What to do if I find Mold?
When mold starts to invade your home, dealing with the problem quickly and safely should be a priority. It can take less than 72 hours for mold to spread throughout your home, which may result in negative health effects to your family, as well as damage to your property. Here are some Dos and Don’ts:
Home & Business Mold Removal Miami
Experience
Water and mold damage restoration, is the core of our business. We have the training and expertise to safely handle any mold situation.
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We pride ourselves on our dedication to customer education, service, and our adherence to national standards and best practices.
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We’re committed to our customers by acting with urgency to restore their property and their lives while adhering to IICRC standards.
Mold Removal Miami: Things You Should Know
- Mold is known to grow quickly in areas with high moisture levels, warmer temperatures, and organic materials. In as little as 24-48 hours, mold can begin to form, often appearing in areas with little sunlight or airflow.
- Mold can have a significant negative impact on your home. According to Professional Builder Magazine, mold can lower the value of your home by a significant amount. They warn that a home worth $250,000 can have $100,000 in mold damage, making it difficult to sell. Additionally, mold can lead to serious structural damage to your home.
- While most people focus on cleaning visible mold, it’s important to know that mold can also grow in other places, such as fiberglass insulation, on top of ceiling tiles, inside ducts, behind drywall panels, in wall cavities, and behind wallpaper. Even when it’s visible, it’s often impossible – even for an expert – to tell the difference between mold, soot, and dirt without testing. The mold you can see is just the beginning, and some of it is extremely hard to find!
- Bleach and detergent are useful for removing mold on nonporous surfaces. However, materials such as ceiling tiles, carpeting, and wallboard will have deep mold penetration and may need to be replaced. If you don’t get rid of all the sources of moisture and humidity, the mold will just grow back.
- Mold cleaning is a dangerous task: It only takes a few mold spores to cause an allergic reaction, and some molds contain mycotoxins that are carcinogenic or deadly. Vibrations and movement will cause mold to release their spores.
- Mold removal is a process that requires professional equipment and training. Mold removal experts use state-of-the-art equipment to identify sources of moisture, dry out wall cavities, and remove mold. Additionally, mold samples can be sent to a laboratory to identify potentially toxic strains. In some cases, special cleaning agents are required to restore the property to its original condition.
Mold Remediation
Understanding Mold
Microscopic mold spores are present naturally both indoors and outdoors, so it is impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold eradication” as a service, but this is misleading because it is not possible to remove all mold. It is important to be aware of the following mold facts:
- Mold is a type of fungus that is present almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors.
- Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air, so they can enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
- Mold spores thrive on moisture. When they are exposed to water, they can quickly grow into colonies.
- It is important to address any sources of water or moisture before beginning mold remediation. Otherwise, the mold will just come back.
- High indoor humidity can contribute to mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent to prevent mold growth.
Additional information on Mold is available in the US Environmental Protection’s guidance:
Mold Mitigation Solution?
Do you see or believe you have mold in your home or business?? Give us a call and schedule a free inspection. You can count on us to get the job done right at a price that is right. Our highly trained specialists are ready to come and start the process of restoring the damage.
Understanding The Mold Remediation Process
The steps listed below illustrate the process that is typically taken for mold remediation; however, it is important to note that every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution.
Step 1: Emergency Contact: 1-305-990-0102
When you call our mold specialists, they will ask you a series of questions to help them determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel for your mold cleanup and restoration process.
For more information on mold, you can access our blog post: What is Mold?
Step 2: Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
During inspection we identify the source (water or humidity) so it can be remediated and prevent future damage. We suggest doing a mold assessment (done by a third party); sampling of materials and air quality to identify type and extent of the mold contamination, the results will include an action plan for remediation.
We will set a “drying goal” and try to meet that goal as efficiently and quickly as possible by utilizing the right tools, equipment, and methods.
Step 3: Mold Containment
We use various containment procedures to prevent the spread of mold. These procedures may include using negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process. Additionally, all fans and heating and cooling systems will be turned off to prevent the spread of mold.
Step 4: Air Filtration
At our company, our professionals use specialized filtration equipment to capture microscopic mold spores out of the air. We utilize powerful “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in process.
Step 5: Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
The amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears will determine the mold remediation process. Our mold professionals use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and carpeting, may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.
Step 6: Cleaning Contents and Belongings
Depending on the extent of the damage and the agreed protocol, our professionals can clean furniture, decorative items, curtains, clothing, and other restorable items affected by mold. A variety of cleaning techniques will be used in order to clean and sanitize your belongings. Furthermore, they are trained to remove odors and deodorize using fogging equipment.
Step 7: Build Back
Conditional on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may be removed. Restoration may require minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.
Mold Spores & Health Issues.
People at high risk from mold spore exposure:
- Individuals with Asthma or Allergies
- Individuals Taking Medication
- Pregnant Women
- Children 6-12 Years Old
- Infants
Common signs of mold growth:
- Coughing and/or sneezing
- Nasal congestion and postnasal drip
- Allergic Reactions
- Dry, scaly skin
- Itchy eyes, nose, or throat
- Headaches
We’ll build the right action plan for your situation and guide you through every part of the process as we work to restore your property. You can count on us to get the job done right at a price that is right.
