3 Basic Facts About Black Mold

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

Black mold damage in Boca, FL.

Facts About Mold

Boca, FL, homeowners may have heard horror stories about how black mold-infested homes or buildings and caused significant damage. Fortunately, these extreme tales of uncontrollable mold growth are not the norm. Once the fungus is found, mold remediation specialists can correct the problem and begin mold cleanup. Below is some basic information for homeowners to know about this common household issue.

1. There Are Many Types of Mold

Most people don’t understand that there are thousands of different strains of mold. These fungus species can be found in a variety of colors, including black, green, pink, white, and gray.

Stachybotrys is what most people are referring to when they notice black mold in their home, though there are several strains of mold that are black in color. No matter what type is found, it’s important to have the problem remediated as soon as possible.

2. Mold Thrives in Homes With High Moisture

It can be surprising to find mold in your home if you clean on a regular basis. However, mold spores are found everywhere indoors and outdoors. The fungus doesn’t need a dirty home to spread: all it needs is moisture. A good way to identify if your home has high humidity is to get a hygrometer. These gadgets can be purchased online or at a local home improvement store. The humidity level should be below 45% in your home.

3. Mold Can Be Prevented

There are easy ways for homeowners to prevent mold growth in their homes. Start with establishing the correct humidity level to prevent moisture. Next, regularly check possible areas for water leaks. Underneath sinks, around pipes, and near windows and appliances are likely places to check for leaks.

If water is found, dry the area meticulously. Do not install carpet in areas with moisture, such as in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
Black mold is just one type of mold found in homes. Fortunately, most cases of fungal growth can be prevented with simple precautions.

5 Things You Should Do If There Is Water in Your Light Fixtures

5/21/2022 (Permalink)

If you have water in light fixtures inside your home, it is important that you handle the situation with care.

Water In Light Fixtures

Water damage can affect any part of your Whisper Walk, FL, home. If there is water leaking through your ceiling, it can create extra trouble. Water in light fixtures can easily lead to dangerous situations, but the following steps can help you get through it more safely.

1. Turn Off the Electricity
Electricity and water are a bad combination. Before you do anything else, turn off the electricity to the house. Do not attempt to turn the light off with the switch and instead use the breaker to shut off everything.

2. Turn Off the Water
If the water is coming from a leak inside your house, turn off the water. This will help minimize the amount of damage done to the building.

3. Start an Insurance Claim
Call your insurance agent as soon as you can safely do so. Depending on the cause of the water damage, the cost of repairs may be covered. Take pictures of the damage and make a list of affected items to prepare for the insurance adjuster’s visit.

4. Repair the Ceiling Damage
A professional water damage remediation company can remove the excess water from your home. They will do mitigation to keep the damage from spreading and then begin any necessary repair work.

5. Replace the Light Fixture
You should not turn your electricity back on until you have an inspection from an electrician. Water in light fixtures can cause rust and other problems, so the affected light may need to be replaced. You should have this done by a professional and avoid trying to do this on your own.
If you have water in light fixtures inside your home, it is important that you handle the situation with care. Do what you can to stay safe, and allow professionals to do any work that you are not qualified for.

3 Unique Features of a Partial Loss Fire

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial fires happen every day.

Three Characteristics of a Partial Loss Fire

Commercial fires happen every day in the U.S. These events are always traumatic for business owners and managers and indeed anyone associated with the company. This is even true if no injuries or fatalities occur. In a total loss fire, the emphasis is on a rebuild of the property in Mission Bay, FL, but in a fire loss that results in only partial damage, the focus takes on a different look in certain regards.

1. Dealing With Smoke Damage
Smoke from a business fire can permeate the walls, ceilings, furniture, electrical systems and flooring of a building. Porous surfaces absorb smoke, making them difficult to completely clean, thereby requiring special cleaning methods. Some of the fire loss damage is visible, while other impacts reside in the lingering smells. The services of a trained and certified fire mitigation team are often necessary to treat damage from smoke.

2. Concentrating on Fire Restoration
Every fire is unique, but flames tend to damage the structures of a building to some extent. This calls for the rebuild of walls, ceilings, roofs and other building components. It could even require the restoration of electrical systems. The contractor performing the work should restore the building to a uniform and consistent look that is in harmony with the rest of the building.

3. Working With Insurance
A partial loss fire often calls for more contact with the insurance company. The adjuster might be involved in decisions on what items are salvageable and which ones need to be replaced. While it tends to be less expensive to clean and save items, that is not always the case. It is also important in the cleanup stage that all hidden damage from the fire is addressed.
A partial fire loss from a commercial fire has many complex moving parts. Professional restoration is best undertaken by a reputable mitigation company.

3 Top Document Restoration Methods

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

If your documents are damaged by water, call the document restoration specialists at SERVPRO to get your documents back like new.

Three Of The Most Effective Document Restoration Techniques

Whether it’s a critical business document or simply a treasured personal certificate, our documents can be integral to our life and livelihood. What happens when they are damaged in a flood or other disaster?

Many documents can’t be replaced easily while others require time that we can’t afford. Document restoration services offer a great solution when disaster strikes your most important papers. Here are some of the ways Whisper Walk, FL, recovery firms save documents.

How Paper Restoration Works

While in years past, a lost certificate, water-damaged degree or singed letter was damaged forever, advances in technology have turned things around. Now, thanks to advanced restoration processes, companies like SERVPRO can restore: things like

• books and magazines
• paper documents
• manuscripts and files
• x-rays
• photographs, films, negatives, and microfiche
• parchment
• blueprints and maps

and a myriad of other sensitive documents using means both creative and high tech.

Document Cleaning and Disinfection

Flooding and other events can leave documents exposed to dangerous sewage. Document restoration specialists can help by using gamma irradiation to sterilize harmful bacteria, viruses and chemicals.

Document Drying

Water exposure can leave documents damp at best or soggy at worst. Air dried documents tend toward warping or harmful brittleness that leaves them illegible or vulnerable to damage. Paper restorers use vacuum freeze-drying techniques to extract liquid in a way that keeps documents intact.

Digitizing Services

An alternative to risking paper damage is converting documents to digital formats. SERVPRO restoration specialists can convert your documents to modern digital versions, saving you storage space and peace of mind from the threat of future water damage.

Documents are critical records that reflect everything from intellectual property and business strategies to personal achievements and sentimental milestones. Damage to them no longer must be catastrophic. Call the document restoration specialists at SERVPRO to get your documents back like new.

Understanding Fungus: Mold and Mildew

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Mold damage is no laughing matter, and it can lead to many problems if not handled properly. However, not every fungal growth is mold.

Mold And Mildew: A Guide To Understanding Fungus

Mold damage may be one of the greatest fears for any homeowner. An infestation can cause thousands in damage, and if a result of lingering issues, homeowners’ insurance may not cover the costs. While it is a fear, most don’t understand the difference between mold and mildew. One is hard to remedy, possibly requiring a specialist, and the other is a simple fix, likely resolved with a store-bought cleaner.

1. Size

Mildew growth can be subtle, often manifesting in small areas and only on the surface. Mold, on the other hand, is more predominant, and when it appears on the surface of a wall, you likely have a more significant issue in the wall cavity.

2. Color

When you encounter actual mold growth and mold damage, the color can be a dead giveaway as to whether it is mildew or mold. Mold is typically black and green. However, it may even be shades of blue and yellow, depending on the surfaces it has invaded. Mildew generally is only one of two colors, either gray or white.

3. Texture

The most apparent difference between mold and mildew is the texture. Mold is overall more textured and is likely fuzzy in appearance. Mildew is flat and appears as more of a stain than a growth.

4. Spread

While both mold and mildew spread quickly, mildew, as a surface fungus, tends to be a little more manageable. Mold, because of its nature, often develops in areas that are not easily visible, meaning that when it is discovered, it is more of an infestation. If you find mold, there is likely more lurking behind drywall and under floorboards. In most cases, you may need a mold remediation specialist in the West Boca Raton, FL, area to asses the damage.

Mold damage is no laughing matter, and it can lead to many problems if not handled properly. However, not every fungal growth is mold. Mildew is a manageable growth that can be resolved with basic household cleaners.

5 Candle Alternatives You Should Know About

11/18/2021 (Permalink)

One of the best ways to avoid a candle fire is by using candles that don’t have a flame at all.

5 Candle Substitutes You Should Be Aware Of

Across the country one of the many house fires start from an unattended open flame such as a candle. This includes many fires in Boca Raton, FL. Fortunately, for those who love the look and feel of a lit candle, or some of the many wonderful scents these come in, there are various candle alternatives available. Here are five you may want to consider.

1. Flameless Candles

One of the best ways to avoid a candle fire is by using candles that don’t have a flame at all. These are often battery operated, however, they’re programmed to mimic the flickering light effect many people enjoy.

2. Flameless Lantern

A lantern traditionally is a candle placed within a shade. Nowadays many are designed without the candle part of the equation. These can still provide the warm look of candle light, and some even flicker, however they use a battery or wall plug instead of open flame.

3. Warming Bases

If what you love is the scent of warm wax, a warming base may be your go-to option for candle alternatives. These bases use a lamp or warming plate to heat the wax and provide you with scent, without a flame.

4. Plug-in Air Fresheners

Many air fresheners come in the same scents as many candles. Plug-in fresheners can even mimic the look and feel of a candle but don’t carry the same risk of candle fire.

5. Heatless Fresheners

heatless options for keeping your room fresh could include a variety of air freshener styles. Many come in sprays that contain the same scents as candles. Others include forms of potpourri and oil diffusers.

These are all great candle alternatives you can include in your home, and while some do use batteries or a wall outlet, none carry the same fire risk as leaving an open flame unattended. Remember, in the unfortunate event your do end up with fire or smoke damage in your home, a Boca Raton, FL, fire damage professional may be able to help.

The Return of the Mold: How To Minimize Your Risk of Repeat Growth

10/27/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can resolve any black mold problem in your home. Call us!

The Return of Mold: How to Reduce Your Chances of Recurring Growth

It is impossible to have a completely mold-free home. Mold is in the air. It hitches a ride on your clothes and hair when you come in from outside your home in Highland Beach, FL, and it seeks out any moisture source it can find. Black mold growth can appear in areas that have water damage from leaks or malfunctioning plumbing. Mold remediation experts can resolve the problem, but unless you take certain precautions, the mold could return, even after professional cleanup.

1. Maintain Your Home.

Vigilant maintenance is the key to preventing the need for future mold cleanup. Take note of the places in your home where condensation tends to gather or leaks often occur. Fix the problems causing the leaks. This not only prevents unsightly water damage but also denies black mold spores a place to land and thrive.

2. Ventilate Stagnant Areas.

Your attic gets stuffy quite easily, so you must make sure that it is properly ventilated. Moisture is more likely to gather in areas lacking in air flow. Giving the stale air in these places a place to escape outside your home can be an effective mold growth deterrent.

3. Control the Humidity.

Your indoor humidity should stay within a range of 30 and 50 percent. Humid rooms are prone to mold issues. Exhaust fans in your kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms can help prevent the need for mold cleanup.

4. Hire Professionals.

If you do discover a mold problem in your home, don’t try to clean it up yourself. Certified technicians are trained to assess the problem and resolve it thoroughly. If your mold issue is not resolved completely, it is likely to return again.

Mold remediation specialists can resolve a problem with black mold in your home. Your responsibility is to do everything you can to keep the problem from recurring by making your home a place where mold feels less welcome.

Why Does Rain Bring Mold to Your Home?

9/14/2021 (Permalink)

No one wants to deal with black mold and other types of mold in their home.

In many cases, Boca Raton, FL, homeowners welcome rainstorms. The precipitation brings moisture to lawns and gardens, and it can fill reservoirs with drinking water. However, if parts of your home aren’t secure, you might experience flooding and black mold following a rainstorm. It’s vital that you check your home to ensure water isn’t getting inside when it rains.

Get on the Roof

Attics are common places for mold cleanup. If you find mold in this part of your home, chances are good that you’ve got a roof leak. Here are some ways to find out:

• Get on your roof and inspect it for missing shingles.
• Check for soft spots on the roof.
• Look for obvious signs of damage such as holes and cracks.

If your sure up your roof, you shouldn’t have to worry about water seeping through and introducing mold.

Check Your Drainage

As your up on your roof, make sure you look at your rain gutters. Clear them of debris, and make sure the downspouts are diverting water away from your home. Clogged gutters can pool water near the foundation of your water after it rains, which can introduce water into your home. This could, in turn, cause mold growth.

Check Your Windows

Has it been a while since you replaced your windows? If you have black mold on your walls, it may be because water is getting inside when rains. Make sure you have properly sealed your windows.

The Solution

A mold remediation company is your key to identifying and getting rid of mold. These specialists can also help you repair areas of concern in your home such as the roof, foundation, windows, and more.

No one wants to deal with black mold and other types of mold in their home. If this unwanted guest is showing up after it rains, check for the common signs of water entry.

Mold Removal in Boca Raton, FL

8/18/2021 (Permalink)

Mold growth can be a major problem for your Boca Raton, FL, business

Mold Growth Prevention

Mold growth can be a major problem for your Boca Raton, FL, business. Fortunately, carpet cleaning and other preventive measures can minimize the likelihood of mold damage.

If your business is prone to mold problems, it may seem that mold is able to grow anywhere. However, there are three things that mold needs to survive:

• Food
• Water
• Warmth

Most indoor locations have many food sources and are warm enough to foster mold growth. Therefore, the easiest condition to remove is water. Keeping your facility dry is key to preventing an infestation. Keep indoor humidity below 50% if possible. You may need to use a dehumidifier or run the air conditioning more frequently to accomplish this. Additionally, repair leaks and dry up standing water as soon as possible. Using mold-resistant products can also decrease the possibility of an infestation. There are fungus-resistant paints, carpets, and upholstery products as well as mold-prevention sprays that you can apply to a variety of surfaces.

Decreasing Mold Spores

In addition to keeping your business dry, decreasing the number of mold spores can reduce the risk of an infestation. Although these spores are invisible and nearly everywhere, there are some things you can do to minimize their presence in your building. Carpet cleaning and routine mopping of hard floors can remove the spores that land on the flooring. Place mats at entryways and keep them clean to catch spores before they are tracked deeper into the building. HEPA filtration systems can trap spores that travel through the air. Try to keep the facility as clean and dust-free as possible. Routinely clean ductwork to reduce built-up spores in the HVAC system.

Dealing with mold growth can seem like an overwhelming task. Whether you need help with carpet cleaning to prevent mold growth or help cleaning up mold damage after an infestation, a certified mold damage cleanup and restoration company can help you with all your cleaning and restoration needs.

Black Mold: An Unwelcome Visitor

8/9/2021 (Permalink)

Mold can grow quickly in humid, wet or water-damaged areas.

Fungus can be good, such as tasty mushrooms that get cooked up in kitchens. Other fungus, like black mold, is definitely bad. This is the kind of mold that people hope never shows up in their kitchens—or in any other room.

Understanding Mold

Black mold gives off tiny spores that can land and start to grow in humid, wet or water-damaged places. Mold also thrives in areas that don’t receive much air circulation. Basements, crawl spaces, bathrooms, ducts, attics, ceilings and window surrounds are particularly susceptible to mold growth.

Common causes of conditions leading to residential mold growth include the following:

• Broken or drippy pipes and other plumbing problems
  
• Issues with heating, cooling and ventilation units
  
• Poor insulation
  
• Leaky roofs and windows
  
• Flooding, seepage and storm damage
  
  

Mold has an unpleasant, musty odor and unsightly appearance, although it’s not always plainly visible. Any home in Boca Del Mar, FL, that has experienced water damage could be a candidate for mold cleanup. Those needing mold remediation services should contact a qualified eradication specialist.

Banishing the Moldy Mess

Experienced professional mold cleaners may first ask several questions to help them determine the scope and nature of the job. Next, they can carefully inspect the residence, using special tools to find “hidden” mold.

Professionals often use a variety of containment equipment, such as HEPA vacuums and negative air chambers, to prevent the spread of mold spores during residential mold eradication. They may also turn off any fans, furnaces or air conditioners so spores aren’t dispersed.

It may be necessary for the mold cleanup specialists to remove and dispose of porous materials that have harbored heavy growth, such as carpeting, drywall or insulation. The professionals may clean and sanitize affected surfaces and apply antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to kill mold and prevent new colonies. Finally, any necessary home restoration can begin.

Restoring a Fresh Home

Done properly, professional mold remediation can leave residents with a fresh, dry and disinfected home free of black mold. Residents can then rest assured that their unwelcome visitor has left the premises.

Official Certification by the IICRC Is a Defining Attribute of a Professional Restoration Company

5/18/2021 (Permalink)

Our employees have the right IICRC certifications so they can take the best care of your property.

In a world filled with misinformation and fake news, it can be a genuine challenge, and a real headache, to make an informed decision. This can exacerbate the natural sense of panic if your business has suffered a significant disaster, such as storm or fire damage. Fortunately, there is a credible institution dedicated to ensuring that restoration companies in Boca Raton, FL use trained technicians and abide by its rigorous protocols: the IICRC.

What Is the IICRC? 

The Independent Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification was founded in 1972 to prevent fraud and increase the quality of service provided by disaster restoration agencies. It offers a number of classes in restoration technology, including:

• Fire restoration
• Water restoration
• Carpet and upholstery cleaning
• Applied structure drying.
  

The goal of the organization is to create uniform standards and develop easy-to-understand, industry-accepted language to make clear what damage has been done, specify the steps needed to prevent further harm to a property and ensure the customer knows exactly what he or she is getting. All certificate requirements are set by a board of directors with extensive experience in the industry. While certification is voluntary, most insurance experts strongly recommend working with an established restoration company with an active mitigation certificate. 

Where Can You Find IICRC-Certified Technicians?

SERVPRO is one of the few organizations approved to offer these classes, including continuing education credits. Most insurance companies consider SERVPRO to be their preferred vendor in all forms of physical disaster restoration. Key to this designation is that its franchises have strong connections to the local community, while having full access to national resources and top techniques for damage remediation.
If your business has had a disaster, acting fast will reduce further damage along with the time your business isn’t at full capacity. SERVPRO can help you understand the insurance process and immediately take the steps necessary to mitigate deterioration. Its emergency response team is thoroughly trained in the most cutting-edge techniques that can save money and reduce downtime.

Why Insurance Agents and Their Clients Should Use SERVPRO's Claims Inventory System

2/22/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO created its own Claims Inventory System.

Top Reasons To Use This Service

Accuracy is paramount as you prepare each insurance claim. You need to double-check all the numbers and facts. You also must do research to ensure your details are reliable. With so much information available on the internet, the process can seem overwhelming.
That is why SERVPRO created its own Claims Inventory System. This system lets agents in Boca Raton, FL easily find the data they need. 

Data
An insurance agent can use the Claims Inventory System to research the response times and costs of other restoration projects. This information should help you quickly and accurately compare losses and estimate the expenses involved in your latest insurance claim. You can sort the numbers by:

• Region
• State
• County

Collaboration and Convenience
Insurance agents are not the only people with access to this database. The restoration professionals and adjusters can also utilize it to communicate with clients and each other. This speeds up the entire claims process, letting you move on to other parts of your job, and letting your clients get back to their businesses.
In fact, your clients themselves will also have remote access to the database. They should thus receive instant information about the status of each claim.
The system additionally features an estimate of the costs, photos of the loss and digital copies of important documents. Your clients should also receive a hard copy or email versions of their files for their records.
Business owners are likely to appreciate that they are being kept completely in the loop. They can even see how SERVPRO's performance compares to the standard set by the restoration industry.
As a preferred vendor of many insurance companies, SERVPRO offers more than just emergency cleanup services. The company's database provides accurate information that helps agents expedite each insurance claim. Speeding up the claims process should reduce the cost of the cleanup and make your clients happy.

How Long Will It Take to Clean Up Mold in My Business?

12/10/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial mold growth in Boca Raton, FL

If you have found mold in your building in Boca Raton, FL, you may be wondering about mold removal and how long the remediation process will take. After all, you want your business running and back to normal as quickly as possible. Mold remediation usually takes an average of three to seven days, depending on the spread of the mold and amount of damage.

The Basics of Mold Growth

The idea of completely removing mold is somewhat of a fallacy, as this fungus is present everywhere:

• Mold grows indoors and outdoors.
• Microscopic mold spores float through the air and can enter buildings through windows, doors and HVAC systems.
• Spores can also get into buildings on the clothing of people who enter.

Mold can grow on nearly any surface, including wood, carpet, ceiling tiles, paint and insulation. It also thrives when moisture is present. Rooms with a humidity level of 45% or higher provide a favorable environment for black mold and other types. It also grows quickly after a flood or roof leak, spreading through a building within 48-72 hours.

The Mold Remediation Process
A professional mold remediation company that focuses on getting mold spores back to normal, natural levels can work with you to begin the mold removal and cleaning process.
The remediation company can inspect your property for signs of mold, using technology to find it in places not in plain view. The professionals will also search for hidden sources of water.
The next step is to contain the spread of mold. Heaters, air conditioners and fans should be turned off and physical barriers may be installed. In some cases, negative air chambers may be used along with air filtration equipment.
Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments can be used on surfaces to eliminate colonies of mold and prevent new ones from growing. Porous materials like carpet and ceiling tile may need to be removed and replaced if they are infested with growth.
While it might seem like mold removal is a job you can handle yourself, working with a mold remediation company can help you find any hidden sources and assist you in getting quickly back to business as usual.

Mold vs. Mildew: Everything You Need To Know

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

Mold vs Mildew

Here Are Three Ways To Differentiate Between The Two

All homeowners in Boca Raton, FL know that they need to protect their property from mold damage. You can keep fungi out of your home in several ways, such as keeping your house clean, taking care of any water leaks or spills right away and calling a mold mitigation company as soon as you suspect a problem. But how do you know if you are dealing with mold or with its more common cousin, mildew? Here are three ways to differentiate between the two.

1. Check Out Color
One of the first things you may notice about the fungus in your home is its color. Mildew growth tends to be less visually striking, appearing on surfaces as grey or white patches. Mold growth can be many colors, including red or orange, but the type of mold damage found in residential homes is most often green or black.

2. Take a Look at Texture
The texture of the fungus can provide another clue to its identity. Mildew may appear to have more of a powdery, “dusted on” texture, while mold is often slimy, fuzzy, or wool-like. Combined with color, this can lead to a noticeable difference in the appearance of the two types of fungi.

3. Examine the Size of the Growth
Besides color and texture, you can also look at the size of the growth to help determine if it is mold or mildew. Mildew growth generally occurs in a small, distinct area on the surface of objects, while mold growth tends to cover a larger area.
Avoiding mold damage is a high priority for any homeowner. One of the most important steps to protecting your home is knowing exactly what it is you’re dealing with when you spot dark spots or fuzzy substances that weren't there before. Mold and mildew may seem similar, but a visual examination from a safe distance or an assessment from mold removal professionals can help you distinguish between the two.

Your Mold Problem Will Not Take Care of Itself

10/1/2020 (Permalink)

Mold is no problem for SERVPRO

Take Preventative Measures

Black mold is a formidable foe. It loves warm and moist areas and can grow on almost any surface in your home, including, but not limited to:

• Floors
  
• Ceilings
  
• Walls
  
• Carpets
  
• Drapes
  
  

Once a surface becomes wet or is exposed to an ongoing moisture problem, the mold spores that are always present in the air can take hold and begin to grow within 24-48 hours. The longer you wait to call your local Boca Raton, FL, mold cleanup specialists, the more difficult and expensive the mold remediation process will be.

Will the Mold Go Away on Its Own?
A common misconception is that if you take care of your moisture problem, the black mold will go away all by itself. Unfortunately, this is a dangerous myth. Even if you do everything right — stop the moisture, thoroughly dry off the surface, install a dehumidifier, and a humidity meter — the mold will never just disappear. It might stop spreading, which is why it's so important to take these initial mold cleanup steps, but the mold that is already present is there to stay until you get professional help. 

How Can You Prevent Mold Growth?
The most efficient and effective way to take care of mold is, of course, to stop it from growing in the first place. Since mold is attracted to moist environments, this means making sure your water lines are in good shape and taking care of leaks immediately. For good measure, purchase a dehumidifier and keep your heat or AC cranked up. 
When given free reign, black mold can turn into an overwhelming disaster that spreads throughout your entire home. To protect your house (and your wallet!), it is crucial to take preventative measures, spot mold, and moisture problems right away, and waste no time in seeking professional help. As tempting as it may be to believe, don't fall for the myth that the mold will take care of itself.

How To Spot Water Damage and Prevent Mold Growth

8/20/2020 (Permalink)

Mold and water damage in a commercial building in Boca, FL

How To Treat Water-Related Damages

A commercial building exposed to excessive water is highly susceptible to mold growth. Severe storms, floods, and leaking appliances are just a few examples of how water can build up and lead to much larger issues if it is ignored. Mold can begin to spread within 48 hours if it is not properly detected and contained. It is important to know how to treat water-related damages and safely remove mold before it grows into a bigger problem.

How To Treat Water Damage
Areas exposed to excess water and warm temperatures can create the perfect environment for mold growth. Water-related damage often occurs during severe weather conditions or due to high humidity. Water can also cause problems when it pools due to a leaking faucet or air conditioning unit.

If you discover an area damaged by water, you should:

• Shut off the water source causing the damage
• Immediately dry the affected area
• Monitor the space for signs of mold
  
  

Always inspect the vulnerable areas for excess water after a big storm, and maintain appliances by routinely checking for leaks. Seek professional help for drying any material or property that remains waterlogged.

How To Check for Signs of Mold
If moisture remains in an area long enough, signs of mold may appear. Although it is sometimes difficult to detect, there are a few clear indicators that mold may be present at your Boca, FL, property:

• Musty odors
• Discolored spots on walls and ceilings
• Prolonged and unexpected humidity
• Weak spots, such as in drywall or ceiling tiles
• Bulging spots
  
  

If you discover mold growth, make sure to avoid the affected area until it has been properly restored. Mold left untreated can cause long-term damage to buildings as well as furniture and fabrics. For any mold or water damage, contact a professional water removal and mold remediation expert. Mold cleanup in particular requires a professional to ensure safety and the complete removal of any damage, danger or odor.

How To Clean Your Moldy Washing Machine

8/10/2020 (Permalink)

Does your washing machine stink? There may be mold growth in the drain.

Your washing machine is designed to clean your clothes and keep them smelling fresh. What happens when your clothes not only stop smelling fresh out the wash but also take on an odor? If the laundry room in your home in Boca, FL, smells musty and damp, that unpleasant smell is most likely caused by mold.

Simple Steps To Clean Your Machine

Before worrying about replacing the expensive appliance, consider simply cleaning the machine to get rid of the nasty mold smell. With a few basic ingredients found in most homes, you can have your machine smelling better in no time:

• Empty your machine.
  
• Mix 1/4 cup of baking soda with 1/4 cup of vinegar.
  
• Add that mixture to the machine in place of detergent.
  
• Add 2 cups of vinegar to the drum of the machine.
  
• Run an empty wash cycle on high heat without any dirty laundry.
  
  

One wash cycle with this mixture should break down the mold and eliminate the musty smell from your washing machine.
If it still smells, look for any visible mold within the machine. If you are able to easily see mold, try scrubbing it directly with an equal mixture of vinegar and water using the scrubber side of a kitchen sponge. After a good scrubbing, try repeating the five steps above.

What To Do If The Smell Persists Even After Cleaning
If you’ve done your best to clean your machine and still find the mold smell to be a problem, your machine may have mold that is lingering in places you cannot see or reach. When this happens, it is likely time to call a mold remediation specialist to identify and solve the problem.
You wash your clothes with the expectation that they will come out looking and smelling better than when they went in. You depend on your washing machine to deliver day after day, but mold doesn't care about your wardrobe. It grows and spreads, so it's best to address the problem right away.

What to Know About Pretesting

6/16/2020 (Permalink)

The process of pretesting is done before the restoration begins in order to assess the damage and create a plan for restoration.

What to Know About Pretesting

After a fire or flood at your Hamptons At Boca Raton, FL, business you may see the local damage restoration service working on the property conduct a phase called pretesting before they begin any work. This can be an important step to the restoration process. Here’s what you may want to know.

1. What it is

This is the term used for the phase of the restoration in which the professionals inspect the property for damage type and severity, and then formulate a plan for restoration. Starting out in this manner allows them to find all the affected areas and items, and account for any potentially unseen damage as well. This also means they have the opportunity to collect any potentially necessary equipment or materials to do the job before the repairs begin.

2. Why They Conduct the Testing

The reason pretesting is used is because it allows the professionals to work on the space to know relevant information beforehand. This way they are not surprised by unexpected damages. The pretest stage may also help the insurance agent working on your claim as they will have what the need to correctly document any damages at the start.

3. How it May Benefit You

In addition to helping to speed up your insurance claim by getting the necessary information to your agent early on, the process of inspecting the area first can benefit you in a few ways. Knowing early what will need to be repaired can help the restoration tea create a streamlined repair schedule. This means your business property may be fixed sooner than otherwise expected. This can also allow them to mitigate future issues which could save you money long term.

The process of pretesting is done before the restoration begins in order to assess the damage and create a plan for restoration. This allows them to make plans for any damage they may find before the work begins, and then conduct the work is a safe and efficient manner. Doing so may not only cut down on the repair time but save you money as well.

Mold Remediation in Your Boca Raton Home or Business?

4/11/2020 (Permalink)

Call us if you find mold on your property

SERVPRO of South Palm Beach offers mold remediation and restoration; we have the training, equipment and expertise to better assist you. 

It is preferred that you have an Industrial Hygienist protocol (mold test) done before the work begins?

This is a process where air sampling and affected areas are tested to provide a detailed remediation and restoration protocol for SERVPRO of South Palm Beach to follow. There is also a post-test that will take place once we are finished to confirm clearance. 

Every time our team handles a mold job, we are required to wear the appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) which includes items such as coveralls and respirators. 

SERVPRO of South Palm Beach will make sure to keep anything deemed salvageable; we go above and beyond to ensure restoration before removal.  Unfortunately, in most situations there is some tear out involved to remove affected areas such as drywall, flooring, and/or furniture.

During the mold remediation process a HEPA vacuum is used, HEPA filters are designed to capture particles as small as mold spores and to ensure that they do not get reintroduced. Our mold experts use “negative air” containment, which is created by positioning negative air machines to introduce clean air into the affected area and push contaminated air outside the home.

You want to consider getting your HVAC cleaned as well, the mold spores can collect there and be dispersed throughout the home.

Every mold infestation is different, from the amount of mold to the types of materials affected. Each scenario requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. If you have any questions, give SERVPRO of South Palm Beach a call at 561-391-3366.

SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team, Ready for whatever happens.®

4/6/2020 (Permalink)

We're here to help

SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team

When a storm or disaster strikes, SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team® is poised and “Ready for whatever happens.” With a network of nearly 1,700 Franchises, the SERVPRO® System strives to be faster to any size disaster. Strategically located throughout the United States, SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team®, is trained and equipped to handle the largest storms and highest flood waters. Providing experience, additional manpower, equipment and other resources, the Disaster Recovery Team® assists your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals. SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team® has responded to hundreds of disaster events. In the aftermath of a disaster, there is only one objective, to help you make it “Like it never even happened.”

2015 Siberian Express: Record sub- zero temperatures caused major problems for a large portion of the country stretching from Florida to Maine. The Midwest also experienced record breaking low temperatures resulting in frozen pipes and ice dams causing major problems for residents. The Storm Team dispatched a total of 257 crews from 108 Franchises to assist local SERVPRO® Franchises completing nearly 2000 jobs.

2014 Mid-Atlantic Flooding: Rainfall rates up to 2” per hour caused major flash flooding stretching from Northeast Ohio all the way up to Portland, Maine. Eastern Michigan and Baltimore, Maryland were also impacted creating over 1,381 jobs for the Storm team to produce. A total of 82 SERVPRO® Franchises and 173 crews mitigated over $4.3 million in damages while assisting the local Franchises.

2014 Polar Vortex: Record low temperatures caused by a break in the North Pole’s polar vortex resulted in an unprecedented freezing event, spanning from east of the Rocky Mountains to as far south as Central Florida, effecting all or part of 39 states and 70% of the SERVPRO® Franchise System.

2013 Colorado Floods: Heavy rainfall, with amounts up to 17 inches in some areas, resulted in widespread flooding in Fort Collins, Boulder and surrounding Colorado mountain communities. The Disaster Recovery Team® responded with 109 crews from 48 Franchises to assist the local SERVPRO® Franchises in the emergency response.

2013 Alberta, Canada Floods: Heavy rainfall triggered flooding affecting more than 120,000 residents, and ultimately, the costliest disaster in Canadian history with damages estimated at C$5 billion, with C$1.7 billion in insurance damages.

2012 Hurricane Sandy: Affecting more than 20 states, Sandy left widespread damage and flooding from Florida stretching the entire eastern seaboard to Maine. The Disaster Recovery Team® placed nearly 1000 crews in affected areas, representing over 300 SERVPRO® Franchises from across the country. Teams traveled from as far as Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington.

3 Signs of Mold Growth in Your Home

3/27/2020 (Permalink)

Mold growth in a bathroom in Boca, FL

3 Signs of Mold Growth in Your Home

If you have recently experienced water damage in your Boca, FL, home or have a higher level of humidity than usual, then you might have seen some signs of mold growth in your house. If this is the case, then you may need to have a mold inspection done. If you notice any of the following, you likely have this fungus in your home.

1. Discoloration

When you think of fungal growth, the first thing that pops into your head might be black mold. However, this is not the only color that mold comes in. There are a variety of species that range in hue from green to orange to black, along with many others. If there are discolored areas on walls, tiles or flooring, particular in round patterns, these are likely mold colonies.

2. Texture

Another easy way to spot mold is the texture. Many varieties of house mold have a fuzzy appearance and texture. Others may be wet and slimy, and some have a string-like appearance. You might also find mildew, another type of fungus, in your house. This will be powdery or chalky.

3. Odor

In some cases, you might smell a mold growth before you see one. If you notice an unusual or musty odor but are unable to locate the source, then a mold inspection should be done as soon as possible. The reason that this occurs is that mold sometimes grows in hidden locations. From inside air conditioners to beneath floors or behind walls, no location is out of bounds for this fungus.
If you think that there might be mold growing in your house, then you should have a mold inspection done by a mold damage remediation company. Not only will these professionals be able to locate mold in hidden areas, but they can also do the work needed to remove it. They will perform cleanup and any necessary repairs.