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Where does it come from?

Mold travels through the air, both outdoors and inside, in the form of microscopic, airborne spores. This is completely normal, and an essential part of our ecosystem. When these spores land on an object or surface that is retaining moisture, they have found the food they need to survive and multiply. Soon, the mold is visible, and taking over that space rather quickly. Mold only needs a period of 24-48 hours to begin growing, and according to the World Health Organization, this stuff is everywhere we don’t want it to be. They estimate that around 25% of the world’s food is contaminated with mycotoxin, a toxin produced by fungi, especially mold.

So who’s the culprit? Moisture.

Moisture is necessary for mold to settle it, grow and destroy all kinds of things beyond repair. Think about how many items you’ve thrown out due to this very problem. It can get frustrating and feel wasteful. In your home, beside your food, mold can land and grow on nearly any material as long as some form of moisture is present. Popular materials to find mold on in a home are cloth, wood, wallboards, insulation and drywall. Attics, basements, kitchens and bathrooms are the most susceptible rooms because of their natural propensity to gather condensation or have poor ventilation.

Top 5 Reasons Mold Successfully Grows in Your Home

1. Inadequate Ventilation.

Poor ventilation in a home can cause some very hazardous conditions. Without an outlet, moisture will get trapped on ceilings and other surfaces allowing mold spores to feed and grow. In this environment, laundry laid out or hung to dry will do so more slowly, putting it at risk of mold growth, as well as adding to the condensation with the water that does evaporate during the drying process. When areas like the basement and attic, which are less frequented, are not provided with airflow, mold is often allowed to grow undiscovered until serious structural damage is done.

2. Water Leaks.

Pipes and roofing are susceptible to wear and tear, and when one or both of them begin leaking, the ideal conditions are present for mold growth that is often unnoticed until visible wall or ceiling damage shows up. This is because the pipe or roofing location is usually hidden behind walls or dropped ceilings.

3. Neglect.

Cleaning rags are left out, a mop is not dried well, or a refrigerator just isn’t cleaned on a regular basis. Neglecting the small things, in some cases, can cause big problems. That expensive fruit you just bought, your dirty fridge shelves may be what’s providing it with the little spores needed to ruin your blueberry pie before it’s even made. When was the last time you wiped down the inside of your shower curtain? This one hasn’t been touched in years.

4. Flooding.

Unfortunately, flooding is sometimes unavoidable. Nature’s overwhelming power can take down the strongest of preventative measures if it wants to. There are precautions that can be taken to help keep water out of the home, but not much is truly foolproof. Water will soak into walls and other materials and stay there. As discussed, water only needs to sit for 24-48 hours to create the right conditions for mold to do some lasting damage. Flood insurance may be a good idea when living in areas that have a high risk.

5. Pooling or Gathering Water.

The foundation of your home can gather and pool water. Rainwater runoff, melted snow and ground water will run toward a home in the case that its surrounding landscape slopes inward, allowing gravity to work in an unfortunate way. Many landscapers and homeowners purposefully prevent water from sitting against and penetrating their foundations by sloping landscape away from the house and installing a french drain to divert the water to a safe distance. Water can even pool in inconspicuous place inside your home. A bucket left unattended, or a poorly installed sink or bath will gather pooling water creating a mold friendly situation.

No matter what measures you chose to prevent mold growth, be conscious of it’s possibilities. The more humid the area you live in, the more vigilant you must be. No only is it destructive, it is also a health hazard that can irritate asthma, cause sinus infections and lead to more serious chronic illnesses. So keep things dry, and check traditionally damp places often to catch any chance of growth before it gets out of hand.

Before any loss occurs

• Understand your policy and make sure it’s accurate.
  • Look over the fine print and make sure everything that needs to be covered is, and that the descriptions of both property and possessions are accurate and up to date.
  • ie. you add granite counters, install a high tech appliance, knock out a wall or inherit grandma’s engagement ring, you need to let the insurance company know.
• Keep proof of purchase for any high value items.
  • Get a binder and stay organized.
  • Keep an inventory of anything important and up to date values on expensive jewelry.
  • Keep track of your living expenses in case the “loss of use” clause needs to be considered in your payout.
    • The “loss of use” clause will reimburse you for any additional cost, beyond your average living expenses, that is due to displacement by the fire. (hotel, food, etc.)
  • Uploading all of this onto the web is also a really great way to keep track of big ticket items.
    • It has been suggested that using Flickr on a private setting to upload and document pictures, noting value and date of purchase, is a great way to keep track of what matters to you most.

After The Fire

• If the fire is due to any criminal action, immediately file a police report.
  • You have 24 hours to file a report and receive a crime reference #, which your  insurance company will need to calculate your payout.
• Let your insurance company know you plan to make a claim, and then do so as soon as possible.
  • There is a limit on the amount of time allowed to pass between the fire and when you file a claim (usually 30 days). If you do not file within this time frame, the claim may not be considered valid.
• Don’t throw anything out.
  • In the same way that you documented your possessions by taking and posting pictures, take pictures of the damage to your home the best you can.
  • You will also want the physical damage to be seen and assessed by the insurance company’s adjuster as concrete proof.
• Get organized.
  • As with most insurance claims, there is going to be quite of bit of paperwork and communication in order to sort everything out. Keep track of these exchanges.
  • Document the details of the fire. Who was there? Were there injuries? What type of damage occurred and were was it? Are temporary repairs needed (window boarding etc.)?
  • Use a binder for original documents, repair estimates, all replacement costs after the fire ( basic work clothes, toothbrushes, food).
  • Upload all of these documents in the cloud or onto a flashdrive as a backup.
• Ask for an advance on the payout.
  • The insurance company can reimburse you for basic needs (this is where documenting expenses comes in handy), and immediate necessities, and deduct it from the eventual payout.
• Use a private contractor for accurate repair estimates.
  • The insurance company will suggest you use their service to assess repair costs, but you do not necessarily have to follow their advice. An outside contractor can give you an accurate assessment without bias.
• Avoid Claiming Liability
  • Taking the blame will render your claim invalid, and give the insurance company a reason to deny the payout.
• DO NOT allow the insurance company to rush closing your claim.
  • You need time to see where the actual damage is. It could take a few months (three is recommended) to really see the extent of the toll the fire has take on your home and possessions. It is possible, due to trauma or stress, that you missed something important. Closing your claim will deny any further payment regardless of additional need.

If this seems overwhelming, or you feel you are not getting a fair deal, hire a private insurance loss assessor. This person is not paid by the insurance company to find the lowest payout possible, like the insurance adjuster is. They are there as an advocate for you and your family, to make sure what you receive is a fair payout.

We at Chicago Water Damage Co. would never wish this sort of tragedy on anyone, but unfortunately, accidents happen. Being prepared and knowing what to do is how you ensure the safety of your and your family’s future.

Urban myth or fact, can a body really explode?

Feedlot operators and farmers alike, know that exploded bodies are regular occurrence.They see it all the time when livestock dies and is left out too long. What happens is that the natural bacteria and enzymes within a recently deceased being, begin to break down their host. Spreading from organ to organ, the bacteria digests and liquefies the tissue. This decomposition process results in gas (methane and hydrogen sulfide) that expands, swelling the body until it bursts. The fact that most of these bodies are outside in the heat can quicken the process. So unless a deceased animal is moved quickly, all of its pieces will have to be located and moved later on.

However, this isn’t just a bovine phenomenon. Without intervention, any animal has the potential of bursting under the right circumstances. Incase you forgot, humans are technically animals too.

Some Noteworthy Body Explosions:

1. In 2004 the decomposing body of a sperm whale, while being transferred to a location for necropsy (an autopsy performed on an animal), exploded in a crowded urban area of Taiwan, covering shop fronts and curious onlookers in blubber and other putrefied material.

2. In 2009 A woman in Jupiter, FL died of old age in her condo. She was not found by the condo association until two weeks later after her abdomen burst filling the surrounding units with an unbelievable odor, and for one lucky tennant, fluids seeping through her ceiling and damaging both ceiling and walls. She later sued for damages and repairs due to the apartment association’s neglect.

3. In 2012 a 6’4” 380 lb man exploded in his casket at a Texas funeral home. 30 year old Robert Cavazos Jr. made a lasting impression on his mourning family and friends when decomposition gases built up and caused him to explode, cracking his cement lined casket, and revealing that he was buried in just his underwear. The funeral home denies neglect and points out that they actually saved the family $450 not embalming him. Since embalming is not a legal requirement, but more of a religious preference, they were only held liable for the trauma that accompanies seeing a family member explode.

4. Currently, a problem exists in a Melbourne mausoleum, in which crypts that were not properly sealed, began leaking gas and fluids from exploded bodies within. Not unfamiliar with poor installation issues, the facility also boasts 6 large stained glass windows installed backwards and evidence of a previously flooded lower crypt. People shopping for a place to rest their loved ones were not impressed.

So yes, under the right circumstances, bodies can explode. It’s not exactly spontaneous, but actually comes as a natural side effect of decomposition and putrefaction. Other than the enzymes and bacteria playing their part, temperature, and environment will either slow down or speed up the process. Water will double the decomposition rate of a body compared to one on land. Burial will slow the process, cutting off most of the oxygen needed for the decomposition bacteria to survive. However, getting a protective casket with rubber gaskets that seal in the body isn’t a great idea for preservation. Sealing those gases in will only build more pressure, eventually exploding the coffin itself.

True preservation, the type you see when bodies are displayed for years and years, can only be achieved through mummification processes. Opting out for cremation doesn’t seem so bad now (unless you have a pacemaker, those explode in extreme heat).

For more information on odd occurrences and natural disasters, visit the Chicago Water Damage Co. website and learn all sorts of wonderous things.

The National Interagency Fire Center’s (NIFC) 2012 statistics ranking number of fires by state, placed both Texas (10,620 fires, 97 prescribed) and California (7,950 fires, 632 prescribed) at the top of the list. At the bottom with the lowest fire risk last year were Hawaii (2 fires, 0 prescribed), Mississippi (10 fires, 9 prescribed), and Iowa (10 fires, 98 prescribed).

What is a prescribed fire? A prescribed fire, or controlled burn, is a fire started and overseen by fire control authorities for the purpose of hazard prevention and reduction, control of greenhouse gas emissions, and promotion of germination and forest renewal. It is an essential part of forest and grassland ecology and keeps us safe from wildfires that are not monitored and have the tendency to burn hotter and become much more dangerous.

Why are certain areas more at risk than others? Generally, this is dependent on the climate and precipitation of individual areas. Drought is a big factor in becoming a high risk state.

2013 started off with a dry winter in the South-Western region of the US. Receiving only 25% of their average rainfall has put states from California to Texas, and up through the four-corners area in position for a higher risk season this year. The risk is partially caused by a temperature increase due to global warming, but there are stronger factors at work.

The most common cause of wildfire is lightening. When lightning strikes an area with kindling such as dry grasses or leaves, in conjunction with oxygen it creates what is know as a fire triangle or combustion triangle. The Western US is currently being referred to as having tinderbox-dry conditions, as seen in the USDA Forest Service Map below, which are ideal for this sort of event. Other causes fall into the hands of civilians including powerline arcs, machinery sparks, arson and general carelessness.

Residential fires are another story, and can be prevented.

The top three causes of residential fires:

• Cooking fires: often due to general carelessness like leaving an open flame unattended.
• Heating fires: usually occurring in family homes rather than apartments due to a heating system that isn’t properly maintained.
• Arson

Most residential fires are started in the kitchen, but the bedroom and living room aren’t close behind with burning candles and malfunctioning electronics. These fires can happen anywhere, but their likelihood of spreading can be dependent on outside influences including environmental conditions.

Understanding the types of fires and their causes can aid in knowing what can be done to prevent fire risks in your region and at home. The NIFC (www.nifc.gov) and National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org) websites are good places to start when concerned about fire safety and local risk factors.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR PROPERTY HAS SUSTAINED WATER DAMAGE:

1. Safety First.
Make sure you cover your bases to avoid an even greater disaster. Immediately turn off electricity in the area affected by flooding, following all the necessary precautions. If your basement is flooded, DO NOT step into the water until you are sure it is safe. Call an electrician if needed to make sure. Also if the water damage is in your basement and you smell natural gas in the air, immediately turn off your gas or contact your gas company, if you don’t know how to do it yourself. Also create plenty of ventilation and leave the property until help arrives.

2. Act Quickly.
The longer the water stays in your property the more damage it causes. Contact your insurance provider and call a water damage restoration company in your area immediately. Most of the reputable companies can arrive to your premises fairly quickly and start removing the water and salvaging your property.

3. Stop the Water.
This may be a difficult part, but try to determine how the water got there and stop is from filling in, if you can. Again, remember to turn off all the electricity before stepping into the water. Sometimes (when flooding is storm-related for example) it may be impossible to do, but trying will not hurt and may help you reduce the extent of the damage.

4. Save Your Valuables.
WARNING: for your safety do not step into the water until you are sure that all electricity to that area it turned off. Given that the electricity is off and it’s safe, start removing valuables from the affected area. Water affects some materials and objects faster than others, so here is how to prioritize what to remove:

- Paperwork and Family Relics: water ruins paper extremely quickly, so family pictures, financial/tax records, documents, etc. should be tended to first. One tip to follow is placing papers in the freezer until you can get to them. This will prevent further damage to them
- Electrical Items: this is usually what is ruined first when water strikes. However if your TV was mounted on the wall, for example, and water has not reached it, it is advisable to remove it to prevent damage by moisture in the air.
- Wood furniture: water penetrates and warps wood very quickly, but if the flood just happened, you may be able to save the wood furniture and not have to replace it.

5. Let Air Flow.
Air circulation helps force moisture out of the room, so turn on the air conditioner to low temperatures and open windows, doors, even closets to allow free air circulation.

We hope these steps will help you cope with the first part of your water damage restoration process. To get any other questions answered or to have water damage restoration company in Chicago area come out to your property, call us 24/7 at 773.326.4090.