The 5 Stages of (Flood) Grief

Posted Saturday, January 19th, 2019

You would think that the biggest worry you’d have when water damages your home is just getting it out. This is just the most immediate and obvious concern anytime you’re dealing with severe water damage from a flood. In most situations, it’s not just the basement, the family room, or the damaged ceiling that will cause you the most grief.

Sometimes the most difficult things to get under control are the things you can’t see that will cause the most long-lasting damage – and I’m not talking about mold.

In the past, we’ve talked a lot about the effects of water damage on your home and belongings, and ways to handle and prepare for the physical damage caused in a flood. However, we’ve never touched on the emotional toll that having your home destroyed by water can take on you and your family.

The Emotional Toll

Weak foundations, pipe bursts, and sewer backups are all terrible emergencies that require immediate reaction and stress you out. But what about the long term effects of experiencing major flood damage to your home? Because it’s not just the damage to your home, but to the people inside.

The emotional and mental effect that a flood can have on you with the loss to both your home and your belongings can often be overlooked until you’ve experienced it first hand. Losing valuable possessions, photos, or collections that you’ve established a long emotional attachment to can be heartbreaking and coping can be immensely difficult. Sometimes the combined hardship from a severe flood can burden victims of flooding with PTSD-like reactions. This is why having a solid prevention plan and recovery team in place can be a huge factor in minimizing property AND emotional damage.

Flooded With Grief

It may sound silly at first, but much of what a flood victim experiences closely follows the 5 stages of grief:

Denial – Anyone who has the displeasure of dealing with any water damage initially wants it to just be a quick mop or suck up. Coming to terms with the fact that you may have an expensive and extensive emergency situation is the one thing you do not want to be true. You may think that the water will just drain away and everything will be fine. Sometimes, this very well may be the case; not all floods are created equal! But with more serious water damage situations, you definitely don’t want to be wrong – better safe than sorry!

Anger – The moment you’ve been smacked with the reality that this is a REAL situation that could be a large financial and emotional burden, then the anger can set in. You might be angry at your house, at the weather, at your plumber, at a family member… or even god forbid at a member of the emergency restoration team sent to help (don’t worry, we understand).

Bargaining – Once the anger has subsided, you may turn to prayer or desperately trying to imagine a way out of the situation without actually dealing with the problem at hand so that you can just disconnect from it without actually tackling the hard task of properly dealing with the damage caused.

Depression – In the fourth stage of grief, you’ve already exhausted so much energy on the initial shock of the situation that you can often fall into a fog of apathy or feeling isolated and alone. Losing cherished family items in storage or living areas where the family gathered and shared memories can be tough. Which is completely natural, especially seeing as many times you may be the only one you know going through this personal tragedy. It can be lonely and it is important to know that this is natural and okay to feel.

Acceptance – You know you’ve made it when you find yourself in a place where you’re able to begin tackling this recovery effort with the focus and even reluctant enthusiasm needed. It’s hard to deal with the loss of things that have been a part of your life for years, even if you have a plan for how to deal with an emergency. Once you do accept the situation you’re in and can put one foot in front of the other and start taking care of business, you’re on your way to restoring not just your home, but yourself as well.

Minimize Vulnerability With A Plan

While having a proper prevention plan in place may not prevent a flood from happening, it can help to quicken the recovery process lifting the burden placed on your mental health and your property. We’ve outlined in previous posts some steps you can take to be as prepared as you can when disaster strikes, and the best thing you can do for yourself and your home is to call the Modernistic Restoration Team. We have the knowledge, experience, and equipment to make your recovery Simple & Quick, giving you peace of mind in a difficult time. Trust the water damage experts!

Modernistic has been helping Michigan homeowners with water damage since 1973, and our certified mitigation crews will be there whenever you need us! Save our 24/7 Emergency Number so you’re prepared in the event of a home flood!

How Mold Can Damage A House

Posted Wednesday, December 19th, 2018

Of all the four-letter words out there, the one that will probably cause you the most pain and anguish is “mold”. We already know how disgusting it is and where it comes from, but how can a tiny spore like mold damage a house? Like, physically?  

At Modernistic, we’ve repaired thousands of homes from mold damage (called “mold remediation”), and we’ve seen first-hand the destruction that mold wreak inside a home. Here are some of the most common types of mold damage we encounter on a daily basis.

How Mold Can Damage A House

Drywall – Since drywall is organic and porous, a mold infestation will permeate throughout the material very quickly. It’s possible to salvage drywall if the growth is caught quickly enough, but after about a day it’s usually best to remove and replace mold-affected sections.

Carpet – Mold will grow best where it can get lots of moisture. With carpet, water will soak down into the padding beneath the jute backing. While you can certainly feel water-saturated padding when you step on it, the carpet itself doesn’t let you see what might be growing beneath. That’s why a professional mitigation crew will peel back your carpet and dry out the padding as soon as possible – that’s where potentially hazardous mold is most likely to be!  

Hardwood – Wood is another material that very susceptible to mold damage: joists, hardwood flooring, furniture, etc. Since wood is organic, it provides all the food mold loves to feed on. Depending on the location and severity of the infestation, often the safest option is to remove and replace affected wood materials.

HVAC System– Since you can’t see what’s inside of your ductwork, it’s easy to forget about all the dust and debris that build up; after all, out of sight, out of mind! But the dust and debris are a fantastic food source for mold spores, and with enough moisture and oxygen, they can start growing without you even knowing. Once that happens and your furnace or central air kicks on, mold spores will circulate through your entire home, affecting more than just the inside of your HVAC system! Properly cleaning and disinfecting your entire ductwork system from mold growth requires specialized equipment designed to reach all affected areas, so it’s best to trust an air duct cleaning professional with any mold growth in the HVAC system.

Indoor Air – Even if it’s not in your air ducts, mold growing anywhere in your home will affect your indoor air quality. In order to reproduce, mold gives off microscopic mold spores – you can’t see them, but they’re always floating around in the air. Depending on the strain of mold and the severity of the infestation, certain types of spores can cause harmful side effects. These can range from mild allergies to full-blown respiratory illnesses.

These are just a few of the ways we’ve seen how mold can damage a house. If you ever suspect mold may be growing in your home, the absolute best thing you can do is deal with it right away. Call a professional mold remediation company before any of the above happens! If you catch it right away, “mold” will be the only four letter word you’ll have to use!

Modernistic has been restoring Michigan homes from disasters since 1973! If you are dealing with a mold problem, trust the experts and contact us today.

Why Customer Delight Matters

Posted Wednesday, January 10th, 2018

Customer Delight

In our 40+ years of serving Michigan’s cleaning and restoration needs, we’ve learned a few things about customer satisfaction; namely, you’ll never go out of business if people love your service! That’s why one of Modernistic’s core values is Customer Delight. We want to do whatever it takes to make our customers happy, and that extends to all our mitigation and reconstruction services.   

Info When You Need It

When it comes to customer satisfaction, effective communication is key. Losses can be extremely stressful on a homeowner, and the last thing they need to worry about is if their contractor and their insurance company are on the same page. That’s why we go the extra mile and provide regular updates to not only the customer, but to the agent in charge as well. That way, everyone’s informed and up to date with the progress of the claim. Our goal is to make sure nobody’s left out of the loop!

One Point of Contact

Another way we help facilitate good communication is with dedicated claims coordinators. Have you ever tried to find out the status of a project and had no idea who would have the information you need or how to contact them? Very frustrating. That’s not Customer Delight! That’s why Modernistic assigns a claims coordinator on each claim to act as a point of contact for homeowners, agents, and everyone in between. That way, specific, up-to-date project info is only a phone call or email away! No waiting for a receptionist to relay a message, or getting lost in phone menus; just one call or email to the assigned claims coordinator puts you in touch with the person that has the info you need.  

One Goal

Everything we do here at Modernistic is focused on one thing: Providing service that makes our customers, clients, co-workers, vendors, and everyone else we do business with go “Wow!”. If that falls in line with your business’s goals, let’s have a conversation. Contact your local Modernistic office today!

Have an Emergency Plan for Dealing with Frozen Pipes

Posted Monday, January 16th, 2017

Michigan winters are tough. Make sure you know what to do if your pipes freeze.

You did everything you could to prevent frozen pipes this winter. You added extra insulation, safely dismantled hoses, wrapped pipes in extra insulation, and kept the house warm. Still, once the temperature falls you should have a plan for dealing with frozen pipes, just in case.

Inspect your pipes for signs of freezing.

Check on the pipes you think are most likely to freeze. If you see frost along the length of a pipe or an area that looks abnormally swollen your pipe is probably frozen. There is another less obvious indicator that your pipe is frozen as well.  If you turn on the tap and nothing comes out, you may have a frozen pipe. You may not know exactly which pipe carries water to that section of the house, but check any nearby that lie along the exterior walls.

Shut off the water to the frozen pipe.

You should familiarize yourself with where water shut-off valves are located. In a crisis you don’t want to be running around like a slapstick comedian, getting soaked and looking for the shut-off. If learning where all the shut-off valves are seems too intimidating, at least know where the main water shut-off valve is for your home.

Thawing frozen pipes.

When you locate the frozen pipe there are a few things you can do to thaw it out before it bursts. Warm the pipe with a safe heating source, like an electric heating pad, a hair dryer, a space heater, or heating tape. Never use a heat source with an open flame, particularly on plastic pipes. As you warm the pipes, leave the faucet open. When some of the ice melts, water will begin to run through the pipe, speeding the thaw. You’ll know you’ve melted all the ice once water pressure is back at full strength.

What to do after a pipe bursts.

The first thing to do when a pipe bursts is shut off the water supply to this particular part of the house. You want to cut off the gushing water quickly as possible. Then call a licensed plumber who is qualified to make the repair, and your insurance agent. Finally, contact Modernistic. Freezing temperatures might be round the clock, but we’re here too with 24/7 emergency assistance. Our mitigation crew will arrive within an hour and a half to begin assessing the damage and extracting the water. When frozen pipes flood your home, Modernistic is there.

Serving Berkley, Michigan, for 40 years.

Do You Know How to Identify Black Mold in Your Home?

Posted Friday, November 11th, 2016

Is the Mold in My Home Harmless or Toxic?

Mold loves moisture and will grow wherever it is found. It quickly spreads in nooks and crannies in the bathroom, behind pipes in the kitchen, in basements, furniture and even your HVAC system. As most allergy sufferers know, many common molds can irritate allergies or cause other respiratory problems, including fungal infections in the lungs of elderly and other immunocompromised people. This makes it extremely dangerous for anyone living in a mold-infected home. Knowing how to identify black mold in your home—and prevent it from forming in the first place—is a key for any homeowner.

What is Black Mold?

Black mold is a fungus which produces mycotoxins that can be quite dangerous to humans. Though there’s insufficient evidence to conclusively link black mold to rare health complications, like acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage in infants, the CDC recommends preventing and removing black mold where you can. Since it can be expensive to remove mold once it’s colonized a large area, here are a few tips for identifying and avoiding black mold in your home.

Keep Your Home Consistently Dry

Mold quickly dies without water, so keep every space in your home at around 50% humidity. A good dehumidifier, regularly emptied, will often adequately dry damp spaces. Air conditioning will also help, particularly in warm humid climates. Be sure to run your home ventilation fans appropriately, so that the bathroom and kitchen stay as dry as possible when you shower or cook. If you notice a leaking pipe or appliance deal with it as soon as possible. Every drip creates a more hospitable environment for the mold spores that are constantly floating in the air.

Use Your Nose to Sniff Out the Source

Smelling something musty? Try to track it down to the source. You may know of a likely spot based on previous water damage, but if not, let your nose guide you. Does a certain area of the carpet, section of the wall, or piece of upholstery, seem particularly malodorous? It could be hiding a mold colony.

Spot the Mold (If You Can)

Sometimes mold grows behind walls or in fabric, making it hard to see. However, once you find the origin of the moldy smell, it’s possible you might notice visible mold. Mold comes in many colors: yellow, pink, orange, black, white, and green. Black mold is dark, as the name suggests, growing in a particular shade of blackish green. Other molds are also dark so the color alone is not enough to confirm that you do have black mold living in your home. Still, if you see patches of a black colored mold, you should take further steps immediately.

Test the Mold

The CDC has partnered with two biotech companies to sell revolutionary testing kits that rapidly detect several strains of mold. An affordable kit from either Advnt Biotechnologies or Alexeter Technologies comes with a user-friendly test strip, that should allow you to rapidly test your home for a variety of molds.  This can help you identify visible mold, or detect molds that hiding behind walls or in carpets and upholstery.

Eliminate Mold Colonies

There are a variety of home solutions for removing mold from various surfaces. Some tile and grout cleaners are specifically formulated to attack the mold growing on hard surfaces in your bathroom. A homemade bleach solution will usually kill mold on any hard surface. Mix a cup of bleach with a gallon of water, then wipe or spray over the moldy area. Allow it to sit, then clean it off thoroughly with rag or scrub brush.

Call for the Experts

If you smell mold in carpet or upholstery, professional cleaning is your best choice. Only professional cleaning equipment can penetrate deeply into fibers and padding, delivering a targeted amount of cleaning solution, and removing mold. Leather should also be cleaned professionally. With any delay, the problem will only get worse with time, potentially ruining your furniture and carpets.

When your mold problem has gotten out of hand, Modernistic is here to help. Our certified technicians offer a full list of services, including:

  • Professional evaluation
  • Air sampling and testing
  • Containment of the affected area
  • Growth removal and treatment of all affected areas
  • Disposal of affected materials
  • Re-testing of air samples

We can tackle the most resistant strains of mold, even when the growth is extensive. Don’t let mold destroy your belongings, your home and your health. Contact Modernistic today!

Serving Lansing, Michigan for 40 years.

Flood damage from a burst pipe? Here’s what to do.

Posted Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016

Your pipe burst and there’s water everywhere.

If water suddenly begins gushing from your washer, toilet, or sink, you’ve probably burst a pipe. It’s a serious problem, but if you act quickly, you can mitigate most of the damage. Mold, for example, won’t start to grow for at least 24 hours.

Your first step? Take a deep breath. The water is running and the clock is ticking, but panic will slow you down. Quick action will mitigate a lot of flood damage from a burst pipe. So put your game face on, call a plumber and Modernistic’s 24-hour emergency restoration team, and let’s get ready to tackle this.

Cut the power and turn off the water.

Water conducts electricity, and the two make a dangerous combination. To protect yourself and your family from serious injuries or even death, turn off the power to the flooded area and unplug nearby electrical appliances.

If the water is still running, shut it off. Check for any electrical appliances nearby, but be careful, especially if you’ll need to wade through water to reach the shut-off valve. If you have any reason to doubt your ability to safely shut off the water or electricity, stand back and wait for help to arrive.

Be aware of potential dangers from pollution.

Clean water running from the kitchen sink is unlikely to be polluted, but it can pick up grime and bacteria as it flows across the carpet or down the walls. Sewage from a toilet, on the other hand, will almost definitely carry harmful bacteria.

So what should you do? Wear gloves and boots if you can, and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after the project. Be especially careful not to ingest any of the water, and keep an eye on children and pets who may be tempted to splash around.

Modernistic’s team will arrive in about an hour. What can you do until then?

Your homeowner’s insurance almost definitely covers damage from burst pipes, especially if you haven’t neglected routine maintenance or ignored minor problems. Grab a plastic bag or something waterproof to keep your camera secure and dry. As you survey flood damage from a burst pipe, snap photos for documentation. With this in hand, you’ll be more prepared to talk with your insurance agent about making claims.

When Modernistic’s crew arrives, you can leave further documentation to us.

Remove carpet, furniture, and valuables.

Do any valuables or heirlooms look salvageable? If so, move them to a dry place as soon as possible to prevent further damage or loss. Don’t spend too much time cleaning them, though — if there’s anything you can save for later, save it for later.

Unfortunately, many soaked items, like rugs and furniture, may not be salvageable. If anything looks too heavy or dangerous to remove, leave it – our expert crews will take care of it when they arrive. If the weather permits, and if you can do so easily and safely, you can hang rugs and other small items outside to dry.

Sop, mop, and remove the water.

The next step is to remove standing water, a task that becomes more difficult as the water gets deeper. If you’re lucky, all you’ll need is a mop and some towels to sop up the water. Once you finish, discard or thoroughly wash any sponges or towels you used. If you’re not so lucky and the water is too deep, wait for our crews to remove it.

Between the cracks and behind the drywall

Water damage can seep deep into your walls, floor, and ceiling, so a mop won’t be able to get all of it. Modernistic’s team will evaluate the area, identifying what’s been affected and how badly. After that, we’ll provide you with an itemized list of recommended services and a price quote.

Our professional, trained, and certified team will quickly remove water and moisture to minimize further damage. We’ll move and protect anything affected by water damage and provide you with industrial-strength air moves and dehumidifiers to dry the area beyond what a towel can do. We monitor and document the moisture levels daily until the area is completely dry.

After this, we’ll get to work restoring the damage.

Will my insurance cover flood damage from a burst pipe?

Nobody wants their pipes to burst, but it happens – and that’s what insurance is for. Dealing with paperwork and red tape can be a pain, but Modernistic is here to help.

While our crew takes care of the damaged area, we’ll also take care of you. We have working relationships with many insurance companies in Michigan, and our teams are familiar with the claim-filing process. We’ll document what needs documentation, keep you informed, and make sure your claim isn’t overlooked.

It’s stressful, but with Modernistic’s help, you can handle it.

We’ll be with you every step of the way, from assessing damage to filing claims.

Before long, your home will feel like home again.

Serving Grand Rapids and Ada for 40 years.