Recent Mold Remediation Posts

A lingering threat: The insidious dangers that persist long after the storm subsides

10/31/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Mold Picture of ceiling mold

Even after the storm clouds disperse and the rainfall ceases, Corpus Cristi area homes grapple with a lingering threat that extends far beyond the immediate impact. The insidious dangers of water damage persist, quietly wreaking havoc on your property long after the storm subsides.

One of the primary concerns is the hidden presence of moisture. While the visible signs of water damage may fade, residual moisture can linger within walls, beneath flooring, and in hard-to-reach spaces. This hidden moisture becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can rapidly increase and pose risks to both the structural integrity of your home and your health.

If left unchecked, mold growth can lead to various health issues, including allergies, respiratory problems, and even worsening conditions. Additionally, prolonged exposure to moisture can weaken building materials, compromising the stability and safety of your home over time.

Another lingering threat is the potential for long-term water damage effects, such as warped or weakened surfaces, stained walls, and deteriorated finishes. These issues not only detract from the aesthetic appeal of your home but also decrease its value. If left unaddressed, water damage can spread further and affect adjacent areas, exacerbating the scope of restoration required.

Is Bleach Enough to Fix My Mold Problem?

10/28/2022 (Permalink)

The short answer is no. During the height of COVID, we were cleaning and sanitizing everything from door knobs to keyboards.  Anything that was touched by multiple people was getting hit with one kind of cleaner or another.  We should be taking that same approach to getting rid of mold.  Mold has been here much longer than COVID and it isn’t going away anytime soon (maybe an asteroid).  How do we get rid of mold in the home or office?  The CDC says that using bleach to kill mold isn’t always recommended.  Using a bleach/water mixture will most likely destroy the surface mold, but the growth goes much deeper than that.  Bleach cannot penetrate the deeper levels of porous materials, so you will most likely see it come back within a short period of time.

Here are a few things that the EPA says about the basics of mold cleanup.

  1. Moisture control.  If you can keep it dry, you can help control the growth of mold.
  2. Scrub the mold off of hard surfaces with a detergent and water, then dry completely.
  3. Any absorbent materials like carpets, rugs, and ceiling tiles will most likely need to be thrown away.

If you have tried to get rid of mold and can’t seem to keep it away, contact your Corpus Christi SERVPRO professionals today.  We have the experience, equipment, and products to help destroy the mold and to keep it from returning.

Preventing Mold In Your Corpus Christi East Closets

3/29/2021 (Permalink)

Tips to prevent mold from growing in your closets 

Mold can grow anywhere in homes, including closets. Here are some tips to keep your closets dry and mold-free! 

  • Make sure that clothes are completely dry before storing them in closets. The moisture in clothing can accelerate mold growth. 
  • Store only clean clothing and items in closets as dirt and other organic substances are potential food sources for mold. 
  • Don’t pack clothes or other items too tightly in closets. Allow air to circulate between them to reduce moisture. 
  • Don’t store items on the closet floor to prevent trapping moisture underneath them. 
  • Leave closets open when possible. Replace solid closet doors curtains for better air flow. 
  • Avoid opening closets if they are in rooms with high humidity, particularly when producing moisture (e.g., showering or cooking). 
  • If you have a humidity problem in your home, use the air conditioning unit or a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air. 
  • If clothes in a closet smell musty, take them out and fix the moisture problem. 

Don’t let mold take over! Call the pros at SERVPRO of Corpus Christi East! 

Local and state laws may require a specific inspection and documentation protocol based on the size of the affected area. We can advise you on this process, providing guidance based on your unique situation. 

Mold Facts

6/27/2019 (Permalink)

Mold due to leak behind the toilet.

Have you ever been advised that all mold can be removed?  Unfortunately, that is far from the truth.  It's impossible to remove all mold from a home or business, mold spore are both indoors and outdoors. Mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Consider these helpful mold facts below:

  • Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold areas
  • Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, door, or AC/ heating systems. They even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or pets.
  • Mold spores are present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
  • Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants. If you sustain a water damage in your home or business, the faster you dry it out, the less chance you have for mold growth.
  • Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
  • Higher humidity areas have a greater increase in mold growth. Consider keeping indoor humidity below 45% to reduce the chance of mold growth.

 In the State of Texas, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) regulates businesses that test for mold, or perform mold cleanup (remediation). A licensed mold assessment consultant evaluates whether mold growth is present and to what extent. A mold remediation contractor such as SERVPRO of Corpus Christi East performs the mold cleanup following a protocol written by the consultant. Therefore, to prevent conflicts of interest, the rules prohibit a license from conducting both mold assessment and mold remediation on the same project. Trust our highly IICRC Certified technicians and let them make it "Like it never even happened."

For more information about State rules please visit their website https://tdlr.texas.gov

Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation

9/28/2018 (Permalink)

IICRC Official Logo.

When a mold remediation project has been properly completed per the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation rules, the Mold Remediation Contractor will issue the home or building owner a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation.  This certificate is signed by the Mold Remediation Contractor certifying that they have removed the mold growth as directed in the Mold Remediation Protocol.  This certificate is also signed by the Mold Assessment Consultant certifying that the project has been properly remediated and that the underlying cause has been corrected.  Only those contractors licensed by the State of Texas can provide this certificate.

Having this certificate is an advantage for the home or building owner.  If you are trying to obtain insurance or the property, it will show your insurance company that the property has been properly maintained.  If you are trying to sell the property, the law requires that you provide this certificate to the potential buyer.

What is Mold Remediation?

9/19/2018 (Permalink)

Mold containment occurs so that any mold in the air can be contained in a small area.

Mold Remediation is the clean up of mold growth on any structural materials, or even on your contents.  It may include removing the drywall, flooring, or other materials where the damage is seen.  It also includes thoroughly cleaning all surfaces by both vacuuming with a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter and also wet wiping all surfaces with a disinfectant.  If the mold growth has impacted the structural framing, we may have to sand those areas to remove the visible growth.  In extreme situations, we may discover that the wood framing has severe wood rot.  In those situations, it may become necessary to actually remove and replace the rotten wood.  One last step in the mold remediation process is to work with the homeowner to make sure the underlying source of the problem has been corrected.

We cannot begin mold remediation without a Mold Remediation Protocol written by a Texas licensed Mold Assessment Consultant.  We are required to follow the protocol and have a written work plan that lines out specifically what steps we are to take with the remediation.

SERVPRO of Corpus Christi East is a Texas licensed Mold Remediation Company, and we have 2 licensed Mold Remediation Contractors on staff.

Does Your Home Have a Mold Problem?

5/7/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can spread on surfaces in as little at 48 hours

Mold spores are everywhere, both indoors and out.  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 spores are 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.  They even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or pet.

* Mold spores thrive on moisture.  Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water.  These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.  If you sustain a water damage in your home or business, the faster you dry it out, the less chance you have for mold growth.

* 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%.

In the State of Texas, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) regulates businesses that test for mold, or perform mold cleanup (remediation).  A licensed Mold Assessment Consultant evaluates whether mold growth is present and to what extent.  A Mold Remediation Contractor performs the mold cleanup following a protocol written by the consultant.  SERVPRO of Corpus Christi East is a licensed Mold Remediation Company, and has two licensed Mold Remediation Contractors on staff.  To prevent conflicts of interest, the Rules prohibit a licensee from conducting both mold assessment and mold remediation on the same project.

For more information regarding the State's rules and regulations for mold assessment and remediation, please visit their website at https://tdlr.texas.gov