Recent Mold Remediation Posts

Empowering Excellence: SERVPRO's Mold Remediation Mastery with Proper PPE and Specialized Equipment in Albany, GA

11/14/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO team in PPE performing mold remediation SERVPRO team in PPE with proper equipment

**Empowering Excellence: SERVPRO's Mold Remediation Mastery with Proper PPE and Specialized Equipment in Albany, GA**

In the vibrant region of Albany, Georgia, where the charm of the landscape meets the challenge of mold growth, the importance of a comprehensive mold remediation approach cannot be overstated. At SERVPRO®, we understand the critical role that Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and specialized tools play in ensuring the safety and success of every mold remediation job. Let's delve into why having the right PPE and equipment is pivotal, emphasizing how SERVPRO's expertise and toolset make us the ideal choice for any mold remediation challenge specific to Albany and its surrounding areas.

**Navigating Mold Challenges with Precision in Albany:**
- Mold growth can affect diverse locales, and in Albany's unique setting, a tailored mold remediation strategy is crucial for success. As stewards of this community, we acknowledge the need for adaptability to address the varied conditions.

**The Cornerstone: Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):**
- Safety remains our top priority. Our technicians are equipped with specialized PPE meticulously chosen for the intricacies of mold remediation in Albany, including:
- **Respirators:** Essential for safeguarding against inhaling mold spores.
- **Protective Suits:** Providing full-body coverage to prevent skin contact with contaminants.
- **Gloves and Eye Protection:** Heavy-duty gear ensuring safety during remediation across different landscapes.

**Crafting Containment Strategies Tailored to Albany:**
- Our team, equipped with the right PPE, establishes robust containment barriers regardless of the surroundings. This proactive measure shields both our team and the property from cross-contamination, ensuring effective mold remediation in Albany's diverse settings.

**Advanced Air Filtration Adapted for Albany's Environment:**
- Utilizing advanced air filtration technology with HEPA filters suitable for the varied Albany landscape, we capture microscopic mold spores, ensuring a safe environment during and after remediation throughout Albany and its surrounding areas.

**Customized Cleaning Products Addressing Albany's Unique Challenges:**
- Understanding the regional nuances of Albany's landscapes, we employ EPA-registered antimicrobial and antifungal cleaning agents specifically tailored for diverse environments. These products not only eliminate existing mold but also inhibit future growth, addressing the unique challenges presented by different locales.

**Adaptable Moisture Detection Tools Suited for Albany's Climates:**
- In a region with diverse climates, identifying the source of moisture is crucial. Our technicians utilize state-of-the-art moisture detection tools adaptable to different landscapes, ensuring comprehensive remediation by detecting hidden water sources contributing to mold growth in Albany.

**Mobile HEPA Vacuums for Thorough Cleaning in Albany's Settings:**
- Equipped with mobile HEPA vacuums suitable for any setting, our team ensures thorough cleaning during the remediation process. Designed to trap particles as small as 0.3 microns, these vacuums adapt to the unique conditions of Albany and its surrounding areas.

**Documentation for Accountability and Albany's Needs:**
- Comprehensive documentation practices provide detailed records of the entire procedure, ensuring accountability and offering peace of mind for Albany residents. These records are valuable for insurance claims or property transactions specific to Albany and its surroundings.

**SERVPRO: Your Regional Mold Remediation Expert in Albany, GA:**
- SERVPRO understands the regional intricacies of Albany and its diverse surroundings. Our emphasis on safety, expertise, and utilizing the right equipment positions us as the go-to choice for mold remediation across the Albany region.

**Contact SERVPRO Across Albany Today:**
- For any mold remediation challenge in your Albany home or business or in the surrounding areas, SERVPRO is equipped with the right tools and expertise. Contact us today for comprehensive mold remediation solutions tailored to Albany's specific needs. Let's work together to keep homes and businesses safe, healthy, and resilient across the diverse landscape surrounding Albany, Georgia.

Mold and Your Health

7/20/2018 (Permalink)

For more information about Mold call SERVPRO of Albany and Americus at 229-439-2048.

Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all.  Areas that are likely to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas.

Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

 The key to mold control is moisture control. If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and ix the water problem.

It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.


Molds gradually destroy the things they grow on. You can prevent damage to your home and furnishings, save money, and avoid potential health problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth.

Bathroom Remodeling After Mold Damage

7/19/2018 (Permalink)

When mold infests an Albany home, the damage and the restoration costs can vary widely. If caught quickly after the mold begins growing, both are minor, and the emphasis stays on cleaning and removing mold from surfaces. If the mold has had months to grow unnoticed, then the focus can shift to removal and replacement of affected property, both personal and structural.

When this happens, Albany homeowners have a unique opportunity for remodeling their homes, especially the bathroom. SERVPRO technicians can remove the tiles, shower, bathtub, and other bath items, and replace them at the direction of the homeowner.

Mold rarely penetrates tile surfaces, but it does grow into the grout material that seals the tiles in place. The same material also forms a seal between pieces of a shower or bathtub unit, keeping water from leaking or seeping in behind them and causing further damage from wood rot. SERVPRO restoration teams train to remove the grout and tiles carefully.

If mold has grown into the walls behind the tile, our teams can remove and replace those as well. After removing the affected drywall, specialists spray the framing behind them and the surrounding area with an anti-fungal agent to make certain no live mold spores are still present.

Before installing the new panels, the teams use a combination of air movers and fans to increase circulation and dry out the bathroom to reduce the chance of mold growing again. If the interior humidity is very high, they augment these devices with a dehumidifier to draw water from the surrounding air.

With a new wall, it is a perfect time to replace the tiles, or even replace the entire bathtub and shower area with a one- or two-piece, drop-in unit. Technicians can make many of these changes at the homeowner’s discretion, but for very expensive replacement items, the team leader always recommends using the manufacturer’s installation team to set and seal them in place.

A mold infestation is something no homeowner wants to happen in their residence. Cleaning and replacing affected property can be an opportunity to upgrade the home, however. If this is your situation, call SERVPRO of Albany and Americus at (229) 439-2048  today to begin restoration.

Mold Damage to Your Property

6/27/2016 (Permalink)

Found almost anywhere, mold can grow on just about any substance that is organic and create mold damage as long as there is oxygen and moisture.

Mold Damage

Found almost anywhere, mold can grow on just about any substance that is organic and create mold damage as long as oxygen and moisture are also present. Mold can grow on carpet, wood, paper, insulation and foods. With excessive moisture that accumulates in buildings or on materials for building, you’ll often see mold growth as well. It can, however, be controlled inside by taking control of the moisture that is inside.


Because mold needs water to grow and spread, you need to prevent problems of moisture in your structure. Many causes for mold exist, including humidity that is uncontrolled. Some of the moisture problems in structures have been linked to construction practices in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Some changes have caused buildings to be tightly sealed and lacking adequate ventilation, which could lead to the buildup of moisture. Drywall and other building materials might not let moisture escape very easily, either. Moisture problems can include leaking roofs, unvented combustion appliances or gutters which direct water under or into the structure.


Preventing Mold Damage 
-Look for wet spots and condensation. Fix any moisture source problems as soon as possible.
-Leaky plumbing needs to be fixed right away.
-Increase surface temperature or lower moisture level in the air to prevent moisture from condensation.
-Keep ventilation, heating, and air conditioning drop pans flowing properly, clean and unobstructed.
-Appliances that generate moisture, like dryers, need to be properly vented to the outside when possible.
-Keep indoor humidity low, below sixty percent relative humidity, and ideally thirty to fifty percent if possible.
-Have regular HVAC and building inspections and maintenance scheduled.
-If you find damp or wet spots, clean and dry them within forty-eight hours.
-Do not let your foundation stay wet. Give proper drainage and slope the ground away from the foundation.


Hidden Mold
Sometimes, mold growth inside a structure might not be visible. It can be growing on surfaces which are hidden, such as the other side of wallpaper, drywall or paneling, on top of ceiling tiles, or underneath pads and carpeting. This is why it is important to call in our professionals at SERVPRO who have the right equipment to be able to find this hidden mold and fix the problem. Some building materials like wood paneling or drywall that has vinyl wallpaper over it can act as vapor barriers, trapping moisture under their surfaces and therefore making an environment that is moist where mold can grow. You might know there is hidden mold if the building has a mold smell. However, you can’t see the source. This is where we can help you. We will find the hidden mold and draw up a plan of remediation that will best suit your needs.


mold damage is not always obvious, but it can be a dangerous situation. That is why you need to contact us at SERVPRO of Albany and Americus by calling any time at (229) 439-2048. We can find the hidden mold, the moisture source, and fix the issue plus clean up the existing mold.

Mold Damage - The Mold Damage In Homes Will Cause Problems For You And Your Family

3/24/2016 (Permalink)

Molds are found in virtually every environment and can be detected, both indoors and outdoors, year round.

Mold Damage Problem In Your Family's Home

Mold is very insidious. It can come in and grow inside things, such as walls, ceilings, crawlspaces and just about anything else. Homes with mold damage in Albany and Americus are unhealthy for anyone who enters them. There is only one thing that can be done when this occurs and it involves bringing professionals in that do this every day. 

Mold spores that you do not want in your home exist in nature all around. They are floating in the air inside and out. All they need is a couple of things to live, grow and take over your home if you allow it. All of this can happen within 48 hours, so attention to this detail must get started as quickly as you detect the presence of an earthy, rather musty smell, often coming from a crawl space, closet or under a sink. 

When you call an Albany and Americus mold remediation company, they get there on the run. A couple of things have to happen quickly, and they have the experience to know that this is critical. An inspection is the first thing that needs to occur. 

This inspection encompasses every space, room, and closet in your house. They are looking and smelling for the growth that is dangerous for your family. The specialized equipment they have can detect any amount of moisture, which is one of the main things mold needs for living. Mold in Albany and Americus is often found behind walls and under floors. 

The next step is the containment of the areas that must be cleaned up. Since molds are transported, to a significant degree in the air, this contaminated air must be prevented from moving into other areas, contaminating surfaces that may not have been before. 

After containing these regions, the filtering of the air, through large air purifiers and fans begins. This evacuates this air, often made bad by the spores floating around and initiate the process of clean up. The mold is then removed from the surfaces, using specially formulated cleaners and sanitizing agents. 

In many cases, since the molds can infiltrate building materials and furniture, these items may have to be removed, whether torn out or simply bagged and moved out of the house. Some of these things may be clothing which can be cleaned and then returned. Other items can be removed, bagged and disposed of at designated disposal sites throughout the area by certified, licensed personnel from the mold removal company. 

Then a full top to bottom cleaning process begins. This cleans every surface in the house, including the kitchen, bathrooms, living spaces and especially the carpets. A lot of the carpets may have to have detailed cleaning performed, including sanitizing agents to kill and remove any molds that can be cleaned out. Some carpets need to be pulled up and cleaned from the bottom in advanced cases. Some carpets, of course, need to be removed and disposed of because of the damage that cannot be remedied. 

Anything that has been torn out to find and remove mold and the damage it causes is then repaired to return the home to its previous state. 

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

If you believe you have mold problems in Albany, Leesburg, or Camilla, call SERVPRO of Albany and Americus at (229) 439-2048 for an initial conversation followed by the professional service they provide. 

Montezuma Mold - Friend or Foe?

7/21/2015 (Permalink)

There are thousands of species of molds, and they are everywhere.

Mold - Friend or Foe?

There are thousands of species of molds, and they are everywhere. Generally when we think of mold, we think of it as something bad - and sometimes it is - but there are useful Montezuma molds also.


Mold as Your Friend
There are also other benefits from some mold. Any medicine name that ends with "mycin" is made with mold. Without mold, we would not have beer, bread or mushroom pizza.

    •        Molds help to make cheese
    •        It speeds the decay of leaves and garbage, putting these back into the soil.
    •        It is helpful in producing antibiotics and hormones
    •        Red mold is being used in genetic experiments.


Montezuma mold does have a good place in or lives, but we don't want it growing in our homes.


Mold as Your Foe
As mentioned above, there are thousands of species of mold. Below are just a few of the more common molds:

    •        Penicillium /Aspergillus – allergenic; only a few are toxic.
    •        Cladosporium – allergenic.
    •        Curvularia – allergenic mold
    •        Chaetomium – can cause infections in individuals with weak immune systems.
    •        Stachybotrys – Toxic, but not all sub-species are toxic.
    •        Memnoniella – often grows with Stachybotrys and considered toxic.


Safe Mold Levels
An arid location will have a lower mold count than a hot, humid area. In northern climates, mold goes dormant at 39 degrees and beings growing again when the weather warms up. Now, take a hot, humid environment, such as Florida, and you have some happy, reproducing mold and evidence of mold damage! Because of these differences in the locality, a reading of the outdoor air count is considered acceptable for the indoor air.


The following mold spore ranges use the spore/m3 number and not the raw count for each species when interpreted in a lab’s “Air Sample Report”.

    •        0-200 spores – the toxic mold species Stachybotrys and Memnoniella are the only species to be considered an issue at this level.
    •        200-1500 spores – Penicillium/Aspergillus & Cladosporium levels are in this range and do not require remediation.
    •        1500-3000 spores – this point indicates that an issue may be apparent. These levels can be achieved by a dusty home or A/C system.
    •        3000-10,000 spores – A perimeter cleanup may be needed if a mold spore source has been identified. If water intrusion or mold issue wasn’t found, the home might need to be cleaned, and the duct system should be evaluated.
    •        10,000-25,000 spores – a mold spore source is usually identified, and remediation is needed. If no water intrusion or mold issue was found, the duct system might need to be cleaned and a general cleaning of the residence.
    •        25,000-1,000,000+ spores – mold issue will be evident. Remediation will be required and needs to be performed by SERVPRO.


If you suspect you might have mold or see mold damage, you need to call in an expert such as SERVPRO.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

SERVPRO of Albany and Americus is locally owned and operated—so we live and work here too and are proud to be part of this community. We are proud to provide mold remediation services in our local communities:

We are proud to serve our local communities: