Three Common Questions We Are Asked, Almost, Daily About Mold

7/2/2018 (Permalink)

When it comes to mold growth it can be difficult to know what exactly you’re dealing with and how to deal with it. Below are three common questions to ask when you see or suspect mold problems.

1. What Is Mold?

Simply put, mold is fungus. There are many types of mold, and they exist everywhere. When it comes to the mold that is bad for you, its technical name is stachybotrys chartarum, which is commonly referred to as black mold. The spores of mold are microscopic, so you won’t always have visual evidence of the presence of mold. Mold will generally have a musty smell very similar to the smell of mildew, which can be confusing to know whether you have a mold or a mildew problem.

2. What Makes Mold Grow?

Generally, mold grows because of moisture and heat. High humidity can exacerbate mold problems, helping it form in as little as 48 hours. Not only does moisture come from high humidity, but it can also come from water damage, such as leaky pipes or roofs or condensation. Mold growth is also encouraged in dark, warm environments.

3. What Is the Difference between Regular Mold and Problematic Mold?

The presence of most molds is usually visible to the naked eye. Mildew, a type of mold that isn’t as problematic and can be cleaned away, is usually gray or white. However, problematic mold is usually black or green with a “fuzzy” or shiny texture. Even if only one of these types of mold appears to be present, it is possible that the other is present as well, since they can go hand in hand. Even if you have a good understanding of mold growth, it can still be a good idea to contact a professional and let them deal with remedying the problem. Additionally, stay away from the mold area, turn off air conditioners and fans and do not attempt any sort of cleaning.

 Restoring your home or business after a mold infestation is not always a simple process, but it is one that we can take care of for you. Call SERVPRO Greeley/Windsor at 970-353-1388.

Do You Have Mold? What To Do If You Suspect Mold.

3/29/2018 (Permalink)

Just the idea of mold can cause panic for a homeowner. It can create structural issues and seriously affect your property value. But how do you even know if you have mold and how should you proceed if you do?

Did you know that mold is a fungus that’s an integral part of the earth’s bio-mass? It consumes and breaks down organic material, like leaves, wood, and plants. A problem can occur when mold colonizes in our buildings, consumes our building materials, and puts spores into our indoor air. This happens when there’s a moisture problem since mold cannot grow without water. When there’s enough moisture or humidity for colonization, that’s when humans begin to have problems.

The unfortunate reality is that problematic mold can really pop up anywhere that isn’t dry. It is most often seen in attics due to roof leaks, poor air circulation, and bathrooms that ventilate into the attic rather than outdoors; crawl spaces because earthen or gravel flooring allows moisture and spores to rise from the soil; basements that have flooding from foundation leaks or plumbing leaks; and interior living spaces with leaks, bad windows, and high humidity.

The following are criteria that you should be aware of:

1. A musty odor is caused during the colonization of some fungal species, but can come and go depending on moisture levels and air current changes.
2. If you have water staining or if building materials have discoloration that’s spreading over time… that may be a sign of mold.
3. Mold spores that were already present will begin to colonize just 48 hours after a water event.

The remediation process (providing a remedy to a known mold issue) involves three things. Those three things are:

• Killing the fungi,
• Removing the dead mold, and
• Protecting against future mold growth/colonization.

There is a multi-step process that should be followed.

• Contain work area and apply negative air pressure HEPA air purifiers to prevent cross-contamination.
• Mist EPA registered anti-microbial to suspend and kill mold spores.
• Remove affected building surfaces.
• Bag and dispose properly
• Treat cavities/underlayment and dehumidify.
• Abrasively remove dead loose mold.
• Apply EPA registered protective sealer.
• Perform clearance testing.
• Remove containment materials.

It is always a good idea to consult with a mold remediation professional. If there’s an issue you can believe you can tackle yourself, they could give you recommendations about how to do so. Usually it is best to let a professional do the remediation to keep your family/employees safe while preventing cross contamination, killing mold, removing it and preventing new mold from growing.

At SERVPRO of Greeley/Windsor our technicians are certified professionals in Mold Remediation

Mold, DO NOT DISTURB

3/19/2018 (Permalink)

Mold may be lurking behind home furnishing.

By disturbing mold, you can spread the mold infestation throughout the area where you found it and your entire home. When mold is disturbed, the mold may release microscopic mold spores which can become airborne and circulate inside your home.

Things to do when you see mold:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of Greeley/Windsor for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do:

• Do not touch or disturb the mold.
• Do not blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Do not attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Do not spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold, this only does a superficial clean, and the mold will return.

SERVPRO of Greeley/Windsor has technicians that specialize in mold cleanup and restoration. We also use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any Size Disaster
• Highly Trained Water Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Water Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Water Inspection, Extraction, and Drying Equipment

Call SERVPRO of Greeley/Windsor, 970-353-1388 for your mold remediation.

Taking Care of Moisture, Preventing Mold

3/14/2018 (Permalink)

Don't let this grow in your basement!

The key to mold control is moisture control. Most important solve moisture problems before they become mold problems!

Tips to preventing Mold

• Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in your home or commercial property as soon as they are detected.
• Be aware of condensation and wet spots. Find and fix the source of moisture problem, remembering that there may be more than one source.
• Prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in air (humidity). To increase surface temperature, insulate or increase air circulation. To reduce the moisture level in air, repair leaks, increase ventilation (if outside air is cold and dry), or dehumidify (if outdoor air is warm and humid).
• Keep heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) drip pans clean, flowing properly, and unobstructed.
• Vent moisture-generating appliances, such as dryers, to the outside when possible.
• Maintain low indoor humidity, below 60% relative humidity (RH), ideally 30 – 50%.
• Have regular inspections on the building and HVAC and perform maintenance as scheduled.

If you have a foundation that always seem damp or wet, provide drainage and slope the ground away from the foundation.

If you suspect mold in your home or office, call SERVPRO of Greeley/Windsor, 970-353-1388.

High Humidity and Mold

3/9/2018 (Permalink)

High Humidity Mold Issue

Mold often leaves behind an unmistakable musty odor. This fungus can develop inside a house when it is too humid, and list of other causes. Although Colorado property owners, for the most part, do not have to deal with the high humidity like other parts of the country, there can be humidity problems due to home humidifiers and other factors.  Property owners who have marijuana grow operations have a high risk for mold due to the humidity that is involved with grow operations.  We are seeing much more of the problem since marijuana has been legalized in Colorado. Property owners should try to prevent mold growth entirely. However, if mold does develop, then the mold will need to be addressed right away.

Mold is particularly destructive to certain materials, including gypsum board, plaster and wood. Over time, these materials may weaken and change color. You may not even see the damage if the item is painted, as the paint merely hides the mildew. The only way to ensure your home remains structurally sound is to remove all presence of mold.

Mold growth can get out of hand in just 24 hours. It can spread exponentially when exposed to the right conditions. Leaks, condensation and high humidity can accelerate the growth process, causing the mold to overtake entire sections of walls and flooring evident in the attached picture.

If you see mold, then there is a very high likelihood there is even more growing out of your sight. An Industrial Hygienist needs to be contacted to perform an Air Mold Sampling test to ensure your house remains mold-free. Once an Air Mold Sampling has been completed, the Hygienist will write a protocol to remediate the mold, and follow that up with a post Air Sampling after the remediation has taken place to ensure that the mold problem has been eliminated. Visit www.SERVPROgreeleywindsor.com for more information on SERVPRO of Greeley/Windsor services.

Commercial Mold Services

2/27/2018 (Permalink)

Besides causing a major business interruption, a mold problem can present a serious health risk for employees and customers exposed at your commercial property. Mold infestations can be caused by minor water intrusions, like a slow roof leak or a loose plumbing fitting. When mold and moisture challenges go beyond the scope of your regular janitorial staff, call SERVPRO of Greeley/Windsor for prompt service.

Whether it’s removing an odor problem or mold remediation, you can rely on SERVPRO of Greeley/Windsor to respond quickly and work fast to manage the situation. Our technicians have the specialized training and we have the products to restore your property and get your property back to an healthy environment.

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the restoration industry with over 1800 independently owned franchises throughout the US. We provide 24-hour emergency service and are dedicated to responding faster to any size disaster. But do you know SERVPRO of Greeley/Windsor provides a wealth of other services to the Commercial sector?

Our services include, but not limited to,:

• Water Mitigation
• Fire Mitigation
• Mold Remediation
• Air Duct Cleaning
• Biohazard and Sewage Cleanup
• Trauma and Crime Scene
• Carpets and Upholstery Cleaning
• Odor Removal and Deodorization
• Vandalism

Call SERVPRO of Greeley/Windsor, 970-353-1388 for all your business restoration needs.

SERVPRO Technicians Can Quickly Remediate Mold Damage on Your Home or Business

7/20/2017 (Permalink)

Don't let a mold infestation take over your house or business. Call SERVPRO Greeley/Windsor for mold remediation.

Despite the increasing heat, mold is still a threat to many homes. In fact, as long as there is a source of moisture, mold expands in temperatures as high as 85 degrees and grows if it has a food source such as drywall or insulation. Neutralizing mold and restoring a home afterward can be a complicated process.

To meet the requirements for combating mold damage in your home or business, SERVPRO follows the standards of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. There are five principles that we apply to every task, no matter how extensive the mold has grown.

  Provide for Health and Safety – We ensure that our technicians and the residents of the home are protected from exposure to mold as we remove and clean mold contaminated personal and structural property.

  Document Conditions and Processes – Our team members record the extent of the contamination and the moisture levels in the air and structural property. After we complete restoration and cleaning, we test and record the new, lower levels. We recommend engaging an Industrial Hygenist to confirm our results. 

  Control the Contamination at its Source - From the start we work to keep the contamination from spreading. Technicians place negative air machines at the point of demolition to reduce the number of spores in the air and create a containment barrier using heavy plastic sheeting to isolate and contain the mold. 

   Remove Contamination – If the mold has grown too large, we eliminate the bulk before cleaning surfaces. Technicians vacuum the affected area using specially designed HEPA filters which trap even a single spore. We also break down large debris (infected drywall for example) and bag it to make removal more efficient and less likely to spread mold to unaffected areas.

  Correct the Moisture Problem – If the levels are not brought down to normal, then every other action taken merely slows the mold growth, it does not stop it. A new mold growth can begin with a single spore expanding and growing. 

Restoring your home or business after a mold infestation is not a simple process, but it is one that we can take care of for you. Call SERVPRO Greeley/Windsor at 970-353-1388.

Mold Damage - Causes of Mold Growth in Your Home

8/5/2016 (Permalink)

Mold in a Berthoud home.

Mold is a fungus that can be toxic to humans when present in large quantities. Mold forms in nearly any condition where moisture is consistently present. Superficial problems left unaddressed can become virtual petri dishes for mold proliferation. For example, attics are dark environments. Sunlight kills bacteria, and the complete absence of light provides an optimal environment for mold to expand. Attics are warm or even hot during summers in arid climates. These two conditions allow mold to spread rapidly. 24-48 hours is usually sufficient. An air conditioning evaporative coil leak in the attic that is not remedied will lead directly to mold growth.

Common conditions that contribute to mold growth in a home, bathroom or office, such as:

Oxygen (air)

Darkness

Mold spores

Moisture

Warmth

Another source of mold growth can be found in wood and cotton as well as drywall, which is extremely susceptible to long-term moisture retention if not allowed to dry out.

Mold Spores

Mold spores allow for proliferation in any closed environment. Dust is transmissible and can pass between many persons so long as a thorough hand-washing doesn't occur. Dust-borne spores may be more hazardous to humans and pets because they can be breathed in. Spores also land on surfaces prone to constant human touch like desks, tables, cabinets, beds, and bathroom and kitchen counters. Basements used as living or storage areas are also candidates.

Moisture

Moisture is the key element for mold growth. Roughly 50-55% humidity triggers mold propagation like a jump start on a car battery. Indoor humidity and moisture increases in rain season. Consider that a palpable dampness can be sensed on the skin inside a home during a rain. If a person can detect dampness by touch or breath, so can a mold fungus.

Pipe leaks, drywall fissures and wall cracks and gaps all act as channels by which mold spreads.

Mold damage is the specific term for mold proliferation when it has spread to the stage its toxicity is affecting living persons and pets. Mold damage requires immediate attention and can involve structural repairs and replacement of critical areas that cannot be cleaned. Treatment involves drywall and wood replacement, moisture reduction and elimination, bleach and fungicide applications and painting.

Mold Damage Tulsa

Unchecked mold damage is responsible for toxic components called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins can pose serious health risks that contribute to impaired lung function and other breathing problems. An affected immune response, neurological issues and even death can result from infection caused by mold spores and mold damage.

If moisture and mold problems present themselves in your home, they need to be addressed as soon as possible. A Greeley-based professional mold remediation company SERVPROGreeleywindsor.com is fully equipped for business and residential mold abatement.  Get rid of mold and keep your home or office building a clean, healthy environment for adults, children and pets alike.

SERVPRO of Greeley/Windsor is locally owned and operated and serves Greeley, Windsor, Loveland, Eaton, Ault, LaSalle, Pierce, Platteville, Gilcrest, Johnstown, Milliken, Berthoud and the surrounding communities. Water comes from everywhere and our certified technicians can clean and dry any flood better than its original state. * 24/7 Fire Damage Restoration Service * 24/7 Flood Damage & Water Damage Service * 24/7 Sewage Damage & Sewage Removal Service * 24/7 Mold Remediation *24/7 Bio-hazard Suicide Clean *24/7 Fire Window Roof Board-up