413-522-6814
Complete Basement Odor and Flood Service, Second to none expert all natural cleanings, and professional advice on moisture control. A dry clean basement is a healthy home. if getting sick and or have allergy to mold and dust having a HEPA cleaning is very helpful. Most of new England basements are damp and causes numerous of medical problems that normally are easy to fix but most of us go to the doctors which in return tells us theres nothing wrong with you not knowing the environment you live in. Im not saying this is a miracle cure but most of us never think of the air in the basement today is the air in your home tomorow. Give me a call for a free estimate, You have nothing to lose everything to gain.
Professional Inspection
Which consists of;
1 Find sourse of problem- Broken pipe, flooding in basement, Excessive moisture.
2 Visual assement Correct or repair sourse of moisture- What to do to correct problem now and future.
3 Conduct a preliminary assesment- Possible lab testing, What is outcome of problem.
4 Identify the type of containment - How the cleaning will be adressed, Demo first if needed, Containment.
5 Design a cleaning strategy - Make a overall plan how problem will be done, how much.Where. If problem seems to be making people sick or seems more complex will advise a IEP / Indoor Environmental Professional.
ten things you should know about mold
- Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
- There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
- If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
- Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
- Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60% ) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
- Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
- Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
- Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
- In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
- Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.
Air Sampling - Mold Allergens Voc Air sampling is very importantant testing because lab results finds exactly what your breathing and levels parts per million. When I do inspection I highly recommend air testing also because it gives me a better idea what and possibly where to clean. Not too mention a scientific lab result for your physician in helping make a better diagnosis of whats making you sick .
Why is mold growing in my home?
Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.
Can mold cause health problems?
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing. This brochure provides a brief overview; it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your state or local health department.
How do I get rid of mold?
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back
Basement HEPA Cleaning
This is a speciallized cleaning recommended for especially allergy sufferers, And also anyone whos interested in getting rid of basement odor. of course this is a quick fix for this to work properly in the long run you must maintain a low moisture level in basement with a recommended basement dehumidifier. this speciallized cleaning consists of vacuming of the basement floor, walls, joists and all material in basement and or discarding paper materials that are damaged, This cleaning will follow all EPA recommendations including IICRC. Some basements may need some cleaning and wiping with cleaning products, I also offer green products for chemical sensitive customers. In New England technically all homes have moisture and its recommended to have cleaning and a dehumidifier. A dry clean healthy basement is a healthy home. call for your Free estimate !
Crawl Space & Vapor barrier
What exactly is a vapor barrier and why do you need one ? A crawlspace vapor barrier is a high density material that prohibits water vapor from passing through it. Traditionally a vapor barrier was used to cover only the ground floor of the crawlspace. This prevents water vapor from evaporating out of the soil and moving up into the crawlspace air. This water vapor can cause excess humidity levels, that also allow mold, odors, and bugs to become a problem in your crawlspace and in your upper living spaces. In our industry today there are two types of vapor barrier installation methods, a more common flat lay and a complete encapsulation system. A crawl space vapor barrier should only be installed after any ground water problems are corrected.
Water vapor is always evaporating from the ground, even if the crawlspace floor looks dry, this water vapor evaporation is still occurring. A vapor barrier is the easiest and most cost effective way to stop this problem. A good vapor barrier along with closing off crawlspace vents and sealing outside air leaks can reduce humidity 15 to 30 % depending on the type of installation.
A standard and commonly seen vapor barrier is made of 6-mil poly plastic. This is the minimally accepted material allowed by codes such as the International Residential Code. Today there are several materials that can be used as vapor barriers that meet or exceed code requirements. GES's has several types of vapor barrier material available from a UV protected 10-mil vapor barrier that is poly reinforced to 20-mil vapor barrier that is made of a 7 layer polyester reinforced material.
Dehumidifiers for Basements
Studies have shown that as much as 50% of the air in your home comes up from your basement or crawlspace. This air is often higher in relative humidity, and carries with it various allergens and musty odors. When conditions linger above 60% relative humidity for extended periods of time, mold, mildew, and bacteria growth is stimulated.
The American Lung Association, American Medical Association, and the EPA recommend maintaining relative humidity level in the 30% - 50% range. Ventilation and air conditioning alone cannot provide the protection offered by a premium dehumidifier like the Sante Fe Compact. Protecting your family, and your biggest investment, is worth the best. I use and recommend the Santa fe and go through a local distributor that can sell at a discounted rate , Fully warranteed and delived right to you home. Give me a call and will be more than happy to assist you in the process.
