Showing posts with label prevent mold. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prevent mold. Show all posts

Monday, May 2, 2011

Mold Proofing Your Home: Keep Your Drains Clean and Mold Free

Mold Proofing Your Home: Keep Your Drains Clean and Mold Free

While not often thought of as a place that might grow mold, drains in the bathroom or kitchen can indeed grow mold. Soap scum and grime provide a food source for mold and the running water from the tap provides a source of moisture. It is good practice to keep drains clean so as to avoid this possibility all together.

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

To clean a drain:

Pour a handful of baking soda into it.
Add a cup of vinegar.
Put the plug in the drain.
Let the vinegar and baking soda work for about 20 minutes.
Run fresh water into the drain.

Drains which do not drain water properly can also contribute to mold growing in bathtubs, showers or basins. Any water that doesn’t drain properly and sits in the drain creates a moisture problem. Any environment like this where water is collected and stands for long periods can easily grow mold. If there is a build up of water in the drain, ie. the water is not drained as fast as you can run the water from the tap, then there is a problem with your drain being clogged.

If you come across a clogged drain, try the above steps and add the use of a small plumbing snake if needed.

Other Tips:

Keep the relative humidity in the bathroom below 55% to prevent mold growth
Wipe down wet surfaces so they dry faster
Regularly clean the bathroom
Clean your drains at least once a month



Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Removal 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!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

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!