Preventative Measures to Avoid Mold in Your Home or Business

3/25/2024 (Permalink)

Sealed off entry way

Mold is not only unsightly but can also pose serious air quality problems and cause damage to your property. Preventing mold growth is essential for maintaining a safe and healthy environment in your home or business. Here are some proactive measures recommended by SERVPRO® to avoid mold infestation:

1. Control Moisture Levels: Mold thrives in damp and humid environments, making moisture control crucial in mold prevention. Keep indoor humidity levels below 60% by using dehumidifiers and ensuring proper ventilation in bathrooms, kitchens, and other moisture-prone areas. Repair any leaks promptly and address water damage immediately to prevent moisture buildup.

2. Proper Ventilation: Good ventilation is essential for reducing humidity levels and preventing mold growth. Ensure that bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms are adequately ventilated with exhaust fans or open windows when cooking or showering. Use air conditioning units and fans to improve air circulation throughout your home or business.

3. Monitor Indoor Humidity: Invest in a hygrometer to monitor indoor humidity levels regularly. Ideally, indoor humidity should be between 30% and 50% to discourage mold growth. Take appropriate measures to reduce humidity levels if they exceed the recommended range, such as using dehumidifiers or increasing ventilation.

4. Address Water Intrusion Promptly: Any water intrusion, whether from leaks, floods, or plumbing issues, can lead to mold growth if left unaddressed. Inspect your property regularly for signs of water damage, such as dampness, discoloration, or musty odors, and address any issues promptly. Dry wet materials and surfaces thoroughly within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

5. Clean and Maintain Gutters: Clogged gutters can lead to water backup and moisture intrusion, creating an ideal environment for mold growth. Clean your gutters regularly to ensure proper drainage and prevent water from pooling around your home's foundation. Consider installing gutter guards to minimize debris buildup and reduce maintenance.

6. Seal and Insulate: Proper insulation and sealing can help prevent condensation and moisture buildup, reducing the risk of mold growth. Inspect and repair any gaps or cracks in your home's exterior, foundation, windows, and doors to prevent water intrusion. Additionally, ensure that attics, basements, and crawl spaces are adequately insulated to prevent temperature fluctuations and moisture buildup.

7. Maintain HVAC Systems: Regular maintenance of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is essential for preventing mold growth. Clean or replace air filters regularly, inspect ductwork for leaks or moisture buildup, and schedule professional HVAC inspections and cleanings annually to ensure optimal performance and indoor air quality.

8. Keep Indoor Spaces Clean: Regular cleaning and maintenance of indoor spaces can help prevent mold growth by removing dust, dirt, and organic matter that mold thrives on. Vacuum carpets and upholstery regularly, clean and disinfect bathrooms and kitchens frequently, and remove clutter to improve air circulation and reduce moisture buildup.

By implementing these preventative measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of mold growth in your home or business and maintain a safe and healthy indoor environment for your family, employees, and customers. However, if you suspect mold growth despite taking these precautions, it's essential to contact us at SERVPRO to assess the situation and address the problem promptly and effectively.

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Getting Rid of Mold in Your Bathroom

5/2/2022 (Permalink)

Your bathroom is the number one room in residential and commercial buildings susceptible to mold growth. Mold can be found indoors and outdoors; however, it is more dangerous to people's health when found indoors. At the first sign of mold's toxic fungus, action needs to be taken to help prevent the rapid spread of mold spores. 

Bathroom Ventilation and Moisture

Bathrooms develop a great deal of moisture from showers, baths, and the humidity in the air. This is what causes mold spores to grow. Without proper ventilation, the wet areas of the bathroom do not dry properly leaving a perfect opportunity for mold spores to colonize and spread throughout the room.

Flood Damage and Mold Growth in Bathrooms

Bathrooms, much like kitchens, are prone to floods and water damage in both residential and commercial property. It takes only 48 hours for an untreated area exposed to excess moisture to develop colonized mold spores. Mold can damage residential and commercial properties, but it is more detrimental to commercial property because it can cause a business to have to close down for repairs. Interrupting the flow of business can cost more than the necessary mold remediation to remedy the problem.

Mold Removal Products 

Mold is hazardous to the inhabitants of any residential or commercial property. Remedying the issue is not as simple as one would like it to be. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning, Restoration Certification (IICRC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggest mold in an excess of three square feet should be remediated by a licensed and certified mold remediation firm immediately at the onset of mold spore growth. Certified firms are recommended because they are more likely to follow the IICRC S520 guidelines for mold remediation. The IICRC S520 guidelines were designed to protect the technicians performing the mitigation and the property's inhabitants. 

A bathroom with a mold outbreak is likely to have a reoccurrence even after remediation. The best way to prevent this from happening is to address the moisture issue before hiring a remediation expert to treat the infected space. Without addressing the overall moisture issue, mold will continue to reappear and cost you a great deal of money in damages. 

There are many companies with the ability to remediate your bathroom space; however, SERVPRO is one of the leading remediation experts in the country. They have a reputation for providing great customer service. If you have any additional questions about mold and how to treat it, you can consult with SERVPRO. They will give you all the information you require.    

Mold and Wallpaper how can SERVPRO of Biloxi, Ocean Springs, & Gulfport help?

9/25/2018 (Permalink)

Are you flipping a house? Do you find a lot of older homes have wallpaper? The wallpaper trend was very popular when those older homes were being built. Fast forward 20 years and you start to take that wallpaper off the walls and you see “Mold”. This is due to the long term moisture that could be trapped behind the wall paper and the sheetrock. This is more common in humid areas of the home such as in a bathroom.  Below is a picture that shows where the moisture was trapped behind the wallpaper and caused “Mold”. This is due to it not being able to dry properly.

***Please note that we do not know it is mold by just looking at it; to properly and scientifically say it is mold an Air Quality test needs to be performed to verify.

What is Black Mold? SERVPRO of Biloxi, Ocean Springs, & Gulfport can help

9/19/2018 (Permalink)

Black Mold, What is It? | SERVPRO of Biloxi / Ocean Springs / Gulfport

SERVPRO of Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Gulfport, & Pascagoula is an IICRC Certified Firm

9/19/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Gulfport, & Pascagoula is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written compliance policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration, and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

Does Your Gulf Coast Home or Business Have A Mold Problem?

9/19/2018 (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.

Highly Trained Restoration Specialists

Our SERVPRO Professionals are highly trained in property restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO's Corporate Training Facility to regular IICRC industry certifications, our Professionals are equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. The SERVPRO training program includes the follow:

• IICRC Training
• Employee Certification Training
• Initial Franchise Training
• e-Learnings
• Continuing Education Classes

Removing Mold from your Bathroom

8/14/2018 (Permalink)

Your bathroom is the number one room in residential and commercial buildings susceptible to mold growth. Mold can be found indoors and outdoors, however, it is more dangerous to people's health when found indoors. At the first sign of mold's toxic fungus, action needs to be taken to help prevent the rapid spread of mold spores. 

Bathroom Ventilation and Moisture

Bathrooms develop a great deal of moisture from showers, baths, and the humidity in the air. This is what causes mold spores to grow. Without proper ventilation, the wet areas of the bathroom do not dry properly leaving a perfect opportunity for mold spores to colonize and spread throughout the room.

Flood Damage and Mold Growth in Bathrooms

Bathrooms, much like kitchens, are prone to floods and water damage in both residential and commercial property. It takes only 48 hours for an untreated area exposed to excess moisture to develop colonized mold spores. Mold can damage residential and commercial property, but it is more detrimental to commercial property because it can cause a business to have to close down for repairs. Interrupting the flow of business can cost more than the necessary mold remediation to remedy the problem.

Mold Removal Products 

Mold is hazardous to the inhabitants of any residential or commercial property. Remedying the issue is not as simple as one would like it to be. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning, Restoration Certification (IICRC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggest mold in an excess of three square feet should be remediated by a licensed and certified mold remediation firm immediately at the onset of mold spore growth. Certified firms are recommended because they are more likely to follow the IICRC S520 guidelines for mold remediation. The IICRC S520 guidelines were designed to protect the technicians performing the mitigation and the property's inhabitants. 

A bathroom with a mold outbreak is likely to have a reoccurrence even after remediation. The best way to prevent this from happening is to address the moisture issue before hiring a remediation expert to treat the infected space. Without addressing the overall moisture issue, mold will continue to reappear and cost you a great deal of money in damages. 

There are many companies with the ability to remediate your bathroom space; however, SERVPRO is one of the leading remediation experts in the country. They have a reputation for providing great customer service. If you have any additional questions about mold and how to treat it, you can consult with SERVPRO. They will give you all the information you require.    

Air Quality

8/9/2018 (Permalink)

Here are some things to consider from the American Lung Association about air quality in your home:

• Is anyone smoking indoors? No one should smoke indoors.

• Can you see or smell mold or mildew? 

• Is the humidity regularly above 50 percent?

• Are there leaks or standing water anywhere—kitchen, basement, attic?

• Are all fuel-burning appliances (gas stoves, water heaters, fireplaces) fully vented to the outdoors?

• Is there an attached garage or basement where cars, lawnmowers or motorcycles are stored?

• Are household chemicals, paints or solvents stored indoors or in an attached garage or basement?

• Have you recently remodeled or added new furniture, carpeting or painted?

• Do you use odor-masking chemicals or "air-freshening" devices?

• Has kitchen or food garbage been covered and removed?

• Have you used pesticides recently?

  If you have an ongoing air quality issue, call SERVPRO of Biloxi for further consultation. We have a staff of professionals, certified in all aspects of deodorization and microbial remediation.