We Can Handle Any Mold Infestation That Takes Over Your Pottsville Home

2/26/2019 (Permalink)

We are available 24/7 at (570) 622-8991.

Cleaning Mold Damages From Your Pottsville Residence

Pottsville residents are all too familiar with the often wet and damp conditions present throughout several seasons every year. While this is a common condition to endure, it can pose some risks and concerns for your home when these damp conditions affect structural elements and areas of the property. An area that becomes particularly difficult to keep dry is the basement of your property, as there are groundwater influences to combat as well that can leech in through concrete flooring, blockwork, and other possible vulnerabilities.

As troublesome as microbial growth might be for your home, finding the right professionals for mold cleanup in Pottsville is vital to protecting your property from further damages. Our SERVPRO applied microbial remediation technicians have extensive training in the removal of colonies, as well as identifying penetration points for moisture in your home to provide solutions to prevent recurrences once remediation efforts complete.

Identifying the source of the moisture and dampness is essential to work not only to remove the present threat but to keep your home safe from mold growth moving forward. We can establish these vulnerabilities with moisture detection equipment during our initial inspection and installation of containment barriers and equipment to prevent the spread of mold throughout your property.

Cleaning up the damage that mold can create often involves cleaning of the entire affected area, beginning with the application of an antimicrobial solution to unaffected surfaces to make them uninhabitable to mold growth, and cleaning up the debris, dust, and other particulates that generate during the demolition of severely damaged construction materials. It is also a common practice of ours to entirely clean up our work area, including wiping down all surfaces and materials following reconstruction that mold remediation often demands.

Mold growth might not be entirely uncommon to area residents, but it is nothing that you should allow to continue unhindered in your home. Give our SERVPRO of Pottsville mold remediation specialists a call today for our effective removal and restoration strategies. We are available 24/7 at (570) 622-8991.

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5 Fun Facts About Moldy Bread

9/13/2018 (Permalink)

Bread mold is a fungus it can grow on your food and cause damages in your Pottsville, PA home or business

It's happened to all of us: you take out a loaf of bread to make a sandwich, only to find that it's covered with fuzzy blue-green stuff. You bought it only a few days ago, but now it's covered in bread mold. So how did it get like that?

1. It's a Fungus

Like all mold, bread mold is a fungus. It belongs to a category of life forms separate from animals and plants, part of the same group as mushrooms. A fungus can be thought of as a type of plant that isn't able to get energy from sunlight, as it contains no chlorophyll. Instead, fungi must derive their nutrients from animal and plant sources.

2. Mold is All Around You

Though they are invisible, there are millions of fungal spores, including bread mold spores, in the air around you all the time. The spores are settling on surfaces all the time, and if they find a food source, they will grow.

3. Mold Can Grow Quickly

Once mold finds something to eat, it can reproduce very quickly. Some types of mold can double in size in an hour!

4. Mold Likes Warmth

Mold can grow on many different food products, but bread provides a wealth of nutrients for it to grow on. Mold is also well-adapted for growing in a warm, moist environment. If you put the bread in a cupboard or breadbox that's warm, you're providing a perfect place for the spores to grow.

5. You Can Prevent Bread from Getting Moldy

Putting your bread in the refrigerator will slow down the growth considerably. Unfortunately, fridge mold will eventually get to the bread, so your best bet is to put the bread in your freezer. Then, you can take out slices of bread as you need them, and either thaw them on the counter, or toast them lightly.

Preventing bread from getting moldy is a pretty easy task, but fungus growth might be a bigger problem than you realize. If you think you have a mold problem in your Pottsville, PA, home, you may want to check with a professional to get an inspection.

Let Infrared Thermography Uncover the Mold Hiding in Your Building

7/12/2018 (Permalink)

Perhaps there is no visible mold on the walls or carpet, so you believe that your building must be free and clear of mold growth. Not so fast! You know that musty, dank smell that hits you square in the nose when you head down to the basement of your building in Pottsville, PA? That odor is typically a dead giveaway that mold is lurking somewhere out of sight. But what is responsible for that mold smell? Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) are gases produced by mold. While some gases may be odorless, others carry that unmistakable scent that tells you that mold is hiding somewhere inside your building.

When Should You Use Infrared Thermography for Moisture Detection?

That telltale fungus smell may tip you off to the presence of mold, so you may want to consider using an infrared thermography camera to look for water leaks and potential mold conditions. This can be a valuable tool in a number of circumstances:

• You believe doors or windows may be leaking.
• Your building suffered an event that caused substantial water damage.
• You suspect a plumbing leak.
• You want to check for wet insulation.
• Your new construction warranty is about to expire.
• You’re interested in buying a property with suspected moisture damage.

Technology Goes Beyond the Mold Smell To Reveal the Moisture. 

Infrared imaging may help locate your unwelcome tenant – don’t rely on that mildew smell alone. Employing an infrared camera is an efficient way to help detect moisture lurking behind walls, under floors, and even inside ceilings. Images of heat radiation that are invisible to the human eye help a trained technician identify moisture inside of walls and other hidden areas. When this information is used in conjunction with temperature measurements taken by the camera, a technician can determine whether the proper conditions to produce mold exist and take appropriate action.

Bring in the Professionals.

If a mold smell causes you to suspect water damage in your building even if you can’t see it, call on a qualified technician in Pottsville, PA, to utilize infrared thermography. Don’t take chances when it comes to mold growing out of sight.

For more information, please visit us at http://www.SERVPROpottsville.com.

Stopping Bathroom Mold Before It Starts

5/13/2018 (Permalink)

Unless you live in a highly humid environment, you’re likely to find mold in your bathroom before anywhere else. Even if you don’t have any leaks or flooding leading to water damage, you’re still dealing with splashing water, standing water, and humidity – all of which encourage mold to grow. So how can you prevent mold from springing up in your Pottsville, PA, home?

Steps to Prevent Bathroom Mold Growth

To keep your bathroom mold-free, just follow these simple steps for mold prevention:

1. Use your fan. The humidity after you bathe or shower can activate mold spores in the air and turn them into an active infestation. Run your fan during and after your bath or shower to remove humidity from the air.
2. Wipe down sinks, toilets, and shower walls. Condensation and splashes can accumulate on all these surfaces, and invite mold to breed.
3. Wipe down the bathroom walls and floors. These surfaces, too, are likely to sprout mold if water is left condensed or puddled too long on their surfaces, not to mention water damage weakening the drywall and tile to make it easier for mold to take root.
4. Frequently check your pipes and the seal around your toilet. Leaks also lead to water damage, and the more water damage you suffer, the more mold you’ll find.
5. Check and seal your grout. Grout is meant to act as a seal to prevent water from leaking past tile and into close, dark spaces full of things mold loves to feed on. Grout can age, though, and can crack. You should periodically check your grout and re-seal it as needed to ensure it’s watertight.

You can also speak to a mold remediation specialist. Even if you don’t actively have mold, a specialist can assess your bathroom and determine what areas could be problem areas – and provide invaluable pointers on managing them.

For more information, please visit us at http://www.SERVPROpottsville.com.

Mold Grows Faster Than You Think

4/27/2018 (Permalink)

Mold particles are attracted to damp surfaces, especially in areas of low air circulation. Spores will often start growing as soon as they’ve found a wet spot to land, resulting in rapid growth within 24 to 48 hours of any kind of water damage. Heavy rain in Pottsville, PA, can lead to flooded storerooms or utility areas in the lower floors of your commercial property. Quick assessment of any damage can be crucial to stopping the spread of mold growth.

Detect Issues Early

It’s not uncommon for moisture to go unnoticed for several days in some buildings. By the time there’s visible discoloration on ceilings or drywall, mold may have already been present for weeks. Business owners can catch potential infestations early by implementing good maintenance and observation practices:

• Thoroughly inspect the property for water damage following any significant rainfall.
• Keep up with regular maintenance on the roof to prevent rain seepage.
• Make sure plumbing is well maintained and contains no leaks.
• Educate staff on signs of mold growth.

Dry Out Wet Areas

Many people use fans to dry out wet flooring or walls, but it’s important to note that once mold has been attracted to a wet surface, it can still colonize even if moisture is eliminated immediately. Spores can feed on the surfaces they’re attached to, whether the surface is wet or dry.

Address the Problem Quickly

In as little as one or two days following a water incident, you may have an issue that will only escalate the longer it’s left unattended. Typically, the best option for mold prevention is to practice hyper vigilance of areas of the property where moisture may accumulate. Should you or your staff discover water damage to walls, ceilings, or floors, it’s likely mold has already started growing. Remediation experts can assess the damage and guide you in the most efficient ways of containing the infestation so it doesn’t spread during the abatement process.

For more information, please visit us athttp://www.SERVPROpottsville.com.

Mold Damage in Pine Grove

3/30/2018 (Permalink)

Finding Black Mold in Your Home

There are many different things that someone can do if they happen to unexpectedly find mold in their home. Unfortunately, it could be a sign of a much bigger problem than what they see at that present point in time, especially if they have found just one area that has the form of microbial growth in it.

What many do not necessarily realize is that if microbial growth is found in one area within a home's premises, it's very likely that there are more elsewhere. A mold cleanup specialist of the Pottsville and Pine Grove areas of the state of Pennsylvania will be able to arrive at your home upon making an appointment during the time that works well for you. 

Feel free to call SERVPRO of Pottsville if you have any questions about mold damage (570) 622-8991.

My Water Damage Caused Mold to Grow

3/30/2018 (Permalink)

Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed.

Otherwise, the mold may return. Continual leaking will cause the mold to grow more quickly the next time.

SERVPRO of Pottsville can also be refer you to an environmental hygienist as the work that they specialize in consists of them sanitizing the environment in which you live in. Should you experience any instances of smelly odor within any of your living areas, it is highly recommended for you to contact an environmental hygienist who specializes in determining the type of mold growth.

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.

What You Need To Know About Mold

3/28/2018 (Permalink)

When many homeowners in Pottsville, PA, hear the term ‘black mold,’ they automatically panic. However, black mold actually includes over 2000 species of mold, most of which are relatively harmless. The fact is, mold is everywhere. Related to mushrooms and yeast, mold is a type of fungus that decomposes decaying organic materials, like wood, plants and fallen leaves. Depending on the species of mold and its nutritional source, mold can appear:

• Black
• White
• Green
• Pink
• Yellow
• Blue

Where Mold Grows

Mold spreads by releasing spores into the air. These are like microscopic seeds that travel on the wind and they are found everywhere, outside and inside. If they settle in a damp area with available food, they will grow and replicate into a large mold colony.

If you have a moisture problem in your home, whether it’s a leaking pipe or a poorly ventilated bathroom, then you have the perfect conditions for mold growth. The paper in your drywall, your wood floors, even the fine layer of dust, shed skin cells and other microscopic debris found on concrete walls provide enough nutrition for mold to thrive if water is present.

How To Get Rid of Mold

Because mold spores are airborne, it’s virtually impossible to have a 100% mold free home. However, if you keep your home well-ventilated and free from leaks, you can usually avoid the type of moisture problems that lead to black mold growth. If you do notice a small amount of mold on bathtub tile, bleach-based over the counter cleansers may be sufficient to remove it.

If the mold returns, however, or if you find black mold growing elsewhere in your home, like on walls or carpets, around fixtures or in your basement or attic, you shouldn’t attempt to address the problem on your own. Instead, contact a mold remediation professional in Pottsville, PA. Sometimes a larger mold problem is lurking inside the walls of your home and a professional will know the safest and quickest way to handle a serious mold cleanup.

For more information, please visit us at http://www.SERVPROpottsville.com.

What To Do When You Smell Mold But Do Not See It

2/22/2018 (Permalink)

In many situations, a building owner will notice a distinct mold smell but not actually see it. This fungus smell is a serious issue in a commercial building because it prevents people from doing their jobs effectively. However, it is also entirely possible that the musty odor is coming from something else other than mold. The only way you can get any kind of peace of mind is if you hire a professional team in Pottsville, PA, to come out to inspect the entire property.

1. Contact a Professional Remediation Company

The last thing you want to do is tear your building apart trying to find the mold on your own. Mold can grow in some precarious places, such as the basement and attic. It may be dangerous for you to try to access these areas on your own, so instead, have a professional who knows what precautions to take to inspect the mold smell.

2. Use an At-Home Mold Testing Kit

There are mold testing devices you can acquire on your own when you notice a significant mildew smell. These kits are relatively inexpensive, so they are worth it as a preliminary measure to see if you have mold at all. They may tell you there is mold in the building, but they will not indicate where it is located.

3. Act Fast

Whether you want to test for mold on your own or hire professionals for the task, you need to do it quickly. It is very easy for your nose to become acclimated to various scents, and over time, you may not even register the pungent odor.

Mold can grow in crawl spaces, insulation and basements, so it is extremely likely that if mold ever grows in your building, it will be out of sight. Take care of a mold smell before it leads to greater complications.

For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROpottsville.com.

Does Insurance Usually Cover Mold?

11/28/2017 (Permalink)

Does Insurance Usually Cover Mold?

Mold and fungus growth is not often covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy in Pottsville, PA. If a home has a history of mold issues, mold coverage may be impossible to get. Part of the reason mold insurance is so rare is because of the level of damage this spore can do to a home. Not only can it be destructive, but it is also costly to remove. If you notice any signs of mold, it’s best to work with mold removal experts as soon as possible to help mitigate the damage done to your house.

Depends on the Damage Source

Some policies cover mold caused by certain water sources. For example, sudden catastrophes, such as burst pipes or sewer backups, are more likely to be covered than lingering maintenance issues. Your mold coverage likely will not include the following sources of water damage:

Continuous faucet leaks
Drainage problems in yard
Condensation buildup
Flood waters

Because coverage can depend on how the mold was caused, it’s important you investigate the source. This will help you figure out if the damage and cleanup is covered by your insurance policy.

Review Your Policy Regularly

Insurance policies can change as the years go by. Many providers choose to reword their coverage for fungus growth because this problem can spread so quickly in homes and lead to huge claims. In order to best understand your policy, you need to review it annually.

Look for a Change in Policy

You may be able to revise your coverage to get protection from the damage mold and fungus growth can do to your home. Some insurance providers may have a mold cap, which would limit the amount of mold coverage or the items the coverage pays for. Other providers may allow you to pay a higher premium for limited coverage related to mold. You should talk with your insurance provider in Pottsville, PA to learn more. Visit http://www.SERVPROpottsville.com for more information on mold.

Does your home have a mold problem?

6/23/2017 (Permalink)

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.
• 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.