Recent Mold Remediation Posts

How to Prevent Mold Growth in Your Tarboro & Rocky Mount, NC Home: Tips & Tricks

3/23/2023 (Permalink)

Fungus growth This was mold that was found by one of our mold technicians on a recent inspection.

Rocky Mount & Tarboro Mold Issues

Mold growth in your Nash or Edgecombe County home can be a serious health hazard, as well as cause damage to your property. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent mold growth in your home. In this blog post, we'll explore some tips and tricks to help you keep your home mold-free:

Control moisture levels

Mold needs moisture to grow, so it's important to keep moisture levels in your home under control. Repair any leaks in your plumbing, roof or walls as soon as possible. Use a dehumidifier in damp areas like your basement, bathroom or laundry room, and make sure to keep your home well-ventilated.

Clean regularly

Mold can grow on dust and dirt, so it's important to clean your home regularly. Vacuum carpets and upholstery, mop hard floors, and dust surfaces with a microfiber cloth. Make sure to clean up any spills or water leaks immediately to prevent moisture from accumulating.

Use mold-resistant products

When renovating or building your home, consider using mold-resistant products such as drywall, paint, and insulation. These products are designed to resist mold growth and can help prevent the need for remediation down the line.

Monitor humidity levels

It's important to keep the humidity levels in your home below 60 percent. You can monitor the humidity levels using a hygrometer, which is available at most hardware stores. If the humidity levels are too high, use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture in the air.

Use proper ventilation

Proper ventilation is important in preventing mold growth. Use exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen to remove moisture from the air. If you have a clothes dryer, make sure it's vented to the outside to prevent moisture buildup.

Keep indoor plants to a minimum

While indoor plants are beautiful, they can also contribute to mold growth. Plants release moisture into the air, which can create the perfect environment for mold to thrive. If you do have indoor plants, make sure to keep the soil dry and remove any dead leaves or flowers.

Check your gutters and downspouts

Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause water to accumulate around the foundation of your home. This can create a breeding ground for mold. Make sure to clean your gutters and downspouts regularly to prevent water buildup.

In conclusion, preventing mold growth in your home requires a combination of regular cleaning, moisture control, and proper ventilation. By following these tips and tricks, you can keep your home mold-free and protect your health and property.

SERVPRO of Rocky Mount: Trusted Mold Professionals 

Mold growth in your home is something that you need to address as quickly as possible. Without the training and expertise on removal and restoration, you leave your home to further damages. Our team of professional technicians do mold inspections and tests. Give our SERVPRO of Rocky Mount / Tarboro rapid response team a call today at (252) 977-9444.

What Is Spreading Mold in Your Home? 4 Essential Questions To Consider

3/24/2022 (Permalink)

Prevent Mold Spreading in your Home by Following These 4 Tips.

Fungus is a natural organism that breaks down organic material. It's helpful to break down old logs, leaves and debris. Outside the home, the microbes serve a valuable purpose, helping nature in the circle of life. However, inside the house, the spores are not so friendly. An active growth could mean your drywall and wooden structures face decomposition.

Therefore, it's critical to know what is spreading mold within the home so you can minimize damage. Take some precautions now, and understand the main contributing factors. This knowledge allows you to recognize growth early and respond appropriately. The following are four significant factors to consider.

Factors to consider about the spread of mold

1. Are You Spreading Mold?

Yes, you very well could be bringing mold inside. Microbes exist everywhere. They are outside on the ground. They are on branches and trees. It's probably even on your shoes. Any day of the week, they could hitch a quick ride into the house. However, this spread isn't likely to cause too many issues. The fungus doesn't decompose material until it reacts with moisture and organic material.

Don't touch it with your hands if you see discoloration or smell an unusually foul odor. Don't wear those shoes throughout the house. Call in mold technicians instead to handle the situation.

2. Is the Air Current a Concern?

One of the most common methods for mold to migrate is through the air. Their microscopic size makes it easy for wind and air conditioners to impact their location. If an active growth starts within the space, the air movement could influence the overall impact.

Contacting a mold remediation company in Rocky Mount, NC, is essential. The professionals assess the fungus and ducts. If needed, they can scrub and close off some vents to avoid further contamination. The HVAC system can offer benefits too when active growth isn't present. By limiting the room's moisture, owners may reduce the chance of spore growth. Use it to maintain a cool, dry climate.

3. Are Your Cleaning Habits Making Things Worse?

Bleach and other household cleaners kill surface germs. Use them to freshen countertops and scrub away the grime. They do not, however, penetrate porous materials. Spores do. Therefore, household cleaners do not eliminate infestation. They hide it.

Instead of spraying it down, turn to experts who can evaluate the space. The specialists look for the water source, determine how to fix it and extract the infected material.

4. Do You Have Lingering Plumbing Issues?

If you don't want to see black mold, concentrate on keeping the property dry. Many owners shrug off minor plumbing troubles. The sink drips a bit. The bathroom grout may have a few blackish spots. These minor problems, however, are sources or signs of fungus. If you leave them unattended, microbes prosper.

Take proactive measures. Check under cabinets regularly, ensuring faucets and lines work correctly. Observe water bills for unexplained price hikes, catching signs of leaks early. Clean up dampness immediately.

Can you stop what is spreading mold? You can work against it by limiting the catalysts and air movement. Keep your home cool, the air conditioner working correctly and the ducts clean. In addition, eliminate spores appropriately with professional services who fix water damage as soon as possible.

Mold Detection Tips

9/27/2021 (Permalink)

Detect the root problem to have an effective mold cleanup in your Rocky Mount, NC building.

Not all mold problems are immediately apparent. Awareness often starts when employees complain about the air quality or a mold smell when they walk into the office. A musty odor is usually a sign that you have a fungus issue somewhere in your building in Rocky Mount, NC, but unless you can see it, it's hard to determine how big a problem it is. There are several ways that mold mitigation experts determine the cause, location, and size of an infestation.

Cause

The most likely culprit of the odor is secondary damage from a water loss somewhere in the building. A mold test kit from the local hardware store may tell you there is mold in the building, but it won't give you the specific information needed to actually do something about it. One of the reasons it's smart to hire certified environmental hygienists to test for mold is that they have the necessary tools to diagnose the details of the problem causing the fungus smell:

  • Thermal cameras to highlight hidden water damage
  • Moisture meters to detect levels within structural components
  • Humidity gauges to test moisture in the air
  • Borescope to reveal mold inside pipes or other enclosed pieces
  • Rotameter to reveal the rate of airflow

While regular building inspections are necessary, they may not reveal hidden issues. Bringing in the professionals as soon as possible helps you identify the cause behind the mold smell so that you can stop the growth in its tracks.

Location

If there is a mold or mildew smell in your building, it may seem stronger in some areas than in others. Trying to find mold by the sense of smell alone, however, is not typically an effective method. The musty odor is the result of gases called microbial volatile organic compounds that are released as mold multiplies. The strong smell of these gases may indicate that the offending patches are nearby, or it could mean the vapors were transferred to your location through the air ducts or other airflow methods.

You need professional assistance to get an accurate location. Hygienists can test air samples to see where the most spores are present rather than just relying on subjective data from their physical senses. This speeds up the search process and allows the mitigation team to start work more quickly.

Size

The mold that appears on the surface of structural components seldom comprises the whole problem, especially if they are porous. Mold grows down into the material, which is why it can be so difficult to clean. Thermal imaging can help technicians see past the surface of the drywall or ceiling tiles to assess how much damage lies underneath. This helps them determine how much of the material they need to tear out and replace so that they don't have to remove more of the wall than necessary.

A mold smell in your building isn't necessarily good news, but at least it lets you know you have a fungus issue. As soon as the musty odor is reported, call professional mold experts who can properly inspect the building to get to the root of the problem.

What To Look For in a Mold Air Purifier

6/28/2021 (Permalink)

Remove mold spores from your Rocky Mount, NC home.

Mold in your home can be an ongoing problem if you have places that are humid or damp. The first thing you need to do is have it professionally cleaned by a remediation company in Rocky Mount, NC. Once this is done, you need to make sure that the mold stays gone. You can do this with a good air filtration system.
If you are shopping for an air system that removes mold, you want to look for:

  • Filtration
  • Light
  • Certifications


Each of these is crucial to removing mold spores from your home.

Filtration

Filtration is your main line of defense against mold. The best filters for mold are high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. These are tight mesh filters that pull out the majority of airborne particles. You will need to find the right size filter for the room you want to purify.
Air filtration is only effective when your filter is kept clean. You need to make sure that you change or clean the filter regularly.

Light

Many of the better mold filters use UV light to destroy biological particulates in the air. UV light filters cleanse the air by killing the mold. Although technically, the mold is still there, it is no longer alive and becomes dust. Your air purifier can then pass the air through a HEPA filter and filter out any remaining particles. This works as a primary stage, while the HEPA filter is the second stage.

Certification

Ideally, you want a fully certified air filter. This means that the Environmental Protection Agency and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers both should rate your purifier. These agencies evaluate purifiers for quality and particulate removal. Your machine should also be rated by Energy Star to make sure that your filter isn't wasting any unnecessary energy.

After having your home professionally cleaned to get rid of the mold, you should install an air filtration system to make sure that it doesn't come back.

Help! I Have a Mold Infestation Under My Home!

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Clean the area with mold.

Discovering mold in the crawlspace of your Rocky Mount, NC, home can create feelings of anxiety and be quite overwhelming. After all, you probably don't go in this area very often, so by the time you find it, the mold damage could already be severe. This means that it could also spread to other areas of the house, so it's critical to arrange for professional removal to begin as quickly as possible. Fortunately, there are relatively easy ways to get rid of it if it's limited to this space. There are several techniques for removing mold from a structure. Soda blasting is one of the best methods due to its effectiveness and other benefits.

Soda Blasting Process

Here's how the soda blasting process operates:

1. Inspecting the Space

First, the entire area will need to be thoroughly inspected for any signs of mold growth. The mold damage remediation specialists will look for mold, various types of fungus and wood rot. They'll also check the humidity of the area.

2. Blasting Baking Soda

Soda blasting is one of the most efficient methods of removing mold growth from all of the crawlspace surfaces. High-pressure compressed air spray is combined with baking soda to abrasively strip the mold away. Aside from being extremely useful, it's also much faster than manually scraping and scrubbing. There's no need to use chemicals when soda blasting, so it's much safer (for you and the environment) than traditional mold-removal methods.

3. Cleaning the Area

When the entire area is cleared of mold growth, the site is thoroughly vacuumed. Then, all of the surfaces are completely wiped down. This cleansing ensures that mold spores no longer exist in the area. Otherwise, mold would begin growing again.

Mold damage in your crawlspace can result from flooding or something as simple as higher than ideal relative humidity. Whatever the cause, it's vital to begin the cleanup process as soon a possible.

Mold Damage

1/10/2020 (Permalink)

Mold in a Rocky Mount Business with a severe moisture problem.

Mold Damage

Mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.

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 –SERVPRO of Rocky Mount NC 252-977-9444

Mold

10/25/2018 (Permalink)

The cause of Mold in this picture is a result from not having their HVAC unit runnning during hot humid months, while they were out of town.

Does Your Nash or Edgecombe County Home Have A Mold Problem?

Mold Damage

In Nash, or Edgecombe Counties mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.

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 – 252-977-9444

Mold Damage

10/25/2018 (Permalink)

This is a result of a leaking roof that was not properly repaired and resulted in this mold damage.

Nash and Edgecombe Residents:  Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

Mold Damage

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 [[Franchise Name]] 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 Rocky Mount 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 – 252-977-9444

Mold

8/14/2017 (Permalink)

This is mold in an area of a home that had a leaking hot water heater. We were able to determine the source of the mold for this homeowner.

Does Your Nash, Edgecombe or Halifax County Home Have A Mold Problem?

Mold Damage

In Nash, Edgecombe or Halifax mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.

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.

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. Finding the source of the problem is key to the remediation process.
  • 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 – SERVPRO of Rocky Mount for Halifax, Nash and Edgecombe Counties 252-977-444