Chicago – Mold Growth Time The CleanUP Guys 773-692-4643

If a bad storm, flood, or plumbing issue has caused major water damage to your home or commercial building and you are looking for a water damage restoration service in Chicago? Look no further and contact The CleanUP Guys. We will restore your property. It is important to restore the land to its original condition as soon as possible after a flood. We provide fire damage restoration, mold remediation and sewage cleanup and flood damage restoration in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Our fast fire or flood damage cleanup can help you avoid the high costs and potential health hazards involved in the cleanup of water-damaged homes, basements, or crawl spaces. We can: • Remove standing water and moisture • Dry out the affected area • Clean and sanitize all surfaces that may have been exposed to contaminants such as sewage, mold, mildew, and more • Help prevent Chicago black mold removal in your attic or basement • Remove or salvage contaminated or ruined building materials • Remove odors from your property Once the site has been restored, it is important to monitor it for signs of flood damage, such as silt deposits and waterlogged areas. If these conditions are detected, removing them as soon as possible is important. Our water damage restoration company near me will guide you through the entire process, from damage inspection to total restoration. To help reduce the impact that sewage dumping has on the environment, sewage treatment plants have been required to clean up their waste streams. So, when you’re looking to clean up your wastewater system or sewage cleanup in Chicago, you should hire a professional from a sewage treatment company like The CleanUP Guys, which specializes in sewage waste removal. We make sure to do everything we can to minimize your impact on the environment. So, call us today. CONTACT US: The CleanUP Guys 6650 North Damen Avenue Chicago, IL 60645 (773) 694-8345 FIND US ONLINE: Visit Our Website: https://www.thecleanupguys.com Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=14026317562233602792 GBP: https://thecleanupguys-waterdamagerestorationservice.business.site/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCleanUpGuys/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thecleanupguys88/ Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-cleanup-guys-chicago-5 Proven Expert: https://www.provenexpert.com/en-us/the-cleanup-guys-fire-water-restoration-chicago/ Four Suqare: https://foursquare.com/v/the-cleanup-guys/4fb195af0039000afbf6b1a0 Waze (Driving Directions): https://www.waze.com/live-map/directions?from=place.ChIJSQzcVcbRD4gRsY5JbItBnTY

Bath Fans and Poor Ventilation Equal Attic Mold Removal Chicago

Sherm here!  Got attic mold?  You need advice on Attic Mold Removal Chicago! Throughout the year, attic ventilation is critical element in maintaining attic temperatures. In the summertime, vents help remove excess heat. In the wintertime, air vents prevent the excess moisture from building up and water condensation from accumulating due to the temperature differences between the attic and the floor directly below.

Aside from an actual leak in your roof, the winter months are the time when moisture can lead to the growth of attic mold. During cold weather, warm air from the house can escape to the cold attic area. When warm air meets the cold surface of the roof boards of the floor below, ice crystals and water droplets can form. This moist environment, combined with a food source comprised of wood creates the perfect conditions for attic mold infestation and wood rot.

This problem can be compounded by bathroom exhaust fans that vent directly into the attic or into the soffit areas rather than outside the house. Moisture from bathroom fans is often the source of the attic mold contamination.

A balanced ventilation system is important. Incoming and outgoing air should be equal within the attic. It is important that bathroom fans are insulated around the exiting vent pipe. This helps to prevent moisture from condensing within the pipe - and creating another potential haven for mold to grow.

One of the most common ventilation mistakes is when homeowners combine different ventilation systems. This may occur when incoming air enters into the attic through soffits in the underside of the roof overhang. When these are combined with a different type of exhaust ventilation, problems can occur. For example, combining a ridge vent and a box vent can cause the ridge vent to draft moisture-laden air from the box vent. This can cause a cycle of attic moisture accumulation that can lead to significant damage. Mold releases enzymes that can rot and destroy wood. Exposure to mold can cause a wide range of potential health problems.

There is usually some level of accumulated moisture in your attic. This is usually due to extreme temperature differences between the air temperature outside and the interior attic temperature. If large black or colored areas of mold appear in the attic, it should inspected by a professional. If mold does exist, it can be treated and removed in a way that will prevent future growth.

Getting removing attic mold is important, preventing it in the first place is even more important. Your home's bathroom ventilation and air exhaust should be designed to put moisture as far out and away from your home as possible -no matter the time of year!

For more information on Attic Mold Removal Chicago go here:

https://www.thecleanupguys.com/mold-removalremediation

Call H&H Environmental Construction and Consulting for your New York City mold removal problems. We service Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan mold removal needs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Harold_Kevin/329542

Attic Mold in Chicago, Why is it Growing Under the Roof? And a Mold Solution

Hey!  Sherm here.  With some tips on attic mold in Chicago. Let's dig into the attic mold and find out why is it growing in your attic.

There are actually several different reasons that might be responsible for the mold to appear under the house roof... and sometimes compromise your perfectly going real estate transaction. The "house selling" is just one of the reasons, why attic evaluation and attic mold treatment (if you're out of luck) should be performed before even putting your house on the market.

Unfortunately, the attic is one of those completely off limits house areas for many homeowners. Whatever happens there, often stays there, without anyone ever noticing it. Therefore, I decided to bring a little House Attic Mold awareness into your daily routines, and hope you'll find it helpful.

Why is mold growing under your roof?

10 major factors that might cause attic mold to grow on your roof decking

1. #1 cause of attic mold growth in cold climates is an inadequate attic ventilation
2. Improperly designed attic ventilation - combination of vents that instead of exchanging the air between exterior and interior, they trap, create pockets of "dead air" which condensates on roof decking during the cold season
3. Dryer / kitchen / bathroom vent discharging into the attic often causes condensation, frost and mold growth on decking surface
4. Inadequate / missing attic floor insulation - allows for heat transfer from your house into the attic area
5. Improperly insulated cathedral ceilings and skylight chases are often contaminated with mold
6. Furnaces and water heaters produce heat and if installed in a poorly ventilated attic (not contained within a dedicated / enclosed area), could be responsible for condensation and mold
7. Plumbing vents open into the attic discharge moisture saturated sewer gases
8. Uninsulated forced air heating system ducts - in cold climates they waste precious energy and increase chances for mold in your attic
9. Poorly insulated ceiling penetrations, attic access panels, kitchen soffits open into the attic, etc.
10. Leaking roof - mold in the attic caused by the failing house roof protecting surface will be usually concentrated in leakage area and below it. However, poor attic ventilation could significantly accelerate mold growth.

Combining just first two items responsible for attic mold could transform your attic into the steamy, mold-contaminated room during the cold season. Any warm air trapped under the roof will cause condensation to form on framing, decking surfaces, and roofing nails creating mold nesting habitat.

Some homes have more than one attic and upper one, usually located above the bedrooms and bathrooms is always more susceptible of being contaminated with mold. Warm air from lower parts of the house will naturally rise up, transfer through the ceiling and all its penetrations into the attic.

Attic mold solution: it has two parts and both must be executed at the same time:

1. Attic mold removal - procedure often depends on the extent of the contamination
2. Correction of factors responsible for attic mold - without it, attic mold will most likely re-appear within one season

Once everything is properly corrected, you won't have to worry about any attic mold growth. However, I still highly recommend to periodically monitor the attic. Since you already know, why is the mold growing in the attic it is time to do some investigation above the ceiling.

Be extremely careful, if you don't feel comfortable with accessing the attic, find somebody else to do it for you!

Pick a cool day for this trip, powerful flashlight and a dust mask. Attic access might be as easy as pulling down folding attic stairs, but sometimes it is a challenge as far as size of an opening and its location.

Shine your light beam above your head and onto the roof decking / framing surface, check carefully areas where attic floor meets the roof, because that's where attic mold usually starts appearing.

If you see no discoloration, clean wood surface with no residue on it, than everything might be OK and you are one of those who don't have to worry about attic mold.

For more information on attic mold in Chicago go here

https://www.thecleanupguys.com/mold-removalremediation

For more valuable information from Dariusz Rudnicki, on how to maintain your real estate property, correct most common problems, and prevent serious disasters by doing repairs the right way, please visit http://www.checkthishouse.com

Dariusz is a licensed Illinois home inspector who has been in this business for over eleven years, crawling through the areas you'd newer expect that even exist in your house... just to let you know that everything is working properly... or not. If you have some attic mold, or any home maintenance related questions, you can always ask him for help.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dariusz_Rudnicki/269526

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 and Hot Water Heater Damage 773-885-8528

HELP TO KEEP YOUR HOT WATER SYSTEM MOLD FREE!

If you think neglecting your water heater’s care is acceptable, you might want to think again.  Many homeowners repeatedly commit the sine of not observing necessary water heater upkeep.  Ensure your water system stays in peak condition by keeping in mind the following recommended maintenance tips.

Drain hot water system at least once a year

Draining your tank from the bottom helps get rid of debris and sediments that are accumulated due to constant use.  It also helps maximize heating efficiency and prevents rust and corrosion.

Check the temperature and pressure (T and P) relief valve

The T and P relief valve is designed to ensure your tank does not become too hot or overly pressurized.  While not many people realize it, the importance of looking after this valve cannot be overstated.  When neglected, you can end up dealing with all the hassles and inconvenience a ruptured tank can bring.  In thin with this, having it checked at least once a year is deemed ideal.

Insulate your tanks’ water pipes

Many homeowners not only fail to regulate their water heater’s insulation materials, they also commit the major mistake of not insulating the heater’s water pipes.  The necessity to insulate cannot be overemphasized as it provides energy and money-saving benefits.  Apart from a dramatic reduction in heat loss, insulation can also effectively enhance the water’s temperature.  Consider yearly insulation upkeep if you wish to take full advantage of the benefits it has to offer.  Also, if you intend to purchase a new heater, opt for one with a thick insulation, so you are guaranteed it will last for a long time.

Inspect for any leakage

A hot water heater leak can cause more damage than most homeowners anticipate.  Leaks that are left unattended are not only detrimental to your property, it can also pose serious health risks.  Case in point, the presence of moisture encourages mold growth, which can trigger numerous health issues, like asthma, allergic reactions, and other respiratory problems.  To further ensure leaks are kept at bay, check the drain valve and see to it that it’s tightened properly.

Observer routine upkeep regimen

Just like other pieces of machinery, your water heater can surely benefit from regular and expert care.  If you do not have the spare time or the necessary expertise to look after your heater, the help of a plumber will surely come in handy.  While plumbing fees can come off as an unnecessary expense you can do without, nothing can be farther from the truth.  Keep in mind that regular maintenance can reward you back in the form of lower bills, increased efficiency and reduced risks.

Reset or replace the thermostat

The inability to produce hot water after it has been turned on is a clear indication something is amiss with the thermostat.  In cases like this, cleaning the thermostat or replacing it (whichever is applicable) are two options you have at your disposal.  Also, it is best to remember that this job is best left in the hands of a professionals, so have a qualified technician help you out.

Call a plumber if your water begins to smell

If you notice a light sulfuric smell in your water, it is a foolproof sign there is something wrong with your system.  A sulfuric smell is often the result of a decline in water pressure so having this checked right away is mandatory.  Enlist the help of a professional so damaged hot water parts can be checked and replaced when necessary.

Call a water damage restoration company

If you should get water in your basement because of neglecting the above, don’t hesitate to call a water damage restoration specialist who can get the water out of your basement fast.  This is important for obvious reasons, such as mentioned above, mold can develop quite quickly in a basement.  Water damage allowed to sit too long can precipitate mold spore growth and thus, a need to have mold remediation services done as well.  Many homeowners have neglected taking care of water extraction immediately and have paid the price in time, resources, and finances because of neglecting water in the basement, and subsequently mold removal.  Don’t let it sit there.  Do something about it fast!

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.

Water Damage Mold 773-885-8528

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.