you…call (704) 644-8686.

If You're Going On Vacation...

You’re looking forward to the sandy beach, ocean cruise or family get together. The last thing on your mind is the home you’re leaving behind for a couple weeks. Unfortunately, home disasters can occur when the house is left empty. Here are some quick tips for things you can do before you leave to help keep your home safer.

If you plan to be away from your home for an extended period of time, turn off the main water supply inside your home.  A major leak would be catastrophic if there is no one home to deal with it.  If you do experience a water event while you’re away, turning off the water main will help to minimize the damage.

When going away on vacation during the spring or summer months, turn the thermostat up, but don’t turn the air conditioner off.  The A/C system helps remove moisture from your home, excessively high temperatures in your home can result in damage to furniture and flooring while promoting mold growth.

When traveling during the winter, do the opposite.  Turn the thermostat down, but don’t turn off the furnace completely, as this may put your pipes in danger of freezing.

Before you leave, unplug everything, but the refrigerator, freezer, and the lights or other items you have set on timers.

Setting your hot water heater on the lowest heat setting possible will keep it functioning at a minimum level and will save you money on your energy bills that you can use for your next vacation.

Leave keys with a neighbor to check your home if there are severe weather conditions while you're away. (Have them take in the mail and paper occasionally, too.) Addressing problems caused by severe weather promptly can minimize damage.

Finally, enjoy your time away. We all need a break and you know we’re just a phone call away if a problem should arise.

3 Ways to Beat Mold After a Flood

Floods can cause more than just water damage; mold and bacteria thrive in damp, stagnant areas. PuroClean professionals specialize in mold remediation and removal services to ensure the safety and well-being of your family and your home.  Call PuroClean today for professional cleaning and sanitization by calling (704) 644-8686 or visit their website here.

Here are three things you can do to avoid mold becoming a hazard to you after a flood:

1. Determine Which Items Can Be Saved or Tossed

After a flood, many household items that have been damaged by water can be a hazardous breeding ground for mold. Items that should be thrown away if they look or smell moldy are clothing, furniture, papers and books, food (even canned goods), and electric appliances that have fans such as A/C window units.

Items that can be salvaged from floodwater are photographs and paper materials with minimal mold, wooden items and furniture, clothing with no visible damage and no unusual smells, and non-porous materials like dinnerware and jewelry. It is important to clean undamaged items and allow them to dry thoroughly.

2. Wear Protective Clothing

If you need to be inside of a home or other building that has been flooded, even if you are cleaning the area, take proper precautions to avoid getting sick. Wearing a N95 respirator, which can be purchased at your local hardware store, will protect you from inhaling toxic mold spores that can cause respiratory problems. Wearing durable work boots and puncture-resistant rubber gloves will protect hands and feet from damp or sharp materials when cleaning a flooded area.

3. Don’t Risk DIY—Call a Professional

Because mold isn’t the only hazard after a flood, a professional may need to help you in cleaning a home or facility that has been affected by floodwater. If sewage has seeped into the area, there is a risk of spreading bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal and skin infections.

If there are still large amounts of standing water in the home or building, there may be a risk of electrical danger. Calling a professional like Puroclean of South Charlotte will ensure that the proper precautions are taken so that homeowners stay safe and damage is kept to a minimum.

Make sure safety is priority and extensive flood damage is not overlooked. Call Puroclean today at (704)644-8686 to avoid mold and bacteria hazards.

After the Fire | 5 Things Homeowners Should Do First

So you’ve had a fire in your home. What do you do now?

Having a fire in your home can be a traumatic experience, especially if you have to live with the damage that a small fire caused. Here at PuroClean of South Charlotte, we specialize in property restoration for fire and smoke. Call us today if you need help with fire damage and repair: (704)644-8686.

Fires in the home can be stressful. Sometimes homeowners are unsure on how to repair or restore their home after the fire has occurred. Follow these five simple steps if you have recently experienced fire damage in your home:

1. First and foremost - be safe and be careful. Even if the fire department says it is safe to enter a fire damaged home, use caution.
2. Call your insurance company and ask your agent what you should do first. Getting your insurance company’s opinion is crucial. You need to know what is covered and what isn’t. It is also wise to find out what is normally done in these situations.
3. Call Puroclean of South Charlotte at (704) 644-8686 as soon as possible. To maximize effectiveness, fire damage should be addressed quickly. Restoring fire and smoke damage requires specialized equipment and skills.
4. Make sure to stay informed throughout the process. Knowing what can be saved in the home and what can’t is a positive step towards you and your home’s recovery. Our professionals treat client property with respectful handling. We understand these are your personal belongings and we do what we can to ensure they are salvaged properly.
5. Remember to save your receipts for any money spent on restoration. They may be needed later by your insurance company.

A fire in your home - big or small - needs to be handled with the proper precautions to ensure damage is kept to a minimum. Contact Puroclean of South Charlotte to make your fire and smoke damage restoration as painless as possible!