Mold in your Home

3/18/2022 (Permalink)

The adverse effects of mold-growth?inside your home can be catastrophic and can cause health effects. ?It can cause debilitating problems to the value of a home and remediation can be costly. With that being said, it is no wonder that one of the most dreaded four-letter words you can utter in any home is mold. Detecting mold, however, is not as daunting as many may think. It can sometimes be as easy as looking at you’re A/C vents, smelling the air when you return from the grocery store, or even spotting discoloration underneath cabinets or on walls. 

SERVPRO of Monterey Peninsula specializes in: water remediation, flood mitigation, carpet cleaning, mold removal, fire damage, smoke clean up, disaster restoration, and air duct cleaning. SERVPRO of Monterey Peninsula is always here to help.? 

Conditions for Mold

3/18/2022 (Permalink)

It’s estimated that more than 1 million types of mold exist, yet less than 10 percent have actually been named. This means mold is very common in both indoor and outdoor environments. While mold and humans can sometimes co-exist without issue, there are certain species of mold that can cause health effects for some people. 

If the right conditions exist, mold will grow. ?Those conditions include: 

• Water - Different mold types require varying amounts of liquid before growth begins. ?? 

• Temperature - Normal indoor temperatures will promote mold growth. 
• Time - Initial mold colonizers can take hold within one day after being exposed to an adequate water supply. 

Mold growth can occur in any home, so it’s important to keep an eye out for situations that might promote mold activity. Roof/chimney leaks, wet basements, or condensation from ducts that dampen surrounding insulation are just a few examples of issues that make a house a prime target for mold growth. 

If you suspect mold in your home, call SERVPRO of Monterey Peninsula to assess the situation. We have the knowledge, tools, and track record to effectively remediate mold in your home or business. 

Contact us at 831-275-1901 

Mold Tips

3/18/2022 (Permalink)

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?Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey Peninsula 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 remediate your mold problem quickly and safely. 

Mold Myths

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

Its name evokes images of green rot. Mold is a menacing pollutant existing naturally in the environment. But it's the last thing you want growing in your home. 

Like most people, you probably know that indoor mold ruins homes and threatens health. And you might agree that the first step to eliminating mold is locating its sources. But do you know where to look for mold? Or even that using a popular disinfectant to clean it can do more harm than good? Chances are, you've been duped by these mold myths that should be laid to rest: 

A Clean Home is Mold-Free. 

A dirt-free home is no guarantee against mold infestation. Mold thrives in closets, dark corners, and drywall, a common construction material in homes today. Its microscopic spores sail through the air, so you can't see them or know where they land. 

Your home has no moldy odors. 

It's true that gasses produced by mold give off a musty odor. But it's false to assume that having no odor means your home isn't infested. Not all molds produce smells. And if mold is lurking in a basement, its smell doesn't enter the air you normally breathe. It's there, and you never knew it. 

Your home's basement never floods. 

Wet basements are a major source of mold. But they're just one of many in your home. Other mainsprings for mold are humidifiers, leaky pipes, dryers that vent indoors, bathrooms and cooking areas that aren't ventilated, even carpets in a basement. 

Bleach can remove mold. 

A powerful disinfectant, bleach wipes away mold on glass, metal, or plastic surfaces. But while its chlorine component doesn't penetrate to the sources of mold in drywall and wood, the water contained in bleach does. And--you guessed it--that water lingers beneath the surfaces, providing more than enough food for mold to grow. 

About US: 

SERVPRO of Monterey Peninsula specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke, or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.?Our management team has over 35 years of combined experience in the restoration industry.? 

Mold - What is it?

3/11/2022 (Permalink)

Understanding Mold 

When water intrudes into your property, mold growth can start in as little as 48 hours. Consider the following mold facts: 

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors. 
• Mold spores are microscopic, 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 that odor can lead you to possible mold problem areas. 
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent. 

About US: 

SERVPRO of Monterey Peninsula specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.?Our management team has over 35 years of combined experience in the restoration industry.?