The term restoration company is one that has become popular in the last few years. As the word implies it is a company that restores property back to way it was before the damage happened.

There are many companies out there. Some are franchise like ServPro or Service Master. Some are carpet cleaning companies like Stanley Steamer. Restoration companies should not be confused with water abatement companies like Trotter or Aquaguard. Water abatement companies make changes to the home to keep the water out. Restoration companies make the home All Dry and then fix what was damaged. Some restoration companies only do pieces of the work and send most of it to subcontractors.

All Dry Atlanta is a full service, family owned, family run company. When we come out to do an estimate you are often speaking to the owner of the company. When the job begins you will often see the owner of company on site. As the work is being done it is completed by employees of the company not farmed out to other companies. Our technicians are always on time and are easily distinguishable because they are the ones taking the time to do it right! That's what a restoration company means to us.

The winter cold weather is finally getting to us here in Atlanta. Don't be fooled by those warm days we have had, the cold is coming. Because of the warm weather you may have not taken your normal steps to winterize your home. Protecting outside water pipes and putting thermal wrap on interior water pipes is the best way to protect against frozen water pipes.

When water pipes freeze the problem is not limited to the inconvenience of your water not working. When water freezes in a pipe the water expands and will make the water pipe burst or cause a water leak. Winter water damage has its own special set of problems. From finding the leak source to dealing with trying to dry items in low temperatures you need to have a water damage expert.

Water damage from frozen pipes is covered by your home owners insurance and we can work with any insurance company to make sure you get the best service and your home is restored to the way it was. Trust your home to water damage experts that work for you and not for them.

Whether you are planning on buying a repossessed home or a normal purchase, you need to be aware of potential mold issues in the home. If you walk into the basement, into a room, or open a cabinet and smell that musty moldy smell you need to have a proper inspection. Mold remediation costs can tip the scales in determining the value of a home purchase.

Mold damage is not just black nasty walls. Mold can hide in many places and sometimes you need to have the air quality tested to find and identify the mold. You should always have your air quality testing performed by a certified company that has an Environmental Hygienist or Microbiologist on staff with their company. Companies like Atlanta Air Allergen & Mold Testing can be a great help in identifying exactly how damaged is a home.

Repossessed homes have a much higher risk of mold damage because they are unoccupied and often not maintained for a long period of time. If you suspect that a home you want to purchase has mold call us today so we can perform a mold inspection for you. A home is usually the biggest purchase in someone’s life make sure its not only a good deal but also safe!

In the last entry of Mike's Dirty Deeds Blog I talked about different issues in dealing with landlords and mold issues. In this entry I am going to talk about what you can do when things go wrong. As stated before the best thing you can do is try to work it out with the property manager, asked to be moved to a different apartment or ask to be let out of your lease.

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING IS OBSERVATION ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS INSTRUCTIONS

Often we get asked about suing the owner. While this is always an option, because there are no federal, state, CDC, or FEMA guidelines on what are 'acceptable' mold levels, it becomes a very difficult case and very very costly. Often a better action in severe situations is to contact your local code enforcement agency. They can sometimes help in effecting change when other avenues of resolution have failed. You can find your local code enforcement agency by looking in the front of your phone book or a simple internet search.

Remember that every area has its own rules and it is always best to check regulations for where you live. Try to work it out, and when you can't.... move!

I get at least 2 calls a week from renters asking about mold damage. The calls range from true slum lords to apartment complexes with bad management. Sometimes the damage is from previous water leaks, sometimes the leaks are still active. Sometime it is from roof or plumbing leaks, other times its from sewage or flooding. In most cases there is not much that we can do to help. Mold Remediation usually requires demolition, we can not destroy items in a apartment without approval from the owner or management. If the property management person is not interested in correcting the problem, there is not much that can be done. However the tenants are concerned about the mold in their apartment and rightfully so!

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING IS OBSERVATION ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS INSTRUCTIONS

There are some things you can do. The first and foremost thing you should do it talk to the property management. They are the ones that can effect the outcome more then anyone or anything else... period. IF and I stress IF they are not being responsive then you can peruse other options. First you have to wrap your mind around the fact that one way or another you are going to have to move. I say this again, if you are not OK with the mold, and they won't fix it, you are GOING TO HAVE TO MOVE. If possible ask to be moved to a apartment unit that does not have mold. If it is not possible to change units, ask to be let out of your lease. This is where the situation gets sticky.

To Be Continued...