The Cost of Mold Damage

8/25/2022 (Permalink)

Mold found on baseboards.

If mold is present in your Valrico, FL home, the damage could add up depending upon several factors. If you catch the problem quickly, the cost is not likely to be too severe. On the other hand, if the problem is extensive and has been allowed to spread, the final cost could be quite significant. Because of this, mold removal efforts by a professional mold mitigation company should begin as soon as possible. Over time, mold penetrates materials such as drywall, carpeting, and furniture, sometimes requiring they be replaced.

The Cost of Mold Removal

Mold mitigation in your home could cost as little as a couple of hundred dollars or as much as several thousand dollars. The factors that determine the cost include the following:

• The size of the impacted area
• The length in time of the mold infestation
• The areas of the home the mold has colonized
• The presence of secondary damage such as water damage
• The scope of structural damage

Some areas of mold growth are harder to access and more difficult to remove, necessitating the use of specialized equipment. For example, if mold spores have made it into the HVAC system, this requires the cleaning of air ducts and perhaps even the furnace. Widespread structural damage to a home is a worst-case scenario.

The Case of Black Mold Removal

Black mold is sometimes famous because it has toxic properties that could impact human health. The removal process for all types of molds is pretty similar and different types of mold are unlikely to affect the cost of cleanup. The restoration process will typically require removing water-damaged materials, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, vacuuming up spores, and repairing damaged drywall and other structures. It could also entail painting and the replacement of clothes and other personal items.

No two jobs for mold removal are the same. In all cases, though, fast action can limit your expenses.

How Do I Know If There Is Mold in My Office Building?

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Areas Where You Can Find Mold

You're busy at work, so you don't give much thought to the state of the building as long as your cleaning team comes through and empties the trashcans. You haven't had a flood in Valrico, FL, you haven't spotted a leak, and you have a strict policy about not leaving food out in the kitchen. But still, you have this sneaking suspicion that there's mold in your building.

You don't have to have obvious water damage for mold to grow. A too-high moisture content in your space can allow for mold growth. Mold can even grow on a high dusty shelf and spread to other areas. The only way to know for certain that you have a mold problem is to hire an indoor environmental specialist, but here are a few hints that you may have mold in your building.

1. Smell
People typically describe the smell of mold as "musty." While there are other scents as well—earthy, wet socks, rotten wood—the smell of mold is pretty unpleasant and might be the first hint that you have a problem. Mold can grow anywhere, from you main place of business to the storage room to the bathroom. It's pretty indiscriminate as long as it has a food source.

2. See
Mold that you can see is more disconcerting. Each type of mold might look a little bit different but if you see spots on the wall in the corner that don't match the decor, it might be mold. Not all mold is black; it can be gray, green, yellow, blue, or any combination of those or other colors.

3. Test
When you think you've discovered mold, an indoor environmental specialist should come and do a mold test so that you know what kind you're dealing with. Then the best thing you can do is call a mold removal and remediation professional to clean and restore the area so that you don't have continued problems in the future.

Finding mold can be a little nerve-racking, but with the help of an indoor environmental specialist and a mitigation team, you should have your office cleaned up in no time.

3 Important Things To Know About Bursting Pipes

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

Keep These Three Points In Mind

When a pipe breaks, the mess it causes is complicated. Stopping the leak, removing the water, and drying whatever was affected promptly are essential in preventing mold growth and other issues. If you do have to deal with bursting pipes in Plant City, FL, water remediation specialists are available to help with the cleanup process and stop mold. 

1. What To Do After Flooding
When you have to deal with the hassle of a burst pipe, focus on the source of the leak. Turn off the water source and do your best to remove excess water from the area. Call a professional plumber if you need to fix a broken pipe to ensure that it's done safely and correctly.
Dry everything thoroughly. It is natural to focus on belongings, but make sure attention is given to floors and walls as well. Anything water could have soaked into is susceptible to mold growth. If you spot or suspect mold, turn off any ventilation system that may spread mold spores around.

2. How Mold Takes Hold
Mold can develop in as little as 48 hours after bursting pipes. When walls, floors, and furniture aren't properly dried out after an unexpected flood or leak, mold can develop quickly and silently where you won't see it. Often a musty odor is the first clue that something isn't right.

3. How Professionals Can Handle the Mold
Leave mold cleanup to professionals. Don't touch any mold or attempt to get rid of it yourself. Close off the affected area until it can be cleaned. Don't try to dry out the mold. Blowing a fan over a mold-infested area will not remove the mold, but it may spread mold spores through the air and exacerbate your problem.

The best way to avoid mold from water damage caused by bursting pipes is to maintain your plumbing system. Check on pipes periodically to make sure they aren't leaking or swelling. Respond to small leaks quickly before they turn into something worse.

5 Tips To Salvage Flood-Damaged Household Items

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

If you need professional help, a water damage remediation team like SERVPRO can use industrial fans and dehumidifiers to get the job done faster.

5 Ways To Recover Flood-Damaged Household Items

If a broken pipe recently led to a flood of water in your home in Plant City, FL, it is likely some of your household goods sustained damage. Before throwing important items out, however, it is worth trying to salvage what you can. Here are five tips that may help you get some of your possessions back.

1. Put Down the Hair Dryer

When it comes to removing the water, gentle air drying is best. Even if you think your hair dryer, oven, iron or sunlight will work, think again. These harsher methods can cause even more damage. If you need professional help, a water damage remediation team like SERVPRO can use industrial fans and dehumidifiers to get the job done faster.

2. Separate Wet Materials

Next, look inside your drawers, cabinets and photo albums. Very carefully separate wet items and place paper towels between damaged book pages.

3. Clear Out Dirt and Debris

Water in your home should not be your only concern. Wherever you see dirt or debris, you will need to remove it. Gently brush items off, and avoid rubbing. Depending on the material, dry cleaning can be another solution.

4. Rinse and Dry Photographs

You may be hesitant to put your beloved photos near more water, but carefully rinsing them can help get them clean. Just be careful you do not touch the photos while they are wet. Allow time to air dry before picking them up again.

5. Focus on What Is Most Important

At the end of the day, you may not be able to salvage everything you own. For that reason, it is a good idea to stay focused on items that mean the most to you. Whether something is important for sentimental or financial reasons does not matter. What matters is that it is important to you.

When there is water in your home, it can be devastating to lose your belongings to flooding. That said, there are steps you can take to minimize the damage.

3 Steps of the Mold Remediation Process

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

This home had a mold problem that had to be contained. SERVPRO is here for all your mold remediation needs!

When you discover black mold in your building in Hillsborough County, FL you need to take immediate action to address it. This work should always be carried out by mold cleanup professionals. They know how to handle the entire mold remediation process efficiently so that the building is safe for everyone once again.

1. Determine the Extent of Contamination

When the professionals first come out, they will need to determine how far the mold has spread. You may be able to see mold in one room, but it could have easily spread behind the drywall or to other areas. For the remediation plan to be successful, the crew will need to conduct a thorough examination of the building to see what areas have been affected.

2. Remediate the Situation

For this part, there are many actions the crew may perform depending on what type of mold your building has and how far it has spread. First, they will need to ensure the moisture problem is addressed so that the black mold does not grow back. Additional steps that may need to be performed include:

• Suppressing the flow of dust
• Removing all damaged items from the room
• Cleaning the surface of non-porous substances
• Cleaning the floor and drywall
• Allowing the area to dry

3. Review the Building

Once everything is taken care of, the professionals will conduct another examination of the building to ensure there is no more mold. In addition to making sure there are no visible signs of it, the crew will also need to ensure that no spores spread into other areas. Once this is done, you can have the peace of mind that your building is free of mold.

Many safety precautions need to be taken when dealing with black mold, so leave this work to the professionals. The experts will make sure your building is safe for everyone before calling it a day.

What Makes SERVPRO Such a Successful Business?

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

Get involved with a SERVPRO franchise today. The company has an effective business model as well as the track record to prove it.

What Is It That Makes SERVPRO Such A Successful Company?

For life’s disasters and worst incidents, you need to turn to someone you can trust to help correct the problem and get you back on your feet. Not only do you look for a company that employs skilled technicians and that uses quality equipment to clean up your Plant City, FL, home, but you want to work with a solid company you know has a solid reputation. A SERVPRO franchise meets all these criteria.

What Sets SERVPRO Apart?

A quick online search will reveal that SERVPRO isn’t the only disaster recovery company out there. You have many choices to explore when you need emergency cleanup. However, SERVPRO has some advantages other places can’t match.

• They’re locally owned and operated.
• They have the necessary credentials and certifications.
• They thoroughly train employees in effective techniques and best practices.
• They have the right level of experience.

National and Local

SERVPRO is a large company with strong corporate backing and structure. The company has the infrastructure you would expect from a well-established national brand. At the same time, SERVPRO also has numerous locations across the country, so they also have a local presence. Your nearby SERVPRO franchise can responds quickly to your needs. It also means the local offices have the support from the corporate headquarters and can reach out to headquarters for any essential resources.

Qualified and Skilled

Some companies tell you they have what it takes to get the job done, but SERVPRO will show you. Not only do technicians go through rigorous training and have the knowledge you’d want in a response team, but SERVPRO is also certified is disaster cleanup after fire, flooding and mold. This is a name you can trust and one in which you can have peace of mind when you need an expert to help you with home damages.

Get involved with a SERVPRO franchise today. The company has an effective business model as well as the track record to prove it.