Recent Mold Remediation Posts

SERVPRO Explains Mold Remediation Equipment and Methods to New Orleans Property Owners

2/24/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Says--Call Us for Mold Remediation in New Orleans

What You Should Know About Fixing Mold Damage in New Orleans To Save Your Home

Mold changes from a mere nuisance to a real problem if left unaddressed over long periods. Mold is a naturally occurring organism that helps in the natural decay processes. For mold colonies to develop, some factors like sufficient moisture, warmth, oxygen supply, and an organic food source must be present. Mold uses most organic materials as a food source so any time there is a spike in moisture levels, the risk of mold development increases. We offer remediation services that can help save your home from severe damages.
 
While mold damage in New Orleans homes is easy to spot if it develops on open surfaces such as walls and ceilings, it rarely starts developing in such areas. Mold is likely to proliferate in concealed areas such as wall cavities and crawl spaces because of moisture retention and limited monitoring. Presence of a musty smell in a house is one of the signs of mold infestation signaling the need for further investigation. Our SERVPRO technicians can help with evaluation. We have FLIR thermal cameras than help pinpoint moisture issues in concealed areas. We can also make test cuts on walls or ceiling to check for mold presence.
 
Different approaches can be useful in dealing with mold issues. The choice method mostly depends on the level of growth. Since the hyphae penetrate deep into organic materials in search of food, it might not be possible to save porous materials when heavily infested. In such cases, our SERVPRO technicians perform a controlled demolition to remove the porous materials. We create exclusions zones with plastic sheets or use negative air pressure machines next to the areas we demolish to prevent spreading mold debris to unaffected areas.
 
For light infestations or those that affect non-porous materials, cleaning is a practical solution. Cleaning solutions range from simple approaches like damp wiping the area to sophisticated ones like soda blasting. Our SERVPRO technicians are well-versed with all approaches allowing us to select one that presents the most benefits to you.
 
The complexities of mold remediation in Houma, Terrytown and Morgan City are more straightforward to navigate with help from a professional. Call SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank to help save your home. You can reach us at (504) 348-7526 any day.

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Understand and Prevent Bathroom Mold

9/22/2018 (Permalink)

Wall affected by mold in New Orleans, LA

Like it or not, drifting mold spores are all around you in New Orleans, LA. The damp, humid environment of your bathroom practically sends out a personalized invitation to the spores. Once it starts to grow, you notice unsightly black spots on your grout, walls or ceiling. If you have water damage in your bathroom, the mold growth may be faster and more significant.

Mold Prevention Techniques

Mold spreads at an alarming rate. Preventing spores from attaching in the first place is your best line of defense.

  • Stagnant, humid air encourages mold growth.
  • Use proper ventilation and air circulation in the bathroom as a preventative measure.
  • Consider using a dehumidifier or a small air conditioning window unit.

Some easy ways to increase air movement are running the exhaust fan or opening a window during and after a shower. Constant moisture on surfaces is an ideal breeding ground for mold. If you have ongoing water damage in the bathroom, such as a leaking toilet or pipe, address the problem immediately. Reduce the amount of moisture on shower walls by wiping the interior with a dry towel or squeegee after use. For shower curtains, use a liner that is mildew resistant, and wash or replace the liner at the first sign of a problem. Replace caulk when moisture becomes trapped inside.

Mold Remediation Steps

When preventative methods do not work, take steps to remediate the problem. For mildew on shower grout, clean the area with a household cleaner, vinegar solution or bleach. Do not attempt to clean mold that is extensive or has spread to the drywall, ceiling or other parts of the bathroom. Oftentimes in these instances there is more mold than is visible. Mold remediation experts use specialized equipment and containment procedures to safely remediate and restore the space.

Water damage, excessive moisture and lack of ventilation all create the perfect environment for bathroom mold at your home in New Orleans, LA. Take preventative steps in your bathroom so that mold does not form. If you already have mold, immediately take measures to eliminate the problem.

How To Find Mold Lurking Behind Walls

7/17/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Damage lurking behind walls and on flooring

Whether you're the owner of a big leaky warehouse, an apartment building, or another rental property in Slidell, LA, it's essential to ensure areas used frequently by people are mold-free to maintain a healthy environment as well as structural integrity. Even with no visible signs, mold may still be lurking behind walls or in the floors. Have you noticed a mold smell—that familiar musty scent found in many basements and attics? Gasses called microbial volatile organic compounds are released by mold, causing this familiar fungus smell.

If you suspect there is mold in your building, it's better to take care of the mold now before it has time to spread and cause further harm. Here are some ways to determine where moisture might be leaking in and how bad the damage may already be.

1. Utilize Scent-Detecting Dogs

Believe it or not, some dogs are trained to track mold smell. However, they cannot tell you the quantity or what species is present. Air samples may still need to be collected and sent to a lab to determine how dangerous the situation really is.

2. Remove Drywall

If you're gutting a building, you'll already be removing drywall. Even so, a visual inspection of drywall is not very accurate, as mold isn't always visible to the naked eye. If you detect mildew smell in your home, contact a professional to avoid unnecessary cuts in your walls or spreading of spores.

3. Use a Thermal Camera

Using a thermal camera is the most efficient and cost-effective strategy. Having thermal images taken and interpreted in Slidell, LA, can save you a lot of time and hassle while giving you a complete overview of the entire building. These cameras can "see" moisture through walls and floors because it has a lower temperature than the building materials.

Mold might seem like a headache, but it can be managed. Utilizing these methods, you can get that mold smell out of your life in no time!

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How Does Mold Remediation Work?

5/17/2018 (Permalink)

Find a Mold Remediation Specialist for your mold or mildew loss to assess your home or business

Once you’ve found mold in your home, your first instinct may be to just throw everything out and destroy everything contaminated. Yet you can still salvage some of your mold-contaminated belongings; more importantly, you can address the mold problem to stop its spread, and prevent further damage to your New Orleans, LA home from black mold and other pollutants.

The Mold Remediation Process

Mold remediation is a multi-step process, and only the beginning of a constant and diligent defense against reoccurrences of mold. For mold remediation, you must:

• Identify the source of the infestation. Water damage and continued leakage is generally behind most mold issues, as well as condensation and humidity. Find the source and address it.


• Use detergent and water to scrub any contaminated surfaces. This can work on non-porous surfaces to clean and kill the mold. Make sure to empty the bucket of soapy water somewhere outside, far from your house.


• If you’ve experienced a flood, dry out anything wet. Curtains, upholstered furniture, and other wet items should be taken out into the sun to air out and prevent mold growth. Dry the interior of your home as much as possible.


• Tear out and dispose of porous materials. Once your carpet has been infested with mold, there’s little saving it. Other items such as sponges, cardboard boxes, and fabrics may also be non-salvageable. You might even need to have sections of your drywall torn out if the mold is deep in your walls.


• Ensure containment. Use air purifiers and mold deterrents to isolate the infestation and prevent it from spreading further.


• Disinfect the area. Once you’ve scrubbed the mold up, make sure to use a safe disinfectant to appropriately clean the surfaces affected and ensure no contaminants remain.


• Find a mold remediation specialist. While these are initial steps you can take to immediately contain and control the damage, only a mold remediation specialist can truly assess the extent of your mold infestation and the steps needed to eliminate it.

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The Guessing Game of Mold

4/25/2018 (Permalink)

Mold damage in your commercial building can be dangerous to you and your employees

You might not want to admit that they've appeared, but those unsightly spots on the ceiling of your commercial building in New Orleans, LA, could actually be sign that you have a mold problem. What's more, tile mold could have taken up roost in your building long before you owned the property. So how can you address this tricky situation?

Know What To Watch For

Probably the first sign of infestation that you came across, tile discoloration is typically a red flag in indoor mold growth. Warped tiles are another sign that you may be dealing with a pesky fungal intruder. Whether it's water leaking from higher places or a humidity issue drawn out over time, tiles usually shouldn't look like they've been mossed over with mildew.

Beware of the Damp

When you add moisture to the equation, it could only be a matter of time before mold spores begin to spread. Water damage and moisture in general can affect the following locations in particular:

• Underneath grouting
• Leaky pipes
• Behind sinks

If your tile mold problem becomes overwhelming, there's always the option of calling in the help of a mold remediation specialist to address the hard parts.

Don't Delay

As with many moldy situations, it is usually a wise choice to go ahead and tackle the issue right away. You can also begin looking at tile replacements in the process. Bringing in the help of professionals with tile reinstallation can help ensure that you finish it correctly the first time around. The longer you wait to address the issue, the longer your company's building is host to that annoying mold growth.

Though it may be burdensome at times, combating mold is an important step in keeping your commercial building a clean one. All indoor areas can be prone to tile mold, but with enough time and effort, you can wipe out the mess and reclaim your space.

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What Is the Difference Between Mold Removal and Remediation?

3/24/2018 (Permalink)

Drywall removed affected with Mold

As a homeowner, one of the greatest challenges you might encounter in your New Orleans, LA, home is how to get rid of mold. Black mold and other types of fungi can be caused by a variety of issues, most of which are related to water problems around your residence. A mold cleanup and remediation company can help you remove this substance from your home; however, knowing the difference between removal and remediation can give you greater peace of mind as your dwelling is being treated.

Remediation Must Come First

Before mold specialists can perform mold cleanup, they need to discover what is causing it. They may inspect a variety of spaces to look for water leaks:

" Under kitchen and bathroom sinks
" In basements
" Around outdoor water lines

Mold remediation can help your techs discover the source of mold growth so they can target it for removal later.

Air Cleansing

The second step mold techs may take in remediation is to purify the air while they work on containing any mold they discover. Using filtration machines with HEPA filters can help trap mold spores in the air, which may slow any spreading. It may help you breathe easier too, as mold can create an unpleasant smell.

Mold Removal

Once mold is identified, it can be removed. Whether your techs are dealing with black mold or some other strain, they have the know-how to dismantle and pull out damaged building materials, including insulation and drywall. They can also advise you about replacing these items and whether any items stored in affected areas will need cleaning and restoration.

Discovering you have a mold problem in your New Orleans, LA, home can be disconcerting, particularly in the case of black mold. However, when you understand the difference between mold removal and remediation, you can feel more confident about the steps for your home's treatment.

Visit us at http://www.SERVPROtheneworleanswestbank.com for more information. 

What Is Mold Containment?

2/15/2018 (Permalink)

Have you been struggling with outbreaks of mold in New Orleans, LA? If the infestation is more than surface deep, you need professional mold cleanup services. Mold contamination often goes much deeper than you can detect, and mold spores of an active colony spread rapidly. 

Professional Remediation 

A company specializing in mold cleanup follows approved processes to get rid of your mold problem:

  • Thorough inspection of the property
  • Mold containment 
  • HEPA filters 
  • Removal of contaminated materials
  • Cleanup and sanitization of the area
  • Restoration work

One of the most critical and overlooked steps in the remediation process is the containment phase.

The Importance of Containment

Mold spores are microscopic, and just the slightest breeze sends them floating away. It’s impossible to stop them all, but containment procedures greatly reduce the spread.

Mold cleanup activities kick up a lot of dust. Without containment, mold spores thrown into the air settle in new areas and form new colonies. Mold can take hold and spread roots in as little as 24 hours.

For more mold information visit www.SERVPROtheneworleanswestbank.com.

Two Types of Containment for Mold Remediation

2/15/2018 (Permalink)

For smaller jobs, a limited containment strategy is adequate. Polyethylene sheets seal off access to the infected area. A fan exhausts air from the room through a tube creating negative pressure. The fan creates a condition where molds cannot leave the region, and crews safely perform their work. 

For large projects where infestations extend through whole sides of buildings, a full containment system is necessary. Two layers of Polyethylene sheets seal the work zone, and all air vents and ducts are also sealed. Negative pressure keeps the area secure and traps the mold where crews can clean it. 

Failure to Contain Mold

You may have attempted to clean up mold yourself and found recurring infestations. You need properly trained remediation experts to help you. Equipped with the right containment apparatus, they are more likely to stop the spread of new molds while also cleaning the infected areas.

You can learn about our other services by visiting www.SERVPROtheneworleanswestbank.com

The Mold Cleanup Process

12/21/2017 (Permalink)

Finding Mold in Your Home

If you do discover mold in your home, don’t panic; a total demolition is not necessary. Focus your mold remediation efforts on the problem area where moisture is prevalent and visible mold is growing. The problem needs to be dealt with at its source, and the water needs to be eliminated.

After all visible mold has been effectively removed and moisture management systems have been put in place, the air needs to be cleaned. Remediation specialists have equipment specially designed to help remove airborne mold spores, such as HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters.

Proper safety gear should always be used. This includes a high-quality, high-filtration face mask, gloves and sometimes a full protective suit. Mold professionals will seal off the area during mold cleanup to help prevent the spread of black mold to other areas. They use negative air containment to pull fresh air into the area and push contaminated air out. In most cases, they also use antimicrobial chemicals.

Discovering mold in your home can be scary and disheartening. Trust professionals to come in make sure the job is done right. Visit http://www.SERVPROtheneworleanswestbank.com for more information on mold.

How can its growth be stopped?

12/21/2017 (Permalink)

While the spores that grow into mold are always present, indoor mold, like black mold, requires moisture to grow. This means controlling the level of the humidity in your house can help stop mold growth.

How can it be cleaned?

Mold can spread quickly if left unattended. For the reason, you should strive to clean up any mold you find as quickly as possible. Because this fungus can be a little tricky, it’s usually suggested you hire a professional cleanup and restoration service.
Where does mold hide? Because mold grows in warm, damp area, it may not always be out in the open. Look for this fungus behind wall paper, in crawlspaces, in attics, around pips, inside ductwork and underneath carpets.

If you have a black mold problem in your New Orleans home, you have a lot to learn about this potentially devastating fungus. Working with experts can help make your interaction with mold less stressful.
Visit http://www.SERVPROtheneworleanswestbank.com for more information on mold.

Understanding the Science Behind Molds and Mold Remediation

12/1/2017 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation

There is no such thing as mold removal, at least not in its entirety. Mold spores are everywhere just waiting for the right conditions to grow. That is why black mold can never be fully removed. Professional mold remediation specialists in New Orleans, LA understand the science behind this fungus and can help restore your home.

The Remediation of Mold

If you are already aware of a mold problem, you do not need to have your home inspected or tested; you already know the problem exists. All visible mold needs to be addressed, regardless of what kind of mold you are dealing with.

There are five principles of successful remediation projects:

Safety
Assessment
Contamination control
Source removal
Moisture removal

The basic principles apply whether you are dealing with black mold or some other variety.

Visit http://www.SERVPROtheneworleanswestbank.com for more information on mold.

Quick Guide to Mold

12/1/2017 (Permalink)

Quick Guide to Mold

As a homeowner in New Orleans, LA you may have a lot of questions about mold. Black mold is known for causing damage to structures, but how does it grow? Can you completely eliminate spores from your home through mold cleanup? Is an elimination of a moisture problem enough to stop mold? Find the answers to these common questions below and get your more technical queries answered by remediation experts.

How does it grow? Mold needs a warm, moist environment to thrive. The spores of the fungus land on damp surfaces in your home and start to spread quickly. Indoor mold should be avoided, but the fungus that grows outdoors actually helps break down dead organic matter.

Can all spores be eliminated? It is impossible to get rid of all mold spores. The air and dust in your home is filled with spores so small the naked eye can’t see them. It’s completely normal for these spores to exist.
Visit http://www.SERVPROtheneworleanswestbank.com for more information on mold.