Is It True Complete Mold Removal is Impossible in Manhattan?

6/28/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO brings their years of experience and professional equipment to handle any size mold removal safely.

SERVPRO techs have the experience and equipment to perform any size mold remediation in your Manhattan property

While mold remediation gets done in Manhattan homes across the county, truly removing mold is not possible as microscopic airborne spores occur naturally within structures and outdoors. The difference between a spore floating harmlessly within your home and a mold infestation gets determined by whether or not conditions are right for the spore to germinate inside your home:
    •    Indoor humidity levels sustained over 50%
    •    Something organic to the consumer such as sheetrock, wood studs or contents such as books or paper
    •    Temperatures hovering around 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit although colonies can exist in 32 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit

How Do I Know If I Need Mold Removal Under Carpet or Hardwood Flooring?

One of the most common scenarios seen for mold removal needs in Manhattan homes occurs when a previous water loss from a long-standing leak or sudden water spill event that seeps under flooring or gets wicked into sheetrock and does not get adequately cleaned. Signs your flooring has mold growth are:
    •    Musty odors   
    •    Carpet feels dry on top but damp towards the backing
    •    Visible mold growth  
    •    Persistent water droplets on wood boards without a visible source indicate high humidity conditions
    •    Discoloration on the edges of the wood

Mold growth within walls can frequently get traced to a slow leak the homeowner had no previous knowledge of or the lack of a functioning vapor barrier between the insulation and the outer walls of your structure. The vapor barrier may be improperly installed, or there may not be one behind your insulation; either way, the outcome is often mold colonies that require professional remediation.

What Happens to Structure and Contents Covered in Mold?

Structural elements such as mold-covered sheetrock and insulation require careful removal and disposal as there are no restoration procedures for saving sheetrock with deterioration. SERVPRO techs have specially fitted vacuum units for the safe collection of ruined insulation. Other common losses include mold damaged tile and carpet. There is no way to return it to sanitary standards for reuse in the home, and it must be removed. Fabric-covered items and clothing that can withstand washing can get cleaned and refreshed in the Esporta Washing System. However, if mold has invaded upholstered furnishings, they are generally a loss.

Nonporous home contents with the potential for restoration through cleaning get taken to a cleaning station where the techs carefully clean and dry the items for use.

Finding All Potential Areas With Mold

When SERVPRO techs undergo their extensive and on-going training for restoration services, they have continuing education for mold remediation, including the latest advances for the best outcome for every mold loss situation. Using their moisture detection equipment, the techs peer behind walls and under flooring to find any areas of elevated moisture. This practice allows the techs to pinpoint problem areas, so only a portion of a wall or floor area needs to get opened up for drying and mold treatment applications.

How Does SERVPRO Treat Mold Damaged Areas?

A crucial aspect of mold remediation is the use of both air movers and dehumidifiers to lower the interior humidity, supporting colony growth. The air movers cause embedded moisture to rise where the dehumidifiers capture it. To maintain the interior humidity levels after drying, the reason for the mold growth must get addressed and repaired as needed to stop the cycle. The techs diagnose the problem and offer solutions to the needed repairs to halt any further loss.

After drying, the techs use manual tools or hand vacuums with HEPA filtration to perform gentle abatement on the dried colonies. Air scrubbers run during the mitigation efforts to capture any airborne spores and stop any potential spread of the spores to other areas.

Then, the techs wipe down surfaces with their antimicrobial cleaning agents to inhibit any germination of spores before repairs get completed. In some cases, the techs use antimicrobial sealant painted on studs and other framework elements prior to rebuilding to ensure there is no return of the infestation. If the sealant gets used on visible walls or ceilings, priming and painting over it do not diminish its effectiveness. As a final step, the ductwork throughout the home gets inspected to determine if it too needs cleaning.

SERVPRO of Upper West Side at (917) 498-1362 brings their years of experience and professional equipment to handle any size mold removal safely. Call at the first sign of an infestation to stop any further spread of the issue throughout your property.