Recent Mold Remediation Posts

Poorly Ventilated Attics encourage mold growth

9/2/2018 (Permalink)

The main cause of attic mold is improper ventilation. In cold climates, when homeowners heat their homes in winter, hot air usually escapes through the attic.

This occurs efficiently in attics with proper ventilation, but attic mold can occur if the hot air meets the cold surface of the attic roof and creates condensation.

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

  • Stay out of affected areas.
  • Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
  • Contact SERVPRO 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.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

Excessive crawl space moisture can cause mold growth to occur

9/2/2018 (Permalink)

With excessive crawl space moisture, mold will grow at a rapid pace. Crawl space mold can be damaging to your home's structure, your flooring, and anything else located in the area. 

Mold survives on organic materials, such as wood, and when it's damp it provides the perfect environment for growth.

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

  • Stay out of affected areas.
  • Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
  • Contact SERVPRO 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.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today

5 Things You Need to Know About Mold

5/21/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can spread if moisture is present.

As a homeowner, you don't want to hear that there is black mold in your living space. The thought of mold growth may terrify you. It's true that this fungus can be a problem, but the spores themselves really aren't that scary. If you talk to any residential mold professional, you'll learn a few important things about this growth.

1. It is everywhere. Mold already exists in your home. This doesn't mean you need to call in a remediation team right now, but it does mean that the spores naturally occur both indoors and outdoors. You can never have a mold-free house because the spores are always around.


2. It requires water. While the spores may be everywhere, mold cannot thrive in every location. Water is a key ingredient for mold survival. If you have been dealing with a moisture problem in your house, even just high humidity, you may be inviting colonies of mold.


3. It can travel easily. Part of the reason spores can be everywhere is because they travel through water, in the air and on humans and animals. You may introduce mold to your home without realizing that a few spores caught a ride on your shoes.


4. It may have a smell. Some molds, particularly black mold, are associated with a musty odor. This aroma may be what clues you in to your growth. However, this fungus can exist without a tell-tale smell.


5. It needs to be dealt with quickly. Because mold is everywhere and can spread easily, a mold cleanup crew should be called as soon as you suspect the growth is in your house. If not taken care of right away, it may spread to other rooms and the remediation process may grow.

Black mold is something that no one wants to find in their home, but sometimes it finds a way to show up. The more you know about mold the better prepared you will be to take care of the problem.

Which Types of Mold Grow in Houses?

5/21/2018 (Permalink)

There are many different types and subspecies of mold that may grow in a house. If you have found mold in your home or smell an odor that leads you to suspect the presence of hidden mold, you should contact a certified service that provides testing, clean-up, and restoration services. Skilled professionals can determine whether mold growth poses a risk to any member of the household and limit your family's exposure. 

Aspergillus is a common genus of mold found on food such as bread or potatoes and in HVAC systems. This type of mold is highly aerobic and depends on the presence of oxygen in order to thrive.
Cladosporium is black or green mold growth that often forms on air ducts, toilets, or painted surfaces in high humidity or when excessive moisture is present.
Black mold is a type of mold that is known to cause problems for residents in homes with substantial growths. The scientific name for black mold is stachybotrys chartarum. This type of mold should be identified and handled only by mold experts. 
White mold tends to be in the early stages of growth. A reputable service should be able to prevent this type of mold from continuing to grow into mature colonies. White or light grey molds on plants are mildew – a related type of fungus.

These are just a few of the major types of mold growth that you may see in a home in the wake of water damage. You may attempt to identify visible mold in your home, but when it comes to determining the real risk posed by mold and eliminating its presence, you should rely on trained hygienists and remediation experts at SERVPRO. These specialists can provide accurate results with either microscopy or culturing and determine the type or subspecies of mold and the best way to eliminate it from your home.

Mold in YOUR home?

5/16/2018 (Permalink)

A house infested with mold.

If your home has visible mold, do not disturb it. By touching mold you can unintentionally spread it throughout your home. When mold is touched it releases microscopic spores which can be spread inside your house. 

What to do if your home has mold: 

  • Stay out of the affected areas
  • Turn off the HVAC system and fans
  • Call SERVPRO of Hardin and Larue Counties for mold remediation services

What NOT to do:

  • DO NOT touch or disturb the mold
  • DO NOT expose the mold to circulating air
  • DO NOT attempt to dry the area yourself
  • DO NOT spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold

SERVPRO of Hardin and Larue Counties specializes in mold cleanup and restoration. Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely. If you are in need of mold remediation please call our office at (270) 360-0448.

Does your home have a Mold problem??

5/10/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.

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.

Attic Mold

8/17/2017 (Permalink)

Mold does not just develop in attics for no reason. There’s no point removing mold unless you also fix whatever problems led to the growth of mold in the first place, because it will just come back. Usually mold growth is the result of some defect in the attic. Defects that commonly lead to the growth of mold in an attic include leaks, inadequate insulation and poor ventilation. 

Most homeowners are aware that leaky roofs can lead to the development of mold in attics, but not all know how serious attic mold can become. Most strains of mold grow and spread rapidly and mold that begins in the attic can easily spread throughout a home. Mold damages wood and can end up causing structural damage to a home if not addressed. In addition, exposure to household mold has been linked to numerous health problems, including respiratory disorders, asthma attacks, allergic reactions, headaches and migraines, sore throats, chronic sinus infections and fatigue. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(1) recommends seeing your primary care physician if you’ve been exposed to mold; your doctor can then refer you to a specialist, such as a pulmonologist or allergist, if needed.

Many homeowners are not aware that inadequate insulation and poor ventilation also contribute to mold growth. A well-designed attic is built to help insulate the home. The attic should remain cool in winter while heat is kept downstairs. If there is not enough insulation, though, or insulation is not installed properly, the attic may grow warm. Mold grows best in warm areas. Attics are also not meant to be airtight. They should have adequate ventilation so that warm, moist air does not become trapped inside. Homeowners are often unaware of problems with insulation or ventilation until they discover mold growing in an attic.

If you suspect mold of any kind or anywhere in your home please contact SERVPRO of Hardin/Larue Counties at 270-300-1544.

Article from mold-advisor.com

Common Symptoms of Mold Exposure

8/17/2017 (Permalink)

People often mistake the symptoms of mold exposure for other things. They might think they are experiencing seasonal allergies, like hay fever. They might wonder if they are allergic to pet dander. They might think they just have a cold or sinus infection, since mold symptoms resemble those common conditions. Of course, if you realize you have a mold problem in your home, you might suspect your symptoms are related to mold. Many people don’t realize they have a mold problem until they start getting sick, though. That’s because mold often grows in places where it’s hard to spot, like inside walls, inside heating ducts, and under flooring.

Common Symptoms of Mold Exposure

The most common mold symptoms are similar to symptoms of exposure to other environmental allergens, and include things like:

  • A runny nose
  • Sinus congestion
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Red, itchy, watery eyes
  • Headaches, migraines
  • Sore throat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Feeling of tightness in the chest
  • Asthma attacks. Follow this link to learn more about asthma due to mold

These symptoms may begin within hours of being in a home with mold, depending on how much mold is there and what type of mold is present. Symptoms will usually get worse over time. Mold can affect your pets as well.

If you suspect mold growth in your home contact SERVPRO of Hardin/Larue Counties at 270-300-1544.

Article from mold-advisor.com

Tips To Help Prevent Mold In Your Home

5/16/2017 (Permalink)

1. Identify problem areas in your home and correct them. Preventing mold from growing or spreading might be as simple as ripping up carpet in a damp basement, installing mold-resistant products, or repairing damaged gutters.

2. Dry wet areas immediately. Mold can't grow without moisture, so tackle wet areas right away. 

3. Prevent moisture with proper ventilation. Make sure an activity as simple as cooking dinner, taking a shower, or doing a load of laundry doesn't invite mold by providing proper ventilation in your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and any other high-moisture area. 

4. Equip your home with mold-resistant products. Building a new home or renovating an old one? Use mold-resistant products like mold-resistant drywall or mold-resistant Sheetrock, and mold inhibitors for paints. 

5. Monitor humidity indoors. The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 60 percent. You can measure humidity with a moisture meter purchased from your local hardware store. 

6. Direct water away from your home. If the ground around your home isn't sufficiently sloped away from the foundation, water may collect there and seep into your crawlspace or basement.

7. Clean or repair roof gutters.  Have your roof gutters cleaned regularly and inspected for damage. Repair them as necessary, and keep an eye out for water stains after storms that may indicate a leak.

8. Improve air flow in your home. Without good air flow in your home, that excess moisture may appear on your walls, windows and floors. To increase circulation, open doors between rooms, move furniture away from walls, and open doors to closets that may be colder than the rooms they’re in. Let fresh air in to reduce moisture and keep mold at bay.

9. Keep mold off household plants. They're beautiful and help keep your indoor air clean — and mold loves them. The moist soil in indoor plants is a perfect breeding ground for mold, which may then spread to other areas of your house.

[All information is from mnn.com]

Does Hardin/Larue County Have A Mold Problem?

5/8/2017 (Permalink)

When there is water in your home, mold can quickly become an issue. It can cause health issues and damage to your property. SERVPRO of Hardin/Larue County has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment to handle your mold problem. 

 

Call SERVPRO of Hardin/Larue County

The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call us. One of our employees will ask a series of questions to help determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed. 

 

Assessment 

Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold using various technologies to detect mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view. 

 

Containment

Different containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold, like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process. 

Air Filtration

Specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. SERVPRO of Hardin/Larue County technicians use powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress. 

Removing 

The process of mold remediation depends on the amount of mold growth and the type of surface it's on. Anti-fungal and antimicrobial treatments will be used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new ones from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary.

Cleaning  

SERVPRO of Hardin/Larue County cleans your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. 

Restoration

Depending on the level of mold damage, some building materials may have to be removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs  or major repairs such as reconstruction. 

Mold Removal versus Mold Remediation

4/15/2016 (Permalink)

What’s the Difference?

Since microscopic mold spores exist naturally almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors, removing all mold from a home or business is impossible. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold. This is a fallacy.

A qualified restoration company understands the science behind mold and mold growth. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have the training and expertise to remediate the mold in your home or business. Mold remediation focuses on getting mold levels back to normal, natural levels.

Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same.

The Truth about Mold

2/29/2016 (Permalink)

Mold spores are everywhere in our environment and can enter homes easily.  Most types of mold grow quickly if they have a water source, an organic food source and temperatures between 60 and 86 Fahrenheit.  An Institute of Medicine study found excessive dampness indoors is a public health problem by encouraging growth of molds, dust mites and other organisms.

Control Moisture and Reduce Mold

Correct any water leaks or standing water.

Remove standing water under cooling coils or air handling units.

Replace washing machine hoses with steel mesh lines.

Move large objects away from the walls to provide good air circulation.

Use exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms.

Most importantly if you think you may have mold growing in your home call us and we will send a trained professional to examine the structure for any visible signs of mold.  In the event mold is found, we will be available to assist you with the mold remediation process.