Mold Removal and Remediation in the Louisville, KY Area
Mold spores are everywhere. Yes, even in the cleaner parts of your home. Don't worry, though. On their own, mold spores won't do anything. However, when they come in contact with water, they sprout into mold and begin spreading. When that happens, you'll want to get help from the experts. At ANR Restoration, we handle mold remediation so that you don't have to deal with it on your own.
If you see signs of mold or have experienced water damage or water leaks in your home or business, call ANR Restoration. Our IICRC-certified technicians will identify, assess, and eliminate any mold from your residential or commercial property. We offer 24/7 emergency service because disaster doesn't care about convenience.
Mold Risk Due to Age of the Property and Climate
What is your mold risk? Some homes have a higher risk for mold and mildew than other homes. It depends on where you live, the amount of mold spores in your home, and the weather. If you know your mold risk, you can prevent some major problems and know when it's time to get help from mold remediation professionals.
It all comes down to moisture levels. Have you recently had standing water in your home? Standing water can happen for various reasons, from the mundane to the dangerous. For example, if a clogged drain has left water standing in your shower, you may notice mold in that shower soon. In this case, the problem is irritating, but it's not dangerous. You can usually handle this sort of problem without professional mold specialists. On the other hand, if you've had flooding in the basement, your mold risk has gone to a dangerous level. When mold takes over a larger space like this, you'll want to get some extra help.
In addition to standing water, humidity can also contribute to a mold problem. In Louisville, KY and Southern Indiana, we're no strangers to humidity, especially in the spring and summer. It's a good idea to check for mold every once in a while during the warmer months. You might also look for non-obvious dampness, such as water seepage from cracks in your basement walls.
Whatever your crisis, we can handle it.
Call us today to get the assistance you need.
Call Now (812) 246-8791The Problem With DIY Mold Removal
There are two significant problems when it comes to getting rid of mold. First of all, mold grows and spreads outward. Any trace of mold that gets left behind will keep spreading. To get rid of it, you have to get rid of all of it. Unfortunately, it's tough to eliminate all of it because of the second problem: mold hides. It tends to hang out in corners, in cracks, and behind walls. In other words, mold sticks to dark, closed-off spaces because that's where most of the moisture lives. This makes mold hard to find, especially for the darker-colored types. When homeowners try to clean it, they often miss some, leading to more mold growth and causing the cycle to repeat itself over and over again.
Health Issues From Mold Exposure
Mold can also cause significant health problems, especially for those who are already sensitive to it. Most commonly, mold can aggravate allergies and asthma, causing respiratory problems. Many people have reported getting headaches while in contact with mold. The more prolonged the contact, the bigger the health risk. During the winter, for example, when people spend the most time indoors, those whose homes have mold might notice worsening breathing problems. The mold in your shower might also cause health issues because you're near it every day.
Mold is a Warning Sign of Moisture Issues
As we mentioned, mold grows in damp areas. The types of places that grow mold are also the types of places that present other health problems. Dust mites, for example, often exist in the same areas as mold. Since these creatures are microscopic, you can't see them, but that doesn't mean that these tiny creatures can't cause a big problem for your home's cleanliness. They often leave waste behind that causes terrible smells and impacts people's breathing. Harmful bacteria also tend to grow in places that carry mold. If you have visible mold in your home, you might also ask someone to disinfect the space and remove the other, less visible health issues.
Getting Professional Help for Mold Removal
Don't try to deal with a major mold problem by yourself. It's one thing to spray the corner of your bathtub with a mold removal product every once in a while, but for more significant mold problems, hire a professional. Ordinary household mold removal products won't do the job for bigger mold cleanup. You need industrial-level products. You also need the tools, apparel, and expertise to protect yourself from the health issues of mold. At ANR Restoration, our mold remediation team is equipped with masks, gloves, and respirators to stay safe while getting rid of mold. We also have specialized cleaning tools that can reach into smaller spaces. We know how to recognize the warning signs of mold-related health problems, so we know when it's time to step away from the problem for a few minutes.
Finally, sometimes, it's necessary to demolish and rebuild parts of a structure if it's too infested. Older structures are more likely than other buildings to require this treatment. If your mold problem requires demolition, you will want a team of experts to handle the problem. If part of your structure must be demolished, it's far better to have a team that can recognize this fact right away. Otherwise, you may waste a lot of time and money trying to get rid of the mold before you realize you'll need a demolition team.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mold
Anytime the moisture levels in your home are at 60% or higher, mold can grow. What's frustrating for many property owners is that they don't see a puddle on the floor or water dripping from the ceiling. When mold grows, the source of the moisture is usually hidden under floorboards or behind walls.
Each water-damaging event presents an opening for mold to grow from dormant spores or other microbial growth. The source and type of water, as well as the volume of the water, the ambient temperature, and the length of time the moisture has been present, all have a direct bearing on the amount and types of microbial growth species. It is critical to take action as soon as you understand that a water damage loss has occurred. Growth can begin within 72 hours in some cases.
It could be. Because mold spores are microscopic and airborne, you'll end up breathing them into your lungs. Depending on the type of mold and how well your immune system functions, you may develop some serious health symptoms that could end up being the result of mold. That's why ANR Restoration takes mold removal so seriously. The space affected by mold is isolated and contained during cleaning so the spores won't spread to other areas of the house, and the remediation team stays suited up in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the process.
For the majority of surfaces in your home, bleach won't actually get rid of your mold problem. It's the "iceberg effect." Visible mold is usually a small percentage of the actual amount of mold growth. Bleach can't kill mold on porous surfaces like wood, and while tile or fiberglass surfaces can be cleaned with bleach, often the mold has spread far deeper. The reason why ANR Restoration doesn't recommend DIY cleanup isn't that we want to make more money; we know that a mold problem is usually far more invasive than can be seen with the naked eye. Simply cleaning the surfaces can provide false assurances that you got rid of the mold, only to have it come back time and time again.
Sometimes mold remediation is included if the cause of the mold was a "covered peril" like a burst hot water heater or water damage caused by firefighters extinguishing a fire in your house. Gradual water damage - like from a leaking pipe or hose - will often cause mold growth, but your insurance coverage will usually not cover that by claiming that it was caused by poor maintenance or neglect. If your insurance company denies your claim, you should request an inspection from a mold remediation company that can help you document the source of the mold.
If the inspection/assessment process was able to pinpoint the source and cause of the mold growth, once that source is repaired, you can be relatively confident about the success of remediation. Ask if your restoration technician has the IICRC certification for "Applied Microbial Remediation." All techicians at ANR Restoration have this certification and numerous others, so if you hire ANR, you can rest assured your team is experienced in mold remediation. You can also request a "post-remediation mold clearance" from a third-party mold inspector to re-test the area for any remaining traces of mold before the area is treated with a sealer or encapsulant to resist future mold growth.
Mold Remediation - The Sooner, The Better
If you have any mold in your home, don't delay.
When you have mold in your home, it's always best to deal with it sooner rather than later. Mold does not stop growing. It multiplies until you put a stop to it. Don't wait until you're in over your head. Contact ANR Restoration, and we'll help you keep your home clean and healthy for the whole family. Contact us today to get your free estimate. You want to keep your home safe. We're ready to help.
Call Now (812) 246-8791Proudly Serving Northern Kentucky and Southern Indiana
