Holy Moldy

3/15/2023 (Permalink)

You may have seen sensational news reports that warn about the dangers of “black mold” or “toxic mold”. These reports can be alarming and confusing so it’s beneficial to get the facts to better understand mold.

Stachybotrys chartarum is the type of mold often called black mold, and it does produce allergens and irritants. However, many types of mold can produce allergens and irritants. Treat any mold with caution – stay out of affected areas and don’t touch or disturb the mold.

Learn more about mold and what to do until help arrives by visiting Mold Damage Tips. 

How Do I Tell If It’s Black Mold?

Since many types of mold can cause reactions, you should contact us regardless of the color or type of mold. In many instances, multiple types of mold may exist in the same house or structure.

Understanding Mold

When water intrudes into your property, mold growth can start in as little as 48 hours. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic, float along in the air, and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• 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 that odor can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent

If your residence or business is located in Washington or Oregon, with all the moisture, it can easily become a breeding ground for mold growth. Even with regular inspection and maintenance, mold problems can still occur. Excess moisture and dust can linger in hidden places and combine forces to cause a fungal infestation that can only be remedied by mold remediation experts. Here are the top four places you might find mold hiding, in your home and commercial building.

1. Carpet:
Carpet has many crevices where mold spores can hide and many surfaces to which it is easy for mold to adhere. While you can't prevent all spills and can't always control how well people clean up after themselves when they do spill, you can dehumidify the room by increasing air flow to the area. This can help dry out the carpet and prevent mold growth.

2. Ceiling Tiles:
Ceiling tiles are often made of porous material, which allows mold to take root. Watch out for water damage in ceiling tiles and get it fixed as soon as possible. It only takes a day or two for mold to start to grow in places where leaks have occurred. Because the growth usually starts on the side of the tile that is hidden, it can become a big problem before it is noticed.

3. Walls:
Walls present the same difficulty that ceiling tiles do. The moisture problem contributing to the mold issue is often inside the wall and thus can become significantly moldy long before it is detected. When this happens, it is best to let remediation experts handle the problem to ensure it is resolved completely.

4. Air Ducts:
The dust in air ducts can attract mold spores and give them a place to grow. When coupled with high humidity, the mold problem gets larger. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the HVAC system is necessary to detect or prevent mold problems in the ducts.

If your business has suffered a water damage in the past, a proper dry out is vital.  You can't always prevent mold growth. You can, however as the business owner, can be proactive. Walk and inspect your building at least once a month. If you see a spot of moisture or a dark shadow in a place it should not be, call the bright green clean up team at SERVPRO Longview/Kelso. We will come out and perform a moisture inspection with our meters. We will perform a visual mold inspection and if need be complete mold remediation.

Commercial buildings are huge investments, which would make sense why finding the right building to invest in requires a lot of vetting. Along with inspecting the square footage for any type of water damage that might have happened in the past, the plumbing will also need to be inspected. Where ever there could have been a moisture issue, mold would have also the opportunity for growth. We want our commercial businesses to grow but mold growth is definitely a growth we want to stop. We her at SERVPRO of Longview/Kelso provide a service that can remedy mold, but first an inspection will need to be preformed.

Even though SERVPRO has offered mold inspections for a few decades, professional mold inspections in commercial buildings are a fairly new concept. Health effects brought about by mold was not advocated for until the 90s, when a light was shed on the possible consequences of mold infestations. Now, homeowners and business owners alike are meticulously inspecting for mold when purchasing a building, as they should be.

Due to mold’s potential health effects, employers and building owners should be weary of allowing employees, visitors, tenants or vendors to inhabit the building. Even if the mold is quarantined to one specific area, it still has the potential to travel through HVAC systems, affecting other areas.

If you are purchasing or currently own a commercial building, a mold inspection should be mandated. A commercial mold remediation company such as your locally owned SERVPRO of Longview/Kelso can perform visual assessments, sampling, and mold remediation strategies. Even if mold is not found, remediation companies can provide insight into future issues. Any situation that is a potential playground for moisture accumulation and mold growth will be addressed by a professional. This includes a leaking roof, structural characteristics that may allow water into the building, building maintenance issues or more.

Scheduling pre-move in mold inspections as well as implementing routine inspections, especially in Southwest Washington, is vital to your building and business. SERVPRO of Longview/Kelso can be reached at 360-703-3884. Call and schedule up an inspection if and when needed.

Fire Damage clean-up

3/6/2023 (Permalink)

If a house or business sustains fire damage, proper cleanup is crucial as the ash, soot and water will wreak havoc on what remains.  It’s bad enough there was a fire, but the water and chemicals used to extinguish it can cause secondary damage.  The remnants will continue to do damage long after the flames are extinguished.

The average person will attempt conventional cleaning methods like renting a steam cleaner and using common cleaning agents available at the store.  Unfortunately, this will barely make an impact on the problem and could cause bigger issues.  Chemical agents could react with the residue and cause permanent damage, and in some cases, they may cause toxic fumes.  Fire damage cleanup is one of the most difficult jobs out there, and it should be left to a certified SERVPRO professional for the best results.

When selecting a firm that does the restoration, consider what type of training they have. Do they have health and safety certifications? Are they experienced in a wide range of repair? Do they have proof of proper insurance and licenses?  The company that has the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) fire and smoke restoration Certified Firm meets all of these expectations and conditions. An IICRC-certified firm at SERVPRO of Longview/Kelso, understands the need for a quick response.  Immediate action is necessary because the longer the delay, the harder and more costly the job will be as reactions within the damaged material can continue to occur. The fire may be gone, but the ash, soot and smoke odors that remain can continue to do harm. We will use our knowledge of fire restoration to accurately test the damage and apply the proper repair techniques to bring the items back to preloss condition when possible.

Also, when hiring an IICRC certified firm you can be sure that they are up to date with the latest technologies and techniques. In order for these firms to keep their certification, they are required to take continuing education programs.  So when confronted with fire damage cleanup, choose an IICRC-certified professionals. Choose SERVPRO of Longview/Kelso. 360-703-3884

Water can and will Damage

3/6/2023 (Permalink)

A SERVPRO water restoration technician has an extremely important job when a business or home is affected by excess water, sewage, moisture or fluid of some kind. Our certified professionals can quickly reverse the extensive damage that a flood, a pipe break or sewage backflow can cause, and try to save as many items as possible in the process. And when dealing with contaminated fluids, especially when it has pooled in the home, only trained and certified professional technicians should be allowed to manage the cleanup. Attempting to perform cleanup efforts without expert assistance can lead to injury or illness, both of which can be severe.

A SERVPRO certified water restoration technician is on call around the clock, except for those times when an entire community has been affected by a major disaster. As soon as a professional is on site, they will assess the situation and determine what items need immediate rescuing. If fluid has pooled in areas around the home, then pumps will be used to remove it.

The amount of damage water can cause is amazing, and often is underestimated by business owners and homeowners. Water always travels the path of least resistance. Excess moisture is bad enough, but when a business or home is flooded or hit with a plumbing disaster (like a burst pipe), the situation can quickly get out of hand. There’s a reason why these incidents are among the most expensive problems a homeowner can face. Contaminated water can create immediate structural problems.

Floods, sewage backflows, and other sources of contaminated fluid usually cause the worst damage. Dirty water is filled with all kinds of deadly substances, ranging from chemical residues to animal feces to parasites. Bacteria, viruses and fungi grow explosively in contaminated fluid.

This problem is compounded by the composition of most businesses and homes, which are filled with organic materials. Drywall, wood and the matter that is trapped in carpet fibers are just a few examples, and they can give pathogens room to grow. Within 48 hours, mold may begin creeping behind the walls and releasing spores. Any organic materials that have been soaked through by contaminated fluid will usually have to be destroyed.

We, SERVPRO, will dry the business or home quickly and apply antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agents to all surfaces that had contact with the water. This ensures the family can return to a safe home, and not one harboring a collection of deadly pathogens. You can Trust SERVPRO at 360-703-3884.

We Serve to be the Pros

3/6/2023 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO? Well, because when the unthinkable happens and your worst nightmare comes true with a house fire or a flood, it is so good to know that help is available. Different key groups play important key roles to ensure you can either stay in or return to your home quickly. Firefighters, disaster cleanup and restoration professionals, and your insurance company will do their job to make the process is as pain free as possible. If you choose an experienced, reputable and trusted clean up and restoration team such as SERVPRO, they’ll make sure your insurance claim goes smoothly.

SERVPRO Works for You!

When you need an emergency response cleanup and repair team, there are plenty of choices. But few can do what SERVPRO offers. The team will do the following for you:

• Provide excellent customer service.
• Work effectively with your insurance company to process claims
• Use best practices and techniques to clean up and restore your home.
• Come on the scene in a timely manner and complete the job in a timely manner.

Importance of Insurance Coverage

Even small fires or minor water damage can cause costly damage to your home. While you may not be able to replace all items, you can have peace of mind knowing that you shouldn’t have to front the bill. This is why you pay for and have insurance. Claim services shouldn’t have to be difficult to work with. You can make things even easier when you hire the professionals at SERVPRO. They know how to work in tandem with your insurance agent. Because of the team’s efficiency and reliability, the insurance company can process your claims quickly and without issues.

What the Insurance Company Wants

Your insurance agent or insurance adjuster will ask for details of the incident and the extent of the damage. The repair and restoration team will conduct a thorough investigation and will assess the damage and what needs to happen to repair or replace it. The team will share these findings with your insurance company.

Don’t waste any time following a flood or fire. Call you locally owned SERVPRO of Longview/Kelso (360) 703-3884 and your insurance agent for claim services immediately.

First Hand help

2/14/2022 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO? Well, because when the unthinkable happens and your worst nightmare comes true with a house fire or a flood, it is so good to know that help is available. Different key groups play important key roles to ensure you can either stay in or return to your home quickly. Firefighters, disaster cleanup and restoration professionals, and your insurance company will do their job to make the process is as pain free as possible. If you choose an experienced, reputable and trusted clean up and restoration team such as SERVPRO, they’ll make sure your insurance claim goes smoothly.

SERVPRO Works for You!

When you need an emergency response cleanup and repair team, there are plenty of choices. But few can do what SERVPRO offers. The team will do the following for you:

• Provide excellent customer service.
• Work effectively with your insurance company to process claims
• Use best practices and techniques to clean up and restore your home.
• Come on the scene in a timely manner and complete the job in a timely manner.

Importance of Insurance Coverage

Even small fires or minor water damage can cause costly damage to your home. While you may not be able to replace all items, you can have peace of mind knowing that you shouldn’t have to front the bill. This is why you pay for and have insurance. Claim services shouldn’t have to be difficult to work with. You can make things even easier when you hire the professionals at SERVPRO. They know how to work in tandem with your insurance agent. Because of the team’s efficiency and reliability, the insurance company can process your claims quickly and without issues.

What the Insurance Company Wants

Your insurance agent or insurance adjuster will ask for details of the incident and the extent of the damage. The repair and restoration team will conduct a thorough investigation and will assess the damage and what needs to happen to repair or replace it. The team will share these findings with your insurance company.

Don’t waste any time following a flood or fire. Call you locally owned SERVPRO of Longview/Kelso (360) 703-3884 and your insurance agent for claim services immediately.

Mold can go Commercial

2/14/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial buildings are huge investments, which would make sense why finding the right building to invest in requires a lot of vetting. Along with inspecting the square footage for any type of water damage that might have happened in the past, the plumbing will also need to be inspected. Where ever there could have been a moisture issue, mold would have also the opportunity for growth. We want our commercial businesses to grow but mold growth is definitely a growth we want to stop. We her at SERVPRO of Longview/Kelso provide a service that can remedy mold, but first an inspection will need to be preformed.

Even though SERVPRO has offered mold inspections for a few decades, professional mold inspections in commercial buildings are a fairly new concept. Health effects brought about by mold was not advocated for until the 90s, when a light was shed on the possible consequences of mold infestations. Now, homeowners and business owners alike are meticulously inspecting for mold when purchasing a building, as they should be.

Mold can grow on virtually any surface, so long as it is presented with a damp enough climate to persist. Mold spores can be extremely apparent via smell or sight, or it can only be detected through specific testing. Mold survives on or “eats” away at materials, causing damage and change to the look, smell, or structure of whatever it is affecting. Structural changes can include the reliability or strength for a building. For an investor or building owner, this could raise working hazards and building safety.

Allowing employees to work within mold-ridden spaces is another costly situation. Due to mold’s potential health effects, employers and building owners should be weary of allowing employees, visitors, tenants or vendors to inhabit the building. Even if the mold is quarantined to one specific area, it still has the potential to travel through HVAC systems, affecting other areas.

If you are purchasing or currently own a commercial building, a mold inspection should be mandated. A commercial mold remediation company such as your locally owned SERVPRO of Longview/Kelso can perform visual assessments, sampling, and mold remediation strategies. Even if mold is not found, remediation companies can provide insight into future issues. Any situation that is a potential playground for moisture accumulation and mold growth will be addressed by a professional. This includes a leaking roof, structural characteristics that may allow water into the building, building maintenance issues or more.

Scheduling pre-move in mold inspections as well as implementing routine inspections, especially in Southwest Washington, is vital to your building and business. SERVPRO of Longview/Kelso can be reached at 360-703-3884. Call and schedule up an inspection if and when needed.

We Serve and are the Pro's

2/14/2022 (Permalink)

Why You Should Call a Professional like SERVPRO

1. Each category of water is different

There are three categories of water: clean, gray, and black. Water falls into each category based on its source. Each source has different implications including safety precautions and cleanup needs. This means that just because a small flood at home may have water that is “clean”, the water can be potentially harmful, needing more than just a mop and some rags to clean.

2. More than the floors may be wet

If there is slight flooding in your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room, these areas most likely are surrounded by tile; they are also surrounded by building materials like cupboards or drywall. Drywall, unbeknownst to you, may become saturated with water and extremely heavy. The more water the drywall holds the more unstable it becomes, causing structural damage that you may not be aware of.

Electrical wires or appliances may have also taken on water, causing a high risk to homeowners as this may pose damage later on for these items.

3. You don't have the proper equipment

If a flood appears to be small and contained, there may not be a question as to the length of time the water has been apparent. Without properly vetting all surrounding areas and building materials, it is impossible to tell if a “small” flood was truly small and non-damaging. Homeowners lack the ability to make these assessments. Homeowners also lack the proper equipment to dry out areas that have experienced water damage. Even the smallest amount of moisture left, given the right environment, can pose the threat of mold damage.

When it comes to floods and accompanying water damage, leave the cleanup to the pros. Regardless of the size or area affected, water has the ability to permeate through many materials, locking moisture in where it should not exist. Call a local professional restoration company like SERVPRO of Longview/Kelso to handle all of your water. We are here to Serve you and we are Professionals. We are locally owned and operated. We are SERVPRO of Longview/Kelso and we can be reached at 360-703-3884.

Not just water

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

A SERVPRO water restoration technician has an extremely important job when a business or home is affected by excess water, sewage, moisture or fluid of some kind. Our certified professionals can quickly reverse the extensive damage that a flood, a pipe break or sewage backflow can cause, and try to save as many items as possible in the process. And when dealing with contaminated fluids, especially when it has pooled in the home, only trained and certified professional technicians should be allowed to manage the cleanup. Attempting to perform cleanup efforts without expert assistance can lead to injury or illness, both of which can be severe.

A SERVPRO certified water restoration technician is on call around the clock, except for those times when an entire community has been affected by a major disaster. As soon as a professional is on site, they will assess the situation and determine what items need immediate rescuing. If fluid has pooled in areas around the home, then pumps will be used to remove it.

The amount of damage water can cause is amazing, and often is underestimated by business owners and homeowners. Water always travels the path of least resistance. Excess moisture is bad enough, but when a business or home is flooded or hit with a plumbing disaster (like a burst pipe), the situation can quickly get out of hand. There’s a reason why these incidents are among the most expensive problems a homeowner can face. Contaminated water can create immediate structural problems.

Floods, sewage backflows, and other sources of contaminated fluid usually cause the worst damage. Dirty water is filled with all kinds of deadly substances, ranging from chemical residues to animal feces to parasites. Bacteria, viruses and fungi grow explosively in contaminated fluid.

This problem is compounded by the composition of most businesses and homes, which are filled with organic materials. Drywall, wood and the matter that is trapped in carpet fibers are just a few examples, and they can give pathogens room to grow. Within 48 hours, mold may begin creeping behind the walls and releasing spores. Any organic materials that have been soaked through by contaminated fluid will usually have to be destroyed.

We, SERVPRO, will dry the business or home quickly and apply antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agents to all surfaces that had contact with the water. This ensures the family can return to a safe home, and not one harboring a collection of deadly pathogens. You can Trust SERVPRO at 360-703-3884.

Heat is a storm?

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

When talking about storms, the most common are always mentioned. Snow, rain and wind are the main ingredients for what seems to be the “most popular” types of storms. One ingredient that seems to get over looked at times is a heat storm, better known as a heat wave, and the damage it can cause.

According to Wikipedia, a heat wave is a period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity. While some definitions vary, a heat wave is usually measured relative to the usual weather in the area and relative to normal temperatures for the season. There are many different ways a heat wave can affect you’re your locally owned SERVPRO may be able to help with a couple heat related issues, like the results of smoke damage to a house that was cause by a wildfire, that was caused by extreme heat in dry conditions. If a heat wave occurs during a drought, which dries out vegetation, it can contribute to bushfires and wildfires.

Heat waves can also cause power outages. Abnormally hot temperatures can cause electricity demand to increase during the peak summertime hours of 4 to 7 p.m. when air conditioners are straining to overcome the heat.

Heat waves can and do cause physical damages to roadways. Long periods of extreme heat can cause them to buckle and melt. It can cause water lines to burst, and power transformers to detonate, causing fires. Heat waves can also damage rail road’s, such as buckling and kinking rails, which can lead to slower traffic, delays, and even cancellations of service when rails are too dangerous to traverse by trains.

More serious and sad issues from heat are the Psychological and Sociological effects and Mortality. In addition to physical stress, excessive heat causes psychological stress, to a degree which affects performance, and is also associated with an increase in violent crime. High temperatures are associated with increased conflict both at the interpersonal level and at the societal level.

Heat waves are the most lethal type of weather phenomenon in the United States. According to Wikipedia, between 1992 and 2001, deaths from excessive heat in the United States numbered 2,190, compared with 880 deaths from floods and 150 from hurricanes. The average annual number of fatalities directly attributed to heat in the United States is about 400. The number of heat fatalities is likely highly underreported due to a lack of reports and misreports. Your SERVPRO is here to help you and our community. No matter the Storm, you can call us at 360-703-3884 and we will help..

Local, Is Why SERVPRO

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

From L to R back row: Mike Tim, Teressa, Owner Ryan, Braiden, Haili, Dave. Bottom row: Shannon, Linda, Martha, Hector.

Why SERVPRO? Why not SERVPRO? SERVPRO of Longview/Kelso is a locally owned franchise based right here in Cowlitz County. We are part of the massive SERVPRO Corporate cleaning division that specializes in Fire & Water & Soot Cleanup & Restoration. There are many other services that we perform as well. They are, Mold Mitigation and Remediation, Content Clean Up, Electronic & Equipment Restoration. Pack Outs & Board Ups, Catastrophic Storm Response and Content Claim Inventory Service. 

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a proactive deep cleaning service we provide to help prevent the spreading of germs and pathogens that are found in viruses. We also perform Biohazard Crime Scene & Vandalism Clean up, Carpet Upholstery and Ceilings cleaning along with Walls & Hard Floors and Deodorization. All of which are Residential and Commercial.

Why SERVPRO? Because we are pros in servicing (the word SERVPRO) individuals who have came in to some bad luck at their home or business. Also, because we all live here, we all eat here, we all entertain here, and we are involved in and care for our community. The spouse of the owner is a school teacher here. The marketing/public relations rep is on many various boards, committees and is a Rotary member, as is the owner himself, here locally. SERVPRO of Longview/Kelso cares about our community and gives back, and that attitude runs down to its employees.

As Consumers all of us select the companies we do business with based on trust and since 1967 SERVPRO corporate has built on that principle, and now today there are over 1800 nationwide franchises that are independently building their franchises based on that same principle, Trust. SERVPRO of Longview/Kelso is here to help you in your time of need. If you are in need, call us today at 360-703-3884 and lets talk and see if we can help you.