Frequently Asked Questions
Water Damage FAQ
Q:How much electricity does your fans, dehumidifiers and other drying equipment use?A: Each unit will use approximately $3.50-$4.00 per 24 hours of electricity. Usually this cost is normally covered under insurance policies. It is important that the building owner contacts the insurance company as soon as possible for reimbursement of electricity costs.
Q: Am I able to turn off your drying equipment overnight?
A: Turning off the drying equipment only prolongs the drying process. It can also increase the chances of mould growth in your property. The drying equipment we supply is safe and electrically tagged.
Q: Can I move the drying and other equipment if I think it has dried already?A: It is not recommended that the drying equipment is moved in any way. The surface may seem dry, but the concrete and carpet underlay may still contain a lot of moisture.
Q: Will you be able to get rid of the smell?A: Generally the process of drying will get rid of the odour. Sometimes we may need to conduct an odour treatment
Q: My books are completely wet, what should I do?
A: We can help you with this. But if you intend to this yourself, then freezing may be the best option to recover water damaged books. You will need to prioritize the books which are most valuable to you by starting on freezing them first. This will prevent further mould growth and minimising the tendency for pages to stick together. Basically, put the books in plastic bags then place them in the freezer. Also it is a good idea to place baking paper every 20 or so pages.
Mould Remediation FAQ
Q: I have mould in my house, what are the health effects of mould?A: It is very important that pregnant woman, children, persons over 65 years and those with weak immune systems avoid mould. Some health effects of mould include:
- Allergic reactions such as hay-fever, headache, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and rash
- Infections (for weak immune systems)
- General Discomfort
- Inability to concentrate
- Shortness of breath
- Skin Irritation
- Fatigue
- Headaches
Remember that mould does not have to be alive to cause a reaction. It is very important that mould is removed and remediated as soon as possible. For more information about the health effects of mould visit your health professional. New Life Restoration can provide a mould inspection service Brisbane wide.
Q: Does Bleach Kill Mould?
A: Contrary to what many people believe, Bleach cannot kill mould, it actually makes it worse. What actually happens is that it makes the mould loose its colour. Also strong bleach will erode the surface proection making your materials easier for mould to attack it. Bottom line is, do not use bleach.
Q: What cleaning chemical is used to clean mould?
A: I always recommend that you seek professional help when cleaning mould. Professionals have had training on the amount of safety gear to wear and the processes used to contain the mould to prevent it from spreading.
The process that I explain here only may be effective in a small local area damage usually confined to less than 1 square metre. A simple breakdown of some of the steps that we often use to clean mould in this instance are:
- Safety Inspection (including sampling if needed) and inspections with a borescope
- Remove mouldy materials (Process varies for every job)
- Using appropriate ventilation.
- Vacuum the Surface with a HEPA vacuum only.
- Damp wiping with a solution of 80% vinegar and 20% water. It is very important that we stick to this concentration otherwise the solution may not work. Entrance and Exits of the property should also be cleaned.
These are just some of the steps we use to remediate the mould. Every mould remediation job that we attend is different and the processes used will vary. I cannot stress how important to seek professional help for the remediation of mould.
Q: What is Clearance Testing?
A: Basically it is making sure everything is ok after all remediation work has been completed. It will ensure that the mould remediation has been done effectively also to ensure mould has not been accidently spread to other areas. This is generally completed by an independent party.
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