Posts Tagged ‘mold damage tampa’

NOAA predicts that there will be 8-14 hurricanes and 14-23 tropical storms this season! This is contrary to 2009′s Atlantic Hurricane Season in which only 9 tropical storms formed, the fewest since 1997.

Interestingly enough, the 2009 season’s first tropical depression formed on May 28, 4 days prior to the official start of Atlantic hurricane Season.  Out of the 9 tropical storms, 3 became hurricanes of which one was a major hurricane.  The first and strongest hurricane was Hurricane Bill: it was a category 4 and lasted from August 15-24.   Bill hit Nova Scotia, Canada, and made landfall in Newfoundland.

Apparently, the inactivity of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season resulted from El Nino.  Unfortunately, inactive as the season was, six people were killed in tropical cyclone-related incidents and total losses reached roughly $77 million.

FYI: The NOAA had forecasted 4-6 hurricanes in 2009.  Let’s hope the official number of hurricanes this year comes in under their prediction.

Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Damage, Sewer Damage and Emergency DisasterRecovery 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!

Today we read an article portraying recent events in Nashville.  Further to the drama created by the extreme flood of 2010, the city now has a lawsuit on its hands.  Apparently, when President Obama declared the area a disaster area, making it able to receive federal aid, the city opened up a bid for the city water cleanup to disaster recovery companies.  As cited in the article, the job was both given and taken away to the lowest bidder on the same day because the company, Bamaco Inc., could not deliver a performance bond.  Bamaco now has the city tangled up in a lawsuit that “appears to be mainly focused on extracting damages from the city” and Bamaco’s lawyers have “suggested that bidding irregularities could lead the federal government to strip Metro Nashville of the aid from Washington that it is counting on as flood recovery efforts continue”.

Who says that disaster recovery is boring?

An interesting note here is that Bamaco has a history of filing suits around disaster periods.  Ironically, the Attorney for Bamaco states, “We recognize that filing a lawsuit in the context of an enormous disaster, when the city is in a recovery mode, is something where we’ve got to tread very lightly…But gosh, we also feel like these are the times when it is most important that the government follow fair procedures.”

It is certain that this suit will go on for a while.  In the meantime, it is our hope that the parties get everything figured out to a point where the citizens of the area are not affected negatively.  The residents of Davidson County have suffered enough and desperately need their cities and streets to be cleaned up.

Read the article from Nashville’s City Paper here

Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Damage, Sewer Damage and Emergency DisasterRecovery 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, ManateeCounty, FL and Okaloosa county, FL.  1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!

Great news! We have revamped our website and it is live!

We have made our site more user friendly and added some great new features including:

• Before and After photos section
• Green Matters section
• New Testimonials Page
• Advanced Restoration Gives Back

and much more.

Please check it out when you have a chance!

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!

Museum Moves Out of Moldy Building

In the last few months, we have been keeping track of our friends at The Douglas Fairbank Museum in Texas. We first found out about them when surfing the net and were immediately drawn to their story. Upon relocating to Texas and moving into a historic property to house their museum dedicated to the former American actor, Douglas Fairbank, the curator discovered a severe mold infestation hiding within the walls of the property. The museum began to post online in search of any help possible. With little money to remediate the property, the group tried to stick it out for a while. Unfortunately, a little while proved to be more costly than the remediation.

Douglas Fairbanks

“For a couple of weeks there, I thought I just had the flu.” museum curator Keri Leigh says. “But my symptoms weren’t getting any better and I couldn’t figure out why I was having all these other symptoms but no fever. It didn’t make sense.”

Subsequently, the museum has moved out of the location. “It’s really sad,” Leigh says. “I had such high hopes for this place just a few short months ago.”

Currently, the museum is in desperate need of a new home. Anyone who has a suitable historic home or building they would consider donating or leasing to the Douglas Fairbanks Museum is encouraged to call (830) 444-0523 to discuss a resident curatorship, possible tax incentives or other options for your property. The museum is willing to relocate anywhere within the United States.

To read more of this story, go to Museum Moves out of Mold Infested Building

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!

More and more, mold resistant building materials are beginning to appear on the market. In addition to helping prevent mold growth, several of these materials are also being certified by institutions monitoring environmental impact, such as the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute and the LEED Green Building Rating System. Here is a list of ten great mold resistant products to use in your next construction adventure.

1. Mold Resistant Wood: Another great choice for preventing mold is mold resistant wood. Companies like Frame-Guard® manufacture wood that has been treated with anti-mold chemicals. In addition to staving off mold, this product also keeps termites away. Another great attribute of this product is that Frame-Guard® wood is certified by Greenguard to not release any harmful emissions into the air.

Read the rest of the list on the Top 10 Mold Resistant Building Materials

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!

The Dry Me Out Team enjoys their new trophies

“We won!”

In part of Advanced Restoration’s continuing service to giving back to the community, the team attended and won the West Pasco Young Professional Group’s First Chasco Fiesta Bowling Tournament, a fundraiser for the SPCA, American Cancer Society and the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

It was a great turn out and we were proud to be a part of it!

Read more here: West Pasco Young Professionals pleased with Chasco debut of bowling tourney

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!

In our last Blog, we talked about Water Damage Tampa Bay horror stories. Well what about mold remediation horror stories you might ask? Recently, we were posed the following question.

“How do I sue this company and what do I sue for? We had a mold problem in our walls and we called several companies that claimed they did mold remediation for estimates. The one we chose was the one who could come the fastest because we were feeling sick. This company came out and screwed up everything, they did not seal the affected room, they didn’t clean any furniture before moving it out of the room. All they wanted to do was remove some dry wall and spray “mold eating enzyme” on the rotted black moldy wood and then leave some dehumidifiers and air cleaners for 3 days. Then come back and spray some harsh chemical to “kill” any mold that was left. I wound up doing all the tear out of the wood and studs and flooring myself because they said they only did that if we hired them for the “rebuild”. So they wanted to leave all this black toxic mold there until then. They never came back to finish the job, just came back to retrieve their equipment. Their equipment was more contaminated than my wall and it stunk up my home. The independent air quality tests we did showed toxic mold before they came and little else. After they left there was no more toxic mold thanks probably to my hard work at cutting out all the moldy studs and flooring, but there was more not so toxic mold that should not have been there and it was all throughout the house. They put my family at risk due to their lack of proper containment procedures and further contaminated my home with other strains of mold, AND never did come back to finish the job…”

This is a terrible story that is unfortunately too common. The bottom line: Call Advanced Restoration, Inc. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT. If you live outside of Western Florida, make sure you follow these steps:

1) Check with the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration http://www.iicrc.org/ Find a restoration/remediation company in your area that is certfied.

2) Check references. Any decent professional company will be able to supply a list of satisfied clients.

One huge red flag in the story above was the fact that these so-called mold specialists did not remove the mold. Mold must be removed, dead or alive.

If you are reading this blog and live outside of Florida, feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. Situations like the one described above do not have to happen.

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!

Last Friday, Peter Linton-Smith from Fox News 13 Pasco reported on a story that is getting more and more common. Foreclosures that become infested with mold.

With unnerving statistics reported such as “In 2009, Florida posted almost 517,000 foreclosure filings, a 34-percent jump from filings in 2008 and a 213-percent rise from postings in 2007. Its foreclosure rate of nearly six percent was the third highest rate among the states and its filings total was the second biggest” and “foreclosures will continue to rise in number this year (2010) because of the double-digit jobless rate, the refusal of banks to provide refinancing, the decline in property values and the high percentage of adjustable-rate mortgage loans”, it’s no wonder that mold is taking over with so many empty properties just waiting for a pipe to burst or a sewage leak to occur. The worst part about it is, as reported in Linton-Smith’s story, there is no one to pay for the remediation and consequently, the health of neighbors is at a huge risk.

If you need any advice on mold or water damage, please contact Advanced Restoration, Inc. today 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT

Click here to read the story

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!

6 New Year’s Resolutions For You From Western Florida’s Mold Removal Experts

It’s New Years Eve, the clock is ticking and the pressure to commit to a New Year’s resolution is on. As Tampa Bay’s industry leader of water damage, mold damage and sewer damage remediation and property restoration, we wanted to share a few possible New Years resolutions for you to choose from. These are so easy that you may want to choose them all!

I resolve to:

1) Change the Shower Curtain Liner often, long before I notice any mold buildup.
2) Leave the washer door open after a laundry cycle
3) Invest in a Relative Humidity Meter (starting as low as $29.99 online!) so I can monitor the levels at my property
4) Purchase a dehumidifier for my home if the humidity level at my property exceeds 55% so as to maintain an environment less hospitable to mold spores
5) Fix all water leaks, leaky pipes, wall cracks and leaky plumbing at my property
6) Call for a mold inspection if my property has every suffered any damage from a flood or hurricane or other, especially if I have any children, pets, seniors or otherwise vulnerable residents at the property

Advanced Restoration, Inc. would like to wish everyone a very safe and fun New Years Eve as well as a wonderful and prosperous New Year. From New Port Richey, a special shout out to all of Tampa Bay, Sarasota and Bradenton, and Okaloosa County. Here’s to 2010!

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!