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November 8, 2016

Should You Replace Or Repair Moldy Drywall?

From a visual standpoint, mold is ugly because it discolors drywall. The big question is whether you can simply paint over it.  Or, do you have to replace the drywall?

What’s So Bad About A Little Mold?
Several problems show up with moldy drywall. The first concern is the mold will grow back. The underlying problem has not been removed or solved yet. It means that even if you do replace the mold-riddled wall board, more mold will probably grow in its place.

The background problem could range from a leaking roof to bad plumbing, to simply too little ventilation say in a bathroom. Whatever the reason there is mold, it could be a very serious underlying problem or present a quick fix. Figure out and fix whatever is causing the mold before you replace anything.

The another reason mold is a flag because of the health issues it causes. While many people do not have any outward reaction to mold, a big portion of people are allergic to mold. They may cough, sneeze, and feel like their ears and nose are always stuffed up. Feeling sick all the time costs people time, and money spent taking days off from work and tending to sick kids.

More than that, some types of mold are deadly. They cause cancer and neurological disorders. So, if you have been feeling foggy ever since moving into your home with the mold in the walls, then you may want to replace the drywall.

Rule Of Thumb
Assuming you have identified the type of mold and found all of it, here are some rules of when/what to replace. Wherever there is mold, use the 6-inch rule. Its guidance states that you should cut out that far above where the mold occurred.

When looking at the dry wall, it may run deep. Be sure to check the back of the dry wall for signs of mold too. Though, to be on the safe side, and if you want to start clean, replace the full swaths of drywall.

Cleaning Solutions?
While most people turn to water and bleach solution to clean mold, vinegar may be a more suitable option. Sure, for non-porous surfaces bleach cuts through and eliminates almost any germ, bacteria, and mold.

For something more porous, bleach may not cut it. Its limitation is that it will cut through as effectively as vinegar. Though, even still, the issue is that moisture will be sitting inside the drywall, especially if it is unpainted. That means you guessed it — replace unpainted drywall.

Replacing Drywall
When you are replacing a section of drywall, ensure there are two beams behind the drywall. Measure the dimensions of the segment of drywall you removed. Cut out a new piece of the same size and fit it into place into the beams. Apply drywall compound and let it dry for one day. Sand the compound and then you are ready to paint it.

Article by Bob Skontent / Water damage restoration / drywall, mold, repair Leave a Comment

December 29, 2015

Essential Tips for Coping With Water Damage in Your Home

160372-water-damage-restorationIf your home is flooded and you have to deal with water damage, then you may find yourself feeling rather confused and despondent. What should you do? Where should you start? Will you do more harm than good trying to dry things out? Here are a few tips.

1 – Wait for Advice if Flooding is Severe

If you have suffered very severe flooding after a natural disaster, or even just something like a burst main, take care before entering the property. If you have reason to believe that your electrics have been damaged, then you should not enter the water until you know that the electricity is off, for example. The same goes for gas. After a disaster that could have caused burst mains, you must be careful. It’s better to wait and have an expert tell you it is safe, than put your life at risk.

2 – Don’t Use Fuel Pumps Indoors

If you need to get a lot of water out of your basement, either do it by hand with buckets or use an electrical pump if you have one that can handle the water. Do not use a fuel-powered pump indoors. These pumps need proper ventilation, and running them in a small space could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

3 – Air Out What You Can

Things like wooden furniture, and even some soft furnishings, will air out over time and dry if they are left in direct sunlight – but take care with wood because it can sometimes warp after it has gotten damp.
Even electronics will dry out – and appliances may work if they were switched off when the flooding started and were not switched on again until they are bone dry. If items aren’t fragile, put them somewhere to dry them out quickly before mold takes hold.

4 – Photograph Everything

Before you start cleanup, make sure that you photograph everything, so that you can show it as evidence to your insurance company. They will want to know the extent of the damage so they can process your claim.

5 – Treat Water Like it is Toxic

Depending on the source of the water damage, you should treat the water in your home like it is toxic. Often, flood waters contain sewerage, so you really don’t want to be spending too much time wading around and touching things with your bare hands. Throw out any food that was exposed to water, and wash any clothing, bedding or soft furnishings that you plan on keeping. Anything that needs special handling should be tasked to a professional water damage restoration company.

You can do a lot of the cleanup work yourself. Once your home is dried out, you might want to buy a dehumidifier so that you can get rid of the water in areas that you cannot see. This will stop damp and rot from setting in, and keep your home a healthy and safe place to live in.

You may find that after a major flood you are contacted by companies that do water damage restoration. Be skeptical of these, because they are probably just preying on people who are going to be desperate for help. Rather than using a company that contacts you, get in touch with your insurance company and ask them for a list of approved companies.
Contact those companies individually and get your quotes, and then use whichever company you feel the most comfortable with. Don’t let the door-to-door companies rip you off or intimidate you with stories of dangerous buildings.

Article by Bob Skontent / Home Repair, Water damage restoration

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  • Should You Replace Or Repair Moldy Drywall?
  • Essential Tips for Coping With Water Damage in Your Home

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Bob Skontent
3527 SE Claybourne St
Portland, OR 97202
(503) 232-3765
bob@skontent.com

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