Keeping Mold at Bay: Essential Tips for Bay Area Homeowners

6/5/2024 (Permalink)

Living in the Bay Area offers numerous perks, but one challenge residents face is mold growth due to the region's humidity and moderate temperatures. As a SERVPRO committed to keeping homes safe and healthy, we understand the importance of mold prevention. Here are some vital tips:

1. **Control Indoor Humidity**: Invest in a dehumidifier to maintain indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50%.

2. **Ensure Proper Ventilation**: Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to expel excess moisture, and consider installing vent fans in attics and crawl spaces.

3. **Promptly Address Leaks**: Regularly check for and repair water leaks to prevent moisture buildup.

4. **Monitor Indoor Plants**: Properly maintain indoor plants to prevent water accumulation and mold growth.

5. **Clean Gutters Regularly**: Keep gutters clean to prevent water from seeping into your home's foundation.

6. **Use Mold-Resistant Products**: Choose mold-resistant building materials and products during renovations.

7. **Dry Wet Items Quickly**: Hang damp clothes and towels to dry, and use a wet/dry vacuum on wet carpets.

8. **Maintain Proper Exterior Drainage**: Ensure proper grading and install downspout extensions to direct rainwater away from your home.

9. **Inspect HVAC Systems**: Schedule regular inspections and maintenance to prevent mold growth in HVAC systems.

10. **Professional Mold Remediation**: If mold is present, seek professional mold remediation services promptly.

By following these tips, you can effectively prevent mold growth and maintain a healthy living environment in your Bay Area home. Remember, SERVPRO is here to assist you with any mold remediation needs.

REASON YOU SHOULD HIRE A MOLD REMEDIATION PROFESSIONALS

5/8/2023 (Permalink)

Mold is a serious problem that can cause serious damage to your home.

Mold remediation is a specialized field. It requires the expertise of not only a trained professional but also the right type of equipment and chemicals. The wrong type of mold remediator can make matters worse, so it's important to choose someone with the right skill set, experience, and certifications. Here are some reasons why you should hire a professional mold remediation company if you suspect mold in your home or business: 

Locate Hidden Mold more Easier

Although you can't see them, mold spores are everywhere, and they're microscopic. The moisture in your home can provide ideal conditions for this growth process to take place. If you suspect you have mold growing in your home and aren't sure how to remove it yourself, contact an expert who will be able to inspect your home for signs of mold growth and provide solutions for treating the underlying cause of condensation before it becomes a bigger problem.

Mold can be hidden in more places than you might expect. Mold can be found behind wall coverings, under carpets, within HVAC systems and ducts, in crawl spaces and attics—even high on the walls of your home.

Mold remediation professionals are trained to identify mold growth patterns inside buildings. They use tools like moisture meters and thermal cameras to pinpoint problem areas that may otherwise go unnoticed by homeowners who don't have those specialized skills or training.

Reasons You Should Hire a Mold Remediation Professionals

4/4/2023 (Permalink)

Mold is a serious problem that can cause serious damage to your home.

Mold remediation is a specialized field. It requires the expertise of not only a trained professional but also the right type of equipment and chemicals. The wrong type of mold remediator can make matters worse, so it's important to choose someone with the right skill set, experience, and certifications. Here are some reasons why you should hire a professional mold remediation company if you suspect mold in your home or business: 

Locate Hidden Mold more Easier

Although you can't see them, mold spores are everywhere, and they're microscopic. The moisture in your home can provide ideal conditions for this growth process to take place. If you suspect you have mold growing in your home and aren't sure how to remove it yourself, contact an expert who will be able to inspect your home for signs of mold growth and provide solutions for treating the underlying cause of condensation before it becomes a bigger problem.

Mold can be hidden in more places than you might expect. Mold can be found behind wall coverings, under carpets, within HVAC systems and ducts, in crawl spaces and attics—even high on the walls of your home.

Mold remediation professionals are trained to identify mold growth patterns inside buildings. They use tools like moisture meters and thermal cameras to pinpoint problem areas that may otherwise go unnoticed by homeowners who don't have those specialized skills or training.

Where To Check For Mold Growth In Your Commercial Business

4/4/2022 (Permalink)

After picture of a clean office.

As a business owner, you take care to be ready for all kinds of weather conditions. From heavy rainstorms and thunderstorms to extreme heat.  You are already aware that high temperatures paired with humid conditions will create an environment that is right for mold to establish itself in your commercial property, but did you know that the warm atmosphere indoors during winter is also attractive to these organisms? The best way to stay on top of a mold issue is to do regular inspections of your property for the sights and scents that spell trouble.

You will want to take a look around a day or two after extremely wet weather. Move machinery and office equipment, and look at the places where the walls join the floor and in the corners. Check out the ceiling closely, and if the lighting is bad, this is a great time to schedule an upgrade of your interior lighting so that you can catch a colony before it gets large. Mold will thrive in dark, moist, and unventilated places such as closets, warehouses, and office storage. Any places where there is, or has been, standing water that has soaked into materials of any kind are going to be places that can develop mold, especially if they are in warmer surroundings, and if your roofing or walls have experienced any kind of damage that can result in leaks, this is another prime area that could be in danger of infestation.

The best way to handle mold is to use preventive measures in the first place. Here are a few ideas that can help:

• Keep all workspaces well-ventilated
• Use a dehumidifier, especially during the more humid months
• Make sure exterior doors are properly sealed
• Organize all stored items on shelves, using the floor and walls as little as possible
• Don’t keep the cardboard in storage areas
• Remove any standing water immediately and dry the area completely
• Trim back shrubs and plants near structures, not allowing overgrowth

If you suspect that your home or business has developed a mold problem, SERVPRO of Burlingame, Millbrae is here to help; we are mold remediation specialists and experienced in the cleanup after water and fire damage, as well.

Ways to control the moisture in your home to prevent mold damage

2/16/2022 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation in Progress.

It’s that time of year when the climate is changing rapidly around us and moisture is filling the air. Many storms and rainfalls are causing flood damage and leaving their mark on homes and buildings. As the water sits and dampens furnishings and materials within the home, it creates an easy breeding ground for mold to live and produce. It’s important to take control of moisture immediately to prevent the growth of mold and mold damage. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gives some tips on how to prevent mold. 

• Ventilation in homes is essential. We see fans in bathrooms and kitchens many times used to ventilate the area. These are important in making sure that moisture does not get trapped in the room.
• Since bathrooms are constantly filling with moisture, it’s important to clean them with mold-killing cleaners.
• Be sure to clean furnishings or damp areas within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
• Watch out for any leaks present in the home. Whether it be through the roof, the walls or even the plumbing, this allows more moisture to enter the home and creates breeding grounds for mold.
• Many people don’t use carpets in rooms such as bathrooms or basements that are prone to flooding due to the fact that carpeting holds moisture easily. If carpeting or upholstery is damaged by water and is not able to be dried quickly, make sure to dispose of the property as it may be holding mold spores.
• Keep in mind that with the changes in the weather, humidity is likely to range throughout the day from the moisture in the area. Make sure that you’re keeping humidity levels as low as possible in the home. It is recommended to keep levels no higher than 50% throughout the day. Air conditioners or humidifiers can help with this.