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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Mold Remediation Blog Posts

How To Prevent Mold Recurrence

7/9/2022 (Permalink)

Mold growing on a wooden beam in a Saratoga Springs home. Mold growth after water damage in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Mold Recurrence: How To Avoid It

Recurring mold growth in your Saratoga Springs, NY, business is unwelcome and frustrating. Fortunately, knowing the causes for the recurrence will help you keep the problem at bay.

Necessary Conditions
Mold returns for the same reason that it occurs in the first place: The conditions are right. The following are three things that fungi need to thrive:

  • Warmth
  • Food source
  • Water source

Most indoor locations are warm enough to support mold. Nutrient sources, including pulpy products, dust and dirt, are regularly found in most buildings as well. The presence of water, however, can generally be controlled.

Prevention Methods
Even if a professional restoration company performs the initial mold removal, it is still up to you, the business owner, to prevent future growth. As discussed above, the presence of water is generally the easiest condition to control. If the area with the recurring mold problem is prone to high humidity, install a dehumidifier to remove the moisture from the area. Address water damage as quickly as possible and dry up spills, leaks and all standing water immediately.
In addition to keeping the area as dry as possible, there are specialized products available that are resistant to mold growth. Common options include paints, primers and fabrics. There are also sprays that can be applied to certain surfaces that are thought to help repel mold.

Another option is minimizing the number of mold spores present in the area. These spores occur almost everywhere, so it can be helpful to trap them in a HEPA filter before they have a chance to colonize. You may even have a chance to address two factors with one product if you select a combination dehumidifier and purifier.
Ideally, mold that has been properly removed would not return. However, this is not always the case. Fortunately, there are a variety of tactics available to those who are struggling with recurring mold growth.

Saratoga Residents May Wonder if Mold Removal is Possible

4/16/2022 (Permalink)

Mold growing on a basement panel after a storm. Call SERVPRO of Saratoga Springs, Gansevoort for mold remediation today!

SERVPRO is Best for Mold Remediation Services in Saratoga– Call Us First!

Should you suspect mold anywhere within your building, commercial or residential, you need to ensure it gets cleaned safely and efficiently. One of the many reasons why so many Saratoga residents can trust SERVPRO for this task is our proven processes and attention to detail. With our mold cleanup processes and skilled technicians, we can get the job done right the first time.

Our mold remediation process in Saratoga Springs is second-to-none. Mold spores are everywhere, and careful cleaning is critical to keep them from spreading. Why SERVPRO for handling black mold? Because we use a multi-faceted process to pinpoint affected areas of your home or business to halt mold in its tracks.

  • As soon as you contact SERVPRO, we will mobilize our IICRC-certified technicians.
  • We get to your property to inspect the area, identifying all spaces where mold could be hiding.
  • The team investigates the source of moisture to identify it and stop it.
  • Our remediation process involves using moisture meters and thermal cameras to ensure no mold colonies get left behind.
  • Mold testing may also be performed by specialists to determine the type of mold present in your space.

Once mold cleanup nears the end, our remediation process turns to handle replacing all materials impacted by mold damage. Any of your personal belongings deemed salvageable get moved off-site using our pack-out services for cleaning or repair before getting returned. We use EPA-registered antimicrobials and disinfectants for all surfaces to get thoroughly cleaned, sanitized, and deodorized.

Again, to answer the question of why SERVPRO for mold issues? Because we know that having a plan of action makes a world of difference for minimizing health effects and damage to your property! Call us first for trusted methods and proven results.

You can reach SERVPRO of Saratoga Springs, Gansevoort by calling (518) 580-1111 or requesting help online. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, so call us first for your mold remediation needs.

Choose To Use Professional Mold Damage Remediation Services For Your Saratoga Area Home

1/20/2022 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO for Clean-Up of Mold Problems

You find a small patch of mold in a corner above your shower stall; thinking that it is something else entirely, you take an everyday household cleaning solution to it and scrub the problem away. With this contact, you may have contaminated yourself, the cleaning materials you used and could have helped spread mold to other areas of your home.

Most mold damage you find on your Saratoga area property appears minimal until you get to the root of the problem, locate the source, and get a good look at the entire space. Small patches on your walls mean that a more substantial problem can exist somewhere else. Places containing hidden moisture like the interior of your walls, around pipes, in the subfloor, or ceiling can contain problems that you are not aware of yet.

Remember, mold exists everywhere. It is an existing natural life-form within our eco-system that assists with recycling materials back into our environment. We do not want to get rid of it entirely, even if we could. It is a professional mold remediation specialist's job to limit the exposure you find in your home, not to eradicate fungi completely, since it is not possible. SERVPRO can help you with that mold remediation.

Consider all locations where mold can exist, including cracks, crevices, crawlspaces, attic space, basements, walls, ceiling, flooring, and more. If you do not have the equipment necessary to protect yourself and prevent spreading the contamination to other rooms of your home, you should seek professional help. Give the expertly trained IICRC certified technicians from SERVPRO an opportunity to perform the services you deserve.

Equipment used for Mold Damage Remediation

The air moving equipment, HEPA filtered vacuums, attachments, extraction equipment, and experience that SERVPRO offers are well worth the cost. We can help limit any damages you experience and return things to normal in a quick, efficient manner that causes little to no disruption of your everyday routine.  "Like it never even happened."

Enjoy peace of mind knowing that our applied microbial remediation technicians have done everything necessary to keep you and your family safe. 

Contact SERVPRO of Saratoga Springs/Gansevoort for additional information or begin with an initial inspection today. We are here to help 24/7, 365. Never hesitate to call. (518) 580-1111

5 Steps of the Mold Mitigation Process

12/21/2021 (Permalink)

Mold Mitigation Process

It is not uncommon for a home that has sustained water damage to also develop black mold. If you discover mold in your home in Saratoga Springs, NY, you will likely need the services of mold remediation experts. These certified technicians take care of your mold problem and get your home back to normal, and they use the following five steps to do so.

1. Protection

Before they begin the mold cleanup process, technicians don protective gear to cover their eyes, nose, mouth and skin. This keeps the increased number of spores in the air out of their airways and sensitive membranes.

2. Containment

To take control of the black mold problem, the specialists must make sure it doesn't contaminate other areas of the house. They restrict air flow from the damaged section and seal it off with thick plastic sheets.

3. Demolition

If mold has attacked a wall or other porous surface, the area will have to be replaced, but first, it must be torn out. Clearing out the parts that have mold damage is essential to fixing the problem.

4. Sanitation

The remaining structures must be sanitized before it's safe for family member and pets to reenter the home. Technicians may use anti-microbial chemicals to neutralize any germs that are present. They may also use gamma irradiation to sanitize documents or books.

5. Dehydration

This term is bad news when applied to a person, but when applied to a house, particularly one that has prior mold issues, it can be a godsend. A dry environment is less likely to be hospitable to mold.

A black mold problem in your home is best handled by certified professionals who specialize in mold remediation. That's why you should call SERVPRO of Saratoga Springs, Gansevoort if you have a mold problem. We have the knowledge and the tools to work through the steps of the process efficiently. We can quickly assess the situation, answer any questions you have and decrease the chances of mold growth returning. Call us at (518) 580-1111!

Mold in a Nutshell

11/10/2021 (Permalink)

A basement with mold damage near the water heater. If you have mold in your home, call SERVPRO today!

You’ve probably seen it, and you probably know that it’s not something you want on your food, on your walls or on your floors. We’re talking about mold, and it’s not something you want to deal with in your home. There are several forms of mold and a number of ways it can infiltrate your home or place of business. It’s important to understand what it is, how it develops and what you can do to effectively handle mold cleanup.

A Fungus

Interestingly, mold comes about from tiny spores from the air. These spores will float about and can land just about anywhere in your home. Ordinarily, mold will grow where there is a moisture problem, such as damp basements, showers or refrigerators.

Mildew

You’re no doubt familiar with mildew, as you’ve probably run into this issue in your bathroom. It has the appearance of small black spots and usually shows up on shower tile or shower doors. If you ignore mildew, it will continue to build up, creating an unattractive appearance. Fortunately, it’s easy to get rid of this issue:

• Grab a cleaning brush with strong bristles
• Get a commercial-grade bathroom cleaner and apply to the affected area
• Scrub firmly until the mold comes off

Black Mold

In a list of all the types of mold you may see in your home, this is the type you want least. This form of mold can be problematic, so you should never touch it or even go close to it. If you find this in your home, call a specialist immediately.

Once you understand what mold is and how it can find its way into your home, you’ll have a much easier time getting rid of it. Black mold, especially, is a major concern that you should leave in the hands of a competent professional.

5 Steps of the Mold Mitigation Process

11/3/2021 (Permalink)

Mold Mitigation Process

It is not uncommon for a home that has sustained water damage to also develop black mold. If you discover mold in your home in Saratoga Springs, you will likely need the services of mold remediation experts. These certified technicians take care of your mold problem and get your home back to normal, and they use the following five steps to do so.

1. Protection

Before they begin the mold cleanup process, technicians don protective gear to cover their eyes, nose, mouth and skin. This keeps the increased number of spores in the air out of their airways and sensitive membranes.

2. Containment

To take control of the black mold problem, the specialists must make sure it doesn't contaminate other areas of the house. They restrict air flow from the damaged section and seal it off with thick plastic sheets.

3. Demolition

If mold has attacked a wall or other porous surface, the area will have to be replaced, but first, it must be torn out. Clearing out the parts that have mold damage is essential to fixing the problem.

4. Sanitation

The remaining structures must be sanitized before it's safe for family member and pets to reenter the home. Technicians may use anti-microbial chemicals to neutralize any germs that are present. They may also use gamma irradiation to sanitize documents or books.

5. Dehydration

This term is bad news when applied to a person, but when applied to a house, particularly one that has prior mold issues, it can be a godsend. A dry environment is less likely to be hospitable to mold.

A black mold problem in your home is best handled by certified professionals who specialize in mold remediation. They have the knowledge and the tools to work through the steps of the process efficiently. They can quickly assess the situation, answer any questions you have and decrease the chances of mold growth returning.