Recent Mold Remediation Posts
How To Get Rid of Black Mold
9/11/2023 (Permalink)
Mold growing in residential home in Colorado Spings, CO.
If you smell a musty odor in your home in Colorado Springs, CO, a mold inspection is in order. You may have fungus hiding under cabinets, in the attic or in your air conditioner ducts. Locating the problem is only the first step to solving it, though. Here is some helpful information to know before mold mitigation experts arrive at your home.
Information About Mold Mitigation You Need To Know
Where Is Stachybotrys Typically Found?
Stachybotrys, or black mold, needs a warm, wet area that contains cellulose fibers to thrive. There are several common places where it can be found:
- Drywall
- Carpet
- Ceiling tiles
- Wood furniture
- Wood paneling
Once a growth gets started, it can multiply quickly. An air test may not reveal stachybotrys strain, because it is often dampened down by extreme moisture. This, however, can make it especially difficult to get rid of without professional mitigation.
How Do Specialists Mitigate Mold Damage?
After the mold inspection reveals the location and extent of the problem, the real work begins. Mold may be black or greenish in color and can infest a whole wall. Once it starts growing down into the pores of the drywall, a surface cleaning won't suffice. The materials must be completely torn out to get rid of it. Once all the house mold is gone, the remaining surfaces must be cleaned and dried to prevent additional growth. Before technicians can rebuild the structure and bring in new flooring and ceiling tiles, an additional test is helpful to ensure that no fungus problem remains. Restoration is the final step to getting your house back to normal.
If you suspect you have stachybotrys or any other black mold in your home, a professional mold inspection can give you the confirmation you need to start the mitigation process. No matter what kind of mold you have, prompt attention and thorough remediation are vital steps for getting rid of it.
How Mold Cleaning Can Help Your Damaged Belongings
3/23/2022 (Permalink)
Avoid Mold Damage in your Belongings by Following These Tips.
The presence of mold at your Black Forest, CO, home can severely affect its structure, along with several items you own. While some possessions can be permanently destroyed, others can be salvaged. Professional mold cleaning services not only remove the fungus from your property and restore it, but they can also save belongings that are important or hold sentimental value to you.
Tips to consider as regards Mold Cleaning
Electronic Mold Damage
Water and electronic devices are never a great combination due to the risk of electric shock and increased damage. A water-related incident can leave behind mold that can damage devices such as:
- Television sets
- DVD players
- Desktop and mobile computers
- Landline and mobile phones
- Video game consoles
- Kitchen appliances
These items fulfill important roles around the household and can be expensive to replace. If the effects are not too extensive, a mold remediation company can safely repair them. Experienced technicians can clean each object's exterior to prevent further contamination and then fix any present internal damage. Afterwards, they can test the devices to ensure they are safe to use.
Cloth and Fabric Damage
Multiple items throughout your house such as your clothes, pillows, curtains and other decorations are made from cloth. Unfortunately, materials such as cotton, wool and nylon contain enough nutrients to feed mold and encourage its growth. Though you can replace them, it can be difficult due to the personal meaning they retain.
Mold cleaning can save certain items depending on the damage. Remediation services use techniques such as dry cleaning, wet cleaning, spray and wipe and more to clean mold from your fabrics and cloths.
Leather Damage
Leather is a flexible and durable material present in several items you value such as boots, purses, wallets, coats and even luxurious furniture. Unfortunately, it can be just as vulnerable to mold damage as most other items since they also provide potential food for mold spores. Instead of throwing away your expensive leather items and having them join a landfill, dedicated remediators can try to clean them.
Some of them use equipment such as the Esporta Machine to wash the contaminants off, while others use alternative methods such as closed vacuuming, air drying and freezing.
Document and Photo Damage
As most people, you likely store plenty of important paper documents, from passports and medical records to warranty deeds and tax returns. Even if you keep them in a secure location, they can still be vulnerable to mold spores, especially under humid conditions. Mold remediation experts can inspect the documents and determine whether they can be saved or not.
Afterwards, they can attempt methods such as air drying, freezer drying, dehumidification and vacuum thermal drying to recover as much as possible. These techniques can also apply to other valued paper items such as photos and notebooks.
Floods, leaks and even high humidity can create the right conditions for mold to grow and damage crucial paperwork and prized belongings. Though this situation can seem hopeless, not every object has the same reaction. A Black Forest, CO, mold cleaning session performed by specialists can bring certain items back to normal and spare you emotional and financial loss.
Understanding the Mold Removal Timeline and Process
11/15/2021 (Permalink)
Hire a professional team to remove the mold in your Black Forest, CO building.
The last thing any business owner wants to deal with is business interruptions. Unfortunately, when it comes to mold removal, there are few options for companies. Thankfully, the removal process is often straightforward, and depending on the extent of damage, it can be completed in as little as three to seven days.
Mold Removal Process
The week-long timeline is uncomfortable for some owners, and they may not understand why it would take so long. What they must realize is that mold remediation in Black Forest, CO, is a process, and it includes several steps:
- Identification of the mold species and locations
- Prevention of further mold growth
- Removal of affected materials
- Cleaning and disinfection of the affected area
- Restoration of the facility
Mold Removal Timeline Depends on Growth and Species
What type of mold is in your facility? If it is toxic black mold, the removal company will need to take extra precautions. These precautions have to do with safety and government regulations. The additional steps necessary to prevent the further spread of the mold will require more time and patience.
The good news is that toxic mold species are rare, and in most cases, you are only dealing with common mold growth. Common mold does not require as many precautions and can often be removed quicker, but the removal speed will depend on the severity of the growth.
If an organization fails to contact a remediation specialist at the first sign of growth — the odor — it will often deal with rampant spread. Mold spores can travel through HVAC systems to multiple rooms and floors.
Organizational Prevention Methods To Limit Mold Development
Mold develops because of three key elements: moisture, darkness, and humidity. Most commercial facilities will recognize several potential problem areas, such as the basement, attic, kitchen, bathrooms, etc.
To prevent mold, a company must focus on preventing the three causes of mold. There are several ways a company can prevent growth from occurring, including:
- Installing ceiling fans
- Using dehumidifiers
- Having routine plumbing inspections
For mold to grow, humidity levels need to remain high. A commercial facility should make sure that humidity stays below 50% to avoid any significant problems.
Business Interruption Is Not a Guarantee
While mold remediation can take up to a week, that does not mean operations need to shut down. Depending on the extent of the infestation and the type of business, it is possible that a remediation company can seal off the affected area only, leaving the rest of the facility free to operate. However, do not assume operations can continue.
The extent of disruption will depend on the mold species and the level of growth. A remediation specialist is likely the only professional capable of telling you the extent of interruption and how long it will take to get back to regular business hours.
Mold removal is a necessary process that will take three to seven days, depending on the severity of growth. When you smell that musty odor in your building, contact a remediation company for testing immediately. Early identification is key to speedy removal and recovery.
How To Prevent Mold Growth in Your Commercial Building
9/15/2021 (Permalink)
Mold is prone to growing in a moisture environment.
Black mold is a very hardy, tiny life form that can be extremely difficult to find and eliminate once it starts growing. You could find it hiding in the tiniest crevices virtually anywhere in your Black Forest, CO, building. The key is to avoid it before it gets started. First, you must know a little about mold and what to do, and what not to do to prevent it.
Mold Spores Everywhere! What Can You Do?
1. Know the Signs of Mold
Mold may be challenging to find, but it's easy to identify; it has a unique appearance and odor. Typically, mold has a spotty look, but it can come in many different colors, depending on the variety. If you smell a musty odor, you most likely have mold growing somewhere in the vicinity of the smell. The next step is finding where it's hiding out.
2. Keep an Eye Out for Mold Growth
Mold can grow virtually anywhere; all it needs is moisture, adequate warmth, and a food source, but it doesn't take much to thrive. Mold will feed on any cellulose-based material, such as cardboard, wood, and paper. It can also survive on organic matter like textiles and leather, even dust that contains skin cells. Mold can't withstand sub-freezing temperatures, but the area doesn't have to be warm for it to live.
3. Make Repairs Immediately
Inspect for leaky pipes, a leaky roof, or condensation throughout the building. These areas can be havens for mold growth. Make repairs immediately. Then, if you see mold, clean it up right away.
4. Keep Indoor Humidity Low
Even moderately high humidity indoors can cause black mold to grow. Keep your indoor relative humidity at 50% maximum. Home improvement stores sell humidity meters. Make sure to check the humidity levels several times during one day, as these levels can vary.
5. Run Dehumidifiers
If you have a moisture problem in some areas of your building and struggle to keep the humidity level down, dehumidifiers will help remove excess moisture from the air. Attics and basements are two common locations prone to excess humidity. Be sure to watch and empty the container that collects the water before it gets full so it will keep doing its job.
6. Clean Your HVAC System
It's essential to keep your heating and air system cleaned and maintained regularly. Mold spores can travel through your ventilation system, creating poor air quality for your building and spreading mold to other areas.
7. Call the Professionals
The best action you can take when you have a mold issue is to hire mold restoration experts. These professionals have the expertise and equipment to thoroughly inspect the entire building to find signs of mold and excess moisture. Then, they can perform a comprehensive mold cleanup and ensure that it's completely eliminated.
Black mold can wreak havoc on a building before anyone even realizes it exists. Mold spores are found virtually everywhere in the world. This is one reason why it's crucial to do everything possible to prevent mold growth. Being aware of moisture issues and repairing them immediately is a great start to living mold-free.
Mold and Moisture Bring Trouble to Your Home
3/26/2021 (Permalink)
Mold thrives in moisture.
Mold occurs naturally in the environment and plays a crucial role in breaking down dead trees and other organic matter. Although mold is beneficial to the natural world, it can wreak havoc in your Black Forest, CO, home. Black mold, in particular, can leave your home looking and smelling unpleasant.
Mold Facts
Spores Become Colonies
Why does mold grow inside? Tiny mold spores are released into the air, landing on people and animals who carry them inside. Some spores are carried on the wind through open windows and heating and cooling systems. Under the right conditions, those spores quickly establish colonies and start causing trouble. Molds break down the surfaces where they grow. Structural elements, furnishings, and other household belongings are often destroyed slowly.
Moisture Is the Primary Culprit
When you know how to control mold, you can avoid much of the mess, smell, and appearance of black mold that comes with spreading colonies:
- Control moisture levels in your home.
- Immediately address any moisture problem, such as a dripping faucet.
- Diligently clean up spills when they happen.
- Thoroughly dry any water-damaged areas of the home.
There are quite a few types of mold, and, fortunately, none of those can survive without a source of moisture.
Cleanup Efforts Begin Where Moisture Is Heavy
If you've already found mold in your home, begin your mold cleanup efforts by reducing humidity levels in the home and reducing the amount of moisture in rooms such as the kitchen, laundry, and bathrooms. Without addressing the moisture problem, your black mold problem is sure to return.
A Quick Response Prevents Damage
The more you know about how mold gets into your home and which conditions in the home are most likely to encourage mold growth, the better you can avoid the unpleasantness of black mold.
It only takes a couple of days for a few spores to become a colony, so reach out to water and mold damage cleanup and recovery professionals for quick corrective action.
Understanding the Mold Assessment Process
1/26/2021 (Permalink)
Learn more about professional mold assesment
Mold growth in your home can cause significant damage to your property. If you suspect you have a mold problem in your home, the first step to take to begin addressing the issue is to have a mold assessment done.
Assessment Options
If you are noticing signs of mold, such as a musty odor, it is a good idea to have your home assessed for mold. There are several mold testing options to choose from:
- Professional mold testing
- Air testing kit
- Surface testing kit
- Bulk testing kit
Professional Mold Testing
You will usually get the most accurate results by hiring a professional mold remediation company in Colorado Springs, CO, to perform a mold assessment. An experienced technician will be able to identify whether you have black mold, mildew or other species of mold, determine where mold is growing, test indoor air quality and ensure mold has been removed after remediation efforts are complete.
Air Testing Kits
If you decide to do the testing yourself, an air testing kit can detect the number of mold spores in the air of your home. Air test kits are useful because you don't need to locate the source of the mold problem to detect it.
Surface Testing Kits
A surface testing kit can be used to collect samples from household surfaces. You collect your sample by using a swab or tape lifting and then send it to a laboratory for processing.
Bulk Testing Kits
With a bulk testing kit, you collect pieces of material from your home and send them to a laboratory for examination. These tests can indicate the concentration of mold particles in your home.
Professional mold assessment will usually provide you with the most accurate results. However, there are home testing kits available that you can use. If you aren't sure whether you have a problem, it may be helpful to use a home test and then hire a professional if the test indicates a problem.
The Benefits of Professional Mold Remediation
11/19/2020 (Permalink)
A patch of black mold on the wall by a kitchen
A patch of black mold on the wall by your kitchen cabinet may not seem like something you need outside help to solve. When you clean with detergent and a scrub brush, though, you notice it comes back within a few days or weeks. Even if the mold problem in your home in Black Forest, CO, seems small, it's important to call the professionals. Mold remediation experts can mitigate your fungus issue thoroughly and efficiently.
2 Benefits of Calling Mold Remediation Professionals
Accurate Testing
You have probably seen the mold test kits at the hardware store. The promise on the package is that it can tell you if you have spores in your home. Technically, this is correct, but the results the kit provides won't necessarity be useful. They will almost always show a positive result because there is always mold in your home. It comes in every time the door is opened, clinging to hair, clothes, pets and shoes. A professional mold assessment, however, can reveal more details:
- Type of mold
- Concentration of growth
- Location of growth
Rather than merely pointing out the fungus's presence, a professional test points to necessary treatment options. This is the information experts need to get rid of a black mold problem.
Deep Cleaning
Effective mold cleanup takes more than just a strong detergent and some elbow grease. If the surface on which it is growing is porous, the hyphae that are part of the spores' structure can grow down into the surface. When you just clean what you can see, you still leave those filaments behind to continue to grow. Technicians must use special techniques to get rid of it or may have to tear out moldy materials and replace them altogether.
When you suspect you have a black mold problem in your home, professional testing and remediation are in order. Specialists can mitigate mold damage thoroughly and increase the chances of getting rid of the growth for good.
3 Ways To Control and Remove Mold Growth in Your Home
6/29/2020 (Permalink)
Water damage is the primary cause of mold development.
Plumbing issues are relatively common in houses. Unfortunately, with water damage comes the risk of mold. To protect your home from any mold problems, you can contact a mold prevention expert in Colorado Springs, CO. These professionals will have several suggestions for keeping your home mold-free, including the following three.
- Maintain humidity levels
- Resolve plumbing issues
- Enable air movement
1. Maintain Humidity Levels
Did you know that there is an appropriate humidity level for your home? Mold growth tends to occur when humidity is above 50%. Therefore, it is ideal to keep your home below that threshold. You can use a dehumidifier to keep moisture levels under control throughout your house, especially in areas like basements and laundry rooms.
2. Resolve Plumbing Issues
Mold needs water to thrive. Homeowners often experience a mold infestation when they have an unresolved leak and water damage within their walls or ceilings. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to locate the leak without professional help. Companies can scope the plumbing in your house, and they can use infrared sensors to find potential leaks before opening walls or ceilings and costing you money.
3. Enable Aire Movement
Stagnant air is also a concern for homeowners. When air moves freely through a space, it is easier to keep things dry. Therefore, you should use fans and ventilation to move hot, humid air around and out of your home. For example, stovetop vents help to push warm, moist air outside, and ceiling fans help to circulate air throughout a room.
Water damage is the primary cause of mold development, but humidity and stale air do not help in controlling or preventing the problem from worsening. Use the suggestions above to control mold infestations and prevent future occurrences. Also, contact a local mold removal expert for a property assessment and specific recommendations about how to mold-proof your home and protect your family as well as yourself.