Mold often hides out of sight in homes. Exposure to mold in residences has caused illness in people and pet animals and has done billions of dollars in damage to building interior finishes and structures, requiring professional treatment by mold abatement contractors.
April showers bring May flowers to Utah along with a lot of extra moisture that can breed mold spores both outside and in your home. While the Spring and Summer seasons bring significant seasonal allergies to many, most of us don’t realize mold can cause allergies too and in some cases, a reaction known as mold illness. With allergy-like symptoms, mold illness can severely affect those with a weakened immune system and respiratory issues.
If you or someone in your family experiences allergy-like symptoms that do not respond to allergy prevention medication, you will want to take the time to look for possible signs of mold growth during Summer and Spring in and around your home.
If you suspect mold growth in your home that may be causing unexplained allergy-like symptoms like dry, scaly skin and irritated eyes, nose and throat you should investigate areas that are susceptible to mold. Begin your search with these questions:
If you answer ‘yes’ to these questions, you could have warm weather mold growth. Take some time to inspect the following common places in and around your home to get a good idea of where mold colonies may be flourishing:
If you suspect mold without being able to see it due to a musky odor or unexplained allergy-like symptoms, you may have hidden mold. Mold can also grow in the following places:
Mold requires a sustained moist environment and organic matter to feed on. Those who may be predisposed to developing mold illness can become sick with even mild exposure and can even affect your pets. If you locate mold growth or suspect mold but cannot see it, do not hesitate to call a professional mold removal expert with the experience and specialized equipment to identify mold, access the infestation and safely remove it from your home.
Since moisture is key for mold growth, moisture control is your key to combat it. Improper ventilation along with high humidity will contribute to mold growth in the Spring and Summer months in The Beehive State. With regular housekeeping and proper maintenance of your heating and AC unit, you are helping to prevent the growth of mold and helping to sustain good indoor air quality.
Homeowners with high-humidity problem areas can use a portable dehumidifier to keep mold at bay. Using your central AC unit during the humid months of Spring and the hot months of Summertime can either be helpful for reducing indoor humidity or may actually be contributing to the problem. An oversized AC unit may cool your home faster, but it will not remove as much moisture as a unit that is proportionate to the size of your house. Optimal air distribution and adequate ventilation are vital for maintaining good air quality and preventing mold growth. (h4) If moisture is an ongoing problem in your home, you may consider adding a dehumidifier to your central AC to stabilize indoor air quality.
By eliminating water sources in damp places, you are proactively eliminating possible mold growth. Diligently removing the source of water for mold prevention is the best way to prevent harmful and potentially dangerous mold growth. Here are a few common problem areas, in and around your home, to keep an eye on or check regularly for moisture:
You can reduce your exposure to molds outdoors by avoiding areas with high humidity. Individuals with sensitive respiratory systems may experience problems in environments that you have no control over like barns, cellars, lumber mills and the beach or woods. Here are a few suggestions to keep outside moisture down in areas around your home to help prevent mold growth:
Since 1992, Utah Flood Cleanup has been providing residential and commercial property owners with disaster clean-up including mold removal and repair from mold damage. Our team of highly-trained specialists will help locate, identify and eradicate mold and mold spores from your home. Contact Us or call our mold removal professionals at 801-416-2666 for your free mold removal phone consultation and free estimate. We back our work with a 5-Year Guarantee and provide flexible financing options. We are available 24/7 to help with your disaster emergency and get your life back to normal.
You’ve made a horrifying discovery – mold in your home! You’re searching online to figure out what to do now. Well, don’t panic, we have compiled a list of Mold Removal Do’s and Don’ts to help educate you and point you in the right direction for help. It is important to know that mold found in your home can be hazardous to your health and potentially cause severe structural damage.
The good news? We are here to help; contact the trained and certified professionals at Utah Flood Cleanup to test your home for hidden mold colonies and eradicate the mold and mold spores from your home. In the meantime, take a look at what you should and shouldn’t do:
Most importantly – Don’t ignore the problem, and please Do contact an experienced disaster cleanup professional. Utah Flood Cleanup uses the most advanced equipment and techniques to make sure things are done right the first time, in fact – we guarantee it! We are available 24/7 at 801-876-5225 for your FREE phone consultation and FREE inspection for insurance covered disasters.
Summertime: lemonade, swimming pools, and…mold? If you’ve found it, you’re not alone. Many homeowners find they have a problem with mold in the warmth of summer. If mold is a problem in your home, the professional mold removal specialists at Utah Flood Cleanup can help today. Below are some things to keep in mind that can cause mold in the summer.
How does the earth slope: down and away from your home’s foundation? That outward downslope helpfully drains rain away from your foundation. Otherwise, be sure no water is pooling up, particularly from sprinklers. Should water collect around the home’s foundation or seep into the basement, you could discover substantial mold growth.
Evaporative coolers—called swamp coolers—offer an eco-friendly, low-cost alternative to central AC. Swamp coolers work best when circulating air from an open window; this circulation makes for fresher air than traditional air conditioning, which requires an airtight room. Evaporative cooling, though, naturally humidifies dry air. And the coolers typically develop rust spots—check for them—that can eventually leak and cause mold. Molds can grow on the cooler pads, so check for that too.
Be sure your downspouts are taking water away from the house (you may need extensions).
Also, Have the landscaper clear your gutters of foliage.
This one surprises people. An oversized air conditioning unit can result in poor dehumidification. Avoid having the air cool so quickly that the system shuts off before the air is well dehumidified. Is your indoor humidity approaching or more than 60%? Then your AC isn’t properly dehumidifying the air. You can buy a hygrometer to monitor indoor humidity, then can take steps if needed to reduce moisture and prevent mold growth.
Mold flourishes at 77 degrees Fahrenheit and up.
Don’t install carpeting in the bathrooms. Small throw rugs are better as they don’t retain much moisture, and they’re easily washed and dried. Turn on the exhaust fan or open the window slightly when taking a bath or shower, to keep the steam from humidifying your home.
Actually, do this all year. Like showering, cooking can produce humidity. Run your stovetop fan to release extra humidity outside. Be sure your clothes dryer exhaust air also goes outside the house.
Any dampness on these materials will form a perfect base for mold.
Neglected mold issues will spread. If you can’t see mold, but can detect a musty smell, mold might be growing behind walls or under the carpeting. It needs professional attention now, before it gets worse.
It’s simple: moisture leads to mold and mildew problems. Within 24 to 48 hours after an enclosed area gets wet, mold can take hold.
Mold is a health hazard. Black mold worsens the symptoms of allergies. Mycotoxins emitted by mold can, in some people, create serious—even incurable—illnesses. And in summer, people with respiratory issues might experience a worsening of the symptoms, because of mold spores.
If you’ve discovered indoor mold in your home or business, contact our mold remediation professionals at Utah Flood Cleanup today. We have extensive experience in safe mold remediation and are Utah’s #1 disaster cleanup company.
You or someone else have discovered mold within your commercial property. This is the last thing you expected to deal with, but it should now be your top priority. Once mold gets inside and begins to grow, it spreads quickly, as mold spores attach to surfaces and the fungi start to grow in 48 hours. Exposure to damp environments causes mold to grow and spread. This can trigger health issues in some people and can affect those who work or conduct business in your commercial building.
Mold growth may occur in buildings or on building materials including carpet, ceiling tile, insulation, paper, wallboard, wood, surfaces behind wallpaper, or in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
The source of moisture in buildings is commonly due to leaks, flooding, poorly vented kitchens, showers, combustion appliances and steam pipes.
OSHA regulations contain guidelines that remediation experts follow to ensure safety and full decontamination. Contact the mold remediation professionals at Utah Flood Cleanup immediately to get the mold removed and to prevent it from returning. Some molds can be extremely harmful. Let the professionals do their job and avoid unnecessary health risks. Call Utah Flood Cleanup 24/7 at 801-416-2666 and receive assistance right away.
Once you contact Utah Flood Cleanup for your mold cleanup, the process will already be less daunting. All contractors will follow the basic steps outlined below, which are required by the EPA.
A major reason to get rid of mold is that it can be very dangerous to the health of those occupying your commercial building. According to the CDC, some people are susceptible to mold-induced ailments. These health issues include throat irritation, nasal congestion, coughing, eyes or skin irritation. Children may be especially vulnerable and some adults can develop chronic conditions such as lung infections or obstructions. To prevent illness, the contaminated areas should be avoided until a mold remediation specialist is able to conduct the cleanup.
Even with the help of professionals, some of the cleanup or restoration of items, such as sensitive documents, may fall to you or those who use the building. It is extremely important to avoid mold contact with your skin and eyes and to avoid breathing it in. For safest results, leave clean up to the experts and discard all impacted items.
Mold can grow on every conceivable organic surface. All it requires are moisture and oxygen to contaminate wood, food, paper, insulation and carpet. Mold slowly digests what it grows on, which can compromise the material and cause structural damage. In order to control mold, you have to control moisture and humidity in your building.
Call our mold remediation professionals at Utah Flood Cleanup if you have any questions on understanding, preventing or are needing mold safely removed from your commercial property. We are available 24/7 and are so confident in our services, we offer a 100% workmanship guarantee and very affordable financing options! Contact our experienced professionals at Utah Flood Cleanup today to receive your free phone consultation and a free inspection on water damage that is covered by insurance! Dial 801-416-2666 and receive immediate service so we can help you get your business back to normal as soon as possible.
Mold spores exist everywhere in our environment and having mold in your commercial building is a fairly common occurrence. However, it is important to recognize the symptoms of mold growth that may indicate you have a mold problem that needs to be addressed.
You may think that since you do not see mold, there is no problem, unfortunately, high levels of mold can be present and can begin causing health issues before you discover evidence of its growth. That is why it is important that if you have symptoms of mold growth, you have them evaluated immediately to not only minimize the damage but protect your employees’ health as well.
It is always important to be on the lookout for possible signs of mold,
as early detection is important.
Some of the signs of a mold problem include:
A Strange Musty Odor
Mold growth is often hidden by wallpaper, tiles, or other flooring and therefore the smell may be your only way to identify it. Mold will have a very strong musty smell that is usually stronger around the area where mold is hiding. If you notice an odor and cannot identify the source it is possibly mold and you should call for an inspection.
Health Problems
Since mold is often hidden, your first signs may be health issued experienced by you and your employees. These type of symptoms are collectively known as sick building syndrome, which is where multiple people will experience a range of acute symptoms that appear to increase or begin when being in the building.
Some of the symptoms associated with mold problems include:
Sick building syndrome combined with a musty odor is typically a red flag that there is a mold problem present and should be investigated immediately.
Visible Mold or Mildew
It is important to be on the lookout for any visible mold or patches or mildew. While mold can occur anywhere in the building, there are common places that it likes to hide.
To check your building for mold you will want to inspect:
Checking for mildew can be a little more difficult as it has a lighter texture than mold. The texture of mildew is often white and powder-like on commercial buildings. If you notice any white powder on the floors or furniture it should be further inspected.
Water Stains
You will want to investigate any stains on carpets that seem to spread, dark spots on walls and ceiling tiles, and areas on wallpaper where there appears to be bubbling present. Most often mold is associated with consistent water damage that often occurs from roof leaks or leaking pipes. If you have any of these problems in your building they should be repaired and the water damage should be professionally cleaned to prevent the growth of mold.
If your building has had a flood or severe water damage in the past you should notify your inspector as this may help the to determine the root of the mold problem more quickly.
While mold may be very dangerous to your building and your health, proper steps can be taken to clean up the mold and make your workplace healthy for you and your employees to return.
Steps involved in the remediation process:
If you suspect your commercial or office building has mold damage, let our mold remediation specialists at Utah Flood Cleanup help determine the source of your problem as well as the best course of action. We offer free inspections for water damage incidents that are covered by your insurance and our cleanup services are available 24/7! Along with mold removal, we offer many other services including fire and water damage repair. Dont wait to get your property back to normal! Get fast results with Utah Flood Cleanup today by calling us at (801) 416-2666 for a free assessment.
There is always mold in our houses. However, it is usually at such low levels that it is of no consequence. However, mold can, at times, be quite harmful, especially if it is in large quantities. One of the first signs that you have a mold problem is if your house begins to smell moldy. It is essential to identify the type of mold in the home to ensure that your family is not at risk and that is where Utah Flood Cleanup can help.
The most common mold types on modern homes are:
Aspergillus is an allergenic mold that is found in food and air conditioning systems. It looks like what most people think of as mold: green, cottony, and white at the edges. Cladosporium is another type of mold, which grows mostly on the back of toilets. It can range in color from olive green to brown or black, but is not the infamous “black mold” you need to be scared of. It also grows on air ducts and painted surfaces. Both molds are classified as nontoxic, however they can cause allergic reactions in humans.
Brightly colored mold such as red or orange mold is mostly found outdoors. It grows on decaying matter such as rotting wood. It is harmless to humans. These molds, which are usually slimy, is primarily removed from homes for aesthetic purposes. Another mold that grows in homes is white mold. If you have white mold in the home, it means the problem is in its early stages, and it can be treated with ease.
One of the most dangerous molds to humans is Stachybotrys chartarum, which can lead to long-term illness if not treated. It is often called “black mold,” though it is not the only black mold you can find in Utah homes. It grows indoors and produces toxins called mycotoxins. Contact with these toxins usually ends up in a hospital visit.
The mold will usually have a greenish black appearance. Additionally, it will usually appear to be slimy. However, this may not always be the case. The mold can become dry and powdery when its water source runs out. At that point, it can disperse with ease. It is important to have an expert inspect it. This could save you a lot of money spent on getting rid of a harmless mold species that has a similar appearance to black mold.
Some of the most common symptoms that result from black mold are:
Fusarium and Penicillium are also considered toxic. Fusarium ranges from white to dull yellow while Penicillium can include shades of green. These molds are associated with symptoms such as asthma, nail fungus, and infections of internal organs like the heart, liver, and lungs. They can also lead to pulmonary emphysema and edema. Fusarium usually comes from plants or soil while penicillum often comes from spoiled food, but both can grow elsewhere once introduced into a home.
When toxic mold grows, it will usually be in a place that is out of site. Additionally, toxic mold requires a lot of humidity. Thus, if you have experienced floods in the recent past, you should inspect your house for toxic mold. This is also the case if you have recently had a pipe leak inside the walls or in your basement.
When you find mold in your house, you should hire an expert. If the mold affects a large area of your house, you need to vacate the premises until the mold is cleared. This is especially true if you have been experiencing the symptoms of a mold infection.
If you are in need of a mold clean up company that does the job efficiently, you should contact Utah Food Cleanup. We use modern cleaning methods to reduce the chances of regrowth. Besides mold cleanup, we offer water and fire damage cleanup services. Our cleanup services are available to you 24/7. Call us today at (801) 416-2666. One of our experts will offer you a free consultation over the phone. We also conduct free inspections for all water damage incidents that are covered by the insurance provider.
After entering a flooded or water damaged basement you can already start to sense that musty smell usually associated with dark, damp basements. That smell may actually be mold growing in just the right conditions. Having a moldy basement can be a major health concern, and can lead to sinus infections and asthma attacks. If you suspect mold growing in your basement, it is a good idea to call the professionals at Utah Flood Cleanup to evaluate the situation and suggest the appropriate course of action.
Mold is a natural organism that occurs in the environment everywhere you look. When mold enters your home and basement, it can bring with it serious health concerns. It spreads through mold spores, which can be a result of water or flood damage, and can spread through the air. Some of the common types of mold that are typically found in water damaged areas include:
While being able to see mold is obviously the easiest method of identification, mold can often infect your home long before it shows up to the naked eye. For that reason, it often pays to be wary of other common signs of a mold infection:
While most molds are unsightly and ought to be removed for aesthetic and preventitive purposes (since most molds, even if they are not dangerous, can cause allergic reactions as well as suppress the immune system so that other infections become more likely), the majority are not immediately dangerous. That means that you can take a few days to get any concerning infestations checked out without harm. However, here’s a short list of what to look for
Before a professional comes to your home, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure to turn off any heating or cooling systems in the house that may be spreading the mold spores through the air. Second, be sure to give the mold removal experts a complete and accurate description of what the mold looks like and the environment the mold is in. Having a detailed account of the mold will help the professionals know what to expect and what to prepare for before they arrive to your home.
It is always important to never put yourself at risk attempting to remove mold yourself. While every mold removal company is different, the general procedure for removing mold remains the same. A certified professional will come to your home to provide a visual inspection of the area. Tests will then be conducted to confirm both the type of mold and also the extent to which the mold has spread. The areas that contain mold are disinfected, but some surfaces may be beyond repair, and have to be removed from the home in order to prevent the mold from spreading. After the mold has been safely removed or disinfected, the certified professional may suggest using a HEPA filter. This will ensure that any airborne mold spores are eliminated from the area for good.
Utah Flood Cleanup can tackle any damage caused by floods, fire, or mold. With over 20 years of experience, we can treat residential or commercial buildings. Our experts are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help decide the course of action that makes the most sense. We offer free telephone consultations and onsite inspections for insurance-covered water damage. For more information, call 801-416-2666 or contact us here.
Most people are aware that mold can make them and their family sick and overtime can destroy a home or building as well. Mold is a fungus that grows quickly and spreads very easily. It can grow anywhere in the home and even outside on the home as well. If conditions are right, you can guarantee mold is presence or will begin to grow.
Mold can begin to grown within 24 hours. Conditions for mold to grown include darkness, warmth, and moisture. You can notice symptoms of mold before you even see it. If you begin to experience allergies symptoms that include itchy watery eyes, running nose, and congestion, it is likely that you have mold growing in your home.
Due to the fast growing nature of mold, it is in everyone’s best interest to call a mold remediation professional immediately and seek medical attention if you have been exposed.
Mold occurs because of moisture with other conditions that are suitable for the growth of mold. Areas such as the bathroom and kitchen are the most common places.
However, other ares such as those connecting to a ventilation system are at risk as well due to the humidity. If the molded areas of a home have been untreated for a long period of time, they may have to replaced. Although most areas can be saved and cleaned professionally.
Removal
Many people consider taking the matter into their own hands. Most DIY projects include solutions such as bleach or borax to kill the mold. However, this could cost you more money and time in the long run. This household solutions may kill the mold, but they will not prevent it from growing and spreading again. A professional can use products that will kill the mold and prevent it from growing again or spreading any further.
The products that a professional will use are much safer as well. These products can be used on even the surfaces that will come in contact with your food. This coating is specialized to kill and prevent mold growth which is much more effective than over the counter solutions.
Prevention
If you have had a major leak, you may need water damage repairs as well. Once walls or floors have become soaked, mold will being to grow not long after. Other common areas for mold to grown is in the ceiling of a home.
This is usually due to leaks that have gone unnoticed in the roofing of your home. Even if you have not have not seen mold in your home, you should contact a professional as soon as possible if you begin to have symptoms of allergies without known causes.
Are you looking to refresh your Ogden home with mold remediation and removal? Call Utah Flood Cleanup today at (801) 416-2666, and get the right professionals on the job.
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