Archived Mold Remediation Blog Posts
Residential Mold Remediation
5/2/2024 (Permalink)
Mold can come from many sources, including on clothing, pets, through open doors and windows, and because of excessive moisture, often in the aftermath of water damage. When it enters your home and begins to cause mold problems, it’s in your best interest to have professional mold remediation performed to help ensure safety and effectiveness.
Our professional team at SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga is equipped to assess the mold and provide remediation services, using advanced equipment and techniques to help ensure its source is located, and the mold is remediated. Given its potential to cause allergens and irritants that may cause health effects, our services will help maintain your peace of mind while our professionals work to clean up the mold as quickly as possible. We understand the urgency of returning to your normal live and routines and will be as fast and possible to make sure your home is ready for your safe return.
How to find Mold
2/7/2022 (Permalink)
Mold around water heater that leaked
Causes of Indoor Mold Growth
Mold is a common issue in the humid climate or any room that holds humidity like bathrooms do. Knowing what to look for and how to handle a mold problem are the first steps.
Mold releases tiny spores in order to reproduce. These tiny spores can become airborne when disturbed and settle on surfaces where they lie dormant for extended periods waiting for ideal growth conditions.
The settled spores require three conditions to grow:
Food source: Organic materials
Temperature: 68-86 degrees
Moisture: Relative humidity above 60%
Spores can germinate after only 12 hours in some conditions. They more commonly germinate in the 24-48 hour range.
What is Mold?
Mold is a fungus, a multicellular plant-like organism that does not produce chlorophyll as plants do. Fungi include mildew, mushrooms and yeast.
Fungi are everywhere and we breathe mold spores every day. In normal doses, typical of outdoors, fungi are not a threat to human health and may even have positive effects.
Molds ripen cheeses and give them flavor. Some mushrooms are deliciously good to eat. Yeasts cause fermentation that produce alcoholic beverages and some breads.
Once you suspect mold contact SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga to remediate your mold contamination.
(909) 758-0189
Preventing Mold to Spread
2/8/2021 (Permalink)
Physical barrier
The last thing you want to do when you discover a problem such as back mold is to make it worse. A good principle with mold is to keep it contained in one area as this will make mold removal faster and easier. To do this, it helps to understand a little bit about how mold spreads throughout a building. All types of mold are made up of microscopic scores that float on the tiniest of breezes. They also like warm, damp locations, such as moist attics and basements, bathrooms, and sometimes laundry areas. There are hundreds of different types of mold, and though they might require slightly different cleaning approaches, most types spread in a similar manner.
One of the first actions a qualified mold remediation company like SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga will take is to turn off the furnace. The following measures should be taken to facilitate mold containment:
- Physical barriers
- Negative air pressure chambers
- Air filtration
- HEPA vacuums
What is Mold?
2/8/2021 (Permalink)
Mold on Walls
- Causes of Mold
Mold is essentially a moisture problem. The spores thrive on water and will congregate and establish colonies when near a water source. This is also why mold is found near plumbing, in basements, attics, bathrooms, and wall cavities because it thrives in damp, dark, and humid areas.
- Dangers of Toxic Mold
Black Mold is used as a blanket term referring to toxic mold. However, the only way to tell what type of mold is present in your building is to have it tested. No matter the kind of mold, you should safely remove it following city and state regulations as quickly as possible, ensuring everyone's safety.
- Mold Growth
Mold spreads quickly, usually taking less than 48 to 72 hours to develop. Because of the accelerated rate of growth and the variety of species, mold should be dealt with quickly and precisely. To slow mold growth or development, you may want to install dehumidifiers and other means of ventilation in your building or property.
- Mold Remediation
Mold is a naturally occurring substance, and as such, you should be cautious of companies promising the removal of all molds. Qualified mold remediation specialists in the Rancho Cucamonga, area understand that mold cleanup and remediation is not about eliminating every occurrence of mold, as that's impossible, but instead returning mold levels to natural levels.
The phrase black mold has become scarier than reality because of manipulative advertising strategies. However, despite the hype, mold is still a problem that demands immediate attention, and as mold types vary greatly, it is best to seek professional assistance in the removal process. Contact your mold remediation specialist SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga (909) 758-0189
Professional Mold Remediation
2/8/2021 (Permalink)
Door Frame Mold
Mold growth can do severe damage to your home. If you spot mold anywhere in your home, you should take decisive measures to get rid of it SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga is here to help.
The best way to deal with mold is to call a professional mold removal, remediation, and restoration company. These are the only people qualified to deal with black mold and other kinds of fungus. A representative of the company will come out and conduct an in-depth assessment of your home. They will determine how much black mold and mold fungus is in the house and the extent to which it has spread.
Mildew, humidity, and warmth are some of the factors that give rise to mold fungus. The daily use of hot water in the bathroom makes it one of the spaces most susceptible to mold growth. Taking action against mold growth in showers, tubs, and sinks are familiar enough.
Mold can also occur when you have water damage in your second story of your home and is not remediated by a professional.
On the day work is scheduled to start, the first thing they will do is put on special suits for protection. They will then seal the affected areas off and apply negative pressure to them. This step is to prevent black mold spores and mold fungus from escaping into other parts of the house.
Once they have removed the mold, our the specialists will put the mold into special containers to take it off the premises. We will have a third party testing company coming to your home. A mold removal, remediation, and restoration company is the only way to ensure the mold is eliminated, contact SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga for additional information. (909) 758-0189
Leaders in Mold Remediation
2/4/2021 (Permalink)
Our Trained Professionals will help you with your mold emergency
When you have a water disaster in your home the first thing to do is to find the water source and stop it, then call SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga.
We are trained professional staff we work quickly to dry out the structure using state of the art drying equipment. If wet or damp materials are dried quickly, in most cases mold will not develop. As we head into the spring and as we turn on our air conditioning systems, one tip is to ensure that the air conditioning drip pans are clean and the drain lines are unobstructed and are flowing properly. If you see condensation or moisture collecting on walls or windows, dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture / water source. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity, which can lead to mold growth.
SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga is a 24-Hour Emergency Service
Call us at (909)758-0189
Be careful! Without proper training, you could be spreading mold throughout your home.
2/6/2020 (Permalink)
Humidity in Bathrooms Can Create Mold if the Bathroom Doesn't Have Proper Ventilation
Rancho Cucamonga Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold
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 South Rancho Cuacamonga for mold remediation services.
- Call SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga at (909)758-0189
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
2/6/2020 (Permalink)
Our crews are highly trained.
SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga 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.
- Do not dispose of the mold in a regular trash can
- Avoid spending any unnecessary time in that room
- 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.
- Don’t try to open the walls
If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonaga (909) 758 – 0189. We are Open 24/7
Does Your Rancho Cucamonga Home Have a Mold Problem?
2/5/2020 (Permalink)
Mold Removal Chamber
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 –SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga (909) 758-0189
Have a Mold Problem?
2/1/2020 (Permalink)
Mold Around Windows
If you notice a part of your home or office that has molds, you should contact professionals who can do mold remediation for you. When left alone, mold can multiply in as fast as 48 hours and once they start to grow, it means destruction to your properties.
What should you do at the first sign of mold infestation? First, you should contact SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga so we can send our team to clear out those mold in your home or office. Secondly, stay out of the affected area. If you are using HVAC system or fans, turn them off.
Even if you have basic knowledge on mold remediation, do not make an attempt to do it yourself. Do not touch or clear the infected area. Do not attempt to dry the area or bleach it out. Leave that work to the pros.
Mold infestation is a health risk hence it is important to clear the area as soon as possible. However, affected or damaged properties due to mold infestation don’t need to be thrown out. Our mold restoration team can assist it for you and restore it if possible. They won’t just restore it, they will disinfect it and remove possible bad odor as well.
Have a Mold Problem?
Call Us Today – (909) 758-0189
If you have a mold problem in your home or business, consider the following facts:
- Significant mold growth can occur in 48-72 hours.
- Mold may present a greater risk to children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory problems.
- A strong, musty odor may indicate hidden mold behind drywall or under carpeting.
What to Do:
- Stay out of affected areas.
- Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
- Contact SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga 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.
Mold Remediation Services
If you suspect that your home or business has a mold problem, SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga has the training, equipment, and expertise to handle the situation.
The Truth About Bleach and Mold
2/26/2019 (Permalink)
Technician removing moldy material from the home.
For many households, chlorine bleach is generally seen as your “go-to” cleaner for tough jobs. While bleach is well-known for its disinfecting properties that doesn't mean it's the best choice for mold - it has distinct drawbacks when cleaning flood impacted buildings.
It is a convenient cleaner and stain remover for hard, non-porous surfaces. Bleach is not made to “soak in”, therefore, its disinfecting properties are limited to a hard surface like tile or glass. If used on porous materials, such as wood and drywall, bleach will stay above the surface and only kill the mold on the surface, while the water is absorbed in.
The surface mold looks gone, but the fact is, if the mold is not removed from the material, it will most likely return and make your mold problem worse in the long run. Mold remediation requires a cleaner to reach deep down into wood and other porous building materials.
Further, its effectiveness in killing bacteria and mold is significantly reduced when it comes in contact with residual dirt, which is often present in flooded homes. If bleach water comes into contact with electrical components and other metal parts of mechanical systems it can cause corrosion. Bleach water can also compromise the effectiveness of termite treatments in the soil surrounding the building.
SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga cares about the proper restoration of your home or business. We have the know-how and the specialized equipment needed to assess and/or repair your damage.
Rancho Cucamonga Homeowners Listen as SERVPRO Talks About Mold Growth Conducive Conditions
2/21/2019 (Permalink)
A Leaky Window Frame Can Cause Mold Problems for Rancho Cucamonga Property Owners
Cold, rain, flooding and the rare possibility of snow contribute in different ways in making your Inland Empire home more susceptible to mold growth. A grasp of the ways mold gains a hold even in the dry cold of winter helps explain why you notice a musty, unpleasant scent or the staining and feathery or leathery-looking evidence of mold colonies. Let us help you with a winter mold infestation.
Mold damage in Rancho Cucamonga during any season is frustrating and often hard to manage without professional assistance. We train our crews to evaluate a mold scenario from the source of moisture to effective means of remediation with an open and curious mindset.
Mold breakouts can prove perplexing as the interior of our homes dry out while we use central heating, usually a deterrent to microbial growth. SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga technicians look for sources of moisture the homeowner might overlook.
Common ways excessive moisture makes its way inside our homes include humidifiers and vaporizers intended to condition dry winter air. Mold spores are opportunistic and absorb any water, including water vapor emitting from one of these appliances. SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga notes the humidity levels in the rooms affected by mold damage. If it edges past 60 percent, ambient humidity can fuel mold growth. Recommended levels are 30 to 50 percent humidity indoors to inhibit mold damage.
Ice and snow buildup on a roof also can lead to a perfect environment for mold growth. SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga service calls for mold issues in the upper stories of a home during the winter always result in an inspection of outdoor gutters and downspouts and interior insulation and weather sealing. An ice dam, signaled by icicles, builds up when gutters clog with debris and its growth accelerates when the melt and freeze cycle continues because of inadequate insulation and heat leaks. If warm air leaks out the joints between the attic ceiling edges and the eaves and roofline any snow and ice in gutters melt and can invade into a home.
Molds can grow given moisture even if temperatures are low. SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga often finds mold colonies moving from an attic down into living areas. Foundations with ice or snowpack can also admit moisture through cracks, encouraging mold growth in basements, walkouts, and other lower levels.
SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga is ready to remediate mold issues relating to any causation. Give us a call at (909) 758-0189 to inspect and craft a mold abatement plan for your home.
Click here to learn about us
Mold testing....Yes we do!
2/21/2019 (Permalink)
We have your Mold Solutions
Mold Testing
When to have an indoor air quality test done, and how the test is done. The word mold is not as bad as everyone thinks it is. The only time it becomes a problem is when there is too much of it. Too much mold can cause health problems or damage to your property. Not every home needs testing and not all testing is the same.
What sort of things should you be on the look for to decide if you need any mold testing.
Any general concerns about the house where something just does not seem right and you cannot put your finger on it.
When a home has been empty with no occupants for an extended period of time
Past water damage that was not cleaned up by a professional or you suspect was not done properly
No home inspections have been done in a while you see or suspect there is mold somewhere
A musty smell that is notice upon entering the home
Anyone in the home that has repertory problems
Mold Remediation was done and you want to ensure it was effective.
Visually seeing anything that looks like mold
If mold removal or clean up was done
When a 3rd party is effecting repairs and you need to make sure they are done correctly
There are 3 main options for testing
Surface Testing
This is done to look for evidence of actual current or past mold growth. The tester will use either a swab or a tape lift to obtain their sample. These tests can tell if the growth is from actual water damage and intrusion or if it is excessively humid in the home. Dark and discolored growth is not always microbial and would mean it is not from a water damage situation. When you see visual growth it is always important to get a sample of it as well as an air quality sample to ensure spores have not been released into the air.
Indoor air quality testing
This is done by taking numerous samples from within the inside of the home as well as a base line sample of the air quality on the outside of the home. These samples will be able to tell if you have hidden moisture leaks.
Indoor Air Quality with Comprehensive moisture evaluation.
This testing is done to provide a full scope picture of what is really going on in the home. It is able to locate sources of moisture that overtime could damage the property or become a health concern. Mold and moisture damage can drastically affect the value of a home over time. So it is important to stay on top of things and help prevent any major damage. Identifying the damage early can save you in the long run.
Remember when you have any doubts or questions about mold in your home talk to a professional get your results and get it right the first time. Call SERVPRO of South Rancho Cuacmonga for all of your mold testing and mold inspection needs.
What you should know about mold in your home
2/11/2019 (Permalink)
Mold Damage - behind bathroom mirror.
Mold in your Inland Empire homeUnfortunately, mold growth is a common issue with homeowners especially after untreated water damage. Various types of mold, including black mold, can result in a costly cleanup. However, it can be helpful for homeowners to learn about mold growth, so the issue can be prevented if possible.
What Causes Mold to Grow?
In your home, there are various reasons mold may grow. However, the following issues make mold growth much more likely to occur.
- A moisture problem in the home due to high levels of humidity or other factors
- Locations in the home that are not dry for long periods of time
- Access to organic materials, which can include a variety of common surfaces in the home
Why Does Mold Reappear?
There are some areas in your home that are more likely to experience mold growth than others. However, when mold keeps appearing in one area after it has been removed, this could be a sign of a problem. If an area does not remain dry and is consistently damp, this can allow mold to grow again in the same area. If mold is not properly removed in a timely manner, black mold may begin to grow in the area.
Can Mold Be Prevented?
Every situation is different, but there are several ways to prevent mold from growing in your home. Since mold thrives in damp environments, keeping your home dry is often important. In areas that experience high levels of humidity, such as bathrooms or kitchens, it can be helpful to make sure there is no standing water after appliances have been used. If you do notice standing water, quickly cleaning it can stop mold growth.
Learning more about mold can help you prevent black mold and other types of mold from causing damage to your home. If your home has been affected by mold and you need assistance with the mold cleanup process, consider contacting mold remediation professionals.
If you think you may have a mold problem or have encountered excessive water exposure call us at SERVPRO. 909-758-0189
Mold Remediation SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga (Inland Empire)
10/24/2017 (Permalink)
Discoloration discovered behind a refrigerator supply line water loss, opened up to discover a significant amount of mold.
Water damages that has been neglected can cause secondary damage. The most common of these damages is mold. Mold growth can occur as fast as 48 hour. These secondary damages are often concealed within the wall cavities, however can sometimes show on the exteriors. The most common areas where visible mold is observed is at: baseboards, under kitchen sink cabinets, under bathroom sink vanities, and water heater stands. Typically, when mold is visible on the exterior of indoor materials, the damage is more significant on the other side, much like an iceberg. It is important to know that mold spores are present everywhere indoors and outdoors. We take the steps to make sure that the mold is remediated with a mix of water restoration, containment of affected area, HEPA air filtration, removal of mold-infested materials and mold remediation. Additionally, we use an independent lab to perform our post-mold remediation clearance testing to ensure that the area is once again habitable. The best way to avoid secondary damages is to address the water loss immediately with a restoration company such as SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga.
We understand that mold brings up many health concerns, but no to worry SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga is an IICRC certified firm with Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians ready to assist you with your concerns.