Recent Mold Remediation Posts

How SERVPRO Cares for Your Belongings After Mold Damage

1/4/2024 (Permalink)

After mold damage occurs, entrusting your property's restoration to a professional company is crucial for protecting your belongings and ensuring thorough mold remediation services. Mold not only jeopardizes the structural integrity of your home but also poses health risks and can irreversibly damage your possessions.

Professional restoration companies like SERVPRO bring expertise, specialized equipment, and techniques to effectively remove mold, prevent its recurrence, and salvage affected items. Our knowledge of safe mold remediation practices not only protects your property by also protecting you and your family's health, making our involvement pivotal in restoring your space to a safe condition.

Contents Restoration

At SERVPRO of West Somerset County, our focus lies in restoring contents affected by fire, water, or mold damage. Our specialized skills and emphasis on restoration rather than replacement not only save you money but also protects your items to identify those that can be restored to their pre-damage condition. Our cleaning methods encompass various techniques, ensuring a comprehensive approach to restoring your belongings.

  • Dry Cleaning: Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
  • Wet Cleaning: An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
  • Spray and Wipe: Effective for items that can't withstand wet cleaning.
  • Foam Cleaning: Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
  • Abrasive Cleaning: Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
  • Immersion Cleaning: Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.

Move-Outs/Pack-Outs

Should your home need extensive restoration or cleaning, SERVPRO offers a well-organized and efficient move-out process for the affected area. Opting for a move-out with multiple advantages, including:

  • A quicker remodeling process
  • Protecting items from potential damage
  • Protecting contents from further on-site damage

When the restoration is completed, we will work with you to coordinate the move-in according to your needs. The services offered upon move-in may depend on your insurance coverage.

Electronic Cleanup

Water damaged electronics pose a significant risk. Avoid trying to power on or use any electrical devices that you suspect has encountered water damage. We handle the restoration of your electronics, including TVs, DVD players, computers, and more. Acting quickly is important in restoring electronics to prevent further damage. Our process begins with cleaning the exterior to halt further corrosion and harm. A certified electronics technician thoroughly inspects and cleans the electronics to ensure proper restoration.

Document/Photograph Drying

When your previous documents, like photographs, suffer water and mold damage, it's crucial to handle them with care to prevent mold exposure and further damage. While complete restoration might not always be possible, we can salvage a significant amount and reduce additional damage. We offer five restoration options based on the document type and the extent of water and mold damage:

  • Air Drying
  • Dehumidification
  • Freezer Drying
  • Vacuum Freeze Drying
  • Vacuum Thermal Drying

Contents Claim Inventory Service

When faced with a water damage emergency, the resulting damage can feel daunting. To alleviate the stress and uncertainty throughout the recovery journey, we offer our Contents Claim Service (CCIS). This service ensures a meticulous and precise catalog of your belongings by conducting a thorough room-by-room inventory, which may include digital photos and, in certain cases, barcoding.

Our Contents Claim Inventory Service includes:

  • Pre-loss list and value of contents
  • Detailed and accurate report
  • Better information to settle claims faster
  • Assistance with burden of proof for claims
  • Peace of mind when you need it most

Understanding Mold

Mold has the potential to cause health problems and can spread through your property in as little as 48 hours. We understand mold and mold growth and have the training and expertise to remediate the mold problems in your home or business.

Microscopic mold spores exist naturally almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors, so removing all mold from a home or business is impossible. Some restoration businesses advertise 'mold removal' and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is not true. Here are some facts that'll help you understand mold and mold growth a bit more:

  • Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors
  • Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air, and they may enter your home through windows, doors, AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or pet.
  • Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water.
  • Before the mold remediation process can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
  • Let your nose lead the way. 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, so keep indoor humidity below 45%.

How Our Mold Remediation Process Works

Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation and removal process stays the same:

  1. Emergency contact - The mold remediation process begins when you call us.
  2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment - We'll carefully inspect your property for any signs of mold.
  3. Mold Containment - We use various containment procedures to prevent the spread of mold. We may use advanced containment procedures like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold from spreading during the cleanup process.
  4. Air Filtration - Our specialized filtration equipment allows our professionals to capture microscopic mold spores out of the air. We utilize powerful 'air scrubbers' and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread during the remediation process.
  5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials - The remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. We use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming.
  6. Cleaning Contents and Belongings - We clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold.
  7. Restoration - Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may have been removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs or major repairs.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey

SERVPRO of West Somerset County is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns two other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

We won't only help with mold damage remediation, we can also help with water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, storm damage restoration, residential restoration, commercial buildings, and much more.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

Why You Shouldn’t DIY Mold Cleanup

7/28/2023 (Permalink)

Mold can be extremely dangerous and hazardous to your health. Depending on the type of mold spores you have in your home, determines whether or not it's dangerous to be near or touch. However, if you're not familiar with the types of mold, it's best that you don't go near it and try any of those Pinterest DIY mold removal hacks.

SERVPRO of West Somerset County is here to explain the mold types, talk about why you should not DIY the remediation, and let you in on how we can help.

Why You Shouldn't Remediate on Your Own

If you find mold in your home, don't just put on gloves, grab a bottle of chlorine bleach, and start scrubbing. By attempting to remove the mold on your own, there's a large chance that you can release thousands of mold spores into the air. After this happens, they'll likely land on surfaces where there wasn't mold growth, contaminating the new areas.

Not only does this spread mold spores throughout the walls of your home, but you're now putting yourself as well as your family at risk by ingesting it. DIY mold removal is never a good idea and can cause many health problems for you and everyone living in your home or business down the road.

Also, if you're choosing a more potent chemical to attempt to remove mold, you're now dealing with breathing in toxic fumes along with the mold. We suggest, as soon as you see or smell any kind of sign of mold in your home, call a professional ASAP.

You Should Understand Mold

Microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere including indoors and outdoors. So, it makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Many restoration professionals and businesses will advertise "mold removal," and will guarantee to remove all mold, which is false advertising.

We think it's important for all homeowners and business owners to understand as much as possible about mold:

  • Mold is present almost everywhere.
  • Mold can float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, AC/heating systems, and can even hitch a ride on your clothing or pets.
  • Mold thrives on moisture and can grow quickly into colonies when exposed to water.
  • Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed.
  • Mold often produces a strong, musty odor.
  • Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support the growth of mold.

Our Mold Remediation Process

We understand that all mold damage scenarios are different and require a unique, non-cookie-cutter solution. However, the general mold remediation process stays the same:

  • Once you get any type of sign of mold, call us (732) 201-8872.
  • We'll complete an inspection and mold damage assessment.
  • Next, we'll contain the mold.
  • We'll filter the air with our equipment.
  • We'll remove the mold and mold-infested materials.
  • We can also clean contents and belongings that have been exposed.
  • Lastly, we'll complete the restoration.

We provide professional proper cleaning to kill mold, as well as restore water damaged areas. If you have a moisture problem, we can help with that as well - as this is probably the main source of your mold problems.

What is Black Mold?

This type of mold is also known as "stachybotrys chartarum." It produces allergens and irritants, however, most types of mold can produce this. Since many types of mold can cause reactions, you should contact us regardless of the color or type of mold. In many instances, multiple types of mold may exist in the same house or structure, so if you suspect any type of mold, contact us right away.

DIY mold removal is never the way.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of West Somerset County is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

Mold Remediation For Your West Somerset Business

3/15/2023 (Permalink)

Aside from causing a major business interruption, a mold problem can present a serious health risk for people exposed at your commercial property. Mold infestations can be caused by minor water intrusions, like a slow roof leak or loose plumbing fitting. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. If you suspect your property has a mold problem, call SERVPRO of West Somerset County, who will respond quickly and work fast to manage the situation.

Why Choose SERVPRO?

  • We provide 24/7 emergency service
  • We’re faster to any size disaster
  • We’re a trusted leader in the mold and water restoration industry with over 2110 franchises
  • We’re highly trained mold and water damage restoration specialists

Why is Commercial Mold Remediation a Unique Challenge?

Mold can spread quickly through a property if left untreated. We can respond quickly, working to first contain the infestation to help prevent its spread to other parts of the building. Next, we will begin the remediation process, working safely and effectively to manage the situation. We have the training, experience, and equipment to contain the mold infestation and remediate it to preloss conditions. Our training and certifications include:

  • Applied Microbial Remediation Specialist
  • Water Damage Restoration Technician
  • Applied Structural Drying Technician
  • Odor Control Technician
  • Upholstery and Fabric Cleaning Technician

Mold Affects Indoor Air Quality

Mold in a home is dangerous, but mold in your commercial building is even worse - as there are many people that enter and exit the building. Mold significantly impacts indoor air quality causing health problems such as headaches, breathing difficulties, skin irritation, allergic reactions, and aggravation of asthma symptoms.

In many cases, people complaining about odor normally point to microbial volatile organic compounds, which are molds released into the air. Exposure to this has been linked to symptoms such as headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.

Where is the Mold Coming From?

Mold comes from moisture problems. These problems can occur from roof leaks, landscaping or gutters that direct water into or under the building, unvented combustion appliances, and delayed or insufficient maintenance. However, there are many hidden sources of mold. Sneaky, hidden mold hides on the backside of drywall, under wallpaper, behind paneling, on the top of ceiling tiles, and the underside of carpets and pads.

If you suspect a mold problem or if you know you may have water damage to your commercial building, call SERVPRO of West Somerset County. We’ll start the remediation process and help you keep you, your customers/clients, and your employees safe.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of West Somerset County is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

Identifying Black Mold in Your Raritan Home

12/21/2022 (Permalink)

You may have heard about the dangers of “black mold” or “toxic mold.”

Information around this can be alarming and confusing, so it’s best to get the facts to better understand what type of mold you may be dealing with and how to get rid of it.

Stackybotrys chartarum, or “black mold”, is known to produce allergens and irritants, but it is not the only type of mold to do so. It is important to treat any mold with caution, stay out of affected areas, and don’t touch or disturb the mold (kind of like Gremlins).

So, how can you tell if you have black mold in your Raritan home?

Many types of mold can cause reactions, so regardless of the color, contacting a mold remediation company such as SERVPRO is essential. In many instances, multiple types of mold may exist in the same house or structure. If you suspect you may have a mold problem, contact SERVPRO of West Somerset County immediately.

Things to know about mold:

When water intrudes into your home, mold growth can start in as little as 48 hours. Here are some mold facts that may help:

  • Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
  • Mold spores are microscopic, float along the air, and may enter your home through windows, doors, AC/heating systems, or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
  • Mold spores thrive on moisture and 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 that odor can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
  • Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45%

SERVPRO cares about your safety and the safety of your home. If you suspect any mold in your home, please contact us ASAP.

Reach out with any and all of your questions and inquiries: (732) 805-9944

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

Check These Appliances For Mold Growth

3/12/2020 (Permalink)

Mold growth occurs naturally and is all over the place, especially in locations that have high moisture. Many people are unaware of the fact that mold might even be present in their appliances, so inspecting these machines is a great way to find hidden mold so that can be removed before it becomes problematic.

Washing Machines

If you notice a musty odor when opening your washing machine, this could be a sign that mold is present. Washing machines are manufactured to be water tight, which makes them an ideal environment for mold. Clean your washing machine’s gasket with water and soap, and then run it on a cycle that is empty using baking soda, hot water or bleach. If the musty smell persists, this means the mold has probably entered the filter, drum or drain, which means you’ll need professional assistance.

Air Conditioning Vents

The vent of your air conditioner is another place where mold can develop. It can usually be identified visually by peeking through the vents or smelling them to see if an unpleasant odor is present. If it is, you’ll want to consult with an A/C expert.

Humidifier

A lot of the new humidifiers are advertised to be antimicrobial, but in reality they require regular cleaning as well. Once a day, prior to refilling them, you will want to empty, then rinse and dry, and once per week you can remove scale using vinegar and then apply disinfectant according to the instructions of the manufacturer.

Refrigerator 

If you see or smell mold inside your fridge, it can be easily addressed with some fungicide, baking soda and warm water. Remove all of the contents first, and then carefully wipe the walls and insides, which include the hard to reach crevices. Don’t forget to take out the shelves and bins so you can clean under them as well, but be careful with glass, as you don’t want to scratch it. Be sure to check the freezer to.

Do Thermostats Help With Mold?

No, because mold enjoys temperatures similar to those which are preferable to humans. Additionally, it can also thrive in frigid environments. Therefore, attempting to control mold with low temperatures will not be effective. 

Getting Rid of Wall Mold

Mold needs moisture to thrive, so the best way to stop it from appearing on walls is to have it professionally cleaned, and then purchase a humidity and temperature sensor so that you can monitor and ensure that your home is always lower than 70 to 75 percent RH. Otherwise, you will need to invest in better dehumidification or ventilation.

Is It Possible For Black Mold To Appear On Plastic?

Black mold, which is also called Stachybotrys chartarum, is not able to thrive on plastic, concrete, ceramic or vinyl surfaces. It prefers materials which are rich in fiber with reduced nitrogen content, like wood, wallboard or paper.