NerdWallet: Water damage accounts for $1 billion in insured losses for homeowners, renters annually — South Bend Tribune

As a spokesperson for the insurance industry, Loretta Worters often gives tips to homeowners on preventing water damage. Some of her knowledge comes from personal experience.

Worters says she had owned a home in Bellmore, N.Y., for only a month when she noticed the clothes washer in the basement was taking an awfully long time to fill.

“I went downstairs and I was up to my ankles in water,” says Worters, vice president of communications for the Insurance Information Institute.

Appliance and plumbing failures are a leading cause of household water damage, which is far more common than you may think. Homeowners are six times more likely to suffer property losses from water than from theft and seven times more likely than from fire, says Kelly Greene, a risk consulting manager from Chubb Personal Insurance who led a session on property damage at the Financial Planning Association NorCal conference in May. (“Water damage” is different from flooding, which is rising water that affects two or more properties.)

“When you ask people (if they’ve had water damage), if they haven’t, chances are they know someone who has — a friend or family member or neighbor,” Greene says.

Water damage accounts for $1 billion in insured losses annually for homeowners and renters, with claims averaging more than $10,000 each, Worter says.

But not all water losses are covered by insurance. While a sudden event, such as the hose that burst on Worter’s washing machine, would be covered, a slower leak typically wouldn’t be. A homeowner could end up paying thousands of dollars, or more, to fix the damage and remediate any mold.

“That’s a maintenance issue,” Worters says. Insurance doesn’t typically cover problems caused by issues a homeowner should have detected and fixed, such as termite damage or a leaky roof.

Yet while most homeowners have smoke detectors to alert them to fires, and many have alarm systems to help deter theft, relatively few take steps to prevent catastrophic water damage. Even in the multimillion-dollar homes Chubb covers, less than 2% have automated systems that can shut off the water if there’s a leak, Greene says.

That’s a problem for the insurer, since water damage makes up 45% of its total homeowners claims, and losses over $1 million have more than tripled since 2015, Greene says. Chubb now encourages policyholders to install water leak detection systems, which attach to water mains and can cost $500 to $3,000, Greene says.

But there are lower-cost and free ways homeowners can head off problems:

Locate the main shut-off. Adults and older children should know where the main water supply shut-off valve is and how to turn it off, Worters says. You don’t want to have to search for it in an emergency. The shut-off is often near the water meter or where the main water line enters the home. Water-using appliances like toilets and dishwashers typically have shut-off valves as well.

Regularly check supply lines. Look for leaks in the supply lines to sinks, toilets and hot water heaters, and inspect hoses that connect to washing machines, dishwashers, ice makers and pull-out spray faucets. If you find rubber hoses, consider replacing them with braided metal versions that are more durable. Braided metal hoses typically cost $10 to $30 each — and it’s a fairly easy do-it-yourself project to install them. (Just remember to shut off the water and unplug the appliance first.)

Don’t run water appliances overnight or when you’re not home. A burst hose can pump 600 gallons of water an hour into your home while you’re sleeping or away, Worter says. Consider shutting off the water entirely when you’re on vacation, Greene says.

Stay on top of home maintenance. Clear gutters and make sure downspouts funnel water away from your house’s foundation. Inspect roofs for missing shingles and other damage. Prevent ice dams, the ice that forms along roof edges that can cause water to back up under the shingles. Replace cracked caulk or sealant around tubs and showers.

Install alerts. Higher-end leak detectors such as Phyn Plus and Flo by Moen can monitor your water usage for anomalies, connect with smart home systems and alert you to problems through phone apps. If you’re not ready to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars, though, you can buy a three- or four-pack of basic sensors at hardware stores or online for less than $40. Place them on the floor near washers and hot water heaters, and the shrieking alarms will alert you to trouble.

source https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/business/nerdwallet-water-damage-accounts-for-billion-in-insured-losses-for/article_8d66b5e9-32f3-53ae-912a-751aed72bc6b.html

Neighbors support demolition of 94 Dole Ave. house — Kane County Chronicle

As city employees work to restore the property where two parents allegedly beat and killed their son, AJ Freund, the Crystal Lake home’s interior could be a health risk to anyone who enters.

A May inspection of the property at 94 Dole Ave. revealed the presence of black mold in the basement at more than 11 times the “elevated” rate, lab results show. The city has asked to demolish the property rather than spend more than $100,000 to bring it up to code. Several neighbors have expressed interest in buying the property, demolishing it or erecting a memorial park, according to emails obtained through a Freedom of Information request.

In the meantime, the property remains tied up in ongoing foreclosure litigation while the homeowners, JoAnn Cunningham and Andrew Freund Sr., await trial on first-degree murder charges tied to the death of their 5-year-old son.

Photographs of the house’s interior have raised questions about whether the squalid conditions presented an immediate danger to AJ and his younger brother, who now is in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Last summer, the parents were issued several sanitation condition violations for failure to maintain the property, according to a May court filing in which the city of Crystal Lake sought to inspect the house.

Among the long list of property violations noted at the home were hypodermic needles that had been stuck into a discarded sofa in the backyard, according to the city’s court filing. Inspectors also noted more than 30 used, uncapped, exposed hypodermic needles inside a thin plastic bag in front of the sofa.

On May 23, a McHenry County judge granted an administrative search warrant allowing the city to enter the house to determine its stability and estimate the amount of degradation that had occurred throughout the years. Inside, officials observed water damage in several rooms, mold throughout the house, and elevated levels of black mold in the basement.

“Standing water was detected in the basement,” Healthy Home Mold Inspection employees wrote in an 11-page report. “Multiple areas of visual mold growth was detected on items throughout the basement. Visual growth was also detected on the basement ceiling joints.”

The toxins produced by black mold can suppress a person’s immune system and affect their tissues and bone marrow, according to the South-Carolina-based lab that tested the mold swabs.

Removing the mold would cost about $7,830, the company estimated. Black mold rarely is found outdoors and typically doesn’t become airborne unless it is physically disturbed, according to the report.

“Based on mold tests and visual inspection it is my professional opinion that a qualified remediation company be contracted to perform mold remediation at the property in question,” according to the mold inspectors’ report. “Anyone in the property needs to wear masks and not touch moldy materials without wearing gloves.”

Neighbors on Sunday said they hadn’t experienced any health problems related to the boarded-up house, which has been vacant since Freund and Cunningham were arrested.

In April, police arrested JoAnn Cunningham and Andrew Freund Sr. in connection with the death of their son, AJ Freund. In that time, the city’s public works department has tended to the property, where weeds, garbage bags and a sedentary car served as public nuisances, according to city code violations against the pair. A lien is placed on the property each time the city performs maintenance, Michelle Rentzch, the city’s community development director, has said.

On July 10, the city of Crystal Lake additionally filed a complaint seeking to demolish the property, bringing its value to about $11,000, according to the complaint. Demolishing the home and ridding of the mold would cost an estimated $17,000; alternatively, it would cost $103,290 to bring the home within city code, according to one Crystal Lake construction company’s estimate.

Necessary repairs would include removing and replacing the roof and gutters, removing padlocks from interior doors, removing and replacing two toilets, and installing a new sump pump, according to the estimate.

The house was boarded up May 2 and on May 16, a cleanup crew removed biohazardous material from the property, including the needles found on the lawn, invoices show.

Attorneys have said no one is allowed inside the home unless authorized while Freund and Cunningham still are the owners.

Mortgage lender Homes Sites LLC initially sought foreclosure of Freund’s property in July 2018. The mortgage and promissory note were sold in May, however, to real estate investor William Progar. Progar’s attorney, Jonathan Kaman, has said he isn’t sure if Progar has plans for the property.

The foreclosure matter is scheduled for an Aug. 8 hearing in McHenry County court.

source https://www.kcchronicle.com/2019/07/19/neighbors-support-demolition-of-94-dole-ave-house/awekms9/

Liz Weston: Is your wealth dripping away? — Star Tribune

As a spokesperson for the insurance industry, Loretta Worters often gives tips to homeowners on preventing water damage. Some of her knowledge comes from personal experience.

Worters says she had owned a home in Bellmore, New York, for only a month when she noticed the clothes washer in the basement was taking an awfully long time to fill.

«I went downstairs and I was up to my ankles in water,» says Worters, vice president of communications for the Insurance Information Institute.

Appliance and plumbing failures are a leading cause of household water damage, which is far more common than you may think. Homeowners are six times more likely to suffer property losses from water than from theft and seven times more likely than from fire, says Kelly Greene, a risk consulting manager from Chubb Personal Insurance who led a session on property damage at the Financial Planning Association NorCal conference in May. («Water damage» is different from flooding, which is rising water that affects two or more properties.)

«When you ask people (if they’ve had water damage), if they haven’t, chances are they know someone who has — a friend or family member or neighbor,» Greene says.

Water damage accounts for $1 billion in insured losses annually for homeowners and renters, with claims averaging more than $10,000 each, Worter says.

But not all water losses are covered by insurance . While a sudden event, such as the hose that burst on Worter’s washing machine, would be covered, a slower leak typically wouldn’t be. A homeowner could end up paying thousands of dollars, or more, to fix the damage and remediate any mold.

«That’s a maintenance issue,» Worters says. Insurance doesn’t typically cover problems caused by issues a homeowner should have detected and fixed, such as termite damage or a leaky roof.

Yet while most homeowners have smoke detectors to alert them to fires, and many have alarm systems to help deter theft, relatively few take steps to prevent catastrophic water damage. Even in the multimillion-dollar homes Chubb covers, less than 2% have automated systems that can shut off the water if there’s a leak, Greene says.

That’s a problem for the insurer, since water damage makes up 45% of its total homeowners claims, and losses over $1 million have more than tripled since 2015, Greene says. Chubb now encourages policyholders to install water leak detection systems, which attach to water mains and can cost $500 to $3,000, Greene says.

But there are lower-cost and free ways homeowners can head off problems:

Locate the main shut-off. Adults and older children should know where the main water supply shut-off valve is and how to turn it off, Worters says. You don’t want to have to search for it in an emergency. The shut-off is often near the water meter or where the main water line enters the home. Water-using appliances like toilets and dishwashers typically have shut-off valves as well.

Regularly check supply lines. Look for leaks in the supply lines to sinks, toilets and hot water heaters, and inspect hoses that connect to washing machines, dishwashers, ice makers and pull-out spray faucets. If you find rubber hoses, consider replacing them with braided metal versions that are more durable. Braided metal hoses typically cost $10 to $30 each — and it’s a fairly easy do-it-yourself project to install them. (Just remember to shut off the water and unplug the appliance first.)

Don’t run water appliances overnight or when you’re not home. A burst hose can pump 600 gallons of water an hour into your home while you’re sleeping or away, Worter says. Consider shutting off the water entirely when you’re on vacation, Greene says.

Stay on top of home maintenance. Clear gutters and make sure downspouts funnel water away from your house’s foundation. Inspect roofs for missing shingles and other damage. Prevent ice dams, the ice that forms along roof edges that can cause water to back up under the shingles. Replace cracked caulk or sealant around tubs and showers.

Install alerts. Higher-end leak detectors such as Phyn Plus and Flo by Moen can monitor your water usage for anomalies, connect with smart home systems and alert you to problems through phone apps. If you’re not ready to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars, though, you can buy a three- or four-pack of basic sensors at hardware stores or online for less than $40. Place them on the floor near washers and hot water heaters, and the shrieking alarms will alert you to trouble.

____________________________________________________

This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and author of «Your Credit Score.» Email: lweston@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @lizweston.

RELATED LINK:

Understanding homeowners insurance http://bit.ly/homeowners-insurance-101

source http://www.startribune.com/liz-weston-is-your-wealth-dripping-away/513031262/

PBPD’s HQ filled with mold — Pine Bluff Commercial

After torrential rains earlier this month caused significant damage to the ground floor of the Joe Thomas Public Safety Building, Police Chief Kelvin Sergeant said it’s time to start a discussion about moving the police and fire departments out of the building.

Sergeant made the statement during a meeting of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee held this week.

This was the second time in less than a year that heavy rain caused flooding to the building. In September 2018, an estimated five to six inches of rain over a short period of time caused flooding in the former jail area of the building, which had been renovated over a two-year period and houses the service and patrol Divisions.

This time around, Sergeant said black mold was discovered when cleanup efforts began, resulting in the department making the decision to vacate the offices on the ground floor. The Service Division relocated to the second floor, while the Patrol Division moved back to the old National Guard Armory on Myrtle Street.

That building also houses the department’s Training Division and the Crime Lab.

Black mold can release harmful toxins called mycotoxins and eventually lead to mold poisoning. The symptoms of black mold poisoning can appear similar to those of an upper respiratory tract infection, such as the flu or common cold. People with other health conditions or a weakened immune system may experience more severe symptoms.

Fire and Emergency Services Chief Shauwn Howell said his department was fortunate that their ground floor is all concrete, so water damage was essentially limited to equipment, which might have to be replaced if it cannot be repaired.

Sergeant said department officials consulted an expert who estimated that the cost to remove the black mold would be in the area of $100,000 if he did the work. However, the expert said he could give department officials guidance on what they could do on their own, then come in afterward and deal with the mold.

That guidance would include the removal of desks and equipment, then cutting the sheetrock walls down to the insulation, which Sergeant said is still soaking wet.

Howell also expressed concern about mold traveling through the air conditioning system, which both departments share, and reaching the second floor. There, sleeping quarters are located for firefighters assigned to Station 1.

Committee Chairman Council Member Win Trafford said he was concerned about officers doing the removal work because of the potential dangers of exposure to the black mold.

“Time is of the essence,” Sergeant said. “Every day, the mold increases.”

Trafford told Sergeant, who had previously said that he had talked to the city’s insurance adjuster about covering the costs, to seek bids on getting the work done.

“I don’t want our officers cutting anything,” Trafford said. “We will waive competitive bidding if we have to.”

source https://www.pbcommercial.com/news/20190721/pbpds-hq-filled-with-mold

Neighbors support demolition of 94 Dole Ave. house — DeKalb Daily Chronicle

As city employees work to restore the property where two parents allegedly beat and killed their son, AJ Freund, the Crystal Lake home’s interior could be a health risk to anyone who enters.

A May inspection of the property at 94 Dole Ave. revealed the presence of black mold in the basement at more than 11 times the “elevated” rate, lab results show. The city has asked to demolish the property rather than spend more than $100,000 to bring it up to code. Several neighbors have expressed interest in buying the property, demolishing it or erecting a memorial park, according to emails obtained through a Freedom of Information request.

In the meantime, the property remains tied up in ongoing foreclosure litigation while the homeowners, JoAnn Cunningham and Andrew Freund Sr., await trial on first-degree murder charges tied to the death of their 5-year-old son.

Photographs of the house’s interior have raised questions about whether the squalid conditions presented an immediate danger to AJ and his younger brother, who now is in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Last summer, the parents were issued several sanitation condition violations for failure to maintain the property, according to a May court filing in which the city of Crystal Lake sought to inspect the house.

Among the long list of property violations noted at the home were hypodermic needles that had been stuck into a discarded sofa in the backyard, according to the city’s court filing. Inspectors also noted more than 30 used, uncapped, exposed hypodermic needles inside a thin plastic bag in front of the sofa.

On May 23, a McHenry County judge granted an administrative search warrant allowing the city to enter the house to determine its stability and estimate the amount of degradation that had occurred throughout the years. Inside, officials observed water damage in several rooms, mold throughout the house, and elevated levels of black mold in the basement.

“Standing water was detected in the basement,” Healthy Home Mold Inspection employees wrote in an 11-page report. “Multiple areas of visual mold growth was detected on items throughout the basement. Visual growth was also detected on the basement ceiling joints.”

The toxins produced by black mold can suppress a person’s immune system and affect their tissues and bone marrow, according to the South-Carolina-based lab that tested the mold swabs.

Removing the mold would cost about $7,830, the company estimated. Black mold rarely is found outdoors and typically doesn’t become airborne unless it is physically disturbed, according to the report.

“Based on mold tests and visual inspection it is my professional opinion that a qualified remediation company be contracted to perform mold remediation at the property in question,” according to the mold inspectors’ report. “Anyone in the property needs to wear masks and not touch moldy materials without wearing gloves.”

Neighbors on Sunday said they hadn’t experienced any health problems related to the boarded-up house, which has been vacant since Freund and Cunningham were arrested.

In April, police arrested JoAnn Cunningham and Andrew Freund Sr. in connection with the death of their son, AJ Freund. In that time, the city’s public works department has tended to the property, where weeds, garbage bags and a sedentary car served as public nuisances, according to city code violations against the pair. A lien is placed on the property each time the city performs maintenance, Michelle Rentzch, the city’s community development director, has said.

On July 10, the city of Crystal Lake additionally filed a complaint seeking to demolish the property, bringing its value to about $11,000, according to the complaint. Demolishing the home and ridding of the mold would cost an estimated $17,000; alternatively, it would cost $103,290 to bring the home within city code, according to one Crystal Lake construction company’s estimate.

Necessary repairs would include removing and replacing the roof and gutters, removing padlocks from interior doors, removing and replacing two toilets, and installing a new sump pump, according to the estimate.

The house was boarded up May 2 and on May 16, a cleanup crew removed biohazardous material from the property, including the needles found on the lawn, invoices show.

Attorneys have said no one is allowed inside the home unless authorized while Freund and Cunningham still are the owners.

Mortgage lender Homes Sites LLC initially sought foreclosure of Freund’s property in July 2018. The mortgage and promissory note were sold in May, however, to real estate investor William Progar. Progar’s attorney, Jonathan Kaman, has said he isn’t sure if Progar has plans for the property.

The foreclosure matter is scheduled for an Aug. 8 hearing in McHenry County court.

source https://www.daily-chronicle.com/2019/07/19/neighbors-support-demolition-of-94-dole-ave-house/awekms9/

Radford’s American Legion building still in need of major repairs — Roanoke Times

Radford’s American Legion has been trying to garner support to renovate its aging building to no avail, but one newer member is hoping to change that.

Onassis Burress has lived in Radford for only a few years but has already ingrained himself in the community, not only with his Main Street business as a financial advisor, but also as the president of the city’s Chamber of Commerce and as the public relations officer for the local Legion chapter.

“Coming from bigger areas, I’ve enjoyed being in a smaller community that offers more ways to try and serve the community and have an immediate impact,” he said.

<![CDATA[
/**/
]]>

Before Burress became involved with the Legion, the members — a vast majority of whom are veterans ranging from World War II to the Vietnam War — were using an online GoFundMe page to try and raise the money needed for the 90-year-old building’s litany of repairs.

“I just don’t think it was the best way to go about it and it didn’t receive much traction,” Burress said.

The Air Force veteran is now trying to implement more effective techniques to raise funds and is trying to secure outside help from Home Depot to cover the cost of supplies for the repairs.

“We are in the process of working with them [Home Depot] and they have been very receptive to helping out with the project. We just have to work through some insurance issues before we can get that going,” he said.

Burress said that getting insurance on the building is one issue currently being worked on, as is restoring the building’s nonprofit status.

Previously, repairs were thought to carry a cost of as much as $250,000 or more, but Burress believes it will be closer to half that with help from Home Depot and much of the work being done by volunteers.

He said the first task would be to repair the roof and gutter system as well as the soffit to prevent any further water damage to the interior of the building.

Water damage inside the building is significant, with cracks and other visible damage on the upstairs floor of the building where meetings were held before being moved to a nicer location. The carpets need to be replaced and there is likely mold damage in the basement area from water damage.

Burress and other members believe the project is important to the city not only because it has been the home of the Legion since 1928, but because it has served a variety of purposes since being built.

Vice Commander Dana Jackson, a Vietnam War veteran, has been a member of the Radford branch since 1979 and knows quite a bit about the building’s history.

“It has served a variety of roles for the city. It has been a temporary courthouse after the other one burned down,” he said. “It’s also been a temporary library, and where the Radford Arsenal first had its administration building in the 1940s.”

Jackson said that he hopes the building will one day become a historical site and have a marker explaining its importance to post World War I veterans for whom the building was built, as well as its various uses since then.

Burress said that he hopes the upper floors could be used for meetings again as well as sort of a museum showcasing many of the relics in the building such as old pictures and markers honoring Radford’s past veterans. He also would like to see it rented out for events and the downstairs portion of the building the possible host for startups in the area.

He said he is in the midst of getting the word out about ways to donate to the effort and hopes to have a direct link where those who want to help can donate directly to a bank account set up for the Legion.

“There are a lot of possibilities with this building and I think people are really going to support the effort once we get things going,” Burress said. “It’s a piece of Radford that shouldn’t be left to waste.”

<![CDATA[

]]>

source https://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/radford-s-american-legion-building-still-in-need-of-major/article_910ed7b0-c421-5ff0-be2a-bbb6bcd97432.html

After the flood: Experts teach mold cleaning and other tasks — WJTV

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)- As flooding increases, along with it’s dangers, a seminar was held at Hinds Community College Saturday to teach people about handling flood-related issues. 

Professionals from around the state gathered at the school in Vicksburg to discuss the aftermath of flooding and a an issue of particular importance was cleaning your home.

Damage left behind is often damp and humid areas which make ideal places for mold to grow.

If you find yourself having to clean mold from your home, always wear protective gear like gloves, a face mask and safety goggles. 

Sandy Havard, with MSU Extension, said “this is very important that they learn to properly clean up after a flood just because there is a lot of mold and contaminated stuff hanging around.”

“We just felt like the average person really just didn’t know how to properly clean up so we thought we could give them some [help].”

source https://www.wjtv.com/news/after-the-flood-experts-teach-mold-cleaning-and-other-tasks/

Dunwoody parents demand school district repair damage as class days near — 11Alive.com WXIA

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Mold, leaky roofs and overcrowding are just some of the issues Dunwoody parents don’t want their kids to see when classes start in three weeks.

They said they’ve been fighting the school district for years, but now they are fed up.

Kimmi Lenertz has two students in Dekalb schools – a rising sophomore and a seventh-grader.

“The trash cans were overflowing, there was never soap,” Lenertz said. “It was disgusting. I have a child at Peachtree, she refuses to use the bathroom. It’s just nasty.”

DeKalb County parents want to see change. So, about 30 parents and kids came together at Dunwoody High School on Friday dressed in school colors to demand it.

Lauren Fincher Taylor’s son will be a fourth-grader at Montgomery Elementary this year.

“We report the violations, we report the conditions our kids go to school in over and over and over again,” she said. “We have to beg, we have to do everything for basic sanitary things for our kids and our teachers.”

Taylor believes the conditions are getting worse. She shared photos of a crumbling ceiling at Montgomery Elementary taken in May and more from just two days ago that she said show mold in trailers used for art and music classes.

At Dunwoody High School, four trailers line the front of the school, one propped on slanted cinder blocks.

“We remain in what is truly a facility crisis,” Dunwoody City Council Member Lynn Deutsch said. “We have thousands of maintenance orders that are never handled, and it isn’t getting any better.”

As of July, DeKalb County said more than 2,200 maintenance work orders are still open in the district. And some of them date back to 2017.

The issues are widespread, but most are either carpentry, HVAC or roof orders.

Despina Lamas has three kids in the school district, one in third grade, another in fourth and the youngest in kindergarten.

“It’s just getting to a point where it is absolutely ridiculous and that’s why we have to go to media about it,” she said.

A representative for DeKalb County Schools said they are “working through the open work orders as they come in” and have budgeted for “more than 30 additional facilities maintenance staff to fix the problems.”

That would make for 141 facilities maintenance workers and 14 centralized custodians across 137 schools.

DeKalb Commissioner Nancy Jester said the solution is simple — though not immediate.

“You wouldn’t have to see this in any community if you simply redistricted and put every child in an actual building,” she said. “We have the space to do it. We should be doing it.”

Concerns from parents have grown so much that they started the Facebook group called Educate Dunwoody.” The group already has around 900 members – many of them parents looking for resolutions.

MORE NEWS: 

A tale of two Atlanta jails: Can a near-empty jail relieve overcrowding in another?

Father in Lake Lanier near-drowning dies days after 9-year-old son

KKK insider on Atlanta Child Murders: Wayne Williams is a scapegoat

source https://www.11alive.com/article/news/education/dunwoody-parents-demand-school-district-repair-damage-as-class-days-near/85-15cc1e82-90e0-4213-b018-372fd9bd84ed

Here’s how to remove mold in bathrooms | Siouxland Homes — Sioux City Journal

Standard and Black Mold in Bathrooms

Dear James: We are fixing up our house to sell. There are a couple of small moldy spots on the ceiling and walls from previous leaks. They look bad, but they have caused no problems. How can we fix them ourselves? — Kyle W.

Dear Kyle: Homeowners have major concerns today about mold in houses because of the many studies done on dangerous black mold. Actually, most mold looks pretty black on a light surface, so people — especially those with children — are understandably concerned when they see any discoloration from mold.

Unless you live in the desert with extremely low humidity, a house will have mold growing somewhere in it. Even in relatively dry climates, just the normal human activities in a house create enough moisture to allow some mold to thrive. This is most common in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.

If the potential buyers have a qualified house inspector check your house before they sign the contract, the mold will likely be detected, so it is wise to repair the spots now. Since they are small moldy spots, you are allowed to fix them yourself. The EPA has recommended guidelines for mold abatement, and the size of the moldy area is a factor.

It helps to understand how mold thrives. Mold spores can be thought of as mold seeds. The are in the air, on your shoes, almost everywhere. They can remain dormant for a very long time and become active when they come in contact with moisture and an organic material.

Soap, dead skin cells, oils, food particles, etc. will support mold growth. The amount of these organic materials can be so minute that you cannot even see them and surfaces appear to be clean. Some molds can appear and darken a surface within just a few days.

<![CDATA[

]]>

Since you just have a couple of relatively small areas of mold, there likely were, or still are, leaks or other sources of moisture there. Removing the source of the moisture is imperative to keep the mold from reappearing. The ceiling leaks will be much easier to find than the ones in the walls.

Once you have found the sources of the moisture and eliminated them, inspect the moldy areas to determine the extent of the damage and its depth. Although it may not be a dangerous type of mold, it would be wise to wear gloves and an approved N95 breathing mask. This is the same type of mask recommended when there is an outbreak of bird flu.

Cover the floor with a plastic sheet. Cleaners for mold are available at home center stores, but a solution of 25 percent chlorine bleach in water is also effective. Scrub a large area of the surface around the spots to try to remove and kill the mold. The moisture probably came from behind the wall and ceiling, so the mold is likely deeper than just on the surface.

It is best to remove and replace the section of drywall. This also allows you to inspect the lumber and insulation behind it. Cut out a piece slightly larger than the moldy spot on the surface. For the easiest repair, make your cut in the drywall from the centerline of one stud or joist to the next one. When you install the new piece of drywall, it will be supported on each side.

Send your questions to Here’s How, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.

<![CDATA[

]]>

source https://siouxcityjournal.com/advertorial/siouxland_homes/here-s-how-to-remove-mold-in-bathrooms/article_0f999acb-53b9-5840-8efb-669b5617c97b.html

Rely on DC Eager Emergency Services, LLC, Your Mold Specialists — Lititz Record Express

The hot, humid weather and frequent thunderstorms are sure to create moisture that may result in mold. It’s a good thing there is someone to trust when it comes to mold remediation.

That someone is Darlene Eager of DC Eager Emergency Services, LLC. She has been in the business of property damage restoration for 18 years, and she knows the ins and outs of mold and how to get rid of it.

DC Eager Emergency Services, LLC is an IICRC firm certified company in mold remediation and removal. As Darlene points out, there is a lot of misinformation out there about mold. She makes it her mission to educate you on your situation, so you can make a decision based upon the knowledge you have received.

That solution should not be based on the scare tactics and sales pitches of others. After all, there is no magical potion that you can spray on mold and it goes away. DC Eager follows certifications and physically removes it with NO chemicals, so that your home is safely restored to being healthy and mold-free.

DC Eager has an amazing team who share Darlene’s love of the business, as well as her passion for helping people. The company is known throughout the building and property damage world for their clean demolition, their expertise in the removal of mold, and their caring concern for people in hoarding situations.

One of the services that has been getting a lot of attention lately is hoarding situations. It is the well-being of the homeowner that Darlene and her team care most about. If hoarding is a concern for you, a friend, or family member, or if you just need someone to remove the clutter that may have accumulated over the years, DC Eager would love to help.

There are many reasons why it is important to declutter your home. If there is ever a fire, the homeowner may be trapped inside and emergency responders may be prevented from reaching the injured. There is a high risk of health issues caused by the mold and bacteria when living in unsanitary conditions. Many times, once the home is decluttered, other health hazards are uncovered such as mold.

If you or anyone you know needs the services of DC Eager Emergency Services, be sure to call Darlene at 717-989-5763 for a FREE assessment and estimate or check them out at www.dceager.com for more information.

serve-you071819

source https://lititzrecord.com/business-reviews/rely-on-dc-eager-emergency-services-llc-your-mold-specialists/