3 Reasons To Hire Certified Environmental Hygienists for Testing

3/5/2019 (Permalink)

Black mold? You must have it tested by a professional.

3 Reasons To Hire Certified Environmental Hygienists for Testing

When you need remediation in Mesa, AZ, it's important to hire the right people for the job. The mold cleaning process involves more than just removing mold growth from your home. Before and after the job is done, you need someone to test to determine the extent of the problem and whether the problem has been resolved after cleanup is done. A certified environmental hygienist is the person for the job. Here are three reasons to expect that the person testing for mold in your home meets the standards of certification.

1. Education

Most certified hygienists have studied their field extensively. Typically, they have completed a bachelor's degree in one of the following sciences:

• Chemistry
  
• Engineering
  
• Physics
  
• Biology
  
  

In addition to their formal education from an accredited college or university, certified mold remediation technicians take courses and pursue continuing education in subjects that are specifically related to their career path. This is how they stay current on the newest technology and techniques in the industry.

2. Experience

The best way to learn proper mold cleaning is with experience. Certification implies that the assessment in your home is not the first time the technicians have ever encountered a mold problem. Mentorships and professional networking are a vital part of learning the trade. Under the direct tutelage of a seasoned expert, even newly certified hygienists gain the experience necessary to test effectively.

3. Examination

After the coursework for the initial certification is complete and the minimum experience requirement has been met, technicians must pass a certification exam before they are considered an expert in testing for mold damage. The exam covers a broad scope of the industrial hygiene industry's latest practices. You can hire a certified environmental hygienist with the peace of mind that they have been trained, tested and found competent.

To determine if you need mold cleaning in your home, you must have it tested by a professional. Certified environmental hygienists have passed the test proving that they have the necessary education and experience to assess the problem accurately.

DIY Solutions for Removing Shower Mold

1/18/2019 (Permalink)

Clean your shower head using white vinegar

4 Cleaning Ingredients you Can Find In Your Cupboard

Some homes in Leisure World, AZ, have issues with shower mold. Whether it is the high humidity, lack of ventilation, or abundance of spores, bathroom mold can be a constant problem. Many people grab a commercial cleaner to use in the battle against the unsightly fungus, but others prefer the use of more natural cleaning agents. Here are four cleaning ingredients you can find in your cupboard.

1. Borax

Borax is a great cleaner. Dissolve one-fourth cup of the crystals into one quart of water. Spray the solution on the problem area and use a brush to scrub the moldy zone. Rinse the area and repeat the process as needed.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide

For a great cleaning solution, fill a dark spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide and add two tablespoons of vinegar. Spray the cleaner on the shower mold and wait for half an hour. Spray again and wait for an hour. Wipe the area clean and repeat if necessary.

3. Vinegar

One of the best household cleaners, vinegar is known for its acidity and that makes it a natural solution to a black mold problem. Spray a full-strength solution of vinegar on the mold and wait an hour. Repeat as necessary, and then use hot water to rinse the area and dry completely.

4. Bleach and Baking Soda

Using a little hot water, a cup of baking soda, and a few drops of scented oil, form a loose paste. Spread the paste over the area and remove the majority of the mold. Once most of the fungi are gone, spray a solution of two parts water and one-part bleach on the area and allow it to dry. Repeat the spray if necessary, and rinse with water.

Although a mold colony can begin life as a small spot, it can quickly grow into an unsightly area. With these simple DIY household cleaning solutions, you can quickly vanquish that shower mold and return to a clean bathroom. If the mold keeps appearing, consider calling a mold remediation company to find the underlying problem.

Is My Home Covered by Mold Insurance?

9/14/2018 (Permalink)

Make sure you know what your insurance policy covers. You want to be prepared before a disaster comes along.

Unfortunately, most homeowners' insurance policies in Peoria, Arizona do not provide mold coverage. There are some exceptions to this, however. Your policy may cover fungus growth if it was the result of situations that are covered, such as

• Fire or lightning
• Overflow of water or steam from home systems, such as the plumbing or air conditioner
• Frozen pipes
• Vandalism or theft
• Damage caused by vehicles
• Falling objects or damage due to heavy snow or ice
  

Examples of Mold Coverage

When your insurance policy covers accidents, it will generally cover fungus growth that was a direct result of the accident. Check out some situations when your insurance would probably cover you:

A pipe in your home bursts while you're at work and floods the basement, soaking into carpeting, drywall, and furnishings. Mold growth begins before you call the insurance company.

Heavy snowfall leads to an ice dam in the roof gutter and this allows water to seep under your shingles. That water and ice combination continues to grow until it has soaked your attic floor and insulation. A mold colony develops.

Examples of Non-Coverage

The old roof on your aging home becomes saturated with water and gives in to the heavy weight of snow during the winter. That saturation and damage leads to mold growth.

The pipes in your basement burst at the end of the winter. You don't realize that there's a problem for a couple of weeks. Fungus growth develops because of the standing water.

Get the Facts From Your Insurance Provider

Basically, your insurance provider expects that you'll provide routine maintenance on your home, addressing small problems before they develop into much larger issues. However, you can contact your insurance provider to ask about specific mold insurance. Be aware that even in this case, there may be a mold cap. If your home has been affected by fungus or mold, work with a Peoria, Arizona mold remediation representative or your insurance adjuster for more information on how to proceed.

Why Doesn’t Mold Go Away on Its Own?

5/16/2018 (Permalink)

Most homeowners lack the proper resources for effective mold detection and cleanup, and home removal is only partly effective in stopping the spread.

Some things you can wait out – but mold isn’t one of them. Black mold isn’t just pervasive; it’s invasive and can cause you significant problems if you don’t head it off at the pass. Mold won’t disappear if you just wait long enough for it to go away on its own. This is a problem you have to actively tackle with mold cleanup and remediation, especially if your home in Mesa, AZ, has a moisture problem.

So Just Why Is Mold So Hard To Get Rid Of?

The reason mold is so hard to get rid of is because even when you can’t see it, it never goes away. Mold exists in your environment as spores; as long as those spores don’t begin to sprout into fungal growths, there’s little to worry about. But it doesn’t take much to start black mold’s growth cycle; the smallest amount of moisture combined with organic matter such as fabrics, wood, drywall, and food can cause mold to begin to grow. Common sources of moisture leading to mold include the following:

• Leaking windows and roofs
• Burst or leaking pipes
• High humidity from environmental factors or shower steam
• Condensation from malfunctioning appliances
• Flooding from natural disasters such as hurricanes

Any one of these factors can create an environment ideal for mold to breed and spread throughout your household, including in hidden areas where it might not be readily visible.

How Can You Prevent Mold, Then?

The best way is to keep your home dry. Drying the home won’t be enough to get rid of the existing black mold, though. Generally, the only way to do this is through mold remediation and cleanup, usually by hiring special services and professionals who specialize in mold removal. Most homeowners lack the proper resources for effective mold detection and cleanup, and home removal is only partly effective in stopping the spread and preventing a reoccurrence. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROmesaeast.com/.

How Can You Stay Safe During Mold Removal?

4/30/2018 (Permalink)

Give SERVPRO a call if you notice mold growing in your home or business.

When the mold removal procedure takes place, you should take the necessary steps to contain mold in your building and keep you and your co-workers safe. Black mold can be potentially harmful, so it is important to know what you should do if mold is present.

1. Call a Professional

If you suspect mold growth is present in your building, call a professional in Mesa, AZ to begin the removal process. They will then be able to determine the damage. Mold can appear and spread within 48 hours of water damage, so it is recommended to get help immediately. A specialist should walk you through the steps he or she will take to contain the mold and protect the people present.

2. Use Barriers

To keep mold exposure to a minimum, your mold specialist will separate contaminated areas from work spaces with an airtight barrier, using negative pressure to filter the air out of the contaminated area and bring in fresh air. This helps to get rid of spores and makes it safer for people in the building. You may also be advised to turn off heating and cooling systems to prevent the further spread of spores. You might also need to designate a decontamination area, such as an unused bathroom, for mold specialists to remove their protective clothing before leaving contaminated areas.

3. Remove Mold

The air filtration is still taking place while mold removal begins. Special chemicals are used to prevent further spreading or to keep mold from coming back. Specialists will dispose of contaminated objects, such as insulation, baseboards and drywall. People in the building will need to clean and disinfect their personal items, such as clothing and furnishings, that may have come in contact with the mold. Professionals will then test the air for spores to determine if the areas were thoroughly filtered.

Mold growth is common where there is moisture. Frequently inspect areas where it may grow to catch it early or prevent it. Mold removal is not a job for just anyone, however. Leave that to the professionals who know the safe and effective ways to get rid of it. Visit 
http://www.SERVPROmesaeast.com for more information on mold. 

What is the best way to remove mold from your home?

4/27/2018 (Permalink)

If you experience mold growing in your home it is important to have it addressed immediately. Once you find microbial growth in your home, it is important to have a licensed environmental hygienist come on site to test it. 

Once the testing process is complete, a detailed protocol will come back for treatment. It is important to have a restoration company like SERVPRO follow each and every step of the treatment process. 

It is also important for proper containment to be set up to prevent the spread of mold spores. This can cause secondary damage that will make the situation worse than it originally was. 

Overall if you have any questions about mold remediation and restoration, feel free to call us anytime. We have team members available 24/7 to help you. 

Should I be worried about Mold in Monsoon Season?

4/27/2018 (Permalink)

With heavy rains coming in during monsoon season it is absolutely critical to worried about water damage causing mold. Mold can start to grow just days after an affected area remains wet. It is important that if you have water damage, that you remediate the damages as soon as possible. 

SERVPRO is able to help make sure that all of the water is removed to prevent secondary damages. Once the water is removed adequate air movement will be necessary to make sure the entire structure is dry. Once dry, the equipment can be removed. 

Many times areas of your home or business will become wet, causing mold to grow in unseen areas. If you suspect you have water damage, SERVPRO can arrive with thermal imaging cameras to detect what is wet and what is not. 

How to get rid of mold in your home or business in Mesa, AZ

4/27/2018 (Permalink)

If you find mold in your Mesa home or business, SERVPRO of Mesa East is here to help! Our team has the experience and training to handle any mold job, large or small. 

It is critical to detect and have an environmental hygienist evaluate the situation as soon as possible. That way the proper test and protocols can be recommended. 

After the protocol is written, SERVPRO of Mesa East can handle the remediation from start to finish. Our production managers are skilled to make sure the proper containment and team members properly remediate the microbial growth. 

It is also important to make sure your restoration company documents each step of the process for your benefit. Having the right photos is important to make sure the job is done correctly. 

Why do I need to hire a restoration company to remove mold?

4/27/2018 (Permalink)

It is critical to hire the right restoration company to remove mold and other microbial growth in your home or business. If you detect mold growing or any type of microbial growth, it is important to have a licensed restoration company like SERVPRO of Mesa East come on site and evaluate. Once onsite they will determine if an Environmental Hygienist will be needed to do a proper test. 

In most cases a licensed hygienist will test the mold and get a full lab report. This report will also include the treatment protocol that SERVPRO of Mesa East will follow from start to finish. 

In many cases you might just have questions, and our team is here to help educated and answer any thoughts you might have. 

Top 6 Places Mold May Be Hiding in Your Home

3/29/2018 (Permalink)

While many types of mold are harmless, some varieties can ruin the comfort and value of your home in Mesa, AZ. Unfortunately, not all mold is easy to see. On the contrary, mold growth can occur in places you may not expect it. Here are the top six places mold could be hiding in your home.

1. Under the Sink

To grow, mold spores need moisture and a food source. Because the areas under your kitchen and bathroom sinks can be damp, mold may easily grow. Meanwhile, since these areas are dark, you may not notice growth until you have a large-scale infiltration.

2. Behind the Washer and Dryer

Since your washer and dryer increase humidity in the laundry room, mold often has the right conditions to grow and spread. If you haven’t looked behind your appliances recently, you may have undiscovered mold growing in your home.

3. Beneath Laminate Flooring

Mold doesn’t only grow on visible surfaces. Rather, mold growth can occur beneath flooring. If you notice mold growing in places you can see, you should consider contracting for a professional inspection of places you can’t.

4. Inside Walls

If moisture is present, mold only needs a food source to grow. The paper on the outside of drywall is often irresistible to mold. If you notice mold on wood or see moldy drywall, you should probably look inside your walls to see if mold has taken hold there as well.

5. Below Grout

Mold can grow beneath tiles and below grout. If you see discoloration or smell foul odors in tiled areas inside your home, mold may be present.

6. In Air Ducts

Since mold spores are microscopic, they can easily float on the air throughout your home. Therefore, if you notice mold growing anywhere in your house, be sure you inspect your air ducts and vents for contamination.

You don’t have to be afraid of mold in Mesa, AZ. You should, however, understand that mold grows in both visible and hidden places. With a comprehensive inspection, you can likely identify mold growth and work toward managing it.