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Are Toxic Mold Spores Growing in Your Home?

Toxic Mold

Toxic mold can grow even at low temperatures. In the winter, mold usually grows in uninsulated areas that aren’t heated. Heated air rises to cold, therefore under-insulated places like the attic and can cause condensation allowing mold to grow. Cold temperatures can temper mold growth, but won’t kill spores. If you have a mold problem in the cold weather months you best believe it will worsen in the dog days of summer.

Mold, while not a scientific term typically, is best used to describe multiple types of fungi is ugly, furry, and oftentimes smelly. Found both indoors and out, toxic mold is unpleasant and unsightly.

Positively speaking, molds also create penicillin and cheese producing yeasts used to make bread, beer and wine. Mold spores are pretty much everywhere there’s moisture. 

Consequently, moisture creates mold and if you don’t want mold you need to get rid of the moisture that’s creating it. Damp environments are the perfect place for mold and fungi to live. Whether in basements, attics, garages, or under sink cabinets mold can be found along with these:

  • Bacteria
  • Dust mites
  • Bi-products of bacteria 
  • Airborne chemicals/gasses

Ugly mold and musty odors are the bi-product from the breakdown of matter. Anything it grows on can pose potential health problems and structural damage. Mold can cause allergies, infections and at its worst, a sick building that can affect quality of life. When people spend time in an environment where mold or fungi are present they can experience respiratory problems. Respiratory issues such as asthma, headaches, infections, and other symptoms are common.

Mold remediation expert, Spencer Yaklin, CEO of Advance Restoration gives us some perspective, “If you ‘re experiencing respiratory issues with no known cause and, you are concerned about mold, you can have the moist areas tested to determine the mold species by a professional hygienist. Large amounts of mold will require specialized techniques. Personal protective gear is necessary for proper and safe removal. Hiring a professional to remediate the mold based on testing is the best course of action. Remediation is critical to stopping the growth of mold and avoiding its return”.

Furthermore, any mold professional should insist on a test by a mold hygienist. The test will reveal the type of mold you are dealing with and let you know if you need a professional to then remediate the mold going forward. It’s important to hire an expert mold remediation team like Advance Restoration, or one that will:

What to expect from a mold remediation professional

  • Proper safety PPE equipment
  • Containment to Isolate mold work area
  • HEPA air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums
  • Commercial Strength dehumidifiers
  • Discard moldy porous building materials
  • Anti-microbial disinfectants to clean and sanitize
  • Professional sealants to encapsulate treated areas

To remove mold and odors, call today to help return your commercial or residential property to pre-mold condition.

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16 Most Common Household Fire Hazards

According to the National Fire Protection Association house fires affect thousands of people annually causing injury and even death. Here is a list of the usual fire hazards and how to prevent them.

One of the top causes of house fires is faulty wiring

By the way, faulty wiring isn’t just hidden behind walls. Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to expose hazards every day in your home or workplace. Fortunately, we have some tips.

  • Review electrical cords in your home for fraying and replace as needed.
  • Uncover electrical cords that are pinched by or covered by things such as rugs.
  • Don’t overload circuits. You may want to consult a professional If you are questioning the stability of your electrical system.
  • Surge protector or power strips—know the difference. Surge protectors and power strips are both made for plugging in multiple electronic devices, however surge protectors  are for protecting valuable electronics such as televisions and computers whereas only the surge protector can provide protection of these devices from an electrical power surge.

Cooking is also a major cause of most house fires.

Because, we are distracted. Who doesn’t get distracted while cooking?! We all do. However, kids, pets, and phone calls aside, we have some good precautions to keep everyone safe from fire damage.

  • Pans and pots should never be left unattended over an open flame on the stove.
  • Fire extinguishers should be within reach and readily available should a fire start.
  • When a stove or oven is powered on, built up food or grease can ignite causing smoke and fire damage.

Household dryers for laundry can pose as fire hazards

You’re busy, we get it. But, just for just less than a minute each, you can deploy these tactics before your next load.

  • Improperly installed dryer vents can become clogged and overheat causing fire. Vents should be cleaned regularly.
  • Romove lint from the dryer filter immediately after each load.
  • Remember to clean around and behind the dryer as lint can collect and create a fire hazard

Household space heaters or alternate heating methods can cause fire damage.

  • Older space heaters should be avoided due to inadequate safety features. Newly purchased space heaters should be UL Listed and include safety shut off features.
  • Placement of your space heater is important to avoid the dangers of fire. Placing heaters near flammable objects such as curtains, sofas, and fabric items can cause them to ignite.
  • If you are planning on installing a pellet or wood stove, be certain that the stove complies with the laws of your municipality and state.

Chimney soot can ignite and cause fire and smoke damage

  • The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) can provide information on a certified chimney sweep. Always consider a professional for this job and have your chimney inspected annually.
  • Do not burn damp or green wood that has not been seasoned.
  • Burning wrapping paper, cardboard, or leaves in the fireplace can spark chimney fires.

Need help with fire or smoke damage due to fire, contact Advance Restoration today.

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Restoration Jobs in Michigan

Restoration Jobs Button

Start immediately at top pay!

Advance Restoration is hiring Lead Technicians and General Laborers in Clinton Township, Michigan for restoration jobs. Join one of the most trusted disaster recovery and restoration teams in Southeast Michigan and in the industry.

Proudly, we offer careers in restoration, to the most qualified, dedicated crews in the business. Consequently, everyone from our office staff to on-site recovery experts are customer satisfaction driven. Incomparably, the most compassionate water damage and restoration company hiring in southeast Michigan. Learn more about our current disaster restoration jobs by visiting our careers page on Indeed to apply immediately. Or, you can simply call us at 877-363-7462 now for a quick chat to see if we are a good fit for you.

Why Work at Advance Restoration?

Advance Restoration is proud to offer a number of competitive benefits to our employees. We feel benefits are just as important as pay, even more so for some. Hence, here is a list of our benefits.

  • 401(K) w/Company Match
  • Healthcare Benefits w/Pediatric Dental
  • Company Vehicle/Truck
  • Company Cell Phones
  • Company Bonus Opportunities
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Sick Time

Furthermore, if you’re looking to join a devoted disaster restoration team as a Lead Restoration Technician in southeast Michigan, or a Cleaning Tech we’re the company for you! While we are hiring in Clinton Township, we service all of Southeast Michigan.

And so, if you are tired of working for big companies who don’t care about your future. We are family owned small company that is growing, with plenty of room to advance your career. 

Currently, positions at Advance Restoration can be found here on our careers page or apply directly on our applications page at ZipRecruiter. In addition, you can simply call us at 877-363-7462 for a brief and casual phone interview.

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Mold and Home Insurance

Black Mold

Toxic mold can wreck havoc on your home and create fear in the homeowner about mold and home insurance coverage. Coverage often comes down to the source of moisture. When moisture goes unchecked, mold can grow and become widespread. Are you covered?

Homeowners Insurance and Mold

More often than not, home owners insurance policies do not cover damage caused by mold, fungi, and bacteria, says Spencer Yaklin, CEO of Advance Restoration, and property damage specialist. Coverage comes down to the source of the moisture causing the mold. It is recommended that every property owner review their policy, especially as it relates to water damage. Keep your eye out for language pertaining to mold exclusions or limitations. If it is still unclear, call your agent for clarity.

In most cases, if the mold is present due to a sudden or accidental covered disaster such as a burst pipe—that would warrant coverage, says Yaklin. The mold itself would not be the reason for the claim, but technically, the purse pipe is. Some claims are more apt to be rejected if mold is caused by negligence of home maintenance such as long-term exposure to moisture or repeated water leaks.

Approximately 22% of all home owners insurance claims result from “water damage and freezing”, according to the Insurance Information Institute. III puts the cost of the average mold claim between $15,000 and $30,000 as told in their 2003 white paper on mold. That is five times the average non-mold claims by homeowners during that time.

Most states adopted limitations on mold coverage after a rush of mold claims in the early 2000s. A typical home owners policy may cover between $1,000 and $10,000 of mold remediation and repair, says Spencer. And most policies do not cover mold as a result of flood damage. Home owners would need a separate flood insurance policy averaging about $540 per year via the National Flood Insurance Program.

As an add-on, it may be possible to purchase a mold rider to your current home owners policy. Riders offer additional coverage, the cost and personal risk-tolerance are driving factors behind any decision regarding riders. Ask your agent for information.

Newer homes are less susceptible to water damage as are older homes. Older homes located in humid climates where mold thrives will likely cost more to insure than those constructed in dryer zones. Homes built within the past five years or so are more likely to be made with mold-resistant wood, drywall and paints.

Prevention is Key

Keeping mold at bay is the surest way to avoid having to make a claim in the first place. To protect the value of your home you must prevent mold by eliminating the source of the mold—moisture. To prevent mold growth , we suggest taking the following steps:

  • Keep humidity low by using air conditioners, exhaust fans, and dehumidifiers.
  • Inspect under sinks and behind toilets regularly for lose fittings or leaks
  • Use paints that contain mold inhibitors when painting
  • Make regular maintenance checks on your roof and gutters to avoid backups and leaks
  • Don’t use carpeting in moist areas like bathrooms and basements
  • Remove excess moisture or water from soft goods such as upholstery and carpets within 48 hours of a water disaster

If you find yourself a victim of mold, hire a professional restoration service. Remember, where there is mold there is moisture. A professional will root out the source of moisture, clean up mold properly so that it doesn’t return.

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3 Simple Ways to Ensure Your Fireplace is Safe

pet by fireplace

A fireplace is one of the leading causes of house fire in the cold weather months. Avoid the pitfalls of fire and smoke damage with these five steps.

Before you light your first fire of the season, follow these tips to be sure your fireplace and chimney are in good shape.

#1 Check the Firebox

Be on the lookout for gaps, cracks, and signs of wear on the lining of the firebox. Seeing the steel sheath beneath the lining is a clear sign that your lining is impaired. A corroded lining can cause excessive heat to build up inside causing fire and smoke damage.

#2 Smoke Stains on Fireplace

Smoke leaves its mark. If you see smoke stains on the ceiling it could mean smoke is making its way through cracks or gaps betwixt the hearth and firebox.   Hearths in older homes commonly pull away from the firebox during settling. When this occurs, sparks can fall into the crevasse and up goes the smoke. Unfortunately, if this is happening, you will need a professional to fix it.

If you notice smoke stains on the outside of the hearth above the fireplace itself, it may be the flue damper. In this case, the damper can be hand-operated to help control the airflow into the fireplace. Oftentimes the damper mechanism can become caked with soot and crud that keeps it from working properly. If this is the situation, smoke can plume out of the fireplace causing smoke damage and odors that permeate the home and its contents. Call a professional or handyman to repair the damper mechanism before using the fireplace.

#3 Inspect the Fireplace Chimney

Okay, you may not want to get up on the roof to look down the chimney. However, you should not simply disregard it. Inspecting the chimney is one of the most important things you can do before lighting a fire in your fireplace. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends an annual inspection by a qualified professional. Simply guessing that your chimney is in working order is what helps to account for an average of 22,300 chimney fires annually, according to the CSIA. 

Use these tips to avoid fire disasters and you will enjoy a safe and cozy cold weather season. If, by chance, you experience smoke and fire damage, call the experts at Advance Restoration for cleanup and restoration help. 866-465-2409.

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3 Proactive Home Improvement Tips for Fall

Fall brings the perfect weather for performing those last-minute DIY home improvement projects

While September reigns in cooler temps and summer activities waning what better time to show your house a little extra TLC. Use these 3 home improvement tips to save money on costly property damage repairs down the road.

Home Fire extinguisher

Home Improvement Tip #1: Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

According to the American Red Cross, home fires have increased, rising 10 percent since 2000. Generally, home fires are more prevalent during the fall and winter, with December and January being peak months. So, there is no time like the present to get started and avoid fire damage repairs altogether.

Fire extinguishers can break down over time and malfunction. Keep your home safe sound by getting your fire extinguishers checked by certified professionals every six years. Buying one for each floor of your house is a good plan—don’t forget the garage!

Home roof damage

Home Improvement Tip #2: Inspect Your Roof

Roof repairs can be a costly improvement project, but so can water damage restoration. Do a walkaround of your home to inspect the roof, siding, grading and gutters—to ward off issues in advance. It’s a lot easier to fix in the fall than on a snowy winter’s day.

Tree Trimming Improvement

Home Improvement Tip #3: Preventative Tree Trimming 

Winter storms are on the horizon and heavy snow and ice has been known to tumble a tree branch or two. Those dead branches can be deadly for your roof. Not to mention, your gutters, siding, and windows. A simple home improvement task can ward off these pitfalls—trim all branches within 3 feet of the house. Trimming your branches could save you oodles of cash on roof damage & repairs.

Are You Beyond DIY—Need Help with Property Damage?

Maybe you’ve done your due diligence or perhaps not, we’re here to help. If you find you have roof leaks, fire damage, or water damage give us a call and one of our friendly assistants will be happy to connect you to one of our property damage experts. 866-465-2409.

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Homeowners Insurance. What’s Covered?

Homeowner's Insurance Coverage

You may be stunned to learn what your Homeowner’s policy doesn’t cover

Basic homeowners insurance policies cover your home and its contents if damaged or ruined. Hence, here is the complete list:

  • Fire
  • Lightning
  • Hail (dependent on area)
  • Windstorm (except in hurricane zones)
  • Smoke
  • Vandalism (excluded by some policies)
  • Theft
  • Explosion
  • Volcanic eruption
  • Riots
  • Civil Commotion
  • Vehicles (and airborne projectiles)
  • Aircraft (and airborne projectiles)

Some states don’t sell these basic policies. As a result, ssome require upgrades to cover more damages.

The Dreaded Homeowners Insurance Upgrade

An upgraded policy or HO-2 adds additional protection to your home and its contents. Subsequently, the HO-1 covers all of the items listed above, with these additions:

  • Weight of snow, ice, or sleet
  • Floods from appliances, plumbing, fire-protection sprinkler systems, and HVAC mishaps. Electronics such as computers are not a covered item.
  • Glass breakage
  • Abrupt collapse or caving of building

And so, this list applies also to homeowner’s insurance for condominiums or co-ops and is commonly referred to as HO-6 rather than HO-2.

The aforementioned lists are exactly what is covered on HO-1, HO-2, and HO-6. Consequently, if there’s a world apocalypse and that’s not on the list…it’s not covered.

But wait! There’s always HO-3 Homeowner’s Insurance

HO-3 is the most comprehensive form of homeowner’s insurance coverage. Accordingly, HO-3 covers just about everything you can imagine. In what follows, there are some specific exceptions:

  • Floods
  • Earthquakes
  • Wars
  • Nuclear accidents
  • Landslides
  • Mudslides
  • Sinkholes

The HO-3 policy also does not cover world apocalypse (War) but it does cover a lot.

What isn’t Covered by Homeowners Insurance

No one policy covers every possible type of damage that can destroy your property. Here’s what typical homeowners’ policies will not cover:

  • Improper or neglected maintenance
  • Hurricanes
  • Floods
  • Earthquakes
  • Mudslides
  • Landslides
  • Sinkholes
  • War
  • Nuclear accidents
  • Sewer backups
  • Sump pump failure
  • Ground movement and holes caused by mining
  • Pollution

Additional policies can be purchased to cover some, but not all, of these disasters. Even if insurance was available for the most common disasters in your area, you may not qualify if your property has distinct features. These features cause your home to be more vulnerable such as a thatched roof in an area where wildfires are the norm.

Additional Items Covered by Homeowners Insurance

Here are four more items that are covered:

  • Landscaping, hardscaping and outbuildings (up to 10% of your policy, 5% for plants)
  • Damage or loss of personal belongings (laptops, computers, jewelry, etc.)
  • Temporary living expenses if your home is unlivable (hotel bills and meals)
  • Injuries or accidents at home (slip and fall, dog bites, etc.)

What if you have an Older Home?

That’s what HO-8 is for. 

When your home is older, and it is no longer reasonable to assume you could replace it to its original status. HO-8 steps in. Items such as electrical that could not be replaced as original and meet current code requirements.

A HO-8 policy covers many of the same disasters as the basic HO-1 policy. HO-8 will only pay repair costs to market value not replacement value.

It is possible to purchase a “Law and Ordinance” policy that covers the cost of rebuilding using current building codes.

That about covers the ins and outs of homeowner’s policies. If you experience damage to your home or property and you are not sure if you are covered under your homeowner’s policy, give Advance Restoration a call at 866-465-2409. One of our experts will walk you through your policy’s coverage.

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5 Bad Habits That Can Ruin Your Home

piggy bank savings

Keep more money in your pocketbook, break just one of these habits today

We all have habits. Some habits are good while others not so much. It’s the bad habits that are can ruin your home limiting your ability to be content, efficient and enjoy a bigger bank account.

Here are 5 bad habits you can break now to live a happier life, and have a fatter wallet!

#1 Stop taking Long Hot Steamy Showers

We all can agree there is nothing better than taking a long hot shower but doing so can cause mold to build up on shower surfaces such as faucets, grout, and the top of shower surrounds. That’s just icky! 

Did you know that more than half of all U.S. homes have mold? According to documentary titled MOLDY,  produced by Bulletproof Films, mold toxins are running rampant in our homes. Although mold and fungi are common in nature as they help to decompose leaves, trees, and dead plants they can become dangerous in the indoors and ruin your home. Mold thrives where there is moisture making your shower the perfect environment for mold growth. 

Always remember to turn on the exhaust fan while showering and wipe any moisture off the walls afterwards—using a squeegee is a great way to quickly accomplish this. Be sure to scrub the grout every few weeks to remove any mold seen or unseen. These tips will surely save you money on re-grouting or tearing out a moldy shower or tile surround which can be costly.

#2 Wasting Water with a Half-Full Dishwasher

Are you the type that prides yourself on your clean kitchen, no dishes in the sink, crumbs always swept away? If you like to stay on top of things then you’re also probably constantly filling the dishwasher and running it even before its full. Yup, been there, done that.  But about that: You are wasting water unless it is completely full. No matter how many dishes are in the machine it uses the same amount of water regardless. It can wait—just fill as the day goes on add your soap and press the start button before bed when the machine is full and voila! You’ll have clean dishes in the morning and you’ll feel good about doing your part for Mother Earth!

#3 Leaving Electronics on Overnight

Guilty! Do you also leave your computer, TV, or printer on overnight? 

You can save about $12 bucks a month by simply shutting these electronics off at night before bed. 

According to the experts, the electrical system in your home could become overheated if it’s expected to provide more power than it is capable of producing. Overburdening the electrical system can cause an electrical fire to cause serious fire and smoke damage to your home. Don’t plug too many devices into outlets or power strips. Unplug devices that are not in use, you will not only be safe from electrical fire but save money and even your life!

#4 Flushing Sanitary Wipes

Tissue is made to break down, but unlike ordinary toilet paper household cleaning wipes are made of woven fibers that do not breakdown and are more likely to clog your drainage system. Blockages in the drain lines of your home can mean costly repairs to your sewage system let alone the damage that can be done by sewage backup requiring water extraction from your basement. It’s costly and can ruin your home life. Just don’t do it!

 #5 Oven Overflows

Everyone of us has baked a pie or a gooey casserole that splatters, sputters, and drips into the bottom of the oven. The problem is that these crumbs and greasy messes can catch fire. Not only can it ruin your meal, but your entire kitchen could go up in smoke damaging everything in its path. To avoid costly fire damage repairs, wipe up spills immediately after the appliance cools and clean the interior of the oven multiple times a year. 

Bad habits are hard to break but when you consider the cost to your pocketbook it makes these habits all the more worth breaking.

Photo by maitree rimthong from Pexels

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How to Avoid Property Damage

3 Spring Tasks Homeowners Always Do to Avoid Property Damage

Easy April projects that keep your home safe

#1 Green Up to Avoid Property Damage

Patching those bare spots in the lawn can keep water out of your home as spring rains and storms roll in—make this one of your annual spring duties to avoid property damage.

Grass is an effective barrier for excess rain. Those in-the-know use grass and valleys to redirect water away from a home’s foundation. And the best news is, it saves you thousands of dollars compared to other waterproofing methods.

#2 Become an Inspector!

Investigate your roof for leaks—taking a close look at your roof after a long winter is the ideal way to avoid leaks and roof repair down the road.. 

Slink around the outside of your house with some binoculars. Yes, we said slink. Binoculars give you a closer looksee and is much safer than roof walking. Look for signs of property damage such as:

  • Loose shingles
  • Damaged or clogged gutters
  • Peeling paint
  • Foundation cracks
  • Detached downspouts

Most of these issues can, and should, be easily repaired at a relatively low cost to protect the inside of your home from water damage that can become even more costly.

#3 Change the Battery—Chirp, Chirp

Smoke detector batteries lose charge over time—change them twice per year to avoid the dreaded chirp!

What better time to refresh those batteries than spring and winter? Almost all types of smoke detectors chirp to let you know it’s time to change the battery. However, why is it that chirp always seems to happen in the middle of the night? 

Getting ahead of the game by scheduling a battery swap can go a long way to keeping your sanity intact while protecting your home from disaster.

That about sums up our Spring to-do list. If you find property damage during your inspection and you’re not sure what to do, contact Advance Restoration at 877-363-7462.

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Who’s the Best Damage Restoration Company?

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Searching for the best restoration company in Southeast Michigan?

If you suffering from water damage from flooding, ice daming, storming, or plumbing problems in Oakland County, Michigan? Advance Restoration is the best restoration company near Oakland County. They are a full-service, one- stop restoration company for water, fire, wind, mold and contents.

Advance Restoration offers comprehensive restoration services for all your restoration repairs. With 24/7 response time,  experts will respond quickly with the experience and equipment necessary to minimize the long-term damage to your industrial, commercial, or residential property. From the initial damage assessment to drying the structure and packing out its contents for secure storage and restoration. Advance can help through every step of the water damage restoration process.

With over 15 years in business and decades of practical experience in the field, this IICRC certified firm has what it takes to get the job done. Their stellar reputation speaks for itself. Advance’ restoration experts are IICRC certified—the gold standard for disaster restoration cleanup in the industry.

Rest assured the job will be done with expertise and care by the best restoration company in Oakland County and all of Southeast Michigan.

  • Available 24/7, 365 Days of the Year for Emergency Service
  • Quick Response Times
  • Quality and Satisfaction
  • Trained and IICRC Certified Experts
  • Advanced Technology

If you are searching for “the best water damage restoration company near me?” Look no further, call toll free at 810-356-5923 for help or contact Advance Restoration today to set up an appointment. We offer fast response times throughout Macomb and Oakland County, Michigan.

While you wait for our team to arrive, follow these Water Damage Tips to mitigate the impact as much as possible.