Managing Mold in Your Home or Business

11/5/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage created an environment for Mold growth inside the wall

When there is water intrusion, such as a roof leak or slow pipe leak, mold can quickly grow and become a problem in your home or business. Fortunately, SERVPRO of North Cabarrus County & China Grove has the training, equipment and experience necessary to help.  Although every mold damage is different, the general mold remediation process follows this "typical" process:

• Inspection for mold growth and hidden water sources
• Damage Assessment
• Third party Testing
• Mold Containment using physical barriers
• Air Filtration using our specialized HEPA vacuums to prevent mold spread
• Removal of Mold Infested Materials 
• Antimicrobial treatment 
• Content Cleaning and sanitization
• Restoration which may involve minor repairs such as new drywall, new flooring or painting

Call SERVPRO of North Cabarrus County & China Grove at 704-939-1944 to help with your mold problems!

Where should I look for mold?

8/7/2019 (Permalink)

You know that mold is dirty but it can be dangerous. Mold is a type of fungus that sprouts from microscopic spores floating in the air. When clusters of mold spores grow on surfaces, they start to reproduce and become visible to the human eye. All homes have the key ingredients needed for mold growth: the presence of mold spores, a surface for it to grow on, oxygen, warmth, and darkness. When you add moisture, whether from a water leak, stagnant water, or high levels of humidity, into the mix, that’s where mold problems begin. Knowing where mold is commonly found in your home can help you prevent it and treat it.

The most common places for mold growth are:

Mold growth is of course not limited to these places; however there is a common principle that links all of these environments together: moisture. So if you should find mold lurking in anywhere in your home, call the professionals at SERVPRO of North Cabarrus County & China Grove to come take a look. Our team specializes in mold remediation and it’s our job to ensure we leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

Quick information on mold

8/3/2018 (Permalink)

Molds are microscopic organisms found everywhere in the environment, indoors and outdoors. Common characteristics of mold :

• Sight (Appearances) – Usually appears as colored woolly mats.  Mold may appear cottony, velvety, granular or leathery and come in any shade or color.

• Smell – Often produce a foul, musty, earthy smell.

General Mold Cleanup Recommendations

• Identify moisture problems and remove excess moisture with a wet-dry vacuum and dry out the building as quickly as possible.

• Make sure working area is well ventilated.

• Use fans to assist in the drying process.

• Clean wet items/surfaces with detergent and water.

• Work and egress areas should be cleaned with a damp cloth or mop and a detergent solution.

• Discard all water/mold damaged materials; discard mold damaged materials in plastic bags; discard all porous items that have been wet more than 48 hours.

• Consult with  experienced professionals.  SERVPRO of North Cabarrus County and China Grove the professionals you can trust.

Call us 704-939-1944

What is mold?

6/6/2018 (Permalink)

Mold is extremely small element that belongs to the family of fungi. It can thrive on almost any surface especially cellulose-based objects. Mold reproduces very quickly, and it can take hold in your home in no time. Once mold takes over, your health and your wallet can be impacted. The sooner you identify and remediate, the lesser the impact.

Most people hear the word “mold” and cringe. They don’t realize that molds are a very normal part of our world. Molds are present almost anywhere. Though they may be harmful at times, molds are a big part of the ecological balance in the environment, as they play a major role in breaking down organic substances. In fact, molds are the original recyclers.

It is only when certain types of molds get into our homes that issues arise. Though there are thousands of different mold types, only certain kinds are harmful for humans. Health issues range from recurring allergies to severe reactions.

Molds require moisture to grow. There are many different types of moisture sources in our homes, and all of them can produce mold if they persist. From floods to roof leaks, moisture can come from almost anywhere. According to some recent studies, approximately 50 percent of homes have unknown moisture problems. And as we all know, molds thrive best in moist places. While we may notice moisture on our walls or in our bathrooms because we frequently visit these areas, mold can often hide in the areas of our homes we don’t frequently visit such as basements, attics, and behind furniture.

Got Mold ? Better Call SERVPRO North Cabarrus County & China Grove

5/30/2018 (Permalink)

Mold thrives under the right conditions

Mold remediation is one of our primary areas of expertise here at SERVPRO of North Cabarrus County & China Grove

We have the training and experience to contain the infestation, scrub health-threatening spores out of the air, remove the contaminated materials, and help prevent future microbial growth.

A Moldy Situation

Imagine you were cleaning out a storage closet at work, and you found mold growing on the back wall. Maybe an ice dam supplied the water that created an ideal situation for microbes to grow in this closet. Once you identified and resolved the source of the leak, you would still want to contact a professional to mitigate the mold and ensure healthy air for your employees and customers to breathe.

Containing the Infestation

When SERVPRO^® franchise professionals begin a mold job, our first concern is to contain the mold infestation. The mold you can see is only a small part of the danger posed to building occupants. Mold reproduces by releasing invisible spores into the air. These spores pose the real hazard for those who breathe the air in the infested building. Therefore, we begin by preventing air from the contaminated area traveling to other parts of the building.

Scrubbing Mold Out of the Air

Each job is unique in its challenges and solutions. However, in most cases, a SERVPRO^® mold mitigation team will set up a containment barrier and create a negative air situation inside the infested area--essentially a vacuum that ensures air only flows into and not out of the contained area while the air scrubbers filter the spores and other contaminants from the air.

Removing Contaminated Materials

Organic materials like drywall, carpeting, and ceiling tiles must be removed and discarded once they become contaminated with mold. This is why we encourage people to contact us immediately after a water loss to dry all the materials before microbial growth begins. Blowing a fan across moldy materials hoping to dry them and save them spreads mold spores in the air and increases the health risk to building occupants.  

Inhibiting Future Growth

SERVPRO^® franchise professionals can never promise to prevent all future mold growth. Mold spores are everywhere in the atmosphere, and they take root and thrive whenever they find the perfect mix of moisture, food (organic materials) and temperature. However, our team does have several products that discourage microbial growth. Once your moldy materials have been removed and the air has been scrubbed to reduce the concentration of spores, we can apply one of these anti-microbial agents to help protect your building’s structural elements.

Call SERVPRO^® for Mold ASAP

When you see mold, remember you cannot see the biggest threat that mold presents. Contact 

SERVPRO North Cabarrus County & China Grove.

OUR mold remediation team at  704-939-1944 for a free estimate and good advice about protecting yourself and other building occupants until the mold is removed and the air is clean again. 

What Are the Causes of Mildew Odor and Mold Growth At Residential or Commercial Properties?

5/30/2018 (Permalink)

What Are the Causes of Mildew Odor and Mold Growth At Residential or Commercial Properties?

When someone has commercial mold damage or mold in her home, she must hire a professional mitigation company to remove the dangerous contamination. Without the right type of remediation, mold will continue to spread in a building, creating poor air quality while damaging building materials such as drywall, hardwood floors and carpeting. If a property manager has mold in a commercial building, then he must remove the contamination to conform to local safety regulations in order to keep a business open. Mold damage occurs for several reasons, including:

• Small water leaks from malfunctioning toilets
• Water pipes that burst during inclement weather
• Roofs that leak due to degradation or heavy rainstorms
• High humidity levels and poor air circulation in a building
• Flooding conditions from overflowing rivers or lakes
• Sewage overflows from damaged sewer lines

What Are the Typical Signs of Having Mold Damage In a Business or Home?

There are several signs of having mold in a home or having commercial mold damage that include:

• A smelly odor that might emanate from the ventilation system of a building
• Visible signs of slimy or fuzzy mold growth on a building’s materials
• Water stains and discolorations on walls, ceiling, baseboards or other surfaces
• Mildew odor in a basement or attic
• Rotting and decomposing building materials

Use the Proper Deodorization Methods To Eliminate Mildew Odor

Mold is a fungus that can grow on the inside or outside of a building. A mold fungus can be harmless or dangerous, depending on its type. Some types of mold growth will create a smelly odor that permeates a building, and if someone has a business, then her clients or customers will complain about the smell. Amateur deodorization methods for the smelly odor from mildew will only eliminate the problem for a short amount of time. The only way to eliminate the problems caused by mold completely is by contacting a highly trained mitigation expert.

Home or Commercial Mold Damage Remediation Requires Using Specialized Cleansers

When a property owner has a toxic fungus in a building, he needs to hire a professional mold removal company right away. The mold removal technicians hired by a property owner should have specialized mitigation equipment such as scrubbing machines and cleansers instead of household products that will make the fungus more resistant. With the right mold damage remediation methods, technicians can eliminate the mold in a home along with the smelly odor from mildew.

Effective Mold Damage Mitigation Includes Sanitizing Vents and Climate-control Equipment

An important aspect of mold removal services from knowledgeable technicians is that they can determine why there is commercial mold damage or mold in a home. A full-service remediation mold damage company has technicians who can inspect a building to determine why it has mildew odor that requires frequent deodorization and mold removal services. Effective mold removal requires tearing away contaminated materials before proper disposal of the items to prevent additional contamination. For the best deodorization in a building, a property owner must make sure that the mold damage technicians use suctioning equipment to sanitize a building’s climate-control and ventilation devices.

How to Prevent New Mold Growth Inside a Business or Home

After the mold is removed from a building, it is imperative to prevent new growth or smelly odors with a variety of steps. A property owner should identify and correct the problem areas in her residential or commercial structure to reduce water leaks or humidity. It is important to dry all of the damp areas in a building immediately along with keeping these spaces dry in the future. Great ways to prevent new mold in a home or business is by increasing a building’s air circulation. In addition, a property owner can replace the damaged materials in a building with mold-resistant products such as specialized drywall or insulation. For more information on mold removal and remediation contact 

SERVPRO of North Cabarrus County & China Grove

704-939-1944

Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

9/25/2017 (Permalink)

Be careful! Without proper training, you could be spreading mold throughout your home.

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 of North Cabarrus County & China Grove 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 of North Cabarrus County & China Grove 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 – 704-939-1944

Got Mold?

5/23/2016 (Permalink)

Mold and mildew are fungi that happily and quickly grow anywhere there is moisture. They serve an important purpose in our environment by helping to destroy organic materials such as leaves, thereby enriching the soil. But that same attribute can cause a serious health issue. 

Check for areas in your home where there could be high humidity or water damage, such as a damp basement or crawl space. Mildew and mold can grow on wood products, ceiling tiles, cardboard, carpets, drywall, fabric, foods, and insulation. These growths can begin to develop on a damp surface within 24 and 48 hours and produce spores that travel through the air. They will break down and destroy whatever they're growing on.

If you have any mold concerns regarding your home or business, call SERVPRO at 704-939-1944 to schedule an appointment.