Preventing Mold From Returning: Keeping Your Home Safe After Mold Treatment

6/25/2024 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Twin Falls and Jerome Counties, our priority is helping homeowners achieve a safe and healthy environment. After we've successfully remediated a mold problem in your Twin Falls home, you might be wondering how to prevent it from coming back. The good news is that by following some key steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of future mold growth.

Understanding Mold Growth

Mold thrives in damp environments. Microscopic spores are always present in the air, and they readily germinate and colonize whenever they find a moist surface. Here are some key things to remember:

• Moisture Control is Key: Mold won't grow without sufficient moisture. Address any underlying moisture problems that led to the initial infestation. This could involve repairing leaky pipes, improving ventilation in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms and kitchens, and controlling condensation on windows and walls. A moisture meter can be a helpful tool for identifying areas with high moisture levels.
• Promote Ventilation: Ensure proper airflow throughout your home to prevent moisture buildup. Run exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens during and after use. Vent clothes dryers to the outside and avoid drying laundry indoors whenever possible.

Maintaining a Healthy Environment

• Keep Humidity in Check: Aim for a relative humidity level between 30% and 50% inside your home. You can monitor humidity levels with a hygrometer and use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air if necessary.
• Fix Leaks Promptly: Don't delay addressing any leaks in your roof, plumbing, or around windows and doors. Even minor leaks can create a breeding ground for mold growth.
• Clean Regularly: Mold spores can settle on surfaces throughout your home. Routinely clean bathrooms, kitchens, and other moisture-prone areas with a mold-killing disinfectant. Pay attention to areas where condensation collects, such as windowsills and around showers.

When in Doubt, Consult the Professionals

If you suspect mold growth or have concerns about maintaining a healthy indoor environment, it's always best to err on the side of caution. SERVPRO of Twin Falls and Jerome Counties has the expertise and equipment to thoroughly inspect your home for mold and provide recommendations to prevent future problems. We can also address any lingering moisture issues to ensure a lasting solution.

By following these tips and staying vigilant, you can create a healthy and mold-free environment for your family. If you have any questions or require professional mold remediation services, contact SERVPRO of Twin Falls and Jerome Counties today. We're here to help!

Deep Cleaning After Winter: Breathe Easy and Prevent Mold with Spring Spruce-Up in Twin Falls, Idaho

5/7/2024 (Permalink)

Spring has sprung in Twin Falls, Idaho! As the snow melts and warmer weather arrives, it's the perfect time to fling open the windows, banish the winter blues, and give your home a deep clean. But a thorough spring cleaning isn't just about aesthetics - it's also essential for preventing mold and water damage that can fester after a long Southern Idaho winter.

Mold thrives in damp environments, and winter's combination of snow, ice, and fluctuating temperatures can create hidden pockets of moisture in your Twin Falls home. By taking preventative measures during your spring cleaning, you can breathe easier knowing you've minimized the risk of mold growth.

Here are some key areas to focus on during your deep clean:

• Attack the Attic, Basement, and Crawlspace: These areas are particularly prone to moisture build-up. Check for leaks around pipes, windows, and the roof. Look for signs of mold growth, which can appear as fuzzy patches in various colors. If you find mold, address it quickly to prevent it from spreading. There are many ways to prevent mold growth but be aware that many solutions and chemicals will only kill mold on the surface. A stronger Biocide is often needed to get rid of mold completely. Check out this article from the Environmental Protection Agency to find out more. Here
• Inspect Windows and Doors: Drafty windows and doors can allow moisture to seep in. Check for cracked caulking or weather stripping and replace them to create a tight seal. In some cases, high humidity and/or lack of good ventilation or fans can cause moisture buildup as well. Every home is different, and your home may require care and cleaning that other houses may or may not.
• Clean Up Clutter: Don't let damp items like shoes, coats, or pool floats become breeding grounds for mold. Store them properly in dry, well-ventilated areas. Be sure to check your storage areas and move boxes and mobile shelves to be sure that water or moisture isn’t pooling on the floor or walls.
• Embrace Ventilation: Open windows whenever possible to allow fresh air to circulate and combat moisture build-up. But be smart about opening windows and don’t leave them open on days that may be too humid or wet. Consider using exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens while showering or cooking to remove steamy air. Having fans and other methods of ventilation in various rooms throughout the house is a great way to combat moisture and stagnant air.
• Invest in a Dehumidifier (Optional): Here in Twin Falls, we live in a relative desert compared to many places. But that doesn’t mean moisture and mold will just disappear. Many homes, even in Southern Idaho, struggle with high humidity levels, and a dehumidifier can be a game-changer in many of those cases. For most however, this is a bit excessive and a dehumidifier rental, or a call to us here at SERVPRO to provide you one, is typically a great solution.

By incorporating these preventative measures into your spring-cleaning routine, you can create a healthier and safer living environment for yourself and your family. Remember, a little effort now can save you from a bigger headache (and potential health risks) down the line.

For more information on mold prevention and disaster preparedness, you can visit the websites of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Truth About Mold Removal

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO team is highly qualified and trained in all facets of mold and mold removal.

Did you know that removing all mold from a home or business is absolutely impossible? 

Microscopic mold spores are a natural part of the world and are prevalent almost everywhere. The SERVPRO team is not just "faster to any disaster", we are highly qualified and trained in all facets of mold and mold removal. Though mold removal is often fairly straightforward, it's still wise to hire SERVPRO of Twin Falls & Jerome Counties to come and assess the situation. Sure, you can Google "what products remove mold" or "handyman mold removal near me," yet because of the complexities of mold itself, you may not be able to eradicate the problem as a professional team can. 

When water damage occurs, mold can begin to grow in as little as 48 hours. This time frame is important, especially because mold is more problematic for children, the elderly, or anyone with respiratory issues. Mold can also enter your home via open windows, your HVAC system, a pet, or even by attaching to shoes or clothing. Mold thrives on moisture and is often prevalent in bathrooms. When mold spores have entered your home, they can quickly become colonies when exposed to moisture or water. The mold colonies grow incredibly rapidly, producing allergens that are often harmful to our health. When mold has been caused by water damage, the first thing that must happen is for the water and any moisture residue to be removed and thoroughly dried to ensure that the mold doesn't return. 

Mold often produces a terrible odor, and some describe it as a "musty" smell. Most people describe this smell as under their carpet or within the drywall of their home or business. If you notice a strong smell in your home or business area subject to high amounts of moisture, you may have mold. Mold thrives on moisture, and rooms with high humidity can easily succumb to mold spores. To help prevent mold from spreading in humid spaces, keep the indoor humidity below 45%. 

If and when you smell the musty odor or your space has had significant water damage, it's crucial to call the SERVPRO of Twin Falls & Jerome Counties team immediately at (208) 735-1447. You'll want to stay out of the affected area and turn off your heating or air conditioning unit, as that is an easy way to feed the mold colony's growth. It may be tempting, but don't try to start the cleaning process of the mold yourself, instead the smart decision is to let the SERVPRO team be the one to eradicate it for you. In some cases, the use of bleach or something similar will work for small areas. If you can smell the odor, chances are, the mold has grown to a point a professional removal team is necessary. 

SERVPRO of Twin Falls & Jerome Counties is trained in handling and removing all types of mold. We are trained in what to look for in the spreading of molds. We are equipped with the highest-end equipment to prevent the further spreading of all types of mold. You can trust us to thoroughly inspect an area and ask the appropriate questions to know what safety materials and equipment to use. Not only will we remove the mold, but we will also remove the musty odor and restore your space to what it was before mold took over. 

Shower Mold

12/24/2020 (Permalink)

Your bathroom provides an ideal environment for black mold because of the constant use of water and the high levels of humidity. The good news is that you can clean up some of that unsightly shower mold between visits from Twin Falls Idaho, mold remediation professionals. Before you get started, remember a few vital tips:

Vital Tips to Clean Up Unsightly Shower Mold

• Never mix bleach, vinegar, and other cleaning products.
• When you treat the surface mold, hidden growth is still present behind the tiles where you can't reach.
  
  

It's good to conduct surface cleaning regularly, but it's still necessary to have professionals visit to get rid of mold hidden by the shower walls, the ceiling, and the floor.

Use a Homemade Solution

You can use undiluted vinegar in a spray bottle. Full-strength vinegar is the most effective, and you don't need to wipe the vinegar away. Within an hour or two, you shouldn't be bothered by vinegar smell anymore. Alternatively, you could mix 1 cup of Borax or bleach with a gallon of water and put this mixture in your spray bottle. The Borax spray doesn't need to be rinsed off, but the bleach spray must be rinsed away. Remember that bleach releases toxic fumes.

Wipe and Scrub Affected Surfaces

It's important that you get the right amount of spray on the shower mold, so that there's an even coating, but not so much liquid that you increase the potential for mold growth. Use a clean cloth or sponge to wipe the area down. Pull out a scrub brush for stubborn areas. Don't use that brush for anything else, or you'll risk spreading mold throughout your home. Moldy grout can be particularly hard to clean.

Replace Grout, Tiles, and Other Surfaces

If you can't get rid of mold stains, there's probably a deeper problem. This should be addressed by professionals. Removing wallboard, tiles, or wallpaper can release mold spores into the air, allowing them to float into other rooms of your home.

Shower mold may be a common occurrence, but this doesn't lessen the severity of this risks of associated with this fungus in your home. Make sure you take steps to clean up and treat mold as soon as you see or suspect its presence.

Our Mold Damage Specialists Can Restore Your Buhl Basement!

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

Our team has mitigation tactics and restoration practices that can help you dry up the area and remove the presence of mold if it exists.

A Wet Buhl Basement Can Lead To Spreading Mold Damages

Wet basements are not uncommon to Buhl homeowners, especially with the consideration of situations like underground springs, heavy rainfall, and other contributing factors. Many of these homeowners contend with a damp basement throughout most or all of the year, never fully understanding the damage that it can do to the structural elements like flooring supports, framework, and more. While the excessive moisture alone can cause damages to these components, factors like mold growth can speed up the degradation of these materials to the point of failure.

While many homeowners might not understand how mold damage can occur in their Buhl home, another staggering likelihood is the higher volume of residents that might already have this condition without yet realizing it. With the often-lower traffic to areas like the basement, especially understanding its persistent dampness, these regions of the property could already have become colonized. Our SERVPRO experts have the tools and experience to help you.

Everything that we do begins with a thorough inspection of the immediate area and the surrounding vicinity to gather an idea of the spread of the colony. We can then set up our advanced equipment like air scrubbers and hydroxyl generators to reduce the presence of mold spores in the environment so that we can set our sights on colony removal in one specific area of the property.

This inspection can also showcase the penetration points for water through the foundation walls, up through concrete floors, or wherever the water is getting in. Our SERVPRO technicians can use hydraulic cement to patch up vulnerabilities in the blockwork and use moisture detection equipment to identify other problem areas that require further correction.

While you might not consider your property to be at risk of mold growth, it is essential to take care of wet basement conditions as promptly as possible. Our SERVPRO of Twin Falls & Jerome Counties rapid response team has mitigation tactics and restoration practices that can help you dry up the area and remove the presence of mold if it exists. Give us a call today at (208) 735-1447.

Click here for more about Buhl.

Homes Benefit from Mold Cleanup.

9/5/2017 (Permalink)

Laundry Room

It is tempting to research a bit and then try to remove household mold without professional help. Save yourself the frustration and be confident that the microbial infestation in your house is abated properly with a call to SERVPRO of Twin Falls/Jerome Co.

Mold damage to your home is not a reflection on how well you keep your home clean. Mold spores are always in the air, indoors and out, awaiting the perfect conditions to activate and grow. Our mold remediation specialists have advanced training in mold mediation. Understanding mold is the key to resolving a mold proliferation.    When you smell an earthy, musty odor or see streaking and staining of surfaces, ask us here at SERVPRO of Twin Falls/Jerome Counties to investigate. Mold spores need water and a source of organic matter to transform from specks floating in the air to rapidly expanding colonies. Mold comes in a rainbow of colors and textures from fuzzy to leathery. It slowly destroys building structures and personal belongings if not remediated by our trained technicians. Susceptible individuals with allergies or other sensitivities report health issues when a mold is on the upswing, but only a health care practitioner appropriately advises in those cases.    SERVPRO of Twin Falls/Jerome Co. crews receive certification in remediation techniques developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA,) and use these efficient protocols to almost rid your home of current infestations and avoid future problems. However, total extermination and elimination of these fungi are not possible. The first task is to contain the mold. We use physical barriers like plastic sheeting when the mold outbreak is small. Negative air pressure machines arrive with us when larger mold out breaks are present. They filter the air and vent residues outside of living areas, ensuring that spores and other particulates do not circulate in your home’s atmosphere.    Next, the moldy material, including any porous surface infiltrated, is removed and bagged for proper disposal. Our staff wears personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout for safety during each step. We apply professional-grade antimicrobials to the affected area and vacuum up debris using equipment with HEPA filtration systems. The crew replaces any building material removed with the mold, and paints, stains or otherwise finish the area to look “Like it never even happened.”    No remediation is complete until we find the cause of the mold and it is repaired and the mold is eliminated.

Does Your Twin Falls or Jerome County Home Have A Mold Problem?

6/1/2017 (Permalink)

Be careful! Without proper training, you could be spreading mold throughout your home.

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 Twin Falls & Jerome Counties 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.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Twin Falls & Jerome Counties 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.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 208-735-1447