Mold Damage: Mold Grows in the Desert?

7/27/2016 (Permalink)

Mold damage can be difficult to detect early on, and can't be removed by Phoenix homeowners.

Mold Can Grow in Warmer Climates

Mold damage is often thought to be restricted to the wetter climates of North America, and the US Southwest is often relatively careless when it comes to preventing mold damage. However, even in hot, dry places, mold can be a big problem for homeowners. Mold damage can be difficult to detect early on, and can't be removed by homeowners. In most cases, heavy deodorization and sanitation equipment must be used to rid a home of its mold colonies.

Dehumidification
The first step SERVPRO takes in many Phoenix mold damage removal jobs is to dehumidify the air. Often, mold colonies form in a particular room due to heavy and persistent humidity or wetness, and this must be taken care of as quickly as possible, along with any water damage to the area. This isn't always required, however, and your mold remediation process may be able to skip this step entirely.

Deodorizing Foggers
Ultra low volume (ULV) and thermal foggers work together to deodorize a room or home, as many types of mold release foul smells which can persist for extended periods of time unless handled precisely. These foggers are powerful, industrial-grade machines, and get the job done well.

Thorough Cleaning and Sanitization
Scrubbing off and sanitizing mold patches is tricky business, and requires specialized training. Some types of mold can cause ill health effects, so caution must be taken even as professionals work to remove the mold as quickly as possible. Also, fabrics such as shower curtains or drapes may need specialist cleaning or possibly replacement, as mold spores are microscopic and can penetrate into the tiniest crevasses of these fabrics.

SERVPRO of Avondale / Goodyear / Southwest Phoenix is experienced with all kinds of desert mold colonies and has helped countless local homes and businesses to scrub out mold from their properties. If you need professional mold cleanup and remediation services, call us 24/7 at (623) 537-9999 for a quote or services.

Mold Damage Phoenix -Homeowners Hate It

3/23/2016 (Permalink)

Mold Damage Around the Door Can Indicate Larger Problems within Your Phoenix Home

SERVPRO Can Restore Your Mold Damaged Phoenix Home to a Safe and Healthy Place

Mold damage in your Phoenix home can cause adverse health effects to you and your family. Mold growth also indicates something else may be wrong with your house--too high humidity (though not too often in Phoenix), moisture resulting from leaks or cracks in the foundation, or the aftermath of a flood. Molds are fungi that impact most people in one way or another. In many, it merely makes them feel uncomfortable. The reaction to allergens, mycotoxins, and even pollen vary among individuals.

Mold spores that are common all around your home need moisture to grow. It also requires an organic substance for nutrients. The reason it might be in your house could be because you have a water leak somewhere. This supplies the moisture that the mold requires for colonizing into large patches, visible or not.

When you call upon a professional mold remediation company like SERVPRO, expect quick service. They come and begin the inspection that is necessary to locate all of the areas in which mold is growing. Since the fungi can start to grow in as little as 48-72 hours, they know they have to work fast. They have the tools and devices to find the mold growths. It can be inside of the walls, below the flooring and above the ceilings. No carpet is left unturned if there is a hint of moisture buildup. After the inspection, the work begins.

This process starts with containment if more than an isolated mold patch is discovered. Air circulation by the HVAC system or fans must be stopped to prevent the movement of mold spores to unaffected areas of the property.  All non-porous surfaces such as tile, metal and plastic can be cleaned and sanitized with green technology cleansers and disinfectant agents. Materials that cannot be cleaned, such as portions of drywall, ceiling tiles, carpets and padding, and some furniture, are wrapped, removed and discarded in an authorized location. This is always the last resort. SERVPRO's aim is to remediate your home in the most practical and least expensive manner.

Unfortunately, replacement of building materials that have to be torn out can occur. This means the sheet rock, whether replacing entire sheets or just a few patches to clean up the walls. It also means the cleaning and rehanging of the draperies and placing fabric cushions that have been cleaned and re-stuffed, if appropriate. As examples.

Commercial air purifiers and foggers are employed to sanitize and deodorize the affected areas of the home. Antifungal agents are used in the thermal foggers. Air scrubbers will suck in the ambient air and remove a large portion of the mold spores. SERVPRO will conduct a final walk-through to make sure that the known areas of mold infestations have been destroyed, and there are not moisture problems remaining. We will restore your home to its pre-mold damage condition "Like it never even happened."

When you detect a problem with mold damage, give SERVPRO of Avondale / Goodyear / Southwest Phoenix a call at (623) 537-9999 for your healthy environment.

How Do Mold Remediation Specialists Treat Your Goodyear Home?

10/22/2015 (Permalink)

Mold and Fungi Are OK in a Petri Dish, But Not in Your Home

Your Home in Goodyear Receives Mold Remediation from SERVPRO

Mold growth is an unwanted outcome of water intrusion necessitating mold remediation in some residential properties in Goodyear. In spite of the low humidity in Arizona, excessive water provides mold with the moist, wet setting in which it grows most effectively. Mold spores are prevalent in home environments with food sources in abundance, just needing sufficient moisture to develop colony strings. These fungi can quickly expand into large patches of mold. For this reason, it's critically important that property owners secure effective, expedient mold remediation services once they suspect that mold is growing in their homes. There is a wide range of mold cleanup methodologies that mold remediation experts from SERVPRO will provide to handle the fungus issue. Here are five of them:

Wipe-Down

The first and most effective method for mold removal is a wipe-down. This process involves removing unwanted mold from your non-porous surfaces. Because mold spores are microscopic, mold remediation specialists place primacy on wiping down any surface that may have been contaminated; it is not sufficient to just wipe down visible mold colony patches.

Vacuuming

In addition to wiping down surfaces, mold remediation specialists will use wet vacuuming procedures to remove standing water. This step is important because mold can accumulate in the presence of standing water in places like a wet or flooded basement.

HEPA Vacuuming

Another strategy mold remediation specialists will employ to help eradicate fungus is HEPA vacuuming. Vacuum cleaners that come equipped with HEPA filtration can capture and remove particles as tiny as 1 micron without recirculating them back into the interior ambient air. We are trained to utilize negative air pressure chambers to prevent mold from infesting previously clean rooms. HVAC units should never be running until the components, and ductwork have been sanitized.

Physical Removal

Once the mold has become entrenched and penetrates porous property material like wood, drywall, and concrete, removing and disposing of these materials is the best course of action. Professional mold remediation specialists handle this part of the process by carefully sealing materials contaminated by mold until they can be discarded off-site.

Chemical Treatments

Mold remediation specialists from SERVPRO use a wide range of chemical agents to kill mold. These chemicals can range from professional biocides to household bleach. Typically, remediation specialists prefer to physically remove mold and also implement strategies to prevent recurrence.

To get excellent mold remediation services, you need to hire the most excellent mold remediation company. That company is SERVPRO. Our IICRC-certified technicians are pleased to offer detail-oriented, results-centered services that get your property in mold-safe condition.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

SERVPRO of Avondale/Goodyear/Southwest Phoenix is locally owned and operated—so we live and work herein Goodyear too. We are proud to be part of the Avondaleand Phoenix communities. When you have a water or mold damage issue, we’re already nearby and ready to help. Call us for assistance. (623) 537-9999