How Double Drywall Traps Moisture and Contributes to Mold Growth Understanding the Risks and Preventative Measures

What Happened After removing the old flooring from a home in Belleview, Florida , the flooring company uncovered water on the slab that was trapped under the underlayment. Unbeknownst to the homeowner, water was slowly penetrating the vertical exterior walls via hairline fractures. Both the cracks in the stucco and in the concrete slab itself were resolved, but the flooring company wanted the concrete slab moisture levels below a specific percentage. What We Did Florida tends to have elevated levels of humidity, including Belleview, Florida. To increase the drying efficiency, we sealed all the windows throughout the house with 4 mil plastic to prevent any moisture penetration. We placed a Phoenix DryMax XL Pro dehumidifier and a Dri-Eaz Stealth AV3000 axial air mover in each room. We also implemented the use of a heater to increase the internal temperature slowly to draw the moisture out of the concrete.

Homeowners in Crystal River and West Central Florida dealing with insurance claims related to water damage and mold can trust PUDDLES Restoration for assistance. Learn about the complexities of the process and how we can help in this blog article.

WE REMOVED AND DISCARDED THE AFFECTED MATERIALS, CLEANED THE SUBSTRATE, THEN ENCAPSULATED RESULTING IN A CLEAN PRV.

The Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician (FSRT) certification covers scoping, mitigation, cleaning, deodorization, subrogation, spoliation, documentation of residential and commercial fire and smoke damaged structures and contents. Upon completing this certification, you demonstrate that you are prepared to perform and document cleaning and deodorization of typical residential or commercial fire and smoke damage projects. PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com

The Health and Safety Technician (HST) certification covers occupational health and safety. This certification demonstrates competency in cleaning, maintenance, and restoration industries concerning the Global Harmonized System (GHS) and health and safety principles. The certification covers engineering and administrative controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment used in each specific industry or trade. The certification promotes the importance of hazard and risk assessments and implementing controls on the identified hazards. The hierarchy of hazard controls is emphasized so that eliminating, reducing, and controlling hazards will become the focus of health and safety instead of just regulatory compliance. Upon achieving the certification, the technician demonstrates the skills, knowledge, and awareness needed to save lives and prevent work-related injuries and illnesses and recognize and appreciate the value of health and safety on the job. PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com

The Odor Control Technician (OCT) certification covers olfaction and odor, odor sources, detection process, theory of odor control, equipment, chemical options, and applications. Upon achieving the certification, you demonstrate how to address odors caused by biological sources such as decomposition, urine contamination, mold, combustion sources such as fire and smoke damage, and chemical sources such as fuel oil spills or volatile organic chemicals. PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com

The Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT) certification covers mold and sewage remediation techniques to individuals engaged in property management, property restoration, IEQ investigations, or other related professions. The certification’s emphasis is placed on mold and sewage remediation techniques. Upon certification, the technician demonstrates knowledge to perform remediation services while protecting the health and safety of workers and occupants. An applicant must be certified as a Water Restoration Technician as a prerequisite to take this exam. The exam must be taken in-person only. PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com

The Trauma and Crime Scene Technician (TCST) certification covers the unique situations encountered when performing trauma and crime scene cleanup, regardless of surface, item, or location. The certification demonstrates knowledge of the various procedures and precautions taken when performing work at a trauma/crime scene and is based on the ANSI/IICRC S540 Standard for Trauma and Crime Scene Cleanup. Upon achieving the certification, the technician demonstrates knowledge about inspecting and investigating human blood and other potentially infectious material (OPIM) contamination to establish hazard assessments, work plans, and procedures for cleaning and safely transporting contaminated material. Emphasis is placed on: health and safety requirements (including the hands-on donning and doffing of PPE and creating a hazard assessment of the area), structural remediation (cleaning and demo), contents remediation (cleaning and disposal), the cleaning and disposal of vehicles and industrial machinery (including lockout/tagout and working with industrial site officers) Biocide and Antimicrobial Technology Administrative Procedures, Documentation, and Risk Management Inspection and Preliminary Determination Equipment and Tools Limitations, Complexities, Complications, and Conflicts Structural Remediation Vehicle and Machinery Construction Contents Remediation Containment and Disposal of Waste or Sharps Confirmation of Cleanliness PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com

The Applied Structural Drying (ASD) certification covers the effective, efficient, and timely drying of water-damaged structures and contents within a restorative drying environment. The certification is for the water damage restorer who has achieved the Water Restoration Technician (WRT) certification and understands water-damaged environments and employee health and safety in the workplace. Upon attaining the certification, you demonstrate you are prepared to perform drying strategies while protecting the health and safety of workers and occupants. An applicant must be certified as a Water Restoration Technician as a prerequisite to take this exam. The exam must be taken in-person only. PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com