Do you know what to look for in a Mold Contractor? If you are not sure, we are here to help! Read below for great tips!

To find a great mold contractor, start by making sure the contractor is qualified and up to date on the latest protocols. Your contractor should be IICRC certified in applied microbial remediation. If license is required, the contractor should have a general liability and pollution insurance. Remember, regular liability insurance does not cover mold. This means your contractor should give you a warranty for their work for three to five years, at the least.

A great source for information is the Better Business Bureau; it can help you filter out misinformation and bad contractors.

The next thing you should know is that a mold remediation business third party air quality specialist, also known as the industrial hygienist, should always be hired to guide the process of mold remediation. The industrial hygienist verifies through scientific studies whether mold levels have been reduced after treatment to see if mold was properly removed.

The Process

Before you start your mold remediation process, you need to develop a remediation plan. Your hygienist can assist with this plan. The workspace of your project should be isolated. You can accomplish this by setting up poly barriers, sealing off critical barriers such as ductwork, cracks, windows and holes where pipes enter.

To learn what to do next, read this article from EzineArticles.com.

For professional help and questions on remediation, contact Advance Mold Remediation by calling 1-877-411-MOLD or click here today!

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If you regularly get headaches in your home this can be happening due to poor air quality. According to this article, one of two problems can be causing your headaches: mold or clogged air ducts. If you chronically have headaches try to pay attention to where they occur; the location of the room could give you a clue as to the root of your problem.

The presence of mold in your home can cause health problems including headaches, asthma, fatigue, rashes and more. This is why it is important to have an excellent mold remediation specialist like Advance Mold Remediation at hand. If you suffer from ay of these symptoms you should have a mold specialist inspect your home immediately.

If the ductwork in your home is clogged this can also cause headaches and other health issues. When this occurs, stale air and carbon dioxide re-circulate. Breathing this oxygen poor air can give you headaches. The solution to this problem is having your ductwork disinfected.

Professional mold remediation specialists are important if you are experiencing any mold-related symptoms in your work or home. Contact Advance Mold Remediation for any of your needs.

Mold. What is it and where can it be found in your home? Well, with the help of this article from MedicineNet.com, we will try to give you an answer to those two questions.

First off, what is mold? Well, mold actually refers to multiple types of fungi. The most common types of mold that are found indoors include Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria, stachybotrys, and Aspergillus. These molds thrive in damp, warm, and humid environments.

If you find mold in your home, or if you think you may have mold in your home, call a professional remediation service. Molds can reproduce quickly and spread throughout your home if not dealt with in a timely manner. Molds reproduce by forming tiny spores that are not visible to the naked eye. These spores travel through the air and when they land on a surface with adequate conditions, mold grows.

So where are the conditions most favorable for mold growth in your home? Well, the most common areas include your bathroom and basement, but these are not the only places mold may be found indoors. Any moist area can harbor mold, including drywall, ceiling tiles, carpets, furniture, ductwork, roofing, paneling, the areas around plumbing fixtures, and wallpaper.

Mold can be found anywhere. The only way to protect your home is to eliminate the favorable conditions for mold growth. If you find a leak, fix it. And if you do find mold, call a professional remediation service to remove it as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, contact Advance Mold Remediation by calling 1-877-411-MOLD or click here today!

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The construction of attics and concrete slabs has historically been done as a simple, cost-effective way to support a floor or roof. Because of this, the impact these two areas have on a home’s energy costs and ability to keep mold at bay is often overlooked. The old saying “out of sight, out of mind,” comes to mind when thinking of attics/slabs. Because the public rarely ever sees these areas, architects often ignore the affects attics and slabs have on the environment and energy costs.

So what can you do? This article from Indoor Environmental Connections explains.

The energy loss and potential mold growth associated with attics/slabs can negatively affect not only your wallet, but your health, as well. Mold growth has been linked to asthma, allergies, respiratory distress and other, more serious, health problems. To make things worse, many people place their HVAC systems in their attics, which simply spreads mold spores throughout the building – greatly affecting indoor air quality.

The technology and know-how does exist, however, to construct smarter attics and concrete slabs into new buildings. Additionally, the technology exists to retrofit many of these aspects into existing attics and slabs (though this process is sometimes time consuming).

So ask a professional about your options. Get your attic or concrete slab inspected and see what you could do to make your home more energy-efficient and mold resistant. If you have any questions, contact Advance Mold Remediation by calling 1-877-411-MOLD or click here today!

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The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced the Lead: Renovation, Repair and Paint (RRP) Rule, which concerns renovations on homes containing pre-1978 lead paint. The regulation requires clearance testing to detect the presence, or lack, of lead following any home renovation. The RRP also requires that contractors, plumbers, electricians, painters, window installers and even wood floor refinishers, who performs work in homes built before 1978, be EPA-certified of face fines up to $37,500 per violation per day.

A group of senators, however, is not amused. They have asked the president’s Office of Management Budget (OMB) to review the regulation, hoping the department will repeal the EPA’s regulation. The OMB has the authority to modify regulations even after they are issued by a regulatory agency if they find substantial evidence of a regulation’s negative effect on the United State’s economy.

The senators believe that these additional testing costs will drive homeowners to either attempt dangerous renovations themselves or hire uncertified individuals for renovation projects. The EPA, on the other hand, does not share the senators’ concerns. They have stated that the rule will remain in place until further notice.

OMB has no current plans to review the EPA’s controversial regulation.

If you have any questions, contact Advance Mold Remediation by calling 1-877-411-MOLD or click here today!

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Air pollution is a problem that has gained more and more interest over the past few years. Research has shown that air pollution can negatively affect the health of those who are constantly subjected to harmful environments. But a recent study published in the Journal of the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that air filters greatly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

This article from Indoor Environment Connections explains these findings.

The study, which observed 45 adults from 25 different homes found that high efficiency particle air, or HEPA, filters greatly reduce the amount of airborne particulate matter, resulting in improved blood vessel health and reductions in blood markers that are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

The study was conducted over two consecutive 7-day periods. During this time, a HEPA filter (Honeywell model 50300) was placed in the main activity room, while a quieter model 18150 was placed in the participant’s bedroom. The HEPA filters operated with their filters one week and without the other (participants were kept in the dark as to which week they had a filter and which they didn’t). In addition to the filters, indoor air pollution sampling kits were placed in each activity room.

At the end of each 7-day period, blood and urine samples were taken from each participant and markers of cellular injury, as well as the body’s response to that injury, were measured. Endothelial function also was evaluated using a fingertip device to evaluate blood volume in small blood vessels, and air samples were collected and analyzed.

It was discovered that portable HEPA filters reduced the average concentrations of fine particulates inside homes by 60 pc and their use was associated with improved endothelial function (a 9.4 pc increase in reactive hyperemia index) and decreased inflammation (a 32.6 pc decrease in C-reactive protein).

So if you are looking for a way to improve your indoor environment, consider purchasing a few HEPA filters. You will be amazed at how much better you will feel! If you have any questions, contact Advance Mold Remediation by calling 1-877-411-MOLD or click here today!

It is like a Shakespearean play – damp or not too damp? That is the question. When is a school too dry or too damp? Both extremes can be hazardous to your child’s health and both need to be dealt with, but in completely separate ways.

This article from Indoor Environment Connections Online explains down the temperature turmoil.

Low-dewpoint winter weather often brings with it extremely dry indoor conditions, meaning schools that meet the recommended 15 cubic feet per meter of outside air could be experiencing 10 percent relative humidity in classrooms. These conditions often lead to the drying of mucous membranes and even nosebleeds.

There are several approved methods to deal with dry indoor conditions. These include:

1. Make the building as airtight as you can so that it is not overly drying out all night long when not occupied.
2. Do not over-ventilate it during occupied hours. That is, if the carbon dioxide levels are down around 600 parts per million at 11 a.m. versus 800 ppm in an occupied school on the coldest days of winter, you are very likely over-ventilating it and exacerbating any potential dryness problems.
3. Do not run the ventilation system when the building is unoccupied. This includes exhaust fans as well as make-up air fans.
4. Install enthalpy (total energy) recovery from the general building exhaust to capture some of the moisture from the occupants and put it back into the building.

Another way to combat respiratory issues is to clean the air in which we breathe. This means removing dust and other airborne debris. This can be accomplished by:

1. daily use of auto scrubbers (with clean water) on hard-surface floors;
2. daily use of vacuums with high efficiency bags and good suction on carpets and hard surfaces;
3. if dry mops are used, they must be treated, or they make dust clouds; or
4. use of some of the new microfiber dusting devices, or damp-wiping.

Unfortunately, dry indoor conditions are not the entire problem. Extremely damp conditions are also causing respiratory problems in schools. Damp areas facilitate the growth of mold, which can be extremely hazardous when inhaled.

There are only two methods for dealing with extremely damp areas.

1. Fix number one, stop the liquid water intrusion, or manage it in a way that porous materials stay dry, and routinely clean the hard surfaces like you would clean your bathroom fixtures.
   1. Drying: We know of two means for drying surfaces: Add lots of heat, or make air dry by dehumidifying it. In the winter heating up the space and allowing dry outdoor air to enter it will usually give you dry air and good drying potential. During the rest of the year, a good high capacity energy efficient dehumidifier such as a Thermastor Sierra, or one of their competitors, should do a great job at drying any surface by increasing the drying capacity of the air. We define a high capacity unit as one that gets you in the range of 100 to 140 pints a day of moisture for less than 10 amps of power with a 115 volt power source.
   2. Isolation and exhaust of dampness: In some cases, crawlspace dampness can best be addressed by installing a sub-membrane radon removal-type system to capture dampness from the earth below a smoke-rated plastic sheet and dumping it outdoors. Lots of information is now available regarding keeping crawlspaces sealed up, warm and dry, versus the typical vented and damp and cold.
2. If the source of the liquid water has been addressed, the effects of dampness can often be remediated by keeping paper products away from the damp area and either warming the surfaces in the area above the dew point of the air, or drying the air to lower the dewpoint.

If these problems persist, call a specialist as soon as possible. Respiratory problems, especially those caused by outside irritants, like mold, should not be ignored. If your child experiences any abnormal breathing problems, consult your primary car physician immediately.

If you have any questions, contact Advance Mold Remediation by calling 1-877-411-MOLD or click here today!

After recent studies conducted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), there have been a few changes in the way these agencies, along with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), are dealing with the problems surrounding the toxic drywall imported from China.

This article from Indoor Environment Connections explains the sudden change in recommended protocol.

The CPSC and HUD released their new “remediation protocol” after a study conducted on behalf of the CPSC by Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico found that the blackening of copper electrical wires and air conditioning evaporator coils caused by the corrosive compounds emitted by the toxic drywall was not an immediate safety hazard. Sandia simulated more than 40 years of corrosive conditions that could possibly exist in toxic drywall and found no signs of any acute or long-term electrical safety problems, such as smoke or fire.

Because of these findings, the two agencies are no longer recommending that homeowners remove all electrical wiring in contaminated homes.

With these changes, the remediation guidance for homes with toxic drywall calls for the replacement of all:

•     Problem Drywall

•     Fire safety devices

•     Electrical distribution components

•     Gas service piping and fire suppression sprinkler systems

The CPSC and HUD have also broadened the spectrum of problem drywall to include drywall installed as early as 2009.

If you think you may be at risk and you want your home inspected, call a specialist as soon as possible. If you have any questions, contact Advance Mold Remediation by calling 1-877-411-MOLD or click here today!

Basements are used in several different ways. Some are storage units, some are converted into offices, some are family rooms and some are even used as bedrooms. But no matter what you use your basements for, it is unfortunately susceptible to water damage (which may result in a mold outbreak).

Sorry, that’s just how it is.

But there are ways that you can protect your home from water damage. This article from waterdamagemoldcleanup.com explains exactly what you need to do to keep your basement safe.

If you have a finished basement, you know just how expensive that process was. You had to buy sheet rock, flooring and pay to have it all installed, not to mention your furniture, electronics and other luxury items. You broke the bank once to have your dream basement built; you do not want to have to break the bank again to replace water-damaged materials. So take the necessary precautions.

First of all, have your HVAC systems (heating and air conditioning), ventilation, condensation from pipes and foundation frequently inspected. These are often the leading causes of basement water damage and even mold.

Catching a small problem early and fixing it will save you money on potential larger repairs that may result from neglect.

Check your drain pans to make sure that they are free of water and debris and remember to look at your seals and ductwork. Even the smallest leak or drip can become a big problem down the road. Another good way to look for indications of a leak is by checking the walls and ceilings. If they feel moist or cool, you may have a leak happening behind the wall.

Of course you can do all of this on your own, but it may be best to have a professional inspect your home from time to time.

If you have any questions, contact Advance Mold Remediation by calling 1-877-411-MOLD or click here today!

If you visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Mold Resources Web site, you’ll find information on duct cleaning as a method for dealing with mold.  It actually is quite useful because it goes beyond mold investigation and remediation and looks at other supposed benefits of duct cleaning and gives advice on choosing a good inspector.  At Advance Mold Remediation, we know a thing or two about duct cleaning and believe this is a worthwhile site that consumers should use to avoid unscrupulous duct cleaning companies.

Although the EPA points out that it can’t verify the claims some proponents of duct cleaning make, the one thing it says for sure is that mold can grow in you ductwork.  This causes particular problems because mold spores can easily spread throughout your house through your ducts.

However, because it’s difficult for average homeowners to inspect ductwork on their own, unethical service providers can use an inspection to create a problem where none exists.  Aside from a musty smell in your ducts, the only sure way of determining whether mold is present is to actually see it.  The EPA recommends asking your service provider to show you any mold it claims to find and to have the substance tested by a laboratory. The EPA provides a full rundown on its Web site.

At Advance Mold Remediation, we follow procedures and protocols developed by the EPA when serving our customers, so you can trust us to make a thorough and honest inspection of your heating and cooling system.  If, and only if, we find mold, we’ll walk you through our process for cleaning out your system and keeping you and your family safe. Contact us to learn more.