Factors to Consider in Hiring a Restoration Service Provider

Choosing a restoration service is not like choosing the most prestigious cake in a bakeshop. It’s not all just about how the company and its employees look. There are factors that are to be considered when choosing the right restoration service that may suit your taste and will provide you satisfactory service.

The following are factors to consider in choosing the right company or professional.

Services Offered

A restoration service should have provide a wide range of services essential in restoring damages in a structure, building or even a house. They should have complete services so that the client can save time and money. It is good to have a single service provider in restoring damages so that they are just a call away when their service is needed.

Facilities and Equipment

Sometimes, in restoring something it would need special equipment and facilities in order to repair the damage completely and ensure quality of service. Their equipment should also be in good condition to avoid accidents and injuries during the cycle of restoring something.

Availability

Restoration services can be needed anytime; they should be available anytime of the day so that they can take action in restoring something to meet their client’s request. They should be available anytime so that they can cater to their client’s needs.

Reachable

They should be easy to contact, especially since they may be needed during emergencies. If they are reachable, they can immediately cater their client. They can be available via phone or email so that they can provide the service the client needs. 

Experience

The service provider should have enough experience to provide quality service. They should be in the business for some time already and know how to handle every client and their specific needs.

Background

The restoration service that you should choose should be of good background. You can check their background according to the past clients they had and ask them about how they conduct their services and what is the quality of service they provide.

Professionalism

A restoration service provider should be courteous and polite in handling their clients. The way the service provider handles the client is a good basis whether they are professional in the area of service they are providing. 

The service provided by a company is reflected by how the employees handle and face the clients. It is also based on the quality of service they provide, the services they have to offer, the availability of their schedule, their professionalism and the way they attend their clients’ needs.

There may be restorations that you can afford to do on your own that you won’t need to depend on a professional. But you can never really match the quality they provide and the durability of their work. Unless you’re a restoration service provider yourself or you have a knowledge in restoring, reconstructing, and repairing, then you won’t have a need of a restoration service company in Toronto.

How to Keep your Home Free from Attic Mold

Over 50% of homes in Canada deal with repair problems caused by attic mold every year. The attic is that small space or room that’s built just right below the roof of a home that’s why it’s prone to leaks and moisture that traps humidity, which often results in mold growth. It’s also one of the places that’s rarely visited, so any mold problem can go undetected and left untreated for long until it becomes a major infestation.

We all know that mold only grows when there are moisture problems. Mold can never be a problem without any moisture issues.  That being the case, the causes of most attic mold problems arise from moisture build-up in a poorly ventilated area.

Let’s take a look at some common causes that can lead to attic mold growth:

Leaking roof

In some cases, roof leaks can be big enough that you can actually see water dripping down into walls and floors. These kinds of leaks are obvious and you can get it fixed right away to avoid major water damage and mold problems. However, some roof leaks usually go unnoticed that can lead to moisture build up especially if left unchecked for a long period of time.

To make sure that your roof is not leaking, inspect your attic for any of these 

signs :

Discoloration in wood, insulation, rafters, sheathing, joists, fascia boards, etc.
Check roofing valleys, which are the V-shaped folds where two roof slopes meet, as they are susceptible to leakage

Also check chimneys, skylights, attic windows and any part of the attic or roof where you see materials join each other as they can hold volumes of water which can seep into the attic room.

Also check your vapor barriers or vapor diffusion retarders if you have any installed to make sure that all the seams and penetrations are sealed carefully and do not have any missed gaps that can result in condensation and increase the risk of moisture damage in the house
Attic plumbing stacks may also lead to problems with condensation so make sure there are no leaks from the vent pipes

Incorrect insulation

Using the wrong kind of insulation or installing it the wrong way can cause moisture from the lower levels of the home, which can stem from activities such as cooking, bathing and showering, to travel up into the attic where it can get trapped. This moisture cannot go anywhere and will eventually build up, creating the perfect conditions for mold growth. 

Poor attic ventilation

Adequate ventilation in the attic helps pull fresh air in and pushes heat and moisture out. This  prevents trapped moisture and heat from building up and making the room a perfect humid environment for mold or mildew to develop. Make sure you install soffit vents for added ventilation in your attic and that you keep them free from clogging by cleaning away any debris so that airflow will not be restricted.

Remember that attic mold may be one of the hardest to detect and identify because it grows in the dark and is often hidden from view. It is best to call in for professional mold inspection services to check for any possible infestation. An expert can do a more thorough job of finding mold in hard to reach places as they often use analytical tools and equipment for finding and testing surfaces and bulk materials that may be contaminated with mold.

Tips and Techniques for Mold Cleanup

When you see mold growing inside your home, the most important thing to do is to perform a thorough clean up of the affected areas right away so that mold spores do not spread further and in other areas. But before any mold cleanup can take place, you must first determine how large or small the infestation is. 

Does mold cover only a small area and is it contained within that area?
How much mold can you see?
Do you suspect that there may be more mold that is hidden that you cannot see? 

If the mold growing is only in small amounts and it is contained in only one area, then you can clean up the mold yourself following these tips and techniques. 

Find and repair the source of the excess moisture. Fix any plumbing leaks and roof leaks, dry up large spills and any areas that have water overflow and control high relative humidity to remove any excess moisture.

Enclose the affected area by placing heavy plastic sheets over doors, gaps and openings to prevent the circulation of airborne spores through other areas of the home. 

Use protective gear, such as rubber gloves, goggles, disposable coveralls, rubber boots, and a respirator mask, preferably a N95 respirator, to protect yourself head to toe and keep you from breathing in mold spores and prevent it touching your skin and getting into your eyes.  
Scrub mold off nonporous surfaces using water and detergent, and then dry completely. You can use a mixture of bleach and water in small amounts, but never mix bleach with any other cleaning products.

Discard porous materials such as drywall, ceiling tiles, carpeting, padding, books, clothing and other items made of paper or cloth if they are moldy or show any signs of mold or water damage.

Replace absorbent materials that have some staining and cosmetic damage as it will be hard to clean them and get them restored to their original appearance.

It’s best to throw away absorbent materials have many holes in their surfaces that may be hard to clean. It’s very likely that hidden mold may be lurking in Porous materials have many holes in their surfaces that may have hidden mold lurking underneath, and if not cleaned properly, they will continue to grow within the crevices, so it’s best to throw them away. 

Clean moldy items using a scrub brush or soft cloths and a diluted household bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Take extra care not to breath in bleach fumes or to get it on skin or in your eyes. 

Use plastic trash bags to transport all moldy discarded items to help prevent mold spores from spreading throughout the house.

When cleaning process is done, make sure to dry all wet surfaces completely within 24 hours. Position fans directly on surfaces to help dry them out on the inside.

Vacuum surfaces using HEPA filters to catch any more mold spores or moldy residue that may be left behind.

Remember to vacuum your furnace to help get rid of mold spores that may have floated in during the cleaning process.

Throw away sponges, rags and other porous cleaning materials used during mold cleanup, including all disposable protective gear.

Immediately dump items of clothing used during mold cleanup into the washing machine with hot water and detergent.

Call in professional mold removal services in Toronto or remediators for serious mold problems, such as mold that covers an area more than 10 square feet and mold that is scattered over several large areas. And remember, the best technique to prevent any more mold from growing inside the home is to always control excess moisture. Mold will not grow when there is no moisture. However, it will keep growing back as long as the moisture problem is not fixed no matter how many times you get it cleaned up.

Moisture Control for Mold Prevention

The presence of mold is all around us -- outdoors, indoors and in the air we breathe. They can be found almost anywhere in rotting logs, damp leaves, tropical fish tanks, on lawns, in wood chips, garden beds, and sometimes even on the sides of buildings. They’re a natural part of the environment and play a very important role in nutrient cycling. 

When in their natural habitat, the presence of mold is not a problem. It is when they start to grow indoors, however, that things can get ugly. Too much indoor mold, as well as long-term exposure to it, can lead to a variety of health effects. Some people, particularly those who are  sensitive to molds, can suffer from allergic reactions such as nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation or skin irritation. If left to grow, mold can also attach itself to surfaces of building materials in the home and start causing decay that could eventually damage the structure and foundation of the home.

You can take steps to prevent mold from growing inside your home. The best way is to control moisture in the indoor environment. Without moisture, mold will lack one essential nutrient to be able to get its development underway.

Mold prevention tips 

Fix leaks in and around your home as soon as possible, such as leaks in the plumbing or windows. Be extra alert for leaks that are hidden out of view,  like inside a wall because if they go undetected for very long mold can keep on growing and spreading. Find and repair leak in metal roof, especially roof leaks that lead into the attic as these are also hidden from view and can go undetected. Check the ceiling below the attic for any signs of water damage as this is an indication that you probably have a leaking roof.

Fix gutter problems and maintain gutter/leader system to keep rainwater from getting in through foundation walls and to carry groundwater far away from your foundation.

Check for wet spots  that can create condensation in your home. Dew droplets can pool on cold surfaces, such as on cold metal pipes and on cold concrete floors and become prime areas for mold to grow.

Prevent condensation by raising surface temperature or lowering the moisture level in the air (humidity). Improve insulation and draft proofing in the house to help you reduce condensation in your property.

Increase ventilation if outside air is cold and dry or use a dehumidifier if outdoor air is warm and humid to reduce the amount of moisture in the air. Keep indoor humidity below 70%, at levels between 25% - 60%, if possible. Clean HVAC drip pans regularly and maintain regular filter changes to keep ventilation system free from debris that could prevent proper air flow.

Do not dry wet items inside the home, move them to a dry and well ventilated area or to the outside to facilitate quick drying. Clean up wet rugs and wet carpet as soon as possible, do not allow them to stay wet in the area for more than 48 hours after you find them.

Ensure that appliances, such as clothes dryers are vented to the outside where possible to provide an outlet for moisture to evaporate, Moisture control is always a crucial step towards mold prevention. Keep your home dry at all times to control moisture and to prevent the growth of mold. Inspect your home regularly for any indications of water damage or sources of indoor moisture problems and then take steps to act quickly and eliminate the sources of 
water problems without delay.

How Does Mold Spread?

Mold needs four things to grow - water, an organic food source, oxygen and warm temperature between 40 degrees and 100 degrees F. It can grow anywhere, on wood, paper, synthetic materials, paint, adhesives, concrete, plastic, glass, metal, on dirt and dusty surfaces, but they thrive best on damp and wet materials.

Molds have spores that look like very small seeds and hair-like bodies that are too small to see without a microscope. They grow in colonies and one way for them to spread out is by extending their tiny root hairs to other surface areas. As long as conditions are right, which means they have food, water, oxygen and warm temperature, they will continue to grow and spread over an increasing area until a small colony of mold becomes larger and covers many square feet of material.

Another way for molds to spread is by releasing spores, which are carried by air or water to new locations. Mold spores are very small, so tiny that they defy gravity and don’t fall into the ground but float in the air and move wherever the wind blows. When the spores land in damp surfaces they’ll stick on it and when there is food and oxygen available, and if the temperature suits them, they will start to grow.

Mold spores are found everywhere. Wherever there is decaying organic material, such as fallen leaves, dead plants, mulch, and wood, there will be mold and mold spores always present in the air. They will survive in both the outdoor air and indoor air whatever the conditions are, no matter if it’s too sunny, hot, cold, dry or wet. We cannot get rid of airborne mold spores completely, except if special preventive measures are taken to deliberately remove or kill them such as in a clean room used for making pharmaceutical products or for scientific research and in hospital operating theaters.

It’s impossible to keep our home, or any place for that matter, free of mold.

What needs to be done is to control the amount of mold in the indoor environment because too much mold can cause indoor air quality problems that can affect our health and those of other family members. In addition to health effects, mold can cause significant structural damage to the home and destroy building materials such drywall, wood frames or gypsum boards.

Preventing  Mold in the Home

The best way to control and prevent the growth of mold inside the home is to keep the surroundings clean and dry. The home already contains plenty of food sources for mold to feed on, such as drywall, wood sidings, walls, and floors, wooden columns, supports, window frames, cabinets, interior walls, carpets, furniture, sheets, lamp shades, and other building materials. Mold can also feed on dead tissues of cockroaches, dust mite feces, skin flakes and food particles. It can even thrive on dust, so any dust buildup is a hotbed for mold. Since the home is already a natural food source for mold, what you want to watch out for that is within your control is the presence of too much moisture within the indoor environment. Water is one basic component needed for mold to grow, and as long as it has water mold will continue to grow and spread out quickly.

Always make sure to dry surface areas that can quickly absorb water, such as carpets, wood floors and furniture. Look for areas of dampness or wet spots where water pools, such as in ceilings, basements and under sinks. Water leaks from damage roof and plumbing can cause continuous moisture problems that can start mold growth. If you suspect you have mold growing inside your home, call a mold removal company right away to schedule an inspection so you will know for sure if you have a mold problem to deal with.

The Health Dangers of Mold are Different for Each Person

When people see any type of mold growing in their home, only one concern usually comes into mind right away: Is it going to make me or any of my family members sick? The health dangers of mold will widely differ from person to person and will depend on many factors, such as length of exposure, type of toxin that is produced and sensitivity level.

It can be difficult to predict the ill effects of exposure to mold on every person because there are too many variables involved to make a general prognosis. However, the most common indicators of illness that are often associated with it are allergy symptoms, which can include any of the following:

Sneezing
Nasal and sinus congestion
Cough/sore throat
Chest tightness
Breathing difficulty or dyspnea
Worsening of asthma or eczema symptoms
Nosebleed or epistaxis
Upper respiratory tract infections
Headache
Light sensitivity
Fatigue and weakness
Skin irritation, appearance of red, itchy rashes
Eye irritation, redness, itchiness, watery eyes

Who are most affected by mold?

Mold exposure can be dangerous to just about anyone, but there are some individuals who are more sensitive than others and are more likely to develop more serious symptoms. 

It is best for these groups of people to stay away from mold: 

Newborn babies and children
Elderly people
Individuals with pre-existing skin condition or skin infection, such as eczema or psoriasis
Individuals with respiratory conditions, such as allergies, asthma or COPD
Immunocompromised patients or those with a weakened immune system and unable to fight infection, such as those with HIV or AIDs, cancer or chronic inflammatory conditions

How does mold affect your health?

There are countless species of mold that exist both indoors and outdoors and not all of them are capable of causing illness. There are some types of mold that  can release poisonous substances called mycotoxins which have toxic effects. 

These toxins are fat-soluble and can easily be absorbed in the intestinal lining, airways, and skin and cause disease and death in humans and other animals even in low concentrations.

The health dangers of mold that produce mycotoxins are often more severe, and can even be life-threatening. These include:

Cancer 
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis or HP
Pulmonary fibrosis or PF
Lung injury
Pulmonary hemosiderosis or PH
Toxicity in the nervous system
Blood disorders
Immune system disorders
Liver toxicity
Endocrine toxicity 
Toxicity in the kidneys
Gastrointestinal and/or cardiac conditions

Is it mold causing health problems or something else?

Mold requires three things to grow: 

Moisture -  Water and dampness that can come from flooding, leaky pipes and condensation in windows and walls, and other water problems inside the home. 

Food source - Materials that molds love to feed and grow on include porous materials like cotton, leather, wood, paper products, fabric, sponges, and cork and some non-porous materials like glass, plastics, metals, and varnished wood.

Optimum temperatures -  Mold can thrive in conditions that are too sunny, hot, cold, dry or wet for mold to grow.

These three conditions create an ideal damp indoor environment for active mold growth. A lot of things happen within the confines of this damp environment, which may give rise to:

Bacteria
Dust mites
Protein by-products of bacteria and molds
Beta glucans or structural components of cell walls in fungi resulting from the breakdown of mold and bacteria
Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) (which produces the musty odor associated with mold)
Other chemicals and odorless gases produced by mold

Thus, the health problems that are oftentimes attributed to mold may not in fact be caused by mold itself. Some illness may be due to bacteria or other substances and microorganisms that may develop within the moldy environment that is why getting Mold Removal Services in Toronto is very important.

The health dangers of mold are very real to some people. If you or any family members are showing symptoms of what you suspect may be the effects of mold exposure, it is best to seek medical attention immediately to get a correct diagnosis of all your symptoms. 

What Should You Do When You Find Indoor Mold?

Indoor mold is a common problem for many homes and buildings. Homeowners and those who own or manage property spend hundreds and thousands of dollars in mold remediation to remove mold and prevent contamination.

Molds grow indoors in areas where there is excessive moisture and high humidity. Storm surges, water leaks from the roof, walls, floors and broken water pipes, poor ventilation and many other activities can cause moisture problems that can lead to indoor mold growth. 

So what should you do when you find mold growing inside your home or building? 

Don’t panic!

Yes, the first thing to do is not panic. We’ve heard a lot of alarming information in the news and internet  about actual or potential problems and worrying health risks with regards to mold, particularly toxic mold or black mold. So naturally, discovering mold inside your home can create feelings  of fear, panic and confusion. However, the presence of mold does not necessarily mean that it is toxic or poisonous. All mold has the potential to produce toxins, but at the same time not all are dangerous. What you want to prevent is for the amount of mold spores in the air to reach high levels as long term exposure to excessive amounts can lead to adverse health effects. That is why when you see mold growing indoors, you have to take action quickly to remove it and prevent it from becoming a major problem.

Size it up

Examine it to see if what you suspect is mold. Any mold that is visible to the eye can come in many colors, like blue green, bluish, yellowish, greyish, black, white or other shades of these colors.Discoloration, spotting on surfaces and irregular stains may be an indication of mold growth. Peeling, curling or any damage to surfaces can also be a sign that the material or area has been infested by the mold.

Estimate or measure the area that the mold is covering. If the total area affected is less than 10 square feet, then you have as small mold problem. If the area is more than10 square feet, it is considered a large mold problem but may be handled with care. And, if the area is covering  more than 100 square feet, then you have a major contamination problem that is large enough to be harmful.

Don’t touch!

If you are not sure if it is mold, then do not touch it.  If you have a small mold problem but do not know how to properly handle mold, then do not attempt to disturb the affected areas or materials in any way. Ask the help of a mold professional if this is the case. If you are very confident that you can handle the cleanup of a relatively small area of mold, then make sure that you use personal protective equipment to avoid exposing yourself to spores. Also make sure that you take steps to prevent mold spores from scattering and spreading to other areas. However, if mold covers more than 10 square feet, it is highly recommended that you seek the advice of a qualified mold specialist without delay.

Once air quality is restored to normal levels, you need to monitor for any more mold that may grow back in the same areas or sprout up in other areas of the home or building. Always be on the lookout for any suspicious moldy odors,  for water stains and discoloration on the walls, floors and ceiling, and any structural damage as these may be danger signs that point to a potential indoor mold problem.