Mold in the Central Valley

8/31/2018 (Permalink)

Since there is little seasonal change around Manteca, many residents and homeowners forget about routine maintenance. Some mistakenly believe that with no significant drop in temperature and the damp that goes with it, their house is safer from mold than in other parts of the country. That belief is just not accurate.

Manteca mold damage can happen as quickly here as in a dank basement in the mid-west. Mold spores grow and thrive in temperatures as warm as 85 degrees. Some species live at even higher temperatures. To stop active mold growth and prevent future expansion from starting, SERVPRO has developed a process that finds the source of the mold, isolates it, kills active spores and then removes the rest.

First, is sealing off the mold infested area. Our response team blocks hallway openings, doors, and windows using plastic sheeting to isolate the mold and prevent it from contaminated more of the home. Team members also seal the HVAC vents to prevent mold from getting into the ductwork. If we found mold already in the ducts, we seal off all vents in the house to prevent mold spreading to other rooms.

Second, we wipe down surfaces to begin cleaning mold off the personal and structural property. For nonporous surfaces like glass and metal, we use either a dry or wet cloth depending on how thick the mold is on a glass table or refrigerator for example. If the surface is porous, like a carpet or sheetrock panel, then we usually recommend disposal and replacement as that usually is more cost-effective than cleaning. After finishing, SERVPRO technicians may use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter attached. These filters are designed to trap even a single mold spore.

After cleaning, we wait for the dust to settle. Our actions disturb mold, so some of it temporarily escapes to the air. When enough time has passed, we wipe down each surface again and repeat the process until we are satisfied your home is clean.

Finally, we bring down the air moisture content of your home, also called humidity, to lower the risk of mold returning after we leave. Technicians set up space heaters to carefully warm the air while installing dehumidifiers to draw moisture out of the surrounding air and property.

Remediating mold damage is not a short or easy process. With SERVPRO of Manteca on your side, it gets done correctly to put you back into your home as quickly and safely as possible.

Call us today at (209) 823-8877 for more information or to schedule a preliminary inspection.

Difficulty of Mold

8/9/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Growth

Mold damage is incredibly difficult to treat and remove once it has taken root in a home. Resistant to heat, cold, chemicals, light, darkness, and physical abrasion, mold is near impossible to deal with without specially-designed tools and equipment like those used by SERVPRO of Manteca. So, why is mold so difficult to work with? The answer starts in its biology: mold is adapted specifically to be as hardy as possible, not relinquishing its grasp on a surface until the bitter end.

All colonies, even those causing the most extensive mold damage start from tiny, microscopic spores. Whether it is one spore or a handful, it does not often take much for a full-force infestation to spring up. These spores mature quickly, and once they have reached maturity, they produce thousands more of their kind. These children, equally tiny and hardy as their parent organism, then mostly spread around the immediate area, taking root and growing hundreds to thousands of children of their own. In this way, mold reproduces at an extraordinary exponential rate, quickly consuming the entire surface surrounding the origin of growth.

However, if this was the only way mold could spread, the fungus would not be nearly as ubiquitous as it is in modern America. The organisms also respond to physical stimuli: should an animal or object brush against the mold, millions of spores are liable to brush off and get carried to an entirely new location. SERVPRO technicians take great care to ensure this happens as little as possible, with regular self-sanitization processes and changes of clothing. Mold can also spread due to HVAC systems, as air is circulated at a rate fast enough to pick up spores and swirl them about the home, infecting multiple rooms at a time. Keeping mold under control is almost impossible for the unprepared, but luckily, we equip our technicians with a thorough retinue of instruments and equipment for keeping mold contained.

Mold types

8/9/2018 (Permalink)

You may hear quite a bit of chatter on the internet these days about black mold and health problems associated with this type of contamination. However, you should understand that all forms of mold can eventually lead to health issues, making it necessary to seek out qualified mold remediation specialists to get the protection you deserve.

Attempting to remove mold damage found in your Manteca area home on your own involves a time-consuming process that may or may not produce any results. Without the proper tools, knowledge, and training, you can even make things worse, leading to additional or recurring growth that never seems to go away.

SERVPRO gives you access to expertly trained mold remediation specialists that put vast resources and years of experience to work for you. We can help you get mold growth under control and teach you a few things about how to prevent future contamination that just might stop you from having problems like this ever again.

SERVPRO technicians use personal protective equipment like chemical resistant gloves, boots, goggles, full-body suits and even respirators to maintain personal safety for everyone involved. We contain the affected areas and use air movers, negative-airflow machines, water extractors, moisture detectors, advanced cleaning and sanitation methods to get mold growth found on your property under control in a timely, efficient manner.

Seeing SERVPRO Professionals perform mold remediation services can truly inspire you. Our technicians use a variety of methods to get water sources under control. We extract saturated materials, following strict guidelines to handle and dispose of contaminated materials, while protecting the rest of your home and its occupants from exposure throughout the entire process.

Please call SERVPRO of Manteca you have any questions 209-823-8877

Got Mold

8/9/2018 (Permalink)

You may hear quite a bit of chatter on the internet these days about black mold and health problems associated with this type of contamination. However, you should understand that all forms of mold can eventually lead to health issues, making it necessary to seek out qualified mold remediation specialists to get the protection you deserve.

Attempting to remove mold damage found in your Modesto area home on your own involves a time-consuming process that may or may not produce any results. Without the proper tools, knowledge, and training, you can even make things worse, leading to additional or recurring growth that never seems to go away.

SERVPRO gives you access to expertly trained mold remediation specialists that put vast resources and years of experience to work for you. We can help you get mold growth under control and teach you a few things about how to prevent future contamination that just might stop you from having problems like this ever again.

SERVPRO technicians use personal protective equipment like chemical resistant gloves, boots, goggles, full-body suits and even respirators to maintain personal safety for everyone involved. We contain the affected areas and use air movers, negative-airflow machines, water extractors, moisture detectors, advanced cleaning and sanitation methods to get mold growth found on your property under control in a timely, efficient manner.

Seeing SERVPRO of Manteca professionals perform mold remediation services can truly inspire you. Our technicians use a variety of methods to get water sources under control. We extract saturated materials, following strict guidelines to handle and dispose of contaminated materials, while protecting the rest of your home and it's occupants from exposure throughout the entire process.

Manteca Residents: Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

4/14/2017 (Permalink)

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 Manteca 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 Manteca 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 re-mediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 209-823-8877

Do You Suspect You Have A Mold Problem?

4/14/2017 (Permalink)

Mold isn't just aesthetically displeasing but also can cause serious health issues.

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 – 209-823-8877