The Flood Co.
1-866-400-7762
contact@thefloodco.com
http://www.thefloodco.com/

Record Snow Pack In Utah May Lead To Flooding And Water Damage
It’s Not Too Late To Get Flood Insurance

Salt Lake City, Utah, 4/27/2011 — The snow pack in most of Utah is greater than the levels at the same time in 1983, the year of the infamous floods. This condition does not insure that there will be wide spread flooding, but if the weather continues to be wet and cold adding to the snow pack, the sudden temperature raise can cause the runoff to be very high. Another contributing factor is the water soaked ground. When the ground is soaked, it is unable to absorb the additional runoff.

Also, when the ground is soaked, the pressure from the ground water is finding it’s way into many basements that have not had water problems before. Ground water is hard to “turn off”. A sump pump is the common method of dealing with ground water problems. If your neighbors have sump pumps and you don’t, you may want to consider getting one, fast! If the water is already coming into your basement, deal with the water damage the best you can while you scramble to have a sump pump installed. If you have a sump pump, make sure your home owners insurance covers a sump pump problem or failure. Beware of caps on this coverage, and add more coverage if necessary.

Normal home owners insurance will cover water damage events that originate inside the home, but not surface or ground water that enters the home. This coverage is available as a separate policy. It is called flood insurance and is underwritten by the federal government. Most insurance agents sell flood insurance. These are your options to protect you against the possible damage from flooding. Evaluate your situation and location and act quickly. There will be thousands of homes affected over the next few weeks.

For additional information contact:

The Flood Co.
1-866-400-7762
contact@thefloodco.com
http://www.thefloodco.com/

My next door neighbors and I have a very serious problem. Our landlord has been renting out the duplex we are living in, knowing full well of the many problems that are currently plaguing our respective homes. Among these problems are collapsing roofs, collapsing shower floors, and water damaged kitchen sinks. But most of all, he is fully aware of the mold problems that are currently going on. The fact that he knows about it is bad enough.

However, he has been advised by both tenants in the last several months that it would be in his best interests to find a way to remove the mold infestations. Both bathrooms have visible mold throughout. It has become difficult for me personally to even shower and bathe regularly because of this, for I fear that my health is worsening. Despite these advisements and concerns being voiced, our landlord has deemed the mold problem a low priority matter.

While he has deemed it a low priority matter, I have noticed that the occupants – myself included – have suffered from increased illness, including sinus infections, coughing, headaches, nausea, and other varied illnesses. My roommate, who has a strengthened immune system, has even suffered through similar symptoms.

Short of going behind my landlord’s back and reporting him to the health department, I see no other course of action to improve the situation. Thankfully, I am moving out soon, as is my roommate. My only hope is to help others by finding a way to resolve the matter, and spreading the word to others to watch for mold and other problems when looking at apartments or houses to move into. Mold is a very serious matter and is not to be taken lightly.

And our reply: All mold indoors is potentually harmful. I would recommend starting with a mold inspection. Our mold inspection fee for Riverton (Mon thru Fri) is $95. Sampling is availble at $85/sample and a collection/handling fee of $85. With their health issues, I would recommend some sampling. The inspection will help you to understand the source of the moisture, the areas affected and what the removal will consist of. We will also be able to coach you on if there may be any options for any insurance coverage. I recommend to NOT call their insurance comapany until you know the source of the moisture and what to say to the insurance company and what not to say to them. I recommend staying out of the visually affected areas and schedule an inspection for Monday.

Obviously, whenever you can find molds thriving on your basement walls, you already know you’ve got a problem. However, not every mold is very visible. Typically it is safe to think that if there is a musty or earthy odor, mold exists and the colonies are active, which means there is still dampness. Even a small amount of mold can make the environment risky for young kids, seniors, and people with pre-existing respiratory illnesses. It may also cause you to develop a mold allergy that will make you much more vulnerable to unhealthy side effects. In the best interests of everybody living in your household, if you have mold you need to act on it.

The American Society of Home Inspectors statistics show that 60% of all American houses have dampness in the basements. Of this number, 38% are at risk for developing basement mold. Owning a wet basement is sufficient to send your home value tumbling, and mold will make it unattractive to possible buyers. Mold will grow on anything organic which you have in your basement including items like carpeting, drywall, ceiling tiles, wood, cloth, paper, as well as cardboard. Undoubtedly, if you try to increase the resale worth of your home by finishing your basement, the mold issue is only going to worsen.

The moment you believe there’s mold in your basement, you need to begin removing it. If you do not, the issue will only get worse. Before you expose or desturb and mold affected materials protect the rest of your house. This means using containment barriers to isolate the mold affected areas from the rest of the house and create a negative air pressure. When you remove mold afected materials, large quantites of mold spores will become airborn and you want to protect the rest of your home. If you are not sure how to properly create a containment, consult a professional. Next protect yourself, make sure you put on a mask, goggles, in addition to gloves whenever you eliminate mold from your basement walls, because even dead mold spores could cause medical issues. Once you have removed all of the mold, clean the walls extensively with a solution of water and detergent. Don’t get complacent when the issue is eliminated, however. Something triggered it to grow in the first place, so if you do not eradicate the origin of the moisture, the mold is going to come back. Utilizing the appropriate waterproofing basement products will also assist – when uncertain – call a professional.

Having mold in the basement can present a significant health risk for family members living in your home and really take away from the house’s appeal to home buyers should you choose to sell it. If you wish to maintain a healthy environment for your family and maximize your resale value, it is necessary to manage all mold problems immediately.

Do-it-Yourself or Experts

Of course there are plenty of companies out there that would happily solve this dilemma for you, but since many people think twice before spending money on work they can do themselves, here’s some DIY, eco-friendly solutions. Having said that, should you discover that the area affected by mold is rather vast (ie over 10 sq ft or so), calling an expert mold removal company would be a good idea.

Be aware of safety before you attempt to solve the dilemma

Even though most types of mold are innocent to humans, there are certain kinds (like black mold) that are rather toxic. So before you start any cleansing, arm yourself with a pair of sturdy rubber gloves and an N95 respirator. To find out the type of mold and for your own peace of mind, mold testing is available from a local professional. The mold test kits you can use yourself give very limited information, they give no quantitative information they only identify types of spores. In other words the information is almost worthless, the cost of the professional testing is worth it if you want some test results.

Environmentally friendly solutions

For cleaning surfaces like tile & grout, window sills, etc. white vinegar is a good option. Flexibility is another reason why vinegar is number one, it dissolves lime scale, drives away ants, but it also kills the fungi and bacteria that causes this unsightly mold. For an inexpensive option to expensive anti-fungal solutions in the shops, that actually works, use distilled white vinegar, which is biodegradable and eco-friendly.

Removal and Avoidance

Mold and its removal has to have more than a solitary treatment. The space the mold has appeared must be carefully cleaned. Try to find out what produced the mold in the first place and find a solution to the situation. This means diagnose and prevent future dampness. To avoid mold spores becoming airborne, where you can wet the area before you endeavor to clean it. Once you have finished cleaning, completely dry the surface.

It is nearly impossible and at best extremely tough to rid surfaces that are porous of mold. We would suggest you dispose of these items and buy new ones. To avoid mold returning is a fairly easy thing to do. Try to rid your home of the situations where mold breeds, such as leaky water pipes; also keep a watch on the humidity in your home with a hygrometer so you can take preventative action if it gets too high. Simple protective steps such as frequent airing is essential. Controlling the humidity to less than 60% helps prevent mold coming back. When its hot use an air conditioner, making sure you have cleaned the filters; this assists you to control the level of humidity. On the opposite vein, buy a dehumidifier for those cold and damp days. Good luck! Hopefully by using our advise you can minimize or prevent your house from being a home for mold.

Having the mold from your home removed professionally is the right call. Even if you want to remove the mold yourself, you should have your home tested for mold. There could be hidden mold in your walls or under the tub. Mold likes to hide. Let a professional find and remove the mold. Having a professional test your home for mold will let you know what sort of mold problem yo might have. Mold testing is the first step and should not be skipped!

Why have your mold professionally removed? Good question! A professional will use a mold testing kit before and after the job is done. This will show you what your mold levels were before the job was started, and the end test will show you that the mold has been removed from the house. If your professional mold removal company is not testing before and after the job, you may not be getting the job done right.  Utah Mold Removal has been testing for and removing mold in Northern Utah for many years. Let our years of experience ensure your home is clean and safe from mold.  This process that they know exactly how to successfully remove mold. If your mold problem is located in your business, it is best to call a professional. Mold left in an office environment can cause a number of health issues and could result in lost man hours from your employees mold related sickness.

The best part of having the mold from your home professionally removed is the end results. Your home will be clean and best of all, it will be safe for you and your family.

Call us today! We will test your home and let you know what steps need to be taken. The sooner you call, the sooner we can restore your home to its original shine!

Call Today

1-866-409-2478

Closet and storage areas are one of the places you are sure to encounter mildew odor. The absence of air movement, sun exposure and surrounded by moisture makes it a heaven for mold expansion. Use a solution of 1 to 4 bleach and water with one or two drops of normal detergent to wash the area. Employ a scrub to clean the floor and walls. Pay special attention to the corners. Let it stand for 5 mins and rinse with cold water to eliminate the bleach completely. Dry with a clean rag and let it air-dry by keeping the doors or windows open, or use a fan in the enclosed area.

Clothing may run into mold odors with garments which have been stored away for a long period. To clean your moldy smelling clothes simply hang them to dry outside all day. Wash your clothes as you typically would, using detergent products aimed for mildewy clothing will help. Hang them out to dry in the sunshine once again. Fragile clothing or fabric that has been stored away should not just be thrown in the wash. Having these fragile fabric cleaned by a professional remains the right way to go. After laundering your clothing, pack them in new boxes with dryer sheets between the folded garments. Replacing these dryer sheets frequently will keep the fabrics fresh and dry and deter mold from turning up again.

Rooftops bear the brunt of the force of nature, and mold growth is one of the problems that may arise following this fact. Mildew on your rooftops and shingles can make your roof look dirty and even shorten the lifespan of your roof. Not only that, but a heavy mildew growth may cause mildew odor to gradually seep inside your house. To get rid of mildew, you should first spray the plants immediately surrounding your area with water to prevent damage from the cleaning products you are about to use. Get a hand spray and fill it with 1/4 bleach and the rest with water. Directly spray the solution on the mildew. Let it sit for 15 minutes and hose it off with water. Be very careful when working on the roof, as wet mildew can get very slippery.

Rugs and Floors that haven’t been cleaned properly could cause moisture being trapped in the rugs, which may lead to mildew. Short of calling a professional carpet and rug cleaner, here is something you can try yourself. Make a bleach solution made from one part bleach to ten parts water for mild mold enlargement or one part bleach to four parts water for more intensified mildew growth. Use tap water to clean down your walls or the carpet. Get a hot water carpet cleaner and put the bleach solution in the reservoir, adding 1 or 2 drops of liquid dish soap. Let it stand for 15 mins and wash again using mop boards. Dry with clean rags, and let dry, either by hanging the rugs out, or in the case of wallpaper, open up windows and doors to let the air in. Employ a fan to speed along the drying process.

Couches and Mattresses come to mind when speaking about mildew smells. If you must clean your mattresses or couches instead of replacing them, try to sun-dry them for one week. Use a carpet beater to get out as much of the dust as you can.  Next, try using Fabreeze Anti-Mildew, OxyClean or bleach and rub them on the upholstery using a dryer sheet. Enzyme cleaning products can also help, but only consider that if the mold has seeped into the mattress or couches.

There are many types of mold. Black mold being on of the deadly variety. Ensure your family and friends are safe. If you suspect a mold problem, be it black mold or any other type, call a professional right away!

Give us a call. We will test for mold and clean up any mold problems you might have. We will restore your home or business to its original shine.

Call Today
1-866-409-2478

It may be difficult to really understand that there is some minuscule element that may be making your family ill, but having a mold inspection with a certified mold inspector who knows how to not only detect the presence of the spores, but also on surface areas can help you to figure out a starting place. Finding out what sort of mold is present helps in knowing how to be rid of it. Visual inspections can often show problem areas, but there are hidden issues that only air and surface samples would be able to detect. These spores generally grow in areas that aren’t usually seen by the naked eye – that is, areas where leaks and dampness are high, such as behind walls, leaky roofs and windowsills or under sinks. All of these areas can enable mold to thrive and over time, a serious problem can develop before the home or property owner really has any idea there is an issue.

If the issue that causes dampness remains, even cleaning will not get rid of the mold problem. Leaving the leaks intact simply results in the growth of more mold spores and a toxic mold inspection can help by going through, doing a thorough cleanup, and pointing out what repairs need to be made to prevent regrowth.

Spores that are classified as mold generally become toxic when the growth is out of hand and people exposed to this can suffer from respiratory illnesses. The spores make people very sick, and this really depends on the nature of the spore. Black mold is the usual culprit in making people extremely ill. Inhaling these spores can cause so many breathing problems – from asthma to emphysema. This type of fungus is easily detectable through a professional mold inspection. While there are many different strains, this mold tends to be the most problematic, as exposure to black mold can cause many serious health issues.

Some of the surface areas that mold will attach to and grow are usually wet straw, hay, ceiling tiles, carpet, wallpaper, wood, baseboards, and different types of wall board. Having a mold inspection can show not only where the mold spores are, but also why they are there. The first places usually checked in these inspections are problem areas – places where water leaks are generally found. When a problem area is identified, the mold inspector will then let the individual know that cleaning up mold alone is generally not advised, because they’d have to consider cross contamination, as well as limiting the exposure to the mycotoxin. Another thing that has to go into this is what disinfectant must be used, and what would be safe for those living in the home.

Hiring a competent mold inspector and abatement team is generally critical to not only addressing the issue, but also making sure that the home is free of mold and not ripe for regrowth.

Mold inspections should be done by companies who are qualified to do the job, but also, those who have a solid reputation for excellence and honesty. The best way to show that you are in fact dealing with a professional is that generally speaking, you will receive a mold inspection report, but also, there are a number of certifications out there available. The report itself should include not only where the mold has been found, what type of mold it is, but also, what you can do to combat the mold and prevent it from reoccurring.

Lower prices are not usually a good indicator of a good company- make sure that you pay attention to the qualifications, rather than price and look at if there have been reports filed with the Better Business Bureau and if the inspector is working on commission. Also, finding out what you will pay for mold removal services after the fact is a good way to make sure that your budget is ready for the task at hand.

Wherever you are located, you’re sure to find many different options in not only mold inspection but also removal. Find one that has the best technology for the job, and one that can not only identify areas that are infected, but also- those which may become infected if changes are not made. Often, a good inspector will make sure that you are aware not only of active problem areas, but the potential risk factors associated with other areas and what you can do to prevent an infestation.

Many smaller mold abatement jobs can be done by the homeowner themselves- this is true, however, there are also other considerations. If the person who will be doing the abatement is allergic, this is not a good option, or, if the area that is infected is a good size and needs other repairs done- it may be best to leave it to the professionals. There are a number of different ways to remove the mold, however, also being sure that it cannot or won’t come back is key and often, those trained to do so will have a better handle on this than those simply tackling the job alone.

Whatever your mold removal and inspection needs are, be sure to shop around. Do your due diligence, and be sure that you are comfortable with the inspector and that you are being told exactly what you need to feel good about the job being done. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions about infected or possibly infected areas, and you will find that not only the inspection but removal of the mold is much easier and your health better protected.

Mold and air quality testing is essential to those buying new homes. Even for owners of old homes it is important to detect these things because they could lead to health issues for inhabitants. If you are in the Northern Utah area and require more information from an experienced mold inspection company, call Bio-Clean of Utah today! When you have questions, air quality testing for mold is a good place to start in your search for answers to many questions you may have regarding a potential mold problem. Utah’s preferred mold testing and mold inspection company. For more information please or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 1-866-400-8357.