Does Your Bryan County Or Surrounding Area Home Have A Mold Problem?

8/9/2021 (Permalink)

In Bryan County and the surrounding areas mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.

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 health effects.
• 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 – SERVPRO of Bryan, Effingham, McIntosh and East Liberty Counties- 912-445-5190

Preventing future mold damage in your home

4/16/2020 (Permalink)

Mold Damage Can Be Remediated by the Professionals from SERVPRO

Once rooted in a home, mold colonies can be difficult and sometimes expensive to remove. Many homeowners have their personal horror stories related to mold damage and their home, but most often, these can be avoided with proper precautionary measures.

Safeguarding your home against mold before it ever gets a chance to strike is a matter of no little importance, and you should be aware of the factors that can lead up to mold damage, and account for them before they become a problem.

Here are a few ways to keep your home free of most mold growth in the future. 

 
1. Never Let Water Accumulate 
One of the most common causes of mold damage in homes is the accumulation of water. When water is allowed to pool and gather in a particular part of the home, it may facilitate mold growth due to persistent dampness. This happens in bathrooms, particularly in older buildings, as they may lack drains or have persistent and unnoticed leaks. Mopping up and removing excess water from a room is important, and you should never just assume that the water will evaporate on its own. 
 
2. Make Sure Food is Sealed and Disposed Of Safely
Left-out food is a relatively common source of significant mold growth in homes, as even though the food may not be strictly left out in the open, mold can get into many types of containers unless they are fully and properly sealed. A good example of this is potato chip bags. Many people will simply roll or fold them up before placing the bag back on its shelf, but mold spores can still find their way in and start up a nasty colony. Consider buying consumer-grade food sealants for everything in your fridge and pantry; they may save both your food and your home. 
 
3. Always Have Leaks and Water Damage Professionally Repaired 
Many mold colonies form from water damaged regions that are not properly cleaned up and repaired. In the event of a long-term leak or significant water damage all at once, hiring a professional company like SERVPRO helps to ensure that the area is properly dried and secured against future mold growth. We use industrial-grade equipment specifically for this purpose, so that wetness in your home won't lead to another call about mold weeks down the line. 
 
SERVPRO of Bryan, Effingham, McIntosh & East Liberty Counties is committed to helping residents out of crises related to fire, mold, and water damage whenever disaster strikes.

If you've encountered any form of mold damage to your home, don't hesitate to call us at (912) 445-5190 for 24/7 emergency service.

Mold...What you should and shouldn't do

4/12/2020 (Permalink)

Microbial growth can cause a lot of problems for you and your house. SERVPRO of Bryan, Effingham, McIntosh, & East Liberty Counties has the proper training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem.

Fact about microbial growth: 

• Significant mold growth can occur in 48-72 hours if the conditions are right. 
• A strong, musty odor may indicate hidden mold behind drywall or under carpeting.

What should you do?

• Contact SERVPRO of Bryan, Effingham, McIntosh, & East Liberty Counties so we can take you through the proper steps for remediation
• Stay away from the affected areas. 
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans. 

What should you not 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.

SERVPRO of Bryan, Effingham, McIntosh, & East Liberty Counties has the proper training from IICRC to properly take care of your house. We will get a crew out to your house for an inspection and recommendations on the proper ways to remediate the area. If you believe you have mold in your home, give us a call at (912) 445-5190. 

Hoarding turns to mold

1/31/2019 (Permalink)

If you or a loved one is hoarding possessions, know that it is a serious condition. Once you have started the process of cleaning out the areas, you are moving in the right direction. 

Once you’ve brought in professional help and addressed the underlying issues of their hoarding tendencies, you can start helping your loved one clean their home.

Assess the situation and decide if you can take this on without a professional organizer. Gauge the severity of the hoard, as well as how many people will help you with the cleanup. You should also consider your loved one’s personal progress. A professional organizer can be a huge help if your resources allow.

If you decide to work with an organizing professional, they can guide you through the process. It could potentially be beneficial for a homeowner with the help of a loved one remove anything that is meaningful, and then allow a professional company to come into the home to remove the other debris in the home. It could be too much for the homeowner to actually discard the items. 

Hoarding debris or too many items in the home could potentially bring in the perfect conditions for mold to begin growing in the home. 

If you or anyone you know needs help with a severe clean up, call your SERVPRO of Bryan, Effingham, McIntosh, and East Liberty Counties at 912-445-5190 so we can be there to help. 

Truth about Mold

1/30/2019 (Permalink)

Want some mold facts? This will be the honest truth about what we know about mold. 

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. Here are some facts everyone should know when it comes to mold:

• 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. They are the pesky unwanted guest!
• 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 will most likely 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. 

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. 

Avoiding Mold in Your House

1/29/2019 (Permalink)

Microbial growth is an unwanted guest in anyone's house. Unfortunately we cannot eliminate the possibility of mold, but here are some ways you can reduce that possibility! 

Mold loves humidity. If you live a humid area, such as the coastal areas in Georgia (or anywhere in Georgia), we need to reduce the humidity level in the homes. In addition, fix those leaks! When you have a leak in your home, do not wait until you notice little spots growing before contacting a professional to help. If your leak is minor, you can try to fix the leak, but you need to keep a close eye on the area to catch anything quickly. If the leak is more than you can handle, call us! We will come and clean the area. Lastly, ensure everyone in the family is using the exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen when it is getting steamy! After showing, the fan needs to stay on as long as 25 minutes to help the steam escape in a safely manner. 

All these will help reduce the likelihood of microbial growth in your home. If you notice anything in your house that you believe is mold, do not wait. Get a professional out as quickly as possible to prevent the growth from doing what it does best- grow! We are available 24/7 at 912-445-5190. 

Mold Remediation

8/16/2018 (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.

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. Please give SERVPRO of Bryan, Effingham, McIntosh, and East Liberty Counties a call at (912) 445-5190. 

5 Things You Should Know about Microbial Growth

2/19/2018 (Permalink)

Microbial growth occurs in homes and places of business. If you believe your home or business has mold growing do not hesitate to give us a call at (912) 445-5190. We will send a technician to you as quickly as possible. Continue reading to gather more information on microbial growth.

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float among in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, AC/heating systems, or attach to clothing or pets.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Microbial 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.

Do not wait until the microbial growth has taken over an area in your home to call us. Mold remediation needs a professional touch, and with our IICRC certified team, we are the professional touch you need to make your home look "Like it never even happened." 

Removing Mold Before You Paint

1/23/2018 (Permalink)

Mold spores located near the baseboard in a home.

First Step: Remove the mold. If you attempt to just paint over the coloration of mold, it could aid in the growth of mold. Some paints are basically food to mold. So you need to kill the mold before painting by using a cleaner that can sink into the surface.

Second Step: Begin painting with a primer. Wait after cleaning the wall until it is COMPLETELY dry because any moisture left on the wall can feed the microbial spores- if any was left. Begin priming with an acrylic primer that consists of mildewcide. Next chose a primer that is a latex stain- blocking primer because it can create a shield from moisture.

Third Step: Paint your walls. Finally, you paint your walls in a normal manner to ensure you love the look of your new walls!

Overall, we highly recommend having a specialist come out to your home to inspect the possibility of microbial growth. Microbial growth is dangerous to have in your home to breathe in the bacteria it contains. If you believe you have mold growing in your home, call us at (912) 445-5190, and we will send a team out to inspect your home.

Removing Mold from Concrete Walls

1/23/2018 (Permalink)

Mold thrives in a place that is dark and humid which is stereotypically a basement. With the perfect environment, microbial growth can happen anywhere including a surface that is not usually mold prone. Concrete is that surface. So what do you do when you walk down to your basement and it is covered in mold? You can always call SERVPRO of Bryan, Effingham, McIntosh, and East Liberty Counties. But if you want to attempt to clean it yourself follow these guidelines. To avoid any possibility of breathing in the bacteria, wear a mask to protect your health. Clean with a mixture of detergent and water. After creating the cleaning mixture, scrub the area to remove the mold. Once this part is complete, you want to spray the area with a disinfectant to reduce the possibility of regrowth. If you are worried about not treating the area properly, call us at (912) 445-5190. 

Why Cleaning Mold with Bleach is a Horrible Idea

1/18/2018 (Permalink)

Most homeowners assume that when mold spores appear on your walls, you should clean the area with bleach. This is very wrong. Bleach mostly consists of water. Water encourages mold growth. In addition, by putting bleach on the microbial growth, it only takes away the coloration of the spot. This could be interrupted as the end of the mold growth. When mold spores are being removed, the person should kill the mold from the root. Bleach only removes the appearance of mold. Bleach is for any material that is hard or a non-porous surface. This being said, mold grows on surfaces that are considered porous. So when bleach is poured onto a moldy surface, it is absorbed very easily which leaves a residue on the surface that is like a welcome mat to mold. This results with microbial growth to increase rapidly. Overall, if you believe mold is growing in your home, don’t hesitate to call us for any tips on how to remove the mold in the proper way. If you want us to come out to your home, we will do that as well so we can make it look “Like it never even happened.” Call us at 912-445-5190.

Moisture Control: 4 Tips on How to Prevent Mold Growth in your Home

1/2/2018 (Permalink)

Mold in your home can cause numerous issues. If not treated properly in the early stages, mold damage can become rather expensive. Not to mention, mold can cause various types of health issues. Lucky, we have some tips on how to prevent mold in your home. If you have mold in your home, we provide emergency services 24/7 so please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Identify problem areas and fix the problems immediately

If you notice your basement flood every time it rains, get it fixed before the mold spreads to other areas in the house.

Dry wet areas immediately

Areas that get wet after a heavy rainfall or even just a spill onto carpet should be dried within 24 to 48 hours. If you experience items that cannot be dried within this time frame, you want to remove the items that cannot be dried- carpet, furniture, bedding.

Direct water away from your home

Ensure that the foundation of your home does not allow for any flooding to seep into your home.

Clean or repair roof gutters

A roof can leak due to clogged gutters. During and after fall, ensure the gutters are free from natural debris such as leaves and twigs. Occasionally, you want to check to make sure the gutters are not blocked by any debris so they work properly.

Does your Bryan, Effingham, McIntosh, or East Liberty County Home or Business have a Mold Problem?

8/18/2017 (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.

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 – (912) 312-6081

Understanding Mold And Mold Damage In Crescent

2/25/2017 (Permalink)

Usually microscopic in size, mold spores occur in nature in big numbers.

Mold Damage

Do you ever worry about mold growth in your home? However, what exactly is it, and where does it come from? Usually microscopic in size, mold spores occur in nature in big numbers. These spores are released into the air to reproduce and then settle onto surfaces, and if the right conditions are there, they start to grow. Mildew is a common fungus you might see in your bathroom.

Mold damage is not only unsightly and smelly, but it can be detrimental to the health of your family as well. If you ever suspect any mold in your Crescent home, you need to call in the professionals at SERVPRO right away, as our technicians can find the mold, the source of the moisture, and clean up the dangerous mold.

How Does Mold Grow?
Molds thrive on materials that are organic, such as paper, natural fibers like wool or cotton, wood, leather, or surfaces coated with organic matter like grease, food, and soil. Mold does best in warmer temperatures between 77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Mold spores need moisture to grow, which can come from flooding, water leaks, condensation, or high relative humidity. Without the right conditions, mold spores can be present but are dormant. When the conditions are right again for growth, they start to regenerate.

Where Is Mold Found?
Basements which have moisture seeping through walls and floors give conditions that can cause mold to grow in carpets, on walls, and materials stored in your basement. Even moisture from the ground can migrate through concrete walls, making them damp. Other moisture sources include holes for sump pumps, leaky pipes, and condensation from a dehumidifier or air conditioner. Mold can grow in crawl spaces which are built over the uncovered ground, and crawl spaces which are sloped incorrectly and have water pooling inside can have a mold problem as well.

Mold can grow behind baseboards, under cabinets, in the padding of carpets, inside walls, and under wall coverings made of vinyl. It can be seen under and around the sink, on kitchen walls, or in a drip pan under the refrigerator. Plus, as mentioned already, bathrooms are a significant source of moisture for mold growth. Mold can grow on shower curtains and around or in the shower or tub.

How Do You Know If Mold Is Present In Your Home?
Besides visible mold, you can often detect it from a musty odor. The growth of mold can be in the form of a discoloration which ranges from white to orange, and green to brown and black.

If you suspect mold growth for any reason in your home, get a hold of our staff at SERVPRO of Bryan, Effingham, McIntosh & East Liberty Counties as soon as possible so we can inspect your home and clean up the mold in your home. You can always reach us, day or night, by dialing (912) 445-5190.

Mold Damage Brought on by Ice Dams can Happen to Rincon Homes

1/12/2017 (Permalink)

Trust SERVPRO for Your Home in Rincon If Mold or Ice Shows Up

Rely on SERVPRO to Remediate Mold Damage to Your Roof and Attic

Winter doesn't seem to be a time when water would be the cause of mold damage in a home, but even a small amount of moisture can create problems leading up to mold growth. Fungi do not care from where their water source originates. Ice dams on a home's roof have been known to cause moisture to enter into a home's attic. Sometimes this moisture is substantial enough to be noticed in the living areas of the home, outside of the attic. This can often take a while before evidence is seen in lower levels of the home. Though ice dams are somewhat of a rarity in this southern region of Georgia, when it occurs, it can be quite damaging.
 
In Rincon, this delay in discovering water seeping down walls can give mold damage plenty of time to become extensive in the attic. The inside of walls can also be harboring mold. Ice dams are rare when insulation is in good to excellent condition – however, when ice dams have had a chance to damage shingles, they become worse quickly, often without showing visible damage to shingles. This keeps visual inspections from discovering the damage before mold can develop.
 
When ice dams are found to be a problem and are allowing moisture to accumulate inside the attic, this can compress the insulation, rendering it useless. Homeowners in this situation need to have the roof repaired, and the insulation replaced. But what about the mold damage? Having SERVPRO's mold remediation technicians ridding your attic of mold growth in the areas that roofers won't repair can remove mold damage and most of the spores.
 
This includes your attic's floor and the beams supporting the shingles and underlay. Because both of these are constructed of wood, they can be treated without needing to be removed and replaced. If water damage is also present to a substantial degree, we can remedy the situation for that, also. You can have a new roof, free of mold damage and growth. Moisture and a food source, the needs for fungi to proliferate must be eliminated to reduce the chance of future infestations.
 
Ice dams and water intrusion can sneak up on anyone over the winter. Freezing temps can often keep moisture hidden, but mold can find it easily. If your attic is showing signs of mold damage, call us, SERVPRO of Bryan, Effingham, McIntosh & East Liberty Counties at (912) 445-5190, at any time.

Preventing Mold Damage in Homes: A Great Great Way to Prevent a Costly Problem

10/13/2016 (Permalink)

Mold build up can spread quickly. Call professionals at SERVPRO to remediate ASAP!

Mold Removal is More Thorough with Professional Remediation

Both indoor and outdoor environments have mold, no matter where you go. Mold and spores are found during every season, and also in all climates. It is because of this that changes in humidity can create mold problems in homes. Outdoor mold growths are controlled naturally, most of the time, by the wind, which can dry it out, and by the sun, which can kill mold quickly. Indoors, without mechanical means to control humidity and other indoor environmental aspects, mold can quickly spread from one area to another, creating damage to your home. Before this happens, you need remediation.

Springfield homeowners can prevent mold damage by having excess mold removed from their homes. Complete removal of mold is not something that can be done, although some companies claim this. SERVPRO technicians will follow EPA guidelines while using protocols and procedures from IICRC to remove mold and spores from your home, both in the air and on surfaces within your home. Mold can easily enter your home through open windows, even through screens, on shoes, on clothing, in boxes and bags from shopping, and even your pets' fur coats. This is why mold elimination is not really possible. Control of the mold is possible, though, and we can teach you what will work best for your individual situation.
 
Mold damage can cause health effects for anyone, including healthy people; it can create damage to structural supports in homes, and also cause drywall to deteriorate. Mold damage is very costly. It can change a home's interior air quality for worse by spreading to other areas through the ducts in your heating or cooling system.
 
Remediation work removes problematic mold by scrubbing the air with special machines, and with the use of HEPA filters when vacuuming carpets, draperies, upholstered furniture, air ducts, and anywhere else that dry mold spores might be located. Manual cleaning of mold growth, when indicated, is also a part of the process. When mold damage is found, porous materials need to be extracted and removed, and then replaced. If it is a hard and non-porous surface, cleaning is often sufficient. In the case of semi-porous items, cleaning and then sealing is often performed.
 
Letting mold grow until later can lead to expensive and more time-consuming repairs and restorative work needing to be conducted. Save time and money by calling SERVPRO of Bryan, Effingham, McIntosh & East Liberty Counties at the first sign of mold problems, before damage happens. We can be reached at (912) 445-5190, 24/7.

How to Prevent Future Mold Damage in Your Home

8/1/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Remediates Mold Damage in Darien

Mold Damage Can Be Remediated by the Professionals from SERVPRO

Once rooted in a home, mold colonies can be difficult and sometimes expensive to remove. Many homeowners have their personal horror stories related to mold damage and their home, but most often, these can be avoided with proper precautionary measures. Safeguarding your home against mold before it ever gets a chance to strike is a matter of no little importance, and you should be aware of the factors that can lead up to mold damage, and account for them before they become a problem. Here are a few ways to keep your home free of most mold growth in the future.
 
Never Let Water Accumulate
One of the most common causes of mold damage in Darien homes is the accumulation of water. When water is allowed to pool and gather in a particular part of the home, it may facilitate mold growth due to persistent dampness. This happens in bathrooms, particularly in older buildings, as they may lack drains or have persistent and unnoticed leaks. Mopping up and removing excess water from a room is important, and you should never just assume that the water will evaporate on its own.
 
Make Sure Food is Sealed and Disposed Of Safely
Left-out food is a relatively common source of significant mold growth in homes, as even though the food may not be strictly left out in the open, mold can get into many types of containers unless they are fully and properly sealed. A good example of this is potato chip bags. Many people will simply roll or fold them up before placing the bag back on its shelf, but mold spores can still find their way in and start up a nasty colony. Consider buying consumer-grade food sealants for everything in your fridge and pantry; they may save both your food and your home.
 
Always Have Leaks and Water Damage Professionally Repaired
Many mold colonies form from water damaged regions that are not properly cleaned up and repaired. In the event of a long-term leak or significant water damage all at once, hiring a professional company like SERVPRO helps to ensure that the area is properly dried and secured against future mold growth. We use industrial-grade equipment specifically for this purpose, so that wetness in your home won't lead to another call about mold weeks down the line.
 
SERVPRO of Bryan, Effingham, McIntosh & East Liberty Counties is committed to helping residents out of crises related to fire, mold, and water damage whenever disaster strikes. If you've encountered any form of mold damage to your home, don't hesitate to call us at (912) 445-5190 for 24/7 emergency service.