Got Mold?

3/6/2019 (Permalink)

Got Mold?

Do you have mold? Mold is natural and occurs everywhere. It has been around for as long as the earth as been sustaining life. Mold is also mentioned in the Bible, regarding how to deal with the mold and how to clean it. There are thousands of species of mold, with varying needs of moisture, temperature, food source, and time needed to grow. Mold can be found in refrigerators, in the desert, and in all climates in between. Mold becomes an issue when there is too much in our indoor, closed in, environments.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 570-759-0966

Causes of Mold: What Mold Needs to Grow

3/5/2019 (Permalink)

Mold growth on planks

There are thousands of species of mold. All have several factors in common: what they need to grow. The chief requirements needed are:

• Moisture - different molds need varying amounts of moisture to grow. Some grow better with only high humidity and some require very wet materials for longer periods of time.
• Food Source - our homes, businesses, contents, etc. all are made with materials that are a food source for mold. Drywall, wood, cardboard, wallpaper and the paste that holds it to the surface. Even polyurethane coating on wood doors allows a surface for growth.
• Temperatures - you have probably noticed mold growing on unused food in your refrigerator. As cold as this is, some molds still grow. Various molds prefer widely different temperatures.
• Time - if materials in a building stay wet long enough, mold will surely grow. Many molds require as little as 2-3 days, some require several more days to become visible.

Mold on Basement Ceiling

4/27/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Columbia, Montour & Sullivan Co  was contacted by a customer in open territory, 75 miles away from our office, and was asked to scope, treat, and complete a mold remediation process on the customer’s basement. The time frame was accelerated due to contractors waiting to start work on building the home atop the basement. The customer had completed the basement several years before and a Quonset type covering had been erected to protect the basement until the post and beam style home could be started. Unfortunately, the structure had water infiltration over the past winter and some rotted flooring and mold in the basement resulted. SERVPRO was able to provide quick service for this particular project, since areas of the floor would be removed/replaced, and the majority of the basement ceiling was stained by former mold growth. Very little active growth was evident on the initial inspection. HEPA vacuuming and treatment of the remaining surfaces were completed in a timely manner and the contractors is able to schedule the project within the following week.

Causes of Mold: What Mold Needs to Grow

3/29/2018 (Permalink)

We have all had mold in our homes at one time or another. However, the mold most of us experience occurs on a loaf of bread and is not hazardous to our health. There are other types of household mold, and while they may be less common, they are much more dangerous. This article will cover the different types of mold as well as the common causes of mold.

Mold can’t grow just anywhere. There are several factors that must be in place for mold to grow.

• Mold Spores: Mold spores are everywhere. Most commonly mold spores are brought into the house from an outside source.
• A Food Source: While bread is a common food source for mold other materials in your home are also. Drywall, cotton, and wood can all be a food source for mold.
• Darkness: Ultraviolet light kills mold. Therefore, mold only grows in dark places.
• Warmth: Mold needs warm temperatures to grow. Temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit inhibits mold growth.
• Moisture: Mold needs moisture to grow.
• Time: Mold grows rather slowly, so the last requirement for mold is time.

Of these factors, moisture is the most important. Without moisture, there is no opportunity for mold to grow even if all of the other requirements are met.

Causes of Mold: Humidity

Humidity building up is one of the most common causes of mold. This is especially important to remember in South Florida. The average humidity on a summer day in Florida is over 70%. This high humidity can give mold the moisture level that it needs to grow. Your drywall, floors, and studs absorb the excess moisture in the air. You may notice mold growth after several days of high humidity or rain.

Your air conditioner is your first line of defense against excess humidity in your home. While cooling the air, your air conditioner also removes moisture. If you have an older air conditioner or have an issue with excess humidity, you may want to consider installing a dehumidifier. You could also look into upgrading your air conditioning system. A newer air conditioner will be able to pull more moisture from the air in your home.

Causes of Mold: Leaking Pipes

Another one of the common causes of mold in your home is leaking pipes. Pipes are hidden behind walls, and therefore it is difficult to tell if they are leaking. If you notice walls or ceilings that are wet, you are going to want to have a professional check for leaks in your pipes. Don’t wait until it is too late. A small leak can turn into an expensive problem if it is not taken care of quickly.

Causes of Mold: Leaks in Roof

Leaks in your roof is another one of the common causes of mold. Roofs wear down over time. It is a smart idea to have your roof checked every few years. Having a professional determine problem spots before they turn into leaks can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. If you see spots on your ceilings have your roof checked immediately.

Causes of Mold: Poor Ventilation

Not having enough air flowing through your home can cause stagnant air pockets. These pockets of air often contain more moisture. Poor ventilation in bathrooms is on of the most common causes of mold. Moisture and condensation build up while you are taking a shower and absorbs into your walls. If your bathroom vent isn’t sufficient enough, or if you don’t have one at all, you may want to consider installing a new vent. Just having a vent is often enough to make sure that your bathroom isn’t overrun by mold.

Causes of Mold: Flooding

This one seems fairly obvious. Whether your water heater breaks or extreme weather causes your house to flood you should have a professional clean up crew take care of the problem. Leaving behind even a small amount of water can cause future mold growth. The cleanup process may involve removing baseboards, drywall, and carpet. While this all may seem like too much, it isn’t. Leaving moisture behind is a serious health risk to you and your family.

It only takes 48 hours

3/29/2018 (Permalink)

It only takes 48 hours for mold spores to begin to spread.

It only takes 48 hours for mold spores to begin to spread.

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. We’ll use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. It may be necessary to remove and dispose of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and carpeting, to remediate heavy mold growth.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (570)759-0966

Mold is all around us...

3/21/2018 (Permalink)

Mold is all around us...

Different types of mold are found virtually everywhere in nature and even in your home or business - including on that blue cheese in the fridge!  In fact, air-born mold spores use many different methods to gain entry to your home, including open doors and windows on beautiful spring days.

 The good news is that not all molds are harmful to us, and most can be kept at bay with moisture control indoors.  But a leak or flood that is not properly dried, or even a sudden spring shower that wets a carpet through an open window can support mold growth.  Likewise, undetected moisture in an attic, basement, or ceiling can provide the right conditions for this unwanted guest - including potentially harmful molds that require immediate attention from your friendly, neighborhood SERVPRO technicians.  We at SERVPRO take rigorous precautions and follow stringent processes to effectively remove mold from an affected area and restore your happy, healthy home or business!

The Process:

1. Mold Containment - the affected area is sealed off to prevent the release of spores

2. Air Filtration - the air is cleaned of any air-born spores

3. Removal of Mold & Mold-Affected Materials

4. Cleaning Contents & Belongings

5. HEPA Cleaning Processes - to ensure that mold & spores are safely removed and your home or business is left clean and sealed

If you see mold, call our office at 570-759-0966.

Who Is Most At Risk??

3/21/2018 (Permalink)

"I Have Black Mold..."

Often the calls that we field at SERVPRO of Columbia, Montour & Sullivan Counties include some variation of this start to a sentence.  "Black mold" has certainly received the most coverage and thus has impressed itself most strongly in most home and business owners' minds; however, there are many different types of mold that have a black coloration.  In fact, mold comes in many different sizes, shapes, and colors.  The common theme amongst all, however, is that they do not have a place in your home or business and require professional remediation.

For Your Health...

Once mold is identified in a home or business, the first, most important call should be to SERVPRO of Columbia, Montour & Sullivan Counties, where highly-trained professional technicians are ready to follow a stringent procedure to not only remediate the visually-present mold, but to do so in a way that will prevent its recurrence and cross-contamination.  

Those who are most at risk - the ones that you love and want to keep safe - are individuals with suppressed immune systems, compromised health situations, chronic inflammatory lung diseases, and severe allergies.  However, there may be adverse effects to even healthy persons and pets.  Those most at risk include:

• Infants & children
• Pregnant women
• The elderly
• People with compromised respiratory systems or asthma and allergies
• People with weakened immune systems

Long Story, Short...

If you believe that there may be mold growth in your home or business, based on visual evidence or even just an odor - don't hesitate to call SERVPRO of Columbia, Montour & Sullivan Counties.  There are many "wrong" ways to deal with mold, but we are trained to handle it the right way - to keep your home or business safe, healthy, and clean for all!

Got Mold?

3/19/2018 (Permalink)

Believe it or not, mold problems like this can be mitigated with the right expertise and equipment. SERVPRO ofColumbia, Montour & Sullivan Counties has trained technicians that are able to remove the mold growth, and then restore the space to preloss conditions.

The Mold Remediation Process

Every mold infestation is different, from the extent and type of growth, to the variety of materials affected. Each scenario requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. When you discover mold, call us at570-759-0966 and we will go through our standard mold remediation process:

• Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
• Mold Containment
• Air Filtration
• Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
• Cleaning Contents and Belongings
• Restoration

If You See Signs of Mold,Call Us Today –570-759-0966