What Causes Mold?

7/25/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO specializes in mold removal

If you have ever spent any amount of time in a crawlspace odds are you have been in a moldy environment. Crawlspaces are not the only spot in a home where mold can be present, but it is the most common. This is because the conditions in a crawlspace is perfect for mold growth. This blog will focus on those conditions and what you can do to help prevent mold growth.

- Water Intrusion

This is the number one cause of mold. This can come in many different forms. The most common are roof leaks, frozen water pipes, wet foundations, and outside water. Water is the key ingredient for mold growth. its important to make sure all leaks are stopped immediately and the structure is dried out properly.

- High Humidity

Leaks aren't the only cause of mold. High humidity is also a main contributor to mold growth. You really wan to keep your indoor humidity below 60%. If you are having trouble with high humidity you might want look into purchasing a dehumidifier.       

Are You Ready To Sell More Houses in Sumner County?

5/17/2019 (Permalink)

It is a fact:

A clean, fresh smelling home sells faster. Unfortunately, not all home are maintained in the same way. Nearly all realtors are faced, at some point, with a difficult listing to show.

Veteran realtors encourage their clients to keep their home in top condition for very important reasons:

• Increased market value
• Reduced list to sale conversion times
• Enhanced reputation for quality listings and quick sales

SERVPRO® of Sumner County offers a variety of services to help revive your listings to top show condition:

• Carpet, Upholstery, Drapery and Blind Cleaning
• Ceiling, Wall and Hard Floor Cleaning
• Deodorization
• Duct and HVAC Cleaning
• Mold Mitigation and Remediation

If you are currently working with clients in the Sumner County area and are in need of services, call our office today at 615-822-0200.

Are You In The Process Of Listing Your Sumner County Home?

3/22/2019 (Permalink)

Are You In The Process Of Listing Your Sumner County Home?

Prior to listing a property, the following steps can be taken to reduce the potential for moisture buildup or mold growth. Should a damaging event occur, timely response is the key to preventing further damage – act within the first 24 to 48 hours.

• Correct any water leaks or standing water.
• Remove standing water under cooling coils or air handling units.
• Properly maintain humidifiers, if used.
• Replace wet or visibly moldy insulation materials.
• Steam cleaning and other methods involving moisture should not be used on any kind of duct work.
• Install a ventilation system.

SERVPRO® of Sumner County can inspect the areas that you feel need attention and provide service to remediate the areas as well to ensure that you are ready to list your home. Call our office today to schedule an inspection at 615-822-0200.

SERVPRO® of Sumner County Mold and Mildew Service

12/28/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Sumner County thought of starting a band called Mold and the Mildews. We know a lot about the subject and are fungis (lol), but fortunately for you guys, we decided against it.

Mold and mildew are both types of fungi. Mildew is never useful, but some kinds of fungi are okay, like mushrooms (if you like mushrooms) and some molds can be useful, like penicillin. Other kinds of fungi are definitely not okay, like athlete’s foot and you definitely don’t want them growing in your home or office. SERVPRO® of Sumner County can help, if you discover something growing in your residence that shouldn’t be there.

It’s good to learn about the different kinds of mold and mildew. Education is important and finding an industry expert is critical. SERVPRO® of Sumner County recommends Frost Environmental Services, L.L.C. for an inspection. If you need assistance getting rid of the problem, give SERVPRO® of Sumner County a shout and we would be happy to help.

Does Your Hendersonville Home Have A Mold Problem?

11/1/2018 (Permalink)

Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moister must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.

In Hendersonville, 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. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to removal all mold, which is 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 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 moister must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.

Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If you home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment and expertise to remediate you mold infestation.

If you see signs of mold call us today – 615-822-0200

Sealing Its Fate

10/30/2018 (Permalink)

Mold travels when it is disturbed and will attach to anything that is a viable food source. When our office receives calls to complete mold remediation’s we are happy to help, but need to follow certain procedures to ensure that when we are cleaning the areas that have mold present we are spreading the mold to other areas of the home or business.

When our trained teams arrive they will assess the damage and if a scope of work is not already created they will create a protocol or scope of work. If our teams are working inside the home they will hang containment (heavy plastic sheeting) to seal off the area and prevent mold spores from traveling to other portions of the home. The area remains sealed off until the work has been completed. In many cases our teams will place air scrubbers in or around the area to aid with the mold particles in the air.

If you feel that you have mold in your home or business call SERVPRO® of Sumner County today to schedule an appointment.

It’s The Water You Don’t See

10/11/2018 (Permalink)

Even small water damages have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time if not properly mitigated in a timely manner.

The key to avoiding costly future restoration is to handle every water problem as a real threat to your property. SERVPRO® of Sumner County have the equipment, training and experience to find and dry unseen water before secondary damages occur. The proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing the damage expense during a water loss. When time matters, technology and equipment must be counted on to perform.

SERVPRO® of Sumner County will answer your call with a team ready to respond and a full arsenal of drying equipment to help prevent secondary damage from occurring. Call our office today at 615-822-0200.

Understanding Mold

10/8/2018 (Permalink)

Mold is a hot topic these days. Although molds have been on the Earth for millions of years, there have been recent studies linking mold to a variety of health conditions. Mold is found indoors and out and can attach itself to clothing, bags and pets and be carried indoors. Mold can also travel indoors through open windows and doors, as well as through your HVAC system. Mold requires moisture to grow and can flourish in certain ideal conditions.

How You Can Control Mold Growth In Your Home

• Humidity Levels – Again, mold loves moisture. Control the moisture/humidity control the mold.
• Fix ALL leaks
• Clean ALL spills immediately
• Thoroughly dry after any flooding within 24 – 48 hours
• Proper ventilation

If you feel that you have a mold problem in your home call SERVPRO® of Sumner County today at 615-822-0200 to schedule an inspection.

Are Your Ducts In Order

10/4/2018 (Permalink)

Did you know, your ventilation system is often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality? Inspecting the ductwork in you facility or home should be a high priority. In most cases, the HVAC system has been operating for some time without much attention. Dirty ducts can circulate odors, contaminants such as mold and irritating dust throughout your building or home.

A routine part of SERVPRO® of Sumner County is inspecting the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit (HVAC). Keeping the HVAC and ductwork clean can potentially extend the life span of the equipment by allowing it to operate at peak condition, which may help save you money. Duct cleaning may not always be necessary. SERVPRO® of Sumner County professionals will inspect your HVAC system and ductwork and make recommendations about the best way to address the indoor air quality concerns. This inspection can help save you money and provide peace of mind on the health of your HVAC system and duct work.

Call SERVPRO® of Sumner County today to schedule your inspection 615-822-0200.

Call The Cleanup Team

9/26/2018 (Permalink)

There’s no such thing as a small disaster, especially when the water you don’t see contains bacteria or can cause mold, rot and other unseen damage. Water damage can drastically affect the value of your property if not properly taken care of. Before you get out the mop bucket and try to clean it yourself, consider how the damage will affect your property.

SERVPRO® of Sumner County knows how disruptive water damage can be for your business. Luckily SERVPRO® of Sumner County has trained professionals equipped to manage the drying process. By utilizing the proper equipment and moisture measuring devices, your building will be quickly and thoroughly dried to industry standards, which will help prevent secondary damages such as mold and rot. With rapid response time and a full line of water cleanup and restoration services, SERVPRO® of Sumner County can help you regain control quickly, by helping to ensure that your property and its contents are properly dried, deodorized and protected.

Before you risk further damaging the value of your property by attempting to clean the mess yourself, call SERVPRO® of Sumner County today at 615-822-0200.

Efflorescence or Mold? Do you know the difference?

9/11/2017 (Permalink)

Efflorescence or Mold? Do you know the difference?

Efflorescence and mold can look quite similar. Although they look similar, that is the only quality they have in common. Distinguishing between the two is important for your piece of mind and treatment of the affected area.

What is Efflorescence?

Efflorescence is the migration of salt to the surface of a porous material, where it forms a white chalky coating. Efflorescence is found on masonry, stucco or concrete surfaces. It forms from salt deposits that remain on the surface of the materials when groundwater and sometimes rain water evaporate. Although it is unsightly, it does not pose a health risk. It does however indicate that there is excessive moisture entering and can be problematic if not addressed.

What is Mold?   

Mold is a term used to refer to fungi that grow in the form of multicellular thread-like structures and comes in a rainbow of colors. Mold grows and spreads in unconditioned spaces and sometimes in structures that do not have proper ventilation or have experienced a leak. With the exception of the winter months mold is always present outdoors. Exposure to damp and moldy environments can cause a variety of health effects, or none at all.  

How do you know the difference?

-Efflorescence dissolves in water, whereas mold does not.

-If rubbed between your fingers, efflorescence turns powdery. Mold does not

-Mold can be any color, but is often black or grey. Efflorescence, is almost always white or yellow.

-Efflorescence develops on inorganic building materials, like masonry, stucco or concrete. Mold typically grows on organic materials, such as wood or drywall.

If you are uncertain as to whether you’re dealing with mold or efflorescence we suggest calling our office to schedule an inspection. Once the problem of mold or efflorescence is distinguished we can provide you with an estimate for cleanup.

Understanding Mold Management

7/18/2017 (Permalink)

Controlling the indoor and outdoor moisture of your home are the first steps in preventing mold growth.

Understanding Mold Management

Mold is an essential part of nature and returns carbon as well as other elements, back into our ecosystem. However, mold is not a word that homeowners want to use when describing their homes. Mold cannot be completely eradicated, but it can be managed to a sanitary extent.

Moisture control and rapid response are a key component in controlling mold growth in your home or outside structure. Controlling the indoor and outdoor moisture of your home are the first steps in preventing mold growth.

Indoor Moisture Control:

                -Fix any indoor plumbing that is dripping or “sweating”.

                -Limit indoor humidity levels

                -Improve air movement in poorly ventilated areas of the home

Outdoor Moisture Control:

                -Inspect and maintain roofs, gutters and flashing

                -Ensure that the home has proper grading to direct water runoff away

                -Install air conditioners in outside buildings for air flow

                -Keep outside doors to the home closed on humid days

If you find that you have mold in your home or outdoor structure it is important to locate and correct the problem. Once the problem that is causing the mold growth is corrected the area needs to be cleaned and porous materials need to be removed.

Call our office today for an estimate on mold removal.

Finding And Remediating Hidden Mold Damage

3/28/2017 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation Requires Removal of Moisture to Prevent Regrowth

SERVPRO Reveals the Hidden Pockets of Mold for Proper Remediation

Without you realizing the danger seemingly insignificant water leaks can be causing serious mold damage to your home. Within a kitchen cabinet or bathroom vanity under a sink a tiny crack in the caulk around the porcelain or dripping from a spray attachment that needs replacement can be allowing moisture to build up to the point where a mold colony begins growth. Because you rarely inspect these hidden areas your first hint that a problem is brewing may be when you notice a musty odor. Perhaps a darkening of the ceiling below the vanity or cabinet poses a mystery that SERVPRO can help solve.

The possibility of mold damage in Portland needs to be assessed by AMRT ((Applied Microbial Remediation) technicians from SERVPRO who are trained to follow the microbial trail back to the source. Until the leak or seepage is discovered and the water stopped mold will return even after the most thorough cleaning and disinfection. If your home has been subject to an unnoticed slow leak, expect our first step to being ensuring you repair or replace the plumbing or fixtures that were causing the leak. Once the water source has been isolated and eliminated, our staff will determine whether the cabinetry needs to be removed and replaced in part or entirely. Depending on the materials used to construct the vanity or cabinet there may be splitting or delamination that complicates restoration and offers more places for mold colonies to hide, suggesting replacement is necessary.
 
If a floor underlies the vanity or cabinet, SERVPRO technicians will make sure the moisture in that area has been removed as well. Tight, enclosed areas can maintain a level of humidity higher than the rest of the dwelling which will continue to encourage microbial growth in that space. Our staff will make use of extractors, air movers, and dehumidifiers to reduce the moisture content within the vanity or cabinet and use strategies to get dry and eventually warm air flowing to achieve that goal. The cabinetry may need to have holes drilled or toe kicks removed to ensure dry air replaces the damp, humid conditions that feed the mold. Post-remediation we will make sure your kitchen or bathroom looks as good as or better than before the slow leak caused your problems, "Like it never even happened."
 
Musty smells and spread of shadowy colonies of mold signal a household crisis SERVPRO of Sumner County can help you avert. Call our dispatchers any time of the day or night at (615) 822-0200 for a fast response to hidden microbial contamination.

Inadequate Venting Causes Mold Damage In Hendersonville Home

3/28/2017 (Permalink)

Consulting with SERVPRO of Sumner County helps you identify the reasons your dwelling supports mold growth.

Does Your Hendersonville Home Have Mold Damage?

Mold needs one thing to grow: water. It may not be a significant amount of water nor does it matter if it is clean or contaminated. Mold spores always inhabit the same spaces as you and your family, unseen microscopic particles floating in the air or lying on surfaces. SERVPRO helps you to learn about mold, so it peacefully coexists with you.

One common way mold damage gains a hold in your Hendersonville home is when kitchens, bathrooms, and other humid areas have improper venting. Spores swell and grow even if the water available is in a vaporous state. When you run your dishwasher, boil water for pasta, shower, or do laundry, water vapor builds in the air. The vapor that remains in the air because of no or improper venting activates nearby spores. Mold growth follows, attaching to areas like backsplashes, walls, grout, shower curtains, vanities, and hoses. The growth accelerates if any real leaks are present in plumbing or if damp towels or clothing offer the mold another source of moisture and an organic place to grow.

Consulting with SERVPRO helps you identify the reasons your dwelling supports mold growth. Our mold remediation training program thoroughly prepares our technicians to search successfully for mold growth and to isolate the moisture source. We use scientific methods and instruments to test for airborne mold and humidity levels that encourage microbial growth. If the humid areas of your home have fans or other venting systems, we urge you to use them to reduce ambient humidity. Rooms that are often steamy but have no venting are a different kind of problem. Opening windows, using free standing fans, or exploring other venting options are all options we suggest.

Regardless of the water source, we follow EPA protocols to contain, remove, and disinfect areas that show mold growth. When the mold is bagged and discarded, our staff measures the humidity and help you reduce it to below 60 percent. Mold is always likely to regrow if the moisture spikes again so controlling humidity, eliminating seepage and leaks, and extracting hidden areas of water are crucial in mold damage remediation..

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

Frustration about recurrent mold growth is a challenge SERVPRO of Sumner County frequently handles and with success. Call (615) 822-0200 and begin working with us on a plan that remediates current mold colonies and limits future infestation.