Archived Mold Remediation Blog Posts
What Causes Mold Inside The Home?
4/19/2018 (Permalink)
Contact SERVPRO of Medford for all you mold removal or mold remediation needs.
Mold needs dampness, water, or mugginess to flourish. Mold spores can start developing inside as soon as they make contact with a wet surface. Some basic spots mold can flourish include:
- Showers, baths, sinks, and toilets are normal spots for mold development. These regions have a tendency to be clammy, and without sufficient ventilation they give the ideal conditions for mold growth.
- Air conditioners and heating ventilation.
- Fireplace and stack. When not being utilized, chimneys and smokestacks are cool, moist, and dim—prolific ground for mold spores.
- In the event that your rooftop has even the smallest of breaks, mold can develop and spread through the framework in the upper room. It can likewise flourish in the insulation and soffit vents.
- In the cellar. That very old storm cellar smell is proof of dampness,humidity, and—more than likely—mold.Generally, it can be found around channels and pipes, or close to the foundation, sump pump, windows, or vents.
Indoor mold development can and ought to be anticipated and controlled by killing the sodden conditions inside. In the event that there is mold development in your house it's critical to manage it quickly and efficiently. The issue must be stopped at the source as well. In the right, or wrong,circumstance mold will spread rapidly—in as few as 24–48 hours.
If you think your home has mold, call an expert who will arrange for a sampling and test the affected zone. The Mold Remediation Specialists at SERVPRO of Medford are certified and prepared forwater and mold restoration. They specialize in mold protocols and how to strategize restoration. Your SERVPRO of Medford professionals know how to adequately deal with mold, utilizing only the best in class systems and hardware.
SERVPRO of Medford's specialists will initially evaluate the harm and, if required by law, receive a protocol for a Certified Mold Assessor, and devise a strategy. They will then focus on the influenced zone, utilizing physical obstructions and a negative air pressure chamber, keeping the mold from spreading. The SERVPRO of Medford specialist will then reinvigorate the area.
The specialists at SERVPRO of Medford get continuous mold remediation training, guaranteeing the rebuild of your home or business rapidly and proficiently.
SERVPRO of Medford offers crisis relief every minute of every day, or you can call to schedule an exhaustive review of your home or business.
Is Black Mold Really Dangerous?
4/2/2018 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Medford has a team of mold remediation specialists.
We’ve all been there. You go into your basement or your bathroom and there, on the wall, you see it: black mold. You panic, because you’ve heard horror stories for years about the dangers of black mold, but is there really any truth to the hype?
In truth, the term “toxic black mold” is a misnomer with no scientific validation at all. In fact, the term “toxic mold” is also inaccurate. According to the CDC, “the term ‘toxic mold’ is not accurate. While some molds can produce toxins, specifically mycotoxins, the molds themselves are not toxic or poisonous”.
So what kinds of mycotoxins can black mold produce? The trichothecene types below are found in toxic black mold:
- Cyclosporin
- Roridin E
- Satratoxin F, G and H (the most abundant type of trichothecene)
- Sporidesmin G
- Stachybotryolactone
- Trichoverrol
- Trichoverrin
- Verrucarin J
Molds come in a rainbow of colors but it is the black mold species Stachybotrys chartarum that has been falsely dubbed “toxic black mold”. In reality, mold is everywhere in our environment, it’s the dosage that makes the poison.
There is no argument that excessive exposure to almost any type of mold can cause adverse health effects, no matter what the color.
In addition, mold growth can also damage buildings—weakening structure and causing unpleasant odors, as well as causing ugly staining. Cleaning mold is often exactly what causes it to spread; the process dislodges mold spores and allows them to travel into new areas of the environment.
To avoid this it’s best to call a professional when you suspect you have a mold issue in your home or business. SERVPRO of Medford has years of experience in mold removal and remediation and can ensure that any damage caused by mold is repaired properly, and completely. With SERVPRO of Medford it’ll be "Like it never even happened."
The Real Truth About Mold Removal And Mold Remediation
3/23/2018 (Permalink)
Contact SERVPRO of Medford if you have mold in your home or business.
Many contractors and even mold removal companies will try to confuse you as to the difference between mold removal and mold remediation. Some will try to tell you that for a small mold issue, you can get mold removal, but for a larger more dangerous issue, you’ll need a more complicated, and expensive, mold remediation. Out of fear, many will choose to go with remediation and spend the extra money. That makes sense, mold can be extremely dangerous, causing severe illness and other problems, but the fact is that mold removal and mold remediation are interchangeable terms that mean the same thing!
Mold is endemic in our environment, meaning you can find it almost everywhere that water and oxygen are present. While some mold, such as the mildew in your shower (when in small quantities,) are considered “cosmetic mold” and can be simply sprayed with bleach, other types of mold (and even mildew when it spreads,) can become dangerous and toxic.
Certified Mold Specialists
SERVPRO of Medford has certified mold remediation technicians that can not only help to identify and properly remove the mold in your home, but they will also locate the source, and eradicate the cause of your mold issues.
When you find mold in your home, make sure that your mold professional can explain the mold remediation process in simple terms. Many small mold issues should not be expensive to handle. Moldy drywall is one example. If the affected area is small, it should not be a tremendously expensive fix. The most important issue with small drywall fixes happens once the damaged section is removed. It is imperative to ensure that spores are not spread further, so great care must be taken with the disposal of affected areas. If the technicians you hire use extremely technical terms to frighten you into tremendously expensive treatment options, be wary.
When you call SERVPRO of Medford, we will carefully inspect your property to ensure that not only are all mold issues are addressed, but also that we locate the source of the issue, and eradicate it. If we do find an issue that needs to be addressed, we will use specialized filtration equipment to capture microscopic mold spores that may be in the air and to prevent them from spreading during removal.
In addition to mold removal, we also specialize in cleaning your belongings and ensuring that they are sanitized and safe to use. Should major restoration need to be done, we can also handle reconstruction and finishing to ensure that you are back to normal as quickly, and cleanly, as possible.
Mold doesn’t have to be scary, so don’t let an unqualified contractor or “specialist” make it into a nightmare.
Common Places to Find Mold
10/20/2017 (Permalink)
Mold can grow in many places.
When we think of mold problems we equate it to damp basements and black gross mold growing on drywall; but mold is insidious and can grow in places where you least expect it. Mold is fast growing, can pop up within 24 hours of being exposed to moisture, and spreads quickly.
Here are some common places where mold forms that you might not be aware of:
The spaces behind and under your fridge rarely see the light of day, which make them a perfect breeding ground for mold. Clean all water lines and drip pans and ensure they are not leaking; even a small leak can lead to a huge mold problem. Take the extra time to check and clean behind and underneath your refrigerator.
Your chimney can easily become a breeding ground for mold. Brick crevices collect water, dirt, and other organic debris. Rusted chimney caps and faulty flashing let in rain and snow, encouraging mold to grow. Replace rusted caps and fix flashing. Call a licensed mold removal specialist to remove the mold in your chimneys. To prevent mold, get your chimney cleaned by a professional chimney sweep at least once a year.
- Front-Loading Washing Machines
Front-loading washing machines are great, but can be a hotspot for mold growth. The gasket around the door on front-loading washing machines often stays wet because the door is usually closed when not in use. Add some lint to the moisture and mold happily munches and multiplies. Wipe the gasket and glass dry before you shut the door. If you spot mold, run a hot water wash with some chlorine bleach (no clothes), which will kill the fungi. Even if you have a top-load washer make sure to regularly check behind and underneath your washer and dryer to make sure there are no leaks or source of moisture. Clean out vents and lint traps to prevent mold havens, as well as fire hazards.
Condensation from windows provides the moisture mold loves, and the dirt and dust that collect provide the perfect place for the mold to settle. After heavy rains open windows and wipe moisture from the bottoms of sashes and windowsills. Replace any broken seals and if you notice any water has leaked into the wood and walls call a professional to see if the problem has caused mold.
Air conditioning units trap dust and pollen (a good meal for mold) and grab moisture from the air. If you don’t run your AC unit at least every 24 hours in warm weather humidity in your house climbs, giving mold the opportunity to grow in AC ducts, drain pans, and on coils. Drip pans and drainage hoses on window units can leak causing mold to grow into the windowsill and dry wall. If mold grows in your central air conditioning unit you’ll have to hire a mold remediation pro to clean out the system.
If you suspect you may have mold contact the experts at SERVPRO of Medford.
Mold Remediation
6/1/2017 (Permalink)
Mold is requires mold remediation right away.
Mold can not only destroy the quality of life in your home, it can destroy the value of your home as well.
Mold grows in dark, damp, areas of your home—like behind walls and under floors—and by the time you finally see visual signs of mold it is already a much bigger problem.
The most common mold that causes the most problems for homeowners is black mold. Black mold tends to have a strong, musty smell, and of course displays a trademark black color. It can cause health problems, and decrease the value of your home. It is imperative that you contact a mold remediation specialist at the first sign of a mold problem.
If you believe you have black mold growth in an area of your home after these initial inspections, you should contact a professional mold remediation company like SERVPRO of Medford
Call SERVPRO of Medford at (631) 732-4952
24/7 Emergency Service