A&J Specialty Services, Inc.: Spring Thaw Primes Area for Floods, Mold

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:
Kent Rawhouser, President
A&J Specialty Services, Inc.
Office: (608) 846-9525
Cell: (608) 209-9259 or
Kristi Moe, Public Relations Director
Glowac, Harris, Madison, Inc.
Office: (608) 232-9696 x10

4 Tips to Lessen Impact

DEFOREST, Wis. (March 22, 2005) – Along with the first day of Spring, a Spring thaw has arrived. Winter’s melting snows and the additional rains forecasted for this week and next poses our landscape prime for flooding. Although the thaw is beginning below the frost line, the topsoil is still frozen. Water from melting snow and rain is unable to permeate the ground and ends up creating floods.

“When flood water has no where else to go, unfortunate homeowners find themselves with flooded basements,” stated Kent Rawhouser, president of A&J Water and Mold Restoration. “Swift action is needed since excessive moisture left in a building can lead to mold.”

Homeowners have a window of 24 to 72 hours to mitigate the flooding before extensive damage occurs to secondary damage to personal contents, furniture, wall hangings, pictures, drywall and finishes, trim and moldings and sub-floors, as well as microbial contamination (mold) of the environment.

A musty smell or visible patches of growth on walls, windows or ceilings following a flood is characteristic of mold growth. Homeowners who have experienced high moisture conditions and suspect mold is growing on wood, carpeting or inside walls or ceilings, should call a certified restoration contractor, who will clean up or eliminate the mold source and provide help preventing further water damage. However, there are a few simple steps homeowners can take first:

1. Run a dehumidifier in the affected area.
2. Remove all water from the area and any water-soaked objects, including furniture,
cardboard, carpet, pad, etc., within 24 to 72 hours.
3. If you see mold growing, do NOT attempt to clean it up with bleach. Bleach can be
hazardous to your health if handled improperly.
4. Call a certified microbial remediation professional.

Although molds are present naturally in our environment, exposure to certain types of airborne mold spores can cause allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory problems in some people, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Health impacts from mold and mildew may also occur when individuals are exposed to large doses of mycotoxins, which are chemicals produced from molds.

Kent Rawhouser, president of A&J Water and Mold Restoration, is a Certified Microbial Remediation Supervisor (CMRS) and a Water Loss Specialist (WLS). These titles certify that Rawhouser is using the best – and safest – microbial remediation and water restoration procedures in the industry. He has been in the flood and water damage cleaning and restoration business since 1984.

A & J Water and Mold Restoration is a full service cleaning and water damage restoration and mold remediation company. They service both the commercial and residential markets. For more information on A&J Water and Mold Restoration, visit their website at www.aandjss.com. To schedule an interview with Kent Rawhouser, please call the office at (608) 846-9525, cell (608) 209-9259 or Kristi Moe at (608) 232-9696, extension 10.