Got Mold? Tips for a Quicker Recovery | SERVPRO of West Seattle and Burien

9/22/2024 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO of West Seattle and Burien tackle your mold issues with expertise. Reach out to us today for professional help.

The sheer thought of having mold lurking somewhere in your home can keep you up at night. No one wants to think about a smelly or potentially dangerous mold infestation growing silently behind walls or under floors. 

Unfortunately, mold is really good at growing in homes, especially if your home is struggling with moisture issues or humidity problems. Knowing what to do if you discover a mold infestation can help protect your home from structural damage and you can protect the health and safety of your family. 

The 411 on Mold 

Before you learn about how to clean up mold, you have to learn about its particular characteristics! Mold spores are everywhere, both inside and outside your home. 

They are microscopic and float through the air, getting into your home via open windows and doors or through your vent system. While it is normal to have these spores in your home, you don’t want them to take hold and start growing. Mold loves moisture, so any spaces in your home that are continually damp or humid can become perfect breeding grounds for a new mold colony.

Mold can also be any color of the rainbow and many different textures. It can be green and slimy or white and chalky, which is why it can be tricky to identify on its own. One helpful identifying factor, however, is the smell. Most mold shares the same earthy or musty odor, so if you smell something like damp earth in your home, it’s time to do some investigating. 

Keeping Mold Out

Like we stated above, mold and moisture go hand in hand, so the key to keeping mold infestations out of your home is to focus on controlling your humidity. 

Your bathrooms and kitchen are often the most humid spaces in your home, so try to let them dry out at least once every day by running fans or opening windows. A 30 to 50% level of humidity is recommended for most homes, so try to aim in between that number for optimal comfort. 

Another necessary task to help reduce mold growth is to address water leaks or water spots right away. While a single drip from your dishwasher may not seem like an emergency, this dripping can quickly get under your floors and lead to a colony in just a matter of days. Addressing water leaks quickly can stop this from occurring while also ensuring you don’t suffer water damage in the process. 

Taking Care of the Mold 

Even if you do everything right, mold can still find a way to grow. If you discover a mold infestation anywhere in your home, don’t touch it and back away from the area. Disturbing certain mold colonies can be hazardous to your health, and you shouldn’t be breathing in the spores, so step back and call us instead. 

We have the training to identify the type of mold and the safety gear to stay safe while doing so. We also have the proper training on how to handle the situation thoroughly. 

Our mold mitigation team will secure the area, filter the area and get to work cleaning and sanitizing the entire space. Our team can even make sure that musty odor is removed from the air. Give us a call day or night if you discover mold so we can take care of you. 

Let SERVPRO of West Seattle and Burien handle your mold problem. Call us today. 

The Importance of Prompt and Effective Mold Removal and Remediation for Homeowners and Businesses

4/20/2023 (Permalink)

Mold poses serious health risks and should not be ignored. It can cause allergies, respiratory issues, and skin irritation, and more.

An Intro To Mold

Mold is a serious problem that affects many homeowners and businesses across the world. Not only can it cause extensive damage to the property, but it can also be a significant threat to the health of people living or working in the affected area. That's why mold removal and remediation are so important. In this blog, we'll discuss why it's crucial to address mold problems promptly and effectively.

Contain The Mold - If Possible

If you suspect mold growth in your home or business, the first step is to turn off the HVAC system, fans, or any other air moving equipment you have in the area. This is important because it can prevent mold spores from spreading throughout your property. Additionally, you should restrict access to the area with mold for pets, kids, and yourself. If the mold is contained in one room or area that has a door, close the door or cabinet to help with containment.

Identify Moisture Sources

It's also essential to attempt to determine the water source and take appropriate action to stop the source to prevent further mold problems. The most common causes of mold growth are water leaks or high humidity. If you can identify the source of the moisture and fix it, you can prevent the mold from spreading further.

Do Not Disturb

When dealing with mold, it's essential not to touch or disturb it. Mold spores can quickly become airborne and spread to other areas of your property. Similarly, you shouldn't blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth, attempt to dry the area yourself, spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold, or paint over it. These actions can make the problem worse.

Mold On Your Health

Mold can cause a variety of health problems, such as allergies, respiratory issues, and skin irritation. The longer you wait to address the problem, the more severe these issues can become. In some cases, mold can even be deadly, especially for people with weakened immune systems or other underlying health conditions. That's why it's crucial to have a plan of action for mold removal.

Our Mold Remediation + Restoration Services

Our professional mold removal and remediation can help you quickly and safely address mold problems in your home or business. These professionals use advanced equipment and techniques to identify and remove mold, as well as to address the underlying causes of the problem. They'll work with you to minimize disruption to your family or business while ensuring that the mold is removed safely and effectively.

Why SERVPRO?

Mold is a serious problem that can cause significant damage to your property and health. If you suspect mold growth in your home or business, it's essential to act quickly and effectively to address the problem. This means turning off the HVAC system, restricting access to the area with mold, identifying and stopping the water source, and avoiding actions that could make the problem worse. Professional mold removal and remediation services can help you address the problem safely and effectively, minimizing damage and keeping your family or business safe. Don't wait to address mold problems – act now to protect your property and health.

What to Do While Waiting for Professional Mold Removal Services: Tips for Home and Business Owners

4/20/2023 (Permalink)

Take a deep breath and take control! While you wait for professional mold remediation, follow these tips to keep mold damage at bay.

Mold is a common household problem that can cause a lot of damage if left unchecked. Mold growth is usually caused by moisture and can spread quickly, making it essential to address the issue as soon as possible. If you suspect that you have mold in your home, it's important to take action to contain the problem until professional mitigation and removal services can arrive.

Here's what you should do if you have mold and are waiting for professional help:

Turn Off HVAC System and Air Moving Equipment

Mold spores can spread quickly through the air, so it's important to turn off your HVAC system, fans, or any other air moving equipment you have in your home. This will help prevent the mold spores from spreading to other areas of your home.

Restrict Access to the Mold Area

It's important to restrict access to the mold area for pets, kids, and yourself. If the mold is contained in one room or area that has a door, close the door or cabinet to help with containment. This will help prevent the mold spores from spreading to other areas of your home and minimize your exposure to them.

Determine the Water Source and Take Appropriate Action

Mold growth is usually caused by moisture, so it's important to determine the water source and take appropriate action to stop the source to prevent further mold problems. For example, if you have a leaky pipe, turn off the water supply and have it repaired as soon as possible. If you have a leaky roof, have it repaired or replaced to prevent water from entering your home.

What Not to Do

It's important to know what not to do when dealing with mold, as certain actions can make the problem worse. Here are some things you should avoid doing:

Don't touch or disturb the mold. Touching or disturbing mold can release mold spores into the air, making the problem worse.

Don't blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth. Blowing air across moldy surfaces can spread the mold spores to other areas of your home.

Don't attempt to dry the area yourself. Mold needs to be properly dried out to prevent it from spreading further, but attempting to dry the area yourself can make the problem worse. Only a professional mitigation and removal service should handle the drying process.

Don't spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold. Bleach and other disinfectants can actually make the problem worse by releasing mold spores into the air. Only a professional mitigation and removal service should handle the cleaning process.

Don't paint over the mold. Painting over mold will not solve the problem and can actually make it worse. The mold will continue to grow and spread underneath the paint, causing even more damage.

Mold is a serious issue that requires professional mitigation and removal services. If you suspect that you have mold in your home, it's important to take action to contain the problem until professional help can arrive. By following these guidelines, you can help prevent the mold from spreading and minimize your exposure to it. Remember, only a professional mitigation and removal service should handle mold remediation to ensure that the problem is properly addressed and your home is safe and healthy.