Mold 101

9/5/2018 (Permalink)

Hardwood in Milton

Mold lives and grows everywhere. It’s something we encounter every day without even being aware of it.

So, what makes mold a problem?

When there is moisture inside your home (usually caused by a leak) or commercial property, mold can grow quite quickly even if you don’t see visible signs of it. It’s so important to hire an experienced mold remediation specialist like SERVPRO at the first signs of mold presence to get rid of the problem right away before it spreads. Once mold begins to spread, it can affect every area of your home or business and can cause health risks to you, your family, your pets and your staff.

SERVPRO® of Burlington/ Middlebury specializes in water mitigation and mold remediation. It’s the cornerstone of our company. We know how to thoroughly and effectively remediate your mold to acceptable levels (it's impossible to get rid of mold completely because it exists everywhere and can come in whenever you open the door or window).

Dos and Don’ts

DO – Get a mold assessment from an industrial hygienist. Mold assessors are not the same thing as mold remediators. SERVPRO® of Burlington/ Middlebury  specializes in mold remediation. A mold assessor is someone who tests for mold by taking air samples, swabs, photos, etc. and provides us with the protocol for remediation. Even if you see visible signs of mold growth, a mold assessment tests for mold that you can’t see and can tell you what kind of mold is present and in what quantities. Not every mold spore is the same.  Some are more dangerous than others. There may be mold in the air, in your air vents, in clothing, etc. A mold assessor will tell us at SERVPRO® of Burlington/ Middlebury, how far that mold reaches inside of your property, so we can accurately reduce all the mold and prevent it from coming back.

DON’T – Spray bleach on it and walk away. We have heard so many stories over the years of people spraying all sorts of things from bleach to disinfectant spray, etc. to try to get rid of the mold themselves. Mold has roots like a tree. Killing surface mold does not kill the mold inside your wall. Sure! It lightens up and you can smell that bleachy smell and think that you’ve gotten it. But let a few weeks pass and you’re right back at square one. Our SERVPRO® of Burlington/ Middlebury team of experts have been trained in the proper procedures of how to effectively reduce all the mold and keep it from returning. Call us. That’s what we’re here for.

DO – Have someone house sit for you while you’re away. Even if you don’t have pets, the winter season here in Vermont is notorious for wreaking havoc on your homes and businesses even if there isn’t obvious damage. It doesn’t hurt to have someone check in on your home from time to time. There’s nothing worse than to be a seasonal resident coming home for the holidays only to find black spots on everything in your home! Staying on top of things is the best way to keep mold away from your home and your belongings.

DON’T – Call a fly-by-night mold remediation company. SERVPRO® of Burlington/ Middlebury has been in the mold remediation business for over 50 years. Our reputation for being one of the best mold remediation businesses in Vermont has given us a name you can count on when you need us.