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.