Recent Mold Remediation Posts

Mold in Your Home or Business? Call SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville

3/29/2021 (Permalink)

What should you do if you discover mold in your home or business?

Call SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville at 207-622-7166.

At SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville we have the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment to handle your mold problem.

Our mold remediation professionals will inspect all areas of your home or office and develop a protocol to safely remove the mold.

The mold protocol will be specific to your particular issue and includes instructions detailing the remediation process.

In as little as 48 hours, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business when there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property.

If you have a mold problem in your home or business, your primary focus should be safety:

  • Significant mold growth can occur in 48-72 hours.
  • Mold may present a greater risk to children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory problems.
  • A strong, musty odor may indicate hidden mold behind drywall or under carpeting.

What to Do:

  • Stay out of affected areas.
  • Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
  • Contact SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville for mold remediation services.

What NOT to Do:

  • Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
  • Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
  • Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
  • Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

If you see signs of mold, call SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville at 207-622-7166.

Once you contact us, we’re dedicated to starting the remediation process quickly. This fast response lessens the mold damage, limits additional damage, and reduces the remediation cost.

The Mold Remediation Process at SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville

3/29/2021 (Permalink)

Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate the “typical” process:

Step 1: Call SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville at 207-622-7166

The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask a series of questions to help us determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel.

Step 2: Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment

SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville professionals will carefully inspect your property for visible signs of mold. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view. They use various technologies to detect mold and hidden water sources.  

Step 3: Mold Containment

They use various containment procedures to prevent the spread of mold. They may use advanced containment procedures like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process. All fans and heating and cooling systems will be turned off to prevent the spread of mold.

Step 4: Air Filtration

Specialized filtration equipment allows  professionals to capture microscopic mold spores out of the air. They utilize powerful “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in process.

Step 5: Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville professionals use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and carpeting, may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.

Step 6: Cleaning Contents and Belongings

SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville professionals clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, clothing, and other restorable items affected by mold. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. They’re also trained to remove odors and deodorization using fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may be removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

If you have mold in your home or place of business, call SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville at 207-622-7166

Have a Mold Problem in Your Home or Business? Call SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville.

3/9/2020 (Permalink)

When water invades your home through a leak in the roof, a leaking water line, a flooded basement, or a burst pipe, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business in as little as 48 hours.  Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem.

Have a Mold Problem? 

If you have a mold problem in your home or business, your primary focus should be safety:

  • Significant mold growth can occur in 48-72 hours.
  • Mold may present a greater risk to children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory problems.
  • A strong, musty odor may indicate hidden mold behind drywall or under carpeting.

What to Do:

  • Stay out of affected areas.
  • Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
  • Contact a SERVPRO Franchise Professional for mold remediation services.

What NOT to Do:

  • Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
  • Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
  • Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
  • Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

If you smell, see, or suspect mold in your home or business, call the experts at SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville at 207-622-7166.  We will be able to identify the issue and we will take the proper steps to remediate the problem.

What is Mold and What Should I Do if I Find Mold in My Home or Business?

3/9/2020 (Permalink)

What is mold and is it common?

With longer days and warmer weather, we here at SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville have been fielding a lot of calls about mold. 

Mold is a type of fungus that consists of small organisms found almost everywhere. Mold spores can be black, white, orange, green, or purple. Outside, molds play an important role in nature, breaking down dead leaves, plants, and trees.  Mold is simply part of nature.

What do we do when mold spores work their way into our personal spaces? Well, the first thing you need to know is how mold gets into your dwellings.

Because mold occurs naturally in our environment, it is tricky.  Mold is everywhere. Mold spores are in our air, in the soil, and they are already in our homes. Most mold spores are harmless and lay dormant for their entire existence. They can come into our homes through air ducts, ventilation systems, leaky roofs, through opened doors and windows, on our clothes and can even come in on our pets. But, like any living thing, they need to be fed to survive. So, what do mold spores need to thrive? Moisture.

Like any living organism, mold spores need water (moisture in this case) to grow. Moisture in your home is often found near pipes, windows, and places that may have leaked at one point, like a roof. What do you do if you find mold in your home?

According to the CDC mold should be tested to confirm whether or not it is a threatening or non-threatening species. This is not a test that you can do yourself.  Since mold can cause health effects, mold should be handled by professionals. There are several companies in the state of Maine that handle mold testing.  Once you have had your mold tested, how do you treat mold and keep you and your family safe?

We here at SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville are capable of removing and treating mold in a variety of ways. Our trained technicians will take care of it for you so you can get back to living “Like it never even happened.” 

Please call us at our Augusta location (conveniently located at 7 Townsend Road) at (207) 622-7166. Our 24hr call center is here to help and we offer free estimates and are able to work with most homeowner’s insurance. We also offer affordable rates on claims that may not be covered by insurance.  

Call us today and get back to breathing easy!

When a Water Damage Becomes a Mold Problem

2/3/2019 (Permalink)

When there's a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. Fortunately, SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. Although every mold damage scenario is different requiring a unique solution, the general mold remediation process stays the same. The following steps illustrate a "typical" mold removal process.

Call us at 207-622-7166 for help with your mold remediation needs.

The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville. A representative will ask a series of questions to help determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed.

Inspection and Damage Assessment

Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold using technology designed to detect mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view.

Mold Containment

Various containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold and isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.

Air Filtration

Specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. SERVPRO® technicians utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress.

How to Tell if My Home Has Mold

10/20/2018 (Permalink)

Mold is microscopic which cannot be seen with the naked eye. Therefore, it is very hard to determine if your home has mold unless you can visibly see the black growth. Mold needs water to grow and will grow if there are leaks.

Hidden mold can be found by doing some simple investigating:

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

If you do find mold in your home or building, know that SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville has the knowledge and experience to remediate the problem.  

Central Maine Residents: Follow These Safety Tips if You Suspect Mold

2/18/2018 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

  • Stay out of affected areas.
  • Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
  • Contact SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do:

  • Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
  • Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
  • Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
  • Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 207-622-7166

Conditions in Central Maine Might Be Right For Mold

2/18/2018 (Permalink)

It’s estimated that more than 1 million types of mold exist, yet less than 10 percent have actually been named. This means mold is very common in both indoor and outdoor environments. While mold and humans can sometimes co-exist without issue, there are certain species of mold that can cause health effects for some people.

If the right conditions exist, mold will grow.  Those conditions include:

  • Water - Different mold types require varying amounts of liquid before growth begins.   
  • Temperature - Normal indoor temperatures will promote mold growth.
  • Time - Initial mold colonizers can take hold within one day after being exposed to an adequate water supply.

Mold growth can occur in any home, so it’s important to keep an eye out for situations that might promote mold activity. Roof/chimney leaks, wet basements, snow brought inside your heated garage from your vehicle, or condensation from ducts that dampen surrounding insulation are just a few examples of issues that make a house a prime target for mold growth.

If you suspect mold in your home, call SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville to assess the situation. We have the knowledge, tools and track record to effectively remediate mold in your home or business.

If you suspect mold, call us today at 207-622-7166

What to Do:

  • Stay out of affected areas.
  • Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
  • Contact SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville for mold remediation services.