Recent Mold Remediation Posts

Getting to the Root of Mold

7/28/2021 (Permalink)

Black mold damage in Mount Pleasant, SC

Where there is water, there is mold. Mold can grow in any climate, even in Johns Island, SC. If mold is found in your business, following the proper protocol for fungus cleanup is of utmost importance to the health and productivity of your employees.

How Did the Mold Start?

Mold is microscopic, ubiquitous and fast-growing. In fact, mold begins growing within 48 hours, and what is seen on the surface is only the beginning of an extensive root system. Knowing how it takes hold and begins growing on surfaces is a great place to start. Here is a list of conditions that promote the growth of mold:

Areas of high humidity without proper airflow
Rooms or buildings with poor insulation, leading to water condensation on surfaces
Undiscovered leaks inside walls

The Myth About Cleaning Chemicals

When mold is found, it is common for a business to reach for frequently used chemicals, such as bleach. The problem with this approach to fungus cleanup is that the solution is not effective on all surfaces. Porous material, where the fungus grows best, soaks up the water in the product, bringing more nutrients down to the root system. The active agents, however, sit on the surface and evaporate quickly, allowing the body of the mold to continue growing unseen.

Proper Eradication

Effective cleanup of mold requires a business to act quickly and aggressively by removing the source. This process relies on techniques and equipment that are specially designed to keep airborne spores from spreading. Rather than risking costly mistakes, a business is wise to look to professional fungus cleanup specialists for this service. Specialists in Johns Island, SC, have the needed supplies and equipment, as well as knowledge of the local area’s mold cleanup protocols. Additionally, these pros can identify issues that may arise in the future, saving a business time and money and getting to the root of the problem.

If you have mold growing in your business, don’t pull out the bleach just yet. It’s usually best to contact professionals to take care of the issue.

Understanding Secondary Damage and How To Prevent It

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

Mold growth caused by water damage Dealing with a flood in your home in Mount Pleasant, SC is an overwhelming experience.

What Is Secondary Damage?

This refers to damage that occurs after the initial incident. In the basement flood example, the flood is the initial, or primary, problem. This event can damage many items and even the structure in your home, causing them to become waterlogged and have to be repaired or replaced:

Drywall
Flooring
Furniture
Personal belongings

If, however, in the course of cleanup, you discover that there is black mold growing, the mold is a secondary issue caused by the initial problem. Because mold isn't a guaranteed outcome of a flood, it is not considered to be a primary type of damage.

How Can You Prevent Mold Damage?
Mold isn't something that you want to deal with in your home. Therefore, it is important to take the proper steps when cleaning up from a flood to ensure that it doesn't become a problem.

Contract with a water damage remediation company that understands the potential risk of secondary issues.
Begin to remove water and clean up after a flood as soon as you can safely do so.
Remember that basements are high humidity environments, so it's important to run dehumidifiers, heaters, AC units, or fans to circulate air and dry out the area thoroughly.
Be patient; don't rush or cut corners to finish the restoration job quickly. Take care to do it well to prevent future problems.

Prevent black mold and other long-term secondary damage to your home by working with professionals and taking the time to do the job right.

Mold Testing

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

We often get asked questions about mold testing. “Mold testing can tell you if you have a mold problem in your home. Mold tests can also help you find hidden mold, measure your indoor air quality and identify what species of mold is in your home.” There are a couple different types of testing available.

Mold Test Kits

You can purchase mold test kits which you can use to collect mold samples yourself. This is a less expensive option than having a mold tester test your home. The samples you collect will be sent away to a professional mold testing laboratory which will get back to you with the results.

Multiple Mold Tests

A mold test gives you a snapshot of the amount of mold particles in a certain area at a certain time. But the amount of mold spores fluctuates over time and from place to place.

Because of this it's a good idea to test at several different times and in different locations in your home. This way you will get a more complete and accurate picture of the mold problem in your home.

Types of Mold Tests

The three main types of mold tests are:

Air testing
Surface testing
Bulk testing

Ideally you should use all three types of tests since each have their own strengths and weaknesses.

Air Testing for Mold

Air sampling tests the concentration of mold spores in your home's air. Samples are taken from the air and are later examined under a microscope.

Air tests can tell you if you have a mold problem even if you cannot find the mold growth. However the amount of mold spores in the air can change drastically in a small amount of time, giving varying results at different times.

Surface Testing for Mold

Surface testing takes samples from household surfaces to find the amount of mold growth and spores deposited around the home. Samples are collected by swabbing, tape lifting or other methods. The sample is then examined in a laboratory.

Like with air testing the results can vary because mold growth and spores aren't spread evenly across surfaces in the home and can change over time. Unlike air testing though, surface tests can't identify the exact concentration of mold spores in the air.

Bulk Testing for Mold

Bulk testing involves collecting pieces of material from the home. The material is then taken to a laboratory where mold particles on the material can then be examined under a microscope. Bulk tests can tell you if you have a mold problem and give you an idea of the concentration of mold particles in your home.

Culture Tests for Mold

Culture tests are where mold particles in a sample from the home are grown into larger mold colonies in a lab. This way culture tests identify the species of molds in houses.

Only mold particles that are still alive can be grown. However dead mold particles in the home still cause allergies and health problems. Other tests can detect both living and non-living mold in a home but can't always identify the species of molds.

Why You Should Test for Mold

The main reasons for having mold testing performed in your home are:

You notice signs of mold such as a mold smell or mold symptoms
To identify the species of mold in your home
To help you find where mold is growing
To test indoor air quality by measuring the amount of spores in the air
To test if mold in your home has been fully removed

As always we are here 24/7, for your emergency needs at 843-884-2258

Resources by: https://moldpedia.com/mold-testing

Fogging Duct Work

12/11/2017 (Permalink)

We get many calls about the possibility of mold in the ducts. “The presence of mold in an HVAC system is a common complaint. Mold is a sneaky little bugger. It can grow and proliferate and make building occupants sick without ever being seen. And the fastest way to spread mold through a building is through a forced-air HVAC system.”

Here at SERVPRO of Mt. Pleasant, we offer duct cleaning, as well as, duct fogging.

What is fogging?

Fogging is an environmentally safe duct cleaning solution that kills germs in your air conditioning duct while keeping your indoor air quality is at optimal levels. Cleaning the interior of your HVAC and air systems is important, but it is not the only step that needs to be taken. Aside from killing and ridding your systems of all mold, debris, and bacteria, its essential prevent them from growing again.

How it works

Fogging releases an antibacterial spray that sanitizes and seals the ducts. This process has a number of different uses including odor control, sanitizing, and pest control.”

If you need your ducts cleaned or fogging, call us at 843-884-2258

Works Cited

“Goodway” http://www.goodway.com/hvac-blog/2009/10/mold-a-common-hvac-complaint-that-is-easy-to-deal-with/

“Sunbeam” http://www.sunbeamair.com/duct-cleaning-fog

Mold after Natural Disasters

12/8/2017 (Permalink)

After, a major storm, we see more mold in homes. It’s very common. Moisture causes the growth. We understand these occurrences and are ready to help. If you are unsure if you have a mold issue, please call us 843-884-2258. We can guide you through the process, advise you who to use to test and clean it up and make it “Like is never even happened."

“Natural disasters often cause damage to homes and other structures. Mold growth is typically a side effect of different natural disasters, such as flooding or torrential rains. To prevent mold after flooding and water damage, there are some necessary steps to take to improve the situation.

Check it out
Get it out
Clean it up
Dry it out
Keep it dry

These five steps will help make the whole process easier.”

Works Cited

“Neighborly” https://www.getneighborly.com/expert-advice/2017/march/what-to-do-when-mold-appears-in-your-home/

Got Allergies?

3/10/2017 (Permalink)

Us allergy suffers know this time of year is very hard in our area. We wanted to share, we clean duct work, and fog the system to kill mold spores. I also found some interesting information to share:

"Aspergillus is a fairly allergenic mold that is commonly found on foods and in home air conditioning systems. Cladosporium is typically a black or green "pepper like" substance that grows on the back of toilets, painted surfaces and fiberglass air ducts. While this mold is nontoxic to humans, it can trigger common allergy symptoms, such as red and watery eyes, rashes and a sore throat."

If you see anything that looks like this, give us a call. We can come take a look and treat the duct work or anything else to get this under control.

Resources taking from:

http://www.hgtv.com/remodel/interior-remodel/common-types-of-mold-in-homes

As spring approaches

2/9/2017 (Permalink)

As spring approaches, keep in mind those April showers. Moisture control is the best way to prevent mold. Below are some tips to keep in mind:

MOLD PREVENTION TIPS

Keep humidity levels as low as you can—no higher than 50%--all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. Bear in mind that humidity levels change over the course of a day with changes in the moisture in the air and the air temperature, so you will need to check the humidity levels more than once a day.
Be sure your home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans which vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after flooding.
Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting.
Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly. Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.
To learn more about preventing mold in your home, see the Environmental Protection Agency's publication A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home at http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html.

You Can Control Mold

Inside your home you can control mold growth by:

Controlling humidity levels;
Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes;
Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding;
Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas.

If you need any help or even just want to ask a questions, call us at 843-884-2258

Resources from : https://www.cdc.gov/mold/dampness_facts.htm

Charleston/Mt Pleasant Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

6/7/2016 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

Stay out of affected areas.
Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
Contact SERVPRO of Downtown Chaleston/Mt Pleasant or 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 Mt Pleasant 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 re-mediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – or 843.884.2258

Does Charleston/Mt Pleasant Home Have A Mold Problem?

5/31/2016 (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 have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (843) 884-2258