Jefferson County residential and commercial property owners trust SERVPRO!

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

Mold can hide many places, even under wallpaper!

2021 was a year like we have never seen. The amount of mold remediation that we completed was higher than any other year on record. We are so honored that residents and business owners in the tri-county area trust us for their mold remediation needs.

We know that the process can be very daunting. If you suspect that you have a mold issue in your home or business, here are some steps you can take to make sure everything goes smoothly.

-Call SERVPRO

- Do not disturb the area. Avoid spraying any chemicals on the area or allowing any strong air flow to hit it. This will help prevent the spread of spores.

-Contact a local industrial hygienist. They will come out and take air and tape lift samples of the area and provide a detailed report of the species of mold(s) growing. This is required per NYS law.

-Have the report sent to us. We will then contact you to set up a time to come and give you an estimate and details of the work that needs to be completed.

-As licensed mold remediation professionals, we will then come out and complete the remediation needed to get your home or business back up and running.

-After we complete our work, we will call the industrial hygienist back out to do what is called a "clearance test". This will show you that the work has been properly and successfully completed.

As with any other situation, please feel free to call SERVPRO of Jefferson County's office at 315-777-8377 if you have any questions. We are happy to answer them for you!

Jefferson County Residents: Follow These Tips If You Suspect Mold

7/30/2020 (Permalink)

Be careful! Without proper training, you could be spreading mold throughout your home.

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 a local industrial hygienist to schedule testing
• Contact SERVPRO of Jefferson County 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 Jefferson County 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 –315-777-8377

Top 3 Benefits of Completing a Commercial Mold Inspection

12/2/2018 (Permalink)

Mold on commercial wall in Carthage,NY

Mold Inspection

Because buying property is a serious financial investment, you should complete a thorough building inspection before purchasing any commercial building in Carthage,NY. An extensive property evaluation may help you identify a variety of potential issues, but some problems, such as mold damage, may be well hidden and difficult to discern. For this reason, incorporating a professional mold inspection into your building assessment may help you better gauge the overall health of the property.

1. Identifying Moisture Concerns

Moisture is a key ingredient for mold growth. A mold inspector can help you detect both moisture concerns and areas possibly susceptible to mold problems. Examples of potential areas of concern may include the following:

• Roof flaws that may result in leaks
• Leaking pipes
• Foundation cracks that may allow water seepage
• Cold zones prone to condensation buildup

2. Recognizing Signs of Water Damage

Mold is also adept at hiding behind walls and under flooring. To help prevent mold contamination, saturated building materials such as carpets, drywall and insulation should be promptly removed and replaced after a flood or significant leak. Completing a mold inspection may help you recognize signs of past water damage that may not have been properly addressed:

• Stained ceilings and walls
• Corrosion or rust around pipes
• Warped or buckling floors
• Presence of a musty odor

To detect hidden mold, the mold inspector can use specialized tools to investigate behind walls and other problematic areas without causing structural damage to the building.

3. Conducting Specific Mold Tests

Conducting mold tests can also help the inspector identify the presence of significant mold growth. Air testing can, for example, identify specific types of airborne contaminants, while surface testing can help you evaluate any visible mold you encounter.

Many business owners may not be eager to purchase a building that has a mold problem requiring extensive mold remediation. Completing a mold inspection on a prospective property can help you identify hidden mold as well as areas susceptible to mold growth, which may help you determine if the property is a wise financial investment.

Heavy Storms and Mold Damage

10/16/2018 (Permalink)

Fort Drum Home with Mold Damage.

As you know, this year has been especially wet with the constant storms and flooding. We've seen an unprecedented amount of water and mold damages.

The rain just keeps coming!

Where Does Mold Grow?

10/16/2018 (Permalink)

Mold on drywall paper and studs after a water damage in Carthage, NY.

Mold grows on organic matter. Anything that is organic in your Carthage, NY, home has the possibility of having mold growth when it gets wet.

Where does mold grow?

• Dry Wall Paper
• Wood floors
• Wooden Windowsills
• Window frames
• Books
• Old paper brochures, menus, etc.
• Curtains
• Carpeting
• Furniture upholstery
• Wooden furniture

Keeping these items dry after a water damage is critical to keep mold spores from beginning their growth cycle. The spores are already in your home as "settled spores" but they are harmless in this state. The spores need time, organic material, and warm temperatures to begin growing. Unfortunately, your home has everything mold needs to grow and it can become a big problem in just 48 hours.

SERVPRO of Jefferson County has the training and certifications to clean up your home after mold damage.

Keeping Your Bathroom Mold-Free

9/17/2018 (Permalink)

Mold found in bathroom closet in Watertown, NY

You always want to keep your home free of mold as much as possible. The bathroom can be one of the primary breeding grounds for the fungus. By nature of its function, a bathroom is constantly filled with moisture, and this can create bathroom mildew. If it’s not properly cleaned and maintained, this can turn into mold that damages your bathroom and can spread to other areas of your home. Keeping your bathroom mold-free can be a tedious task for homeowners in Watertown,NY , and a professional company may be needed to help you navigate your best course of action.

Where Do Mold and Mildew Grow?

Bathroom mildew, and subsequent mold, can form in various parts of your bathroom. Here are some common areas where you will find these things growing.

• Bathtub
• Shower tiling
• Floor tiling
• Grout
• Sink
• Toilet

These common areas should be cleaned regularly with specialized products that are designed to break down the mildew and mold and leave the spaces dry and clean.

What Causes Mildew and Mold?

In areas where there is a lot of moisture, there can be a humidity problem, which can cause mildew and mold to form. Both are a type of fungus, and while mildew may be considered less of an issue than mold, you should do your best to prevent both from growing.

How Are Mildew and Mold Prevented?

There are a couple ways you can prevent mold from overtaking an area like your bathroom. One is by keeping the space as dry and as clean as possible to eliminate environmental conditions where bathroom mildew thrives. Another course of action would be to use a swamp cooler, also known as an evaporative cooler. This is a cooling unit that works to cool the air by evaporating water, so you achieve both less moisture and cooler air conditions.

If you have a humidity problem in your bathroom, mold and mildew may develop. Contact professionals to address the underlying issue and get rid of the fungus.

At-Risk Items for Mold Growth in Your Home

5/17/2018 (Permalink)

Black Mold Growth

Believe it or not, your home is a ticking time bomb for mold growth.

A number of items can quickly turn into havens for the growth, which turns into mold damage that may do lasting harm to your Watertown, NY, home. When faced with mold and mildew growth, awareness is the best form of prevention. But how can you prevent what you can’t see?

Know Which Items Are at Risk

The best way to keep mold damage from taking over your home is to keep a sharp eye on items that are frequent breeding grounds for various types of mold. These items include:

• Wood and drywall walls
• Wooden flooring
• The undersides of laminate and vinyl flooring
• Windowsills and window frames
• Paper screens
• Books
• Old paper brochures, menus, etc.
• Curtains
• Carpeting
• Furniture upholstery
• Wooden furniture frames and backing

This may seem like the entirety of your house, but the common factor here is that all of these things are organic. Mold feeds on organic matter and can take root and grow on just about anything. With mold continuously active and present as spores in the air around you at all times, it’s less a matter of if mold will strike and more a matter of when.

So What Makes Mold Grow in Your Home?

Organic matter alone isn’t enough to trigger an explosion of mold growth. For mold damage to occur, you need to also have a moist environment. That means if you watch out for leaks, drainage issues, humidity, and excess moisture, you can often stop mold from proliferating before it starts. If you’re already seeing a mold problem, you may need mold remediation services, but don’t let that stop you from doing everything you can to keep mold from spreading. Air out and dry out your home to facilitate a mold-free environment.

North Country Residents: Follow these mold safety tips if you suspect mold

5/17/2018 (Permalink)

Be careful! Without proper training, you could be spreading mold. New York State now requires a license to perform mold remediation.

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 Jefferson County 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 Jefferson County 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 –315-777-8377

Mold, Mold everywhere!

11/16/2017 (Permalink)

Mold can grow just about anywhere!

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 Jefferson County 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 Jefferson County 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. We are licensed in NYS to perform mold remediation.

Also remember, just because mold is black in color does NOT mean it is the "infamous black mold".

If you see signs of mold, please call us today so we can guide you in the right direction–315-777-8377