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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Mold Remediation Blog Posts

13 Surprising Facts About Mold

8/23/2021 (Permalink)

Have you ever wondered what mold is and why it exists?

The mold invading your property is part of the Fungi Kingdom and is related to mushrooms, yeasts, and mold that develops on bread.

Mold is an efficient microorganism that our ecosystem uses to break down and clean up dying flora and fauna. Whether it's white or black mold, nature uses it to refresh the earth by removing dead organic matter.

Here are some other surprising facts about mold.

1. Only a small amount of moisture is needed to bring mold spores to life.

2. Colonies of fungus can develop within 48 hours after water damage occurs.

3. Mold spores are almost always present in the air around you, even indoors.

4. Air movement as slight as a cough or sneeze can send mold's microscopic spores into the air.

5. High humidity can encourage and support mold growth.

6. No matter how much mold cleanup you do, the colony will return unless the water source is removed.

7. There are over 100,000 varieties of mold.

8. Mold has an earthy and musty odor.

9. Mold eats organic materials, even inside your home.

10. Mold can look slimy, furry, powdery, or crumbly.

11. Molds from fungi have been used for thousands of years to create cheese.

12. One of the first antibiotics was discovered by using mold.

13. There are many types of black mold, and most of them are harmless.

Mold can be a pesky and persistent problem in any commercial building in Germantown, Tennessee, or Collierville, Tennessee. The layman can't tell which type of mold is invading your property. One thing you can be certain of when mold appears is that there's probably a moisture problem that must be dealt with. A mold removal and remediation team can stop the leak, remove the mold, and sanitize it to prevent future black mold growth. Stop mold from eating its way through your building by fighting back today.

The True Cost of Mold Remediation

8/23/2021 (Permalink)

Mold damage is costly, and the remediation efforts can run anywhere from $500 to $6,000.

If the problem is extensive, the cost can soar into the thousands of dollars price range. Working with local mold removal experts when you suspect or discover mildew growth in your home can save you time and money. Fast response means less damage you'll have to pay for.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Black Mold Removal 

The cost of mold damage cleanup varies considerably and is dependent upon several factors. Some factors that may influence the cost of remediation include the following:

  • The size of the area affected by the mildew.
  • Whether mold materials can be cleaned or need to be disposed of.
  • Whether mold has invaded your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
  • Whether mold developed after a flood that may have been contaminated by waste or other hazardous materials.
  • Your geographical region.

You can control the cost by hiring a professional to remediate the problem as soon as possible.

The Cost is Well Worth the End Result

Black mold may be toxic to a home's health, and if you discover it in your home, mold removal is a necessity, not an option. Mold of any kind can wreak havoc on a home's structure and irreparably damage drywall, lumber, and other materials. If allowed to go untreated, mold can even impact a home's very foundation.

Depending on the extent of the growth and damage, mold remediation can take just a few days or require months of your time and even demolition. However, the effort and cost are well worth it, as it means that the toxic growth is out of your home and no longer impacting its health.

If you suspect that you have black mold in your home, or if a mold inspection reveals its presence, contact SERVPRO of Germantown / Collierville. Your swift attention to the matter is in the best interests of your home and loved ones.

How Do I Remove Mold?

8/11/2021 (Permalink)

Removing Mold Starts with Removing Moisture

When mold gets into your home or office, you can't just remove the source of moisture. By then, it's too late. Mold without an active source of moisture can live for long periods without dying. You will have to call your local mold removal experts for mold damage remediation, fungus and mildew cleaning, and deodorization that will get rid of the smelly odor that often comes with mold damage.

To start the mold removal yourself, begin the mitigation process by cleaning your home or office regularly. Regular cleaning and deodorization help reduce the mold in the home, and commercial mold damage remediation process by limiting the places where fungus and mildew can grow. If you don't want to do the mold removal process yourself, contact SERVPRO of Germantown / Collierville for mold removal and deodorization services.

Tip: Keep mold at bay by dusting and vacuuming your home or office often. Over 80 percent of mold is found on dust particles. A HEPA vacuum cleaner acts as the best defense against mold. 

For additional information on mold removal and remediation contact, SERVPRO of Germantown / Collierville at (901) 755-3705.

What Do You Do With Mold Damaged Possessions?

8/9/2021 (Permalink)

If your home has experienced extensive water damage, there's a good chance many of your personal belongings have been affected. While wood floors, carpeting, and drywall can be replaced, many personal items carry a sentimental value that makes them irreplaceable. Not everything can be restored; however, resist the temptation to trash mold-damaged possessions until a mold remediation specialist in Germantown, Tennessee, or Collierville, Tennessee, has assessed it. You'll be surprised by what mold cleaning can restore.

What to Clean

Mold damage affects different materials in different ways. For example, porous materials, such as fabric, upholstery, carpeting, leather, plywood, canvas, and paper, suffer the most damage. Mold can partially digest some material or get lodged in tiny openings in the material, so it's challenging to get out. On the other hand, non-porous materials usually fair much better. When mold is only on the surface, it can come off with minimal effort through scrubbing. Generally, possessions made of the following materials can be cleaned without difficulty:

  • Metal
  • Plastic
  • Hardwoods
  • Glazed ceramics
  • Glass

What to Replace

While it may be possible to restore some items with mold cleaning, the cost to do so may make it more reasonable to replace it. For example, a favorite recliner has suffered severe water damage and mold growth. If a new recliner can be purchased for the same price as restoring it (or less), you may be advised to buy a new one. If the item in question isn't one-of-a-kind or of great sentimental value, you're better off replacing it.

What to Restore

Anything precious or unique is worth restoring. For example, a child's favorite toy, a handed-down leather jacket, rare books, or valuable paintings can potentially be restored by a restoration specialist. Even if you think the damage is too severe, wait until a professional has assessed the damage before giving up hope. A new, patented, hydraulic washing system by a company called Esporta can restore 90% of soft materials to a "food-grade" clean. While you may lose possessions to water and mold, SERVPRO of Germantown / Collierville can make sure you don't lose everything.

How Do I Get Rid of the Mildew on My Plants?

5/17/2021 (Permalink)

Whether flowering or fruit-bearing, bushy or prickly, plants can clear the air and generally bring personality to our homes. However, when plant mildew takes hold, you may worry your plant’s days may be numbered. Fortunately, getting mildew doesn’t mean the end of your plant. With a bit of effort and some things you can likely find around your Germantown, Tennessee, and Collierville, Tennessee, home, you can rid your plants of mildew.

About Powdery Mildew

One of the most common fungi to show up on plants is called powdery mildew. It can look a bit like a fine powder you can dust off. But it comes back again and again, coating leaves and giving your plant a dull look. Powdery mildew often:

  • It looks like white or gray spots
  • Prefers warm, dry environments
  • It shows up when plant foliage is dry

While mildew growth won’t immediately kill your plant, it’s a good idea to clear it before it gets out of hand and becomes a real threat.

Cleaning Powdery Mildew

Common grocery store items are your first weapon against plant mildew. Baking soda mixed with liquid soap and water sprayed on plants can neutralize mildew and be a preventative for new mildew formation, while spraying plain mouthwash on leaves can kill mildew spores. Milk offers a surprising antiseptic effect on powdery mildew. Mix one part to three parts of water and rub on leaves to relieve your plants from fungal effects. Watering your plants is another easy solution for powdery mildew, erasing the dry environment the fungus loves.

Plant mildew is an unsightly menace that, if left alone, can eventually leach nutrients from your plants and cause them to wither. Look for tools to eradicate the mold or contact a mold specialist. To learn about fungicides and other options to keep your plants beautiful, contact SERVPRO of Germantown / Collierville at (901) 755-3705.

3 Tips for Eliminating Mold in the Shower

5/17/2021 (Permalink)

Keeping your Germantown, Tennessee, or Collierville, Tennessee, home clean is probably a priority for you, even when juggling other responsibilities. However, some household chores can be more challenging than others, such as fighting shower mold. Humidity and moisture give this fungus a prime environment to grow mold, and it can be difficult to scrub away once it takes hold. If you are currently battling this issue, SERVPRO of Germantown / Collierville can provide you with strategies to get rid of the mold.

1. Try Baking Soda

While some commercial cleaners are designed to fight mold, many have strong odors and may not be gentle on your shower tiles. If you want to use an odor-free product and simple to use, mix some fresh baking soda with water until it forms a paste. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to create a pleasant scent. When the pasta is ready, spread it on moldy areas, let it sit a few moments, and scrub it away. Lastly, rinse the area thoroughly to ensure all the fungus is gone.

2. Use Vinegar

Using vinegar to clean away shower mold can be useful in two ways. First, it contains a level of acidity that inhibits further growth. Second, vinegar can eliminate the unpleasant, musty odor caused by mycotoxins, which are released by mold as it eats and grows. Add some undiluted vinegar to a spray bottle, coat the shower tiles, rinse, and dry them after an hour.

3. Call in Professionals

Some types of fungi, such as black mold, can be difficult to eliminate on your own. Calling mold removal and remediation specialists may be the best approach if dealing with stubborn or reoccurring mold issues, as knowledgeable technicians know how to banish stubborn fungi for good.

Battling shower mold in your Germantown, Tennessee, or Collierville, Tennessee, bathroom can be challenging. However, knowing which household items are effective against different types of fungi may eradicate for good. Contact SERVPRO of Germantown / Collierville at (901) 755-3705 for additional help with mold removal.