The Importance of Professional Mold Remediation: Protect Your Home and Health

8/20/2024 (Permalink)

When mold makes itself at home, it's time to call in the experts. Let’s kick it out for good!

Mold. Just hearing the word can make any homeowner cringe. This sneaky invader can grow quickly, spreading spores that are not only unsightly but can also cause serious health problems. Whether it’s black mold hiding in your basement or mildew creeping into your bathroom, professional mold remediation is essential for maintaining a safe and healthy home. Here’s why calling in the experts is the right move.

Mold Isn't Just a Cosmetic Problem

Many people believe that mold is just an eyesore that can be wiped away with a cleaning product. However, mold is a sign of a much bigger issue: moisture. When mold appears, it often means there is excess moisture in your home that needs to be addressed. Simply scrubbing away the visible mold won't solve the root of the problem. Professional mold remediation ensures that not only is the mold removed, but the source of moisture is identified and corrected to prevent future growth.

Health Risks of Mold Exposure

Mold exposure can lead to a variety of health effects for humans and animals within a household. Professional mold remediation companies, like SERVPRO®, have the knowledge and equipment to safely remove mold and ensure that your home is a healthy environment for you and your family.

Professional Equipment and Expertise

When it comes to mold remediation, experience and proper tools matter. SERVPRO teams use advanced technology such as air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to remove mold spores from the air and surfaces. They also take steps to contain the affected area, preventing the mold from spreading further during the cleanup process. By choosing professional mold remediation, you’re ensuring that the job is done right the first time.

Peace of Mind

Dealing with mold can be stressful, especially if you're unsure of the extent of the problem. A professional remediation team not only handles the cleanup but also provides you with peace of mind. You'll know that your home has been thoroughly inspected, treated, and is safe from future mold growth.

Don’t let mold take over your home. If you suspect mold growth, call the experts at SERVPRO of Carroll County. With professional mold remediation, you’ll protect both your property and your family’s health.

Is mold skulking around your Carroll County home?

7/22/2019 (Permalink)

Mold runs rampant

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, outdoors and indoors. This makes it IMPOSSIBLE to remove all mold from any home or business. 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. Please consider the following mold facts:

Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.

Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and 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. SERVPRO of Carroll County 410-857-5332.

Professional Mold Cleanup

7/1/2019 (Permalink)

Water damage and mold can come from any direction foundation, a foundation leak, A/C condensation pump failure, old water heater, or from high humidity and need to be addressed immediately.  Mold feeds and grows in high moisture and warm environments.  Mold is present everywhere inside or outside.  There are hundreds of different types of mold, It is very important to start the drying process right away to prevent mold growth.  Organic materials found inside a building; wood, paper, drywall and insulation are great sources of food for mold.  Different types of mold are health threats.  It is very important though to remember that if you see visible mold spores to not put air flow directly across the mold. It can send the spores airborne causing more damage.  This is why it is so important to call a professional right away to make sure all areas are brought back to acceptable moisture levels inside a home after water damage. Call SERVPRO of Carroll County 410-857-5332

Prevent mold growth this summer

6/28/2019 (Permalink)

In the summer, a closed house with the air-conditioning turned off will have higher humidity levels than an air-conditioned home. A vacant house also receives little or no sunlight through closed shades and no air movement with the fan off and the doors locked. If you simply leave the air conditioning running, it will cool the home and remove moisture from the air and circulate and filter the air. Molds thrive when the humidity levels exceed 70 percent. Because humidity levels vary from day to day, the thermostat should have been left at or below 74 degrees, and the fan should have been set to "On."

Normally, mold cleaning and remediation processes disturb the spores, which become airborne and can settle on unclean or untreated surfaces, where they continue to thrive in the humid, warm, dark conditions.

SERVPRO of Carroll County 410-857-5332

Mold vs Mildew

2/1/2019 (Permalink)

There are 3 Basic Categories of Water

Category 1 originates from a sanitary source and poses no substantial risk from dermal, ingestion, or inhalation exposure. However, it may not always remain clean after it comes into contact with other surfaces or materials.

Category 2 contains significant contamination and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contacted or consumed by humans. It may contain potentially unsafe levels of microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms, as well as other organic or inorganic matter 

Category 3 is grossly contaminated and may contain pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents. Such water sources may carry silt, organic matter, pesticides, heavy metals, regulated materials, or toxic organic substances.

The 4 Primary Classifications of Water Damage

Class 1 is the least amount of water, absorption and evaporation.  It affects only part of a room or area, or larger areas containing materials that have absorbed minimal moisture.  Little or no wet carpet and/or cushion is present.

Class 2 involves a large amount of water, absorption and evaporation.  It affects at least an entire room of carpet and cushion (pad).  Water has wicked up walls less than 24 inches.  There is moisture remaining in structural materials and substructure soil.

Class 3 involves the greatest amount of water, absorption and evaporation.  Water may have come from overhead.  Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushion and subfloor in virtually all of the entire area are saturated.

Class 4 relates to specialty drying situations.  Wet materials with very low permeance/porosity (eg. hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, light-weight concrete and stone).  Typically, there are deep pockets of saturation, which require very low specific humidity.  These types of losses may require longer drying times and special methods.

Mold in my basement

11/23/2018 (Permalink)

Several times a week during this humid rainy summer we get called to inspect a basement with apparent mold growth primarily on furniture, clothing, and some of the drywall or paneling. With no apparent water damage, homeowners are stumped as to why they have mold. Here are some common factors in these outbreaks:

1. Homeowners don’t go down to the basement much anymore.
2. Humidity control by dehumidifier or central air conditioning is absent.
3. If air conditioning is available, many times the vents are closed.
4. Very little direct light and little or no air-flow.

 So if you have a basement that does have air conditioning, make sure you leave the vents open during the summer heat and humidity even if you don’t use the space often.

If you don’t have AC, put dehumidifiers in the space and use the manufacturer’s recommendations as to how much space the unit will handle. You may need more than one. Also, it’s a good idea to keep a fan running to circulate the air.