Air duct cleaning should be a part of every homeowner’s maintenance plan. As your heating and cooling system brings air into your home, dust and other debris can accumulate over time. Although you may clean your vents, this will do little to get deep inside the ducts where serious build-up occurs that can contaminate your indoor air. Here are several benefits of scheduling regular cleanings of the air duct system in your home.

Discourage Mold and Bacterial Growth
The dark and humid conditions that can occur in your home’s air ducts create the perfect environment for mold and bacteria to grow. Once mold has developed within your air ducts, spores can then be sent throughout your home as air circulates. This can contribute to health issues such as allergies and asthma that can be prevented with a thorough cleaning.

Remove Rodent, Insect and Dust Particles
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, duct cleaning may be necessary to remove an infestation of rodents or insects that has occurred in your duct work. Even in the absence of an active infestation, it is likely that contaminants may have found their way into your system as it draws air from the inside and outdoor areas of your home. In severe cases, you may even see dirt particles blowing out of your vents or notice dark streaks on the ceiling near your ducts that signal a need for cleaning.

Improve Efficiency of Heating and Cooling Systems
Having your air ducts cleaned will also remove clogs that can hinder the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. Once these clogs are removed, your system will be able to more effectively keep your home’s temperature maintained. Over time, this increased efficiency can lengthen the life of your system while cutting energy costs.

In your home, the air ducts play a vital role in keeping the air quality at healthy levels. By having them cleaned, you can reduce the amount of dirt and other contaminants that enter your home so you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your heating and cooling system is well-maintained and functioning at full capacity.

Mold is a common concern in every building that is associated with increased moisture. Recently, this has been making the headlines due to the adverse health effects suffered by those who are exposed to it in their homes and offices. Although most everyone can agree that it is unsightly, what many people do not know is just how dangerous it can be for everyone. Here is an overview of the common causes of mold along with the health issues it can cause when it is allowed to spread without clean up and remediation.

Mold near window

Health Problems
According to the New York Times, mold is associated with allergy symptoms that can range from something as simple as itchy eyes, skin rashes and sneezing to more serious complications such as asthma. In severe cases, it has even been associated with permanent lung damage. Unfortunately, mold is not always visible in a building. Therefore, those who suffer from allergy and respiratory symptoms may need to have their home and office tested for mold.

Preventing Formation
Molds thrive in moisture-rich environments. For this reason, eliminating moisture from a home is the best method for prevention. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that water leaks and spills should be cleaned up within 48 hours to minimize the possibility of this fungus to growth. It is also important to keep the humidity indoors low by venting bathrooms after showers, making sure that humidity-producing appliances vent to the outside of a building.

Clean Up and Remediation
In some instances, surface molds can be cleaned up using a mixture of bleach diluted with water. However, it is important to minimize a person’s exposure to mold by wearing gloves, a mask and other protective clothing during the cleanup process. In cases of extreme mold, it may be necessary to consult a specialist who can remove the mold while also performing remediation services to preserve furniture and other items in the building.

Exposure to mold can manifest in a variety of symptoms that can have adverse effects for anyone with allergies or respiratory ailments. Therefore, a building should be tested for mold anytime a person is experiencing symptoms that may indicate a reaction to mold. By being proactive and reducing the amount of moisture in a building, mold can be prevented along with its adverse health effects.

Mold spores cause problems

When choosing a new home, it is important to find out as much as you can about the rental property to make sure it will be safe for you and your family. Among the many factors you must consider, mold should be at the top of the list. In any home, mold can cause serious long-term health problems that can include allergies and asthma. If you are concerned about mold, then here are the top questions to ask your property manager before signing the lease.

Have There Been Issues with Mold in the Past?
Mold spores can survive extreme conditions. For this reason, any past mold problems could recur if they were not handled properly. Ask the property manager if the residence has had past mold problems. If the apartment has a history of mold, find out if they knew the cause and how it was handled. If proper mold remediation was implemented, then the apartment should be okay to rent.

Who is Responsible for Mold Removal?
The Northwest Clean Air Agency explains that tenants and landlords can both be responsible for mold, depending upon the cause. For example, personal activities, such as creating a humid bathroom, can cause mold to grow. In this instance, the tenant might be held responsible. However, plumbing leaks and other types of building maintenance issues can contribute to mold growth that the landlord should be responsible for cleaning.

Mold spores at the edges

How Do You Handle Maintenance Concerns?

To prevent mold, water leaks and other maintenance concerns must be dealt with promptly. Find out the average response times to maintenance requests and what constitutes and emergency. While you are asking about the building maintenance procedures, be sure to also inquire about mold testing schedules. In older buildings, mold testing should be conducted every five years to ensure the property is safe for residents.

Being proactive in your apartment search can help you avoid having to contend with mold-related health problems. Once you are locked into a lease, dealing with mold can become a complicated issue. By asking the right questions about mold before renting, you will be able to ensure that your new home is safe and comfortable for everyone.

Orlando Mold Can Affect Your Health in the following ways: skin irritation, eye irritation, nasal problems, cough, headaches, and runny nose. People who are  immune suppressed will feel these effects greater and also be at risk for infections. Certain types of mold species or more dangerous than others. If you feel like your house is making you or your family sick, you should contact the family physician and then call a certified mold company.

Once a flood has subsided, the house must be dried out as quickly as possible. Mold will start to grow within 48 to 72 hours.  Carpets, pads and furniture that were submerged should be removed, and drywall that was soaked should be cut out and discarded. There are three methods for drying out a wet house. The most basic, is to get air circulating through it by using fans. Another method that is faster and more effective, is to use dehumidifiers. Dehumidifiers are used to remove deep imbedded moisture. If you have a wood floor, or if the framing in the walls has been saturated, a dehumidifier will pull the moisture out of the wood. Another way to dry out a house is to use the heating system along with the central air-conditioning system or window units. Warm air will hold more moisture than cooler air. So a homeowner can close all doors and windows and run the air-conditioning. Once the house has cooled and the air is dry, the air-conditioning should be turned off and the heat turned on.

MOLD in Orlando Homes can cause health problems.

Health Issues range from itching eyes, sneezing and coughing to serious allergic reactions, asthma attacks and even permanent lung damage. And what many people do not know is that mold could be growing in their homes right now. I’ve gone into houses that are so neat and clean there’s not even a teacup out of place. Then I go into the basement and find mold growing on the legs of the furniture. Mold in a house is most often found on walls, floors, ceilings, carpets and fabrics exposed to moisture, one particularly troublesome hiding place is inside the ductwork and associated components of central forced-air heating and air-conditioning systems. You want to make sure the whole system is cleaned thoroughly.

Calling a Certified Mold Remediation Company Is The Only Step To Take To Ensure Proper Measures are Taken.

Mold Inspectors In Orlando and What You Should Know Before Hiring

Find out if the inspection can be done within a 24-hour time frame. If not, you’re better off hiring someone else since mold can spread very quickly. Also, make sure that the mold inspector you’re intending to hire is both licensed and certified. While some states already have those requirements before they can practice, there are many states that still do not. In addition to being certified and licensed, you should ask the company inspecting your home for references from other clients. You should also make sure that there is a contract provided to insure that both you and the inspection company are in agreement with the work that is to be done. The contract should include an agreement, which requires the company to take a swab or lift tape sample of any mold found in the home and an air sampling for potential airborne mold. The contract should also include an agreement to provide a lab analysis report of any mold found in the home, answers to any questions you may have whether it be on the report or from the company and an agreement of a thorough inspection for mold in the home. In addition, you home inspection may also consist of a moisture and leak test, an air quality test, humidity test and drainage test which can take anywhere from a few hours to a half a day to complete, while the cost of the inspection may run anywhere from $300 to $900 depending on the size of your home or business. And finally, if the business you’ve chosen to inspect your home offers black mold removal services as well, you should be aware that mold inspectors and mold remediation are two separate businesses and any good inspector can tell you that.

PCosta – 2011

Has Mold Invaded Your Home?

Although mold originates from microscopic spores, mold itself is usually easy to detect. While testing is sometimes used to determine the presence of mold, generally a quick investigation with your eyes and nose can tell you if mold is present. Some signs of mold include:

• Visible mold growth. Mold can appear in a variety of textures and colors; it often appears as a discoloration, stain, or fuzzy growth.
• Musty or earthy odors.
• Water damage and discoloration around the area of the damage.

1. Fixing the Moisture Problem: Mold cannot grow without moisture.

2. Drying of Wet Materials: Especially when overflow or flooding has occurred, drying of wet materials should begin immediately to stop mold growth. Fans and dehumidifiers can help in this process. You may need to discard the items if you cannot dry them well within 48 hours.

3. Treatment or Disposal of Contaminated Materials: Before beginning mold treatment and clean up, you should consider using protective equipment.

4. Cleaning of Surfaces: Non-porous materials such as hard plastic, concrete, glass, metal, and solid wood can usually be cleaned of mold.

5. Disinfecting Surfaces: After cleaning hard surfaces, you may choose to disinfect them. Mixing 1/4 to 1/2 cup of bleach per gallon of water provides an effective disinfectant solution.

6. Closing the Door on Mold: Mold will take any opportunity to grow in your home. Stay alert for moisture problems, musty odors, and other signs that mold may be forming.

Mold is a fungi that travels through the air as tiny spores, and can grow and spread quickly under wet conditions. Mold can irritates the eyes, nose and throat and can cause serious reactions and respiratory problems. The Health Department offers detailed information about mold cleanup on its website at www.healthvermont.gov. Including detailed instructions for cleaning homes, yards and properties, disinfecting and testing drinking water, and food safety.

Exposure to mold in Orlando and central Florida area has several symptoms. Mold can and does cause serious health problems in many people.

Here are the More Common Symptoms:

1. Skin Rash – You can develop redness in your skin simply from inhaling the fumes from the mold.
2. Eye Irritation – Mold can cause both redness and watering of the eyes.
3. Headaches – Breathing in mold can cause headaches in some people. This is especially true of people who suffer with migraines.
4. Feeling Tired – Feeling tired for several days in a row
5. Sore Throat – Experiencing a raw feeling when swallowing or hoarseness when speaking
6. Shortness of Breath -Breathing in mold spores can cause respiratory difficulties in some people
7. Runny Noses – If you are constantly reaching for a tissue to catch your runny nose this can also be a strong symptom of mold exposure.