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Mold Blog

Lowering Costs for Floridian Builders with Remediation Innovation

Florida’s construction industry is witnessing a boom. Demand for housing is rising with an influx of people into the state. Builders want to take advantage of the opportunity, but also build trust by ensuring corners don’t get cut and customer needs are met.

This is where Lightning Restoration comes in, combining friendly pricing with a focus on education. The umbrella company runs the gamut of services, including leak detection, handyman work, warranty work, and the flagship water, mold, and fire remediation.

As Founder and CEO Scott DeMalteris puts it, “Everything that we do is based on science. Understanding the science behind water, mold & fire remediation can help to facilitate a premium level of service at lower costs. Passing that knowledge down to your team is essential. The team becomes better ‘scientists’ by working toward a higher level of education in the remediation sector and filling the knowledge gaps among stakeholders.”

Whenever there’s an issue, Lightning Restoration is there as a resource to help them get the problem remedied and back on track, so they can complete the home and get the new homeowner in without any issues.

It is a one-stop shop for building companies, handling everything from source identification to complete remediation of problems affecting a home. The process starts with assessment.

What is the damage? Where did it come from? And what’s the plan of action that leads to full remediation in a limited time and within a budget the client finds acceptable?

From there, the work begins. Lightning Restoration doesn’t ask clients to trust its word alone, though it’s crucial to the company that it delivers on its promises. Through its third-party guarantee, it invites an independent assessment company to check its work, demonstrating to clients that it leaves homes in a healthy and livable state.

This detailed approach is exemplified in its work on a large commercial bank project where an air conditioning (AC) system caused widespread issues within a building. Lightning Restoration’s assessment quickly revealed the problem’s root–an improper installation. From there, it remediated the moisture and mold issues throughout the bank and its offices. Their vendor partner, specializing in AC system mechanics and remediation, was brought in to fix the source and clean the entire system.

Whenever there’s an issue, we’re there as a resource to help them get the problem remedied and back on track, so they can complete the home and get the new homeowner in without any issues

Ultimately, what separates Lightning Restoration from other remediation companies in the state is its dedication to lowering costs, as DeMalteris highlights when he says, “We’re constantly researching, looking at ways we can improve our processes, techniques, and technology, so we can give a better product that’s quick and less expensive.”

This dedication to lowering prices is key in Florida, where the Gulf Coast currently faces one of the largest inflation rates in the country. It’s also the driving force behind Lightning Restoration coming up with new solutions to old problems, such as its Bio-Clenz technology, which enables it to clean mold frameworks in half the time and for half the price than traditional soda blasting methods.

Combine that dedication to clients with a commitment to its community through Lightning Restoration’s work with many local children’s charities, and you have a company that aims to improve the building situation throughout Florida and funnel goodwill throughout their community.

Scott DeMalteris, Founder and CEO

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Mold Blog

Farewell, Mold! How to Get Rid of Mold from Your Walls

Mold on walls may seem like just an eyesore, but it can actually lead to a lot of problems for homeowners. Mold isn’t only unsightly; it can cause structural damage, create a health hazard and even lower the value of your home. If you have mold on any of your walls, it’s important to have them professionally removed in order to prevent further problems. In this blog post, we’ll be discussing how professionals can help to get rid of mold from walls quickly and effectively. We’ll also discuss why people often find themselves having more frequent issues with wall molds than they would other types of mold and what signs point toward potential areas where you should immediately call in an expert. Thank you for taking the time to read our post – by reading further you will gain valuable knowledge about removing mold safely while protecting yourself and all those living within your home!

What Causes Mold on Walls and How to Spot It

Mold on walls can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Not only does it look unsightly, but it can also be a health hazard for those living in the home. Mold typically grows in areas with high levels of moisture, such as bathrooms or basements, and can spread quickly if left untreated. The key to preventing mold is to identify it early. Look for discoloration on walls, a musty odor, or an increase in respiratory symptoms among family members. If you suspect mold, it’s best to call in a professional to remove it safely and effectively. Don’t let mold take over your home – know the signs and take action.

The Dangers of Mold in Your Home

Mold might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of home hazards, but it can have serious consequences on your health and well-being. Mold grows in damp, humid areas like bathrooms and basements, and can spread quickly if left unchecked. Exposure to mold can cause symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and eye irritation, and can even trigger asthma attacks in some individuals. Additionally, toxic black mold can lead to more severe health complications such as respiratory issues and neurological problems. Taking steps to prevent and eliminate mold in your home is essential for maintaining a safe and healthy living environment for you and your family.

DIY Methods to Get Rid of Mold from Walls

Mold is an unwelcome guest in any home, causing a multitude of problems from musty odors to respiratory issues. Luckily, there are several easy DIY methods to get rid of mold from walls. One effective solution is to mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and apply it to the affected area. Let it sit for an hour before scrubbing the mold away with a brush or sponge. Another option is to use baking soda by mixing it with a small amount of water to create a paste and applying it to the moldy area. Let it dry before wiping it away with a damp cloth. Whichever method you choose, it’s important to ventilate the area and wear a mask to avoid inhaling mold spores. With these simple tips, you can reduce or eliminate mold growth and ensure a healthier living space for you and your family.

Benefits of Hiring Professional Mold Removal Services

Mold can be a dangerous and persistent problem in many homes and buildings. While it can be tempting to try and tackle the issue yourself, hiring professional mold removal services offers numerous benefits. With trained experts on the job, you can ensure that the mold is removed safely and completely. Professionals also have access to specialized equipment and techniques that can effectively eliminate mold, making your home safe and healthy once again. Attempting mold removal on your own can be risky and may not yield lasting results. By relying on the expertise of professionals, you can rest assured that your mold problem will be taken care of efficiently and effectively.

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Mold Blog

After Remediation: How to Prevent Future Mold Growth in Your Home

Mold is an unpleasant and often damaging occurrence that affects homeowners around the world. Even if you have successfully completed the remediation process, preventing future mold growth in your home remains a critical concern. Understanding the potential sources of moisture, reducing indoor humidity levels, and addressing water leaks quickly are just a few steps that should be taken to maintain a safe living environment and prevent further issues with mold growth. In this blog post, we will explore all aspects of keeping your home free from mold after mitigating a current infestation.

Identify sources of humidity and seal off any air leaks in your home

Humidity can have a big impact on your home environment, and there are many sources of moisture that can contribute to increased humidity. Bathrooms, especially those without exhaust fans, are often very humid as water evaporates from showers and tubs. Doing laundry in a closed garage or indoor laundry room may also increase moisture levels. Operation of air conditioning systems can cause high humidity indoors if the system is undersized or improperly installed which increases the amount of relative humidity in the home’s air. To reduce these internal sources of humidity in your home, fix any plumbing leaks immediately and use exhaust fans when showering or taking a bath. Also, check windows and doors for any cracks or other openings that let moist outdoor air come in and increase the indoor humidity level. Sealing off these air leaks with stationary weatherstripping and caulking any open gaps around door frames can help significantly decrease the level of relative humidity in and around your home.

Invest in an energy-efficient dehumidifier to keep moisture levels low

Dehumidifiers are an important item for every home as they help to maintain the proper level of moisture in the air. Investing in an energy-efficient model is key if you want to save money, as these will consume much less energy than traditional dehumidifiers. Not only that, but these models are usually quieter and more aesthetically pleasing than others on the market; perfect for those who need a discreet humidifying solution. Ultimately, investing in one of these high-performance units will definitely pay off; not only can you save on energy bills each month but also ensure better quality air through balanced moisture levels in your space.

Reduce condensation on windows, pipes, and other surfaces with insulation

Condensation can be a nuisance and even a hazard if left untreated. Fortunately, there is an effective solution: insulation. Insulating windows, pipes, and other surfaces helps to reduce condensation by maintaining higher temperatures and preventing humidity from collecting on cold surfaces. Providing an additional layer of air or foam insulation, or simply covering the affected surface with a piece of cloth to absorb excess moisture are all viable approaches for reducing condensation. So if you want to keep your windows, pipes, and other surfaces dry, consider insulating them to reduce condensation buildup.

Keep your gutters and downspouts clear of debris for proper water drainage

When it comes to making sure your roof is getting the proper water drainage, it’s important not to overlook one of the most important components: your gutters and downspouts. During colder months, leaves and other debris can collect in the gutters. This can result in an overflow of water that could cause damage to or around your home. Regular maintenance of these areas will provide protective benefits that come from properly functioning draining systems! Cleaning out the gutters should be done a few times a year, especially during fall and spring since this is when most leaves are near their peak. Make sure to stay safe when doing this chore – wear a pair of gloves, use ladders with secure footing, be aware of power lines, have someone spot you, and check for wildlife living in the gutters.

Inspect plumbing regularly for any signs of water damage or blockages

Keeping up with regular plumbing inspections is important for both the safety and the maintenance of your home. By inspecting for any signs of water damage or blockages, you’ll be able to address any issues right away before they have a chance to worsen. This can help save you money on costly repairs and will help to keep your home in good shape over the years. Regular inspections can also prevent inconvenient breakdowns that attempt to ruin your day, as well as detect larger underlying problems, such as foundation damage if left undetected for too long. Don’t let plumbing problems sneak up on you: make sure to inspect regularly!

Be aware of damp spots in your home and take care of them quickly with ventilation fans

Damp spots in our homes can become sources of mold and other hazardous substances, leading to serious health concerns for inhabitants. Ignoring these damp spots will often result in them getting worse and the formation of toxins in the air that we breathe. To stay safe from this potential risk, it is important to be aware of any damp spots within our living spaces and to take care of them as quickly as possible with ventilation fans. Ventilation fans are especially useful as they balance room temperatures and circulate air better than open windows, all while helping to reduce humidity and remove moisture from the air—making our spaces more livable and healthy.

If you’re looking for mold remediation experts in Tampa FL, take action today and contact a reputable and experienced company to assess and remediate any mold issues in your home or business.

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Mold Blog

What is Mold Remediation – Process & Cost

Mold in your home is almost always bad news. Mold is a fungus designed to digest dead trees into forest soil, but it can’t tell the difference between a house and a tree. It likes to grow in any material that is saturated with moisture, and it only has to be soaked once for the mold to start a colony. From there, it will try to live off the moisture in the air and any nutrients it can eat from the new home. Mold likes to grow in drywall after a leak, furniture after a flood, and can take hold in the carpet with just a spill that dries slowly. It can eat away at structural beams and cause roofs to sag.

If your home has ever flooded, leaked, or sustained a high humidity, mold may be growing somewhere – like a dark, undisturbed place that is rarely seen. If you find signs of mold or have recently experienced a leak or flood, mold remediation is the best way to eradicate mold from your house to keep your family and home materials safe.

What Is Mold Remediation?

Mold remediation is the process of preventing or recovering from a mold infestation. If your home has just flooded. Mold remediation teams specialize in drying operations that can prevent mold from taking hold. If you have found signs of mold in your house, a mold remediation team can help you hunt down the mold, remove it, and repair any damage it has caused.

Signs of Mold in Your Home

  • Allergy symptoms at home or overnight
  • Musty or sour smells in the house
  • Speckled or fuzzy discoloration on any surface or furniture
  • Drywall or timbers that are spongy to the touch
  • Circular or splotchy discoloration
  • Any recent leaks or flooding

The Mold Remediation Process

The mold remediation process involves identifying, removing, and recovering from a mold infestation. Mold prevention involves rapid drying and anti-mold treatments after a flood or leak.

  1. Test and Identify Mold Locations

    • Visual inspection of most likely mold locations
    • Test surfaces for mold
    • Test air for mold spore concentration
  2. Remove Mold

    • Treat with powerful anti-fungal agents
    • Bag and remove mold-ruined materials
    • Clean and sanitize the area
  3. Recover from Mold Damage

    • Remove mold stains from surviving materials
    • Restore moldy furniture and personal items
    • Rebuild and remodel if the home structure was damaged

How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost?

The cost of mold remediation varies quite widely depending on the extent of your mold. Minor mold treatment can cost between $200 – $500, while large-scale mold remediation involving infested drywall and carpet removal can run above $6,000. If you count the home renovations that are sometimes necessary after mold-softened walls and beams are removed, the number can potentially go much higher.

The national average for a mold remediation job, however, is about $2,300.

Mold Inspection – Discovering Mold vs Looking for Mold

Every kind of inspector has a relationship with mold. Even electricians and plumbers find themselves faced with mold-backed drywall regularly. If you are buying a home or maintaining your home, mold may be found during a home inspection. However, if you are worried about signs of mold, you may hire a mold inspector to specifically track it down.

What Does a Mold Inspector Do?

A mold inspector looks for mold instead of just watching out for it. They can take both air and material samples to determine exactly where and how much mold is lurking in your house. A mold inspector can also give advice on how to approach mold remediation for the mold that they find.

What Happens if Mold is Found in a Home Inspection?

If mold is identified during a home inspection, the first step is to determine how bad it is. A few small patches in hidden places can be killed and cleaned away more easily than pests because it is just a plant. However, extensive mold should cause you to think twice about living in such a property (or asking anyone else to) until full mold remediation can be completed.

What to Do After the Mold Remediation Process

Once the mold remediation is complete, make an effort to prevent mold in the future. If you need to install new drywall, use green board, which is mold resistant, and seek mold-proof insulation. Then have your roof, plumbing, and basement inspected, as these are the top three sources of moisture that can result in mold.

Some mold remediation services also offer home restoration to fully rebuild your home after removing the mold. If so, you will not need to arrange remodeling services and can transition directly back to enjoying a safe, mold-free home.

Mold Remediation With Lightning Restoration

If you have recently experienced a flood, or leak, or suspect signs of mold in your house, call Lightning Restoration. Our skilled Tampa mold remediation teams will find any mold that lurks and have it removed before your family takes further health damage or your walls lose any further structural integrity. We will also work with you to rebuild any part of your home that was damaged so that it is identical or even better than before the mold was found.

To book a mold inspection or consultation, contact us today.