Why Choose Hrs Restoration Services
The HRS Restoration Services team is certified, trained, and has years of experience in mold remediation and restoration. We provide top-notch customer service and can get your home or business back to a pristine and safe state.
For nearly forty years, HRS Restoration Services has been quick to respond when an emergency strikes.
Test Your Homes Air Quality
I want you to test your indoor air quality. Some home inspectors offer Indoor Air Quality assessments. During these inspections, a home inspector will go through the entire home and identify potential indoor air quality risks, including moisture issues that can lead to mold.
Professional home inspectors can also take indoor air samples. These are then sent to a certified lab for analysis. They can even give you a mold spore count and send you a report with results.
The Effects Of Mold On Your Health
Mold spores are an ever-present part of our environment and usually pose no real threat. However, once they find a warm, damp spot to grow in they can quickly become a health problem in the home. The Environmental Protection Agency tells us that exposure to molds can cause a host of issues, including:
Its been shown that individuals who suffer from asthma are particularly vulnerable to the effects of mold and mildew. And in some cases, children exposed to mold as infants have a higher chance of developing asthma before the age of seven.
Mold also degrades what it grows on which gets steadily more problematic as it spreads. Therefore, to avoid health issues as well as damage to your home and its contents, its worth eliminating mold and mildew as soon as you detect them.
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How To Get Rid Of Mold Smell
Have you identified a musty odor and are wondering how to get rid of mold smell? This unpleasant aroma doesnt go away easily, and spraying an air freshener will only help temporarily. Once you detect the odor, the key is to look for the mold colony.
Although spores arent causing the awful scent, they generally come as a package. Spores travel through the air and potentially into your lungs. Therefore, removing that mold smell isnt only necessary for fragrance purposes but also to keep you and your family in good health.
Clearing mold isnt as simple as a regular cleaning session some precautions are required. Weve outlined the best substances and techniques to eliminate mold smell to make the removal task faster.
How To Get Rid Of Smells In A House From Previous Owners: Easy Odor Removal
Light odors from a refrigerator that wasnt properly cleaned or a trash bag that hung around too long are easy to combat.
First, remove the offending source, if its still around. After youve cleaned the area, neutralize the odor with these common odor-removal items:
- Baking soda: Open a container and place it in the area where the smell originated.
- Coffee grounds: Put used coffee grounds in shallow bowls and place around your house. The coffee grounds will absorb and eliminate smells.
- White vinegar: Bowls of white vinegar can act as an odor neutralizer.
- Apple cider vinegar: If the sink has an odor, it is likely to be coming from the drain. Pouring apple cider vinegar down the drain will eliminate the smell.
Recommended Reading: How Do You Kill Mold With Vinegar
Open Your Doors And Windows
Why Does Mold Grow Behind Wallpaper
Mold can grow behind wall paper due to the trapping over moisture. This is especially true in bathrooms where there is constantly a dew point created. The presence of a leak can accelerate mold growth behind wallpaper as well.
These problems can remain hidden for a long time because
Who thinks to actually look behind there?
I mean, you have to start removing wall paper just to see whats going on.
That means if you ever had a leak in an area with wallpaper or humidity issues , the source of your mold smell may be mold trapped behind wall paper.
Taking moisture readings with a moisture meter may be a good first step. If your walls have been holding moisture for a long time, you may want to pull back the wall paper to further investigate.
Mold In The Air Conditioning System
Mold can grow on just about any porous material that is wet, but microbial growth can also form on one very important fixture in your home.
Your air conditioning system.
If you have cental HVAC, an air conditioning system involves three separate components:
- The compressor which is generally outside
- The air handler which is generally indoors where usually the blower and coils are located
- The Ductwork which is how the air is distributed throughout the home
Here is what you must know:
Mold generally wont grow on most building material that makes up your air conditioning system.
The reason why is because most items arent porous.
That being said
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How To Get Rid Of Mold Smell In Your Home
The first step to getting rid of that mildew odor is finding the source. Scour your home for any evidence of rotting wood or mold growth.
You might have hidden places where you cant see it, but if theres a damp or wet area, chances are good there could be some mold hiding out.
If you have a great sense of smell, you should be able to follow any moldy odors to track it down.
Hydrogen Peroxide And Baking Soda
Hydrogen peroxide can be found in many homes to clean wounds and cuts. But it also has other helpful uses, including mold-killing properties.
Active Properties
Hydrogen peroxide is an inexpensive yet efficient method of getting rid of mold . Its also easily found in pharmacies and stores within the health department.
Acting as a bleaching agent, its specifically potent at cleaning permeable surfaces. Compared to chlorine, it carries the significant advantage that the ingredients water and oxygen arent harmful .
Although you can use hydrogen peroxide alone, its often combined with baking soda. Baking soda is generally known to remove foul odors and decrease moisture. This makes it a great ingredient to add to a natural mold-killing cleaning product .
Mold-Killing Cleaning Spray
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Mold In Crawl Space
How Do I Remove It
If youre wondering how to get rid of white mold in your crawl space, youll need to assess the size of the problem. With a small emerging issue, you might be able to take care of it yourself, but you should not attempt anything over 30 square feet.
Use Personal Protective Equipment , even for small jobs. Youll need an N95 mask, gloves, and googles as a minimum since mold in the air can be as much as 10 to 1,000 times higher during removal/cleaning.
If the mold is on soil, and only a few square feet, you can dig down an inch to remove the affected area. After removal of the dirt, consider the installation of a plastic vapor barrier to help prevent reoccurrence.
Bleach may kill the mold but it doesnt prevent the spores from being airborne and you dont want to use bleach on porous materials. This action starves the mold of its food source.
How To Clean Mold From Front Load Washer Gasket
Your washing machine can be a haven for mold, and the front load gasket is usually the first place it appears. Prevention is better than cure, so try to reduce the risk of mold by wiping the gasket between loads to keep it clean and dry. Use a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to clean the gasket on a regular basis to remove mold and prevent it from returning.
Related: How to clean your washing machine
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How To Deodorize A House Affected By Decomposition Odor
One of the most severe smells comes from the decomposition of human or animal bodies. Check out our tips to remove these odors from your home:
- Dead body odors If the issue involves a deceased person, get professional assistance. After the proper authorities have removed the body, cleaning and decontaminating the fluids come under Occupational Safety and Health Administration , Blood and Other Potentially Infectious Material regulations. These regulations specify the training, equipment, safety issues, and products that must be used to safely remove and decontaminate an area damaged by BOPIM. Professional restoration companies follow these regulations to safely decontaminate areas where decomposition took place.
- Dead animal odors In case the source of decomposition is a small animal, such as a rodent, the approach is similar to removing pet urine or skunk spray. Wear protective gear first, clean and sanitize non-porous and semi-porous material, and discard damaged absorbent material. Semi-porous and nonporous materials need to be thoroughly cleaned and then sanitized with a disinfectant. Over-the-counter disinfectants are very effective and will result in a clean and sanitary surface.
When youre not sure what to do when confronted with an odor problem, contact a restoration professional right away, before the problem worsens. For any odor removal situation, call your local PuroClean office.
Mold Is Only The Symptom
The only effective way to control biological air contaminants like molds, fungi, bacteria, and dust mites is by tackling the cause. Eliminate the sources of moisture and reduce humidity in your home! Repair any water leaks in the roof, walls or basement. Prevent condensation on walls and windows by maintaining a low relative humidity in your home, ideally 30â50 percent . Humidity levels are measured by hygrometers available in hardware stores.
Cooking and bathing may add 3 gallons of water each day to the indoor air install exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms.
Also Check: Cleaning Mildew Off Leather
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Tips To Get Rid Of Old
Whether youre buying or selling a home, if theres one thing that can put a wrench in things, its the old-house smell. Musty and distinctive, theres no escaping it, and its often the first thing that hits you as you walk through the door.
Fortunately, a little know-how is a powerful thing, and no matter how potent a smell is, theres always a way to get rid of it. Here are 10 tips to get rid of the old-house smell from your home.
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Where To Check For Mold In Your Kitchen
From long-forgotten leftovers in the back of your fridge to the not so easily forgotten dishes that pile up in the sink, there are ample surfaces for mold to take up residence in your kitchen. The added levels of humidity from using the stove and running hot water from the sink can cause kitchen mold to grow quickly. Some of the most common places to check for mold in the kitchen include:
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Is There A Permanent Solution
Mould thrives in damp conditions where there is plenty of moisture to evaporate into the air and raise the humidity levels. If you want to eradicate those musty odours you must ensure your property is properly ventilated. Electric fans extract excess moisture and remove it from your home so mould cannot grow.
A whole house ventilation system will reduce and control the humidity levels within the home. Ventilation fans will diminish damp and condensation and prevent mould problems, leaving the air inside your home clean and fresh, free from musty smells.
So if you are noticing a musty smell in your home its time to act get in touch with a member of our team and we can arrange a free home survey.
How To Remove Other Smells In Your Home
Bad odors also linger in places like the kitchen, basement, and bathroom. They permeate areas such as carpets, fabrics, and your pets favorite spots. Here are budget-friendly tips for eliminating bad odors from various areas in your home:
- Remove the source of the smell. To truly fix the odor issue, identify the problem and fix it. For instance, fixing the plumbing could stop the bad smells from permeating your home.
- Wash hard surfaces, such as countertops, tables, hard floors, and walls. Use either your favorite cleaner or a mixture of half water, half white vinegar.
- Clean carpets and fabrics:
- For carpets, a simple way to eliminate odor is to use baking soda, a natural deodorizer. After the carpet is dry, sprinkle baking soda on it, then allow the baking soda to sit overnight. The next day, remove the baking soda with a vacuum cleaner.
- On upholstery, use white vinegar to absorb the odor. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spritz it on the upholstery. Wait until the vinegar air-dries. The strong smell of vinegar, along with the musty odors, will be gone once it has dried.
Also Check: Who To Call For Black Mold Inspection
How To Get Rid Of Damp Mould Smell In Your House
Is your home suffering from a funky, damp, and musty odour?
Dont worry, for Star Domestic Cleaners is here to help!
As a professional cleaning company, we know how to eradicate the damp smell once and for all. If you need help, check our cleaning deals and contact us today!
Mildew scent is unpleasant, potentially harmful to your health, that of your close ones, especially when moving in a new property with children and family! Also, its easy to get used to a musty odour due to air conditioning in a property.
When To Hire A Professional
Mold smells can be more challenging to remove than we may think. When done improperly, one can spread the colonies instead of eradicating them. Here are a few situations when its best to call a professional to help:
- No visual: If you can smell the mold but cant find the source.
- Medium molded area: If mold has expanded over 10 to 30 square feet, a professional should assess the situation and make recommendations.
- Large molded area: A qualified person should tackle the task if mold covers over 30 square feet. You may also want to address the insulation issue .
- Mold keeps growing back: There may be hidden spores that keep reviving the colony.
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How To Get Rid Of Musty Smell In A Basement
Basements present the perfect conditions for mold and mildew growth. Fungi needs only dampness and darkness in order to thrive. Once the musty or mildew smell develops it can quickly seep into drapes, carpets, and other fabrics. Getting the odors can be difficult.
You must first locate the source of your moldy odor. Sometimes cleaning is not enough and you want to avoid just covering up the smell. When warmer air from upstairs flows into your basement, the moisture condenses and lands on the basement floors, walls, and pipes. Mold can quickly form.
Look for other sources such as a bad window seal, or crack in your foundation or leaky washing machine. Make any necessary repairs and then use a dehumidifier and fans to dry up any moisture.
Insulate your pipes if appropriate.
Get rid of any visible mold. Pour straight white vinegar into a spray bottle and heavily mist the entire area with windows open and air circulating. Allow it to dry.
You can also lift the odor by placing bowls of white vinegar or baking soda in open containers throughout the basement to absorb the smell. Let it sit for a few days.
If you have not seen any other leaks, and you have thoroughly cleaned the area, and lifted the smell, you should be all set.
Cleaning Mold And Mildew
Once youve located moldy areas in your home and eliminated their moisture source, youll need to clean the area thoroughly. Household bleach is one of the most efficient ways to clean and kill mold and mildew just be sure to wear adequate protective clothing and work in a well-ventilated space.
If you prefer a more natural route, then white vinegar will prove to be your best friend. Spray down the area with a strong vinegar solution and let it sit for a while, after which you can give it a scrub with a little baking soda. This cleaning duo is safe and effective for pretty much every room in the house and helps to eliminate lingering odors.
If the moldy area is more than 10 square feet, however, you may want to consider calling in a team of mold cleanup specialists. This is also true if your HVAC system is infected, or if the mold has taken hold in hard-to-reach areas such as ceilings.
Also Check: How To Cure Mold On Plants
