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Posts Tagged ‘Mold’

Air filters. Designed to remove particles from the air and protect you from airborne health hazards. But with so many brands, sizes, types, ratings and more to choose from, where does one begin in their search for the best air filter for their money?

Mold….It’s Everywhere!

Just when we think we know all there is to know, someone goes ahead and publishes a post about the top ten facts about mold! Of all things!

Well, mold is everywhere and can be extremely hazardous to the health of humans and pets. Mold is what we term microscopic fungi that grow in long, branching filaments and that are multicellular (these filaments are called hyphae incidentally). There are thousands of species of mold and mold derives its energy from the organic matter in which it lives. Mold produces mold spores. Most spores remain airborne indefinitely and can resist extreme temperatures and pressures. Molds are only visible to the naked eye when colonies grow.

Knowledge is power and just knowing a few things can help you keep a healthy indoor environment for you and your loved ones.

Click to read the Top Ten Facts About Mold

1-800-DRY-ME-OUT is a full service water damage restoration company that provides emergency water removal, water mitigation, carpet drying, mold removal, fire damage, sinkhole and sewer cleanup services. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT is located in Port Richey, Florida, and proudly services the West Gulf Coast of Florida. For more information, please visit http://www.drymeout.com

When it comes to mold, it is important to act as soon as you find it. Unfortunately, most people either don’t know what to do or are misled by false information.

What is Mold?

Mold is what we term microscopic fungi that grow in long, branching filaments and that are multicellular (these filaments are called hyphae incidentally). There are thousands of species of mold and mold derives its energy from the organic matter in which it lives. Mold produces mold spores. Most spores remain airborne indefinitely and can resist extreme temperatures and pressures. Molds are only visible to the naked eye when colonies grow.

The internet offers a plethora of information: some resources are good while some are not so good. We have taken the guess work out of research and hope that this list will help you.

Whether you own property, are looking to buy or rent, mold can be a serious issue. To help you combat any mold damage that you find, here is a Top 10 Mold Removal Resources list for you to keep hand and share!

Click to read: Top 10 Mold Removal Resources Online

1-800-DRY-ME-OUT is a full service water damage restoration company that provides emergency water removal, water mitigation, carpet drying, mold remediation, fire damage, sinkhole and sewer cleanup services. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT is located in Port Richey, Florida, and proudly services the West Gulf Coast of Florida. For more information, please visit http://www.drymeout.com

Black mold often connotes the “Black Plague.” If you find something you think is black mold, don’t panic, as not all discoloration is mold and not all black molds are toxic. In fact, humans and pets often cause some of the spots that look like black mold. If people lean their heads against a wall repeatedly, or pets rest in the same spot against a wall, the oils from hair and fur can cling to the wall. The oil will collect dust from the air, and the patterns created often look like mold. If you see something that appears to be mold, relax and investigate the area, because you may be panicking for no reason. At the same time, learning to look for mold will also alert you to finding toxic mold. Toxic mold must be removed as it can cause several health problems in people and pets.

Read the entire article: Is Black Mold Toxic?

1-800-DRY-ME-OUT is a full service water damage restoration company that provides emergency water removal, water mitigation, carpet drying, mold remediation, fire damage, sinkhole and sewer cleanup services. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT is located in Port Richey, Florida, and proudly services the West Gulf Coast of Florida. For more information, please visit http://www.drymeout.com

While not often thought of as a place that might grow mold, drains in the bathroom or kitchen can indeed grow mold.  Soap scum and grime provide a food source for mold and the running water from the tap provides a source of moisture.  It is good practice to keep drains clean so as to avoid this possibility all together.

As part of our Mold-Proofing Your Home, Room by Room series, we are pleased to offer you mold-proofing advice on drains!

To clean a drain:

• Pour a handful of baking soda into it.
• Add a cup of vinegar.
• Put the plug in the drain.
• Let the vinegar and baking soda work for about 20 minutes.
• Run fresh water into the drain.

Drains which do not drain water properly can also contribute to mold growing in bathtubs, showers or basins. Any water that doesn’t drain properly and sits in the drain creates a moisture problem. Any environment like this where water is collected and stands for long periods can easily grow mold.   If there is a build up of water in the drain, ie. the water is not drained as fast as you can run the water from the tap, then there is a problem with your drain being clogged.

If you come across a clogged drain, try the above steps and add the use of a small plumbing snake if needed.

Other Tips:

• Keep the relative humidity in the bathroom below 55% to prevent mold growth
• Wipe down wet surfaces so they dry faster
• Regularly clean the bathroom
• Clean your drains at least once a month

Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Removal Tarpon Springs, Sinkhole, Fire 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 and Manatee County, FL. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!

As part of our Mold-Proofing Your Home, Room by Room series, we are pleased to offer you mold-proofing advice on Laundry Rooms!

Mold Proof your Laundry Room:

Mold is common in the laundry room because it is usually damp and humid.   Keeping the relative humidity below 50 percent is suggested to keep the growth of mold at bay.

• Check that your clothes dryer exhausts to the outside.
• Remove lint every time you use the dryer.
• Don’t leave dirty wet clothes/linens on the floor
• Don’t hang-dry laundry indoors.
• Dry your laundry tub and washing machine after you use them.

Following these simple steps will help you maintain a mold-free environment in your laundry room.  For more tips on saving your home from mold damage, read Black Mold Basics

Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Damage Clearwater, Sinkhole, Fire 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 and Manatee County, FL. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!

As part of our Mold-Proofing Your Home, Room by Room series, we are pleased to offer you mold-proofing advice on Basements and Crawlspaces!

Mold Proof your Basement or Crawl Space:

1. Reduce the amount of clothes, paper and furnishings stored in the basement. Discard badly damaged materials. Eliminate clutter to improve air circulation. Only washable items should be stored.

2. Dehumidify the basement during the warm months.

3. Avoid carpets on slab-on-grade or below grade floors.

4. Periodically clean the drain in your basement floor. Use half a cup of bleach, let it stand for a few minutes, then flush with plenty of water. Keep the drain trap filled with water.

5. Avoid standing water. Keep sump pits covered (you can use plywood wrapped with plastic).

6. Regularly clean and replace furnace filters. Use a pleated one-inch filter, not a coarse filter.

7. If you have a heat recovery ventilator (HRV), clean the filter inside the HRV often.

8. If you notice molds or signs of dampness, such as water on your windows or wet spots elsewhere, do not humidify. Disconnect furnace humidifiers that are no longer used.

9. If you have electric baseboards, vacuum the units, or have a professional clean them for you.

Learn more about how to protect your basement from water damage and mold.

Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Damage Tarpon Springs, Sinkhole, Fire 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 and Manatee County, FL. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!

Don’t wait for mold to set in! If you live in Clearwater, call us for Mold Remediation Clearwater services!

Services include:

Mold Remediation Clearwater, Mold Damage, Mold Damage Prevention, Mold Testing, Mold Inspection, Mold Damage Insurance Coverage, and Mold Removal.   Complete Home Restoration!

Our immediate response team of experienced mold remediation technicians and the newest up-to-date equipment will provide all that is required to get you back to normal. We understand that mold damage is something you cannot foresee, so we are committed to restoring your home or business as quickly as possible. Our staff has years of experience with insurance, water, fire, mold and sewage damage and disaster recovery.

Even if you are not working with an insurance company, we still can provide the utmost pricing in the industry for the services that you need. We are members of the BBB, IICRC, adhere to IICRC standards.

Our Mold Remediation Clearwater restoration includes:

• Assessing mold damage
• Mold testing
• Mold inspection
• Mold Removal
• Mold Remediation
• Removal of Property
• Direct Billing to Insurance
• Deodorizing
• Mold Removal and Prevention
• Complete Property Restoration

Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Removal Clearwater, Sinkhole, Fire 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 and Manatee County, FL. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New York City Health Department, here are ten top things to know about mold!

1. There are more than 100,000 species of mold. Most types that are routinely found are not hazardous to healthy individuals. But too much exposure or certain types of mold could cause allergic reactions, asthma, rashes, respiratory complaints or other types of mold related illness.

2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores indoors. The way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.

3. If mold is a problem at home or in school, clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.

4. Fix the water leak to prevent mold growth.

5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30%-60% ) to decrease mold growth.

6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials like ceiling tiles, plasterboard or wood, may need to be replaced.

8. Prevent condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, pipes, exterior walls, roof or floors) by adding insulation.

9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting.

10. Molds can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet and foods.

Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Damage Tampa, Sinkhole, Fire 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 and Manatee County, FL. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!