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.

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!