Putting a Stop to Moldy Carpets

5/1/2022 (Permalink)

Mold is extremely versatile. If given the proper environment mold can grow in virtually every single area on a property. While there can be many causes of mold, there are a few precautions you can take to reduce the chances that you will ever have to deal with mold damage. As with many aspects of home maintenance, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Consider taking the below steps in order to keep mold from growing on your carpets.

Control the humidity and temperature in your home.

Mold grows best with a certain amount of moisture in the air, in addition to certain temperature ranges. One way to help prevent mold growth in any location on your property is to ensure that your humidity levels never reach 60%. 

Consider a different floor covering in areas prone to moisture

Some areas of a home are just more prone to humidity and moisture. Like your bathroom, for instance. Every design aspect of your home should be done with appearance and functionality in mind, and that includes making sure you’re making smart decisions about the type of floor coverings to have in certain areas based on the area’s usage along with environmental aspects. When it comes to bathroom floors, and to a lesser extent basement floors, sometimes the smartest plan is to avoid carpets altogether.

Use carpet padding that is anti-microbial

There are a few different types of padding most commonly used in residential homes. While some are more budget friendly than others, if you’re considering carpet in areas that may be more prone to moisture issues, consider installing rubber-slab carpet padding. It’s much more resistant to mold growth than traditional carpet pads. 

If you do get standing water on your carpets, get it out fast!

This goes for any surface type in your home, and it’s especially true with carpets. With the right humidity levels and temperatures, mold growth can accelerate quickly when food and water are present. Getting the water and excess moisture out quickly can be the difference between a close call and a serious health problem for your family.

Clean your carpets regularly

Vacuuming your carpets regularly, along with having them professionally steam cleaned, can go a long way in preventing mold growth. One of the components of rapid mold growth is food, and mold loves dirt, grime, food, and any other organic substance that can be found in your carpet fibers. Regularly cleaning your carpets is a great way to help reduce the likelihood of dealing with mold in the future! 

Typically, if you have black mold on your carpets a visual inspection is all that is necessary. But in other instances, you may notice a musty smell or perhaps you’ve also been experiencing some troubling health issues that you think may be attributed to high levels of mold. In most states, mold remediation companies must be different than mold testing companies. The way it works is that the mold testing company will come take environmental samples from your home and have them sent off to a lab to be evaluated. If it’s determined through the testing that your home has a toxic black mold problem, it’s at that point that you’ll want to hire a mold removal company like us. Call our franchises!

Mold Remediation: Mold versus Mildew

5/29/2021 (Permalink)

This is an example of growth behind baseboards in a home after water damage had occurred.

When a home suffers a water damage event, a mold infestation can quickly arise and spread throughout a home in 48-72 hours. Because mold can produce allergens and irritants, you will want a professional that has training and experience to properly resolve the mold infestation. That's where we come in!

How can you tell the difference between mold and mildew?

Primarily mildew is a plant disease but it can thrive on any organic matter, not just living tissue. It can appear on clothing, leather, paper, walls, ceilings, floor and even on your shower wall. It usually grows in a flat pattern in a white, gray or yellowish color. It will turn brown or black over time.

Mold is usually fuzzy and appears in irregular shaped spots. It also can appear in many different colors – blue, green, yellow, brown, gray, black, or white. Mold grows on organic matter everywhere but is only visible once the colonies grow.

How can you test the affected area to see if it is mildew or mold?

If you are unsure of what the substance is within the affected area, you can easily have it tested. The best course of action is to ask for professional assistance (like us!), but you can also fairly easily identify whether it is mildew or mold with a little bit of household bleach.

1. Apply a few drops of bleach to the affected area.

2. Wait 5 minutes and inspect the spot.

3. If the affected area becomes lighter, you are more than likely dealing with mildew. If the spot remains dark, it is most likely mold.

Who do you call when you think you've got mold?

SERVPRO of Shakopee/Savage/Prior Lake, that's who!

If you suspect that your Shakopee home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect, assess and remediate your property. Call 952-403-1050 with any questions or concerns. 

Mold Problems: Signs and Services

4/16/2021 (Permalink)

Mold is a problem and concern that any modern homeowner or property owner should be prepared to face. You may feel inclined to ignore a small spot of

Mold is a problem and concern that any modern homeowner or property owner should be prepared to face. You may feel inclined to ignore a small spot of mold, but when you consider the health effects it can have on your home and environment, you know you need a solution. Our professional and certified mold remediation services around Shakopee ensure that you don't encounter mold in your house again - at least until the next flood or leak.

What is Mold Remediation/Removal?

Mold remediation is all the processes involved in restoring the mold spores level in your home. Remediation is the whole bang for your buck that not only removes current mold issues, but ensures that it will not grow again. SERVPRO of Shakopee/Savage/Prior Lake is certified to remove the physical mold that is present in addition to reducing airborne spores. 

Warning Signs of a Mold Problem

Mold is always present. Whether it is in the air, indoors, or outdoors, this fungus has been around for millions of years. When exposed to moisture, it feeds, expands, and releases mold spores into the air.

You might be asking yourself: "How will I know if there are unsafe levels of mold present?"

• Mold has a variety of colors from black to white, although green and black see to be the most prevalent.
• Mold has a nasty musty odor that signals its presence. If you notice an odd scent even after eliminating all other possibilities, mold testing will help you verify if you really have mold issues, if it is just a stain on the wall, or an odd smell.

If you find yourself wondering if that smell is your garbage or that spot on the wall is just dirt from the dog, consider your local mold remediation service and...

HIRE A MOLD REMEDIATION SERVICE LIKE US!

Our specialized technicians make use of modern equipment to carry out mold removal or remediation in Shakopee/Savage/Prior Lake. There is no need to question who you go to when you're worried about mold. Call 952-403-1050 today with any questions or concerns.

Mold Testing in Your Home or Business

3/28/2018 (Permalink)

Do you wonder what that weird looking spot on your wall in the basement is? Perhaps your curious if your home contains any mold currently and what affect that may have on you and your family? Is your business in an older building with a history of flooding or leak issues? Luckily we here at SERVPRO of Scott County/Chaska can do a mold inspection/testing in your home today.

Using our mold testing equipment we can use various methods of figuring out what kind of mold and how much is present in your home or business. Air samples will reveal mold spore counts for various areas of your home or business. Surface samples to identify if dust particles contain and mold spores and what kinds of mold are present. Swab tests can be done to identify mold (or potential mold) that is visible on the surface.

If you’re concerned about mold or the potential for it in your home or business give us a call today at 952-403-1050.

Mold Hiding in Your Home

1/4/2018 (Permalink)

Mold is a fungus that can grow in your home or business and can be have adverse effects on your health. Molds need moisture in order to grow so the first step to removing mold from your home is to find the source of moisture and dry it. Having a well functioning HVAC system also helps control the amount of mold spores within the air of your home. Once moisture is taken care of removal of the mold via anti-microbial spray eliminates the mold growth; however affected areas can require removal of flooring or drywall in order to gain access to the source of the growth and better guarantee its elimination from your home. If you or someone you know thinks they might have mold growth in their home or business give us here at SERVPRO of Scott County/Chaska a call today (952)-403-1050 we can come in, test and do removal of any mold issues you may have.

Mold in your HVAC system?!

12/7/2017 (Permalink)

Most people probably don’t often think about the possibility of mold inside of their HVAC system. However with up to 20 gallons of water being produced a day the risk of mold developing in your HVAC system is very real. The most common service calls are made due to water leaks caused by condensation in fact the main three causes of leaks in a HVAC system are:

               -A crack or hole in the Overflow Pan

               -Clog inside of condensate line which causes the Overflow pan to flood

               -Air filters become clogged with dirt causing evaporator coils to ice up and drip

Once mold has established itself inside of condensate lines it feeds off tiny airborne particles that are sucked into the system via the return airflow ducts. Within the condensate drain lines Zoola can form. Zoola is a mixture of sludge and grime packed with mold which can accumulate in the drain causing it to clog and thus lead to flooding of the overflow pan and creating water damage within the house or structure. Be sure to replace filters and maintenance done on your HVAC system regularly, however if a problem does occur feel free to call us here at SERVPRO of Scott County/Chaska (952)-403-1050 and we’ll help make it "Like it never even happened".

Water Leaks and Mold Damage

11/18/2016 (Permalink)

We were called in to take care of residential mold damage in Shakopee. We removed and treated the entire area resulting in successful remediation!

As a homeowner, the last thing one wants to discover is mold; it's unsightly and the smell can overpower a home. Sometimes a water leak can be so well hidden that it goes undetected long enough for mold to grow. Here are some signs of mold damage that are a result of a water leak:

1. Utility Bills:

If you notice a significant jump in your water bill over a consecutive number of months, this can be a red flag and be a result of a water leak. If your water usage hasn't gone up to your knowledge, it's worth looking into further to make sure there aren't any leaks in your home.

2. Excessive Moisture:

If you notice that walls or baseboards in your kitchen, bathroom, or basement are warped, this can be an indication of water damage and potential mold growth. Mold thrives in dark, damp areas. SERVPRO is trained to detect and remove mold, extract water, and make sure that there won't be any further mold growth.

3. Water Stains and Discoloration

If you notice water stains and discoloration in walls, ceilings, or flooring and haven't spilled anything, peeling paint or wallpaper, there's a good chance that mold damage is present. 

That's where SERVPRO of Scott County/Chaska can help! Our Crew has experience when it comes to dealing with mold growth and preventing further growth using our commercial grade equipment and antimicrobial cleaning solution. Call us today at (952) 403-1050.