IS YOUR HOME’S STRUCTURE SAFE OR IS DECAY HIDDEN BEHIND YOUR WALLS?

Poria Incrassata: Infestation

Poria Incrassate is a wood-decaying fungus belonging to a group of fungi referred to as the “brown rot family,” which differs from the other members of this family by its unique characteristic that it provides its own moisture. Although it is rare, it is often mistaken for mold or rot. The difference is it attacks a home’s wood framing members, causing instability problems for your home’s structure, ultimately increasing the liability risk for injury or collapse occurring.

The main destructive feature of this fungus is that it is its own moisture source. The excess water that may be found in the soil beneath and surrounding your home’s foundation may be the start of significant structural damage and the inevitable decay and collapse of your home’s support beams, exterior wall framing, wood siding, roof framing system, decks or patio covers if Poria is present. Poria can travel at any given depth in search of moisture in the soil. Therefore, Poria cannot be removed from the soil it infects.

Because Poria brings its own water source, the initial damage noticed may appear to be similar to water damage such as on a wood floor that begins to buckle or cup and eventually caves in. The second stage of Poria eating the wood support members materials beneath the wood flooring materials may look similar to wood rot as the wood product is broken down to a white chalk or dust-like consistency as it eats floor joists, wood framing members and the wood flooring material. Once it eats the wood materials, there is no evidence or remnants of the wood materials that were once there as they appear to have vanished. What appears to be the collapse or caving in of the flooring is actually the result of the support beams or sub-floor’s complete disappearance due to the Poria.

According to Southern California Poria Incrassate Specialist, J. Luis De La Cruz from Wood Preservation Services, you cannot successfully test to confirm Poria Incrassate. Testing for Poria requires obtaining “live” samples of decay fungi from the infected wood. Removal of a piece of wood infected by Poria for testing in a lab or to take a sample from the site and place it in a petri dish disconnects it from its moisture source, which is the one thing that sustains its life. This also allows other more prominent bacteria from the air to show up in the test results rather than the Poria as it is no longer living. Testing will only conclude that Poria is from the “brown-rot family” of fungi, however, there are hundreds of strands that fall under this category. Therefore, incurring costs for lab testing fees (these can range from $900 - $1,500.00) to confirm the presence of Poria is pointless. The important thing is to ensure that there are no wood members that come in contact with the soil and that there is enough space separating the home’s wood framing or siding from the soil.

Vigorous poria growth can result in water damage:

Poria is commonly mistaken to be the result of a water intrusion issue. If not recognized in a timely manner, Poria will continue to cause damage to the home’s structure unbeknownst to the homeowner until a collapse occurs after the wood support or framing members are completely eaten away.

Once Poria is established, it continues to be active in the soil year-round and produces reproductive fruiting bodies twice a year (mainly in May and November). During its reproductive stage, Poria can transport moisture into the colonized area from an astonishing 150-foot distance, which makes it impossible to locate its original source. The consumption of wood then increases and millions of spores are produced. Because Poria secretes its own enzyme onto the wood, the wood eventually turns to mush. The affected wood components become saturated, exceeding the wood’s capacity to retain water. The excess water can be found pooling within the infected area, causing water damage to the building materials. The spores are a dark reddish brown film and are expelled with tremendous pressure, making them airborne, covering the flat surfaces around the infected area. As long as the supply of water is available for the Poria, the water-conducting fungi can colonize and decay the wood of the entire structure. The bad news about Poria is that it’s hidden and it spreads fast. The good news is, once you find it, it’s growth can be controlled and ultimately stopped completely once proper construction design is put in place.

Homeowners beware: Poria Incrassate can cost you tens of thousands of dollars in repairs if it is not recognized timely. Given that Poria is considered a mold or fungus, many insurance policies exclude or limit coverage for removal of building materials damaged by Poria and any repairs needed to replace the affected materials. If Poria is not correctly identified in the initial investigation stage of the claim, your homeowner insurance company may exclude coverage entirely due to Poria’s resemblance to rot, which generally is not covered by insurance due to it being a long-term issue.

The Solution: add concrete footings or a concrete stem wall around your home’s foundation to prevent the Poria from coming in contact with wood posts and framing members and make sure there is at least a 4-inch gap between the soil and the base of any wood siding or wood materials. Once the infected wood is removed, the Poria strain dies as it no longer has access to its source of moisture in the soil. However, if the construction design is not changed that allowed the Poria to come in contact with wood materials of the home and the Poria still has a moisture source, it will attack the new wood materials that replaced the previous infected ones that were removed.

Make sure to get a qualified professional on the job from the time you first notice damage and before you start a remodel project on your home. Call Specialized Outsource Solutions for referrals of reputable contractors and experts who follow the proper guidelines for design and re-construction of your home, including plumbing, water restoration, mold remediation, testing for mold, inspections for Poria incrassata and building repairs. SOS’ can refer specialists, experts and contractors that are just a phone call away to help you protect your investment - 1-888-589-1868 or request referrals for reputable experts and contractors from our website.

>> Find a professional's interpretation of this blog post HERE "From the Expert"Make sure to get a qualified professional on the job from the time you first notice damage and before you start a remodel project on your home. Call Specialized Outsource Solutions for referrals of reputable contractors and experts who follow the proper guidelines for design and re-construction of your home, including plumbing, water restoration, mold remediation, testing for mold, inspections for Poria incrassata and building repairs. SOS’ can refer specialists, experts and contractors that are just a phone call away to help you protect your investment - 1-888-589-1868 or request referrals for reputable experts and contractors from our website.

>> See Specialized Outsource Solutions's interpretation of The Expert's blog post HERE

Poria Incrasta: From the Expert

IS YOUR HOME’S STRUCTURE SAFE OR IS DECAY HIDDEN BEHIND YOUR WALLS?

Poria Incrassata: Infestation

Poria incrassata is a wood-decaying fungus belonging to a group of fungi referred to as the “brown rot family,” which differs from the other members of this family by its unique characteristic that it provides its own moisture to the wood to be colonized through water-conducting strands called rhizomorphs.  Because the rarity of its presence and the lack of knowledge by the consumer and service providers, it is often mistaken for mold. The damage is most-often mistaken as that caused by other members of the family as the damage is identical and is commonly referred to as “dry-rot.”

Extensive damage to the floor structure and wall framing could exist before the first signs of the infection become evident to the occupants by the emergence of “fruiting bodies” or by hardwood floors cupping, buckling or breaking, as well as baseboards and door jambs shrinking and disintegrating.  It is not rare to find the presence of Poria as a result of the sudden collapse of sections of the floor, which on some occasions have resulted in injuries to the occupants.

This destructive feature is as a result of its ability to obtain moisture from the soil and transport it to the wood by the rhizomorphs that will gain access through separations between building components, cracks in the foundation or in many occasions due to direct contact between the soil and the wood members( like on the porches where the earth fill may be higher than the wood.)

Keeping the wood wet is essential for the Poria to continue its growth and often results in the improper assumption that the cause of the “dry-rot” is as a result of water intrusion caused by leaks (roof, plumbing, sprinklers, grading, insufficient ventilation, etc.) leading to unnecessary expenses. This also often results in improper repairs that will allow the infection to re-start as soon as the replacement of the affected building materials are completed.

Vigorous Poria Growth Can Result In Water Damage

The visible damage observed due to Poria often confuses the homeowner and the service providers, leading them to believe that external sources are the culprit, due to the degree of saturation on the wood, insulation in the walls or the floor, water running out of the joints of the siding or small puddles at the base of the wall, or floors buckling or cupping.

It is a common mistake to think that the irrigation of the landscaped areas have to do with the source of the Poria infection, as it will travel far and deep to find moisture. Given this fact, it impossible to determine the original source of the infection.

Once Poria is established, it continues to be active in the soil year-round and produces reproductive fruiting bodies twice a year (mainly around the months of May and November).  During this stage, the consumption of wood is increased and millions of spores are produced and expelled with tremendous pressure, making them airborne, resulting in a reddish brown film covering the flat surfaces around the infected area.

A Poria infection begins from a microscopic spore and the development of microscopic filaments that eventually will gather together to form a visible strand (rhizomorph) that may grow to inches in a round form (similar to a root) or flat when compressed between building components. These stands can reach a size from ½-inch thick to several inches wide.

The identification of Meruliporia (Poria) incrassata should be based on the observation of the characteristics of the infection at the site like the presence of fruiting bodies, the presence of spores, the mycelium growth, the spread of the infection, the presence of fungus moths and more than anything else, the presence of rhizomorphs.

A Poria infection by its own nature creates a favorable environment for the growth of other types of fungus (mold) and other opportunistic bacteria, as the supply of moisture is constant until the rhizomorphs are detached from the wood.

Laboratory testing based on air samples may show the presence of Basidiospores that indicate the presence of wood decay without identifying the genus. Bulk samples will be contaminated with ever-present floating spores of everything, so the growth in a petri dish may show everything except Poria, given that Poria will die once disconnected from its water source.

If you choose to have a lab test for Poria, you’d better have deep pockets. Lab testing fees can range between $900.00 - $1,500.00, and will likely not be able to confirm anything other than a mold from the “brown rot family.” Lab technicians or hygienists are not trained to identify where the Poria are gaining access to the structure.  A better investment would be to hire an expert who is knowledgeable about the characteristics of the Poria infection to inspect, determine the conditions that are providing access and contributing to the Poria infection as well as the type of repairs necessary to eliminate those conditions.  In most cases, these inspections are less expensive than the lab testing fees, which ultimately, do not remediate the source of the problem.

Homeowners beware: Poria incrassata can cost you tens of thousands of dollars in repairs if it is not recognized timely or if the repairs made are inadequate.  Given that Poria is a wood decaying fungus and it is grouped with the non-wood decaying fungus or MOLD, many insurance policies exclude or limit coverage for removal of building materials damaged by Poria and any repairs needed to replace the affected materials.  If Poria is not identified correctly in the initial investigation stage of the claim, your insurance company may exclude coverage entirely. This isn’t unlikely as the damage by Poria is commonly referred to as “dry rot”, which is a misnomer for wood decay and is generally not covered by insurance due to it being considered a long-term issue.

The Solution:  A proper inspection by a professional with knowledge about Poria incrassata will determine the type of repairs that will be necessary to eliminate the current activity and to eliminate the threat of future attacks.  Demolition of certain finished surfaces may be necessary to implement resolving the problem.  Concrete barriers could in some cases aggravate the situation if the access route is not located and sealed properly.  The repairs will vary depending on the details of the construction of the home’s structure as homes with a crawl space differ from those with concrete slab foundations and they require different approaches to solve the problem.

The repairs must fallow a sequence where the points of access are found and eliminated, wood is replaced, and may require that additional barriers be applied. In addition, the interior and exterior materials must be completed providing separations or air gaps between the soil and hard surfaces, such as at the base of stucco or siding.  Decorative veneers on the exterior of walls may have to be eliminated unless special provisions are incorporated in the repairs.

Once the rhizomorphs are removed from the wood, eliminating the source of moisture, any activity above that level will cease as the infection will die and it will not regenerate new growth even if the area gets wet by external sources.  Wood with growth on the surface can be left in place if not structurally weakened with the growth left in place or scraped off depending on your preference.

Poria is a soil inhabitant organism and it will continue to be active as there are no chemicals that will control its growth.  Performing the proper examinations and applying the proper seals to isolate the wood frame from access by the rhizomorphs is the only solution to prevent its attack.  The source of moisture being the soil will always be present regardless of the depth at which Poria will have to travel to obtain it.  If you have water damaged floors, it might save money in the long-run to investigate the possibility that the damage could be as a result of Poria activity.

Make sure to get a qualified professional on the job from the time you first notice damage and before you start a remodel project on your home. Call Specialized Outsource Solutions for referrals of reputable contractors and experts who follow the proper guidelines for design and re-construction of your home, including plumbing, water restoration, mold remediation, testing for mold, inspections for Poria incrassata and building repairs. SOS’ can refer specialists, experts and contractors that are just a phone call away to help you protect your investment - 1-888-589-1868 or request referrals for reputable experts and contractors from our website.

>> See Specialized Outsource Solutions's interpretation of The Expert's blog post HERE

Are Mold Monsters Lurking in Your Home?

It’s that time of year again when ghosts, goblins and monsters can be seen everywhere on Halloween. We all know these monsters are not real, so it’s fun for both adults and children. However, there may be a real monster lurking in the depths of your home and you may have no idea it exists! No, we’re not talking about your children playing hide-and-go-seek in the closet – we’re talking about mold. 

Heavy rains and large (or even small) leaks in your home can cause mold to grow inside of the wall cavities or behind the cabinetry in your home. With the rainy season approaching, homeowners need to be aware of these sneaky leaks because they can cause major mold problems if left undetected.

Mold spores are found everywhere, as they are a common component of household and workplace dust. However, when spores are present in large quantities, they can be ghastly health hazards to humans. These spores potentially cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems.

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), 100% of all types of mold have the potential to cause some health effects. Exposure to high levels of mycotoxins can lead to neurological problems and in some cases death. Prolonged exposure can be particularly harmful. So what may appear to be harmless discoloration on your walls behind furniture or black spots growing on the walls and ceiling of your bathroom may likely be an issue that needs to be addressed before any of the exposure causes any harm to you or your loved ones.

Symptoms of mold exposure:

• Nasal and sinus congestion, runny nose, nose bleeds 
• Eye irritation, such as itchy, red, watery eyes 
• Respiratory problems, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing, chest tightness 
• Coughing 
• Throat irritation 
• Skin irritation, such as a rash 
• Headaches 
• Vomiting 
• Sneezing / Sneezing fits 

These are signs you can possibly have a hidden mold monster growing in your attic, crawlspace or behind your walls. If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t simply excuse them. According to the Mayo Clinic, 93% of chronic sinus infections have been attributed to mold. Mold spores can be spread throughout the home by your HVAC system. According to CNN Money, over 30% of brand-new homes built have mold of some form in them.

Often times, there is not a visible water source, obvious leak or visible discoloration to indicate the presence of mold growth may be lurking behind walls or cabinetry.

What can you do to protect your investment?

- Investigate any musty, foul or unusual odors in your home and address repair of water leaks in
a timely manner

- Check for any signs of water staining on cabinets and shelves, dripping of water from the hot
and cold angle stops and p-traps located beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks

- Look for discoloration on the floor around the base of toilets or the walls and cabinets next to
toilets

- Review your water bill for any significant increase

- Water pooling on the outside of your home may be a sign of a plumbing leak

- Paint on your walls that starts flaking off or chipping may be a sign of a water problem

- Mushrooms or white, green, or black fuzzy growth on carpets, walls or furniture are mold

- Look for discoloration or stains on your walls or ceiling which may be due to a roof, air
conditioner unit or plumbing leak

- Discolored tile grout, warping of wood flooring, or curling of vinyl tile or linoleum are often
signs of moisture or water

- Replace washing machine hoses that are deteriorated or are more than 5-years old

- Check for water staining on or around the water heater platform or rust on the hoses at the
top of the water heater

- Look for stains or discoloration at the base of kitchen cabinets or toe-kicks near your
dishwasher or refrigerator

- Spraying or wiping mold allows the mold spores to become airborne and inhaled

- Do not place fans in areas where you suspect there may be mold as this can blow mold spores
throughout your home

- Tape down a sheet of plastic over the visible mold area and call a professional to remove it

- Infants, elderly people and people with low immune systems are more likely to be adversely
affected by mold

- Open a window when running the shower if you don’t have a fan in your bathroom

Call SOS:

- For referral of reputable plumbers who can investigate to confirm if you have a leak or water
intrusion issue

- For referral of testing labs that can confirm the presence of mold and advise how to properly
remove it

- For referral of a water restoration service companies that specialize in properly drying any wet
building materials and are certified in the removal of mold

- For referral of reputable contractors that can repair and replace any materials removed due to
water or mold

Know when you should get a certified contractor to address your home’s mold issues. Don’t wait to address an issue and put yourself and family members at risk to being victims of health problems due to undetected mold in your home. Call SOS at 1-888-589-1868 to get reliable, local referrals to certified plumbing, water, mold and repair specialists or request services from our website.

How Your 911 Phone Call May Cost You Thousands on a Fire Loss

Did you know there are people who listen in on the radio frequency used by the Fire Department on 911 phone calls? Be warned! You can expect a knock at your door shortly after making a call to 911 from various Public Adjusters, sometimes referred to as “ambulance chasers.” These Public Adjusters may tell you horror stories about your insurance company and how your insurance company will not treat you fairly or compensate you entirely for your damages. Beware as they may have one goal in mind - to take advantage of your misfortune in order to turn a profit.

Once a call is placed to 911 to report a fire, Public Adjusters competing with others in their line of work will race to be first-on-scene at the home, business or commercial building to take advantage of the situation. Public Adjusters may charge up to 40% of the total value of your claim for their services, costing helpless home, building and business owners thousands of unnecessarily-spent dollars. At 40%, they would charge $40,000 for every $100,000 you incur in costs for repairs and hotel stay, temporary housing or the cost to replace your personal or business property.

It may appear that these Public Adjusters travel in packs. Thirty of them may show up at a home or building immediately after the 911 call is made and for weeks afterward with different approaches and various sales pitches to get the property owner to hire them. They may blatantly lie to the property owner and tell them they were sent by the the insurance company (in an attempt to get information about the insurance company the building owner is insured with, what type of policy they have, the amount of their policy limits, their policy deductible and their insurance policy or claim number). In some cases, they have been known to offer the property owner or property manager an envelope full of cash for information or get them to sign with them for their services.

Public Adjusters often refer their own contractors who: 

• May likely not be insured, licensed or bonded
• May not pull permits or follow proper procedures
• May not finish the job after receiving a sizable down payment to begin repairs
• May cut corners in order to rake in even more cash for themselves (like replace plaster with drywall and not credit the owner the substantial price difference of the material & labor cost, not remove all affected materials in an attempt to save on construction costs, not replace insulation in the attic or walls, not hire a licensed abatement contractor to remove of and dispose of materials that test positive for lead or asbestos or install lower grade or not equivalent quality of materials than were initially in the home or building)

The Public Adjuster will likely tell you that you don’t have to pay them anything for their services and that the payment they receive will come from the increase they are able to get your insurance company to pay you. Regardless of whether they are able to increase the value of the claim or not, if you hire them, you are on the hook to pay them the percentage outlined in their contract. Ultimately, this could mean that you will receive less money than you would have been entitled to and that you don’t have enough money to repair all of the damage to your home or building or to replace your damaged business or personal property.

Most people don’t know that the adjuster sent by your insurance company will provide the same services as a Public Adjuster at no cost to the home or building owner. The difference between the two adjusters is that the Public Adjuster solicits and works for the general public who then pays them for their services. 

As an informed property owner, you should know that you have 72 hours to cancel a contract in the State of California, which is why the Public Adjuster may offer to report a claim to your insurance company on your behalf, while offering to put you up in a hotel or offer to send you and your family on a vacation for 3-days or more. In doing so, their intent may be that your insurance carrier can’t get a hold of you during the time period in which you can legally cancel your contract with them. They may fear that your insurance company’s adjuster will inform you about how Public Adjusters get paid or explain to you how the insurance company is regulated by The California Department of Insurance to follow the proper claims process.

Property owners need to know their legal rights - Legally, property owners can ask Public Adjusters to vacate their property , and can even call the police if they won't leave or continue to harass the owner. The California State Contractor’s License Board’s Website recommends not paying more than 10% of the total contract price or a $1,000, whichever is less, as a down payment to any contractor.

The Bottom Line:

If you ever have to call 911 to report damage to your home or building due to a fire, make sure to give your insurance company a fair chance. If you feel you aren't bring treated fairly, contact The California Department of Insurance to initiate an investigation of your insurance company’s handling of your claim to ensure you are being treated fairly. Don't make a hasty decision while you are still traumatized from losing your home, pet, family member, business or property due to a fire.

If you feel confident that hiring a Public Adjuster is an option for you, make sure to check the California Department of Insurance’s website (www.DOI.CA.gov) to verify they are licensed and bonded and have no valid complaints filed against them. With so much information available to the public via the internet, you may also want to run a search on the Public Adjuster’s name or their company’s name to make sure others have had a good experience after retaining their services. As a final precautionary measure, you may also want to conduct research to confirm that the Public Adjuster has no criminal history of committing insurance fraud.

Specialized Outsource Solutions is here to insure a no hassle, worry-free, and trustworthy solution for you by referring contractors who are licensed, bonded, insured and believe in quality workmanship. SOS can refer a reputable contractor that specializes in cleaning the black soot residue from your home or building as well as your business or personal property and that also specializes in getting rid of smoke odor that can linger after a fire. Rely on SOS and call us at 1-888-589-1868 or request referral of a reputable contractor from our website.