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Lakes Area Flood & Fire

Water Damage Restoration Service in Merrifield

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Today 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM

22397 County Road 3 Unit 1 Merrifield MN, 56465

(218) 820-4150

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General Description

Using the latest Equipment, Techniques and Green Cleaning Products to provide the best services in: Flood/Water Dry Out & Damage Control, Remediation & Repair; Mold Removal, Decontamination, Cleaning & build back; Smoke & Fire Damage Restoration Services from Securing the Property and all necessary steps to a fully repaired facility. In Addition, we are Specialists in Crawlspace Dry Out, Clean Out and Encapsulation - AND MORE...We are a local, family owned company specializing in mold remediation, crawlspace repair & insulation, vapor barrier installation, 24 hr. water damage clean up and dry out services. We also offer pressure washing services, concrete foundation wall injections to repair cracked and spalling walls and floors and concrete epoxy floor coating systems. We also do small cosmetic rebuilds and light handyman work. With deep roots in the restoration/remediation business we have the know how to get the job done right the first time. Mold and Moisture in Homes Mold is a type of fungus that is present in our natural environment. Mold spores, which are tiny, microscopic 'seeds', can be found virtually everywhere, including in homes, and are a part of the general dust found in homes. These spores can grow on building materials and furnishings if conditions are correct. Excess moisture is the critical factor in any indoor mold problem. Mold growth should not be tolerated in our homes. Eventually, the moisture and mold will damage what it is growing on, which may include both the building materials and personal belongings. The key to preventing mold growth is to prevent moisture problems. Mold only needs a few simple things to grow and multiply: Moisture and Nutrients (food). Of these, controlling excess moisture is the key to preventing and stopping indoor mold growth. What are the health concerns? Health effects from exposure to mold can vary greatly depending on the person and the amount of mold in their home. The type of health symptoms that may occur include coughing, wheezing, nasal and throat conditions. People with asthma or allergies who are sensitive to mold may notice their asthma or allergy symptoms worsen. Individuals with severely weakened immune systems who are exposed to moldy environments are at risk of developing serious fungal respiratory infections. MDH recommends that people consult a medical professional if they are concerned about the effects of a moldy environment on their health. CRAWL SPACES: Crawl Spaces may appear to serve little purpose, but in truth they have a few important functions. To start, a crawl space may have been used in place of a basement to save cost. The crawl space elevates the home off the ground which can be a necessity in particularly damp or termite-prone locations. Many crawl spaces have built-in ventilation to allow airflow. This was a code-enforced design originally intended to mitigate moisture. The latest studies on crawl space ventilation indicate that, in some climates, ventilation is actually contributing to moisture and humidity in the crawl space. Furthermore, ventilation allows winter cold to have free passage under the home, which can result in higher heating bills. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to "finish" the crawl space to reduce the moisture issues and increase energy efficiency. The elimination of moisture and reduction of humidity in the crawl space is crucial to a healthy home. This step will help control mold growth, wood rot and insect infestation, which can also alleviate any rodent issues. Reducing moisture can put an end to any mustiness or unsavory smells emanating from the area. It will also prevent the hardwood floors above from warping. Moisture and humidity in the crawl space is partially the result of water evaporating from the soil. To combat moisture in the crawl space, a vapor barrier or encapsulation system can be installed. Encapsulating the whole crawl space is the best bet. An encapsulation system consists of a moisture/vapor barrier or "liner" installed up the walls of the crawl space and over the exposed earth floor. Then, overlapping the liners of the wall and the floor with a 10 to 90 mil puncture resistant liner and taping all the seams and fixing the barrier to the foundation walls with a termination bar. That is the typical encapsulation system used by Lakes Area Flood & Fire. To treat the crawl space like any other room in the home means "conditioning" it. In a crawl space that contains the ductwork for the home's heating system, conditioning the space is as simple as installing a register. This simple step will help keep the crawl space at the same temperature and humidity level as the rest of the rooms in the home. "The air becomes conditioned by using the existing HVAC system. Of course, not all homes will have the option of installing a register in the crawl space area. For many homes, it may be necessary to use a dehumidifier in the crawl space area. Dehumidifiers vary widely-from small portable units on casters to crawl space-specific models that can be plumbed in to the home's drainage system. Lakes Area Flood & Fire has a few options to choose from. A video of facts: Crawl Space Vapor Barrier Facts (youtube.com) Finishing the crawl space area can be a large undertaking. But leaving the crawl space area a humid, musty and energy-inefficient hole in the ground can result in an unhealthy home, substructure damage and high utility costs. Proper encapsulation, ventilation blocking, and crawl space conditioning will help green the home and keep the temperature, humidity and energy bills at a comfortable level year-round.

Business Hours

Sundayclosed
Monday09:00 AM05:00 PM
Tuesday09:00 AM05:00 PM
Wednesday09:00 AM05:00 PM
Thursday09:00 AM05:00 PM
Friday09:00 AM05:00 PM
Saturdayclosed

Location & Map


Lakes Area Flood & Fire
22397 County Road 3 Unit 1
Merrifield, MN 56465
(218) 820-4150
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