3 Reasons to NOT use Bleach for Mold Remediation in Your Home or Office

8/23/2022 (Permalink)

From mold to biohazard contaminants, SERVPRO of Venice is here to help your home or office get back to "Like it Never Even Happened®".

When you think about cleaning, we often immediately think of bleach? You are not alone as we have been taught, and sold on, that this is a product that can effectively remove most dirt and contaminants when used appropriately.

However, the mold remediation cleanup operation in your Venice Florida area business or home is not one of those times. Read on to learn why bleaching can be counterintuitive towards your anti-mold efforts.

Not effective in Porous Surfaces

Bleaching products are meant to use on non-porous places. They are not effective if the mold's roots grow and develop on various porous surfaces, such as the following:

• Wood
• Carpet
• Drywall
• Ceiling tiles
  
  

Unlike the main active ingredient of chlorine, the bleaching agent's water component can seep into the pores. This specific reaction actually feeds the roots and encourages further growth. So, using bleach on porous surfaces not only fails to cleanup mold, but it also increases the damage to your commercial location.

Toxic to the Business's Environment

The use of bleach in your fungus cleanup can also leave behind a toxic aftermath due to chemical odors and gasses it puts off. This substance releases dangerous fumes that can potentially harm your employees, your clients and the overall environment. Misuse of this agent can also discolor and damage certain parts of the building. In contrast, mold remediation technicians use approved safety equipment and tools to keep more effective cleaning measures from harming clients, employees, and the property itself.

Weakens Over Time

Another drawback with bleaching solutions involves their temporary effects. Chlorine tends to evaporate fast, even when the product has not left its plastic container. The decrease in chlorine from the cleaner can lead to the chemical's potential failure to eradicate mold incidents. In addition, the leftover water can create greater problems, feeding the fungus you are trying to eliminate.

While bleaching your properties affected location may seem like a good idea for a mold removal, it just should not be used. Contact SERVPRO of Venice or any other local, vetted, and licensed mold remediation company that provides you with an estimate and project plan to remediate the mold.

Tips to Protect Your Commercial Property From Mold Damage

11/19/2021 (Permalink)

Large or Small Business and Commercial Mold Remediation

Mold! That four letter word that seems to be everywhere! When most folks think of mold, they think of issues within residential homes and condominiums. However, mold can affect your business office, warehouse, and commercial building too. While most business often have more rigorous in-house inspections and year round maintenance or facility managers, mold can still appear at your business location, especially after a storm, water or fire damage, or other catastrophic event. It can often go unnoticed in areas that are not frequently used, from storage rooms or that office area no one has used for a while, or under cabinets, crawl spaces, and other seldom used areas. 

If you notice mold or your employees or clients have mentioned a 'musty smell', you should take the following steps to mitigate the mold as soon as possible, because it will not go away on its own!

• Find the source! Mold needs four things to survive and grow/spread: Food (any organic material, including dust!), Moisture/Humidity, Oxygen, and an ideal temperature range around 75-88 degrees, however some mold have optimal growth at lower temperatures, even as low as 60 degrees Fahrenheit according to some studies.
• Fix the source! If you have an active water intrusion or leak, get it repaired and dried out as soon as possible. The longer the water damage continues, the larger your challenge for cleanup will be. If your HVAC system is not running optimally, get it tested and repaired as soon as possible. Most buildings today are built very airtight, with little natural airflow to help regulate air fluctuations, so having an efficient and well running HVAC system is very important in the Venice Florida area.
• However, if you do have mold in a certain area, you want to close off the HVAC returns and vents in that area to prevent the spread of spores to other areas of your business, and do NOT blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Do not attempt to clean with bleach or other disinfectants as these often do not fully remove the mold roots and when sprayed directly on the mold, can create spores that spread by going airborne. 
• If you suspect you have mold, give SERVPRO of Venice a call. We will do a no-cost walk-through of your property and help you with the next steps, which often involve having a state licensed Industrial Hygienist (IH) or Mold Assessor to provide testing and developing a protocol for mitigation. 

Please remember this: There is no such thing as 'mold removal'. Mold naturally found everywhere, but mold mitigation is what we do. If you have a mold problem, give us a call to help make it "Like it never even happened."

How to Tell the Difference Between Mildew and Mold

12/8/2020 (Permalink)

If you suspect mold growth in your home or business, give us a call for fast and professional remediation!

While any fungal growth in your home or business is unpleasant, knowing the difference between mildew and mold is important before starting a remediation project to remove the fungi and prevent further damage.

Differences between Mildew and Mold

Telling the difference between mildew and mold can be difficult, but there are some clues that can help you determine the type of fungus in your property. Mildew commonly has the following characteristics:

• Powdery or fluffy appearance
  
  
• Gray or white color that darkens with time
  
  
• Relatively easy to remove
  
  
  

Mold, on the other hand, is often described by the following adjectives:

• Slimy or fuzzy
  
  
• Black, green or other color depending on the type
  
  
• Invasive and harder to remove
  
  
  

In some instances, a homeowner or maintenance staff may be unable to determine the type of fungus present. In such cases, a professional hygienist or air quality inspector can determine the best course of action to take.

Similarities

So while there are many differences between the two fungi, they do share a key similarity: Both mildew and mold need moisture to thrive. This means that mildew and mold can both be prevented by keeping your home dry, with an indoor humidity below 50%. If necessary, run a dehumidifier to keep within those levels. Air conditioning can also help dry out your home. Mildew and mold easily grow in higher moisture areas of a home or business, such as in a crawlspace, bathroom, wash room, etc. Look for signs of fungal growth in these areas when doing routine cleaning or inspections. Both mildew growth and mold damage are easier to mitigate if caught early.

Other Considerations

Generally speaking, mildew is easier to clean than mold growth. There are a variety of cleaners available that can kill mildew. As long as you work in a well-ventilated area and wear a mask and gloves, you should be able to safely clean mildew growth yourself. However, mold growth often needs to be professionally cleaned, especially if the infestation is large.

If you need help with either mildew or mold damage in your Venice Florida home, a certified restoration company such as SERVPRO of Venice can help. We have the equipment and experience to address the issue safely and get your home back to normal. Call 941-484-7777 for fast response to your mold problem.

Mold Facts For your Venice Florida Home

11/15/2020 (Permalink)

If your home has mold damage, SERVPRO of Venice is here to help!

Did you know that microscopic mold spores are naturally occurring, both indoors and outdoors?  This makes it impossible to fully "remove all mold" from a home or business as some mold remediation businesses claim. At SERVPRO of Venice, our goal is to reduce the mold spore count back to its natural or "baseline level". so while some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, remember this is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (941)484-7777

Protect Your Business with these Mold Damage Tips!

2/27/2020 (Permalink)

Large or Small Business and Commercial Mold Remediation

Mold! That four letter word that seems to be everywhere! When most folks think of mold, they think of issues within residential homes and condominiums. However, mold can affect your business office, warehouse, and commercial building too. While most business often have more rigorous in-house inspections and year round maintenance or facility managers, mold can still appear at your business location, especially after a storm, water or fire damage, or other catastrophic event. It can often go unnoticed in areas that are not frequently used, from storage rooms or that office area no one has used for a while, or under cabinets, crawl spaces, and other seldom used areas. 

If you notice mold or your employees or clients have mentioned a 'musty smell', you should take the following steps to mitigate the mold as soon as possible, because it will not go away on its own!

• Find the source! Mold needs four things to survive and grow/spread: Food (any organic material, including dust!), Moisture/Humidity, Oxygen, and an ideal temperature range around 75-88 degrees, however some mold have optimal growth at lower temperatures, even as low as 60 degrees Fahrenheit according to some studies.
• Fix the source! If you have an active water intrusion or leak, get it repaired and dried out as soon as possible. The longer the water damage continues, the larger your challenge for cleanup will be. If your HVAC system is not running optimally, get it tested and repaired as soon as possible. Most buildings today are built very airtight, with little natural airflow to help regulate air fluctuations, so having an efficient and well running HVAC system is very important in the Venice Florida area.
• However, if you do have mold in a certain area, you want to close off the HVAC returns and vents in that area to prevent the spread of spores to other areas of your business, and do NOT blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Do not attempt to clean with bleach or other disinfectants as these often do not fully remove the mold roots and when sprayed directly on the mold, can create spores that spread by going airborne. 
• If you suspect you have mold, give SERVPRO of Venice a call. We will do a no-cost walk-through of your property and help you with the next steps, which often involve having a state licensed Industrial Hygienist (IH) or Mold Assessor to provide testing and developing a protocol for mitigation. 

Please remember this: There is no such thing as 'mold removal'. Mold naturally found everywhere, but mold mitigation is what we do. If you have a mold problem, give us a call to help make it "Like it never even happened."

Venice Florida Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

10/12/2018 (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 SERVPRO of Venice 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 Venice 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 – 941-484-7777

Does Your Venice Florida Home Have A Mold Problem?

9/19/2017 (Permalink)

In Venice Florida, mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (941)484-7777