SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford outlines the steps to professional mold removal

11/17/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO® of Hurst-Euless-Bedford outlines the steps to properly remove mold from your property.

Discovering mold in your home can be scary, especially if it’s black mold. Fortunately, mold can be safely removed without endangering yourself or others on the property. However, it’s vital to deal with it swiftly.

The team at SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford, a leading mold removal company in Hurst, TX, has outlined the following steps to safely remove mold from your home: 

1. Mold inspection

Once you notice any signs of mold growth, like a damp, musty odor in hidden areas or seeing mold in your bathroom or other areas, the next step should be to conduct a proper mold inspection and testing procedure.

The essence of the inspection is to find other areas in the property with mold, help you identify the type of mold you have, and determine the cause of the mold growth.

Mold inspection is best done by a certified expert. A mold inspector knows the specific areas to check for mold development. They can also quickly ascertain the type of mold present in a property.

Additionally, most reputable mold inspection companies will take out part of the mold and send it to a lab for testing.

2. Identify and fix the cause of the mold growth

Mold doesn’t just grow anywhere. It typically grows in places with a lot of moisture, like leaks in your pipes, roof, windows, and attic, and areas that have experienced water damage like flooding.

It’s essential to first find out the cause of the mold growth and fix it, so it doesn’t develop again. A professional mold inspector will typically identify the cause of the mold and include it in their report. 

3. Protect yourself 

It's essential to safeguard yourself from airborne spores while cleaning moldy surfaces. The EPA advises wearing an N-95 respirator mask and gloves extending to the forearm's center.

They also advise using gloves made of "natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, polyurethane, or PVC" if you use bleach or a potent cleaning solution. 

4. Removing the mold

There are several ways to get rid of mold on your property if you want to go the DIY route. 

Here are some popular methods to remove mold:

White Distilled Vinegar: Vinegar is the finest non-chemical way to eradicate mold permanently. Up to 82% of mold species can be eliminated using white distilled vinegar. Pour undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it on the affected areas. Allow it to sit for some time, and use a brush to clean off the mold.

Detergent: Mold on tiles, baseboards, wall framing, and similar surfaces can be washed off with detergent. Put detergent in warm or cold water and scrub the impacted area with a rag. Wash until all signs of the mold are gone, then dry the area and wash the rag.

Baking Soda: Add warm water to a spray bottle to make baking soda mold remover. Shake well after adding 1/4 tsp of baking soda to the bottle. Spray the mold development and then clean it with a scouring pad or brush. Rinse the area, then let it air dry. Finally, lightly sprinkle the area with the baking soda mixture once more to stop future mold growth. 

Hire an experienced mold removal specialist to do the job

Hiring a mold removal company like SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford is the way forward if you have a severe mold issue in your property and want it gone. These experts can handle everything from mold inspection and testing to removal.

They have the expertise and advanced equipment to identify mold, deal with the underlying causes, and remove it from your property. Oftentimes, when property owners do mold removal on their own, the issue resurfaces after a few weeks/months. Experts, however, can remove the mold from your property and ensure it never returns.

About SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford 

SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford is a leading restoration company in Hurst, offering services like mold inspection/removal, water damage restoration, and fire damage restoration to residents and businesses.

They have a team of trained specialists who can come to your property to inspect and help you solve your mold problem.

Call SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford at (817) 595-0004 to get a free quote.

Spring Time Mold Growth!

4/8/2019 (Permalink)

With spring storms come humidity, and humidity comes mold especially if you’ve had a recent water loss in your home. Ideally, the air conditioning in your home should keep your home at a comfortable humidity level, however when the air is thick and soupy outside, we all know that can sometimes be impossible.

The humidity in your home also rises when you have a water loss, after all, standing water in your home evaporates into the air as it dries. Mold likes this humidity, as well as the wet flooring/drywall that you may have in your home due to flooding. It’s extremely important to get the water in your home extracted and dried as quickly as possible to prevent future mold growth.

If your home has suffered water damage that has led to microbial growth, give SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford a call today at 817.595.0004!

Ideal Conditions for Mold Growth

2/1/2019 (Permalink)

Mold covered a wall after storm damage caused water to leak into this house.

Understanding what conditions mold likes to grow in can help you prevent mold growth in your home or office. Mold can be found nearly anywhere on earth – both indoors and outdoors; usually a few mold spores here or there won’t cause any issues, but if the spores are able to settle and begin growing, they can cause problems.

Mold likes warm, humid conditions. Sometimes, simply having a few extremely humid days in a row will provide the right conditions for mold to grow. Common issues that can lead to excess moisture also include burst or leaky pipes and excessive rainfall. Once mold spores land in a habitable area, they can begin to grow and cover the area in as little as 48 hours.

If you have water damage in your home, make sure it is cleaned up quickly and properly. Call us today to ensure that all areas of your home or office meet dry standards. If mold has already begun growing, our experts can handle that too! We even have specialized formulas to get rid of mold and keep it from coming back. Give us a call today at 817-595-0004 to see how we can help you!

6 Weeks Worth of Mold Damage

9/27/2018 (Permalink)

Mold covered the walls of this apartment.

This apartment was left unattended for 6 weeks when the resident went out of town. While they were gone, a leak occurred in the walls of the building, and they returned to this huge mess! Different types of mold were spreading across the walls and onto the ceiling in multiple rooms, and the various molds were competing to cover the most space. You can see the different colors and layers of mold growing on the walls in the photo. When molds compete like this, it can lead to dangerous toxins being released into the air.

Mold can spread extremely quickly when the conditions are right, and situations like this can easily get out of hand if the growth is left untreated. Stories like this are all too common - someone goes on vacation and disaster strikes while they are gone. If you are going to be away for an extended period of time, have someone check up on your home to make sure everything is still working like it should be.

If you suspect you have a mold problem, call SERVPRO® of Hurst-Euless-Bedford immediately at 817.595.0004 before you end up with mold growth like this!

Do Not Use Bleach to Kill Mold

9/27/2018 (Permalink)

A common misconception about mold is that you can use bleach to treat it. The main uses for bleach are for disinfecting and changing the color of something, so stick to those uses next time you grab a bottle of Clorox from the grocery store. The EPA and OSHA has taken a strong stance against using bleach to treat mold, and here is why:

• Bleach does not work on porous surfaces, but mold loves porous areas. Bleach is made up of 90% water, so once the chlorine quickly evaporates, you are left with a ton of moisture that will actually help mold continue to grow. Even though it may look like bleach has killed the mold infecting your home, it is only the top layer that has been killed, and the mold’s roots within the walls will easily come back stronger than ever.
• Bleach is toxic. This one is a no brainer, but for some reason, people want to dump the chemical all over their house at the first sight of mold. Children and pets can easily get into the bleach you may have used to treat mold which could make them quite sick; even the fumes can create health problems! There are so many alternative solutions to treat mold with, there is no reason to put your family or employees at risk by using bleach.
• Bleach can weaken the surfaces you put it on. When bleach is put on a surface such as wood, it can begin to eat away at the fibers. Even a small change to an important structural piece of your home could be disastrous. Imagine having to rebuild parts of your home just because you treated some wooden beams with bleach!

When it comes to mold, it is better to leave the remediation to the professionals. Our team of experts can quickly handle any problem and make sure that your home or office is safe for everyone. We use specially formulated solutions that are sure to kill mold and keep it from returning - without causing toxic fumes. If you are in need of mold remediation, call us today at 817.595.0004.

The Truth About Black Mold

9/27/2018 (Permalink)

If you are a fan of home improvement shows, you have almost certainly heard of “toxic black mold,” and with the insane media headlines, who wouldn’t be scared of it? The truth is, there is no such thing as “toxic black mold.” While there is such a thing toxigenic molds (they produce mycotoxins), there is no mold that is actually toxic itself.

Mold is everywhere in our environment, both inside and out, and most folks live their life without ever being troubled by it. While some people do have mold allergies that will make it more difficult for them to handle mold, there are very few reports of mold that involve the hemorrhaging, memory loss, and other extreme effects that you hear about on TV.

Stachybotrys chartarum is what is most closely associated with the term “toxic mold.” It has a greenish black appearance, and while it is not one of the most common molds found indoors, it is not exceptionally rare. As with other molds, Stachybotrys chartarum grows best in a warm humid space, so be sure to take care of any water damage you have quickly, before mold can begin to grow.

No matter what type of mold you suspect in your home or office, you should seek immediate treatment for it. Our experts can determine the type of mold, treat it, and make sure your building has a safe environment for everyone inside. Call SERVPRO® of Hurst-Euless-Bedford if you have any suspicions of mold in your home or office. 817.595.0004.

Mold Containment

9/27/2018 (Permalink)

So, you have mold and you called someone to handle it... now what? Once the mold technicians arrive, they will need to ensure that the mold does not keep spreading throughout the building so that they can be sure that they have treated all of the affected areas. They will do this by setting up containment barriers - usually made of heavy plastic - around any areas that need to be treated. These barriers, along with air scrubbers, will keep mold spores from traveling to different parts of the building.

Depending on the scope of the job, our technicians may need to use more advanced techniques to properly remediate the mold. One of these techniques includes creating a negative air chamber or negative pressure environment. This just means that the air pressure inside the contained area is less than the air pressure outside of the contained area. This technique allows us to better control any mold spores that may begin floating around once the remediation process has begun.

Once the area is properly contained, our experts can continue with the rest of the mold remediation process. If your home or business has been affected by mold, call 817.595.0004 to have a SERVPRO® of Hurst-Euless-Bedford technician begin the remediation process!

Got Mold?

4/9/2018 (Permalink)

Got Mold?

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, but none of them will grow without water or moisture.

Can mold cause health problems? Molds are usually not a problem indoors unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. They produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common, but they can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported because of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing. This brochure provides a brief overview; it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your state or local health department.

Prompt mitigation is vital to avoid mold growth which can be visible in as little as 24 to 48 hours under certain conditions.

Call SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford

with questions regarding mold at

817.595.0004

Tips to Avoid Mold Damage

2/7/2018 (Permalink)

Tips to Avoid Mold Damage

 The fact that mold is unpleasant and can have a musty odor isn’t the only reason to be wary when you first notice it in your home or office. Mold growth occurs when the moisture content of a space is too high for too long. There’s a natural amount of mold spores normally present in most environments, but if the moisture level in a water-damaged environment isn’t promptly returned to normal, mold spores may grow and multiply. Why should all this matter to you? Excessive mold growth can lead to harmful indoor environmental conditions. Learning as much as you can about mold can be your best defense.

Take Precautions

SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford professionals handle water damage every day and know prompt action is required to prevent mold growth. Mold is more likely to spread after a 48-hour period. Organic materials found inside buildings, such as wood, paper, drywall and insulation provide food sources for mold to flourish. If your property has sustained recent water damage, it’s vital to remove excess water and dry the structure promptly, as well as be on alert for the following:

• The presence of visible mold
• Strong musty odors
• Evidence of past moisture problems that might have caused undetected mold growth
• Excessive humidity

SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford is Here to Help!

If you think you have a mold problem, call SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford 817-595-0004. Our trained and licensed technicians in mold remediation will examine your structure for any visible signs of mold. If mold is found, you will be asked to approve and sign a work authorization form prior to any mold clean up or related work being performed. The technician may also recommend you leave the affected area where the mold cleanup and associated contained processed is being safely completed. 

Helping to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Can You Save Your Beautiful Carpet From Mold When It Get’s Wet in Hurst-Euless-Bedford?

10/30/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO’s Fast Response can Help Prevent Mold Infestation

It doesn’t take much for a rug to get wet.  In rare instances the culprit can be extreme weather or run-off after a storm, more often the cause is a broken pipe or appliance is enough to thoroughly soak a carpet through.  Once this does happen there is a genuine concern that you might be facing mold growth in the near future.  Mold is a fungus that thrives off of moisture and an organic food source for sustenance.  Carpet fibers are an excellent food source for mold, once fungus gets into your carpet, it is difficult to get it out again.

The best way to save your beautiful carpet from mold damage after it gets wet in Hurst-Euless-Bedford is to call SERVPRO at once.  The key to saving floor coverings from microbial growth is to dry them out quickly and thoroughly, not allowing the spores a chance to grow.  Our technicians are IICRC certified and have the equipment and skills to dry your carpet fast.

On arrival, we begin by extracting as much water from your carpet as possible.  We use specialized tools and make several passes over the affected area because we understand that thorough extraction is key to the success of the drying process.

Once extraction is complete, our next step is to dry your carpet.  SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford will use up to three different kinds of air movers strategically placed to move air over the area and wick out what moisture is left.  We also use dehumidifiers to lower the moisture levels in the air and hasten the drying process.

We understand that thorough drying is the only protection against mold growth.  To make sure we dry your carpet and structure up to its dry standard we use a range of equipment including moisture meters and moisture probes to measure the moisture content continuously through the drying process.

If your carpet gets wet, do not put your home or carpet at risk for microbial growth!  Call SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford, we are always here to help!  Our phones are answered 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

817-595-0004

Hurst-Euless-Bedford Residents: Mold Safety Tips to Follow If You Suspect Mold

10/26/2017 (Permalink)

If you think you see mold in your home, do not disturb it. The reason being is that you can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your entire home.  When mold is disturbed it can release microscopic mold spores that easily become airborne with the ability to circulate inside your home.

What Not to DO:

• Do not blow air across any surfaces with suspected or visible mold growth.
• Do not spray bleach or any other disinfectants on the mold.
• Do not attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Do not disturb or touch the mold.

What to Do:

• Make sure you stay out of any area that you suspect has mold growth.
• Turn your HVAC and any fans you have off.
• Contact SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless Bedford for our certified mold remediation services.

Here at SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford, we are specialist in mold cleanup, remediation and restoration. Our crews are highly trained and certified restoration professionals.  We use specialized techniques and equipment to properly remediate your mold problem safely and in a timely manner.

          If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today!

    SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford    817-595-0004

Surprise Mold Growth in Bedford, Texas

10/16/2017 (Permalink)

Surprise Mold Growth Bedford Texas

A Bedford Texas homeowner went on vacation for two weeks in July only to come back to surprise mold growth covering a significant amount of the inside of their house. The week prior to their vacation we were experiencing cooler days than normal here in the DFW Metroplex and they didn’t think twice about turning their thermostat up to 80 before they left.  Unfortunately, their HVAC unit decided to spring a leak shortly after they left for vacation and the true Texas summer heat came back. The moisture from the leak and the higher than normal temperature inside of their home supported the fast spread of mold growth.

We were able to perform the mold remediation before it could spread any further. We cleaned and treated all the effected areas and it looked like new when our job was complete.

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 SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford 817-595-0004
• Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
• Mold Containment
• Air Filtration
• Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
• Cleaning Contents and Belongings
• Restoration

Have Questions? Call Us Today.  SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford is Always Here To Help!

817-595-0004

Suspect You May Have a Mold Issue?

10/13/2017 (Permalink)

Mold can be a very sneaky culprit that can cause major issues for your home and can possibly cause health effects. These signs can aid you in identifying any noticeable or hidden causes of mold.  Detecting mold growth early can save you money and trouble before it becomes a large problem.

Mold Smell - In any parts of your house have you noticed a moldy smell? The more prominent the smell of mold, the more likely it means there could be mold growing nearby.

Seeing Mold - Even the tiniest amount, when spotted, means there is enough moisture in your house for mold to grow. It may be more prevalent in the places that you can’t see that are near where you’ve spotted it. 

Condensation - Humidity levels above 60% can lead to mold growth. Condensation can often occur on cold surfaces, examples of where this can commonly occur is on windows and metal pipes.  The water from condensation can build up and create a moisture problem.  It is generally recommended to keep the humidity level in your house between 30% to 60% as to not promote mold growth.

Every mold growth scenario is different and requires a unique solution. One of our specializations here at SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford is mold damage restoration.  We have advanced training in restoration techniques, the specialized equipment, and the experience to quickly restore your home quickly and effectively.  

If you think you may have a possible mold issue, give us a call! We here at SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford are always here to help!  Our phones are answered 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week.  (817-595-0004)

Mold Remediation - Hurst, Texas

4/28/2017 (Permalink)

4/28/2017

A Hurst, Texas homeowner called us after he found microbial mold growing on a wall in his home. A leaky roof had caused some water damage in a guest bedroom. The carpet had already been cleaned but he needed help with the mold issue. We performed a mold remediation before it could spread any further. After we cleaned and treated the area and it looked like new when our job was complete. Water damage is the main source of mold growth but there are many ways to prevent mold in your home:

• Identify problem areas in your home and correct them
• Dry wet areas immediately
• Prevent moisture with proper ventilation
• Equip your home with mold-resistant products
• Monitor humidity indoors
• Clean or repair roof gutters
• Improve air flow in your home
• Keep mold off household plants
• 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 - 817.595.0004
• Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
• Mold Containment
• Air Filtration
• Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
• Cleaning Contents and Belongings
• Restoration817-595-0004 or 817-595-2506Follow us on Twitter @SERVPROHEBG
• And Facebook/SERVPRO of Grapevine/NE Tarrant Co & HEB
• http://www.SERVPROhurst-euless-bedford.com/ 
  • Have Questions? Call Us Today - We're Here To Help