Responsive & Professional Mold Specialists
Besides being an unsightly view, remediating & removing mold can be a daunting task to begin with, especially when they come in clusters. What kills it instantly? What protective equipment should I wear? These are only a couple of many questions that circle around your head when you are left to clean up this mess yourself.
Fortunately, you do not have to do it. With our services, we do not leave you with the questions about the cost at which we can it get done right. Instead, we at The Fire Restoration Team keep in simple & procedural at an affordable cost as we are the contractors that the job done right.
Call Us: 1-847-957-3473
Signs You Need Also Need An Inspection
It is finally the end of winter and you go about your day doing some spring cleaning. As you sweep through the living room, you notice some mold growing on some corners.
The scenario above is a common way of discovering your mold problem. This substance is part of our ecosystem. Besides being a nuisance, it actually plays a vital role in decomposing and dissolving natural materials. Therefore, it grows in all sorts of surfaces and areas outdoors.
Unfortunately, these organisms do not discriminate and will grow indoors. They have the potential of being toxic to the human body as they can cause health issues that range from skin irritation, respiratory problems, or possibly more chronic reactions such as lung disease.
Musty Odors
- Mold emits musty smells when left in nonventilated environment. A home is perfect for a pungent smell to build up. So if you can’t see clusters, you may consider using its scent as an indicator.
Humidity
- Remember that mold & mildew thrives with moisture. If you have a home or property that has than 50% humidity, there is a good chance that you will have mold infestation, especially during the spring and summer months.
Allergies
- It may be the current allergies you are having that indicate a current.
- Mold releases all sorts of toxins in a home that can penetrate the respiratory system. If your allergies are acting up, please consider inspection ASAP as the problem can exacerbate if left unattended.
Standing Water
- Just like weeds, this organism also spawns and multiplies when the conditions are right (lots of humidity).
- Double-check that you do not have any puddles or excess water accumulated on surfaces such as sinks and flooring.
- Check your plumbing as leaky pipes are a common spot for spores to form.
Leave The Mold Problem to the Experts
Mold cleanup is best left to the professionals unless it is a small patch and nontoxic, which in most cases it is not.
The last thing you would need to do is to get yourself ill. Left untreated, they can grow on any surface that contains moisture.
Professionals such as ourselves come prepared with protective equipment so that our lungs nor yours breathe in the chemical compounds that are emitted from these organisms. Therefore, do not gamble with your body and allow us to take the job.
What are the Steps that Need to Be Taken for Successful Abatement?
Mold is arguably the most expensive property damage many throughout America face. Any minute, this problem has the potential to strike and grow to the point of causing permanent damage to a home or business. Even worse, it can lead to health consequences as well. At The Fire Restoration Team, we keep these in consideration as we remember & apply these critical steps for every call:
Our modulus operandi includes doing the abatement right the first time and making sure we remediate it IMMEDIATELY.
We ensure that we follow protocols to the letter such as the Environmental Protection Agency when it comes to restoring your humble abode or commercial property.
Here are the steps we lay out in order to eliminate mold and keep you and your loved ones healthy and happy:
Track the Moisture
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Determining whether or not you have a mold problem that a little more than just combing through to see that nothing out of the ordinary is popping up on your walls.
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Detecting this intruder takes a lot of proactivity. This substance is invisible. It grows wherever there is water or even the slightest degree of moisture.
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To begin, sources of water need to be identified. Also, see if you can find out whether moisture is coming from outside your home or business. Many times, these two scenarios are the sources of fungi growth.
Create a Plan
- Just like it is done in forensic work at the scene of the crime, we gather evidence that the culprit, mold, is present in a property.
- TFRT develops reports, photos, and videos to assist in a removal plan.
- We get down to the nitty-gritty facts like our start time, the relocation of the occupants, and the devices & pretesting that is expected to be done right away. This is all part of the inspection process.
- The documentation process paints a bigger picture of the problem. We detect fungi growth patterns here on out.
Quantifying the Degree of Contamination
- Mold doesn’t just form in a lump. Keep in mind that this contaminant can adapt to any area, as long as there is moisture in the air or surface.
- Since our goal is for you to have a restored place, we cannot just rely on our vision as the spores that are responsible for the spread are virtually invisible. They contaminate everything that is in their path. Therefore, we need to calculate the restoration level that is needed for the sake of your property and health.
Now to Actually Removing the Mold Contaminant & Its Source
- If the mold problem is severe enough, the occupants of the house or business will be asked to move out temporarily as many of these spores can be toxic to the respiratory system.
- Minimize the amount of leaking water as this will not only prevent spores from forming but will minimize your water bill too.
- Isolate growth by sealing and shutting windows, doors, and any other openings to the outside world.
- Eliminate as much dust in the contaminated zone with a technique known as misting.
- All exposed furniture and materials will be removed from the area. These include porous surfaces such as wooden tiles or kitchen sponges.
- The Fire Restoration Team will dispose of all exposed material in plastic double bags. Each bag is then thoroughly cleaned with a detergent solution that prevents invisible pores on the bag from spreading anywhere else.
- Not only will TFRT mop and clean the entire area covered by fungi with a detergent solution, we will also vacuum all surfaces with a HEPA filtered vacuum as it provides a sterile and dry environment for mold to die. Additionally, we use air purifiers to remove the most embedded spots.
- Disinfect the affected area until there is no mold residue left. The Fire Restoration Team does the cleaning process in two stages. For the first part, we clean with a damp cloth and/or mop with detergent solution. Afterwards, all surfaces are vacuumed with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) vacuum. To make sure everything is squeaky clean, all surfaces are wiped with a cloth and/or mop with detergent solution. We make sure everything is discarded in a proper manner.
- More than just a spot check, we conduct one last visibility test at the end of our process.
- Dehumidifiers and fans are all utilized to dry any moisture that lingers after the cleanup.
- Anything such as exposed furniture (even if they were wiped down) or surfaces that once had mold are now returned to their original spots. Many times, if the infestation is severe, this is the time when the property occupants can return.
If you Must, Can you Clean It Up Yourself?
You certainly can remove it yourself. To remove a moldy surface, you would need a cleaner the following:
- half cup of bleach made to kill mold
- water
- a brush
- never rinse the surfaces you are cleaning as mold thrives with moisture
How Much Does This Service Cost?
Mold invasions vary in every situation. Consequently, every job is customized for each scenario. Inspection and restoration costs will vary per job.
Is This Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
It is common for property owners do not plan for their property to experience fungal problems. Mold removal can be an expensive process. Whether or not mold is covered by insurance is a question that many ask and are unsure of.
It is vital that you read through and make sure that mold growth & related property damages are covered in your insurance policy. Many home owner and property insurance policies tend to exclude mold problems. You may be lucky in getting covered by a policy that mold is a result of an actual loss that was insured. For example, water damage is a source that is included in many policies.
If mold growth is linked to that source, then mold & the associated removal services may be covered as well. To sum things up, insurance coverage depends on the breeding ground or source that causes it in the first place.