Mold Damage in Your Home

8/14/2019 (Permalink)

Concealed areas such as wall cavities and crawl spaces tend to retain higher humidity levels. Areas with low natural lighting accumulating mold and debris are very common places for mold proliferation because apart from moisture, mold also requires a food source. Since these areas of the home are rarely inspected, mold colonies have enough time to spread before they are noticed. We offer professional remediation services that can solve your mold problems. 

If you suspect mold damage, it is essential to take immediate steps to deal with the damage. Signs of possible mold damage include a musty smell, and could also be caused by past water damage. A certified technician can thoroughly inspect the affected area. 

Identifying all possible moisture sources in a building is essential for long-term results. Mold can be a result of condensation due to the differences in temperature, or when walk have an impermeable covering such as vinyl wallpaper. However in most cases the moisture originates from leakage in the plumbing system or issues in the roof. Our SERVPRO technicians evaluate all possibilities to identify the moisture source. 

Hidden mold colonies should not lead to long-term problems.Call SERVPRO of Winooski/Stowe to help! (802) 655-7797

What You Need To Know About Mold

10/17/2018 (Permalink)

How do we know when we need to worry about mold ?

Mold becomes a problem inside a home or business when there's excessive humidity or moisture for an extended period of time. The problem can originate from sudden water releases, like a burst pipe or large spill that goes untreated, or from a chronic condition, such as a leaking roof or plumbing. Even high humidity or warm, moist air condensing on cool surfaces can trigger mold problems. It's always best to have the mold evaluated and removed by a certified professional.

Mold can grow almost anywhere in a home or business if conditions permit. If there is visible growth on painted wall surfaces, property owners should be concerned about what may be growing on the wall's opposite side. The environment inside the walls of a house often differs drastically from the outside and could create a perfect haven for mold. If the wall remains wet for a prolonged period, it's almost guaranteed that the mold growth on the backside will be worse than on the front. At that point, containing the work space and removing moldy materials, followed by cleaning of salvageable framing, are the best options.

Certified professionals have the training and experience to:

• Identify moisture sources
• Evaluate mold growth (visible or suspected)
• Contain damage to the smallest area possible
• Physically remove contamination
• Dry materials to ensure that mold will not return
• Perform or recommend procedures for returning property to a preloss condition

SERVPRO of Winooski/Stowe has professional technicians that are IICRC certified and trained in mold remediation.

Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

3/8/2018 (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 of Winooski/Stowe 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 Winooski/Stowe 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 – 802-655-7797

Air Scrubbers and Negative Air Machines

10/31/2017 (Permalink)

An air scrubber set up with ducting creating negative air during mold remediation.

An air scrubber is a portable filtration system. These units allow you to clean and control the air in a work area without contaminating other areas with dirty air. Air scrubbers are important on restoration jobs when airborne contaminants are present or will be created/disturbed during the restoration process such as mold, dust, lead, gases and odors. An air scrubber is a stand alone unit that sits in the middle of a room with no ducting attached. The air is filtered and recirculated which greatly improves the air quality. The same unit can be used for negative air although it requires ducting. The air scrubber uses ducting to remove contaminated air from a sealed containment area. The filtered air is exhausted outside of the containment area. This creates a vacuum effect (negative air pressure) which helps limit the spread of contaminants to other areas inside the structure. Multi-filtration to include primary HEPA filter, 1st stage pre filter, 2nd stage pre filter and activated carbon filter. 

Mold Remediation & Restoration

10/24/2017 (Permalink)

Mold growth due to a leaking fresh water pipe to the washing machine.

When a home suffers a water damage event, a mold infestation can quickly arise and spread throughout a home in 48-72 hours. Because mold can produce allergens and irritants, you will want a professional that has training and experience to properly resolve the mold infestation. If you suspect that your Stowe home or business has a mold problem, SERVPRO of Winooski / Stowe can inspect, assess and remediate your property.

Learn more about mold and what to do until help arrives by reviewing these mold damage tips.

If You See Signs of Mold, 
Call Us Today – (802) 655-7797

Understanding Mold

Confusion and misunderstanding surround the topic of mold and mold remediation. Some restoration businesses even make claims to remove all mold from a building. This is a fallacy. Mold spores occur naturally almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. These microscopic spores float along in the air and can enter a home or business through windows and HVAC systems. Consider these 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.

Understanding Mold

9/12/2017 (Permalink)

Mold in the basement is a common problem for homeowners due to being damp and humid.

Mold is a problem that homeowners have been dealing with for centuries. When there is a greater concentration of mold spores is when mold becomes a problem.

Mold needs three things to thrive: a source of food, an ideal temperature and moisture. Mold will feed on dirt and dust which is present in every home. Most homes are kept at a temperature that is ideal for mold growth. As for moisture? Moisture can come in more than one form. Most people believe that you need to have experienced some kind of water damage (i.e. flooding, burst pipe, etc.) to encourage mold growth. While that can be true, especially if remediation isn't done within 24-48 hours, this is not always the case. If your home has a relative humidity of 60% or higher, mold can grow in your home regardless if you have experienced a water damage or not. A musty smell is usually the first sign that you have mold in your Vermont home. 

Finding mold in your home or business can be panic inducing, that is what we are here for. We have a great, professional team of highly trained technicians to make your mold problem "Like it never even happened."

If you have a mold problem - ACT QUICKLY - mold damages what it grows on. The longer it grows, the more damage it can cause.

Call our office to schedule an inspection 802-655-7797.

Does Your Stowe Home Have A Mold Problem?

11/29/2016 (Permalink)

In Vermont, 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 remove all mold, which is a 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 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.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of Winooski/Stowe 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

   

  If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today 802-655-7797