Home Mold Prevention. Call us 516-620-4579. We are here to help!

9/30/2022 (Permalink)

Now that we have discussed what mold is, let’s discuss how we can prevent it from occurring in our homes!

Mold Prevention:

When trying to take preventative measures against mold growth in your home, the key is to control excessive moisture and condensation. Keeping areas in your home clean and dry that are especially susceptible to moisture and dampness is of the upmost importance. There are three main factors which will contribute to condensation of water on surfaces:

Relative Humidity:

Condensation will occur when air is saturated with water and cannot hold any more moisture. Steam from hot showers or cooking commonly fill the air with moisture which will then condense into droplets of water on cooler surfaces. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers are great tools in controlling the humidity in your home.

Temperature:

Warm air holds more moisture than cold air. When humid air comes into contact with a cold surface condensation occurs. Condensation particularly occurs on north facing walls if they are not properly insulated. Cold water pipes should be covered with insulation to prevent condensation

Poor Ventilation:

Indoor humidity can build up if there is not enough ventilation to exchange indoor and outdoor air. This can lead to increased condensation and mold growth. Air should be allowed to circulate between rooms to remove humid air.

These are just some of the many ways we can begin to prevent mold from forming in our homes. Little precautions such as these are crucial as mold remediation can be a costly affair that is not often covered by insurance companies. Should you have any questions about mold do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Garden City/Hempstead!

Have A Moldy Situation? Call us today! 516-620-4579

11/8/2021 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation is One of Our Primary Areas of Expertise at SERVPRO of Garden City/Hempstead

We have the training and experience to contain the infestation, scrub health-threatening spores out of the air, remove the contaminated materials, and help prevent future microbial growth.

Have A Moldy Situation?

Imagine you were cleaning out a storage closet, and you found mold growing on the back wall. A number of situations may have created an ideal situation for microbes to grow in this closet. Once you identified and resolved the source, you would still want to contact a professional to mitigate the mold and ensure healthy air for your home or office. Healthy air for all to breathe.

Containing the Infestation.

When we begin a mold job, our first concern is to contain the mold infestation. The mold you can see is only a small part of the danger posed to building occupants. Mold reproduces by releasing invisible spores into the air. Therefore, we begin by preventing air from the contaminated area traveling to other parts of the building.

Scrubbing Mold Out of the Air.

Each job is unique in its challenges and solutions. However, in most cases, our mold mitigation team will set up a containment barrier and create a “negative air” situation inside the infested area. A “negative air” situation is essentially a vacuum that ensures air only flows into and not out of the contained area while the air scrubbers filter the spores and other contaminants from the air.

Removing Contaminated Materials.

Organic materials like drywall, carpeting, and ceiling tiles must be removed and discarded once they become contaminated with mold. This is why we encourage our customers to contact us immediately after a water loss to dry all the materials before microbial growth begins. Blowing a fan across moldy materials hoping to dry them and save them spreads mold spores in the air and may increase the health risk to building occupants.  

Inhibiting Future Growth.

We can never promise to prevent all future mold growth. Mold spores are everywhere in the atmosphere, and they take root and thrive whenever they find the perfect mix of moisture, food (organic materials) and temperature. However, we have several SERVPRO products that discourage microbial growth. Once your moldy materials have been removed and the air has been scrubbed to reduce the concentration of spores, we can apply one of these anti-microbial agents to help protect your building’s structural elements.

When You See Mold, Call ASAP!

Remember you cannot see the biggest threat that mold presents. Call SERVPRO of Garden City/Hempstead at 516-620-4579 for a free estimate and advice about protecting yourself and others until the mold is removed and the air is clean again.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today!

9/22/2021 (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 Garden City/Hempstead 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 Garden City/Hempstead 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.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (516) 620-4579

Got Mold? SERVPRO of Garden City/Hempstead Can Help!

4/4/2019 (Permalink)

MOLD - the 4-letter word no homeowner or business owner ever wants to think about. However it is something that many homeowners will have to deal with at one time or another.

Be Informed about Mold:

Excessive amounts of mold and certain types of mold may present health concerns for you, your family, your tenants or your clients. It is essential for the health of those around you, as well as the protection of your property, to address the issue and arrange for professionals to conduct mold removal and mold remediation as soon as the presence of mold is identified.

What Causes Mold?

Water damage can cause mold growth in your home or business, therefore it is important to have your water damage cleaned promptly and professionally.

What are the signs of Mold?

Signs of the presence of excessive mold include:
* The presence of visible mold.
* Strong, musty odors.
* Any evidence of past moisture problems that might have caused undetected mold growth.
* Excessive humidity.

If you see signs of mold, call SERVPRO of Garden City/Hempstead at (516) 620-4579 as soon as possible. We are ready to assist you 24/7 for your mold remediation needs.

What Exactly Is Mold?

3/8/2018 (Permalink)

When it comes down to it, not many people actually understand what mold is. So what is mold?  Well, in this blog we are going to discuss just that.

What is Mold:

The word “mold” refers to a group of fungi that are very common on food or wet surfaces. This fungi will include the green mold that produces penicillin as well as the mold that you will commonly see on fruit, bread, or cheese as it spoils. Most molds you will find growing on damp building materials are actually found in soil and is adapted to grow on a wide variety of materials. In the outdoors mold will grow in soil, on plants, and on decaying matter. There are thousands of different types of this fungi we refer to as mold. These types will range from different moisture conditions as well as a vast array of different colors. Many times (but not always) there is a very musty odor that can be associated with the presence of mold. Live spores will act like seeds in spreading and forming new mold growths that we refer to as colonies under the right conditions. We are all exposed to a variety of fungal spores on a daily basis both indoors and outdoors. So how does this fungi we call mold find its way into our homes and buildings? Let’s discuss.

How mold enters a structure:

We now understand that mold and fungal spores naturally occur outdoors. Indoors, however, mold will require moisture in order to grow. This will commonly occur from water damage in your home or building. Water damage may appear in your home due to flooding, roof leaks, storm-driven rain, pipe leaks, damp basements, or condensation on cold surfaces. Fortunately, there are several ways in which to prevent mold growth which you can read about in our next blog!

Home Mold Prevention

3/8/2018 (Permalink)

Now that we have discussed what mold is, let’s discuss how we can prevent it from occurring in our homes!

Mold Prevention:

When trying to take preventative measures against mold growth in your home, the key is to control excessive moisture and condensation. Keeping areas in your home clean and dry that are especially susceptible to moisture and dampness is of the upmost importance. There are three main factors which will contribute to condensation of water on surfaces:

Relative Humidity:

Condensation will occur when air is saturated with water and cannot hold any more moisture. Steam from hot showers or cooking commonly fill the air with moisture which will then condense into droplets of water on cooler surfaces. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers are great tools in controlling the humidity in your home.

Temperature:

Warm air holds more moisture than cold air. When humid air comes into contact with a cold surface condensation occurs. Condensation particularly occurs on north facing walls if they are not properly insulated. Cold water pipes should be covered with insulation to prevent condensation

Poor Ventilation:

Indoor humidity can build up if there is not enough ventilation to exchange indoor and outdoor air. This can lead to increased condensation and mold growth. Air should be allowed to circulate between rooms to remove humid air.

These are just some of the many ways we can begin to prevent mold from forming in our homes. Little precautions such as these are crucial as mold remediation can be a costly affair that is not often covered by insurance companies. Should you have any questions about mold do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Garden City/Hempstead!

Different Types of Mold

11/16/2017 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Garden City/Hempstead we specialize in mold remediation. We have encountered several types of mold throughout the years as well as various levels of severity. In an earlier blog we discussed how you may be able to identify mold in your home. Here we would like to go one step further and break down the different types of mold that you may see in your home or business.

Penicillium:

This mold should be easy to recognize as it is usually green, fuzzy, and produces a musty odor. It’s most commonly found on wallpaper, fabric, or carpets containing moisture. 

Alternaria:

This mold is usually black and fuzzy growing in very damp areas of your home. While it is a plant mold, it can easily gain access to your home. More specifically, areas around window frames, underneath sinks, or near showers is where you will find this mold.

Aspergillus:

This mold is unique in that it has a surface appearance of a lighter yellow-green color, but a dark red or brown appearance underneath. You will find Aspergillus lingering in areas of extreme dampness or near areas containing a great deal of dust.

Cladosporium:

This mold will be easy to spot as it is generally a dark olive green color that can even turn black. While its most commonly found outdoors it can be picked up and carried indoors quite easily. Wood or textiles are where you will see Cladosporium as it is known to grow on porous surfaces. 

Stachybotrys:

Last but not least, we have the very easy to identify black mold. While the color can vary slightly it will almost always appear black. The odor is very distinctive and musty. It can appear wet or dry and almost powdery depending on the water source from which it grew. 

If you suspect that you have mold in your home do not hesitate to call us 24/7!

Signs of Mold

11/8/2017 (Permalink)

There are various types of mold that can occur in home or work place. Here are some signs to look out for that can help you identify if there is in fact an occurrence of mold.

Odor:

Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t there! Mold has a certain odor that can often be described as musty. If you think you might be smelling mold somewhere in your home do not hesitate to have a professional come in to officially test for it and provide you with a mold report.

Visual Mold:

While various molds may differ in appearance, they can be quite recognizable even to the untrained eye. However, sometimes mold can be small and almost look like something as simple as dirt on a surface. If you think you see mold you should address the situation immedietly as even small patches of mold will be quick to spread.

Water Problems:

Even if you have not had a full on water damage in your home or business, moisture can still occur leading to mold growth. Water leaks, previous flooding, and even condensation can all cause mold to occur.

Again, if there is any question of mold in your home or business call in a professional like us here at SERVPRO of Garden City/Hempstead to answer any of your questions or assist with quick and painless mold remediation (516) 620-4579!!!

Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

11/2/2017 (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 Garden City/Hempstead 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 Garden City/Hempstead 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.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (516) 620-4579

Does your home have a mold problem?

10/31/2017 (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.
• 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 Garden City/Hempstead