Laundry Room Mold

11/17/2023 (Permalink)

Mold Can Grow in Many Parts of the Home

Many homeowners realize that there is more than one way to protect their home. Often, a home is the largest investment a person will make in their life, and protecting it should be a priority. However, one culprit that many homeowners neglect to keep under control lives in both the outdoors and inside almost every home in the United States. That culprit is mold. Mold Can Live Anywhere There Is Moisture.

In Hampden County, mold damage can result rather quickly if mold colonies are present. Mold often hides where it is not easily detected. This is because sunlight is a natural enemy of mold. Mold thrives best in damp or moist environments that receive little or no sunlight, and where natural substances it can consume are present.

Common Area for Mold Growth One area that is often found to harbor mold is the laundry area. Damp clothing, either still soiled and waiting to be washed, or clothing that has been removed from the dryer too soon, or left wet in the washing machine can cause mold to grow. These small amounts of mold can rapidly spread to other areas of the home as well. If there is a ventilation intake in the laundry area, mold can quickly enter when the ventilation system is turned on, and be whisked to all different areas of your home. One area that should be looked at when searching for mold growth in the laundry area of any home is the washer and dryer. Dryer ducts need to be vented outdoors. Lots of moisture is released into the air during the drying process. If there is a humidity problem in the laundry area, a dehumidifier might be an excellent option to help control how much humidity is present on an ongoing basis. Families who have front loading washing machines should note that many of these have been found to harbor large colonies of mold. These should be inspected, particularly if a musty odor is present, especially in freshly washed clothing.

Call Our Professional and Certified Team. If you feel mold is a problem in your home, you should call our professional and certified teams to help you have mold damage checked. Repairs are less costly when found earlier, and can help protect your investment in your home, as well as your family's health. We can perform remediation services any mold damage. Call us at SERVPRO of Westfield, Southwick, 24/7, at (413) 305-1160. We will schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience to inspect and detect mold growths that may cause mold damage in your home.

Basements and Mold

11/17/2023 (Permalink)

Everyone knows mold is bad but everyone does not know the health risks of mold in your basement and what the effects can be.

Whether it’s your home, a commercial building or any other property, mold needs to be controlled. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.

Protect your family, your property and your investment by removing mold from your home and taking preventative steps to make sure mold doesn’t have an environment to grow. Waterproofing your basement is one way to make sure mold has a very unlikely chance to grow.

Here are some things you should know about mold:

• There is no practical way to eliminate 100% of the mold and mold spores in your home or properties basement. The only way to control basement mold growth is to control moisture.
• If mold is a problem in your home or properties basement, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture, typically by basement waterproofing.
• Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
• Reducing the indoor humidity of your home will decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside, using air conditioners and de-humidifiers, increasing ventilation and using a sump pump to pump out excess water from your basement.
• Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours of them getting wet to prevent mold growth.
• Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
• Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, foundation walls, or basement floors) by basement waterproofing.
• In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting, remodel or refinish a basement. You must be sure the mold problem is taken care of before investing a large amount of money into a basement remodeling project.
• Molds can be found almost anywhere in your basement. Mold can be under the carpet, in the drywall, on furniture, etc. Mold can also grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present.