Following is a list of some of the most frequently asked questions related to our water mitigation services. If you don’t see a question you are curious about, please ask us your question here. We will answer it promptly.
What do I do? A. Read our Restoration Guidelines Card and Call our 24-Hour Emergency Hotline at 714-641-6600 or 949-631-1001.
Unfortunately not. Our industry is plagued by operators who lack the proper certification, training, and equipment to get the job done right. Many tradesmen from other fields offer dry down and mold remediation services hoping to make some “quick money”. Unfortunately for them and for the clients who hire them, they find out the hard way that they are many challenges, variables, and risks in this type of work.
A. We utilize a programmatic approach for drying your structure we call “Active Drying System”. This system is based on the IICRC S500 Standard & Reference Guide for Restoration as well as on concepts from the Dewald School of Advanced Structural Drying. Please refer to our “How ADS Drying Works” hand out for more information on our drying process.
How can you make sure that mold will not develop in the affected areas? A. According to the IICRC S500 Standard & Reference Guide for Restoration, any water that has affected drywall, baseboard, carpet, carpet padding, tack strip, and other construction materials, must be addressed immediately. If more than 72 hours have transpired since the start of the event, it is assumed that mold spores in the affected areas have transitioned from a “passive” state to an “active” or “growth” state. At such point, the restoration process can no longer be addressed as just a water problem. Instead, it must be handled as a mold contamination problem, which requires a complete set of procedures and considerations, which are based on the IICRC S520 Standard & Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation.
A. Typically, three to five calendar days with very little structural damage or need for reconstruction, except for sewage backups/black water losses, where we have to remove and dispose of all materials affected by the contaminated water.
A. Sparkle has had success using the Injectidry wood floor drying system. This system works by creating a vacuum to help extract the water through the wood floor and can often prevent the floor from heaving and even reverse cupping. This system will return the wood floor to a normal moisture content in approximately one week’s time.
A. If the flood was a clean water loss and it was noticed and taken care of within 72 hours, then we have an excellent chance of saving your carpet and pad. Sparkle uses a number of specialized tools, including the Water Claw and the Xtreme Xtractor. Both have a high success rate of salvaging the pad without having to disengage the carpet. However, if you’ve suffered from sewage backup flood, your carpet and pad will have to be removed and discarded due to health risks.
If the damage was caused by a clean water flood that was responded to quickly and drying began in a timely manner (within 72 hours), there is a good chance that your furniture can be saved. However, if your furniture has been submerged in water for a longer period of time or the source of the water was not clean, your furniture is most likely unsalvageable.
Once we have assessed your specific loss, we will prepare a full estimate for your approval. If your loss is covered by insurance, we can bill your insurance company directly, in most cases. However, third-party billing is a courtesy. The financial obligation remains yours and you are responsible for making sure we get paid for services rendered after the work has been completed.
Typically yes. We normally require a deposit of 10% of the total estimate (up to $1,000.00) upfront if you are paying out of pocket or the amount of your insurance deductible if we are billing your insurance company directly.
Following is a list of some of the most frequently asked questions related to our mold remediation services. If you don’t see a question you are curious about, please ask us your question here. We will answer it promptly.
Molds are microorganisms and part of the natural environment. Biologists have identified over 100,000 different types of molds. Molds play a very important role in nature. Outdoors, they break down organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees. However, indoors excessive mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Molds may begin growing indoors when their spores land on surfaces that are wet.
Yes. Molds have the potential to cause health problems by producing allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rashes (dermatitis). Because they are so small, mold spores may evade the protective mechanisms of the nose and upper respiratory tract to reach the lungs. Allergic reactions to mold can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic individuals. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing.
Some states require a mold inspection prior to a sale of a home or building. California mold disclosure law requires sellers, real estate professionals, and landlords to certify they have no knowledge of excess mold activity being present indoors. If mold activity is suspected, then a mold inspection is recommended before escrow closes.
Under several scenarios including the presence of damp, musty odors. A recent water leak. Visible mold or mildew. Increased allergy reaction frequency. Also, if you are concerned about infants or immune-compromised occupants, such as elderly or infirm individuals. If you have asthma, mold or other allergens can exacerbate your problem.
Water leaks, floods, or spills. Loose or rocking toilets. Blocked drains on air conditioning units. Moisture introduced by “swamp” coolers. Wet or damp areas in rooms, basements, or garages. Excess water condensation (from showers, kitchen, etc,), where none or poor ventilation exists. Overspray from sprinkler systems.
Fix any leaks that you find as soon as possible, watch for condensation and wet spots that have developed, and keep heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning drip pans clean and unobstructed. Make sure your attics and crawl spaces are dry and properly ventilated.
The length of mold remediation is based on the amount of mold that has consumed the structure. In some cases, the mold is caught soon after it has developed and in other cases, the mold has spread throughout the building. Small projects can normally be accomplished within one to two weeks. Larger projects can take up to several weeks.
An IH, CIH or Forensic Engineer trained in indoor air quality sampling and investigating can inspect the home or business, establish a pre-remediation baseline, and draft a 3rd party independent remediation protocol that a remediation contractor can follow to properly remediate the affected areas. After remediation, the IAQ professional can inspect the job site, perform clearance sampling and verify the remediation contractor has properly remediated the work areas.
Yes. As long as no new excess moisture is re-introduced to the remediated area. The proper cleanup and removal of mold will not ensure that mold will not return in the future. In order to prevent excess mold growth conditions from reoccurring, all sources of excess moisture including condensation must be corrected. Mold can gain a foothold and start spreading anytime the conditions for its growth are favorable. Download our Mold Remediation Process handout (PDF document). Schedule a free onsite mold inspection visit.
Following is a list of some of the most frequently asked questions related to our construction and remodeling services. If you don’t see a question you are curious about, please ask us your question here. We will answer it promptly.
Following is a list of some of the most frequently asked questions related to our flooring sales and installation services. If you don’t see a question you are curious about, please ask us your question here. We will answer it promptly.
Following is a list of some of the most frequently asked questions related to our carpet and upholstery cleaning and protection services. If you don’t see a question you are curious about, please ask us your question here. We will answer it promptly.
Following is a list of some of the most frequently asked questions related to our hard surfaces (stone, ceramic tile, grout), cleaning and restoration as well as the special services we provide. If you don’t see a question you are curious about, please ask us your question here. We will answer it promptly.
