Why Mold Remediation Matters

9/11/2023 (Permalink)

Mold Growing in Dry Wall

Mold remediation offers a variety of benefits for both the health of building occupants and the structural integrity of buildings. Mold can cause a range of health problems, including respiratory issues, allergies, and asthma. Removing mold through remediation can reduce the risk of these health problems and improve indoor air quality. Additionally, mold can weaken and damage structures over time, making remediation essential for maintaining the integrity of buildings. Remediation can also help to prevent future mold growth by addressing underlying moisture issues and identifying potential problem areas. Furthermore, mold remediation can increase the overall value of a building by improving its appearance and safety. In summary, the benefits of mold remediation include improved indoor air quality, reduced risk of health problems, preserved structural integrity, prevention of future mold growth, and increased building value.

By choosing SERVPRO®, you will be assured that our highly-trained professionals will arrive as quickly as possible, as mold can spread throughout your home in less than 72 hours.

Now That The Rain Has Stopped...

6/22/2023 (Permalink)

An unfortunate side affect of moisture

As most of us in Carson and the entire South Bay know we had one of the wettest winters in recent memory this year.  There were record numbers of homes with major damage to roofs and the interior living spaces.  However these were only the homes with obvious damage. 

What do I mean by that, you  may ask...

There are many homes that were affected by the rain and storms that did not get quite wet enough to drip into the living environment, or even show obvious signs at the time that are now showing signs of microbial growth, or in layperson's terms...  Mold.

If you are unlucky enough to find yourself in this situation, don't panic.  We at SERVPRO® of Carson/West Carson have you covered.  Our technicians have decades of experience in mold remediation and will do what it takes to get your home back to "Like It Never Even Happened."

Make Sure To Hire The Right Mold Remediation Company

3/5/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO MOLD remediation services

Time is money! We cant waste time on guesstimating if a company is qualified for mold removal, we need to find a solution and proceed with action!

SERVPRO of Carson/West Carson understands that mold is a serious financial, legal, and health concern. Our certified technicians are ready to help take on mold the right way!

With more than than 50 years of industry experience, SERVPRO of Carson/West Carson is a leader in fire, water, and mold cleanup and restoration services. We've responded to countless mold concerns from individual business owners and home owners. Click on the link below to our testimonial page.

 https://www.SERVPROcarsonwestcarson.com/testimonials 

Questions I Should Ask Before Hiring Qualified Mold remediation Companies???

• Are you IICRC registered and certified?
• How much experience do your workers have?
• Can you provide me with credible references?
• Do you have a website??
• Do you have your certificate of insurance??
• What if the mold reoccurs?? Do you offer warranty?

Mold In Your Home

9/13/2019 (Permalink)

Mold is most commonly found in cold, dark areas which is why some of the most unexpected situations occur in the interior living areas. If your living room has a chimney, this adds to the possibility of mold intrusion.

Water can enter very easily through cracks in the roof or chimney. Be sure to keep an eye out for any moisture that seems out of place. A thorough examination can be done by a contractor if you aren't sure.

Now that you're aware of aerial leaks, don't forget about your carpet! If the carpet has ever been wet before, it has a high chance of containing some mold. Be sure to use a dry-cleaning carpet company if you want to wash it, never use a wet shampoo! 

Mold contamination is an awful sight to behold, luckily we know how to deal with it.

310-939-9293

Tips on Preventing Mold

8/1/2018 (Permalink)

MOLD FREE

There are a few different ways to prevent mold and mildew growth in your home.

For instance, if you don’t have an exhaust fan in your bathroom, you need to install one. Keep it running during and after baths and showers. Anytime there is more moisture in the air than normal, using the exhaust fan can help clear it out so that it doesn’t seep into walls.

If you already have an exhaust fan but it’s not working well enough, install a stronger one that will provide better ventilation. You may also want to install a window with a screen to open to help dry out the room.

Clean your bathroom with a diluted bleach-and-water mixture every now and then to kill germs within the room, as well.

Whether you’re renovating your entire bathroom or making smaller updates, you can refresh the look of your bath and prevent mold growth.

When you're ready to repaint your bathroom, be sure to use the right paint. Semi-gloss paint is what you want for your bathroom to prevent mold growth.

There's a basic rule to follow when choosing paint sheen's... The higher the sheen, the higher the shine — and the higher the shine, the more durable it will be, and harder for mold to grow on.  

Every Home Should Have an Air Purifier

7/24/2018 (Permalink)

Clean Air? Don't Care?

Are you one of the millions who suffer from asthma or allergies everyday??? Do you own an air purifier? Do you think about the air quality of your home?

Maybe its time to invest in a air purifier for yourself. You can buy one these days under $80, the cost of a monthly cell phone service bill, to keep forever...

Most people who buy air purifiers do so in hopes of easing asthma, allergies or even dust in there homes... The very best portable air purifiers are very effective at cleaning the air, mold spores, smoke,dust, and pollen at their highest and lowest speed.

Mold spores range from 1-30 microns, and air purifiers remove mold as small as .003 microns. UV light is helpful but is not required for removing spores... Mold spores die inside the HEPA filter due to the fact that it's a dry sterile environment. A quality HEPA air purifier remove's airborne mold spores and keeps the air quality of your home at par.

If your kids or loved one's constantly suffers from asthma and allergies, try and test out a good quality air purifier to see if you notice a difference prior to buying one.

Does Mold Smell? Should I be concerned?

7/17/2018 (Permalink)

I SMELL MOLD BUT CANT SEE IT...

Mold can be a very tricky and irritating to identify if you're a homeowner. Usually you cant smell mold, but sometimes it can give a musty odor.

Mold produces gasses called microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC).  Many of these MVOC gasses are odorless, but at times will produce a musty odor.If 

When mold isn't visible, but you have a gut feeling mold is growing somewhere in your property,Can be one of the most annoying things to deal with. Bathroom's are the most common rooms in the house for mold build up. Always be sure to use the proper paints when renavating a bathroom. 

You can call SERVPRO of Carson/West Carson if you ever suspect mold growth at your property. Should you ever have any questions or concerns, or would like to properly get the mold issue resolved... CALL US! (310)637-7701

Water Heaters and MOLD

6/8/2018 (Permalink)

Water heaters and MOLD

Mold around your hot water heater? it’s important to have it thoroughly removed as soon as possible when ever you see it.

Exposure to household mold can lead to numerous health problems, some of them quite serious. Exposure to mold can cause respiratory infections such as bronchitis, asthma attacks, allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, digestive problems, and even depression.

Mold can be removed from non-porous surfaces like tile floors with an antimicrobial cleanser (Bleach or Vinegar) and a scrub brush. It’s not possible to remove mold completely from porous surfaces, like carpets, drywall and floorboards. Those materials must be removed (carefully, in order not to spread mold spores to other areas of the home in the process) and replaced.

If you are experiencing any mold-related health problems or if you have respiratory problems like asthma or any disorders of the immune system, we recommend not attempting to remove mold yourself because the mold removal process will expose you to more mold spores and can make your condition worse. To protect your health, we recommend calling SERVPRO of Carson/West Carson to assure that the job gets done right.

In order to prevent mold from returning, you’ll need to repair any hot water heater leak or other problem that led to the development of mold. Hot water will have mold grow at a faster rate. Remember that MOLD feeds off humid/dark area's... Always look around your home for signs of leaks or weird smells that can lead to MOLD growth.

SERVPRO's HEPA VAC

6/1/2018 (Permalink)

Hire Someone Who Knows What They're Doing

  HEPA

  High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance . That is what the acronym HEPA stands for. What is a HEPA vacuum? How does it work? What makes it different and more special than other vacuums.

      When approaching things such as mold, led, or asbestos you must use a HEPA vacuum. It is for indoor use only and takes out 99.97% of the particulates in the air. It is the most efficient vacuum you can find. Inside a HEPA vacuum is 5 filters including a HEPA filter.

      When on a job, you can combine a HEPA vacuum with an air scrubber to completely control the debris in the air and help eradicate the mold on a property. After cleaning the walls and vacuuming the walls and floors with an air scrubber running, you're usually done with the mold job, without a HEPA vacuum it would be impossible. SERVPRO of Carson/West Carson got's what it takes to get the job done RIGHT!

Mold in My Shower

4/26/2018 (Permalink)

MOLD IN MY BATHROOM

 I was taking a shower one morning when I looked up and noticed black fuzz and dots growing on my ceiling and glass doors! I realized it was actually mold. Why does mold seem to like the bathroom the most and what can I do to prevent it from growing there?

You've got a problem there. First off, you should probably get that black stuff looked at and remediated by a professional like SERVPRO of Carson/West Carson. You don’t want to start scraping it off yourself. Mold can be linked to a whole host of allergy symptoms, and even if you’re not experiencing any of them, it’s a good idea to get the problem under control.

Let’s talk about what mold is and what makes it grow in the first place. Mold is a form of fungus that is found all around us in the natural environment.

However, when there is moisture indoors that isn’t dried immediately,such as when there is leakage or flooding, mold can grow behind/under surfaces. 

If you can have your bathroom window cracked open about 3 to 4 inches most of the time, that alone would help out tremendously. 

Mold can grow only when moisture can’t get out, and if your bathroom doesn’t have a vent, or if your vent isn’t working properly, that’s the first thing you need to fix.

If you do have a vent in your bathroom, make sure that you turn on the exhaust fan during and after your shower. The exhaust fan pulls the moisture out. So try and leave your bathroom windows or door open after you shower to help prevent any build up.

It’s also important to check underneath all the sinks in your house once or twice a year and make sure you don’t have any leaks. After all, even a hint of moisture in the wrong place can trigger mold growth.

If you ever have any questions or concerns about possible mold in your home or commercial facility, please don't hesitate to call us at (310) 637-7701

Controlling MOLD in your Residential Home/Commercial Facility

4/2/2018 (Permalink)

Keep your loved ones safe

Mold cannot be completely removed.  It is a natural part of our environment and exists in microscopic spores.  Many restoration businesses advertise "mold removal" and even guarantee to remove all mold. This isn’t possible.  What you are going to be doing, instead, is removing the triggers in your home that cause mold that causes large amounts of mold growth.

Where Mold is Likely to Grow

Mold is likely to grow in places that are dark,warm,and humid places.  These places include kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.  It’s also likely to grow in places that have previously had a water damage that wasn’t dried properly.  If you smell something musty in the air or see black spots growing on your walls, you may have mold.

How to Control Mold Growth

1. Fix anything that is leaking.  That includes pipes, windows, and roofs.  A leaking structure or pipe that isn’t fixed will eventually cause mold growth and damage the structure that is absorbing its moisture.  Most people discover a leaking roof or pipe when they see secondary damage to their home, like a small pool of water on the floor or a water spot on their ceiling.
2. Control the humidity in your home.  Mold likes to grow in high humidity.  An appropriate humidity level for your home is 40-50% Relative Humidity (RH).  In the winter months, it may be lower than 40% RH.  You can purchase a home hygrometer (a humidity meter) and temperature gauge at your local home and hardware store or online for less than $10.
3. Ventilate humid areas.  Humid areas in homes are typically the kitchen, shower, and laundry areas where warm water is used.  After doing any of these activities, turn on your ventilation fan.
4. Hire an experienced and proven water damage cleanup company.  If your property experiences flooding, hire a company with a record of successfully cleaning water damages from properties.  This company should extract water and monitor your property as it dries.  Ask for documentation to verify your structure has been properly dried.

If you find or suspect mold growing in your home, call us.  We will assess your property and, if anything is found, remediate your mold and help you find the cause of the mold and fix it.

SERVPRO of Carson/West Carson has over 15 years of experience mitigating water, fire, and mold damages.  We are a licensed mold contractor and respond 24/7 every day of the year.  Call us for any questions or concerns (310) 637-7701