Water Damage You Can’t See And Where To Look For It

Access to water is an essential part of a functioning home, but water damage occurs when it leaks out to places that are meant to stay dry. If you could quickly and easily spot the excess water, repairs would be simple. Unfortunately, the damage is often out of sign, hidden behind walls and under floors.

Inspecting your home regularly and watching for the signs of water-related damage can help prevent the problem from escalating to a major disaster. Here are some of the most common places to look for hidden damage in your home.

  • The floor or walls surround the tub or shower – Tubs and showers have pipes that run behind the walls to supply water in the faucets, and anywhere there’s plumbing, there’s the potential for leaking. 
  • Under windows – Rain beating against your house will try to find any access point, and windows are a prime spot for water entry. Drops of rain can easily run down outdated window jambs and get into the wall without you having any idea.
  • Underneath the siding – Anywhere siding panels meet is an easy entry for moisture, and can lead to rotting underneath the siding.
  • Around the washing machine – Obviously, there’s a lot of water inside a washing machine, but if the connections in the back aren’t perfectly tight, water can slowly leak and cause unseen water damage. 
  • Beneath the threshold of the exterior door – That metal step at your front door helps keep the water at bay, but heavy rain might penetrate the wood underneath. This can lead to soggy, rotted wood and other damage.
  • Around window air conditioning units – Window a/c units are great for keeping a room cool during the hot summer, but condensation can leak into the wood below the window and cause serious damage over time.
  • In the roof and attic – Roof penetrations like chimneys and exhaust fans are prone to leaking and potential damage if they aren’t sealed properly. This can lead to mold growth in the attic that can go unnoticed for years.
  • Behind the drywall after flooding – Experiencing a flood is bad enough since you have to deal with all your items that were damaged. But if you’re not careful about the cleanup, moisture can be left behind the drywall. That’s why it’s so important to call a restoration expert to help you remove any of the drywall that was exposed to water so you don’t have a bigger mold problem down the road. 

Call Black Diamond Water Damage & Disaster Restoration
If your house has been damaged by water, Black Diamond Water Damage & Disaster Restoration is here to help. Call us right away since early treatment is key to restoring your property and preventing any further damage. We offer water damage restoration and mold remediation services in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the neighboring cities, including West Valley, Sandy, and Murray. We also provide fire, sewage, and other emergency restoration services 24/7, so give us a call whenever disaster strikes!

How to Spot Mold Early On

Knowing the signs of mold in your home or business is essential so you can spot mold early on before it becomes a bigger problem. Mold isn’t always dangerous to your health, but sometimes it is and it can also cause major problems to the structure it’s growing inside of. Addressing a mold problem right away will give you the best chance at being able to remove it successfully, so here’s a guide to help you identify mold before it takes over your life.

Check Common Areas for Signs of Visible Mold

Mold needs water or moisture to grow, so the first places you should check for mold are places that are regularly exposed to water. The following areas commonly harbor mold:

  • The walls and floor in the bathroom, especially those around the bathtub and toilet
  • In the cupboards under sinks
  • On the shower floor and in the shower curtain
  • Inside washing machines and dishwashers
  • In laundry baskets where damp towels and clothing might be left

Examine these areas regularly to see if you can spot mold. If you can see visible mold spores, the problem is probably bigger than you might think. Mold spores are invisible in the air and on various surfaces until they come in contact with something wet and begin growing and spreading. 

If you do see visible mold, scrubbing it with bleach and a scrub brush will probably make it disappear temporarily, but there’s a good chance it will come back. Instead of trying to take on the project yourself, call a mold remediation specialist who can treat the issue completely and make sure you’re not being exposed to hazardous mold growth.

Investigate Musty Odors

Odors are certainly unpleasant, but they can help you find mold early on if you investigate them to find the source. If you smell anything you’re not used to that seems musty or moldy, find the root of the smell immediately since there’s a good chance its mold growth.

It could be coming from a pile of wet towels that haven’t made it into the washer yet or a load of laundry that was left in the washing machine for too long. Those are easy enough to remedy, just make sure to wash them with hot water and plenty of detergent. Other sources of mold, like those that are attached to walls and floors, can be more difficult to clean. As always, early identification and quick action are key to successful mold remediation. 

Black Diamond Restoration Is Here

If you spot mold in your home or commercial building, Black Diamond Restoration is here to help. Our licensed and certified team of experts is well trained in determining the severity of the situation and treating it properly. We specialize in mold remediation, water and fire damage restoration, and more. We are proud to offer these services as well as 24/7 emergency disaster services throughout Salt Lake City, Utah, and the surrounding area including Heber City, Tooele, and Lehi. Give us a call today for a free damage evaluation.

Kitchen Fire Hazards

There are nearly 350,000 home fires reported annually in the United States, and 49% of them are the result of kitchen fire hazards. Residential and commercial kitchens commonly house extremely flammable liquids like grease, oil, and alcohol. When combined with excessive heat or open flames, these can quickly turn a casual cooking session into a raging fire. Let’s take a look at some of the most common fire hazards in the kitchen and how you can help keep your home and family safe. 

1. Stovetop

Cooktops are an essential part of any kitchen, but the easy access to an open heat source makes them top on the list of kitchen fire hazards. Gas stovetops are especially dangerous since they produce an open flame when lit and have the potential to leak gas if they are accidentally turned out without igniting a flame. Even glass cooktops and electric coil burners can be hazardous since they produce so much heat.

To mitigate the risk of fire while using your stovetop, be careful to keep anything that can catch fire away. This includes towels and rags, papers, and anything else that could overheat and burst into flames. It’s also important to stay in the kitchen while cooking. Avoid walking out to do another job, and don’t ever leave the house when the oven or stovetop is on. When you finish cooking, ensure everything is turned off and always double-check. Better safe than sorry!

2. Faulty Appliances

Fires started by faulty appliances are less common, but that doesn’t mean they don’t happen. New appliances and homes are at a lower risk of this, so if you regularly use old appliances or live in an older home that might have problems with the electrical wiring, you should consider having them checked for safety by an electrician.

Unplugging your appliances when they’re not in use can seriously reduce the risk of a fire whether your home and appliances are new or old. Also, check your outlets to make sure you have GFCI receptacles since they help prevent power surges and faults. 

3. Grease

The buildup of grease on your cooking appliances over time is a major fire hazard since grease is so flammable. It’s important to keep your oven, range, and other appliances like air fryers clean from grease at all times. Grease fires are difficult to put out so don’t allow cooking grease to build up over time. 

Black Diamond Restoration Is Here

At Black Diamond Restoration we truly hope you take the proper precautions to protect your home from these common kitchen fire hazards. But if disaster does strike, we’re here to help. Our expert team of disaster restoration specialists will be there every step of the way to help with smoke and fire damage and to restore your home back to its previous condition. We offer 24/7 emergency services as well as mold remediation, storm damage repair, and more in Sandy, Utah, and other cities across the Salt Lake and Utah valleys. Give us a call today for all of your disaster restoration needs!

What Makes Black Diamond Restoration Different?

Experiencing a fire or any other disaster is devastating and that’s why Black Diamond Water Damage & Disaster Restoration is here to help with disaster restoration services. Our team has been proudly serving the Salt Lake Valley for over 20 years, and in that time we’ve learned what it takes to go above and beyond for our customers. 

Here’s what we’re doing to help us stand out from the rest:

  • We offer 24/7 emergency services, so help is there any time you need it.
  • We’ll come to you and provide a free damage assessment on-site.
  • We pride ourselves on fair, upfront pricing and high-quality work.
  • All of our services come with a 1-year guarantee so if anything comes up after we finish the restoration, just give us a call and we’ll be back to make it right.
  • We are proud to be a preferred disaster restoration provider by most insurance companies. 
  • Our team is fully licensed and certified to provide the best possible service.

We Do It All and We Do It Right

You never know what you’re going to get when a disaster strikes. A storm can easily cause both fire and water damage, and if you need to evacuate then mold could become an issue. Some companies might be able to help with the water and mold, while another could take care of the fire damage. But why call multiple providers when you can call Black Diamond Restoration to clean and restore everything the right way, all at once? 

When you call our specialists, we’ll come to the location of the disaster and give you a damage assessment on the spot. We’ll help identify things that you might have missed so you can ensure the restoration is complete. Nobody wants to have restoration services provided, only to find that there are still underlying issues that were never treated. Our work is thorough and effective. We do it right the first time, and we offer a 1-year guarantee just in case anything else comes up.

If you’ve experienced a flood or fire at your home or commercial property, don’t wait. The sooner the cleanup begins, the better your final results will be. Call our experienced professionals for disaster restoration services immediately. 

Our Service Area

We proudly provide our restoration and remediation services to homes and businesses across the following cities in Utah: Alpine, Bluffdale, Bountiful, Cottonwood Heights, Farmington, Heber City, Highland, Kaysville, Layton, Lehi, Ogden, Orem, Park City, Provo, Salt Lake City, Sandy, Saratoga Springs, South Jordan, Tooele, and West Jordan. 

We also offer these additional disaster cleanup services:

  • Biohazard cleanup
  • Storm damage repair
  • Sewage damage repair

Give Us a Call Today!

A disaster in your home or commercial building is stressful enough. Leave the damage restoration to Black Diamond Restoration so that you can rest assured that your property is safe to occupy and doesn’t pose any health threats. When disaster strikes, don’t delay. Give us a call right away for your free damage evaluation!

Most Common Places Mold Grows

Mold isn’t something you want growing in your home, and you can identify it more quickly by knowing the most common places mold grows.

In addition to being a major eyesore, mold spores can be hazardous to your health and cause severe breathing problems. Here’s a guide to inspecting your home for mold growth so you can ensure you’re living in a safe and mold-free environment.

Bathrooms

Your bathroom might feel cozy and warm while you’re taking a shower without the fan running and letting the steam build inside. But this creates a perfect breeding ground for mold. Bathrooms have so many sources of water, and they’re often dark, warm, and damp. The following areas inside your bathroom are of particular concern when it comes to mold growth:

  • The base of the bathtub, shower, and toilet
  • Tile grout
  • Bath mats
  • Toothbrush holders
  • Towels that aren’t hung to dry properly

Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most common places mold grows since plenty of water flows through many sinks and appliances. The cabinet underneath the kitchen sink is a common culprit since slow pipe leaks can go undetected for long periods and condensation in an enclosed, warm space causes mold. Clean this area frequently and if you identify any mold growth, use bleach or hydrogen peroxide to stop mold growth dead in its tracks.

Check the refrigerator and dishwasher seals regularly since they can attract mold when they aren’t dry thoroughly. Leaking liquids inside the fridge can be problematic, and so can piles of food-caked dishes that are left in the sink for long periods. Regularly cleaning kitchen appliances and washing dishes can go a long way to preventing mold growth.

Laundry Room

Of all the mold-prone spots in a home, front-loading washing machines take the cake. The seals on the door and the drum fill with water every time a cycle runs. So, if the door remains shut after the laundry moves, that moisture is allowed to sit on the seals, and mold starts to grow. The same happens with the laundry soap dispenser. What’s the point of washing dirty clothes in a mold-infested washing machine? You can combat this by leaving the door cracked after a load of laundry to allow the seals and drum to air-dry. You should also remove the soap dispenser occasionally and wipe up the liquid inside and underneath it. 

Call Black Diamond Water Damage & Disaster Restoration

Thinking about all the places mold grows can be concerning, but Black Diamond Water Damage & Disaster Restoration is here to help. Call us right away since early treatment is key to restoring your property and preventing mold growth if you find yourself with water damage. We offer mold remediation services in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the neighboring cities, including West Valley, Sandy, and Murray. We also provide fire, sewage, and other emergency restoration services 24/7, so give us a call whenever disaster strikes!

Action Cheat Sheet for Frozen Pipes

There’s a chill in the air, and the nights are getting colder as we approach winter and frozen pipes become a real concern. Basement pipes or exposed outdoor pipes are especially susceptible to freezing and can even burst when frozen under the right circumstances.

Here’s a look at how to avoiding having your pipes freeze and an action cheat sheet for times when they do freeze.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Preventing frozen pipes isn’t complicated, but it does take some work before winter hits. Follow these recommendations to help keep your pipes from freezing this winter:

  • Insulate susceptible pipes using pipe insulation.
  • Have a reliable backup power source in case of a power outage.
  • Don’t turn your heat off, even if you’re heading out of town. Avoid letting the temperature in your home ever fall below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Drain your sprinkler lines before winter.
  • Let your faucets run during extremely cold spells. Allowing water to move through the pipes helps resist freezing and, if it does freeze, relieves some of the pressure, so the pipes are less likely to burst.
  • Leave cabinet doors open when it gets cold to allow warmer air to move around the pipes and discourage freezing.
  • Disconnect hoses from outdoor spigots and turn off the water supplying them.

Frozen Pipes Action Cheat Sheet

Even when you’ve taken every possible precaution, sometimes pipes still freeze. If that happens, carefully go through the following steps:

  • Open the affected water faucets. As the ice melts and the pipes thaw, the water will need a place to run. Leaving the faucets open will also help speed up the thawing process and get your water moving more quickly.
  • Gently apply heat to the frozen pipe, if you can access it. A frozen pipe in the basement, garage, or right outside your home can be thawed by wrapping a heating pad around it (don’t leave it unsupervised) or wrapping it in towels soaked in hot water.

*Note: Avoid using space heaters, blowtorches, or any open flame to thaw the pipes as this presents a serious fire hazard.

  • Keep applying heat until water flows freely. If you’re using wet towels, you might need to switch them out a few times. Once the water flows freely again, keep the faucet open for a few minutes while you check the other pipes in your home for signs of freezing. 
  • If the frozen pipe is located inside of an exterior wall, call a professional immediately. A burst pipe in an exterior wall could lead to serious foundational problems in your home. Don’t attempt to thaw these pipes on your own.

Black Diamond Water Damage & Disaster Restoration Is Here

If frozen pipes lead to floods and disasters, Black Diamond Water Damage & Disaster Restoration is here to help. Our expert team of restoration specialists truly cares about each and every customer and works to provide the best reconstructive services to get you back to living comfortably. We provide water damage restoration, mold remediation, sewage cleanup, 24/7 emergency services, and more to homes and businesses in Murray, Utah, and the neighboring cities. Call us whenever disaster strikes.

Is it Time to Update Your First-Aid Kit?

A first-aid kit is something you don’t think about until an emergency strikes, so how do you know when it’s time to update your first-aid kit? Most items in a standard kit expire 3-5 years after they were made, so it’s important to inspect the items inside frequently (every 6 months is ideal) and replace anything that is broken, used, tattered, or expired. Here’s a look at what a typical first-aid kit should contain and how often they need to be replaced.

The Kit Itself 

When it’s time to update your first-aid kit, the first thing to inspect is the kit itself. Check the container and make sure all zippers and latches function properly and that all pouches, pockets, and storage sections are clean and free from holes or other damage. The kit should open and close easily and be free from contamination to keep the contents inside in good, usable condition. Most kits should last for several years, depending on the material, how often they are used, and how they are stored. 

Ointments and Medication

Antibiotic ointment and pain relievers are common first-aid kit items, but these come with definite expiration dates. Check them regularly and dispose of them safely when they expire. It’s the safest policy to have single-use ointments and pain reliever tablets in the kit to avoid cross-contamination that is common with reusable, screw-top containers. This does mean that these items can run out if the kit is used regularly, so it’s important to check and replace them often so that you don’t find yourself in an emergency without the supplies you need.  

Bandages and Gauze

Bandages and gauze are first-aid kit staples, but they don’t last forever. It’s easy to tell when they get old because their packaging will turn yellow. You can take yellow packaging as a fool-proof sign that it’s time to toss them out and replace them with new ones. Most gauze and bandages are sterilized in their packages, and keeping them sterile is important to keep wounds from getting infected.  

Plastic Gloves

Sterile plastic gloves are helpful for keeping yourself safe as well as any wounds clean while you’re working on them. It’s common for gloves to be used and then replaced in the first-aid kit after use, but that’s not recommended. Gloves are single-use and should be discarded immediately after use. Even gloves that have never been used might need to be replaced if they are yellowing with age since they can become brittle and less effective over time. 

Black Diamond Water Damage & Disaster Restoration Is Here

You never know when disaster will strike, so you should update your first-aid kit regularly so that you’re prepared to treat any minor physical injuries that come up. When it comes to damage to your home and property, Black Diamond Water Damage & Disaster Restoration is here to help. Our team of restoration experts is fully licensed and insured, and we’re here to help you in your emergency 24/7. We offer water damage repair, mold remediation, fire damage restoration, and more to individuals and families in Murray, Utah, and the surrounding area. Call us whenever disaster strikes!

Why Is Cleaning Your Rain Gutters Important?

Fall is here, and cleaning your rain gutters of leaves and other debris is probably one of many items on your growing to-do list. 

With so much to do, you might be looking for ways to cut corners and lighten your workload. So is cleaning rain gutters one of those things you can put off for another year? We wouldn’t recommend it. Here’s why.

  1. Cleaning Your Rain Gutters Can Prevent Water Damage

Leaves, branches, and debris can get into your gutters and cause significant problems. This build-up is especially common if you have tall trees growing near your roof. When rainwater tries to flow through the debris, it may not drain properly and can overflow onto areas of your home and roof that weren’t designed to hold up to that much water, which can cause water damage to both the interior and exterior of your home.

  1. Clogged Gutters Can Lead to a Rodent Infestation

A pile of leaves and branches makes an ideal nest for birds, rats, insects, and mice. So if you don’t like the idea of rodents making a home out of your roof and attic, you’d better pull out that ladder and get to work clearing your rain gutters before a problem arises.

  1. Your Roof Can’t Handle the Pressure

Roofs are designed to stand up to all types of weather, including heavy rains and snow. But they are specifically designed to have the moisture run off of them into the gutters. When the drains are blocked, rain and snow have nowhere to go and can cause significant problems to your roof. Rotting is a common result, and if the water leaks through to the inside of your house, you could easily have a mold problem on your hands.

  1. Water Can Damage Your Foundation

When your gutter becomes clogged, and water starts overflowing, it can pool around the foundation of your home and seep into cracks. These cracks become especially problematic in the winter when it freezes and expands, often causing fissures in your home’s foundation. This can be a costly problem, and it’s avoidable by cleaning out those gutters.

  1. Your Wallet Will Thank You

As the old adage says, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Cleaning your rain gutters in the fall will help you avoid any costly damages in the future. Trust us; it’s well worth the minor inconvenience of climbing up to clean your gutters now, so you don’t find yourself with a cracked foundation or damaged roof in the dead of winter. 

Black Diamond Restoration Is Here to Help

Cleaning your rain gutters is important to help avoid water damage. But if for some reason you do experience water damage, Black Diamond Restoration is here to help. Our team of licensed experts is available 24/7 to help you with your emergency. We offer damage restoration services in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the neighboring cities, including Murray, Taylorsville, West Valley, and Sandy. Don’t let water damage go unchecked. Contact Black Diamond Restoration today!

Myths and Facts About Mold Effects On Your Health

As you know, mold effects can take a serious toll on your health. Here are 3 myths and 3 facts about mold’s effects on your health.

Fact

Mold can trigger allergic reactions in many people. While not everyone is allergic to mold spores, it is a common allergy. People who have asthma and a mold allergy can have an asthma attack when they come in contact with mold. Symptoms generally show in the respiratory system. Cold symptoms and irritation are common.

Myth

“Black mold” and “toxic mold” are very dangerous. Most molds that people call black are actually a dark green or mildew. Rarely is the Stachybotrys mold associated with severe health effects. Also, “toxic mold” is a name made up by dramatic news stories. Only specific types of mold are toxic, and they only release toxic spores at specific times. It is unlikely that someone sitting in their home or office could breathe in enough toxic spores to get a toxic dose.

Fact

Removing mold can be dangerous. If you do have mold, the risk is highest when you are trying to remove the mold before you or your family experiences mold effects. You should always consult with a mold remediation professional about the extent of the mold problem in your home. They will be able to determine the type of mold and what it will take to kill and remove it. Also, mold can damage your belongings, so it is best to have someone come and remove all of it so that you do not have a recurring problem.

Myth

Black mold is the most dangerous because it releases mycotoxins. All molds are capable of releasing mycotoxins. However, just because you have mold, does not mean that it is releasing mycotoxins. Most cases of mycotoxicosis (mold poisoning) come from eating moldy food, not from touching or inhaling it.

Fact

Long-term exposure to molds and damp indoor spaces can negatively affect everyone. However, infants and children, older adults, people with allergies or asthma, and people with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of developing respiratory problems or a fungal infection. Infants and children are more likely to develop asthma by the age of 7 if they have prolonged mold exposure.

Myth

Mold exposure can cause other health problems like memory loss. Some people have been concerned about possible non-respiratory symptoms from mold exposure. Symptoms like aches and pains, changes in mood, headaches, memory loss, and nosebleeds have been indicated. However, there is no proof to date that these symptoms are linked to mold exposure. Mold’s effects have been linked mostly to respiratory symptoms.

Black Diamond Water Damage & Disaster Restoration Can Help

Do you suspect that you have mold in your home? Does your home smell musty, or do you see spots and discoloration? Do you live in northern Utah, from Salt Lake City down to Draper? Don’t let mold effects get to you. Consult with Black Diamond Water Damage & Disaster Restoration as your local mold experts. Contact us soon, as mold causes more damage over time. We can find your mold, kill it, remove it, and prevent it from returning.

6 Things About Mold You May Not Know

You’ve heard that mold can be dangerous and hazardous to your health, but there are many things about mold you might not know. 

Sometimes mold can be easy to identify by musty odors and dark patches on walls and floors, but that’s not always the case. Here are 6 facts about mold that you might not know. 

  1. There Are More Than 10,000 Species of Mold

Mold comes in so many different species and can be found all over the earth. One of the things about mold that you might not know, however, is that only a handful of species are regularly found indoors. Common indoor mold varieties include Alternaria, Aspergillus (the most common household mold), Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys Chartarum (black mold). 

  1. Mold Can Begin Growing Within 24 Hours

Mold growth only occurs when the environment is right. It requires food, moisture, and a temperature between 60 and 80 degrees. When these conditions are present mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours. Growth typically starts in inconspicuous areas of your home and can remain hidden for quite a while, spreading and causing damage to your home and property all the while.

  1. Mold Can Cause Health Problems

The fact that mold can cause health problems probably isn’t news to you, but there are some lesser-known effects of mold. These include headaches, chronic fatigue, dizziness, blurry vision, and disorientation. 

  1. Not All Mold is Bad

Most people cringe at the idea of any mold being present around them, but the truth is that mold is a staple to our ecosystem. It’s what breaks down discarded food, fallen leaves, and other organic matter and recycles it back into the environment. Mold is used to make some cheeses, soy foods, and medicines like penicillin.

  1. Water Damage Can Cause Mold Growth

A flood, leak, or burst pipe is a good warning sign that mold might begin growing. It can be extremely difficult to get rid of once it starts, so it’s important to take action to protect your home as soon as water damage occurs. Likewise, if you find signs of mold growth in your home, there’s a good chance you’ve got some hidden water damage. Start searching for the source of the moisture right away.

  1. Mold is Preventable

Nobody wants to be the victim of mold growth, but as the common saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. There are simple things you can do regularly to make sure no unwanted mold starts growing on your watch:

  • Keep air moving in your home. Open windows regularly and always run the bathroon fan while showering.
  • Try to stay on top of the humidity in your home. If you live in a very humid area, use a dehumidifier.
  • Inspect sinks and pipes regularly.
  • Use professional restoration services as soon as possible when water damage occurs. 

Black Diamond Water Damage & Disaster Restoration is Here

There are many things about mold that can be concerning, but Black Diamond Water Damage & Disaster Restoration is here to help. If you find yourself with water damage, call us right away. Early treatment is key to restoring your property and preventing mold growth. We serve clients in Salt Lake City, Utah and the neighboring cities including Murrary, Taylorsville, Sandy, and more. We offer 24/7 emergency services so we’ll be ready whenever a disaster occurs. Call us today!