How To: Removal of Mold from Books

How To: Removal of Mold from Books

Removal of Mold from BooksThere is nothing as frustrating as pulling out an old yearbook or a book given to you as a gift from a special person and realizing that it is covered in mold. Since books can be stored or boxed away for a long time they are a potential breeding place for mold. Another reason why you will easily spot mold on books is that, books easily get wet and damp hence attracting mold. You will also realize that mold grows on most organic matter and since paper is organic there is a chance that you will come across mold growing on and sometimes in your books. Here are a few tips for removal of mold from books and preventing its growth in the future.

The first thing you should do is to assess whether the mold has only affected the outer cover of the book or it has affected even the pages and whether or not it is heavily or lightly molded. If the mold is only on the exterior (cover, bindings and edges) you will only have to follow a few steps for the removal of mold. If the book cover is heavily molded, remove it so that you only remain with the pages. If the book is so special to you, you can have it re-spined and bound by a professional. Otherwise, you can just make a covering made of a paper bag this will help prevent the future need for removal of mold. In case the book cover is lightly molded you can easily brush off the topical mold from the spine and cover. You should then dampen a sponge with a detergent and lightly clean the mold contaminated area. Be careful not to wet the book too much as this could cause worse mold growth in the future. After this, set the books out in the sun to dry since the ultraviolet light in sun can kill many types of mold spores.

Removal of Mold from Pages

In case the mold has spread to the pages, you will have extra work to handle. If the pages of the book are dry you can easily brush off the visible mold and then dampen a soft cloth with hydrogen peroxide to treat the pages. But do not forget to place a waxed paper between the pages to protect them. However, if the pages are wet, care has to be taken so as not to destroy them. Before trying to brush off the mold from a damp book make sure that the book is completely dry first. This will prevent smearing and grinding of the pages.

If you’ve still got questions about removal of mold from books please call the Experts at Disaster Restoration Experts at 303-801-0300!

StumbleUponDiggDeliciousTumblrShare

How To Remove Mold from Hardwood Floors

How To: Mold Removal from Bricks

mold removalSince mold does thrive in areas that are dark and have moisture, bricks will definitely attract mold growth if they are located in an area that is in a wet environment or in an area where moisture stays for longer compared to other areas. If the bricks in your home do not have cement between them the mold will grow in between them and will spread everywhere. There are methods that you can follow to help you perform mold removal from bricks. First you will have to get the mold removing solution that you will find in the nearest stores (also have a look at this article for a list of cleaning products to use). Then use a bottle sprayer to spray the cleaning solution in between and on the bricks to allow the solution to loosen the grip of the mold and kill the spores. You should then gently scrub off the mold using a soft brush until the bricks are completely clean and mold removal is complete. Then rinse the bricks with clean water and allow the bricks to air dry completely.

The best way to deal with mold in the bricks in your home is to make sure that you prevent mold from growing completely and eliminate the need for mold removal. This can be done by reducing the humidity in your home using a dehumidifier. You should also clean and maintain the ventilation system in your home to make sure that that air circulates properly within your house. In cases where the mold is growing on the bricks that are outside your home clear all the bushes around the wall to increase the ventilation around the area. This will help dry out the excess water from the walls and lower the need for mold removal.

How To: Mold Removal from Hardwood Floors

Hard wood floors are very attractive but they do require constant maintenance in order to maintain their initial texture and color. If the wood on your floor is exposed to water or moisture for any reason for a long period, mold may start growing on them and this might be a big problem. For mold removal on wooden floors you could use a scraper that you can get at your nearby hard wood stores. But remember to use the scraper along the grains of the wood. After scraping, you should use a sanding sponge that should also be used along the grains of the woods to prevent destruction of the wood. If the mold problem on a wooden floor is not dealt with as soon as possible the wood might rot forcing you to replace the whole floor. If the floor can be dried before mold starts to grow it can save you a lot of money in removing the mold and then having to re-finish the floor.

For more questions about mold removal from bricks and hardwood floors please call the Experts at Disaster Restoration Experts at 303-801-0300!

StumbleUponDiggDeliciousTumblrShare

How to Remove and Prevent Re-growth of Bathroom Mold

How to Remove and Prevent Re-growth of Bathroom Mold

bathroom moldYou will notice that mold will usually grow in any part of the house or your place of work but the bathroom is one of the most common places where you will find mold. Mold will grow in areas that have high humidity levels and areas that are wet — and this is the description of most of our bathrooms. In most cases if there are many people using the bathroom, it does not get the chance to dry out properly and this dampness is what encourages mold growth. The bathroom mold can either be the harmless mildew or the toxic black mold. However, once you have noticed that there is mold growing in your bathroom you ought to be thinking of a way to remove it and to prevent it from growing again.

Looking for the Source of Bathroom Mold

The first step that you should take is to determine the main source of the mold. You will only deal with the mold problem once you have taken care of the moisture problem in your bathroom. Look out for leaks such as pipes under the sink and in the shower as well as for areas where water and moisture collect (which might include areas along the edges of the sinks, shower and the tub). Make sure that you contact a plumber to assist you in replacing the old pipes and fixing areas that are leaking. Prevention is the best way to deal with mold growth in the bathroom. Therefore, you should take steps to routinely maintain your bathroom. Remember to always clean and air your bathroom regularly. If possible, you should invest in a vent fan in your bathroom. Leaving the fan on for a while after you have left the bathroom will greatly assist in reducing the moisture levels in your bathroom –consequently reducing the growth of bathroom mold. Do not forget to keep the towels and the robes clean and dry as well as mold could start by growing on them first.

In case the area affected by the mold is relatively small, you can easily clean the bathroom mold using water, sponge and soap (or other mold cleaning products). If the area that has mold is dry, ensure that you dampen it to avoid the mold getting into the air and spreading to other areas of the house. After thoroughly cleaning this area rinse the area and make sure it dries completely, you can either use a hair dryer or a fan to do this. If you notice that the growth re appears after a few days, then you should think of contacting a professional.

If you’ve got more questions about removing and preventing bathroom mold, please call the Experts at Disaster Restoration Experts at 303-801-0300 today!

StumbleUponDiggDeliciousTumblrShare

How To Get Rid of Mold

How To Get Rid of Mold

get rid of moldIt is very important that every homeowner understands the ways and methods of eliminating mold. These skills are important even if you cannot see mold in your house at the moment but you can be sure that you will need them some time in the near future. Mold is usually found in areas that are moist and humid where small leaks can easily go unnoticed such as under the sinks and in the bathroom. Handling a mold problem will depend on some factors such as the size and the severity of the problem. There are cases that are quite simple and can be handled by the home owner using simple steps and cleaning solutions. However, certain severe cases such as a black mold infestation will require that you seek the services of a professional and be assured that the job is done properly.

Moisture Problems/How to Get Rid of Mold

The first step to get rid of mold is to investigate your home or office for moisture leakages. If any leaks are present you should clean them dry using a clean towel. In case the leakage does not stop, seek help from a professional plumber. Controlling the moisture leaks in your home will reduce the rate at which the moulds will thrive. Locating the source of the problem will go a long way in helping you solve the mold problem and it will stop the spores from coming back.

If you notice small mold problem in your home, you can simply clean this using a warm water, non-bleach solution and a cleaner that is meant specifically meant for cleaning mold and mildew – again, make sure you don’t use bleach. However, while doing the cleaning yourself, care should be taken so as not to worsen the situation by using the wrong materials or methods. For instance while cleaning walls, do not use a heavily soaked cleaner because this might prevent the wall from drying properly later. This might worsen the mold problem rather than get rid of mold.

In situations of larger proportions where the mold removal procedure is too big of a job to handle yourself, you should consider contacting a mold remediation professional to help you get rid of mold. These are professionals know how to effectively remove mold from your home as well as solve the main source of the problem. This is the best way to make sure that this problem will not return later.

If you’ve got more questions about how to get rid of mold please call the Experts at Disaster Restoration Experts at 303-801-0300 today!

StumbleUponDiggDeliciousTumblrShare

Levels of Mold Remediation

Levels of Mold Remediation

Mold RemediationThere are five levels of mold remediation that you should use to guide you on when to get a professional mold remediation company or just take care of the issue yourself.

Mold Remediation: Level 1-small isolated area (10 square feet or less)

At this level you can take care of the mold contamination on your own hence saving you the money that you could have spent on a mold remediation company. This level categorizes small infections that are usually found on ceilings and small areas on the wall. Mold remediation can be conducted by regular building maintenance but those doing this job should remember to wear personal protective garments such as glove, disposable respirator and eye protection. The work area and the adjacent spaces should be unoccupied. Containment can be done by simply misting the contaminated area prior to remediation. After cleaning the area with a damp cloth and removing materials that cannot be cleaned from the house, you should let it dry completely to prevent further mold growth.

Level 2- mid size isolated areas (10-30 square feet)

The same protective measures in level 1 should be also taken when dealing with mold remediation in this level. After taking out all the materials that have mold in plastic bags that are tightly sealed you should and the mold contaminated area is thoroughly cleaned with a damp cloth the area should be vacuumed with a HEPA vacuum.

Level 3- large isolated areas (30- 100 square feet)

At this level mold contaminates patches on the wall the same precautions applied in level 1 and level 2 should also be applied in level 3. In addition to these precautions, use plastic sheets to seal all the air movements around the work area and places adjacent to it. Vacate all the occupants in the work area as well as the surroundings. All areas should be completely dry and visibly free from mold.

Level 4- Extensive contamination (more than 100 square feet)

At this level health and safety professionals who are trained in mold investigations (mold remediation) should be consulted before the mold remediation process begins. Every a person that will be working in the infested area should put on protective garments that are disposable to prevent mold spore from spreading to other parts of the house. Working area should also be completely isolated from the rest of the home. All the openings should be completely since mold is air borne. Before reoccupying the make sure that air monitoring is conducted to confirm if your home is safe for you to move back in.

Level 5- (Air Conditioner and HVAC Systems)

If only a small part of the air condition is infested by mold then you can handle this problem using the steps in levels 1 and 2. However it is recommended that all mold infestation in air conditioners and HVAC systems should be left to the professional mold remediation companies who should follow the precaution measures in levels 1 through to level 4. In addition to these, the workers should shut down the HVAC system before commencing with the work and remove any material that is supporting the growth of the mold in the system and seal it in a plastic bag. They should also use antimicrobial agents that are designed to prevent the growth of the mold.

 If you’ve still got questions about mold remediation please call the Experts at Disaster Restoration Experts today at 303-801-0300!

StumbleUponDiggDeliciousTumblrShare

Ways to Know You’ve the Wrong Mold Remediation Company

Ways to Know You’ve the Wrong Mold Remediation Company

mold remediationOne will always have trouble choosing a mold remediator who is supposed to take care of the mold problem in their home. It is also a bit difficult to distinguish a genuine mold remediator from someone who is just looking to get money from people that are not informed and do not know what to look for when hiring one. A serious mold remediator should be able to show some form of certification such a contractor’s license or a mold remediator license. If you ask for this and the company or the person you are planning to hire does not take your request serious, then you should be alarmed. A professional mold remediator should have a license to prove that he is certified and qualified to handle such matters. You should also make sure that the company you are planning to work with has mold insurance and this means that they can easily compensate you in case of an accident.

If the mold remediator you are hiring has no idea that one has to deal with the source of the moisture first before fixing the area that has mold damage then he definitely does not know anything about fixing mold problems. If the moisture source is not dealt with the mould will grow back after some time and you will have to spend money again to deal with it. You should therefore get a mold remediator who will make sure that all the leaking pipes and roofs are fixed before cleaning the mold itself.

Containment and Mold Remediation

A professional mold remediator should know that temporary walls with plastic wall sheeting should be put up to prevent the mold spore from spreading to other parts of the house. He should also think of post mold remediation testing to ensure that there is no mold left in the house. You should also check out the mold remediation company’s website to check what previous customers think about the services they deliver and their ratings.

 If you’ve still got questions about choosing the right mold remediation company, please call the Experts at Disaster Restoration Experts today at 303-801-0300.

StumbleUponDiggDeliciousTumblrShare

Mold Removal Cost

Mold Removal Cost

mold removalYou will need the help of a professional mold remediation if your home has been infested with mold and it is a job that you cannot handle. By getting rid of the mold problem as soon as possible you can keep your home and family healthy. Even if your finances are tight, when it comes to eliminating mold from your home, you should look for the best services even if it means parting with a few dollars. If you have an average sized house, your cost will range anywhere between $500 and $30,000 depending on the extent of the mold infestation in your home. A normal crawl space mold removal will cost you anything between $500 and $4000.

However, if you will need more work done such as clearing of the mold from your basement, the crawl space and the bathroom you will have to part with about $5,000. If your house was completely flooded and the mold is spread all over, there is much more work to be done. At this point your remediation cost may cost you about $10,000 to $30,000 all depending on the size of your home. However if the job does not require that you hire professional mold removal company, the cost will be as low as $200 to $300. With this you can buy the mold disinfectant, gloves and maybe respirators if you are concerned about breathing in the spores. If you are living in a flood zone, you should consider an insurance that will help you cover the cost related to mold remediation because most of the time it will be difficult to raise such amount of money alone.

Additional Costs for Mold Removal

Apart from these obvious charges, there are some other costs that you will have to pay for. For instance, you may find that the mold situation is so bad that it forces you to move out of your home. This means that you will have to make payments for a hotel or an apartment for the whole time that your place will be under mold treatment. The presence of mold in your home may also mean that you are having plumbing problems. You will therefore require the services of a pluming company if you want the problem to be eliminated completely. You will also have to pay for the costs that are related to inspecting and testing the mold in the laboratories to know exactly how toxic they are. However, there is no need for desperation. Make sure that you look for professional mold remediation who is also offering their services at a reasonable rate. Even though the costs related to mold removal may be high, it will be worthwhile if you and your family would like to continue living a disease free life.

If you’ve got concerns about mold removal, please call the Experts at Disaster Restoration Experts at 303-801-0300 today! We also assist with financing mold removal projects.

StumbleUponDiggDeliciousTumblrShare

How to Select a Mold Removal Contractor

How to Select a Mold Removal Contractor

mold removalHaving mold growing in your home can cause you serious stress and poor health. If the mold situation in your home is a small problem that you can take care of, it is advisable that you do so as soon as possible. However, if it is a serious case that you cannot handle on your own you will have to seek the services of a professional mold remediator. You should also notice that without dealing with the real source of the mold you will be wasting your time and money working with the mold remediator. You should therefore make sure that all the leaking pipes are repaired and if they are old they should be replaced prior to having the mold remediation done.

What to Look For in Mold Removal Services

A mold remediator is an individual that is professionally trained to handle mold removal problems in homes as well as in places of work. Mold remediators are always equipped with the right material and cleaning products to make sure that the job is not only done but done right to the satisfaction of the customer. There are certain characteristic that you ought to look out for while choosing a mold remediator. Before hiring a mold remediator you should ensure that they are licensed and insured. You should also consider whether or not they do offer any kind of guarantee and how long it will last. Since most remediators will not charge the same price for the same services, you should look around and find the company that offers the best price for the best services. This might help you save a few dollars. You could also look for a remediator that offers plumbing services. This will mean that you can also hire them to take care of the leakages in your home. Knowing whether or not you will be required to stay at a different place during this time is also important in helping you plan for all the expenses that you will have to incur. Going through the mold removal contractor’s website for reviews from previous clients can also help you determine the quality of job that the company offers.

Remember not to sign any mold removal contract until all your questions have been answered to your satisfaction and you are convinced that the services you will get from the remediator that you have chosen will be worth your money. Depending on the extent of the work required, the remediator and his team will probably work in your home for weeks. Therefore make sure that you hire someone that you trust and you feel comfortable around.

If you still have questions about mold removal services, please call the Experts today at Disaster Restoration Experts at 303-801-0300!

StumbleUponDiggDeliciousTumblrShare

Water Damage – Mold Removal Tips

Water Damage – Mold Removal Tips

Water DamageWater damage from leaking and broken pipes is the leading causes of mold growth in many homes and offices. If you are facing such a problem for the first time you may not know the exact steps to follow to prevent the mold growth. If water damage is not taken care of early enough, it may lead to health problems and expenses that you will have to incur for hiring professional help if needed. Depending on the size and extent of the water damage you might be able to handle the water damage clean up on your own.

There are certain tips that you can follow to prevent further water damage and mold growth in your home. You could start out by repairing all the leaking pipes in your home. If the area affected by the mold is small you could easily clean it using water and products that are especially designed for mold removal. Once this area is clean, it is advisable to dry it as fast as possible to avoid mold re-growth. You can use a fan or a hair drier to shorten the drying time of the cleaned area. A heater is also recommended as it will help dry the air in the room hence eliminating the moisture that promotes mold growth.

In certain situations you will notice that mold will grow again even after cleaning the infested area therefore you are required to use additional products such as paints and sprays to inhibit the development of mold. For a small area you can let it dry first then repaint using anti mold paints and in the case of a carpet you could use anti mold spray that is used to spot mildew growth.

Contacting a Water Damage Professional

However, if the area affected by the mold is large such as a flooded house or all the steps mentioned above seem not to work, you should consider contacting a professional. These professionals will help you solve the problem early enough before it advances to serious stages. You will have to take your time to ensure that you get a mold remediator that is insured and licensed to handle such issues. This means that incase of any damages or mistakes you will be compensated. Comparing the prices of different companies offering the same services is also important as this will help you save hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

If you’ve still got questions about water damage and mold removal tips please call the Experts at Disaster Restoration Experts at 303-801-0300 today!

StumbleUponDiggDeliciousTumblrShare

Water Leak Detectors

Water Leak Detectors

Water Leak DetectorsI’m a big fan of water leak detectors. Not because they get any business for us. In fact, they probably save lots of people from having to call us. Indeed, I think our basement floods about every other year for random reasons. Last year I picked up a couple of water leak detectors called LeakFrog. I like the LeakFrog the best of all the water leak detectors I’ve found… not because it does anything particularly different from the others… just because it’s cute.

My First Experience with Water Leak Detectors

Anyway, just after we received them in the mail from Amazon.com I put the batteries in them and put them near the sink and the floor drain in the basement. Sure enough, a couple of days later our daughter was doing the laundry and she threw the measuring cup for the laundry soap into the sink. And, of course, that cup neatly seated itself into the drain for the sink and began to hold up the water draining from the washing machine. The sink filled up and started to overflow onto our basement cement floor. From our bedroom I heard a soft chirping from my little green friend warning me that there was a problem. I went down to investigate to find a small amount of water on the floor which was soon going to be a large amount. In a few minutes I’d solved the problem and dried out the floor. What usually turns into a multi-day ordeal of air movers and dehumidifiers (and a deductible payment to my insurance company if I didn’t already do this for a living) ordeal of noise, heat, humidity and large power bills was preempted by my little green friend who I bough online for about $20. Needless to say, I’m a BIG fan of water leak detectors.

water leak detectorsYou can buy real cool units for lots of money. Just Google “Water Leak Detectors” for the most convenient solution or go to Amazon.com and search for “LeakFrog.” It’s money well spent. Put one under each sink in your home or office. They look cute and you’ll never know when your little green water sentinel will wake  you up and save  you lots of money!

For more information on water leak detectors, call the Experts at Disaster Restoration Experts at 303-801-0300, TODAY!

StumbleUponDiggDeliciousTumblrShare

Older posts «