By iMold Water Damage 0 Comments

Water Damage in Fort Myers, Florida

Water Damage in Fort Myers, Florida

Mold is the number one silent killer in most homes because it can grow for a long time before you see it.  All the while, you and your family are breathing in harmful spores.  Whether it’s a small leak, or a huge flood, iMold is ready to tackle any flooding, or water damage issues before it becomes a mold issue.

However, if you suspect your home has become the breeding ground for colonies of mold, we’re happy to help you get rid of this toxic problem before it negatively impacts your family.  There are some sure signs of mold, and if you or your family experience any of them, call us immediately.

They are:

  • Many people have a sensitivity to mold, which results in classic allergy reactions, such as runny eyes, sneezing, coughing, or sore throat. This is not a guarantee—some people have no reaction to mold.
  • Visible dark spots on surfaces around the house, especially near water damage.
  • Spongey or soft spots on walls or ceilings where there has been water damage.
  • A musty or mildew-type smell coming from a specific area, or room.

If you encounter any one of these possible signs of mold or have had a third party come to confirm the existence of mold in your home, call iMold immediately.  We’re available 24/7 and will act fast to rid your home of all mold.

When mold is found in homes from either water damage or flood damage, there are a few steps that need to take place in order for the threat of mold to be eradicated.  This is called mold remediation.  This includes:

  • Detection of Water Damage – Sometimes finding the damage is easy, such as in the case of flooding. Sometimes it’s more difficult, such as a trouble pipe or a leaky tub.  Regardless of where it is, we’ll find it.
  • Contain the Mold – This means sealing off the area so that spores won’t spread, and it also means making sure the mold won’t continue to grow by eliminating the water source. Wet areas are mold’s favorite thing, so getting rid of that factor is key to pausing growth.
  • Proper Air Filtration – While cleaning, it’s important to set up a system that sucks up any spores that may be released so that they don’t spread to people or other areas of the house.
  • Removing Mold and Compromised Items – Cleaning the mold is an large job, and part of that means removing and discarding items that are too damaged by mold to be kept. They pose a danger to the future safety of the room, and can reintroduce mold to the area if left.
  • Sanitize Belongings – Anything that was in the area of the mold needs to be cleaned thoroughly and sanitized before being left in the room post-cleaning. This includes furniture, personal items, and surfaces.
  • Restoration – Mold often causes damage to homes, which means that after the home, room, or contained area is treated for mold, it may need to be restored. This includes replacing walls, repairing ceilings, or patching holes.
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How Often to Clean Your HVAC System

There is not really any solid number of times per year that you need to clean your HVAC system. The factors of how often you need to do it are variables that reflect on your lifestyle. No matter how often you do clean your air conditioning ducts, it is a good idea that can help your health and the health of your family, especially if anyone in the home or office has asthma or allergies.

If you have smokers in your home, you will want to clean your ducts more than other people. This is because residue and toxins from the smoke can build up in the ducts and get passed around the home over and over every single day, exposing all the residents to these toxins more and more as the ducts become dirtier.

Pets are also a cause to clean your HVAC system more often. Their fur and dander can get caught up in the HVAC system, giving people who visit your home with pet allergies a difficult time.

If you’ve ever had water damage to your home, you will want to get your HVAC system evaluated by a professional. This is because mold loves to grow in HVAC ducts due to all of the organic material that collects there from your home.

Any home with allergy sufferers will benefit from regular duct cleanings. This will help to lower the amount of allergens flowing through the home, giving your family members relief from their suffering.

Anytime you do a remodeling job on your house, you will want to get your ducts clean. The construction materials usually create a lot of dust, some of which can contain toxins from construction methods, which you don’t want to be breathing in.

Finally, if you are buying a new home you will definitely want to get the HVAC system evaluated before you make a final decision on the home. You don’t want to end up with a very expensive surprise at the end of the day!

By iMold Water Damage 0 Comments

6 Signs You May Need Water Damage Services in Fort Myers, FL

Once water gets into your home, it will go anywhere it wants. It can penetrate walls and floors and stand still in hidden places.  Some people can sense water leaks and some even hear them. But, the rest of us have to recognize signs that indicate there might be a problem. Here are six sign you will need water damage services in Fort Myers, FL:

  1. Actively Growing Mold: Mold is nature’s decomposer as it helps break down dead substances.  It creates spores, which are microscopic cells that travel through the air.  Many people believe mold is only present when they see it growing, but mold spores are always present. Other than food left too long in the refrigerator, mold spores pose no threat, unless they land on a wet or damp spot and grow, then it can cause a lot of damage and potential health effects.  It usually looks fuzzy, greenish, or black (black mold is a serious problem) and sometimes has a foul odor.
  1. Unpleasant Odors: Dampness leaves behind a definite earthy smell.  Dampness can lead to mold and bacteria growth, which also smells very unpleasant.  Certain houses, especially older ones, may have a nasty smell, but if it’s overpowering, it’s concerning.
  1. Stains or Discolorations: Water that oozes into the spaces between floors, spaces, and walls often leaves splotches and streaks on floors and walls. This can often times cause permanent, unattractive water marks on the surface.
  1. Drooping Ceilings and Walls: Drywall and/or wood absorb water slowly and then buckle.  Such can happen suddenly, due to a storm, or over a period of time, as the result of a leak.  If it collapses, it can cause a safety hazard.
  1. Peeling Paint: In areas and spaces that don’t have windows or exhaust fans, like bathrooms and basements, moisture can seep around and into drywall.  Usually, brown stains start first, then, the moisture loosens the paint’s grip on the wall and it starts to peel.
  1. Subfloor Problems: Water almost always seeps underneath tile, carpet, and vinyl and saturates the subfloor, making removal and replacement necessary.

water damage services in fort myers, fl

Incidents that cause water problems include, but are certainly not limited to: 

  • Gutter and sewage problems
  • Storms
  • Broken water pipes
  • Overflowing toilets and tubs
  • Sump pump issues
  • Hot water heater leaks

As mentioned, just one strong storm could lead to serious damage that takes an expense that will take experts hours to fix, so it’s probably best to act quickly if one suspects water is damaging their home.  And, sometimes the damage is hard to see at first, so one has to be very diligent and always observant. Contact iMold today for a consultation.

By iMold Mold Removal 0 Comments

Four Signs You Need Mold Removal in Fort Myers, FL

Here are Four Signs You Need Mold Removal in Fort Myers, FL. We’ve all seen mold growth on food that’s sat a bit too long in the refrigerator.  It’s white, brown, yellow, green, or pink, sometimes black, and is usually always fuzzy.  It’s not hard to identify.

Mold is a general term for a broad range of fungi.  Molds are very helpful as they create antibiotics and help make beer and wine and food, such as cheeses and breads.  And, molds help break down garbage – without them, we’d be overwhelmed in it.

Mold spores are all around.  They are microscopic, so we don’t see them.  Mold spores like dampness, and when they find it, they will land on it and rapidly grow.  And, if that dampness is in a home, on furniture, on the walls, in carpets, it can cause a lot of damage and pose health risks.

Many people live with mold infestation and never realize it until it actually affects their health.  And, at that point, removal may be costly and extremely difficult.  If you even suspect you have mold in your home, you should have a professional evaluate it for immediate removal.

Here are four signs that indicate you may have mold in your home:

  1. A Recent Water Event: A recent storm, hurricane, or even extremely humid weather could trigger the growth of mold spores.
  1. Discoloration: Mold growth almost always discolors its host, be it food or drywall.  It is often black, but can also be white, red, gray, and even pastel colored. And, again, it’s almost always fuzzy.
  1. Odor: Some molds leave a distinct, musty odor. Some do not, so the lack of odor doesn’t mean there isn’t mold.  Some homes, too, have a musty odor if they’ve been uninhabited for a while, so the odor doesn’t necessarily mean mold is present.
  1. Human Health Effects: Are people in the area having allergic reactions, increased asthma symptoms, respiratory problems, or other symptoms while in the building, but then feel better when they’re away from the building?  Such could indicate mold infestation.

If you notice any of these signs or even suspect the presence of mold, once again, seek the advice of a professional.  Ignoring the problem could lead to more serious issues that you may never be able to properly fix.