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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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!

If you are the victim of home flooding, there are several steps you need to take to prevent a mold outbreak. This article outlines what you need to know.

Mold is not something to take lightly. It can create serious health problems. So you should begin cleanup as soon as it is safe to re-enter your flood-damaged home. It is important to take your time to clean and completely dry any flood-damaged of your home.

•     Identify the source of moisture and correct it.  Mold needs moisture to grow.

•     Change heating and air conditioning filters and have ductwork inspected by a professional

•     Discard any porous materials, like carpet or dry wall, that have clear signs of mold.

•     Remove damaged wallboard at least two feet above the water line

•     Painstakingly clean all non-porous surfaces with a 10 percent solution of bleach and detergent.

•     Ventilate the mold-infested area you are working in – especially when working with bleach.

•     Be sure to wear gloves and a mask when working in potentially moldy areas of your home.

•     Monitor the area for new mold growth and signs of moisture

“Taking the time to clean thoroughly before mold grows is the most important preventive step a homeowner can take,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer, Bill Vogel.  “Just because the basement has dried out doesn’t mean there can’t be trouble lurking down the road.”

For more information on mold removal, contact Advance Mold Remediation by calling 1-877-411-MOLD or click here today!

In some ways, there’s not much difference between the conditions that cause poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) at home and the conditions that cause poor IAQ in a work environment. Both have plumbing that can back up or break and roofs, windows, and doors that can leak. On the other hand the workplace has its unique characteristics that lowers IAQ, as this page indicates.

• Frequent changes to the floorplan can kick up a lot of dust, dirt, and other pollutants.
• Frequent renovations such as new carpeting, painting, and changes to modular and permanent offices can do the same thing.
• The variety of pollutants in the air is greater due to the number of people in the building.
• Building guidelines and standards permit greater exposure to pollutants.

These factors are the reason why a mold remediation company experienced in handling commercial locations is a must. We have that experience, so if you need inspection or mold remediation service, contact us.

We wanted to pass on this informative page from Washington state where they know a thing or two about humidity and moisture. We’d also like to highlight a couple important steps you should take before cleaning.

• Ventilate the room to the outside if possible, but seal off any ducts or vents to prevent spores from spreading.
• Remove all furnishings from the room, and clean them before putting them back.
• Any moldy items or trash should leave the house immediately and sit outside until disposed of.

It’s a lot to remember, so if you want to make sure it’s done right, contact us.Especially if you have a widespread or hidden problem, you need a professional remediation firm to get the job done.

One option that homeowners have these days for preventing mold growth is mold-resistant paint. As this site notes, most premium paints contain ingredients that inhibit mold growth, generally for the life of the coating. As with most things where mold is concerned actual results may vary depending on the location and environmental conditions around the painted surface.

However, one thing that doesn’t vary is the need to eliminate the mold on a surface before painting it. Despite the title of this post, you can’t get rid of mold just by painting over top of it. A thorough cleaning of the surface is required before applying paint. The article suggests using bleach, but we’ve provided alternatives are effective and safer than bleach in previous posts.

Another way of making sure mold is gone before you paint is to contact us. Once we’ve removed the mold from you home, you can proceed with your painting project confident that you won’t be painting over a problem.

Certainly, not every mold problem requires professional remediation.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that homeowners can handle outbreaks in a 3-by-3-foot area although it lists some exceptions.  Some suggest using soap to remove mold while others favor bleach.  Here’s what the EPA has to say about this.

Although bleach is very effective in killing mold, the agency isn’t very high on it because it’s just as effective in harming people, pets, and plants as it is mold. It can be even more toxic if it’s mixed with detergent.  Also you’ll still have to scrub to remove the mold because dead mold can still cause allergies.

The EPA does state that bleach should be used if someone particularly susceptible to mold sickness lives in the home.  This group includes the very young, very old, and those with compromised immune systems.

Although homeowners can deal with small mold outbreaks, there could always be a larger outbreak hidden behind the small.  Contact us to schedule an inspection, and we’ll determine the scope of your problem.  If it’s something you can handle, we’ll give you all the advice you need.  If it’s too big a problem, we’ll be there to eliminate the mold in your home.

On our homepage, we proudly state that we’re a member of the National Association of Mold Professionals (NAMP).  It’s a relationship that’s extremely beneficial for us and can benefit you as well.  Here’s how.

NAMP’s main benefit for consumers is its member directory.  Here, you can search by state and even by county to find mold professionals in your area.  We’re listed there and have had many customers come to us through the site.

What makes the NAMP directory better than other listings is that NAMP indicates which providers are certified.  NAMP offers numerous educational and training opportunities to companies like ours so they can stay current on the best ways to identify and fight mold infestation.  Companies that participate in these offerings can become certified by NAMP.

What this means for you is that whenever you contact us or any other NAMP-certified professional, you can be confident that you’re dealing with a professional organization that knows what it doing and is bringing the latest techniques to bear in solving your problem.