Recent Mold Remediation Posts

SERVPRO Antioch should always be your first choice and here is why

10/3/2023 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation SERVPRO Antioch should be your first choice for all your Remediation
SERVPRO of Antioch is your local Restoration Company, and here is the Why

So, you've had a water damage, fire damage, you've found mold damage in your home, or you have any situation requiring cleaning.  You have choices as to who does your work.  You can do your own research, talk to friends, ask your agent, or just go with whomever the insurance sends out.

SERVPRO of Antioch is a locally owned company started in 2007 by Mike Borders.  Mike has lived in Antioch since 1994.  All of the employees of SERVPRO of Antioch are local and many have are born and raised in Antioch.  The money spent by Mike and SERVPRO of Antioch is spent locally.  All tax dollars are local and go to benefit the community we live in.  

SERVPRO of Antioch is the only Local Restoration company.  Other restoration companies are traveling in, hiring people that live in different parts of the Bay, who spend their money in other cities and pay tax dollars that are spent in cities other than ours.  

Buying from a local company that employs local people not only helps to keep our local economy growing but ensures you a higher level of pride and quality in your experience during the service you receive.

Because we are local, we can respond faster

Because we are local, we care about you and your experience

Because we are local, we own the work we perform and don't stop until you are satisfied 

We know you have choices when it comes to who handles your service needs, shopping local and using local businesses help to improve your experience and the city where we all live. We all prosper when we shop local.  

Remember, no matter what happens, you always have the Right to Choose your own contractor, no-one can tell you who to use.  Insist local, insist SERVPRO of Antioch.

SERVPRO of Antioch is your local restoration provider.

 Contact us 24/7 925-706-0106

Hidden mold in your home.

7/5/2021 (Permalink)

Mushrooms from mold damage Hidden mold in a wall shows itself in the form of mushrooms

Mold is one of those things, its all around us looking for a nice place to settle down and grow.  Our houses are warm and made from wood and paper, all the things that mold spores are seeking.  Introduce some water and we have the third element which now leads to growth. 

Kitchens are notorious for leaks and things that happen involving water.  The cabinets keep these things hidden.  When was the last time you moved all those bags and cleaners and other stuff that lies under your Kitchen sink to look for leaks and / or mold growth?  We do not, and by the time we find it, it can be too late. 

This is a case of a leak in the wall coming from the upstairs behind the dishwasher.  Never was this noticed until water became visible in the form of mushrooms, which by then, was too late. Hidden inside the walls the homeowner had no idea the damage that was going on.

When you have worries or concerns, call SERVPRO of Antioch.  We will come and inspect for water damage or visible mold concerns; we will come inspect during normal business hours.  925-706-0106

SERVPROantioch.com

How long does it take for mold to grow in the bay area

7/14/2020 (Permalink)

Overflowing sink Whether it is an overflowing sink, washing machine or other appliance, always make sure the area is handled correctly to avoid mold growth

So you’ve had a little overflow at the house and you think you did a good job soaking up the water and cleaning up the spill.  A few days have gone by and now it is starting to smell musty and you are wondering what is happening.

It doesn’t take much water to make a pretty big issue.  That smell you are experiencing is the sign that things are happening on the microbiology scale.  Even though you may not see anything, mold is starting.  This can happen in as little as 72 hours after the water damage, or quicker if the water was hot. 

Mold only needs a few things in order for it to grow, humidity, Food (Wood like your framing or paper like your drywall) and warmth.  Mold likes to have environments similar to what is comfortable with us when it relates to warmth.  Our houses are mostly made of wood and paper materials, just what mold likes to eat.  So, now you add a little moisture and you have the ideal environment for mold to grow. 

What do you do now?  Well, if you truly had a small amount of water that you cleaned up quickly, you may be able to get away with cleaning the areas touched by water with a disinfectant and setting up a fan to dry them out.  This is only an option if the area was very small and there are no visible signs of mold growth. 

If the area is a little larger, has visible signs of mold, or has multiple layers of materials then you may have to get more invasive.  The only way to get rid of mold is to physically remove it.  Spraying and wiping it may make the visible part go away but all you really did was put all the mold spores in the air that you breathe.  The affected materials, drywall, baseboard, flooring needs to be physically removed to at least 12” beyond all visible signs of mold damage.  This is the only way to remove mold.  If you have more than a small area of mold (less than a square foot)  you really need to bring a professional in to help assess your needs to properly take care of the issue. 

BE AWARE, mold remediation is often an area that be taken advantage of by the restoration contractor.  Often times, the restoration contractor will use fear as a means of increasing the cost of the job.  They may also bid a really small number, far less than anyone else, and then when they open the wall, tell you that they found a much larger problem and the overall cost ends up higher than any other company you received an estimate from.  Always find a restoration contractor that you are comfortable with and you feel is being truthful with you. Avoid the really low estimates, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.  Never let a remediation contractor also perform the testing, this is a direct conflict of interest and gives him the ability to make the job whatever he wants it to be.  Always use an independent Hygienist that works for you, science never lies. 

Mold Remediation should average about $185 per man hour of labor plus any equipment to control the environment and any testing that may be needed.  If you receive and estimate of $5000 for a job that will take about half a day, you know that estimate is high.  As well, a $1000 estimate for a job that will take three to five days may be too low and indicate an expensive “find” during the work.

At SERVPRO of Antioch we pride ourselves on giving honest information and honest bids.  We never inflate our estimates and the price we give you is what we strive to keep it at.   When we assess your situation, we walk you through what we see and what it means as well as what it will take to remediate.  You will be knowledgeable of your loss at the end of our assessment so you can make the decisions that are right for you.  We always use independent Hygienists that work for you, so you are assured that our work is done correctly. 

Mold is a household issue that must be disclosed at the time of sale in California.  It is important that you have a professional company remediate when it is more than a tiny amount, and that you have the paperwork showing that your indoor environment has been returned to its pre loss condition. 

Should you need help with your musty smell, call the experts at SERVPRO of Antioch at 925-706-0106

Mold Damage

10/12/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Damage is Found

At SERVPRO of Antioch we receive many calls regarding mold being found in homes. Its always recommended to hire an IEP (Indoor Environmental Professional) or a Hygienist to perform an air quality test to determine which species of microbial growth we are dealing with. When mold is found it is never an emergency, it can take up to 72 hours before the beginning stages of mold are discovered.

When mold is discovered it can be a very scary experience, but don’t be scared because we are here to help. Mold can be difficult to detect at times and by the time its found significant damages may have already resulted in the home. Mold is usually a result of a water intrusion that wasn’t mitigated properly. When your indoor relative humidity reaches 60% or higher that’s an ideal environment for growing mold. Just remember when mold damage is found in your home there’s a few things you should avoid from doing; cleaning off by spraying or wiping and placing any kind of fan directly on the affected area. Instead refrain from disturbing and give us a call at 925-706-0106 so we can help.

Do you think you have mold ?

12/4/2017 (Permalink)

• 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 in

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.

When it comes to Mold, What you Can't See Can Hurt You

12/8/2016 (Permalink)

A room of a house that doesn't get used can be a place for mold to develop when left unchecked

When you find you have mold, the saying "Out of sight , out of mind" does not hold true.  You can clean the visible mold from the surface using a variety of cleaners, even water.  However, what your doing is making only what you see go away.  Mold spores are .3 microns in size, they are microscopic.  By the time you see mold, you are looking at colonies of molds.  When you try to clean mold, what you are doing is putting everything into the air.  The mold spores that you are putting into the air are what we have allergies to. 

"What you cant see can hurt you" when you are talking about mold spores.  Not all mold is harmful, it depends on the species, the levels in the air, and your personal immune system.  But, whenever you have any kind of mold growing in your house, one thing is for sure.  It shouldn't be there!!!

When you have mold, the only way to get rid of it is to physically remove it.  In these pictures, this home developed extensive mold in a room that wasn't regularly checked.  You can see in this picture the steps we are taking to remove it.  Notice the wall on the right, this is the bathroom wall also covered in mold. 

Periodically check all your spaces in your home, especially where water lines run to look for leaks or mold.  Whenever you find something, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Antioch.  925-706-0106.  Inspections for Water Damage and Visible Indicators of Mold are Always FREE during Business Hours.

SERVPROAntioch.com

Do you think you have Mold ?

6/16/2016 (Permalink)

Mold will occur in your home when you have a water intrusion that is allowed to continue for more than 3 days.

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 – 925-706-0106