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Mold in your home or place of business can cause health problems and lower the value of your property. The certified mold remediation professionals at NoMoldAtlanta will take the fear out of mold with a two-step professional mold removal and prevention process that is non-toxic, cost-effective, and creates as little disruption as possible in your day-to-day life. The father-son team of Dan and J.D. Ortega have spent the last 20 years earning the respect and trust of homeowners and the top realtors and brokers in the Metro Atlanta area. You can count on our family owned business to handle your commercial or home mold removal problem as quickly, safely, and affordably as possible.

We begin our certified mold removal process by sealing off the work space with containment barriers. We then set up air scrubbers to create negative pressure that will limit particulate counts during remediation. We remove all unsalvageable, visibly mold-impacted material from the work space, and we clean all salvageable materials by hand wiping with Anabec Cleaning Solutions and/or HEPA vacuum-assisted orbital sanding and wire brushing as necessary. After a thorough HEPA vacuuming to remove any particulates or dust that might contain mold, we treat all surfaces in the work space with Anabec Cleaning Solutions to agitate and remove potential mold spores from treated surfaces. Finally, we treat all work space surfaces with Anasphere or X-70 Plus to provide a barrier against future mold growth on treated surfaces. Many of our mold cleanup projects can be completed in 24-48 hours, and we do our own repair work, which eliminates the complication and cost of multiple contractors.

If youre a builder or developer, the NoMoldAtlanta mold prevention service is the most effective way to guard your new building against the development and spread of mold colonies. We seal off all potential food sources for mold colonies in the buildings foundation, framework, interior drywall, and finished interior surfaces like cabinets and floors. Our work on new construction and existing buildings is backed by a ten-year limited warranty. Our safe, time-efficient commercial mold remediation process also is ideal for schools, hospitals, public facilities, bank-owned foreclosed properties, or any other business confronted with a mold emergency.

If you suspect you have a mold or mildew problem in your home or place of business, dont ignore it. The potential health risk is real, but there is a safe, time-efficient, affordable solution. Contact NoMoldAtlanta today for information on mold inspections and mold detection, or to set up an appointment with a mold expert for a free evaluation. You can trust NoMoldAtlanta to produce an immediate, long-term solution to your mold problem in Atlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell, Marietta, Smyrna, Canton and beyond.

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Mold Removal | Mold Remediation | Atlanta, Alpharetta ...

There may be mold growing in your home, in your child's school, your office virtually anywhere and you may not even realize it. This hidden mold has the potential to cause serious health issues to you and your family, and structural damage to homes and buildings.

Like all fungi, mold feeds on the organic materials that can be found on non-synthetic surface areas that contain moisture. Mold Solutions exclusive EPA-registered, water-soluble solutions form a protective surface shield against these single-celled microbes, and stops airborne mold from growing on all treated surfaces. Best of all, this non-toxic antimicrobial protection is so effective, we offer a 10-year warranty on ALL mold remediation treatments.

For older homes, hospitals, offices or day care centers, our experienced team of IICRC-certified inspectors can find pockets of hidden mold that may be causing serious harm. Dont wait any longer protect your family, your employees, your children, and all who visit your establishment from the dangerous effects of mold.

The experts at Mold Solutions Chicago understand just how dangerous mold can be and are proud to have been invited to participate in several episodes of Extreme Makeover Home Edition to contribute our mold prevention services for the new homes of the deserving families in Philo, IL., Lena, IL. and Owensboro, KY.

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Mold Solutions | Inspection | Remediation | Prevention | Chicago

Eliminate and control mold, mildew and odor after floods, fires and more.

After flooding, fire, disaster, catastrophic HVAC failure and other situations where moisture is released can cause a large buildup on mold, mildew and more, quickly. Its important to understand the need to control mold and mildew growth quickly and effectively, specially in commercial buildings or Schools. Theres a tried and true three step process to controlling mold growth.

1. Find the source of moisture and stop it. 2. Kill the mold and mildew and other contaminants 3. Control to future growth by using the right mold control products.

BBJ products like our Mold and Mildew Cleaner and Mold Control for Floors and Walls or Mold Control for HVAC Systems and Air Ducts helps first kill and the control the future growth of mold keeping air and living quality safe. Additionally, mold and mildew can leave nasty stains. BBJ Peroxi-Cleanse is perfect for cleaning mold and mildew stains safely.

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Commercial Mold - EPA Mold & Mildew Remediation Products

A mold (US / CA) or mould (UK / NZ / AU / ZA / IN / CA) is a fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae.[1][2] In contrast, fungi that can adopt a single-celled growth habit are called yeasts.

Molds are a large and taxonomically diverse number of fungal species where the growth of hyphae results in discoloration and a fuzzy appearance, especially on food.[3] The network of these tubular branching hyphae, called a mycelium, is considered a single organism. The hyphae are generally transparent, so the mycelium appears like very fine, fluffy white threads over the surface. Cross-walls (septa) may delimit connected compartments along the hyphae, each containing one or multiple, genetically identical nuclei. The dusty texture of many molds is caused by profuse production of asexual spores (conidia) formed by differentiation at the ends of hyphae. The mode of formation and shape of these spores is traditionally used to classify molds.[4] Many of these spores are colored, making the fungus much more obvious to the human eye at this stage in its life-cycle.

Molds are considered to be microbes and do not form a specific taxonomic or phylogenetic grouping, but can be found in the divisions Zygomycota and Ascomycota. In the past, most molds were classified within the Deuteromycota.[5]

Molds cause biodegradation of natural materials, which can be unwanted when it becomes food spoilage or damage to property. They also play important roles in biotechnology and food science in the production of various foods, beverages, antibiotics, pharmaceuticals and enzymes. Some diseases of animals and humans can be caused by certain molds: disease may result from allergic sensitivity to mold spores, from growth of pathogenic molds within the body, or from the effects of ingested or inhaled toxic compounds (mycotoxins) produced by molds.[1]

There are thousands of known species of molds, which have diverse life-styles including saprotrophs, mesophiles, psychrophiles and thermophiles and a very few opportunistic pathogens of humans.[6] They all require moisture for growth and some live in aquatic environments. Like all fungi, molds derive energy not through photosynthesis but from the organic matter on which they live, utilising heterotrophy. Typically, molds secrete hydrolytic enzymes, mainly from the hyphal tips. These enzymes degrade complex biopolymers such as starch, cellulose and lignin into simpler substances which can be absorbed by the hyphae. In this way molds play a major role in causing decomposition of organic material, enabling the recycling of nutrients throughout ecosystems. Many molds also synthesise mycotoxins and siderophores which, together with lytic enzymes, inhibit the growth of competing microorganisms. Molds can also grow on stored food for animals and humans, making the food unpalatable or toxic and are thus a major source of food losses and illness.[7] Many strategies for food preservation (salting, pickling, jams, bottling, freezing, drying) are to prevent or slow mold growth as well as growth of other microbes.

Molds reproduce by producing large numbers of small spores,[6] which may contain a single nucleus or be multinucleate. Mold spores can be asexual (the products of mitosis) or sexual (the products of meiosis); many species can produce both types. Some molds produce small, hydrophobic spores that are adapted for wind dispersal and may remain airborne for long periods; in some the cell walls are darkly pigmented, providing resistance to damage by ultraviolet radiation. Other mold spores have slimy sheaths and are more suited to water dispersal. Mold spores are often spherical or ovoid single cells, but can be multicellular and variously shaped. Spores may cling to clothing or fur; some are able to survive extremes of temperature and pressure.

Although molds can grow on dead organic matter everywhere in nature, their presence is visible to the unaided eye only when they form large colonies. A mold colony does not consist of discrete organisms but is an interconnected network of hyphae called a mycelium. All growth occurs at hyphal tips, with cytoplasm and organelles flowing forwards as the hyphae advance over or through new food sources. Nutrients are absorbed at the hyphal tip. In artificial environments such as buildings, humidity and temperature are often stable enough to foster the growth of mold colonies, commonly seen as a downy or furry coating growing on food or other surfaces.

Few molds can begin growing at temperatures of 4C (39F) or below, so food is typically refrigerated at this temperature. When conditions do not enable growth to take place, molds may remain alive in a dormant state depending on the species, within a large range of temperatures. The many different mold species vary enormously in their tolerance to temperature and humidity extremes. Certain molds can survive harsh conditions such as the snow-covered soils of Antarctica, refrigeration, highly acidic solvents, anti-bacterial soap and even petroleum products such as jet fuel.[8]:22

Xerophilic molds are able to grow in relatively dry, salty, or sugary environments, where water activity (aw) is less than 0.85; other molds need more moisture.[9]

Common genera of molds include:

The Kji (?) molds are a group of Aspergillus species, notably Aspergillus oryzae, and secondarily A. sojae, that have been cultured in eastern Asia for many centuries. They are used to ferment a soybean and wheat mixture to make soybean paste and soy sauce. Koji molds break down the starch in rice, barley, sweet potatoes, etc., a process called saccharification, in the production of sake, shch and other distilled spirits. Koji molds are also used in the preparation of Katsuobushi.

Red rice yeast is a product of the mice Monascus purpureus grown on rice, and is common in Asian diets. The yeast contains several compounds collectively known as monacolins, which are known to inhibit cholesterol synthesis.[10] A study has shown that red rice yeast used as a dietary supplement, combined with fish oil and healthy lifestyle changes, may help reduce "bad" cholesterol as effectively as certain commercial statin drugs.[11]

Some sausages, such as salami, incorporate starter cultures of molds [12] to improve flavour and reduce bacterial spoilage during curing. Penicillium nalgiovense, for example, may appear as a powdery white coating on some varieties of dry-cured sausage.

Other molds that have been used in food production include:

Alexander Fleming's accidental discovery of the antibiotic penicillin involved a Penicillium mold called Penicillium notatum (although the species identity is disputed as possibly being Penicillium chrysogenum or Penicillium rubens).[13] Fleming continued to investigate Penicillin, showing that it could inhibit various types of bacteria found in infections and other ailments, but he was unable to produce the compound in large enough amounts necessary for production of a medicine.[14] His work was expanded by a team at Oxford University; Clutterbuck, Lovell, and Raistrick, who began to work on the problem in 1931. This team was also unable to produce the pure compound in any large amount, and found that the purification process diminished its effectiveness and negated the anti-bacterial properties it had.[14]

Howard Florey, Ernst Chain, Norman Heatley, Edward Abraham, also all at Oxford, continued the work.[14] They enhanced and developed the concentration technique by using organic solutions rather than water, and created the "Oxford Unit" to measure penicillin concentration within a solution. They managed to purify the solution, increasing its concentration by 45-50 times, but found that a higher concentration was possible. Experiments were conducted and the results published in 1941, though the quantities of Penicillin produced were not always high enough for the treatments required.[14] As this was during the Second World War, Florey sought USA Government involvement. With research teams in the UK and some in the US, industrial-scale production of crystallized penicillin was developed during 1941-1944 by the USDA and by Pfizer.[13][15]

Several statin cholesterol-lowering drugs (such as lovastatin, from Aspergillus terreus) are derived from molds.[16]

The immunosuppressant drug cyclosporine, used to suppress the rejection of transplanted organs, is derived from the mold Tolypocladium inflatum.

Molds are ubiquitous, and mold spores are a common component of household and workplace dust; however, when mold spores are present in large quantities, they can present a health hazard to humans, potentially causing allergic reactions and respiratory problems.

Some molds also produce mycotoxins that can pose serious health risks to humans and animals. Some studies claim that exposure to high levels of mycotoxins can lead to neurological problems and in some cases, death.[17] Prolonged exposure, e.g. daily home exposure, may be particularly harmful. Research on the health impacts of mold has not been conclusive.[18] The term "toxic mold" refers to molds that produce mycotoxins, such as Stachybotrys chartarum, and not to all molds in general.[19]

Mold in the home can usually be found in damp, dark or steamy areas e.g. bathroom or kitchen, cluttered storage areas, recently flooded areas, basement areas, plumbing spaces, areas with poor ventilation and outdoors in humid environments. Symptoms caused by mold allergy are watery, itchy eyes, a chronic cough, headaches or migraines, difficulty breathing, rashes, tiredness, sinus problems, nasal blockage and frequent sneezing.

Molds can also pose a hazard to human and animal health when they are consumed following the growth of certain mold species in stored food. Some species produce toxic secondary metabolites, collectively termed mycotoxins including aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, citrinin, and patulin. These toxic properties may be used for the benefit of humans when the toxicity is directed against other organisms; for example, penicillin adversely affects the growth of Gram-positive bacteria (e.g. Clostridium species), certain spirochetes and certain fungi.[20]

Mold growth in buildings can lead to a variety of health problems. Various practices can be followed to mitigate mold issues in buildings, the most important of which is to reduce moisture levels that can facilitate mold growth.[19] Removal of affected materials after the source of moisture has been reduced and/or eliminated may be necessary for remediation.

Various artists have used mold in various artistic fashions. Daniele Del Nero, for example, constructs scale models of houses and office buildings and then induces mold to grow on them, giving them a spooky, reclaimed-by-nature look. Staci Levy sandblasts enlarged images of mold onto glass, then allows mold to grow in the crevasses she has made, creating a macro-micro portrait.[21]

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Mold - Wikipedia

Recent Requests for Powerwashing Contractors in Mandeville, LA

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What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

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TOP QUALITY

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Pool enclosures and patio enclosures from Pool and Spa ...

When the sun goes down, nothing makes more of an impact on your home's curb than your choices for outdoor lighting. Whether it's patio lights or porch lights, lighting for outdoor entertainment spaces or landscape lights, we want to help you step your outdoor lighting game up and truly bring out your personal style.

Create a luminous vision that truly modernizes and uplifts your home to any visitor or passerby with outdoor floor lamps and torches. For a touch of the baroque, consider an antique outdoor wall lamp. Or, for a more contemporary feel, go with a modern brushed nickel LED wall lamp. The possibilities are absolutely endless!

And, with driveways and pathways lit with beautiful landscape lighting, your home and family will be safer and more secure. It can be as simple as a row of LED solar lights or as ornate as an array of solar decorative jars. Lights with motion sensors will heighten security and increase energy efficiency. Whatever direction you go in, we've got you covered.

The Home Depot provides a huge selection of outdoor lighting products from the best brands, and you can get them at our everyday low prices to fit any budget! You're completely out of excuses, so shop our superior selection and get started updating your home's outdoor lighting today!

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Outdoor Lighting & Exterior Light Fixtures at The Home Depot

When thinking about adding outdoor lighting to their home, many people go straight to the simple and utilitarian floodlight. However, the outdoor wall sconce is a more interesting alternative which can light your porch, breezeway, or driveway in style, and define the feel of your dcor before anyone even enters your home.

One of the keys to choosing the right sconce for your house is knowing which type of lighting will best accent the space. Exterior wall sconces can look great with transparent glass, which offers the brightest option, but can frequently be overwhelming because there may be too much glare. Translucent outdoor wall sconces are a popular option that tones down the brightness of transparent glass, while retaining outdoor visibility with comparable light levels. These can be an excellent choice, especially for archways and more intimate outdoor spaces. Alternately, opaque glass can offer a warm, friendly glow that makes a home look welcoming. The type of light bulb you choose will also have a large impact on the brightness and tone of light emanating from your wall sconce, so it is worth looking at which type of bulb the sconce uses.

In addition to considering the type of lighting that youre looking for, there are also many different design styles of sconces to look at. ATGStores.com carries outdoor sconces in chrome, antique brass, nickel, copper, and painted finishes, among others, to complement any exterior. And, you can add the perfect touch with styles that range from antiqued and rustic metals and rich hued craftsman lamps, to traditional carriage-house lanterns or sleek contemporary fixtures. But, no matter what style or type of lighting youre searching for, ATGStores.com has the perfect outdoor sconce for you. We offer over 5,000 styles of units, all with free delivery, so regardless of how many outdoor sconces you need, you never have to worry about exorbitant shipping costs.

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Home Browse Yards Yard Experts Yard Ideas Yard Forum Yard Contests My Yardshare Yard Type Yard Feature Garden Location Size Special The Challenge of a Hill . . .

Oh, I so want this if I end up with a backyard on a slope!

Outdoor Entertainment/Area

I love little nooks of serenity nestled among the flowers and trees in a backyard. This is more of an upscale campfire design, but it looks easy enough to create.

backyards

How to build steps up a hill

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Back Yard Drainage Systems | French drains. A French drain, one of the most common drainage repair ...

Outside

Use this as breaks between the areas which are going to be terraced into platforms

READER PHOTOS! A grotto garden in Pennsylvania | Fine Gardening

Do we ever know the challenge of landscaping a hill! I dream of our backyard jungle one day looking like this beauty from Doug's Green Garden: http://www.landscaping-ideas-for-gardening.com/the-challenge-of-a-hill-.html

*Curb Appeal*

Love this dry stream--great idea for runoff from a slope as suggested or in my case from our geothermal system. By Jan Johnsen/Serenity in the Garden

Gardens I dig

Great success with planting a slope has to do with the types of plants you use. Here are some great tips, ideas and photos. For low maintenance, be sure to use drought tolerant plants!

Garden Ideas & Projects

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Land clearing in Australia describes the removal of native vegetation and deforestation in Australia. Land clearing involves the removal of native vegetation and habitats, including the bulldozing of native bushlands, forests, savannah, woodlands and native grasslands and the draining of natural wetlands for replacement with agriculture, urban and other land uses.

Of the vegetation which existed in Australia at the time of European settlement, approximately 87% remains.[2]

The primary motivator for land clearing in Australia is agricultural production. Where soil fertility and rainfall allow, the clearing of land allows for increased agricultural production and increase in land values. Land clearing was seen as progressive, and there was the general view that land was wasted unless it was developed.

Historically[when?], land clearing has been supported by the Commonwealth and State Governments as an essential part of improved productivity essential for national economic prosperity. A range of institutional incentives for agriculture increased the economic gain from land clearing, with offerings of cheap land along with venture capital in the form of loans or tax concessions. Other incentives included the War Service Land Settlement Scheme, low interest bank loans and financial support programs such as drought relief assistance.

The majority of cleared land in Australia has been developed for cattle, sheep and wheat production. 46.3% of Australia is used for cattle grazing on marginal semi-deserts with natural vegetation. This land is too dry and infertile for any other agricultural use (apart from some kangaroo culling). Some of this grazing land has been cleared of "woody scrub". 15% of Australia is currently in use for all other agriculture and forestry purposes on mostly cleared land. In New South Wales, much of the remaining forests and woodlands have been cleared, due to the high productivity of the land. Urban development is also the cause of some land clearing, though not a major driver. In The Australian Capital Territory for example, much urban development has occurred on previously cleared agricultural land.

Bushfires in Australia are frequently occurring events during the hotter months of the year.

Land clearing destroys plants and local ecosystems and removes the food and habitat on which other native species rely. Clearing allows weeds and invasive animals to spread, affects greenhouse gas emissions and can lead to soil degradation, such as erosion and salinity, which in turn can affect water quality.

The following table shows the native vegetation inventory assessment[2] of native vegetation by type prior to European settlement and as at 2001-2004.

As land cover is crucial to land condition, land clearing exerts significant pressure on land condition. Removal of vegetation also leaves soil bare and vulnerable to erosion. Soil stability is essential to avoid land degradation.

Soil erosion is a very significant pressure on land condition because it undermines existing vegetation and habitats and inhibits vegetation and other biota that inhabit the vegetation from re-establishing. Terrestrial vegetation is a source of nutrient replenishment for soils. If vegetation is removed, there is less biological matter available to break down and replenish the nutrients in the soil. Exposing soil to erosion leads to further nutrient depletion.

Another consequence of land clearing is dryland salinity. Dryland salinity is the movement of salt to the land surface via groundwater. In Australia there are vast amounts of salt stored beneath the land surface. Much of Australian native vegetation has adapted to low rainfall conditions, and use deep root systems to take advantage of any available water beneath the surface. These help to store salt in the earth, by keeping ground water levels low enough so that salt is not pushed to the surface. However, with land clearing, the reduced amount of water that previously got pumped up by the roots of the trees means that the water table rises towards the surface, dissolving salt in the process. Salinity reduces plant productivity and affects the health of rivers and streams.

The extinction of 108 different species (2 mammal, 9 bird and 97 plant species) has been partially attributed to land clearing.[citation needed] While land condition is one indicator of the pressure of vegetation removal, the health and resilience of the vegetation that remains is also largely dependent on the size of the fragments and their distance from each other. This is also true for species living within these habitat fragments. The smaller and more isolated the remnants, the greater the threat from external pressures as their boundaries (or edges) are more exposed to disturbances. Pressure also increases with the distance between fragments.

Land clearing is a major source of Australias greenhouse gas emissions, contributing approximately 12 percent to Australias total emissions in 1998. It has also been found that past clearing of native vegetation contributed to higher temperatures, decreased rainfall and more intense droughts.[citation needed] The removal of vegetation damages the microclimate by removing shade and reducing humidity. It also contributes to global climate change by diminishing the capacity of the vegetation to absorb carbon dioxide. Land clearing could also be responsible for reduced rainfall levels & possible desertification of land as well as soil erosion.[citation needed]

An organisation checked the impacts on climate extremes and droughts by analysing daily rainfall and surface temperature output from the Mark 3 GCM. This work, the first of its kind, demonstrated an increase in the number of dry days (<1mm rainfall) and hot days (maximum temperature >35C), a decrease in daily rainfall intensity and cumulative rainfall on rain days, and an increase in duration of droughts under modified land-cover conditions. These changes were statistically significant for all years across eastern Australia, and especially pronounced during strong El Nio events. Clearly, these studies have demonstrated that LCC has exacerbated the mean climate anomaly and climate extremes in southwest and eastern Australia, thus resulting in longer-lasting and more severe droughts.

Since the 1980s, the rate of land clearing has declined due to changing attitudes and greater awareness of the damaging effects of clearing.

Clearing is now controlled by legislation in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and to a lesser degree in Queensland. Land clearing controls differ substantially between jurisdictions, and despite growing awareness of the effect of land degradation, controls on clearing have been generally opposed by farmers.

Land clearing is controlled indirectly by federal law in the form of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), which may also apply if there are federally protected threatened species (plant or animal) or endangered ecological communities present on the land in question.

Clearing of native vegetation in NSW is regulated by the Native Vegetation Act 2003(NSW), by the protections on the habitat of threatened species contained in the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (NSW) and the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW). It is also regulated by development control and Environmental Planning Instruments (EPIs) under land use planning law, namely the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW). Federal law in the form of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) may also apply if there are federally protected threatened species (plant or animal) or endangered ecological communities present on the land in question.

Clearing of native vegetation in Queensland is principally regulated by the Vegetation Management Act 1999 and the Vegetation Management (Regrowth Clearing Moratorium) Act 2009. The Federal EPBC Act may also apply (see above).

Clearing of native vegetation in SA is principally regulated by the Native Vegetation Act 1991 (SA). The Federal EPBC Act may also apply (see above).

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Land clearing in Australia - Wikipedia