What to Know Before Hiring a Mold Remediation Company

Important notes to keep in mind when finding a mold remediation company

As a homeowner, mold removal can be an overwhelming task to take on when it is found in your home. You probably have no clue where to begin in the process. Most often, it’s all about finding the right mold professionals to help you through the process.

 

First things first, if you see mold, you usually do not have to spend time and money testing for it. If you suspect mold but feel like you don’t see it, then you should have a professional come out to perform testing. But, a mold company that insists on spending money to test for mold when it is already visible is often a red flag. In this case, you might want to call another mold company. Of course, there may be circumstances where you will need to test for mold when you already see it, for example, if you are buying a house and need concrete proof in order to negotiate the price of the home.

 

Like other services performed in your home, the price can be dependent upon the size of the mold remediation job. If you receive a quote that you feel is a little high for the amount of mold damage you have, it never hurts to get another opinion or quote to compare. On the same note, if you receive a quote that shockingly low, that can be a sign that the company might do a poor job. You should also keep in mind, if your home is going to need mold restoration, that will be more costly as they will have to do serious reconstruction in order to properly remove all traces of the mold. Therefore, it is important to look for a licensed, insured and experienced company. Companies who have been in business for a number of years probably have seen all types of mold situations and will be able to provide you the best results. 

 

It is also a good idea to make sure that the company you hire is using professional equipment, safety gear and proper cleaner/chemicals in order to complete the mold remediation. Make sure that the company will go over the entire process with you before they start work so that you know exactly what will be happening in your home. These things are especially important to keep in mind when having any kind of mold contractor work on your home.

 

We want to help ensure your home is a happy and safe environment. Give us a call for all of your mold concerns, we know we can help!

Other Links:

https://dph.georgia.gov/indoor-air-quality

The post What to Know Before Hiring a Mold Remediation Company appeared first on Mold Star Remediation.

from Mold Star Remediation https://moldstarremediation.com/what-to-know-before-hiring-a-mold-remediation-company/
via IFTTT

Get an Efficient AC to Combat Mold

Your AC Can Actually Help Prevent Mold Growth

You see, stagnant air is one of the reasons mold for in your home. First, our houses are made of organic materials, and the designs do not help with air circulation. Matter of fact, they prevent air from flowing freely. Consequently, pockets of stagnant air form, collect humidity, and voila, you have the best conditions for mold.

As such, it goes without saying, running your air conditioner is a cheap but efficient way to combat mold. As fresh air moves past a wet spot, it lifts and removes moisture from the surface. Without moisture, mold cannot grow. But more than just having an AC, you need an efficient air conditioner.

Why Should Your AC Work Efficiently?

• Life Saver – More than 9,000 Americans died from heat between 1979 and 2013. And think again if you believe the number captures the magnitude of the problem. Other than preventing mold growth, effective air conditioning is one of the best ways to prevent heat-related deaths. Furthermore, it eliminates allergens such as mold from the air. That is especially important for people who suffer from allergies.
• Improved Productivity – With higher temps comes mental sluggishness as the body tries to cool itself down. An efficient AC allows people to work better and make better decisions on those hot days.

How Can You Tell Your AC Is Not Working Optimally?

You can engage the services of a professional, but here are few things to look for and save in the process.

• AC is blowing warm air – An AC’s main job is to blow cold air. If the air is warm or hot, then there is a problem. Check your thermostat, and if that is not the problem, it is time to call a professional.
• Strange Pungent Odors – Pungent odors from your AC mean the wire insulation has burned out. Musty smells mean that the one thing you are trying to get rid of, mold, is in the ductwork and should be taken care of immediately. MoldStar Remediation can help with preventing mold growth in your house as well as set your air conditioner to ensure efficient air circulation.

Contact MoldStar Remediation Now!

An efficient AC and mold cannot share bed and board. The former inhibits the growth of the latter. With MoldStar, you can be certain your house will be free from mold. Contact our professionally trained team today!

The post Get an Efficient AC to Combat Mold appeared first on Mold Star Remediation.

from Mold Star Remediation https://moldstarremediation.com/get-an-efficient-ac-to-combat-mold/
via IFTTT

How To Get A Job In Crime Scene Cleanup

Looking for a Job in Crime Scene Cleanup?

Specializing in crime scene cleanup is very demanding both physically and mentally. As someone specializing in the aftermath of horrific scenes, you must compose yourself and act professionally in extremely stressful situations. In this post, we’re going to dive into what it takes to be a successful crime scene specialist.

Crime Scene Specialist Training

While there are not many regulations or licensing requirements around the crime scene cleanup industry, proper training is essential. Here are a few necessary things you must be knowledgeable in, such as appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), bio-recovery, and bloodborne pathogen handling, to name a few.

In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a series of procedures and standards specific to cleaning a crime scene that you will need to learn. For more information, look to the OSHA Training Requirements Sheet found here: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha2254.pdf

Crime Scene Cleanup Requirements

Being a crime scene cleanup specialist is not for the faint of heart. The job is physically and emotionally demanding.

Are You Emotionally Suited For The Job?

It is imperative to understand that you will be walking into some of the worst scenes imaginable in this profession. Crime scenes and Bio-hazard cleanup jobs will often be messy, bloody, and often reek of death or decomposition. Having the stomach and emotional fortitude to work effectively is not something everyone has. Make sure that you will not have any issues before entering the field.

Are You Physically Capable?

Cleaning a crime scene can be labor-intensive, often taking as much as 12 hours to clean the scene effectively. During this time, you will be on your feet, often in PPE, performing physical labor. To effectively clean a crime scene, you will be scrubbing down walls, cleaning carpets, moving and cleaning furniture, etc.

Be Okay With Working Irregular Hours

There are no set hours for crime scene cleanup. You need to be ready to work at a moment’s notice. Cleaning up and remediating a crime scene or biohazard site must be done quickly to prevent the situation from worsening. Ensure that you can handle having an unpredictable schedule, working long hours, and having to cancel plans at the drop of a hat.

If all of this sounds okay to you, then maybe a career in crime scene cleanup is for you. Give us a call today.

The post How To Get A Job In Crime Scene Cleanup appeared first on Mold Star Remediation.

from Mold Star Remediation https://moldstarremediation.com/how-to-get-a-job-in-crime-scene-cleanup/
via IFTTT

Mold In AC Unit? How to clean mold in air conditioner – Mold Cleanup Atlanta – MoldStar Remediation

Hi, I’m Jeremy with MoldStar Remediation and I am a Certified Microbial Consultant. You can find me on the web at www.moldstarremediation.com. You can call me at 404-949-9981.

If you have mold and moisture on and around HVAC vents, you’re probably wondering why it’s there, are you being exposed to mold contaminants, and what should you do about it. The most common cause of mold and moisture on and around HVAC vents is warm humid air in the room coming in contact with a cool surface….sort of like moisture condensates on a cold drinking glass on a hot summer day…It’s the same principle. When condensation forms on and around the HVAC vents, mold begins to grow.

The good news is that the mold that is on the HVAC vents is probably not enough to contaminate the air to any significant level. Also, the types of mold that are going to grow on these surfaces is probably not of the toxic variety and is likely an allergenic mold.

There are exceptions where mold can grow inside ductwork and HVAC components and this can contaminate the air with harmful molds. If you’re not sure, you can call MoldStar to have an air sample collected of the air being exhausted from your HVAC system to see if it is contaminated.

What should you do about it? You want to make sure you have sufficient insulation around HVAC ductwork and vents. This will discourage cold air from affecting building material outside of the ductwork. You can clean HVAC vents with some soapy water, a scrub brush, and rags. A 10 to 1 bleach solution can be sprayed on metal surfaces to sterilize any remaining mold contaminants.

Call MoldStar for your mold testing and mold remediation needs.

Visit Our Website: https://moldstarremediation.com/
Call Us: 404-949-9981
Find Us: 2210 Defoor Hills Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Google My Business: https://goo.gl/maps/qQnhgzYWSAP2cBqi8
Google Site: https://moldremediationatlanta.business.site

AllOnGeorgia

The post Mold In AC Unit? How to clean mold in air conditioner – Mold Cleanup Atlanta – MoldStar Remediation appeared first on Mold Star Remediation.

from Mold Star Remediation https://moldstarremediation.com/mold-in-ac-unit-how-to-clean-mold-in-air-conditioner-mold-cleanup-atlanta-moldstar-remediation/
via IFTTT

HUD Charges GA Housing Providers with Discriminating Against a Mother, Child with Disabilities

HUD alleges that the apartment complex and its property manager with discrimination for allegedly refusing to grant the reasonable accommodation request of a resident whose son has severe asthma.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced recently that it has charged the owners of an Atlanta, Georgia, apartment complex and its property manager with discrimination for allegedly refusing to grant the reasonable accommodation request of a resident whose son has severe asthma.

Specifically, HUD’s charge alleges that Fulton County’s Columbia at Mechanicsville, LP, Columbia at Mechanicsville Partners, LLC, Mechan-Summech, LLC, Columbia Residential Property Management, Inc., and their former property manager, Kalisha Winston, denied the mother’s request to move to another apartment after mold, mildew and other water damage caused by repeated flooding in her apartment began to affect her son’s health. Read HUD’s charge.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing providers from denying or limiting housing to people with disabilities, or from refusing to make reasonable accommodations so that those with disabilities can reasonably use and enjoy their housing. This includes permitting residents with disabilities to move to another apartment when their disabilities make it necessary.

“Reasonable accommodations mean so much to families that have a need for them,” said Anna María Farías, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “At HUD we always say, ‘you can’t be healthy if your house is sick,’ so we are deeply committed to protecting the fair housing rights of families, particularly those with disabilities, and making sure that housing providers meet their obligations under the law.”

HUD’s charge alleges that the apartment flooded five times, resulting in the buildup of mold and mildew. As a result of the flooding, one of the mother’s minor sons developed increasingly severe asthma symptoms that required multiple treatments by a specialist, including surgery. The mother requested that the family be allowed to move to another unit because her son’s medical condition was being made worse by the conditions in their unit, but the property manager denied her request.

“When a child with a disability needs a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act, a housing provider is obligated to provide it,” said HUD General Counsel Paul Compton. “HUD remains steadfast in its commitment to holding housing providers and their management responsible for compliance with the law.”

HUD’s charge will be heard by a United States Administrative Law Judge unless any party to the charge elects to have the case heard in federal district court. If an administrative law judge finds after a hearing that discrimination has occurred, he or she may award damages to the family for harm caused by the discrimination. The judge may also order injunctive relief and other equitable relief, as well as payment of attorney’s fees. In addition, the judge may impose fines to vindicate the public interest. If the matter is decided in federal court, the judge may also award punitive damages.

 

Article Originally Appeared:

AllOnGeorgia

The post HUD Charges GA Housing Providers with Discriminating Against a Mother, Child with Disabilities appeared first on Mold Star Remediation.

from Mold Star Remediation https://moldstarremediation.com/hud-charges-ga-housing-providers-with-discriminating-against-a-mother-child-with-disabilities/
via IFTTT

Mercedes-Benz agrees to massive settlement after mold found growing in HVAC systems

ATLANTA — More than 2.5 million Mercedes-Benz owners will soon be getting help with the nasty smells that can come from their cars’ air conditioning units.

Channel 2 investigative reporter Justin Gray broke the story of this nationwide settlement on Twitter.

For more than two years, Channel 2 Action News has reported on the issue: luxury cars with an embarrassing problem.

Mold grows in the heating, air conditioning and ventilation system for various models of Mercedes, and it leads to odors.

Mercedes owner Ketan Patel called it “a pungent, mildew, sweaty, moldy, sweat sock smell.” He’s also an attorney. He filed the class-action lawsuit along with co-counsel.

Now, Mercedes-Benz has agreed to a class-action settlement. More than 2.5 million vehicles nationwide are covered by it.

The deal is not capped, meaning Mercedes will pay the full amount owed and continue to make repairs for every car owner, regardless of how much it ends up costing.

Attorney Annika Martin represents car owners in the class-action suit. She told us: “It provides relief for all the money they’ve had to pay to deal with this, because it wasn’t covered under warranty. It also basically provides a warranty coverage up to the 10-year birthday of the car to deal with it in the future if it is necessary, and I think that’s a big win.”

Mercedes and the attorneys for the class have both agreed to this deal.

A federal judge will have to sign off to make it official.

Then every car owner covered by the agreement will get a notice in the mail about how to sign up for repairs or to receive money owed.

The proposed settlement class is defined as a nationwide class of all current and former owners and lessees of Mercedes-Benz 2008-19 C-Class, 2010-15 GLK Class, 2012-17 CLS-Class, 2010-19 E-Class, 2015-19 GLA-Class, 2013-16 GL Class, 2016-19 GLE-Class, 2017-19 GLS-Class, 2012-15 M-Class and 2016-19 GLC-Class vehicles who purchased or leased their vehicles in the United States.

Article Originally Posted On:

The post Mercedes-Benz agrees to massive settlement after mold found growing in HVAC systems appeared first on Mold Star Remediation.

from Mold Star Remediation https://moldstarremediation.com/mercedes-benz-agrees-to-massive-settlement-after-mold-found-growing-in-hvac-systems/
via IFTTT

Checking for Mold When Buying a Property

Why is it important to have your potential home inspected for mold?

One of the worst things is buying a home and then discovering that there is a hidden mold problem. Mold isn’t always easy to detect or visible for the eye to see. Mold can grow in a variety of colors and can grow in a lot of hidden places.

The most important places to check for mold when looking into buying a home are basements, around sinks/pipes, windows, roofs, homes with poor ventilation and attics. Mold can be detected by its ugly color, and sometimes also has an unpleasant odor. If you think that there might be a presence of mold in the house you are considering buying, it could be a good idea to have a professional company come test the home. Spending the money to test the home could in turn save you thousands in mold remediation work.

If you are in love with a house but there is a mold problem, you might wonder if it is still worth purchasing. You will have to weigh out the costs of purchasing the home and if fixing the issue with be worth the time and money. If you have an inspection contingency agreement with the seller of the home, you might be able to get them to reduce the cost of the house or pay to fix it if mold is found during the inspection.

Homeowners want peace of mind knowing that their family is moving into a healthy environment, therefore getting your potential home inspected for mold is probably the best idea. It can save you money, effort, and frustration of finding a hidden problem after you buy the house.

We would be happy to help take a look at your potential home and inspect it for any signs of mold growth. Schedule a call with our team to see how we can help you!

The post Checking for Mold When Buying a Property appeared first on Mold Star Remediation.

from Mold Star Remediation https://moldstarremediation.com/checking-for-mold-when-buying-a-property/
via IFTTT