Residential Mold Removal 773-885-8528

WAYS TO PREVENT MOLD

If you are the type of person who lives in fear of mold taking a hold in your house, then you are right to do so. The fact of the matter is that there are loads of different ways in which residential mold can begin to surface, and if you are not careful, the problem can be really troubling. You will find that there are plenty of ways in which you can get rid of it, but that is not the be all and end all, much better is to prevent it from occurring in the first place! Have a look over the following ideas as to how you can prevent mold from ever entering your home, and ensure that you don’t suffer its evils, nor have to spend age cleaning it away!

For a start, there is the fact that mold develops in damp, hot and humid places. So, if you can think of places in the home that are like this fairly often, then you should likely get to thinking about how you are going to avoid mold spores developing in those places. You will see that the bathroom is the first place that is a likely haven for mold, as the combination of hot water and poor ventilation can often mean that the room remains humid for longer than it should. Boiler rooms can be very hot as well, and if they get damp or humid then this is another problem area. Whilst these two places are very commonly warm or humid, sometimes whole houses can be damp, especially subterranean flats, and this can mean that damp and mold grow throughout the place if you are not careful.  Thus, a possible need for mold cleanup might ensue and fast!

 

With these conditions being perfect for mold to grow in, how do you prevent them? The main trick is to ensure that ventilation throughout the house is always in place, whether it be through regularly opening windows, or just installing proper ventilation into the windows, so that you don’t have to think about opening or closing them. You will likely find that the opening of windows by yourself gets less and less manageable over the winter as the coolness of the air outside makes it less comfortable, so it may well be a good idea to look into getting the installed ventilation. You will find that allowing the air to flow through the house at all times will ensure that there is much less of a chance for things to get too damp, and this ensures that you are not likely to allow the mold to spore and grow, which is a massive plus in terms of your fight against the need for mold removal.

Clothing is a place that mold can grow, and if it does start to grow in a piece of clothing, it can spread to more clothing, and even the structure of the drawer or cupboard that the clothing is stored in. You will find that after exercise and if you come in out of the rain, you should wash your clothing immediately, or at least hang the clothes in a well-ventilated area. The heat of your body combined with the damp of rain or sweat will likely lead to mold or damp if you leave the clothing bunched up. Throwing it in the laundry basket will make the problem worse, as the air won’t get to the clothing, and the mold can affect other clothes as well! Be sure to take things straight out of the washing machine to hang them up when the wash has finished, as the same issues can occur if not!  These methods can be used to prevent mold growth and the need for possible professional mold remediation or professional mold removal.

Mold Removal Chicago 773-885-8528

GOT A BAD CASE OF ATTIC MOLD IN YOUR HOME?

If you have a bad case of mold in the house, the first thing you need to do is assess the situation. Clearing out mold can be pretty easy if you have the right company and qualified experience. If this is the first time you are dealing with mold in the house, you should hire cleaning contractors for the job. Mold removal is one of those home remediation tasks that can be easy or difficult- depending on the kind of mold you are dealing with.

Inspect

The attic is one of those places in the home that is most susceptible to mold growth. Like the bathroom, the attic is usually exposed to some form of moisture or humidity. And unlike other places in the home, the attic is usually just used to store things and does not see a lot of traffic, which means it can be months on an end before a problem is discovered. One way to stay on top of any house cleaning issues is to regularly have a mold remediation company come by and inspect the attic.

Ventilate

A very crucial factor to take into account is that venting and air flow. A lot of mold infestations take root simply because of poor ventilation. Attics are usually known for inadequate ventilation, which allows fungi to breed and spread and the lack of fresh air just acts as a catalyst. When the cleaning services you hire are completed it is important to ventilate the treated area properly. All the humidity and moisture trapped inside a single space without proper ventilation is a hotspot for germs, fungi, microorganisms and the suchlike. To keep your attic mold from worsening and/ or returning you must make it a point to ventilate the area properly.

Clean

One of the most important things to realize when you discover mold in the attic is that simply removing the mold is not enough. A lot of people choose to forgo mold cleaning services in favor of homemade cleaning products such as chlorine bleach. These can actually work really well but the important thing to realize is that mold removal is not the same thing as killing/ destroying the source of the mold. Chlorine bleach and other mild cleaning solutions cannot actually penetrate through layers of wood/ boards/ fabric in the attic and thoroughly uproot the mold. As a result, even though the mold will be removed from the surface and all visible traces of it will be gone, it is likely that the spores will remain intact. If the mold spores are not killed, the mold will return and all you will have is temporary relief.

Homemade cleaning solutions are ineffective for killing mold. You can either call in the professional mold remediation company or purchase strong mold-killing industrial cleaners to make sure that the mold is removed right from the root. To actually remove attic mold you need to use more advanced techniques and products. Cleaning companies usually use equipment with a high efficiency HEPA vacuum cleaner to get rid of mold completely. Another common technique is to fully remove the affected regions and dispose of them carefully, and then replace them with newer boards/ wood/ upholstery. This way you’re completely getting rid of the affected area and removing the problem as a whole. Proper disposal is the key to this step because you must make sure that the mold does not come into contact with other surfaces in the house.

On the whole, when it comes to bad cases of attic mold it is recommended that you hire a professional mold cleanup company to take care of the problem.

Mold Remediation Chicago 773-885-8528

HOW TO PREVENT MOLD

Mold is a common occurrence in homes, but it can potentially cause health problems as well as damage to structures if it is not controlled.  Mold begins growing indoors when spores come in contact with wet surfaces or substances.  Once established, mold can be very difficult to remove successfully – so prevention is the key.

Mold Prevention

Mold needs moisture to grow.  Moisture can take the form of leaks, spills, condensation, and humidity, so controlling sources of moisture is the most important step in mold prevention.  Here are some ways homeowners can avoid creating conditions in which mold damage can and will thrive:

1.     Be alert for signs of leaks in supply and waste lines for bathrooms, kitchens, utility sinks, and laundry areas.  Have any leaks fixed and dry the area thoroughly.

2.     Check the condition of grout and tile on shower walls, floors, and around bathtubs.  Repair damaged grout, and seal it to prevent mold from being absorbed.  Caulking around tubs, showers, and sinks should be kept in good repair.  If it isn’t replace it with silicone caulk that contains a mildew-cide.

3.     Increase ventilation to the outside by using exhaust fans, and be sure the attic is properly ventilated.

4.     Regularly empty and clean drain pans and hoses for air conditioning units and dehumidifiers.

5.     Check roof leaks that allow water to enter attic spaces or build up under roof shingles.  Even a small amount of moisture can cause big problems down the road.

6.     If possible, lower the overall humidity in the home to decrease condensation and create a less mold-friendly environment.

Places that tend to stay damp, such as showers, may be more difficult to keep entirely free of mold but it can be minimized.  Diligent cleaning, opening a window and regularly using a ventilation fan are often enough to keep mold at bay.

Mold Removal

Once mold has become established in the home it can be difficult to eradicate.  Depending on the location and severity of the mold problem, a homeowner may need to engage a professional certified in mold remediation to remove it.  A qualified professional who handle mold removal will also take preventive measures to lessen the likelihood of recurrences.

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5 Tips to Prevent Mold When Water Damage Occurs

The Chicagoland area and suburbs get a lot of rain this time of year and it’s important to make sure that any water or flood damage is properly cleaned up. Even if your home did not flood, if you are in an area that saw flooding, your home could still be exposed to excess moisture that may lead to mold. Even just an inch of water in your basement could lead to mold buildup. Mold can lead to health problems for you, your family and even your pets.

Here are 5 tips to prevent mold after water damage. The effectiveness of these tips will be determined, in part, by how long the water was in your home.

1. This may seem obvious, but it doesn’t always happen. After water damage to your home, you want to immediately disconnect electronics in the affected area and move them to dry ground. Also, any pieces of furniture that can be moved out of the area should be moved immediately to a clean, dry place.
2. Remove all carpeting including the padding. There is a possibility that your carpet can be saved with a good cleaning and heavy disinfecting, but that is not a definite.
3. Now that heavy items and carpeting are gone, remove all of the water, down to the last drop.   If you have power, a heavy-duty shop vac is a great way to soak up floodwater. If you don’t have power or are worried about using electrical items, buckets, towels and mops will have to suffice. If the flooding is overwhelming, consider renting a sump pump from a local hardware store.
4. Dry out the affected area thoroughly. This is so important. You don’t want to leave an ounce of moisture anywhere, if possible. Use fans (commercial fans are great) and a dehumidifier to speed the process.
5. Disinfect, disinfect, disinfect! After the area has completely dried out (including wood beams, insulation, etc.), use a heavy disinfectant in all areas. You also want to disinfect the furniture that was removed.

If you are able to successfully clean up your home after flood damage, you should schedule a mold inspection or mold test within 30 days. Mold can start to grow after just a day or two so it’s important to act as quickly as possible and determine its presence.  A certified mold removal specialist can always help to remediate the problem in your home.

Mold Removal Chicago 773-885-8528

Why Do I Need a Mold Inspection?

If you are in the process of purchasing a home, then you are probably aware of the many steps that you must go through before reaching the day you close. Your broker or realtor may have already informed you of the necessity for a pre-inspection. The purpose of a pre-inspection is to identify any potential serious defects in the home. The possible defects could range from water damage, plumbing issues, or even mold damage. At this point in the home purchasing process, you could still choose another home in the unlikely event that a major problem with your original choice was detected during inspection. One issue that you will definitely want to have your inspector perform is a mold inspection.

Mold Inspections

One main reason why you need a mold inspection is because if there is any presence of mold, then this could signify a leak. In addition, the mold could possibly exacerbate allergies and asthma in individuals with pre-existing problems, and it could even cause new allergies to form in those with weakened immune systems. No one wants to purchase a home with mold growing throughout it, whether due to a leaky roof or some other issue. There are rare cases where a home buyer is aware of the mold problem and is willing to accept a home requiring such a potentially troublesome problem. Of course it is totally different when a home buyer is purchasing a fix-upper and they are expecting there to be major repairs that need to be taken care of. If the home inspector that you hire identifies a problem with mold, then you can have him or her probe further in order to identify the source of the mold. This might require a mold remediation specialist who specializes in locating and identifying types and causes of mold.

Black Mold

Another reason for mold inspections is to determine if your perspective home contains any type of black mold. Black mold is a great deal more dangerous than your average, everyday mold, as it can lead to severe respiratory problems, allergies, pneumonia, chronic cough and more. In extreme cases, black mold can even cause bleeding into the nose and lungs, and it has been implicated in the possible death in a couple cases.

Options

So as you can see, house inspections are very important for people in the process of purchasing a new home. Most house inspections include mold detection on their checklist, since homes are so susceptible to developing mold due to water leaks or high humidity. Since mold can negatively affect your health, it is very important that the source of the problem be identified and corrected ahead of time. If mold has been identified in your dream home during the pre-inspection, there is no reason to fret and automatically think that you must choose another home. The mold problem can be investigated, and if it’s found to be an easy fix, then you might still be willing to purchase it. The seller might even be willing to have the mold problem taken care of, as part of a contingency offer, which would prevent you from having to contend with it after closing.  In either case a professional mold removal company can rid the home of mold for it never return, unless there is a leak issue, and then you will need a good plumber.