Everything You Need to Know About Mold Remediation

9/19/2023 (Permalink)

Everything You Need to Know About Mold Remediation

At some point in your life, you've seen mold. Whether it be in your home, on the walls, ceilings, or in your basement, or on an old piece of bread that got stuck in the back of the refrigerator. Regardless of where you've seen it, you have. However, some people don't see it and live with it every day. There are signs of mold in your home, and the sneaky mold spores that hide are even worse than the ones you can see.

It's important to fully understand mold, how it works, what mold remediation looks like, and what to look out for. SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City is one of the best mold remediation companies around, and we're here to not only remediate mold, but to help you understand more about it.

Mold Facts

Confusion and misunderstanding surround the topic of mold and mold remediation. Some restoration companies will make claims to remove all mold from a building and this is not true. Mold spores occur naturally almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. These microscopic spores float along in the air and can enter a home or business through windows, air ducts, and HVAC systems. Here are some facts that you should know:

• 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. They can even hitch a ride on your clothing or pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water, and 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%.

Mold Damage Tips

Did you know in as little as 48 hours, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business when there's a water intrusion? All it takes is a roof leak, or some kind of water entering into your home. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. We have the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem.

So, what should you do? Stay out of affected areas, turn off the HVAC system and fans, and contact us for mold remediation services.

What shouldn't you do? Do not touch or disturb the mold, blow air across any surface with visible or suspected mold growth, attempt to dry the area yourself, or spray bleach solution or other disinfectants on the moldy surfaces.

How Can You Tell If It's Black Mold?

So, you've probably seen a lot of scary news reports about the dangers about black mold. These reports can be alarming and confusing, so it's beneficial to get the facts to better understand it.

This type of mold does produce allergens and irritants, however, many types of mold can do this, so it's important to treat any mold with caution. Just stay out of the affected moldy areas and don't touch or disturb it.

What Our Mold Remediation Process Looks Like

Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same. Here's what it looks like:

1. Emergency Contact (201) 482-1932 - The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call us. Our rep will ask a series of questions to help us determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel.
2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment: We carefully inspect your property for visible signs of mold. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view. We use various technologies to detect mold and hidden water sources.
3. Mold Containment: Our professionals use various containment procedures to prevent the spread of mold. We may use advanced containment procedures like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process. All fans and heating and cooling systems will be turned off to prevent the spread of mold.
4. Air Filtration: Our specialized filtration equipment allows our professionals to capture 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 process.
5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials: The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. We'll use anti-fungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. It may be necessary to remove and dispose of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and carpeting, to remediate heavy mold growth.
6. Cleaning Contents and Belongings: We clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, clothing, and other restorable items affected by mold. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and disinfect your belongings. We're also trained to remove odors and deodorization using fogging equipment.
7. Restoration: Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may have been removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business. The restoration step gets your home or business back to normal.

Mold Removal vs. Mold Remediation

We often get the question, "what is the difference between mold remediation and mold removal?" Well, since microscopic mold spores exist naturally almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors, removing all mold from a home or business is impossible. We understand mold and mold growth and have the training and expertise to remediate the mold in your home. So, you should know that 100% mold removal isn't possible. However, we can kill mold that we're able to detect and remediate it to protect anyone in the home or business from allergic reactions, irritants, and health problems.

What Causes Mold Growth?

Mold growth is caused by moisture. It's important to find the moisture source before it gets too bad, creating further damage. If your home or business deals with a flood or any kind of water damage, it's crucial to have it restored and properly cleaned and dried to prevent mold growth from happening. However, moisture doesn't always mean water. Mold can grow if humidity levels are too high, if your bathroom fans don't work well and you take hot showers, leaving moisture on the walls, etc. These are all situations that can cause mold growth.

What Can You Do For Mold Prevention?

If you are wondering how to prevent mold, the first step to take is to ensure that your home is not too humid. The humidity level in your household should not surpass 50% as moist conditions are a catalyst for mold to grow - as we mentioned above. You can do so by checking the humidity level more than once a day. Also, be sure to check that your house has smooth air ventilation. Continuous airflow within your home helps prevent the spread of mold.

Does a Dehumidifier Help with Prevention?

Long story short, the humidity level in your home is reduced by a dehumidifier. Humidity is increased in your home any time water evaporates. You wash the dishes, lay your clothes out to dry, or take a shower - the humidity in your home rises. As it intensifies, mold finds the perfect conditions for growth. It seems only natural that to take care of the problem is a dehumidifier, right?

Kind of, but not really. Humidity isn't the singular source that mold thrives on, although it is a biggie. Leaky roofs, flood-prone basements, and burst pipes can also be mold infestation contributors. Your humidity problem will be lessened with a dehumidifier, but if the mold is being caused by a persistent leak, it's not going to help the issue.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey

SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”