Mold May Be Lurking

3/23/2022 (Permalink)

This homeowner thought the area of their flooring was dried enough to lay a large area rug over the spot. It didn't take long for mold to grow!

We all know that mold damage can be a hazardous health issue. But, not all of us know how mold grows and how important a role water plays in mold growth. The truth is, when you discover water damage in your home or business, you are one step away from also having mold damage that can cause long-term harm to your structure.

Mold needs three things to grow;

• Water
• Food source - organic sources
• Oxygen

Mold can crow after finding water damage within 24-48 hours. SERVPRO of Franklin, Vance and Granville Counties is fast to begin the water removal process. By responding quickly, SERVPRO minimizes the water damage while also reducing the chance of having mold damage in your home or office spaces! 

Perhaps you thought your water damage was small and that you took care of everything yourself. Its possible that you didn't, and now mold may be lurking in hidden spaces! Give us a call if you suspect this is happening. We can be reached at 252-433-0005.

We're always here to help!

My Crawlspace Smells MUSTY!

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Increased moisture found in a crawlspace can lead to mildew and mold growth on insulation and wooden subfloors and joists.

We were recently contacted by a customer in Wake Forest, North Carolina who discovered mold in their crawlspace when working to get their insulation replaced. SERVPRO of Franklin, Vance & Granville Counties was happy to respond!

But, wait! How do you get mold in your crawlspace?!

Outside air coming through open vents is one culprit. The vents let in hot, damp air as well as water. When warm and humid air comes through vents into the crawlspace, it touches the walls, dirt floors, water pipes, floor joists and ducts. The condensation can form a musty smell and you can end up with mold and eventually even rot!

Next time you're checking things out under your house, be sure to look at the exposed dirt that’s in your crawlspace, as well as checking for plumbing leaks and groundwater leakage. If your ground isn't blocked by a plastic vapor barrier, moisture could be finding its way to your insulation and wooden subfloors or joists.

SERVPRO of Franklin, Vance & Granville Counties has the drying systems to get your crawlspace back to a healthy condition.

High Humidity, You Say?

3/13/2020 (Permalink)

High humidity is conducive for mold growth. Let SERVPRO of Franklin, Vance and Granville Counties assess your home or office for mold. Do you see mold? Do you have musty odors? Mold loves to grow indoors with humidity above 60%.

There are a few easy DIY things you can do yourself:
1. Keep bathroom exhaust fan running while taking a shower and for 20 minutes after getting out.
2. Buy an indoor thermometer that also monitors the humidity to be sure your indoors stay below 60%.
3. Take a walk around the outside of your home and look for clogged gutters, standing water around the foundation of your home, downspouts that aren't connected.
4. Buy an indoor dehumidifier that can self drain into a sink or drain.
5. Make sure you have a vapor barrier in your crawlspace covering at least 95% of the space.

These are some easy things you can check to decrease the indoor humidity and prevent potential mold growth. Always remember we are always here to help so give us a call at 919-339-4848 or 252-433-0005.

I found mold growing in my home

10/20/2018 (Permalink)

This picuture shows the high humidity coming from the HVAC vents.

SERVPRO of Franklin, Vance and Granville Counties has seen an increase this year with malfunction AC units. Please get your AC units inspected by HVAC contractor each year. Why you might ask? It is easy to prevent this scenario. This picture shows the humidity level being pumped into the home. This level of humidity can cause mold growth inside your duct work, on your walls, furniture and contents.  It is much cheaper to prevent by being proactive. In this home the mold was growing on cabinets, walls, woodwork and contents. The price to clean this mold is more expensive and the inconvenience is much more cumbersome than a simple HVAC inspection. But if it to o late and mold is growing give SERPVRO of Franklin, Vance and Granville a call and we can help! call us at 919-339-4848 or 252-433-0005

What you can't see Can hurt you!

9/19/2018 (Permalink)

Mold growth in laundry closet

If you can see visible Signs of Mold Growing there's a good chance that there is more Mold that you can't see.  Our Home Structures not only have Walls and Ceilings, but also have Cavities where Insulation is usually placed.  Mold Loves Dark, Damp and No Air Flow Places. Usually, Mold would first start in the Cavities and would slowly start to spread to the outer surfaces. When the Mold is Found it should be taken care of right away by a Professional! 

Control and Prevent Mold Growth by:

• Monitoring Humidity Levels in the Home
• Ventilating after the use of Showers, Laundry Dryers and the Cooking Areas
• Fixing any Leaks from Pipelines, Supply Lines, Windows and Roofs
• Properly Cleaning and Performing Professional Restoration Drying after any Water Damage

WHAT IS EFFLORESCENCE

4/18/2018 (Permalink)

Efflorescence on cinder block wall in basement.

Have you ever been down in a basement or crawlspace and saw white spots on the cinder blocks? I bet you immediately thought, oh that's mold. Well, probably not. What you are probably seeing is called Efflorescence. Efflorescence is a common problem in concrete and masonry block foundations. The white fuzzy stuff you see along the inside and outside of your basement wall is efflorescence. Don't worry, this annoying build up isn't hazardous; efflorescence is simply salt and can be easily removed with efflorescence removers and other cleaning techniques. More than anything, if you see efflorescence it means you have a moisture problem and if gone untreated can cause deterioration.

Three conditions must exist before efflorescence will occur:

• First: There must be water-soluble salts present somewhere in the wall.
  
  
• Second: There must be sufficient moisture in the wall to render the salts into a soluble solution.
  
  
• Third: There must be a path for the soluble salts to migrate through to the surface where the moisture can evaporate, thus depositing the salts which then crystallize and cause efflorescence.
  
  

All three conditions must exist. If any one of these conditions is not present, then efflorescence cannot occur.

If you think you might have a problem with Efflorescence or mold in your crawlspace or basement, give us a call at 252-433-0005 and let the experts take care of it for you.

CAN MOLD GROW ON WALLPAPER?

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

Here is some very interesting information that I wanted to share with you concerning you wall coverings and mold.

Many fungi can develop on building material in indoor environments if the moisture level is high enough. Among species that are frequently observed, some are known to be potent mycotoxin producers. This presence of toxinogenic fungi in indoor environments raises the question of the possible exposure of occupants to these toxic compounds by inhalation after aerosolization. This study investigated mycotoxin production by Penicillium brevicompactum, Aspergillus versicolor, and Stachybotrys chartarum during their growth on wallpaper and the possible subsequent aerosolization of produced mycotoxins from contaminated substrates. We demonstrated that mycophenolic acid, sterigmatocystin, and macrocyclic trichothecenes (sum of 4 major compounds) could be produced at levels of 1.8, 112.1, and 27.8 mg/m², respectively, on wallpaper. Moreover, part of the produced toxins could be aerosolized from the substrate. The propensity for aerosolization differed according to the fungal species. Thus, particles were aerosolized from wallpaper contaminated with P. brevicompactum when an air velocity of just 0.3 m/s was applied, whereas S. chartarum required an air velocity of 5.9 m/s. A. versicolor was intermediate, since aerosolization occurred under an air velocity of 2 m/s. Quantification of the toxic content revealed that toxic load was mostly associated with particles of size ≥3 μm, which may correspond to spores. However, some macrocyclic trichothecenes (especially satratoxin H and verrucarin J) can also be found on smaller particles that can deeply penetrate the respiratory tract upon inhalation. These elements are important for risk assessment related to moldy environments.

IMPORTANCE The possible colonization of building material by toxinogenic fungi in cases of moistening raises the question of the subsequent exposure of occupants to aerosolized mycotoxins. In this study, we demonstrated that three different toxinogenic species produce mycotoxins during their development on wallpaper. These toxins can subsequently be aerosolized, at least partly, from moldy material. This transfer to air requires air velocities that can be encountered under real-life conditions in buildings. Most of the aerosolized toxic load is found in particles whose size corresponds to spores or mycelium fragments. However, some toxins were also found on particles smaller than spores that are easily respirable and can deeply penetrate the human respiratory tract. All of these data are important for risk assessment related to fungal contamination of indoor environments.

Reference:
Aerosolization of Mycotoxins after Growth of Toxinogenic Fungi on Wallpaper
Brankica Aleksic, Marjorie Draghi, Sebastien Ritoux, Sylviane Bailly, Marlene Lacroix, Isabella P. Oswald, Jean-Denis Bailly, and Enric Robine
Appl. Eviron. Microbiol. August 2017 83:e01001-17; Accepted manuscript posted online 23 June 2017 ,

WHAT IS BLACK MOLD?

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

Stachybotrys chartarum is the type of mold often called “black mold” or “toxic mold”. Sensational news reports warn about the dangers of black mold and these stories can be alarming and confusing. Any mold in your home should be treated with caution – stay out of affected areas and don’t touch or disturb the mold.

How Do I Tell If It’s Black Mold?

Since many types of mold can produce allergens and irritants, you should contact a qualified mold remediation company regardless of the color or type of mold. In many instances, multiple types of mold can exist in the same house or structure. If you suspect that you have a mold problem, contact a SERVPRO of Franklin, Vance and Granville Counties immediately.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today 1-252-433-0005

Understanding Mold

When water intrudes into your property, mold growth can start in as little as 48 hours. Consider the following mold facts:

•  Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
•  Mold spores are microscopic, 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 toxins harmful to humans and pets.
•  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 that odor can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
•  Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent

How do I clean up mold?

4/2/2018 (Permalink)

I found mold, can I clean it up?

Mold is everywhere in the environment and depending on how bad it is and where the mold is located will determine the next steps.  Mold can cause issues when it is concentrated in an area, like inside a house.  In this house in Franklinton, NC the mold was heaviest in the bedroom which was affecting the living conditions of the home. Mold that is bad requires professional remediation from SERVPRO Franklin, Vance and Granville Counites.  We recommended to remove all the affected soft goods, clean the hard contents, and to remove all the affected structural issues.  In this house further investigation was needed as to cause of the mold due to the molded areas were also reading wet with our moisture meters. Mold optimal growing conditions are 68-80 degrees and humidity above 55%- which in this house was the case. It is interesting to note that there wasn't any active plumbing leaks or roof leaks. However, when SERVPRO of Franklin, Vance & Granville Counties technician opened the crawlspace door the cause was discovered- 3 feet of standing water in the crawlspace. Moisture always seeks a state of equilibrium between wet to dry. The best example that I have is think about  is when you are doing laundry and a wet sock falls into the laundry basket full of dry clothes- does the sock dry or does the dry clothes become wet and damp?  The wet is seeking a state of equilibrium to the dry.  So if the moisture is going from wet to dry and the humidity is high- it is a perfect opportunity for mold to grow.  Call us if mold strikes your home or business at 252-433-0005

Fungus at Gaston Lake

4/2/2018 (Permalink)

Unwanted mold in lake house

This mold fungus is beautiful to look at, but not in the wood floor at your lake home.  Due to high moisture in the wood floors as a result of a leaky backdoor, this beautiful mushroom grew. As I talked about in an earlier post about moisture always seeking a state of equilibrium, here is another example. SERVPRO of Franklin, Vance and Granville Counties can't stress hard enough about keeping your gutters clear of debris, downspouts and drainage pointed away from the foundation walls, keeping fallen leaves and pine straw away from the foundation, and having  a good vapor barrier in the crawlspace.  All of these will help in decreasing the chance of something like this happening to your home.  In this home, we had to repair the back door to prevent water infiltration, remove a section of hardwood floors, hepa vac and clean a good portion of the house, and run negative air and then air scrubbers to remove an airbourne particles. Call us today at 252-433-0005, we are always here to help! 

MOLD REMEDIATION IN HENDERSON NC

10/19/2017 (Permalink)

Mold on doorways in a house that has been vacant for some time.

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 Franklin, Vance and Granville Counties 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 Franklin, Vance and Granville Counties 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.

Why you should leave Mold Remediation to the Professionals

10/19/2017 (Permalink)

Mold in a house in Warren County, NC that had mold growth behind a fireplace mantle.

There are over 1,000 types mold found in North America. Did you know mold will eat just about anything? This includes metals, concrete, fabric and wood. 

People spend about 90% of our time indoors. This makes mold and it’s destructive nature a major concern for many of us. Search DIY mold removal on the internet and you will find tons of articles suggesting different ways to rid your home of mold yourself. One of the most common suggestions is spraying the mold with bleach or some other concoction aimed and killing it. Mold cleanup is not that simple.

The EPA ( United States Environmental Protection Agency) has come up with a rigid set of guidelines for mold removal. The Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings document recommends that you should only attempt to remove mold yourself if the area impacted is less than roughly a 3ft. by 3 ft. patch. Even in this instance you should first wear protective gear and fix any leaky pipes or issues that caused the mold damage. IICRC ( Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) does not recommend spraying but promotes removal of mold and proper air filtration. Major steps in a proper mold remediation process includes  analysis of the impacted area, thorough drying, fixing any causes of water and wetness as well as wearing  proper protective gear during the process.

Before you take the health and monetary risk of improper mold remediation review the EPA guidelines and contact your local Henderson, NC mold remediation and abatement professionals to have an analysis of the area. This will give you a better idea if your mold problem is a do it yourself project or not.

 As a trusted leader in the restoration industry, SERVPRO of Franklin, Vance and Granville Counties has highly trained technicians that are dedicated to responding faster to any size disaster. We provide 24-hour emergency service and have the training and expertise to handle your restoration and cleaning needs. "Like it never happened." Contact us for more information. 252-433-0005 or 919-339-4848

High Humidity Levels can lead to Mold

10/4/2017 (Permalink)

High Humidity that started in the basement and carried upward to the main level.

Due to the amount of rain we have been recieving the last few weeks, we at SERVPRO of FRANKLIN, VANCE and GRANVILLE have had increased mold related calls. Mold loves to grow in humidity above 60%, so please monitor your home and DO NOT turn off the heat or air conditioning! Some of the areas that you will typically find mold will be in your crawlspace or attic, in an unventilated bathroom, in cabinets near the floor or in a closet that doesn't get a lot of air movement. Older homes also seem to have a lot of mold growth due to the fact that they generally don't have central heat and air. If you have high humidity, we are here to help! Call us  at 252-433-0005 !

DIY water damage on Lake Gaston

8/1/2017 (Permalink)

Mold damage caused by DIY attempt to repair a water damage at Lake Gaston, NC

A homeowner had a water damage which they decided to mitigate themselves. By not having the technology of moisture meters and hydrometers, the customer thought it was dry, until they started seeing mold in various locations throughout the area. They even tried to clean up the mold with bleach several times, but it kept coming back. They finally called SERVPRO of Franklin,Vance and Granville Counties to get remediation done correctly. 
The moral of this story is  that "it is the water that you don't see that causes the problem." If you are questioning whether or not it is important to seek professional help when a water damage occurs, let this remind you that it is not always best to take care of things yourself. Give us a call at 252-433-0005 or 919-339-4848 so that we can alleviate your worries. 

Youngsville, NC: Does your home or business have a mold issue?

3/30/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Franklin,Vance and Granville Counties cleaning up mold in a Youngsville, NC business

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 – 919-339-4848 or 252-433-0005

Youngsville, NC: Does your home or business have a mold issue?

3/30/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Franklin,Vance and Granville Counties cleaning up mold in a Youngsville, NC business

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 – 919-339-4848 or 252-433-0005

Do I have mold?

8/23/2016 (Permalink)

Yes, you have mold!

This is a question we answer a lot. Mold is everywhere. The concern is when there is high levels of mold with your home. There are some precautionary steps you can follow.

1. Do you have a vapor barrier installed in your crawlspace? Are your basement wall leaking?  Install a 6 mil plastic in at least 90% of your crawlspace and keep the foundation vents open for air flow. If water is intruding from your basement walls, consider a French drain, or waterproofing the exterior walls.

2. Inspect the perimeter of your home for clogged gutters, put PVC tube extensions on the downspouts to direct water away from the foundation, remove  dead leaves and yard debris from the homes foundation

3. Bathroom exhaust fan should be ran while taking a shower and then at least 20 minutes after to help decrease the humidity.

4. Buy a thermometer with a humidity reading to monitor the indoor humidity level . Mold likes to grow with humidity above 60%

5. Run the AC or heat  when you are not at home

These are just a few things to consider to aid the prevention of mold. Call us and we will glad to answer any of your questions! Call SERVPRO Franklin, Vance and Granville Counties at 252-433-0005