The Best Ways To Banish Mold Odor

9/17/2020 (Permalink)

Mold odors will linger and intensify as long as mold is growing in a structure.

Mold odor can be persistent, but this telltale smell usually indicates the presence of growing mold. Microbial volatile organic compounds released during the fungal growth cycle cause mold odor, not spores or mycotoxin. Here are the best ways to eliminate the source of a musty odor at a residence in Stillwater, OK.

Eliminate Mold Growth
The odor of mold originates with mVOCS. Here are a few types of off-gases released as byproducts of the metabolic cycle of fungi:

Alcohols
Aldehydes
Benzenes
Tulolenes

When you smell a moldy odor, you are picking up on the presence of these substances and similar compounds. Mold remediation involves removing colonies and cutting off food and moisture sources that enable fungi to multiply.

Run a HEPA Air Filter
A high-efficiency particulate air filter can eliminate mold spores and mVOCs from indoor air. Some filters connect to a central HVAC system, while others can be run in affected areas.

HEPA filters may not eliminate every trace of mycotoxin. It is important to use EPA-approved cleanup methods for toxic mold. Toxigenic species may leave behind more dangerous traces than an undesirable odor.

Do a Deodorizing Treatment
Deodorizing treatments such as thermal fogging and generating ozone or hydroxyl may be helpful after mold cleanup. These treatments work by neutralizing odor particles lingering in the air and on surfaces.

A deodorizing treatment will eliminate musty odors without addressing the source. It is important to thoroughly clean up mold in affected areas and the HVAC system for odor treatments to have lasting results.

Mold odors will linger and intensify as long as mold is growing in a structure. Getting rid of odors requires removing colonies and eliminating the factors that lead to growth. Depending on the type of mold, the severity of an infestation and whether mycotoxin is present, homeowners should rely on mold remediation professionals based in their city and state.

Top 4 Mold FAQs

9/3/2020 (Permalink)

It's a good idea to hire remediation experts to help take care of any mold growth you may be experiencing.

Black mold is a relatively common issue for many homeowners. Despite this, many new homeowners aren't quite sure how to tackle the problem, as it can be embarrassing to talk about. Arm yourself with knowledge and study the following frequently asked questions to help fight off mold growth in your home in Stillwater, OK. 

1. What Does Mold Look Like?
The most common type of residential mold is black mold. Like the name suggests, this fungus is typically black or green in color and may have a fuzzy or slimy texture. It looks just like a dark stain on the surface of an object.

2. Where Does Mold Commonly Appear?
Mold thrives in dark, moist environments. Any area in your house that comes into frequent contact with water, such as your bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room, is at risk for mold growth. If your home has recently suffered any type of water damage, you're likely to find mold growing in that same area as well.

3. How Do You Prevent Mold?
Keeping your house as clean and dry as possible is the best way to prevent mold. High humidity environments are very inviting for mold spores, so make sure to carefully monitor indoor humidity levels. Clean and dry any liquid spills immediately to keep from attracting mold.

4. Does Mold Go Away By Itself?
Mold is a living organism, so it's natural to assume that depriving it of its basic survival needs could kill it. Unfortunately, this isn't the case. Depriving the mold of the moisture and nutrients it needs to grow might temporarily prevent it from spreading, but it won't make it go away.

Black mold is an extremely common issue for many residential homeowners and certainly isn't anything to be ashamed about. Unfortunately, it is also quite tenacious so it's a good idea to hire remediation experts to help take care of any mold growth you may be experiencing.

How To Keep Mold out of Your Rental Building

6/9/2020 (Permalink)

If you're looking for some mold prevention strategies, check out these ideas.

If you own a building and are renting it out to another business, you must be diligent about upkeep and maintenance. Doing so will continue to attract good tenants and keep your clients happy. If you discover mold in the building, you need to effectively and quickly eliminate it. Better yet, learn about mold prevention so you can avoid this problem altogether.

Clean up Messes Promptly
Mold needs certain conditions to thrive, but it doesn't take much to have mold growth. The presence of water and high humidity are big factors in the presence of mold. If any of the following occur, extract the water and dry the area as quickly as possible:

Pipe leaks or pipe breaks
Toilet overflows
Condensation on windows, in windowsills or in other parts of the Stillwater, OK, building

Maintain Good Ventilation
Moist environments and poor airflow are other ways in which mold will grow and spread. Opening windows will help promote good air circulation. In areas of your rental unit, make sure you have good ventilation. The bathrooms, basement, and kitchen need quality air movement to discourage mold from forming on walls and the floor. Inspect the HVAC system regularly. Clean the air ducts and remove dust and debris. Mold prevention can start with something as simple as purchasing fans.

Keep it Clean
If there is water damage anywhere in the building, you should call a professional flood remediation company. The technicians will not only remove the water but distinct all surfaces in the area as well. This will kill any remaining fungal growth and discourage any more spreading of mold. Regularly wipe off contact points that people regularly touch. You may need to focus on areas of high traffic and excess moisture.

If you're looking for some mold prevention strategies, check out these ideas. If you commit to following these steps, you should not have to worry about mold in your rental unit.

Top Reasons Why You Can't Ignore Mold

9/26/2019 (Permalink)

Mold damage on ceiling from a kitchen

Top Reasons Why You Can't Ignore Mold

Household mold can be a serious and aggravating situation to handle. No matter how much you wipe and disinfect, the black fuzz seems to come back. Any homeowner could be forgiven for hoping if they ignore it long enough, the mold will just die off. The fact is that mold will not just go away, and without proper removal, black mold can spread through your Navina, OK, dwelling. Here are a few reasons you don’t want to overlook mold in your home.

It Develops Everywhere

Mold spores are all around us in the environment and have the potential to grow just about anywhere. The key to where they take root is moisture and warmth. Warm temperatures, accompanied by a moisture problem, often occur frequently in homes, particularly in:

• Laundry rooms
  
• Attics
  
• Bathrooms
  
• Beneath sinks
  
  

It Won’t Go Away

Mold is a living organism, so it’s a natural thought that it will eventually run out of sustenance and die. But that’s not how black mold or any mold works. If mold has water and warmth, it will continue to thrive. What’s more, because this hardy fungus has roots that go beyond the surface, just wiping off what you can see won’t get rid of it for good.

It Destroys Your Surfaces

Mold thrives on the nutrients on surfaces and organic materials like wood, paper and even glue. That includes many of the components that comprise walls, shelves and floors. Given long enough, mold can eat through these surfaces and cause costly damage to your home.
If you have a small area of mold in your home, getting rid of it can be as simple as applying specialized solutions to kill it at the root. For larger or more extensive mold infestations, leave it to qualified, trained and experienced mold remediation personnel. Reach out to a professional mold cleanup company to banish black mold from your home for good.

Containment Methods for Mold Remediation

7/24/2019 (Permalink)

Commercia mold in Guthrie, OK

Mold Remediation

When you have a mold problem in your commercial building in Guthrie, OK, one of the first calls you should make is to mold remediation specialists. They can take care of mold cleanup in a timely manner. They also have several techniques for containing the affected area so that the mold doesn't spread into other parts of your building.

Sealing

One method used to ensure that your mold problem doesn't grow is sealing off the contaminated section of your building. Mold spores travel through the air, so the goal of sealing is to keep air from escaping. To do so, technicians block any possible air flow through any opening to the room:

• Air vents
  
• Doors
  
• Pipes
  
  

Polyethylene sheets are common choices for sealants. They are impervious to air flow and block the area off efficiently and completely. They are used to line the portion of your building that needs to be contained. Once the space is completely sealed, mold cleanup procedures can begin.

Negative Air Chambers

Because technicians will be working in the area, they don't want to completely stop air flow. Creating a negative air chamber allows air to flow into the space with mold contamination while keeping air from flowing back out. Air can be exhausted outside the building to maintain acceptable air pressure. The remediation process often stirs up spores and releases them into the air, so before it starts, the air chamber has to be tested. A smoke test is a good way to verify that the airflow is only going one direction. If no smoke escapes into the rest of the building, the chamber is working, and the remediation process can begin.
If you need mold cleanup services in your commercial building, it's good to know what to expect when the mitigation experts arrive. Consult with the company you hire to find out what containment methods it uses.

How To Know If There Is Mold on Your Property

2/20/2019 (Permalink)

Mold testing in a Stillwater, OK home

How To Know If There Is Mold on Your Property

Mold is extremely dangerous. If there are adequate conditions around your building, then mold can develop in just 24 to 48 hours. The only way to be positive one way or the other is to hire an indoor environmental specialist in Stillwater, OK, to test the surroundings for the fungi. A professional mold test is the only way to know for certain whether there is mold growth. However, you may be able to tell for yourself. 

1. Signs To Look For Yourself

You may be able to see mold develop with your own eyes. You may see small green or brown blotches in a certain room. Most property owners chalk this up to being dirt, but you should take action just in case it ends up being mold. 

You need to be particularly wary if these blotches are accompanied by a strong, musty odor. This odor will most likely upset your sinuses and respiratory functions. 

2. Signs a Professional Will Look Out For

Calling an indoor environmental specialist will be your best bet for addressing mold in a timely manner. While most property owners are concerned about the cost of hiring a professional, it is much better to pursue this route than potentially spend a lot more in the long run because the mold grew even more. The overall cost will depend on the size of the property because the specialist will need to test every single area. 

Tell your professional if there was water damage recently. Mold typically grows in rooms where there has been a leak. However, flooding from the rain or even excessive condensation can exacerbate a mold problem. 

Fortunately, you can know exactly how much you will need to spend after a free consultation with your indoor environmental specialist. You will receive an itemized list, so you can plan accordingly and keep your commercial building in excellent condition.

For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROstillwaterguthrie.com.

Why You Should Choose a Certified Remediation Company

1/21/2019 (Permalink)

Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration

Homeowners experiencing mold problems are confronted with a number of choices. Two of the most important decisions include whether to hire a mold remediation service and which company to choose. There are several reasons to select a certified mold remediation company. Find out why you should trust a certified mold cleanup service.

Standardized Remediation Methods

Certified remediation companies rely on standards set by scientists and specialists. Many certifying organizations include a variety of experts:

•  Microbiologists
  
•  Public health professionals
  
•  Remediation providers

A company with mold certification should be aware of the best methods of cleaning up past growth and preventing future problems. A certified company may also identify issues that other services might miss that could make a residence prone to re-infestation.

Insurance Coverage

Most homeowners insurance policies exclude mold, unless the problem was caused by a covered peril and adequate mitigation measures have been taken. If the cause of the damage is covered and there are no indications of negligence, insurers prefer to work with certified mold cleanup companies.

Experience and Reputation

A company certified to clean up mold should have employees trained to handle any species and degree of infestation. In addition to checking the certifying body, a homeowner may also want to look for other indications of quality:

• Better Business Bureau ratings
  
• Customer reviews
  
• Testimonials

These factors make certified mold remediation businesses stand out from uncertified competitors. While services without mold certification may charge less, these businesses may also be less likely to stand by the quality of their work.

In addition to the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration or IICRC, remediation companies may also be certified by the Association of Mold Professionals. Environmental hygienists may have credentials issued by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene or other reputable licensing bodies. Contact a certified mold cleanup company to eliminate mold damage at a residence in Perry, OK.

Why You Should Choose a Certified Remediation Company

1/21/2019 (Permalink)

Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration

Homeowners experiencing mold problems are confronted with a number of choices. Two of the most important decisions include whether to hire a mold remediation service and which company to choose. There are several reasons to select a certified mold remediation company. Find out why you should trust a certified mold cleanup service.

Standardized Remediation Methods

Certified remediation companies rely on standards set by scientists and specialists. Many certifying organizations include a variety of experts:

•  Microbiologists
  
•  Public health professionals
  
•  Remediation providers

A company with mold certification should be aware of the best methods of cleaning up past growth and preventing future problems. A certified company may also identify issues that other services might miss that could make a residence prone to re-infestation.

Insurance Coverage

Most homeowners insurance policies exclude mold, unless the problem was caused by a covered peril and adequate mitigation measures have been taken. If the cause of the damage is covered and there are no indications of negligence, insurers prefer to work with certified mold cleanup companies.

Experience and Reputation

A company certified to clean up mold should have employees trained to handle any species and degree of infestation. In addition to checking the certifying body, a homeowner may also want to look for other indications of quality:

• Better Business Bureau ratings
  
• Customer reviews
  
• Testimonials

These factors make certified mold remediation businesses stand out from uncertified competitors. While services without mold certification may charge less, these businesses may also be less likely to stand by the quality of their work.

In addition to the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration or IICRC, remediation companies may also be certified by the Association of Mold Professionals. Environmental hygienists may have credentials issued by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene or other reputable licensing bodies. Contact a certified mold cleanup company to eliminate mold damage at a residence in Perry, OK.

Where Mold Grows

9/9/2018 (Permalink)

Consistently performed visual inspections can go a long way in heading off mold damage and other threats to the safety and aesthetics of a home.

As any homeowner in Stillwater, OK, would likely agree, the prospect of mold damage is an unwelcome one. With over 100,000 known types of fungi in existence the world over and millions of microscopic spores in the air, its presence on organic materials is commonplace. However, there are measures that can help to impede its often speedy growth.

Moisture is Key

Simply put, mold cannot grow without moisture, both indoors and outdoors. To prevent mold growth in a home, follow these practices:

• Keep the humidity below 45%.
• Ventilate kitchens, bathrooms and laundries.
• Repair leaks promptly.
• Dry and clean areas where flooding has occurred.
• Conduct periodic inspections of areas where moisture can collect.

Besides moisture, mold requires a porous surface on which to grow and digestible nutrients. Mold can quickly colonize on common household substances such as paper, wood, cardboard, ceiling tiles, paint, insulation and fabrics. It can even grow in dust.

Remediation is Available

Because of the difficulty of effective mold removal, it is wise to consult a professional remediation service to address mold damage. Unlike mildew growth, which is superficial and relatively easy to remove with a scrub brush and a variety of household cleaners, mold infiltrates surfaces. That makes its removal more of a challenge, and some materials, such as drywall and carpet, are likely to require replacement rather than cleaning. The first step, however, is to isolate and repair the source of moisture that has given mold its foothold. Without removing the source of moisture, the likelihood of regrowth is substantial.

Vigilance is part and parcel of home ownership. Simple but consistently performed visual inspections can go a long way in heading off mold damage and other threats to the safety and aesthetics of a home. In the event of a leak or flood, focus efforts on getting all affected areas thoroughly dry as quickly as possible. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROstillwaterguthrie.com/.

Are Home Mold Testing Kits Accurate?

5/14/2018 (Permalink)

Your best option to test for mold is to find a qualified environmental hygienist.

When you suspect you have mold in your home, you may try an off-the-shelf home mold testing kit. The problem is that no matter where you go in your home, the kit returns a positive and doesn’t help you find where the mold is — if you even have a mold problem. So are home kits really accurate, or are you better off finding a Stillwater, OK, mold remediation specialist?

Why Home Testing Kits Don’t Work

The truth is that off-the-shelf home mold testing kits don’t have what it takes to accurately test for mold. They just aren’t made to the same standard or with the same capabilities as professional mold kits. DIY mold remediation often doesn’t work because:

• Mold is everywhere in your home, even if the spores haven’t propagated into an active infestation. They’re still present in the air at all times, and a home mold kit will detect this.
• Home mold testing kits aren’t sensitive enough to differentiate between concentrations of mold spores that would indicate a heavier infestation in one particular area.
• Home kits often can’t sense mold in isolated, secluded areas.
• Home kits may tell you that you have a mold problem when you don’t, or they may tell you that mold spore saturation in the environment is so uniform that you don’t have a problem. In actuality, you could have hidden mold waiting to spread throughout your home.

So How Can I Test for Mold?

Your best option to test for mold is to find a qualified environmental hygienist. Environmental hygienists possess professional training and sensitive equipment capable of detecting mold in ways a home mold kit cannot. The techniques they use for mold detection can uncover hidden infestations in surprising places a home kit would never pick up on. Environmental hygienists can also provide accurate information on safety and mold remediation, as well as mold prevention. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROstillwaterguthrie.com/.

Mold Keeps Coming Back: Why Didn’t Bleach Work?

4/27/2018 (Permalink)

You spot mold on the bathroom wall and spray it with the leading mold killing spray with the active ingredient bleach. You got it, right? Wrong.

You spot mold on the bathroom wall and spray it with the leading mold killing spray with the active ingredient bleach. You got it, right? Wrong. Pretty soon, the mold is back, so why was the fungus cleanup unsuccessful?

Important Points About Mold Prevention and Cleanup

Bleaching mold does not get rid of mold. If you look at your cleaner, you will likely see it specifies the surface must be “non-porous” (i.e. glass). If you use bleach, it is over 90 percent water. The chlorine evaporates quickly, leaving the water behind to soak into the porous surface. Here are some more points to consider:

• To reduce mold growth, you should eliminate moisture quickly.
• It helps to maintain a humidity level at less than 45 percent.
• Mold growth often begins as rapidly as 48 hours on a wet surface.
• Cleanup mold on non-porous surfaces with detergent and water per EPA (it does not recommend bleach).
• Wiping off surfaces, especially porous surfaces such as walls, does not get rid of mold because of its root system.

The Root of the Problem

Mold spores float in the air, indoors and outdoors. They settle on surfaces, including your clothes, as you walk in and out of your house throughout the day.
Mold is a naturally occurring type of fungus. It is microscopic but can become visible when conditions are right for growth. When a mold spore lands on a wet surface that is porous, it roots into that surface quickly, which can make your fungus cleanup more difficult. If mold keeps coming back after you have cleaned it, then it was not just a surface problem, or the conditions are just right for the mold to grow (or both). Keep in mind, Stillwater, OK, and its surroundings may contribute to your building’s mold susceptibility.
Finishing the Job

If you made the decision to call an expert to address your need for fungus cleanup, then make sure to choose a qualified professional with certification specifically for mold remediation. A professional typically has the experience, tools and knowledge needed to get the job done. Now you can tackle the next item on your to-do list. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROstillwaterguthrie.com/.

Nobody Wants To Deal With Cleaning Bathroom Mildew

3/27/2018 (Permalink)

Sure, you can close the shower curtain when guests come over. Maybe they won’t see the designer bathroom mildew you have growing between your shower tiles. It’s not like your bathroom isn’t clean. It may just be that your warm bathroom and excess moisture from lack of ventilation is causing you to have a humidity problem. Since it only takes mildew less than 48 hours to settle in and begin to grow in this kind of environment, you are racing against time after every cleaning. If you find that this issue has become overwhelming or if it has accelerated in growth, you may consider contacting a professional cleaning and restoration company in Stillwater, Ok for some help.

Nobody Thinks It’s Fun

The whole donning of the gloves and clothes that you don’t mind ruining so you can clean the bathroom mildew from the shower is not a fun chore. Here are some tips for cleaning that may help you through this less-than-joyful process:

• Spray the entire bath and shower with a preferred cleaner and soak for five minutes
• Scrub all of the grout, caulking and drain area with a wire or nylon brush to loosen the mildew, and scour the bathtub with a sponge and rinse
• Spray and soak all grout and caulked areas with a 10-percent solution of bleach and water for 10 minutes
• Scrub and rinse again

Nobody Wants It To Come Back

The idea behind this cleaning method is to brush loose the pieces of mildew, then completely clean and rid the area of the substance as thoroughly as possible. There may still be stains on the grout that remain, and these may take follow-up cleaning to restore the surface completely. Keeping your bathroom void of excess humidity will help in between cleanings.

Bathroom mildew may not be a fun subject, but with proper cleaning and maintenance, you may be able to keep it under control. Keep your cleaning tools handy and your bathroom air dry so your shower area won’t be something to hide. Visit http://www.SERVPROstillwaterguthrie.com for more information on mold. 

Moisture Causes Mold To Grow

2/19/2018 (Permalink)

Mold damage occurs when moisture and humidity work together to create a welcome environment for fungus to grow.

Whether it begins with a few spots of mildew in a bathroom or an unnoticed leak in a wall, mold damage can occur virtually anywhere at any time. It’s not easy to predict and there’s no way to guarantee it won’t happen in any building, but it’s fairly easy to prevent mold damage from occurring in many places.

Mold in the home and commercial mold damage are both preventable if homeowners and business owners take the time to get to know the proper techniques for preventing mold in the home or commercial mold damage from occurring.

There is more information about mold remediation and home restoration on our website www.SERVPROstillwaterguthrie.com.

Preventing Mold in the Home and Commercial Mold Damage

2/19/2018 (Permalink)

Prevent the Moisture to Prevent Mold

Mold in the home always seems much worse than commercial mold damage simply because no one lives at work. However, both are dangerous, and both are gross. To prevent either from occurring, it helps to know what causes mold damage to occur.

Fungus loves moisture, and it also loves humidity. Anyone who owns a home knows how easy it is for mildew to form in some locations such as around the bathrooms and basements where there is excess moisture and high levels of humidity.

Mildew might not be as damaging as mold, but mildew is a telling sign mold could form easily in this area. Mold is fungus. It’s a fungus that lives in the air in the form of mold spores. These spores look for moisture. They look for humidity. When they find both together anywhere in a home or office, they begin to put down roots. It takes mold hours to form and less than a day or two to spread rapidly.

For more information visit www.SERVPROstillwaterguthrie.com.

Use your nose to find mold in your home.

2/19/2018 (Permalink)

The best form of prevention is to learn the proper remediation and mitigation techniques taught by professional mold removal companies. This includes controlling humidity levels and moisture levels. Anywhere there is excess moisture must be remedied immediately, and the moisture must be brought under control.

Recognizing Signs of Mold in the Home

The first sign of this fungus is the presence of mildew. If it can grow, so can mold. The other sign is a smelly odor. It’s easy to smell it and decide deodorization in the form of some spray or even lighting a candle is all it takes to handle it, but it’s not good enough. Deodorization only works to mask a smelly odor. While no one wants to smell a smelly odor, deodorization is only good to improve the overall smell of a home or office while mold is located and removed.

There is more information about mold remediation and home restoration on our website www.SERVPROstillwaterguthrie.com.

Removal of Mold is the Best Policy

2/19/2018 (Permalink)

Does anyone notice a smelly odor at home or work that takes on a musty smell?

Mold removal is necessary when it’s found in a home or office. Mold removal services use the correct equipment to handle the issue, and they know where to find it at its source.

Remediation and mitigation are not things to ignore or avoid when mold is present. Remediation fixes the problem, and mitigation helps home and business owners learn to recognize the issues and prevent them later. Both remediation and mitigation are worth the price up front. It’s been proven time and time again that not calling for help removing mold immediately allows it to spread quickly before becoming a much larger problem.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of professional mold removal is the guarantee it’s all removed. A homeowner might assume mold can be wiped off a baseboard, but they might not think to check behind the baseboard or even behind the wall for further damage.

It’s necessary, and it’s the kind of thing professional do to ensure there is no reason to worry mold might get worse over time or cause future damage that's worse.

For more information visit www.SERVPROstillwaterguthrie.com

Biology of Mold and Where to Find It

1/10/2018 (Permalink)

Mold is microscopic which cannot be seen with the naked eye. Therefore, it is very hard to determine if your home has mold unless you can visibly see the black growth.

Mold Facts

Mold needs water to grow and will grow if there are leaks. Hidden mold can be found by doing some simple sleuthing.

1. Check under windows since condensation can form and mold will grow on the sill.
2. Bathrooms have a lot of water. Any leak or corner that collects moisture is a potential place for mold growth.
3. The water heater and water softener are notorious for having leaks, especially when the water softener purges. You can often find mold around the edges of their tanks.
   

If you still cannot see mold in these areas of your home but still suspect a problem visit SERVPRO Of Stillwater/Guthrie to test your home for mold.