Recent Mold Remediation Posts

Mold Prevention and Awareness

3/4/2024 (Permalink)

Mold is a persistent intruder that can silently invade our homes, posing risks to both property and health. As your trusted SERVPRO®, we understand the importance of mold prevention and awareness to safeguard your home. In this blog post, we'll explore key strategies to keep mold at bay and raise awareness about the signs and risks associated with mold growth.

Understanding Mold:

Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in damp and humid environments. It reproduces through tiny spores that are invisible to the naked eye, making it easy for mold to go undetected until it becomes a significant problem. Common household molds include Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold).

Mold Prevention Strategies:

  1. Control Moisture: The most effective way to prevent mold growth is to control moisture levels in your home. Regularly inspect and fix any leaks in the roof, plumbing, or walls. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas like basements to maintain optimal humidity levels (ideally between 30-50%).

  2. Proper Ventilation: Ensure proper ventilation in bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas prone to high humidity. Use exhaust fans and open windows to improve air circulation, reducing the likelihood of mold formation.

  3. Regular Cleaning: Keep your home clean and dry. Regularly clean and dust surfaces to eliminate the food source that mold needs to thrive. Pay special attention to areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.

  4. Use Mold-Resistant Products: When renovating or building, consider using mold-resistant materials. Mold-resistant drywall and paint can provide an extra layer of protection against mold growth.

  5. Monitor Indoor Humidity: Invest in a hygrometer to monitor indoor humidity levels. This simple device can help you identify potential issues and take preventive measures before mold has a chance to develop.

Mold Awareness:

  1. Recognizing Signs: Familiarize yourself with the common signs of mold growth. These include a musty odor, visible mold patches, and the presence of water stains on walls or ceilings. Early detection is crucial to preventing extensive damage.

  2. Professional Inspection: If you suspect mold or notice signs of its presence, seek professional inspection and remediation services. SERVPRO Team Caldwell is equipped with the expertise and tools to assess and address mold-related issues effectively.

Mold in Rental Property

11/21/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Jackson/Crockett County

SERVPRO of Jackson/Crockett County presents: Mold in Rental Property

 SERVPRO of Jackson/Crockett County: Mold:

  • grows from mold spores
    • spores are too small to see unaided
    • spores can survive harsh environments for many years
  • can grow almost anywhere
  • needs to have only
    • above-freezing temperatures
    • protein, such as in animal dander, skin cells, wood, plaster, carpet
    • moisture (high humidity is enough)
  • grows rapidly
  • damages property
  • has a bad smell
  • is unsightly

If have a small amount of mold on a dish, you can clean it. You can even throw away the dish.

If you have a large amount of mold, you need licensed mold remediation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines a “large amount” as 10 square feet or more.

SERVPRO of Jackson/Crockett County is licensed in mold remediation.

Talk to your landlord if you think he/she should hire licensed professionals. If the landlord disagrees:

  • Contact the Jackson/Crockett County housing authority
  • Review your lease about your rights and responsibilities

Links:

https://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm

https://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/fema_mold_brochure_english.pdf

Tips on Mold Clean-Up

10/15/2018 (Permalink)

The Environmental Protection Agency has a number of great tips on how to pursue a mold clean-up job. Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors. One consideration is the size of the mold problem. If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself, follow the Mold Cleanup Tips and Techniques. However:

  • If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, consult EPA guide Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document is applicable to other building types.
  • If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professional service provider) to do the cleanup, make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold. Check references and ask the contractor to follow the recommendations in EPA guide Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, the guidelines of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygenists (ACGIH), or other guidelines from professional or government organizations.
  • If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold (it is part of an identified moisture problem, for instance, or there is mold near the intake to the system), consult EPA guide Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? before taking further action. Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold - it could spread mold throughout the building.
  • If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, then call in a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.
  • If you have health concerns, consult a health professional before starting cleanup.

SERVPRO of Jackson/Crockett County has mold experts on site. If you suspect mold, give our professionals a call at (731) 423-9944.

You Found Mold. What Next?

7/24/2018 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

  • Stay out of affected areas.
  • Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
  • Contact SERVPRO of Jackson/Crockett County 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.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Jackson/Crockett County specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 731-423-9944

Spring into Cleaning! Windowsill Growth

4/22/2018 (Permalink)

This month, we’ve been talking about spring cleaning. Most of us are already looking forward to the warmer weather and working in our yards but the shift in season also brings something that most of us don’t want: windowsill growth. But not to panic, it’s not always a cause for concern.

  • Tip #1: What appears to be windowsill mold isn’t always mold, so don’t worry too quickly most of the time you can just wipe it clean.
  • Tip #2: To remove it you can use one-part bleach with three parts warm water and remove with a scrub brush.
  • Tip #3: Black mold on windowsills is not toxigenic but it is allergenic, meaning the worst that will happen is that your allergies will flare up.

If you have any questions about mold, don’t hesitate to call us. We have professionals that can determine if it is mold on sight. That’s it for today, we hope you will join us for next week’s Friday lunchtime minute, where you get tips from the PROS. And remember, when the unexpected happens call SERVPRO of Jackson/Crockett County.

About SERVPRO of Jackson/Crockett County

SERVPRO of Jackson/Crockett County understands the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your life and home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of Jackson/Crockett County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage. SERVPRO of Jackson/Crockett County can also mitigate mold and mildew from your home or business.

Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. With a nationwide system of qualified franchises, no damage is too large or too small for SERVPRO of Jackson/Crockett County.

If you would like to schedule service for your home or business, please call us today at (731) 423-9944!

Serving you since 1967, SERVPRO is the cleaning and restoration brand you know and trust.

Insurance and Payment Information

For a stress-free claims process, SERVPRO works with your insurance to help manage the insurance process and paperwork.

Certifications

  • AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
  • ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
  • CCT - Carpet Cleaning Technician
  • FSRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
  • IICRC Certified Firm
  • UFT - Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
  • WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician

Affiliations

  • Kiwanis
  • Madison County Chamber of Commerce

Awards

  • Bronze Chairman Award

Does Your Jackson, Crockett County Home Have A Mold Problem?

10/20/2017 (Permalink)

In Jackson, Crockett County, mold can spread through 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.

What is the best way to get rid of black mold?

We recently talked to Jeramy Link, a SERVPRO mold professional, from our warehouse in Newbern, Tennessee. Why to call SERVPRO when we can find information in Internet explaining how to remove mold on our own? He told us that by calling us, as a homeowner or a business owner, you would avoid cross contamination. You would also prevent getting in touch with mold spores that would “cause bigger issues than you would normally have”.

Jeramy told us that one of the first steps when our team perceives mold is to determine what is the source. “If there is a water damage, we try to find what caused the water damage”. And for that, we use our state-of-the-art equipment! “We use moisture meters, half masks to protect our employees, different virucidal disinfectants, of course gloves, and we also set up a containment”.

The cost of these procedures we implement in your mold affected home or business may vary depending on the source, sais Jeramy. “If you got a roof leak, of course that would cost more than a small mold caused by a leak underneath the sink”. And he continues: “You have to take care of the source first. This is always the important part, because we can come in and clean and we can get rid of the mold, but it doesn’t help if we don’t get rid of the source”.

Jeramy has worked for SERVPRO® of Dyersburg/Union City, SERVPRO® of Weakley, Gibson, Carroll Counties and SERVPRO® of Jackson/Crockett County for more than 12 years. He tells us the story of one of the worse mold situations he has ever encounter so far. “It was probably unattended for several months. We open the door, go in to identify a water leak, because the owners meter was constantly running. The mold was present from the ceiling to the floor!” When our team saw that situation, they actually had to suit up to be able to physically get inside the structure.

We congratulate Jeramy Link, who recently obtained his certification as an Applied Microbial Restoration Technician (AMRT), offered by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).

Watch the full interview in our Facebook page.  

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 – (731) 423-9944

Jackson/Crockett County Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

9/6/2016 (Permalink)

Be careful! Without proper training, you could be spreading mold throughout your home.

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

  • Stay out of affected areas.
  • Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
  • Contact SERVPRO ofJackson/Crockett County 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.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Jackson/Crockett County specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 731-423-9944