Recent Mold Remediation Posts

Water heater leak discovered weeks later..

10/31/2023 (Permalink)

This room was right next to the HVAC closet that contained the leaking water heater. This room was heavily affected and was demoed down to the studs.

This homeowner went to check on his vacant home after a few weeks of not being there. Upon opening the door, he was faced with an ugly sight of mold all over the home. He discovered that his water heater had been leaking and spraying the home for quite some time. Upon calling our office we were able to send out the project manager on-site to inspect and let the homeowner know the plan of action. Over the next several weeks we demoed all affected parts of the home all while keeping in touch with insurance to rule out any coverage concerns. The homeowner was very pleased that we kept his project as a main priority and kept an open line of communication during the whole process. Our team made several visits to the home and was able to complete mitigation in about a month. From there we were able to refer our subcontractor reconstruction team to help with the putback of his home.

Getting rid of mold

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

Air Scrubber

Mold is its own beast. I know you can go on Pinterest and find all kinds of ways to get rid of mold. The fact of the matter is that for the most part those solutions are simply masking the problem. Yes the mold will go away for a while and everything will be great but unless properly removed it will come back. This picture is of a Air Scrubber. What this machine is doing is pulling the air into it, the air is going through a filter that is trapping the mold and then shooting the good air back out. Because when you see mold it is more than likely not just where you see it but it is also in the air.

What's in your walls

4/20/2019 (Permalink)

Mold Hiding behind wallpaper

Mold becomes a problem inside a home or business when there's a lot of humidity or any kind of moisture for a long period of time. The problem can start with something like a broken pipe or large spill that goes untreated, or from a leaking roof or plumbing. Even high humidity or warm, moist air condensing on cool surfaces can trigger mold problems.

Mold can grow almost anywhere in a home or business. If there is visible growth on painted walls, property owners should be concerned about the mold that could be growing on the other side. The environment inside the walls of a house or business is very different from the outside and makes a perfect home for mold. If the wall remains wet for a prolonged period, it's almost guaranteed that the mold growth on the back side 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

What Is Mold

4/2/2019 (Permalink)

What Is Mold? Mold, according to Wikipedia, is a fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. In contrast, fungi that can adopt a single-celled growth habit are called yeasts. Sounds very technical. What you probably are wondering is- What does mold look like? Can it make me sick? Is it dangerous? And How do I get rid of it? So, let me be a little clearer for you. Mold comes in several different colors. There is green mold. This is the mold you will find on bread in a fuzzy patch. It is penicillium mold and is not usually dangerous if you accidently consume it. The most common type of mold that you want to worry about is known as Black mold. It is commonly found on foods and in your air conditioning systems. You may also find it on the back of toilets, painted surfaces and air ducts. For the most part it is nontoxic, but it can trigger some bad allergy type symptoms. Mold is not something you want to mess around with. To get rid of it you can call us at SERVPRO of Western O’Fallon/Wentzville. We have the proper safety equipment, and the proper tools to remove it and remove it for good. There are some home remedies that you can find on the internet. However, for the most part this is not a permanent cure for your mold problem. Our team of trained techs can get rid of your problem for good.

What should I expect from a true mold removal professional?

3/14/2019 (Permalink)

Mold Removal

Any Professional Mold removal professional should be able to explain to you your mold removal project in a way you can understand. If your contractor is unable to explain the basic processes and steps of mold remediation and removal in a way that you understand than they are maybe not a good fit for you. If they are trying to confuse you about the process and scare you into hiring them, do NOT hire them.

Here are some things to expect from a professional-

When dealing with Mold proper safety gear should always be warn from head to toe.
The work area needs to always be sealed off.
Professional equipment such as HEPA air scrubbers, HEPA vacuums, commercial-strength dehumidifiers, etc. are very expensive and regular handymen won’t have that stuff.
Once the mold is physically removed the air should be cleaned of airborne mold spores using HEPA air scrubbers and air exchange. In other words, all the bad air needs to be replaced with good clean air.
When vacuuming and using air scrubbers for mold remediation, the filters used should be High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA). HEPA filters are the only filters designed get particles as small as mold spores.
Moldy porous building materials like drywall, insulation and baseboards are relatively inexpensive to replace and difficult to impossible to restore to their previous uncontaminated condition. Therefore, they are removed.
A professional will use an antimicrobial chemical to clean any remaining mold and mold stains after they demo the job.
A professional will often use a sealer or encapsulant to make the treated areas more resistant to water damage, mold, and odor control.

SERVPRO of Western O’Fallon / Wentzville will meet the highest of standards and will be there for you to make your mold project “Like it never even happened.”

Conditions in your St. Charles County Homes Might be Right for Mold

8/24/2018 (Permalink)

It’s estimated that more than 1 million types of mold exist, yet less than 10 percent have actually been named. This means mold is very common in both indoor and outdoor environments. While mold and humans can sometimes co-exist without issue, there are certain species of mold that can cause health effects for some people.

If the right conditions exist, mold will grow.

These conditions include:

Water - Different mold types require varying amounts of liquid before growth begins.
Temperature - Normal indoor temperatures will promote mold growth.
Time - Initial mold colonizers can take hold within one day after being exposed to an adequate water supply.

Common Molds Found in Homes:

Aspergillus is a common allergenic mold found in households. This mold is most commonly found on foods and found in air ducts. This mold is usually characterized by fuzzy green and white spores.
Cladsporium is a mold characterized by dark green or brown suede-looking spores. It's very unique that this mold can grow in both warm and cold environments unlike most molds that either do better in warm or cool environments.
Stachybotrys, also known as black mold, is a toxic mold due to the mycotoxins it can create. It is characterized as very dark green and black with a very slimy texture. this "black mold" likes to grow in wet areas with high humidity levels.

Mold growth can occur in any home, so it’s important to keep an eye out for situations that might promote mold activity. Roof/chimney leaks, wet basements, or condensation from ducts that dampen surrounding insulation are just a few examples of issues that make a house a prime target for mold growth.

If you suspect mold in your home, call SERVPRO of Western O'Fallon/Wentzville to assess the situation. We have the knowledge, tools and track record to effectively remediate mold in your home or business.

If you suspect mold, call us today: 636-856-9700

What to Do if You Find Mold:

Stay out of affected areas.
Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
Contact SERVPRO of Western O'Fallon/Wentzville for mold remediation services.

Mold: Tips on the Invisible Enemy

8/1/2018 (Permalink)

Our technician Mike shows us a hidden colony of mold behind a water damaged wall.

Molds are naturally found in the environment around us, but some are more dangerous than others. Mold effects everyone differently, but most commonly the side effects of being exposed to mold are usually mild and appear similar to symptoms of a sinus infection.

Potential Side Effects from Mold Exposure

The EPA advised that the potential health concerns from molds are present for everyone, but concerns are especially high for young children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems. Mold can cause health problems but effects and how mild those effects are vary from person to person.

How do I reduce my chances of mold growth?

While you can't completely eliminate your risk for mold since it is a naturally occurring fungi in the environment, you can reduce your risks significantly by using these tips.

Find and address any standing water immediately. The longer water sits, the higher the chance for mold growth.
Maintain safe temperature levels in your home. Too cold and water condenses on cold hard surfaces, too hot and humidity in the air won't dehumidify correctly in your HVAC system.
Maintain good airflow in the house. A good circulation of cool air in your home will allow any moisture to evaporate from the air,
Keep indoor humidity between 30 and 60 percent.
Vacuum and clean often to reduce dirt and dust in the home. It has been found that 80% of mold grows on dust.
Routinely check appliances that carry or hold water for leaks.

10 places homeowners tend to overlook when checking for mold:

dishwashers
Ice Maker connections and lines
Washing machine connections
Hot water heater
Plastic P-traps
Toilet connections and wax ring
shower doors
bathtubs(Jacuzzi style bathtubs with jets can accumulate mold growth as well if they are not regularly used or cleaned out)
Exterior hose bib
Outdoor sprinkler systems

If you have signs of mold growth in your home, do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Western O'Fallon/Wentzville at (636)856-9700

Mold

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

Does Your Western O'Fallon/ WentzvilleHome Have A Mold Problem?

Mold Damage

InWestern O'Fallon/ Wentzville, 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.

If You See Signs of Mold,Call Us Today –636-856-9700

If you suspect Mold Call SERVPRO of Western O'Fallon/Wentzville

3/6/2018 (Permalink)

Customer was out of town for 3 weeks, when they returned home they found that their entire trailer was flooded and filled with mold.

Wentzville/Western O'Fallon Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

Mold Damage: 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 Western O'Fallon/Wentzville 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 Western O'Fallon/Wentzville 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 have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (636) 856-9700