Chicago Mold Remediation – How Molds Affect People - The CleanUP Guys 77...

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Chicago – Water Damage Restoration and Mold Remediation 773-885-8528

Water Damage and Mold Chicago 773-885-8528

PREVENT MOLD FROM GROWING AFTER WATER DAMAGE OR FLOOD IN THE CHICAGO AREA

When the water damage mold strikes your place after a heavy rain, flooding or intrusion of water from other sources, you have to be concerned with more than just what you see.  There is always something lurking that you can’t readily see.  Sometimes it doesn’t appear until days down the line, but has been lurking in the area because of the saturation of water you have experienced.  It is that nasty bacterial substance we call mold.

It is an enemy of any structure and can cause massive damage if not headed off at the pass, so to speak.  Sometimes what can be a simple mold removal process can turn into a mold remediation concern if steps are not taken to stop it before it starts.  How do we do that?

GET RID OF AFFECTED MATERIALS

Anything that has been compromised, wet furniture, porous materials, damaged items, need to be removed immediately to have a proper moisture assessment take place.  Each of these items contribute to the moisture content level in the area of concern.  Excessive water can cause these items to weigh in quite heavily with extreme moisture.  Wet and moldy carpet, drywall, upholstery, and various fabrics will need to be removed right away!  It is best if not properly trained or proper personal protective equipment is not available, to call a professional water damage mold company.

DRY WATER DAMAGE MOLD FAST

This needs to happen as soon as humanly possible.  Why?  Because in just 24 to 48 hours you have mold spores starting to germinate.  They don’t waste any time as the toxic mix for their arrival is already in place.  Moisture detection is paramount as the water or mildew can be lurking behind walls and subflooring and wreak havoc later.  The drying process is a combination of air circulation and proper ventilation.  In other words, bad air needs to be removed as well as fresh air to dry the area properly and reduce chances of mold growth.  Professional water damage mold Chicago companies will use what is known as an air scrubber or negative air machine (NAM) to get rid of any residual mold spores that might have manifested themselves already.

PROPER FLOW OF AIR

We use the word proper here because you don’t want to risk spreading mold spores throughout your facility.  This is where professional help can be priceless.  Containment, or defense against spreading spores mechanism should be setup.  In other words, covering areas where the mold spores might escape into other untouched areas.  This is very important and should be done right.

DRY WATER DAMAGE MOLD FOREVER

Now that we have the three previous steps addressed, we just need to make sure that proper drying maintenance is in place.  We want the structure to stay protected and not get sick with mold or any other type of bacteria.  So, you have to maintain a dry space.  The humidity levels should be well below 60% if possible.  Sometimes a dehumidifier can accomplish moisture control.

You want you and your family or office to be safe and sound.  Handling water damage and/or flood restoration the right way can ensure that you and your property remain healthy!

Mold Remediation Chicago 773-885-8528

Mold Removal Vs Mold Remediation

If your home has a mold problem, then you definitely want to get rid of it. That much is a given. Mold is a green, black, sometimes yellowish fuzzy growth on walls, flooring, piping, etc., usually accompanied by a noxious smell. And while not all molds are actively dangerous, they are unpleasant and should be dealt with promptly.

Unfortunately, far too many people think that mold removal is all that is required, and of course there are any number of companies out there who advertise using the phrase “mold removal” and who will come in an eliminate the mold from your home.  Sounds easy enough, right?  Wrong. On every count.

You have to remember that mold is the byproduct, the after effect, of a much larger problem. Usually this is water damage, but mold can also be linked to fires and even something as seemingly innocuous as increased humidity.  Unless that original problem is properly addressed, then by removing the mold, all you are doing is putting off the problem temporarily.  Mold removal is useless if the environment that is favorable to the mold growth is allowed to remain.

This is where mold remediation comes in. By remediation, we mean not just the removal of the mold growth itself, but active and thorough treatment of the affected area in order to make sure you don’t find yourself with another mold problem down the road.

The mold remediation process is twofold….one you have to eliminate the existing mold growth, and do so without causing it to spread to other areas of the home. This is done by sealing off the affected area and using specialized gear and techniques to safely remove the growth and dispose of it.

The second step, and the most important one, is to properly treat the area, as well as the problem that caused the mold in the first place. This includes repairing and restoration of any and all water damage problems in and around the home, disinfecting and sanitizing the area where the mold grew, increasing ventilation throughout said area, and bringing down relative humidity levels to within acceptable parameters, usually between 40-45%.

This second step is absolutely vital when it comes to a successful mold remediation project. Any company that you consider hiring should be able to describe this step to you in detail. If their only plan of action is to cleanup the mold, then run. Run like a river when the snow melts, and hire a qualified, experienced moldremediation professional (and for the record, that would be us, The CleanUp Guys!) to handle all of your mold and water damagerestoration needs. 

Mold Remediation 773-885-8528

The Mold Risk in Your Home

Mold has become a significant problem in many homes in recent years, oddly enough due to improvements in home construction. These new homes are tightly sealed, and as such allow water and moisture to become trapped, creating the perfect breeding ground for mold. You can very easily move into a brand new home that already has a serious preexisting mold problem.

If there is good news on the mold front, it’s that while repeated long term exposure to mold spores will eventually cause some unpleasant side effects, most folks with healthy immune systems can resist the effects of mold, for a time anyway.

The health problems commonly associated with mold are wide and varied. Sometimes just touching mold can be enough to trigger an allergic reaction, as well as disturb the growth and send hundreds of thousands of mold spores into the air, spreading them throughout the home. The most common physical problems, skin rashes, sneezing, coughing, runny noses, and itchy or watery eyes, may be viewed strictly as allergic problems and mold is never even considered.

 

Black mold, or Stratobotrysatra, has been responsible for a number of high profile cases involving long term or permanent health issues as a result of exposure in mold infected structures.

 

In 2003, Bill H.R 1286 was introduced. Known as the United State Toxic Mold Safety and Protection Act.  This bill mandated comprehensive research into the various causes and fixes for mold growth, as well as creating programs designed to educate people about the danger of mold and provide the necessary assistance to those affected by mold. The act also provides detailed guidelines for preventing interior mold growth, establishing standards for mold removal, and provides grants for removal of mold from public buildings.  It will also authorize tax credits for the inspection and remediation of mold problems, and provide insurance coverage for catastrophic losses due to mold.

Basement Mold Removal Chicago 773-885-8528

Basement Mold Removal

Since moisture is a leading cause of mold it is very important to keep it at a level, if possible, where it does not start to breed unwanted bacteria.  We commonly call it mold. One of the areas in the home that gets more moisture normally, than any other area of the home, is the basement.  Basements also typically have the worst ventilation of the entire house, so moisture usually has no way to escape, leading to mold contamination. Thus, basement mold can be caused by a few of the following issues:

§  Condensation in the basement can cause mold. Moisture condensates on the outside of pipes because of the cool temperatures. If this moisture collects, mold will form.

§  Flooding water that is not taken care of and removed immediately will lead to mold buildup. Dangerous molds can grow in your basement if it is not dried, quickly following a flood or any other type of water damage.

§  High levels of humidity in your basement is yet another way for mold to grow in your home.

§  Leaking pipes, cracks in the home’s foundation, and leaking gutters can all bring more moisture into the basement. If these leaks are not addressed immediately, mold will build up rapidly.  And while this list is not exhaustive, there are so many more ways that moisture tries to find a hiding place in the home.

Mold produces dangerous spores that can harm many people. People with allergic reactions to mold and those with vulnerable immune systems are especially susceptible to mold exposure. Other more dangerous types of mold, such as toxic molds, can cause damage to anyone, even if they are perfectly healthy. The CleanUP Guys are experts in Illinois and particularly the Chicago area and suburbs well mold removal, mold remediation, and mold damage services are needed.  During the rainy seasons, homes, businesses, hospitals, industrial facilities, and commercial properties all can get mold from excess moisture.  The CleanUP Guys are certified, trained professionals that kill mold spores, mold bacterium, mold infestation, the right and proper way.  Eliminating it for good!  So whether you have basement mold, attic mold, or crawlspacemold, we take care of it for you!