Tracking Down a Moldy Situation | SERVPRO of East Central Cincinnati

2/21/2024 (Permalink)

Has mold infiltrated your home? SERVPRO of East Central Cincinnati is Here to Help®? restore your home. Call us today!

Mold—one little word with a big impact. No one wants it in their home or business, but it happens all the time! 

One minute you are working on clearing out a section of your basement and the next you are hit with an overwhelming smell that is unmistakably mold. 

Since mold tends to flourish in places that aren’t often checked on a regular basis, you could very well come upon a mold infestation that has been growing for months. Knowing what mold looks like, where it grows and what to do if you discover an infestation can help you take action quickly to prevent a serious situation. 

The Basics on Mold 

Mold spores are constantly floating through the air and can be found both inside and outside your home. They are microscopic and can easily get into your home through open windows or doors or through your vent system. While that in and of itself isn’t an issue, the trouble starts when it settles into an area in your home and starts to grow into a colony.

Mold can be any color of the rainbow, and it can be many different textures. Some mold is white and chalky while other kinds are black and slimy. In any case, mold loves to grow in areas that are dark and continually damp. This makes places like your attic, basement and crawl space ideal locations for a mold colony. 

Can Mold Be Prevented? 

Since mold is everywhere, you cannot say with 100% certainty that your home is mold-free. However, you can take steps to reduce your risk of a mold infestation from taking hold by controlling the amount of moisture in your home and air. Open windows in high-humidity areas, and keep your fans running to promote air circulation. 

If moisture starts to collect in these common locations, a mold infestation can take hold in as little as 24 hours. You should also address any humidity issues in your home. All homes are a little humid, but you should aim to keep your levels between 30 and 50% humidity for ideal conditions. 

What to Do About Mold Growth

If you are going about your day and smell a musty or earthy smell that you can’t quite place, it’s time to do some investigating. Mold often produces this earthy smell, and following your nose can help you track it down. 

Once you locate the colony, be careful not to disturb it. Some mold types can be dangerous to inhale and should only be handled by trained professionals. 

That’s us! Give us a call so we can come out and identify the mold and contain the area. We will work on filtering the air to clean up the spores floating around and then we will get to work cleaning and sanitizing the entire affected surface. 

If the mold has been growing for some time and has damaged the structural components of your home, we can handle those repairs at this time as well. Mold can be stubborn, but not when our mold remediation team is up to the task! 

Do you suspect a mold problem at your home? Contact SERVPRO of East Central Cincinnati today.

Reasons You Should Hire a Mold Remediation Professionals

1/24/2023 (Permalink)

Mold is a serious problem that can cause serious damage to your home.

Mold remediation is a specialized field. It requires the expertise of not only a trained professional but also the right type of equipment and chemicals. The wrong type of mold remediator can make matters worse, so it's important to choose someone with the right skill set, experience, and certifications. Here are some reasons why you should hire a professional mold remediation company if you suspect mold in your home or business: 

Locate Hidden Mold Easier

Although you can't see them, mold spores are everywhere, and they're microscopic. The moisture in your home can provide ideal conditions for this growth process to take place. If you suspect you have mold growing in your home and aren't sure how to remove it yourself, contact an expert who will be able to inspect your home for signs of mold growth and provide solutions for treating the underlying cause of condensation before it becomes a bigger problem.

Mold can be hidden in more places than you might expect. Mold can be found behind wall coverings, under carpets, within HVAC systems and ducts, in crawl spaces and attics—even high on the walls of your home.

Mold remediation professionals are trained to identify mold growth patterns inside buildings. They use tools like moisture meters and thermal cameras to pinpoint problem areas that may otherwise go unnoticed by homeowners who don't have those specialized skills or training.

Clean, Dry, and Prevent Better

A professional mold remediation company is generally better equipped and trained to handle the task of cleaning and drying after a mold infestation. Some of the reasons why a professional company may be better at cleaning and drying include:

1. Equipment: Professional companies have specialized equipment, such as HEPA air filtration systems, dehumidifiers, and moisture meters, that can be used to effectively remove mold and dry the affected area.
2. Safety: Mold can be harmful to your property if not handled properly. Professional companies follow proper safety protocols, such as wearing protective gear, to ensure the safety of their employees and the occupants of the home.
3. Thoroughness: Professional companies are thorough in their cleaning and drying process, ensuring that all mold is removed and the affected area is completely dry to prevent future mold growth.
4. Warranty: Many professional mold remediation companies offer a warranty on their work, giving you added peace of mind that the problem has been properly addressed. 

Mold Remediation Experts in Cincinnati

A mold remediation job is best left to the professionals because they do this all the time and they know what needs to be done! They are effective with proven methods for sealing homes.

Mold is a serious problem that can cause serious damage to your home. Even worse, untreated mold can spread quickly in your home or business. Mold remediation professionals have the equipment and knowledge necessary to tackle this problem head-on. If you have mold in your Cincinnati home, give SERVPRO of East Central Cincinnati a call! We are Here to Help!

Steps To Clean a Moldy Washing Machine

12/10/2018 (Permalink)

You may need to consult a mold remediation specialist.

Considering washing machines are used to keep things clean, you may wonder how you can even end up with mold in your washer – but it’s entirely possible. When it happens it’s one of the worst things ever, when that smell can soak into your clothing and never come out. But all is not lost; not only can you salvage your mold-contaminated washing machine, but you can even save your clothing.

Don’t Throw Out Your Washer Just Yet

Before you haul your washing machine to your Cincinnati, OH, dumpster, try these steps to clean out the mold smell and remediate your mold issues:

• Scrub the machine out thoroughly. Glove up and get in there with some elbow grease and a brillo pad. Scrub the mold away until you can’t see anything but clean metal, then run an empty wash cycle to rinse the particulates away.
• Use everyday household products to both kill the mold and get rid of the smell. Run a cycle with a 1:4 mix of water and baking soda, then another cycle with vinegar put into the detergent tray. Both will help clean out any smells, and eradicate remaining mold. Just remember to run an empty wash cycle after to rinse it out and prevent your dirty clothes from smelling like vinegar.
• Bleach everything. Bleach and other chemical cleaners can be that last “burn it all to the ground” resort, but they’ll work in a pinch. If you want to try something a bit gentler, though, give an oxy-based cleaner that uses oxidizing solutions a try.

What If the Washing Machine Still Stinks?

You may need to consult a mold remediation specialist. It’s possible the washing machine is beyond saving, but if anyone can help you bring it back from the brink, a specialist can. They may recommend solutions and techniques that aren’t commonly known to the average homeowner. For more information, 

Duct Cleaning in Ohio Will Help Remove Mold Spores

12/10/2018 (Permalink)

Dirty duct in Cincinnati, OH

Today I want to discuss indoor air quality and the necessity of clean duct work. Most homes built these days are constructed so well that natural air infiltration does not occur. This being said the quality of the air we breath may not be what you think it is and lends us to take a look at what we can control.

Remove Mold Spores and Dust from Your Ducts

Arguably the biggest influencer in air quality is the home HVAC system.That would stand to reason its need to be maintained and kept clean. Not all homes will have the same amount of dust ,dirt, mold spores and allergens found in the ductwork but all homes have ductwork that can and should be cleaned. The frequency of cleaning depends on multiple factors and quite honestly can change for many reasons. We recommend a whole system cleaning and maintenance check annually but this is also a suggestion not a requirement.

Call SERVPRO of East Central Cincinnati for your complete system inspection 513-561-7378

How do I know if my home has mold?

9/22/2018 (Permalink)

Mold hiding in a closet behind some clothes.

Mold is microscopic which cannot be seen with the naked eye. Therefore, it is very hard to determine if your home has mold unless you can visibly see the black growth. Mold needs water to grow and will grow if there are leaks.

Hidden mold can be found by doing some simple sleuthing:

• Where do you have water problems?
• Check under windows since condensation can form and mold will grow on the sill.
• Bathrooms have a lot of water. Any leak or corner that collects moisture is a potential place for mold growth.
• The water heater and water softener are notorious for having leaks, especially when the water softener purges.
• You can often find mold around the edges of their tanks.
  

There are many ares where mold can be found but look no further when searching for a Mold Remediation Company.

Does Your Cincinnati Home Have A Mold Problem?

9/21/2018 (Permalink)

Black mold damage on wallboard in Cincinnati.

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 513-561-7378

Emergency Tips for Dealing with Mold

9/11/2018 (Permalink)

Moisture meter on a mold problem in Cincinnati, OH

If your home in Cincinnati, OH, has experienced water damage, it is also in danger of developing a black mold problem. Mold can start to grow in as little as 24 hours after water damage from a flood or leak occurs. It also spreads very easily. While waiting for mold remediation specialists to arrive and begin the mold cleanup process, you can do your part to prevent the spread of the mold growth before they arrive by completing two tasks.

Water Cutoff

Mold loves excess moisture, so it makes sense that the easiest way to prevent the spread of mold is by denying it the moisture it needs to thrive. There are several ways to do this:

• Turning the water shutoff valve that serves the area where mold is present
• Drying surfaces to which the mold is most likely to spread
• Setting up a dehumidifier in unaffected parts of your home to give mold nowhere to go

If you have a moisture problem, you are likely to have a black mold problem. By controlling moisture, you can often prevent the spread of mold.

HVAC Cutoff

It may seem counterintuitive to shut off air flow when you are trying to dry out surfaces and prevent mold from spreading, but don't forget that there are mold spores in the air. As long as the air conditioner or heater is running, those mold spores have a free ride to anywhere in your home. If the excess moisture that allowed mold to grow in one area makes the rest of your home more humid, mold may start to grow in other places. Shutting down air flow curbs the travel of the mold spores that would cause this new growth.

If you discover black mold in your home, there's not much you can do about it except call the experts. While you are waiting for them, however, you can take measures to prevent it from spreading.

The right tools for the right job

12/10/2017 (Permalink)

Desiccant Dehumidifier on a Mold Job

The picture shown is at a house with a crawl space that suffered an unnoticed water damage which lead to a mold problem. The for mentioned space would have to be properly dried before the mold remediation could take place.

To accomplish this task we utilized a small desiccant dehumidifier accompanied two with air filtration devices (AFD) to protect the un affected areas of the house. We wanted to minimize the air flow and increase the vapor differential in the work zone.

At SERVPRO of East Central Cincinnati we stay on top of new products and equipment to limit the amount of deconstruction needed to mitigate a property. By doing so we are able to lower the total job cost as well as shorten the length of the project putting the homeowner back to "Like it never even happened."