Fire Damage Cleanup | What Needs To Be Thrown Out IMMEDIATELY After A Fire

Posted by

fire damage cleanup is almost as stressful as the actual fire itself. Read our blog to find out more about what needs to be thrown out!

Hello and welcome back to the blog here at Rainbow Restoration International of Buffalo! Here on the blog, we like to share some tips on keeping your home and/or business safe and preventing disasters. We also like to share reasons why you should hire a licensed and insured professional for the job rather than attempting to do large jobs on your own and general cleanup.

Today, we’re going to go with that last item on the list and share some general fire cleanup tips after a blaze in Buffalo, NY.

Fire Damage Cleanup – These Need to be Thrown Out

Electrical Equipment

Small appliances, entertainment systems, and other electrical devices can start a new blaze if they’re used after a fire. The exposed wiring and the potential for water and smoke damage to the device can cause more damage to your home. Some can be saved, like personal electronics such as tablets, cellphones, external hard drives, and personal computers and laptops. If you’re unsure about any of your devices, it’s better to dispose of them.

Burned Clothes

While it is technically possible to clean your clothes, it’s not always advisable. Soot and smoke have chemicals that irritate the skin on contact and your respiratory system when inhaled. There could also be odors and chemicals on them from when the firefighters put out the blaze. It’s generally better to throw out your damaged clothes. 

Textiles

Aside from clothing, other large fabrics like bedding, drapes, and rugs should be thrown out after a fire. They’ll absorb and contain the same smells and chemicals that your clothes would, and on a much larger scale. They can be too large to effectively clean and restore, it’s advisable to simply get rid of them.

Furniture and Mattresses

Similar to textiles and clothes, the soft surfaces on mattresses and furniture like sofas can trap the smells and chemicals from fires and firefighting. Aside from the cosmetic and smell factor, heat from the fire and water damage probably caused structural damage to your furniture that makes it unsafe. 

Cosmetics and Toiletries 

Makeup and other cosmetics are made up of chemicals and minerals that are altered by the heat from fires. Water and fire extinguishers that are used to put out the blaze also alter the composition of makeup and toiletries. These products are always better thrown out, even if they don’t appear to be damaged. 

Medicine 

In a similar vein to cosmetics, medicine’s potency and effects can be affected and altered by heat, soot, smoke, water, and chemicals found in firefighting tools. Toss everything out and talk to your doctor about new prescriptions or head to your local pharmacy for over-the-counter stuff. 

Food

This shouldn’t be too much of a shock for people: all your food items should be tossed out after a fire, even the non-perishables. Sealed or canned items might look alright, but the heat from a fire can activate and promote bacteria growth. And obviously, the chemicals used to fight fires contaminate food. Food in a sealed, plugged-in refrigerator or freezer can be ok for a few hours, but it’s generally safer to head to the store for more food.

Contact Us! 

Fully cleaning and disinfecting fire damage so that it’s safe for human use and habitation is a large job. These kinds of jobs are best handled by a team of fully-licensed professionals. We’re a fully IICRC Certified Restoration and Mitigation team for water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold remediation, and commercial and residential carpet cleaning. We haven’t met a fire damage problem we haven’t conquered! 

Make sure to stay up to date with our blog for mold, water, and fire and smoke damage prevention tips and advice on cleaning up small messes and the like. You can follow along on our Facebook and check out our reviews on Yelp! Stay safe in your home or business! Get in touch with us by filling out our convenient online contact form, or if you need immediate assistance, call us at 716-874-4919. Let’s make the cleanup as quick and effective as possible.

Why You Need To Hire Mold Damage Restoration Specialists

Posted by

Hello and welcome back to the blog here at Rainbow Restoration International of Buffalo! Here on the blog, we like to share some tips on keeping your home and/or business safe and preventing disasters. We also like to share reasons why you should hire a licensed and insured professional for the job rather than attempting to do large jobs on your own. Today, we’re going to do down that path when it comes to mold damage restoration.

Why You Need to get Proper, Professional Mold Damage Restoration ASAP in Buffalo, NY

Ridding your home or business of molds is important for a couple of reasons. First, mold is unsightly and ruins the appearance of your home or business. Secondly, and far more importantly, mold can cause serious health ramifications. 

Mold spores are all over and are generally harmless on their own. However, the right condition is all that’s needed for a more dangerous colony to form. The introduction of a surface to eat away at for food and a source of moisture can lead to a colony’s growth. 

Mold Can Ruin the Aesthetic and Functional Value of Your Home 

Mold inside your home is unsightly and gives off the appearance of poor hygiene. And also, mold can cause structural harm to your walls and/or supports. There’s a reason that mold inspections are a part of a standard home inspection for sale, after all. 

Molds Can Cause Health Problems

Millions of cases of asthma have been reported to have been caused by indoor mold exposure. Mold can cause skin irritation, wheezing, itchy eyes, and other allergic-adjacent reactions. Mold can also lead to upper respiratory tract symptoms in otherwise healthy people. The  WHO estimated in 2009 that indoor mold exposure potentially led to the development of asthma in some children. If you have a mold growth problem in your home, have a professional mold remediation company come in immediately! 

Why Is Hiring a Mold Damage Restoration Specialist Important?

Mold spreads quickly and can easily infest and contaminate other parts of your home or business. If you see mold growth, taking action right away is important in mitigating the spread. Mold remediation is the process of cleaning and disinfecting mold growths, and preventing their spread. It should be done by a properly trained professional. 

Why Do I Need a Mold Remediation Professional?

Mold is difficult to fully clean and remove, and it can be dangerous when not done correctly. Mold remediation requires proper equipment and knowledge, like respirators, gloves, and other safety gear. Our professionals have the gear and know-how to handle it safely. Professionals also know how to prevent mold from continuing to spread in your home and begin growing again. 

Contact Buffalo’s Best Mold Damage Restoration Specialists Right Away!

Fully cleaning and disinfecting mold colony growth so that it doesn’t continue to spread is a large job. These kinds of jobs are best handled by a team of fully-licensed professionals. We’re a fully IICRC Certified Restoration and Mitigation team for water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold remediation, and commercial and residential carpet cleaning. We haven’t met a water damage problem we haven’t conquered! 

Make sure to stay up to date with our blog for mold, water, and fire and smoke damage prevention tips and advice on cleaning up small messes and the like. You can follow along on our Facebook and check out our reviews on Yelp! Stay safe in your home or business! Get in touch with us by filling out our convenient online contact form, or if you need immediate assistance, call us at 716-874-4919. Let’s make the cleanup as quick and effective as possible.

Water Damage Restoration | How to Avoid Water Damage from Frozen Pipes this Buffalo Winter

Posted by

Buffalo Rainbow blog banner image

Hello and welcome back to the blog here at Rainbow International of Buffalo! As we move into the cold months, and a snowstorm is looming, we thought it would be a great time to share some tips from the Red Cross to protect your pipes from freezing – and ultimately to prevent your home from flooding. 

Why Are Freezing Pipes a Problem?

Water has a rather unique property that other liquids don’t exhibit, in that it expands when it freezes. In your pipes, this can cause extreme pressure and lead to them rupturing from the expansion. Many pipes can freeze, and the most frequent ones we tend to see are pipes exposed to extreme cold, like water sprinkler lines and swimming pool supply lines, and water supply lines in unheated interior areas (like your basement or attic). We also see ruptures in pipes that run along exterior walls with little insulation. 

Protect Your Pipes From Freezing

Before your pipes completely freeze in the coldest months, follow this advice to make sure that your home isn’t a winter flood victim! 

  • Drain water from your swimming pool and sprinkler supply lines, without using antifreeze (unless specifically directed by the manufacturer)
  • Remove, drain, and store hoses that are used outdoors. Close inside valves that supply outdoor hoses, while leaving the outdoor connection open to allow the water to drain. Keep the outside valve open so that any leftover water can expand without causing a break.
  • Insulate areas of your home that are uninsulated, like your attic, basement, crawl spaces, etc.
  • Check around for other uninsulated areas of your home where pipes can be, like in the garage and under cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes should be insulated.
  • Consider getting products specifically designed to insulate water pipes.
  • Think about relocating exposed pipes for increased protection.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

Alright, that is all good and relevant information, but many of those steps require set up time and money that you might not have immediately available. Here are some tips to prevent frozen pipes:

  • Keep garage doors closed if you have water supply lines there
  • Open cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate 
  • When the air outside is exceptionally frigid, let water drip from the faucet that sources from exposed pipes. Running water doesn’t freeze as easily as still water.
  • Keep your home’s thermostat set to the same temperature throughout the day. Your heating bill may go up a bit, but it could prevent a more costly repair job if a pipe bursts.
  • If you’re leaving your home for an extended period, keep your home’s heat set to at least 55 degrees.

GET IN TOUCH WITH THE WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION PROFESSIONALS 

water damage restoration professionals from rainbow international restoration of buffalo carry a pump to a flooded home

Cleaning up after significant water damage, before mold sets in, is a large job. These kinds of jobs are best handled by a team of fully-licensed professionals. We’re a fully IICRC Certified Restoration and Mitigation team for water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold remediation, and commercial and residential carpet cleaning. We haven’t met a water damage problem we haven’t conquered! 

Make sure to stay up to date with our blog for mold, water, and fire and smoke damage prevention tips and advice on cleaning up small messes and the like. You can follow along on our Facebook and check out our reviews on Yelp! Stay safe in your home or business! 

Get in touch with us by filling out our convenient online contact form, or if you need immediate assistance, call us at 716-874-4919. Let’s make the cleanup as quick and effective as possible.

Flooding Snow Melt Can Require Mold Remediation

Posted by

Welcome back to the Buffalo Rainbow blog! We know that in these colder, wintry months you’re not really thinking about the possibility of mold growth too much due to the lack of warm, humid air outside. However, preventing mold growth is a year-round endeavor, and mold remediation is always important.

Preventing mold growth during cold, wintry months can be just as challenging as it is during the hot and humid summers. The outside might be bitter and cold, but the inside of your home or business is still warm and inviting for mold growth. 

How Does Mold Grow in Winter?

Snow Melt

There are several causes of mold growth in the winter, one of the chief causes being snow melt. It’s a major contributor to mold problems in homes with roof, basement, or foundation issues. 

Deep snow that’s lying against the side of your house and seeps or saturates an area of ineffectively protective interior walls can also be a prime spot for mold growth in the wintertime.

mold remediation professional

Condensation

Another cause of mold growth in the winter is condensation. Condensation can occur when warm air from your home or business smashes up against the cold air around the roof and the exterior walls. This can be a major issue in homes with insufficient insulation and can create mold growths between the roof and ceiling, and between outer and inner walls. 

Get in Touch With The Mold Remediation Professionals 

Disinfecting a mold problem in your home or business can be stressful and dangerous. Any large job should only be done by a trusted team of professionals, like us here at Rainbow Restoration Buffalo. We’re a fully IICRC Certified Restoration and Mitigation team for water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold remediation, and commercial and residential carpet cleaning. We haven’t met a mold problem we haven’t conquered! 

Make sure to stay up to date with our blog for mold, water, fire and smoke damage prevention tips and advice on cleaning up small messes and the like. You can follow along on our Facebook and check out our reviews on Yelp! Stay safe in your home or business! 

Get in touch with us by filling out our convenient online contact form, or if you need immediate assistance, call us at 716-874-4919. Let’s make the cleanup as quick and effective as possible.

3 Fire Prevention Tips for Buffalo, NY Winters

Posted by

blog banner image for safe fire prevention tips

Welcome back to the Rainbow International Restoration Buffalo Blog! Here on the blog, we aim to inform and protect you so that you can be safe in your home or business. One of our areas of concern is fire damage remediation. But even better than cleaning up after a fire, we’re going to share some tips for you to avoid the fire in the first place altogether. Be fire smart this winter with these fire prevention tips!

Being Fire Smart in Winter With Tip 1 

Electrical Fires

Did you know? There are over 45,000 electrical fires in homes each year. Keeping yourself safe is imperative this snowy season! Remember, as much as you might think you need the extra heat, you don’t want to plug in that extra heat-producing appliance to the same outlet as another. Meaning, don’t put your coffee pot and microwave into the same outlet. Or two space heaters on the same outlet. Also, remember to never use an extension cord with a heat-producing appliance.  Move the radiator closer to the plug. 

Winter Fire Prevention Tip 2

Fireplaces

If you’re using a fireplace to heat your home during the winter there are other things to keep in mind. Keep a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace to prevent embers from jumping out and setting your living room alight. Also, avoid burning paper and make sure you store ashes in a metal container with a lid, outside, and at least 10ft away from your home. And obviously, remember to put your fire out at night when going ot bed.

Winter Fire Prevention Tip 3

Wood-Burning Stoves

Another common method of home heating that can cause fires when left unchecked are wood-burning stoves. With a wood-burning stove, you should have your chimney cleaned and inspected each year. Also, anything that can burn should be at least 3 feet away from the stove. Similar to fireplaces, do not put paper in a wood stove, and ensure that the fire is out completely before going to sleep or leaving home. 

Get In Touch!

Cleaning up after a fire from all the damage is traumatic and can be dangerous itself. Avoid that experience altogether and follow these fire prevention tips to keep yourself, your family, and your business safe during these cold months. 

We have a 24-hr hotline available if you’re facing an issue that needs immediate assistance. You can also visit our convenient online contact page. Make sure to stay up to date with our blog for more information to stay safe going forward! 

We’re fully IICRC Certified in Mitigation and Restoration for water damage, fire and smoke restoration, mold remediation, and commercial and residential carpet cleaning.

3 Types of Mold That Can Grow in Your Home

Posted by

Welcome back to the blog here at Buffalo Rainbow! Here on the blog, we aim to inform and protect you so that you can be as safe as possible in your home. One of our main areas of focus is mold control and remediation, so we figured that would be an excellent place to begin. But before we can get into why mold is so dangerous, we need to cover the types of molds that are common in homes.

Mold is a broad term that describes a range of microorganisms that grow with sufficient water and a food source. Mold is a kind of fungi, and sometimes growths are referred to as “mildew”.

Kinds of Molds That Can Grow in your Buffalo, NY Home

Allergenic Molds are not toxic in and of themselves, but they can trigger allergic responses. These can include symptoms like asthma, Rhinitis, and more. In small quantities, these molds aren’t typically dangerous, with more accumulation leading to more pronounced effects. This mold can often be cleaned by regular folk using ordinary cleaning methods.

Pathogenic Molds, meanwhile, can trigger illness in people who already have weakened immune systems. They can even cause infection in people who are otherwise healthy. Some molds are both allergenic and pathogenic, like the Aspergillus genus. Many of these molds grow on human or animal organic tissue. Pathogenic molds are toxic, but they get a different classification.

Carpet cleaning

Toxigenic Molds are the final and most dangerous kind of mold out there. They create their own toxins that can lead to health problems and even death. Toxic molds, like the dreaded black mold, produce or contain chemical poisons. Don’t let that sentence lull you into a sense of security though, because many molds are toxic, and more than a handful of nontoxic molds are dark in color. 

Get in Touch!

If you’re facing a mold problem, don’t take it on yourself! Call our 24hr helpline at 716-874-4919 or visit our convenient online contact page. We’re IICRC Certified in Mitigation and Restoration in Water Damage, Fire Damage Restoration, Mold Remediation, and Commercial and Residential Carpet Cleaning.

Stay Ready – Early Fall Storms Can Cause Flooding | Water Damage Restoration

Posted by

Welcome back to the Rainbow Buffalo Blog! We aim to use this blog to help anyone in Erie, Niagara, Orleans, or Genesee county better understand the importance of water damage restoration! As a local WNY provider of water cleanup services, we are ready and waiting for the next WNY water emergency, but in the meantime, let’s take a few minutes to think about being prepared. 

Here in Buffalo, when winter hits, we’re usually prepared and used to the snow, but unless you just moved here, you also know that winter snow can hit early. 

2006 October Storm

In October of 2006, Western new york faced a storm that none of us were prepared for. Over 22 inches of heavy wet snow was recorded at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. That was and remains the highest 24-hour snow accumulation ever recorded in October. 

When it snows like that in October, it causes significant problems, especially with melt. Power lines were down due to leaves on trees being packed with wet heavy snow, and thousands went without power. Snow to liquid ratios on the snow that October was 6:1 according to a 2021 Spectrum news article. This snow weighed a lot more than normal fluffy snow. This also went down as the 6th highest snowfall EVER reported in Buffalo! 

If we happen to face early fall snow like this, or of any kind this fall, you’re going to want to take some preventative measures to protect your home from the potential dangers of water damage. 

Be Prepared

Sure, we may not see another storm like the 2006 October storm ever again in our lifetimes, but if you stay ready, you don’t need to get ready. It’s best to stay prepared for potential early snowfall, because that early Fall snow is typically going to melt, and if you aren’t prepared you could end up with water damage. 

  • Don’t wait until it’s freezing out and winter to inspect that issue on the roof. Any signs of damage or missing shingles should be fixed before it gets too cold. Any staining or evidence of water on any ceiling or wall should be immediately looked at to assess for damage. 
  • When leaves begin to fall off, they can fill your gutters and cause issues with healthy drainage. 
  • Assess any underground sprinkler system or garden hoses to ensure they are properly winterized and disconnected. Main water lines freezing is not something you want to deal with this winter, so don’t wait.
  • Check to ensure your attic is properly insulated. Inspect to ensure everything is free of humidity, moisture, or any cracks or openings where water could get inside. Make sure any drainage downspouts are directed at least 5-10 feet away from your house to prevent melted snow or water runoff from pooling and re-entering your home. 

When You Are In Need

The unfortunate reality is that no matter how prepared you are to prevent fall water damage, sometimes disasters can’t be controlled, just like the October storm. Taking proactive preventative steps to ensure you don’t deal with any issues is always recommended, but if you are facing a water damage emergency here in Western New York, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us on our emergency hotline. We are always ready to help our neighbors of WNY!

5 Ways Mold Can Grow in Your Buffalo Home | Mold Remediation

Posted by

Welcome to the kickoff of the local WNY Rainbow International of Buffalo’s blog! We’re here to give the great folks of Western New York as much information as we can to help prevent potential issues with mold, water, or fire. Remember, if you are ever in need of an answer to a mold problem here in Buffalo, don’t hesitate to reach out via our emergency number! We are always here to serve the community!

Mold is something that can be a much bigger deal than folks think, and there are many ways mold can become a problem. Let’s take a bit of a look at why and how Mold can grow here in Buffalo, and what can be done to help prevent it!

Here are 5 ways that mold can grow in Buffalo NY.

Humidity

Mold needs a few ingredients in order to grow. It needs a surface to stick on, food, and above all else, moisture. Mold thrives on humidity, when it goes over 60% the mold starts to spread. Any bathrooms or rooms that will capture excess humidity can cause spores to spread and become a problem

Poor Ventilation

Basically anywhere in your home that can get humid or wet, without proper ventilation is a potential risk for spreading mold. Mold can find its way inside your home by its spores getting attached to you or even an animal when you went outside. Mold spores can travel very long distances and survive conditions that would kill a colony. It’s always vital to monitor your home for poorly ventilated areas, especially moist areas!

Poor Cleanliness

Mold can grow basically anywhere it can attach itself to and get food. Whether it be the side of your home, your bathroom, or somewhere else. Garages and storage areas that contain equipment that may be indoor and outdoor, and could get wet or collect snow, can cause moisture. Areas of the home that aren’t cleaned properly like bathrooms and kitchens can create a mold mess quickly that could require a professional to remediate.

Flooding

Molds only start to grow once it finds an area with suitable conditions for their growth, with enough food, water, the right temperature, and oxygen. Water damage and flooding are a dark reality for many people in Western New York. If you’ve lived around a creek, you’ve probably experienced water in your basement, snowmelt can also cause significant strains on drainage and cause flooding that can lead to mold growth.

Leaky Roof, Pipe, Window

 A frozen pipe can cause significant water damage that can lead to mold if not taken care of properly. Problems with seals on windows, or leaks in the roof or foundation of your home that can cause moisture must be taken care of immediately. In the summer and fall, this may not seem like a big deal, but when windows are closed up and snow and ice come into the mix during winter, these issues can present themselves in the worst of ways and create a major mold mess!

If you’re facing a mold problem, don’t take it on yourself! Call our 24hr helpline at 716-874-4919 or visit our convenient online contact page. We’re IICRC Certified in Mitigation and Restoration in Water Damage, Fire Damage Restoration, Mold Remediation, and Commercial and Residential Carpet Cleaning.