Recent Mold Remediation Posts

Mold in your Northeast Collin County/Greenville TX Home

3/4/2020 (Permalink)

Mold growth on walls Mold may not always be this obvious. If you suspect you may have growth in your home, call our certified experts at 972-548-6044.

ALL ABOUT MOLD

Mold is a type of fungus. Mold flourishes with moisture and reproduce through spores that travel through the air. Mold is usually harmless in small amounts but when they land on a damp spot in your home, they can start to grow. SERVPRO of Northeast Collin County/Greenville is here to help!

Possible signs of mold:

Water damage: Unattended water damage can lead to mold, as moisture creates an ideal environment for mold spores to thrive.

Leaks: If there is a leak in your home, it can eventually lead to water damage as well as produce prime, moist conditions that mold requires.

Humidity: When a home has humid conditions, the moisture in the air is higher. High humidity can produce condensation and excess water, providing an ample food source for mold spores.

Condensation: A lot of condensation means that there is a lot of moisture and there could potentially be a mold problem. Mold can grow anywhere where there is condensation build up.

Warping: Materials such as drywall and wood can warp if moisture is present. Warped walls may mean a mold problem is present.

Deterioration: Moisture issues can lead to paint chipping, wallpaper peeling, and other materials deteriorating, so keep an eye out for deterioration in your home.

How we can help:

Our professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Collin County are trained in determining not only how much mold is present in your home and where any growths are located at, but also where water may be coming from. We have technology that allows us to see inside your home's structure and see where humidity has collected.

Once we know where the water source is, we can fix the problem. We can begin to dehumidify your home with our commercial-grade equipment. We will then inspect for the damage that mold can cause and explain to you the best course of action for your particular situation. We have the training and experience, alongside the latest equipment and current IICRC certifications to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Call SERVPRO of Northeast Collin County/Greenville 24/7 at (972) 548-6044.

We service McKinney, Farmersville, Greenville, Anna, Murphy, Commerce, Celeste, Caddo Mills, Princeton, Wylie, Lavon, Parker, Fairview and Lucas.

Could Mold Remediation Help Resolve the Mold Issue in Your Home? | SERVPRO® of Northeast Collin County/Greenville

3/18/2019 (Permalink)

Mold growth will likely follow when water damage occurs in a home or commercial property. It’s a fact that mold can begin to grow within 48 hours of moisture exposure.

If you are ever faced with a mold problem, understanding the next steps you should take is vital, which is why we’re covering what mold remediation is in this blog.

Introducing Mold Remediation

There are many ads for mold remediation and mold removal that you’ve probably seen, but the latter of the two is false. Complete removal of mold growth from a home or business structure is simply undoable. A qualified restoration company will focus on mold remediation only, achieving the goal of bringing mold levels back to a normal and a natural level.

Yes, mold spores are everywhere, both inside a structure and outdoors. These spores only create an issue when a minor problem is not treated and then it turns into a major mold infestation.

During mold remediation, the mold-contaminated areas will be isolated by the technicians. Depending on the level of remediation that is required, it will be done either by closing all doors and windows or effectively sealing off all doorways and openings with a polyethylene sheeting. Any dust in the contaminated areas is then suppressed through misting process.

Any mold-damaged and wet materials will be removed and discarded using plastic bags. All areas exposed to and affected by the mold are then completely cleaned and dried. Sometimes, a HEPA vacuum can be used during the remediation process to aid in the removal of contamination and debris.

Then, the mold area is treated with a biocide and left overnight to kill the mold spores. The next day, the mold remediation team will return to encapsulate the affected and surrounding areas

Handling Mold in Your Home

If there is any chance that your home or business may have a mold problem, you’ll need to address the issue and act quickly. If you find that the moldy area is larger than 10 square feet upon evaluation, you need to call the mold remediation professionals.

The professionals you call for your mold problem should be highly trained and certified in areas like:

  • Applied microbial remediation
  • Water damage restoration
  • Applied structural drying

While some minor mold issues can be successfully resolved by home and business owners on their own, the safest way to deal with mold problems is to always hire professionals to get the quickest resolution to the problem.

At SERVPRO® of Northeast Collin County/Greenville, our mold damage specialists are trained and certified experts in mold remediation. If your home or business is experiencing a mold issue, contact us to begin the mold remediation process.

Handling Mold: Containment

3/6/2018 (Permalink)

Taped off room to contain mold contamination Oh you know, we are just containing this area for safety.

When performing mold remediation work it's essential to have good containments. You want to ensure no spores are spread throughout other areas of the home or business that were not previously affected.

Containment is a large part of our job when dealing with mold jobs. As you can see in the picture, we have contained the area so keep the mold spores from spreading. Our goal is to keep the affected area as small as possible to get you back into your home or business as fast as possible!

If you require mold remediation services in your home or business give SERVPRO of Northeast Collin County/Greenville a call! (972) 548-6044. We will return your home or business back to “Like it never even happened.”

*SERVPRO of Northeast Collin County/Greenville are Highly Trained Restoration Specialists*

Our SERVPRO of Northeast Collin County/Greenville Professionals are highly trained in property restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO's Corporate Training Facility to regular IICRC industry certifications, our Professionals are equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. The SERVPRO training program includes the follow:

  • IICRC Training
  • Employee Certification Training
  • Initial Franchise Training
  • e-Learnings
  • Continuing Education Classes

Answering your Mold Questions!

3/2/2018 (Permalink)

Mold growth on walls mold? No problem! We've got you covered! Call us today at (972)548-6044

Mold is never any fun. The smell, the health issues that can arise, the structural home issues, no one wants to deal with it. Unfortunately, cleaning mold with soap and water and bleach does not remove the mold only masks it! What exactly is mold though? What causes it? And why is it so dangerous? Is there anyway to prevent it? Lets answer these questions shall we?

What is mold?

A mold is a type of fungus: a plant-like organism that does not use photosynthesis to produce food, but instead obtains it directly from its surroundings. Molds can display themselves in a variety of colors, such as the familiar green covering often seen on bread or fruit.

These fungi can grow on a variety of materials, including soil, decaying plant parts, food, fabrics, and damp walls. They reproduce by releasing huge numbers of tiny spores, which are very tough, and can withstand drying and freezing.

Cause

Moisture is the key factor in mold growth. Millions of mold spores are always in the air. They sometimes attach themselves to a surface and form a colony if environmental conditions are right. The colony is commonly known as mold. Unventilated areas of a house with moisture and stale air are breeding grounds for mold. Mold can form in cold temperatures, which is why it can be found in refrigerators. But it prefers temperatures between 40 to 100 degrees.

Health Concerns

Mold fumes are harmful to breathe and exposure can cause allergies and asthma. That is especially true for people susceptible to those ailments. Mold produces organisms called mycotoxins which can also cause irritation of the eyes, skin, nose throat and lungs. The symptoms can be immediate or appear later. The EPA reports that symptoms beyond these are not likely. Research is ongoing to determine if mold exposure causes other health problems.

Property Value

While mold may not always totally destroy a home's value, it can affect it. A house with a mold problem will probably not sell as quickly or for as much as one without mold. Some real estate agents have said mold could cause a 10-percent drop in the price of a house, according to the Wall Street Journal. Since mold can be removed, it's best to get rid of it before putting the house up for sale.

Preventing Mold

There is no way to prevent the amount of mold spores in the house. But it is possible to control the amount of moisture and lessen the chance of the spores forming colonies. Fix any water leaks and dry water-damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours. Keep the humidity level in the house between 30 and 50 percent. It is also important to keep gutters clean to prevent water from entering through the roof.

Mold: What do we do?

3/1/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technician under a building treating mold As you can see our guys wear protective gear when dealing with mold! You never know what you'll find!

Often times, we receive calls requesting information about how our team goes about the mold remediation process. Unfortunately, the answer is not the same for everyone. The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and types of surfaces on which the mold appears. As you can imagine, this can vary greatly from one home or business to the next.

What is the Process?

In almost every scenario, your property will have to be carefully inspected for signs of mold using technology designed to detect mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water - most often, these are hidden from plain view.

Before any remediation process occurs, various containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold and isolate the contaminated area. Such containment procedures include physical barriers (i.e. plastic) and use of negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process. Specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. We utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress. 

In some cases, we may recommend cleaning the material with an antifungal and antimicrobial treatment. Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments will be used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new colonies from forming. Unfortunately, not all scenarios allow for simply treating and wiping down. Removing and disposing of mold-infested drywall and flooring may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth. Following this, the areas must be properly treated. Simply removing and replacing the affected materials does not fix the mold problem.

In many instances, in order to properly treat your your home or business, we will clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. A variety of cleaning techniques will be used to clean and sanitize your belongings. We may also utilize specialty equipment to deodorize lingering odors associated with mold or mildew.

Mold?

Mold can be a serious problem in Texas due to high temperatures and high humidity. If you think you have mold, contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Collin County/Greenville (972)548-6044

Mold and the Structure of your Home

2/12/2018 (Permalink)

Mold growth on walls Mold Damage? No Problem! Call Us at 972-548-6044

YES, Mold Can Cause Structural Damage to your Home!

Many homes across the United States have mold issues. One of the problems with mold is that it doesn't always appear where you can see it. Without having visible signs of mold present, homeowners often must wait until they smell the mold spores, and by then, the problem is much greater, and more difficult to control. If mold is present, it is a sign of higher-than-acceptable levels of humidity. Both mold and humidity can affect the interior of any home, leading to wood beams rotting, deterioration of drywall, peeling of wallpapers and borders, and many other issues within your home. 

Which Homes Can Have Mold? 

When you can smell the musty odor of mold in your home, mold damage has been able to strike the interior of your home for a while. Mold grows within 48 hours of water meeting mold spores that pre-exist in your home. A 2003 study by the University of Arizona discovered that 100 percent of the homes tested had at least one strain of mold spores present in the interior. Some homes had more than one type of mold spores present. Where these spores are located at in your home is usually unknown, until they become a problem by beginning to grow, and soon becoming visible.

Why You Should Keep Mold Growth to a Minimum 

Mold can cause adverse health effects in people, and so can high humidity level. If a home is hot and humid, pre-existing breathing problems can be worse. If a home is cool and damp, the same is true, but you may feel cold and clammy. Both are detrimental to your home's health, as both are excellent environments for mold to grow rapidly. Using a dehumidifier can keep humidity levels to a reasonable level. Fixing leaks throughout the home is also another way to control humidity and mold growth.  

How We Can Help You 

Our professionals are trained in determining not only how much mold is present in your home, and where any growths are located at, but also where water may be coming from. Water can enter your living space through problematic water lines, or from external sources, such as rainwater that has entered in through a crack or crevice in your home's exterior. We have technology that allows us to see inside your home's structure, so we can see where humidity has collected. 

Once we know where the water source is, we can fix the problem. Then we can begin to dehumidify your home with our commercial-grade equipment. Then we will inspect for the damage that mold can cause and explain to you the best course of action for your particular situation. We have the training and experience, alongside the latest equipment and current IICRC certifications, to help make it, “Like it never even happened.” 

You can reach our trained remediation professionals by calling SERVPRO of Northeast Collin County/Greenville 24/7 at (972) 548-6044. We’ve serve McKinney, Farmersville, Greenville, Anna, Murphy, Commerce, Wolfe City, Wylie and everywhere in between.