Unknown Water Usage Is Costly

American residents use about 100 gallons of water per day. Watch your water bill for unusual usage then check your meter by turning water off for at least 2 hours and check to see if there is an increase. Fix leaks and drips by changing hoses and gasket at the first sign of wear.  A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. That’s the amount of water needed to take more than 180 showers!   Ten percent of homes have leaks.  According to the EPA fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills. Check your toilet by adding drop of food coloring to tank if it stays for 15 minutes or less there could be a leak. A running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day.

An excess of water in an area can create added humidity causing the possibility of mold and other damage to your home. Mold can start to grow within 24 hours as long as there is a food supply,  (anything organic) and ample moisture. There is more fresh water in the atmosphere than there is in all the rivers on the planet combined. An area with a humidity over 60% can grow mold. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity in enclosed structural environments by removing water vapor from the air. Dehumidifiers can help dry wet materials like carpet, carpet pads, floors, walls, building contents and more. Using dehumidifiers may also prevent secondary damage caused by high humidity It can get into wallpaper, books and even into carpets.

According to the Institute of Inspection and Cleaning Restoration Certification (IICRC), most carpet manufactured today are made of plastic face yarns, not organic materials. Because of this, mold typically cannot grow on the carpet itself.  The padding underneath the rug also needs to be checked for mold especially if there are signs mold is present. If you can not see any mold but there is  a “mildewy” odor present.

However, if organic materials remain in the carpet after cleaning and the cleaned carpet take longer than 24 hours to dry, the possibility of mold growth increases significantly. This is why IICRC recommends that carpet should be dry in six to eight hours or less.Most homeowners insurance do not cover water, mold or mildew damage if it is considered to be caused by neglect by the home owner who has had  water leaking for an extended period of time.  Most homeowners insurance do not cover water, mold or mildew damage if it is considered to be caused by neglect by home owner who has was water leaking for an extended period of time. It is estimated that mold damage costs insurers more than $2.5 billion annually.

If you experience water damage or a leak, time is of the essence.Professional Restoration Services, Inc. is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year to efficiently and properly restore your home to it's pre-loss condition. With five state licenses, we are the one call does it all company. We have the necessary equipment to ensure your home will be properly dried to prevent mold. In the event you already have mold we are certified to assess and remove the mold as well. We are a certified and reputable company that understands the importance of an immediate response to your loss.