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How Plumbing Leaks cause Water Damage and Mold

How Plumbing Leaks cause Water Damage and Mold

May 14, 2023 | mold remediation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facts About Plumbing Leaks and Mold

  • A plumbing leak will cause mold

  • Structural Drying is needed for most plumbing leaks

  • Plumbing CAN be covered by insurance

How plumbing leaks cause water damage and mold?

Homeowners know that a small leak does not automatically equate to water damage, but homeowners are not so clear on how long it takes for a small leak to grow into mold or water damage problem.

A water leak can cause mold growth in as little as 24 hours. Likewise, it may also take a homeowner years to discover mold contamination.

  • Time and Germ levels are the major variables of how plumbing leaks cause water damage and mold.

3 Facts plumbers should know about mold:

  1. Where there is a leak there is mold.
  2. There is microscopic, so if you can see if, there is a problem.
  3. Mold growth indicates water damage and the need for mitigation.

Homeowner Tip #1

Prevent the need to kill mold by keeping your home clean and dry. Routine cleaning and maintenance are the best ways to keep your home or office mold free. Maintaining free air flow circulation is the next major recommendation. Air flow prevents mold from settling to grow. A clean, dry, well-ventilated room is least likely to grow mold.

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How often do plumbers find mold or water damage?

Less than 15% of plumbing service calls are in response to water damage or flood in progress. On the other hand, over 90% of water damage and mold is plumbing related.

Structural drying and the application of antimicrobial should be standard with any leak service plumbing invoice. Uneducated plumbers fail to make these recommendations mold as standard mold prevention, costing their customers thousands of dollars within two years.

  • Bathroom Vanity Mold Prevention Structural Drying = $500

  • Bathroom Mold Remediation = $2500

Signs of Mold Growth

Only the best plumbers will be committed to educating themselves on how mold remediation and water damage go hand in hand.

The more a plumber understands about water damage and mold, the more value a plumber can provide to their customers.

Plumbers should always be on the lookout for mold because whenever there is a leak mold will grow.

This is why Mold Metrix seeks to work with and educate plumbers. Together, plumbers and water damage mitigation professionals can effectively prevent mold growth and save customers money.

  • Odors

  • High Humidity

  • High Moisture Levels

  • Poor Air Circulation

Should plumbers inspect for mold?

Plumbers do not inspect for mold. When you call a plumber, their primary focus is:

1.Finding a plumbing leak

2. Repairing a plumbing leak

Plumbing leak detection is the professional service required when filing a water damage mitigation claim. A proper plumbers’ report will define the source of a water leak.

If a leak happens suddenly or accidentally, there is a 50% chance that the plumbers’ invoice can be reimbursed by insurance.

Plumbers do not bill insurance companies as standard operating procedure. Therefore, most customers and plumbers alike do not know how get to plumbing covered by homeowners’ insurance.

Plumbers Serving Northern Virginia

Fortunately, Mold Metrix works with some of the best plumbers in Northern Virginia. Smooth Plumbing is one of our preferred plumbing partners. The owner is a licensed master plumber in the state of Virginia and provides a one stop shop for mitigation plumbing services. We highly recommend Smooth plumbing for your plumbing needs located.

Smooth Plumbing strives to bring value to their customers, not only with excellent plumbing service, but by going above and beyond by educating their plumbing staff about mold and water damage.

 

This reflects the Mold Metrix mission which is to move our customer from stress to satisfaction.

  • We believe that when a customer knows more about their mold mitigation and plumbing issues, they can better deal with the natural stress of these projects.
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Smooth Plumbing and Gas

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How Much Does Water Damage Cost?

Are plumbers liable for spreading mold contamination?

Many times, homeowners have remodeling plans and at some point in the process they discover mold. One example is replacing cabinets. Removing old cabinets is highly likely to uncover hidden mold growth. This is what happened with a plumbing partner who was called out for a kitchen remodel in Alexandria.

Any Contractor Can Be Held Liable For Mold Cross Contamination

The previous homeowner had several leaks that caused significant water damage, now there was visible mold growth. Smooth Plumbing was able to recognize that mold was growing downstairs on the overhead joist system. Mold Metrix later discovered mold growth behind the kitchen walls and under the vinyl floors.

 

Most common areas plumbers discover mold:

  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Laundry Rooms
  • Unfinished Ceilings with Plumbing and Water Lines

Plumbing and Mold Safety

When a plumber is able to recognize mold and water damage they become more valuable to their customer. Customer become eligible to receive a FREE onsite mold and water damage inspection when referred by a plumber in the Metrix Connection.

Onsite estimates for mold removal are not free; however, when our plumbing partners refer mold jobs customers win. Whenever mold is involved, safety must come first. Working with the plumber allows us to safely coordinate all aspects of a mold removal or water mitigation project. Having a clearly defined remediation protocol is the first step:

  • Proper

  • Preparation

  • Prevents

  • Poor

  • Performance

If your or someone you know has a plumbing leak and is in need of mold removal choose Metrix over the Matter, because the Power to Change the Matter is in the Metrix.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How To Kill Mold

How To Kill Mold

May 8, 2023 | mold remediation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facts About How To Kill Mold

  • Homeowners should not attempt “do it yourself” mold removal.

  • Mold must be removed, not killed.

  • Mold Growth is a sign of water damage.

  • Mold Removal includes “dry outs” and repairs.

  • Mold Removal can be covered by Homeowners Insurance.

  • Blech and water should not be used to “kill” mold.

How To Kill Mold

The proper way to kill mold is to remove it completely from all affected areas and unsalvable materials. There are some cases where mold can be “killed,” but even these projects include the remediation process.

Step 1. Remove all non-salvageable materials.

Step 2. Preclean effected areas to remove most of the mold contamination.

Step 3. Perform aggressive detailed cleaning.

Step 4. Exfoliate salvageable materials.

Step 5. Perform second detailed cleaning.

Step 6. Apply anti-microbial.

Step 7. Begin structural drying.

Mold Removal Scams

Homeowners are advised to be on the lookout for companies and contractors who advertise mold killing treatments. The following are 4 major red flags of a scamming mold contractor.

1. No IICRC Certification

A mold contractor without proper IICRC certifications is the first major red flag to consider. Some states require no license for mold removal and remediation. Therefore, any cleaning company can offer mold cleanup and removal services. Mold remediation projects should be supervised by an IICRC certified professional. Furthermore, the supervisor should have the ARMT, applied remediation mold technician certification.

2. Fogging To Kill Mold Is A Scam

Some companies mislead homeowners into thinking they can “fog to kill mold” the way one would fog for roaches. Fogging with a mold inhibitor without removing moldy materials is a major violation of standard.

3. No Moldy Materials Removed

What is mold remediation without demo? Beware of any contractor offering to clean the visible mold, spray everything down. Mold growth indicates water damage. Without properly addressing the water damage issue, a mold removal project cannot be successful.

Homeowner Tip #1

Prevent the need to kill mold by keeping your home clean and dry. Routine cleaning and maintenance are the best ways to keep your home or office mold free. Maintaining free air flow circulation is the next major recommendation. Air flow prevents mold from settling to grow. A clean, dry, well-ventilated room is least likely to grow mold.

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Eliminate Mold At The Source

The only way to kill mold is to eliminate it the source.  One hundred percent of the time, mold growth is the result of a plumbing leak or water damage. Mold cannot survive without a water source; this includes high humidity.

Good air circulation is not possible without removing all mold contaminated contents and materials. Effected materials must be removed to prevent the spread and cross contamination of mold. Structural drying is vital to a successful mold remediation and cannot begin until mold contamination has been reduced by 80% or more.

The best way to kill mold to is prevent it from growing.

To recap, when a customer asks “how to kill mold” the correct answer is that we must eliminate it at the source. The objective of mold remediation is not to kill the mold, it is to remove mold from the affected living area. Only after we have removed all mold can structural materials and salvageable items be remediated.

Aggressive Cleaning And Mold Remediation

The IICRC S520 is the mold removal industry standard. This standard requires that all mold removal projects employ an aggressive cleaning method for mold decontamination. Aggressive cleaning includes, but is not limited to, hand powered scrubbing, metal brushing, sanding and sand blasting.

HEPA Extraction And Mold Removal

High-efficiency particulate absorbing vacuums are used to perform detailed cleaning for mold removal projects. After wall cavities and joist systems have been exfoliated, they are then HEPA vacuumed. This process helps to remove mold trapped under the surface of structural materials.

Apply Anti-Mold Agent

Applying the anti-mold agent is the last phase of a mold remediation project. This is what people commonly refer to as “killing the mold.” Anti-microbial de-activates mold spores, while structural drying removing excess water to prevent future mold growth from occurring.

Is Mold Hard To Kill?

1st Remove Moldy Drywall

There is no easy way to kill mold. Mold remediation is a very laborious job. Mold removal projects often include a phase of demolition. During the demolition phase effected drywall is the first finishing material to be removed. Removing wet drywall helps to reduce room humidity and stabilize indoor environments.

2nd Remove Unsalvable Carpet

Demolition is by far the most difficult part of the mold removal process. After the effected drywall has been removed, next up is the carpet and pad. Eliminating unsalvable carpet reduces humidity and improves odors.

3rd Clean and Decontaminate

Mold decontamination cannot begin until the effected materials have been removed. This is when the aggressive cleaning method, HEPA vacuuming, and application of anti-microbial are employed.

4th Structural Drying

Mold remediation is concluded with structural drying. This involves the use of dehumidifiers, air movers, air injectors and heaters.

If you or someone you know is in need of mold removal, choose Metrix over the Matter, because the Power to Change the Matter is in the Metrix.

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What is Mold Contamination?

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How Much Does Water Damage Cost?

What Does Mold Remediation Include?

What Homeowners Should Know About Mold Inspections

What Homeowners Should Know About Mold Inspections

May 7, 2023 | mold remediation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Major Topics of this Article Include

  • Mold Inspection Standards

  • Purpose of a Mold Inspection

  • Types of Mold Inspections

  • Mold Testing

  • Cost of Mold Inspections

Current Mold Inspection Standards

Mold Inspection Standards are based on industry standards defined by The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification.

Additionally, there are at least 5 additional standards used in co-relation to the IICRC standard:

Mold Inspection Restrictions

The results of mold inspections are representative of conditions existing at the exact time and location of where samples were taken only. Therefore, inspectors can not rely on mold inspection reports to represent conditions at any other location or date.

Testing may be required for asbestos, lead paint, and other environmental hazards prior to remediation. The presence of such materials take precedence over mold remediation. Removing regulated materials must be conducted in accordance with federal, state, provincial, local laws, regulations and specific remediation protocols.

The Goal of a Mold Inspection

Unlike a free mold estimate, a mold inspection cannot be conducted virtually and must be conducted onsite. Mold inspections include testing with analysis and a complete report. Reports include, but are not limited to mold damage documentation and remediation cost projections. Service fees include inspection and per sample charges. 

Invasive inspections are more expensive than non-invasive inspections, while fees vary and start at $250. The average mold inspection requires 2-5 samples priced at $50 each. Invasive mold inspections include spaces such as attics and crawlspaces, opening walls, removing baseboards, inspecting HVAC Systems and other hard to reach areas. 

 

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Mold Inspections Are Not Free

Video conferencing allows us to provide immediate insight to our customers about their mold removal projects. Subsequently, customers should expect to receive an initial mold estimate via video chat. As a result, contractors and customers save both time and money by connecting first via video chat. This helps businesses keep costs low, allowing customers to save more money.

Mold Inspections and Testing Disclaimer

1. Do not depend on your mold inspector for any medical advice.

Providing medical advise with regards to personal health concerns about mold contamination is the job of a medical specialist, not the mold inspector.

2. If symptoms such as allergy or asthma are experienced, mold inspection is often the most logical starting point.

However, airborne particles originating from biological sources can result in symptoms or illness as well. 

3. Mold inspection is not intended to report on what the inspector considers to be typical levels of mold.

A mold test is not an environmental investigation for any other condition. Further testing is required for dust mite, roach, pet allergens, virus, bacteria, lead-based paint, asbestos, radon, or any other environmental conditions.

4. Mold Metrix does not offer an opinion as to the advisability of the purchase or sale of property.

Furthermore, Mold Metrix is not responsible for the non-discovery of any water damage or mold contamination for which Metrix has not been contracted to inspect. Likewise, this is also true for any other problems undetected because sampling was not requested and paid for.

INTERIOR MOLD INSPECTION

No destructive or disruptive testing will be performed unless contracted by a client. An inspector will not check any area that poses a safety threat to the inspector such as walking on roofs. Likewise, attics and crawl spaces with low clearance may not be entered.

Correspondingly, customers should understand that inspections can only report on problems present at the time of testing. Inspectors cannot report on areas or locations in the building that have not been specifically inspected and tested.

AIR QUALITY MOLD INSPECTION

Samples of non-active spores only allow for spore identification to the genus and not the species level. Therefore, comparison of levels to similar types of indoor and outdoor spore types is not exact. This is especially true for some small, round spores, such as aspergillus and penicillium spores.

Active spore sampling only allows for identification and categorization of molds that germinated from live spores. Consequently, many dead yet still allergenic spores may be missed in the lab results when using this methodology, resulting in low estimations of the number of actual spores present.

INVASIVE MOLD INSPECTION

Inspectors cannot guarantee mold growing within a wall cavity can be found. Hidden mold may not be producing large numbers of spores during sampling. Also, mold may not have access to the spore trap due to insulation or other blockades.

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What is Mold Contamination?

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How Much Does Water Damage Cost?

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Can Water Damaged Drywall Be Repaired

Can Water Damaged Drywall Be Repaired

May 4, 2023 | water damage restoration

Can Water Damage Drywall be Repaired?

Can you repair water damage drywall, the answer really depends on the amount of water damage to the drywall. If the drywall is wet, but maintains its integrity, it is very possible to salvage the drywall by drying it in place. However, if the drywall has started to lose its integrity sagging from the ceiling, has been broken or busted at the seams, then it’s likely that the drywall will need to be replaced.  Despite this majority there are many Cat 2 water damages where the drywall can be repaired and dried in place.

Drywall Repair Considerations

It’s a case-by-case determination, depending on the category of the water and the overall damage to the drywall, whether or not it can be safely repaired.  We also must take precautions to prevent any future damages such as mold growth when repairing water damaged drywall. Wet baseboards and crown molding are usually removed, and if they are salvageable, they will be put back into place after the drywall has been repaired. It is only in a best-case scenario project where you’re able to salvage the baseboards and salvage the drywall. The overwhelming majority of projects involving residential water damage will need to have the wet drywall removed and have new drywall installed.

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4 Inch Drywall Repair

There are only 3 standard cuts in the water damage restoration industry, the first of which is the four-inch drywall dry. This cut is interpreted as the removal of drywall located directly behind the baseboard. When water mitigation calls for the only the removal of drywall holding baseboard in place, it is known as a four-inch cut. Sometimes the baseboard may only be 2 1/2 inches and sometimes they may rise 6 inches high, but a four-inch cut in the water damage industry it connotates the removal of the drywall located directly behind the baseboard, no matter the size of the baseboard. Making these drywall repairs is relatively easy, because of the low cut. Additionally, any imperfections will be covered by the baseboard.

2-Foot Drywall Repair

The second drywall cut is a 2-foot cut and is the most common cut in the water damage mitigation industry. Making a 2-foot cut for drywall repairs includes removing all drywall touching the floor of an effected room 2ft high above the floor.  When making a 2-foot cut we don’t cut up exactly 24 inches, because that would mean that when we went back to repair/install the drywall it would not sit separately from the floor. Drywall should be installed 1/2 of an inch high off the floor.  This way if there is any flooding or any water damage the drywall would be protected from damage, including mold.  Surface temperature differences between the concrete and the drywall is enough to create an area with relative humidity good for supporting mold growth.

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4-Foot Drywall Repair

The final water mitigation drywall cut is known as a 4-foot cut. The four-foot cut includes removing entire bottom half of the drywall, 4-feet high.  In terms of water mitigation drywall repair, this translates into the need for a 4-feet drywall installation and repair.  2-ft and 4-inch drywall installation standards apply when making a 4-foot drywall repair.  Installing drywall 1/2 inch above the surface floor help to protect it from future water damage and mold growth.

Drywall Repair Finishes

Sometime the drywall is effected above 4-foot.  In these situation it is standard to remove the entire effected wall. There is no standard 6-foot cut, there is only an 4-inch 2-foot 4-foot or removal of the entire 8 foot wall. This amount of water damage requires all new drywall to be installed/repaired. The drywall installation process is invoiced to include reinstalling any wet installation that had to be removed before repairing the wall. Drywall repair is a line item including labor and materials for installation only, taping and mudding is an additional line item. Drywall tape and drywall mud are used to seal drywall repairs, which make a wall appear as one smooth piece of drywall. There are several drywall repair finishes, you can elect to have the drywall hung, or hung and prepared for paint with a smooth finish. The most common selection for businesses and homeowners is to install the drywall and prepare for paint with a nice smooth finish, but this is not always the case. Garage drywall repairs are an example of the exception.

Drywall Repair Dry Time

Once the drywall is installed and the mud has been applied to the drywall, it must be allowed to dry undisturbed. This resting or drying period can require 8 hours or longer depending on the humidity and drying time of the material. Dry time may also be accomplished within an hour. Dry time for each coat of mud must be completed before proceeding with any painting. Dry time is built into drywall repair pricing and is also reduced with the use of drying equipment such as air movers, dehumidifiers, and heaters. Most insurance companies recognize the use of drying equipment as standard practice for water damage mitigation drywall repair claims. The insurance coverage helps us do a great job and stay on schedule for our customers.

Drywall Repair Preparation

The final step of drywall water mitigation drywall repair is to paint and or install baseboards, crown mold, and any other finishing materials that’s needed to be removed. Finish materials are painted to remove any damage or to minimize the appearance of any damage or replaced if they have been too heavily damaged. Once the water mitigation drywall repairs are completed, the effected room will look brand new. Remember, drywall can suffer minor damage over time in the form of cracks and dents. These small damages need to be addressed to have the entire room match. It’s standard for homeowners’ insurance to pay for these repairs and often this means you’re getting all new drywall.

Drywall Repairs and Painting

Once the walls and finishing material are prepared, we can then paint the walls. The most common drywall paint job includes 3 coats of paint. The first coat is a primer designed to ready the walls for paint. The second and third coats are used to “color paint the walls”. Some paint jobs require more than 3 coats.

Best Water Mitigation Drywall Repair Service

Metrix Restoration is looking to gain your business and your trust as a water damage mitigation drywall repair contractor. If you or somebody you know is in need of drywall repair or reinstallation due to water damage, choose Metrix over the Matter because the Power to Change the Matter is in the Metrix.

Water Damage Repairs and Plumbing 2023

Water Damage Repairs and Plumbing 2023

May 2, 2023 | water damage restoration

Metrix Provides Water Damage Repairs

The best water damage restoration companies provide complete water mitigation services including repairs and plumbing.  Metrix Restoration is always working to develop our organization to better serve our customers.  The quality of our organization has evolved as water mitigation contractors.  Flood Metrix now provides not only water removal and mold remediation services, but we also provide water damage repairs and plumbing.

Most customers prefer the convenience of hiring a water mitigation contractor who can also complete repairs.  The simplicity of making only one phone call for water removal and repairs reduces the need to involve multiple contractors, which can lengthy water mitigation repair delays.  Water mitigation often involves the removal of drywall and flooring; most customers can bear finding a flooring contractor, but many homeowners are annoyed by the idea of waiting to repair the holes in their walls.

Water Damage Drywall Repairs

Drywall installation is one of the first water damage repair services we started to offer.  This includes replacing and repairing wet or damaged baseboards, doors, and door trim, but not to exclude other finished materials such as crown molding.  Finish materials are easily affected by water damage and are often unsalvable and need to be replaced. Of course, completing a drywall repairs project includes removing and reinstalling any wet insulation and painting the walls.

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Water Mitigation Floor Repairs

Homeowners who have water damage and need repairs often can “look on the Brightside of their situation” and turn the misfortune of water damage into a positive by getting around to some repairs they had been putting off.  Water damage will inspire a homeowner to make improvements that they’ve been putting off such as flooring upgrades.  Homeowners will proceed with plans to remodel kitchen and bathrooms, living rooms and family rooms alike, because the timing is now perfect. A major part of the water mitigation repair process is new floor installation. This is why Metrix Restoration provides floor installation for water damage projects.  By adding floor installation, we can provide more of our customers’ needs and to get them back to whole after the experience of a water damage.

Water Damage Repairs and Plumbing

Our mission is to move a customer from stress to satisfaction and we want to add value in as many ways as possible.  Water damage and Plumbing go hand in hand, which is why we have teamed up with Perfected HVAC and Plumbing to add plumbing services to our catalog.  We can now work to prevent water damage by catching the leak early and prevent leaks with proper plumbing.  Sometimes it’s too late and the damage is done, and in those situations, Metrix has you covered.  There’s often no sign to indicate when a pipe is going to bust or when an appliance will fail, but when it happens Metrix is your number 1 choice to get you up and back to normal again.

Insurance Accepted, financing Available

Water Damage Repairs Project Co-Ordination

Providing more water damage restoration services under one company allows us to better coordinate mitigation repair projects and reduces time wasted.  The added convenience of mitigation, plumbing and repairs from the same company also reduces the inconvenience experienced by a customer after water mitigation.  Metrix Restoration didn’t always provide water mitigation repair services, we started by simply focusing on water mitigation.  Being able to demo, decontaminate, and dry out is still our bread-and-butter business.  

It was out of the need and desire to serve our customers more completely that we expanded into mitigation repairs.  So many customers wanted us to at least put the drywall back in place once the home was dry.  However, we didn’t want to begin offering services without being able to ensure a masterful level of service to minimize the risk to our reputation as water damage mitigation and plumbing professionals.  Doing a great job on the water mitigation repairs is equally important to the water damage restoration project.

Water Damage Repairs Quality Assurance

We had to take our time to develop and get our standard operating procedures established so that we could do just as good a job in installing the drywall as we do the water removal services.  This also applies to putting down flooring, installing a bathroom vanity or installing a new sump pump or water heater.  We need to be able to provide these services to our customers without error. Metrix is now in position to bring that high level of quality service and masterful execution to our customers in need of water mitigation repairs.

Metrix Offers Water Damage, Plumbing and Mold Remediation

Regardless of the previous water damage, the fact that there is a new leak with a new plumbing issue means that this homeowner is entitled to coverage with their homeowners’ policy. The homeowner’s insurance would be responsible for covering the water damage and mold remediation repairs but would not cover the mold remediation line items associated with the project. The reason being is that obviously there was pre-existing water damage which were never addressed; therefore, homeowners’ insurance is not responsible. However, homeowners’ insurance would be responsible for all damages associated with the new water damage including structural drying, retiling the bathroom tub and drywall repairs associated with the water damage. No portion of the plumbing would be able to be billed back to water damage claim.

Water Damage Repairs and Customer Satisfaction

The advantage of offering water damage mitigation repairs is that most water damage restoration companies don’t provide repairs.  Less than 60% of water damage contractors in Northern Virginia provide repairs, leaving 60% or more water mitigation customers left to find another contractor for water damage repairs.  The Metrix customer experience is superior to others with the added benefit of being able to take care of the mitigation repairs with one contractor.   Our unique ability also allows us to establish better customer relations.  This is important because at Metrix, residential water damage is 60% personal and 40% business.

The relationships we develop by offering water mitigation repairs allows us to optimize our reputation in the community.  Offering repairs allows us to market services people need more commonly. By offering plumbing services we are able to fulfill our customers’ needs from the time that the first water loss occurs, to stopping the leak, water removal, and water damage repairs. If you or somebody you know needs water damage repairs choose Metrix over the Matter, because the Power to Change the Matter is in the Metrix.

Mold Remediation: Bathroom Mold Removal and Plumbing 2023

Mold Remediation: Bathroom Mold Removal and Plumbing 2023

May 1, 2023 | mold remediation

Mold Remediation: Bathroom Plumbing and Mold

A customer called me out because they discovered some mold in the ceiling corner of their kitchen pantry.  As I spoke with the customer and listened to the details he was able to provide, I thought to myself there’s a real chance that this may be covered under the homeowner’s insurance policy.  Plumbing leaks causing water damage and mold can be covered by insurance. We were able to schedule an onsite mold inspection for the very same day.

Black Mold Discovered

As an IICRC certified mold and water damage restoration professional I understood stachybotrys aka “black mold” cannot grow without a constant source of water. Stachybotrys is not like aspergillus or penicillium mold, which are able to grow with only elevated humidity. Black mold, however, cannot survive on humidity alone and needs to have a constant source of water to begin its sporulation process.

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Plumbing Leaks and Mold

Equipped with this knowledge my investigation expanded upstairs into the bathroom to better interpret the source of this water damage. Directly above the kitchen pantry was the master bathroom. There was a large jacuzzi tub, along with a toilet and bidet installed on the far side of the bathroom. The customer reported not using the tub, so we initially estimated that the water damage was caused by failed plumbing associated with the toilet. According to PHP Plumbing, most homeowners do not use there jacuzzi tub on a regular basis, so the customer not using the tub did not seem unusual. I was excited to have discovered the cause of the mold downstairs.

Mold Remediation Documentation

Throughout my mold inspection I was careful to document all water damage. Mold remediation project documentation was very important on this project because there was a big possibility that insurance would cover most of the costs associated with this mold removal project. Once I had created my initial report, I contacted the homeowner’s insurance adjuster. The adjuster was willing to provide coverage if we were able to document a new plumbing leak and prove that the mold growth was not due to a lack of maintenance on the homeowner’s part.

Insurance Accepted, financing Available

Plumber’s Report and Mold Removal

The insurance company wanted to make sure that they were covering a water damage and plumbing failure which could be classified as setting or accidental. Homeowners insurance will not cover mold removal that cannot be directly traced to a new water damage or plumbing leak. This is why a plumber’s report is critical to submitting a claim for mold or water damage coverage, because the plumber’s report states the official cause of water damage and mold.

Metrix Restoration we believe that plumbers and mold removal professionals should work together. This is why we created the Metrix Connection to better network with the best plumbers throughout our service territory.  Being able to co-ordinate mold removal projects with a plumber allows us to add more value and better serve our mold removal customers.  For this project we contacted one of our best plumbing companies in our network, Perfection HVAC and Plumbing of Northern VA.

Mold Remediation Discoveries

Upon removing the wet, mold contaminated drywall from the effected kitchen pantry, I was surprised at what I discovered. There was an obvious plumbing leak coming from above, but it wasn’t obvious where the leak was coming from. We previously estimated the water damage to be the result of failed plumbing associated with the toilet, however, the leak was coming from failed plumbing associated with the bathroom tub.

I was shocked at the amount of mold growth discovered once I removed the tile encasement of the master bathroom tub. Mold was growing all over the sub floor and had even begun to sprout as mushrooms. Mold is a fungus and under the right conditions mold will sprout in mushroom form. There were some mold mushrooms growing on the sub floor four inches high.

Leaky Bathroom Water Pipe

The mold growth mentioned above was being supported by a leaky water supply line. We were able to confirm that the adjacent water supply line had also leaked previously, causing the prior water damage to the kitchen pantry. The plumbing and water leak were previously repaired; however, the water damage was never properly mitigated by the previous homeowner. In addition to the water leak being repaired, the wet water damaged drywall of the kitchen pantry should have also been removed, so that the subfloor could be dried from below and above.

Once we were able to discover and confirm that the prior water damage the prior leak was repaired, we could now prove to the insurance adjuster that this was indeed a new water damage. However, the age of this new leak was still a mystery. What we do know for certain is that the customer reported seeing black mold on the kitchen pantry developing only recently, which supports a plumbing failure which is sudden or accidental and not due to lack of maintenance on the homeowner’s part. However, the presence of four-inch mold mushrooms growing in the same area, indicate severe water damage unaddressed for an extended period of time.

Metrix Offers Water Damage, Plumbing and Mold Remediation

Regardless of the previous water damage, the fact that there is a new leak with a new plumbing issue means that this homeowner is entitled to coverage with their homeowners’ policy. The homeowner’s insurance would be responsible for covering the water damage and mold remediation repairs but would not cover the mold remediation line items associated with the project. The reason being is that obviously there was pre-existing water damage which were never addressed; therefore, homeowners’ insurance is not responsible. However, homeowners’ insurance would be responsible for all damages associated with the new water damage including structural drying, retiling the bathroom tub and drywall repairs associated with the water damage. No portion of the plumbing would be able to be billed back to water damage claim.

If you or someone you know is in need of water damage mitigation, mold remediation or needs a plumbing repair; choose Metrix over the Matter.  The power to change the matter is in the Metrix.  We are available 24/7 for plumbing and water damage emergencies.  We also offer mitigation repairs.

Mold Remediation: Spring Cleaning and Mold Removal 2023

Mold Remediation: Spring Cleaning and Mold Removal 2023

Apr 21, 2023 | mold remediation

Mold Remediation and Mold Prevention

There are a lot of tasks that go along with spring cleaning and as the seasons change from winter to spring, people begin switching into “spring cleanup mode”.  One of the projects that you might find in your home is the need for mold remediation and removal.  No homeowner wants to discover mold and we dread needing mold remediation, but what is the best way to prevent mold from developing in the home?  Simply stated, the best way to prevent mold growth in your home or office is to keep everything clean and dry.  This is the number one way to prevent mold from growing in your home.  The ideal humidity for your home is between 30 and 50 really, and if you can keep the humidity within range, you can be sure your indoor environment will not support mold growth.

IICRC S500 and S520 Mold Remediation Standard

Water Damage Cleanup

Mold Removal and Air Duct Cleaning

Another tip homeowners can do to help prevent mold growth from occurring in your home is to clean the air ducts.  Included with cleaning the air ducts is changing the air duct filters regularly.  Changing the air duct filters regularly will help to prevent foreign particles, such as mold, from entering the HVAC system.  When mold enters the air duct return lines, it increases the probability of mold growth getting established in the HVAC unit itself.  Installing filters at the return of your HVAC system is a great way to prevent particulates from entering the unit and will help to keep the air ducts clean.  Always remember to change those filters out regularly, not only to keep the air ducts clean and mold free, but also to reduce heating and cooling costs.

The next tip to prevent mold growth as you conduct spring cleaning, especially with regards to preventing mold growth in your home is to install a UV light in the HVAC system.  Not only will this reduce the probability of mold growth, it will also protect the integrity of the indoor air quality of your home or office.  Installing a UV light into the HVAC system will work to maintain clean air by eliminating germs and bacteria that are small enough to go through the filters installed at the returns.  UV light rays would prevent any of those microbial particulates from getting established in your HVAC, assuring that you will have clean air blowing through your HVAC system and into your home.  Installing a UV light is a highly recommended action to help keep your home mold free in 2023.

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Mold Remediation and Plumbing

Another tip to help prevent mold from growing in your home is to check all plumbing and plumbing fixtures.  This includes inspecting underneath the kitchen and bathroom sinks and checking all exposed pipes for signs of water leaks.  Be sure to conduct annual appliance inspections to include items such as washing machines, dish washers, and refrigerators for signs of leaks.  This annual inspection should include all plumbing related appliances and water fixtures. 

Check the hot water heater to make sure that it remains in good working condition and appliance warranty.  Be sure that all its components are squared away, that there are no leaks.  Plumbers also recommend flushing out the water heater annually.  Many plumbers and appliance retailers offer maintenance and warranty programs.  This is why Mold Metrix works with plumbers to provide relief during emergency water damage situations and provide mold remediation to our customers.  If you discover a plumbing emergency while spring cleaning, you can give Mold Metrix a call and we can refer you to a plumber.  The relationship we maintain with our network of plumbers allows us to optimal pricing and arrival times.  Being in position to provide emergency plumbing relief is another reason to choose Mold Metrix over the matter for water damage or mold remediation during your spring cleaning in 2023.

Checks To Prevent Mold Removal

In addition to checking all your appliances, you should also check any output water lines, such as exterior faucets and sump pump maintenance.  Making sure that the sump pump is in good operational order with a functional battery backup system is always a good idea.  Checking the gutters to make sure that the gutters are clean and free of debris is another way to help prevent water damage and the need for motor mediation as you spring clean in 2023.

Mold Remediation and Air Flow

 Another way to help prevent mold remediation is making sure your home has good air flow.  Over time, mold and other foreign particulates will start to settle as “dusting”.   This allows mold growth to get established on cellulose-based materials such as wood furniture, upholstery fabrics, and books.  Abnormal atmospheric conditions will support mold growth and so one way to prevent this is to ensure good circulation throughout the dwelling.  Your HVAC system plays a big part of ensuring this preventative measure.

Mold Removal Cost

How much mold remediation should cost in 2023?  A small mold remediation project can range anywhere from $500 to $2999.  A mid-size mold removal project can range from $3000 to $12,000.  A larger residential mold remediation project can range from $12,000 to $30,000 or more depending on how much is affected, the materials, equipment needed, and the location of the loss.  No matter the variables may exist for your mold remediation project in 2023, rest assured that Mold Metrix is able to meet the challenge.  We provide not only mold remediation for your small, medium, large residential or commercial mold remediation, but we are also able to provide mold remediation repairs.  Mold repairs include drywall finishing, painting, as well as flooring repair services.  If you find yourself in the need for mold remediation in 2023, choose Mold Metrix over the matter, because the power to change the matter is in the Metrix.

Mold Remediation: Why Marines Choose Metrix over the Matter

Mold Remediation: Why Marines Choose Metrix over the Matter

Apr 19, 2023 | mold remediation

Mold Removal 

Over the years I have done a lot of work for Marines stationed at Quantico Marine Base, mostly mold remediation jobs. Oftentimes, marines will rent or own a property and experience a mold issue.  Several marines over the years have left stunning recommendations for Mold Metrix.  Referrals have come from officers and enlisted service personnel stationed at Quantico.

Mold Remediation Standards

Credentials are a major part of contracting with the government, state or even with the marines, so when you do a project it’s very important for someone to have the designated qualifications to officially verify that a job was done to standard.  I was in the military previously, so I have firsthand knowledge of how this works.  This system of quality assurance is something I took with me from my military career into serving the commercial and residential markets.  I believe that the Mold Metrix customer respects a service professional who is both experienced and credentialed.  Mold Metrix service professionals are highly trained and are sure to meet or exceed all industry standards.

Mold Removal Documentation

In the military, it’s important that a project be documented, so this is also true regarding a mold remediation project done for the marines.  Fortunately, project documentation comes standard with Mold Metrix.  I was contacted by the Marines with regards to a military vehicle that had been exposed to water damage and was suffering from mold contamination.  After fitting the criteria for this project and understanding what it means to work with the military, we were able to get a contract signed.  The next step was to get approval for the fee to come out and inspect the project.  I reached out to Alex Automotive of Woodbridge VA to inspect the vehicle ventilation system as it is always important to use specific trade professionals for quality assurance on mold remediation projects.

Mold Contamination

The key to this project, or to doing any mold remediation project concerning a vehicle is the air filtration system.  You don’t want to have a person sitting in the car, breathing in mold.  We want to be sure that when the vehicle is turned on the AC, heater, or the fan is not mold blowing from the ventilation system into the vehicle, contaminating air and putting the occupants at risk. When restoring a vehicle that has been water damaged and is now suffering from mold, not only do we need to remove all unsalvageable material to clean and decontaminate the vehicle, but we must also clean and decontaminate the air filtration system as well.  This means taking apart the dash, cleaning out the air filtration system, changing the filter and putting everything back together.

IICRC S500 and S520 Mold Remediation Standard

Water Damage Cleanup

Mold Remediation Credentials

After a vehicle has been cleaned and decontaminated from mold, the next step is to conduct sampling lab analysis to confirm that the project was completed to standard. Once the vehicle passes inspection a mold remediation inspector can sign off on the project.  The IICRC certification for mold removal is the AMRT.  This is the “applied microbial remediation technician” certification and is the actual credential it is necessary to possess when conducting mold remediation for the military or doing business with the government.

The IICRC AMRT is not the same as having a water damage restoration technician certification; the two go together like peanut butter and Jelly.  Water damage restoration and mold remediation can’t be separated because they are two sides of the same coin.  You can be a water damage professional and do mold remediation.  From being an apprentice, to a journeyman, to a master wanted damage restoration professional, the AMRT for mold remediation is an advanced certification that not many technicians have.

Certified Mold Removal Professionals

Less than 40% of water damage remediation professionals who are practicing mold remediation have the IICRC ARMT certification, even though this is the industry standard.  Mold Metrix is the type of company that meets all of the required standards.  We are the company that checks all the boxes, not only can we do mold remediation, but we have the certifications and insurance to do in the state of Virginia.  There is no trade license required for mold remediation, but we are legitimate contractors with all the industry certifications and insurance to be able to contract for mold mediation as well as water damage restoration.

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Best Mold Remediation Company 2023

Mold Metrix also provides mold repairs to better serve our customers.  We are proud to offer mold repair and reconstruction services including drywall and flooring.  This helps us to be an overall better company and to create stronger relationships with related trade contractors, especially plumbers.  If you or somebody you know has water damage or is in need of mold removal, then choose Mold Metrix over the matter, because the power to change the matter is in the Metrix.  If you’re looking for a company that fits all the boxes and has all the certifications, offers good business, quality service at fair industry prices, then you’re looking for Mold Metrix.  Mold Metrix is looking to serve all of your mold remediation and water damage needs, including mold repairs.  Don’t forget to visit us online at http://www.floodmetrix.com and schedule a free virtual estimate.

Water Damage Restoration: What to do if your adjustor disagrees with your contractor?

Water Damage Restoration: What to do if your adjustor disagrees with your contractor?

Apr 18, 2023 | water damage restoration

Water Damage Restoration: What to do if your adjustor disagrees with your contractor?

This article is about the confusion an uncertified water damage insurance adjustor can create. I received the request for water removal from a customer who lives in a condo on the second level. Her neighbor above had something leak, we don’t know what it is, whether it was a busted pipe or leaky toilet. All we know is that the water leaked from the third level of the condo, down into the second unit of my customer’s house, through her floor, and through the ceiling down to the first unit.

Unfortunately, my customer was assigned an adjustor who was not IICRC certified and had no related industry certifications. I go onsite to conduct my initial investigation with the customer.  From first glance, the water damage did not appear to be so extensive.  However, after checking the moisture content levels of the ceiling, to discover they were completely saturated.  Additionally, carpet and pad were saturated.  The bathroom didn’t appear to be as bad as it was, however, the customer was able to take video of the water loss occurring.  If I had not seen the video, I may not have discovered the additional water damage.

There was water pouring down the ceiling, through her overhead fan, through the lighting fixture, right down onto her bed and onto the floor.  Water was splattering and caused water damage to her wooden nightstands and dressers.  Water was falling through the air duct in the bathroom, directly over her vanity.  I told the customer that according to the ICRC S500, we will remove the drywall and we will also take up the carpet and the pad because I saw how much water fell from the ceiling.

There was a question as to whether there could be water trapped under the tile of her bathroom floor.  Ordinarily I would think she would be safe from having this happen, because tile has one of the highest water resistance levels of different building materials.  When I saw the video, I realized there was a good chance water could have become trapped under the tile in the bathroom for two reasons. One:  just how much water fell and the accompanying pressure causing water damage.  Two: there were breaks in the seals around the toilet and the tub, so water may have got trapped under the tile from one of those breaks in the seal.

Water Damage Cleanup

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Residential Water Damage Restoration is 60% Personal and 40% Business

Knowing that the customer works from home, I asked what would be a good time for us to start?  We decided that doing the water damage over the weekend would be better for her because she’s not working. I agreed and figured that this would be something her adjuster could definitely understand, we could definitely justify beginning on the weekend. However, this adjuster was perhaps one of the worst adjusters that my customer could have been assigned.

The adjustor claims to have had 10 years of experience.  When I got on the phone with her, to explain the water damage from having been onsite, but this adjustor had the audacity to believe they knew what needed to happen better than me even, though I’m an ICRC certified master water damage restoration professional.  I had also been on site to conduct psychrometric analysis and this adjuster saw some pictures.  She wanted the customer to believe that I didn’t know what I was talking about and that she did.  I asked the adjuster what if any IICRC certifications do you have?  Their respond was: “you know what,I’m not getting into a conversation about certifications”.  That was the red flag to me know this adjuster had no IICRC water damage restoration certifications, because if she did, she would one agree with me and she would say that she had certifications.

Cat 3 Water Damage Restoration

Our biggest discrepancy was how we should categorize this project.  I said we should categorize this project as a CAT3 water damage restoration, and she adamantly objected.  They believed the water damage should be done as a Cat 2 water loss.  Even if we assume that upstairs was perfectly clean, in order to error on the side of caution, I didn’t think that it would be wise to assume that everything upstairs on the third level was completely in order.  In order for me to agree with the adjuster, that would mean I have to assume everything upstairs was in pristine clean condition, but:

  • We don’t know if this person upstairs had pets,

  • We don’t know what the condition of the floor or the carpet was,

  • We don’t know what the overall condition of the unit upstairs was.

I didn’t think it was wise or in the customer’s best interest to classify this water damage as a Cat 2, besides the ICRC S500 water damage standard states that even if the water came from a clean source, when the water hit the ground, the category increases because it is presumed that the water is not carrying additional contaminates.  This is standard practice for all water damage restoration professionals, we never do a project as a Category 1 water damage. All water damage is either a Cat 2 or a CAT 3 water damage, because even if the water started off clean, when the water touches the floor it becomes Cat 2.

Here’s another red flag that let me know that this this adjuster really didn’t have the experience they claimed.  When water falls from one level to the next, for example, through a ceiling or through a floor, down to the next to the room underneath, the water automatically changes categories. Therefore even if the water came from a clean source, when the water when hit the floor of the third level unit, it became CAT2 water, when that water fell through the floor and through the ceiling of my customer’s house, that water became CAT3 water damage.

Water Damage Restoration: Professional 2nd Opinion

The water damage mitigation adjuster didn’t agree, but I knew I was right.  After the conversation I was so appalled, and I wanted to report her.  I wanted to speak with her supervisor. I just felt like it was very irresponsible to even have an adjuster in this position who obviously didn’t have the right training and did not know what she was talking about.  I advised the customer to get a second opinion.  Flood Metrix would pay to get a second opinion as long as the company is IICRC certified and are direct to customer water damage contractors.  If they agree with the adjuster, then you hired them but if they agree with Flood Metrix we will pay the fee, to have them write up their remediation protocol and then this way we have will have two different opinions from two different IICRC certified water damage restoration companies each recommending the same course of action.  Then it would be difficult for the adjuster to justify ignoring the recommendations of certified of two separate certified IICRC certified water damage restoration companies as for the proper course of action for this loss.

During a water damage restoration, customers are already stressed out.  Insurance companies know that most water damage policyholders are not reading their insurance policies and the last thing a customer wants to do is be stressed out by their insurance company when it’s time for them to use it.  Some insurance companies use this against their customers.  They don’t care about their policyholders, they don’t even care about the IICRC standard.  They just want to have something done and pressure the policyholder into doing something or what they say should happen, even though they’re not the ones who are professionally qualified to make the call.  It’s an egregious act and misuse of authority.  This adjuster put their policy holder in even more duress until she didn’t know what to do.

Water Damage Restoration IICRC S500

There’s another detail in the IICRC S500 water damage standard which states: the longer a project sits, the longer and more likely it is to become a Cat 3 water loss.  Previously, after 72 hours, a water damage automatically became Cat 3, but the new standard reads that it’s not automatically Cat 3 if the water damage professional on site doesn’t recognize any signs of mold growth.  He could then treat the loss as a Cat 2 water damage. Basically, by the time the homeowner would be able to get a second opinion the 72-hour water damage time frame would have lapsed.

This adjuster from All State was the worst adjuster this customer could have been assigned.  It was clear they had no water damage restoration experience.  As an adjuster, she was very unprofessional and took everything personally, which was not good for the client.  When clients understands that the adjuster is saying one thing and the contractor is saying another, they ultimately feel like they are forced to go with their adjuster, when that’s not true.  It’s not the case and customers just don’t understand what their rights are, especially when they have a water damage, because they just want to get the water damage taken care of.  They just don’t have the attention to put towards really finding out what the insurance company is obligated to do, because they’re in so much fear of the water damage not being covered.  

My recommendation to all homeowners before you have a water damage, or during the water damage is to read your policy.  Read your homeowners’ insurance policy and understand what is covered and what is not covered for a water damage.  When is mold covered, when is it not covered, so that you can know your rights.  Homeowners should know what the full scope of their benefits are to prevent being taken advantage of by an adjuster who’s just all about the money.  There is no way this adjuster could convince me that she wanted to advocate for this customer or that she was really on the customer side. Everything that she did was for the insurance company.  No recommendation she made was really to benefit the customer, it was really to shortchange the customer take advantage of her position.  Dealing with this adjustor and the inconvenience they caused prompted me to write this blog, because homeowners need to know what to do during the water damage, especially when you have an adjuster who is just not cooperative.

Mold Remediation: Why is mold growing on my Kitchen Cabinets?

Mold Remediation: Why is mold growing on my Kitchen Cabinets?

Apr 9, 2023 | mold remediation

“I think we need Mold Remediation for our Kitchen Cabinets”

If you or someone you know is in need of mold remediation or has water damage, do not hesitate to choose Metrix Over The Matter Because The Power To Change The Matter Is In The Metrix.  Always feel free to call 833-200-9444 or visit us online at www.floodmetrix.com/mold-removal

This is the story of a homeowner who just wanted to get some new cabinets for his wife.  One day I received a call from a homeowner requesting an estimate for mold remediation. We scheduled service for an on-site mold remediation estimate for the customer.  The mold inspection fee would later be credited towards any mold remediation the homeowner chose to contract Mold Metrix to provide.

Arriving to inspect the damage, I was able to get familiar with how to best cater to these homeowners. He and wife explained that the “cabinet company” from whom they’re buying their new cabinets, was prepared to tear out the moldy cabinets and install the new purchase.  However, the husband was wise and decided to get a professional opinion about the mold.  I would have opted for a second opinion as well if the “cabinet company” told me that “if there was some mold they would be able to take care of it” and that I as the homeowner “wouldn’t have to worry about it”.  This from any person speaking outside of their accredited expertise is a red flag.

If you need Mold Remediation choose Metrix over the Matter

mold growth on kitchen cabinets and drawers

“There was visible mold growing on the cabinets attached to the corner of the kitchen”

I asked the customer if there had been any type of water damage or leak they were aware of?  To the homeowners’ recollection, there had only been some leaks under the sink.  However, this would not explain the mold remediation needed for the corner kitchen cabinets.

Based on customer’s account, I continued to investigate until I discovered that there was a water heater located directly behind the moldy kitchen cabinet.  In the water heater room, I could see many visible signs of water damage.  The vinyl directly under the water heater was damaged.  There was visible mold on the drywall behind the water heater and so based on my initial inspection, I knew there must have been a water damage that was not properly handled at some time in the past. In addition to the sink having a leak, that was apparently causing mold growth in the kitchen and the need for mold remediation.

Water Damage Cleanup

“I explained to the homeowners that it would be ideal to schedule the mold remediation in conjunction with a plumber to minimize the time spent without water in the home.” 

The customer agrees and I write up an estimate after consulting with a plumber in our network for approximately $4100 which included mold remediation, repairs and plumbing necessary for the project.  Here is where it started to get complicated.  On day one of the project the customer mentions seeing a leak in the corner.  I took note of this and proceed to set up containment for mold remediation in the kitchen.  The plumbers are on-site, and they are detaching the leaky water heater in preparation for mold removal.  As we begin to dismantle the granite countertops, we remove the backsplash and behind the backsplash there’s mold.  This is mold approximately 4 feet up the wall and my initial estimate was two feet, tops.

I called the customer, and I informed the customer and inform him that mold growing halfway up the wall, and this need to increase the amount of mold removal necessary to properly remediate per IICRC S520 will increase your bill from $4000 to more like $6000, and this is out of pocket discount.  The customer agrees and gives the go ahead to continue with the work.  The plumber takes apart all the plumbing in the kitchen, so the sink is no longer capable of leaking, they cap off the plumbing and we remove the granite countertops.  The further we get into this mold remediation, the worst it got.  When we removed those countertops, it became so evident why they had made the right decision by choosing a certified professional mold remediation contractor to take care of this problem in the kitchen.

Mold was growing all the way up the wall in the corner and the cabinets were completely affected. They came off the wall like wet cardboard.  If the cabinet company had just come in as a routine installation, they would have run into such a problem that they were not prepared to deal with. It would have been a disaster for the homeowners if they had not chosen Metrix Over The Matter.

We continue with the mold remediation, but we only go up halfway up the wall. I told the plumber that even though the initial plan was to remove and reinstall the water heater in the same day, we couldn’t do it, because the subfloor underneath the water heater so severely damaged.  It was my call to pause the project until the homeowner had a chance to make a decision.  I just didn’t want to chance installing the water heater back on that water rotted subfloor and the customer ultimately agreed with me.

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They saw water leaking from the cabinets in the corner?

We had to remove the water damaged subfloor and that area is where we discovered the key to our water damage claim.  So let me back up, initially the customer reported seeing water coming up from the corner cabinets.  Taking note of this, I assumed the water appearing was the result of “pooled” water trapped under the floating floor was occasionally escaping.  The floor was damaged, so it made sense that water would sometimes came up to the top.  After having removed the wet damaged floor, the cabinets and the drywall, there was still no leak apparent.  This meant there was no way for the customer to get this mold remediation covered by his insurance.  Until we cut out the subfloor and we were able to discover that there was a pipe actively leaking.

Its only cost $72 to fix the pipe, but this $72 pipe caused over $9000 worth of mold and water damage.  Now that we discovered the pipe, I was very excited because now the customer no longer had to pay out of pocket.  He could report this active water damage to his insurance which was the Hartford.

mold damaged kitchen cabinets

leaky water heater

Mold is Water Damage and Water Damage is Covered by Homeowners’ Insurance

On the very same day that the customer reached out to the Hartford Insurance, they got in contact with me.  I had a conversation with a well-educated adjuster, and they approved to cover the water damage mitigation, with the understanding that the mold damage cleanup would not be able to be included.  Such mold removal line items as, sanding studs and applying anti-microbial are examples of what could not be included.  However, by having the homeowner’s insurance step in, all of the plumbing was able to be covered for this water damage which, ordinarily, insurance does not cover.  Therefore, the plumbing invoice is generally billed separately.

Also, the adjuster agreed to pay for the removal of the wet moldy cabinets, the removal of wet effected drywall up to four feet high, along with the affected kitchen floor, along with the structural drying.  Removal of the subfloor and replacement of the subfloor; detaching and reattaching the water heater, the new water heater pan, reinstalling all the plumbing in the kitchen such as the dishwasher, sink and the garbage disposal.  Insurance played a tremendous role in helping this customer save on his out-of-pocket expenses.  Not to mention that he gets a new floor included in the claim; also, insurance is now responsible for replacing the lower kitchen cabinets and the countertops.

drying kitchen after mold remediation

water discovered in crawlspace

water discovered in crawlspace

In closing, sometimes you have the need for mold remediation, and you have to pay out of pocket, but sometimes, like in this case, you’re able to get it covered by insurance.  It is always best to have mold inspected by a certified industry professional.  Mold contamination is not always what it seems. Sometimes it seems like it’s not very bad, but it turns out that the entire wall is in fact affected, but from the looks of things everything seems to be in order.  In any case Mold Metrix is here to help you and those you care about.

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