Control Moisture

2/11/2019 (Permalink)

Mold are found in every environment and mold spores reproduce rapidly when moisture is present. An Institute of Medicine study found excessive dampness indoors encourage the growth of molds and others organisms, causing a public health problem. The EPA advised that the potential health concerns from mold growth. It is especially important to clean up existing indoor mold growth to increase property appeal and retained its value. If a property has experienced a water intrusion, your SERVPRO Franchise Professional can inspect the damage to see whether moisture has penetrated materials or is allowing mold growth. 

Control Moisture- Reduce Mold 

Prior to listing a property, the following steps can be taken to reduce the potential moisture buildup or mold growth. Should a damage event occur, timely response is the key to preventing further damage- act withing the first 24 to 48 hours.

• Correct any water leaks or standing water. 
• Remove standing water under cooling coils or air handling units. 
• Properly maintain humidifiers, if used
• Replace wet or visible moldy insulation materials. 
• Steam cleaning and other methods involving moisture should not be used on any kind of duct work. 
• Install a ventilation system. 

Managing Mold

2/8/2019 (Permalink)

FROM THE ORDINARY...

Fungi and mold naturally occur in our environment. In fact, over 100,000 kinds of fungi have been identified. Even through some forms of mold can add value to our lives, others forms can be harmful. Excessive amounts of mold, different types of mold, and/or exposure to molds may present health concerns for some people. 

TO THE UNHEALTHY.

 Intrusion of water into your home or place of business can result in mold growth. Water intrusions can result from storm damage, plumbing or equipment failures, long-standing leaks, and poor humidity control. When water intrusions are not addressed right away, the resulting damage can present increased risk of harmful mold growth. If the humidity and moisture levels in a water damaged environment are not promptly returned to normal, mold spores may grow and multiply. 

TAKE PRECAUTIONS

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals handle water damages every day and now prompt action is required to prevent mold growth. If there is an ongoing moisture problem in the building, be alert for

• The presence of visible mold.
• Strong musty odors, which may indicate mold present.
• Any evidence of past moisture problems that might have caused undetected mold growth.
• Excessive humidity. 

If You See Mold

1/15/2019 (Permalink)

Mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.

If You See Mold

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of Westlake 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 Westlake 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 – 213-315-5136

Mold

12/27/2018 (Permalink)

Mold needs these conditions before it can begin to grow in a home:

• Mold spores
• A food source 
• Darkness 
• Warmth 
• Oxygen
• Moisture 
• Enough time (24-48 hours)

Moisture is really the key cause of mold growth since the other conditions on the list are always going to be present in homes.

The difference between whether mold grows in your home or not comes down to whether you have a moisture problem.

Humidity Causes Mold

If the weather's been very humid for a few days in a row you might notice mold starting to grow in your home. When it rains for several days it's common to see mold start to grow on walls, benches and other surfaces because of the wet air.

Also when moisture inside your house evaporates into the air it increases the humidity indoors. If your home isn't well ventilated then the humidity will stay high for a long time.

Drying clothes indoors on clothes lines or stands is a common culprit when it comes to causes of indoor humidity problems. The household HVAC system can also create humidity troubles while it artificially heats or cools the air.

Sometimes people use humidifiers in their homes. But there are molds that only need the humidity level to be higher than 55% to start growing. So if you need to use a humidifier in your home make sure to keep the humidity below 55%.

Not only does high humidity feed mold, but it means that puddles of water and damp materials in the home take longer to dry out. These wet surfaces can in turn create mold growth of their own.

Leaking Pipes Cause Mold

Water leaks from pipes are a common cause of mold growth. The worst leaks are the ones that go undetected because they are hidden out of view, like inside a wall. By the time you discover these leaks mold has usually started to grow already.

Leaks in Roof Cause Mold

Like some leaking pipes, a roof that leaks into the attic might not be discovered until it's already led to mold growth.

The best thing to do is to check the attic regularly for leaks and keep an eye on the ceiling below the attic. If you notice any signs of water damage on the ceiling or any mold that has grown through then you probably have a leaking roof.

Condensation Causes Mold

Cold surfaces can create condensation in your home. Condensation collects on cold metal pipes as well as on cold concrete floors, even if there is carpet over the top, and on walls. Places like these where condensation occurs are prime spots for mold growth.

Poor Ventilation Causes Mold

If your home is poorly ventilated it can create pockets of stagnant moist air which mold thrives in. Steam and water evaporating into the air creates humidity inside which then needs to be circulated outdoors through windows to keep the moisture level balanced.

Poor ventilation also means wet surfaces dry out more slowly. Ventilation is especially important in rooms such as the bathroom and the kitchen where there is a lot of steam.

Does Your Home Has A Mold Problem?

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hrs

Mold Facts

• 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 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.

Have a mold problem? Call us today 213-315-5136

Mold Problem?

9/17/2018 (Permalink)

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 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 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, we 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 – SERVPRO of Westlake 213-315-5136