How Does Mold Spread in the House?

Mold is a fungus that grows from airborne microscopic spores found almost everywhere in the environment. Usually the spores are inactive, but when temperature exceeds 65 degrees or humidity surpasses 70-percent, they start to grow and flourish.

A typical mold spore is roughly 0.0002 inches in size (10 microns). And it can optimally grow anywhere in your home as long as there is adequate humidity, food, and warmth. In fact, mold grows throughout the year in any home; regardless of how clean it is, though an infestation usually takes 1-14 days to become apparent.

At first, a cluster of mold spores spreads on the surface. Then the spores in the cluster begin to reproduce. With gradual increase in the number of fungi, the mold growth becomes noticeable to the human eye. 

In most cases, homeowners become aware of the presence of mold in their homes only after they see it or smell a damp, stuffy, moldy odor. But at times, the growth is only realized when there is an increased flare up asthma or allergies.

What are the key factors behind indoor mold growth?

For mold to grow in your home, spores must be present. There must also be a surface for them to grow, warmth, oxygen, and darkness. When moisture becomes available in a home with these ingredients—whether as stagnant water, a water leak or high level of humidity—mold problems begin.

Most often, the smaller mold spores appear like dirt or soot, which makes them quite easy to ignore.  So it is always advisable not to ignore any suspicious dirty or sooty material on surfaces. 

Make sure to call mold remediation technicians at the earliest sign of mold; as it is the often ignored pockets of mold that eventually establish huge colonies and end up spreading throughout a home.

How does mold spread in the house?

So long as there is mold in the crawl space or basement, the spores will rise throughout your home—what is called the “Stack Effect”. By stack effect it means that the rise and exit of warm air through the upper levels and the attic creates a vacuum on the lower level, which draws air upward from the basement and crawl space. 

 In turn, mold spores, odors, dust mites, and other airborne particles are drawn into the main area of the home. Then, once the spores access the main area of your home, they are nourished and flourish on any organic materials they can find,  including wood, dust, wallpaper, fabric, and paint for nourishment. 

The mold feed on these materials, and keep growing and spreading. But mold can also digest synthetic materials, such as pastes, adhesives, and paints. While mold cannot obtain nutrients from inorganic materials like glass and concrete, it will grow on the dirt present on the surfaces of these materials.

What should you do if you suspect mold in your home?

Start by determining the source of the moisture that is enabling the mold to grow. Fixing the moisture problem will stop further growth and spread of the mold.  Also, make sure to dry out everything once you have dealt with the moisture problem. 

Next, you should remove and clean up the mold. You can use fans and dehumidifiers to speed the process, but must never use fans for visible mold as this can cause mold spores to spread. Wear protective devices, such as a long-sleeved shirt, rubber gloves, eye goggles, long pants, and filter dust mask, before doing mold cleanup.

Once you are done with the cleaning, make sure to dispose any moldy materials. For the clothes and protective devices you wear during mold cleanup, put them in a plastic bag and discard or launder them before you leave the contaminated areas to avoid spreading mold spores through your home.

Bag and dispose porous moldy items, such as insulation, plaster, plasterboard, ceiling tiles, paper products, and some wooden items. But for non-porous and semi-porous materials, including metal, glass, hard plastic, and solid wood, make sure to clean them with a HEPA vacuum (high-quality HEPA filter) to remove the contamination.

If the mold growth is in the crawl space, basement, attic or any area that makes it difficult to get rid of, then call a professional mold remediation service. The experts have the skills and equipment to help detect and completely remove any form of mold growth. 

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we use techniques and solutions that yield great results. We have a track record of successful elimination of a wide range of mold infestations and will use our wealth of experience, advanced equipment, and efficient techniques to rid your home of whatever type of mold.

We guarantee improved indoor air quality after our painstaking mold remediation process. Call us today to find out how we can help you get your home to its best condition. For more information on mold remediation, visit the site “West Central Equipment and Restoration.”

How fast does mold grow after a water leak?

Mold is unsafe fungi that grow in moist environments. It takes root in a home through airborne spores, which germinate as soon as they find suitable conditions of humidity and temperature. 

Once it begins to grow, mold spreads quickly till it takes over the entire home. While it takes 24 to 48 hours for mold to begin to grow in a home, it usually takes a week or more for the growth to be visible.

Unfortunately, by the time mold has established a noticeable growth, it tends to have settled into damp and porous surfaces and spread too deeply. This makes it difficult to eliminate.

So how fast does mold grow after a water leak?

This depends mainly on how long the dirty water takes in your home before it is removed.  If a water leak occurs and is quickly cleaned and dried, mold growth is either completely eliminated or massively slowed down. 

This is the reason why urgent action is usually necessary after a plumbing accident as it saves the home from the danger of mold growth. Doing the repairs right after water damage also goes a long way in controlling indoor moisture level, which in turn prevents mold growth

On the contrary, if a leak occurs and the water remains lying in a spot for more than 8 hours to a couple of days, there is a higher likelihood of mold growing in that area and then rapidly spreading. 

Typically, a significant mold growth begins within 24 to 48 hours after a water leak if the leakage creates an ideal condition for mold to thrive. The growth will then spread quickly and take hold of the home within 12 days.

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we encourage homeowners to make sure there are no unnecessary damp conditions in their homes that can lead to mold growth. Plus, we always emphasize the need to act fast to remove the water and to repair the damage urgently. 

For it usually takes just a few days for mold to take over a home, grow on every possible surface and cause untold damage. When inhaled, mold can cause all sorts of health issues in humans and animals, varying from mild to serious.

Factors that determine how fast mold grow in your home

  1. Temperature of your home

After a water leak, the temperature inside your home will determine whether mold grows or not. For a home that is always warm, mold spores will find it ideal for growth. 

A good deterrent to mold is keeping your home cool to slow down regeneration of the spores and give you a better chance of tackling the problem before it gets worse.

  1. Ventilation in your home

Mold finds it difficult to grow in an airy and dry home. So make sure your home is properly ventilated and dry as this will help slow down the growth and spread of mold.

  1. Presence of organic surfaces

Mold spores feed on and grow quickly on organic surfaces, such as wall paint. You can invest in inorganic wall paint and cut on organic surfaces in your home to slow down the growth and spread of mold.

How can you prevent mold growth after a water leak?

You can expect visible mold growth in your home between 48-72 hours after a water leak. But it always does not follow that mold will grow only after obvious water damage. 

As long as there are wet patches around your home, an unexpected drop in water pressure or a sharp increase in your bill, there could be a leakage somewhere that is likely to trigger mold growth. Hence, it is advisable to call in a water leak detection service to help as soon as you notice these changes.

Once you identify the leaking spot, you should dry all the affected areas thoroughly. Make sure not only to dry the obvious floor areas, but also to get into any fractures, nooks and crannies where the water might have leaked to. 

Likewise, remove the drywall, rugs, and baseboards and thoroughly dry the underlying surfaces. Opening windows and doors also helps to provide airflow to affected areas.

After removing excess water and drying affected areas, use a vacuum or carpet cleaner to suck up water from hard-to-reach areas. Alternatively, you can push towels in between the fractures and crevices of walls and carpets.

Timely, efficient water damage remediation

As a responsible home owner, you should never allow water to stand for long after a leak inside your home. Make sure to remove the water quickly, dry the affected areas, get timely repairs, and eliminate all conditions that may allow mold to thrive. 

In case of a flood that is too big for you to handle, call a professional water damage remediation service to correctly restore your home.

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we provide prompt, reliable and efficient water damage and mold remediation. Our certified technicians are experienced in dealing with all manner of plumbing accidents, water damages, and mold growth.

So if you are located in Lecanto, Florida, make sure to call West Central whenever you have a sizeable water leak or need help with mold remediation. For more information on mold remediation and water damage restoration, visit the site “West Central Equipment and Restoration.”

How do professionals remove mold?

Mold is such a stubborn growth.

You scrub it off, it comes back.

You clean it, it resurfaces.

You may find yourself giving up—holding to the false belief that mold is impossible to eradicate.

That is where professional technicians come in. Those who have experience eradicating mold and who know how to clean it up properly.

So how do professionals remove mold?

1. In-depth inspection

Professionals don’t work blindly. They know what they intend to achieve even before they begin. And how do they know? Well, they begin by identifying the root cause of the problem through a painstaking inspection.

The first thing they do is to locate and target the source of moisture that’s feeding the mold. Is it a water leak? Is it due to condensation? Or is it due to rising dampness?  

A technician will also employ tools such as moisture meters, particle counters, and infra-red cameras to discover where the problem lies.

2. Sealing off affected areas

If there is mold already in your home and needs to be removed it must not spread to areas not yet affected. So the first order of business is to  seal off the affected areas to prevent mold spores from dispersing to other areas of your home by using plastic sheeting.

3. Physically remove the mold

Mold remediation begins with growths on hard surfaces. A formulated solution is applied to walls, floors, timbers, ceilings, and other affected surfaces to break down and remove the mold. The objective is to remove all visible signs of mold from your home.

4. Eliminate airborne spores

While visible growths of mold have been removed the air in your home may still contain invisible spores. So the next step is to rid the air of all mold spores and to improve indoor air quality. Professionals in remediation will use HEPA air scrubbers, HEPA air filters, and negative air controls to cycle out dirty moldy air with clean fresh air. 

HEPA filters are able to capture fine particles as small as mold spores which regular filters don’t work and could make the problem worse. When filtration is complete, mold-targeted fogging treatment is done in roof spaces, subfloors, and around the interior.

5. Demolish and discard porous building materials

When mold growth finds porous materials it can reach deeper areas and become impossible to eradicate. 

So the best option with moldy porous materials such as drywall, insulation, and baseboards is to simply discard them. These materials are often relatively inexpensive to replace and difficult to impossible to restore to their previous uncontaminated condition. 

After discarding the materials, remediation technicians will clean any remaining mold and mold stains using antimicrobial chemicals. Then they will commonly apply a sealant or encapsulant to make treated areas more resistant to water damage and mold in the future. 

Why opt for professional mold remediation?

1. Professionals will discover and identify mold growths in your property—whether visible, hidden or dormant spores—and kill all types of mold, including black mold.

2. Remediation technicians will use proper safety gear, such as high quality, high filtration face masks, vinyl or neoprene gloves, and a full protective suit.

3. Professionals will use effective equipment such as HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) air scrubbers, HEPA vacuum, and commercial strength dehumidifiers to remove mold in a speedy manner.

4. Experienced technicians will find and eliminate the source of the mold growth—such as leaks or moist materials.

5. Professionals will take action to prevent future mold growths by replacing affected materials and applying special products that restrain mold development

6. Remediation technicians will repair any damages caused by the growth and thoroughly clean the contaminated space.

7. Professionals will use their experience and knowledge to prepare for every situation and to know what to do and how best to handle the job.

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we employ a comprehensive approach to mold remediation so you can be safe and confident.

We work quickly, methodically, safely, and effectively. Call now to schedule your mold remediation. For more information, visit the site “West Central Equipment and Restoration.”

Five Easy Steps to Proper Mold Removal

Mold is a rapidly growing and swiftly spreading fungus that uses tiny, invisible spores to reach and colonize new territories. You would not even realize it when it takes over your home. 

As long as oxygen and moisture are abundant in your property, mold will grow on virtually every surface they can find.

To minimize its destructive effects on wood, drywall, insulation, tiles, and fabrics, you should move quickly to remove mold as soon as you spot any growth. 

As you do that, remember to protect yourself from the spores and take precautions to prevent them from spreading beyond the affected areas.

What are the 5 steps of proper mold removal?

  1. Identify and tackle any moisture problems in your home

Behind every mold growth, there is usually a moisture or water problem. 

The first step in getting rid of mold is to know the moisture issues in your home. Identify where the moisture comes from, how it reaches your home, and how to eliminate it.

Check for both visible and invisible sources of moisture, particularly behind and around any mold growth that you can see. Also, check the corners and walls of your home.

Beyond removing the moisture, you should also seal the loopholes leading to increased dampness in your property.

  1. Develop a mold remediation plan

You must never start removing the mold without a proper remediation plan. You should carefully document the situation using videos, pictures, and writing to help you understand the magnitude of the problem.

Draw a plan that includes the scope of work needed to remove the mold thoroughly. Plan the when, how, and who to complete the removal and the techniques used. 

Documentation and planning may even uncover existing mold trends in your home and help you devise effective prevention measures.

  1. Determine the extent of the mold remediation

Since mold grows and spreads quickly, the growth in your home may be far more extensive than the areas you can most readily detect. 

Before you remove the mold, assess and determine the extent of the contamination. The degree of contamination will determine the approach you use to remove the growth.

There are three broad categories of mold contamination:

Level 1 contamination refers to small, isolated areas of mold growth, usually up to 10 square feet. For this level of contamination, you can remove the mold on your own.

Level 2 mold growth contamination covers an area of 10 to 30 square feet. You can still carry out remediation for this level of contamination on your own. Although, you will need better equipment, cleaning solutions, and techniques than for level 1. 

When the growth is larger than 30 square feet, it is categorized as level 3 and usually requires professional mold remediation.

  1. Perform the actual mold removal

Now that you’ve identified the water source, fixed it, documented the degree of contamination, determined the extent of spread, and planned the remediation process, you can now remove the mold. Ensure to carry out the removal process without exposing yourself or other unaffected areas.

You should remove the mold by:

(a) Repairing the water problem to prevent mold spores from growing.

(b) Isolating the contaminated area by closing doors and windows between the contaminated area and unaffected areas. An easier way to achieve this is to cover all doorways and other openings with six mil polyethylene sheeting and seal all sheeting seams with duct tape.

(c) Misting the contaminated areas to suppress dust

(d) Removing all wet and mold-damaged porous materials

(e) Packing wet, moldy and damaged materials in plastic bags for disposal. The plastic bags should be at least 6-mil thick. Ensure the materials are double bagged and that the bags are tied to close them. Wipe the bags on the outside with a damp cloth and detergent solution and discard them in a regular trash can.

(f) Using a wire brush to clean all moldy non-porous materials and woody surfaces. The surfaces are then wiped with disposable wipes, discarded after use in 6 mil polyethylene bags, double-bagged, and tied closed.

(g) Scrubbing moldy surfaces with damp cloth and detergent solution, ensuring all mold growths are removed. The surfaces are rinsed clean with water. This is only appropriate for level 1 contamination.

For level 2, vacuum all the affected surfaces with a HEPA vacuum before cleaning the surfaces with a damp cloth and a mop with a detergent solution. 

If it is level 3, professional mold cleanup is necessary. The wipes should be discarded as described above.

(h) Conducting a visibility test on all the cleaned areas to confirm they are free of contamination and with no dust and dirt.

(i) Drying all the cleaned materials and surfaces to ensure that all leftover moisture evaporates. You can speed up the drying process by using dehumidifiers or raising the indoor air temperature.

(j) Replacing or repairing all materials that were moved.

  1. Confirm whether the mold cleanup has been successful

Now that the mold is gone and there is no dust or dirt, you need to verify that your cleanup efforts have been successful. You can do this by running various tests. Simple procedures include:

  • Checking for the absence of mold odors.
  • Checking if the moisture problem has been successfully fixed.
  • Confirming that there are no visible signs of mold and mold-damaged materials. 

For thorough testing, you should hire a professional environmental testing company to run advanced tests to rule out the presence of mold spores in your home.

Thorough, trustworthy mold removal

Would you like help with mold removal in your property, particularly widespread contamination? 

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we believe in swift, meticulous mold removal that leaves no visible mold, mold-damaged materials, moldy odors, or moisture problems.

We can help you implement a comprehensive mold remediation strategy that will ensure you occupy or re-occupy your home without adverse health problems. We will respond fast enough and do the cleanup right the first time. 

For more information on the prevention and removal of mold, call West Central Equipment and Restoration today!

How to Get Rid of Mold in Every Corner of Your House

Mold is the fungal growth that tends to appear on the surfaces of wet materials. The growth may be greenish, white or black in color, but smells musty and can potentially cause respiratory problems or even trigger allergies.

To prevent health problems and potential destruction of your property by the fungus, you should safely remove the growth as quickly as possible and in a way that prevents it from growing in the future.

Precautions during mold removal

When removing mold from any surfaces in your home you must avoid breathing in any dust or other particles from the growth. Wearing a mask or respirator is an important first step to avoid breathing in these harmful particles.

Also, ensure there is adequate ventilation and that you’re wearing protective clothing, such as gloves, goggles, boots, and disposable coveralls. And at the end of the mold cleanup, assure that your clothes are clean and mold-free before you remove them. Plus, after finishing, you should wash all exposed parts of your body thoroughly with water and soap.

Here is how to get rid of mold in every corner of your house

  1. Removing mold from wood

You may find mold on your wood cabinets, wood furniture and paneling, especially if the items are located in areas with poor ventilation and high humidity. To remove the mold from the wood, begin by scraping off the growth from the surface of the wood with a chisel or a putty knife.

After scraping, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to loosen and remove the spores and leftover debris. Then, mix a few drops of dish detergent with a gallon of water and use a soft cloth or rag to clean the surface. Don’t let the wood stay wet for too long as this could damage the finish.

  1. Getting rid of mold from fabric

Various fabrics, such as gym clothes and damp towels, can create an environment where mold can thrive if left for long. To deal with mold on fabrics, bring the items outside and brush off the excess mold to prevent spores from spreading inside your home.

If the fabrics are machine washable, rub in liquid laundry detergent and wash them on the hottest setting possible. But for fabrics that aren’t machine washable, hand washing or dry cleaning will remove the mold.

  1. Removing mold from walls and ceilings

Widespread mold growth on a porous ceiling tile calls for replacing the tile. But for only small areas of mold on walls or ceilings, you can clean the surfaces with detergent and water using a brush or sponge and then allow the surfaces to dry.

After drying, clean the surfaces again with bleach solution and water—mixing ¾ cup of chlorine bleach with a gallon of warm water and applying the water-bleach mixture on the mold stains with a brush or sponge. Allow this mixture to sit for five minutes, then scrub, rinse, and air dry.

  1. Getting rid of mold from the bathroom

Generally it’s a good idea to open the windows to allow air into the bathroom after showering.  You must ensure your bath towels are dry and used only for their purpose.

Also, dry counters and sinks with a clean towel to remove all water spots. You can install a fan to help air out of the room.  If there’s standing water in the bathroom, use a towel to remove the water.

For mold in and around grouted areas, spray the grout with a cleaner, such as bleach-and-water solution. Then, allow the solution to penetrate before you rinse—do not scrub.

For shower curtains and liners made of plastic, use a plastic mold spray to drench the items with a cleaning solution. Allow the stains to dry, and then rinse them off.

As a rule, you should clean your shower and bathtub regularly with soap and water to prevent mold from forming.

  1. Removing mold from drywall

Removing mold from the drywall can be a challenge. 

When removing mold from drywall, begin by cutting and disposing badly affected areas. Follow the removal with proper ventilation and air conditioning in the room. Then allow it to dry completely before priming and repairing.

The process will take a few days depending on the temperature outside and the humidity levels.

  1. Getting rid of mold from your basement

Your basement offers a favorable environment for mold to flourish—it is dark, damp and cool.  The first step in eliminating mold from your basement is to keep humidity levels low using a ventilation fan or dehumidifier.

The next step is to clean the area thoroughly with soap and water before applying a bleach solution or disinfectant to kill remaining spores. Special mold cleaners can help as well.

But if the mold has spread extensively, you should have a professional clean the carpeting, drywall, fabric, and other items. It’s difficult to remove mold from these items so professional cleanup is key. 

Are you a homeowner in Florida? Would you like help with mold removal from your property? At Go West Central, we offer quick, reliable and professional mold removal.  When you hire us to do the job for you, we will permanently eradicate the mold and ensure your home is protected from potential mold growths in the future.

So if you have a mold problem please call us to have it removed safely. For more information on timely, efficient mold remediation, visit the site https://gowestcentral.com

What to do when your house is flooded?

Flooding in your home is a distressing and devastating circumstance. It is never easy to see your home that you’ve worked hard on building get damaged, or worse, destroyed.

When your home gets flooded, these damages could happen in just a few hours, your drywall may begin to bulge and break, and your doors, windows, and wood flooring may swell and warp. Your cherished furniture may also suffer damages, and the metal surfaces in your home corroded.

When floodwater sits in your home for more than 24 hours, mold and mildew will also start to grow and spread, and indoor air quality will get poorer.

Getting your home flooded can lower the value of your property and quickly render the home unsafe and uninhabitable.

We can’t prevent these things from happening, especially natural disasters. But, what we can do is some damage control.

What should you do after a flood?

  1. Make sure you’re safe

When your home floods, you should first ensure your safety and that of your family. If the flooding is not severe and the home is habitable, you should still take immediate precautions to keep yourself and your family from injury within or around the property.

You can check for visible structural damage, such as cracks, warping, cracked foundation elements, and holes so that you know the safe and unsafe areas of the building.

If you suspect damage to water, gas, electric, or sewer lines, then you should call your utility company immediately.

Turn off all electrical and water sources within the home. Even if the power is not operational, it is advisable to turn off the main fuse box. This ensures everyone’s safety from electrocution.

Throw away food that has been contaminated by the water, especially if the water is high enough to reach your refrigerator or pantry cabinets.

Additionally, thoroughly wash the glasses, dishware, and flatware that might have come into contact with the floodwater.

Suppose your home is badly flooded and not habitable. In that case, you should leave and only return to deal with the aftermath when it is safe to handle the situation. Speak with your insurer about provisions the company will make for temporary housing as your home is being repaired. Plus, avoid driving through flooded areas, and use flashlights when moving around dark rooms.

When you reenter the flooded home, make sure to wear protective gear, such as rubber boots and gloves. Doing so will protect you against potential injuries and infection due to the chemicals and items the flooding may have washed in. Make sure that you’re not immersed or near the floodwater for an extended period.

  1. Stop the water

Once you are safe, the next step should be identifying the water source and stopping it from pouring in more. The sooner you stop the water from coming in, the quicker you clean up and repair the damages.

The flooding may be due to heavy rains, sewer backup, burst pipes, or a malfunctioning sump pump. If it is due to a burst pipe, you will need to fix the plumbing as quickly as possible to minimize the damage. And if it is due to a broken or malfunctioning sump pump, you will need to replace it to prevent further damage to your garage, crawl space, basement, or main floor.

No matter the cause, you should go about it quickly to minimize water damage and, in turn, make the cleanup and repair process easier and faster.

A great way of doing this is by hiring a water damage restoration service.

West Central Equipment and Restoration has vast experience handling flooding and natural disasters–skilled in identifying the water source and safely stopping the inflow.

  1. Document the damage

Before you remove the water and conduct any necessary repairs, make sure to document the damage through photos and videos. The documentation will help your insurer to understand the extent of the damage and make adequate compensation. Remember, if you begin to remove the water or make repairs before you take photos and videos of the damage, then you’re likely to lower the extent of your coverage.

It would help if you also secured your home to prevent more damage. You can do this by putting boards over broken windows and tarping the roof if it is damaged.

Again, take photographs as proof to your insurance company that you’re doing everything possible to protect your home from additional damage.

  1. Call your insurance provider

Many homeowner insurance policies cover flooding due to storms, backup city sewers and storm drains, burst pipes, and broken sump-pump.

Immediately alert your insurance provider of the flood and have a claims adjuster sent to see and assess the damage and determine if the loss is covered. You will need the insurance payout to help you get repairs and restore your home.

When you call, let your insurance company know the state of your home and any repairs you intend to make. Then follow the company’s direction about whether or not to wait for an adjuster to inspect your property before your begin any repairs. Some home insurance policies offer broader coverage ranging from home repair to reimbursements including hotel, food, and other living costs if the house is in unlivable condition.

Make sure to document the damage and the conversations at every stage of the process.

The damage documentation should include pictures and recorded videos of the building itself, the land around it, and your damaged personal possessions.

  1. Remove the water

Once you ensure no more water can come in, it is time to remove the water already inside. You may need to bail water out using bins and buckets. You can also use hoses to drain large amounts of water from your basement.

When the amount of water starts to recede, you will need to use a wet vacuum to suck out the remaining water and moisture from your carpets and floors. But if the damage is minimal, you may only need to mop the mess up.

  1. Dry up your home

With the water removed, your items will still be damp. You may need to use air conditioning and portable fans to dry the wet areas of the home. If you’re dealing with closed-up spaces such as basements and crawl spaces, you’ll need to use dehumidifiers to remove the excess moisture from the air.

  1. Do a post-flood cleanup

Now that the water is gone, the home is dry, and your insurance company has assessed the damage, it is time to do a post-flood cleanup. You can do this yourself, but it is advisable that you call in professional help.

The cleanup process involves identifying items you can salvage and throwing away all that are too damaged or no longer safe to use. You may need to remove flooring, drywall, and insulation to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Plus, you may have to dry, clean, or throw away some furniture, depending on the extent of the damage.

  1. Structural repairs and renovation

Flooding sometimes leaves behind a trail of damage. You may have broken windows as the water rushed in, broken items, or damaged flooring that needs replacing.

You may also need to have delicate equipment such as television sets, game consoles, computers, appliances, and stereos checked by a professional before plugging them back into a power source.

Likewise, you should remove harmful debris, board up windows and tarp roofs to prevent further damage.

If you suspect structural damage, you may need a flood damage restoration service to determine if the walls and floors need replacing.

A reputable restoration service such as West Central Equipment and Restoration, Lecanto, FL, will identify the cause and source of the flooding, conduct minor repairs, and refer you to a reliable contractor if there is a need for a major renovation.

  1. Mitigate mold growth

Mold growth after flooding typically begins within 24 to 48 hours.

Start by carefully poking holes at floor level in the drywall to allow water trapped behind to drain.

Remove wet contents such as bedding and carpeting. During the restoration process, items that have been wet for less than 48 hours can be salvaged.  

Before you remove any items, notify your insurance company so that you are not affecting your coverage. You should also photograph and record videos of the flood-soaked things.

It would be best to take photographs before removing wet wallboards and baseboards, as your insurer will want to see the extent of water damage to the walls.

To control mold growth, clean affected surfaces with a non-ammonia detergent or pine oil cleaner and then disinfect them with a 10% bleach solution. Test the cleaning solution on a small area of the item or the site you are cleaning to ensure it doesn’t cause staining or fading.

Get professional help

Most water damage and flood situations need an immediate response by professionals. With their skill and experience, flood restoration technicians will help stop the floodwaters quickly, minimize the water damage, and take quick, effective steps to prevent further damage. As a result, they’ll help you reduce the overall restoration cost.

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, Lecanto, Florida, we offer a 24/7 all-year flood and natural disaster restoration service. We are proud of the results we’ve achieved for our clients—stopping and extracting the water quickly, salvaging valuable items, minimizing the losses, and preventing mold growth.

We understand that flooding is a stressful and overwhelming situation that requires a well-coordinated response.

We have designed our response to be as swift and methodical as possible to help get your property back to prime condition. We will do the job and make life a lot easier for you.

Call us today through the number +1 (352)-270-8417 to learn more about how our restoration service can help you.

5 Steps to Proper Mold Removal

When water, fire, mold, dust, smoke, storms and other hazards strike your property, you could suffer a significant setback in your quality of life or business revenue. The experience is upsetting. You want to repair and restore everything as soon as possible.

Restoring property on your own can be an overwhelming job. It demands extreme effort, special equipment and a lot of time. But with the help of a professional restoration service, you can quickly and efficiently get through it with minimal disruption to your business and life.

West Central Equipment and Restoration is a trusted leader in quality restoration services in Lecanto, Florida. You can rely on us, whether you need emergency flood damage restoration, plumbing leak recovery, or carpet and upholstery maintenance cleaning. Whatever you need, we have the training, equipment, and experience to make your property feel like home again.

  1. Remarkable professionals

West Central Equipment and Restoration is a specialized service with a dedicated team of experts who get things back up and running in your home or business. We treat you and your property with respect and care. You can expect a careful inspection and a tailored revitalization plan.

We show up for all appointments on time, consider your expectations and preferences, and stay in constant communication with you until the job is done. And if you are not happy with the cleaning and restoration results, we come back and make things right. Our goal is to ensure your total satisfaction.

  1. Prompt, reliable service

Disasters call for a timely response and a quick turnaround. That’s why our team of cleaning and restoration experts is available 24/7 all year to help you recover from an unexpected water or fire-related emergency.

We provide scheduled cleaning services Monday through Friday and weekend assistance through our emergency hotline. We will work with your insurance provider to ensure that your property is quickly restored to an optimal condition.

  1. Appropriate tools and cleaning products

At West Central, we apply science, skill and cutting-edge technology to bring superior results with our restoration and cleaning services. When we arrive at your property after a disaster, you can expect a thorough inspection, the removal of non-salvageable materials, quickly pre-cleaned impacted items, and a prompt clearing up of the mess.

We use our state-of-the-art equipment—such as air scrubbers, air movers, water floor drying systems, dehumidifiers, and sub-floor drying equipment—to tackle the damage correctly and efficiently. 

We are experts in cleaning different surfaces such as granite, hardwood and glass, and we use environment-friendly, pet-friendly products that protect the health of all your family members or co-workers. 

No need to worry about cleaning old, heavy stains or facing toxic fumes because we use only the safest products.

  1. Consistently high-quality service

Depending on the amount of time and energy you have when cleaning your property, you may neglect details such as mopping bathroom floors or dusting the microwave oven. Because you spend so much time in the same space, you may overlook areas that need extra attention.

When West Central does the job, you will be surprised by the details our professionals can spot during the first walk-through. We will send 2 or 3 skilled technicians to your home or office, depending on the layout of your home. Our restoration experts will inspect every nook and cranny and clean the entire space thoroughly.

What services do we offer?

  1. Water damage restoration

Water damage is more common than you might think. It could be a result of unexpected flooding, frozen pipe, broken pipe, or sewage backup in your home or office.

At West Central, we are fully equipped with the proper training, tools and equipment to quickly extract water and dry affected areas of your building. Our certified professionals will use the best equipment and drying processes to get your home back to normal within a short time.

  1. Fire damage, smoke, and soot restoration

Whatever the size of the fire disaster, we are dedicated to ensuring that you get your property back to its best condition possible. Our focus on training ensures we have the expertise and skills needed to promptly restore your property after a fire disaster. We do everything possible to leave your home free from smoke, soot or unpleasant odor after a fire.

  1. Mold remediation

You may have mold growth in your home due to poor air circulation, the presence of moisture, or the type of building materials used. When moisture is present, mold can grow and colonize your home.

If you are experiencing increased severity of allergies, living with a musty odor, or have mold growth on your walls, furniture or floors, then you should give our mold remediation team a call. We will remedy the situation and work with you to prevent future mold growth.

  1. HVAC and air duct cleaning

Are you suffering from allergies, asthma, headaches or frequent respiratory ailments due to excessive dust in your home? In an airtight home, indoor air quality is significantly lowered, and your household dust may contain dust mites, mold, mildew, pollen or animal dander.

Unfortunately, many of these contaminants are circulated through the central air system in your home and can aggravate asthma, allergies, and respiratory illnesses.

West Central has powerful state-of-the-art extraction machines to help clean your ducts and ensure improved indoor air quality. We have certified duct cleaning technicians to complete the job effectively.

  1. Residential cleaning

Minor mishaps happen at home. Your kids spill drinks, your pets have accidents, and your home gets dirty. At one time or another, you may need cleaning services ranging from air duct cleaning, rug and upholstery cleaning, carpet cleaning, stain removal, odor removal, debris removal, asbestos abatement, or the removal of biohazard contaminants.

West Central can ease the burden of maintaining your home. We have the expertise and equipment to make your house feel like home again by creating a safe, clean, and comfortable living environment for your family.

  1. Commercial restoration and cleaning

A water, mold, or fire disaster can disrupt the operation of your business. But a professional restoration and cleaning service will get you up and running again with minimal impact on your daily business activities.

At West Central, we pride ourselves on being a commercial restoration company you can trust. We will make sure you know our restoration plan for your business from the start of the cleaning and recovery process to the end. 

Call West Central and do it right

When it comes to disaster recovery, time is of the essence. The longer you wait, the more costly it gets. You have to find professionals who will do the job right away and do it right the first time. 

When you hire us, you get:

  1.   Highly trained restoration technicians
  2.   Thorough inspection of areas to be cleaned
  3.   Advanced restoration and cleaning equipment
  4.   Faster response to any size disaster
  5.   Experienced navigation of the insurance process
  6.   Professional service
  7.   Expert advice
  8.   Guaranteed results

We are currently serving Lecanto, Florida, for jobs large and small. Whether you want to quickly dry your carpet after substantial water damage or treat a property for mold removal, our experts will effectively tackle your task while keeping you up to date on any crucial changes. We are available 24/7 all year with our friendly dispatchers and technicians on-call at all times.

For more information, call West Central Equipment and Restoration at (352) 270-8417.

What You Need to Know About Mold Growth in Your Home

Key takeaways

  • Mold is a type of fungal growth that develops on damp materials and areas, and can cause significant damage, losses, and health effects when found indoors.
  • Exposure to mold can lead to various health issues, including nasal and sinus congestion, eye irritation, skin irritation, respiratory problems and more. People with severely suppressed immune systems or existing respiratory conditions are particularly susceptible.
  • To prevent mold growth, it is important to identify and control sources of moisture in your home, such as roof leaks, indoor plumbing leaks, and poor ventilation. Regular cleaning and repair of gutters, proper ventilation of heating and cooking appliances, and keeping air-conditioning and heating systems in good working order can also help prevent mold growth.”
What You Need to Know About Mold Growth in Your Home

Mold is a fungal growth that develops on damp materials and areas. Also called mildew, mold is a natural part of the environment. It helps break down and digest dead organic matter, such as fallen leaves, grass, vegetation, and trees.

However, mold growth indoors must be avoided as it can cause massive damage, losses, and adverse health effects.

Can mold make your family sick?

Although some people are more sensitive to mold exposure than others, extensive indoor mold contamination leads to health problems.

For example, some molds produce harmful chemicals called mycotoxins. Exposure to high levels of mycotoxins can cause neurological problems and death.

Health issues related to mold exposure include:

  1. Nasal and sinus congestion
  2. Eye irritation
  3. Skin irritation such as a rash
  4. Runny nose and persistent sneezing
  5. Itchy, red, watery eyes
  6. Respiratory problems like cough, chest tightness, wheezing and difficulty breathing, or throat irritation

While infections and illnesses due to mold exposure are rare, people with severely suppressed immune systems, such as HIV/AIDS, organ transplant patients, or chemotherapy patients, can have severe illnesses when exposed to mold. People with existing respiratory conditions like asthma, chronic lung disease, allergies, and emphysema are also very susceptible.

What causes mold growth indoors?

Molds reproduce through tiny, lightweight spores that float and travel through the air. When the spores settle on damp surfaces, they begin to grow within 24 to 48 hours. As they grow, they spread and eventually damage adjacent organic materials.

The spores require sufficient moisture, proper nutrients, and optimum temperature to grow into new mold colonies. This means most indoor mold growths are due to the presence of water or moisture resulting from incomplete drying of flooring materials, flooding, or leaky roofs.

The moisture may also be due to poor building maintenance, indoor plumbing problems, or condensation of surfaces cooler than the moisture-laden air.

Because mold growth requires food sources, they grow on cellulose-based building materials like plywood, furring strips, drywalls, finish carpentry, wood framing, cabinetry, composite wood flooring, carpets, and carpet padding. Plus, in carpets, an organic load such as dust and cellulose provides the food they need to grow.

Where does mold grow?

Mold grows in areas with a lot of moisture. You will find their colonies around leaks in roofs, windows, seals of refrigerator doors, pipes, areas previously flooded, and the surfaces of and around air conditioners. You can also find mold growths on bathroom tiles, shower stalls, shower curtains, paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, drywall, carpet, insulation, paints, fabric, and upholstery.

How do you know if mold is in your home?
As molds grow, they produce a musty odor that spreads throughout your home. So one of the easiest ways to tell that mold is in your home is the stuffy odor produced by the fungi.

You can also detect mold growth by its appearance. As molds grow, they spread as a fuzzy, discolored, or slimy patch that increases in size. You can check for signs of mold-related warping, staining, or patches underneath surfaces such as walls, carpets, cabinets, and wallpaper.

How do you prevent mold growth?

Because mold flourishes in places with moisture, you need to identify and control water problems in your home. Some of the most common sources of moisture include roof leaks, indoor plumbing leaks, and outdoor drainage problems.

Moisture may also come from wet clothes drying inside your home, clothes dryer venting indoors, poor or improper ventilation of heating and cooking appliances, and humidifiers. Likewise, increased indoor moisture may be a result of steam from the bathroom or kitchen, condensation on cool surfaces, and damp basements and crawl spaces.

To prevent mold growth, you should clean and repair roof gutters, keep air-conditioning drip pans clean, dry areas of moisture or condensation, and ensure adequate ventilation. Plus, you should keep drainage lines clear and treat affected surfaces with fungicidal encapsulation coating after cleaning.

How do you get rid of mold?

a. Moisture control
Identify and correct any sources of water, dampness, or new mold growth. Pay more attention to high moisture areas such as bathrooms.

b. Discard porous materials
If there is extensive mold growth on a certain porous material, such as drywall, ceiling tile, paper, or carpeting, discard the material. You should also discard all wet materials that you cannot clean or dry thoroughly.

c. Proper cleaning of surfaces
For hard surfaces that are not decayed or rotten, you can clean them with soap and water. Only clean the areas yourself if they are small and pose no risk of spreading mold spores to other areas.

If you realize that the moisture cannot be practically eliminated from affected materials, use diluted chlorine bleach—1 cup bleach in 5 gallons of water—to control mold growth. But when using the bleach or any cleaner, make sure to allow enough ventilation to prevent eye, throat or nose irritation.

d. Hire a certified remediation specialist
If mold colonies have spread in your home and covered larger areas (at least 10 feet), call a certified mold remediation expert to help. You should also hire an expert if you are highly sensitive to mold.

Exceptional Residential Mold Remediation

Have you noticed signs of mold growth in your property? Do you need professional intervention to resolve the problem permanently?

Call West Central Equipment and Restoration to help you with mold cleaning.

At West Central in Lecanto, Florida, we will respond quickly to assess your indoor environment, clean the mold, remove badly damaged items, eliminate spores, and restore healthy indoor air quality.

We make sure to permanently eliminate any traces of mold through efficient techniques such as dry brushing of solid wood surfaces, wet vacuuming of wet materials, damp wiping with water and detergent, and HEPA vacuuming to eliminate all spores from your home. Plus, we use safe, effective antifungal solutions.

If you have specific concerns or need assistance with mold removal in Lecanto, Florida, call us anytime day or night at (352) 270-8417.

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