Mold on the Outside of Your Home

9/25/2018 (Permalink)

When you think of places where mold may grow, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Perhaps a damp, dark basement or crawlspace?  While this may be one of the most common places, your home's exterior siding may also be susceptible to mold growth.  

Causes of Mold on Siding

Excessive humidity and moisture can create an attractive environment for mold growth on several kinds of siding, including low-maintenance vinyl.  Siding is designed to allow rainwater and other types of moisture to run off the exterior of your home, but sometimes otherwise durable siding can have mold growth under certain conditions.  Since some moldy types may need humidity to grow, warm and humid weather conditions can cause a mold outbreak on your siding.  

Mold likes darkness which can also play a role.  This means that the shady sides of your house maybe at risk.  These areas will tend to be the slowest to dry out after heavy rains so moisture levels will remain higher.  

Vinyl Siding Mold Removal and Prevention

First, keep your siding clean of dirt and grime. You can use a simple garden hose or pressure washer to do this.  

Second, try to target the trees and shrubs that are located around your house.   Check to make sure they do not have any contact with your siding.  Regularly trim your trees and shrubs to minimize shaded areas that can encourage mold growth.  

Finally, take steps to reduce the amount of moisture that comes into contact with your siding.  If you regularly water your lawn, be sure to adjust sprinklers so the water does not hit your house.  Check gutters in the spring and fall and make sure they are clean and in working order.  Clogged gutters can cause the rainwater to run down the side of the home and this can increase the moisture level. 

For any serious mold problems, don't hesitate to call in the professionals at SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall  (800) 455-9453

Handling Mold in Your Carpet

9/25/2018 (Permalink)

In areas where the weather is often humid, keeping your carpet dry and free from mold spores and growth can be a challenge. With daily in and out foot traffic, dirt and dust and other contaminants are tracked onto the carpet, and it can be quite a challenge to keep those carpets spotless!

Here are some helpful tips for you to use if you do find mold spots:

• If the carpet or rug can be taken outside, do so as soon as spots are found.
• Sweep the affected area with a broom to loosen the mold growth.
• Vacuum the area to remove as much mold as possible, and empty the vacuum bag into the garbage immediately.
• Using a mixture of dishwashing soap and water, scrub the affected area with the solution.
• Let it dry in the sun, as this is one of the best ways to disinfect material. If you cannot take it outside, pat it dry using dry towels or rags.

You can also use this method for the purpose of cleansing your carpet of mold:

• Scrub the affected areas with a rag soaked in dishwashing detergent and water, or do a base clean with a steam cleaner.
• Using household bleach with a gallon of water, soak the mold patch for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Using a steam cleaner, suck up the liquid, and then pat the carpet dry or remove outside into the sunshine.

If the mold growth is too much for you to handle on your own, or you would like the assistance of professionals, SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall has the equipment and experience needed to help with any of your mold remediation needs!

The team at SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall is experienced and equipped to help with mold remediation, as well as clean up after a flood and/or fire damage and water damage. Call us today at (800) 455-9453!

Preventing Mold Growth in Your Storage Unit

9/25/2018 (Permalink)

Your storage unit is one of the areas you may not think about as much when it comes to mold growth, so keeping that issue in mind is going to be a good idea. You’ll need to practice preventive measures to ensure that you don’t develop a mold issue here where you are storing items that are important to you, such as paperwork, artwork, equipment, or family heirlooms, just to name a few.  

Storage units are often climate controlled, but they still need to be monitored since mold spores are everywhere. Once mold has established a hold on an area, it can come back even more quickly every time the humidity rises, even in places that are supposed to be immune.

Here are some tips to preventing mold growth in the first place:

• When bringing any items to the unit, or removing them, check the floors, ceilings and walls for any signs of mold. That musty smell we are all familiar with will help you here.
• Look out for standing water in this area. During storms, your unit could develop a leak due to roofing or wall damage. Alert the storage company and managers immediately, or contact a contractor or building expert to help with repairs on your own property.  
• Ensure your storage area is well-ventilated. This information can be discussed with the managers of the storage company. If you are using storage areas in your home or business, you can always invest in a dehumidifier.
• When you are repairing or upgrading storage areas, use mold-resistant products whenever possible. There are many kinds of paint, wood, and other materials available on the market today to help you with these types of projects.

Keeping mold out of your storage units and storage areas will keep your important items safe and in good repair.

Here at SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall we have the experience, the knowledge, and the expertise necessary to help you with any mold damage or preventive practices. We are also available for cleanup after fire and water damage. Call us today at (800) 455-9453!

Mold Prevention

9/24/2018 (Permalink)

Mold is a common household problem, developing in warm, damp environments. Mold can be colored green, purple, white, and orange. While mold plays an important role outside in the environment, breaking down dead plants, mold is unwelcome in homes.

Showers and bathrooms are a common location for mold to grow, but it is possible for mold to grow anywhere in a home. Mold can come inside a home from an outside growth through inadequately sealed windows or doors. Mold spores cannot be eliminated entirely, but they will not grow if the environment is dry and well ventilated. Mold growth can be prevented by ensuring if water damage occurs, clean up occurs quickly. Using air conditioners during humid seasons and exhaust fans in kitchen can help prevent mold from growing.

Other areas to monitor moisture to prevent mold growth: exterior walls and surfaces in need of insulation where condensation can build, air conditioner drip pans, check for leaks around refrigerator, ensure crawl spaces are well ventilated, and check for leaks around a tub.

These are a few simple tips for making sure mold is not growing in your home. If you do discover a mold growth, SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall provides mold remediation services for all types of residential and commercial properties

Safety Tips on How to Handle Mold

9/21/2018 (Permalink)

Safety Tips on How to Handle Mold

If you see visible mold or think you have mold in a room of your home, there are some measures you should take to keep it from spreading.

Things to do:

• Call a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
• Stay out of the affected room
• Turn off the HVAC system in that room

Things not to do:

• Do not disturb the mold
• Do not blow air in the area
• Do not spray bleach or other cleaning products

SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall specializes in mold remediation. We have technicians that are IICRC (Institute of Inspection of Cleaning and Restoration) certified specifically as AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians).

If you have any concerns that you may have mold, call SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall before buying the “do-it-yourself” mold testing kits from the hardware store. These kits typically involve a swab and a Petri dish. Because normal environments always contain a small amount of mold spores, using them will always end with a “positive” test result, even if there is no real problem in your home. A visual inspection by the professionals at SERVPRO, coupled with testing performed by a qualified CIH will give you accurate answers, and a plan to properly take care of any microbial problems you may have.  Count on your Local SERVPRO professionals and have us out to assess the damages.  Please call 800-455-9453where we are always here to help.

Our Mold Damage Team Can Restore Your Lehigh Valley Home

9/19/2018 (Permalink)

Whether you find a small or large patch of mold in your home, contact SERVPRO for effective remediation and containment services.

SERVPRO Technicians Quickly Contain the Mold Infestation in Your Home

Mold can be visible or can present a stale or musty odor. If you notice mold in your home, call a professional right away to remediate any damages. Mold can cause health effects, which makes it imperative for homeowners to deal with it as soon as possible.

SERVPRO mold remediation professionals in the Lehigh Valley are highly trained to use industrial grade disinfectants and specialized equipment to get rid of mold inside your home. Our crew works quickly and efficiently to contain and reduce mold levels inside your home. Also, our crews take proper precautions to ensure they do not spread mold spores to any other areas inside your home. Our techs can use plastic sheeting and tape to seal and contain mold. Plus, our crews can set up areas to clean and sanitize items and any equipment they employ during restoration. 
 
Since mold spores are microscopic, there can be thousands of airborne spores inside your home. Our technicians use commercial grade air scrubbers to clean and to purify the atmosphere inside your residence. Specialized HEPA filters catch and trap mold spores, push them through a hose and contain them inside a bag outside of the residence. These machines can also get rid of stale mold odors. Our techs may also use professional grade anti-fungal sprays to clean areas and to stop mold growth. It is not possible to eliminate every mold spore inside your home, but our techs can get them down to a safe level. 
 
After our technicians remove mold spores and clean surfaces inside your residence, they begin to dry the structure. Drying helps prevent mold re-growth. Our technicians may also use air movers to eliminate moisture. Also, they may use axial fans to force damp air from your home and to speed up drying. 
 
SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall offers mold damage restoration services that can restore your home when possible. Contact us at 800-455-9453 anytime. We are nearby and here to help.

3D Mold in the Lehigh Valley

5/16/2018 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO we have seen mold of all kinds and colors. Recently we even saw mold that had a unique shape. According to the CDC, “Molds are fungi that can be found both indoors and outdoors. No one knows how many species of fungi exist but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps three hundred thousand or more. Molds grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and spread and reproduce by making spores. Mold spores can survive harsh environmental conditions, such as dry conditions, that do not support normal mold growth.”

The attached photo shows 3-dimensional mold found at a commercial location in the Lehigh Valley. Growth like this takes extended periods of time to occur. Be sure to have someone checking on properties that remain vacant for any long stretch of time such as vacation homes, unused offices, vacant warehouses or apartments. Discovering a water damage early is the key to preventing mold growth.

Contact SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall at 800-455-9453.

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

Common Household Molds

2/1/2018 (Permalink)

COMMON HOUSEHOLD MOLDS

COMMON HOUSEHOLD MOLDS

Mold can be found nearly everywhere. This hardy organism survives both indoors and outdoors alike. Despite many of the positive things mold can provide (the original antibiotic - penicillin, a variety of delicious foods like cheese, and acts as a natural decomposition agent of organic matter), mold causes problems for many of us. All molds are not the same, and some varieties are more harmful than others. Most of us have some experience with mold, but do you know which types are common household molds? Below is a short introduction to the different species of molds and where you can commonly find them.

INTRODUCTION TO COMMON HOUSEHOLD MOLDS

Alternaria

Indoors, it is often found in carpets, textiles, house dust, and potentially damp areas like window frames and showers. It can also be found in plant soil.

Aspergillus

Usually found in warmer climates in areas of water damage or extreme dampness. Aspergillus species are also commonly found in house dust. Also found in building materials and in fall leaves and other decomposing matter like compost piles.

Cladosporium

The most commonly identified outdoor fungus, but it can easily enter into the house through the HVAC and other airflow entryways. Cladosporium also has an indoor species that grows on textiles, wood and other porous, damp areas.

Penicillium

Species may be found growing on wallpaper, wallpaper glue, and decaying fabrics in water-damaged buildings or homes. It is also found in carpet and in interior fiberglass duct insulation. Some species can produce mycotoxins.

Stachybotrys

Pronounced (stack-ee-BOT-ris), Stachybotrys requires excessive moisture to thrive (usually running water) and is a slimy black mold. Fortunately, of all common household molds, stachybotrys is found least often in homes.

Have a Mold Problem? Call Today 800-455-9453

If you have a mold problem in your home or business, your primary focus should be safety:

• Significant mold growth can occur in 48-72 hours.
• 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 a SERVPRO Franchise Professional 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.

Mold Detection and Remediation

4/12/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem and Whitehall is an expert at mold detection, remediation and removal.

The SERVPRO mold remediation team is trained and certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification. This means we know mold, and know how to effectively eradicate it so it ceases to be an issue.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem and Whitehall are also your neighbors, and are familiar with the climate around your home.

If you think you have mold, give us a call and we will come take a look. And if you do have a mold problem, we will solve it.

WHERE DOES MOLD COME FROM?

Mold can creep up from a variety of sources. Often, mold is a by-product of a flood or other water damage. Improper or incomplete drying is usually the culprit. That is why the experts at SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem and Whitehall take extra care of thoroughly drying a job to ensure that mold does not creep up later. But you need not always have “water damage” – for example, over the years, a simple thing like a pipe condensation can cause mold, or a leaking roof, trapped moisture, a damp basement, or a hundred other reasons.

The key is to find it and remove it. Then, make sure it doesn’t come back. The trained professionals at SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem and Whitehall will handle all phases of mold detection and removal, so you can be assured of your family’s health and well-being.

If you suspect you have mold, give the experts of SERVPRO a call today!