Mold is everywhere inside and outside homes and businesses and under the right set of conditions, it can actually start to grow and become a problem. The Key to Mold Control is Moisture Control – If mold is a problem in your home, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.

Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors. One consideration is the size of the mold problem. If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself, follow the Mold Cleanup Tips and Techniques. However:

• If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, consult EPA guide Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document is applicable to other building types.
• If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professional service provider) to do the cleanup, make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold. Check references and ask the contractor to follow the recommendations in EPA guide Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, the guidelines of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygenists (ACGIH), or other guidelines from professional or government organizations.
• If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold (it is part of an identified moisture problem, for instance, or there is mold near the intake to the system), consult EPA guide Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? before taking further action. Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold – it could spread mold throughout the building.
• If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, then call in a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.
• If you have health concerns, consult a health professional before starting cleanup.*

Call the mold remediation and removal experts at TMP Cleaning & Restoration Services for more information 1-877-245-3939.

Mold information provided by the EPA – United States Environmental Protection Agency

During cold weather, take preventive action:

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip (at a minimal amount) from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle, helps prevent frozen pipes.
• During extreme cold, keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat set to a temperature no lower than 55ºF.

If Your Pipes Freeze or Break

What should I do if my pipes freeze?
If you turn on a faucet and get no water, your pipes may be frozen. If your pipes freeze, there are some procedures that you can follow to thaw them. The sooner the problem is recognized, the better chance that damage will be minimized.

Shut off your water immediately, using your home’s shutoff valve.

Some techniques for thawing frozen pipes include:

• If possible, expose a boxed-in area to the inside heat. An example includes opening some ceiling tiles if your home has a drop ceiling.
• Use a heat gun. However, be extremely careful as the heat from the heat gun will ignite any wood or paper it contacts.
• DO NOT use torches to thaw pipes!
• Rubbing the pipes with warm, damp rags may slowly thaw the line.
• If you do not have water for an extended period of time, special attention should be given to hot water heaters and boilers.

Where are my shutoff valves?
There are actually two major shutoff valves in line with your service. The first valve, called a curb stop, is generally located near the property line and is normally housed by a cylinder with a cap on it called the curb box. The other major valve is located in the home next to the water meter. Other valves may be near plumbing appliances such as sinks and toilets.

Keeping your main valve in good working condition will assure you that you will be able to turn your water off in the event of an emergency, in case one of your water pipes breaks, for example. Older style gate valves should be turned periodically due to possible corrosion build-up. Newer Teflon coated ball valves should stay in working order without any regular turning.

What if my main valve does not work in an emergency?
You should call your local Public Works Department so that someone can shut off your water, and then Call Us at 877-245-3939 or 781-245-3939.

What if my main valve does not work in an emergency?
You should call your local Public Works Department so that someone can shut off your water, and then Call Us at 877-245-3939 or 781-245-3939.