Don't let Mold be a problem this winter in your home

2/14/2019 (Permalink)

Don't leave wet items lying around the house, mold can't grow without moisture, so tackle wet areas right away. It's always a good idea to make sure to dry the floor and walls after a shower and don't leave wet clothes in the washing machine, where mold can spread quickly.

The key to mold prevention is simple: moisture control. Indoor humidity between 30 and 60 percent is recommended. Mold can grow anywhere: on carpet, clothing, food, paper, and even in places you can't see so make sure control it so you don't have problems.

BUT IF you happen to have mold in you house. Call SERVPRO of Napa County (707) 226-2181

We have all the tools to make you free from mold.

What to do when you can't see mold

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

Mold can be found both indoor and outdoor. It can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems.  But sometimes you simply can’t find it by ordinary means, even when you nearly tear your house apart.  Mold can hide in attic insulation, in the wall cavity between drywall sheets, or between a finished basement ceiling and the floor upstairs.  If your home has a musty odor or anyone with allergies to mold seem to have more symptoms in your home, you probably have a mold problem. 

Here's What to Do When You Can't See Mold:

• Mold Testing -  If you have a mold problem somewhere in your home, you should hire a professional mold tester.  Mold tests can help you narrow down the location of hidden mold by telling you the places in your home with the highest amount of mold spores. 
• Identifying Mold Species - Simply have it identified so you know whether it’s a toxic mold or not.  This is important for toxic molds since extra caution needs to be taken to safely remove toxic mold from the home.
• Mold Testing for Indoor Air Quality - You should have mold testing done to tell you the amount of mold spores in the air.  By testing for mold you can tell if there is an unhealthy level of spores in your house and find out if any allergies you might have are from mold.

Since mold can produce allergens and irritants, you should call SERVPRO of S.San Rafael/Sausalito to inspect your home if you suspect you have a mold problem.  We have the training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

Have Questions? Call Us Today at 415-479-2900

The Dangers of a Flash Flood

1/3/2019 (Permalink)

Flash floods can occur after a heavy rainfall and it takes minutes for the water to damage houses, roads, cars or anything that it can touch. It can be very dangerous because of the volume and speed associated with rocks and other debris the water brings. but don't worry, here are some tips us at SERVPRO Napa County are glad to provide you with.

Counties usually have a planning department that can first help you find out if your home is located in a Flash flood zone.

Have an evacuation plan and practice it with your family. There's a high chance that you community has an emergency plan and it shouldn't be hard to find it so you can be in the same page as your community.

after securing that you and your family is safe next step is calling SERVPRO of Napa County (707) 226-2181

and leave heavy job for us.

Mold around the house and tips on controlling it

12/26/2018 (Permalink)

We care about your home too much to let it get full of mold. That's why SERVPRO of Napa County brought you tips to controlling and preventing growth of undesirable mold.

In the kitchen:

• Use exhaust fans to move moisture outside (not into the attic) whenever you are cooking, washing dishes, or cleaning.
• Turn off certain appliances if you notice moisture on windows and other surfaces.
• Check for leaks around the kitchen sink, refrigerator ice makers, and other sources of water. Repair if necessary.
• Empty and clean refrigerator drip pans if necessary.

In basements and crawl spaces:

• Put a plastic cover over dirt in crawl spaces to prevent moisture from coming in from the ground. If there is standing water or the soil is wet, dry it out with fans before covering the floor.
• Be sure crawl spaces are well ventilated by using fans and having vents installed in outside walls if necessary.
• Consider painting concrete floors and using area rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpet in basements. If you plan to install carpet over a concrete floor, it may be necessary to use a vapor barrier (plastic sheeting) over the concrete and cover that with sub-flooring (insulation covered with plywood) to prevent a moisture problem.
• Have your basement floor checked for leaks and have them repaired if necessary. Water can enter your home by leaking or by seeping through basement floors or walls.
• Make sure gutters are working properly and that outdoor landscaping causes water to run away from -- not toward -- the house.
• Do not finish basement walls with insulation and wall board unless your basement is very dry.

In the laundry room:

• Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
• Make sure the vent is clear of obstructions, such as lint, and that there are no holes that leak air. If the vent duct is damaged, replace it with a metal duct. Have the duct cleaned at least once a year.
• Avoid leaving damp clothes in the laundry basket or dryer. Wash and dry them promptly.

In bathrooms:

• Use exhaust fans to remove moisture to the outside (not into the attic).
• Use area rugs, which can be taken up and washed often instead of wall-to-wall carpeting.
• Check for leaks around basins and tubs and have them repaired if necessary.
• Open a window when showering.
• Avoid leaving damp towels on the floor or in laundry hamper.

Content Source:

https://www.webmd.com/women/mold-mildew#3

Causes for mold in homes

12/12/2018 (Permalink)

Mold is a type of fungus that consists of small organisms that grow but in order for it to grow it needs some conditions and we at SERVPRO of Napa County want you to be aware of it:

• Mold spores
• A food source (eg wood, drywall, cotton)
• Darkness (mold can't grow under ultraviolet light)
• Warmth (mold can't grow in freezing temperatures)
• Oxygen
• Moisture (eg water leaks, humidity)
• Enough time (most molds can begin to grow in 24-48 hours if the conditions are right)

Your home has almost all the conditions for mold to grow, the only one of the list you can help control is moisture. In other words, the difference between whether mold grows in your home or not comes down to whether you have a moisture problem.

Content Source:

https://moldpedia.com/what-causes-mold-grow

Scenarios where mold can grow in your home

12/12/2018 (Permalink)

Last blog post we talked a little bit about the conditions mold needs to grow. If you haven't seen it yet you can click right here and check "Causes for mold in homes".

In this post we are going to be focusing on Scenarios where the factor Moisture is found and may be key for a mold problem:

• Leaking Pipes
• Leaks in Roof
• Condensation
• Poor Ventilation
• Wet Clothes
• Flooding
• Damp Basement
• Water at the House's Foundation

If you have any of these situations above, don't hesitate to call us. As a trusted leader in the restoration industry, SERVPRO of Napa County provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any size disaster. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs

How to Prevent Mold issues

12/6/2018 (Permalink)

Winter is here and we at SERVPRO of Napa County care about your home. here are some tips to prevent mold issues:

• Keep humidity levels as low as you can—no higher than 50%–all day long.
• Be sure your home has enough ventilation.
• Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
• Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after flooding.
• Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
• Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly.

If you want to know more about how to prevent Mold issues at your home you can go Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Content Source:

https://www.cdc.gov/mold/dampness_facts.htm

Mold Tips

1/22/2018 (Permalink)

In as little as 48 hours, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business when there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. SERVPRO of Napa County has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem.

If you have a mold problem in your home or business, consider the following facts:

• Significant mold growth can occur in 48-72 hours.
• Mold may present a greater risk to children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory problems.
• A strong, musty odor may indicate hidden mold behind drywall or under carpeting.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of Napa 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.

Mold Remediation Services

If you suspect that your home or business has a mold problem, SERVPRO of Napa County has the training, equipment, and expertise to handle the situation.

We are proud to serve our local communities:

• Napa
• St. Helena
• Calistoga
• American Canyon
• Rutherford
• Yountville
• St Helena

• Have a Mold Problem? 
  Call Us Today – (707) 226-2181

Understanding Mold and Our Remediation Process

1/8/2018 (Permalink)

Mold has the potential to cause health effects and can spread through your property in as little as 48 hours. SERVPRO of Napa County understands mold and mold growth and has the training and expertise to remediate the mold in your home or business.

Understanding Mold

Microscopic mold spores exist naturally almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors, so removing all mold from a home or business is impossible. 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 they 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. 

Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise the mold may return.

Let your nose lead the way. 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.

The Mold Remediation Process

Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our “typical” process:

Emergency Contact - (707) 226-2181

The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask a series of questions to help us determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel.

Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment

We carefully inspect your property for visible signs of mold. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view. We use various technologies to detect mold and hidden water sources.

Mold Containment

Our professionals use various containment procedures to prevent the spread of mold. We may use advanced containment procedures like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process. All fans and heating and cooling systems will be turned off to prevent the spread of mold.

Air Filtration

Our specialized filtration equipment allows our Professionals to capture microscopic mold spores out of the air. We utilize powerful “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in process.

Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. We’ll use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. It may be necessary to remove and dispose of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and carpeting, to remediate heavy mold growth.

Cleaning Contents and Belongings

We clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, clothing, and other restorable items affected by mold. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and disinfect your belongings. We’re also trained to remove odors and deodorization using fogging equipment.

Restoration

Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may have been removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business. The restoration step gets your home or business back to normal.

SERVPRO of Napa County is “Always Here To Help”

Napa County Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

6/5/2017 (Permalink)

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 Napa 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 Napa 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 – 707-226-2181

Does Your Napa Home Have A Mold Problem?

6/5/2017 (Permalink)

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 – 707-226-2181