Archived Mold Remediation Blog Posts
Don't let your Buffalo home become infested with mold, act now!
10/12/2018 (Permalink)
Don't let your Buffalo home become infested with mold, act now!
How often do you move your dishwasher out to inspect behind it for possible water damage? Not to often, right. This photo illustrates what could be larking behind your appliances that had a small leak for a period of time. For most cases when a dishwasher begins to have a leak it will be a slow drip beneath or behind the unit causing the floor to become saturate, rotting or mold to develop. What to do when you discover a leak in your dishwasher that caused possible water damage?
- Turn off the source of the water
- Turn off the power to the dishwasher
- Contact a plumber
- Contact your insurance office to assess information about filing a claim or coverage.
Contact SERVPRO of Buffalo-Tonawanda 716-694-9949
Leaking Bathroom Pipes Can Cause Mold
9/28/2018 (Permalink)
Mold forming on painted drywall
One of the first signs that you may have mold damage in your home is continually detecting a musty odor. Catching the odor anywhere in your home is never a good thing, but it is particularly
unfortunate when you come across it in your bathroom. It usually indicates that there is a leak in your plumbing and it has caused a mold colony to grow. It is vital to deal with the mold in your
washroom as quickly as possible because it can cause health effects. Fortunately, there is qualified help close to your home that you can rely on.
Many people misunderstand the nature of mold spores and how they come to cause mold damage in your home. The truth is that mold spores are not entirely dangerous, and they are everywhere. You can never truly be completely rid of them. However, if they come in contact with moisture, they can rapidly grow and multiply. As they grow, they end up creating a mold colony that can damage the structure of your home.
SERVPRO understands that the longer that mold is in your home, the more damage it can do to the structure of it. We strive to arrive at your residence after your phone call as quickly as possible.
Once our technicians get there, we can begin the remediation right away.
The first thing that SERVPRO can do is section off the entrance to your bathroom and any vents
inside of it. Creating a quarantine allows us to agitate the mold without giving it the freedom to
spread to other parts of your home. As we investigate and find that the mold is building behind your sink, we can begin to disinfect the area and clean the mold from the surface of your walls.
While we work, our SERVPRO techs can set up an air scrubber that will remove odors and
impurities from the air. Not only does it neutralize the smell that mold creates, but it can also capture airborne mold spores. Once the mold has been cleaned away from your walls, we can use an antifungal spray to ensure regrowth is less likely. Finally, our technicians can make sure to remove any excess moisture from the area. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A
WEEK. LET US HELP YOU! SERVPRO of Buffalo-Tonawanda, 716-694-9949.
MOLD
9/27/2018 (Permalink)
Mold growing on a basement wood wall.
In the 90’s mold became a news headline across the country. The strain of “Black” Mold, Stachybotrys, struck fear in the hearts of thousands of Americans. Even though that hysteria has passed, it is no joking matter to have mold growing in your home. It is true that mold spores are everywhere, but for mold to grow you have to have two things: 1) food; 2) dark moist conditions. There is very little you can do to remove all “food” sources in a house, but you can eliminate the water factor. When you have a water loss, it is incredibly important to completely dry the area affected so mold will not grow. If you try to take care of it yourself, you run the risk of giving mold a chance to infiltrate your house. Why would you do that when you can call SERVPRO® of Buffalo-Tonawanda at 716-694-9949 and make sure your house is dry.
Mold In The Bathroom? SERVPRO of Buffalo Tonawanda can help.
9/26/2018 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Buffalo Tonawanda is ready to help!
One of the first signs that you may have mold damage in your home is continually detecting a musty odor. Catching the odor anywhere in your home is never a good thing, but it is particularly unfortunate when you come across it in your bathroom. It usually indicates that there is a leak in your plumbing and it has caused a mold colony to grow. It is vital to deal with the mold in your washroom as quickly as possible because it can cause health effects. Fortunately, there is qualified help close to your home that you can rely on.
Many people misunderstand the nature of mold spores and how they come to cause mold in your Buffalo home. The truth is that mold spores are not dangerous and they are everywhere. You can never truly be completely rid of them. However, if they come into contact with moisture, they can rapidly grow and multiply. As they grow, they end up creating a mold colony that can damage the structure of your home.
SERVPRO of Buffalo Tonawanda understands that the longer that mold is in your home, the more damage it can do to the structure of it. We strive to arrive at your residence after your phone call as quickly as possible. Once our technicians get there, we can begin the remediation right away.
The first thing that SERVPRO can do is section off the entrance to your bathroom and any vents inside of it. Creating a quarantine allows us to agitate the mold without giving it the freedom to spread to other parts of your home. As we investigate and find that the mold is building behind your sink, we can begin to disinfect the area and clean the mold from the surface of your walls.
While we work, our SERVPRO techs can set up an air scrubber with a HEPA filter. Not only does it neutralize the smell that mold creates, but it can also capture airborne mold spores. Once the mold has been cleaned away from your walls, we can use an antifungal spray to ensure regrowth is less likely. Finally, our technicians can make sure to remove any excess moisture from the area.
If you come across a musty smell in your home, do not delay. Call 716-694-9949 and contact SERVPRO of Buffalo Tonawanda. We're open 24/7 and always ready to take your call.
Mold Cleanup in NYS
6/18/2018 (Permalink)
Water damage in your home or office? You could be at risk for mold growth - this topic is actually a lot more complex than you might think. So let the SERVPRO Professionals break it down a bit.
"Last January 29th - Governor Andrew Cuomo signed NYS Senate Bill S3667D-2013 which will create Article 32 to the Labor Law. This article will establish the licensing of mold inspection, assessment, and remediation specialists and minimum work standards. According to the bill - the law goes (went into effect) 180 days of Jan 29th - which if calculated correctly would be July 28th 2015."
Now that this law is in effect - mold remediation specialists are required to have much more certification on their ends. The specifics about requirements to become a licensed assessor or remediator have been left to New York State Department Of Labor. But for homeowners, all you need to know is that any contractor that performs mold remediation/abatement services must be certified.
When should you hire a mold remediation company?
- New York State has set fourth a guideline that whenever 10 sq ft or more of mold is found you should consult a mold remediation specialist.
Need a few more tips?
- Request proof of pollution insurance
- Request proof of workers compensation and liability insurance
- Request employee and company certification.
- Obtain a written contract for all work to be done and costs to be incurred.
Or you could just call our Team, our employees are certified mold remediators and stay up to date on all certifications and requirements set forth by New York State. Our team will continue to advance in mold remediation techniques as the industry advances each year.
Mold is a serious threat to home and office owners, so having professionals who know how to handle the job is crucial. We're just down the road. Give us a call and read on to learn more. SERVPRO Buffalo/Tonawanda, 716-694-9949
Mold remediation
5/29/2018 (Permalink)
When a home suffers a water damage event, a mold infestation can quickly arise and spread throughout a home in 48-72 hours. Because mold can produce allergens and irritants, you will want a professional that has training and experience to properly resolve the mold infestation. If you suspect that your home or business has a mold problem, SERVPRO of Buffalo/Tonawanda can inspect, assess and restore your property.
Some restoration companies advertise “mold removal” and may even guarantee to remove all mold. This is false, because removing all mold from a house or business is impossible; microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. Here are the 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.
We are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Call us at 716-694-9949
Mold Remediation
5/25/2018 (Permalink)
What You Should Know About Mold Remediation and Removal
Mold is found under the fungi classification. It is a soft green or at times grey growth which develops on objects or old food left for a lengthy period in warm, wet air. It can be found in outdoor and indoor places, thus, it is important for the indoor humidity to be kept below forty-five percent because a higher humidity supports the growth of this class of fungus. Floods and high humidity levels often lead to microbial growth and fungus. Microbial growth can be present in an area, but that does not classify it as mold. The most efficient method of controlling microbial growth is by the moderation of temperature. When the temperature is lowered, the rate of microbial growth decreases rapidly.
Mold and mildew are two fungi that people often tend to confuse. Mildew appears to be powdery and white in color then later turns to brown, black or yellow. The other fungus seems fuzzy but can appear in similar colors as the mildew. Mildew damages crops while molds damage the structural foundations of homes. Both fungi are usually accompanied by a musty odor which can lead to more health issues. It likes to thrive in moisturized areas and grows quickly into colonies with water exposure. These colonies are responsible for the production of irritants and allergens that affect the health of people.
For mitigation of molds to take place, all sources of moisture and water need to be addressed otherwise it may regrow. The first step is to remove all traces of moldy growth immediately. Five fundamental principles must be applied by homeowners and employers to ensure successful mitigation of this fungus. They should focus on the source and moisture removal, safety, contamination control and assessment. Proper mitigation is essential once the fungi is removed because areas must be monitored to prevent it from occurring again.
It is important to determine the party that will be in charge of the mold cleanup. An environmental hygienist can determine what treatment can be used for this fungus. These hygienists mitigate the problem by sealing off the affected areas with plastic sheets to stop dispersion of the spores. Fungus should be dealt with by the wearing a face mask with high filtration and neoprene gloves. Once the mold cleanup is finished, the air around it needs to be cleaned using air exchange and scrubbers.
It is essential for the environmental hygienist to have a protective suit because harsh chemicals are used for the mold cleanup. Hard surfaces with moldy growth have to be scrubbed with water and detergent and left to dry completely. Porous materials like carpets and ceiling tiles need to be disposed of by the environmental hygienists if they get moldy. The crevices of these porous materials are prone to mold growth, and painting can only happen once the environmental hygienists complete the mold cleanup otherwise the paint peels off. The correct mitigation strategies need to be employed for effective cleanup.
We are here for you 24 hours/7 days a week! 716-694-9949
Mold Remediation and Mold Removal
2/19/2018 (Permalink)
Mold Discovered in an attic. SERVPRO of BUFFALO-TONAWANDA 716-694-9949
Mold is found under the fungi classification. It can be a soft green, pink, black or at times a gray growth which develops on objects or old food left out for a lengthy period in warm, wet air. It can be found in outdoor and indoor. It is important for the indoor humidity to be kept below 45%. Floods and high humidity levels often lead to microbial growth and fungus. The most efficient method of controlling microbial growth is by moderation temperature. During a floor mold can start to form in 72 hours in perfect conditions. When the temperature is lowered, the rate of microbial growth decreases rapidly. Molds are usually accompanied by a musty odor which can lead to health issues in certain individuals. These colonies are responsible for the production of irritants and allergens that affect the health of people.
An environmental hygienist can determine what treatment can be used for mold remediation. They will test all affected areas by taking samples of air and swab surfaces. They design a specific protocol for SERVPRO to follow. SERVPRO utilizes air scrubbers to perform mold remediation under negative pressure, containment to isolate the affected areas, heap vacuuming and specialize cleaning and sealing. Once the work is completed the environmental hygienist returns to perform post testing to ensure levels are within normal levels and your home is back to being safe. Call SERVPRO of BUFFALO-TONAWANDA for your water damage and mold needs.
http://www.SERVPRObuffalotonawanda.com for more information on mold remediation.
GOT MOLD IN BUFFALO, NY? SERVPRO of BUFFALO-TONAWANDA CAN HELP
10/17/2016 (Permalink)
A water damage in BUFFALO, NY that was not properly taking care of leading to mold. SERVPRO of BUFFALO-TONAWANDA assisted with mold remediation.
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 BUFFALO-TONAWANDA 716-694-9949
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