The Importance of Mold Remediation After Water Damage

10/21/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage is a stressful experience for any homeowner or business, but what many don’t realize is that the aftermath of water damage can lead to even bigger problems—mold growth.

Mold thrives in damp environments, and when water damage is left untreated, it can create the perfect breeding ground for mold to develop, beginning within 24 to 48 hours. 

When a property experiences water damage—whether from a flood, a leaky roof, or burst pipes—it’s not just the visible water that poses a threat. Water can seep into walls, flooring, and other materials, creating damp, hidden spaces. 

SERVPRO Team Paparone’s professional mold remediation services are designed to quickly and effectively address mold issues following water damage. Our highly trained technicians follow a thorough process to:

1. Inspect and Assess the Property
2. Contain the Mold
3. Air Filtration
4. Remove Mold-Infested Materials
5. Clean and Sanitize
6. Restoration

Mold remediation is not a DIY job. It requires specialized equipment, training, and expertise to ensure that mold is thoroughly removed and that your property is safe. At SERVPRO Team Paparone, we have the tools and experience needed to handle mold remediation after water damage—no matter the size of the job.

Check out the before and after of a huge mold job.

5 Steps to Limit Mold Growth

9/29/2023 (Permalink)

Shower mold is a common household problem in any household but especially in Bucks County with the strange weather we get.

It is important to clean mold as soon as you find it. Luckily, there are many creative ways to get rid of it. By following a few simple steps, you may be able to remove the mold on your own:

1. Make a Cleaning Solution Bleach is not the only way to clean mold. There are less toxic methods you can try. White vinegar is known to remove mold, including black mold. Alternatively, Borax creates a natural insecticide and fungicide.

2. Coat the Area Once you have your cleaning solution in hand, use a spray bottle to apply it to the area you are cleaning. Spray it liberally and continue until there is a visible coating. Choosing an option that does not create toxic fumes will make this step more pleasant.

3. Let it Sit Give the cleaning agents a few minutes to work their magic. If you let it sit for a bit, you may have less scrubbing to do when you wipe the shower mold clean.

4. Wipe it Off While wearing gloves, use a cloth or sponge to remove the mold. It should wipe off fairly easily. Rinse the sponge or change cloths as needed.

5. Scrub it Clean If you find that you still have mold in your shower, you may need to create some extra friction to scrub it off. A scrubbing brush should do the trick. In order to avoid this step in the future, clean moldy areas when you first find them. The longer mold sits, the harder it can be to remove.

If your shower mold is hard to remove on your own, you can hire the help of a professional mold remediation company to fix the problem. They will work to return your home to normal and can identify any hidden sources of mold that may be lurking about.

Typical Mold Buildup

6/14/2019 (Permalink)

Mold throughout house

This is an example of a call we got a month or so ago at a nearby residential home.  We were called in right after this family had severe flooding in their home.  When we arrived and took care of the water damage, there was also some mold that built up due to the damage.  We did what we could to save everything in their home.  Fortunately when a client wants an estimate, we have an outside party that we are partnered with that assists us in measuring the amount of mold/and the type of mold in the affected area.  We have a collaborative mindset here at SERVPRO and strongly believe this is the way to get tasks done more quickly, efficiently, and make everyone happy in the long run.

Antimicrobial Paint Job

2/21/2019 (Permalink)

After paint was applied and basement finished

A client called in this month with a severe mold problem in his basement.  The mold spread very quickly over the course of two days time.  SERVPRO cleared all of the mold and even took care of some that gravitated to the clients upstairs hallway.  Aside from the mold itself, the client and his family believed they were starting to get sick from the mold and they thanked us immensely once the mold was removed.  Mold can spread as fast as 24 after initial mold is found.  With the mold being so infectious, SERVPRO needed to rip up the entire basement, demo-ed, and painted the entire area with anti-microbial paint.  This kind of job typically takes an average of three to four days to complete.

Mold Mess

2/13/2019 (Permalink)

Living Room Mold Tear Up and Clean Out

We had a recent call into our office a few weeks ago about a mold issue throughout a home.  Our client was out of the country for six weeks and came home to pretty much their entire home in Northeast Philadelphia destroyed by water.  Since it ran for so long, there was a lot of mold that formed too.  Too much to handle on their own, our client gave us a call after immediately returning.  His entire first floor, including the living room, dining room, and kitchen were damaged.  The second floor along with the basement was also totally wiped out from the damage.  The mold was so severe down in the basement, it was actually considered one of the worst cases we've ever been called into.  We were happy our client reached out, and will be an advocate for SERVPRO of Fox Chase/Torresdale in the future.

Mold - Don't let it grow!

9/21/2017 (Permalink)

After a significant, prolonged water intrusion, water wicked up the drywall and mold began to colonize and spread. We were there to help remediate.

There are many misconceptions out there about mold, so we here at SERVPRO would like to help with some facts.  

Fungi and mold occur naturally in our environment.  In fact, over 100,000 kinds of fungi have been identified.  Some molds can actually produce useful things.  The unique flavor of blue cheese is a result of mold.  The lifesaving drug, penicillin, is a product of mold!

That said, some forms of mold can be harmful.  Excessive amounts of mold, different types of mold, and/or exposure to molds may present health concerns for some people.

Intrusion of water into your home of place of business can result in mold growth.  Water intrusions can be caused by storm damage, plumbing, equipment failures, and poor humidity control.  When water intrusions are not addressed right away, the resulting damage can present increased risk of harmful mold growth.  Some amount of mold spores are normally present in most environments.  If the humidity and moisture levels in a water-damaged environment are not promptly returned to normal, mold spores may grow and multiply.  To avoid this and the possibility of adverse health affects, call SERVPRO of Langhorne/Bensalem today!