Are Toxic Mold Spores Growing in Your Home?

Toxic mold can grow even at low temperatures. In the winter, mold usually grows in uninsulated areas that aren’t heated. Heated air rises to cold, therefore under-insulated places like the attic and can cause condensation allowing mold to grow. Cold temperatures can temper mold growth, but won’t kill spores. If you have a mold problem in the cold weather months you best believe it will worsen in the dog days of summer.

Mold, while not a scientific term typically, is best used to describe multiple types of fungi is ugly, furry, and oftentimes smelly. Found both indoors and out, toxic mold is unpleasant and unsightly.

Positively speaking, molds also create penicillin and cheese producing yeasts used to make bread, beer and wine. Mold spores are pretty much everywhere there’s moisture.

Consequently, moisture creates mold and if you don’t want mold you need to get rid of the moisture that’s creating it. Damp environments are the perfect place for mold and fungi to live. Whether in basements, attics, garages, or under sink cabinets mold can be found along with these:

Bacteria
Dust mites
Bi-products of bacteria
Airborne chemicals/gasses

Ugly mold and musty odors are the bi-product from the breakdown of matter. Anything it grows on can pose potential health problems and structural damage. Mold can cause allergies, infections and at its worst, a sick building that can affect quality of life. When people spend time in an environment where mold or fungi are present they can experience respiratory problems. Respiratory issues such as asthma, headaches, infections, and other symptoms are common.

Mold remediation expert, Spencer Yaklin, CEO of Advance Restoration gives us some perspective, “If you ‘re experiencing respiratory issues with no known cause and, you are concerned about mold, you can have the moist areas tested to determine the mold species by a professional hygienist. Large amounts of mold will require specialized techniques. Personal protective gear is necessary for proper and safe removal. Hiring a professional to remediate the mold based on testing is the best course of action. Remediation is critical to stopping the growth of mold and avoiding its return”.

Furthermore, any mold professional should insist on a test by a mold hygienist. The test will reveal the type of mold you are dealing with and let you know if you need a professional to then remediate the mold going forward. It’s important to hire an expert mold remediation team like Advance Restoration, or one that will:

What to expect from a mold remediation professional

Proper safety PPE equipment
Containment to Isolate mold work area
HEPA air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums
Commercial Strength dehumidifiers
Discard moldy porous building materials
Anti-microbial disinfectants to clean and sanitize
Professional sealants to encapsulate treated areas

To remove mold and odors, call today to help return your commercial or residential property to pre-mold condition.

June 16, 2020March 12, 2021

Got Water Damage and Mold During Covid Pandemic?

We’re there when you need us. Even during Covid Pandemic

Water damage from leaks due to rain, drain water backup, or other moisture issues don’t stop just because there is a Covid pandemic.

Commercial and residential property owners still need to find a reputable restoration company nearby to remediate and mitigate these structural and health hazard issues. If you are experiencing water or moisture problems, these can lead to mold growth which can become toxic and unhealthy for those who are exposed and are more susceptible or immunocompromised.

Advance Restoration has been working throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic. Deemed an “essential business” from the start, we have continued to perform restoration work while adhering to CDC guidelines. Although in our line of work, restoration experts have always worn PPE and utilized containment and proper protocols for mold remediation and water damage as outlined not only by CDC, but the EPA and our own industry gold standard organization, the IICRC. As an IICRC certified firm, you can rest assured our company, located in Macomb County and throughout Southeast Michigan, is trained and equipped to manage your mold or water damage now or during the next Covid wave.

Need services now? Call 866-505-3166 to speak to one of our friendly customer service agents.

March 25, 2020April 13, 2021

Restoration Services Designated “Essential Business” during Coronavirus pandemic

Advance Restoration is designated as an “essential business” during the Coronavirus pandemic as deemed by Homeland Security and CISA.

Currently, as of the date of this article, there is no CDC or EPA approved cleaning or disinfecting agent(s) guaranteed to kill the Covid-19 pathogen. Since we are a designated essential business, we are continuing service to customers in extreme emergency situations for water, fire and mold damage while using precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of our field staff according to government guidelines.

Here is what we are doing:

Following the CDC guidelines for employers to manage the spread of coronavirus in the workplace and in the businesses and residences we provide services for.
As always, following the IICRC standards for the cleaning and restoration industry.
Providing work for emergency services only, prioritizing highest need for customer health and safety first.
Emergency work we perform includes fire damage, water damage, wind damage, and mold remediation. We do not treat Covid-19 at this time.
Applying and cleaning surface touchpoints contaminated by toxins, mold or water using approved sanitizing agents.
Ensuring our cleaning and sanitization experts are healthy and properly outfitted with hazmat biohazard suiting, booties, and N95 masks before entering any commercial building or residence.

If you have an emergency for fire damage, water damage, storm damage or other residential or commercial disaster—we’re there when you need us. Our staff will be masked up and ready to solve your property restoration issues quickly and efficiently with as little disruption as possible.

Please don’t hesitate to call Advance Restoration at 866-505-3166 for help with your disaster emergency. One of our representatives are standing by to take your call immediately 24/7.

Stay Home. Stay Safe. Save Lives.

March 19, 2020July 16, 2020

How To Prevent Mold Growth In Your Home This Spring

Spring has been a long time coming for certain. We are all looking forward to the melt-off of snow and ice however, with that comes the potential for higher concentrations of moisture creating the ideal growth conditions for mold growth in your home. As we awaken from winter’s hibernation and begin our spring cleaning be alert to areas where moisture tends to collect such as window sills or ceilings. These moist areas are prone to mold growth and may require mold testing and remediation to completely eradicate all spores and prevent it from returning.

Controlling the moisture can control the mold so prevention is the key to warding off mold.

Here are some suggestions for keeping mold at bay:

Maintain a moisture level of 30-50% in your home.
Clean gutters so water can escape
Repair water leaks from faulty plumbing immediately
Keep condensation from collecting on windows, pipes, and walls by wiping dry
Empty and clean drip pans from refrigerators and air conditioning units

Mold can be a dangerous substance and difficult to remove once it takes hold. For the best and most complete results, hire a professional with equipment like hygrometers that can detect moisture inside walls, attics, crawl spaces and areas that can’t be seen with the naked eye. A mold specialist will test the mold to determine its mold type via mold science and corresponding treatment options. Improper cleaning methods can disturb mold colonies and release damaging spores into the air to land on other surfaces where mold can take root.

Spring can be a beautiful time of year when everything comes alive, but moisture that spring brings can also create the perfect climate for mold. Taking precautionary measures can help to prevent mold growth, but if you experience musty smells and have visible mold growth in your home, be sure to contact a professional mold remediation expert—because protecting your family’s health and the health of your property is important.

February 17, 2020March 12, 2021

Can You Get Sick From Mold In Your Home?

The short answer—yes. If you have allergies such as asthma or a compromised immune system, mold in your home can make you sick. Hiring a mold remediation expert for mold damage is the best possible way to identify mold types and eradicate them properly and avoid return. It is near impossible to get rid of mold without proper testing and treatment with custom commercial cleaning agents.

Who is Most at Risk?

For people with allergies or sensitivities to mold, breathing in spores can cause severe reactions and pose risks to their health. Those most at risk include:

Infants and children
Elderly age groups
People with compromised immune systems
Those with chronic lung disease

Why does Mold Grow?

A type of fungus consisting of small organisms, mold is found almost anywhere. Whether it’s fuzzy patches on your basement floor, black spots on the shower curtain, or slimy orange goo that forms on your drain, mold in your home can harm your health. Mold can’t grow without the presence of moisture so you will most likely find mold in damp places such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements and crawlspaces. it’s important to keep these areas dry to prevent or eliminate mold damage.

Tips for Controlling Mold:

Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners in humid areas to reduce moisture
Keep humidity below 60% if possible
Check drain lines for obstructions and proper flow
Air conditioning drip pans should be cleaned regularly
Add insulation to exterior walls, windows, and floors to reduce condensation
Check often for leaks and seepage at your roofline, around kitchen sinks, ice makers and other sources of water, repair if needed

If you are experiencing mold growth on walls, ceilings, basement or elsewhere in your home and you need a mold remediation company nearby who can help, just contact Advance Restoration at 866-505-3166 and one of our friendly representatives will set an appointment with you for mold testing, cleanup and remediation.

June 28, 2019February 12, 2021

Are you a Mold Spores Carrier?

Mold damage remediation is more personal than you think. You could be a mold spores carrier.

Do you remember Mary Mallon, aka Typhoid Mary? Mary, an Irish-American cook was the first person in the U.S. to be identified as an asymptomatic carrier of the Typhoid bacteria. Mary spread the disease easily due to her lack of personal hygiene and through her vocation as a cook. She is presumed to have infected at least 51 people, three of whom died.

While Typhoid is of rare concern in industrialized countries today, mold most certainly is. Mold spores can be carried much in the same way that Mary carried the Typhoid bacteria, in fact, your person and your household belongings can be carriers. If your home has mold it is very likely that the mold spores have spread due to everyday activities such as vacuuming, dusting, or simply brushing up against an area where mold spores exist. Once spores are scattered, the contaminants can end up on everything due to the natural movement of the air.

Studies by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found that indoor exposure to mold was linked with upper respiratory tract symptoms such as wheezing, and cough in otherwise healthy individuals. Mold spores travel through the air via circulation and can literally attach to almost anything, transferring from place to place affecting those who suffer from asthma, COPD, or allergies.

It is common for people who have mitigated the mold in their home to continue to cross-contaminate the environments they visit again and again simply by not properly cleaning their person, clothing, and other contents within the environment that are carriers of the spores. For this reason, it is important to use EPA registered products to clean surfaces, disinfect, and kill germs and to use them properly.

Remember, if you move from one space to another carrying mold spores, via a vacuum, your person, dust mop, rags or other item, you can potentially contaminate the other space. Be sure to replace filters in vacuum cleaners and any portable air filtration devises before using them again and wash clothing or other textiles in affected area to prevent further contamination.

If you suspect a mold problem in your home or business in southeast Michigan, call the experts in mold remediation. Advance Restoration—We’re there when you need us.

June 20, 2019October 15, 2021

Does Your Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold?

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Homeowners insurance overage is contingent upon the wording of a policy and the source of mold.

For instance, nasty, unsightly mold can be found anywhere and usually it’s harmless. However, issues can arise when mold from consistent moisture goes unresolved. As a result, moisture leads to widespread growth. Therefore, coverage of mold damage remediation by your homeowners insurance boils down to the source of that mold. Basic policies exclude damage caused by fungi, mold, and bacteria. Keep in mind, that doesn’t mean your claim will be denied.

If mold results from sudden and accidental causes like a burst pipe, remediation costs should be covered. Technically speaking, the burst pipe is to blame. Neglected home maintenance, such as slow leak or exposure to humidity, would more likely be rejected by your provider.

Prevention is Key to Avoiding Mold Damage

The safest way to avoid a mold claim is to keep moisture and humidity at a minimum. Consequently, to prevent mold growth, take the following precautions:

Lower indoor humidity with dehumidifiers, air conditioners, and exhaust fans.
Inspect fittings on pipes, appliances, toilets and sinks
Use bleach and other household cleaners to keep mold at bay upon first sighting
Ask your local paint dealer about primers and paints that inhibit mold
Keep gutters clean and remove ice dams to avoid roof leaks
Do a seasonal check for moisture in areas that are prone
Avoid using carpeting in areas prone to moisture like bathrooms and basements
Remove textiles immediately after flooding, mold spores grow rapidly after the first 24-48 hours.

Reviewing your homeowners insurance policy for language pertaining to water damage limitations or exclusions will generally tell you if your covered. If you are suffering from mold damage and are unclear of your coverage, ask for clarity by providing our mold damage experts with a copy of your policy. We’re happy to help. We’ve worked alongside hundreds of carriers to remediate mold from policy holder’s homes. We’ve got you covered.

June 20, 2019March 10, 2021

Typical Home Inspections—What They Don’t Say

It’s what is not included in home inspections that’s important

Typical home inspections do not include looking for insect or animal infestations or cracks that cause water damage, or mold. E-gads! Most people assume that these dastardly home damaging items are part of every home inspection punch list, but inspectors are not licensed to find them.

Mold, rats, termites, oh my! Home Inspections nightmares.

Your inspector may note that the floors are spongy or saggy. There may be evidence of termites in your home or insulation is torn and tattered possibly caused by rats. Black junk on the walls might be evidence of growing fungus however; to prove that it indeed is termite, rodent, or mold infestation, you need to hire a specialist.

Don’t take a dive into unknown waters

Is your home inspector certified for all types of damage to your property? If your home has a swimming pool, for instance, they may turn on the pump or heater to ensure working condition but may not look for cracks that cause leaks and ultimately water damage. To get to the bottom of what is really going on, you may need to hire a septic systems expert or a property damage expert. A pool leak could cause significant flood damage issues considering the amount of water it contains.

Roof walking, or not?

Your inspector is not required to get onto the roof to inspect it. If the roof is more than one story high, and the weather is bad, they may stay squarely planted on the ground—taking notes from there. Walking the roof is the way a true property damage specialist will inspect it. A professional will look for damaged gutters, loose or missing shingles, or clogged downspouts as well as the general condition of the roof. In addition, a specialist will check inside the home for areas that appear to be compromised by leaks.

Call a property damage expert If your home inspection even slightly eludes to termites, rats, mold, cracks, leaks, or missing shingles. A consultation can help to eliminate the possibility of damage that can be hidden from the naked eye of a novice. Advance Restoration specializes in property damage from water damage to fire damage, roof damage to mold remediation and, with our free assessment promotion, there is nothing to lose.

Category: Mold