Flood Response

Expert Mold Remediation & Mold Removal Services
Molds are a category of micro-organism called Fungi that also includes mushrooms and yeasts. They are eukaryotic, multi-celled organisms and are present almost everywhere. If we keep things dry, molds do not grow. Mold becomes troublesome when there is excessive humidity or moisture, and can often happen after a water damage situation. This "Mold Situation" can originate from sudden water releases, like a pipe burst, appliance line break and toilet overflow, or such chronic conditions as leaking roofs, slab leaks and rusted plumbing. In addition, high humidity, (warm air that condenses on cool surfaces) can trigger mold problems.

Mold Removal From Your Home
If you have mold in your house, you are going to want to work quickly to repair the situation. Mold is brought on by moisture in your home and can be detrimental to your health. So if you live in a damp climate, have suffered from a natural disaster, have experienced flooding in your home or other water-based problems, you may have a mold problem as well.

Dry Your Home
To repair the situation you must first dry out your home. This means if you have a plumbing leak, plug it. If you have standing water in your home, sweep it out. After doing that, then run fans or other drying devices to make sure all of the water is absorbed. If the mold has grown on hard surfaces then you can scrub it off with detergent and water. Be sure to completely dry the area so the mold does not reoccur. If the mold has permeated porous items in your home, such as ceiling tiles, drywall and carpet, then clean up isn't as easy. You'll have to throw out these mold-infested items and start over again. Because mold can grow in the porous areas of such items, the mold will be nearly, if not, impossible to remove.

Saving Precious Moldy Items
What if mold has grown on a porous item in your home that has sentimental value and that you don't want to throw away? Maybe mold has infiltrated a canvas painting or a family rug and you want to do everything you can to save it. That is when you must contact a specialist. There are trained professionals that have the proper cleaning supplies and techniques to salvage your precious items and perform the proper mold remediation services you will need.

Mold Abatement By Painting over Mold a Bad Idea
Never attempt mold removal by painting or caulking over moldy surfaces. The bathroom is a common place to have a mold problem and too often people try to conceal rather than repair the situation. By painting or caulking over a mold situation you can cause a bigger one. The mold will continue to grow and permeate these surfaces which will only lead to bigger and worse mold removal problems in the future. Plus, mold will cause painted surfaces to peel, meaning your cover-up work will only be in vain.

Dressing For Mold Repair & Remediation
When repairing a mold situation in your home, you want to be sure to dress properly for the occasion. This means you will need to invest in a few items to protect yourself. You never want to breathe in mold or mold spores. Mold spores can actually attach themselves in your lungs and continue to grow there, so you can understand why you want to be rid of mold as quickly as possible. If you are cleaning mold, you should have some sort of face covering to protect yourself. A paper mask can suffice but if you are dealing with a heavy-duty mold situation, you'll want to invest in a N-95 respirator that you can find at most hardware stores. These masks look like paper masks but with a nozzle in front that traps mold spores and prevents them from entering. You also should protect yourself by wearing gloves. Investing in a long pair of gloves that cover most of your arms may be a good idea, dependent on the mold situation you are repairing. While performing the mold remediation yourself, avoid using your bare hands to touch mold. How do you know if there is a mold problem in your home or business? Follow your nose. A musty or earthy smell often indicates the presence of mold. Discoloration is also a sign of mold. It you had significant water damage then mold is likely to occur.

Our adherence to Strict Industry Guidelines ensures proficiency in carrying out the procedures of Mold Remediation. The first step is to stop the moisture at its source. We then make sure the affected area is contained, or sealed-off, from the rest of the structure. Next, all salvageable items are removed and unsalvageable items are discarded. The remaining affected area is then thoroughly dried. Any visible mold growth would then be Hepa-Vac'd, (Hepa vacuums have special filters that capture super fine mold particles), wire-brushed, and/or sanded.

Mold Inspection
Proper mold inspections should focus on knowing the cause and extent of mold contamination, risks to people and property, and appropriate remediation strategies. Mold inspections and the recommendations therein should be consistent with the industry guidelines. Some of the guidelines are from the following organizations: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, the American Industrial Hygiene Association, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Health Canada, the New York City Department of Health, and the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC).

Mold investigations should be customized for the scale and complexity of each project, ranging from a preliminary building walk-through to comprehensive Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) investigations. Investigations could include: occupant surveys, moisture testing, photographic documentation, invasive inspections of concealed building cavities, microbial sampling & analysis, and environmental monitoring of indoor air quality (i.e. carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, temperature, and relative humidity). Written reports are designed specifically for issues requiring documentation and include inspection summaries, photographic documentation, moisture survey results & interpretations, microbial sampling & environmental monitoring results, risk assessments, and remediation guidance.