Humidity: Mold's Best Friend

1/27/2023 (Permalink)

An example of a severe mold infestation caused by humidity.

We often think of mold growth in a residential or commercial property happening by way of overt and direct water damage. Maybe a pipe bursts, a washing machine water supply line breaks, or a hole in the roof lets in water. Then that water feeds any mold spores, thus growing a full colony.

However, a less overt but just as damaging cause of mold growth comes from humidity in the air.

A humidity of 70% or higher is sure to cause mold growth, so many experts recommend keeping the humidity in your home between 60% and as low as 30%. 

If you have mold in your home, contact us right away for any mold mitigation services you may need.

Top Places Mold Will Grow

11/30/2022 (Permalink)

Kitchen sinks, and anywhere water is frequently used can be a hub for mold growth.

Mold is probably one of the last things you want to find in your home. It smells, can discolor and warp different materials, and can have a negative impact  on your health. If you're wondering if you have mold, or just want to know where to look out for in your home, here's a list of the top 5 places mold loves in your home.

• Roofs. If your roof has, or previously had, a leak, mold can begin to grow that way.
• Windows. Sometimes windows need to be resealed, and if they aren't they will let the moisture in that keeps mold growing. 
• Areas affected by previous water damage. Any previous water damage, from years ago or yesterday, can create perfect conditions for mold to grow.
• Caulking around sinks. Sometimes it seems like no matter how often you wipe it down, the caulk around the sink never looks clean. That is probably mold, not dirt, and requires specialty cleaning products to remove.
• Pipes. In some circumstances, mold can grow in an around pipes.

If you notice mold growth in your home, we are here to help. Mold should never be removed with bleach as it is not effective on most surfaces, and may not completely eliminate the growth. Contact us if you are concerned about a mold growth in your home or office.

Top Places Mold Will Grow

11/30/2022 (Permalink)

Kitchen sinks, and anywhere water is frequently used can be a hub for mold growth.

Mold is probably one of the last things you want to find in your home. It smells, can discolor and warp different materials, and can have a negative impact  on your health. If you're wondering if you have mold, or just want to know where to look out for in your home, here's a list of the top 5 places mold loves in your home.

• Roofs. If your roof has, or previously had, a leak, mold can begin to grow that way.
• Windows. Sometimes windows need to be resealed, and if they aren't they will let the moisture in that keeps mold growing. 
• Areas affected by previous water damage. Any previous water damage, from years ago or yesterday, can create perfect conditions for mold to grow.
• Caulking around sinks. Sometimes it seems like no matter how often you wipe it down, the caulk around the sink never looks clean. That is probably mold, not dirt, and requires specialty cleaning products to remove.
• Pipes. In some circumstances, mold can grow in an around pipes.

If you notice mold growth in your home, we are here to help. Mold should never be removed with bleach as it is not effective on most surfaces, and may not completely eliminate the growth. Contact us if you are concerned about a mold growth in your home or office.

Top Places Mold Will Grow

11/30/2022 (Permalink)

Kitchen sinks, and anywhere water is frequently used can be a hub for mold growth.

Mold is probably one of the last things you want to find in your home. It smells, can discolor and warp different materials, and can have a negative impact  on your health. If you're wondering if you have mold, or just want to know where to look out for in your home, here's a list of the top 5 places mold loves in your home.

• Roofs. If your roof has, or previously had, a leak, mold can begin to grow that way.
• Windows. Sometimes windows need to be resealed, and if they aren't they will let the moisture in that keeps mold growing. 
• Areas affected by previous water damage. Any previous water damage, from years ago or yesterday, can create perfect conditions for mold to grow.
• Caulking around sinks. Sometimes it seems like no matter how often you wipe it down, the caulk around the sink never looks clean. That is probably mold, not dirt, and requires specialty cleaning products to remove.
• Pipes. In some circumstances, mold can grow in an around pipes.

If you notice mold growth in your home, we are here to help. Mold should never be removed with bleach as it is not effective on most surfaces, and may not completely eliminate the growth. Contact us if you are concerned about a mold growth in your home or office.

Top Places Mold Will Grow

11/30/2022 (Permalink)

Kitchen sinks, and anywhere water is frequently used can be a hub for mold growth.

Mold is probably one of the last things you want to find in your home. It smells, can discolor and warp different materials, and can have a negative impact  on your health. If you're wondering if you have mold, or just want to know where to look out for in your home, here's a list of the top 5 places mold loves in your home.

• Roofs. If your roof has, or previously had, a leak, mold can begin to grow that way.
• Windows. Sometimes windows need to be resealed, and if they aren't they will let the moisture in that keeps mold growing. 
• Areas affected by previous water damage. Any previous water damage, from years ago or yesterday, can create perfect conditions for mold to grow.
• Caulking around sinks. Sometimes it seems like no matter how often you wipe it down, the caulk around the sink never looks clean. That is probably mold, not dirt, and requires specialty cleaning products to remove.
• Pipes. In some circumstances, mold can grow in an around pipes.

If you notice mold growth in your home, we are here to help. Mold should never be removed with bleach as it is not effective on most surfaces, and may not completely eliminate the growth. Contact us if you are concerned about a mold growth in your home or office.

Top Places Mold Will Grow

11/30/2022 (Permalink)

Kitchen sinks, and anywhere water is frequently used can be a hub for mold growth.

Mold is probably one of the last things you want to find in your home. It smells, can discolor and warp different materials, and can have a negative impact  on your health. If you're wondering if you have mold, or just want to know where to look out for in your home, here's a list of the top 5 places mold loves in your home.

• Roofs. If your roof has, or previously had, a leak, mold can begin to grow that way.
• Windows. Sometimes windows need to be resealed, and if they aren't they will let the moisture in that keeps mold growing. 
• Areas affected by previous water damage. Any previous water damage, from years ago or yesterday, can create perfect conditions for mold to grow.
• Caulking around sinks. Sometimes it seems like no matter how often you wipe it down, the caulk around the sink never looks clean. That is probably mold, not dirt, and requires specialty cleaning products to remove.
• Pipes. In some circumstances, mold can grow in an around pipes.

If you notice mold growth in your home, we are here to help. Mold should never be removed with bleach as it is not effective on most surfaces, and may not completely eliminate the growth. Contact us if you are concerned about a mold growth in your home or office.

Top Places Mold Will Grow

11/30/2022 (Permalink)

Kitchen sinks, and anywhere water is frequently used can be a hub for mold growth.

Mold is probably one of the last things you want to find in your home. It smells, can discolor and warp different materials, and can have a negative impact  on your health. If you're wondering if you have mold, or just want to know where to look out for in your home, here's a list of the top 5 places mold loves in your home.

• Roofs. If your roof has, or previously had, a leak, mold can begin to grow that way.
• Windows. Sometimes windows need to be resealed, and if they aren't they will let the moisture in that keeps mold growing. 
• Areas affected by previous water damage. Any previous water damage, from years ago or yesterday, can create perfect conditions for mold to grow.
• Caulking around sinks. Sometimes it seems like no matter how often you wipe it down, the caulk around the sink never looks clean. That is probably mold, not dirt, and requires specialty cleaning products to remove.
• Pipes. In some circumstances, mold can grow in an around pipes.

If you notice mold growth in your home, we are here to help. Mold should never be removed with bleach as it is not effective on most surfaces, and may not completely eliminate the growth. Contact us if you are concerned about a mold growth in your home or office.

Poorly Ventilated Attics encourage mold growth

3/12/2018 (Permalink)

Poorly Ventilated Attics encourage mold growth

The main cause of attic mold is improper ventilation. In cold climates, when homeowners heat their homes in winter, hot air usually escapes through the attic.

This occurs efficiently in attics with proper ventilation, but attic mold can occur if the hot air meets the cold surface of the attic roof and creates condensation.

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 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 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

Excessive crawl space moisture can cause mold growth to occur

3/12/2018 (Permalink)

Excessive crawl space moisture can cause mold growth to occur

With excessive crawl space moisture, mold will grow at a rapid pace. Crawl space mold can be damaging to your home's structure, your flooring, and anything else located in the area. 

Mold survives on organic materials, such as wood, and when it's damp it provides the perfect environment for growth.

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 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 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

Keeping your HVAC system clean reduces the chance for mold to grow

3/12/2018 (Permalink)

Keeping your HVAC system clean reduces the chance for mold to grow

Mold in HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems can cause serious health problems. When the furnace or air conditioner is turned on,  microscopic mold spores can blow out of the air ducts and circulate through the air, where they are easily inhaled.

Keeping your Ducting and the Intake clean is vital to reducing the amount of contamination your HVAC system has.

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 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 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

Mold - Things You Need to Know

4/17/2017 (Permalink)

Control moisture and reduce your odds of mold - SERVPRO of Federal Way can help!

• There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
• If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
• Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by:
  • Venting bathrooms, dryers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside
  • Using air conditioners and de-humidifiers
  • Increasing ventilation
  • Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning
• Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

For more, see this great page by the Environmental Protection Agency:

https://www.epa.gov/mold/ten-things-you-should-know-about-mold 

Federal Way Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

12/2/2016 (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 Federal Way 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 Federal Way 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 – (253)838-8999

Does Your Federal Way Home Have A Mold Problem?

9/12/2016 (Permalink)

In Federal Way, 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 – (253)838-8999