How Do I Convince My Landlord That Mold Can Be Hazardous?

By Raul

Mar

13

My next door neighbors and I have a very serious problem. Our landlord has been renting out the duplex we are living in, knowing full well of the many problems that are currently plaguing our respective homes. Among these problems are collapsing roofs, collapsing shower floors, and water damaged kitchen sinks. But most of all, he is fully aware of the mold problems that are currently going on. The fact that he knows about it is bad enough. However, he has been advised by both tenants in the last several months that it would be in his best interests to find a way to remove the mold infestations. Both bathrooms have visible mold throughout. It has become difficult for me personally to even shower and bathe regularly because of this, for I fear that my health is worsening. Despite these advisements and concerns being voiced, our landlord has deemed the mold problem a low priority matter. While he has deemed it a low priority matter, I have noticed that the occupants – myself included – have suffered from increased illness, including sinus infections, coughing, headaches, nausea, and other varied illnesses. My roommate, who has a strengthened immune system, has even suffered through similar symptoms. Short of going behind my landlord’s back and reporting him to the health department, I see no other course of action to improve the situation. Thankfully, I am moving out soon, as is my roommate. My only hope is to help others by finding a way to resolve the matter, and spreading the word to others to watch for mold and other problems when looking at apartments or houses to move into. Mold is a very serious matter and is not to be taken lightly.

In an Instant…You Life Could Change

By Raul

Sep

24

It really is a sad tragedy when an event such as a house fire takes something that is near and dear to your heart. Family photos, memories, personal belongings, and other items could easily be taken away. And in times like these, with the recent Herriman wildfire, we are often reminded of the potential for damage fire can bring. Not only must you take into account the damage the fire itself can bring, but also soot and smoke, as well as the water it takes for the firefighters to put out the fire. And as we all know, with that water comes the potential for water and flood damage, not to mention mold damage.

Utah Flood Cleanup can help you to go through the process of cleanup and remediation of a house fire. Granted, Utah Flood Cleanup can’t really bring your lost photos or belongings back, but they can help you go through the process of calling the insurance company to see if fire damage is covered along with water and flood damage (shocking as this may seem, not all insurance companies cover both fire and water damage), emergency board-up if needed, and the fire, smoke, water, and mold damage cleanup process itself.

Just know that Utah Flood Cleanup is here and can help in times when a house fire takes over your home.

(Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families that lost their homes in the Herriman wildfire this past weekend. You are in our hearts and our prayers.)

Mold Inspection Basics

By Raul

Jul

24

Mold inspection is important because it will bring to light some of the hidden issues you may not even be aware of within your home. Mold is a sort of fungus that can become airborne, and settles on wet or damp surfaces both outside and inside of the home. The spores from the fungus inside a home can often cause many health problems, ranging from dermatitis, allergies, headaches, asthma, sinus problems, fatigue, emphysema, eye irritation, dizziness, and confusion. The areas where mold is most prevalent aren’t just in the bathroom, but also the kitchen, attics and basement. Having a mold inspection is important for a home or property owner because older buildings can often have more places for the mold to thrive. Newer homes may also have mold, but it is more likely in the older buildings due to leaks and different areas of dampness.

It may be difficult to really understand that there is some minuscule element that may be making your family ill, but having a mold inspection with a certified mold inspector who knows how to not only detect the presence of the spores, but also on surface areas can help you to figure out a starting place. Finding out what sort of mold is present helps in knowing how to be rid of it. Visual inspections can often show problem areas, but there are hidden issues that only air and surface samples would be able to detect. These spores generally grow in areas that aren’t usually seen by the naked eye – that is, areas where leaks and dampness are high, such as behind walls, leaky roofs and windowsills or under sinks. All of these areas can enable mold to thrive and over time, a serious problem can develop before the home or property owner really has any idea there is an issue.

If the issue that causes dampness remains, even cleaning will not get rid of the mold problem. Leaving the leaks intact simply results in the growth of more mold spores and a toxic mold inspection can help by going through, doing a thorough cleanup, and pointing out what repairs need to be made to prevent regrowth.

Spores that are classified as mold generally become toxic when the growth is out of hand and people exposed to this can suffer from respiratory illnesses. The spores make people very sick, and this really depends on the nature of the spore. Black mold is the usual culprit in making people extremely ill. Inhaling these spores can cause so many breathing problems – from asthma to emphysema. This type of fungus is easily detectable through a professional mold inspection. While there are many different strains, this mold tends to be the most problematic, as exposure to black mold can cause many serious health issues.

Some of the surface areas that mold will attach to and grow are usually wet straw, hay, ceiling tiles, carpet, wallpaper, wood, baseboards, and different types of wall board. Having a mold inspection can show not only where the mold spores are, but also why they are there. The first places usually checked in these inspections are problem areas – places where water leaks are generally found. When a problem area is identified, the mold inspector will then let the individual know that cleaning up mold alone is generally not advised, because they’d have to consider cross contamination, as well as limiting the exposure to the mycotoxin. Another thing that has to go into this is what disinfectant must be used, and what would be safe for those living in the home.

Hiring a competent mold inspector and abatement team is generally critical to not only addressing the issue, but also making sure that the home is free of mold and not ripe for regrowth.

Why Mold Remediation is Important and Preventive Maintenance

By Raul

Jul

17

No matter where you find it in your home, mold is a scourge that we all want to eradicate. Black mold in particular has gained national attention in recent months because of the illnesses it has caused. However, with some careful work, such as mold remediation, and some preventive maintenance, mold does not need to be the horrible foe that it is made out to be.

First you should know some facts about mold and where it can be found. Mold will grow on virtually any organic substance and only needs a trace of moisture and some oxygen to get the reproductive process started. Buildings are really airtight these days, and they do not allow for venting, which gives mold a better chance of gaining a stronghold. Vigilance is very important because of this; watch for and eradicate any signs of moisture. Monitor water pipes and replace them if there are any leaks. If you do this you may not need to employ mold remediation.

Keep the humidity levels of your house down to at the very most 60%, but lower would be even better. Make sure that your home is well insulated and allow air to circulate to keep things dried up. Make sure that your appliance drip pans are emptied often. Because your dryer can raise humidity in your home, vent it outside and use an outdoor line as much as possible. If moisture is a huge problem in your area, consider limiting the number of houseplants to a bare minimum and skip the aquarium altogether. If you don’t you might then have to employ mold remediation.

Mold remediation may be an involved and dangerous process, especially for those susceptible to the illnesses that the mold spores can cause. First, you must decide whether or not certain family members will need to be removed from the home during this process. Those that are very old, very young or have weakened or compromised immune systems should probably go stay somewhere else until the mold removal process is completed.

Also be sure to contact a professional mold removal company to do all mold removal projects, as dealing with mold can prove to be quite hazardous. They will help you go through the process of drying the area and then determining the best possible solution to remove the mold, making your home habitable for those family members once again.

Another big reason why you should consult a professional mold removal company is insurance. Dealing with insurance companies, as some of you can attest, can be quite challenging, especially in matters relating to water and mold damage. However, most – if not all – professional mold removal companies handle the process of dealing with insurance agents for you, so all you have to worry about is staying safe and keeping those you love safe as well.

Ways to Avoid Mold Buildup After a Basement Flood

By Raul

Jul

9

Basement floods are usually very devastating. The short term effects consist of damaged properties and dangers that it poses to life and limb. But there is certainly a long term result which could be equally – if not more – devastating: mold. So how are you able to eliminate mold after your basement floods? Here are the issues to keep in mind:

1. Dry and dehumidify the flooded basement
Mold is induced by moisture. That’s why it’s crucial to dry your flooded basement immediately. Remove any standing water as this can absolutely help the mold reproduce. It is possible to then dehumidify your basement.

2. Wash and dry out affected textiles
This is up there on the priority list. Textiles that are affected by drinking water like towels, drapes, bedding and the like must be washed and dried immediately to reduce the risk of mold buildup. If items such as carpets, mattresses, appliances, books, and others are damaged beyond repair or already have mold buildup on them, it is recommended you contact your local authorities for proper disposal. Do NOT store it in a corner for later disposal.

3. Clean all surfaces
Clean and dry all of the surfaces in your basement and other affected areas. All individuals that were in the affected areas should wash up right away. Sanitize and wash down the surfaces with clean water and dry out immediately.

These are steps to take to help reduce the chances of mold when your basement floods. Unfortunately, there’s a possibility that you won’t be able to check everything. You may miss something that could result in mold buildup. So what is there that you can do? It is recommended you contact a qualified technician that specializes in mold removal. They have a trained eye, along with specialized state-of-the-art testing equipment. They also possess the required expertise and knowledge to remove mold following a basement flood. Here are some things they can do to avoid mold buildup:

1. Advanced water extraction and area dehumidifying
This is crucial to avoid mold buildup. The technicians should have state-of-the-art methods to make certain the water extraction and dehumidifying process are going to be efficient and, most importantly of all, effective.

2. Disposal of mold and restoration of property
Professional technicians should possess the expertise of knowing what can be salvaged and what cannot. If a particular item is salvageable, they will do what they can to salvage it; otherwise, due to the risk of mold, they will most likely recommend it be destroyed.

Should you not take care of these issues right away following a flood, mold buildup is very likely. It’s even more difficult and expensive to eliminate mold than it is to avoid it. With these tips on ways to avoid mold during a basement flood, you can help prevent headaches that mold can bring. Get more information about mold prevention.

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Mold Testing

By Raul

Jul

1

Are you a Utah homeowner who suspects might have a mold problem? If so, you should resolve that problem right away, as the mold could become hazardous to your health. When it comes to resolving a mold problem, it is recommended you have your mold removed. Though there are a few examples where you could attempt to remove the mold yourself, it is actually best to contact a professional mold removal specialist.

Although it is advised that you should have your house undergo a mold testing, not all homeowners are sure about doing so. If you are questioning whether to test for mold or not, perhaps it is wise to analyze the pros and cons of mold testing. After you have thoroughly studied the pros and cons of mold testing, you may use those to determine whether or not you could actually benefit from mold testing.

Perhaps the greatest pro of having your home undergo a mold testing is the knowing of whether or not you actually have mold in your home. Most mold testing professionals use sophisticated, state-of-the-art equipment to scan your entire home for mold, even in areas where you cannot see with the naked eye. On top of that, the mold removal professionals are trained and certified technicians with a vast amount of experience. Thus, they know the best procedures on how to successfully remove mold. Doing business with a mold removal specialist is a process that has the potential to be very good the first time around.

Another pro to having a mold removal specialist come to your home to remove mold is that it would be safer for you than if you were to just leave the mold. Although some molds are considered harmless (aside from the occasional allergic reaction) there are others, like black mold, which are actually considered extremely dangerous. If you don’t know how to properly remove mold or if you leave yourself unprotected, the process could prove to be dangerous, possibly even lethal. Nearly all certified trained professionals do not have this difficulty, for they are trained and have years of experience.

With all these pros, there are very few cons to mold testing. In fact, based on your latest financial circumstance, there may not be any cons to mold testing at your home. Numerous times, the only downside to mold testing is the rate. To that point, a few homeowners will find it difficult to be able to afford the cost of mold testing and eventually mold removal, especially if the mold situation is much worse than initially feared. The costs of mold removal would depend on the type of mold in your home, how serious the mold dilemma is, and who you hire to do the mold removal for you.

So if you suspect that you may have a mold problem, do not hesitate to call a mold removal specialist and schedule a mold testing today!