Why is there Mold in Your Home?

2/11/2021 (Permalink)

Mold Growing in Damp Drywall

Mold is ubiquitous, meaning it is always present and a part of the fungal ecology necessary for life. When present the goal is for it to be in balance. What does this mean? The most common comparison is outside conditions compared to inside occupied buildings. When a mold exists outside and it is either not inside or is closely aligned with interior presence it is considered normal or in balance. This does not apply when individuals are immunocompromised or business processes require better indoor air quality. Contact a company to request mold testing. SERVPRO of Fayetteville can assist you with testing services. Services include air sampling and surface sampling using specified procedures and testing supplies.

In general, mold has three requirements to reproduce. 1. Food 2. Range of temperature 3. Moisture. Of the three requirements water is the easiest to control. Mold can process a wide variety of materials (paper, wood, bio-film, food, biodegradable materials) into a food source. Mold is adaptable to a wide variety of temperatures. Especially considering the interior temperature is controlled to accommodate occupants. The remaining requirement, water, is the easiest to control. A three-legged stool is one example of a method in controlling mold growth. If each leg is one of the requirements, and one of the legs is removed the stool falls. The leg representing moisture is the one to remove. 

A few tips to prevent excess moisture are to remove and dry water from floor surfaces, exhaust air from bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, observe appliances (ice maker, washing machine, and dishwasher) to detect slow leaks, and check rooms used infrequently. Rooms used infrequently allow additional time for moisture present to promote mold growth. Leave doors open to areas not in use to allow air movement.

SERVPRO of Fayetteville is trained and qualified to assist you with safe mold removal. 

How to Reduce Mold Growth

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

Mold growth resulting from water leak.

Mold is ubiquitous, meaning it is present in the environment and is a natural occurrence. The goal is to prevent mold from growing to a state potentially proving harmful to occupants in a building.

When is mold harmful to humans? While there are no current federal standards for what may be harmful to someone, there are methods to determine when actions are required to reduce the amount present. Mold testing is one method. Servrpo of Fayetteville does provide mold testing.
Factors when determining whether actions may be required include, but are not limited to: age of occupants, health concerns, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
Before the need for additional steps is required to reduce mold presence, an understanding of how mold grows may assist in the prevention of removal.

In general, mold requires three components. Food, moisture, and temperature. Of the three one is the most controllable. Mold can grow in a wide variety of food sources. It is easy to overlook some as a food source. Mold can also grow in a wide range of temperatures. The third component, moisture, is the component to focus on to prevent excessive mold growth.

Sources of moisture include, but are not limited to roof leaks, water leaks in the home (ice make supply lines, washing machine supply lines, plumbing lines supply fixtures, elevated moisture in crawlspaces. Slow, ongoing leaks may not be observed initially and present an opportunity for mold to grow undetected. Observe signs of water leaks and determine the source. Once discovered, leaks should be repaired as soon as possible. Additional efforts to reduce moisture levels in building materials may be required once water is discovered. These efforts most often require dehumidification to remove the moisture in a timely period. SERVPRO of Fayetteville is prepared to provide these services.

If visible mold is discovered services to remove require trained personal and special procedures. Procedures include, but are not limited to mold testing, material moisture content readings, developing a site plan, and implementing these plans.

A goal for successful mold removal is to return building materials and indoor environment to a condition equivalent to those present before mold growth occurs. SERVPRO of Fayetteville has the necessary staff and equipment to provide these services.

The Importance of Mold Testing

9/29/2020 (Permalink)

Air-o-Cell tests are used to check the air quality of the home or business.

Mold remediation here in the south is a constant job for SERVPRO of Fayetteville. The humidity in the south is always a factor that helps us bring in business. Although we always test for what type of growth we are testing, the importance of testing allows us to inform the customer and our technicians of what they are working with during removal. The testing is the most important aspect of mold remediation. The two types of mold tests are Air-o-Cell tests and Swab tests. Our Air-o-Cell test allows us to check the air quality of the business or commercial residence by showing the spore count in the air quality. Swab tests are performed when the growth is visible and is done by using a swab to pull a sample from the growth. Testing your growth or air quality is vital to making sure that the remediation is done correctly. 

Professional Mold Removal

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

mold in residential home

Why you should use a professional to remove mold

Mold can spread quickly and can be difficult to detect. You can help prevent mold growth by reducing the levels of humidity in your home, fixing leaks in a timely manner, and ventilating areas of the home that are regularly exposed to moisture, like the bathroom and laundry room. However, after mold has invaded your home, it’s time for professionals like SERVPRO of Fayetteville to step in and lend you a hand.

Mold can have varying degrees of health effects on the people exposed to it and can sometimes be non perceptible to those who are unaffected. However, for people with sensitivities to mold, exposure to it can result in congestion, wheezing, and throat discomfort. Those with mold allergies can have even more intense reactions.

Because of the potentially hazardous nature of mold, especially with direct contamination, you should leave mold clean up to SERVPRO of Fayetteville. SERVPRO is here to help you by identifying mold in your home, remedying it with caution and expertise, and further preventing its spread.

Tackling mold alone without the assistance of trained professionals can be dangerous. SERVPRO of Fayetteville offers 24-hour emergency service, specialized equipment, and highly trained mold remediation technicians. Locally owned and operated, SERVPRO of Fayetteville is a restoration company you can trust.

For service help to Fayetteville, Hope Mills, and surrounding areas call SERVPRO of Fayetteville at (910) 860-1163.

Do you have a mold problem in your home?

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know that mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.

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 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, SERVPRO can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (910) 860-1163

How to detect mold in your home

2/11/2019 (Permalink)

Standing water and moisture can lead to mold in residences and damage to your flooring, walls, and furniture. There are many ways to detect mold in your home and prevent its spread.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the most common types of mold that invade the home are Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Alternaria. Mold can appear in white, green, and black colors and reproduce by spreading spores through the air, water, and organic materials.

If the mold is not in a place that is readily apparent, there are a few other ways to identify mold that is growing out of sight. Mold is typically accompanied by a damp and musty scent, but the smell itself is dependent on a variety of factors that include the type of mold it is and where it is growing. Sometimes it can be harder to detect by scent alone, especially for those with a weaker sense of smell.

People who are sensitive to indoor mold may experience allergy symptoms in the form of a sore throat, clogged sinuses, and runny nose. Mold can also sometimes trigger asthma attacks for people who have asthma.

If you do find mold in your home, be sure to call a professional service to clean and protect your residence. It can be dangerous to remove mold on your own. SERVPRO of Fayetteville offers 24-hour emergency service, specialized equipment, and highly trained mold remediation technicians.

Contact SERVPRO of Fayetteville at (910) 860-1163.