American Mold Experts

Never Skip the Final Exam!!

americanmold — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:58:34 +0000

Suspect mold?

Testing for mold is the best way to determine if you have a mold problem. If you can see it and smell it, you can sometimes skip the testing to save money but you NEVER want to skip the final testing.

As Angie Hicks explains in a recent article:

“Do the remediation and then do the post test because the post test is going to be very important to make sure that the remediation was done properly,” said Angie’s List founder, Angie Hicks.

Also, make sure the company you hire explains who will be testing your samples.

“It’s important for consumers to confirm that the company they are hiring do the testing is going to send the sample out to a third-party, an independent third-party for analysis because you want separation between those two activities. You don’t want the company selling you remediation to be analyzing whether you need it,” said Hicks.

American Mold Experts is proud to be a Super Service Angie’s List recommended company. We always use a third party lab to determine mold in your home and will never recommend work be done on your home if you do not need it.

The 4 Letter Word Terrorizing Homeowners

americanmold — Tue, 01 May 2012 21:26:13 +0000

Mold is present everywhere both inside and out. It is really a question of what species of mold and how much there is.

Not all mold is dangerous to your health and some are worse than others. A relatively small number of mold species, 50 out of over 100,000, have been identified as producing a toxin known as mycotoxins.

That small percentage feels astronomic when you suspect mold in your home. As a homeowner you want to do one thing, GET RID OF IT!

The fungus causes more than just health problems that can plague family members. It can also severely impact the value of your home.

Wood, drywall, wallpaper & fabric are among molds favorite foods. Home appliances also make excellent mold breeding grounds.

The value of your home plummets when mold is suspected and found. Homeowners are responsible to reveal mold in the home. Litigation regarding this issue has become prevalent. There is no way to get around it. If you have mold you must find it and get rid of it.

There is usually no insurance safety net as companies generally do not cover mold unless it is a direct result of a covered insurance issue, therefore, homeowners must do their due diligence to detect, destroy & prevent it.

Consider an inspection when you see surface mold, smell a musty smell or a member of your family has persistent health symptoms suspected to be a result of mold.

Prevention, detection & treatment will help you retain the value of your home and help you sleep well at night knowing you are stopping mold in its tracks!

‘The Other Dirty Laundry’ in Your Laundry Room

americanmold — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:02:03 +0000

Your laundry room has all the conditions necessary for mold spores to begin their destruction.

Water is the primary ingredient for mold to grow. Unseen water leaks, which may occur where water enters the hoses, exits through the disposal line, or from a leak in the washing machine tank, are the primary cause of mold in the laundry room.

Many laundry rooms are closed off without a window which slows air circulation. A simple exhaust fan similar to a bathroom fan helps with ventilation and deters mold from growing. Having a heat and cooling register also helps so that air enters the room and exits back keeping the circulation active. Check your exhaust vent too which contains mold favorite food sources, high humidity and lint. Exhaust vents can often disconnect venting high humidity air into your home.

If you suspect that the humidity is too high in the laundry, it might be worthwhile to test it. Readings should be made with the dryer and washer running and again when they are not. The ideal humidity for the laundry room is 45% or lower. A laundry room with humidity levels constantly at 70% or more is bound to have some formation of mold.

Early detection is the best defense against mold when it does occur, and mold remediation efforts will be much simpler if the mold is found before the problem becomes advanced.

To be safe, add another cycle to your laundry basket and check your laundry room for signs of mold on a regular basis.

It’s Spring Cleaning Time!

americanmold — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:45:36 +0000

Along with the standard spring cleaning tasks people might not think to check for excess moisture that could lead to mold growth and take steps to prevent mold from becoming a problem in the home.

Not to sound like a broken record…..the key to mold control is moisture control

Add these tasks to your spring routine:

Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.

Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.

Identify and fix plumbing leaks and other water problems immediately.

If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water source.

When water leaks or spills occur indoors – ACT QUICKLY. If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24 to 48 hours after a leak or spill, in many cases, mold will not grow.

Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.

Keep indoor humidity low.

Happy Spring!

Where there is moisture, there is a way…for mold to grow.

americanmold — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 03:27:37 +0000

Mold growth is inevitable, as mold spores travel through the air and grow once the spores land on wet surfaces. The easiest way to prevent the infestation is to wipe down and dry the surfaces but when that is not enough it is time to pull out the “big guns”

A professional can evaluate, remove and remediate a mold problem quickly and safely.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests that you should only attempt to clean a moldy area less than 10 square feet. Any affected area larger than that should be handled by a professional; the vast amount of mold could be toxic for your health.

American Mold Experts is committed to restoring health to your home or business.

Our process uses the MTR94 ® natural, green solution to clean and remove mold stains, including black mold.

MTR94 ® is a breakthrough new technology in mold stain removal and cleaning and is 100% effective.

Please visit our Treatment page for details on mold cleaning and MTR94 ®

Mild Winter Brings Mold Growth Concerns

americanmold — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:32:25 +0000

This year’s heavy fall rains and mild winter temperatures have produced an unseasonable need for mold prevention and detection.

We are not exactly having a heat wave, but temperatures have been well above normal. Mold spores would normally die off during a cold snap but in warmer weather, mold continues to grow and spread.

While most are thrilled with the mild temperatures, dreaded frost and snow in typical winter months prevent mold from circulating in the outside air.

While winter usually grants us with a temporary reprieve from mold growth due to lower levels outdoors, this year requires steps to keep mold at bay.

As always, we recommend that you keep cleaning around persistently moist areas like dampness around windows. Keeping the air circulating in bathrooms and tight spaces will also help. Reduce humidity in your home using a home dehumidifier. Monitor with a humidity meter.

Not to sound like a broken record, but, warm winter or not, mold prevention is always about keeping spaces Clean and Dry!

Black Mold has Infected Millions of Bathrooms & Kitchens

americanmold — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:31:26 +0000

Black mold exists even in well-kept bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms. Black mold is a known allergen.

It’s understood mold spores are in our everyday air, though mold growing in the house, especially in confined areas like a bathroom, multiply the danger and can be very detrimental.

It’s usual to see indoor levels reach concentrations that are hundreds of times higher than outdoors. Even dead mold spores indoors add to respiratory issues. According to the Mayo Clinic Study, nearly all chronic sinus infections (afflicting 37 million Americans) are a result of molds.

Under sink rims, and where flooring meets tubs and toilets, mold spores spawn and disperse into a household with just a wisp of air. Simply opening a bathroom door will draw enough air to cause black mold spores to flare up by the thousands (even dead spores) and linger in the room regularly.

Black mold thrives where shower condensation or moisture from washing get into countertops or flooring.

Since discovering how common the black mold problem is and the extent of its health implications, American Mold Experts has developed MTR94-a 100% natural and organic solution. This formula is not only safe, but very effective at killing molds. This solution not only kills all kinds of dangerous household mold, it’s safe for children and pets.

To learn more about preventing, treating and killing all kinds of dangerous household mold, visit americanmoldexperts.com

Winterizing Tips to Prevent Mold Growth

americanmold — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:29:59 +0000

The wet season in the winter months is one of the best times of year for molds to grow and expand. Often mold is contained near sources of water where it can easily grow and reproduce. As it grows, mold can breakdown and compromise the integrity and strength of the source in which it lives.
Mold spores are microscopic and are naturally found in the air we breathe indoors and outdoors. When large amounts of spores grow, one’s health may be compromised. Mold can be killed, but if it is not removed properly, it can remain in the area just cleaned and the dry spores can be released into the air. Our mold remediation services can help eliminate the mold in your home and personal items affected by water damage.
Prevention, however, is what will help keep your lungs healthy and homes and buildings strong. We’ve put together a few tips on how you can help thwart mold from infesting your home with these winter weatherizing tips.

Keep all areas clean, mold feeds on dust!
Make sure there is good air circulation. Use an exhaust fan or open a window when showering, cooking, and washing the dishes.
Prevent mold and water damage by turning off the water flow to broken appliances and pipes.
Replace cracked or defective mortar in basements. If you find your basement is wet or has water leaking into it, inspect the outside drainage systems.
Spread moisture-barrier materials in crawl spaces over the soil. Heavy roofing paper or plastic film made of polyethylene can be used for this. Make sure there is good ventilation in the crawl space and, if possible, do not enclose it. One may need to use a fan to blow out humid air from under the building.
One can get rid of humidity or dampness within a building by heating it for a short time. After heating, open up the doors and windows, or use an exhaust fan, to let out the air that is moist.
Hire a professional roofing contractor to cover a damaged roof with a tarp or tent. This will help protect the building from the elements.
If there are freezing temperatures, take measures to insulate pipes inside and out to ensure they will not crack and/or burst.
Make sure all the seals on the windows and doors are not compromised and in good-working condition.
Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
Make sure the ground around your building slopes away from the foundation so water does not collect around or enter in to it.
Act quickly if you see condensation on windows, pipes, or walls inside a building. Dry out the area and determine if the source of the condensation is from a leak or the result of high humidity.
Lower the humidity and temperature in the building: molds do not like these conditions.
The two key things to remember in mold prevention are:
1. Keep everything clean, and 2. Keep everything dry.

Many simple steps can be taken to prevent mold damage as well as water damage during the winter months. However, keep our number handy should you require our services. Our professionals can efficiently and quickly ensure your home is safe, dry, and mold-free.

Suits over Mold Up

americanmold — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:15:01 +0000

Muhammad Ali sues home sellers over mold, leaks

Muhammad Ali and his wife are suing a Louisville couple over a house the Alis bought for $1.87 million five years ago.

The lawsuit claims the Alis weren’t told about numerous defects and made “material misrepresentations” regarding other defects so the couple would buy the property. Among the problems listed in the lawsuit are roof and chimney leaks, mold, poor insulation and improper connection of a main waterline, as reported by The Courier-Journal…

Mold Exposure Can Affect Children’s Learning

americanmold — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:09:47 +0000

Schools may be the cause of your child’s illness. Last month, Lincoln Elementary in Illinois found extensive mold damage caused by moisture entering the school.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Fact Sheet: Mold In Schools, “When mold grows in school buildings and portable classrooms, some staff and students, particularly those with allergies or respiratory problems, may report adverse health effects. Mold requires oxygen, water, and a source of food to grow. Controlling moisture is the key to managing mold in schools and our homes”

Inhalation exposure to fungi in indoor environments can cause health effects in some people. Molds produce allergens, irritants, and, in some cases, potentially toxic substances known as mycotoxins. Mold exposure can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, molds can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of individuals whether or not they are allergic to mold.

“When mold does grow indoors, the occupants of a building may begin to report odors and a variety of symptoms including headaches, difficulty breathing, skin irritation, allergic reactions, and aggravated asthma symptoms,” reported Julie Hurst, President of American Mold Experts, a leading provider of Mold Inspections, Testing and “green” removal. “Young children are often more susceptible to problems that result from mold exposure so it’s imperative that we ensure that the indoor air quality in schools and our homes is not a health threat and that the air quality provides for an optimal learning environment,” she continued.