Mold and how to handle it properly

2/8/2024 (Permalink)

Mold found in a bedroom

Mold is not just unsightly; it can cause structural damage to your property. As a homeowner or property manager in San Diego, dealing with mold effectively is essential for maintaining a safe and healthy environment. In this blog post, we'll explore the basics of mold, its causes, and how SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul, a leading restoration company in San Diego, can help you address mold issues promptly and efficiently.

Understanding Mold: Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in damp, humid environments. It reproduces by releasing spores into the air, which can then settle on surfaces and grow into new colonies under the right conditions. Mold can appear in various colors, including black, green, or white, and it often has a musty odor.

Causes of Mold Growth: Mold requires moisture to grow, so areas with high humidity levels or water damage are particularly susceptible. Common causes of mold growth include:

1. Water leaks from pipes, roofs, or appliances.
2. Flooding or water intrusion.
3. Poor ventilation in bathrooms, kitchens, or basements.
4. Condensation buildup on windows or walls.

The presence of mold can indicate underlying issues with moisture control or water damage that need to be addressed to prevent future mold growth. Additionally, mold can weaken the structural integrity of buildings over time, leading to costly repairs.

SERVPRO's Mold Remediation Services: SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul specializes in mold remediation, offering comprehensive services to identify, contain, and remove mold from residential and commercial properties. Our trained technicians use advanced equipment and techniques to assess the extent of mold damage and develop customized remediation plans tailored to each situation.

Our mold remediation process typically includes:

1. Mold Inspection: Thorough assessment of the property to identify mold growth and moisture sources.
2. Containment: Isolation of the affected areas to prevent the spread of mold spores to clean areas.
3. Mold Removal: Safe and efficient removal of mold-infested materials using specialized equipment and techniques.
4. Cleaning and Sanitization: Treatment of affected surfaces to eliminate mold spores and prevent future growth.
5. Restoration: Reconstruction of damaged areas to restore the property to its pre-mold condition.

By entrusting your mold remediation needs to SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul, you can have peace of mind knowing that your property is in capable hands. Our team is available 24/7 to respond to mold emergencies promptly and minimize disruption to your daily life or business operations.

Commercial Building Water Damage Causes | SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul

2/28/2023 (Permalink)

Water can cause a lot of problems, and when a commercial building is damaged, water is frequently the culprit. Even a small leak in a toilet can lead to major destruction.

When you are a building owner or manager, your plate likely stays very full. The idea of having to locate every drip and leak in your building can feel pretty daunting. Familiarize yourself with the places water damage most commonly originates from so you can be proactive about preventing a disaster in your property.

<h3common-sources">3 Common Sources

There will never be a good time for an unplanned interruption in your daily operations. Facing a closure due to water damage can set your income back while your doors are closed and cost you thousands in required repairs.

Make checking several locations prone to water damage in your building a habit so you can catch problems early and prevent extensive losses:

1. The roof. When your roof leaks, it can cause a slow trickle to run throughout the entirety of your building, leaving you with damages on every level. Roof leaks may be from a sudden storm or could occur as your roof ages. Clean your gutters often, and have your roof inspected quarterly to check for weak spots. If a major wind or ice event happens, check your roof afterward to check for any problems right away.

2. Bathrooms. There is a lot of plumbing in bathrooms, and toilets and sinks can leak from a tiny hole. Bathrooms account for 15% of water losses in commercial buildings. Make it a regular task for someone on staff to inspect every bathroom once a month, and stop leaks as soon as they are discovered to mitigate damages.

3. Water heaters/HVAC/boilers. If you have large appliances in your building, you have the potential for leaks that may be hard to discover. Clogged drains and loose pipe connections are common sources of issues in large buildings. Look for standing water near your heating and cooling units, and take note when your water pressure is higher or lower than usual. There are both signs of a bigger problem that will need to be fixed to avoid disaster.

<h3preventive-steps">Take Preventive Steps

While you can’t always stop a natural disaster that causes your building to be overcome with floodwaters, you can control most other forms of water damage when you know what to do. Take the time to prepare yourself, your crew and your building and you can cut total losses drastically.

One of the best steps you can take to prepare for a water disaster is creating a maintenance plan that will have someone laying eyes on your plumbing at least once a month.

SERVPRO can be a great asset to you on this, too. Work with us to build an Emergency Ready Plan that will lay out exactly how to respond when a disaster does strike.

While you prepare, make sure you are checking every fixture in your building and looking at window seals to prevent excess moisture. Locate and map out where water shut-off valves are, and ensure someone who regularly accesses your buildings has the information to be able to turn water off quickly during an emergency.

The best results during a water event come from quick action. Take care of the immediate situation as safely and as fast as possible, and then call SERVPRO. We can respond to your property day or night to get recovery moving. We make it our goal to finish everything quickly so you can keep your doors open.

Experienced water damage in your commercial building? Contact us to get dried out quickly.

Does Your Spring Valley or Jamul Home Have A Mold Problem?

1/1/2020 (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 – (619) 600-5305

Timely Drying and Mold

9/25/2018 (Permalink)

Water from a small leak unaddressed for about 6 days

Have you ever returned home to find water on your kitchen floor or had your toilet overflow for no apparent reason? 

Seeing only a small amount of water the typical response to a situation like that is to simply mop up the water with some towels and go on with your day.  Once the water is gone we tend not to think about it again.  That is until a week or so passes and the affected area begins to smell.

What you may not have realized at the time is that while you were able to remove the water from the surface of the floor, some of it entered the walls and possibly even the cabinets.  This water then just sat there.  But stagnant water does not just sit.  It degrades, it softens materials, and it is the essential item needed for mold growth.

If you have a leak, no matter how small, Call the Professionals at SERVPRO of Spring Valley / Jamul and let us dry your property quickly to avoid those odors and the potential health risks associated with mold growth. 

How Is Rain Related to Indoor Mold?

5/16/2018 (Permalink)

You may enjoy the rainy weather in Spring Valley, CA, but no one enjoys the appearance of black mold inside their house. But why does mold show up indoors when it’s raining outside? If you see more prevalent patches of mold inside every time it rains, is it actually tied into the rain?

You Probably Have a Roof Leak

Roof leaks mean every time it rains, you have water seeping into your house and soaking into carpets, older wood, insulation, and fixtures. You may also have window leaks or other integrity issues that create a major moisture problem in your home. If you have mold from rain leakage, you’ll find tell-tale signs such as:

• Thick patches of black mold on walls, floors, and the corners of windowsills
• Musty odors
• Damp spots

Before you begin mold cleanup, you’ll want to hire professionals to check the integrity of your roof and windows or the mold will come back the next time it rains.

Search and Destroy

Mold can be extremely pervasive, but it’s not impossible to get rid of. You can start by conducting a thorough inspection of your home and finding anywhere mold may be living. It can even get captured in the crannies and crevices of air conditioners and refrigerators or brew in open containers of food or pet food. For bad cases, you may have to rip up carpet or linoleum to get at the mold underneath, and put in new flooring after you’ve cleaned out the infestation.

How to Clean Up Black Mold

To get rid of mold, scrub thoroughly; soap and water will often do the trick, but for particularly stubborn mold you may want to turn to Borax, a fungicide that kills mold and deters its growth when mixed with water and white vinegar. You can apply borax by spraying or even by mopping your floors with it. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com/.

How Long Does Mold Removal Take?

4/30/2018 (Permalink)

Give SERVPRO a call if you notice mold growing in your home or business.

When you discover mold growth on your property, it’s understandable that you want it removed as quickly as possible. There are several stages involved in mold remediation, including assessment, mold removal and restoration. Once a mold remediation specialist in Spring Valley, CA has evaluated the black mold in your building, you can expect the actual removal to take anywhere from three to seven days. That may sound like a large range, but multiple factors affect how long it takes to get rid of all the mold.

1. How Long

How long you’ve had a mold problem can affect how long it takes to clean up. If a burst pipe causes water damage but you act fast, the mold won’t have much time to grow or spread. If this is a problem you’ve been putting off or didn’t notice right away, the growth could be extensive, requiring more work to eliminate it.

2. Location

The location of the mold growth is another major factor to consider when figuring out how long mold removal will take. If the mold is someplace easy to access, under a kitchen sink, for example, the cleanup may go quickly. If you have extensive mold growth inside a wall, under floorboards, in a crawlspace or in another hard-to-reach area, it can take longer to access and remove it.

3. Materials

The type of material the mold is growing on also makes a difference. Mold can be scrubbed off of non-porous materials such as metal or plastic. If porous materials such as wood or upholstery are involved, however, they may need to be physically removed from the premises and replaced, which can take much longer.

4. The Team

The cleanup team matters too. When it comes to mold removal, it pays to hire a team of experienced professionals in Spring Valley, CA to do the job. An inexperienced team is more likely to miss hidden mold, fail to remove all the mold and improperly dry out the affected area, leaving you in danger of regrowth. An experienced team will know how to carry out the job quickly and efficiently, ultimately saving you time and money. Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on mold. 

What To Know About Insurance Coverage and Mold

3/26/2018 (Permalink)

This customer had a problem with moisture that caused mold to grown on the wall in their bedroom.

Stories of floods are becoming more common and so are horror stories about homeowners fighting fungus growth and mold destruction inside their homes. Whether it is a broken pipe or surging flood waters, the resultant damage can be catastrophic. That is why many people in Spring Valley, CA wonder if their insurance policy covers the flood damage created by mold-laden bacteria once the water is gone.

Insurance Coverage

There is no simple answer to mold insurance coverage. Fungi, mold, and bacteria can all have a detrimental effect on property and require extensive reclamation efforts. A homeowner's insurance policy often limits mold damage coverage to those issues caused by situations that are already covered by the policy. In other words, if you have flood insurance and have a flood, the policy could cover all resultant issues, including mold. However, if you experience an earthquake and it causes broken pipes, the resulting flood and mold damage may only be covered if you have earthquake insurance.

Monetary Cap

Fungus growth can also result from frequent wet areas due to landscaping problems, repeat leaks, or continuous seepage. This type of property damage is considered a maintenance problem and typically not covered by insurance. Additionally, when insurance does include mold removal and cleanup, the policy often has a monetary cap for the project.

Expert Answers

If you have questions about what your mold insurance policy does cover, consider talking to an insurance adjuster or representative to find out what your policy options are about mold coverage. If you already have mold issues in your home, call a mold remediation team and let the experts help you. The professionals can answer all your questions about mold growth as well as help with preventative measures.

Proactive Policy

Being proactive about your insurance coverage can be the first step in protecting your home from future fungus growth problems. If you know what your policy covers and what it does not cover, you can take charge of any changes you want to make before a flood strikes. Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on mold. 

If Your Building Has Mold, Will Your Insurance Company Cover the Cost of Remediation?

2/21/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can pose a serious threat to the overall integrity of your building, and if not caught in time, it can eat away at your building’s structure and create a potentially hazardous environment. If not dealt with within 48 hours, water damage and fungus growth may result in costly damage to your building. If this happens, you may wonder, does insurance cover the cost of mold remediation? The answer depends on two things:

1. The cause of the mold contamination
2. The language of your insurance policy

Causes of Mold Contamination

Mold claims in Jamul, CA typically arise in one of two circumstances: The building owner discovers mold at the same time he or she discovers a moisture problem, such as a leaking pipe or a leaky roof; or the building is subject to a flood, burst pipe or other sudden plumbing issue. Generally speaking, most insurance agencies won’t cover fungus growth that is the result of long-term leakage, water intrusion, moisture buildup, deferred maintenance, poor repairs, construction defects or normal wear and tear, but they may cover damage caused by sudden events for which you took proper measures to protect against, such as floods or plumbing system failures.

Policy Language

Unfortunately, most building insurance policies contain a laundry list of exclusions for damage caused by mold. For instance, most policies won’t cover the cost of damages if the mold was a result of normal wear and tear, poor workmanship and materials, construction defects, corrosion, pollution or wet rot. Some policies may cover mold that develops as a secondary problem from covered water damage. What type of water damage is covered and what types are not is a whole other dilemma you need to sort out with your insurer.

Mold growth can wreak havoc on your building, which is why it is best to invest in a mold insurance policy. Mold coverage is designed to do exactly what its name implies: cover the cost of damages caused by mold. If you want to protect your investment, talk to your Jamul, CA insurance agent today about devising a policy that covers damages caused by mold.
Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on mold.

Why Does Mold Smell the Way It Does?

12/15/2017 (Permalink)

Why Does Mold Smell the Way It Does?

Homeowners living in Spring Valley, California can attest to the nightmare that mold growth in the home can be. Not only does it create a toxic living environment, but the smell is rather unpleasant. Why does mold smell bad, though? Having an understanding of the cause behind mold’s odor will not only be educational, it will help you to know why it’s dangerous. Here are a few things you should know about mycotoxin mold and what you should do if you find it growing in your home.

Mycotoxin

A mycotoxin is a secondary metabolite produced by microfungi. Mold is no exception, and it releases these mycotoxins regularly. Mycotoxin is what causes the odor, and it is also what makes mold potentially dangerous in large doses. Ironically, it’s the mycotoxin in mold that also makes it an effective antibiotic. That doesn’t mean you should scrape mold off your shower wall and feed it to your child with an infection. Mold growth in the home is always a biohazard and should be treated as such.

Recognizing Mold

The musty odor mold produces are one surefire way to detect it in your home. If such an odor is present in your laundry room, bathroom, kitchen, or basement, you should take it seriously. Try to locate the source of the smell by checking under sinks, behind the washing machine, or near pipes and drains. If you are unable to find any mold growths, that doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods. Mold can often grow in wall voids behind the drywall, especially if there’s been a fluid leak or water damage in your home. Mold can grow as quickly as 48 hours after a leak, so it’s important to take action.

Mold Remediation

If you find mold or continue smelling it in your home, you should call a restoration professional immediately. These workers are trained and certified to treat mold conditions in homes and restore your indoor air quality to safe levels. Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on mold.

An Overview of the Mold Removal Process

8/29/2017 (Permalink)

An Overview of the Mold Removal Process

The term mold removal can be defined as the process by which mildew is eliminated. People who experience mold in home or fungus infestations in the office need to seek the services of a professional mildew damage mitigation and restoration company. This is because mold remediation requires high-quality tools and the application of the best mold in home removal standards and practices. The following is an overview of the procedure of eliminating mold damage, including mold growth behind walls remediation.

Mold Growth Remediation Process

The mold removal process consists of determining the exact location of the mold damage, its type, and its elimination. In cases where mold damage was experienced as a result of excessive moisture and has caused dry rot on wood, a professional fungus mitigation and restoration company will tear out the affected parts and reconstruct or repair them. The black mold remediation process includes the following steps.

• Mold Removal and Mildew Growth Assessment

Upon arrival into a home for mold removal and remediation, an experienced expert from a mold growth mitigation and restoration company will identify all areas affected by visble growth of mold. An environmental hygenist can determine types of mold and mold spore count. But, visible black mold is a clear indicator of having a problem. They will then identify the source of the problem and the extent of mold damage, which could have caused dry rot on wood. After the assessment, they will then formulate a remediation plan that might include deodorization to eliminate the smelly odor if any after which, they will start addressing the moisture problem.

• Mold in Home Encapsulation

Mildew encapsulation is the process through which fungus is contained by use of a mold growth resistance polymer. The process can be done in the absence of visible black mold as a way of preventing the spread of its spores. The materials used are propylene based polymers that form an elastic, black mold proof over affected studs. This seal will help to prevent mold growth behind walls while resisting moisture and bacteria when it is professionally applied.

• Mold Growth Filtration

Black mold spores are airborne, which makes it impossible to complete the mold removal process without professional assistance. For this reason, the air in the property affected by commercial mold damage will be cleaned by air scrubbers with HEPA filters. Such filtration is intended for removing any mold in home spores that might be lingering in the air, which could spread and cause mold growth behind wall and dry rot in wood.

• Removal of All Items Affected by Mold Growth in Office and Mold in Home

Building materials such as wood that are affected by dry rot and household items experiencing mold damage and mold growth behind walls have to be removed. This is because black mold is a living organism that can deeply embed itself into building materials for survival. The best way to avoid the return of mold damage is to dispose of anything porous. All nonporous materials have to be thoroughly cleaned using antimicrobial cleaners, and the smelly odor caused by mold damage has to be removed through deodorization. You may also need to have your HVAC cleaned to remove any existing fungus spores.

• Effective Drying

It is important to have all the repaired and the cleaned items remain thoroughly dry before employing deodorization to remove the smelly odor. This is because excessive moisture is the main cause of mold growth behind a wall and contrary to the prevailing misconception, no amount of deodorization will solve the problem of mildew infestation without proper drying. For this reason, experts from a mitigation and restoration company will use effective methods to ensure that you do not encounter residential mold damage again.

• Repair and Reconstruction

The repair and reconstruction process begins after all material affected by commercial mold damage, including wood experiencing dry rot have been removed. They are then replaced with clean fungus and smelly odor free ones. For those materials that were only affected by smelly odor, deodorization can be used by professional from a mold growth mitigation and restoration company to effectively restore them to their proper condition.

Conclusion

Mold in home only needs two days to start growing after water leakage or a flooding event. To avoid extreme mold damage like dry rot, there is need to seek the services of a fungus mitigation and restoration company immediately after suspecting mold growth behind wall. Such a company will also employ deodorization, a process by which smelly odor caused by mildew is removed from most of the house hold and office items experiencing commercial mold damage.
Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on mold.

The Benefits of Professional Mold Remediation

7/25/2017 (Permalink)

The Benefits of Professional Mold Remediation

Mold has been on the surface of the Earth for millions of years, in fact, mold is always present in the air and on surfaces everywhere especially where there is moisture. Not many people realize how common mold is, and this is because few are allergic to mold spores. Only the people who are sensitive to mold will detect a smelly odor when there is Mold damage in the home. In case you suspect that your house could be harboring mold, it is recommended that you get a professional to handle Mold removal. Below are a few important things you need to know about Mildew damage and how a restoration company can help you with mitigation of residential and commercial mold damage.

What causes mold growth?

Mold is basically fungus. Mold growth behind wall normally occurs in places which are both warm and damp. The most common places where you will find mold in home is the bathroom because of the frequent warm water and also the kitchen. However, this does not mean that other parts of the house are not susceptible to the growth of black mold and dry rot, in fact, it is the areas which are ignored which end up harboring a lot of the mold growth behind wall.

What are the side effects of having mold in home?

Having mold growth behind wall or mildew fungus in the house will have many effects on the health of your family and the structural integrity of the building because of the dry rot which results. Mildew is known to cause mold poisoning, especially black mold.  There is also the smelly odor which can make a building unlivable. The risks are the reason why a restoration company recommends vacating a house or other building as part of commercial mold damage mitigation as soon as you discover there the place is infested with mold in home.

What can be done to deal with mold in home?

It is important to note that mold damage is not one of those problems which can be fixed with DIY cleanup and deodorization. Most people who attempt to clean without the help of professionals leave behind traces of mold growth behind wall, putting their families at a greater risk of poisoning and the buildings at an increased risk of weakening over time due to dry rot and general mold damage. Masking the smelly odor with deodorization makes mold growth worse. A professional mold remediation company will help you do mold removal and mitigation in the building and inspect it to make sure that it is safe for people to continue living there.

What steps will the mold remediation company follow when doing mold remediation?

When you call in the restoration company, they will come and access the situation. When the damage due to dry rot and black mold is extensive, they will evacuate everyone from the building. Since mold is a type of fungus, most of the treatments against it are anti-fungal in nature. The company will physically remove the visible mold on the walls, floors and other surfaces. They will then use the anti-fungal to kill any spores that could be circulating in the air. After the cleanup and mitigation is done, they will do deodorization to the house to get rid of the stuffy and smelly odor left behind by mold.

During remediation of commercial mold damage, they also will fix any parts of the structure ruined by the mold. The repair includes repainting walls and using water proof sealants to prevent the occurrence of the same problem in future. Mold removal professionals will also try and fix the cause of the dampness which led to the mold growth in the first place. For instance, if the mold was because of a leaking water pipe, they will call in a plumber to fix the leak as this will prevent the same problem from happening again. The benefit of having a professional do the cleanup is that you are assured of complete eradication of the problem without having to expose yourself to the hazard that is posed by black mold fungus and mildew. If you suspect mold damage in your home, contact a professional mold restoration company to help you with Mold Removal, deodorization of the smelly odor and dealing with mold growth and commercial mold damage.
Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on mold.

A Guide on How Professionals Remediate Mold

6/26/2017 (Permalink)

 A Guide on How Professionals Remediate Mold

As buildings get older, Mold damage has become a significant hazard. Commercial mold damage and mold in home can destroy a building, and when mold levels are elevated, it can cause a smelly odor serious health risks. Understanding the Mold removal and remediation process is crucial in ensuring that the job is done correctly. To walk customers through the process, the professionals list some of the most vital mold remediation tips.

Firm Identification and Job Scope

If someone notices Mold damage in a home or commercial building, their first step is to hire an expert who can determine the extent of the damage and outline the scope of the mitigation process. A mold remediation or inspection company can evaluate the damage caused by mold in home and determine the proper course of action, but it is also a good idea for customers to consult an independent industrial hygienist for assessment and testing of potential hazards. The hygienist will work for the property owner and supervise the removal of mold, fungus and mildew to ensure the right outcome. The Mold removal process typically follows the sequence outlined below.

Containment and Engineering Controls

Certain types of mold can stay in the air for upwards of eight hours after air movement, quickly causing a smelly odor. Containment is a crucial step; if it’s not done by a mold mitigation expert, spores, mildew and fungus can quickly spread. Below are a few ways to contain commercial mold damage or mold in home.

Poly sheeting can isolate affected areas.
Negative air systems can prevent mold spores from getting into unaffected areas in a home or commercial building.
Air scrubbers can condition air during mildew mitigation. These large HEPA filtration machines clean air at a set per-hour rate.
Some Mold removal projects require special dehumidifiers, supplied air, supplemental heat and other measures to remove smelly odor.

The Beginning of the Removal Process

Depending on the hygienist’s advice, the Mold removal and deodorization process may be as simple as a source removal of fungus, or as involved as media blasting of a large contaminated area. The prevention of commercial mold damage may involve small containment, the establishment of negative air pressure, removal of affected materials, HEPA vacuuming of surfaces and the application of a mold-proof coating to exposed frameworks.

Cleaning Workspaces and Nearby Contaminated Areas

Here, affected and surrounding areas are cleared of mold spores and fungus growth. A thorough hygienic cleaning is a very important, yet frequently overlooked part of the remediation process. If it’s not properly done by a Mold removal specialist, the mitigation effort will likely fail. Furnishings can collect dust quickly, and if the area has a high humidity level, mold can quickly grow on the dust, creating a smelly odor and making cleaning and deodorization difficult.

Secondary Cleaning

Once the initial cleaning is done and the area is free of particulates, it’s time for the final part of the process. Despite an expert’s thoroughness, it’s possible to miss small areas where mold spores can re-settle. A secondary cleaning focuses primarily on floors, ceilings, upholstery and cabinet tops. During the cleaning, the experts will use high-powered LED lights, microfiber cloths and HEPA vacuums to find and remove errant mold spores.

Antimicrobial Coatings

After a thorough cleaning, the experts will apply an antimicrobial coating to prevent future mildew and Mold damage. These coatings reduce surface porosity and prevent particulate accumulation while keeping moisture out. When these deodorization coatings are used according to industry standards, they can strengthen the process of removing mold in home.

Final Inspections

After all of these home and commercial mold damage repair steps are completed, it’s time for an inspection by the remediation specialists and the industrial hygienist. During the inspection, materials will be checked for moisture and dust, and the building’s air ducts will likely undergo deodorization as well. From there, samples are provided for analysis, and once the results are in, the hygienist will ensure they are within acceptable levels. A report is issued, stating that the home or building is ready for repairs or occupancy. The steps listed here can help owners ensure a smooth process and the proper outcome after Mold damage.
Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on mold removal and remediation.

The Process of Mold Damage Restoration

5/16/2017 (Permalink)

The Process of Mold Damage Restoration

Mold and its Causes

Mold and mildew are both fungi that can grow either indoor or outdoor as long as there is moisture. Lack of proper mitigation may lead to uncontrolled growth, which may cause commercial mold damage.

Moisture is important for the growth of. Mildew and mold in home cases increase significantly after floods. Excessive moisture in a house compromises the quality of air because of enhancing the breeding of pests and molds leading to smelly odor.

The following conditions must be present for mold and mildew to thrive.

- Source of mold spores

- Source of food

- Darkness

- Heat

- Oxygen

- Water

If the above conditions are all present, mold in home will start to grow after 24-48 hours.

Water and high humidity in houses is caused by;

- Humid weather, especially near large water bodies

- Poor ventilation

- Drying clothes in houses

- Leaking roof

- Condensation

- Flooding

- Moist basement.

Moisture control in a building is critical in the mitigation of mold and mildew.

Identification and Effects of Mold

Here are the factors that indicate that your house is affected by this fungus;

- Mold in home can easily be identified through appearance. They cause discoloration on the places they invade, for instance, ceiling or wall. If the discolored area is big and you observe a greenish-black mold, then that is a serious infestation.

- Mold in home produces a smelly odor, which may need deodorization later.

- If you observe mold damage that is more than four feet by eight, mitigation is needed.

The following effects are associated with the presence of mold.

- For those people who are sensitive to mold, it can cause various complications like nasal stuffiness, coughing, wheezing, itching of the throat, eye, and skin, and eye redness among others.

- Mold damage is associated with a smelly odor leading to pollution of the air in the house or building.

- May lead to blocking of water pipes.

- It destroys the beauty of the house.

- May lead to loss of value for an infested house.

- Commercial mold damage, which will require money for mitigation, remediation, and deodorization.

Mold Removal

Before hiring the services of professionals to remove mold in your house, it is important to have basic information about mold removal and remediation. This information may help you identify real and fake companies. Learning of these basic concepts may be easy; however, the actual work of removing the fungus can be a big challenge.

After confirming mold damage in your house, it is good to seek the services of a reputable company for mold removal. Always ensure that the company you choose for remediation has the required training, equipment, and experience.

An effective remediation process follows these basic processes;

- Mold damage evaluation;

A reputable company will send professionals to your house to look for any sign of the fungus. They may use advanced equipment and technologies to detect it.

- Mold control;

After confirming the presence of mold, the next step in mold removal is containment and deodorization. Several containment procedures are followed to control commercial mold damage. For instance, a negative air chamber may be used to seclude the infected. Negative air pressure may be used to control the spread of mold spores during the cleaning process.

- Filtration of the air

Advanced companies have the equipment used to capture mold spores in the air. Such machines are very important as they control spread of spores during the mold removal process.

- Mold extraction

The amount of infection and the surface affected determines the remediation process. To prevent any future commercial mold damage, some companies use advanced deodorization and treatments such as antifungal and antimicrobial sprays.

- Cleaning of the house/building

After removing the fungus from the infested areas, it is important to know that spores must have spread to other places in the room, clean the smelly odor.

- Restoration

After cleaning and removal of the infested materials, restoration is the last step. Restoration involves returning the building to how it was. Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on mold remediation.

The Difference Between Mold Remediation and Removal

4/25/2017 (Permalink)

The Difference Between Mold Remediation and Removal

It’s important to schedule a consultation and in-home visit with a qualified Environmental hygienist if mildew, mold or microbial growth is suspected. The reason being is that the presence of any of these could lead to serious problems in your home. In cases involving mold damage, cleanup procedures should begin immediately.

Typically, there’s mitigation with mold, mildew and fungus. Meaning that it never stays in one place, it grows and spreads to other areas. It can be confusing where to start, if you're unaware of the potential risks and what’s involved with mold cleanup.

Tips to help when dealing with mold and microbial growth:

1. First, have the area examined by a trained Environmental hygienist. Because they have both advanced knowledge and experience in mold cleanup.

2. Identify the source of the problem. Working along with the Environmental hygienist, it’s possible to detect where the problem started and the cause/causes.

3. Fix the problem, by thoroughly cleaning the area or by making the necessary repairs.

Many conditions can lead to uncontrolled mold, mildew, fungus and microbial growth; such as unexpected flooding due to extreme weather conditions, a leaky roof or a water pipe break. Or an unknown source of leaking water. Whatever the cause, the first thing is to ensure that it is contained to prevent mitigation and then reverse the damage. Mitigation is an often overlooked aspect of containing microbial growth. But it spreads and with that it could destroy whatever area is covered with moisture. Fungus thrives in moisture because it is a fungi, which means that it multiplies rapidly in colonies.

When mold occurs outdoors, it’s a natural ecological development. But in the home, mold cleanup is required for the betterment of air quality and to thwart mitigation.

Plumbing problems aren't repaired by the Environmental hygienist, they strictly deal with mold cleanup. If this is the culprit, a plumber will need to perform a repair. Because in environments where there’s constant moisture or wetness, such as in the bathroom or shower; mildew growth could be an annual issue.

Testing is required to determined what type of fungus is responsible for the spores and to perform a visible check for additional colonies. Fungal spores properties complicate cleanup. Professional testing is the only way to identify the underlying cause, and to also check the quality of air in the home. Not all mildew is visible, sometimes the problem can be hidden underneath floor boards, anywhere there’s either an accumulation of water or an overly moist environment. In private dwellings, it's easier to assess the situation, unlike problems that pose a threat to the general public. Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on mold removal and remediation.

Mold Remediation in Spring Valley, CA

3/24/2017 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation in Spring Valley, CA

There are growing concerns about mold going on in Spring Valley, California since it's now a common problem in that area. This fungus can grow in the outdoors and indoors' environment, and most of the are not harmful to people's health unless it's discovered in high concentration.

With this fungus becoming more common in the Spring Valley, California area, it's important to know the proper prevention methods as well as the mitigation process. This microorganism can grow and spread quickly when it comes to damp and humid climates, such as in the San Diego County, CA area. And furthermore, the spores can remain in homes for a long period of time which makes it difficult to mitigate. Also, some dangerous microorganism can't be seen when going airborne, such as black mold. And thus, the mold cleanup is hard.

Hiring the Best Professionals

With these issues and more, it's vital to hire a reputable Environmental Hygienist to handle the mold cleanup and the source where this growth is coming from. Cleaning this microorganism is a hard thing for untrained people to do. There is a myth that bleach will kill this microorganism, but that's not true most of the time. If the point of where the microbial growth started is not addressed, the growth will continue. However, an Environmental Hygienist knows the ins and outs on how to safely and securely handle these situations. He/she will use different equipment and cleaning supplies that are approved by the government. There will be no mildew from the humidity in these areas. And even though it's impossible to keep this microorganism away, it can stay at bay by keeping an airy and dry atmosphere that will cut down on the humidity and mildew especially in the more common areas where this fungus grows, including the attic, crawl spaces, basements, kitchens, and bathrooms. This growth can also be found near windows, roofs, potted plants, and pipes.

Detection & Prevention Method

There are another expert to hire to handle the growth called the Inspection Specialist. This professional is highly trained in using a mold testing kit that can show whether or not one's home contains this substance. This testing kit will also show whether or not the growth is at a dangerous level for one's health. And if it's found to be at a dangerous level in the Jamul and surrounding areas, the remediation process will start.

The Classifications

Knowing that some of these microorganisms are toxigenic, meaning that molecular toxins are produced which are called Mycotoxins and which, in turn, is one of the deadliest forms that are deadly to one's health upon ingesting a large quantity for a period of time.

One a more positive note, Mycotoxins are least common in Jamul, Spring Valley, and others in CA. The most common ones include Stachybotrys Chartarum and Aspergillis.

How Does It Travel?

The microorganisms are able to travel through open doors and windows. It can also travel through the air conditioner ventilation system. Other than that, the microorganisms can also be carried indoors from shoes or clothing. Pets can also transfer these microorganisms. Thus, mitigation of the home must be used.

Conclusion

There are growing concerns about this microorganism going on in Jamul and surrounding areas. With these issues and more, it's vital to hire a reputable experts to eliminate this problem. And having said this, the Environmental Hygienist to handle the cleanup and the source where this growth is coming from. Cleaning this microorganism is a hard thing for untrained people to do. There is a myth that bleach will kill this microorganism, but that's not true most of the time. If the point of where the microbial growth started is not addressed, the growth will continue. However, this specialist knows the ins and outs on how to safely and securely handle these situations. He/she will use different equipment and cleaning supplies that are approved by the government.

There are another expert to hire called the Inspection Specialist which is highly trained in using a testing kit that can show whether or not one's home contains this substance. Then, if it's found to be at a dangerous level in the San Diego County area, the remediation process will start. Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on mold remediation and removal.

What to do when you find Mold in Your Home in Spring Valley, CA

2/20/2017 (Permalink)

Mold in Jamul, CA.

What to do when you find Mold in Your Home in Spring Valley, CA

Yesterday, a young girl returned to the doctor for the seventh time. Some of her symptoms were itchy eyes, fatigue, headaches, sore throat, cough, runny nose, and wheezing. Bacterial growth in the girl's home could have caused these symptoms. Mold is everywhere around the house including inside and outside, so an inspection of the home should be the first step in identifying the issue.

Inspecting the home

Microbial growth happens when the bacteria experiences the perfect conditions for growth. These conditions include a source of food for the bacteria, moisture, and time to grow. Microbial growth refers to the amount of cell growing and not the size of the cells growing. It is critical to remember that bacteria growth does not mean the house has mold. This issue is why it is necessary to hire an Environmental Hygienist from Jamul or Spring Valley, CA to inspect the home.

In California, an Environmental Hygienist must have the following:

Three years of experience.

Graduated from an accredited college with a degree in Environmental studies.

Passed the required state and federal exams.

These requirements make the Hygienist an expert at telling the difference between fungus, mildew, and other bacteria. If a homeowner suspects mold, a Hygienist should be hired to test the area and confirm the growth.

Whether it is small or large, the expert should be able to guide the homeowner in the next step to take in removing the issue. It is essential to following all of the Hygienist's recommendations.

Understanding the problem

Before mold cleanup begins, the source of the growth must be identified. Spores must have moisture to grow, so all leaks in the home must be repaired. Spring Valley and Jamul, CA experience high humidity, so a dehumidifier in the home would be a wise investment, also.

Once the source is identified and fixed, cleanup is started. Smaller jobs are easier to clean. Bleach and other household cleaners will kill fungus and mildew. If it is a bigger job, an individual should contact the insurance company to see if the damage is covered. The damage may be covered depending on the cause. However, it must be remembered that only an Environmental Hygienist can determine the proper treatment for any size job.

Once the appropriate treatment is determined, a homeowner has to decide if he or she will complete the repairs or hire an expert. In particular cases of growth, only an expert should remove and dispose of it, so it is done properly.

It is important to understand the different types of fungus found in California and how to prevent a reoccurrence of growth. Removing it can be expensive and an individual would not want to have to do it twice. If this blog has not been completely clear, these are the most important things from homeowners to understand:

Health issues including respiratory complaints can be caused by bacteria growth.

All growth can not be removed. An owner can only control the growth.

Eliminating all sources of moisture can help control growth.

Fix all leaks or water issues will aid in growth, also.

Controlling indoor humidity is important. It should be kept below 50% inside the home.

Vent bathrooms and kitchens with exhaust fans to stop moisture.

Use a dehumidifier.

Use an air conditioner and not a swap cooler.

Stop condensation by adding additional insulation.

Do not place carpets in areas with a lot of moisture.

Growth can be anywhere.

A homeowner who understands the issue can solve the issue.

Mold Cleanup

If the growth covers more than twelve square feet of the home, a professional should be hired to complete the cleanup. It will save time and money to check references before hiring a new contractor. A person should call the correct contractor depending on the cause of the growth. If sewage or other contaminated water caused the growth, call an expert in contaminated water damage. The contractor should follow the recommendations of the hygienist to clean up the growth.

If the growth area covers less than twelve square feet of the home, the homeowner can clean the area. When removing or sanitizing the growth area, a person should wear gloves, goggles, and have long sleeves and pants. In some instances wear a respirator. All of this equipment is available at a local hardware store. Finally, make sure the room is properly ventilated.

For more insight on handling mold, visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com/

AMRT

1/21/2016 (Permalink)

Congratulations to our owner Jason Degraffenreid for scoring 100% on his AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician) exam!!