Recent Mold Remediation Posts

SERVPRO Offers Ways to Effectively Remediate Mold Damage in Your Home

4/28/2023 (Permalink)

Molded tile in a local property Regardless of the color of the mold in the corner of your home, contact team SERVPRO right away for remediation services.

Mold Damage Remediation Options That Property Owners Should Consider

How well is your family prepared to deal with mold damage? We all know that disasters do not plan, but we can make emergency plans today to protect us from possible health effects and reduce unnecessary damage when such incidents come knocking. The recent devastating wildfires and hurricanes reminded our country of the benefits of preparing to face disasters. We hope all residents of Central Brevard, can find useful information in this article to up their preparedness skills.
 
After addressing the safety concerns of the building, our SERVPRO of Central Brevard, technicians perform a site-assessment to come up with an effective and safe work plan during mold damage remediation in your area. During this step, we determine the degree of the mold and moisture problem. We watch out of discolored surfaces, fuzzy growth on furnishing and items, and musty odor. Mold tends to grow in hidden areas, so, we check behind the wallpaper, insulation, wallboard, as well as carpet backing and padding.
 
Exposure to the mold spores can cause health effects, and it is essential to use the appropriate personal protective equipment. To protect our feet, we use work boots that are waterproof. Safety glasses with a full-face shield, waterproof gloves, disposable earplugs, and disposable coveralls are some of the PPE that we use. Where necessary, we decontaminated some of the contaminated PPE at the end of the remediation process.
 
We can also assess the contaminated items and determine what is salvageable and what is not. We discard porous contents such as papers, rugs, carpeting and padding, upholstery and textiles that have significant mold contamination. Removal and disposal of contaminated porous building components such as insulation, ceilings, plaster walls, floor sills, and non-structural wood studs may be necessary.
 
After cleaning surfaces and restorable items, we apply disinfectants to lower chances of mold problem reoccurring. We have also to dry the structure to address the existing mold growth conditions. We can set up space heaters and perform dehumidification to speed up the drying process.

At SERVPRO of Central Brevard, We are Faster To Any Size Disaster, and we can handle your restoration or cleaning needs. Contact our team at (321) 638-4947 to benefit from our trusted restoration services.

Where There Is Humidity There Will Be Mold In Your Cape Canaveral Property

1/8/2019 (Permalink)

To protect your home and its occupants, give our SERVPRO of Central Brevard rapid response team a call at (321) 638-4947.

High Humidity Can Allow Mold Growth In Cape Canaveral Homes

Homeowners throughout Cape Canaveral are not unaware of the heightened humidity throughout the region through the better part of every year. With warmer temperatures year-round right against the Atlantic, the area becomes wrought with humid conditions that can encourage many of the residents here to rely on their conditioned air for comfort. This humidity, however, does not just go away in cooler temperatures. The conditioning appliance often converts much of this to condensation, but that does not always find its way safely from your property.

Leaks and moist areas can often go unnoticed without a reason to draw attention to the problem, which is where situations like mold damage in your Cape Canaveral home come into play. Spores naturally exist in almost every environment that we encounter from the inside of your home, your vehicles, your office, and out in the world around the property. With damp conditions in specific areas of the property, spores can land on these damp materials and stick. They seat into the material and begin to feed on its organic matter to grow and spread.

Our SERVPRO professionals have seen all manner of mold growth throughout area properties from small and localized colonies to widespread situations. We have the resources and equipment to remove this threat from your home while also offering you effective solutions to keep this situation from occurring again.

From the time that we arrive at your home, we set up containment for the spread of the organism to prevent any new areas from getting affected. Our SERVPRO remediation technicians also set up drying equipment to begin pulling the moisture and dampness from this region of the property, while we assess the structural integrity of certain damp or mold-damaged materials to mark out for controlled demolition.

There are many steps to recovering your property after mold growth has occurred, but home remedies and DIY approaches are not effective for removing the organism entirely. To protect your home and its occupants, give our SERVPRO of Central Brevard rapid response team a call at (321) 638-4947.

Click here for more about Cape Canaveral.

High-Risk Areas Of Your Merritt Island Home Where Mold Can Grow And Spread

1/3/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Central Brevard takes care of mold before it gets a chance to grow and spread beyond its current extent.

High-Risk Places Where Mold Damage Can Happen To Merritt Island Homes

Mold damage can impact a Merritt Island home in multiple places at once, but there are a few places that we identify as high-risk parts of the home that can develop mold growth faster and more easily than others. To identify where the problem may have originated from we make sure to scan the area for moisture and other signs of growth. However, it still helps us if we know beforehand how extensive the problem is, so try and identify if these high-risk spots show signs of damage.

Carpeting
Many cases of mold damage to Merritt Island homes start with or are limited to the carpet in one or more rooms. Because it is both highly porous and an ideal food source for most species of mold, carpeting easily develop extensive fungal growth very quickly after a water damage incident. We prioritize drying and caring for carpeting in most situations because it can be difficult to contain growth once it starts to spread.

Furniture
Many types of furniture are filled with stuffing, padding, and other organic materials that, much like carpeting, both absorb water and represent an ideal food source for fungal spores. Our advanced moisture detection tools, such as thermohygrometers and infrared sensors, can identify moisture deep inside your furniture and alert us to potential risks of growth inside.

Hollow Spaces Behind Walls
Many homes are constructed with slim, hollow spaces behind their walls, which typically lack any finish or coating that would typically impede mold growth. When these areas get wet, their lack of ventilation can keep moisture trapped long enough for mold to begin to grow and feed off of the structural components of your home. These infestations are harder to detect, but SERVPRO inspectors can find them quickly enough once you identify a problem, even if the only signs of damage are in another room.

SERVPRO of Central Brevard takes care of mold before it gets a chance to grow and spread beyond its current extent. Call us at (321) 638-4947 to find out more about how we can help.

Click here for more about Merritt Island.

Shut Down Mold In Your Merritt Island Home

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

Mold like this needs to be removed immediately. Call the SERVPRO professionals today.

What to Expect from Mold Remediators in Your Merritt Island Home

From the time that you discover an organism growing in your Merritt Island home, you want to reach out to a team of professionals that can help you prevent further damage and restore your property. Mold growth can threaten the structural integrity of your home and can potentially release volatile organic compounds (VOC) which can cause health effects for living beings within the home. Our professionals can respond quickly to the emergency, but what happens when they get to your house? 

When our professionals arrive at your Merritt Island home, mold damage is the first thing we assess to see if it is present.  These situations are often worse than the homeowner believes, as mold can spread quickly throughout affected areas of the property. Containing this mold is the next step in our process, and our SERVPRO response team arrives prepared with our specialized equipment designed to prevent the spread of active mold spores to new areas of the property. These tools like negative air chambers and physical barriers can trap mold spores and keep them from finding new surfaces to settle. 

Air quality is often a concern that comes along with mold remediation, as many types of mold release VOCs and can cause respiratory concerns for both the SERVPRO technicians on site and the occupants of the house before we began the process. Our equipment here like hydroxyl generators and air scrubbers can improve air quality. 

Our technicians must remove damaged materials, including affected contents from the home to clean or discard them. We work to preserve the affected materials inside still housing mold colonies by use of soda blasting and sanding along with the use of our antimicrobial solutions. 

While all of these steps do not happen instantaneously, it can help a homeowner to understand what to expect when they hire mold remediation technicians to bring their home back to its original condition. Give our SERVPRO of Central Brevard professionals a call anytime you find mold in your home at (321) 638-4947.
Come see the beauty that is Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge click here for more information. 

SERVPRO Offers Ways to Effectively Remediate Mold Damage in Your Rockledge Home

10/7/2018 (Permalink)

Regardless of the color of the mold in the corner of your home, contact team SERVPRO right away for remediation services.

Mold Damage Remediation Options That Residents of Rockledge Should Consider

How well is your family prepared to deal with mold damage? We all know that disasters do not plan, but we can make emergency plans today to protect us from possible health effects and reduce unnecessary damage when such incidents come knocking. The recent devastating wildfires and hurricanes reminded our country of the benefits of preparing to face disasters, and it is easy to understand why this September is a National Preparedness Month. We hope all residents of Rockledge can find useful information in this article to up their preparedness skills.
 
After addressing the safety concerns of the building, our SERVPRO technicians perform a site-assessment to come up with an effective and safe work plan during mold damage remediation in Rockledge. During this step, we determine the degree of the mold and moisture problem. We watch out of discolored surfaces, fuzzy growth on furnishing and items, and musty odor. Mold tends to grow in hidden areas, so, we check behind the wallpaper, insulation, wallboard, as well as carpet backing and padding.
 
Exposure to the mold spores can cause health effects, and it is essential to use the appropriate personal protective equipment. To protect our feet, we use work boots that are waterproof. Safety glasses with a full-face shield, waterproof gloves, disposable earplugs, and disposable coveralls are some of the PPE that we use. Where necessary, we decontaminated some of the contaminated PPE at the end of the remediation process.
 
We can also assess the contaminated items and determine what is salvageable and what is not. We discard porous contents such as papers, rugs, carpeting and padding, upholstery and textiles that have significant mold contamination. Removal and disposal of contaminated porous building components such as insulation, ceilings, plaster walls, floor sills, and non-structural wood studs may be necessary.
 
After cleaning surfaces and restorable items, we apply disinfectants to lower chances of mold problem reoccurring. We have also to dry the structure to address the existing mold growth conditions. We can set up space heaters and perform dehumidification to speed up the drying process.

At SERVPRO of Central Brevard, We're Faster To Any Size Disaster, and we can handle your restoration or cleaning needs. Contact our team at (321) 638-4947 to benefit from our trusted restoration services.

Click here for more about Rockledge.

How You can Control Mold Damage in Your Rockledge Residence

9/9/2018 (Permalink)

If mold affects corners and other areas of your home, contact SERVPRO for remediation services.

SERVPRO Technicians Offer Tips to Homeowners Battling the Spread of Mold in Their Home

Part of maintaining a home in Rockledge involves preventing damaging events from occurring wherever possible. Controlling the growth of mold and mildew can protect your home from their destructive nature while also protecting your family from potential health effects caused by mold and its spores. We have a few measures that you can use to increase your control over microbial populations by decreasing their ability to thrive inside your residence.
 
Homeowners can use these tips to help protect their property from mold damage in Rockledge and its devastating effects to both structures and contents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlines four primary methods of controlling the growth of mold and mildew in homes. These include managing the humidity levels inside the house, making timely and prompt repairs of leaks (windows, pipes, and roofs), ensuring proper ventilation of areas known to produce steam and water vapor (bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas, and proper mitigation of flooding.
 
SERVPRO professionals can help homeowners determine the need for dehumidification through testing of moisture levels in the home. If these levels seem higher than usual, we can inspect for the cause. We can repair some sources, but others require the use of a dehumidifier. We can install one that requires little maintenance from the homeowner.
 
Water dripping your sink or tub can raise your water bill, plus sound terrible. Water dripping on the carpet often remains silent, and sometimes undetected. We have the technology to locate leaks like this, as well as those in your roof or around windows and doors.
 
Installing an exhaust fan over the stove and the bathroom is quite common, but your laundry area also needs ventilation. The ductwork leading off your dryer to the outside should have complete seals at both ends to prevent the escape of moist air. This also applies to the ducts coming off bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans.
 
Many homes that experience flooding also find themselves a victim of mold damage. The number of microbes carried in during a flood means proper mitigation becomes a crucial step in controlling the situation, so mold damage never occurs. SERVPRO technicians can also help with this task, should the event ever happen.
 
SERVPRO of Central Brevard wants to help residents in Cocoa Beach and Pineda protect their homes from mold damage. Prevention is almost always less expensive and time-consuming than remediation, and we are here to help with both. Contact us for assistance in protecting or remediating your home by calling our 24-hour service line, (321) 638-4947, any day of the year.

Click here for more about Rockledge.

What is Mold?

1/18/2018 (Permalink)

Mold and organic growth represent a wide variety of the sort. Fungi, mold and organic growth are in our environment naturally. There are over 100,000 kinds of fungi on earth which range from extremely helpful to damaging. Some useful fungi produce yeast, used in preparing breads, baked goods and other food products including alcoholic beverages. Fungi can even be lifesaving; penicillin is a product of mold (Penicillin chrysogenum).

Intrusion of water into a home or building can create mold/ organic growth. Water intrusions can come from many different sources including storm damage, plumbing or equipment failures, long-standing leaks, and poor humidity control. If the intrusions are not handled right away, increased risk of harmful mold growth can present itself. Organic materials found inside a building, such as wood, paper, drywall, and insulation, provide food sources for mold to flourish.

That reason, alone, is a huge reason mold, fungi, or organic growth needs to be remediated immediately before disastrous damage occurs.

About the Worst we ever saw

10/30/2017 (Permalink)

Cocoa Beach condo unit with tons of mold

Please see the picture--

SERVPRO of Central Brevard was called to inspect 5 units at a Cocoa Beach Condo. They had roof damage and before any work could be done there was a lot of rain which kept the units very wet.

Upon entering the top unit, the odor was about as much as one could take and we had to use our PPE in order to inspect the unit. My production manager said it is about the worst he has ever seen when it comes to mold coverage. It was every where. Basically in order to complete this job we will have to gut the unit done to the studs. Wall, Ceiling and floors.  Even more special upon further inspection we noticed that the floor tiles were 9 x 9 inch square and are quite possibly asbestos- which will require special safety methods to clean up.

Don't leave your water damage to chance and create a mold problem

8/15/2017 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO of Central Brevard we have seen many times what happens when someone leave their water damage to chance. They have some type of leak they use a wet dry vac to suck up water and towel it off.  And no more water problem right??

generally wrong!!! Water like to go places that we do not see, like in your walls and under your cabinets and tile.  If this water is not dried properly the result is usually a mold problem.

Please look at the photo below- This came from a home how had several water intrusions over a couple of years- This pic is from the laundry room and after the  machines and wall cabinets were removed the mold damage is clear.  There are numerous areas in this home just like this- and until a small amount of mold became visible no one ever noticed. However the owners did say that their allergies have been worse over the last several months.....

Don't put off that water damage- Mold is not far behind

3/7/2017 (Permalink)

When you wait too long- your water damage can turn into mold. Here is what happens: all effected areas must be removed.

From time to time we run into the emergency water damage call- only to find out that the event occurred several days ago. The problem with that is now not only is the client complaining about wet carpet; they also notice a foul odor in the air.


What is happening is most likely the start of mold growth.


Mold can colonize in 72 hours and bacteria can start to multiply in just a few hours.


At this point, we have to tell them it is not just a water emergency, most likely, it will end up being a mold remediation.


The Insurance Information Institute (“III”) estimates that the typical homeowner claim involving mold costs between $15,000 to $30,000 to handle, compared with the non-mold-related claim, such as water damage figure of $3,000 to $4,000, with payouts by insurers for mold-related claims topping over $3 billion.


Waiting on that water damage service call or even trying to do it yourself without proper knowledge can cost you 3 to 7 times what the water damage would have cost.

Mold Remediation facts

3/3/2017 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation

Mold can colonize in 72 hours and bacteria can start to multiply in just a few hours.

Physically removing mold contamination is the primary means of remediation.

In a standard situation, SERVPRO® removes all of the visible mold growth and excess spores and returns the area to normal levels

Mold remediation is a costlier process than taking care of a water

Damage as soon as it happens. Professional drying insures that the

Water you don’t see is taken care of.

This is where the thermal images come into place.

The Insurance Information Institute (“III”) estimates that the typical homeowner claim involving mold costs between $15,000 to $30,000 to handle, compared with the non-mold-related claim, such as water damage figure of $3,000 to $4,000, with payouts by insurers for mold-related claims topping over $3 billion.

 

What is Black Mold

10/26/2016 (Permalink)

Stachybotrys chartarum is the type of mold often called “black mold” or “toxic mold”. Sensational news reports warn about the dangers of black mold and these stories can be alarming and confusing. Any mold in your home should be treated with caution – stay out of affected areas and don’t touch or disturb the mold.

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

How Do I Tell If It’s Black Mold?

Since many types of mold can produce allergens and irritants, you should contact a qualified mold remediation company regardless of the color or type of mold. In many instances, multiple types of mold can exist in the same house or structure. If you suspect that you have a mold problem, contact a SERVPRO Franchise Professional immediately. Click here to find a SERVPRO Franchise.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today (321) 638-4947

Understanding Mold

When water intrudes into your property, mold growth can start in as little as 48 hours. Consider the following mold facts:

  •  Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
  •  Mold spores are microscopic, 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 toxins harmful to humans and pets.
  •  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 that odor can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
  •  Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

Important mold facts!!

8/8/2016 (Permalink)

Toxic Mold Fact Sheet

The National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month Planning Committee developed this Toxic Mold Fact Sheet to provide information about molds and mycotoxins. Currently, there are no Federal Government Standards for indoor air quality regarding molds and mycotoxins. This information is provided to inform the public on the preventable health and development problems that may be caused by exposure to toxic mold in their homes, schools, and communities.

Important Mold Facts:
People are routinely exposed to more than 200 species of fungi indoors and outdoors. There are sixty species that produce the 180 trichothecene mycotoxins. Mycotoxins kill other things, like bacteria and viruses, so mold can continue to grow. The American Cancer Society lists aflatoxin mycotoxins as known human carcinogens. The FDA has enforced regulatory limits on aflatoxin concentrations in foods and feeds since 1965.

Mold spores, whether dead or alive, can cause adverse health effects. Molds also produce a large number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals are responsible for the musty odors produced by growing molds.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

  • There is no practical way to eliminate all molds and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
  • Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.
  • Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
  • Incidences:
    It is estimated that 500,000 deaths occur yearly in the United States due to exposure to indoor toxic mold.

    According to an EPA study, an estimated 50% of our nation’s schools have problems linked to poor indoor air quality.

    Health Causes:
    Mycotoxin exposure can lead to toxic injury that may include multiple illnesses, affecting the skin and the nervous, vascular, respiratory, digestive, reproductive, urinary, and immune systems; including the formation of cancers and can be life-threatening.

    Studies:
    In the mid-1990's, a study conducted from Cleveland, Ohio, involved infants who had died suddenly from unexplained pulmonary hemorrhage (bleeding of the lungs). Upon investigation, the researchers found that the infants resided in homes with high levels of Stachybotrys atra, linking Stachybotrys atra exposure to serious health effects and even death. A government study is now being conducted, with findings to be released in 2010.

    A 1997 Mayo Clinic study found that 96% of recurring sinus infections are caused by fungus in the sinuses. When participants were treated with anti-fungal sinus sprays, recurrence of infection was considerably less, and in some cases, no recurring infections were noted.

    Fifty percent of the 937 children tested in a large multicity asthma study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health showed sensitivity to mold, indicating the importance of mold as an asthma trigger among these children. Molds are thought to play a role in asthma in several ways. Molds produce many potentially allergenic compounds, and molds may play a role in asthma via release of irritants that increase potential for sensitization or release of toxins (mycotoxins) that affect immune response.

    “Mold Removal” vs. Remediation

    7/8/2016 (Permalink)

    Mold damage in Titusville Florida

    What’s the Difference?

    Since microscopic mold spores exist naturally almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors, removing all mold from a home or business is impossible. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold. This is a fallacy.

    A qualified restoration company understands the science behind mold and mold growth. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have the training and expertise to remediate the mold in your home or business. Mold remediation focuses on getting mold levels back to normal, natural levels.

    Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same. To learn more about our mold remediation process.

    • Step 1: Emergency Contact (321)638-4947
    • Step 2: Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
    • Step 3: Mold Containment
    • Step 4: Air Filtration
    • Step 5: Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
    • Step 6: Cleaning Contents and Belongings
    • Step 7: Restoration

    Signs of Mold? Call Today (321)638-4947

    Understanding Mold

    When water intrudes into your property, mold growth can start in as little as 48 hours. Consider the following mold facts:

    • Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
    • Mold spores are microscopic, 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 and have the potential to cause other health effects. 
    • 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 that odor can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
    • Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

    Mold Remediation Melbourne, FL

    6/19/2014 (Permalink)

    Mold growth from water/ sewage damage Melbourne, FL

    A sewage overflow that was sitting for quite some time had turned in to a major mold problem for our customer in Melbourne, FL. This snap shot is just a small window of how fast a water or sewage damage can cause mold to grow all over your belongins. SERVPRO of Central Brevard is there to save the day!! Stay tuned to see the after pictures of this mold project.