How Does Mold Remediation & Mitigation Happen?

11/2/2018 (Permalink)

Mold that grew in 72 hours.

When there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business. Mold can affect your health and can also cause significant damage to your property. Fortunately, SERVPRO of Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. Although every mold damage scenario is different, requiring a unique solution, the general mold remediation process stays the same. The following steps illustrate a “typical” mold removal process.

Call Your Local SERVPRO of Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County

The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call SERVPRO’s Call Center or your local Franchise Professional. A representative will ask a series of questions to help determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed.

Inspection & Damage Assessment

Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold using technology designed to detect mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water which can be hidden from plain view.

Mold Containment

Various containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold and isolate the contaminated area with 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 utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress.

Removing Mold & Mold-Infested Materials

The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments will be used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.

Cleaning Contents & Belongings

SERVPRO of Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County will clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. They are also trained to remove odors and deodorize using fogging equipment.

Restoration

Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may be removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet, or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Funny Smells???? Where Is That Coming From????

11/2/2018 (Permalink)

A crew member soda blasting some mold in a crawlspace.

Here at SERVPRO of Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County we get calls of all sorts. This year it seems more calls each week are about mold. When a call comes in we always like to inquire if the mold is visible. Some say yes. Others, however say that they noticed a musty or strange smell. 

Odor is generally the first thing people will notice when it come to microbial growth. We had a call recently about mold in a crawlspace. The homeowner had noticed a strange smell. After some investigting, the homeowner found a large area of mold in the crawlspace from a pipe leaking under the house. 

What does mold need to grow? Mold needs moisture. A water damage can quickly turn into a mold job if the water is left for even a few days. The high humidity this past summer was a large contributor to the larger number of calls we received about mold. 

Do you think you have a mold problem? Call SERVPRO of Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County at 256-236-8889. We can provide you with a free estimate for mold remediation in your home or business. 

Battling Allergies In Alabama? Indoor Air Quality Could Give You The Upper Hand!

11/1/2018 (Permalink)

"Achoo!" Cough. Cough. "Pass the tissues please."

Allergy season in Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County can be debilitating, especially with the mild winter we've experienced this year.

You can't control the increase of allergens in the Spring air, but did you know you can improve the air quality in your home, bolstering your fight against allergy symptoms? Central heating and air conditioning systems need periodic professional cleaning to assure the proper air quality in your home.

Our trained professionals at SERVPRO of Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County using our commercial, duct-cleaning equipment, brushes, and air whips, will remove dust and debris trapped inside your duct system and therefore providing optimum indoor air quality.

Before reaching for the tissues, reach for the phone. Call SERVPRO of Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County at 256-236-8889 to request HVAC duct cleaning.

You and your family can breathe easier with SERVPRO by your side.

Industrial Hygenist

11/1/2018 (Permalink)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)- Keeps us safe on the job.

In some cases, our mold jobs need to be referred to an industrial hygienist. If you are like me then you're asking "what exactly is that and what do they do?" 

According to www.aiha.org, "Industrial Hygiene is a science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, prevention, and control of those environmental factors or stresses arising in or from the workplace which may cause health effects, impaired health and well being, or significant discomfort among workers or among citizens of the community."

They describe Industrial hygienists as "scientists and engineers committed to protecting the health and safety of people in the workplace and the community."

SERVPRO of Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County does not do inspections but we can give you a quote on the visible substance you can SEE. 

The steps listed below illustrate our process for a “typical” mold remediation infestation:

1. Emergency Contact -
2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
3. Mold Containment
4. Air Filtration
5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
6. Cleaning Contents and Belongings
7. Restoration

Managing Mold

11/1/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can grow anywhere as long as the environment allows it to.

1. Identify problem areas in your home and correct them. Preventing mold from growing or spreading might be as simple as ripping up carpet in a damp basement, installing mold-resistant products, or repairing damaged gutters.

2. Dry wet areas immediately. Mold can't grow without moisture, so tackle wet areas right away. 

3. Prevent moisture with proper ventilation. Make sure an activity as simple as cooking dinner, taking a shower, or doing a load of laundry doesn't invite mold by providing proper ventilation in your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and any other high-moisture area. 

4. Equip your home with mold-resistant products. Building a new home or renovating an old one? Use mold-resistant products like mold-resistant drywall or mold-resistant Sheetrock, and mold inhibitors for paints. 

5. Monitor humidity indoors. The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 60 percent. You can measure humidity with a moisture meter purchased from your local hardware store. 

6. Direct water away from your home. If the ground around your home isn't sufficiently sloped away from the foundation, water may collect there and seep into your crawlspace or basement.

7. Clean or repair roof gutters.  Have your roof gutters cleaned regularly and inspected for damage. Repair them as necessary, and keep an eye out for water stains after storms that may indicate a leak.

8. Improve air flow in your home. Without good air flow in your home, that excess moisture may appear on your walls, windows and floors. To increase circulation, open doors between rooms, move furniture away from walls, and open doors to closets that may be colder than the rooms they’re in. Let fresh air in to reduce moisture and keep mold at bay.

9. Keep mold off household plants. They're beautiful and help keep your indoor air clean — and mold loves them. The moist soil in indoor plants is a perfect breeding ground for mold, which may then spread to other areas of your house.

[All information is from mnn.com]

Selling A Home?? Don't Let Mold Stop That Sale!

11/1/2018 (Permalink)

Don't let mold ruin the sale of a house.

You’ve held the open house. Your list of prospects has developed into an interested buyer. The paperwork all leads to an impending sale when the home inspector suddenly reveals the unexpected and leaves your prospective buyer with a sour taste for your house.

No one wants to be in this position, but calling SERVPRO of Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County could help.

Home inspections performed for prospective buyers can reveal issues in your home that you were unaware of — water damage, high moisture, mold, or odors for example.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County can perform specialty deodorization, water damage mitigation, and mold remediation to help make your house feel like a new home again. We are always here to help quickly, responding to your needs like it were our own home. We will carefully and efficiently address any issues that are keeping you from reaching closing and losing prospective buyers.

Before the home selling experience feels like sour lemons, call SERVPRO of Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County at 256-236-8889. We are always here to help.

The Mold Mitigation and Remediation Process

11/7/2017 (Permalink)

Be In the Know About Mold

When there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business. Mold can affect your health and can also cause significant damage to your property. Fortunately, SERVPRO of Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. Although every mold damage scenario is different, requiring a unique solution, the general mold remediation process stays the same. The following steps illustrate a “typical” mold removal process.

Call Your Local SERVPRO of Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County

The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call SERVPRO’s Call Center or your local Franchise Professional. A representative will ask a series of questions to help determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed.

Inspection & Damage Assessment

Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold using technology designed to detect mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water which can be hidden from plain view.

Mold Containment

Various containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold and isolate the contaminated area with 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 utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress.

Removing Mold & Mold-Infested Materials

The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments will be used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.

Cleaning Contents & Belongings

SERVPRO of Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County will clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. They are also trained to remove odors and deodorize using fogging equipment.

Restoration

Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may be removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet, or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Signs That You Need Mold Remediation

11/7/2017 (Permalink)

Signs of Mold

Mold thrives in a warm, humid and damp environment. Most types of mold are harmful to human and animal health. Some of the health issues they can cause on the people within the house include throat irritation, eye irritation, nasal stuffiness, skin irritation, and coughing or wheezing. Mold or mildew is not harmful in small quantities; it only becomes harmful when its growth spirals out of control and increases in quantity. Your home is likely to have mold if there are leaking pipes, leaks in the roof, poor ventilation, condensation, flooding and wet clothes. Dealing with these problems early enough can prevent mold from setting in and causing havoc on the property.

There are ways in which you can prevent this menace from happening. Always ensure that you clean up water as soon as it spills in large amounts because this will reduce the chances of mold growing there. Also, ensure there is ample ventilation in the house after you finish cooking showering or washing utensils. Insulate your house to quell condensation. Also, keep the basement dry always. If all these fail, you should seek the help of professionals to remove mold from your home. These are the telltale signs that you should look out for if you want to know whether you need mold services;

• If your home has experienced flooding recently due to excessive rain, broken appliance or pipe there is the likelihood that mold will grow. This can happen especially if you did not enlist the services of professionals to clean it.
• When you see mold growth, it is also a red flag that you should do something about it.
• The presence of an unpleasant and wet odor it can be emanating from the mold.
• If you or anyone else living in the house start experiencing allergies that you did not have before
• The presence of moisture should also alert you to the imminent growth of mold and hence the need to call in professionals.

If you reside in Anniston and you have noticed some of these signs, you should visit our website and allow us to address your problem promptly.

Mold in Your Crawlspace

11/2/2017 (Permalink)

Mold in the crawlspace of an Anniston, AL home

Do you have problems with moisture in your crawlspace? Has a water leak caused mold, mildew or wood rot?

Call SERVPRO of Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County and we can handle that for you. Our trained and certified mold remediation technicians can diagnose your crawlspace moisture problem and get your crawlspace dried out in no time. Our technicians will remove any wet insulation in your crawlspace, treat the mold and mildew with an anti microbial solution, dry the wet floor joists or subfloor, and remove and reset the vapor barrier so that you have no more problems of moisture damaging your home environment.

If you have a mold problem in your home or business, consider the following facts:

• Significant mold growth can occur in 48-72 hours.
• Mold may present a greater risk to children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory problems.
• A strong, musty odor may indicate hidden mold behind drywall or under carpeting.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of Anniston for 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.

Don’t forget to call your local SERVPRO franchise at (256) 236-8889 to get a free estimate!

Controlling a Mold Problem

11/2/2017 (Permalink)

Be in the know about mold.

Mold is often a problem after a water damage, especially one that wasn't handled professionally. Many homeowners try to handle water damage cleanup themselves and unseen damage leaves moisture that later causes mold to grow.

If you had a water damage recently and you now smell a musty odor or have visible mold, here are some tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help control mold problems:

• The source of mold is moisture; therefore fix all leaks in pipes and in any damp area around tubs and sinks.
• Rebuild, or retrofit, with water-resistant building materials such as tile, stone, deep-sealed concrete, galvanized or stainless steel hardware, indoor/outdoor carpeting, waterproof wallboard and water-resistant glues.
• Prevent seepage of water from outdoors into your house. It is important to have rainwater from gutters or roof drains away from the structure. Ground around the house should slope away to keep basements and crawl spaces dry.
• Cover dirt in crawl spaces with plastic to prevent moisture from coming up from the ground. Ventilate the area as much as possible.
• Clean fabrics such as curtains and upholstery often to keep them dry, because soil promotes mold growth.
• Consider having ductwork cleaned and inspected professionally or replaced if you suspect mold exists on the inside surface of the duct or if duct insulation has been wet.
• Reduce the moisture in the air with dehumidifiers, fans and open windows or air conditioners.
• Do not use fans or vacuum cleaners if mold already exists, especially in hot weather. A fan or vacuum cleaner will spread the mold spores.
• In moisture-prone areas, choose carpets of man-made fibers.
• Reduce potential for condensation on cold surfaces by insulating.
• Routinely check potential problem spots.

For more information, visit www.fema.gov/removing-mold-your-home.

Do You Have Mold in Your Home?

11/2/2017 (Permalink)

Mold can spread throughout a home in as little as 48 hours.

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.

Trust the Experts With Mold

11/2/2017 (Permalink)

Don't let mold ruin your home! Call us today!

Did you know it takes less than 24 hours for mold growth to begin after a water damage?  Many factors can influence the rate at which the growth begins.  Here along the Gulf Coast, we have an environment that is the perfect storm when it comes to mold.  High heat, along with high humidity and extended periods of wet weather make the perfect breeding ground.  Anniston is basically a real-world version of a Petri dish.  So when you find mold, what should you do? Your first step should be to call us!  At SERVPRO we have experts that are certified by the IICRC in Mold Remediation.  We follow all IICRC and OSHA guidelines to protect your home from further damage and to ensure the safety of your family once the process is complete.  Proper containment is critical when remediation a mold issue. Air scrubbers may also be used within the treatment area to eliminate any spores that might be released in to the air during the cleaning process.  Depending on the amount of mold present an Industrial Hygienist (IH) may be called in to test the area and evaluate the situation.  The IH will establish a written protocol that will be followed by SERVPRO employees.  Upon completion of the remediation project the Hygeniest will test the air to ensure that all mold spores have been eliminated and that your home is mold-free.