Mold Risk Following a Storm

Christina Mullins • September 8, 2021

The date of August 29th has become somewhat notorious as unlucky for many who call Louisiana home. First, Hurricane Katrina devastated much of the New Orleans area in 2005. A mere 10 days ago, Hurricane Ida pummeled its way through the Pelican State on the sixteenth-year anniversary of Katrina. The catastrophic damages it has caused is estimated at 50 billion dollars.


Louisiana residents and our partners along the Gulf Coast are nothing short of resilient, there is no denying that. We have overcome our fair share of natural disasters. It should be of no surprise that this one has not been any different!


The Inevitable Risk of Mold

With storms of this magnitude comes inevitably, water damage. Many homes and businesses were flooded from Ida. If water damage is not mitigated swiftly and properly within 24-48 hours, your business or home could become infested with mold. There could also be additional secondary damages that can be very costly and time-consuming to repair. Once mold begins to grow, the restoration process is halted until it is removed. 


Sometimes you may think you have mold, but oftentimes it can just be dust, dirt or mildew. Although our team at Guarantee Restoration Services is experts in mold remediation, we contract third party contractors to test your property for mold. They let us know what we are dealing with. Some surface molds are not as harmful as others. Others, like stachybotrys, can prove to be extremely toxic if spores are inhaled.


Stopping Mold in Its Tracks (And Not By Yourself!)


The most common cause of mold happens when flood damages are not restored correctly. When the most destructive hurricanes and tropical storms hit, it is often the hottest time of the year. The combination of heat and humidity does not bode well for mold. In fact, it is one of the worst things for it. 


It is important to ventilate and dry out any affected rooms as quickly as possible. Many people will try to do this themselves, but cannot successfully remove all mold by spraying bleach and utilizing fans and wet-dry vacuums. This is because they do not have the proper and specialized equipment to dry and clean like restoration companies, such as GRS, do. Oftentimes, the cost to have your property professionally dried and cleaned is covered by your insurance policy. It’s not worth running the risk of potentially making it worse! 


Harmful Health Effects 

If not mitigated properly, these harmful microorganisms not only cause significant structural damage, but will also have a negative impact on the health of the residents as well. For individuals, it can activate a variety of allergy symptoms and other serious health issues, such as headaches, dizziness, respiratory problems, sinus infections, eye irritations and rashes. Mold can even aggravate conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also known as, COPD).


There When You Need Us Most

We understand more than most that natural disasters are beyond our control. If you have water damage from a hurricane or other property loss, call on the team that is there when you need us most. Guarantee Restoration Services is available 24/7, which is not just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE. If your business or home has a mold issue, contact us today at 1-800-349-HELP (4357) or email us at info@guaranteerstoration.net.


Christina Riviere is the Marketing Manager at Guarantee Restoration Services. She celebrated her one-year anniversary at GRS in May 2021. To connect with her, visit LinkedIn or send her an email.

The Dangers of Hidden Water Damage in Commercial Properties

By Adrianne Hungerford • June 3, 2026
Hidden moisture can damage commercial buildings long before it's visible. Learn the risks, warning signs, and importance of professional mitigation.

Why Pre-Loss Planning Matters for Lafayette Properties on the Gulf Coast

By Jeremy Cryer • May 27, 2026
On the Gulf Coast, preparation isn’t optional. It’s simply a part of doing business. From hurricane season to heavy rain events and everything in between, properties in Lafayette face a different level of risk than most. And when something does happen, the difference between a smooth recovery and a stressful situation often comes down to one thing: having a plan in place with the right team. Why Pre-Loss Planning Looks Different in Lafayette Pre-loss planning looks a little different here because the risks are different. It’s not just about knowing where your shutoffs are or having a list of contacts. It’s about understanding how quickly a storm can shift, how water can move through a property, and how to respond when multiple buildings or locations are impacted at once. That kind of preparation requires more than a template. It requires local knowledge. At Guarantee Restoration Services, our Lafayette team builds pre-loss plans with that in mind. We take into account the specific challenges that come with properties in Acadiana, including wind-driven rain, tornado threats, and the potential for widespread damage across an entire area. That allows us to create a plan that is realistic, not just theoretical. The Importance of Having a Clear Path Forward “We’ve seen how quickly things can escalate during a storm event. Having a pre-loss plan in place gives our clients a clear path forward instead of trying to figure it out in the middle of the chaos,” said Craig Rose, Mitigation Manager at our Lafayette Branch. That “clear path forward” is what makes the biggest difference. When a storm hits, response times are everything, but so is access. Roads can be blocked, power can be out, and communication can be limited. A strong pre-loss plan accounts for those variables and ensures that response efforts can begin as soon as it is safe to do so. Protecting Operations, Employees, and Tenants It also helps property teams stay focused on what matters most. Instead of trying to coordinate vendors, track down information, or make high-pressure decisions, they can follow a plan that has already been built around their property and their priorities. From a business standpoint, that level of preparation protects more than just the building. It protects operations, tenants, employees, and timelines. Building Trust Before Disaster Strikes “Pre-loss planning is about building trust before there’s ever a problem. Our clients know who to call, what to expect, and how we’re going to support them when something happens,” said Paige Hebert, Business Development Representative in Lafayette. That trust and familiarity matter, especially in a region where large-scale events can impact entire communities at once. You are not just calling a company, you are calling a team that already understands your property, your risks, and your expectations. Be Realistic. Be Ready. Pre-loss planning on the Gulf Coast is not about over-preparing. It is about being realistic and ready. Because when the next storm comes through Lafayette, it is not a matter of if you will need a plan—it is a matter of how well that plan works when it is put to the test. Call us today to schedule your Pre-Loss Planning meeting where 24/7 is not just a number… it’s a GUARANTEE!

How to Respond to Property Damage in the First 24 Hours

By Shawn Folks • May 20, 2026
When a disaster strikes and a loss happens, the clock starts immediately. The first 24 hours after a storm event or a fire loss are the most critical for any property. It is at this time that major decisions need to be made, the damage is either controlled or spreads, and the path to recovery is determined. These decisions are often rushed, unclear, and reactive without a plan in place. This is where having a pre-loss plan makes a measurable and meaningful difference. A pre-loss plan creates a clear starting point for you and your team instead of scrambling to figure out who to call, what steps to take, or how to protect the property. It removes reactive hesitation and replaces it with action to recover. Everyone involved knows their role and understands the process, allowing them to move quickly without second guessing. Speed matters in restoration. Water continues to spread; materials continue to deteriorate, and secondary damage, like mold, can begin in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The faster a response is initiated, the more damage can be contained. Pre-loss planning allows that response to begin immediately, not hours or days later. Other than fast action, it also brings clarity during a very chaotic and challenging moment. Property managers, facility teams, and business owners are not left out in the dark trying to make high-pressure decisions on the spot. Instead, they are following a plan that has already been thoroughly thought through, discussed, and tailored to their specific property’s needs. Communication can become fragmented without a plan. Another advantage to pre-loss planning is coordination. There are several moving parts including emergency services, restoration teams, and insurance carriers. Having a plan streamlines communication ensuring that everyone involved is aligned from the start. At Guarantee Restoration Services, pre-loss planning is designed to support the exact moment the dust settles. It’s not just about preparing documents to sign ahead of time; it’s about setting up our partners and clients to respond with confidence when it matters the most. From established points of contact to documented site conditions and response protocols, everything is built to protect time, reduce damage, and maintain control.  Many people think preparation is about preventing the worst from happening. Rather, it is about being ready when it happens. Because when those first 24 hours hit, you do not want to be figuring things out. You want to be executing a well-formulated, personalized plan for recovery. Call us today...where 24/7 isn’t just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE!
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