Mold Damage Cleanup and What to Expect

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

What is mold?

First off Mold is everywhere and not all mold is toxic, but all mold in your home or business should be dealt with.  Mold is a fungus that loves damp and humid conditions.  It spreads by producing mold spores which can survive many harsh environments.  Mold and mildew are most often found in places that have high moisture such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, crawlspaces, around water heaters or air handlers.  It is not uncommon, however, to also find mold on or between walls, flooring, carpeting, furniture, or textiles.  Often it is a result of a hidden leak, poor drainage or a past water damage. Sometimes the odor will tip you off, but other times it might go undetected until you see it or someone begins showing symptoms indicating possible mold. If water is leaking in between walls spots may form on the ceiling below the source.

Do I need to do a mold test?

Store bought mold tests aren’t terribly reliable. If you can see mold then you can be sure removing it is the only way to prevent further growth and avoid health risks.  If however you suspect mold may be growing out of sight, such as inside a wall, ceiling cavity or beneath the flooring, a good air quality test can be very helpful.  An air quality test will not only identify the specific types of mold but also let you know how much of it is present in the air in specific areas of your home.  SERVPRO frequently recommends a professional air quality test be done prior to mold removal and again after mitigation is complete.  Comparing the results before and after provides an excellent measure to ensure a healthy environment or identify any ongoing issues that need to be addressed. SERVPRO of West Forsyth does not conduct Air Quality tests themselves, we contract an independent third party to provide analysis that we have done a good job.  

What happens if I hire SERVPRO of West Forsyth County to take care of mold in my home?

First we will dispatch one of our certified mold mitigation technicians to complete a visual inspection and initial assessment. 

Our trained technician will try to help you identify and address the source of the moisture problem.  This will help prevent a recurrence of mold or further damage to your home in the future. Not addressing the moisture problem is a guarantee to have a mold issue again in the future. We want to fix the root cause of the problem to ensure a total solution.  

Moisture meters are used to pinpoint exactly what areas are wet – if any. Before mitigation begins, the first air-quality test should be performed by an independent contractor to ensure we have objective data on the type and quantity of mold present.

If mold is found, we’ll set up containment and air scrubbers to prevent spores from contaminating other areas of your home. Next we apply a professional anti-microbial product to kill existing mold spores and help prevent mold from returning.

If necessary, affected porous materials will be sealed in plastic and removed.  Non-porous surfaces are then mitigated accordingly, wiped down and/ or sprayed with an anti-microbial one last time.

Once all debris has been removed and affected areas have been thoroughly cleaned, we’ll suggest a final air quality test.  This final measure will be your assurance that your home is now a clean and healthy environment for you and your family.  If for any reason the affected area does not pass the air quality test, SERVPRO will continue mold mitigation until passing air quality tests are obtained.

What does it mean to be a SERVPRO certified mold mitigation technician?

All SERVPRO technicians are certified through the IICRC.  Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration is the standard setter for the mitigation industry and considered the authority in mitigation by most insurance carriers.

In addition SERVPRO offers on-going training to all of its employees, enabling them to remain up to date on current mitigation and restoration practices and provide you with answers you can rely on.

As the preferred mitigation specialist for most major insurance companies; SERVPRO staff are experienced at communicating with you and your insurance company to assist in all steps of your insurance claim process.

Each SERVPRO employee is dedicated to ensuring your home is restored to its preloss condition and to your full satisfaction.

It’s best to call us directly 336-946-1131 SERVPRO of West Forsyth County.