NATIONWIDE
CONCERN
Over the last 20 years, mold contamination problems have been thrown into the spotlight across the country. Mold contamination can have serious implications to the health of you and your family. Throughout the nation and here in Tampa, mold remediation is an absolute necessity.
Mold exposure has been linked to an extensive list of medical issues, including allergic reactions, respiratory ailments, nose and throat irritation, skin irratation and permanent respiratory and nervous system deficiencies.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that, “Most molds will not harm most people; however, some molds will affect any person and some people can be affected by any mold”. The very young (under 6 years old) and the elderly (over 60 years old) are most susceptible to mold exposure. In addition, anyone with severe allergies or lowered immunities can have serious reactions to mold exposure.
To deal with mold contamination, you need to have a professional mold remediation company to remove the mold and properly treat the property. Don’t rely on the “expertise” of Non-Experts! The most common misconception in mold remediation is….”Just Spray Bleach On It”. Contrary to what you may have heard, Bleach is 90% water and will only make the problem worse.
Failure to properly address water damage issues in a property can cause significantly more damage as mold and fungi grow.
Mold needs three things to grow:
Moisture:
Dry any water damage quickly to avoid mold growth.
Food:
Mold needs an organic food source to grow. Excellent organic food sources include the cellulose in drywall paper or wall studs, leather furniture, belts or jackets, etc.
Time:
How much time mold needs to thrive depends on a lot of factors. Mold can begin growing in 24 hours in the most ideal conditions. In most cases, mold is growing within 72 hours.
Lightning Restoration is a Nationally and State Certified and Licensed remediation firm. In order to legally perform mold remediation in the State of Florida, a supervisor on the project must be State Licensed as a Mold Remediator. In addition to the State License, our staff holds National Certifications with the IICRC. The IICRC Standards are the National Standards in Water & Mold Remediation. If you’re looking for Tampa mold remediation services you can trust, you’re in the right place.
Lightning Restoration Tampa offers the following mold remediation services:
Remediation:
We conduct visual examinations of the buildings environmental condition. The may include the use of evasive and non-evasive moisture meters, infrared technology and inner wall inspections with a boroscope.
Structural Remediation:
Lightning Restoration provides expert mold remediation services, utilizing the latest State-Of-The-Science technology and techniques. Our staff is Nationally and State certified/licensed to complete full Mold Remediation. We utilize a HEPA filtration cleaning system, to ensure that the property is brought back down to “normal fungal ecology”.
Content Remediation:
We can perform the cleaning in house, or when necessary, back in our facility. Lightning Restoration utilizes a barcode and digital photographic inventory (DPI) system for pack out and cleaning of personal content. The content can be stored in our warehouse facility until the property is ready for its return.
Find the Source:
Lightning Restoration will find the source of the moisture. Our contractor can repair the source to prevent escalating damage.
Free Evaluation:
Lightning Restoration will come out to the property, evaluate the damage and give an estimate for the Drying & Mold
Insurance Claims:
Lightning Restoration will assist the property owner with the claims filing process, and work directly with any insurance company including direct billing.
Contain the Damage:
It is important to contain mold damage before remediation efforts begin. Our containment procedures will guarantee that mold will not cross-contaminate into otherwise unaffected areas of the home.
Guarantee:
We guarantee our work 100%.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is mold? Mold is a type of fungus that reproduces by releasing microscopic spores into the air. Spores carry toxic materials called mycotoxins. Mold’s primary purpose on the planet is to break down dead organic material such as food, books, paper, cardboard, and wood. Mold is especially common in damp or humid areas of the home such as bathrooms, kitchens, and attics.
- What causes mold? Mold growth is caused by high levels of moisture in an environment. Mold needs moisture, an organic food source and time to grow. Inside a property, moisture can come from a variety of sources, including leaking pipes, flooding, poor ventilation, or just high humidity.
- How do I know if I have a mold problem? Mold can be a serious problem in the home. It is important to look out for signs of mold growth and take steps to prevent it from occurring or spreading. One of the most common signs that you may have a mold problem in your home is an earthy smell or musty odor. This smell is often strongest near areas that are prone to moisture, like the bathroom or kitchen. Other signs of mold growth include discolored spots on walls or ceilings, peeling paint, and black spots near windows or doors. The key is to address moisture issues as quickly as possible to avoid mold growth. Mold can start growing, under the right circumstances, within 24 hours.
- How Long Does the Mold Removal Process Take? The mold removal process typically takes anywhere from 5-7 days, depending on the severity of the problem. In cases of wide spread mold growth, it may take up to two weeks to complete the removal. The process involves first assessing the area of contamination and determining the extent of mold growth. Next, the contaminated area is contained and sealed with barriers to prevent further spread of mold spores. Afterwards, air filtration equipment is set up to remove airborne contaminants and keep any cross-contamination from occurring. Then the damaged materials are removed and the contained space is remediated, utilizing a HEPA filtration cleaning process.
- Do I Need to Hire a Mold Remediation Expert? Can I Remove Mold Myself? If you have visible mold, it is generally a good idea to hire a professional remediation expert to assess the source of the mold, recommend solutions, and clean it up. Professional mold remediators have specialized equipment and training to remove mold safely. They will also be able to tell you how long the remediation process might take and what kind of materials may need to be replaced during the process. The key thing to remember is that without looking under a microscope, we have no idea what kind of mold it is. Don’t expose yourself to a highly toxic mold if it isn’t necessary.
- What to expect during mold remediation? Mold remediation is the process of removing mold from a given area, and it can be an important step in keeping your home or business safe and healthy. During the process, an inspector will first assess the extent of mold growth in the affected area and then plan out a strategy for removal. The inspector may also take samples of air and surface areas to analyze and test for the presence of mold spores. Once a plan is in place, professionals will begin the process of removing the mold by using specialized techniques such as HEPA vacuuming, anti-microbial product wet cleaning, HEPA filtration, utilizing negative air pressure and any other necessary steps.
- How Does Mold Affect Your health Mold can have serious effects on your health. It can lead to a variety of respiratory issues, skin problems, and allergic reactions. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions are particularly at risk for developing health complications from mold exposure. Mold releases spores, which carry microscopic poisons called mycotoxins. The spores are released into the air that we then breathe in. These spores can cause irritation to the eyes, throat, and lungs. They can also cause headaches and other flu-like symptoms. Long term exposure to mold can lead to a weakened immune system, as well as more serious illnesses such as respiratory infections or even cancer in some cases.
