The Process of Mold Remediation and Removal

3/6/2019 (Permalink)

Mold found on a basement wall in a Louisville home.

Mold is a microorganism which can be a health hazard when it develops within a home, business or other enclosed structure. It can be furry, stringy or powdery-looking and is often black, green, orange, brown or white. The black variety is considered the most dangerous. This fungus usually thrives in areas that are damp and lack light or proper ventilation. If it appears in your home or business, you should seek professional help in having it removed. It can degrade the air quality to people that frequent the building.

Getting rid of mold can be difficult and dangerous. Professional mitigation workers must wear special clothing and masks to protect themselves when removing it. It is also important to have an environmental hygienist test the air quality before and after the mold mitigation process. Licensed and professionally trained technicians should then identify which type it is and use industrial strength cleaning supplies and equipment to kill and remove the colonies.

The process of removing the fungus begins with a visual inspection. As part of the removal process the technician will identify the cause of the mildew infestation and the home or business owner should address it so the microbial growth does not return. That includes repairing water damage, leaky pipes or roofs and cleaning the entire HVAC system including air ducts, filters, heating and air conditioning systems. In some cases carpeting and drywall may need to be removed as part of the mitigation process. They also use antimicrobial and antifungal agents to treat and sanitize the infected area.

If you find mold please, call the professional crews at SERVPRO of South & East Stark County to help remove any mold in your home or business.

Mold Mitigation Advice in Alliance, Ohio

3/6/2019 (Permalink)

Mold found in an attic in Alliance, Ohio.

When you find moisture in a home, there is undoubtedly mold. Go into your basement and you will likely find mold near any source of water like your sump pump or washing machine drain. Some mold may produce health- threatening mycotoxins and not everyone is affected by this, but some may affect some people a lot.

Mold Develops Because of Water

Attics, crawl spaces, wall interiors, and basements, or even around chimneys are places where water can enter.  An excessive amount of humidity in a house can also create mold.

Mold Isn't Always Toxic

According to the Centers for Disease Control: "While certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins (specifically mycotoxins), the molds themselves are not toxic, or poisonous." And while it's possible for toxigenic molds to produce "rare health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss (CDC)," this only rarely happens.

This is not to say that mold cannot produce health issues. Indoor exposure can cause coughing and wheezing in healthy people and severe issues for people with asthma and upper respiratory tract problems.

Bleach Is Not An Effective Way To Kill Mold

Even though chlorine bleach is often used to kill mold, bleach is not an EPA-approved biocide.

Three Steps to Remediate Mold

1. Identify and cut off the source of water.
2. Eradicate the mold with a biocide.
3. Encapsulate the mold.

Mold Remediation Is Advisable

Mold remediation companies certainly do good work when the mold is widespread in your home or in commercial buildings. And while most mold is not toxic, some mold is can be very hazardous to one's health. For this, you want a licensed, experienced professional dealing with the mold. Call SERVPRO of South & East Stark County for mold mitigation.

Mold Removal Protective Gear

4/27/2018 (Permalink)

A crew technician wearing PPE before a mold remediation job.

Wearing proper protective gear for removing mold is important to keep you safe. Touching and inhaling mold spores can trigger all sorts of health problems, including respiratory disorders, asthma attacks, infections like sinusitis and pneumonia, allergic reactions, fatigue, and painful inflammation of the joints. The process of cleaning up mold stirs up mold spores and increases the likelihood of mold-related illness. The proper protective gear is necessary in order to protect your health.

Personal Protection When Removing Mold

It is important to wear the following items when removing mold in homes and business.

• Tyvex coveralls with attached hood and booties.
• A disposable hair cover (if not wearing Tyvek coveralls with a hood)
• Disposable shoe coverings (if not wearing Tyvek coveralls with booties)
• Gloves
• A Respirator

The Mold Remediation Process

Every mold infestation is different, from the amount of mold to the types of materials affected. Each scenario requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. After you call the team of SERVPRO of S&E Stark County the steps listed below illustrate our process for a “typical” mold remediation infestation:

1. Emergency Contact - (330) 823-4088
2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
3. Mold Containment
4. Air Filtration
5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
6. Cleaning Contents and Belongings
7. Restoration

Mold Growth in New Philadelphia Ohio

4/11/2018 (Permalink)

Mold growth found behind a cabinet.

Mold and Your Home

SERVPRO of S&E Stark County has been on many mold remediation jobs. Mold can be found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems and will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. You can find mold growing on many different surfaces on your walls such as wallpaper, paint, plaster and on ceiling tiles, wood products and paper products. It also can grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

You Can Control Mold

Inside your home you can control mold growth by:

• Controlling humidity levels;
• Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes;
• Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding;
• Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas.

Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors, and can smell musty. If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. No matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it. There are a variety of mold types and even getting a sample tested to see the type of mold it can be very costly.  The best practice is to remove the mold and work to prevent future growth. If you find mold growing in your home or business, you need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem.  Mold can be tricky to remediate, so calling the professionals is always the best option.  Our crews are professional trained and certified. Call SERVPRO of S&E Stark County at 330-823-4088.

Mold Removal Process in Stark County

3/6/2018 (Permalink)

Mold found in kitchen cabinets in New Philadelphia Ohio.

Mold cleanup is a process that should not be taken lightly. It's usually not a safe job for do-it-yourselfers. Mold can be a deadly fungus and many people have become ill trying to do mold cleanup themselves. Mold is a microorganism which can be a health hazard when it develops within a home, business or other enclosed structure. It can be furry, stringy or powdery-looking and is often black, green, orange, brown or white. The black variety is considered the most dangerous. This fungus usually thrives in areas that are damp and lack light or proper ventilation. If it appears in your home or business, you should seek professional help in having it removed. It can degrade the air quality to people that frequent the building. For safe, effective mold cleanup, hire a professional.

The SERVPRO of S&E Stark County team is a professional mitigation company that uses specialized technologies to detect the fungus and the hidden moisture sources that led to its growth. As part of the mold cleanup process an environmental hygienist may recommend using advanced containment procedures and physical barriers to keep the microbial growth from spreading. This is an important part of the mitigation process because mold spore can spread through the air and on porous surfaces very rapidly. That's why an environmental hygienist should be involved throughout the mold cleanup process to monitor air quality.

Getting rid of mold can be difficult and dangerous. Professional mitigation workers must wear special clothing and masks to protect themselves when removing it. It is also important to have an environmental hygienist test the air quality before and after the mold cleanup process. Licensed and professionally trained technicians should then identify which type it is and use industrial strength cleaning supplies and equipment to kill and remove the colonies. The process of removing the fungus begins with a visual inspection. As part of the removal process the technician will identify the cause of the mildew infestation and the home or business owner should address it so the microbial growth does not return. That includes repairing water damage, leaky pipes or roofs and cleaning the entire HVAC system including air ducts, filters, heating and air conditioning systems. Sometimes carpeting and drywall may need to be removed as part of the mitigation process. SERVPRO of S&E Stark County will also use antimicrobial and antifungal agents to treat and sanitize the infected area. Completely removing the mildew may require fumigating areas of the home or business. This ensures all traces of the mildew is eradicated. Unless all surface with the microbial growth are thoroughly and properly treated, the mitigation process will not be successful. If highly-skilled professional mold removal companies are not used, the mold removal process may have to be repeated several times. Even when a visual inspection does not reveal any signs of the mildew, an environmental hygienist should still test the air before people can safely return to the structure. Mold cleanup is a process that should not be taken lightly. It's usually not a safe job for do-it-yourselfers. Mold can be a deadly fungus and many people have become ill trying to do mold cleanup themselves. For safe, effective mold cleanup, hire a professional. Call SERVPRO of S&E Stark County at 330-823-4088.

Mold Found in a home in Alliance, Ohio

3/6/2018 (Permalink)

Mold found on contents in an Alliance home.

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.

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 at 330-823-4088

Mold Damage Tips in Louisville, Ohio

2/14/2018 (Permalink)

Mold on drywall in a home in Louisville, Ohio

Moisture control is the key to excessive mold growth. If there is a water damage in your home or office it is important to act quickly to clean-up and dry-out your structure and contents to prevent or limit the mold growth. Below are a few SERVPRO tips of what to do and what not to do if you find mold in your home or business.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact a SERVPRO Franchise Professional for mold remediation services.

What NOT to Do:

• Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

Surface mold can seem like an easy cleanup, but there is more to neutralizing microbial growth than just wiping down the surface. Please contact SERVPRO of S&E Stark County if you find surface mold in your home or your office. Our crews will be there quickly with the proper equipment, materials and cleaners to make sure that we get your surfaces free of mold and any unhealthy levels of airborne spores.

Mold Damage in New Philadelphia Ohio

1/17/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage in this bathroom wasn't properly dried and mold began to grow.

Did you know that if you don't properly dry out your water damaged property mold may begin to grow?

SERVPRO of S&E Stark County handles water damages every day and we take prompt action to restore a home or building to prevent mold growth. Mold is likely to spread when an environment has been subject to moisture for a long period of time. If your property has sustained a recent water damage, it is vital to remove all excess water and dry the structure promptly. If there is an ongoing moisture problem in your home or building, it is important to be alert for:

• The presence of visible mold.
• Strong musty odors which may indicate mold is present.
• Any evidence of past moisture problems that might have caused undetected mold growth.
• Excessive humidity.

If you think you may have a mold problem, call SERVPRO of S&E Stark County at 330-823-4088. Our trained crew will examine your structure for any visible signs of mold and begin remediation to restore your home to preloss condition.