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Cleaning Bathroom Mold on Your Own

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 14:00:06 GMT

Mold in the bathroom: it's every homeowner's worst nightmare, but it's surprisingly common. Why does mold love bathrooms so much? And how can you clean it up on your own?

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bathroom Mold?

The common cause of every type of mold is water. Mold spores are everywhere in the air around us, but only grow on surfaces where there is excessive moisture . So, you can see why your bathroom is mold's favorite place to be!

Some specific causes of mold are:

Bad sealing on your shower or bath, letting water seep into drywall or floors
Leaks
Extremely humid conditions that let moisture build up on walls and ceilings over time

What Are Some Tips for Cleaning Bathroom Mold?

Like many homeowners, you have some mold in your bathroom. What can you do to fight it?

First, remove the source of the moisture. Re-seal your tub, fix any leaks, and open windows or dehumidify the space . If you don't fix the moisture issue, mold will grow back.
Then, make sure you are wearing protective gear. Mold spores can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Wear a mask and gloves when you're cleaning mold.
Next, you can scrub the mold off the wall, tile, floors or ceiling with detergents or specialized mold cleaners. Vinegar can be helpful when cleaning drywall.
If there are any surfaces you can't thoroughly clean, like carpets, you might need to replace a small section to remove the mold.

When DIY Isn't Enough

When should you think about calling a mold professional? Here are some signs it's time to get help.

You can smell mold a few days after cleaning it.
Your mold keeps coming back.
You've had significant water damage , like a flood.

These are all signs that your mold is deep behind your walls, or that more might grow without help. Mold remediation professionals can help you fix significant mold and water damage and keep your home safe from mold.

BioClean NY Deals a Royal Flush

At BioClean NY, we are mold remediation experts. We use EPA-registered products that will be tough on your mold but not on the environment. Contact us today for a free quote.

Air Quality Testing & Sick Building Syndrome

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 15:00:01 GMT

Sick building syndrome is a new concern of homeowners, office workers, and building owners everywhere. What is sick building syndrome? And how can you identify and fix it?

What Is Sick Building Syndrome?

Sick building syndrome is a condition caused by exposure to poor indoor air quality over time. Usually, this manifests in people living or working in a building with poor air quality. Because many symptoms are similar to allergies, sick building syndrome can be hard to pin down. However, if multiple people have similar symptoms from spending large amounts of time in the same buildings, sick building syndrome could be the cause.

Sick building syndrome can have different symptoms in different people. However, they can include :

headache
cough
throat, nose, or eye irritation
nausea
difficulty concentrating
allergy-like symptoms, such as sneezing.

In addition to these possible symptoms, a huge warning sign for sick building syndrome is that the patient recovers after leaving the building for an extended period of time.

What Are Some Ways to Prevent Sick Building Syndrome?

There are a few ways to help prevent sick building syndrome.

Improve your building's ventilation. Poor ventilation is a major risk factor, so no matter what else is contributing to poor air quality, improving ventilation will help.
It is located near a source of chemical fumes, such as a garage. Outdoor air coming into a building can be a source of indoor air pollution . If fumes and exhaust enter the building from nearby cars or appliances, it can make people inside the building sick.
Test for and remove biological contaminants, like mold or animal droppings. For example, mold is an extremely common cause of poor air quality. Periodic mold inspections and HVAC cleanings can help keep your building free of biological contaminants.
Test for and remove chemical contaminants, which could range from air fresheners to asbestos. We use products that pollute our homes and buildings frequently, such as solvents, cleaning products, pesticides. Other pollutants include asbestos building materials, unvented HVAC systems, and deteriorating furniture . All of these diverse chemical contaminants can build up without proper ventilation.
Get a professional air quality test . To be sure of your building's unique air quality issues, the best thing to do is to get a professional air quality test. Air quality tests can detect the presence of many contaminants, such as mold, asbestos, radon, tobacco smoke, and more. Each problem might have a slightly different solution, so an air quality test lets you proceed with confidence.

Stay Healthier Indoors With BioClean

At BioClean NY, we can help you determine whether your building has poor air quality with indoor air quality testing. If you suspect you have poor ventilation or contaminants, we can find the exact cause of sick building syndrome and work with you to fix it. Contact us today.

Fireplace & Chimney Mold: What to Know This Winter

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:00:01 GMT

You might not think of your fireplace or chimney as a place mold could grow. However, just like any other possibly damp, dark place, it could be a haven for mold.

What Causes Fireplace and Chimney Mold?

Like all mold, fireplace and chimney mold is caused by an excess of moisture. Here are some specific causes of fireplace and chimney mold:

Mold spreading from other places in the room. If you find mold in the same room containing the fireplace, make sure to check the entire fireplace. It could be the source or it could be another breeding ground for mold.
Chimney leaks. If water gets into your chimney, mold can grow in as few as 24 hours . While this can be hard to see, if you smell a musty scent coming from the opening of your fireplace, especially a new one, that can be an indication of mold.
The fireplace staying unused for a long time. Condensation or other sources of water can build up more easily in an unused fireplace. You might notice mold on the fireplace bricks or start getting respiratory symptoms from being near the fireplace.

How Can I Keep My Chimney Mold-Free?

Here are some ways to prevent and treat mold, depending on how severe your mold problem is.

If you have no or very little mold in your chimney, try using your fireplace more! The fire itself can kill mold spores, and the heat will dry out the upper parts of your chimney. Remember, no moisture means no mold.
Think about installing a rain cap. Rain caps will prevent your chimney from getting wet in the first place, and this will prevent mold growth. They have the added benefit of keeping out curious animals.
Call a professional. Once you can see or smell mold in your fireplace, it's a good idea to enlist the pros. Mold can easily spread, and in the meantime, it can cause sneezing, eye, nose and throat irritation, and even asthma attacks. A professional mold remediator can make sure your chimney is entirely cleaned of mold and that it won't come back.

Keep the Fires Burning With BioClean

At BioClean NY, we have helped homeowners deal with all kinds of mold since 1988. We use environmentally-conscious and effective mold removal products. If you have fireplace or chimney mold, contact us today!

Top 5 Causes of Winter Mold

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 15:00:01 GMT

You might associate mold with summer, when humidity is high and thunderstorms happen every day. Unfortunately, mold can take root in your home any time of the year. Even in the winter, moisture and mold are a threat to your home.

What Are the Top Five Causes of Winter Mold?

Here are the five top causes of winter mold growth.

Christmas tree water leaks. While Christmas trees are a holiday tradition, they can cause issues if their water leaks. Mold can grow in wet conditions in as little as 24 to 48 hours , so check for spilled water often.
Roof leaks. On a larger scale, winter weather can damage your roof, allowing water inside. Wherever there's water damage in your home, mold can grow.
Leaky windows and doors. Ice and snow can build up on the outside of windows and doors and leak into window and door frames.
Burst pipes. In the cold winter months, water in uninsulated or unheated pipes can freeze . Ice can displace any unfrozen water in your pipes, leading to a pipe burst at a weak spot in the pipe. Since many pipes are hidden in your walls, it's easy to miss the water damage forming. Mold also appreciates the hidden, dark location, and can get out of control quickly.
Humidity and condensation. During the winter, condensation can occur in your attic when the heated air inside your home hits the cold surface of your ceiling . Even this amount of water can lead to mold, and in a low-traffic area like your attic, mold can grow unnoticed.

How Can I Prevent Winter Mold?

Luckily, it's easy to prevent mold. The top way to prevent mold is to prevent moisture growth in your home. If you have any leaks, fix them right away, and prevent your pipes from bursting by keeping them dripping or too warm to freeze.

However, if you suspect you already have a mold problem, you should schedule mold testing services right away. Once a technician confirms there is mold in your home, you can start a process called mold remediation. Mold remediation is a thorough process that contains and removes mold completely, then rebuilds any affected portions of your home.

BioClean Knows It's Never Too Cold For Mold

At BioClean NY, we are family-owned and operated. We have same day estimates and services available to help you deal with your mold problems right away. Contact us today and let us help take care of your pesky winter mold!

Musty Smell? It Could Be Mold

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 20:49:46 GMT

Has your house been smelling musty or stale lately? It could be mold. Your nose is one of the best ways to identify mold. So what should you do if you find mold in your home?

What Are Some Signs of Mold?

There are a few easy ways to tell if your home has a mold problem. Here are the top three ways to tell you might have mold in your house.

You see visible mold. If you see mold, you might have a big infestation already. If you can see mold, there might be more under your flooring or behind your walls. Don't ignore visible mold in your home!
You smell mold . If you have a moldy or musty smell in your home, that's a great indicator you have mold in your home. You might smell mold before you see it . Trust your nose, especially if the smell is new.
You feel sick or have allergy symptoms out of season. Mold can cause allergy symptoms, such as irritation of the nose, throat, and eyes . It can also trigger asthma attacks in people with asthma. Pay attention to these symptoms and if they only show up when you're at home.

When Should I Call a Professional?

If you smell mold, you should get a professional mold inspection. Mold inspection technicians have special tools and training they use to find hidden mold. For example, they can use moisture meters to find where mold is likely to be growing. This is especially helpful when you aren't sure where the mold is, and have simply smelled it.

After the inspection, if your technician finds mold, they can start the mold remediation process. Mold remediation is a special process that involves containing and removing mold from your home before rebuilding the affected areas.

Your technician will also help you find and fix the cause of the mold so it doesn't return.

Calling BioClean NY Is a Must

At BioClean NY, we are mold inspection and remediation experts. Since 1988, we've helped homeowners find and conquer their mold problems. If you have a musty smell in your home, contact us today for a free inspection.

Why Is Mold Remediation Necessary?

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 19:49:45 GMT

If you find mold in your home and start researching, you might hear a lot of new terms. One of the most important is "mold remediation." But what makes this term different from plain old mold removal? Here's how mold remediation works.

What Are the Differences Between Mold Removal and Mold Remediation?

The mold remediation process is a thorough set of steps that will entirely remove mold from your home. Mold removal is just one step out of many. Here are some of the extra steps that come with mold remediation:

Containment. Any mold is carefully isolated and adjoining furniture, walls, and floors are covered so it won't spread.
Sanitization. After mold is removed, the mold remediation process has an additional sanitization step. The entire area is sanitized with high-temperature air to kill off any remaining traces of mold. This ensures no leftover mold spores remain.
Restoration. Once the mold is gone, any previously moldy surfaces can be rebuilt. For example, moldy walls can have drywall patched and be repainted.

Why Is Mold Remediation Important?

Because of the many extra steps in the mold remediation process, it's the best way to ensure mold doesn't return. Without containing the spread of mold and thoroughly sanitizing the area, mold might grow back. Restoring the affected area is a crucial step in making your home feel like your own again. Mold remediation encompasses the whole process of finding, containing, removing, and restoring your home after you have mold.

How Can I Keep Mold From Returning?

The mold remediation process is the best way to take care of mold for good. By hiring a professional mold remediator, you can rest assured the process is followed correctly. A mold remediation technician can help you find both hidden mold and any sources of moisture helping the mold to grow. Then, they can start the actual process of mold remediation. Once you're through all of the steps of the mold remediation process, you can be sure that existing mold spores are completely removed and any sources of water are gone, making sure the mold will not grow back.

Leave Mold Behind With BioClean NY

At BioClean NY, we are experts in mold remediation. Since 1988, we've helped homeowners and businesses tackle their mold problems. With mold, time is of the essence which is why we offer same-day estimates. Contact us for a free inspection to get started!

Keeping Your Basement Free From Mold

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 19:39:35 GMT

As a homeowner, you're probably used to keeping an eye on problems in your basement, from water to bugs. But one you might not think about is mold! Mold isn't just for kitchens and bathrooms. It can affect your basement, too. Here are some ways to keep your basement mold-free.

What Are Some Common Causes of Basement Mold?

Mold grows in moisture , no matter where it is. So the key to keeping your basement mold-free is keeping it dry! Here are some common causes of water in your basement that can lead to mold.

Improperly sealed foundation. Basements are the most likely part of your home to flood, just because they're underground. If the sealing on your foundation fails during a storm, it's easy for your basement to flood. Floods lead to significant water damage. Since mold can grow in as little as 24-48 hours , and flooding damage can be extensive and hard to dry out, this is one of the most common causes of basement mold.
Cracks in your basement walls or foundation. Just like improper sealing, this can let water in your basement. During stormy weather, rainwater or melted snow can pool around your foundation and find its way in, especially if you're having issues with proper drainage.
Faulty sump pump. A sump pump failing at the wrong time is a common way to get a basement flood. Sump pumps pump water out from under your foundation during a storm. If your pump fails, water can easily overwhelm sealing on your basement floors.

How Can I Waterproof My Basement?

Waterproofing your basement is a great preventative step that can help guard against basement mold. Any cracks are repaired, and then the foundation is sealed to prevent groundwater and stormwater from getting in. If mold is already present in your basement, a professional mold remediator can get rid of it before you waterproof as a preventative measure.

Keeping Dry From the Bottom up With BioClean NY

At BioClean NY, we are waterproofing, mold inspection , and remediation experts. We are a trusted, family-owned and operated company. If you already have mold, we use environmentally-conscious mold removal products to get rid of mold for good. Contact us today for a free inspection.