Putting a Stop to Moldy Carpets

5/1/2022 (Permalink)

Mold is extremely versatile. If given the proper environment mold can grow in virtually every single area on a property. While there can be many causes of mold, there are a few precautions you can take to reduce the chances that you will ever have to deal with mold damage. As with many aspects of home maintenance, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Consider taking the below steps in order to keep mold from growing on your carpets.

Control the humidity and temperature in your home.

Mold grows best with a certain amount of moisture in the air, in addition to certain temperature ranges. One way to help prevent mold growth in any location on your property is to ensure that your humidity levels never reach 60%. 

Consider a different floor covering in areas prone to moisture

Some areas of a home are just more prone to humidity and moisture. Like your bathroom, for instance. Every design aspect of your home should be done with appearance and functionality in mind, and that includes making sure you’re making smart decisions about the type of floor coverings to have in certain areas based on the area’s usage along with environmental aspects. When it comes to bathroom floors, and to a lesser extent basement floors, sometimes the smartest plan is to avoid carpets altogether.

Use carpet padding that is anti-microbial

There are a few different types of padding most commonly used in residential homes. While some are more budget friendly than others, if you’re considering carpet in areas that may be more prone to moisture issues, consider installing rubber-slab carpet padding. It’s much more resistant to mold growth than traditional carpet pads. 

If you do get standing water on your carpets, get it out fast!

This goes for any surface type in your home, and it’s especially true with carpets. With the right humidity levels and temperatures, mold growth can accelerate quickly when food and water are present. Getting the water and excess moisture out quickly can be the difference between a close call and a serious health problem for your family.

Clean your carpets regularly

Vacuuming your carpets regularly, along with having them professionally steam cleaned, can go a long way in preventing mold growth. One of the components of rapid mold growth is food, and mold loves dirt, grime, food, and any other organic substance that can be found in your carpet fibers. Regularly cleaning your carpets is a great way to help reduce the likelihood of dealing with mold in the future! 

Typically, if you have black mold on your carpets a visual inspection is all that is necessary. But in other instances, you may notice a musty smell or perhaps you’ve also been experiencing some troubling health issues that you think may be attributed to high levels of mold. In most states, mold remediation companies must be different than mold testing companies. The way it works is that the mold testing company will come take environmental samples from your home and have them sent off to a lab to be evaluated. If it’s determined through the testing that your home has a toxic black mold problem, it’s at that point that you’ll want to hire a mold removal company like us. Call our franchises!

SERVPRO of Coon Rapids/Central Anoka County Mold Remediation: Mold versus Mildew

5/29/2021 (Permalink)

An example of growth behind baseboards after water damage/

When a home suffers a water damage event, a mold infestation can quickly arise and spread throughout a home in 48-72 hours. Because mold can produce allergens and irritants, you will want a professional that has training and experience to properly resolve the mold infestation. That's where we come in!

How can you tell the difference between mold and mildew?

Primarily mildew is a plant disease but it can thrive on any organic matter, not just living tissue. It can appear on clothing, leather, paper, walls, ceilings, floor and even on your shower wall. It usually grows in a flat pattern in a white, gray or yellowish color. It will turn brown or black over time.

Mold is usually fuzzy and appears in irregular shaped spots. It also can appear in many different colors – blue, green, yellow, brown, gray, black, or white. Mold grows on organic matter everywhere but is only visible once the colonies grow.

How can you test the affected area to see if it is mildew or mold?

If you are unsure of what the substance is within the affected area, you can easily have it tested. The best course of action is to ask for professional assistance (like us!), but you can also fairly easily identify whether it is mildew or mold with a little bit of household bleach.

1. Apply a few drops of bleach to the affected area.

2. Wait 5 minutes and inspect the spot.

3. If the affected area becomes lighter, you are more than likely dealing with mildew. If the spot remains dark, it is most likely mold.

Who do you call when you think you've got mold?

SERVPRO of Coon Rapids/Central Anoka County, that's who!

If you suspect that your Coon Rapids home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect, assess and remediate your property. Call 952-473-4837 with any questions or concerns. 

Mold Remediation: Signs of Mold

4/16/2021 (Permalink)

We have all it takes to keep you satisfied and restore the indoor air quality of your home!

Mold is a problem and concern that any modern homeowner or property owner should be prepared to face. You may feel inclined to ignore a small spot of mold, but when you consider the health effects it can have on your home and environment, you know you need a solution. Our professional and certified mold remediation services around Coon Rapids and Central Anoka County ensure that you don't encounter mold in your house again - at least until the next flood or leak.

What is Mold Remediation/Removal?

Mold remediation is all the processes involved in restoring the mold spores level in your home. Remediation is the whole bang for your buck that not only removes current mold issues, but ensures that it will not grow again. SERVPRO of Coon Rapids/Central Anoka County is certified to remove the physical mold that is present in addition to reducing airborne spores. 

Warning Signs of a Mold Problem

Mold is always present. Whether it is in the air, indoors, or outdoors, this fungus has been around for millions of years. When exposed to moisture, it feeds, expands, and releases mold spores into the air.

You might be asking yourself: "How will I know if there are unsafe levels of mold present?"

• Mold has a variety of colors from black to white, although green and black see to be the most prevalent.
• Mold has a nasty musty odor that signals its presence. If you notice an odd scent even after eliminating all other possibilities, mold testing will help you verify if you really have mold issues, if it is just a stain on the wall, or an odd smell.

If you find yourself wondering if that smell is your garbage or that spot on the wall is just dirt from the dog, consider your local mold remediation service and...

HIRE A MOLD REMEDIATION SERVICE LIKE US!

Our specialized technicians make use of modern equipment to carry out mold removal or remediation in Coon Rapids. There is no need to question who you go to when you're worried about mold. Call 763-712-9712 today with any questions or concerns.

Leaky Roofs And Ice Dams Are Not A Good Combination For Your Home In Andover

1/14/2019 (Permalink)

If you ever notice mold after your roof leaks in the winter, call SERVPRO of Coon Rapids / Central Anoka County!

Mold Damage Experts In Andover Talk About Leaky Roofs And Ice Dams

In the winter time, snow and ice can create problems inside your Andover home. Snow can build up and cause your roofing materials to cave in and create mold damage inside your house. If the ice on your roof gets heavy, it can create a situation where materials get saturated and start to leak. Slow leaks like these can elevate moisture and humidity levels inside your attic crawlspace. When moisture gets high in tight, confined spaces like attics problems with mold damage are likely.

Attics are the home to several microbes that exist naturally. Once moisture levels within organic substances inside your house rise, mold damage mitigation in Andover must occur by a professional contractor like SERVPRO so that the issues do not get worse. Attics are a prime place for fungal development to take place due to the high number of organic materials like your wooden trusses and the paper on the back of your insulation. Humidity levels are already higher in these tight spots than in the living area of your residence. Once a small leak in your roof develops, fungi that you may not be able to see can form.

Ice dams can also form on the edge of your roof and prevent moisture from running off. Sometimes attics are poorly insulated making problems with fungi worse. Once a fungus develops inside your attic, hidden mold can exist on the surfaces of your building materials. After microbes activate the contamination grows in size and starts to release reproductive seed-like spores into the air.

If problems do not get dealt with by a professional restoration company such as SERVPRO immediately, then air quality issues could result. Once your HVAC system gets contaminated mold can start to form in other places inside your residence. Whenever we mitigate problems in attics, we seal off the enclosure so that spores and other harmful particles cannot get released into your building's air flow.

If you ever notice mold after your roof leaks in the winter, call SERVPRO of Coon Rapids / Central Anoka County at (763) 712-9712 seven days a week.

Click here for more about Andover.

Mold Meets SERVPRO in Coon Rapids and Losses the Fight

1/8/2019 (Permalink)

Moldy Attic From Poor Insulation and Cold Weather? Call SERVPRO for Remediation and a Solution

Mold Remediation:  A Task For All Seasons In Coon Rapids

Weather fluctuations can increase the risk of a mold problem developing in your home. Our winters are not as predictable as in prior years, with unseasonably high temperatures causing ice and snow in gutters and near rooflines to melt at unexpected times. If some of this pooled moisture makes its way inside your home mold damage can follow. Our remediation specialists can help find and abate the mold damage.

Mold remediation in the upper reaches of your Coon Rapids home is needed more than ever from fall through spring. Below freezing temperatures used to be the norm in the Metro Area in winter. Previously snow-covered roofs now harbor slushy mixtures of water and ice that leak along eaves and flashings. If insulation is substandard the heat from the house accelerates the melting problem. Mold spores in the attic or upper living levels encounter the moisture and begin their life cycles.

Mold in this area can be hard to manage because it grows unnoticed, away from the areas of home you frequent most often. The first signs you might see are stainings moving down the walls or a musty smell. Often a trip to the attic to bring down holiday decorations alerts you to the warning signs of the multiplying mold colonies. SERVPRO Applied Microbial Remedial Technicians are familiar with attic mold issues and quickly formulate an abatement plan after assessment.

SERVPRO takes care to locate any HVAC system components in the affected area before remediation. Containment of the mold infestation away from vents, fans, or fresh air intake is critical to prevent moldy debris from spreading throughout your home. Frequently we make use of a negative pressure air-scrubbing system that filters contaminants and vents the work area directly to the outside.

We remove the mold colonies using scrapers and brushes. If porous materials are infiltrated with fungi, soda blasting can help remove the growth so the materials can be restored. SERVPRO also uses EPA-registered fungicides to treat hard to reach areas in an attic space, halting the current mold growth and inhibiting a resurgence. Our team also consults with homeowners on effective ways to prevent the mold-friendly cycle of freezing and melting of ice dams in future seasons.

SERVPRO of Coon Rapids / Central Anoka County offers the trained technicians, specialized products, and equipment to complete your mold remediation project. Call (763) 712-9712 to set up an evaluation.

More about your city here.

Our Specialists Explain Our Methods Used In Our Mold Remediation Process In Columbia Heights

1/8/2019 (Permalink)

Call us at (763) 712-9712 whenever you discover moldy areas in your residence.

Methods Used To Contain Debris During Mold Damage Remediation In Columbia Heights

After an incident where materials in your Columbia Heights home absorbed water and mold began growing, getting the issue under control as quickly as possible becomes crucial to protecting other areas of your home. When microbes expand their living area into places where they can cause damage, you need a qualified and experienced partner on your side.

SERVPRO technicians will help you with thorough mold damage remediation in your Columbia Heights home. Because mold itself can become dry, even while living, or still contain unreleased spores after dying, we use highly effective methods that keep these particles contained and away from otherwise uncontaminated areas of your property. Even though mold exists everywhere inside your home, non-dormant mold from active colonies can more easily set up additional colonies than already existing and widely scattered spores can.

When performing mold damage remediation, we build negative pressure containment structures around the area involved. We use non-marking tape, typically blue, to attach heavy gauge polyvinyl sheeting to walls above and adjacent to doorways and corners, as well as to the floor — these block off the air to the other areas of the house. Inside this area, we attach plastic tubing between an air scrubber and a window. Once turned on, all air exits out of the window after passing through the machinery.

During scraping of mold from walls and ceilings, or blasting, or cutting away, a large amount of dust accumulates in the area we are working on to remove the active mold. These particles of dust, mold, and spores all leave through the air scrubber. Having a HEPA filter attached, the majority of these become trapped. Only the finest particles, smaller than .003 microns, pass through to the outside world.

Another way SERVPRO's IICRC-certified specialists protect your property from exposure to moldy materials during remediation is to always double bag materials. This simple step provides substantial protection from the mold clinging to materials as we carry it outside of your home. There, we dispose of it, so you never need to worry about it recontaminating your property, even outside.

SERVPRO of Coon Rapids / Central Anoka County can provide your family with the latest in mold damage remediation techniques, from start to finish, so your home becomes healthier and less prone to musty odors. Call us at (763) 712-9712 whenever you discover moldy areas in your Ham Lake, Arden Hills, or New Brighton residence.

Click here for more about Columbia Heights.

Dealing with Mold Damage in Different Parts of Your Arden Hills Home

8/31/2018 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO technicians say no to mold damage and yes to mold remediation.

SERVPRO Knows How to Remediate Mold Damage From Your Arden Hills Home

Mold damage can lead to health effects, and there is a need to promptly act whenever conditions that favor its growth develop in your building. Apart from oxygen and organic materials that contain carbon - which offers nutrients - moisture is a crucial requirement for mold to grow. It means mold can grow almost anywhere as long as moisture is present. If the humidity of your property remains high, there is moisture intrusion from spills or leaks, condensation occurs and remains in place from 24-48 hours, and then you risk experiencing such an outcome in your Arden Hills home.

Let us start by looking at the procedures our SERVPRO technicians use when removing mold damage from your Arden Hills property. We start by determining whether the walls are porous or non-porous. When they are non-porous, we can use a wet cloth and a disinfectant to do the wiping. When we are dealing with porous walls, for instance, unpainted drywall, we may cut off the surface with mold growth. Mold usually grows inside materials, and that is why we cut such areas.

Another common area where we usually find mold is the drywall - because it is rich in cellulose. Since it is a significant challenge to remove mold from contaminated drywall completely, we cut out and dispose of the infected areas. It is also common to find hidden mold within the wall cavities since such areas usually contain moist and humid air. The same can happen behind the wallpapers. When necessary, we use invasive inspection techniques to determine whether mold exists behind walls.

Peeling or cracked paint, bulging and discoloration are some of the signs that indicate there is moisture in a wall. In some situations, our SERVPRO technicians may see some small mold spots on the wall which may show a possibility of a developing more massive mold colony within the wall.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

SERVPRO of Coon Rapids / Central Anoka County is Faster To Any Size Disaster whether it is in your residential or commercial property. Call us at (763) 712-9712 for stress-free cleaning and restoration services.

For more on Arden Hills, click here. 

Tips to Prevent Mold Damage in Your Columbia Heights Home

7/11/2018 (Permalink)

Moisture Leads to Mold Patches in Columbia Heights Structures--Call SERVPRO for Remediation

ProtectYour Columbia Heights Home from Mold

Keeping your home dry on the inside might sound like common sense, but many homes in Columbia Heights contain small leaks that let moisture build up and accumulate. Keeping these under control and to a minimum can protect your home from many different types of damaging effects.
 
One type of harm a home in Columbia Heights might sustain involves mold damage. When levels of moisture elevate inside a home, it does not take long for existing microbes to take advantage of the situation and proliferate. Because mold and mildew reproduce by spores, these microbes can colonize readily and occur anywhere in a residence.
 
Porous materials in your home can feel dry to the touch but still retain moisture. Because these organisms are hygroscopic, they dig their hyphae, or root-like appendages, into the materials. Seeking moisture this way, they also destroy the surfaces on which they live. Drywall cardboard that sandwiches the plaster is particularly vulnerable to infestations.
 
Keeping your home's interior dry can help prevent this from happening. You can do this in several ways. Only one or two methods often do not produce the results desired, making it crucial to use several of the following suggestions.
 
Showering and cooking produce steam, which dissipates unless carried away by exhaust fans. Using one of these fans during the time the water produces steam and then a few minutes after carries this water vapor out of your home and reduces the humidity in the house.
 
Watering potted house plants only when needed. Try to limit the evaporation. Larger plants can often go for more extended periods between waterings, so combining smaller plants into one larger container can help reduce the total amount of water used.
 
Check over pipes and other water-carrying conduits in your residence to ensure that no leaks exist. SERVPRO assists homeowners with inspections to determine where leaks and other sources of water exist during a mold remediation service. When large leaks are discovered, we suggest that you contact a plumber for the necessary repairs.
 
Clean up spills quickly and make sure the surfaces no longer contain residual moisture. If cracks exist in the area, or if the spillage occurred on carpeting, air drying with a fan or two can help ensure no moisture remains behind.
 
SERVPRO of Coon Rapids / Central Anoka County can help deal with mold damage or help you prevent it. We can help residents in the  Ham Lake or Coon Rapids areas by calling  (763) 712-9712.

Click here to Rediscover the Heights

Finding Mold Damage Behind Furniture In Your Minneapolis Dwelling

5/22/2018 (Permalink)

Homes often contain substantial amounts of insulation, but if this fails in any way, mold damage can form in some regions of your home.

Finding Mold Damage

Many Minneapolis residents enjoy the different seasons our locale experiences. One drawback, though, centers on the drastic fluctuations in temperature and humidity that often occur. This can happen at any time, during seasons, or in between them as they change from one to the next.

Minneapolis homes often contain substantial amounts of insulation, but if this fails in any way, mold damage can form in some regions of your home. One such location involves the walls behind larger pieces of furniture. A lack of sunlight, or even that from your interior lighting, can encourage mold to grow whenever moisture condenses in the area between the back of the furniture and the wall.

In addition to this sheltered area and any moisture hidden there, dust also collects in these locations. When you move your furniture away from the wall, finding a colorful amount of mold can create panic in many homeowners. SERVPRO's Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians (AMRT) can help you determine how far the mold spread within your home, and stop it from spreading more.

We prevent future mold growth by installing an easily maintained dehumidifier in cases where fluctuations in the humidity content of the home vary considerably or contain wet areas that never dry out. When a leaking pipe, either with clean drinking water or from a drain, causes humidity woes, SERVPRO crew members quickly repair such problems, so this source of invasive water no longer factors into the humidity situation in your home.

Remediating mold, so it no longer affects your home, or your family provides a fresh start. Preventing mold damage can help save thousands of dollars in the future. Mold growth behind furniture can give you a warning that mold damage can soon become a reality in other locations within your home, and save your money when you heed that warning.

SERVPRO of Coon Rapids / Central Anoka County wants to help your family when mold damage threatens your home. You can reach us at (763) 712-9712 whenever you find mold damage or large areas colonized by microbes. We can make things clean and safe again for you, “Like it never even happened.”

Click here for more about Minneapolis.

The Reality of Finding Mold Damage in Your Andover Residence

2/28/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can appear suddenly and then spread quickly. Call SERVPRO right away should you see or smell moldy dampness in your home.

SERVPRO Technicians Efficaciously Remediate Mold Infestations in Homes

Most people might not even realize how easy it is to have the appropriate environment for mold growth in their Andover home. When it gets earnestly considered, the majority of people think that fungal spores and colonies only really present themselves in dark and damp areas of forgotten basements and could not find a way to present themselves into the bustling high traffic areas of their home. Unfortunately, this is undoubtedly not the case.
 
The truth is, many people do not even realize they have mold damage in their Andover home until they have a thriving set of colonies on their hands. Even with this scenario, unless you are continuously monitoring for changes in appearance to drywall and other organic materials, it can be easy to overlook. Often the damage is identified most easily by an overwhelming musty scent that is indicative of the presence of fungal growth.
 
Sure, there are plenty of places on the internet that would suggest that you can remove mold colonies on your own with this type of cleanser or through some specific method. In all actuality, without the right tools and expertise, most people cannot remove a mold colony entirely, allowing the problem to reoccur time and time again. Remediation of the mold is something that is better left to professionals like our experienced and highly trained SERVPRO team.
 
Our goal throughout this process is to remove the mold colonies from your home successfully, but at the same time, prevent more active spores from creating new colonies elsewhere. When we arrive to begin the process, we shut down air circulation appliances like your air conditioning or forced air heaters to prevent the spread of mold to other areas of your home through ventilation and ductwork.
 
Removal of the colonies is the same process regardless of where we are in the home, utilizing tools like our scrubbers with HEPA filters to clean deeply into the surfaces to eradicate the entire hyphae. Once all of the assessed damage has gotten removed, we set our sights on dehumidification to eliminate the moisture in the air that allowed the mold to thrive in the first place.
 
Our team is IICRC certified in mold remediation strategies. We know how to help you through this problem, regardless of the severity of mold damage you might face. You can trust our experienced specialists at SERVPRO of Coon Rapids / Central Anoka County. Call us today at (763) 712-9712.

Click here for more on Andover.

The Five Principles Professionals use to Remedy Mold Damage in Your Ham Lake Home

2/17/2018 (Permalink)

Mold damage is a serious concern that should addressed immediately by trained professionals.

SERVPRO Offers Thorough Mold Damage Remediation

Mold damage is a serious issue that needs immediate attention by trained restoration experts. Mold can not only damage your home and its contents, but it can also cause health effects. The best way to deal with it is to seek professional help as soon as possible.

SERVPRO technicians can remedy the mold damage from your Ham Lake home by employing the five-principle strategy recommended by the IICRC. Called the S520 Mold Remediation Standard, it is one of the most comprehensive strategies to clean and remedy the damage in the safest and most efficient manner possible.

Principle 1: Providing for Health and Safety

The health of the technicians and the occupants of the premises is of paramount importance. SERVPRO technicians can use the best safety practices to minimize the exposure to mold during cleanup. We also ensure that the mold spores are not spreading during the restoration process as well.

Principle 2: Proper Documentation

Technicians document the conditions including the extent of contamination and the level of moisture among other things. The initial documentation serves as a stepping stone for developing a strategy for the efficient remediation.

Principle 3: Containment

Containing the damage is a top priority during the remediation process. Mold spores can become airborne easily and reach uncontaminated areas. Technicians can use various strategies to prevent this from happening. Establishing a physical barrier and using negative air machines are some of the ways of achieving this. Our technicians can also establish designated clean rooms to store the equipment as well.

Principle 4: Remove the Contamination 

If the mold damage is so extensive that cleaning is not an option, physical removal and disposal of the contents is the only way to ensure proper restoration. Many porous materials may require elimination if the damage is extensive including drywall, clothing items and upholstery. Once the affected material is removed, technicians can use vacuum cleaners fitted with HEPA filters to eliminate the settled spores and dust.

Principle 5: Correcting the Moisture Problem 

Controlling the moisture problem is one of the most important things for preventing mold from returning. Restoration experts use various methods to eliminate the residual moisture including the use of dehumidifiers, air movers, and extractors.

Call SERVPRO of Coon Rapids / Central Anoka County today at (763) 712-9712 to discuss your restoration needs.

Click here for more information on the city of Ham Lake.

Choosing Certified Professionals For Mold Remediation In Your Ham Lake Home

1/25/2018 (Permalink)

It is important to call on mold remediation specialists at the first sign of mold in your home.

Keep Your Home Safe by Calling Professional Mold Remediation Specialists

As scary as it might be to be a Ham Lake homeowner at times, it does not change the fact that there are many things that you need to be aware of that could threaten the structural integrity or the health and welfare of your family. Even the simplest of issues, such as dampness in your basement, could spell trouble. When temperatures get above the mid-60s in this area of your home, combined with the presence of moisture in the air, you have all of the necessary components for mold growth.

Mold damage to your Ham Lake homestead might not seem like a shocking discovery or one that you need to drop everything to take care of, but any fungal growth in your home could cause health effects for your family. Mold is a problem that you need to take care of, but fortunately, you do not have to deal with it on your own.

SERVPRO has IICRC certified mold remediation specialists that are specially trained to use the proper personal protective equipment and removal methods to eradicate mold colonies effectively. The process is very concise, and our technicians work to contain active mold spores from spreading to new areas while the entire fungal organism gets removed from each location.

Lingering musty smells typical to the presence of mold can get eliminated using our fogging equipment and ozone machines fitted with HEPA filters. The process can efficiently pull active mold spores from the air around where the colonies had become seated and neutralize the odor at a molecular level to remove any trace.

The final consideration of our SERVPRO remediation specialists is to remove the moisture that was present in the affected area. Dehumidifiers and air movers get used together to dry up the region while pulling moisture out of the air. Dehumidification is a practice that you should continue after the work has gotten completed and the mold colonies have gotten successfully removed. Using this equipment can ensure that mold growth does not occur again so readily in the future.

Finding mold growing in your home does not have to be a taxing ordeal when you trust SERVPRO of Coon Rapids / Central Anoka County to restore the damages. You can reach our certified specialists at any time by just calling (763) 712-9712.

Click here for more information regarding the city of Ham Lake.

Remediation For Mold Damage In Your Ham Lake Kitchen

11/8/2017 (Permalink)

Mold often grows in damp places, and a small leak or drip can allow this to happen rapidly.

Mold Damage In Your Kitchen

Preparing meals and baked treats for the holidays often bring other family members and relatives into your kitchen to help out and share recipes. Teaching younger members of the family traditions also build memories of their visits to your Ham Lake home. During these activities, constant use of your sink for both cleaning and inclusion in the many foods made, an increase from the everyday activities.

Preparing your Ham Lake kitchen for these activities can expose existing mold damage behind sinks, or underneath them. Mold often grows in damp places, and a small leak or drip can allow this to happen rapidly. SERVPRO professionals work quickly so your plans can stay the same. We know you want to share enjoyable time with family, not worry about mold exposure, which can cause health effects.

Mold remediation does not always mean tearing everything out of your home. We only perform tear-out work where the mold currently exists. We prefer to treat any other areas containing excess moisture with other measures geared toward preventing the growth of mold. Science has discovered that bleach cannot rid a home of mold, and therefore, we do not use this standard disinfectant. The chemicals we use leave no scent and are entirely safe.

When we remove materials from a home, we use containment methods to keep mold spores from spreading. In the area worked on, air scrubbers remove any dislodge particles and spores from the air. Our job is to contain the mold, remove overgrowth and affected materials, and prevent the spread of microbial contaminants.

Other areas adjacent to your kitchen can also suffer from mold invasion and damage. We check these areas and then advise you of the situation. Within your kitchen, sinks and cabinets are only one area where mold might grow. Under refrigerators is another location, as is the area around dishwashers. We can test for the presence of mold and other microbial activity rather quickly.

SERVPRO of Coon Rapids / Central Anoka County wants to help local families preserve their daily routines and the ability to share ongoing traditions. Call us at (763) 712-9712 so we can help you avoid exposing family members to mold damage during the upcoming holiday season.

For more information about the city of Ham Lake, Minnesota visit http://www.ci.ham-lake.mn.us/.

A Great Way To Address Mold Damage Issues Found In Your Andover Home

6/19/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Tips for Mold Inspections, Detections, and Remediation

There are many areas in your home where mold growth can become an issue. You need to take the opportunity to smell each area, look for discoloration, and check for moisture whenever possible. Mold growth is often subtle, hiding just under the surface, only showing when things truly get out of control.
 
Getting help with mold damage on your Andover property is serious business. If you let things linger long enough, existing damage can cause health effects and lead to additional issues that all homeowners would rather avoid. Never hesitate to ask for help, professional remediation specialists are your best option.
 
Having mold damage in your attic stems from a leaky roof, improper ventilation, or even ignored maintenance. As bothersome as it may be to both your time and your pocketbook, having a properly trained SERVPRO mold remediation technician inspect your home can provide you with valuable information that saves your home from complete disaster.
 
SERVPRO checks everything, using infrared moisture detectors to locate problems with leaky windows or pipes and every other area in your home with a constant water source. We even check the ventilation in your kitchen and bathroom to ensure they work properly and vent outside, rather than to your attic or into your walls.
 
SERVPRO technicians look at the entire inside of your home, your kitchen, laundry room, bathrooms, and basement to ensure everything is in proper working order. We even inspect your yard for grading issues and check for the possibility of landscaping intruding on pipes or the building itself, allowing access to moisture.
 
If you find mold damage in your home, it is important to seek help immediately. You want to stop any leaks right away and have someone close who understands what to do to get mold growth under control fast. Our mold damage remediation services offer a quality solution you can count on, and our technicians take the time to assist you in preventing future problems.
 
Contact SERVPRO of Coon Rapids / Central Anoka County to address your mold growth situation, today. We can get things under control in a quick, efficient manner that limits any losses you experience. (763) 712-9712

Learn more about Andover here.

Why Attempting Mold Damage Or Remediation On Your Own In Andover Is Never A Good Idea

3/11/2017 (Permalink)

Visible Mold Growth IN Andover Can Extend Far into Wall Cavities--Call SERVPRO for Remediation

SERVPRO Advises to Hire a Professional Mold Remediation Company

By using a mild cleaning solution to cleanse small areas of mold found on the ceiling or walls of your bathroom, you may be helping conceal the real problem that exists. Not only that, if you handle the area wrong, you could spread the contamination further as well.

It is true that regular bleach mixed with water in the correct manner has some effect on mold damaged areas of your Andover home. It is minimal even as the water encourages more mold growth. However, these cleaning chemicals do not entirely remove the microscopic spores that cause mold growth to occur and should never be your only method of handling mold remediation in your home.

You may use the correct cleaning solution, but you forget that any scrub brushes, sponges, buckets, or other tools you use that become contaminated need cleaning as well. You end up using these tools again and again for different reasons around your home, spreading dormant spores throughout your property, without even knowing what you are doing.

SERVPRO often assists homeowners after they have decided to try to tackle these issues on their own. It often turns out that they cause more harm than good. Our technicians use visible signs of mold growth in your home to locate larger problems hidden in your walls. Without the stains there, it just makes things harder.

Unless you are sure that you have everything necessary, including the knowledge to perform your remediation on your own, contacting expertly trained professionals to help you control mold growth in your home correctly remains your best option. We encourage all homeowners to turn to professional assistance for mold remediation.

SERVPRO technicians use physical removal methods of remediation to control mold infestations in your home. The small patches you see on the ceiling of your bathroom are just the beginning. When removing the porous materials on the surface, you often find a great deal more contamination within your walls that require your attention as well.

Give SERVPRO’s expertly trained mold remediation specialists the opportunity to inspect your situation and provide you with the proper services to mitigate mold growth on your property. They have the ability to locate and repair the source of moisture causing the problem, access to professional extraction and drying equipment to remove water faster, and experience in handling and disposing of infected materials correctly.

Allow us to help provide you and your family with a clean, healthy environment. Give SERVPRO of Coon Rapids – Central Anoka County a call today. (763) 712-9712

Remediation Services You Deserve Offered For Homes In Coon Rapids Affected By Mold Damage

3/3/2017 (Permalink)

Dealing with mold damage in your home requires expertly trained remediation technicians.

Mold Damage Remediation

Mold in your home presents your family with health concerns that you should handle immediately. Even the Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that there is no such thing as an acceptable amount or type of mold and that you should seek professional help regardless of the kind of mold existing on your property. Dealing with mold damage in your Coon Rapids home requires expertly trained remediation technicians. Workers that understand how materials become affected by mold and have the professional equipment necessary to mitigate the damages created by such an event. At SERVPRO we find that one of the major reasons behind drying water-soaked materials is to help prevent permanent damage caused by fungi. Molds, mildew, and bacteria cause decomposition of organic materials, many of which reside in the materials used to build your home.

Extreme mold situations involve spotty, dirt like stains developing over walls, ceilings, or other surfaces. These stains may grow into almost fuzzy white clumps of infested materials, slowly eating away the structure of your home. SERVPRO technicians consider controlling moisture sources in your home as the key to controlling mold growth. Removing water as soon as possible once discovered makes mold growth less likely to occur and prevents additional damages from forming.

Our technician's job is to provide you with services required to dry wet materials, structure and other contents involved in your event. We follow specific instructions provided by Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) professionals and Indoor Environmental Professionals (IEP) to perform tasks necessary to help remediate your current situation properly. SERVPRO can provide you with the professionally trained technicians you need to recover from a terribly dangerous situation in your home, limiting the interruptions to your normal routine by making ourselves available through a schedule convenient for you.

We have access to both water detection and water extraction equipment to help get things under control immediately. Following all safety regulations concerning the handling and disposal of contaminated materials beyond restoration found on your property. Offering drying, sanitation, and repair services, making us a one-stop solution for all of your restoration needs. Turn to professionals that you trust during an emergency affecting your home and obtain the services you deserve to return your property to a quality pre-damage condition, with a stress-free experience.

Contact SERVPRO of Coon Rapids / Central Anoka County today for additional information on how we can help you overcome mold damage situations in your home (763) 712-9712.

How to Speak to Remediation Specialists about the Mold Damage in Your Anoka Home

1/22/2017 (Permalink)

Signs of Mold in Anoka Means a Call to SERVPRO

Information and Inspection for Professional Mold Remediation

Mold damage is a complex development, with some possible outcomes and consequences. It presents big challenges for repair and remediation specialists, who have to balance the concerns of homeowners with realistic and practical responses.

For instance, in cases of severe mold damage in Anoka homes, it may be necessary to dispose of possessions, furniture, and even some structural materials. This can be a stressful thing to do, but the ability to salvage items depends entirely on the severity of the mold. To uncover the depth of the problem, a protocol is in place. The SERVPRO team will ask you some important questions and conduct a thorough on-site inspection.

Keep reading to find out what to expect, what you should know about the mold remediation process, and what you’ll need to discuss with the team.

Why Do You Suspect There is Mold in Your Home?
This is an important question because there’s no way to know for sure if there is an extensive mold problem until the house has been inspected. So, the technicians will want to know what is making you suspect mold. Is there a musty smell in certain rooms? Are there visible patches of mold growing on walls?

Have You Had Any Recent Problems with Moisture?
Mold spores flourish in warm, wet environments, which is why they are such a problem after flooding. A pipe could burst behind a wall and cause the structural materials to become damp and vulnerable. You may have a moisture problem on an external wall, which causes the inside of the house to feel humid and clammy.

Does the Property Have a History of Mold?
Unfortunately, mold can be very difficult to treat. It can be neutralized, and usually exterminated, with the use of dehumidifiers, air movers, and air scrubbers, but all dormant mold spores cannot be removed from a structure. This means that, unless the source of the moisture is eliminated, the mold will return. If your property is experiencing recurring mold problems, it is likely because the source has not been discovered, fixed, and properly dried.

Can the Affected Are Be Sealed and Contained?
In many cases, it is easier to prevent mold spores from spreading if a containment area is set up. This can be temporarily disruptive, especially if the affected space is in a kitchen or bathroom. However, it is the best way to stop the problem from appearing anywhere else in the house. The SERVPRO technicians may ask you about alternative arrangements; for instance, if you’d rather stay elsewhere until the remediation, and if needed, restoration and repairs are completed.

At SERVPRO of Coon Rapids/Central Anoka County, we understand that mold damage can be stressful. This is why we work closely with homeowners to create the most effective and efficient plans for mold remediation. Call us 24/7 at (763) 712-9712.

Mold Damage Can Happen Anywhere In An Oak Park Area Home

11/21/2016 (Permalink)

Mold needs not only water to survive and grow, but also a dark area, and organic matter to feed on.

Mold Damage And Your Property

When you become a homeowner, the joy and freedom of such status also come with many different responsibilities. These include protecting your investment and your family's health. Mold can quickly damage your home and has been known to cause health effects in people. Mold needs not only water to survive and grow, but also a dark area, and organic matter to feed on. Organic matter can be found in many areas in the typical home, but often seems to be inorganic. This is because mold, being microscopic as an individual, can find crevices that are minute but still large enough to hold nutrients. This is especially true in concrete. Other materials that may seem inorganic, but are organic include drywall. The paper covering is made of cellulose and provides a significant amount of nutrients to mold while also being capable of retaining moisture.

If you have a home in Oak Park, thinking of mold damage affecting your home may be something you'd rather not tackle. Mold can easily spread, so your first assumption is most likely correct – it's better to hire professionals who are trained, experienced, and also certified in handling mold. Mold can't be eliminated, but it can always be reduced to safe levels.

Mold can be located anywhere in your home, but the most likely spots are where there is some source of moisture and a weak or absent source of light. Sunlight can destroy mold quickly, so areas that receive some sunlight through an open window or doorway are less likely to be affected. Darkened garages, attics, and basements can also hide mold that is then carried into the rest of the home. This is also true of sheds and other outbuildings. Closed-off rooms that are rarely used can also provide the environment needed by mold, and surprise you when you need to use the room after a long period of non-use. The same method used to protect walls and flooring from being bleached by the sun can open the pathway for mold to overtake a room.

Behind refrigerators, under large appliances that use water, heating, and cooling duct work, around window frames in shady spots, and along baseboards of walls that are opposite water lines can all be places that mold can easily grow. At SERVPRO, we can help you not only remove the mold damage and restore your home, but we can also help prevent the return of over-active mold. Using dehumidifiers, sealers, and other devices, we can work with you to make sure mold has a much harder time making a re-entry into your home.

Contact us to help you return your home to a safer, cleaner state again, where mold is under control. You can reach SERVPRO of Coon Rapids / Central Anoka County at (763) 712-9712, anytime, day or night, seven days a week.

Mold Damage In Andover - Homes With Mold Must Be Dealt With Quickly

3/23/2016 (Permalink)

Mold can infect a home and, if left alone, can take over a house within just a few days.

Andover Mold Damage - Homes With Mold Must Be Dealt With Quickly

Mold can infect a home and, if left alone, can take over a house within just a few days. The mold spores that cause this are everywhere outside and can come into your home on the air and pets and the clothing of anyone who enters. This is how it can begin. The entrance of water, through a flood or storm damage, can also bring this dangerous element into your home. Mold damage in Andover must be dealt with through the services of a professional crew who does this type of removal on a daily basis.

The couple of things that mold needs to live and grow are already in your home, especially if there has been water coming in from a leaking pipe or a sewer connection breaking in your basement or crawl space. The moisture that is necessary, as well as the fuel, such as any wood, drywall, fabric or furniture is all there, also.

Mold can impact many people, especially those that have allergies and are prone to having respiratory problems. Health concerns make the need to have mold removal completed immediately. Calling a mold remediation company takes on an urgency that is backed up by the fact that mold can not go away by itself.

The company you call comes in and does a complete inspection of the entire house. This inspection is to find where it all is and what must be done to get it out of there. The professional technicians have plenty of specialized equipment they can use to locate all of the many sources of water and moisture, regardless of where it is, and it could be in many places. Mold may be behind the drywall, under the carpeting and floors and it might even be above the ceiling which makes the ceiling tiles decompose and possibly fall.

After locating all of the areas where it is possible for mold to be, all sections impacted like this are opened up. This is done by tearing wallboard out or opening the counters under the sinks. It could easily mean entering the crawlspaces, whether basements or attics. Remember; all areas are prone to attracting molds if the things it needs for life are present.

The areas that have mold present need to be contained. This is because, since the spores float in the air, no contaminated air should be allowed to go into other areas. This containment can consist of plastic sheeting or other barriers. The rest of the house's air is then filtered and evacuated from the home. This filtration is accomplished by large fans located in the appropriate places for this to happen efficiently.

The mold damage is then physically removed, and the areas sanitized with green sanitizing agents. A preventative can also be applied to help prevent the re-infection of this area.

Then the repair work begins. This is the installation of any building materials that have been removed to do this cleaning. They use new materials because the construction materials that were there were contaminated, and it is easier to do this than chance the old material carrying mold spores into the now clean space.

A leaking pipe, storm damage or a flood, in your Andover home, is the reason to call SERVPRO of Coon Rapids / Central Anoka County at (763) 712-9712 for a through inspection and fast remediation work by this professional personnel quickly.

The importance of ridding your Coon Rapids home of mold

8/16/2015 (Permalink)

Once mold begins growing the spores can become airborne and affect air quality.

The reasons why removing mold in your Coon Rapids home is so important.

Mold Remediation

Facts and Myths about Mold and Mold Remediation in Andover

5/26/2015 (Permalink)

The professionals at SERVPRO can identify if there is any mold in your home. They can then come up with a remediation plan to remove and prevent mold

Mold is a common, yet serious and often misunderstood, problem. Mold develops quickly, growing within 24 to 48 hours of a moisture breach. Common breaches include plumbing leaks, water loss and flooding into crawlspaces and basements.

Despite all that is known about mold, there are still a lot of misconceptions among homeowners. Take a look at some facts and myths about mold and mold remediation in Andover:

FACT: There are far too many species of mold and fungi to identify.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate there are anywhere from 10,000 to 500,000 species of mold and fungi. The most commonly identified species found in homes are: Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria and Aspergillus.

FICTION: Mold is always visible.

Believe it even if you don’t see it, as not all types of mold are visible. It’s best to rely on smell to detect mold. A musty odor indicates mold is likely present.

FACT: Mold can lead to health complications.

Although not everyone is affected when exposed to mold, all molds have the potential to cause illness or distress, especially among people with respiratory issues. Common symptoms associated with mold exposure include coughing, watery eyes, congestion, headaches, dizziness and even memory loss. Researchers at Rutgers University recently discovered that mold exposure can lead to Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms.

FICTION: Once mold is remediated, it won’t come back.

The only way to permanently eradicate mold is to eliminate the moisture or water problem that caused the mold to grow in the first place.

Mold should be remediated quickly and properly. SERVPRO of Coon Rapids follows the IICRC S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation and are trained to remediate mold using the latest, most effective techniques in the industry. For further information or service consultation contact SERVPRO of Coon Rapids today.

Any home or commercial property can quickly become infested with mold if a source of water is present. Mold can spread throughout a property in as little as 48 hours. Since mold can produce allergens and irritants, you should call us to inspect your Coon Rapids home if you suspect you have a mold problem. If mold is found, we have the training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (763) 712-9712