What You Should Know About Water Damage

For many in the Tampa Bay area, dealing with water damage is a mountainous task. This is further compounded by the fact that not many people can tell the difference between water damage caused by blackwater, greywater or clean water. There is a huge difference between the damage caused by the different kinds of water. It pays to have knowledge about water damage as you may soon find yourself dealing with water damage, especially if you live in the Tampa Bay area.

Failure to properly clean up a spill in your home will in most cases lead to more water damage and result in mold as well as other-moisture related complications. Bear in mind that water damage could easily extend health issues to you and your family members. Respiratory issues, itchy eyes and sore throats are some of the health risks related to mold exposure. Water damage to your home needs to be taken seriously. 

Various Forms of Water Damage

Blackwater is very dangerous and you should always use caution when coming in contact with this type of water damage. This type of water is not only unsanitary, but corrosive as well. Blackwater hosts very destructive bacteria, fungi and blood borne pathogens that could cause serious illnesses. Blackwater damage could be the result of a broken sewage pipe, flooded streams as well as stagnant water. 

Second in line is greywater. This type of water damage is also very hazardous because it comes with different contaminants, all which could easily damage your property and pose risks to your health. Greywater is common in toilets, washing machines and also from dishwashers. 

Finally, we have water damage resulting from clean water. Clean water damage could be the result of a broken water pipe resulting in flooding within the interior areas of your home. Although the water damage resulting from clean water is mild compared to blackwater or greywater, it can be costly and could also cause health problems. 

Most of the water damaged items in your home will usually comprise of those made from porous material which readily absorb water. Such items include: pads, drywall, any kind of carpet, flooring as well as the wall insulation. Other factors which further contribute to water damage consist of flaws in the house structure as well as other accidental leaks. 

Water Damage Handled By PRS

If you live in the Tampa Bay area and suffer from water damage, you need an able team of professionals that will deal with your problem adequately. Made up of qualified and experienced experts, PRS is a company that will give you peace of mind even during a chaotic flood or water damage to your home. Water damage needs to be dealt with the moment it occurs. In this regard, we provide a fast response the moment you place a call with us. This greatly reduces any further damage as well as limiting health risks to you and your loved ones. 

Esporta Wash System - The Green Approach to Soft Contents Restoration

Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc. is pleased to announce their new soft contents restoration service. They purchased an Esporta Wash System this year and they are amazed with the results. The Esporta Wash System uses organic products and can restore heavily contaminated items to food grade clean.

Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay Inc.'s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Esporta Wash System

How Does the Esporta Wash System Work?

The Esporta Wash System uses hydraulic actions, Esporta made detergents and disinfectants along with specified wash recipes to efficiently restore soft contents. The Esporta Wash System's hydraulic actions force both organic and inorganic contaminants out of the contents to restore them to food grade clean. The Esporta is equipped with wash recipes that are specifically designed to tackle the contaminated items based on the type and level of damage to the items. 

The Esporta dispenses 2 detergents, a potent organic disinfectant and an optional fabric softener during the wash cycle. This wash system can decontaminate items in just 2 hours and has a 160 pound load limit. 

What Can the Esporta Wash System Restore?

The Esporta Wash System is able to restore a diverse list of soft content items. It was initially designed to clean and disinfect hockey equipment. The Esporta Wash System now restores items from your every day laundry to fireman safety equipment. The Esporta is capable of restoring sentimental and irreplaceable items to pre-loss condition. Items that are affected by categories 1-3 water damage can be washed in the Esporta Wash System. This mean items that are affected from a clean water loss in your home to black/sewage water can be restored. 

Mold contaminated leather shoes restored at Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc.

This is a list of some of the items the Esporta Wash System can restore:

• Leather goods (purses, jackets, shoes, etc.)
• Toys (stuffed animals, beanie babies, etc.)
• Bags (suitcases, duffle bags, etc.)
• Household items (linens/bedding, clothing, sleeping bags, cushions, etc.)
• Protective gear (body armor, fireman's PPE, hard hats, belts, etc.)
• Outdoor/Sports (backpacks, wet suits, sports gear, rollerblades, etc.)

Mold covered stuffed animal restored at Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc.

Mold contaminated leather flight jacket restored at Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc.

Restore - Don't Replace

If you face a situation where your home and belongings are destroyed and you feel like you have lost everything - restoring items versus replacing is a quicker and cheaper option. PRS is able to promise a next day turn around for your restored soft contents. If you were to wait for the insurance company to assess the damage and issue you a check you would be without the essential items for weeks. Give Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc. a call to bring some peace of mind to a hectic situation. PRS is available 24/7 to come to the rescue during a disaster. 

Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc.'s soft contents restoration facility in St. Petersburg, FL

Thermal Imaging - A Vital Part of Water Damage Restoration

Thermal imaging has become a vital part of the restoration procedures for water damage restoration. Thermal imaging is used to locate and identify moisture on structures. Thermal imaging can lead to immediate cost reduction and a faster turnaround time for water damage restoration.  

Thermal imaging is also used to evaluate the success of the restoration process. There has to be proof that moisture has been eliminated. It is important that property owners get the necessary proof that work has been done properly and completely. This also gives them assurance that damage has been remediated and the property is back to its pre-loss condition. 

Thermal Imaging and Structural Drying 

Thermal Imaging is used as an investigative means in determining hidden moisture. High moisture areas will relatively have lower temperatures. This will be detected by thermal imaging instruments like thermal cameras, monitors and sensors. When these areas are already identified, restoration companies can dry these areas thru structural drying. 

It is essential that thermal imaging be done accurately. The most advanced structural drying techniques are actually done only on the areas where moisture has been detected. Only the wet areas are dried. Accurate thermal imaging and fast structural drying will be able to bring back your water damaged property back to its pre-damaged state. 

Thermal Imaging is normally performed after water damage has occurred. This is done to identify all materials where moisture has reached. Thermal Imaging identifies the remaining wet areas and then structural drying techniques will take care of the rest. When drying is complete, secondary water damage is minimized if not eliminated. This will save your furniture, books, and documents, and will stop mold growth. 

Thermal Imaging by PRS 

Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc has the latest technology in thermal imaging. This is part of their water damage restoration process. PRS of Tampa Bay has the professional capacity to identify wet areas of your property and provide drying efficiently.

Efficient drying is a vital part of the restoration process. With fast drying techniques administered, construction materials will regain their strength, nullifying the need for any further construction. Structural drying, completed in time, is a drying technique that does not require demolition providing a faster service.

PRS Promises Fast Service 

It is important that a fast response is provided on the property. The owner of the damaged property has to immediately report the damage. This will lead to a faster assessment and reduce secondary damage. 

Notifying PRS is an easy task as they have a 24 hour, 7 days a week hotline – ready for any emergency work. PRS can automatically bill your insurance company or they do accept credit card if the loss isn’t covered thru insurance. This less hassle is actually part of PRS’ dedicated service. The faster they mitigate and dry your property, the faster things go back to normal.

Preventing Mold and Humidity - Don't Reach For Your Thermostat

It is a common misconception to people that running your air conditioner will prevent mold in your home and keep humidity levels down. Excessive humidity levels can promote mold growth. Humidity levels over 60% is all mold needs to grow. Mold needs water to survive. Humidity is water in a vapor form. If you can maintain humidity levels below 60% you can keep mold from growing. It is important to understand and know the facts especially if you experience water damage. 

While an air conditioner does dehumidify a room while it is running, it is only concerned with temperature, not moisture. Once the thermostat reaches the temperature you set it at, it shuts off, regardless of the humidity level in the room. Temperature and humidity have nothing to do with one another. 

Using A Dehumidistat to Prevent Mold and Humidity 

To prevent moisture and humidity in your home you can purchase a dehumidistat or a thermostat with a built-in dehumidistat that controls humidity. With a dehumidistat you select your desired humidity level. The air conditioner will kick on whenever humidity levels exceed your preset humidity setting. However, this may result in a more expensive energy bill every month. A dehumidistat will cause your AC to run often if you live in a very humid state such as Florida. 

Preventing Mold and Humidity with a Dehumidifier

The other option you have to bring humidity levels down would be to purchase a dehumidifier. These are great for those that are concerned with conserving energy. The dehumidifier does not add cool air to bring down the humidity like the AC does. A dehumidifier is more of a slow and steady approach to reducing humidity in your home unlike the AC unit which is either full on or full off. The result is a comfortable house year round that uses less power. 

Be sure to monitor and dump the collection tray often. Once the tray becomes full the built-in float switch will shut the unit off. It will no longer work until emptied. The ideal set up would be to install a drain line off the dehumidifier directly into a sink, outdoor through a wall or hard piped into an existing drain. Then the unit could be left unattended and continue to work as it purges regularly. 

Ways to Reduce Humidity  

• Never leave windows open in high humid environments as this can promote mold growth.
• Maintain your HVAC system. Change air filters regularly and get professional service once a year to clean the coils.
• Use bathroom exhaust fans to remove excess humidity after showers.
• Route exhaust fans (dryer, bathroom ventilation, stove top exhaust, etc.) completely outside of the home, not into any part of the home. 
• Minimize indoor house plants.
• Make sure your property is dried properly if you experience a leak or water damage.
• Seal windows properly to prevent condensation on the glass. Condensation becomes humidity as it evaporates. 

How Can PRS Prevent Mold and Humidity?

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. 

Got Mold?

Mold is dangerous to your health and will diminish the value of your home if it goes untreated. Mold is not necessarily always visible, it can grow and live behind walls or even wallpaper. If you have any reason to believe you may have mold, you should have a professional take air samples to determine if you do in fact have a mold issue.

Usually you will smell or see the mold if you have an issue. However, there are times when you do not see or smell the mold. If you or anyone in your home suffers from the common symptoms of mold exposure you should hire a professional immediately to begin assessing your home for mold.

What Are the Common Symptoms of Mold Exposure?

1. Runny nose and sneezing
2. Forms of nasal infection and congestion
3. Respiratory failures
4. Skin rashes
5. Throat irritation/infection
6. Chest pains
7. Irritated eyes

Mold does not always affect everyone. These symptoms will be more apparent in the elderly, infants or those who suffer from a mold allergy.

Mold Assessing and Remediation

Do a visual check of your home. You will have to go beyond just the visible areas and look in cabinets, below your kitchen sink and under carpets. Check all areas that are conducive for mold formation. If you do not find any mold but still believe you have mold in your home, you should contact a professional company that is able to assess your home for mold. If you have mold in your home the process of remediation needs to take place to bring your home back to a healthy living environment.

Mold assessment and mold remediation come in tandem. Mold assessment is the process of locating and determining the quantity of mold present in a residential or commercial property. Mold remediation is the process of removing the mold from the structure through intricate processes and techniques.  

Mold Remediation by PRS

When in or near the Tampa Bay area, you can always trust PRS to provide the right mold remediation.  Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc, PRS is duly licensed by the government to perform such activities. Mold Remediation #MRSR102 license is a privilege given to PRS because of the system and technology they are able to provide. 

PRS is a one stop service for restoration. Water and structural damage can be taken care of with a simple call. PRS will also help you with your insurance claims, just what you need to have a complete turnaround on your mold problems.

Water Damage Restoration

If you experience any kind of water damage to your property you need to have your home properly dried out to prevent mold and further damages. Moisture left behind will be a breeding ground for mold to develop. Once you have mold you will have another issue to deal with. Time is of the essence when it comes to water damage. Mold growth can begin within the first 24-48 hours after the water makes contact. 

When you are looking for a company to restore your property from water damage make sure they are certified. Look for a company that offers emergency water extraction, structural drying and thermal imaging. Hiring a company that is ill equipped and unskilled can lead to more costly repairs in the future. Be cautious when you are looking for a restoration company.

Thermal Imaging and Structural Drying – Vital Parts of Water Damage Restoration

When your home experiences a flood or any other type of water damage you need to get the water extracted as soon as possible.  Once the water is extracted thermal imaging plays an important role in detecting the source of a leak and any water that was not extracted. It also is a great tool to have to ensure the job was done correctly when it’s completed. Taking thermal images after the restoration is completed will confirm that all water has been removed from your home.

 Structural drying requires the necessary technology, equipment and staff competence to do the work correctly. Structural drying prevents secondary water damage to your property. This includes damages to furniture, books, artwork and mold development. Such damages are brought about by moisture remaining on walls, floors, carpets and furniture. Structural drying does not necessarily include destruction. Structural drying is done through the use of equipment such as turbo drying fans and dehumidifiers. Accurate thermal imaging and fast structural drying will be able to bring your water damaged property back to its pre-damaged state.

Water Damage Restoration by PRS

Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc. has the latest technology in thermal imaging and necessary equipment for structural drying. Efficient drying is a vital part in the restoration process. PRS has the professional capacity to identify wet areas of your property and provide drying efficiently. PRS is available to begin restoration to your home 24 hours, 7 days a week. The faster PRS mitigates and dries your property, the faster things go back to normal. PRS is dedicated to provide honest and efficient service to those in need.

Choose to Restore - Don't Replace

We all have possessions that we consider irreplaceable. If those items are damaged it's difficult to put a dollar amount on what that item is worth to you. For example, your child’s favorite stuffed animal is covered in toxic soot from a fire that destroyed your home. This is an irreplaceable item to your child and purchasing a new one will not be the same to them. What if you could give that stuffed animal to a company and they were able to restore it to better than pre-loss condition? The Esporta Wash System is capable of restoring a soot covered stuffed animal back to it's original state physically and will be able to bring that item to food grade clean by removing the toxins and bacteria. 

How does the Esporta Wash System work?

The Esporta Wash System is designed to wash and restore items from everyday linens to sewage contaminated items. Originally designed to clean and disinfect hockey equipment, the ES 3300 has a diverse list of items it is able to restore. How does this machine work? The Esporta dispenses detergents in 4 stages through-out the wash cycle. The first detergent the is released is a enzyme based detergent that is designed to attack and break down stains and weaken the bacteria. The second detergent contains surfactants and emulsifiers which break down oils in the water, it essentially balances the water and lifts the bacteria from the contents. A disinfectant is released in stage three in which kills the bacteria on contact. The disinfectant is organic and is completely safe to dispose of, it is primarily made up of hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. Lastly fabric softener or fragrance are available as an optional stage. These are not to mask the odor but to simply add a pleasant scent to your clean items.

The machine utilizes water energy to force detergent water through items and the bacteria out. When you combine the hydraulic actions of this machine with the detergents, the result is restored and decontaminated items. The ES 3300 contains 8 compartments and the machine cleans up to 160 pounds of laundry per wash, removing 99% of the organic and inorganic contaminants.

When you restore contaminated items with the Esporta Wash System the items will look clean, smell clean, and the dangerous bacteria and toxins will be removed. ATP testing is used on every item to insure it is safe to return to the customer. A test is taken before the item is washed and after. In the picture below you can see the ATP testing device that shows a reading before a blanket was restored on the left and after it was washed on the right. The Esporta was able to remove bacteria from the item and bring the reading from 625 to only 9. The reading taken after the item is washed must show a number below 30 to be considered disinfected and food grade clean. For more information about ATP testing click here. 

What can be restored and what are the limitations?

·         Category 1, 2 and 3 water damaged contents. This includes water damage caused by clean drinking water to sewage waste.

·         Heavy smoke and soot damaged contents.

·         Smoke and water damaged leathers.

·         Mold contaminated contents and bio waste contaminated contents.

·         Leather Goods:

·         Wallets

·         Shoes

·         Purses

·         Household items:

·         Laundry

·         Sleeping bags

·         Comforters

·         Stuffed animals

·         Unique

·         Umbrellas

·         Survival gear

·         Tents

·         Sporting Goods

·         Football gear

·         Hockey gear

·         Helmets

Items that could pose a risk:

·         Furs

·         Extra-large items

·         Cardboard and paper products

·         Dry clean only

·         Large rugs

·         Large items: Full size luggage, Golf bags, Area rugs

When risky items such as those above are deemed a total loss we can still give the Esporta Wash System a shot. There are times when the items are restored and do not have to be thrown out. 

PRS – Esporta Certified Operator

ProfessionalRestoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc. has recently become one of the 250 companies in North America to own the Esporta Washing Systems – ES 3300. Within the next couple of months it is our goal to begin restoring soft content items for customers. We want to be your one call does it call restoration company. We will be the only company in Pinellas County to provide this service. In the event that your home floods or you have a fire, don’t feel like you lost everything. Give us a call to restore it all.