3 Factors That Affect the Amount of Time Required for Mold Removal

3/8/2022 (Permalink)

Three Factors That Influence The Time It Takes to Remove Mold

Mold is prevalent in buildings of all kinds, including commercial ones. This is true even if it is not visible to the naked eye because its spores still float through the air. The pervasive fungus is capable of thriving in virtually any environment that is cool, damp and dark and grows on almost any substance. It also feeds off of nutrients in construction materials such as paper, wood and fabric, potentially leading to decay and compromised structural integrity in property over time. Black mold and other forms of mold growth also tend to negatively impact an establishment's image if in plain view of customers/clientele due to the negative connotation associated with its presence.

To avoid these consequences, owners of places overtaken by the invasive microbes may wish to hire a professional remediation service in Sunny Isles, FL, to handle the mold removal. As time is valuable in and out of the business world, it is important to understand how much of it might be taken up by the cleanup process and the factors affecting that amount.

1. Location

Where the mold growth is located impacts how long the mold removal takes because some areas are more difficult to access than others, including:

• HVAC systems
  
• Under flooring
  
• Behind walls
  
• Beneath ceiling tiles

2. Surface

What it grows on can also complicate removal, lengthening how long the procedure takes. Porous materials such as concrete, fabric, insulation, drywall and particle board more easily collect and retain the moisture mold loves, attracting it. The fungus infiltrates and sticks to the many crevices and holes in these materials, making it harder to root out. In certain cases, they may have to be thrown out and completely replaced due to the difficulty involved in getting rid of it.

3. Amount

The size of the infestation correlates directly to the time necessary for completion. More mold takes more effort and more hours to remediate.
In general, mold removal may take between three and seven days, depending on the extent of the damage and the circumstances mentioned here. While mold cannot be completely erased, third party testing is a good method to determine if remediation is complete.

Indoor and Outdoor Mold

8/11/2018 (Permalink)

When thinking about mold growth and development most people associate fungi with things like bathrooms, sinks, other water-related household areas, and old food. The general population seldom links mold growth to the outdoors, but the truth is that mold grows both indoors and outdoors. In fact, mold lives on all kinds of outdoor materials like on plants, in the soil, and even on decaying matter. With thousands of different types of mold species, mold varies greatly in terms of type, threat, and identifying characteristics. It is important to note that every person is exposed to mold spores on a daily basis, coming from both inside and outside in the air they breathe.

There are a lot of different ways that mold begins to grow, as one of three main requirements are needed:

1. A water source
2. An organic food source
3. Humidity levels about 60%

Some of the most common sources of mold growth include:

• Roof leaks
• Sewer backups
• Condensation
• Flooding
• Blocked gutters
• Leaking pipes
• Damp crawl spaces
• Rain from storms seeping into exterior walls, doors, or window frames

Outside of visible evidence of mold, mold odor is often the most predominant sign that mold growth has occurred. Since mold spreads extremely fast, it is important to tackle the issue as soon as possible (preferably within days). As such, if your home is suffering from a mold problem, contact our mold remediation team immediately and we will send a professional to your property to assess the problem. Call SERVPRO today!

Household Mold Tips and Tricks

7/11/2018 (Permalink)

Mold spores, while often difficult to see with the human eye, are likely living in your home and workplace right now. Located both inside and outside, mold is fungi that thrives when moisture is present. As such, dark, warm, and humid regions are goldmines for mold spores to grow. A countless number of different mold types exist. In fact, there is actually an unknown number of fungi species, although experts estimate up to three hundred thousand or more mold species. Mold, also called mildew, is often found in the kitchen and bathroom areas of a home because these are moist regions.

While most people think about mold in regard to appearances and how its presence may alter the look of their bathroom or kitchen, mold can actually cause health effects. As such, it is important to be acutely aware of mold growth in and around your home in order to protect yourself and your loved ones. The following are some household mold tips and tricks:

• Check for mold often, as catching it early can save a lot of money in mold removal
• Mold test kits are often unreliable, so we recommend hiring a mold inspection company to do a thorough check
• Look for things like mold growth on walls and even foul smells
• Be aware of any leaks in areas like your kitchen near appliances and your bathroom near the shower or the toilet
• Check your air conditioning system for mold growth
• If your home has sustained any flooding, the likelihood of mold presence increases
• Leaky windows or roofs should be fixed immediately to prevent mold growth

Unfortunately, visible mold in your home can be an immediate turnoff for guests, as its appearance often looks disgusting. In addition, mold growth, if left untreated, can be a problem for the health of you and your family. In order to minimize or limit the development of mildew in your home or workplace, try to keep humidity low with a dehumidifier and ensure that ventilation is adequate. If you believe you are dealing with a mold growth issue in your home, contact our mold remediation specialists today to learn more about SERVPRO!

Most Common Places for Mold in Your Home

4/7/2018 (Permalink)

Mold damage is all too common for South Florida homeowners. Thriving in damp areas, mold growth can occur in dark spaces with minimal air circulation. In South Florida, rainy seasons bring moisture that can get trapped in areas of your home, eventually causing mold growth and a number of potential issues. First and foremost, mold growth in your home can be a health hazard for you and your family members. 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.

Being able to recognize mold presence early on is critical to addressing the problem right away. Therefore, it is important to be aware of some challenging areas of the home to be on alert for mold growth. The following are the most common places for mold in your home:

1. Shower floors and corners of shower walls
2. Bathtubs
3. Ventilation ducts
4. Below kitchen sink
5. Under carpets that have become wet
6. Under or behind refrigerators
7. Below bathroom sink
8. Walls near plumbing
9. Near air conditioning unit
10. Near window sills

The garage and attic are also problem spots for mold growth in Florida homes. Every mold damage scenario is different, and requires a unique solution, so contacting professionals to assess the damage is very important. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of North Miami is close by and ready to help with your mold-damaged property. We are proud to be an active member of the North Miami community and want to pitch in and help make our community the best it can be.

Mold Remediation Process

3/1/2018 (Permalink)

When mold is not visible, SERVPRO recommends to hire a hygienist to perform an air quality test to properly determine the affected areas in the home or business. But when the mold has spread more than 10 square feet then there is a process that begins towards addressing it properly and efficiently:

• Assessment-Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold and the water sources possibly causing it. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view.
• Containment- Different containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold, like physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process. 
• Air Filtration- Specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. SERVPRO  technicians use air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress. 
• Removing- The process of mold remediation depends on the amount of mold growth and the type of surface it's on. Antimicrobial treatments will be used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new ones from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary.
• Cleaning- SERVPRO cleans your furniture, decorative items,  and other restorable items affected by mold. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. 
• Restoration- Depending on the level of mold damage, some building materials may have to be removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs  or major repairs.

When to call a Hygienist

3/1/2018 (Permalink)

When homeowners believe they have mold, immediately they may think of calling SERVPRO. But, in some cases, a hygienist may be needed first before the remediation process may begin, if necessary at all.

"As of July 1, 2010 the state of Florida Prohibits anyone from performing or offering to perform any mold remediation to a structure on which the mold assessor or the mold assessor's company provided a mold assessment within the last 12 months."

Due to the conflict of interest, SERVPRO of North Miami does not provide the service for mold testing, but rather the remediation and repairs.

A hygienist will take air quality samples, swabs, or both, which will be sent to a lab for testing. It usually takes between 2-3 days to receive a report reflecting the affected areas, the spore count, and the kind of mold that is present.

Once a mold report has been established then SERVPRO of North Miami will follow the given protocol to address the affected areas and a post test is performed to provide clearance of the job completed. 

Unresolved Water Damage

1/19/2018 (Permalink)

Water has an interesting way of traveling throughout the drywall of a home. In numerous occasions homeowners believe that the only areas affected are those with visible water marks or visible water on the floor. Therefore, they refuse to grant access to other areas for inspection. That is where mold begins to grow and feeds from the moisture retained in the material. Mold can begin to grow between 24-48 hours after a material has been exposed to high levels of moisture. The mold will eventually become visible but by then the damages are more extensive to the home and it becomes a health hazard as well. It takes technicians minutes to make an assessment of the affected materials. As the saying goes "it's better to be safe than sorry."

Air Quality Testing

10/19/2017 (Permalink)

There is a time period with mold, where it is already present yet not visible. Mold growth can begin 48-72 hours after the materials have been exposed to and are retaining the moisture. At times, the time period may be longer but the mold is continually growing and expanding within the drywall; without being seen on the outside surface. That is why it is important to perform air quality testing to remove any doubt of existent microbial growth in the vicinity. Also, air quality tests allow a mold report to be provided which will let the insured know the type of mold present as well as the spore count of the area affected. This ensures that the affected areas are addressed accordingly, and the insured is aware in case there may be an individual in the home or work space who may be allergic to specific threads of mold. 

Mold Prevention

8/1/2017 (Permalink)

Mold growth may begin 48-72 hours after a surface has been exposed to high levels of moisture. The key to mold prevention is the removal of these scenarios that cause or lead to excess moisture. Water leaks, high humidity, and condensation all may lead to mold growth. Therefore, if you have a roof leak, fix it. If there are high humidity levels, invest in a dehumidifier to control the environment. If you experience a flood or leak, have it properly dried with the corresponding equipment to verify there is no humidity left behind. Also, make sure there is proper ventilation in areas such as bathrooms, laundry, and attics. Another key component in controlling the environment within your home or office is to maintain the AC at 78°, whether or not you are in town to prevent humidity levels from accumulating. 

How to Eliminate Mold from Your Bathroom

4/6/2017 (Permalink)

Bathroom mold is ugly, disgusting, and unhealthy. And, unfortunately, it often seems an ever-present nuisance that even the most fastidious home owners must deal with. However, mold doesn't have to greet you every morning as you step into the shower. These preventative measures and cleaning tips will help you get rid of the mold and mildew that collects in showers, baths and sinks.

Do Your Drains Drain?
First, make sure that you have good drainage in your sink, tub or shower. If the water does not drain as quickly as you run water, you have a present (or building) problem. When water doesn't drain properly, it stands, creating an environment that is moist for longer periods of time. These types of environments are those in which mold thrives. Use a bleach solution, a chemical specially formulated to unclog drains, or call a plumber if the drain stoppage is particularly bad. It will be impossible to maintain a clean bathroom without properly working drains.

Thorough Cleaning
When you go to clean your bathroom, make sure that you remove all products first. Use a quality cleaning product and spray or wipe on all stained, soiled, damp, and moldy areas with a sponge - brushes can scratch surfaces, reducing their life and appearance. Use an old toothbrush to clean around faucets, drains, and in crevices. For moldy showers, it's possible to use a mild solution of bleach to kill mold and prevent its immediate regrowth. However, never mix bleach with any other cleaning solution, as this could produce toxic fumes.

Before putting the products back, wipe them with a moistened cloth that contains some of the same cleaning solution. This will deter mold by removing any already present around the bases of bottles and jars, kill germs, and prevent the already sanitized surface from being re-contaminated with mold and bacteria.

How to remove black mold.

10/10/2016 (Permalink)

lack mold can be an insidious problem for homeowners, potentially leading to a costly removal process and even a host of health problems. But by learning how to get rid of black mold safely and effectively, you can protect the health of your family and the value of your home, without breaking the bank.

Mold Can Be Unhealthy and Dangerous SEE ALL PHOTOS

Removing black mold is a step-by-step process that requires patience, an investment in protective gear and black mold removal products, and, of course, the courage to brave dark, cramped spaces inhabited by toxic fungus.

First, you must remove the source of any moisture from the affected area. If any leaks or persistent condensation aren't alleviated, the mold will likely reappear after removal.

Next, seal any doorways or other openings leading to other areas of the home, place heavy plastic over them, then seal the plastic in place with duct tape. If there are outdoor openings in the room, place an exhaust fan near them to help remove mold spores from the room.

Wear a respirator or a facemask rated for black mold spore protection, and cover arms, legs and hands to avoid contact with mold spores. Use soap and a sponge to remove visible mold. If the moldy area is dry, lightly spray with water, as this will reduce the incidence of airborne mold spores during cleaning. Next, use commercial black mold removal products, which can be found in most hardware or home repair stores, to disinfect the moldy areas, in addition to any adjacent areas. If you use bleach, make sure it won't discolor the material or surface. Place all sponges, equipment and other materials used in cleaning in a heavy duty garbage bag, and if possible, remove the bag through an nearby exit as opposed to the main house, to avoid distributing mold spores.

Mold Remediation and Restoration:

Any home or business can quickly become infested with mold with the introduction of a water source, like a roof or plumbing leak. Mold can spread throughout a property in as little as 48-72 hours, and can produce allergens and irritants that have the potential to cause other health effects.

If you suspect that your home or business has a mold problem, SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals can inspect and assess your property. If mold is found, they have the training, equipment, and expertise to handle the situation.

Please refer to our Mold Damage Tips to learn more about mold and what to do until help arrives.

SERVPRO® of North Miami

Provide 24/7 Emergency Service

Highly Trained Water Restoration Specialists

Faster to Any Size Disaster

How Professionals Remove Bathroom Mold

9/26/2016 (Permalink)

How Professionals Remove Bathroom Mold

Author: Tidal Wave Response

Mold and humans can be a winning combination: experts estimate that penicillin has saved more than 80 million lives since it was discovered in the 1940s. However, penicillin isn’t the type of mold growing in your bathroom. At Tidal Wave Response, our teams know the mold that is likely to grow in damp places like bathrooms can have serious health consequences for the people exposed to it, including throat irritation, coughing, eye irritation and nasal stuffiness.

This is one reason it’s critical to remove and treat any area of your home if you discover mold growing there. Professional mold removal services in Alpharetta use a variety of techniques to eliminate toxic mold from homes. Removal techniques largely depend on where the mold is growing.  Here are a few of the ways the pros deal with the problem.

Drywall

Mold growing on unpainted drywall can’t be eliminated. The drywall must be removed and replaced. That doesn’t necessarily mean knocking down walls; if the mold growth is recognized in a timely fashion, affected portions of the drywall can be carefully sliced out using a utility knife. And then it’s simply a matter of patching the spot.

When mold appears on a painted or primed all, the mold is likely just growing on the surface. Removing it may be as simple as using a mold-killing cleaning solution to wipe down the wall.

Carpet or Rugs

If you noticed mold growing on wall-to-wall carpeting, you’ll have to toss the carpet. There is no way to eliminate mold from fixed carpets, and allowing it to remain or ignoring the problem isn’t really an option either as mold will continue to grow.

Rugs can be cleaned, however. Professionals use a mold-killing solution to douse the rug and then scrub the mold away. Typically, they’ll take the rug outdoors to allow it to dry in the sun. Once it’s completely dry, the rug should be vacuumed with a HEPA vacuum to remove any mold spores that may have been left behind.

Tiles and Grout

Mold growing on tiles or in the grout require elbow grease and a mold-killing cleaning solution. Tiles are scrubbed completely, but if there’s much mold in the grout, the grout may have to be bleached to remove mold stains. Once the stains and mold are removed, professionals may apply a grout sealer to prevent the growth of mold in the future.

In some instances, it’s impossible to remove mold or mold stains from the grout. It can be replaced if necessary.

Depending on how much and how toxic the mold is, professionals may recommend a thorough cleaning of HVAC systems to remove mold spores and toxins from the air in the home.

Mold can seriously damage a home and the health of its occupants.

Mold and Your Health

7/12/2016 (Permalink)

What is Mold?

• Molds are small organisms found almost everywhere. They can be black, white, orange, green, or purple. Outdoors, molds play an important role in nature, breaking down dead leaves, plants, and trees.
• Molds thrive on moisture and reproduce by means of tiny, lightweight spores that travel through the air. You’re exposed to mold every day.

    In small amounts, mold spores are usually harmless, but when they land on a damp spot in your home, they can start to grow. When mold is growing on a surface, spores can be released into the air where they can be easily inhaled. If you're sensitive to mold and inhale a large number of spores, you could experience health problems.

 Here are the beginning signs of mold to look for:

•  Peeling or cracked paint
• Discoloration and bulging on drywall
• The smell of a moldy odor
• Small mold spots on any surfaces

Controlling Mold:

It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors. Mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem.

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

Types of Mold:

·        Alternaria -found in showers or under sinks with leaky pipes. Also common in buildings that have had water damage. This type of mold can easily spread through an entire condo unit and into adjacent units.

·        Aureobasidium– found in units that has wooden surfaces, wallpaper, painted surfaces and window frames. It is pink and black.

·        Botrytis – grows in areas with high levels of humidity, like bathrooms with poor ventilation. Chaetomium – usually grows on drywall with water damage. It can usually be identified by its musty odor.

·        Cladosporium –Can grows on fabrics, like carpets, and on wood surfaces, like cabinets and floorboards.

·        Trichoderma– This usually grows on damp carpet or wallpaper.

·        Stachybotrys- chart Arum-This is more commonly known as “black mold” because it is slimy and black. This can be a very toxic mold, producing toxic compounds that cause severe health issues. This grows in areas that are consistently damp and in air conditioning ducts with leaking pipes or high levels of condensation.

Mold Remediation and Restoration:

Any home or business can quickly become infested with mold with the introduction of a water source, like a roof or plumbing leak. Mold can spread throughout a property in as little as 48-72 hours, and can produce allergens and irritants that have the potential to cause other health effects. 

If you suspect that your home or business has a mold problem, SERVPRO®  Franchise Professionals can inspect and assess your property. If mold is found, they have the training, equipment, and expertise to handle the situation.

Please refer to our Mold Damage Tips to learn more about mold and what to do until help arrives.

SERVPRO® of North Miami

Provide 24/7 Emergency Service

Highly Trained Water Restoration Specialists

Faster to Any Size Disaster

Don't Let Mold Grow

11/11/2015 (Permalink)

Understanding Mold:

Intrusion of water into your home or place of business can result in mold growth. Water intrusions can reslut from storm damage, plumbing, or equipment failures, long-standing leaks, and poor humidity control. When water intrusions are not addressed right away, the resulting damage can present increased risk of harmful mold growth. Some amount of mold spores are normally present in most environments.

If the Humidity and moisture levels in a water-damaged environment are not promptly returned to normal, mold spores may grow and multiply. Organic materials found inside a building, such as wood, drywall, paper, and insulation provide food sources for mold to flourish. Excessive mold growth can lead to indoor environmental conditions that may cause health effects.

SERVPRO has trained professionals in mold remediation. Don't wait any longer to have your home, office, or building inspected for call. Call SERVPRO of North Miami for more information (305) 895-4880.