Mold-Proofing Your Home: Basement

As part of our Mold-Proofing Your Home, Room by Room series, we are pleased to offer you mold-proofing advice on Basements and Crawlspaces!

Mold Proof your Basement or Crawl Space:

1. Reduce the amount of clothes, paper and furnishings stored in the basement. Discard badly damaged materials. Eliminate clutter to improve air circulation. Only washable items should be stored.

2. Dehumidify the basement during the warm months.

3. Avoid carpets on slab-on-grade or below grade floors.

4. Periodically clean the drain in your basement floor. Use half a cup of bleach, let it stand for a few minutes, then flush with plenty of water. Keep the drain trap filled with water.

5. Avoid standing water. Keep sump pits covered (you can use plywood wrapped with plastic).

6. Regularly clean and replace furnace filters. Use a pleated one-inch filter, not a coarse filter.

7. If you have a heat recovery ventilator (HRV), clean the filter inside the HRV often.

8. If you notice molds or signs of dampness, such as water on your windows or wet spots elsewhere, do not humidify. Disconnect furnace humidifiers that are no longer used.

9. If you have electric baseboards, vacuum the units, or have a professional clean them for you.

Learn more about how to protect your basement from water damage and mold.



Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Damage Tarpon Springs, Sinkhole, Fire Damage, Sewer Damage and Emergency Disaster Recovery Restoration Company in Tampa Bay, Florida. Company Services Include: WATER DAMAGE EXTRACTION and RESTORATION; MOLD REMOVAL and MOLD REMEDIATION; STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION; FLOODS; HURRICANE DAMAGE; SEWER DAMAGE; Complete Restoration Services. Residential, Commercial & Industrial structures in the Tampa Bay Metro Area, Sarasota County, FL and Manatee County, FL. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!

Mold Remediation Clearwater

Don’t wait for mold to set in! If you live in Clearwater, call us for Mold Remediation Clearwater services!

Services include:

Mold Remediation Clearwater, Mold Damage, Mold Damage Prevention, Mold Testing, Mold Inspection, Mold Damage Insurance Coverage, and Mold Removal. Complete Home Restoration!

Our immediate response team of experienced mold remediation technicians and the newest up-to-date equipment will provide all that is required to get you back to normal. We understand that mold damage is something you cannot foresee, so we are committed to restoring your home or business as quickly as possible. Our staff has years of experience with insurance, water, fire, mold and sewage damage and disaster recovery.

Even if you are not working with an insurance company, we still can provide the utmost pricing in the industry for the services that you need. We are members of the BBB, IICRC, adhere to IICRC standards.

Our Mold Remediation Clearwater restoration includes:

Assessing mold damage
Mold testing
Mold inspection
Mold Removal
Mold Remediation
Removal of Property
Direct Billing to Insurance
Deodorizing
Mold Removal and Prevention
Complete Property Restoration



Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Removal Clearwater, Sinkhole, Fire Damage, Sewer Damage and Emergency Disaster Recovery Restoration Company in Tampa Bay, Florida. Company Services Include: WATER DAMAGE EXTRACTION and RESTORATION; MOLD REMOVAL and MOLD REMEDIATION; STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION; FLOODS; HURRICANE DAMAGE; SEWER DAMAGE; Complete Restoration Services. Residential, Commercial & Industrial structures in the Tampa Bay Metro Area, Sarasota County, FL and Manatee County, FL. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!

Fighting Black Mold Damage Clearwater

When it comes to mold and mold damage, there are five facts to understanding mold that everyone should know. These facts include: 1) Mold needs moisture to grow; 2) Mold can be harmful or helpful — depending on where it grows; 3) Mold does not grow on dry materials; 4) Mold growing inside a home can affect the residents; and 5) Homeowners and property residents can learn to recognize mold.

Before one can fight mold, we must learn about what mold is. Molds are microscopic fungi, a group of organisms which also includes mushrooms and yeasts. Fungi are highly adapted to grow and reproduce rapidly, producing spores and mycelia in the process.

Mold is encountered every day. Foods spoil because of mold. Leaves decay and pieces of wood lying on the ground rot due to mold. That fuzzy black growth on wet window sills is mold. Paper or fabrics stored in a damp place get a musty smell that is due to the action of molds.

While molds are often considered to be harmful, certain molds can be useful to people. The drug penicillin is obtained from a specific type of mold. Some foods and beverages are made by the actions of molds. The key to beneficial kinds of molds is that they are selected and grown in a controlled fashion.

Molds are undesirable when they grow where we don't want them, such as in homes. Molds that grow inside may be different from the ones found outdoors. According to USA Today, there are at least 100,000 types of mold, but only a few dozen are toxic and can cause health problems. These toxic molds produce chemicals called mycotoxins that can cause rashes, seizures, unusual bleeding, headaches, respiratory problems and severe fatigue in some people. According to the Mayo Clinic, sinus problems are almost always the result of toxic mold.

What Makes Molds Grow?

Read the rest of Fighting Black Mold Damage Clearwater

Mold Damage Tampa: Top Ten Facts About Mold

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New York City Health Department, here are ten top things to know about mold!

1. There are more than 100,000 species of mold. Most types that are routinely found are not hazardous to healthy individuals. But too much exposure or certain types of mold could cause allergic reactions, asthma, rashes, respiratory complaints or other types of mold related illness.

2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores indoors. The way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.

3. If mold is a problem at home or in school, clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.

4. Fix the water leak to prevent mold growth.

5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30%-60% ) to decrease mold growth.

6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials like ceiling tiles, plasterboard or wood, may need to be replaced.

8. Prevent condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, pipes, exterior walls, roof or floors) by adding insulation.

9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting.

10. Molds can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet and foods.



Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Damage Tampa, Sinkhole, Fire Damage, Sewer Damage and Emergency Disaster Recovery Restoration Company in Tampa Bay, Florida. Company Services Include: WATER DAMAGE EXTRACTION and RESTORATION; MOLD REMOVAL and MOLD REMEDIATION; STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION; FLOODS; HURRICANE DAMAGE; SEWER DAMAGE; Complete Restoration Services. Residential, Commercial & Industrial structures in the Tampa Bay Metro Area, Sarasota County, FL and Manatee County, FL. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!

Simple Trick to Reduce Mold Spore Damage Tarpon Springs

A simple trick to help reduce mold spores within the home and thus, help thwart mold growth is to vacuum surfaces with a vacuum cleaner which has a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter.

Proper vacuuming reduces the amount of mold spores. All surfaces in the home (floors, walls, ceilings, shelves) and non-washable furnishings (such as sofas, chairs, etc.) must be vacuumed thoroughly and frequently.

HEPA filter vacuums are made by companies such as Dyson and are found in all major retailers now. Some other great benefits to using a HEPA filter vacuum is that the filter doesn’t clog with dust and can be washed. As well, you don’t need to purchase vacuum bags; rather, you dump the vacuum tank when full. This is both a benefit on the budget and for the environment (less waste). Plus, no loss of suction!



Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Damage Tarpon Springs, Sinkhole, Fire Damage, Sewer Damage and Emergency Disaster Recovery Restoration Company in Tampa Bay, Florida. Company Services Include: WATER DAMAGE EXTRACTION and RESTORATION; MOLD REMOVAL and MOLD REMEDIATION; STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION; FLOODS; HURRICANE DAMAGE; SEWER DAMAGE; Complete Restoration Services. Residential, Commercial & Industrial structures in the Tampa Bay Metro Area, Sarasota County, FL and Manatee County, FL. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!