Tag Archives: Mold Remediation

Here’s What Happens During the Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Process

Rytech NashvilleFire and smoke can cause extensive damage to your property. Your home could even suffer from extensive water damage as firefighters hose it down to put out the fire. Here’s what to expect during the fire and smoke damage restoration process. 

After submitting your insurance claim, get in touch with a reliable fire and smoke damage restoration company like Rytech Nashville. Their team will be onsite to assess the nature and extent of the fire and smoke damage and plan the appropriate course of action.

For your safety, it’s best to consider off-site housing or staying at a hotel while the fire and smoke damage restoration process is ongoing and until the authorities confirm that your property is structurally sound and liveable. If securing your belongings is a concern, most fire and smoke damage restoration companies will provide board-up services to prevent incidents of theft. A proper board-up should include using plywood bolted from inside the property over windows, and the front door should also be locked.

Soot and smoke can leave lasting or even permanent damage, and the smoky odor can linger in rooms and on your furniture. Professional fire and smoke damage restoration teams have the tools and skills to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces and mitigate possible losses.  

All restorable items are cleaned and disinfected while odors are removed using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Water damage should be addressed immediately

If left unattended, the water used to put out the fire can lead to mold growth, which opens up a wide range of property – and even health – issues. Rytech, Nashville’s leading water damage restoration expert, provides professional water damage assessment and reliable water damage restoration services. Middle Tennessee residents trust Rytech’s IICRC-certified technicians for their water damage restoration requirements post-fire or otherwise. 24-hour emergency services are available. Get in touch today for a no-commitment consultation.

The duration of the restoration process will mainly depend on the size of the property and the extent of damage. A small home with minimal damage could be restored in a few days, whereas it would take almost six months to rebuild a large home completely. Work with a seasoned team like Rytech Nashville to get your life back on track as soon as possible.

Rytech Nashville is a leader in the water damage restoration and mold remediation industry. The company has reached exponential growth from its humble beginnings in one location and currently provides service to 49 major markets across 25 states. Call (615) 751-8445 for more information.

5 Facts About Mold That Might Surprise You

Rytech NashvilleIf you’re a Nashville homeowner reeling from the effects of water damage in your property, you’re likely to be familiar with mold. Not only is it unsightly, but it can also affect your home’s structural integrity and cause potential health risks like allergies and respiratory ailments. Here are five mold facts that you should know.

  • There are two mold states.

Experts estimate that there are over 100,000 mold species, and these have two states: viable and non-viable. Likely, mold is active and growing; it is in an environment where it can thrive and spread. While non-viable mold is no longer active due to a lack of food source or moisture, it can still release spores into the air that can spread throughout your home.

  • You can forego mold testing.

Some homeowners believe that any mold should be tested for proper identification and confirm if it can cause property damage. However, the mold remediation professionals at Rytech Nashville should remove any type of mold immediately; prior testing is no longer necessary. 

  • Water damage is not the only cause of mold growth.

While water damage is one of the most common causes of mold growth, addressing this will not guarantee a mold-free home. Poor ventilation and humidity is another factor that can encourage mold to thrive. Consider the kitchen, bathroom, and basement as mold hotspots because these are naturally humid environments.

  • Mold has no odor

You’ve probably heard that mold has a musty and earthy smell – it’s the mold byproduct that is causing the odor. As it digests the surface that it has taken hold of, The fungus releases odors and toxins.

  • Cleaning and disinfecting your home won’t be good enough.

Mold removal is not a simple DIY project you can do over the weekend. Yes, you can clean and disinfect surfaces, but this won’t address the root cause of your mold problem. Most of the mold will be in hard-to-reach areas like crevices, cracks, and interior walls. Moreover, in trying to get rid of mold, you might inadvertently release mold spores throughout your property. It’s best to work with mold remediation and water damage professionals like Rytech Nashville to remove any mold growth safely.

Rytech Nashville has been providing effective mold remediation and water damage solutions to residents of Middle Tennessee and its surrounding areas since 1995. IICRC-certified technicians will recommend a plan of action to remove the mold and cut off sources of moisture causing it. Get in touch today to schedule a consultation.

Rytech Nashville is a leader in the water damage restoration and mold remediation industry. The company has reached exponential growth from its humble beginnings in one location and currently provides service to 49 major markets across 25 states. Call (615) 751-8445 for more information

Protect Yourself From These Post-Flood Wastewater Hazards

Rytech NashvilleWhile post-flood water damage to a home is considered a given, many property owners are still caught off guard by health and safety risks posed by contaminated wastewater. Let’s look at the different kinds of wastewater contamination and what you can do to minimize risks.

Sewage contamination

The water is contaminated by waste coming from non-industrial human activities such as bathing, washing, and cleaning. Assume that the water you come in contact with post-flooding may be tainted with raw sewage.

Here’s how you can stay safe:

  • Wear protective clothing such as boots, gloves, eyewear, and a face mask.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.
  • Avoid eating food that has come in contact with contaminated water. Drink bottled water for the time being until the safety of the local drinking water has been verified.
  • Clean and bandage cuts and scrapes, even if these are minor, before doing any cleanup work.

Chemical contamination

Industrial chemicals such as pesticides and gasoline could leach into waterways after a flood and get into your home; these must be handled accordingly.

Protect yourself by:

  • Wearing protective clothing.
  • Being aware of symptoms resulting from exposure to toxic chemicals such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and skin irritation. Seek medical help immediately should these symptoms persist.

Consult with a qualified water damage remediation expert before re-entering a flood-damaged home to make sure other, more lethal threats such as live electricity and potential structural collapse have been mitigated.

Rytech, Nashville’s leading water damage restoration expert, provides a professional assessment of flood contamination risks and reliable water damage restoration services. Middle Tennessee residents trust Rytech’s IICRC-certified technicians for their water damage restoration requirements. 24-hour emergency services are available. Get in touch today for a no-commitment consultation.

Rytech Nashville has become a leader in the water damage restoration and mold remediation industry. From its humble beginnings in one location, the company has reached exponential growth and currently provides service to 49 major markets across 25 states. Call (615) 751-8445 for more information.

Rytech Nashville: Can You Predict Water Damage?

Rytech Nashville Water damage restoration experts from Rytech Nashville have seen it all. From busted pipes to widespread flooding, the company’s technicians assert that it is not always possible to know when water damage will happen. But there are indications that you are sitting on a trickling time bomb.

Here are a few things to pay attention to:

Plumbing leaks. Obviously, a busted pipe is a good reason to call a plumber. Unfortunately, many homeowners choose to ignore what they consider minor issues such as “weeping” pipes or an upstairs toilet flange that drips water into the garage. These issues shouldn’t be overlooked as they could signal a rupture in the near future. This will require potentially extensive water damage restoration services.

Outdated appliances. There are many appliances in your home that use water every day. These include the hot water heater, washing machine, and dishwasher. Even if they appear to be functioning properly, there could be a lot going on inside of them that could cause them to fail and leave your home flooded. The hot water heater, for example, is at significant risk of internal corrosion at less than 10 years of age, according to the water damage restoration professionals at Rytech Nashville. Your washer and dishwasher may also corrode from the inside out, especially if you live in an area with hard water.

Ruptured hoses. It is not just the appliances you must keep an eye on, but also the water supply lines in and out of them. If these lines are more than three years old, they may rupture with no warning.
Missing shingles. One of the leading reasons people call for water damage restoration in Nashville is because of roof leaks. Often, this is after a thunderstorm or tornado but leaks do not have to happen all at once to cause damage. According to the water damage restoration experts at Rytech Nashville, a few missing shingles or damaged flashing on the roof could cause prolonged water seepage, which can leak into the walls and completely saturate the insulation in your attic.

Excessive humidity. Your home’s HVAC unit is designed to remove excess moisture from the air inside of your home. But sometimes, these units fail and can result in extensive moisture buildup within its internal components, which then blows through the ductwork. Further, a blocked drain line can result in a flooded drain pan, which can then spill water. This is not always a significant cause for concern on a concrete garage floor, especially if caught early, but when your unit is inside of your attic crawl space, the flooring underneath may soak up moisture and eventually rot, leaving you with not only a busted HVAC, but also damage to your home’s structure. If you need water damage restoration, you may be required to temporarily leave your home if it is deemed unsafe or if mold removal is necessary.

Clogged drains. Clogged drains are annoying, but they are usually an easy fix. However, if your plumber is just as familiar with your bathroom as you are, it is time to discuss ways to fix chronic clogs. If you notice that your bathtub or shower tends to back up when you flush the toilet, you may have significant damage to your main or secondary sewer line. This may be caused by an excess of materials stuck in the pipe, the line could be ruptured by overgrown roots, or the pipes could be corroded. In addition to water damage restoration services, you may also need to replace your main sewer line. This is an expensive process and will require that part of your yard be excavated.

Water damage restoration is not a DIY job. If you experience flooding or other water damage, contact Rytech Nashville 24/7 at 800-865-8787.