Keeping your HVAC system updated and clean will keep the moisture level down in your home as well.  This is another effective way to prevent mold from spreading in the home. Clean window air conditioners and central air conditioning equipment often. Clean air purifiers and dehumidifiers every three months. This is essential maintenance to get rid of accumulated dust and dirt which will feed mold growth. Installing new filters in the air supply duct registers will provide a fresh air supply. It’s also good to use portable HEPA filter air cleaners to remove airborne mold spores.​

Black mold is a mold that is often a black color, although it can be greenish or gray as well. The mold can grow in homes in damp and humid areas. It feeds on organic materials and common household materials like drywall, carpet, insulation, or subflooring that has been exposed to moisture. As the mold grows it can release toxic substances. These substances can cause health problems. ​

​You can actually test for black mold in your home yourself. There are mold testing kits that are available at the hardware store or even on Amazon. The pricing can vary in range for the do-it-yourself project usually around $30-$50. When you do it yourself you can take samples from a suspected affected area, and then send them off to a lab to be tested.

Why are crawl spaces a breeding ground for mold issues? Because of the high moisture and humidity in crawl spaces. Think about the location of the crawl space. It sits underneath your home right on top of the earth. The dirt and soil from the earth contain moisture. And this moisture forms very easily in confined areas. Homes in  Southeastern states report having this issue more often. The EPA says, “The best way to control mold growth is to control moisture.” www.epa.gov/mold So what are some ways to control moisture in the crawl space?

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The following are basic adaptable steps that can be used to quickly  remediate mold properly.  

Step 1: Educate yourself about moisture
Evaluating moisture www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm and mold growth is more than just what you can see growing on the walls or in the corners. Mold can also be invisible, growing behind what you can see. So you have to think and ask yourself, could there be mold in this area? 
First off, mold grows because of water or moisture.  So the next thing to do is become a master of moisture. Understand where it’s coming from and how it’s getting in the house. Mold can spread and grow anywhere in the home as long as moisture and oxygen are present.  It particularly likes to grow on drywall, tiles, wood, insulation, and fabrics. 

Step 2: Write down your findings of the mold problem and create a plan of remediation
Be sure to document the mold situation with photos and videos and even write down details. This documentation will be used to develop a remediation plan.  This documentation can be of great assistance to whatever company manages the remediation.  
  
Step 3: Figure out how much of a mold problem you have to deal with. 
How much contamination are you really looking at?  Knowing the extent of damage will impact the approach to mold removal and clean up. The goal of mold removal is to remove all the mold growing within the home.  

Step 4: Remediate mold contamination
The cleanup process for mold remediation will look a little like this:

• The water problem will be repaired. This will help prevent new mold spores from growing.
• Isolate The contaminated area will be isolated.
• Suppress dust. Do this by misting the contaminated areas.
• Remove materials. 
• Place materials in plastic bags. 
• Clean. All non-porous materials and wood surfaces that are moldy must be cleaned. Cleaning of the affected area and egress. 
• A Visibility test will be performed. 
• The are will be dried completely. Fans, dehumidifiers, or raising  the indoor air temperature are a normal part of this process 
• Replace. All materials that were moved should be replaced or repaired.

Step 5: Determine if cleanup has been successful. 
There are some final things that need to be done even after the mold is gone. Lastly, determine if your clean-up efforts have been successful. Here are some options and guidelines to follow.

• The moisture problem has been fixed. Verify this by revisiting the home soon after remediation — you shouldn't see any signs of recurring water damage.​
• No sign of visible mold, mold-damaged materials or moldy odors.
• ​Homeowners should be able to occupy or re-occupy the home without physical symptoms or aggravated health complaints.

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When it comes to mold, the key is to implement a comprehensive moisture management strategy. Health issues from mold can be prevented and decreased by doing it right the first time. Following an immediate and thorough remediation plan is essential for getting rid of the mold.
Act Quickly!

When it comes to mold, moisture is one of the most important things to consider. Moisture is what all life needs to exist - and mold is no different. So that makes moisture control very important - whether you are having a mold remediation job performed or not.

A good example of this is a large condo job that us here at HERO Remediation are working on as we speak. The condo remediation project all comes down to moisture. Many of the residents are concerned when they don't see any issue on the surface, but our moisture meters, thermal cameras, and other tools indicate a different matter, and we recommend removing sheetrock to get to the actual issue. But once we open the walls and show them the damage and mold behind it, they understand why the moisture readings we found showed that we needed to remove the sheetrock.
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Moisture control is very important, as we can see. In fact, the EPA provides a very helpful Moisture Control Guide that you can use. But without going into an entire EPA document, here are some basics that can help you keep moisture under control:

1. Use a dehumidifier. We live in Florida - so humidity is part of life here. If it is in your budget, consider having a professional dehumidifier put in your HVAC system. Some people rely on their AC system to dehumidify their home or building, but this is very often not enough.
2. Keep your HVAC system running when you are away. Humidity in the air can cause a mold issue throughout your home or building in a matter of 48 hours - that's right, just 2 days. Often times, mold issues occur because people leave for the summer, go on a vacation, or otherwise leave their home for a while and turn off their HVAC system - leaving the home to have the same humidity as the outside of your home.
3. Keep plants to a minimum. This one is a bit personal, and we are not saying that we can't have plants. But if we really love plants and fill our homes with them, it can become an issue. Especially small areas where a lot of plants are up against a window can turn that area into a steamy greenhouse. Also, consider having plants that don't require a lot of watering.
4. Don't ignore maintenance. Seems simple, but if we let a "small" leak go for too long, that small leak can make big problems. Be sure to fix leaks as soon as they are found, and don't leave other maintenance tasks undone for too long.

We call it "moisture control" because it requires us to control the moisture in our home. Keeping relative humidity below 60%, keeping leaks and water issues at bay, and calling a professional like HERO Remediation whenever there is an issue - and doing it early enough that the issue doesn't become worse.

Windermere Air Sampling…Is It An Effective Way Of Testing For Mold?
​Mold is a big issue in many homes today so diagnosing the problem is very important. A qualified mold assessor normally tests for mold by carrying out a visual inspection first, and then taking a surface sample. Another test that can be done in conjunction with these tests is air sampling. Let’s take a closer look at what this involves and whether it is an effective way to test for mold.
 
Air samples are a good way to diagnose a mold source that has not yet been detected. Mold spores are impossible to see with the naked eye, so the sample is sent to a lab and analyzed. The results will reveal whether or not there is mold present in the home and, if there is, will show the severity of the problem.

Hero Remediaiton is fully licensed and has years of experience. If you need air sampling services in Windermere, then give us a call: 407-608-9478
How Does it Work?
What areas of the home are air samples normally taken? Obvious places include areas where mold is already visible. Samples would also be taken in areas of moisture intrusion or water damage and anywhere that has a musty odor, which could indicate mold growth.
 
There are various factors that can affect an air sample reading. Firstly, its best to carry out testing with doors and windows closed and any indoor-outdoor air exchangers switched off. The weather also plays a role, for example, it is not a good idea to take an air sample during severe thunderstorms or extremely high winds as these can affect the accuracy of the test. Air pressure changes can also alter mold spore levels which would change those levels indoors as well.

How Can You Improve Your Indoor Air Quality?
A healthy indoor air quality is essential to the well being of a home’s occupants.  There are a lot of simple ways to improve indoor air quality, one of those ways is regularly replacing your HVAC systems filters.  But, how often should they be changed to maintain a healthy environment in the home?
 
While you need to have your HVAC system serviced once a year, you should change the filter a lot more regularly.  Depending on the amount of use the system gets, every 3 months is ideal.  However, under certain conditions, you may want to consider replacing it more often than that.  When checking the filter, if you notice it is damaged or has become wet or damp, then it should be replaced immediately.  If not, dangerous toxins such as mold spores can be released into the air and dispersed through the house.
 
Changing the filter as often as once a month is beneficial for some homes.  This might be necessary for larger families or those with pets.  If anyone living in the home has allergies or if there are any smokers in the house, these are also reasons to change the filter more frequently.
 
Your homes outdoor environment should also dictate how regularly you change HVAC filters.  For example, if there is a lot of construction going on in the neighborhood, if you live in an agricultural area or even if there have been wildfires in the surrounding area, it would be wise to replace filters often. 
 
Replacing your homes HVAC filter regularly is a simple and effective way to maintain a healthy indoor air quality.  

Need air sampling in Windermere? Then contact us today!

​Lets Talk! (407) 608-9478
Central Florida's Water Damage Restoration
​& Mold Remediation Heroes

Mold Remediation in Doctor Phillips - Should you hire a company like us, Hero Remediation, or should you try to clean the issue yourself? Hiring a licensed and professional mold remediation company is very important. A qualified mold remediation company like us are highly trained to make sure that the mold issue is gone, and we also know how to keep it from coming back.

This is very important, because according to the CDC, mold can have very serious health effects that can plague you for many years to come. But what are some things to consider before choosing to clean it yourself or to hire a professional?

Mold…Should You Remove It Yourself?
With all the information we receive on a regular basis about the health hazards of mold - a homeowner might wonder if its OK to remove it themselves.  While there are a variety of factors which determine this, a homeowner should be able to clean up mold themselves if the area it covers is less than 10 feet.  However, before you start such a task, here are a few things to keep in mind:
 
Mold cannot grow without the presence of water.  This means that there may be an underlying issue such as a water leak that you will need to diagnose and treat first, otherwise, the mold problem will keep recurring.
 
You can remove mold from hard surfaces with EPA approved detergents/cleaners.  Scrub the area thoroughly and make sure the area is completely dry before you apply any paint, if not, the paint could start to peel.  Do not apply caulk to a moldy surface either. 
 
There are some areas where mold and mildew are very difficult to get rid of, carpeting is one of those areas.  If a carpet in your home has mold, it is better to replace it.  When mold forms on soft furnishings such as curtains and cushions, it is extremely difficult to remove the stains it leaves behind.  If you desire to keep them, it would be best to seek advice from a furniture restoration company.
 
Before you start the mold cleanup process, make sure you have the proper protective clothing and wear a respirator to prevent inhaling mold spores.  Keep other household members away from the area unless they are wearing protective gear also. 

What if the Area is More than 10 Square Feet?
If this is the case - then hire a professional mold remediation company in Doctor Phillips like us. We will make sure that you get the mold remediation you need - when you need it. 

Lets Talk! (407) 608-9478
Central Florida's Water Damage Restoration
​& Mold Remediation Heroes
Licensed Mold Assessor MRSA​3389 | Licensed Mold Remediator MRSR3569

Florida is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. The warm weather is great for many reasons - but there is an unfortunate downside as well. The warm weather that we enjoy is also one of the reasons we have mold issues here in Central Florida. Here in Orlando, it is a constant battle. So what should you do if you think that you have a mold issue? Well, it is best to start out with a mold inspection or assessment. But what is the difference?

Orlando Mold Inspections
A mold "inspection" is primarily to see if there is a mold issue present in a home or business, and is primarily for discovery purposes. Our mold inspections are thorough and detailed, but we also make our mold inspection reports easy to read. Many people ask us what is included in our mold inspections. While there are no two mold inspections that are the same, we want to help you get a basic idea of how we perform our mold inspections. These parameters apply to both residential and commercial properties.


What is a Mold Assessment?
A mold inspection is performed by a qualified mold assessor, such as us, We are Florida State licensed mold assessors. The purpose of a mold assessment is not only to discover and inspect any mold or conditions conducive to mold in a home or other type of building, but also to identify the cause, work out what needs to be done to correct it, and even work with the remediation process to make sure it is done properly.

Important Things You Need to Know About Mold Inspections
Mold inspections should be performed by a qualified mold inspector/tester who has had specific training and notable experience in the mold field. Training and experience are necessary, as mold is a serious health hazard and should be handled only by the most qualified professionals.

Mold inspections are initially non-invasive, which means we do not do any destructive testing. We look for evidence of past or present organic growth. Once something has been discovered, we can start to get into the issue more seriously – finding the water source, seeing if it was a continuous issue or a one-time occurrence, and other factors. If the situation calls for it, and the client has thought about it thoroughly and given permission, intrusive testing may be done to fully inspect the issue.


Why Would I To Hire A Mold Inspector?
Common reasons people hire a mold inspector are:

• If you see an issue, such as organic growth in your attic or other areas
• You don’t see anything, but there is a strange smell in your home
• You are having allergic reactions while you are in your home
• Other people are having a reaction in your home

​Contact us today for your complete mold inspection!