Month: June 2022

Mold is a hazard that can negatively affect your home and health. The longer you allow mold to sit around, the more damage it can cause. Professional mold services can remove the mold from your home and remediate the damages it caused. They can also identify the source of the mold to help prevent further mold growth. Identifying the species of mold is an important step in the mold remediation process. Here are some of the most common household molds.

Chaetomium

Chaetomium is often mistaken for black mold. It starts out white but turns dark over time, and it has a distinct fuzzy texture. Although Chaetomium isn’t a toxic mold that can cause disease, it has highly allergenic properties that can cause allergic reactions even in normally healthy adults. It is most commonly found in houses that experience floods, as moist soil is its natural habitat.

Stachybotrys

Also known as black mold, Stachybotrys is a highly toxic mold that can cause serious illness. Black mold tends to grow when there’s too much moisture in the air, and it’s often found in ventilation systems. It’s important to have a professional, licensed mold technician handle black mold. Not only will they remove it safely, but they can also ensure the moisture is removed from the air, preventing further black mold growth.

Alternaria

Alternaria is another allergenic mold that thrives in a moist environment. However, you won’t just find it after a flood. Alternaria is most often found in bathrooms and the bottoms of windows, where condensation can develop. It’s the most common type of allergenic household mold and can cause asthma, hay fever, and other respiratory issues.

Serpula

Serpula is more disastrous to your home than your health, but it’s still a cause for concern. Serpula naturally feeds on wood and therefore tends to attack the structures and supports of your home. It doesn’t require as much moisture to grow as other types of mold and can cause serious structural issues if not taken care of immediately.

Aspergillus

There are many different types of aspergillus mold, most of which are allergenic instead of toxic. But these allergenic spores can cause serious respiratory issues with enough exposure time. The toxic varieties of aspergillus can even produce chemicals that trigger cancer cell growth. Aspergillus is an airborne mold that can cause serious infections and diseases, especially in those with compromised immune systems.

If you have mold in your home, you need professional mold services to handle the problem safely and effectively. The trained and certified mold technicians at Insight Restoration are ready to jump in and help remedy the mold issue in your home. Give us a call at (208) 427-3042 to get started on making your home healthy and fresh once more.

Townhomes are a great way to increase living capacity in a neighborhood without relying on apartments. More people can live in an area but still reach their goal of owning a house. But the dangers that come with living in an apartment or condo come with living in a townhouse as well. Residential water damage can be caused not just by your own issues but by your neighbors’ issues, too. A burst pipe, appliance failure, or even flood in your neighbor’s home can result in devastating water damage in your own townhome.

Insurance for Residential Water Damage

Most insurance policies cover water damage caused by common sources, such as floods and burst pipes. And for townhomes, this includes damage caused by a neighboring home. If your house suffers water damage because of an adjoining house’s issue, you can still file a claim with your insurance, and it’s usually best to do so.

Determining fault in the case of townhome water damage can take a while, and trying to get money from your neighbor’s insurance can be difficult. This means you’ll be waiting for money to do the necessary repairs. The longer water sits, the more damage it can do, so getting money as soon as possible is ideal. Your insurance company will pay you out for the damages and then will make their own claim against your neighbor’s insurance to recuperate their costs. This way, you get your money right away and can begin repairing your home.

Signs of Residential Water Damage

Not all water damage will be immediately visible, especially in a townhome. Because the houses share walls, pipes are often connected and can run in between houses. If there’s water damage from one of those pipes, you may not notice it right away. The sooner you can identify and restore water damage, the better. Here are some of the signs to look out for that might indicate water damage:

• Bubbling or peeling wallpaper
• Discolored walls or ceilings
• Curved or bowed flooring (especially hardwood flooring)
• Increased water bill
• Dripping sounds
• Musty scent (an indication of mold caused by water damage)

It’s a good idea to do a visual check of your house at least once a month to check for any signs. If you do suspect water damage, you should have your home inspected as soon as possible.

At Insight Restoration, we’re devoted to providing prompt and high-quality residential water damage restoration and repairs. Our team of trained and certified technicians can inspect your home for water damage, identify the source, repair the issue and help prevent future water damage. Time is of the essence in a water damage situation. Our phone lines are open 24/7 to respond to any emergency water situation. So don’t wait; call us today at (208) 427-2534 to get your home back to pre-loss conditions.

When your house experiences a fire, you have a lot to sort through. Not only is there the initial cleanup of ash and soot, but you also may have structural repair and hardware replacement to do as well. Fire damage restoration requires certification and training to ensure the job is done properly. Even a small house fire can carry hidden damages you may not be aware of. It’s important to get your home inspected after any kind of fire to make sure no other restoration work needs to be done.

Smoke Damage

Smoke damage is a particularly sneaky side effect of house fires. Smoke isn’t always visible, especially once it’s attached itself to upholstery or other fibers. Even after you’ve cleaned up the other damages of a fire, smoke can still cling around. In fact, you may not even notice that the smoke has taken hold until a few days after the initial restoration.

Smoke can ruin your furniture and discolor wallpaper and paints. Smoke can also severely damage your lungs and cause long-term respiratory issues if not dealt with as soon as possible. After a house fire, it’s important to have your home tested for possible signs of smoke damage to ensure your home and your health are safe.

Spreading Soot

Soot is a dangerous substance that can quickly spread throughout your house after a house fire. Every time you move through soot, you spread it around by upsetting it. Soot can easily travel through the air, but it also sticks to surfaces and smears across floors and walls. These marks take more effort to clean up and can get stuck in cracks and holes. If soot isn’t dealt with quickly and efficiently, you could end up with it in all rooms of your house, negatively affecting your home’s health and security.

Fire Damage Restoration in Northern Idaho

If your home suffers fire damage, it’s important to have a home inspection to seek out the hidden damages that could be left behind. Soot, ash, and smoke can all secretly affect your home long after a fire has been dealt with. Insight Restoration offers full-service fire damage restoration. We inspect your home for all signs of damage, repair obvious concerns, and fix any hidden problems that we identify during the inspection. If you had a fire in your home, no matter how big or small, give us a call at (208) 427-2825. We are available 24/7 to respond to any emergency fire situation. Our trained and certified technicians will get your house back to pre-loss condition as soon as possible.

In Northern Idaho, disasters can strike your home at any moment. Strong storms, floods, and even fires can wreck the peace and serenity your home usually offers. A disaster cleanup company can restore the damages caused by disasters. They can also provide services that help prevent your home from suffering damage in the first place. With the right preparation and resources, you can keep your house safe. Here are some handy tips to help you protect your home from North Idaho disasters.

Get Inspections and Regular Updates

Your home suffers a lot throughout the year, even if it’s not noticeable. Over time, parts of your house are going to degrade or face unseen damages. It’s a good idea to have your home regularly inspected for the common wear and tear it could face. During an inspection, you’ll be able to identify any weak points in your home, such as cracks in your foundation or leaks in your roof. Getting these issues fixed will allow your home to withstand disasters more readily.

A home inspector will also be able to tell how old certain parts of your home are. Replacing and upgrading older parts of your house is key in preventing disasters. For example, older pipes are more likely to burst. By replacing them, you’re lowering the chance of a disaster that could cause hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage.

Be Aware of the Situation

Knowing the warning signs of a disaster is the best way to help defend your home against it. Thanks to modern weather tracking technology, we can easily tell when a large storm is going to be coming through, usually with ample warning time. Knowing about a storm ahead of time allows you to ensure your home is well-prepared. You can remove any debris from your yard to ensure that strong winds won’t knock anything against your home. You can also place sandbags around the perimeter of your house to divert rainwater and prevent floods.

Be Prepared for Anything

Not every situation can be predicted, however. Certain disasters, such as a house fire, can start suddenly and get out of hand. Although you can’t always see these disasters coming, you can ensure that your home is prepared for whatever may come. For example, keeping a fire extinguisher readily available in rooms where a fire is likely to start and making sure your smoke alarms are charged and operating will help you prevent large-scale damages from fires.

When a disaster strikes, you want a quality disaster cleanup company to help you restore your home. At Insight Restoration, we’re available 24/7 to help respond to any emergency situation. We also provide disaster prevention services to help protect your home during a storm, fire, or other disasters. If you need help cleaning up after a disaster or want to learn how you can prevent damage to your house, give us a call at (208) 427-2825.