Strong, Musty Odor Leads to Discovery of a Hidden Mold Outbreak in Kissimmee Home?

4/9/2024 (Permalink)

We respond to mold damage emergencies 24 hours a day in Osceola County.

Our local Osceola County team is a trusted leader in mold mitigation and remediation services. Kissimmee residents and businesses rely on us to restore mold outbreaks quickly and efficiently. Sometimes mold damage is not readily apparent. Here are some symptoms of hidden mold damage:

Musty Odor: A persistent, earthy smell in some home regions, especially in enclosed spaces like basements, attics, or behind walls, may indicate mold growth.

Water Stains: Discoloration on walls, ceilings, or floors could indicate water infiltration, often leading to mold growth.

Peeling Paint or Wallpaper: Moisture buildup behind walls can cause paint or wallpaper to bubble, crack, or peel, indicating potential mold growth underneath.

Visible Mold: While not always hidden, mold growth may occur in less noticeable areas like behind furniture, inside cabinets, or beneath carpets.

Deterioration of Materials: Mold can cause materials like wood, drywall, or fabric to deteriorate over time, leading to structural damage or weakening.

Identifying and promptly addressing these symptoms is crucial to prevent further damage. Regular inspection and maintenance can help mitigate hidden mold issues.

Call Us Today!

When your home or business in Kissimmee has mold damage, our local Osceola County team will restore the damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 407-933-0707.

SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.

Comprehensive Mold Remediation Process Removes Mold Outbreak in Reunion Home?

3/12/2024 (Permalink)

We are leaders in mold remediation services in Osceola County.

Our local Osceola County team is a top choice for mold remediation services in Reunion. We follow a seven-step process for removing mold outbreaks in homes and commercial properties.

1. Emergency Contact

We’ll ask you questions to determine the necessary equipment and resources.

2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment

We follow local and state laws regarding inspection and documentation based on your unique situation.

3. Mold Containment

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.

4. Air Filtration

We utilize powerful “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while mold remediation is in process.

5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

We use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming.

6. Cleaning Contents

We clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. We’re also trained to remove odors and deodorization using fogging equipment.

7. Restoration

Restoration may involve minor repairs or it may involve the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business. 

Call Us Today!

When your home or commercial business in Reunion has mold damage, our local Osceola County team will restore the damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 407-933-0707.

SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.

How Can I Prevent Mold Outbreaks in My Kissimmee Home?

2/20/2024 (Permalink)

We are leaders in mold remediation services in Osceola County.

Our local Osceola County team is highly trained and certified to remediate mold damage in homes and commercial businesses in Kissimmee. Mold thrives in damp, humid environments, so the key to prevention is moisture control. Here are some effective ways to prevent mold growth in your home:

Monitor Humidity: Keep indoor humidity levels between 30 and 50 percent.

Proper Ventilation: Ensure good airflow by using exhaust fans. Additionally, use ventilation systems and open windows when weather permits to reduce humidity.

Address Leaks Promptly: Repair any leaks in roofs, plumbing, or foundations immediately to prevent water intrusion.

Use Mold-Resistant Products: Use mold-resistant drywall, paints, and insulation in areas prone to moisture, like bathrooms and basements.

Regular Cleaning: Routinely clean and maintain your home, including HVAC systems and air ducts, to prevent dust and debris buildup, which can promote mold growth.

Proper Insulation: Adequately insulate your home to prevent condensation on cold surfaces, which can lead to mold growth.

Gutters and Drainage: Keep gutters and downspouts clear of debris to ensure proper water drainage from your home's foundation.

Use Exhaust Fans: When cooking or showering, use exhaust fans to expel moisture-laden air outside rather than letting it accumulate indoors.

Call Us!

When your home or commercial business in Kissimmee has mold damage, our local Osceola County team will restore the damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 407-933-0707.

SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.

What is Causing the Mold Outbreak in my Home in Celebration?

1/16/2024 (Permalink)

We are licensed to identify and remove mold outbreaks in Osceola County.

SERVPRO® of Osceola County, franchise owner, Morena Fernero is certified and licensed by the State of Florida to identify and remove mold from homes and businesses. She invests heavily in mold remediation training for her team members and is committed to delivering the highest quality of support and service to every valued customer.

Mold outbreaks are a common challenge in Celebration. Here are some of the conditions that can lead to mold growth:

Insufficient Ventilation: When there's a lack of proper airflow and ventilation, moisture can become trapped indoors, creating an optimal environment for mold to thrive.

Delayed Water Damage Resolution: Failing to promptly address and dry out water damage caused by leaks or floods can trigger mold growth within 24 to 48 hours.

Insufficient Ventilation in Bathrooms and Kitchens: Bathrooms and kitchens tend to produce significant moisture. Without adequate ventilation, this moisture can contribute to the growth of mold.

Inadequate Insulation: Subpar insulation can lead to temperature fluctuations within walls and ceilings, resulting in condensation and moisture buildup that foster mold growth.

Call Us Today!

When your home or commercial business in Celebration needs mold removal services, our local Osceola County team will restore your mold damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 407-933-0707.

SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.

Why You Should Call a Mold Remediation Company

1/13/2022 (Permalink)

Mold damage in a Saint Cloud, Fl home

If you recently discovered mold in your home, you may want to run and hide. This unsightly, unpleasant fungus can make you feel uneasy about your well-being. It may even require you to stay out of your home for a time. Fortunately, certified mold cleanup companies have the know-how and skill to take care of this concern and get your place back in order.

What Does a Certified Company Have?

You have a handful of options if you need to eliminate mold from an area of your house. You can try a do-it-yourself method, or you can find a company to help. Your best bet, however, is to call a professional that has certified mold remediation credentials. Here’s why:

• A certified company will have insurance.
• A certified company stands by its work.
• A certified company will have the skills, tools and proven techniques you need.
  
  

Insurance Issues

What happens if a professional mold remediation company comes to inspect your mold issue and causes damage to your home? Without mold certification and insurance, you may have a difficult time getting the company to pay for the issue. Also, when it comes to covering mold cleanup costs, your homeowner’s insurance prefers to work with certified mold companies.

Trust in Their Work

If you invite someone in your home to repair a problem or assess an issue, don’t you feel better if you know this team has the right credentials and qualifications? When a mold cleanup company has the proper certifications, you’ll know it’s reputable and trustworthy. The company will also guarantee its work and processes.

The Right Stuff

If you try do-it-yourself methods, hire a friend or enlist the help of an uncertified company, you’re missing out on the most complete mold test and cleanup available. Certified companies are much more likely to have the best equipment and highest efficiency.

If you want a smooth mold cleanup process, call a certified mold specialty remediation team. You’ll feel much better about this than if you were to go about the process on your own.

Mold can grow even in the cleanest areas.

11/2/2020 (Permalink)

Mold growing behind wallpaper.

Did you know mold does not need to be visible to be growing? Even in some of the cleanest areas, it can be behind walls.

Most common places like bathrooms, closets, around the ac handler, kitchens, garages, even some exteriors.  

Here are some facts:

• Mold can grow both indoors and outdoors
• It can start with just moisture 
• It can grow anywhere inside your area without you seeing it. 
• Some of the most common areas for mold is around the AC Handlers, Water heaters, Bathrooms, Closets, and Garage. 
• Drying out the area after it has been flooded it will not stop the mold from growing.
• There are several types of Molds 

 Think you got mold growing in your home, business, or offices call our team of experts. 

Testing for Mold in Your Home

9/28/2020 (Permalink)

Testing for mold in a Reunion, FL home

Testing for Mold in Your Home

If you smell a musty odor in your Reunion, FL, home, then your house may have a black mold problem. You should thus hire a certified specialist or an environmental hygienist to perform a mold assessment.

A mold test doesn’t just help you determine whether the fungus is in your home. It can also identify the species of mold and whether it is toxic. An assessment can additionally determine how many mold spores are in the air.

Mold tests also help find the source of the fungus. This is important, as mold damage can sometimes occur in hidden areas of the home.

There are three main types of mold tests. They are:

• Surface test
• Air test
• Bulk test
  
  

Surface Test

As its name implies, a surface test checks for mildew and mold on surfaces of your home. During this mold assessment, a specialist or environmental hygienist will collect samples and then send them to the lab for analysis.

Air Test

Similarly, an air test takes samples from the air in your home and checks them for mold. However, these tests are not always accurate, as the amount of mold in the air can vary widely over time.

Bulk Test

In a bulk test, the specialist takes items from your home and looks at them under a microscope. Since each of these assessments can show different things, it is best to have the professional perform all of them. The tests should also be done at various times and locations within the home.

If testing reveals that there is a fungus problem in your house, you should call your local mold remediation specialists. They can perform black mold cleanup, eliminate odors, and possibly restore your damaged belongings.

Once the experts are done, you should get surface tests of the affected areas. This will confirm that the mold cleanup was successful. You should also get a mold assessment of the air to ensure that the level of mold spores has returned to normal. This will give you added peace of mind.

Finding and Treating Mold in Your Commercial Property

7/30/2020 (Permalink)

Significant mold growth can occur in 48-72 hours

Did you know that your commercial building could have a mold problem without you even knowing it? Unfortunately, mold can grow in places that are not visible in a casual walk-through. Knowing what enables mold growth and common places it occurs can help you keep your business mold-free.

Where Mold Grows

Mold can grow anywhere it is warm and wet, but there are certain places that are more prone to mold infestations than others. Make sure you check the following areas in your building for mold:

• Ductwork
• Carpet
• Electrical equipment
• Paper-storage areas
• HVAC units (particularly drainage pans and terminal units)
• Ceiling tiles
• Masonry
• Walls (wallboards and inside cavity walls)
  
  

Mold can also result from high humidity, so be sure to keep the inside humidity low, ideally below 45%.

Mold Growth From Water Damage

Mold can begin growing as quickly as 24 hours after flooding, leaking or any other event that causes water damage to your property. Therefore, it is important to dry the water as soon as possible. Wet/dry vacuums, dehumidifiers and fans can all help with this process. Anything that cannot be fully dried should be removed from the area.

Treating Mold

Often the first indication of a mold problem is a musty smell. If you cannot see any mold, it may be best to call mold remediation experts to help you find the source of the mold. After the mold has been found and the water source addressed, it is important to contain the mold. This can be accomplished by turning off fans and the heating or air conditioning in the area. Professionals may use more advanced methods. Then an antimicrobial or antifungal cleaning solution should be used to clean the mold. Anything that cannot be fully cleaned of mold should be thrown out. After the mold has been brought back to normal levels, any needed reconstruction or repairs can begin.

Mold in your Holopaw, FL, business can be a serious problem. However, routinely checking for mold growth and addressing it quickly can prevent a minor issue from becoming a disaster.

What’s the Price Range for Residential Mold Remediation?

3/23/2020 (Permalink)

Minor mold damage in a Poinciana, FL home

What’s the Price Range for Residential Mold Remediation?

Mold is one of the most expensive forms of damage to remediate. Costs start with an inspection and continue through testing, analysis and mold removal. Depending on the extent of the problem, containment measures may be necessary. Find out about the price range of minor, moderate and major mold damage for residences in Poinciana, FL.

Minor Damage

Minor mold damage is likely to have the lowest remediation cost. A minor mold problem can be identified by several criteria:

• Covers less than 10 square feet
• Involves a non-toxigenic species
• Mold is readily visible
  
  

The only way to accurately identify mold is to contact a mold specialist and schedule a test. Professional testing may cost several hundred dollars along with $30 to $150 to analyze each sample. The expense of cleaning up a minor infestation may add up to several thousand dollars.

Moderate Damage

Moderate damage may cover 10 or more square feet and involve factors that make cleanup more challenging. This may include the presence of hidden mold or a toxigenic species. Testing and mold removal costs may range up to $10,000.

Major Damage

A major mold problem can cost far more to clean up than moderate damage, depending on how much of a residence is affected. The following factors may describe a severe infestation:

• Affects a large extent of a residence
• Causes structural damage
• May involve substantial amounts of hidden mold
• May involve black mold or another toxigenic species
  
  

Remediating major mold damage can cost tens of thousands of dollars. The costs of black mold removal and other cleanup and containment expenses may be excluded from homeowner’s insurance policies.

A mold specialist or environmental hygienist can identify the extent of a mold problem at a residence in  Poinciana, FL. The price ranges above are only broad estimates. A number of factors may raise or lower the cost of removing mold.

Everything You Need to Know About Mold

3/3/2020 (Permalink)

Mold in this Kissimmee, FL home

Within as little as 48 - 72 hours mold can spread throughout your property and begin to produce allergens and irritants that can cause health effects. As your Kissimmee disaster restoration professionals, we have the training, equipment, and expertise to handle your mold situation. Any home or business can become infested with mold from a simple roof or plumbing leak, which is why understanding mold and its potential effects on your home is important. 

Mold spores are microscopic and exist almost everywhere. Since these spores naturally exist outside and inside, it’s impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. These spores travel through the air which makes it easy for them to get into your home through windows, doors, air conditioning systems, or clothing. Mold thrives off of moisture and can quickly grow into a colony if left untreated and exposed to water.

Oftentimes, mold produces a musty smell that can help lead you to the source of the problem, which is the first step in mold remediation. “Black” or “toxic” mold can be an extremely dangerous type of mold, which is why any mold in your home should be treated with caution and you should contact a qualified mold remediation company before anything else. 

SERVPRO professionals are highly trained to handle any mold situation. Since water and mold restoration is a cornerstone of our business, our team includes an Applied Microbial Remediation Specialist, Water Damage Restoration Technician, and Applied Structural Drying Technician to efficiently and safely tackle your mold issues. Our team also has the equipment to detect the source of the water feeding your mold, isolate the area, and remove the mold to keep you and your family safe. 

As your Kissimmee SERVPRO professionals, you can trust that we understand that each mold situation requires a unique solution, however the typical process will remain the same. Here’s what you need to know about the mold remediation process: 

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The process begins when you call our national call center (1-800-SERVPRO). A representative will talk with you to find out the necessary equipment and resources to tackle the job. 

Step 2: Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment

Your Kissimmee SERVPRO professionals will then assess your mold damage and inspect your property. Oftentimes mold feeds on water and cellulose that’s hidden from plain view, which is why our team will use different technologies to determine the source of your mold. 

Step 3: Mold Containment

To prevent the spread of your mold, our team will use advanced containment procedures to isolate the area and keep the spores from spreading throughout the cleaning process. 

Step 4: Air Filtration

Specialized filtration equipment will allow your SERVPRO of Osceola County team to remove spores from the air in your home. 

Step 5: Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

The mold remediation process depends on the scope and severity of your mold. Using antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies, your SERVPRO team will prevent new colonies from forming. Removing certain surfaces such as carpeting or drywall may be necessary to prevent the spread or formation of new mold colonies. 

Step 6: Cleaning Contents and Belongings

Our team will use a variety of techniques to clean your personal items, such as furniture, clothing, or decorative items. They will also use fogging equipment to remove odors from your home. 

Step 7: Restoration

Depending on your mold situation, certain walls or materials in your home may be removed. In this case, your home may require minor or major repairs to restore your space to normal. 

If you have a mold issue in your Kissimmee home, don’t wait to contact your local SERVPRO professionals. Mold can cause serious property damage and health effects if left untreated, which is why our team is highly trained with the proper equipment and experience to handle your mold situation as soon as possible. If you suspect that your home is infested with mold, contact us today and we’ll have your home restored and repaired in no time!

5 Tips on How to Prevent Mold

3/3/2020 (Permalink)

The steps towards the prevention of mold is ultimately the key for keeping mold out of your house. Here are 5 tips on how to prevent mold.

Living in Florida isn’t the best environment for preventing mold. Florida’s all year around high humidity, the constant Florida showers, and the coastal sea breeze is a prefect recipe for mold to grow.

Here are 5 tips for preventing every Florida homeowner should know.

#1 Eliminate Clutter

When there are many items and lots of furniture in one area the air flow decreases and can prevent your HVAC system from circulating the air correction. Over time, this can cause issues in you AC ducting and could cause condensation which can lead to mold growth. By removing the items you don’t use or need anymore, the air flow in the home will increase.

#2 Control Indoor Climate

During those hot and humid Florida days, but sure to keep your eye on your thermostat. A health home should keep the humidity between 40% to 55%. When the humidity is higher than 60%, there is more water in the air than your air conditioner can handle. Which can lead to areas in your house collecting moisture, and moisture is the prime feeding source for mold. To prevent this, set your thermostat around 77F and keep the humidity around 50%. If your humidity is around 60% or more, think about investing in a small dehumidifier.

#3 When AC is On, Shut Windows & Doors

When your air conditioner is on and your windows and doors are open, your cool air is escaping, and hot and humid air is entering from your house. Not only is your money flying out the window, but condensation starts to form around areas of exchanging air temperatures. Be sure to keep the windows and doors when the AC in on and let the family knows that too.  

#4 Look for Standing Water

Standing water can turn a small problem into a big problem. Make sure to consistently check areas where water or condensation can build up such as the pan under the hot water heater, the area your HVAC handler is set on, and moist/humid areas like around the shower, bathtub, and bathroom air vent/fan.  

#5 Proper AC Unit Size

It gets hot in Florida and 8 out of the 12 months the temperature is in the 90’s. But bigger isn’t better where it come to your AC unit. If your AC unit is too big for you home, it will constantly shut off and turn which will waste money and fluctuate the temperature often. If the unit is too small, then the air conditioner will continually run without adjusting to the desired temperature and increase cost.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Osceola County specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business. Our technicians are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.  Don’t hesitate to contact our office staff if you think an area in you home may have mold. Schedule a Mold Assessment at 407-933-0707.

How to Tell if Your Kissimmee Home Has Mold Damage

12/6/2019 (Permalink)

If you see mold or smell it anywhere within the home, this means that you may have a mold problem that needs to be taken care of right away.

There are a variety of ways for you to tell if your home is experiencing mold growth. Make sure to look for these signs so that you know when it's time to get the professionals of SERVPRO to take care of the issue for you.

One of the first signs of Kissimmee mold growth would be seeing the mold growing in one or more areas of the home. If the area in question is always damp, like a basement or bathroom, chances are pretty good that you'll eventually see some mold growth. If you do not see the mold, you may also smell it because of its tell-tale musty odor that it tends to leave in the air. If you see mold or smell it anywhere within the home, this means that you may have a mold problem that needs to be taken care of right away.

It might also be a good idea to consider why and where mold can grow so that you can tell if you may have a problem without even having to look around for it. For example, you might have a basement that is always damp or you have an area that tends to be warm and humid no matter what time of the year it is. These types of environments are vital for mold to grow, so you may have a mold problem even if you cannot see or smell the mold right within the room. Mold can also grow underneath flooring beams and behind walls, so only a professional company can tell if it is there.

If you discover that your home does have a mold problem, it might be a good idea to consider hiring the professionals at SERVPRO. SERVPRO is there to assist with mold restoration to get rid of the mold damage. They are trained and experienced with Kissimmee mold damage, so they can do the job that you cannot and make sure to leave your home looking great and in a completely healthy state so that you and your loved ones do not have to worry about it all.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Osceola County is close by and ready to help with your mold-damaged property. We are proud to be an active member of the Kissimmee community and want to pitch in and help make our community the best it can be.

When a major storm or event occurs, we can call upon our national network of 1,650 SERVPRO Franchises and special Disaster Recovery Teams if we need additional resources or personnel.

3 Things Homeowners Should Look for in a Mold Remediation Business

5/23/2019 (Permalink)

Work with a company that has experienced in mold remediation

3 Things Homeowners Should Look for in a Mold Remediation Business

If your home in Celebration, FL, has sustained mold damage, finding the right mold remediation business becomes a priority. However, you may not know what a certified mold removal and restoration company is and what to look for in a mold remediation company. It can be helpful to look at the following factors when choosing a mold remediation company to employ:

1. Experience

Working with a company that has experience in mold remediation is often important. There can be a variety of unforeseen issues that may occur throughout the mold remediation process, and mitigating the damage is often an important element of remediation and restoration. In order to choose the best mold remediation business to hire, it can be useful to contact the company and ask questions about the business’s mitigation methods.

2. Certification

A mold certification can help to signal to homeowners that a company has committed itself to a standard of excellence. The IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) gives businesses in the restoration industry the chance to receive certifications by passing exams and adhering to high standards. Homeowners can feel confident that an IICRC certified mold removal and remediation business will be both efficient and thorough when cleaning and removing mold. Additionally, many insurance companies prefer to work with IIRC certified businesses.

3. Reputation

It can often be helpful for homeowners to take the time to research a restoration and remediation company by reading reviews from other homeowners. When your home is in need of mold remediation, you want to know that the process will start quickly, and that the remediation will be effective. Knowing that a certified mold remediation company has a reputation of providing homeowners with excellent service can help you feel more confident about the company you hire.

It can be beneficial to know what to look for in a mold remediation business. Working with experienced certified mold removal and remediation experts can often help to make the process of restoring your home easier.

5 Keys to Removing Mold

2/22/2019 (Permalink)

We understand mold and mold growth. SERVPRO of Osceola County has the training and expertise to remediate the mold in your home or business.

Mold can be easy to attract to your home but difficult to remove. Once you have mold, it can spread through the air throughout your house damaging both the materials in your home as well as the air quality. If you do have mold, it’s important to contact the professionals at SERVPRO immediately to come remediate. While small quantities of mold can be removed by homeowners, mistakes could lead to damaging results. If there are large quantities of mold in the home, only certified professionals are capable of removing it.

Here are the five general principles for removing mold from a home.

Safety

Mold can be dangerous for those that are around it or come into contact with it so, when dealing with mold, safety measures should be taken. Personal protective equipment (PPE) like N-95 respirators, gloves, and goggles should be worn when dealing with the mold. This will reduce the exposure to the mold to ensure those cleaning it up remain safe. If the contamination is more widespread, addition protective garments may be needed. The contamination area may also need to be sealed with polyethylene sheeting. By running HEPA filtered fans, negative pressure and airflow can be created which will ensure that none of the air that’s already been contaminated can escape and spread the mold to clean areas of the home.

Document Mold

In order to effectively remove mold from a building, you must know the extent of the damage. To find this out, a thorough inspection of the affected area must be completed. It’s important to find out what has been contaminated, what materials have been affected, and knowing the size of the contaminated area. The inspection will provide basic information that’s necessary to assess the situation and later verify that all of the mold has been removed. Professionals might also use special detection tools that provide data about moisture and mold.

As a homeowner, having documentation of the damage prior to the cleanup may help with the insurance claim process. Having documentation of the area prior to cleanup as well as updated documentation throughout the cleanup will ensure you don’t run into insurance troubles down the road.

Mold Containment

One of the biggest potential hazards, and a key reason why you should hire professionals to handle the cleanup process, is that the mold could spread to other parts of the house. Once mold spores get airborne, they are much harder to capture, unhealthy to breathe, and can quickly spread the mold throughout the house. To avoid any further contamination, the professionals will cover the affected area with polyethylene or clear plastic sheeting which will help to prevent the spread of the mold spores.

Other methods that may be used to prevent the potential spreading of mold spores include keeping the affected surfaces wet during the cleanup to avoid any dust buildup, using HEPA filtration vacuums to capture the spores and fragments, and using HEPA air purifiers in the affected areas.

Completely Remove Mold

It’s not enough to just kill the mold that affects a home or to cover it up. The mold must actually be physically removed from the building to ensure a full cleanup. Occasionally, carpet, upholstery, or drywall may have been infested to the point where they must be removed and disposed of as well.

Dry Home

Mold thrives in environments where moisture is present. To prevent the continued growth of the mold and the potential spreading of mold spores, moisture in the building must be controlled. Any existence of moisture around the home needs to be identified, located, corrected, and controlled immediately to ensure it doesn’t grow or spread any further. Continuing to keep the home dry going forward will further ensure that there’s no unwanted mold growth and that there isn’t a recurrence of the mold.

Mold has the potential to cause several problems in a home which include damaging the materials of the home as well as the air quality. If mold is a problem in your home, professionals should be brought in to restore the area and ensure that the mold is properly disposed of and doesn’t spread. These five keys will ensure that the mold situation won’t get worse.

If you have mold growth in your home, call SERVPRO to solve the problem.

A Mildew Primer

9/11/2018 (Permalink)

Mold damage in a Kissimmee, FL home

It is quite common to refer to a mold infestation as “mildew.” The characteristic odor of mold is often thought of as a “mildewy smell.” The fact is that mildew is a very specific subcategory of mold that only afflicts plants. It is either white or gray in color and has either a powdery or a downy appearance. Plant mildew is almost always confined to the leaves, buds or fruit of a plant — it is rarely found on bark or woody stems.

How To Get Rid of Mildew

Mildew is more likely to appear on plants growing in wet or consistently humid climates. If you discover mildew growth on your plants in Kissimmee, FL, there are some simple steps you can take to get rid of it:

• If the afflicted plant is indoors, move it outside.
• Wash it with a plain water spray to remove the heavy plant mildew growth.
• Prune away the affected sections. This will also increase air circulation around the plant and help to keep it dry.
• Spray the plant with a mildewcide such as neem oil or baking soda and detergent.

How To Prevent Mildew

To be certain that the plant mildew you have found is not part of a larger household problem, it is advisable to call a mold professional to assess the situation in and around your house. To keep your plants healthy and prevent further mildew growth, you should water plants from below to prevent wetting the leaves. This keeps the moisture at the roots, where it is most needed. When possible, keep plants in the sun and keep weeds and plant debris away from them. Disinfect all garden tools and make sure the soil is well fertilized.

Remember: mildew is a subcategory of mold that only affects plants — hence the term “plant mildew.” Fortunately, it is relatively easy to treat and to prevent.

Mold: When to Call the Professionals

3/1/2018 (Permalink)

When is it a good time to call Mold Professionals in Celebration, Florida- Osceola County.

There are particular situations where the homeowner can clean up mold. However, there’s a time when it’s passed your ability, and it is time to call the professionals. The best thing for you and your family is to know the different. Here are some examples of situations:

Call the Professionals:

• If there has been a large water damage in the area the mold is located, and if there is more than 10 square feet of mold growth.
• If you think your AC unit (including ducting and ventilation) could be contaminated with mold or if you visibly see evident of mold around the outside of the vents or returns.

• DO NOT run your AC unit, you can run the chance of spreading mold spores throughout your home.

• If any water damage or mold growth was caused by the sewage system.
• If your regularly experience allergies or respiratory issues.

Do Yourself:

If there is Less than 10 square feet of mold or fungi inside your home.

• If there is any on the surface of your bath tub or shower.
• If you see mold or fungi growing or the outside of your home, such as windows, doors, concrete, stucco, etc.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Osceola County specializes in mold removal and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business. Our highly trained technicians are restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely. We service the residents of St. Cloud, Kissmmee, Celebration, Four Corners, and Champions Gate. Don’t hesitate to contact our office staff if you think there may be mold in an area in your home. Schedule a Mold Assessment at 407-933-0707