Recent Mold Remediation Posts

Mold Cleanup in Commercial Buildings

6/12/2023 (Permalink)

Commercial Building

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 or business through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems.
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.

SERVPRO of Leavenworth and NW Wyandotte County

913-772-1818

Does your Leavenworth home have a mold problem?

4/5/2018 (Permalink)

In Leavenworth, mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.

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 –

SERVPRO of Leavenworth & NW Wyandotte Co. 

913-772-1818

What would you use to clean mold?

12/13/2017 (Permalink)

Mold growing on porous drywall

If I asked you, “What would you use to clean mold?”  What would your answer be?  If you are like most people, bleach would be your first choice.  That is understandable; at one time this was the recommendation of the EPA in their publication A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home.   However, the last printing of this guide states: “The use of a biocide, such as chlorine bleach, is not recommended as a routine practice during mold remediation” Despite that change, the belief that bleach is still the “go to” for many attempting to remove mold has not changed.

Part of the problem is, bleach containers list that they are effective against mold when used as directed.  However the directions state: 

For use on hard, nonporous, pre-cleaned surfaces

Remediation of mold requires cleaners that can reach deep down into wood and other porous building materials to get to the roots of the mold. The properties of bleach prevent its active ingredient from soaking into these materials, so the roots remain. In addition household bleach is 99% water, so you may be giving mold the moisture it needs to survive.  The spores that remain may root stronger and deeper and many times will return worse than before.

As water and mold damage specialists SERVPRO of Leavenworth & NW Wyandotte County has the experience, the expertise, and the advanced training that enables us to get your property restored quickly and thoroughly.

For more information visit:

http://www.SERVPROleavenworthnwwyandottecounty.com/mold-remediation

View the publication A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home here:

http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html 

If you have any questions about mold give us a call today! 913-772-1818

Consumer Reports - Testing for Mold

10/19/2017 (Permalink)

Mold on walls & basetrim

Consumer Reports recommends against using mold test kits. "All those we’ve tested have had major problems and are not reliable. What’s more, testing, to be accurate, should be done by and Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) or an Industrial Hygienist (IH).  These professional have the ability to test in a manner that gives an accurate representation of the environment of the structure.  Clearance testing after mitigation should also be a part of the protocol to confirm the effectiveness of the mitigation.  

Testing not performed by the mitigation company handling the work adds a level of accountability to the project, and insures the building owner of properly mitigated mold damage.

Follow this link to the Consumer Reports Article: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2007/04/be-on-the-lookout-for-mold/index.htm 

Give us a call today! 913-772-1818

Consumer Reports recommends against using mold test kits.

8/19/2015 (Permalink)

" Identifying the mold species growing in your home is less important than eradicating it."

Consumer Reports recommends against using mold test kits. "All those we’ve tested have had major problems and are not reliable. What’s more, testing, to be accurate, should be done by and Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) or an Industrial Hygienist (IH).  These professional have the ability to test in a manor that gives a accurate representation of the environment of the structure.  Clearance testing after mitigation should also be a part of the protocol to confirm the effectiveness of the mitigation.  

Testing not performed by the mitigation company handling the work adds a level of accountability to the project, and insures the building owner of properly mitigated mold damage.

Follow this link to the Consumer Reports Article: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2007/04/be-on-the-lookout-for-mold/index.htm