Mold is often underestimated, yet its presence can have a significant impact on both our health and the overall well-being of our living spaces. This seemingly harmless organism can thrive in damp, dark environments, and if left unchecked, it can lead to a host of health problems. In this article, we'll delve into the dangers of mold for your health and explore the benefits of hiring professional mold cleaners to ensure a safe and healthy living environment. The Dangers of Mold on Health Mold is a type of fungus that grows in humid and moist conditions. It reproduces by releasing tiny spores into the air, which can then find their way into our homes. While mold plays a crucial role in the ecosystem by breaking down organic matter, it becomes problematic when it starts growing indoors. Here are some ways mold can negatively impact our health: Respiratory Issues: Mold spores can trigger allergic reactions and worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma. Breathing in mold spores can lead to symptoms like coughing, wheezing, sneezing, and nasal congestion. Allergies: For individuals with mold allergies, exposure to mold can lead to allergic reactions such as skin rashes, itchy eyes, and a runny nose. Weakened Immune System: Prolonged exposure to mold can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and illnesses. Toxic Mold: Some types of mold produce mycotoxins, which are toxic substances that can pose serious health risks when ingested or inhaled. These toxins can lead to neurological issues, fatigue, and other severe health complications. Long-term Health Effects: Studies have shown a potential link between mold exposure and long-term health effects, including cognitive impairment and mood disorders. Benefits of Hiring Professional Mold Cleaners Given the health risks associated with mold, it's essential to take swift action when it's detected in your living space. Here are the key benefits of hiring professional mold cleaners: Thorough Assessment: Professional mold cleaners are trained to identify the extent of mold growth, including hidden sources that may not be immediately visible. This comprehensive assessment ensures that all affected areas are properly addressed. Effective Remediation: Professional mold cleaners have the expertise and tools to effectively remove mold from your home. They use specialized techniques to clean and disinfect affected areas, preventing future mold growth. Preventive Measures: In addition to removing existing mold, professionals can offer advice on preventing future mold growth. This may include recommendations for improving ventilation, reducing moisture levels, and maintaining a dry environment. Health Protection: By entrusting the cleanup to professionals, you minimize your exposure to mold spores and mycotoxins, thereby protecting your health and well-being. Comprehensive Restoration: In cases of extensive mold damage, professional mold cleaners can also provide restoration services, ensuring that your living space is restored to its pre-mold condition. Peace of Mind: Hiring experts to handle mold removal provides peace of mind, knowing that the job will be done thoroughly and safely. Conclusion Mold might be small, but its impact on health can be substantial. Taking swift action to address mold growth in your home is essential for maintaining a healthy living environment. By enlisting the help of professional mold cleaners, you not only protect yourself and your loved ones from the health risks associated with mold exposure but also ensure that your living space remains a safe and comfortable place to call home. Remember, when it comes to mold, prevention and timely remediation are key to safeguarding your health and well-being.

Water damage can be one of the most costly and disruptive events that you can face as a business or home owner. Having covered types of mitigation in previous posts, today we are concentrating on the different causes of water damage. You may have noticed a soft spot in your floor, a puddle of water in your kitchen or bathroom or even mold like growth and discoloration in a new area? You might see the ceiling and walls dripping water? Finding the source of that water can be challenging to say the least, but make no mistake, once it begins, the likelihood of it spreading and causing additional damage is very high and can increase repair and replacement significantly. Water sources can be natural or man made. It can originate from inside or outside the home. Both if caught early can be mitigated at a lower out of pocket expense. Keeping a vigilant eye out for the signs of water damage is paramount. Below are some likely culprits. Exterior Water Sources Poorly installed or wind damage siding Clogged gutter and downspouts Roofs that have reached the end of their effective age or been wind or ice damaged. Cracked windows or windows that the glazing has failed and weather exposed doors Poor grading that allows heavy rains to penetrate your foundation or garage doors Interior Water Damage sources Frozen Pipes that burst or begin to leak Failed plumbing lines and fixtures Appliances that fail such as water heater, washing machine, and dishwasher Kitchen and bathroom fixtures such as sinks, showers and tubs can also develop leaks Discovering these sources early and calling in a water damage professional like Pile's Carpet Care & Restoration Service can literally save you a ton of headache and thousands of dollars.

Cleaning Area Rugs Although you should regularly vacuum your area rugs, typical home vacuum machines are simply not enough. Professional rug cleaning machines are specifically designed for deep cleaning to remove those stubborn stains, dirt and allergens. Professional carpet cleaning equipment brings your carpet and rugs back to a like new look in many cases and most importantly improves your home’s air quality. We recommend having a Pile’s Floor Cleaning pro to conduct a thorough professional cleaning on your area rugs and carpets at least every 3 months, providing you have a good vacuum and are performing regular cleaning. Obviously if your schedule does not allow for deep carpet cleaning or regular scheduled carpet care, then I would suggest speaking with a Pile’s Carpet Care pro about scheduling a plan to care for your floors. The same goes for all your floor types in your home or office to include hardwood flooring, laminate flooring, vinyl and tile. Pile’s has professional cleaning equipment for all types of flooring. We can also apply professional quality deodorizers and stain blockers that may extend the life of your floor coverings. Call Pile’s today at (270) 765-2828

Why you may not need a plumber, but instead a Water Restoration Company? Whether you have water everywhere, or just a wet spot that is suspicious, knowing who to call for the job is paramount. Any leak inside the home whether it is a roof leak, ground water damage, ice creep or a burst pipe is a potentially costly issue and more importantly a possible health hazard. Any of these issues can quickly turn into a mold issue as well as rot and mildew. Knowing who to call when this occurs can make a big difference. The longer the water remains, the more damage it can cause, so the sooner you call a professional to assist, the better. Before you call a pro, if you have a current leak your first step is to stop more water from coming in. If the source of the water is your plumbing, turn off the water supply. If it is a roof leak, try to locate it and put on a tarp, plastic or whatever you can to slow or stop more water from coming in. If groundwater is the issue, you may possibly find something to change the flow away from your home, like sand bags or such but typically this type of issue will require modification of the landscape in order to mitigate the problem. Now pick up the phone and call in the experts. They will talk you through the next steps and advise you on correcting the issue. Typically a water damage mitigation, or water mitigation services will be your better choice than a plumber for this particular issue. A water mitigation professional may also offer water damage restoration services, but first the water must stop flowing and everything must dry out. Is there a difference between the two services? WHAT IS WATER MITIGATION? Water mitigation service providers specialize in prevention of further water damage by removing standing water and drying affected areas to help ensure further mold, mildew and rot do not occur. In other words, they get it dry and remove the bad stuff. Property owners may consider removing furniture and personal items and opening windows to help begin the drying process before the professional is on site. The sooner the better. WHAT IS THE WATER MITIGATION? Removing materials such as furniture, personal items, flooring, beams, wall boards or drywall that may have been affected by the water damage. A pro will use commercial grade water removal equipment to extract the water. They may also use pro grade cleaning solutions to salvageable materials that can be reused saving you money They may also help your protect your property is you home is not livable, by boarding up windows if needed and securing the property The water removal process is just that, they make sure it is dry, clean and ready for the reconstruction process. WHAT IS WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION? Water damage restoration, often referred to as water restoration or water reconstruction, is the process of repairing and rebuilding due to water damage. In many cases your insurance will cover much if not all of the costs but that is definitely up to the individual policy and insurance provider. WHAT IS THE WATER RESTORATION PROCESS? The repair and installation of flooring and walls and other structure Repair or replacement of the roof and ceiling damaged by the water Cleanup of the affected areas Additionally, they may clean carpets, rugs and upholstery if they are affected by the water damage or by the repair process itself The will also use techniques and specialty products to help prevent mold growth So in a nutshell, water restoration services involve repairing or replacing damages from water of your residential or commercial property. Water mitigation services just get it dry, clean and ready for the restoration process. WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE FACED WITH WATER DAMAGE? Hopefully you never find yourself facing such a stressful scenario, but if you are reading this you probably already are. Here are a few things that may help you should this happen to you. Turn off your electrical supply at the breaker of the fuse box. If you have a burst pipe or leaking appliance, Turn off the main water supply valve Remove any personal items such as valuable, wall hangings, furniture, throw rugs and anything that will be in the way of the professionals If possible, using a mop and or a shop vac, remove any water you can Open closet and cabinet doors and drawers to begin the dry out Open doors and windows to allow fresh air to aid the dry out Remove your curtains or window coverings if possible or at least get them off the ground Make the right calls. Call the professionals at Pile’s as well as your insurance company at the earliest opportunity Remember to shoot several photos to properly document the water damage for your insurance company. They will also be valuable to get initial estimates from a water mitigation or water restoration pro. Things to consider Cut the power before entering any room where water is present Don’t put any paper products like newspapers or magazines on the floor to absorb water. That will only make cleanup more difficult and could cause mold. If you see grey water or smell sewage, don’t touch the water if possible. This can cause illness and infection WHO TO CALL FOR WATER DAMAGE? Pile’s Water Restoration Services include water mitigation and reconstruction services. Pile’s has more than 40 years of experience in floor care and water restoration services. For friendly, trustworthy and professional results be sure to call Pile’s. www.pilescarpetcare4u.com Call Us @ (270) 765-2828