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.

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