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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Mold Remediation Blog Posts

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold?

4/12/2018 (Permalink)

customers home affected by microbial growth after a slow leak occurred.

Homeowners insurance does not usually cover mold damages. Although, there are instances when mold is covered. These instances are generally when the cause of mold is due to an incident that homeowners insurance does cover. For example, if mold has grown due to accidental and sudden pipe burst or if a recent fire has caused mold, your homeowners insurance will likely cover the mold damages. On the contrary, if mold has grown due to improper maintenance practices, such as on-going humidity exposure or a continuous leak, homeowners insurance will not likely cover the damages.

If you believe you may have a mold issue give us  a call today to have one of our experienced technicians come out and access your concerns!! (972)335-9900

How To Eliminate Mold Odor

3/28/2018 (Permalink)

Air Scrubber used to remove odor from home

While many people think of mold as having a musty odor, the truth is mold can release a wide variety of unpleasant odors, depending on the type mycotoxin it releases. If you notice a strange smell you can’t seem to get rid of, you may be dealing with mold. 

What Causes the Smell?

Mold releases small molecules called mycotoxin that cause bad smells. Different species of mold have different odors. Some of the most common mold odors smell like:

• Cat urine
• Car exhaust
• Grease
• Earthy
• Musty
• Old cheese

If you smell mold in your home, it means you have a mold problem, even if you can’t see it. You’ll need to eliminate the mold in your house in order to get rid of the smell.

Get Rid of the Source

Perform a visual inspection of the room or area where the smell is strongest. Check in the back of closets, behind furniture and under carpets. If you can’t locate any mold, you may need to call in mold remediation specialists at SERVPRO of South frisco/The Colony. They will know how to locate moist areas in your home and check inside walls to locate the mold.

Killing mold is not enough to get rid of odors. It must be removed completely, either by scrubbing it off building materials with a biocide or by removing affected materials and replacing them. 

Prevent Reoccurrence

If you notice the odor returns, chances are good the mold has also returned. It’s critical to discover the cause of excess moisture in your home and eliminate it to prevent mold regrowth. Check for leaks and broken water pipes to discover where the moisture is coming from. Your mold remediation specialist at SERVPRO of South Frisco/The colony can help you do this.

You can also install a high-efficiency particulate air filter, or HEPA air filtration device, to help speed the process of musty odor elimination. These air filters are designed to remove very small molecules from the air, including mycotoxin. Just remember that an air filter can’t solve your mold problem. You still have to eliminate the mold to eliminate the odor.

Mold 101

2/22/2018 (Permalink)

Fungi and mold naturally occur in our environment. In fact, over 100,000 kinds of fungi have been identified. Yeast is a great example of how some molds and fungi enrich our lives. Yeast is used to make bread. Yeast helped create those refreshing Kombuchas you have sampled at Farmer’s market. Yeast is also present in the fine wine and bleu cheese you are enjoying on your patio this summer!

Sadly, there is also a dark side to fungi and mold. Some molds are harmful to your health. An intrusion of water into your home or place of business can result in mold growth. Water intrusions can result from storm damage, plumbing or equipment failures, long-standing leaks (that small leak under the sink) and poor humidity control (tenants/family members not turning on the fan while showering). If water intrusions are not addressed right away, the resulting damage can present increased risk of harmful mold growth. Health concerns may arise when excessive mold grows indoors. 

If there is an ongoing moisture problem in your building, 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 any of these signs are present let SERVPRO know. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals care about proper restoration of your structure and, in most water damage situations, can safely restore your building to preloss condition.

Dont fear, call SERVPRO of South Frisco/The Colony at (972) 335-9900

Questions About Mold

2/22/2018 (Permalink)

Many customers call SERVPRO inquiring about the potential health effects of known or suspected mold growth.  The only way to truly determine the extent of mold spore migration is through lab testing.  SERVPRO does not conduct air quality inspections, however we do have trusted vendors and subcontractors that provide these services.

Air or surface sampling can be helpful in determining the scope, or extent of a mold infestation.  Air samples are taken by drawing a predetermined volume of air through a sterile media, which is then sent to laboratory for analysis.  Lab analysis is able to determine type of spores found, as well as extrapolate estimated quantities of the spores identified.  Upon request most labs will include a report detailing any issues regarding the indoor air quality.  Most Indoor Environmental Professionals will complement the lab report with a recommended remediation plan. 

If you find yourself on the receiving end of this type of report for your home or business, call SERVPRO!  We have the experienced and trained technicians coupled with the proper equipment to execute mold remediation on any scale

What To Do If You Suspect Mold Growth In Your Commercial Building

2/9/2018 (Permalink)

As commercial buildings are become more energy efficient often these energy efficient buildings do not have proper ventilation or air exchanges. Poor air quality then becomes a perfect breeding ground for mold and other contaminants. Even as you’re HVAC systems become more energy efficient, costly, and with the addition air filters exposure to indoor mold has become a major hindrance. Fortunately, there are several different solutions to this issue. When mold growth does occur, it is very important to know the right steps for properly removing it from an indoor environment, and ensuring that it doesn't re-occur.

Any area that contains the right levels of water has lack of light, and no exposure to fresh air can cause mold to begin growing in as little as 48 hours. Since mold tends to grow in cramped, closed, and damp spaces, the reality is that for every visible colony of mold that you see, there could be several more square feet (millions of spores) of mold in areas that you do not. Simply put; an area that can hold moisture and no easy access is vulnerable, especially in commercial buildings where there are numerous places mold can grow, and are often difficult to locate.

If you suspect that your building has mold growth you should call a licensed professional

It’s a task which should be firmly limited to qualified professionals who have the proper knowledge and equipment to safely remove mold and mold contaminated materials. Just inhalation or exposure to mold could cause significant health problems.

The Steps for Removing Mold:

 Plan and Prepare. Contact a licensed mold remediation company such as SERVPRO to safely remove mold and mold contaminated materials. Just inhalation or exposure to mold could cause significant health problems.

Identify, and Protect. When remediation is performed, take special care in inspecting “unseen” areas where mold could potentially grow, and have them cleaned accordingly. Protect your building by having any water damage completely remediated by a water mitigation company such as SERVPRO of South Frisco/The Colony and by having air inspections to detect spores that could cause resurgence in mold growth.

Act Quickly. Mold begins growing within 48 hours, but some can begin colonizing a surface even sooner, so don’t wait when it comes to contacting a mold remediation professional such as SERVPRO. If you have had an area flood with water, water removal and potential remediation needs to begin as soon as it is detected or mold is a real possibility.

Turn Off the HVAC. Mold is spread through airborne spores, and your HVAC can transport those spores throughout a building. It can also grow in any ventilation shaft where there's condensation to feed growth. Until the mold has been properly removed, don’t give the mold potential routes of access throughout your building, or you could be dealing with a much more extensive growth.

What To Expect During Mold Remediation

2/9/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can grow almost anywhere in a home or business if conditions permit. If there is visible growth on painted wall surfaces, property owners should be concerned about what may be growing on the wall's opposite side. The environment inside the walls of a house often differs drastically from the outside and could create a perfect haven for mold. If the wall remains wet for a prolonged period, it's almost guaranteed that the mold growth on the back side will be worse than on the front. At that point, containing the work space and removing moldy materials, followed by cleaning of salvageable framing, are the best options.

Certified professionals have the training and experience to:

  • Identify moisture sources
  • Evaluate mold growth (visible or suspected)
  • Contain damage to the smallest area possible
  • Physically remove contamination
  • Dry materials to ensure that mold will not return
  • Perform or recommend procedures for returning property to a preloss condition

The IICRC outlines five major principles of mold remediation.

  1. Make sure safety and health precautions are taken by cleanup professionals and occupants. Mold-contaminated buildings can be associated with many health problems. Anyone involved in the mold remediation process must be protected from exposure through a combination of practices and controls.
  2. A post-cleanup assessment by an independent environmental expert. An effective mold remediation cannot be developed without first determining the extent of the contamination to be removed. To ensure that remediation work is being properly performed, it is highly recommended that appropriate documentation of the remediation process be kept by project management
  3. Control of mold before it spreads further. Eliminating mold at the source of contamination is essential. Once mold spores spread through the air, it will be much more difficult to capture.
  4. Oversee the proper physical removal of the mold. The mold must be physically removed from the structure. Attempts to isolate mold or remove signs of mold on the surface are not adequate. Note that bleach alone cannot kill mold.
  5. Ensure that moisture is controlled to limit future contamination or re-contamination. Mold growth is virtually inevitable if moisture is not controlled. Moisture problems must be identified, located and corrected or controlled as soon as possible

How to Detect and Prevent Carpet Mold

2/9/2018 (Permalink)

Carpet mold is very serious but often goes unseen. It develops beneath the carpet fibers making it hard to detect. A leak in one part of a house can trickle into another. This leads to nearly invisible carpet mold.

Detecting Carpet Mold               

Some carpets are visibly moldy. They may look like white, black or green splashes on the carpet. These carpets need to be discarded. Carpets that are completely soaked probably have mold. A plumber might need to check for any leaky pipes within the walls. Wet carpeting must be cleaned and dried within 48 hours to ensure that mold has been completely removed. Mold in carpets is usually beyond repair. Professional cleaners may be able to quickly dry the carpet. They usually have the necessary equipment needed for fast mold remediation.

Mold usually has a distinct smell and the odor is unforgettable. If you see mold within your house, you may want to quickly smell it. You’ll be able to recognize it more easily in the future. There are a few different types of mold. Black mold is the most toxic. Those with black mold in house should get it removed immediately. It often appears in carpets and on walls. Black mold is dangerous because it is heavily associated with respiratory issues. It usually resembles black splotches in the carpet. It can also trail up against walls in thick lines. The circular patterns in black carpet mold may resemble burn marks.

How to Kill Mold

Killing mold in a carpet is almost impossible. Carpet mold usually seeps all the way through the fibers. It is better to focus on mold prevention and keeping the carpet clean. Carpets are less likely to visibly develop mold than other parts of the house. This is why mold detection is the key to prevention. Those looking to kill mold and mildew should consider hiring certified professionals like SERVPRO of South Frisco/The Colony because there is health risks involved. Home cleaning methods may make the mold less visible, but the spores will still be embedded in the carpet.

Preventing Carpet Mold

The one major cause of mold is moisture. Reducing the humidity within a house is the best way to ensure mold goes away forever. You may want to invest in a dehumidifier. These are designed to suck moisture out of the air. Make sure that there aren’t any leaks within your house. Broken air conditioners and leaky bathroom pipes may create puddles that result in mold.  Mold grows the most in places that are dark and damp. Mold prevention is harder in areas that are humid. Detailed cleaning of your carpet will greatly help in preventing mold.

Beware of Mold

2/9/2018 (Permalink)

Did you know that 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 you suspect Mold in your commercial or residential building call SERVPRO South Frisco/The Colony. Our professional Mold team can inspect and access your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation