Understanding Mold: Removal Versus Remediation

4/4/2024 (Permalink)

Mold growth like this can get out of hand, but mold remediation services would take care of the problem!

Dealing with mold in your home or business is a top priority to halt its growth and prevent further damage. However, confusion often arises when people seek assistance and encounter companies offering "mold removal" services. Unfortunately, this term can create misleading expectations and may lead to unnecessary expenses. It's crucial to understand the distinction and seek out a mold remediation company instead.

Mold Removal
The concept of mold removal typically entails two goals:

1. Eliminating existing mold growth.
2. Eradicating mold spores from the property.

However, the challenge lies in the ubiquity of mold spores, which are present both indoors and outdoors. Even though these spores are invisible, they can remain dormant until activated by moisture. Given their sheer abundance, it's practically impossible to entirely eradicate them from a property. Moreover, attempting such complete removal would be exorbitantly costly.

Mold Remediation
In contrast, mold remediation focuses on addressing active mold growth effectively. Since mold becomes problematic only when it's actively spreading, the primary objective is to target and halt its growth. Besides treating the mold itself, reputable mold remediation professionals, like ourselves, also tackle underlying moisture issues that contribute to mold proliferation.

To gain insights into our meticulous remediation process, visit our mold remediation page.

Restoring Your Home
Mold is a common issue faced by many households, but with prompt professional intervention, it can be swiftly resolved. If you reside in the Lenoir, NC area and suspect mold growth in your property, don't hesitate to reach out to SERVPRO of Iredell County at (704) 872-7466. We're here to help!

Understanding Mold in Iredell County

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO professionals handle water damages every day and know prompt action is required to prevent mold growth. Mold is more likely to spread when moisture has been affecting an environment for a long period of time.  If your property has sustained a recent water damage, it is vital to have water removed and the structure dried promptly. If you have experienced an ongoing moisture problem in the building, it is important to be alert to the following factors:

1. The presence of visible mold.
2. Strong musty odors which may indicate mold is present.
3. Any evidence of past moisture problems that might indicate previous mold growth.
4. Excessive humidity.

Call SERVPRO of Iredell County if you have questions regarding mold -- 704-872-7466.

Mold Remediation In Statesville/Mooresville

5/9/2019 (Permalink)

Mold is an unwelcome guest that can quickly creep up on any home in North Carolina. Mold spores love humidity which makes the warm, humid summers in much of North Carolina a perfect breeding ground for mold. Mold looks unsightly and makes your home less pleasant to live in, especially when you factor in that unmistakable moldy smell. 

SERVPRO are experts in dealing with mold damage to your Statesville home. That is why we recommend putting in a call to us at the first sign of mold. You can often spot the black mold spores on surfaces, or you might notice because of discoloration on your walls or ceiling. Even if you do not see the mold at first, the smell is often a giveaway. 

We arrive at your property fully prepared to assess the mold situation and establish containment before cleaning commences. That is the start of the process. However even after the cleaning is done, there is still the matter of drying out the area. Mold thrives in damp conditions which is why drying is such an important part of the mold remediation process. 

Our IICRC-certified experts are trained to assess your home to determine how best to dry it out. We understand that bringing in air movers or dehumidifiers too early can make the problem worse, as they move the mold spores through the air. That is why we are strict about establishing containment and cleaning top to toe before we start the drying part of the process. 

As soon as it is safe to run air movers and dehumidifiers, we do so. We carefully monitor the drying process as it progresses. We also remove any materials that are too damaged to dry out because we know that their presence contributes to the humidity in the air and makes the drying process more difficult. Our moisture detection equipment gives us an accurate picture of the situation. 

The SERVPRO team is also happy to advise you on how to spot potential mold problems in the future and on ways to reduce mold breeding grounds. For example, this might mean running a dehumidifier more regularly or keeping a close eye on damp areas such as your bathroom or basement.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

Tackle the mold problem in your home with the help of SERVPRO of Iredell County. Call today at (704) 872-7466 for help.

Mold Damage Affecting Lake Norman Homeowners

5/3/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Tips on Preventing Damage Caused by Mold in Your Lake Norman Home

You think that mold has invaded your house, but are unsure of what you should do to protect your home properly. The best response includes a two-part answer. First, do not touch it, contact a trusted professional to mitigate the situation for you. Second, act fast, hesitating gives more time for mold to spread, making your problem even worse.

With your families health and one of the biggest investments of your life on the line, you want to leave mold damage in your Sharon family home in the hands of a professional. So, other than being able to recognize the existence of mold in your home properly, you want to avoid making things worse. 
 
At SERVPRO we have the training and experience available to help prevent mold growth in your home from returning. Our Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians offer a variety of tips to help you accomplish this goal including, maintaining an indoor humidity level between 30 to 60 percent by using air conditioners or dehumidifiers you can purchase at the store if they are not already in place.
 
Installation of exhaust fans in your kitchen to keep cooking appliances, dishwashers, and cooking itself from creating excessive moisture that allows mold to thrive. Including avoiding installation of carpet in areas with a constant water source such as bathrooms, kitchens, or washrooms. 
 
SERVPRO technicians also offer advice on using the proper cleaning products, such as bleach or other mold killing products that should be used regularly on your bathroom areas. However, the number one method available for proper mold damage mitigation involves controlling the moisture sources in your home. 
 
You should keep a constant watch on feedlines, pipes, or fittings on appliances like your clothes washer or dishwasher to ensure that they function properly, without leaks. Other appliances to inspect regularly include the ice maker or water dispenser on your refrigerator, water heater, kitchen or bathroom sinks and toilets. 
 
SERVPRO technicians recommend keeping an eye on gutters and downspouts on the outside of your home to ensure they work correctly and remain clear of debris that may cause them to fail when you need them. Having your roof inspected provides you with the piece of mind necessary to avoid worrying about the next storm that comes through your area, allowing water to seep into unprotected areas of your home. 
 
Take the time to contact SERVPRO of Iredell County today for addition ways to help battle mold in your home. (704) 872-7466

Mold Damage in a Mooresville's Basement

4/27/2019 (Permalink)

Carpets and Walls Can Be Damaged by Mold Growth

If water isn't pumped out or otherwise removed quickly from a house, the conditions for mold growth rapidly become favorable. Basements are a near perfect settings for mold colonies to grow. The moisture level is higher than the rest of the house thanks to below ground excavation,  exposed plumbing and, in many cases, the presence of a clothes washing machine adds to the problem.  

All this results in an increased chance for mold damage in Mooresville homes. With over four decades in the restoration business, SERVPRO also knows that basements are not occupied nearly as often as other rooms in a house, so any leak or puddle in an out of the way corner tends to go unnoticed. 

If this has occurred in your home, call us immediately. Mold growth can be dealt with quickly if it hasn't spread too far. Our technicians can clean small patches by hand using anti-microbial chemicals to kill the mold and then wipe it off of furniture or other surfaces. Please do not try to use bleach to clean a mold patch. If the fungi are dry, they can vacuum them up using specialized equipment and air filters to capture the spores before they escape into the atmosphere. Air scrubbers are excellent devices for this spore removal.

Mold that has grown into carpets or walls may require that the affected items be discarded. Carpets will need to be cleaned or replaced. We use an extensive number of anti-fungal cleaners that can kill the mold without damaging the color or nape of your carpet. If what we pull up is a standard, commercial carpet it will probably be more costly to clean it rather than purchase a new one. 

With the cleaning completed, our restoration team will use heaters designed to be drawn across the carpet to dry it. This specialized equipment does not burn or otherwise damage the fibers. As this is being completed, other technicians will set up dehumidifiers to draw out the excess moisture from the air to prevent mold from beginning to expand and grow again. 

If the basement walls are concrete or stone, technicians will clean them using the same chemical agents. If the room has been finished with paneling or drywall, these panels may have to be replaced in the severest of circumstances. Drywall, in particular, is vulnerable to both water and mold damage. Even a small amount will crumble the affected panels, causing more work and cost. 

If you have found or are worried about mold damage in your basement or other parts of your home, the sooner you deal with it, the better. Call us today at (704) 872-7466 for one of our inspectors to start the process. SERVPRO of Iredell County is here to help you return your home and life back to normal. "Like it never even happened."

Targeting Mold Damage in Iredell County

4/22/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Thoroughly Investigates to Figure Out the Source of Suspected Mold Smells

If you have a musty odor in your house or apartment that you can't find the source of, then you may have mold growing in your home. If so, then you need to call in a professional cleaning and restoration team to identify both where it originated and how to get rid of it.

This odor is usually (but not always) the first indication of mold damage. It comes from the gasses released by a growing mold colony. Although Statesville isn't as prone to flooding as other parts of North Carolina, it doesn't take a large amount of moisture for mold spores to expand and then quickly grow into a large colony. All SERVPRO personnel are trained to find and remove this threat as quickly as possible. 

A thorough visual inspection can usually find mold growing under a sink or in an ignored corner of a laundry room or basement. If a visual check doesn't reveal the source, our inspectors will use an air content testing device to track mold levels in every room, crawl space, and air duct. Once the source has been found, our technicians will need to stop further growth, begin cleaning affected surfaces and dispose of any material that cannot be restored to its original state. 

First, we'll isolate the affected area and begin lowering the air moisture level. Entrances will be covered with plastic and dehumidifiers will be set up inside to draw moisture from the air. Technicians can remove 30 gallons of water per day with each device used. 

As drying the area takes place, other team members will begin cleaning mold from property, floors, ceilings, and walls. We have a large inventory of anti-fungal sprays that can neutralize and clean almost any property. If the mold has gotten into your HVAC system, technicians will replace all filters and then deploy antimicrobial foggers to completely neutralize all mold spores in your air ducts. If your property cannot be cleaned on site, we can remove it to our facility and clean it there. 

Despite our best efforts, there may be some of your belongings that cannot be restored. Our inspectors will explain exactly why the property needs to be discarded and with your permission, our technicians will properly dispose of it according to federal and state rules. 

If you have that musty odor or otherwise believe you may have a mold problem, please call us today at (704) 872-7466. As a locally owned franchise, SERVPRO of Iredell County is proud to serve our neighbors.

How to Avoid Mold Growth in Your Statesville Home

6/4/2018 (Permalink)

Mold growth can affect any home in the Statesville community.

The last thing you want is to discover mold growing inside your home. Besides being unsightly, mold can cause health effects, decrease the home’s value, and even damage the structure. Yet many Statesville homeowners encounter mold growth at some point. While mold remediation companies like SERVPRO of Iredell County can help you address your mold problems, there are some things you can do to prevent growth in the first place!

What Causes Mold Growth

Mold spores can be found everywhere—including inside your home. Fortunately, these spores are dormant and aren’t a concern until they are activated. In order for mold spores to grow, they require three main ingredients: moisture, food (organic material), and oxygen. Because the latter two elements are generally available, it’s often only when the spores are exposed to moisture that they begin to grow.

Limiting Moisture in Your Home

Now that we’ve established that moisture is the main factor behind most home mold growth, how do you prevent it from becoming a problem in your home? There are a couple of ways you can limit moisture problems and ultimately reduce your risk of having mold growth.

1. Immediately dry water-damaged areas. If you have water damage inside your home, you should immediately have it professionally cleaned and restored. We often get calls from homeowners who tried to dry their own water damage but eventually end up with mold growth. Unless you know how to properly dry wet materials, you’re setting yourself up for future mold problems.
2. Regulate your home’s humidity levels. If it’s humid inside your home, then mold can feed off the moisture in the air. If you’re unsure about the humidity levels, you can purchase a hygrometer, which will tell you the humidity level in the form of a percentage. We recommend keeping levels between 30% and 50%, but the EPA recommends no more than 60%. You can achieve this by keeping bedroom doors open, running your HVAC system, and/or using a dehumidifier.

Eliminate Mold Growth in Your Home

Even if you take precautions, it’s possible that you’ll still have mold growth. If you do, there’s no need to worry. Our mold remediation professionals have years of experience eliminating active mold growth in Statesville homes and businesses. If you have any mold questions, call SERVPRO of Iredell County today at (704) 872-7466.