Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Let's say you're a neat freak. You've got your natural cleaning solutions always at the ready. Your organized cabinets are the talk of the town. Your housekeeping skills are basically the stuff of legend. Even so, black mold can still make an appearance in a bathroom or basement, sprout up in the HVAC or attic, or really any part of the home where water accumulates and dampness exists. When you suspect a mold invasion, you might want to invest in a mold testing kit to see what type of mold spores youre working with, and call in an expert. But in the short-term, here are some natural home remedies (made with things you likely have on hand) that will help murder that mold.

Not only can tea tree oil be used to keep spiders away, it's also one of the safer options for getting rid of black mold. It's a natural fungicide that can work as a cleaning product, and it has the strength to prevent mold spores from coming back.

Combine 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil to 1 cup of water and increase the quantity ratio from there. Shake it up and pour it into a spray bottle to maximize coverage. (You can also use a dampened towel if you dont have a spray bottle.) Once applied to the moldy area, leave it to dry for an hour, and then wipe away with a microfiber cloth or dry towel. Be sure to wear protective gloves, as even though it is a natural solution, it can still irritate your skin.

Getty Images

Grapefruit seed extract is great to have on hand for various healthcare remedies and also cleaning solutions and potions. What makes it good at battling black mold? Its main compounds are polyphenols, known as limonoids, and naringenin, which help when killing bacteria in laundry, cleaning carpet spills (that could lead to mold growth!), and for disinfecting and sterilizing spaces. When the extract is used to fight black mold, the acids continue penetrating growth and prevent mold spores from returning.

Mix about 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract oil to every 1 cup of water you use. Once again, the best way to saturate the affected area is to use a spray bottle. Let the solution sit for as short as 10 minutes or as long as an hour, depending on how bad the situation is, and then wipe away any remaining residue.

Getty Images

Baking soda is one of the greats. It's a safe substance to have around your kids and pets, and it's also effective at preventing mold and absorbing mildew odors.

Stir together a mixture of 50/50 baking soda and water until it forms a paste. This concoction is best used to remove lighter mold stains and prevent future growth. After applying it to the problem area, use a small brush to scrape away any mold-stained spots. (You know the spray bottle is coming, so you might as well buy one if you don't already have it.) Next, combine 2 tablespoons baking soda with 2 cups of water, mix it up, and pour it into that trusty spray bottle. Give it one more shake before spraying it over the area you just cleaned. Let it dry into a protective layer to prevent future mold growth.

White distilled vinegar is an affordable, natural solution to removing black mold. Its antibacterial acidic characteristics are exactly what you need to get the job done.

Poor the undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle to apply to the area, or just go for it and pour that vinegar right onto the mold stains. Use a disposable towel and wipe away the mold from the area. If that doesnt work, grab an old toothbrush and go to town on the problem zone. Allow time for this to dry, and then use a damp towel to wipe the area clean one more time.

Complete Mold Killer & Remover

Mix one part 3% hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts water and in a spray bottle. If you really want to avoid purchasing a spray bottle (though seriously, get the bottle!), you can also soak a towel in this solution and wipe it directly over mold growth. Let the solution sit for up to 10 minutes, and then scrub the area with a small brush or toothbrush. Wipe any remaining mold away with a towel and let the area dry.

Getty Images

Although this might not be the strongest weapon against black mold, it's probably something you have in the fridge. Its also totally natural, and who doesnt like the smell of freshly squeezed lemons? It will definitely smell better than the mildew/mold growing in your showerbut then again, what doesn't?

Juice 3 to 5 lemons and pour over affected area. Let it sit for 5 minutes, and then wipe it away with a damp towel. As with some of the above methods, you can use a toothbrush to scrub at the problem zone if you feel like the towel isn't working well enough. For optimal cleaning, mix lemon juice with any dish or hand soap you have in your home plus a little water. The soap will add a little extra heft to the mold-removal process.

Here is the original post:
Black Mold Removal - Natural Ways to Get Rid of Black Mold

When mold finds an opportunity to grow in homes and businesses, SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is a trusted provider to remediate and resolve the problem. Mold can produce allergens and irritants which affect each person differently. Typically excess moisture needs to be removed or controlled to provide a long-term solution for the property. If you suspect that your Fox Point, Bayside, Whitefish Bay, Shorewood or Brown Deer property has a mold problem; our franchise will schedule a FREE INSPECTION to answer your individual concerns.

An economical solution to controlling excess moisture comes from using a residential dehumidifier (70 pint capacity) in the property. Mold spores are found throughout the environment thus controlling the food source and moisture needed for life is the only feasible option. Dehumidifiers work to achieve this goal 24 hours a day and often are the recommendation our technicians provide customers. Enjoying a remodeled basement or removing musty odors from items stored downstairs is no problem when moisture levels are controlled.

Learn more about mold and what to do until help arrives by reviewing thesemold damage tips.

Some restoration companies advertise mold removal and may even guarantee to remove all mold. This is a fallacy because removing all mold from a house or business is impossible; microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. Here are the facts:

In as little as 48 hours, a minor mold issue can quickly spread through a home or business. Once you contact us, were dedicated to starting the remediation process quickly. This fast response lessens the mold damage, limits additional damage, and reduces the remediation cost.

Learn More

We specialize in water and mold damage restoration, with advance training in restoration techniques and the experience and specialized equipment to quickly restore your property.

Learn More

We invest in the latest equipment and ongoing mold remediation training because it helps us restore your home or business quickly and effectively. We will isolate the affected area using physical barriers and a negative air pressure chamber.

Learn More

Every mold damage scenario is different, and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our typical process:

Its easy to understand why many people struggle to grasp the facts and issues surrounding indoor mold because sensational news stories and advertising cloud and obscure the real issues. Educate yourself with the facts about mold and learn about the mold remediation process.

SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is locally owned and operatedso we live and work here too and are proud to be part of the Milwaukee community. When you have a water or mold damage issue, were already nearby and ready to help.

We are also part of a national network of over 1,700 SERVPRO Franchises and special Disaster Recovery Teams strategically located throughout the country to respond to large scale disasters.

We are proud to serve our local communities:

More:
Milwaukee, WI Mold Removal and Mold Remediation | SERVPRO ...

The crawl space isnt really inviting. You dont go down there very often. Still, the wholehouse smells musty, and youve looked everywhere else. You grab a flashlight and take a peek. Right away, you can see the source of that unpleasant odor. Its there in the crawl space.

You know how to deal with the stuff under a sink. Do you know how to get rid of mold in a crawl space?

As a DIY project, crawl space mold remediation is usually manageable, but you have to be very careful. You need personal protection gear, the right cleaning products and plenty of patience.

When you tackle mold in crawl spaces, its dangerous for the same reasons mold thrives under your homes first floor. The area is dark, humid and badly ventilated. The conditions are ideal for a mold outbreak that can pose serious health hazards in a compact space.

Mold type is another health consideration.White moldin a crawl space is easier to remove than toxic Stachybotrys chartarum. DIY removal of this strain of black mold in a crawl space can be very dangerous to your health. Before starting your cleanup job, think abouttesting the moldso that you know exactly what youre dealing with.

When were asked about how to get rid of mold in crawl spaces, we always stress the importance of personal protection. Before you begin any DIY mold removal project, protect your health with an OSHA-ratedrespirator or face mask, non-vented goggles, heavy gloves and throw-away coveralls.

Wearing your protective gear, assess the extent of mold in the crawl space. Set up lights, and lay down plastic sheets to catch mold as its cleaned from surfaces. If the job seems too big, contact a mold remediation company right away.

Spray affected areas with afoaming cleaning productspecially formulated for mold removal. Allow it to expand and loosen mold, and then begin carefully cleaning surfaces.

Soak any remaining thin coats of mold with a homemademold-killing mixtureor mold-removal cleaner. Commercial products are usually more effective, and they often remove mold stains too.

Let affected areas dry, and then use a stiff bristle brush to scrub away any remaining mold. This can be a time-consuming process, but you want to remove as much mold residue as possible.

Carefully fold up your plastic sheeting, and seal it in a heavy trash bag. Dispose of coveralls, brushes and any other contaminated gear the same way. Keep bagged items stored outside until trash pickup.

There areseveral different waysto address crawl space climate, but a dehumidifier is usually the most effective and affordable solution. Consider installing a model designed to operate in tight places. Make crawl space inspection a part of spring and fall home maintenance.

As sure as you are of your DIY talents, dont risk taking on a job thats too big or too dangerous. We strongly recommend calling in a mold remediation service if:

Affected areas include damaged or rotted wood. Mold covers multiple areas larger than 3 square feet. You or any family members deal with allergies or respiratory problems.

Bringing in a mold remediation specialist also addresses issues like identifying and eliminating mold sources and repairing and replacing affected materials.

If you decide to take on mold in the crawl space, removal techniques are very important, so please follow our guidelines carefully. We want you to stay safe. Wear protective gear, and take your time. Let us know how your DIY mold removal project turns out by sharing your experiences with our online community through our Comments Section.

Dont hesitate to call us if you have any second thoughts about doing it yourself. We have years of experience withcrawl space mold remediationin Chicago and the suburbs. Our services cover residential and commercial properties, and our team members are industry certified in mold removal and remediation. When the job makes you think twice, call us first here at ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba.

More:
How to Get Rid of Mold in Crawl Spaces Like a Pro in 6 Steps

At a special meeting, Chris Arnold, the districts buildings and grounds director, told board members about high levels of mold found in certain areas of West Elementary, which make evacuation of all students and staff necessary.

The air quality in the school is safe, but mold in a tunnel and library at the school exceeded acceptable limits, Arnold said.

About 90 students in kindergarten through grade 5 and about 30 school staff members will likely be relocated to a local church building.

School district administrators have talked with pastors and priests about available space and have visited two of three preferred sites. They plan to visit the third one Thursday, Feb. 13, said Associate Superintendent Jody Thompson, who declined to name the churches because their councils have not been consulted and one site has not yet been visited.

It is unclear at this point if the roughly 40 students in the early childhood special education program at West will be moved to the same location as the other West students or to one of the districts other schools, Thompson said.

A meeting with West parents is planned for 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at West Elementary School, he said. At that time, he hopes to identify the new location the West students and staff will occupy, he said.

How long they will be in the new space is not known yet, because the extent of the remediation work that needs to be done is not yet known. It could be weeks or extend through the end of the school year, Thompson said.

Members of the West staff were informed of the situation at a meeting with Arnold and his colleagues on Wednesday afternoon, just before the School Board meeting.

The boards vote for a declaration of an emergency situation allows the school district to contract on a project without seeking bids, in keeping with the North Dakota Century Code.

All reports of building inspections are available on the school district website, Arnold said.

The cost of the mold remediation project is not yet known; it will depend on what workers find when walls are opened, Arnold said.

Similar work is needed in some other schools that have been damaged by extensive rains last fall.

In the recent past, two such emergency declarations have been approved by the School Board -- one in September for the repair of an elevator shaft at Red River High School and the other in December 2018 for the repair and replacement of boilers at Grand Forks Central High School and Schroeder Middle School.

Go here to read the rest:
West students, staff to be evacuated for mold remediation - Grand Forks Herald

The School Board voted at a special meeting Wednesday, Feb. 12, to declare an emergency for mold remediation at West, which will be evacuated as a result. Neither the date for evacuation nor the new location have been announced. School district administrators and School Board members plan to meet with West parents at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at the school to discuss details regarding the evacuation plan.

The boards decision to deal with this situation as an emergency was the right one, Radha Panini, who heads the schools PTO, said in an email to the Herald. We are thankful that the School Board is addressing this and taking the action needed to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for the kids.

I am glad that at West they are taking preventive measures and evacuating students during the removal process to ensure that students are not exposed to any mold, Panini said. However, this is going to cause a significant disruption to the children and staff of West, and adjusting to a new environment in the middle of the school year will not be easy.

The boards emergency declaration, which covers mold remediation at any Grand Forks public school, allows the school district to contract with service providers without going through the bidding process.

Some have speculated that the emergency vote signals an underlying intent on the part of the school district or the School Board to eventually close the school. It's a notion Superintendent Terry Brenner emphatically denied at Wednesdays meeting.

There is no conspiracy theory, no undermining, Brenner said, noting that the evacuation is simply a necessary response to damage caused by excessive rains last fall.

We are pleased with the decision of the School Board about West, he said.

West Elementary was considered for closure earlier this year, but was saved by the boards unanimous vote to keep it open and include it -- on an equal footing with other schools -- in the overall study of the districts facilities.

Another West parent, Amanda Walker, said Grand Forks residents need to remember that West is an older building, and this is why were looking to pass a referendum.

The schools age, 71 years, however, doesnt take away from the quality education that the children are receiving, she said.

It is great that the district listened to its community and working on the (deferred maintenance), Walker said, but it is manageable to get the school back to where it needs to be.

Evacuation of West is necessary because exposure to mold can cause asthma problems and other issues, Chris Arnold, director of buildings and grounds for Grand Forks Public Schools, told the board Wednesday.

Also, steam lines at West are very old, very brittle," Arnold said, noting that workers could be burned if steam leaked. He intends to shut down the heating system and bring in supplemental heat during the project.

Air quality and mold inspections have been conducted by Lars Knobloch of Nordic Home Inspection, a Fargo-based business, with assistance from school district buildings and grounds staff.

Knobloch is very thorough, Arnold said. So far, testing has been done in eight schools, starting in November with Twining Elementary and Middle School at Grand Forks Air Force Base.

We focused on schools that got wet, said Arnold, noting that they are mainly those with crawl space or a garden view.

Because of their construction design, the citys three high schools and Discovery Elementary were not affected, he said.

An inspection at West, which was postponed twice due to snowstorms in December and January, was completed Feb. 3. After three lift tests were done, extremely high levels of mold were found in the library and in a tunnel near classroom 2, Arnold said.

Those areas were closed off Wednesday, he said.

The tops of library books will be wiped with a bleach solution to get rid of any mold spores, he said.

At other schools, the levels we found were far less, so they do not need to be evacuated, Arnold said. Century (Elementary) was barely over the threshold in one area.

The cost of removing moldy pipes at Century will likely cost more than $40,000, he said. A spray product will be used to neutralize mold; the product doesnt destroy mold but keeps it from growing.

Some School Board members questioned the cost of mold remediation, and the costs that come with it -- on top of other deferred costs that are adding up at the school.

At the school districts public forum Monday, Feb. 10, I heard from some who were not pleased with the boards decision about keeping West open, said Cynthia Shabb, School Board member. How far do we go with the cost of this (since) youre not sure how much (mold) youre going to find?

But, for West, the work must go forward, said Doug Carpenter, board member.

Whether or not we use it as a school, we need to get rid of the mold, he said. We need to take care of the first step.

The temporary location for West students and staff should include from five to eight classrooms, a kitchen and lunchroom, library, music room, space for physical activity, a small break-out room for groups to meet and an office, said Jody Thompson, associate superintendent for elementary education.

Read this article:
West School parents see evacuation as necessary; they hope disruption at the Grand Forks school is minimal - Grand Forks Herald

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Rand Memorial Hospital on Grand Bahama is expected be ready for move-in by the end of next month, Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands said yesterday.

When Hurricane Dorian barreled its way through Grand Bahama and Abaco in early September, the monstrous Category 5 storm debilitated the governments ability to deliver health care services in the storm-ravaged areas.

As a result, 75 percent of the square footage of the Rand had to be taken out of commission, due to blackwater intrusion water mixed with stool or sewage and subsequent mold overgrowth.

In November, the government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Carnival Corporation for the remediation of the Rand Memorial Hospital, which has been shuttered since the passage of Hurricane Dorian.

Work continues at an impressive pace at the Rand Memorial Hospital, Sands said.

He noted that Ministry of Health toured the construction on Thursday alongside Public Hospitals Authority staff.

He noted that the construction showed considerable progress on the remediation which is expected to be ready for move-in by the end of next month.

In the aftermath of the storm, several international organizations,including Samaritans Purse, sent volunteers to assist with the deliveryof health care.

The Rand Memorial Hospital, the High Rock Clinic, health facilities inMcCleans Town and a number of east Grand Bahama facilities were lostduring the storm.

In the interim, there were Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) providingservice to a number of areas on the island.

Samaritans Purse extended its engagement until March. The hospital is expected to be prepared by its departure.

Sands also noted yesterday that efforts are being made to ease the overcrowding venue experienced at the Princes Margaret Hospital on New Providence.

The old Operating Theatre is being renovated to create a comfortable 22 bed unit, Sands said.

We expect that this newly repurposed space will ease the overcrowding at our nations primary healthcare facility.

There has been an ongoing bed shortage at the facility which has resulted in the suspension of elective surgeries on a number of occasions.

Read more from the original source:
GB hospital to reopen by the end of March - EyeWitness News

For Sale/Rent

Cherry Garth is one of the oldest houses still standing in this region. The log cabin has been embraced by both newer additions and its wooded lot.

Take a look inside this log cabin for sale in Wayne: 1180 Radnor Hill Rd., Wayne, Pa. 19087 | Photos via BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors

Been looking for a historic house to live in?

They dont get much more historic than this house for sale in Wayne.

The heart of Cherry Garth is a log cabin built by Welsh trapper John Larvis in 1648 or thereabouts. That cabin is the oldest house still in use in Montgomery County, and its also one of the oldest houses still in use in the region.

Aerial view of original house and additions

The original houses log walls and stone mortar add character not only to the living room within it but also to the rooms that were added onto it in a series of expansions.

Living room

In addition to the log-and-stone wall and fireplace, the living room boasts a beamed ceiling, hardwood floors and a hand-blown glass bay window that had originally hung in a colonial Philadelphia candy store.

Dining room

The dining room, in one of the early additions to the house, also contains a log-and-stone wall and fireplace.

Sunroom

A door from the dining room leads to a flagstone-paved sunroom that was part of a later addition. The stone half-walls add to its charm.

Kitchen

On the other side of the dining room, youll find a modern eat-in kitchen whose cabinetry respects the houses character. Sliding glass doors connect it to the stone-wall-framed rear patio.

Family room

Sliding glass doors also lead to that patio from the family room, beyond the kitchen in the newest addition to the home. The family room also has a fireplace. Above it lies the skylit master bedroom, which includes an en-suite bath. Four other bedrooms, two of which share a bath, a hall bath and a laundry room round out the upper floor.

Staircase between dining and family rooms

Two staircases connect the floors. One heads straight up from the dining room. The other is a spiral staircase incorporated into a passage from the dining room to the wing with the family room and master bedroom.

This house for sale gets extra privacy from its location at the back of its acre-plus lot in Waynes boskier northern reaches. Its location makes it as convenient to King of Prussia as it is to Waynes chic town center and Regional Rail station.

THE FINE PRINT

BEDS:5

BATHS:3

SQUARE FEET:3,238

SALE PRICE:$499,900

OTHER STUFF:This house for sale is being sold in as-is condition.

1180 Radnor Hill Rd., Wayne, Pa. 19o87 [Jane Douglass | BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors]

Original post:
On the Market: Expanded 17th-Century Log Cabin in Wayne - Philadelphia magazine

This post may contain affiliate links; please read the disclosure for more information.

0shares

MouseGear, EPCOTs premier retail store, closed back in early January. Since then, demolition on its interior has moved quickly, clearing the entire space for its intensive remodeling. Now, it seems demolition has moved on to the buildings exterior, as the circular building that made up one of the stores entrances was being torn down (starting yesterday). Today, the extension of the old MouseGear building is completely gone.

The entire circular building addition (it was added during the 1986 expansion of the former Centorium store) was dismantled and demolished in order to restore the original CommuniCore/Innoventions East building to its former state in some ways. While MouseGear is set to reopen in this same space, no official opening date has been given.

Weve seen concept art for the new MouseGear location, so we expect some big changes to take place in this area. Be sure to keep following for more updates on this and even more construction around EPCOT and the rest of Walt Disney World.

Related

Read more here:
PHOTOS: MouseGear & Centorium Expansion Building Completely Demolished as Massive Remodeling Project Continues at EPCOT - wdwnt.com

There are multiple television shows about home renovations. Could Bangor be part of a new show that provides a borough-wide renovation?

The premise of HGTVs new series Home Town Takeover is to transform an entire town. The show is a spinoff of Home Town, which features Ben Napier and Erin Napier.

On that show, the married couple renovates homes in Laurel, Mississippi. The new show is going to take their renovating expertise on the road.

Bangor Mayor Brooke Kerzner entered a contest to be on the show, which is scheduled to premier in 2021.

The show requires that the town have a population of less than 40,000, have great architecture and have a Main Street that needs a facelift.

Kerzner said Bangor fits the criteria and she thought the borough could benefit from being on the show.

I am the mayor, so, I should do everything I can to help my town in any way possible, Kerzner said.

Kerzner enlisted the help Bangor Area High School graduate and current Northampton County College student Jessie Ledergerber to produce and direct the video.

Ledergerber, along with the help of Chris Kennedy, interviewed local business owners about the problems Bangor faces, including rundown facades and difficulty drawing customers to shop in the borough.

The interviewees also talk about their love of Bangor.

I wasnt born here but I got here as soon as I could, said Patti Bray of Brays News Agency.

The video focuses on how the downtown area has beautiful architecture but could be brought back to former glory. Kerzner also talks about the borough parks and what the show could do to improve them.

Kerzner gives a brief history of the borough and speaks with Slate Belt Heritage Center member Karen Brewer.

We are very proud of our past but we dont know where were headed in the future, Kerzner said.

The mayor stated in the video that she is Bangors first female mayor but she said she later learned that there was a female mayor before her.

The shows website states it is reviewing submissions.

John Best is a freelance contributor to lehighvalleylive.com. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Here is the original post:
Bangor seeks borough-wide remodel in pitch to HGTV series Home Town Takeover - lehighvalleylive.com

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW)-- The Woodson YMCA in downtown Wausau is about 4 months away from it's expected June 15 completion date.

Thursday afternoon, CEO Bryan Bailey gave NewsChannel 7's Dale Ryman a complete tour of the $24-million project.

"From the middle of October until the end of January we've brought in 2,000 new members," Bailey said. "Which we didn't expect that type of growth until the project was over."

The track inside the new fieldhouse is a popular highlight, with glass along 3/4 of the track.

"You take one lap, look to the east and you've got history right at your eyesight. And as we take one-half lap around you start to see the modernization of Wausau."

A big hit with the 55-plus crowd is The Landing.

"It's really a place for people to socialize and spend time together."

With four months to go, they can begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And members have really embraced the changes and willing to work around the disruptions.

"We've really been creative in how we re-purposed the land here," said Bailey. "But about 80% of the Y was touched in some way or another."

With the remodel and expansion, the Woodson branch will see their space increase from 130,000 square feet to 170,000.

Read the original here:
Guided tour of Woodson YMCA remodel and expansion - WSAW