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.

Hear It From Our Customers!

Posted Friday, December 7th, 2018

Customer FeedbackThroughout the past 45 years at Modernistic, two things have never changed: Our love for each and every customer, and our customers’ love for Modernistic. Part of the reason we’ve been around as long as we have (since 1973!) is because of the amazing customer feedback we get regularly.
Customer feedback has been the backbone of our business for years. Because making sure our customers are happy doesn’t just make us feel fuzzy inside, it helps us inform our business and the kind of service you expect and deserve. In fact, we love our customer feedback and testimonials so much, that we are dedicating this entire post to that group of loyal, vocal customers!

We Are There For Your Pet-uations

Modernistic loves pets, and we know you do too. Unfortunately, as any pet owner knows, sometimes that love comes at the cost of our carpet and upholstery. Luckily, we have a long history of keeping all of your furry friends out of the doghouse with our pet-friendly Simple & Quick carpet cleaning:

When You’re Knee Deep in Water

One of the most frightening things a homeowner can experience is water damage. Any time a pipe breaks, heavy rains leak into your home, or an appliance fails in your home, you can feel completely helpless. A mark of pride for Modernistic is how quickly and efficiently we can restore your home after water damage occurs. Don’t take it from us, take it from someone we’ve helped turn a sewage situation from dire to delighted:

From Scheduling To Ringing The Doorbell

The entire customer experience – from browsing our site, asking questions, scheduling your appointment, to the actual cleaning – is something we are always improving and fine-tuning. If you can schedule your cleaning Simple & Quick from our website and then be treated to A+ service from our technicians, then we’ve done our job:

Tell Us Your Story

We would love to hear from you about your great experience with Modernistic too! Drop by our Facebook Page to say hi and let us know how Modernistic has made your home better – We can’t wait to hear from you!

Modernistic has been delighting customers since 1973 with Simple & Quick carpet, upholstery, tile, hardwood, area rug, air duct, and dryer vent cleaning, as well as expert Flood, Fire, Mold, and Storm damage recovery. Click or call us today!

Here’s How Much Damage Water Can Do To A Basement

Posted Tuesday, July 24th, 2018

how much damage water can do to a basement

99.99% of the time, you don’t have to worry about water damage in your basement. A dry basement is a fantastic family hangout spot, almost always available for your family’s use. Unfortunately, if you’re one of the 60% of homes at risk for basement water damage (according to the American Society of Home Inspectors), your dry comfortable family hangout room might be at risk for flooding – and it could cost you thousands. You may be asking yourself “How much damage can water do to a basement?” The answer: more than you might think!

Water Categories: Clean, Grey, Black

Floodwater comes in three different categories of contamination:

  • Category 1 – Clean water
  • Category 2 – Grey water
  • Category 3 – Black water

As you can probably guess, Category 1 – Clean water is the least contaminated type of floodwater. Clean water can come from faucets, bathtubs, or fresh rainwater and has been sitting for less than 24 hours.

Category 2 – Grey water has non-pathogenic contaminants. While not immediately dangerous, these contaminants can still cause illness or discomfort. Washing machine overflows, aquarium water, and washing machine leaks are all examples of grey water flooding.

Category 3 – Black water has pathogenic contamination and is unsanitary. Sewage, chemical waste, and any water sitting for over 72 hours are all considered black water situations.

Time is of the essence when it comes to floodwater, because even Clean water can become Grey and then Black water if it sits for too long since contamination happens over time.

Flooded Basement Damage Timeline

The damage water can do to a basement isn’t limited to contamination, however. Water itself can be very destructive. Here’s how a flood will damage your basement over time:

In 60 minutes…
Water begins saturating porous materials, like wood, drywall, and carpeting. Anything made of cardboard or other paper products is destroyed. Carpet and carpet padding become saturated with water, spreading moisture into areas not affected by the initial flooding.

In 4 hours…
Furniture and other wood materials begin to delaminate and swell at this point. The increased humidity begins amplifying any organic odors present in the basement, giving off that telltale “musty” smell. Drywall often becomes unsalvageable after this amount of time.

In 1 day…
Mold and other contaminants can start growing in as little as 24 hours and can spread to unaffected surfaces. Wood will start to warp, leaving hardwood floors damaged beyond repair. Paint and wallpaper will begin bubbling and peeling.

In 1 week…
Mold and other fungi will saturate any porous materials they come in contact with and will become hazardous to an occupant’s health. Category 1 water has become Category 3 at this point, and any materials it has affected will either need to be thrown out or need extensive restorative work. The entire basement becomes a biohazard, significantly increasing cleanup costs.

Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Wait

Needless to say, the easiest category of water to clean up is Category 1 – Clean water. Cleaning up clean water flood can be as simple as extracting and placing drying equipment. As water moves up the contamination spectrum, restoration costs rise significantly. Extra contamination means extra risk for your family and your home, significantly increasing how much damage water can do to a basement – and your wallet!

To prevent this escalation of cleanup costs, call an emergency water mitigation professional as soon as you notice water damage in your basement! The last thing you want to do is wait too long and end up with a lengthy and costly repair process.   

Modernistic has been keeping Michigan’s basements dry for over 45 years! Click here to learn more about what you can do to prevent water damage in your home, and contact us right away if you have a flood in your basement!

Tips for Flood Proofing Your Basement

Posted Wednesday, June 13th, 2018

There are many reasons your basement could end up looking like a bowl of soup (especially during Michigan’s rainy season). But don’t panic! There are definitely a few easy things you can do proactively to prevent your basement from flooding; a few simple tips for flood proofing your basement before you’ve got a wet mess on your hands and the lower section of your house looks like grandma’s minestrone!    

Where Did That Water Come From!?

A weak foundation is more often than not one of the primary causes of water finding its way into your basement. We know when people hear “Foundation Issues”, many homeowners want to throw your hands up in the air and start looking for a new home. You should have a foundation specialist out to your home to work on any cracks or slivers in the concrete that might let in water.

Professionals aside, there are safeguards you can take on your own to help to protect your basement. One of the easiest things you can address on your own is the framing around windows at the main level. These windows can often be the main cause of rain water leaking in to the basement. With a quick trip to the hardware store, you can pick up some basic caulking to apply to any slight openings or gaps to limit the odds of any flooding.

One fail safe way to help protect your basement from troublesome basement windows is to seal them completely. Many basements will have small windows resting just above ground level, which don’t really provide much of a view or light to begin with. In these cases you may want to seal these windows from the outside. Some basic masonry work should do the trick, covering them with properly-sealed bricks over the window openings.

As always, if you don’t feel comfortable doing any of these projects yourself, consult a professional!

Just In Case

Sump pump, sump pump, sump pump…. It’s so much fun to say! Really we could say it over and over again and still not have said it enough. Chances are good you already have a sump pump in your basement. If not, you should look into getting one; with all our rivers, lakes, and wetlands, every home in Michigan should probably have a sump pump! Even if you already have one, you’re not quite done yet. Since it’s out of sight and out of mind, it’s easy to forget about your sump pump. But you should be checking up on it at least every 3-6 months to make sure it is operating in tip top shape – otherwise, you may walk downstairs to do some laundry and discover a lot more may need cleaning!

Backup and Detection

Having backup plans are a good thing for anyone. Basement floods, particularly, would be a perfect thing for which to have a backup plan. We’ve already gone over sump pumps, but what about a back up for your sump pump? Having a second battery-powered sump pump backup should be required for anyone living in a flood zone, or if you frequently suffer power outages. A failed sump pump due to a power outage is another incredibly common issue that can make you wish water didn’t exist. Installing a backup for your sump pump can be crucial to avoiding a major financial burden.

Another thing you can do to help to detect the moment you might have a problem on your hands is to purchase a smart water leak detector for your home. There are many products on the market now that can alert you to water leaks in your home so you can take action before things get too crazy. Many of these new devices even have apps that can connect to the detector and alert you wherever you are on your smartphone.

Armed with these simple tips for flood proofing your basement, you can be confident that you’ve done everything you can to prevent your basement from ending up like the one in the picture at the top of this article. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, you should be much better prepared for avoiding the most common basement flooding problems.

It’s impossible to cover every flooding scenario of course, so if you ever do have a flood in your home, just know that the water damage experts at Modernistic are just a phone call away! 24/7/365, we’ll be there for your basement flooding emergencies.

Melting Snow Presents Danger to Houses

Posted Friday, March 17th, 2017

 

It may be hard to believe, but spring will be here soon! Sunny skies, rising temperatures, and fewer clothing layers are in your future. Unfortunately, warmer weather means melting snow, and melting snow means runoff water. Runoff water can be risky to your home’s health, since it can get in any small crack or crevice in your home’s foundation, walls, doors, or windows. The last place you want this runoff water is in your home’s basement, so follow these steps to help prevent water damage this spring:

  1. Remove snow from the immediate area around your home
  • If snow is piled up against your home’s outer walls, windows, foundation, or doors, you’ll want to remove it before it starts melting. Pay special attention to your driveway and garage, where plows may have piled up mounds of snow.
  1. Make sure your sump pump is functional
  • Your sump pump helps keep water out of your basement, and if snow melt starts to trickle in, you’ll definitely want it in working order. Also, make sure the discharge pipe is clear of obstruction and flows freely.
  1. Inspect your gutters
  • Clogged or improperly draining gutters may not be able to handle the additional snow melting from your roof. You also want to make sure your downspout leads the runoff at least 10 feet away from your home.

As if we needed another reason to dislike snow! While we may not have a huge amount of the stuff this season, the danger of water damage is still present. Any time you have snow melting brings the possibility of runoff water ruining various parts of your home. Luckily, if you follow these steps,  you can help yourself avoid a costly mitigation and dryout. For more info about home water damage, visit this page for the latest mitigation news.

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.