Archive for January, 2010

Hey Tampa Bay, let’s talk about MERV Ratings!

The acronym MERV stands for “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value”. MERV is a standard used to measure the overall efficiency of a filter’s ability to remove airborne particles as they pass through the filter; the higher a MERV rating, the better the filter’s ability to remove dust particles and airborne contaminants. MERV ratings range from 1 to 16, with 16 being the best air filter, and are based on their effectiveness to remove particles according to size. Particles are measured in microns and the sizes measured fall between 1 and 12 (12 being the largest). It is important to note that most filters found in residential use are rated MERV 1-4. At these low ratings, the filters do not catch any particles that measure below 10 microns, leaving an enormous amount of contaminants, including mold spores, airborne. FYI – Visible dust particles start at a measurement of 10 microns.

To learn about how to choose the best air filter for you, read our article Air Filters and Effective Mold Spore Removal: What you need to know.

For more information on how to protect your family from mold and mold spores, please contact Advanced Restoration, Inc. at 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT or at www.drymeout.com.

Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Damage, Sewer Damage and Emergency Disaster Recovery Restoration Company in Tampa Bay, Florida. Company Services Include: WATER DAMAGE EXTRACTION and RESTORATION; MOLD REMOVAL and MOLD REMEDIATION; STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION; FLOODS; HURRICANE DAMAGE; SEWER DAMAGE; Complete Restoration Services. Residential, Commercial & Industrial structures in the Tampa Bay Metro Area, Sarasota County, FL, Manatee County, FL and Okaloosa county, FL.  1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!

Recently, we were asked by a client in Palm Harbor exactly how a pin hole leak might contribute to water damage.

The answer is quite significant so we wanted to share the information with everyone. Statistics prove that 250 gallons of water can be released per day by a mere 1/8-inch pipe crack (aka pin hole leak). To give you a frame of reference, 250 gallons is the equivalent of 250 jugs of milk, about 63 propane tanks (20 pounds each) or one really really big fish tank that measures 6′ long and 2′ high. What’s even worse, a pin hole leak could go undetected for months if inside a wall or under a slab.

In sum, a pin hole leak can cause a significant amount of damage. If you need any help with water damage assessment or water damage remediation, please call us at 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT. Our team is standing by 24/7 for all of your emergency and non-emergency water, mold and sewer damage needs.

Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Damage, Sewer Damage and Emergency Disaster Recovery Restoration Company in Tampa Bay, Florida. Company Services Include: WATER DAMAGE EXTRACTION and RESTORATION; MOLD REMOVAL and MOLD REMEDIATION; STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION; FLOODS; HURRICANE DAMAGE; SEWER DAMAGE; Complete Restoration Services. Residential, Commercial & Industrial structures in the Tampa Bay Metro Area, Sarasota County, FL, Manatee County, FL and Okaloosa county, FL.  1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!

Florida Yellow Pages

Mold and odor problems with your towels? Learn how to keep your towels fresh.

If you live in Florida, then you know what I’m talking about. You reach for a towel and ICK, it has been possessed by a musty odor. Your towel may have just fallen victim to mold growth. Think about it. After you use your towel, you hang it to dry in your bathroom. As you know, bathrooms are notorious for having poor air circulation and retaining humidity – the perfect breeding ground for mold.

So how does one win the battle against moldy towels? Read on:

1. First off, keep your washer clean. Clean it regularly per manufacturer’s instructions. For example, my front loader requires a bleach clean cycle once a month.

2. In your bathroom, try to maximize the drying area of your towel.

3. Replace your towel often. Some experts even argue that towels should be replaced daily, especially if you have any skin irritations like acne. But, we know most people don’t have the time to constantly wash towels.

4. Once you are ready to wash your towel, WASH your towel. Wet or damp towels that are left lying around are the perfect host for mold growth.

5. When washing your towels, understand that laundry detergent will just not cut it. You need to get serious. Either a) Use a Color-safe bleach (if you missed our article on how bleach doesn’t kill mold, please refer to it. In the meantime, this product works in a pinch) or b) add 1 1/2 cups of white vinegar to the laundry cycle in addition to the detergent or c) use Borax per the box’s directions.

6. Our preferred cleaner here is a natural enzyme based laundry detergent like “Naturally It’s Clean”. Enzymes are amazing. They dissolve mold and eat up odor. Unfortunately, natural cleaners tend to be on the pricey side.

7. Make certain to leave your washer door open.

8. Completely dry your towels in the dryer. Make sure that towels do not feel damp to the touch or throw them back in for a touch up. If you take a damp towel out of the dryer, you are undoing everything you just did.

We hope this helps you in your quest to having and maintaining fresh smelling towels!

For all of your questions relating mold, water damage or sewer damage, please contact us at 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT or www.drymeout.com. We are available 24 hours a day.

Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Damage, Sewer Damage and Emergency Disaster Recovery Restoration Company in Tampa Bay, Florida. Company Services Include: WATER DAMAGE EXTRACTION and RESTORATION; MOLD REMOVAL and MOLD REMEDIATION; STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION; FLOODS; HURRICANE DAMAGE; SEWER DAMAGE; Complete Restoration Services. Residential, Commercial & Industrial structures in the Tampa Bay Metro Area, Sarasota County, FL, Manatee County, FL and Okaloosa county, FL.  1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!

Natural Home Remedies to Remove Mold

When it comes to mold, many people turn to the chemical Mold Removers available at their local store. In a recent article we released on Chemical vs. Natural Mold and Mildew Cleaners, we discuss the removers in detail and ultimately conclude that natural cleaners are effective and non-toxic ways to remove mold. At Advanced Restoration, Inc., we are proud to announce that we only utilize Benefect Botanical Disinfectant to remove mold and mildew. In addition to being non-abrasive, Benefect is the first & only Botanical Disinfectant in North America, is Green Certified and kills over 99.99% of Bacteria, Fungus, TB and HIV. Advanced Restoration, Inc. is extremely concerned about protecting your family, pets and the environment during a mold removal, mold remediation or water damage restoration servicing. To purchase Benefect products for your home, please visit an online retailer such as Benelifegreen.com.

Further to purchasing ready made cleaners, there are several home remedies available to fight the mold battle. Ingredients such as Tea Tree Oil and Vinegar have been strong contenders in their proven ability to remove mold and mildew.

How does vinegar remove mold? Because it is an acetic acid, it attacks the roots and spores: white vinegar has been proven to kill 82% of mold species. The great thing about vinegar is that it is widely available and inexpensive. Vinegar is especially useful as a maintenance product. Melaleuca Alternifolia Tea Tree Oil is by far the most effective mold remover as it has been shown to kill all mold species and because of its antifungal and antibacterial properties. However, Tea Tree Oil is expensive. If cost isn’t an issue, mix one teaspoon Tea Tree Oil to one cup of water in a spray bottle.

How to Clean Mold:

Always

1. Wear protective gloves and a mask if possible.

2. Ventilate the area to the best of your ability. If you must, leave the room as needed for fresh air.

3. Natural cleaners will differ from their chemical counterparts because they actually require scrubbing. A steel brush is sometimes recommended.

4. Wipe away the residue or feel free to rinse away debris but be sure to re-spray the surface as the ingredient will continue to work on the area.

Daily maintenance includes spraying the area as needed. For example, mist your shower stall after your shower with your chosen natural remedy. Mist your dish rack every night after dishes have been put away. Mop the floor often using the mold remedy. Basically use anywhere you might find water.

Good luck and remember, if your mold problem is too much to handle or if you are seeking further information on how to safely and effectively remove mold and prevent mold growth, in your home, contact the Mold Removal experts at Advanced Restoration, Inc. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT.

Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Damage, Sewer Damage and Emergency Disaster Recovery Restoration Company in Tampa Bay, Florida. Company Services Include: WATER DAMAGE EXTRACTION and RESTORATION; MOLD REMOVAL and MOLD REMEDIATION; STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION; FLOODS; HURRICANE DAMAGE; SEWER DAMAGE; Complete Restoration Services. Residential, Commercial & Industrial structures in the Tampa Bay Metro Area, Sarasota County, FL, Manatee County, FL and Okaloosa county, FL.  1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!