Understanding Mold Mitigation and Assessment

3/5/2024 (Permalink)

Learn about Mold Assessment vs. remediation and trust SERVPRO of Seminole & Central Gulf Beaches for expert mold remediation solutions.

How IICRC Mold Remediation Technicians Save Seminole Homes

Mold is more than just spores clinging to surfaces. Without fast intervention, spores release spores, which create a network of fungal growth that can then release more spores in humid, warm environments. Seminole properties impacted by mold require the care and precision of licensed technicians for effective decontamination.

When residents and businesses need fast-acting mitigation services, Seminole area SERVPRO® mold remediation and assessment professionals are crucial in returning properties to a safe, pre-contamination state suitable for day-to-day occupation. Related SERVPRO licensure for restoration includes:

• General Contractor License #CBC1250662
• Mold Remediation License #MRSR1163

Mold Assessment as a Prerequisite to Restoration

Mold assessment is a broad-spectrum analysis of microbes performed by licensed professionals. This is a third-party task that eliminates any conflict of interest. This process typically entails surface and air testing using the following methods:

• Tape and swab collection on surfaces to determine spore presence, type, and concentration.
• Air sampling with specialized collection devices to better understand the mold population in a structure.
• Moisture measurement with electromagnetic sensors and thermal imaging to determine potential mold locations.

After collecting samples and documenting findings, assessors can send materials to a lab for testing. Their recommendations for remediation must be followed. After remediation, an assessor can perform a post-assessment to ensure mold populations return to safe levels per local and state regulations.

Mold Remediation Emphasizes Safety and Efficiency

The mold assessor’s findings are essential for IICRC-certified Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT) crew members to perform restoration tasks thoroughly and efficiently. Restoration protocols for mold include:

• Wearing complete personal protective equipment (PPE) to perform restoration tasks and prevent spore spread. 
• HEPA-filter air filtration and vacuums can collect microbes as small as 0.2 microns—a mere fraction of the width of a human hair. The average mold spore is between 2 and 100 microns in diameter.
• EPA-registered biocides and detergents mitigate bacteria and fungal growth alongside containment chambers, negative air pressure, vacuuming, and structural drying.

For more information about mold mitigation and assessment services, SERVPRO of Seminole & Central Gulf Beaches is Here to Help® and can be reached at (727) 391-6212.

We Are The Team To Call To Eliminate Mold From Your Redington Beach Condo

1/14/2019 (Permalink)

If you can see, or only suspect there is active mold in your residence, call us today at (727) 391-6212 to schedule a visit.

Eliminating Mold Damage In Redington Beach Condos

Every residence in Redington Beach has mold spores. In the majority of them, the spores are inert, posing no threat to the structures or the health of anyone inside them. When mold comes into contact with enough moisture, the spores can expand and begin growing into an extensive colony.

Mold damage in Redington Beach condos can cost an owner thousands of dollars replacement and rebuilding unless she can quickly bring in a professional cleaning service. SERVPRO restoration specialists know that stopping a mold threat includes removing the source of moisture, removing active mold growth, and lowering the humidity level in the home to reduce the risk of future growth.

One of our inspectors examines the growth and follows it throughout the home. He also uses a moisture meter to trace the air content back to its strongest point. In most cases, the actual source of moisture is a small pool or plumbing leak. Our specialists can dry or repair most of these themselves, but for major issues, the inspector recommends bringing in a licensed plumber or general contractor.

Next, SERVPRO team members clean and remove the mold spores. Unless the mold grew undetected for a long time, they could wipe clean most surfaces with a mild, anti-fungal agent and sponges or cleaning cloths. For thick layers, specialists use a stronger cleaner to break them up and a vacuum with a HEPA filter to capture every spore off the affected surfaces.

Since cleaning actions disturb spores on surfaces and in the air, our teams allow time for spores to settle and then repeat the process. They continue with this method until the team leader tests the mold content level in the air at normal, safe levels.

Since even a minute amount of moisture can cause mold to grow again, our specialists use dehumidifiers to draw it out of the air and property inside the home. For damp surfaces, they use air movers to force warm, dry air across them and exhaust fans to pull the cooler, damp air outside.

At SERVPRO of Seminole & Central Gulf Beaches, we take every action possible to return every condo to its pre-mold condition. If you can see, or only suspect there is active mold in your residence, call us today at (727) 391-6212 to schedule a visit.

Click here for more about Redington Beach.

Rid Your Home Of Mold In Your North Redington Beach Home With SERVPRO

12/26/2018 (Permalink)

Call the experts at SERVPRO to safely remove mold from your home.

What Makes Mold Hazardous in Your North Redington Beach Home?

When you think about the disasters that can impact your North Redington Beach property, many homeowners might not instantly bring fungal growth to mind. With high humidity levels throughout the better part of the year, many homeowners have likely already encountered mold growth at times throughout the life of their property. Overcoming these situations quickly can benefit both the home and those living inside of it, but this begins with an understanding of the potential risks associated with allowing mold to grow unabated. 

Many North Redington Beach homeowners might consider potential mold damage as a direct effect of living in a region with higher humidity levels, and as such, no great cause for concern. However, mold growth in your home could cause direct problems to both the integrity of your home’s construction and those exposed to an active colony throughout the property. Our SERVPRO rapid response team can work quickly to isolate these affected areas to limit exposure to the occupants of your home, but that begins with notification that mold growth exists. 

What makes mold growth dangerous to living things in your home is the potential mycotoxins the organism can release as it feeds on organic materials it uses to spread. These can adversely affect humans and pets, especially those more susceptible to respiratory infections or already combatting a chronic respiratory condition. 

Additionally, spreading colonies feed on organic material that they can find in the framework of your property and materials like drywall. As the organism spreads, it continues to feed on these materials and weakens its composition to the point of becoming irreparably damaged and unsalvageable.  Our SERVPRO professionals can work to remove colonies in these critical structural elements to preserve them instead of removing and replacing them unnecessarily. 

Do not be the homeowner that underestimates the potential effect of mold growth on their property. Let our SERVPRO of Seminole & Central Gulf Beaches remediation technicians help you remove the organism and restore the damage that it has caused to your property in the process. Give our experienced professionals a call whenever you discover mold growth in your home at (727) 391-6212.

A Gem of A Past, A Brighter Future click here to learn more about North Redington Beach.

Mold Damage In Your Pinellas County Kitchen And Bathroom Areas

8/8/2018 (Permalink)

Two common locations you might encounter mold growth in your home under these conditions are the bathroom and kitchen areas.

Mold Damage In Your Kitchen And Bathroom Areas

As a homeowner, you strive to do all that you can to preserve not only your Pinellas County property but to keep the occupants of this house safe as well. While many threats can present themselves throughout the time you live in any home, none can spread as quickly or as alarmingly as fungus. It is often believed that these kinds of occurrences only happen in dank basements and crawlspaces, but this is not always the case.

While crawlspaces are often a source for mold damages in Pinellas County homes, SERVPRO professionals have found it just as likely to see these colonies in rooms that are moisture-ridden and poorly ventilated. Two common locations you might encounter mold growth in your home under these conditions are the bathroom and kitchen areas. These often contend with a lot of persistent moisture, especially when there is inadequate or non-existent ventilation available.

Federal building code regulations for commercial and residential structures suggest that ventilation is not a requirement when an accessible window is installed in the room. While windows can remove some of this stagnant and damp air, it often lacks the force to physically pull this threat to the exterior of your home like an actual vacuum system might. The result can be the seating and colonization of present mold spores on organic surfaces like drywall and wood.

Remediation of this threat is something that any homeowner should take very seriously. Not only can mold colonies lead to potential health effects for those exposed, but such a high traffic area like the bathroom and kitchen can also lead to more constant exposure and worsening health risks. SERVPRO applied microbial remediation technicians can help to isolate this area and work efficiently to resolve this issue.

You might not always consider the possibility of mold growth in your home, but you should have a plan in place to contend with this threat should it arise. Our experienced SERVPRO of Seminole & Central Gulf Beaches remediation technicians is standing by 24/7 to help at (727) 391-6212.

Click here for more about Pinellas County.

The Best Way To Deal With Mold Damage In Your Redington Beach Bathroom

7/19/2018 (Permalink)

Our bathrooms are vulnerable to mold damage because they are usually warm and wet – conditions favorable for mold growth.

The Best Way To Deal With Bathroom Mold Damage

Our bathrooms are vulnerable to mold damage because they are usually warm and wet – conditions favorable for mold growth. Apart from the damage it causes, mold can lead to health effects, and there is a need to remove the mold as soon as you can and prevent exposure to your loved ones. Tearing all the tiles covered with the mold growth is not the best option, there are safety precautions that professionals observe when dealing with such situations in Redington Beach.

Sometimes it is not possible to trace mold damage in your Redington Beach bathroom since it can grow in hidden places. Our SERVPRO technicians have the experience and know the popular areas to locate the mold. We can check under the sink, tub, toilet, and other areas. If it is growing on porous materials such as shower curtains, rugs, and similar items, it can be challenging to do the cleaning adequately. In such cases, we discard and advise you to replace the items. The same applies when the mold is growing on carpets, drywall, and wallpapers.

Our SERVPRO technicians use sturdy plastic bags to enclose the materials we remove from your bathroom. Since there is a possibility of the mold spreading to clean areas within the structure, we begin by containing the area. For instance, we can use duct tape and heavy plastic sheeting to cover the HVAC system's air vents so that the mold spores do not enter. Establishing a negative pressure and surrounding the area with some plastic sheeting are part for the containment measures.

After removing the mold from your bathroom, allow our SERVPRO team to inspect the entire structure for mold. The spores are so light and can spread quickly from one part of the structure to another. So do not be surprised if we discover some mold growth in a different room.

At SERVPRO of Seminole & Central Gulf Beaches, we have the right expertise to handle Any Size Disaster whether it is storm, mold, fire, or water damage related. Call us at (727) 391-6212 and learn more about the 24-hour emergency services that we offer.

Click here for more about Redington Beach.

The Humidity in Florida Can Easily Cause Mold Damage in Your Pinellas County Home

5/8/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Says Controlling Humidity in Pinellas County Condos Helps Prevent Mold Damage

SERVPRO Recommends a Controlled RH  to Help Prevent Mold Infestations

No one likes to find mold damage in their home, and no one likes the humidity that can cause it. The geographic position of Florida brings plenty of wet and hot weather, due to its location adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico. For homes that are not protected from high levels of humidity, Florida can be a difficult place to live without problems. However, situations like this are precisely why professional remediation companies exist; to help you when you find damage inside of your home that goes beyond your own ability to handle.
 
You may wonder how the mold damage inside of your Pinellas County home came to be. The fact that surprises many people is that mold spores are omnipresent. It is impossible to be completely rid of mold spores in your residence. However, dormant mold spores do not become a problem until certain factors allow them to multiply and grow. Humidity brings water in contact with the food source-- walls, floors, furniture, and food inside of your home. If your home is not correctly built to handle high humidity levels, mold damage is almost a guarantee. You can help prevent fungal growth by maintaining an RH relative humidity within your residence of between 50-70%. Homes constructed with HVAC systems simply need the temperature to keep below 80 degrees. This cooling system "conditions" the ambient air and decreases the level of water vapor.
 
It is not wise to ignore mold damage in your home as it can cause health effects. If you are continually catching a musty scent, it is enough of a sign that there is mold activity in your home to justify calling for help. Here at SERVPRO, we strive to get our employees to you swiftly, no matter the time so that we can get your home back to its pre-mold state as soon as possible.
 
SERVPRO can section off the area infected with mold to prevent the colonies from spreading. We can use advanced tools like air scrubbers with HEPA filters to rid the air of the mold spores while we agitate the colonies and clean them. If SERVPRO determines that the moisture levels are too high in the structure of your home, we can dry them out with other trade tools like dehumidifiers and air movers to help prevent mold in the future.
 
Do not hesitate when you find signs of mold growing in your home. Contact SERVPRO of Seminole & Central Gulf Beaches by dialing (727) 391-6212. No matter the time, we can rush to your home.

More about this Florida county by clicking

Former Water Damage Could Cause Mold Growth In Your Redington Shores Residence

4/19/2018 (Permalink)

Redington Beach Condo Dwellers Rely on SERVPRO for Mold Cleanup and Remediation

Mold Removal and Successful Remediation Often Requires Professional Assistance--Rely on SERVPRO

Water damages are nothing that is all that surprising to see in Redington Shores homes, both from natural occurrences and those of homeowner error. Regardless of the reason, most homeowners often believe that water can easily get cleaned up without the hiring of professional restoration services, and set out to complete the task on their own. The trouble with this approach is, you might not always be seeing the entire issue that your home is facing, which could result in more significant damages in the long run.
 
Failure to remove all of the dampness and moisture from areas in your Redington Shores home could result in instances like mold damages and fungal growth. Considering the commonly warm temperatures already present for the better part of the year, mold spores in the air only require organic material (like the construction materials of your home) and moisture to grow and thrive.
 
This alarming reality can be a little challenging even to be aware of until the problem has become a widespread issue. Most homeowners get drawn to the problem from the musty scent coming from the affected area where water damage had once occurred. After the mold growth is discovered in your home, it is time to bring in the IICRC certified mold remediation specialists of our SERVPRO team.
 
When our team arrives at your home, we work to assess where these colonies are growing and section off this area from the people in your home while the remediation process is ongoing. This process also requires your air circulation appliances, like an air conditioner or heater to be shut off to prevent active or dormant spores from finding a home elsewhere in your house through the ductwork.
 
Sectioning off the area is a critical step in the remediation process and one that can showcase our determination to provide every customer with a thorough restoration. Our SERVPRO of Seminole & Central Gulf Beaches mold remediation specialists are available 24/7 whenever you discover the presence of fungus in your home. Give us a call when you need us at (727) 391-6212.

Be prepared for hurricanes and storms by clicking

Certified Mold Damage Remediation for Residents in Redington Shores

2/27/2018 (Permalink)

If your home has had water damage, it is likely mold formed with it.

Call on SERVPRO for Mold Damage Remediation

If you have recently suffered water damage in your Redington Shores home, you should always consider mold growth might not be that far behind. Water quickly makes its way into hidden areas of your walls, ceiling, attic, or basement causing mold growth, corrosion, and rot in unprotected building materials found throughout your home. 

Luckily, there is a company that offers professional mold damage remediation services throughout the Redington Shores area. Giving you access to the qualified personnel, equipment, and resources you need to recover quickly. With a single phone call, you can have an expert team on your property, providing the answers you need to protect the living environment in your home.

You may already understand that mold plays a significant role in our planet's ecosystem, recycling many organic materials back into our environment that helps the cycle of life continue. With that said, it is impossible to remove mold from your home entirely; even if we wanted to, it would have a drastic effect on our surroundings. SERVPRO gives you access to advanced remediation methods that help you control the amount of mold entering your home and provides your family with the quality of life you deserve.

SERVPRO’s IICRC certified mold remediation specialists help you avoid exposure and stop mold growth found in your home in its tracks. We have a variety of equipment such as infrared moisture detectors, and hygrometers that help locate hidden problems while our technicians put their experience and expertise to work providing solutions that also prevent future growth. 

SERVPRO can locate mold growing in your home, contain it within as small of an area as possible and allow our technicians an opportunity to deploy air-movers, negative airflow machines, and advanced cleaning methods that disinfect the entire area. We use EPA-registered disinfectants, both wet and dry cleaning methods, and dispose of all affected materials following local, state, and federal guidelines. 

Contact SERVPRO of Seminole & Central Gulf Beaches anytime, 24/7, for full-service mold remediation solutions throughout Madeira Beach or Indian Shores, today. (727) 391-6212

Click here for more information on Redington Shores.

Where Mold Damage Gets Costly in Redington Beach

9/20/2017 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO if you discover mold damage in your home.

Dangers of Mold Damage

While all mold damage in your Redington Beach home should warrant immediate attention and remediation, some situations consistently rank as more costly and more troublesome than others. When mold hits these and similar locations around the home, it can lead to longer remediation times and greater expenses. To help prevent the spread to such areas, be sure to contact SERVPRO as soon as you find signs of mold damage in the house so we can arrive and begin mitigation treatments as quickly as possible.

Wall Interiors

Mold Damage in Redington Beach often occurs in the space behind walls and floors, due to the isolated nature of these locations and ease of growth if water is present. Leaks and drips can easily become expensive nightmares by enabling mold in these otherwise dry and inaccessible places. In most situations, residents are not able to notice the mold until it has already become a substantial problem, greatly increasing our workload.

HVAC Systems

When mold gets into your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, it typically spreads rapidly to other parts of the home. HVAC systems are designed to circulate air evenly and steadily, making it easy for mold colonies to spread spores and wreak havoc on your home. If you find mold on your air filters, be sure to contact SERVPRO immediately, as this may be a sign of a much larger problem.

Residents

Some types of mold can cause health effects, to both people and pets. If you believe that anyone in your household has been affected by mold, seek medical attention immediately. If health concerns are especially serious, we may implement a quarantine over part of the home, as no risk is worth a person's safety.

SERVPRO of Seminole & Central Gulf Beaches has dealt with many mold damage cases over the years and is ready around the clock to respond to your calls. Contact us at (727) 391-6212 for our services or advice.

Click here for more information about Redington Beach, Florida.

SERVPRO Takes The Right Precautions When Dealing With Mold Damage In Your Seminole Home

6/1/2017 (Permalink)

PPE Protects Mold Remediation Technicians from SERVPRO During Cleanups in Seminole

Rely on SERVPRO for Safe Mold Removal

After you discover mold damage in your home, it is time to call in the professionals. The fungi can damage everything from clothes and soft furnishing to drywall, and can also move throughout your home, thus spreading the contamination. Although it is not possible to completely prevent mold from coming back, there is a lot that can be done regarding remediation and take steps to discourage regrowth.

When it comes to dealing with mold damage to your Seminole home, it is important to contact remediation experts who have both the knowledge and the necessary equipment to deal with the outbreak effectively. One particular note of caution is to be sure the company you contact has good health and safety awareness and takes all the right precautions during cleanup.
 
SERVPRO’s technicians are all IICRC certified, and we make sure all our field staff is adequately trained in the proper precautions to take when dealing with mold, including making sure our teams have the correct personal protective equipment. We closely adhere to the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) guidelines for safety when containing a mold outbreak, including following their guidelines that each technician is equipped with:
 
•Chemical resistant gloves to ensure safe handling of any cleaning chemicals and to keep spores from getting onto the skin.
•Eye protection such as goggles to guard eyes against spills or splashes from detergents or other cleaning agents.
•A respirator, so our agents do not breathe in mold spores. The kind of respirator needed varies depending on the extent of the contamination. We provide our people with greater filter respirators for small spaces, half mask models with cartridges for larger spaces, and full face units for cases of extensive damage.
•Protective clothing such as full body suits to keep mold away from the skin and hair.
 
Wearing the correct kit means SERVPRO’s teams are better equipped to deal with mold and carry out cleaning, dusting, scrubbing and vacuuming actions to remediate the issue.
 
We also take care to protect your home by setting up containment in the affected area to prevent spores from spreading further, and by establishing specific working areas and routes in and out of your home to keep cross-contamination to a minimum.
 
Do not let fungal growth damage your home. Our teams are ready with all the right equipment to handle the problem safely, so call SERVPRO of Seminole & Central Gulf Beaches at (727) 391-6212 for help.

Three Things Not to Do When You Find Mold in Your Seminole Home

5/10/2017 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation in a Seminole Home or Condo Requires Professional Help

And One Thing You Should Do for Mold Remediation:  Call SERVPRO

Discovering mold in your home can be a jarring experience, especially if growth and damage are widespread. Many homeowners panic at such a discovery, even for relatively small problems, and find themselves clueless on dealing with the problem. The most important consideration is to remain calm. Panicking or acting rashly can only worsen the damage and make a proper remediation more difficult. For almost all mold damage cases, no matter how severe or innocuous they appear at face value, the best path to take should involve calling a certified company like SERVPRO to handle the disaster safely, cleanly, and in agreement with the local law.
 
Don't Put Off the Problem
Above all else, don't put mold damage to your Seminole home at the back of your mind. What one of the riskiest traps homeowners fall into is the assumption that because the mold damage has already been there for a long time, it should not cause much more damage if dealt with later. However, mold tends to grow exponentially and take even firmer root as time goes on, and as little as a few days could drastically exacerbate your mold damage.
 
Don't Clean Things Yourself
Many residents, fearful of the expenses that may come with a professional remediation job, may try to remove mold on their own. However, this is not only ineffective but also potentially dangerous, as some types of mold may be hazardous to handle without proper safety equipment. It is also often less costly to contact SERVPRO before trying anything yourself: insurance companies may penalize you for attempting repairs yourself and often pay for part or all of our fees. Check your homeowner policy for mold remediation coverage.
 
Don't Move Out Permanently
No matter how bad the mold damage is, you should never make arrangements to permanently move out of your home unless the property has been formally condemned (a very rare scenario). Our specialty lies in restoring your home to full functionality and aesthetics no matter how bad damage may be. For the worst mold damage cases, you may have to move out temporarily, but selling the property is fiscally ill-advised and a major strain on your family. The above is the most extreme of circumstances and typically not needed. With our HEPA filtrated equipment and expertise, barriers can be set up to isolate contaminated portions of your home or condo while remediation is ongoing.
 
SERVPRO of Seminole & Central Gulf Beaches is available 24/7 to come to your aid should you find mold growing in your home. Give us a call at (727) 391-6212.

Limiting Factors for Seminole Mold Growth

3/21/2017 (Permalink)

Mold Cleanup in Seminole is Handled by SERVPRO

Reduction in Moisture and Chemical Applications Remediate Mold Infestations in Seminole

Mold can survive under a range of conditions, but will usually only begin its growth in areas of wetness or high humidity while temperatures remain mild. Most molds prefer the same temperatures as humans, and as such have a propensity for growth in our homes. SERVPRO recommended keeping your home dry and sealed as a primary preventative measure against mold growth, but mold-resistant paints and finishes can also help to discourage growth or spread of existing problems. Here's a quick summary of some of the most potent limiting factors for the growth of mold.

Moisture
By far the easiest factor to control and the most efficient way to restrict mold growth in Seminole, keeping humidity low and dampness away from your home is the first step in any effective defense against mold growth. Almost all mold infestations start from an unusual source of moisture in the home, and correspondingly, shutting off this source stops most growth in its tracks. Keeping your home protected against water damage and ensuring that any damages get cleaned up immediately is critical in stopping mold growth in the future.
 
Temperature
Some types of mold respond negatively to extremely high or low temperatures. In some cases, a SERVPRO technician may want to open up part of your home to outside air, usually in the context of a drying process or to introduce especially cold or hot outside air. Under extreme mold situations and weather conditions, it is challenging to control mold growth with temperature unless the home's residents have temporarily left the premises.
 
Chemical Controls
Certain chemicals can be used to stop or prevent mold growth. These are usually applied during remediations after any moisture has been dried up, or applied through paints and finishes throughout the home. We always make sure to use premium, environmentally-friendly, and safe chemicals when dealing with mold. SERVPRO only deploys EPA approved antifungal and antimicrobial products during mold remediation.
 
SERVPRO of Seminole & Central Gulf Beaches is a local provider of mold remediation and prevention services. In the event of possible mold growth safeguard your home against it, call us at (727) 391-6212.