So You Found Mold…Now What? | SERVPRO of Hattiesburg

2/21/2024 (Permalink)

Living with mold in your home is toxic and dangerous! Call SERVPRO of Hattiesburg today. We are Here to Help®.

We are all well-versed in the different threats that our homes face on a daily basis. Fire, floods and storms can take us by surprise at any time and leave serious damage in their wake. One threat that is not often talked about is mold, but it can also leave your home damaged, smelly and even hazardous. 

Knowing more about mold and how it spreads in your home can help you avoid a mold infestation in your house, and it can also help you jump into action faster if you do discover it unexpectedly. 

The 411 About Mold 

Did you know that mold is everywhere, both inside and outside your home? Microscopic mold spores float through the air and can easily get into your home through open windows or doors and even through your HVAC system. 

But mold spores don’t always turn into a mold infestation. Mold grows best in environments that are dark and damp, so places like your attic, basement and crawl space are all good candidates for an infestation.

If a few mold spores settle into one of these areas, they can grow into an entire colony 24 to 48 hours. Mold can also be really colorful. It can be any color of the rainbow and it can also have many different textures from slimy to chalky. Even though it can look and feel different, all mold tends to smell earthy or musty. If you notice this smell inside your home, it’s time to track down the source. 

How to Reduce Your Risk of an Infestation  

Controlling moisture levels in your home is the key to controlling mold infestations. Circulate the air often by running a fan or keeping your windows open in high traffic areas like bathrooms or your kitchen.

You should also be sure you are keeping your home’s humidity levels in an appropriate range. Between 30 and 50% humidity is often the recommendation for most homes. 

Another important way to reduce your risk of mold growth is to address any water leaks or water spots quickly. A single drip from a dishwasher may not seem like an emergency, but that drip can continue for a long time and can get under your floors or behind your walls. If that moisture isn’t cleaned up promptly, mold can start to grow within a day. 

Mold Mitigation Strategies 

If you do uncover a mold infestation in your home, avoid touching it and get us on the phone right away. Certain types of mold spores can be dangerous to inhale, so leave the investigation and the cleanup to the professionals. We will quickly contain the area and filter the air while we work on cleaning and sanitizing the area.

Mold can also cause structural damage to your home, especially if the infestation was left to grow for some time. We can replace structural beams and joists and handle any restoration needs that your space requires. 

Mold can grow quickly and quietly. Contact SERVPRO of Hattiesburg right away for a fast restoration. 

Mold and Wallpaper

1/13/2021 (Permalink)

Are you flipping a house in the Hattiesburg/ MS Gulf Coast area? If you renovate homes often, do you find that a lot of older homes have wallpaper?

The wallpaper trend was very popular back in the day, and you may want to remove it for a more updated modern look. When removing old wallpaper, you may see "mold" behind it. This is due to the long term moisture that could be trapped behind the wallpaper and the sheetrock. This is more common in humid areas of the home such as in a bathroom, and the area not being able to dry properly. 

If you find mold while renovating your home, give SERVPRO of Hattiesburg a call at 601-544-0512 or 228-467-4450. We are open 24/7 365 days!

Salvaged Items | Mold Damage

8/31/2020 (Permalink)

Did you know Mold can grow on more than just your walls?

It can grow on a variety of items, from furniture to walls to wood and flooring. When it comes to mold cleaning, however, you may be surprised about the number of objects that can be salvaged when you know the steps for cleaning them properly.

1. Leather Goods

Leather bags, jackets, and other items may be salvageable if you remove them from the affected area quickly. Because mold tends to spread faster in areas with high humidity, you can perform mold remediation for these items by transferring them to a room that is cool and dry. Once the leather has dried, you can sponge the surface with diluted baby soap to wipe away visible mold. Suede goods may need to be treated by a mold cleanup and restoration company.

2. Clothing

While not all clothing can recover from mold damage, you may be able to salvage some items. An Esporta Machine, which is designed to clean cotton clothing affected by mold, smoke, and other substances, can be effective in removing mold. You may be able to soak some fabrics in diluted vinegar to remove the mold, but this depends on how fragile the fabric is. Your restoration experts may able to advise you about other mold cleaning processes.

3. Paintings

Paintings affected by mold require special treatment. You may want to remove any wooden framing, as mold is attracted by wood fibers. Store the painting flat, away from humidity and sunlight, before contacting a professional artwork restoration company. Avoid bagging or sealing it in any kind of tight container, as this may create humid conditions that could encourage further mold growth. 

What to do...

When you find mold growth on your belongings, you may not know where to begin with mold cleaning. Contacting SERVPRO of Hattiesburg for removing your items from areas where mold is present. Our team can help you salvage irreplaceable items and proceed with the rest of the cleanup with confidence.

How Professional Standards Strengthen Mold Cleanup

7/29/2020 (Permalink)

When you discover mold in your home in MS Gulf Coast home, you want a mold remediation company that works to the highest professional standards. This ensures the job will be done right and your property and family will be protected. A certified mold technician understands the nature of this damaging fungus and how to remove mold colonies from your home. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification is an industry leader in promoting high standards for the cleaning industry. The organization publishes standards for professional mold remediation and for the assessment for suspected mold contaminated structures. These standards are mostly voluntary but they have been developed through a rigorous process to determine the best practices for mitigating mold.

Mold Certification

It is not mandatory for a cleaning company to be a certified mold franchise; however, many insurance companies prefer to work with a business that engages in certified mold remediation. The benefits of choosing a professional company include the following:

• Highly-trained technicians
• Fast, effective cleanup
• Safe cleaning agents and disinfectants
• Advanced equipment and techniques
• Best practices
  
  

A highly-trained company provides continuous education to its employees, allowing technicians to stay current on the latest and most effective cleaning procedures. Positions such as an applied microbial remediation specialist, water damage restoration technician, and applied structural drying technician contribute to better mold containment.

Mold Cleanup

A certified mold company follows a proven process to clear your home of troublesome mold colonies. Technicians begin with an inspection and assessment of the property. They work fast because a delay allows mold to spread throughout a home, especially into areas that have high moisture content due to a water leak or roofing problem. The steps of mold containment, air filtration and the removal of mold and mold-infested materials quickly follow. The final stages of the process include the cleaning of contents and belongings and restoration of your home.

Call SERVPRO of Hattiesburg at 601-544-0512 or 228-467-4450

The Importance of Containment

6/6/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Hattiesburg, building a containment is a critical part of our restoration, remediation, and abatement projects. These barriers, often made with poly-sheeting held in place by tape, are used for a range of jobs. This may include the abatement of mold, lead, and asbestos, the clean-up of damage caused by fire, smoke, or water, or to keep contaminants and even crime scenes contained. Containment systems are also useful in reconstruction projects, particularly where stone or wood cutting occurs and particles such as sawdust are released into the air. 

Building an airtight containment is paramount to protecting interiors during restoration projects and minimizing the risk of contact with hazardous materials during abatement. Containments serve to:

• Prevent potentially hazardous substances such as mold spores, asbestos, lead-based paint, and silica dust from spreading throughout the entire structure. These substances are very small and can easily hitch a ride on normal air currents found in most buildings.
• Address concerns for health and safety, especially where airborne hazardous materials are present. If not contained properly, these materials can cause health complications and affect the well-being of nearby tenants, workers, and others in the surrounding area.
• Function as a barrier to keep dust and other particles confined within a work space, prevent further property damage, and make clean-up easier. Without proper containment, the cost of the loss can increase dramatically.

Containing the site remains not only a priority, but a necessity. A safer work site benefits all parties, and mold testing is more likely to pass the first time, reducing the cost of re-cleaning and re-testing. When you call SERVPRO of Hattiesburg, you can rely on us to construct a proper containment and restore your home or business back to new.

Tips for Protecting Yourself from Mold During Cleanup

4/29/2020 (Permalink)

Tips for Protecting Yourself from Mold During Cleanup

During the process of mold remediation, it’s important to protect yourself, and your staff, with the proper safety gear and equipment. If you’re concerned about conducting the procedure yourself, a SERVPRO of Hattiesburg mold remediation specialist may be able to help. The recommendations for a safe cleanup remain the same for everyone involved.

1. Wear Protective Clothing

When cleaning up mold growth it’s important to wear protective clothing. A coverall suit is recommended in most cases, but long sleeves tucked into gloves, and long pants may work just as well. Protective gear is an important tool for keeping any cleaning agents and mold spores off of your skin. If wearing everyday clothing instead of a protective suit, it’s important to launder them in hot water immediately after use.

2. Change Before Entering an Uncontaminated Area

Another way to protect your business is to change out of your safety gear before entering uncontaminated areas. This can help prevent the spread of mold spores into areas where mold growth has not yet occurred. The necessity of changing gear is why many professional use covers for their hair and shoes, as well as wear protective over-suits.

3. Wear a Mask and Goggles

The use of a respirator mask and protective goggles are also recommended. These can help prevent the inhalation of any cleaning fumes, and keep dust or debris common to clean up out of your eyes. The mask and goggles should fit snugly without pinching.

Using the proper equipment when cleaning up mold can help protect everyone, including the cleanup crew and the employees who regularly work in the building. Proper gear can not only help prevent the spread of mold to uncontaminated areas but allow for cleaning solutions to be used safely. If you’re unsure about the proper procedure or don’t want to conduct the cleanup yourself, a professional may be able to help.

call us at 601-544-0512 or 228-467-4450

Dehumidifying Your Home

3/25/2020 (Permalink)

When you live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, humidity is inevitable. The warm weather we enjoy so much is saturated by a significant amount of water, which generates the excessive moisture around you. While many fear what the humidity means for their hair or their skin, have you thought about what it means for your home?

In humid climates, homes run serious risk of damage from collecting all of the moisture the air carries. A common result of high humidity levels in your home is mold. Mold grows quickly in warm, damp conditions and can fester into an entire colony within 24 hours of their spores attaching themselves to surfaces and feeding. This can cause health effects.

That’s why it’s critically important to take steps in preventing mold growth in the first place. We recommend starting with a dehumidifier for your home. Using a dehumidifier will help you maintain optimal humidity levels that are both healthy and comfortable. Running fans, and checking up on your HVAC system will also help keep the humidity down. Make sure everything is running smoothly and functioning properly to help circulate air flow, and if you need help with an inspection you can always call SERVPRO of Hattiesburg We’ll also help check your vents, filters, and make sure everything is in good working condition.

If you do discover mold growing in your home, it should be dealt with immediately - it can be harmful to your home and your health. Call SERVPRO of Hattiesburg at 601-544-0512 and our quick response team will be there to begin the mold remediation process right away.

Mold Remediation Process

1/15/2020 (Permalink)

Mold remediation process

Often times, we receive calls requesting information about how our team goes about the mold remediation process. Unfortunately, the answer is not the same for everyone. The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and types of surfaces on which the mold appears. As you can imagine, this can vary greatly from one home or business to the next.

What is the Process?

In almost every scenario, your property will have to be carefully inspected for signs of mold using technology designed to detect mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water - most often, these are hidden from plain view.

Before any remediation process occurs, various containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold and isolate the contaminated area. Such containment procedures include physical barriers (i.e. plastic) and use of negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process. Specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. We utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress. 

In some cases, we may recommend cleaning the material with an antifungal and antimicrobial treatment. Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments will be used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new colonies from forming. Unfortunately, not all scenarios allow for simply treating and wiping down. Removing and disposing of mold-infested drywall and flooring may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth. Following this, the areas must be properly treated. Simply removing and replacing the affected materials does not fix the mold problem.

In many instances, in order to properly treat your your home or business, we will clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. A variety of cleaning techniques will be used to clean and sanitize your belongings. We may also utilize specialty equipment to deodorize lingering odors associated with mold or mildew.

Mold?

Mold can be a serious problem on the Gulf Coast due to high temperatures and high humidity. If you think you have mold, contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Hattiesburg: 601-544-0512

Hattiesburg Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

1/12/2020 (Permalink)

Be careful! Without proper training, you could be spreading mold throughout your home.

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 Hattiesburg 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 Hattiesburg 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 –601-544-0512

Three Mistakes That Can Lead To Mildew

1/10/2020 (Permalink)

You’ve watered them, put them in the sun and maybe even repotted them - so why are your house plants covered in white and grey spots? The answer is plant mildew, a troublesome fungus that, if left to spread, can spell the end of your favorite foliage. Keeping this fungus at bay starts with figuring out how it got on your Mississippi Gulf Coast home’s plants to begin with. Here are three mistakes that can lead to mildew forming on your plants.

What is Mildew?

Mildew is often mentioned alongside mold and with good reason. Both are fungi that feed on organic materials like paper, wood, ceilings and yes, plants. While mold is known for its dark, fuzzy appearance, mildew tends to be:

• White or gray
• Appear chalky or like dust
• Show up as dots on plant leaves
  
  

Like mold, mildew can spread if left unchallenged. It can prevent your house plants from getting the nutrients they need, killing them. Prevention is the key. But just what might you be doing wrong?

Low Lighting

Like its moldy cousin, mildew tends to like dark areas. Stop its formation on your plants by bringing pots into brighter areas of the home. This may have the added benefit of helping your plant get more sunlight.

Too Much Humidity

Also similar to mold, mildew enjoys moist air. Prevent it from taking hold by investing in a dehumidifier for your home. Keep it on near your plants to stop the fungus.

Dryness

Keeping a regular plant watering schedule not only helps plants grow but can keep mildew away. That’s because while plant mildew likes moist air, it loves dry foliage.
Plant mildew is more than just unsightly. If left to grow, it can become deadly for your favorite house plants. Take the above steps to curb mildew growth and talk to a mold specialist if fungus has taken over your house plants in general.

IICRC Applied Microbial Growth Remediation Technician

1/6/2020 (Permalink)

Our team members just returned from SERVPRO Industries in Gallatin, TN where they had the opportunity to obtain their IICRC AMRT certification. 

The IICRC is the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification.

What is the purpose of the IICRC?

The Mission of the IICRC is to establish and advance globally recognized standards and certifications for the inspection, cleaning, restoration and installation industries. (source)

The IICRC serves as an independent, certification body, that sets and promotes high standards and ethics, and advances communication and technical proficiency within the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. The IICRC also ensures that when consumers hire a Certified Firm or technician, they have hired experts who will provide reasonable assurance that work will be completed in accordance with the industry’s “standard of care.” (source)

Applied Microbial Growth Remediation Technician (AMRT)

Applied Microbial Growth Remediation Technician is just one of the many certifications offered by the IICRC. The IICRC is an organizational body that sets the standards for the Cleaning and Restoration community. The AMRT course teaches course takers the content in the ANSI/IICRC's S520 (Standard for Professional Mold Remediation) with both academic and hands-on lessons set up to emulate actual mold remediation projects. 

From their website (source):

"The ANSI/IICRC S520 is a procedural standard and reference guide for the remediation of mold damaged structures and contents. The ANSI/IICRC S520 is based on reliable remediation and restoration principles, research and practical experience and attempts to combine essential academic principles with practical elements of water damage restoration for technicians facing “real-life” mold remediation challenges. The S520 and R520 are written for use by those involved in the mold remediation industry, and is the result of collaboration among microbiologists and other scientists, public health professionals, industrial hygienists, remediation contractors, restoration service companies, cleaning and restoration training schools and trade associations that service the professional restoration industry, allied trade-persons and others with related professional and practical experience."

Trained Professionals at SERVPRO of Hattiesburg

From on the job training to IICRC certifications and training at our Corporate headquarters, SERVPRO of Hattiesburg's trained professionals utilize the latest techniques and technology on every job. If you experience a microbial growth or mold problem, contact SERVPRO of Hattiesburg today!

601-544-0512

office@SERVPROhattiesburg.com

The Truth About Mold

1/6/2020 (Permalink)

Mold spores are everywhere in our environment and can enter homes easily. Most types of mold grow quickly if they have a water source, an organic food source, and temperatures between 60 and 86 Fahrenheit. In South Mississippi, mold grows especially easily in our warm, humid climate. 

An Institute of Medicine study found excessive dampness indoors is a public health problem by encouraging growth of molds, dust mites, and other organisms.

Control Moisture and Reduce Mold

• Correct any water leaks or standing water.
• Remove standing water under cooling coils or air handling units.
• Replace washing machine hoses with steel mesh lines.
• Move large objects away from the walls to provide good air circulation.
• Use exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
• Leave AC unit on when away from home 

Mold: What to Know

10/10/2019 (Permalink)

Ten Things You Should Know about Mold

1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory complaints.
2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
3. If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by:
   • Venting bathrooms, dryers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside
   • Using air conditioners and de-humidifiers
   • Increasing ventilation
   • Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning
6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
8. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
10. Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

https://www.epa.gov/mold/ten-things-you-should-know-about-mold