Your Belongings and Mold Damage

What to throw away after mold or water damage



If an item has porous surfaces and is already moldy or was under floodwater, you will probably need to throw it away. This includes cardboard, carpet, padding, stuffed animals and upholstered furnishings. Mattresses and box springs also are on that list.

You will need to throw out most paper products, including books, once they are moldy. For items with sentimental value, such as a wedding album, important picture or family Bible, there is an expensive but effective freeze-drying process that can preserve those items. Place the items in a freezer as soon as you can and then get them to a preservation freeze-drying contractor.

Food items that have come into contact with mold or floodwater should be thrown away. Food preparation appliances exposed to floodwater or mold will probably need to be replaced. The cost of cleaning some of these items will often exceed the cost of replacement. Failure to clean these properly can recontaminate the home or make residents ill.

If You Have Questions or Need Help, Call Us Today – (945) 348-5804

Contents Restoration

SERVPRO of Central and West Plano specializes in restoring contents damaged by fire, water, or mold. Our expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. We pretest your contents to determine what items can be restored back to their condition before the water and mold damage. We utilize several methods of cleaning your contents, including:

  •  Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
  •  Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
  •  Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand wet cleaning.
  •  Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
  •  Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned. 
  •  Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.
     

Move-Outs/Pack-Outs

If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning, SERVPRO of Central and West Plano can conduct an organized, efficient move-out of the affected area. A move-out will provide several benefits, including:

  •  A quicker remodeling process
  •  Protecting items from potential damage
  •  Protecting contents from further on-site damage

When the restoration is completed, we will work with you to coordinate the move-in according to your needs. The services offered upon move-in may depend on your insurance coverage.

Electronic Cleanup

Water-damaged electronics can present a serious hazard. Do not attempt to turn on or operate any electrical device that you suspect has been damaged by water. We will coordinate the restoration of your electronics, including:

  •  Television sets 
  •  DVD players 
  •  Computers
  •  And more

The key to restoring electronics is taking prompt action to prevent further damage. We start by cleaning the exterior of electronic devices to help stop further corrosion and damage. Electronics will be cleaned and inspected by a qualified electronics technician. 

Document / Photograph Drying

When your valuable documents, including photographs, are damaged by water and mold, extreme caution should be taken to help ensure the water damage does not destroy the document. Although some documents may not be restored to pre-water damage condition, SERVPRO of Central and West Plano can save a great deal and help minimize additional damage.

Depending on the type of documents and the level of water and mold damage, we have five options for the restoration of documents:

  • Air Drying
  • Dehumidification
  • Freezer Drying
  • Vacuum Freeze Drying
  • Vacuum Thermal Drying

Contents Claim Inventory Service

When a water emergency strikes, the damage can often feel overwhelming. We can help ease the worry and confusion during the recovery process by offering our Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS), which provides a detailed and accurate list of your belongings. We take a room-by-room inventory of your contents, including digital photos, and in some instances, bar coding.

Our Contents Claim Inventory Service:

  • Preloss list and value of contents
  • Detailed and accurate report
  • Better information to settle claims quicker
  • Assistance with burden of proof for claims
  • Peace of mind when you need it most

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