Author: Insi5h7

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.

Basements are the most common level of a house to flood. Because they’re lower and often mostly underground, water leaks into them from both the outside and the inside. Heavy rains, long rains, and burst or leaky pipes can all cause your basement to flood. And each time it floods, you need water extraction services to help clean it out and make the space usable again. Certain basements are at a higher risk of flooding than others. Here’s how to tell if your basement is a flood risk.

Home Location

Where your home was built, and more specifically the soil it was built on, is a major contributor to the flood risk of your basement. Houses built on or near floodplains are more likely to experience floods due to the high levels of water in the area. Certain soils can absorb water when it rains or snows. These soils then release the water back into your home, rising up through the floors rather than flowing down through doors, windows, or foundation cracks. If your home was built in these areas, it has a higher risk of flooding without proper prevention.

Foundation Strength

The foundation of most homes is designed to protect against many natural hazards, including heavy rainfall and storms. However, if there’s damage to your house’s foundation, rain can easily find its way in. If your doors and windows don’t have a proper seal, rain can seep in and leave floods on every level of your home. Even a small crack in your structural foundation can turn into a flood as rainwater continues to pour in. Getting your home regularly inspected for any cracks or damages is a great way to determine if your basement is at risk of flooding.

Pipe Integrity

The pipes of your home serve an important purpose. Without them, water can’t be delivered around to where you need it. But if your pipes become loose or burst, then that water has to go somewhere. And where it most often goes is your basement. Older pipes are at a greater risk of breaking, so getting them replaced is a good way to reduce your risk of basement flooding. But even newer pipes could pose a threat if they aren’t properly maintained, especially in areas with dramatic temperature shifts.

Water Extraction Services in Northern Idaho

If your basement floods, you want high-quality water extraction services to help your home get restored. At Insight Restoration, our technicians are available 24/7 to respond to any emergency flood situation. Not only will we extract the water from your basement, but we’ll also identify the source of the flood. We offer all varieties of waterproofing services to help you and your home avoid further flood damage. If you want to access your basement’s flood risk or need help cleaning up a flood, give us a call anytime, any day, at (208) 427-2534.

Your home should be a safe and happy place for you and your family. However, mold can upset that safety and cause severe health concerns. Mold is a highly toxic substance that can cause allergic reactions, infections, and permanent respiratory issues if not addressed quickly. A professional mold remediation company can remove the mold from your home and restore any damage it has caused. With mold, timing is of the essence. Getting it removed from your house as soon as possible is crucial to maintaining a healthy home.

The Dangers of Mold

Mold poses several threats to you and your home. Not only can mold damage your house’s support and weaken its structure, but it can also create lasting health issues for you and your family. Constant exposure to mold can lead to:

• Dry, itchy eyes
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Skin infection
• Life-long allergies

Normally healthy adults can experience these symptoms within a few hours of breathing in mold spores. Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of mold. Mold can wreak havoc on a child’s immune system, leading to life-long allergies and permanent respiratory concerns.

Signs of Mold

Unfortunately, mold can be tricky to spot. It thrives in dark and damp places. Mold usually grows in hard-to-reach and hard-to-see places, so you may not be aware of it right away. The most common sign of mold growth is water damage. Because mold needs moisture to grow, if your home suffered water damage recently, there’s a good chance mold will be growing as well. You should have your home inspected for mold whenever you discover water damage.

Mold Remediation Process

It’s important to have the mold removed from your home as soon as you discover it’s there. An inspector will search the area to both identify the mold and determine the source of it. Mold is often a sign of a bigger household problem, and your mold remediation company will be able to locate that problem and fix it as well. In order to remove the mold properly, the company may need to drill holes in your wall or remove parts of your carpet and flooring. However, all work done to remove the mold will be fully repaired before the job is done. Only a professional mold removal company can ensure that the mold is removed safely and effectively.

Insight Restoration is devoted to helping families maintain clean and healthy homes. As a full-service mold remediation company, we can safely remove mold from your home and restore any damage it has caused to your house. If you find mold, it’s important to get it removed as soon as possible to avoid further damage or health risks. Give us a call at (208) 427-3042 to have our trained and certified mold removal technicians bring health back to your home.

Mold is a toxic and dangerous substance that can grow in any home. Professional mold mitigation is needed to help keep you and your family safe. Without proper removal, mold can cause severe health concerns. It’s never a good idea to try to remove mold on your own, as even just touching it can cause infections. Mold comes in a variety of species, but each needs to be handled with care. It’s important to remove mold as soon as you notice it to avoid the many dangers it can cause.

Health Problems

The most threatening aspect of mold is its toxicity. Mold spores are microscopic and can filter through your home in vents. Mold growing in your basement can easily travel up and affect you in your bedroom. If you breathe in mold long enough, it can have severe, permanent effects on your health. Even normally healthy adults can suffer from the following symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing
• Dry, itchy eyes
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Ear infections
• Rash

Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of mold. If exposed to it for extended periods of time, children are more likely to develop lifelong allergies and respiratory issues.

House Damage

Mold can damage your home as much as your health. Because mold thrives in a moist environment, you’re likely to find water damage where you find mold. Even if the water is cleaned up, the mold can continue to develop. Mold eats away at the foundation of your home, leading to serious structural integrity issues. It can also attract rodents, insects, and other pests. These unwanted visitors can create even more damage to your home, leaving waste behind and making homes in your walls and vents.

Professional Mold Mitigation

Because mold is so toxic, it’s important to let the professionals handle it. Certified technicians have access to industry-standard safety equipment that helps them avoid the hazards of mold. Upsetting mold causes the spores to activate, further increasing the hazard mold poses. If you try to remove mold on your own, you’re putting your health at risk. A professional mold specialist will not only be able to ensure safety, but they can also ensure that the mold is fully removed and the source is removed, preventing further mold growth.

If you discover mold in your home, call a professional mold mitigation company to safely handle it for you. Insight Restoration has a team of trained and certified mold technicians standing by, ready to jump into the fray and remove the mold from your home. Not only will we restore the damage caused by the mold, but we’ll also locate the source of the mold and fix the problem so mold can’t grow anymore. Give us a call today at (208) 427-3042 to have a mold technician on-site as soon as possible.

When your home floods, there’s a lot you need to do. You have to extract the water, repair the damages, check for mold, and figure out where the source of the flood is. Floods can be caused by leaky or burst pipes, sewage backups, and even a faucet that was left running. But one of the most common causes of a flood is rain. Whether it’s storming or just sprinkling, rainwater can easily find its way into your home and cause a whole slew of damages. Flood cleanup can be a lengthy and costly project, and knowing if you’re at risk for a flood is key to protecting your home.

Slight Rain

Although you may not initially consider it, even a small amount of rain can cause a flood if it continues long enough. A small leak of water in your home can eventually lead to a large pool of water if you aren’t aware of the problem. It may not be a rushing flood like you think of, but walking down to your basement after a solid day or rain to find even a few inches of water on the ground can be just as frustrating.

When your home has a structural crack or a window or door that doesn’t seal properly, rain can seep into your home. As the rains continue, the water level in your home can rise until it becomes a serious concern. Alternately, if your drain pipes aren’t cleared, or there’s a problem with your roof that prevents the water from falling off it, the buildup of rainwater and debris can cause the roof to collapse, sending a torrent of water into your home.

Heavy Rain

Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds and other storm features are going to cause the more common flood. Storm conditions can break windows, doors, and roofs, letting the heavy fall of rain into your home. Storms can also cause a dramatic buildup of water outside, which then forces its way into your home, causing more damage to your foundation. Flash floods are particularly difficult to protect against, as the amount of rainwater built up in a short time can easily wipe out safety measures. It’s important to have your property checked regularly for any weak points, especially if you know a storm is coming. You should be sure to fix any problem, no matter how small it may seem.

Flood Cleanup

When rain invades your home, there’s a lot that needs to be done to fix it up. Insight Restoration provides 24/7 emergency flood response to help you get your home back to normal as soon as possible. Our flood cleanup technicians will arrive on-site quickly to begin the job. Time is of the essence, and removing the floodwaters from your home as soon as we can is key to a timely repair. Give us a call any time, any day, at (208) 427-2534 if you need help with a flood in your home.

When any kind of disaster hits your home, it’s easy to feel uprooted and unsound. Our houses are meant to be a safe place, so when something threatens that safety, we’re likely to feel threatened ourselves. Thankfully, disaster cleanup services are available to help get our homes back to pre-loss conditions. Knowing what kinds of damages your home suffered after a disaster can help you sort through the cleanup and restoration process. A home inspection can help find these damages so your home can be restored.

Storm Damages

Storms are particularly dangerous to homes, as their size, intensity, and path can change in an instant. Storms have lots of damage potential, and this damage can take many forms. Your home could suffer from:

–      Broken Windows

–      Collapsed Roofs

–      Floods and Water Damage

–      Electrical Outages and Shortages

–      Broken Siding

Storms create damage that weakens the structural integrity of your home. Sometimes, a storm can leave your home uninhabitable during the restoration process. Thankfully, many insurance companies cover the costs associated with storm restoration. It’s also easier now than ever to predict when a storm is coming through and prepare your home to try and lessen the damages.

Fire Damages

A fire in your home leads to disastrous damages. The flames themselves can leave scorch marks on your walls, damage your home’s structure, and destroy valuables. But fires leave behind even more damage than that. Smoke and soot can stick to your floors and walls, leaving behind a mess and negatively impacting your home’s air quality. Even if a fire is small and easily contained, you may need to temporarily stay somewhere else during repairs to avoid breathing in lingering smoke. There’s no way to predict a fire, but there are safety measures you can take to help protect your home if one occurs.

Mold Damages

Mold is a stubborn side effect of water damage that can cause even more trouble for your house. Mold negatively affects your health, and it weakens the structural integrity of your home further. If left untreated, mold can also begin to attract pests and insects to your home. Because it grows in dark and damp places, mold can be hard to spot and even harder to get rid of. If your home suffers any kind of disaster, especially one that involves water damage, it’s best to have an inspection for mold to avoid further damage.

When your home suffers a disaster, you want a team on your side that can help you feel at ease during the restoration process. Insight Restoration provides top-quality disaster cleanup services to homes in the Northern Idaho area. We cover damages from storms to fires and everything in between. Our phone lines are open 24/7 to quickly respond to any disaster situation. Call us today at (208) 427-2962 to get your home back to its pre-loss condition.

After a storm blows through your town, your home could be left in bad shape. No matter the size of the storm, you may have to deal with flood damage, broken windows and siding, and even caved-in roofs. Storm damage is frustrating to deal with, and repairs could be extensive and costly. As with any home damage, taking quick action will help the restoration process move along smoothly. Knowing which steps to take after a storm can keep you calm and help your home return to its former condition.

Secure Safety

After a storm, your safety and the safety of your family are the top priority. If living in your home after the damage isn’t an option, make sure you find a safe place to stay during repairs. If you are staying in your home during the restoration process, you’ll want to take measures to keep yourself and your home safe. Any broken windows or exposed holes in your walls should be tarped and boarded up to prevent intruders and further environmental hazards. Some repairs can take a while to fix up, so keeping your home and family safe is paramount during that time.

Get an Inspection

A storm can cause any number of damages to your home. You could suffer water damage, broken windows, ruined siding, and roof damage. Some of the damage may not be immediately visible. A home inspector can identify any hidden damage or potential future damage as a result of the storm. Most home repair companies will inspect your house before they begin work, so they know what to expect and will have the proper equipment necessary. You can have the inspection done before committing to the work, so you have ample time to save up money or get in touch with your insurance company.

Contact Your Insurance

Many insurance policies will cover most of the damage caused by a storm. If you’re uncertain about what your insurance covers, you can check your policy or call your adjuster to ask. Insurances usually reimburse you for the money you spend on repairs, so it’s a good idea to know what you’ll get back before you start the restoration. After getting your home inspected, you’ll have a time and money estimate for the repair work. You can submit this to your insurance company to get a pre-approval on your reimbursement.

Storms are scary and dangerous natural disasters that can leave your home in bad condition. Getting repairs for storm damage can be costly and time-consuming. Insight Restoration can help you get your house back to pre-loss condition in no time. Give us a call today at (208) 427-2534. Our phone lines are open 24/7 to respond to any emergency storm situation. Our trained and certified technicians are standing by, ready to jump into action and help restore your home after a storm.