The Biology of Mold

2/13/2023 (Permalink)

When water collected underneath this sink, it was not dried properly and resulted in mold growth.

Mold is a fungus and classed as a saprophyte, which means that most types find nutrients by decomposing organic matter. There are over 100,000 types of molds that exist within nature.

Why Use Containment?

Starting as a tiny spore, mold begins in a cluster that contains thousands and thousands of spores. When something disrupts the spore mass, thousands of mold spores are set free, until they settle. Therefore it is important to have mold containment. During the process of cleaning and removing moldy materials, SERVPRO of East Sacramento/West Arden-Arcade sets up plastic barriers to avoid spreading these tiny spores to clean areas of the structure.

What Can Make Fungi and Molds Harmful?

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by microfungi that can cause health effects. Mycotoxins can be found attached to mold spores and fragments of mold.

At first, you cannot see mold spores. Disturbances of mold can cause spores to mass aerosolize, releasing thousands of spores into the air and you cannot see which materials are affected by these settled spores.

How Can I Prevent Mold Growth?

A fast response to water damage is of the utmost importance when trying to prevent mold growth. Any and all structures that have been damaged by water have the potential to grow mold. In order to prevent mold growth, you should keep good ventilation of your home, keep a dry environment, and the use of fungicides and biocides.

SERVPRO of Southern Butler County specializes in mold remediation. 

Thank you for reading our blog post on mold. If you need any assistance with mold call SERVPRO of Southern Butler County today! We are here to help.

CALL SERVPRO SOUTHERN BUTLER COUNTY @ (724) 473-0745 OPEN 24 HOURS

Suspect Mold In Your Home?

10/13/2020 (Permalink)

Suspect Mold In Your Home?

Any home or business can quickly become infested with mold with the introduction of a water source, like a roof or plumbing leak. Mold can spread throughout a property in as little as 48-72 hours.  If you suspect that your home or business has a mold problem, Butler County SERVPRO Professionals can inspect and assess your property. If mold is found, they have the training, equipment, and expertise to handle the situation. In the meantime, here are some tips: Stay out of affected areas and turn off the HVAC system and fans. Don’t touch or disturb the mold or blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth. Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself or spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold. These small tips will help with the spread of mold until SERVPRO of Southern Butler can eliminate the problem. 

Mold can hide anywhere, but where do you start to look? 

6/13/2019 (Permalink)

Remediation means to protect first and to take steps that can preserve your valuables. Mold is a natural substance that grows when warmth and residual moisture stay around too long. Although many people consider the presence of mold to be dangerous, it truly only impacts those who have a weak immune system, or an allergy. However, it’s not something you want to stay around. 

Whether from storm damage, a leaking pipe or hidden water in the ground underneath a home or building where dirt is present, moisture and heat can form the growth of mold. The best choice when dealing with the possibility of mold is to have a plan for when moisture comes in unwelcomed. When you are fast to call a mold removal specialist in Butler County, PA, you may can restore your valuables rather than replacing them. 

Here are 3 places mold can grow of which you may not be aware at this time. These are hidden places that can trap moisture allowing mold to begin to form. 

• In the crawl spaces above and below the surface. These two hidden locations can be a haven for mold if moisture has entered in. A basement will hold moisture from the dirt below, where an attic may be susceptible to water from a leaking roof. Periodically checking these locations will help you in detecting mold before it becomes a problem. 
• The space where drywall meets the ceiling can also be a prime location for noticing the presence of mold, or mold that may be growing. Look for black or darkness around the joinder and have a mold remediation specialist come out to inspect if you find discoloration in this location.
• Pet Food is also a prime location for mold to grow, even though it may not be totally related to home damage. Mold can grow wherever moisture and warmth have met and stayed together. If you see mold anywhere, mold may be everywhere. 

As a reminder, we want you to restore and not replace, so anytime you have a slight feeling that mold may be present, call SERVPRO of Southern Butler County. Mold, while not dangerous to all people, can be dangerous to some people so it’s extremely important that you mitigate this issue with mold remediation. 

Mold Damage

3/7/2019 (Permalink)

Mold Damage

Mold can grow on surfaces in many locations of your home or business. Whether your property has sustained damage from a storm, leaky pipe or other water emergency, mold can grow. So many people think of mold and panic because of health concerns, although mold is a natural substance that aggressively grows with water moisture and heat combine.

Any time water touches a surface that is remotely porous, it can start to invite mold to grow. When the mold begins to form, it reproduces itself and starts to spread into surrounding surfaces. In the spreading, the property owner now becomes aware that mold may be present.

If you feel like your property may have started to form mold on surfaces untreated, you can start to pay attention to what you smell. Mold has a sharp odor to it that makes you stop and ask yourself what it is that you are smelling. Take note of this smell and start to ask yourself where it may be coming from.

Often mold will start to form underneath a sink on the thin wood that is usually the cabinet floor. Get a flashlight to help you look deeply into the wood to see if there are signs. These signs include discoloration, spots or what looks like ink marks.

Once you have isolated your suspicions of mold growth, it’s time to call a professional. You can treat mold with commercial treatment, but where one mold grows, there is a good chance of more. Mold is not simply something that makes people sick who are sensitive, but it’s a pain to clear and clean. Mitigation is the key to keeping mold away from valuables.

Mold Knows No Boundaries when it hits Your Home

1/5/2019 (Permalink)

Mold Knows No Boundaries when it hits Your Home

Remediating mold starts with the first sight of standing water.

Here is some very basic information about mold that you may or may not know. The more educated you are now, before the damage occurs, the better you can mitigate it on your own. However, we want you to have our number so if water gets in, we can get it out and kill the mold growth.

Your best chance to keep mold from starting to grow, is to call a specialist immediately. With the right treatment, mold can be stopped before it begins to grow and mutate. Before it begins to be visible to the eye, it can be stopped in its tracks. It’s important to know that mold can grow inside of walls and surfaces and not be very visible.

All water damage carries the possibility of mold growth, so your vigilance is important to ensure that mold stays away.

Stop Mold Quickly by Remediation

1/5/2019 (Permalink)

Know How to Stop Mold Fast by Remediation

Remediation is the prevention of damage or the reduction in impact of damage. You may have read articles on how to protect your home from mold, and you may have wondered about the impact of mold on health. Chances are you are worried about sickness from mold spores forming in and around your home. Mold is a huge problem and one that can be prevented when recognized early enough.

Basically, when water stands on a surface for a given amount of time, the water and warmth will cause the formation of mold spores. These spores are not harmful to most people, only those with sensitivities to mold. However, its ability to grow rapidly causes unique problems when trying to save valuables rather than replace them.

Mold starts to grow when water sets on the same surface then encounters warmth. If you have ever left a carpet rug outside and watched as it turned green, then black, then you have seen mold at work. Outdoors, mold can just be dealt with by tossing out and throwing away the object collecting mold, but inside, there are special steps that must be taken to remediate mold growth and exposure.

1. When your home has sustained water from a pipe leak or storm, the chances of mold growth are already there.
2. When your home has not got adequate ventilation and water stands, mold can begin to grow.
3. Keep a de-humidifier in your home just in case. It’s always a good idea to start the drying process immediately.
4. Household chemicals only go so far in preventing massive mold growth in your home.
5. Call a specialist as soon as water is seen.

Mold Remediation in the Winter

12/3/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation in the Winter

You have no doubt heard that mold grows when water sticks around too long, and when the temps are right for the growth of mold spores. You may also think that mold only grows in the summer, when temps are warm, and the air is moist. Mold also grows in the winter, because indoors, the air is just as warm and primed for mold growth.

Mold by itself, is not usually harmful, but it can cause some issues in persons who may have a mold allergy. If your home sustains water damage in the winter, and you keep your home nice and cozy inside, it is just as likely to sustain mold as a home that is exposed to water in the hot summer.

Remember, mold starts to grow when the conditions are just right, so at the first sign of water on your surfaces such as floors and counters, go ahead and call a professional. Sometimes, however, mold will grow in places you may not think to look.

For example, underneath a kitchen or bathroom sink, a drain could have leaked once, and only for a small amount of time. The small amount of moisture may have stayed their just long enough to start the mold-growing process. Underneath your home at the foundation is another prime spot for the growth of mold, especially if you only have plastic covering dirt.

One more location where mold can pop up is in your rafters. A simple roof leak can cause water to stand inside the rafter, above the sheetrock for just enough time to cause the growth of mold in the winter. The attic, remember, gets warmer than the rest of your house in the winter time.

Mold Remediation 3 Locations Mold Can Hide

10/23/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation 3 Locations Mold Can Hide

Remediation means to protect first and to take steps that can preserve your valuables. Mold is a natural substance that grows when warmth and residual moisture stay around too long. Although many people consider the presence of mold to be dangerous, it truly only impacts those who have a weak immune system, or an allergy. However, it’s not something you want to stay around.

Whether from storm damage, a leaking pipe or hidden water in the ground underneath a home or building where dirt is present, moisture and heat can form the growth of mold. The best choice when dealing with the possibility of mold is to have a plan for when moisture comes in unwelcomed. When you are fast to call a mold removal specialist in Butler County, PA, you may can restore your valuables rather than replacing them.

Here are 3 places mold can grow of which you may not be aware at this time. These are hidden places that can trap moisture allowing mold to begin to form.

1. In the basement and attic. These two hidden locations can be a haven for mold if moisture has entered in. A basement will hold moisture from the dirt below, where an attic may be susceptible to water from a leaking roof. Periodically checking these locations will help you in detecting mold before it becomes a problem.
2. The space where sheetrock on a wall meets sheetrock on a ceiling can also be a prime location for noticing the presence of mold, or mold that may be growing. Look for black or darkness around the joinder and have a mold remediation specialist come out to inspect if you find discoloration in this location.
3. Pet Food is also a prime location for mold to grow, even though it may not be totally related to home damage. Mold can grow wherever moisture and warmth have met and stayed together. If you see mold anywhere, mold may be everywhere.

As a reminder, we want you to restore and not replace, so anytime you have a slight feeling that mold may be present, call Butler County, PA SERVPRO. Mold, while not dangerous to all people, can be dangerous to some people so it’s extremely important that you mitigate this issue with mold remediation.

Mold is a misunderstood word when it comes to remediating the damages it can do.

10/2/2018 (Permalink)

Mold is a misunderstood word when it comes to remediating the damages it can do.

Hurricane Florence recently left its mark on the Carolinas and reminds us yet again, that mother nature leaves no stone unturned. After a hurricane leaves torrential rains, water rises up to the floors and nothing is immune. Business are usually impacted the worse after a hurricane.

Mold is an issue which always comes up after a business or home has been inundated with water for any amount of time. While mold may be assumed as in the case of water damage in a warmer climate, it may be ignored if someone believes it is too cold in the climate where the water damage occurred.

To help you understand more about mold and what it is, let’s start with a breakdown. Microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere, outdoors and indoors, making it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. 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. It is not something that you always see, and in fact, it has a positive role in many areas of the life-experience.

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. This is why it’s so important to call an expert remediator in when there has been exposure to moisture for extended periods of time.

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.

When you see water present on furniture, the floor, rugs or even the bottom of sheetrock walls, there is a good chance that mold will form. Remediation is the act of not taking any chances and calling a certified mold remediation specialist as soon as you incur water damage.

Please check out our website at http://www.SERVPROsouthernbutlercounty.com for more information.

Remediating Mold starts at the first sign of water not after a longer amount of “Waiting it Out”

10/2/2018 (Permalink)

Remediating Mold starts at the first sign of water not after a longer amount of “Waiting it Out”

So many people lose everything because they try to wait it out when it comes to the possibility of mold growing after a water damage event has occurred in their property. The belief, unfortunately, is that “Maybe it won’t grow”. Well, this belief can really cause damage if the water stays long enough.

Remediation is a process that cannot be explained enough so this blog will focus on why remediation is critical and saves you so much money in the long run. First, you should always anticipate that mold is going to grow when water and moisture are present for any amount of time, and you are not already equipped with a dehumidifier of commercial strength.

The best way to be sure that mold doesn’t grow in your home after exposure to water, is to call a professional mold remediator. When mold is present, it’s not always visible. The first sign of growing mold is a sweet smell. The spores can enter the air, and this is when persons who are sensitive to mold may be impacted.

Rather than wait it out, why not use the “What If” approach? This means ask yourself questions like, “Can I keep the windows open long enough to dry out this moisture?”, and, “Is this a lot of moisture or just a small amount?”. There is no formula for you to use when deciding to call a mold remediation company to save your valuables, or to wait it out and see if mold stays away.

You can pretty much guess that if you live in a warm climate like Florida, your home can sustain and keep mold more than if you live in a more arid climate like Arizona. In either case, the more porous your assets, the more likely they may be to hold and keep the mold spores if not treated or mitigated.

Being on the safe side and making good choices goes a long way toward preventing loss of property.

Remediating Mold Damage after a Major Flood of your Home

8/30/2018 (Permalink)

Remediating Mold Damage after a Major Flood of your Home

The first thing that comes to anyone’s mind when a flood occurs is mold. Next come the fears of health issues, damage to the floor, and damage to the environment. While still, some people choose to ignore the possibility of mold when the damage is minimal (or so they think).

Here is some very basic information about mold that you may or may not know. The more educated you are now, before the damage occurs, the better you can mitigate it on your own. However, we want you to have our number so if water gets in, we can get it out and kill the mold growth.

There are hundreds of variations of mold found both indoors and outdoors. Mold grows in damp, dimly-lit areas. Indoors, it can often be found in places like attics, basements, crawl spaces, and bathrooms. Thus, if your home has sustained water damage, in any capacity, there is a potential for mold. We strive to restore rather than replace, so speed is the word you want to adopt when remediating mold after water damage.

One of the first concerns is that mold impacts health. While this is true, the health issues often arise in mold that is not dealt with and impact elderly and those with weakened immune systems the most. Mold is a living substance so its presence within the human body can wreak havoc, but some molds are not only accepted by the body but eaten daily like mushrooms and bread.

Mold caused by water damage starts to grow when it’s hot. And usually, water damage, occurs when the air is warm. Flooding in tropical locations can cause mold to start almost immediately, while flooding in a cooler climate can slow down the growth of mold and increase the likelihood of a restoration rather than a repair.

Your best chance to keep mold from starting to grow, is to call a specialist immediately. With the right treatment, mold can be stopped before it begins to grow and mutate. Before it begins to be visible to the eye, it can be stopped in its tracks. It’s important to know that mold can grow inside of walls and surfaces and not be very visible.

All water damage carries the possibility of mold growth, so your vigilance is important to ensure that mold stays away and that you and your family are safe from any

Don’t Wait for Mold to Grow

6/21/2018 (Permalink)

The Top 3 Dangers of Mold Exposure

Did you know that persons allergic to mold it its various forms, can have an allergic reaction that could result in a mold related death? No. Everyone is not allergic to mold exposure, but there are many reports and statistics that show the danger to one’s health, particularly in the lungs.

Generally, mold can cause a wide range of health problems. Some black mold symptoms can actually be really serious. When your home sustains water damage from a hurricane or other water flooding issue, the chances of mold growing in the home, increase by the minute when not re-mediated at the first sign of flooding of the area.

While allergic situations are the most commonly treated symptoms of mold exposure, there are more symptoms that have long term complications. When you fail to get the proper water damage treatment after water has entered the home, you increase the risk of these complications. While mold can grow in any environment, it really grows in the summer.

If you have a flood in late July and the temperatures raise to temps over 90 degrees during the day, you can bet that the mold is already beginning to grow. Here are the top three symptoms of mold exposure so you have an idea of what could happen if you don’t get a mold removal and treatment specialist on the scene fast. A Pennsylvania mold treatment visit can often times halt the impact of mold growth on the health of those in the property.

1. The first symptom of mold issues is in the respiratory tract. Sneezing, coughing and wheezing are the most predominant symptoms of black mold exposure. However, the mold may not grow as far or fast, if you take the time to prepare now. Have your SERVPRO agent’s business card handy so you can call them before the mold has a chance to grow.
2. The second symptom that presents itself during a case of mold overgrowth, when the water was allowed to saturate the porous structures of walls, carpet and furniture, is lethargy and aching. Because events of allergic reaction trigger the body’s tender immune system, one of the symptoms of mold exposure is a sudden achy feeling.
3. The third symptom of toxic mold exposure is an unexplained rash. This is a rather obvious symptom and can be easily treated with a doctor visit. 

The moral of this story is that water left indoors, on furniture, in sheetrock, on carpet, on hard floors can cause mold to grow in rapid time. If your home sustains water damage, to not wait for the mold to grow. Mold is not always visible to the eye, but it is still there.

If you can see it, you have waited too long. Take the steps as quickly as possible to have a remediation specialist visit your home and get it dry fast. You want it to look as if it never even happened.

SERVPRO of Southern Butler County Provides Mold Remediation

9/17/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southern Butler County Reprts:

Mold is a type of fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. They are grown on a number of surfaces and products including food items, even home or office buildings. Mold grown in the building or at your home can harm the integrity of the building structure, and at the same time can lead to serious health issues.

On the other hand, mold remediation is a process of removing this mold from a house or building. However, the process is not easy as it seems and one should hire a professional and trained mold remediation service provider to deal with such issues. Mold generally grows in and around the areas containing moisture. If you happen to come across the mold grown in your home in places such as between walls or in the areas that are inaccessible, it is important for you to contact SERVPRO for the assessment.

It is most likely that most of us have seen mold grown in the areas of the bathroom where tiles haven't been cleaned for a long time, but mold can be found in many different places as well such as wet or damp clothes that have been left for several days where they can not dry. Besides, other areas include basements, areas containing leakage pipes or a pipe burst, etc. Even flood can cause the mold to grow. Building over damp concrete can also cause mold to thrive.

Mold mainly grows in the damp and wet areas; however, if unchecked then it can proliferate and can cause various health problems such as allergic reactions and respiratory problems. It can also lead itchy throat and eyes , sneezing, and coughing, and can affect both humans and pets. Some mods also produce mycotoxins, which can pose serious health risks.

It is important to hire a professional mold remediation service provider. As a trusted leader in the restoration industry, SERVPRO of Southern Butler County provides 24-hour emergency service and is a dedicated to being faster to any size disaster. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

For more information about mold remediation, please contact www.SERVPROsouthernbutlercounty.com today!

Mold Done Right With SERVPRO of Southern Butler County !!

9/6/2017 (Permalink)

This garage's mold was remediated thoroughly and properly with the removal and cleaning of the affected area. It is now clean and safe for rebuild!

Mold Done Right With SERVPRO of Southern Butler County !!

This home in Cranberry PA had a slow water leak from a garage hose outlet that went unnoticed until the drywall and baseboard developed mold.

SERVPRO of Southern Butler County was called to remediate the mold, and through our highly qualified technicians we removed the affected area of all mold growth and prepped the wall for rebuild.

You have a choice in hiring a service professional, and this is what a SERVPRO professional job looks like when done!  It is clean and safe, and the area is ready to be rebuilt!

If you see any signs of mold you should contact SERVPRO of Southern Butler County at 724-473-0745 to come and inspect your property or visit us at www.SERVPROsouthernbutlercounty.com to contact us online!