Tenant Tips: Tips to Keep Mold Out of Your Rental

3/13/2024 (Permalink)

While a bit of DIY can be fun, tackling serious mold issues is best left to the pros.

Living in a rented space has its perks, but dealing with mold isn't one of them. Don't let that sneaky mold ruin your rental experience. We've got some easy tips to help you keep your place mold-free and stress levels low.

1. Stay Dry, Stay Mold-Free

First things first – moisture is mold's best friend. So, keep things dry! Report any leaks or water issues as soon as possible to your landlord. Quick fixes mean less chance for mold to grow and spread throughout your rental.

2. Ventilation is Your Friend

Let the air flow! Proper ventilation is key to mold prevention. Use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms, crack a window when you can, and make sure your space can breathe. Mold hates fresh air!

3. Clean Regularly (Yes, It Matters)

Nobody loves chores, but regular cleaning is your secret weapon. Dust, vacuum, and wipe down surfaces to keep mold from finding a comfy home. Don't forget those neglected spots like corners and behind furniture.

4. Keep Things Cool (But Not Too Cool)

Mold loves warmth, but it's not a fan of the cold. Set your thermostat to a cool but comfortable temperature. Bonus: you'll save some energy and cash in the process!

5. Mind the Humidity Levels

Humidity provides an optimal environment for mold growth. Keep it below 60% by using a dehumidifier or opening windows when things get steamy. Low humidity equals a less inviting space for mold to grow.

6. Greenery is Great, But Be Mindful

We love a good plant friend, but overwatering can lead to mold growth. Give your leafy companions just enough water, and they'll keep your space fresh without inviting mold to join the garden party.

7. Report, Report, Report

See a suspicious spot? Smell something funky? Report it to your landlord pronto. Early detection is key to nipping mold issues in the bud. They'll thank you, and so will your living space.

8. Be Realistic about DIY

While a bit of DIY can be fun, tackling serious mold issues is best left to the pros. If you suspect a mold problem, contact your landlord and let them know. They can bring in experts, like the team of experts at SERVPRO®, to handle the mold remediation process.

In conclusion, mold prevention is a team effort between you, your landlord, and a bit of common sense. By incorporating these tips, you can create a living space that is less susceptible to mold growth, ensuring a more comfortable and worry-free home environment. Happy renting!

The Importance of Mold Inspections in Preventing Infestations

10/31/2023 (Permalink)

Regular mold inspections play a vital role in preserving the integrity of your home and preventing mold infestations. In this blog, we will emphasize the significance of mold inspections without mentioning any health concerns or risks. By understanding the importance of these inspections, you can stay proactive in maintaining a mold-free living environment and protecting the value of your property.

Identifying Mold Growth Early

Mold inspections allow for the early detection of mold growth, even before it becomes visible or causes noticeable damage. Trained professionals can identify the subtle signs of mold, such as hidden moisture, musty odors, or water stains, that may go unnoticed by homeowners. By catching mold growth in its early stages, you can prevent it from spreading and causing extensive damage to your home's structure, ensuring prompt remediation and eliminating the need for costly repairs.

Pinpointing Underlying Moisture Issues

Mold often thrives in areas with excessive moisture. During a mold inspection, professionals assess your property for potential sources of moisture, such as leaky pipes, roof leaks, or inadequate ventilation. By pinpointing these underlying moisture issues, you can take immediate action to fix them, preventing mold growth in the first place. Addressing these moisture problems not only protects against future infestations but also helps maintain the integrity and longevity of your home.

Assessing Mold-prone Areas

Certain areas in your home are more susceptible to mold growth due to factors like poor ventilation or high humidity. Mold inspections help in identifying these mold-prone areas, such as basements, bathrooms, or attics, where conditions are conducive to mold development. By focusing on these specific locations, you can implement targeted preventive measures, such as improving ventilation, reducing humidity, or installing moisture barriers, to minimize the risk of mold infestations and ensure a mold-free living environment.

Providing Peace of Mind 

Regular mold inspections provide homeowners with peace of mind, knowing that their property is being thoroughly assessed for potential mold issues. By investing in routine inspections, you can rest assured that your home is being proactively monitored, allowing for timely remediation and prevention of mold infestations. This peace of mind not only contributes to a healthier living environment but also preserves your property's value, ensuring a safe and desirable space for you and your family.

Mold inspections play a crucial role in preventing infestations and maintaining a mold-free living environment. By conducting regular inspections, homeowners can identify early signs of mold growth, address underlying moisture issues, and assess areas prone to mold development. This proactive approach allows for timely remediation to prevent the spread of mold and the subsequent damage it can cause. By investing in mold inspections, homeowners can protect the integrity of their property, minimize the risk of costly repairs, and ensure a safe and comfortable living environment for themselves and their families.

Spotting Mold: A Guide to Identifying and Preventing Mold Growth in Your Home or Business

5/16/2023 (Permalink)

Mold is a type of fungus that grows in moist environments and can cause damage to your property if left untreated. It thrives in warm, damp areas and can often go unnoticed until it has spread significantly. In this blog, we will discuss what mold is and how to spot it in your home or business.

What is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that reproduces by releasing spores into the air. These spores can attach to surfaces and grow into colonies, causing damage to building materials and potentially posing health risks to humans and pets. Mold requires moisture and a food source to grow, which means it can often be found in areas with water damage or high humidity levels.

How to Spot Mold?

Mold can be difficult to spot, as it often grows in hidden or hard-to-reach places. However, there are some common signs of mold growth that you can look out for:

Discoloration: Mold often appears as a discoloration on surfaces. It can range in color from white to black, and may also appear as green, yellow, or brown.

Musty Odor: Mold has a distinctive musty odor that can be quite strong. If you notice a persistent, unpleasant odor in your home or business, it could be a sign of mold growth.

Visible Growth: In some cases, mold may be visible as a fuzzy or powdery growth on surfaces. This is often the case when the mold has had time to spread significantly.

Water Damage: Mold thrives in moist environments, so if you have experienced any water damage in your home or business, it is important to be on the lookout for mold growth. Water damage can create the ideal conditions for mold to grow and spread.

Preventing Mold Growth

Prevention is always better than cure, so here are some tips to help prevent mold growth in your home or business:

1. Fix Leaks: Any leaks in your plumbing or roof should be fixed immediately to prevent water damage and mold growth.
2. Reduce Humidity: Use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity levels in your home or business, especially in areas prone to moisture buildup.
3. Proper Ventilation: Make sure your home or business is properly ventilated, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
4. Clean Regularly: Regular cleaning can help prevent mold growth by removing dust and dirt that can provide a food source for mold.
5. Professional Inspection: Have your home or business inspected by a professional restoration company, such as SERVPRO of Olathe/Lenexa, to check for any hidden mold growth and to identify any areas that may be prone to mold growth.

Protect Your Property from Mold Damage

In conclusion, mold is a common problem that can cause significant damage to your property if left untreated. By understanding what mold is and how to spot it, you can take steps to prevent mold growth and protect your home or business. If you suspect you have mold growth, contact a professional restoration company to help safely remove the mold and restore your property.

How Does Mold Spread?

9/22/2019 (Permalink)

Once mold infests your home in Spring Hill, KS, spreading mold becomes a real concern. Much like a cold virus spreads through the air looking for a host, mold spores travel through the air looking for the next hospitable environment to latch onto. Any damp, fibrous material is a prime breeding ground for mold.

What Causes Mold To Spread?

As mold grows, it releases spores. These spores travel easily through the air, especially when disturbed. When performing cleanup of mold, it is important to minimize spreading mold spores by taking some precautions:

• Turn off all fans
• Protect from breezes
• Lower humidity
• Isolate the area
• Isolate moldy objects
  

Is It Mold?

Mold can grow on any fibrous material when enough moisture is present. This includes carpets, furniture and drywall. There are at least 35 species of mold, ranging in color, texture and size. If you have any type of water damage or humidity and see something new covering an area, you should suspect mold. Even if you cannot see mold, a musky odor may indicate that mold is present but out of sight. Mold multiplies very quickly, so a small spot can easily turn into a large patch. If the spores become airborne, you will soon see the same pattern in another area. Once you suspect mold, you should immediately isolate the area and begin cleanup efforts.

How Can Moldy Areas Be Cleaned?

If your moldy area is small, you can attempt to clean it yourself, but be very careful to avoid spreading or breathing in mold spores. If your area is larger, or especially if you suspect black mold, you need the help of a specialist. Specialists are specifically trained to clean mold without spreading spores. They also have specialized protective gear that you may not have access to, such as masks and protective suits.
If you suspect you have mold or spreading mold, you need to hire mold remediation expert to resolve the problem and restore your property to its original condition.

Playing Hide and Seek With Mold

7/23/2019 (Permalink)

Mold growth can be a problem for your commercial property in Spring Hill, KS. Not only does it present an odor that is unpleasant to employees, clients, or customer, the very sight of mold can bring concerns and questions of cleanliness and safety. If you haven’t spotted a problem but have noticed a musty smell, it is time to go on the hunt for mold.

Growth Conditions

Mold spores love several things:

1. Moisture
   
2. Air
   
3. Dark hiding spots
   

The spores can enter your location from a number of areas and can get distributed through the HVAC ductwork. For the spores to thrive, they need high humidity. This keeps target growth locations close to where water is present. Some conditions for mold growth are unavoidable, such are near the water heater or air conditioning system. Because these areas carry an inherent risk, investing in a dehumidifier for the area can help reduce the amount of moisture in the air. In areas like bathrooms and kitchens, sanitize the areas regularly and wipe or mop up water spots as needed.

Accidental Growth

If your roof has ever had a leak, the carpet of flooring may have water damage. When it comes to mold and mildew, no surface is safe. Carpet odors might reveal the presence of mold even without a noticeable stain. It is important to clean up all water spills and areas with leaks thoroughly to avoid the growth of mold under the flooring, behind baseboards, or within the walls. 
If you have found mold growth in your facility, you need to address it right away. Mold remediation specialists can help with comprehensive treatment and cleaning, but these services won’t prevent future issues. You will need to reduce the amount of moisture in your air, as well as repair or replace items and equipment that are leaking.

Understanding the Key Differences Between Mold and Mildew

5/26/2019 (Permalink)

Mold damage may be a significant concern for many homeowners, but that concern can lead to paranoia and assumptions. Not every fungus is mold, and not every fungal problem requires professional remediation. Mildew is a common occurrence in homes, and it does share a similar appearance and development cycle to mold. However, it is not as difficult to eliminate, and it doesn’t require the efforts of mold remediation professionals. Therefore, to reduce the risk of calling in an expert for something that can be handled by a DIYer and a readily available chemical cleaner, it is beneficial to know the differences between mold and mildew.

1. Penetration and Spread

Mildew growth may be described as a surface issue because the fungus does not tend to penetrate deep into the surface. Additionally, this fungus is often isolated, meaning that it does not spread easily. Mold, however, penetrates deep into surfaces and by the time it is visible, it has likely colonized in other hidden areas. Also, mold spores spread easily and quickly, meaning that a home may have a colony in two separate areas.

2. Color and Texture

Mold damage is often fluffy and thick in an array of colors, such as black, green or yellow. Mildew is likely flat with a powdery or chalky appearance, and it usually shows up in either grays or whites.

3. Testing and Remediation

While mildew can be handled on your own, if you suspect you have a mold growth problem, then contact a mold remediation specialist in the Olathe, KS area as soon as possible. These professionals will come out and test your property to assess the damage and plan for removal.

Mildew and Mold damage may appear to be similar, but while they are both a fungal issue, they are significantly different in aggression, color and texture. A remediation specialist is likely your best option when it comes to mold assessment and removal.

How To Estimate the Cost of Professional Mold Remediation

3/7/2019 (Permalink)

When left untreated, a small mold problem can quickly become a large one.

How To Estimate The Cost Of Professional Mold Remediation

Finding mold growth in your home is never a fun discovery to make, especially when you include the costs associated with hiring a mold remediation specialist. Although the price of these services can get costly, mold removal is best left in the hands of professionals. When dealing with a mold problem in your home in Lenexa, KS there are several factors that go into the overall cost of remediation services. As you try to estimate what you’ll need to pay, consider how the following circumstances apply to your situation.

Learn What Your Insurance Covers

Depending on the cause of your mold problem and which insurance company you have your homeowners insurance through, you may receive little to no coverage for mold damage. In most cases, mold remediation is only covered if the source of the problem is covered by your policy, including:

• Burst pipe
• Home fire
• Water heater rupture
• Washing machine or dishwasher malfunction

However, if the damage occurs due to a flood or moisture issue in your home, your policy likely doesn’t cover it. Find out what your particular homeowners insurance plan covers since some companies have dropped coverage for mold damage altogether.

Determine the Extent of the Problem

While a small mold issue may cost less than $1000, extensive mold damage that compromises the structure of your home can cost tens of thousands of dollars. If you suspect you might have a widespread mold problem at hand or that you are in need of black mold removal services, you will need to hire a mold inspector to identify exactly how your home is being affected by mold.

When left untreated, a small mold problem can quickly become a large one. While it might be tempting to delay hiring a mold removal crew or to try and handle the problem on your own, the best way to reduce costs is to call in the professionals right away.

Can Your Belongings Recover From Mold Growth? 3 Actions To Take During the Salvage Process

1/26/2019 (Permalink)

Mold at a Olathe, KS home.

How To Recover From Mold Growth?

Moisture and high humidity can attract mold spores into your Olathe, KS, home, where they can grow across a variety of surfaces. While mold commonly grows on building surfaces like drywall and carpeting, it can also affect your belongings, such as clothing and furniture. Mold cleaning can be difficult; however, before you throw items away, you may want to learn about which could be saved by different types of professional cleansing processes and which cannot.

1. Throw Away Porous Items

Most porous surfaces can absorb water and encourage further mold growth. As such, some items like mattresses, thick rugs and stuffed toys that already show signs of mold damage are usually not salvageable. If your child has a favorite stuffed toy that you want to attempt to save, ask your remediation technicians if they have any mold cleaning processes that may help. You may want to remember, however, that porous items affected by black mold are usually considered unsalvageable because this type of fungus is particularly hard to eradicate.


2. Freeze Documents and Books

If you have important documents and books that developed mold, place them in sealable plastic bags and store them in your freezer. Freezing these items can inhibit further mold growth and protect them until they can be inspected by an expert mold remediation and restoration company. This can salvage items like original birth certificates, wedding albums and baby books.

3. Set Aside Moldy Clothing

If you have favorite items of clothing that have been affected by mold, ask your remediation technicians about what type of options you have for salvaging them. Wet, dry and immersion cleaning may all be possible, especially for leather jackets and shoes. Some companies have access to an Esporta Machine, which cleans soft contents by removing tough odors, dirt and mold in a way that even commercial-grade units cannot.

Mold can have a devastating effect on your Olathe, KS, home’s contents. However, professional mold cleaning processes may be able to salvage your treasured possessions, even if you believe they are beyond repair.

Untreated Water Damage Leads to Mold Growth

12/28/2018 (Permalink)

When water damage is left untreated, mold growth quickly occurs. Contact SERVPRO of Olathe / Lenexa at the first sign of water damage.

If you’ve ever been curious about where a certain odor was coming from and almost went crazy looking for the source, there’s a chance it might have been caused by water damage. But how does water damage cause such foul smells, and what can you do about them? SERVPRO of Olathe / Lenexa provides large-scale restoration services and has experience dealing with this issue. Here, we explain a few ways odors can occur and how you can handle them.

Although it often starts out as merely a nuisance, water damage worsens over time. Seeping water can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which is when foul odors start to emerge. Water triggers mold to release spores, creating a sickening stench. Odors can also be a result of other contaminants. For instance, when a sewer backs up, the resulting smell comes from the sewage that’s inside your home.

So, what can you do about it? Well, this is one mess you definitely shouldn’t try to clean up yourself: Water damage, especially at the level where it’s producing odors, always calls for a professional touch. Additionally, if there’s any form of sewage present, you’ll need professional sewage cleanup services to remove all the hazardous and toxic materials. The same is true for mold cleanup. And remember: It’s important to call an expert right away. Whether you just noticed a leak or your home recently sustained a flood, now’s the time to contact a specialist. If you wait, the damage could become more expensive to repair and may harm your health. 

If you have water damage and need a crew that can handle large cleanups with ease, get in touch with SERVPRO of Olathe / Lenexa. Our friendly staff can help with all types of large-scale damage. To find out more about services offered, call 913.782.4693

The Fundamentals of Black Mold

9/9/2018 (Permalink)

Black mold, a potential threat to your home’s structure, can be visible or out of sight. Stachybotrys chartarum, as it is also known, can be remedied if you know what to look for and where to look. By understanding the fundamentals of this mold, you can protect your Olathe, KS, home from damage.

Where Mold Grows

Mold needs a location that provides it with ample food and moisture. Wood, paper, cardboard and drywall are materials where it thrives, but it can make its home anywhere with its desired conditions. There are several typical household locations for mold:

• Bathrooms
• Sinks
• Kitchens
• Basements
• Crawl spaces

As you can tell, it is most likely to be found in damp and warm places. During times of high humidity or after flooding, it’s worthwhile to look for any growth in these high-risk locations.

Identifying the Mold

Despite its name, black mold may be a dark green color early in its life. Immature mold also is so small that it looks like some dirt on a wall or floor. If left to mature, it turns into the distinguishing black color.

While the fungus may be noticeable around the home, it could also be hidden away inside of walls. Stachybotrys chartarum often gives off a musty smell that can be used as an alert that it is somewhere in the room. This unseen mold threatens your home’s framework while it deteriorates drywall, so it should not be ignored because it’s out of sight.

Stopping the Mold

If you locate or suspect a fungus, mold cleanup services can fully treat the problem. Mold can be indicative of a water problem that needs the professional tools of a water and mold damage specialist. Mold remediation stops further growth by denying its sources of life.

Black mold spreads really quickly in ideal conditions. By treating it early enough, your home is protected from a localized problem becoming a household nuisance. Understanding the fundamentals of this mold and others, you know when you need to act. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROolathelenexa.com/.

How do you keep mold from growing?

7/28/2018 (Permalink)

Mold is in every home without fail because they are microscopic and found everywhere. Each year billions of mold spores are produced in the fall from the decaying leaves and extra moisture. The mold spores will enter your home through the air currents and even your pets. There is no way of assuring that mold does not get in your home. However, we can prevent the spores from growing.

Controlling the Water Controls the Mold

You cannot see mold spores unless you have a microscope but there are times when they are visible. These times are the most worrisome for a homeowner. Seeing mold after a broken pipe or toilet overflow is normal because mold needs water to begin growth. Mold will start to grow on anything organic once moisture is introduced and usually only takes between 24 to 48 house. Visible mold growth will look like little discolored spots at first and then grow to be large fuzzy colonies.

Why should a remediation company need a certification?

7/28/2018 (Permalink)

Having mold does not mean you have to burn your house down. SERVPRO of Olathe has a lot experience with mold damage cleanup. We are a certified mold cleanup company with certification from the IICRC.

Why should a remediation company need a certification?

There is no federal guidelines for mold remediation in private homes. The concern is only for the technicians who remediate mold. In order to keep homeowners and technicians safe an organization, called the IICRC, created a course and certification process for mold remediation companies to learn how to remove mold correctly. Their certifications became the industry standard after major insurance companies required IICRC training.

SERVPRO of Olathe / Lenexa is a certified mold remediation company. Our technicians receive IICRC certifications and yearly ongoing training to stay certified. Count on us to clean your home right the first time if it has mold damage.

Tips for the Mold Remediation Process

7/12/2018 (Permalink)

Mold is everywhere. It is naturally a part of the environment, and this includes the indoor air space of your commercial property in Olathe, KS, as well as the outdoor area surrounding it. It doesn't become a problem until excess moisture in the building leads to mold growth on surfaces. If you see black mold or notice a musty smell, it may be time to call mold remediation experts to start the process of containing and eliminating the mold.

Containment.

The first thing the specialists are going to do is try to contain the problem. After donning the appropriate protective gear, they may start to block off the affected area. If you are anywhere near the area, you need to wear the appropriate gear too:

• Goggles
• Coveralls
• Face mask with respirator
• Gloves
• Protective footwear

To limit the spread of black mold, it is a good idea to block off HVAC intake from affected areas. This can minimize the amount of mold that is spread throughout your vents and thus throughout the building.

Removal.

During mold cleanup, it may be necessary to tear out walls where the mold has put down roots. It is often not enough to clean the surface of a wall or other porous structures, because mold does not just grow on the surface. It gets down in all the tiny cracks and pockets once it starts to grow, and it can do so rapidly. Remediation experts may have to remove and replace walls and insulation in order to resolve the issue.

Dehumidification.

To avoid a return of the mold growth, it is a good idea to dehumidify the whole building, particularly the area where the mold was growing to begin with. Mold must have a moist environment to thrive. If you deny it moisture, you can prevent future mold problems.

If you need mold remediation, trust the experts. Their knowledge and skill can help you rid your building of black mold growth and keep it from returning. You can help by calling as soon as you suspect there is a problem and by keeping the humidity level low in the building.

For more information, please visit us at http://www.SERVPROolathelenexa.com/.

Mold vs Mildew: What is the Difference?

5/16/2018 (Permalink)

When it comes to mold and mildew, many often wonder, “What is the difference?” HGTV.com compares mold and mildew to siblings, stating that they have a few matching characteristics, but they also have some striking differences.

As for similarities, they both strive in warm, moist areas and they both are able to grow on a multitude of surfaces. They are also both two types of fungi that no one is ever happy to find in their home!

Differences between mold and mildew can be seen in their appearance. Mold is usually fuzzy in appearance and can be various different colors, but it is most often black or green. Mildew, on the other hand, usually grows in a flat pattern and may appear powdery. It is usually white or gray in color. One interesting difference between mildew and mold is that there is no use for mildew. On the contrary, some molds are actually used in food production. For example, Penicillium is used in the production of cheese.

While mold and mildew definitely have differences, the methods to prevent mold and mildew in the home are very much the same. All areas of the home need to be kept dry and moisture-free. Humidity levels inside the home should be checked and controlled. Any leaks need to be repaired quickly and HVAC systems should be inspected regularly.

SERVPRO of Olathe / Lenexa specializes in mold testing and remediation in all of the local Kansas cities. If you suspect mold is an issue in your home, give us a call today! 913.782.4693.

Why we use HEPA filters for Mold Remediation

1/11/2018 (Permalink)

HEPA filter tanks

When doing different types of restoration work SERVPRO of Olathe/Lenexa will put in place what we call air scrubbers. These air scrubbers are HEPA(High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter units that collect air borne particles that their size is 300 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. To a HEPA filter, catching a one-micron particle is like stopping a cotton ball with a door screen.  When doing mold remediation we use these air scrubbers but we also will use HEPA vacuums to clean surfaces and trap the particles. 

HEPA filters were invented during World War II to remove and capture radio active dust particles that would present a health hazard to researchers. It was invented to protect the human respiratory system. HEPA filters are the top form of air filtration.