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.

Guarantee Restoration Services Launches National Sales Team to Expand Strategic Partnerships Across the Country

By Christina Mullins • July 22, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Zack Klein Director of Marketing and Business Development 225-753-8682 Zack@247GRS.com Guarantee Restoration Services Launches National Sales Team to Expand Strategic Partnerships Across the Country BATON ROUGE, La. – June 16, 2026 – Guarantee Restoration Services (GRS), a leading full-service restoration contractor serving the Gulf Coast since 1974, is proud to announce the implementation of its new National Sales Team. This strategic initiative marks an exciting step forward in the company’s continued growth and commitment to serving clients and partners on a broader scale. The newly established team will be led by Barrett Dick, Director of National Sales, alongside Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing. Together, they have played a pivotal role in growing GRS relationships across multiple industries throughout the Gulf Coast and beyond for over a decade. The team also includes newly hired account executives, David Stern and Chad Catalano. “Over the years, we have seen our partnerships and opportunities continue to grow beyond our traditional footprint,” said Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing at Guarantee Restoration Services. “Creating a dedicated National Sales Team allows us to strengthen those relationships, support our partners on a larger scale, and continue expanding the reach of the GRS brand, while staying true to the service and responsiveness we are known for.” Dick, who will celebrate 10 years with GRS next month, brings extensive industry knowledge and leadership experience to the role. He holds multiple Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) credentials, including Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT), Applied Structural Drying (ASD), Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT), and Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT). After graduating from Louisiana State University, Barrett began his professional career with Marucci Sports before joining Guarantee Restoration Services in July 2016. Just weeks into his time with the company, the historic Great Flood of 2016 impacted Southeastern Louisiana, providing him with firsthand experience managing large-scale losses and coordinating restoration efforts for major school districts and commercial clients. Since then, he has helped cultivate business development efforts throughout Louisiana and nationally, working closely with partners in hospitality, education, government, healthcare, and other commercial sectors. “Our focus has always been relationship-driven,” said Dick. “We want our clients and partners to know they have a team they can rely on before, during, and after a disaster. This National Sales Team is another way we are investing in those relationships and positioning Guarantee to better serve organizations wherever they need us.” As part of the expansion, GRS hired David Stern as a National Sales Account Executive. Stern brings more than a decade of high-level sales and relationship management experience from the professional sports industry. Prior to joining our team, he served with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans organization, where he consistently ranked among the organization’s top sales representatives and generated more than $38 million in multiyear contracts throughout his career. “David’s experience of building relationships, managing high-profile partnerships, and delivering exceptional client service makes him a tremendous addition to our team,” added Klein. “His background and skillset align perfectly with the direction we are heading as a company.” The National Sales Team also includes Chad Catalano, who joined Guarantee Restoration Services in January 2026. Catalano brings nearly two decades of restoration industry experience, with a strong background in sales leadership, project coordination, and relationship development throughout the Southeast and Gulf South regions. Prior to joining GRS, Catalano served as National Sales Manager for ServiceMaster DSI and spent more than 16 years with US Restoration as a Sales and Project Coordinator. Throughout his career, he has built long-standing partnerships while helping clients navigate complex restoration and recovery projects. In addition to his restoration industry experience, Catalano also spent several years as a successful high school baseball coach in the New Orleans area, earning multiple district championships and Coach of the Year honors. His leadership, communication skills, and client-focused approach make him a valuable addition to the growing national team. Guarantee Restoration Services continues to serve clients across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama with six locations in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans, Louisiana; Gulfport and Jackson, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama. With the implementation of its National Sales Team, GRS is further expanding its ability to support partners across the country through large-loss response, catastrophe recovery, and national account relationships. The company specializes in water, fire, mold, storm, and biohazard restoration, as well as reconstruction and pre-loss planning services. For more information about Guarantee Restoration Services, visit www.GuaranteeRestoration.com or call 1-800-349-HELP (4357).

Reconstruction Services in Mobile: Rebuilding After Storm and Property Damage

By Erik Seagrave • July 15, 2026
Learn how Guarantee Restoration Services provides expert reconstruction services in Mobile, AL after water, fire, storm, and property damage. (

Meet The Team | Jerome Etienne

By Christina Mullins • July 8, 2026
Behind every successful restoration project is a team of dedicated professionals committed to helping customers recover after disaster strikes. This month, we're introducing Jerome Etienne , a technician at our Baton Rouge office whose hard work and honesty make him a valued member of the Guarantee Restoration Services team. From Forklift Driver to Restoration Technician Jerome is originally from Lafayette, Louisiana , and joined Guarantee Restoration Services in September 2024 . Before beginning his career in restoration, he worked as a forklift driver. Since joining GRS, Jerome has embraced the hands-on nature of restoration work and takes pride in helping prepare properties for the rebuilding process. Finding Satisfaction in Demolition Work. When asked what he enjoys most about working at GRS, Jerome didn't hesitate. He enjoys working on demolition projects, where every job presents a new challenge and plays an important role in restoring a property after damage. Removing damaged materials safely and efficiently helps lay the foundation for the next phase of the restoration process, making demolition one of the most critical steps in recovery. Living the Core Value of Honesty Of GRS's five core values, Honesty is the one that resonates most with Jerome. "I believe people appreciate knowing the truth, especially after their property has been damaged. Being honest, dependable, and transparent helps build trust and shows our customers they can count on us from start to finish." Jerome believes honest communication helps reassure customers during stressful situations while building lasting trust throughout the restoration process. Advice for New Team Members Jerome's advice for anyone starting a career in restoration is straightforward. "Follow what the Lead Tech says. You'll learn everything you need to know." By staying willing to learn and trusting experienced team members, new technicians can quickly build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the field. Outside of Work When he's off the clock, Jerome enjoys spending time outdoors. Whether he's fishing or visiting the gun range, he enjoys activities that allow him to unwind after the work week. A Childhood Dream As a kid, Jerome dreamed of owning a food truck. While his career path eventually led him to restoration, that entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic continue to shine through in everything he does. Thank You, Jerome! We're proud to have Jerome as part of the Guarantee Restoration Services family. His dedication, honesty, and willingness to tackle every challenge help make a difference for both our customers and our team every day. Interested in Joining the GRS Team? At Guarantee Restoration Services, we're always looking for hardworking individuals who share our commitment to excellence, honesty, efficiency, and partnership. If you're interested in building a rewarding career with a team that makes a difference every day, we'd love to hear from you. Visit our Careers page to learn more about current opportunities and become part of the GRS family.
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