MOLD / FUNGUS
We take mold very seriously and will act with the utmost priority in handling any substantiated mold concerns since mold can cause unpleasant odors, damage to walls and floors, and even a host of health problems. It is important to know that household mold primarily thrives in damp, humid areas such as basements, showers and areas around heating and cooling appliances. Mold can grow anywhere it can find oxygen, moisture, and organic material. Mold strains are found particularly in damp, humid areas of the home, most commonly in basements and bathrooms. At Home Remedies :
The best way to guard against mold in your house is to ensure there are no active leaks or areas where moisture is collecting regularly. Ventilation is also very important, more so than any other methods to prevent mold growth, especially in your bathroom. They are notorious for this due to the constant humidity from using plumbing fixtures (shower, bath, sink). Opening a window and/or using the vent fan for about 10-15 mins after use will go a long way in preventing a potential mold issue. Special Note on Bathrooms : Mold in bathrooms tend to be eradicated easier than the hardier kinds found in basements and crawl spaces. Such mold removal can even be achieved without using harsh chemicals. Using vinegar will create an environment too acidic for mold to survive, so applying a coat of it to your shower stall or bathroom floor can work to eradicate existing mold and prevent future growth. Simply mix three parts vinegar and two parts water in a spray bottle, spray on, let dry, then wipe clean after an hour or so. An application once every 1 – 2 weeks should be sufficient to keep bathroom mold at bay. Although these types of mold are not serious, life threatening strains, it is still unsightly and can cause minor to moderate health issues. Possible side effects include nasal and sinus congestion, runny nose, respiratory problems (wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, cough, throat irritation, sneezing fits) chronic tiredness, itchy eyes, and headaches. Important! Since these symptoms are common and could be linked to other health issues identifying that there is, in fact, mold somewhere is necessary to correctly diagnose a mold problem and treat it immediately.For non-toxic species of mold and less severe mold growth, there are many DIY solutions for prevention and control. Hard surfaces, such as tile, linoleum, bathtubs, etc… can be treated with a borax and water solution, vinegar, or by using commercial products containing ammonia and bleach (we do not recommend using bleach for safety reasons). Special Note on Basements : Mold in the basement is a common problem, but by understanding how to identify problem areas and prevent and control mold growth, you can avoid the unhealthy spread of basement mold and subsequent service appointments.
Here is a link to the CDC’s website on mold
Mold Prevention : we usually apply special paint in a bathroom that has no vent fan, or most times even with a vent fan, to impede and prevent future mold growth and service calls. To achieve this, we use semi gloss paint and mix in a mold prevention additive. ELECTRICAL How To: Check your circuit breakers or GFI outlets
FURNACE It is very common that many of our service calls in this area of repair come back as “user error” that result in an unfortunate chargeback to the tenant . To avoid this, there are a couple quick tests you should run at home first. These tests should only take about 5 – 10 minutes!
Test #1
Double check the following before requesting service for your furnace. If you are unsure how to check, please click on the link for a quick informational video:
Test #2
This is an audio test based on what you hear coming from your furnace. Once your thermostat is seat to heat and fan set to auto (digital), or if you have a dial thermostat and the dial is set to a temperature that is higher than the current interior temperature, pay attention to any noise you hear from your furnace. For example, do you hear the fan come on immediately, or after a short period of time? Do you hear other noises, and how loud or frequent are they?
*Please understand that after-hours or weekend repairs are not guaranteed outside of extreme emergencies. It is likely that necessary parts for repair are not available on weekends or after hours, so try to plan accordingly.
Description*
Let Pictures Speak for You! We have seen higher rates of one time trips recently with the photo uploader option and we want to share those results with you. Please feel free to upload any pictures you may have!
Troubleshooting*
Do We Have Permission to Enter?* Disclaimer – 24 Hour Notice of Intent to Enter:
Do You Have Any Pets?* (For the well being of all parties, our policy states that we will not enter the premises unless your pet(s) are contained, staying elsewhere, or muzzled, unless we are legally obligated to enter.)
Final Note We want to deliver the best service possible. If you have certain scheduling requirements, specific access details, or scheduling preferences, please share any additional information here thank you!
All Done! Please press the submit button for your request. We have also included information from previous cases related to your request to help diagnose the issue, any future issue and to assist in avoiding tenant charge backs that could possibly result from certain situations (i.e. changing light bulbs, checking batteries, flipping breakers, changing furnace filters, housekeeping, etc)
