There is no handbook out there when it comes to dealing with things like water, mold, and fire damages. Instead, you’re left searching for who you can trust to help with an issue occurs. When it comes to water damage restoration, you need to know who to look for and what qualifies them to do the job.
Check out these tips to learn who to turn to when you need them most.
Turn to a Trustworthy Source
This is your home or business we’re talking about. You don’t want to let just anyone into the space. It’s important that you work with someone skilled, but also someone you can trust. Let’s face it: you might be letting total strangers in the door. So, how do you know they are trustworthy?
You can take their word for it, but it’s much easier to pinpoint things like these by looking at what others say. What kind of reviews and feedback can you find about the company? Perhaps you know someone that used them, or you were referred to them.
These are the best ways to get an idea of their reputation. It may not always be foolproof, but it’s certainly going to go a long way to help reassure you.
Turn to a Skilled and Reliable Company
When facing water damage, it’s essential to enlist the expertise of mold removal companies. They need to be willing to work hard to get the job done right. You really want to use a company that has a background and experience working with this type of thing.
It may help to check out whether they have a proven track record of success. Will they show up when they promise and do what they say they will? Ask if there are any certifications or special skills that qualify them for such a task. Chances are, they will have that information available and ready to share with you when you ask.
Turn to a Real Company
This one is your personal preference, but the truth is that this type of work should be handled by professionals. There could be underlying issues that you can’t see right away, or even mold resulting from the water damage. A real company that is an established business will know what to look for and what to do.
In addition, you want to ensure that this company is fully licensed and insured to be doing this type of work. It protects you, and also provides protection for them. If they aren’t licensed and insured, you probably should look elsewhere to protect your home.
Hire a Water Damage Restoration Provider
Finding a reliable and trustworthy source can sometimes be a challenge. However, you will find that there are many great companies out there to help you. Semper Fi Floor Care and Restoration is here to serve all of your damage and restoration needs. We will be there in a hurry when you need us most, and we’ve worked hard to establish a trustworthy and reliable reputation.
If you’ve noticed mold anywhere in your home or business, you need mold remediation to help get it removed and restore your space to safety and health. Leaving mold untreated can cause it to grow exponentially. That mold problem will not go away. It will not shrink down. In fact, it’s going to stay until you force it out.
Follow these steps for what to do when you need mold removal services!
Leave It Alone
Your first instinct might be to try to clean it up yourself. While that’s a great thought, it might not be safe for you to do so. Some molds can be toxic. Mold is also extremely touchy and challenging to get rid of. When you decide to try to handle it alone, you can run into many different issues, like:
You could spread the mold
It might just make it worse
Safety protocols are necessary
What if you miss some?
You should be trained and certified
Professionals who offer mold services are trained and certified to do so. This means that they understand how to safely and effectively take care of it. Removal and remediation should be left to the experts.
Determine the Cause
Before you start the mold removal process, you need to figure out what caused it. It would be a waste to get this area restored and treated only to find the mold returning quickly due to an ongoing problem. If this is from water damage, ensure that the water is no longer a threat.
In some cases, you might not know what the problem is. However, a professional can likely help you pinpoint the issue so you can get it resolved.
Basically, you want to know that you won’t go through all this trouble for nothing. Mold needs to be removed, but you also don’t want it to return, right?
Rely on Professional Help
Finally, if you’re going to have mold treated in your home, rely on a professional to do so. Professionals have the appropriate training to do the job right. It’s much safer to count on them than to put yourself at risk. It’s not just about the professionals, but about the fact that they have what they need to remove mold effectively.
The remediation process starts with their inspections, and ends when they have safely removed and disinfected all of the appropriate spaces. They handle every detail from containing the mold and appropriate air filtration measures to proper disposal.
And when it’s a trained and certified company, they know how to do it correctly from start to finish.
Let Semper Fi Help with Mold Remediation
Have you recently discovered mold? These problems require the pros. Give Semper Fi Floor Care & Restoration a call. Our teams have your back to safely and effectively remove the mold and get your home back to a better state.
We use a thorough process to carefully inspect the space, section it off, and work through remediation and sanitation along the way. Our teams are IICRC certified, so rest assured you will be safe in our care.
Do you see that spot on the wall over there? That large brown one? Perhaps you never noticed it before. Or maybe you knew it was there, but now it looks like it’s growing or changing. Chances are that discoloration has come from water damage. But how are you supposed to know if it’s new or if it’s from old damages you just never got repaired?
Take a look at these simple tips to navigate the differences.
Is There Dampness?
The first thing you can do is simply touch the spot. This may sound simple, but you would be surprised at how many people don’t think to do so. When you touch the spot, if you feel any type of moisture or dampness, then you have a new water problem of some sort. While that spot may be old, there is something causing it to grow and be damaged further. If it is actually wet or moist, you have new damage and new problems.
That being said, don’t mistake moisture for materials that are just squishy or mushy because of previous damage. Look for real moisture.
Are There Rings in the Water Damage?
Next, you can look for rings in the damage to determine whether it’s new or old. While you might not be able to dictate the exact age, you can tell whether it’s something that has been there for a while. For example, what you’re looking for is the initial spot of damage, and then whether there are any lighter rings around it.
When there are no rings, generally that spot is a new spot. However, if there are rings around it or other marks, then chances are it is an old-damage spot. The only question is whether the issue was ever fixed, and it’s just continuing to grow. However, a new spot will still be small with no rings.
Look for Rot or Decay
Another great way to differentiate between old and new damage spots is whether there is any rot or decay of the materials. Sometimes, you won’t be able to see this on the surface. Over time, water will cause materials to chip away, decay, or rot. This includes paint, drywall, and especially wood. However, it sometimes takes longer for these signs to become obvious on the surface.
If you see signs of rot or decay on the surface, it’s definitely an aged spot.
What About Mold?
Finally, look for areas that indicate mold. Where there is older water damage, there is almost always mold nearby as well. Mold can sometimes be more challenging to identify, but it will likely look similar to black or brown spots. You might even see some fuzziness with some mold. Mold is typically a different color from the water spots, and it will grow in spotty patches.
Bring in a Water Damage Professional
If you’re noticing signs of damage, whether it’s new or old, you should get it inspected and taken care of. Semper Fi Floor Care & Restoration can help inspect the area of concern and devise a plan for restoration and cleanup. If the spot is new, get it taken care of right away to prevent mold. If the spot is old, you still don’t want to ignore it, as it will only get worse.
Your tile and grout can easily start to look dirty or discolored over time. Even with your best cleaning efforts, this could be a problem. The good news is that tile & grout services can help with issues just like these.
We know what you’re thinking. Can’t you just bleach the tiles or clean them with DIY methods? Well, sure you can. But there are times when it really does pay to bring in a professional cleaning service too.
Check out these 3 signs that can help you determine when tile and grout cleaning might be needed.
3 Signs You Need Tile & Grout Services
1. Discoloration
Perhaps the most noticeable sign that you need tile and grout cleaning is when you start noticing discoloration. Your white grout is turning into brown grout, and it doesn’t have to. Grout will discolor over time as dirt or moisture find its way beneath the surface.
But it doesn’t have to stay that way. You would likely be amazed at how a deep cleaning from a professional renews and refreshes the look of your grout. That discoloration you thought you were stuck with will disappear. Your floors will look SO much better.
2. Tile or Grout Starts Looking Dull
Here’s another common sign for you. You were so proud of that tile when it was put in. It was absolutely gorgeous. But now it’s been a year or two, and it just doesn’t seem to have the same glow. That’s because dirt, grime, and even time wear on your tiles.
Hiring in tile & grout services is a great way to get a refresh. It’s not even just about a deeper clean here, but about bringing your tiles back to life. Skip reinstalling new tile for now, and go for a professional cleaning instead.
3. Mold Shows Up
Finally, the third most common sign that you need tile and grout cleaning is mold. This may be harder to pinpoint specifically, but you want to watch for it. Typically, the sign is discoloration of your tiles. However, instead of brown it will likely have shades of black or green that identify it as mold.
This happens when water soaks into the grout and eventually leads to mold growth. Mold can potentially be a health risk, so you want to get cleaning in place quickly to avoid making it worse. This is most likely to happen in spaces that are more prone to moisture. The bathroom or the kitchen are fairly common culprits. You’re less likely to see it in places like a hallway or living room.
Hire Professional Cleaning on a Routine Basis
The best thing that you can do is simply plan to hire in tile & grout services on a routine basis. We recommend at least once a year to really refresh your tiles and bring them to life again. However, you can always operate on an as-needed basis too.
Your tiles don’t have to be dull, dingy, discolored, or any other ‘dirty’ word. Give Semper Fi Floor Care & Restoration a call to make them look great again.
When you’re hiring damage restoration services, you don’t want to invite just anyone into your home or business. You want a company that you can trust to do a great job with whatever restoration you need. So how can you possibly make an informed decision?
There are some things that you can look for and a few questions you can ask to ensure you hire the best. Check out these tips.
Use True Professionals
When it comes to damage restoration, you’re often working through the aftermath of some sort of disaster. Whether you’re dealing with something like fire damage, water damage floor restoration, mold damage, or another catastrophic event, you’ve got enough on your mind. In these times of need, you need specialized professionals who can take on the task.
There are situations where handyman services can be incredibly useful. However, most damage restoration topics are far more involved. Restoration service providers who are trained, experienced, and prepared for whatever you may be facing are really the best solution.
How Does the Process Work?
Don’t be afraid to ask the professionals how their process works. Chances are you’ve never been through this before. However, experienced businesses have gone through it over and over again. Ask questions and make sure they set clear expectations so you know exactly what is going to happen.
Their processes should typically include some sort of inspection, an estimate for damage restoration services, a plan for the process, and stellar customer service as well. Some companies will work directly with your insurance, but this is not something that all companies offer.
You want to have an understanding of how much they will be in your home, a timeline for work, and an overall understanding of what to expect.
Gather Feedback from Others
There are a lot of damage restoration companies out there, and sadly, they aren’t all great or reliable. One way to separate the not-so-great from the good ones is to ask around and get feedback from others. You can check with people you know, look for online reviews that aren’t doctored, and check in your community to see who is (or is not) recommended.
While you may get mixed responses in some cases, getting feedback from others is a reliable way to find out what true experiences with that company have been.
That being said, it’s always possible that really great companies will have one or two naysayers. You’re looking for overall positive feedback as a whole.
Let Semper Fi Help With Your Restoration Needs
Semper Fi Floor Care & Restoration offers a wide variety of damage restoration services to meet your needs. From bio-hazard damage floor restoration to fire damage floor restoration. Whether you’re facing the aftermath of a disaster or you just need some deep cleaning, we’ve got you covered. Give us a call today to book your time, or get an estimate for the cost of services. We’re here to help!
