Catalyst Mold Solutions

Technology advances have changed the way our homes operate. From voice activated lights to smart-phone controlled thermostats, we've taken being comfortable in our homes to a whole new level. One big advance is in more energy-efficient homes. While they're great for cutting down on your electric bill, there are some disadvantages. Unfortunately, these energy efficient homes don't help with mold prevention in Southwest Florida. Energy-Efficient Homes  Who doesn't want to conserve more energy? It lowers your utility bills and makes it easier to keep your home at your desired temperature level. These "energy-efficient" homes are very well-insulated to help keep the heat or cold from escaping outside. The only problem is that sometimes that insulation does it's job too well. Having better insulation comes with the price of poor ventilation. Moisture Control  In a regular home, air circulation allows for any accumulated moisture to dry pretty quickl...

One common question that people ask about mold is if the mold that grows on your food is the same as the mold that grows in your home. The answer isn't quite a simple yes or no. There are over 100,000 different species of mold. Not all food mold is the same type of mold, and neither is the mold growing in buildings. Keep reading to learn about the similarities and differences between food mold and household mold. Food Mold  You see something green and fuzzy on your food and your first instinct is to throw it away. Mold on food is rarely a good thing. Mold spores are in the air all the time, and when one falls on a piece of food, it searches for water and nutrients to feed off of. As the spore takes root, it begins to multiply and spread quickly on the surface. Food mold feeds itself by releasing chemicals that break down the food, making it rot. In some cases, mold can form in a matter of 12-24 hours. Other times it can take weeks. Not all food mold is the same type of mold ...

Improper air ventilation in your home can lead to a variety of problems, including mold growth. Ventilation is key to controlling the humidity in your home, and the humidity levels are directly related to mold growth, as mold need moisture to thrive. Keep reading to learn more about proper air ventilation in your home from the best mold remediation company in Cape Coral . Ventilation and Moisture  Well-ventilated homes ensure that the air is constantly moving. The vents also push the air outdoors. This allows the air to escape rather than building up in the home. If the air can't escape, the moisture in the air can condense on surfaces, creating a moisture-filled environment perfect for mold to grow in. Moisture control is the most important thing you can do to prevent mold from taking up residence in your home. Signs of Improper Ventilation  Understanding how your home is ventilated is key for preventing mold growth in your home. Some signs you can watch for that ...

When you have a mold problem in your home, it's important to address the problem immediately. You want to keep the mold from spreading throughout the structure of your home and you also want to protect your family from the health issues associated with mold. When it comes to Florida mold removal , you want a professional you can trust. Today's blog offers some tips for choosing the best mold remediation contractor in Florida for the job. Be sure to ask these questions before hiring a contractor. 1. Is the Company Licensed?  One of the first things you'll want to make sure of before you hire someone for mold remediation is that they have a license to do so. Ask for proof of licensing and make sure the company you're working with is legitimate.  Catalyst Mold Solutions is your state certified mold remediator and assessor servings the state of Florida. Our state license numbers are: MRSR 1536, MRSA 2136. 2. Is the Company Insured?  Every business needs to c...

You've got mold in your home. You called a professional mold company in Cape Coral . Now what? When it comes to removing mold from your home, there are several different steps that a Florida mold remediation company will take. Keep reading to learn more about what to expect during the mold remediation process. 1. Assess the Situation.  The first step in the mold remediation process is to assess the situation. Where is the mold located? How big of an area has it affected? Once your mold professional has seen the area, a plan can be made for how to proceed. Depending on how large the affected area is, a different approach to remediation will be used. In some major cases, the family may need to relocate while the project is being completed. 2. Remove the Mold.  Any wet or mold-damaged porous material will need to be removed. If mold has taken up residence on a piece of drywall or sheet rock, that material will need to be removed. Sometimes the mold is contained to a s...

With all the rain and tropical storms we experience here in Florida, mold is a common issue among homes in this area. Unfortunately, mold removal is not any easy task and should be done by a professional. Depending on the severity of the mold problem, this can be an expensive process. Does your insurance cover Florida mold remediation ? Now's the time to find out! Homeowners Insurance Not all homeowners insurance policies are alike. Therefore, it's important that you don't just assume you're covered, only to find out your not when an issue arises. Mold is a tricky subject when it comes to insurance, but there are some instances where it could be covered. Generally, when the cause of mold is due to an incident that is covered by your homeowners policy, the mold removal will be covered as well. For example, if mold growth is the result of a burst pipe, your homeowners policy will likely cover all damages associated with that incident. However, if mold has grow...

One of the most common places for mold to form in your home is the bathroom. Due to the high levels of moisture in bathrooms, it's an ideal place for mold to take up residence. Today's blog from Catalyst Mold Solutions discusses a few tips that can help you keep your bathroom mold free! 1. Ensure Your Bathroom is Properly Ventilated.  Bathrooms that lack proper ventilation are especially prone to mold problems. Ideally, a bathroom should have ventilation from a window and a fan. Every time you take a bath or shower, you'll want to turn on a ventilation fan. Be sure to keep it on for at least 30 minutes after your shower or bath to ensure the excess moisture is removed. You might also consider using a dehumidifier in all areas of your home to ensure humidity levels stay low throughout your home.  2. Routinely Clean and Dry Your Bathroom.  Mold can grow on any and all surfaces in your bathroom. Common places include the sink and counters, inside the showe...

Mold likes to breed in moist areas of your home because it needs that moisture to get established, grow and reproduce. Longstanding moisture or high humidity conditions go hand in hand with mold. In order to prevent mold from growing in your home, you have to prevent that buildup of moisture. Today's blog focuses on some of the common breeding grounds for mold, those areas of your home that typically see quite a bit of moisture. 1. Improperly Flashed or Caulked Windows Windows often experience condensation, and when those windows aren't properly flashed or caulked, moisture can seep into the surrounding wood, drywall and insulation. 2. The Attic Near Air-Conditioning Duct Joints Air-conditioning ducts, especially those running through a hot attic, can create a moist environment perfect for mold growth. If those duct joints start leaking, that moisture build up in your attic can lead to mold. In the tropical environment of Florida, this is a common issue because air ...

You suspect mold growth in your home. Maybe it's because you've seen an increase in allergy symptoms with no explanation or you recently had a water leak that left any area of your home wet for days. No matter the reason you suspect the mold, it's important you conduct a mold test to determine what's really going on. Mold can not only impact the health of your family, but also the health of your home. While they do sell mold tests at your local home improvement stores, you should consider hiring a professional mold testing company in Florida instead. Here's why: Interpreting the Mold Test Results  You bought the mold test kit and followed the instructions. Now what? As someone who's likely never dealt with mold, you don't know how to interpret the results. Mold samples are often misleading, and it's important that you have a professional interpret the results for you so that you fully understand what you're dealing with in regard to mold in y...

During construction on a new home, addition or remodel, it can be difficult to keep the area dry. Moisture in your construction environment needs to be avoided in order to prevent water damage to materials, as well as the development of mold. Keep reading to learn about several ways that you can prevent mold during your construction project. 1. Landscape to Direct Rain Water Away.  Before even starting your construction project, you should think about the landscaping. By grading the land to redirect rain water away from where the foundation will be, you'll be able to decrease the risk of water damage to the foundation, as well as mold development. Mold spores are everyone, so the key to preventing mold growth in your construction site is to keep moisture out. 2. Thoroughly Inspect Building Materials.  While your construction site may be located in a dry climate, the materials could be coming from somewhere else. Upon delivery of your construction materials, it's im...

Often times, mold can grow for awhile undetected. This is scary because mold can cause a variety of health issues, as well as structure issues in your home. Below you'll find several signs that you may be experiencing a mold issue in your home - and it might be time to call the best mold company in Cape Coral . 1. You Experience Increased Allergy Symptoms. One of the first and maybe somewhat subtle signs of a mold issue in your home is increased allergy symptoms. If you notice more frequent sore throats, coughing, sneezing, etc. among your family members, hidden mold could be the culprit. This is especially true if you haven't been around anyone else that was sick, and if the symptoms don't seem to be dissipating in a normal amount of time. 2. You Notice a Musty or Mildew Smell. If you notice an odd smell, like a musty or mildew smell, there's likely a problem, and it could be a mold problem. The best case scenario is that you simple have some spoiled food si...

So you've found mold in your home. What do you do now? Rather than jumping on the internet to find some fast DIY mold removal options, consider hiring a professional mold removal company in Southwest Florida . Keep reading to find out why. 1. To Find the Source of the Mold.  While a little DIY mold cleaning could get rid of any visible mold in your home, it could easily come back if you don't find the source. Mold is known for hiding in walls and other places that aren't visible without some searching. You may spend days or even weeks cleaning mold off your walls, but one missed colony can cause all that hard work to go to waste. Experienced mold professionals know where to look for mold, how to detect it and what to do when they find it.  2. To Use the Proper Equipment.  A professional mold company in Cape Coral will already have all the necessary equipment to test for mold, remove the mold and prevent mold from reappearing. They use state-of-the-art e...

Mold needs moisture to grow and thrive. Prevent excess moisture in your home and you can prevent the development of mold. In today's blog we discuss ways to prevent the formation of an environment prone to mold growth. Catalyst Mold  is here to not only help you with mold removal and mold remediation in the Cape Coral area , but to educate on how you can prevent mold in your home. 1. Make Sure Your Home is Properly Ventilated.  If your home is not properly ventilated, simple home activities can lead to the development of mold in your home. Moisture can be created when cooking dinner, taking a shower or doing a load of laundry. You want to make sure that those areas of your home have the ventilation required to remove that moisture from your home. Make sure that appliances such as your clothes dryer and stove are vented to the exterior of your home, not the attic. In addition, consider opening a window or running an exhaust fan when you are cooking or showering. Mold req...

Mold in a building can lead to a variety of issues from the health of the people exposed to the structural integrity of the building itself. When mold is found, it's crucial to get it removed, by a professional mold remediation company in Florida , as soon as possible. Here are a few reasons why it's important to have mold removed from your home, office or other building. 1. To Protect Your Health. The most important reason that you'll want to have mold removed from your home as soon as it's detected is because it can cause health problems for you, your family, your pets, your employees, your coworkers, etc. Mold can cause respiratory problems, coughing, headaches and more. If you're allergic to mold, the symptoms associated with mold exposure can be even worse. Even just a small amount of mold can lead to health problems. To learn more about the health risks of mold exposure, check out our previous blog, " Health Hazards of Mold in Your Home ." 2....

Whether you're allergic to mold or not, exposure to mold can cause irritation to your eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs. By educating ourselves on the common ways that mold can form in our homes, we can better prevent mold growth, and therefore, mold exposure for ourselves and our families.  1. Roof Leak.  Whether it's the result of storm damage or just an old, worn out roof, a roof leak that goes unnoticed can easily lead to mold growth. Excessive moisture in your attic offers the perfect environment for mold to develop and grow. The best thing you can do to prevent mold due to a roof leak is to check your attic regularly, and have your roof regularly inspected by a professional.  2. Leaking Pipe.  A leaky pipe is also a common cause of mold growth in homes. Those leaks that go undetected for long periods of time can cause moisture build up that leads to mold problems. In order to prevent these problems, it's important to regularly inspect your pip...

Mold remediation and mold removal is a job for antimicrobials. Keep reading to learn all about antimicrobials and how our Cape Coral mold company uses them to protect you and your home from the dangerous effects of mold. What is an Antimicrobial? Antimicrobial is a term used to describe substances which demonstrate the ability to reduce the presence of microbes, such as bacteria and mold. Many substances can be described as antimicrobials, such as disinfectants and antibiotics. While many substances can be antimicrobial, they are not all the same in the way they function, perform or last. Antimicrobials can be divided into two major categories: bound and unbound. These terms refer to whether or not the antimicrobial has the capacity to molecularly bond to the surface on which it is applied. Unbound Antimicrobials When it comes to safety concerns, such as mold exposure, an unbound antimicrobial has the greater potential because it must diffuse or leach from the treated surfac...