Mold: Professional Removal and Remediation

5/3/2021 (Permalink)

There's a wide variety of fungus in the environment. While mold is invisible to the naked eye, it plays a vital role in nature by causing the decomposition of dead organic matter. However, when mold makes its way to the indoor environment, it can be extremely destructive and cause health effects. Moisture creates a favorable environment for mildew to thrive, resulting in extensive mold damage; typically, where there's moisture, there's mold. SERVPRO of Germantown / Collierville possesses extensive knowledge and experience in identifying and remediating mold.

What Causes a Mold Infestation?

Since mold thrives in humid areas, small leaks and damp surfaces can result in the rapid development of mold and mildew. Mold spreads swiftly due to the lightweight of its spores, which allows them to be transported easily by airflow. Therefore, it has great potential to contaminate a vast area and damage furniture and clothes.

Where is Mold Damage Found?

Mold damage in a property can be detected by visual inspection, particularly on open surfaces. However, mold growth often begins inside ducts or behind tiles, paneling, wallpaper, and crawl space, making its detection almost impossible. Common signs of imminent mold issues include warping walls, blistering paint, crumbling plaster, deep cracks in the tiles, and gaps in the grouts. Moreover, if the floor or the walls have inexplicable stains or feel wet and soft to the touch, mold testing and removal should be done as soon as possible. Additionally, a smelly odor in a well-maintained home is also a signal for hidden mold growth.

What is Dormant Mold?

After discovering the moisture source and drying out the area, the mold may seem to vanish. However, failure to remove the mold spores in their entirety only makes the fungus dormant, and it is capable of reactivating upon the occurrence of favorable conditions. Even dormant mold can produce a smelly odor and cause health effects.

Can There be Mold in Newly-Built Homes?

Newly constructed homes are not exempted from fungus infestations and subsequent mold damage. Especially when the materials used to build a property were either inappropriately stored in humid surroundings or if they got rained on. Such materials reserve moisture internally, which can facilitate mold growth and cause a smelly odor that won't go away even after deodorization.

What is the Most Efficient Mold Removal and Mitigation Method?

During the first stages before the escalation of mold damage, do-it-yourself (DIY) methods can be employed to eliminate the smell while preventing further development. It's advisable only to use fungicides and deodorization sprays that are registered under EPA, which should be done after the definite elimination of the sources of moisture. However, in most cases, DIY methods will only provide a temporary solution, necessitating an expert in mold removal and mitigation. Professional mold remediation is especially necessary when:

• Mildew has found its way into the HVAC system or inside materials that are hard to reach.

• The fungus has affected a large area.

• The homeowner lacks the appropriate tools to eradicate mold in the home effectively.

• Exposure symptoms are already being experienced following commercial mold damage.

• The homeowner has already exhausted ideas after unsuccessfully employing DIY mold removal and remediation methods, including deodorization, to eliminate the smelly odor of mildew.

Why Should One Go for Professional Mold Remediation Services?

Specialists in mold removal and mitigation will often possess vast experience and the proper equipment for efficient and permanent fungus removal from homes and business premises. Such skills are required in identifying the mold in the home, especially the hidden and dormant spores. Some companies will even replace the affected furniture and apply special products for restraining further mold development.

Mildew can go unnoticed for long and establish itself all over the business premises or homes, threatening the health of such property. Attempting to get rid of mold damage without professional assistance could prove tough since it's hard to reach such hidden places as behind tiles, inside walls, or even under suspended ceilings.

Efficient mold remediation and mitigation go a long way in reversing the destruction caused by mold in the home and commercial mold damage. Besides, dealing with the smelly odor resulting from mold damage in the property could be a daunting task as deodorization alone will not solve it. For additional information regarding mold remediation, contact SERVPRO of Germantown / Collierville at (901) 755-3705.