Recent Mold Remediation Posts
What is Mold? | SERVPRO of Downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant
11/8/2023 (Permalink)
Mold is a term used to refer to fungi that grow in the form of multicellular thread-like structures called hyphae.
Overview
Mold Is Everywhere! You can easily spot mildew, the most visible type of mold, which starts as small black spots that often grow into larger colonies.
Mold growth requires moisture
The sources of moisture could be washing, cooking, air humidifiers, condensation, or leaks from plumbing or the outside. Poor ventilation contributes to higher humidity levels and leads to condensation, which also allows mold growth.
If you have a mold problem in your home or business, consider the following facts:
- Significant mold growth can occur in 48-72 hours.
- A strong, musty odor may indicate hidden mold behind drywall or under carpeting.
What to Do:
- Stay out of affected areas.
- Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
What Not to Do:
- Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
- Don’t blow air across 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.
What you can do until help arrives?
In as little as 48 hours, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business when there is a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. SERVPRO of Downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment to handle your mold issue.
Have a Mold Problem? Contact Us Today – (843) 577-2470
Mold Questions
10/29/2019 (Permalink)
A Few Important Mold Questions and Their Answers
Mold is a common problem in many buildings. If you have noticed a fungus growth in your North Lilburn home, you may be wondering what you should do about it. Will your insurance cover the costs of removal? The answer to this can vary depending on your circumstances. Here are a few important mold questions and their answers.
- When Does Insurance Cover Mold?
In many cases, your insurance policy will not include mold, but there are some exceptions. In situations where it is clear that the growth of mold was caused by a covered peril, then the costs to remove the damage will likely be covered. This can include instances when mold is the result of leaks caused by ice buildup, damage from a broken pipe and accidents involving broken appliances. Some companies also offer added mold insurance policies for an additional price.
- When Is Mold Not Covered?
Unfortunately, your standard homeowner's insurance will more than likely exclude most mold coverage. Unless it was caused by a covered peril, you will be required to pay the costs of a mold remediation service on your own. Disasters such as floods are often not included in standard policies, so mold that is the result of a flood will not be covered. It can sometimes be difficult to receive coverage for mold if your home has a history of fungal growth.
- How Can You Prevent Mold?
Because getting rid of a fungus growth can be costly, it is better to prevent one from occurring. You can do this by limiting the moisture in your home. Make sure to keep appliances and plumbing fixtures dry. You can lower the humidity by using exhaust fans and opening windows in kitchens and bathrooms. Always fix leaks as soon as possible and clean your home regularly.
While it is unlikely that your insurance will cover a fungus growth, this is not always the case. Be sure to read over your policy carefully so you know exactly what is included. Creating an unsuitable environment for mold in your home will help prevent the need for professional cleanup.
If you suspect you have mold, give SERVPRO of Downtown Charleston a call at (843) 577-2470!
What Can You Do To Prevent Mold
10/1/2019 (Permalink)
Mold thrives in a warm, humid and damp environment. Mold or mildew is not harmful in small quantities; it only becomes harmful when its growth spirals out of control and increases in quantity. Your home is likely to have mold if there are leaking pipes, leaks in the roof, poor ventilation, condensation, flooding, and wet clothes. Dealing with these problems early enough can prevent mold from setting in and causing havoc on the property.There are ways in which you can prevent this menace from happening. Always ensure that you clean up the water as soon as it spills in large amounts because this will reduce the chances of mold growing there. Also, ensure there is ample ventilation in the house after you finish cooking showering or washing utensils. Insulate your house to quell condensation. Also, keep the basement dry always. If all these fail, you should seek the help of professionals to remove mold from your home. These are the telltale signs that you should look out for if you want to know whether you need mold services;
- If your home has experienced flooding recently due to excessive rain, broken appliance or pipe there is the likelihood that mold will grow. This can happen especially if you did not enlist the services of professionals to clean it.
- When you see mold growth, it is also a red flag that you should do something about it.
- The presence of an unpleasant and wet odor can be emanating from the mold.
- If you or anyone else living in the house start experiencing allergies that you did not have before
- The presence of moisture should also alert you to the imminent growth of mold and hence the need to call in professionals.
If you reside in the Downtown Charleston area and you have noticed some of these signs, you should give us a call at (843) 577-2470.
Our 4 Step Process To Make Sure Your Charleston Home Is Mold Free
10/30/2018 (Permalink)
Proper planning is necessary when dealing with mold.
Four Important Steps In Remediation Of Mold Damage In Charleston
Apart from being unsightly, mold infestations can create the impressions of a rundown property. You have probably seen a higher percentage of old, dilapidated buildings infested with mold compared to new ones. Mold is also associated with health problems so once detected, taking the necessary remediation steps is essential. We offer remedial services that can help you deal with the problem should it develop in your Charleston property.
The first step when dealing with mold damage in Charleston is documenting the condition of the structure and the extent to which the problem has developed. Our SERVPRO technicians are well equipped to handle this step. We check the level of moisture saturation in the building and the areas to which the infestation has spread. We also review the types of surfaces where the colonies develop including whether there are porous materials affected.
Controlling the spread of mold contaminants at source is essential. Although mold spores are omnipresent, letting the debris from the affected area to spread freely increases the areas that require clean up. Various approaches can help prevent such spread. When demolishing affected drywall, our SERVPRO technicians can set up negative air machines. We also isolate affected areas using plastic sheets.
Removing the mold colonies in the affected areas is another important step. The actual method used depends on the level of infestation or the material involved. For light outbreaks, approaches such as HEPA vacuuming or damp wiping the affected surfaces can help. In cases of severe growth affecting porous materials, the best option is to remove such materials entirely.
Since mold is moisture fueled, correcting the moisture problems identified during the initial inspection is essential. No matter how effective the other remediation steps taken are, any moisture left can fuel future growth. Correcting moisture problems involves sealing any leaks identified. In case the growth occurred after a flooding incident, drying all the affected materials to normal levels is enough. Using moisture meters and sensors, our SERVPRO technicians evaluate all affected areas to ensure they dry to normal levels.
Proper planning is necessary when dealing with mold. Contact SERVPRO of Downtown Charleston to assist. You can reach us 24/7 at (843) 577-2470.
Click here for more about Charleston.
Don't Stress About Mold Damage - Leave It Up To The Pros At SERVPRO
9/27/2018 (Permalink)
Our SERVPRO fleet is always on stand by and ready to respond to your mold damage emergency!
Addressing Mold Damage Growing in Your Charleston Home During Hurricane Cleanup
After a hurricane hits our area, Charleston residents want to rebuild as quickly as possible. During this time, efforts focus on removing damaged belongings, removing waterlogged drywall and other building materials, and drying everything out.
When your home in Charleston is being restored, you should also keep the prevention of mold damage in mind. Areas in your Charleston home can still suffer from mold and mildew because of the enormous amount of humidity in the air. When your home's affected areas receive the majority of the attention, overlooking undamaged sections can occur.
SERVPRO technicians continue monitoring the air in your home for the amount of water vapor remaining. Because a hurricane dumps water all over and not just near your home, the air outside can stay saturated, also. To reduce the ability of microbes to infest your house, we use multiple air scrubbers to remove airborne spores before they can land and colonize on surfaces. SERVPRO knows it is essential to focus on your house as a whole, and not just on the areas where damage from the hurricane occurred.
Removing damaged materials can open your home's walls up, leaving interior wall cavities exposed so they can dry more rapidly. Where warping seems to occur, we allow time for this to dry. Some warping diminishes with drying. Other areas in your home with wood can also warp and crack. Mold can grow in these areas quite quickly, but removing any damaged floor coverings can help prevent mold damage from ruining the flooring underneath.
Mold damage can also grow in crawl spaces and attics because of the elevated humidity. We can monitor these areas for you to help prevent infestations before they can harm your home. When mold damage begins in full force, the cost of remediation also increases. Preventing such damage during cleanup can help save you money and time. Mold damage is one of the many aspects of a hurricane that can cause health effects.
Locally Owned Company with National Resources
SERVPRO of Downtown Charleston wants to help restore your home entirely after a hurricane and making sure mold damage never becomes an issue for our customers is one way we serve our community. Call us at our 24-hour emergency service line, (843) 577-2470, to receive more information on how we can make everything at home “Like it never even happened.”
For more on Charleston, click here.
Remediating Mold Damage In Charleston
8/8/2018 (Permalink)
The humidity makes the summers feel hotter, but it also can cause damage to homes when it helps provide a positive environment for mold growth.
Remediating Mold Damage
With so much of it surrounded by water, Charleston is a popular destination for locals and out-of-state tourists for canoeing, kayaking, and more. The humidity makes the summers feel hotter, but it also can cause damage to homes when it helps provide a positive environment for mold growth.
Since mold needs moisture, a food source, and the right temperature range to grow, the simplest way to stop Charleston mold damage means removing water sources, which includes lowering the humidity. Once completed, SERVPRO specialists can clean and remove mold spores from each home.
They begin with finding the source of the water. In most cases, this is also the source of the mold. If the source is minor damage to a roof, wall, or plumbing, our restoration team can repair it. For major damage, SERVPRO recommends homeowners bring in a licensed contractor to make repairs. With the leak stopped, they move on to removal.
Regardless if the water is from damaged plumbing or a flood, specialists remove it using a commercial grade pump for amounts more than a few inches deep, or an extraction wand for amounts that only cover the surface and slightly higher than that.
As team members remove water, other install dehumidifiers in rooms with the highest humidity levels. Depending on the moisture level in the air, each machine can remove up to 25 gallons from the air every day.
Once they return the home to a dry condition, SERVPRO teams begin removal. Mold spores quickly return to an inert state with no moisture, so technicians can often wipe down affected surfaces with a sponge or cleaning cloth. If the mold layer is still slightly damp or sticky, they use a mild cleaner to break it up for removal.
If the mold spores had time to grow into and feed on building material like wood or drywall. Technicians can remove mold from wood with stronger cleaning agents and scrub brushes or even power sanders. Drywall, however, is fragile once mold compromises its integrity and it is cheaper to replace affected panels than to attempt to clean or repair them.
The goal of SERVPRO of Downtown Charleston is to assist every homeowner in returning their residence to a clean, dry, pre-mold condition. If you have or only suspect a mold problem, call us at (843) 577-2470 today to schedule a visit.
Click here for more about Charleston.
Cleaning Mold Damage From Charleston Homes
6/22/2018 (Permalink)
If unnoticed, mold can spread quickly through Charleston homes.
Cleaning Mold Damage
If unnoticed, mold can spread quickly through Charleston homes. In the spring and summer months, people are outside more often and simply do not notice it until they see it in the corner of the bathroom ceiling or perhaps smell that telltale, musty odor under their kitchen sink.
If you have or suspect mold damage in your home, you need to contact SERVPRO to both remove and prevent it from growing again. We follow the guidelines put out by the EPA to ensure we accomplish this correctly in your home and on each job.
First, we must clean and dry moldy materials and property. We begin with an inspection to find the extent and source of the growth. That requires going into every room, crawlspaces, and even behind walls if necessary. Our experts also need to use air content meters to find the highest concentration of mold in the home. Once we determine the location of the mold, our team members must move all non-infested items into a clean area of the home or to a secondary storage area to prevent accidental contamination.
Now, our crew isolates the contaminated area from the rest of the home and begins the remediation process. Our team members are familiar with both dry and wet methods of cleaning to remove even very thick levels of mold from surfaces. We also understand how to use HEPA filters. These special filters are designed for use in commercial vacuums and can trap even a single mold spore off a surface.
Second, as the cleaning begins, we need to dispose of non-cleanable, moldy items. That includes building material and personal property that is cheaper to replace rather than attempt to clean and restore.
Our mold remediation technicians need to dry all material and property without mold in less than 48 hours after arriving on-site. Quickly removing water and drawing out excess moisture stops mold growth and prevents new spores from expanding and starting the process all over again.
If you have mold in your home, even just the garage, you need an expert to remove it as quickly as possible. Contact SERVPRO of Downtown Charleston to make sure the job is done right the first time, so you do not have to call back a second. Call us today at (843) 577-2470.
Click here for more about Charleston.
Mold Damage Remediation in Your Charleston Home
4/26/2018 (Permalink)
If a hidden pipe leaks, mold will begin to grow requiring professional mold remediation services from SERVPRO.
Rely on SERVPRO to Remediate Mold Damage and Restore Your Home
No matter how frequently and how well your bathroom in your Charleston home is cleaned, mildew or mold can start growing if you have a hidden water leak. Mold needs dark, moist areas to thrive, and a pipe, which is usually hidden under flooring or a wall, gives the best starting point for mold if it springs a leak. Staining on your walls, ceiling, or damaged flooring are signs you may have a hidden leak.
When you discover a leaky pipe and mold growth in your Charleston home, you want to act fast so that the mold damage can be cleaned up. The source of the moisture has to be taken care of first, but the mold keeps growing if you do not have it handled. Our technicians at SERVPRO are specially trained to clean up mold colonies and make your home safe again, so do not hesitate to contact us once you find mold in your home.
One of the first significant steps we need to perform in mold remediation is containing the contamination, so it does not spread to areas of your home which are clean. Building an area like this can include installing plastic sheeting for barriers, establishing negative air pressure in the area, and sealing HVAC vents to prevent mold from getting into your duct system. We may also need to create clean rooms for leaving, entering and decontaminating materials and equipment.
When SERVPRO techs prepare to remove the mold, the method we use depends on the kind of surface the mold is on. Nonporous materials can usually be cleaned. However, porous materials with visible mold growth often have to be removed and discarded. In most cases, settled spores can be removed by HEPA vacuuming and wiping with a damp cloth.
Drying your structure is of high importance as well so we can stop further growth of mold. Some of the drying procedures have to be delayed until containment and mold removal are completed, so the mold spores do not get spread throughout the home. By removing damaged materials which have absorbed moisture, we speed up the drying process. Dehumidifiers without much airflow can be used during containment and removal procedures.
SERVPRO of Downtown Charleston understands the importance of cleaning mold damage from your home in Charleston or the surrounding areas. Contact us at (843) 577-2470 if you suspect you have a mold issue so we can take care of it for you.
Click here for more information on the city of Charleston.
Mold Damage From A Roof Leak In Your Charleston Home
3/5/2018 (Permalink)
The faster you act with a roof leak and mold damage, the quicker the issue can be taken care of, and you can avoid additional damage to your home.
Mold Damage From A Roof Leak
Even a small amount of roof damage in Charleston can let moisture seep into your home, which results in the growth of mildew and mold. You not only have a roof issue to repair, but you also need to address any damage which the leak has created to the inside of your home. You can often spot ceiling mold reasonably quickly. Brown discoloration, visible mold growth, or a musty odor near a roof leak are sure signs of a mold issue.
The faster you act with a roof leak and mold damage, the quicker the issue can be taken care of, and you can avoid additional damage to your Charleston home. Regular household cleaners are not typically enough to clear up a mold issue, which is why our professionally trained staff at SERVPRO should be called in.
As remediators, we record the conditions in your home, such as how severe the contamination is and how much moisture saturation there is. After we complete remediation, an indoor environmental professional might put on record that mold in your home has been returned to conditions that are normal.
The goal of SERVPRO staff is to keep the contamination of mold from getting airborne and spreading to areas of your home that are clean. Putting negative air machines near drywall demolition, for example, lowers how much airborne mold we are exposed to and makes the process of removing the mold more efficient.
After the mold has been returned to normal levels, the best solution is to get rid of excess mold contamination. We can accomplish this by physically removing materials that were damaged by growing mold, by vacuuming excessive spores of the mold into HEPA filters, and by damp wiping surfaces that are soiled with detergent cleaning products.
Correcting the moisture problem is the key to dealing with mold. We stop the source of the moisture, such as your damaged roof, which initially contributed to the growth of mold. Even the best cleanup efforts do not keep the mold from returning if your home still has moisture problems.
SERVPRO of Downtown Charleston understands that mold needs moisture to grow in your home in Charleston and the surrounding areas. We work quickly to eliminate the source of moisture and clean up the mold after you contact us at (843) 577-2470.
Click here for more about Charleston.
24/7 Emergency Service