Mold is Everywhere

9/29/2023 (Permalink)

Mold can spread rapidly after water damage, and cause many problems.

Some Facts About Mold:

Mold is everywhere – in the air and on many surfaces. Molds have been on the Earth for millions of years. Mold grows where there is moisture. Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to mold. These people should stay away from areas that are likely to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas.

Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, bags, and pets can and be carried indoors.

Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

MOLD PREVENTION TIPS

Keep humidity levels as low as you can—no higher than 50%–all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. Bear in mind that humidity levels change over the course of a day with changes in the moisture in the air and the air temperature, so you will need to check the humidity levels more than once a day.
Be sure your home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans which vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after flooding.
Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting.
Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly. Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.

If you have a mold problem or would like to prevent mold after you have experienced water damage, SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest can help with both! Call us today 402-408-0134

Mold Can Start to Grow in 24-hours

6/27/2022 (Permalink)

Mold can start to grow in 24-hours

Did you know mold can start to grow in less than 24 hours? If water caused your basement to flood, mold can start to appear on surfaces that day!

The first step to preventing mold growth, is to identify the cause and fix the source of moisture. Mold thrives with moisture. Steam from a shower, damp basements, plumbing leaks, and flooding are examples of sources of moisture. Also, it's important to keep the humidity levels down in your home.

Follow your nose to find the source. Mold generally has a musty odor. Mold can appear to be slimy or fuzzy, and can grow anywhere moisture is found. If you detect any mildew smells, you may have a mold issue that would benefit from professional mold remediation.

Call SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest and Omaha West/Saunders County at (402)408-0134 to help remediate your mold issue today. Not only can our team help to identify the mold, they can help with options for removal and remediation of surfaces affected.

7 Areas Where Mold Could Be Growing in Your Home

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

We don’t often like to think about it, but mold has the potential to grow almost anywhere inside of your home. All homes have the main elements to grow mold – oxygen, warmth, darkness, the inhabitance of mold spores, and a surface where it can form. Adding moisture, whether it is from a leaky pipe, heavy rain, or other outside factors is when you will start to see the mold begin to grow. It is entirely possible that you could already have mold in your home without knowing.

Areas to Look for Mold

Bathroom
As you may have guessed, bathrooms can be a breeding ground for mold. It is important to check your shower walls, bathtub, sink, & toilet areas. These are key places where moisture can be found, and if these are not properly maintained you may be looking at an unwanted mess.

Kitchen
Ranging from food that is forgotten about, to dishes that need to be cleaned – the kitchen is another area where mold is commonly found. In these instances, you should look in and under your sink, in and behind your refrigerator, behind your stove and microwave, and your trash cans. These areas are typical for finding leftover food that you may have forgotten about and you will want to rid of those immediately.

Bedroom
One area that you may not expect to find mold would be your bedroom. If you don’t have a mold-proof mattress or water-proof mattress cover, there is potential for moisture to seep into your mattress and gather mold. You will also want to be conscious of your windows and windowsills as this is a place where condensation can form. If this is not cleaned properly, mold can and will grow.

Living Room
If you are one who loves growing house plants, you will need to be wary of moisture that these plants can hold. If untreated, these can be a significant source of mold growth. Besides house plants, make sure that you always keep your couch cushions dry, and if applicable have your fireplace and chimney cleaned by a professional. These are all areas moisture can gather and mold can grow if unnoticed.

Attic
Since an attic is usually a dark room in your home, it has considerable potential for mold growth. Be sure to frequently check for leaks or water can pour in and create mold. Another area to check would be in your insulation and vents. These are two places that if not cleaned properly have the chance to also build mold.

Basement
Especially when it rains, basements are one area that you need to make sure stay clean or they can harbor mold. When looking for mold, you will want to check near any pipes, ducting, and vents. If your house has a sump pump or if your water heater is in your basement, these are areas that moisture can build up.

Garage
Especially when used for storage, you will want to check up on your garage as much as possible. When storage items aren’t frequently moved around, this gives mold the chance to grow as it can latch onto these surfaces if there is any moisture on them.

Evidently, there are many areas that mold can grow in your own home. Make sure you are checking and cleaning these areas frequently so you can ensure your own safety. If you do happen to find mold in any of these areas, call SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest and Omaha West/Saunders County at (402)408-0134 to remediate your mold issue today. Our team will not only help you identify the mold you find, but we will give you options for complete removal and remediation of all surfaces that are affected.

Did You Know, Mold Can Grow in 24 Hours?

9/15/2021 (Permalink)

A white wall with black mold in the corner

Mold can grow in less than 24 hours

Did you know mold can start to grow in less than 24 hours? If water caused your basement to flood, mold can start to appear on surfaces that day!

The first step to preventing mold growth, is to identify the cause and fix the source of moisture. Mold thrives with moisture. Steam from a shower, damp basements, plumbing leaks, and flooding are examples of sources of moisture. Also, it's important to keep the humidity levels down in your home.

Follow your nose to find the source. Mold generally has a musty odor. Mold can appear to be slimy or fuzzy, and can grow anywhere moisture is found. If you detect any mildew smells, you may have a mold issue that would benefit from professional mold remediation.

Call SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest and Omaha West/Saunders County at (402)408-0134 to help remediate your mold issue today. Not only can our team help to identify the mold, they can help with options for removal and remediation of surfaces affected.

7 Areas Where Mold Could Be Growing in Your Home

11/2/2020 (Permalink)