How Mold Works
Mold is everywhere. It’s easy to spot if out in the open; you can smell the mustiness. While it can hide, such as behind walls, it doesn’t stay just on the surface … mold spores travel, and some have severe reactions to any exposure. Ubiquitous in the natural environment, mold serves a vital role outdoors by breaking down dead organic matter, such as fallen leaves and trees. However, mold growth poses a significant concern where you don’t want mold (indoors). Because of how mold grows, with tiny, invisible spores that drift through outdoor and indoor air, mold finds fertile ground for growth when landing on wet surfaces. The United States Environmental Protection Agency says this about mold: “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.” Identifying types of molds is a challenge, as they come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and more. Professional mold remediators are experts at identification. Mold is not considered a plant. It is considered a fungus, but like a plant, it needs a food source and certain conditions to grow. If you have a dark, warm area and add some moisture to it, along with a food source such as wood products or even dirt, you have the recipe for mold. The challenge with mold, whether avoiding it or removing it, lies in moisture management. The presence of mold in your home necessitates prompt cleanup and removal of any water-related issues. Many experts say drying water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours of the damage occurring is important to prevent mold growth. Health concerns warrant attention. Consulting a health professional before commencing cleanup is advisable, especially if pre-existing health conditions are a concern. While molds are a natural part of the environment, their presence indoors demands proactive measures. Through effective moisture control and timely cleanup, in conjunction with consulting professionals, homeowners can minimize the risks associated with mold growth, ensuring a safer and healthier living environment for everyone in the home. If you ever do have any water intrusion issues and especially with mold concerns, do the right thing. Call your favorite disaster restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro! The Dirty Sponge
We all need towels, rags, or sponges to clean hard surfaces in our homes. The ubiquitous sponge is a very common one found in virtually all kitchens and most bathrooms. They are used to clean everything, from dishes to countertops to stovetops and more. And while we tend to toss paper towels into the garbage can, or wash cotton or other cloths when we do the laundry, at times the sponge can be used and reused and weeks—even months—can go by without cleaning the sponge itself. How can you clean and reuse sponges? According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), your microwave or dishwasher is one of the best ways to clean them and kill bacteria simultaneously. They can eliminate nearly 100 percent of bacteria, helping you to maintain proper hygiene practices. For cleaning and disinfecting sponges in the microwave, thoroughly wet the sponge before putting it inside. Do not microwave a dry sponge, that’s a fire hazard. Microwave the wet sponge on high for just one minute. That zaps the bacteria. Take it out, thoroughly wash it with soap and water, and wring it out and you now have a fresh, clean, healthy sponge to use again. Your dishwasher is effective as well, but not as quick. When you wash your dishes, put it on the top rack and let the dishwasher do all the work. It’s pretty simple. Having the drying option activated means it gets that high heat, which will kill bacteria. But there comes a time when you need to make a hard decision. Yes, that sponge has been faithful, but a kind but firm farewell is warranted after so many uses. The USDA recommends replacing sponges every two weeks to minimize the risk of bacteria buildup and even more often if they get a funky odor. Most do not follow this recommendation, but it's an option if your budget for sponges is healthy. Other maintenance tips include wringing them out in hot water after every use and allowing them to dry completely by putting them in a spot that provides fresh air and even sunshine, which is often possible in a kitchen. Keeping your home nice and clean and healthy is important, and besides doing some of the tasks yourself, there is a better way. Call your favorite cleaning company today, especially for those tough project jobs such as tile and grout cleaning, carpet cleaning, and furniture care. After all, it pays to call a pro! How Flash Floods Work
This is the time of the year when we need to think about the possibilities of heavy snowfall, rain, and especially spring flooding, such as flash floods, which could be right around the corner. Flooding is a natural disaster that can devastate homes, causing extensive damage and chaos for your family. Understanding how to first prevent and, if the unthinkable does occur … recover from flooding is essential for homeowners. Let’s look at what flooding is and where and when it can occur so you can analyze your own situation and prepare—if needed. Flooding occurs when an overflow of water inundates land that is typically dry. Various factors, including heavy rainfall, coastal waves, rapid snowmelt, or the failure of dams and levees, can trigger it. Floods can wreak havoc with as little as a few inches of water or submerge entire houses, lasting for days, weeks, or even longer. Floods are the most widespread of all weather-related natural disasters. Flash floods are hazardous as they combine the destructive force of floods with incredible speed. These occur when heavy rainfall exceeds the ground's ability to absorb it. Flash floods can also result from water filling ordinarily dry creeks or streams or when streams overflow their banks, causing rapid water rises within a short timeframe. These events can unfold within minutes, leaving little time for public warning and protection. The only good news here is this doesn’t occur everywhere, but you should know if you are in a zone that could be affected. Do your research. Areas at Risk The first would be densely populated areas. Urban development, including buildings, highways, and parking lots, increases runoff by reducing ground absorption and elevating the risk of flash floods. The failure of storm drains is also a concern. In cities and towns, underground routing of streams into storm drains can overflow during heavy rain, flooding nearby roads and buildings. Even low spots can be a concern, such as underpasses, underground parking garages, basements, and low-water crossings. Areas near rivers, mountainous regions, and when dams release water for safety reasons, are all concerns as well. If your home is in the pathway of possible water, prepare your home with smart landscaping and other means to keep water from entering. What You Can Do While the risk of flooding is always there, you can prepare. Having a professional restoration company on your side will help bring your damaged home back to pre-flood condition. Contact your favorite restoration company and get their help if something does happen. After all, it pays to call a pro! Create a No-Pet-Hair Furniture Zone
As pet owners, we love our furry creatures and the company and comfort they bring to us. But with that is one challenge we often face: Dealing with pet hair on our furniture. If you're tired of constantly battling pet hair on your sofa, loveseat, chairs, or anything that is made of cloth, here are some effective strategies to keep your furniture looking clean and pet-hair-free. Vacuum for the Deepest Clean The most basic and efficient method to removing pet hair from your furniture is by thorough, detailed vacuuming. Regular vacuuming using an upholstery brush attachment can remove loose pet hair and also embedded dander, which is what causes allergic reactions. If you don't have the proper attachment, consider investing in a universal attachment set with an upholstery brush and a crevice tool for those hard-to-reach areas. There are many small, hand-held devices that are perfect for this. Use Hair Removal Tools Turn to handy tools like sticky rollers and furniture brushes between vacuuming sessions. Oversized sticky rollers or those with extendable handles are particularly effective on upholstered furniture, covering more surface area with each pass. Common Household Items You don't always need specialty tools to combat pet hair. Everyday household items can be just as effective. A straightforward method is to put on a rubber glove, dampen it, and run your hand over the sofa's surface, causing the hair to ball up for easy pickup and disposal. Groom Your Pets Prevention is a great way to keep your furniture pet hair-free. Regularly groom your pet with guidance from your vet or groomer to reduce shedding and maintain a healthy coat. Grooming gloves, which help reduce shedding and straighten hair follicles, can effectively remove pet hair from your couch. Now what? Vacuuming, hair removal tools, everyday household items, textile preparation, and regular grooming of your furry companion can make all the difference in keeping your furniture fresh and comfortable for you and your pets. But there’s more! Don’t forget that removing pet hair is just part of maintaining your furniture. Having your furniture professionally cleaned on a regular basis is recommended. Do the right thing and call your favorite cleaning company now for an appointment. After all, it pays to call a pro! |
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March 2024
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