How To Identify Mold In Your Home or Business

3/29/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO professionals use advanced equipment and experience in mold mitigation to determine the water source of your mold problem.

How To Identify Mold In Your Home or Business

Mold can result in a number of health issues. Sometimes mold can be harder to identify than others.

There is always mold present in some capacity. This species of spore has existed on Earth for up to millions of years. Mold is capable of entering homes through open doors, vents, air conditioning systems, windows, and vents, to name several. 

The mold found in the outdoor air can be brought inside from pets, clothing, bags, and shoes. It tends to grow in the presence of moisture or in which a flood has occurred. Mold can grow on virtually any surface, from paper, ceiling, wood, and cardboard. Furthermore, it can grow in dust, wallpaper, drywall, upholstery, paints, insulation, and fabric.

More often than not, mold can appear like a series of spots of several different colors with a musty smell. If you smell or see mold, it should be removed immediately, regardless of type. If you discover that mold is growing in your household, you must clean it up and fix the problem related to the excess moisture. With the aid of household products, mold can be removed from hard surfaces. Consider the use of soap, water, or a solution of bleach with no greater than a single cup in a gallon of water.

Finding mold in your home or business can be troubling, and it’s natural to want to get rid of it fast. Because mold spreads fast and can sometimes be inconspicuous, it’s best practice to call in professionals like SERVPRO to diagnose and address the mold issue for you. SERVPRO of Stockton is at your service at (209) 477-3090

Is Mold Creeping in the Crawl Space of Your Stockton Home?

12/19/2018 (Permalink)

Is mold creeping in the crawlspace of your Stockton home?

Widespread Mold in Stockton Homes Requires Professional Remediation

One of the most troublesome disasters that affect a high volume of Stockton homes throughout the year is not fire and storm damages as much as might think. Developing conditions like mold growth can spread quickly throughout the property and adversely affect your property and its occupants that become exposed to an active colony. The trouble with mold growth in homes is that these colonies often form where the owner does not go, and so it goes unnoticed and unreported until the spread of these colonies forces their way into the living areas of the home.

For areas like a crawl space, it is not an uncommon occurrence for mold damage in your Stockton home to spread beneath the first floor. With moisture present through precipitation, springs, and other occurrences, remedying its effect on the underside of your home can help to limit the spread of an active mold colony into the main floors of the property. Our SERVPRO professionals can help to assess the materials that are at risk and determine if our mold removal techniques can be as effective as just removing the damaged elements entirely and reinstalling them.

Crawlspace encapsulation is a solution that can help many homeowners find a permanent fix to prevent mold growth from spreading up through the flooring and walls and into the living spaces. This process coats all of the exposed material and flooring with thick plastic after they get coated with a high-strength antimicrobial solution to prevent growth on these organic materials like framing wood and floor supports.

Additionally, our SERVPRO team could install diversion equipment like sump pumps to drain water away from the affected area to prevent pooling. These solutions help to preserve a dry environment that reduces the possibility of mold and microbial growth.

Crawlspace mold can prove hazardous to the structural elements of your house and the occupants inside of it. Give our SERVPRO of Stockton professionals a call if you suspect mold growth or have encountered this emergency in your home. You can reach us 24/7 at (209) 477-3090.

Stockton is one of the oldest incorporated cities in California.  Click here to read more.

SERVPRO of Stockton Performs Certified Mold Testing

11/26/2018 (Permalink)

Sometimes people see discolorations on walls and wonder if this is the “bad” mold. When it comes to mold people often think the worse. That’s why we say, “Mold can be an emotional subject.” Yes, mold can be an area of anxiety causing heightened concerns about the health and safety of the indoor environment and the people who live and work in that environment.

Don’t panic. There are professional and affordable inspection and testing procedures available to determine what’s going on. At SERVPRO of Stockton we’re pleased to share sensible information about the subject of mold in our thorough Mold Information Document. It describes a realistic overview about mold. It includes the inspection options and remediation treatments that are available.

A hardcopy/printed version of this document is also available by calling our office during regular business hours. Call 209-477-3090 to request your copy.

SERVPRO of Stockton also offers a free online MOLD SURVEY. After completing the survey/questionnaire you will even be provided with a ten-minute consultation by telephone (without cost or obligation). The link to this Free Mold Survey is featured in our mold information document.

As we said before, don’t panic. There is balanced information available to you and there are lasting solutions to any problem that might exist. We’re here to help.

How to Address Mold Damage Concerns as a Resident of Stockton

9/9/2018 (Permalink)

Finding mold in your home does not need to be a reason to panic. Contact SERVPRO for effective remediation.

SERVPRO Technicians Understand BOTH How Mold Proliferates and How to Stop the Spread

The mold damage problem cannot develop within your property when conducive conditions for its growth do not exist. If you notice a musty smell in your building, then there are chances of an existing mold growth condition. We can check for visible mold in high moisture areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry areas, and basements. We understand that it can appear in many colors, as well as look sticky, slimy or fuzzy. If there is a dampness problem in your Stockton home, make use it is addressed as soon as possible.
 
Controlling the moisture problem is vital when addressing mold damage incidents in Stockton. For instance, if the source of moisture is a broken pipe, our SERVPRO technicians quickly correct the problem. At this point, we are ready to dry the wet items to prevent the spread and occurrence of mold. We only dry items that do not have any visible mold growth since some of the drying techniques can pressurize surfaces and enhance the spread of mold particles to clean areas.
 
Our SERVPRO technicians always avoid using air movers and other equipment that creates airflow when dealing with visible mold. In such situations, we prevent dispersing mold particles by introducing more controlled conditions. For instance, the introduction of negative pressure prevents the dispersion of the spores. Where possible, we do not employ cleaning techniques that require the use of water-based solutions. Also, we avoid the use of power washing when cleaning vulnerable items such as sheetrock and wallboard since they may get wet.
 
During mold removal, both dead and live mold spores can settle on exposed surfaces, and there is a need to remove them and minimize the chance of dispersal. Our SERVPRO technicians perform HEPA vacuuming to address such concerns. We also place mold contaminated items in doubled 6mm trash bags ready for disposal.
 
SERVPRO of Stockton is a reliable service provider that offers mold, storm, fire, and water damage restoration. Call us at (209) 477-3090 when you need your home or commercial property to be restored the right way.
 
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What Mold Damage Does To Your Stockton Home

8/22/2018 (Permalink)

Overcoming mold damage in your Stockton home might be as easy as reaching out to the experienced team at SERVPRO.

What Mold Damage Does To Your Home

Among the leading distressing incidents and disasters that can befall your Stockton residence, many homeowners would have to agree that fungal/microbial growth is sitting near the top of this list. Part of the problem with this discovery is the general lack of information about how it occurred and what can get done to prevent it from happening again once the current situation gets resolved.

Overcoming mold damage in your Stockton home might be as easy as reaching out to the experienced Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians we employ at SERVPRO, but that does not help you to understand why it is crucial for you to do so. Many homeowners might get misled to believe that mold growth in their home is a common occurrence that does not require immediate attention, or worse yet, that the problem goes away on its own.

One of the primary things that you need to understand about mold growth in your home is that the problem does not go away on its own. Colonies can spread very quickly, and the more moisture present in the environment, the more widespread this problem becomes. That is what makes an immediate response so critical for your home, as it does not take long for the colony to get out of control.

Mold growth in your residence affects your house and its occupants directly. As the colony spreads and penetrates more deeply into the materials it seats on, it erodes and degrades this material to an unsalvageable point. The colony itself can cause health effects for the occupants of the house, and this occurrence gets amplified for those already combating respiratory concerns. These unfortunate effects from this presence in your house should be enough to encourage you to correct the problem right away with the assistance of our experienced SERVPRO technicians.

Finding mold growing in your house can be alarming enough, but reaching out to our professional restorers is your best option. Our SERVPRO of Stockton remediation technicians is available 24/7 by calling (209) 477-3090.

Click here for more about Stockton.

Wet Basement In Your Stockton Home Can Allow For Mold Damage

7/5/2018 (Permalink)

Mold in your Stockton home is something that every homeowner should seek to remedy as quickly as possible.

Mold Damage

Mold in your Stockton home is something that every homeowner should seek to remedy as quickly as possible. With more understanding of the hazards of mold exposure, more potential health effects get attributed to it. That is why services like professional mold remediation exist, to help homeowners remove this presence from their house and help to restore the damage it has caused.

A common location for you to find this mold damage in your Stockton residence is in the basement, though any area offering moisture and warmth could be susceptible. Often, homeowners cannot see the colony at all, but rather know it exists because of the strong, musty odor that emits from thriving fungal growth.

When our SERVPRO mold remediation specialists arrive at your house, one of our first concerns is locating the source of the moisture. Dampness and moisture are requirements for mold growth, so this effect came from a source. In basements, degrading blockwork in the foundation can allow for a persistent humid and moisture-ridden environment. By locating this source, we can work to prevent recurrences in the immediate future.

Once the mold colony has gotten removed from the material, it seated on, and our SERVPRO professionals can get to work on drying the area thoroughly and deodorizing. Drying starves out the mold spores in the air and prevents them from seating, so this is a critical step in our remediation efforts.

Deodorization is also an essential step to take, but this is often one of the final tasks of our remediation technicians. Using thermal foggers, our team can emit a dense fog that breaks apart harsh odor molecules and entirely neutralizes them on contact. This procedure is safe to perform on furniture, fabrics, carpeting and more.

Mold is a serious discovery for any homeowner and a situation that you should work to address as promptly as possible. You can trust our SERVPRO of Stockton remediation technicians to rapidly respond and get to work quickly on removing the colony growing in your house. Give SERVPRO a call 24/7 at (209) 477-3090.

Click here for more about Stockton.

Why SERVPRO Requests Move-Outs for Mold Damage in Stockton

6/4/2018 (Permalink)

Rely on SERVPRO to remove any mold damage you find in your home.

Mold Remediation by the professional at SERVPRO may require move-out

One of the most challenging aspects of mold damage for many Stockton homeowners is often the prospect of a move-out. While we try to accommodate you as best we can, SERVPRO technicians and inspectors may sometimes mandate and assist with a temporary relocation of any residents to a hotel or second home. Safety is our primary concern when making this decision, but other considerations also factor into any recommendations we may offer on the matter. Read on for more information on why we might request a move-out while taking care of the mold.

Safety Concerns
The most crucial factor in our decision to recommend a move-out for mold damage in Stockton is always safety. Many types of mold can cause health effects throughout the home, and more massive infestations can cause far more severe problems than smaller colonies. If our technicians would not enter the area without safety gear on, they do not expect you to, either. Most circumstances necessitating a temporary move-out require us to use full-body protective suits and other airtight safety equipment while we work in the home. A temporary relocation helps to ensure the health and safety of everyone inside until our tests show both surfaces and the air to be free of contaminants and biohazards.

Our Work Environment
The rest of our decision-making factors usually center around how our technicians can do their jobs with minimal interference. If the infestation has spread around the home and we expect to corner off most of the livable areas, a move-out may be necessary out of accessibility concerns even if there are no safety concerns. However, we take every step we can to keep you in your home if possible, including limiting our work to a section or set of rooms if possible. Only rarely does SERVPRO recommend a move-out without safety codes requiring it.

SERVPRO of Stockton provides mold damage remediation and restoration services for even the most severe problems in local homes. Call us at (209) 477-3090 to find out how we can help.

Click here to learn about Stockton, CA.

Fighting Mold after Water Damage in Stockton

4/6/2018 (Permalink)

After water damage, it is likely to also have mold growth. SERVPRO is highly trained and experienced remediating mold damage.

Call SERVPRO after Water Damage to Help Prevent Mold Growth

Sometimes a slow leak occurs inside your Stockton townhome causing damage that goes unnoticed. Many times people do not know that water damage occurred until they notice a foul mildew smell or see the presence of black mold. Once mold exists, spores created by the fungus can travel to other rooms inside your townhouse.

The spores easily become air-bound and travel to other areas of your home, possibly creating an issue with fungi in other areas besides the source. SERVPRO's technicians know how to mitigate mold issues after water damage happens in Stockton. We always follow a strict set of procedures when mitigating fungal issues so that the fungus does not spread into other areas of the townhome complex.

Water damage scenarios create increased moisture that makes a good environment for mold development. Mold needs water, food and the ideal temperature to form and become a problem. Mold feeds off of any organic materials including paper and wood.

Various strains of mold grow in different temperatures. Some rare mold strains develop in extremely cold or hot temperatures. However, most types of fungi develop between 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Most types of fungus need incredibly high levels of moisture to survive. Although, some mold strains exist in rooms that have a relative humidity of 65%. When trying to prevent mold growth after a water damage situation, we attempt to drop the relative humidity below 65%.

The time it takes for mold to develop depends on the conditions. Some forms of fungus grow within twelve hours of a water damage problem taking place. Other molds grow into colonies but take between 24 and 48 hours to develop.

Most townhouses offer many food sources for a fungus. Outside dirt, drywall, carpet, and paper all offer mold growth opportunities if the moisture levels and the temperature inside are ideal. The more time that passes, the worse a mold problem can get.

If water sits inside your home for a long time, then it spreads to areas where microbes already exist and cause mold to develop. For help preventing fungus growth, call SERVPRO of Stockton at (209) 477-3090 24/7.  

Click here for more on the city of Stockton.

What To Expect From Professional Mold Remediation In Stockton

1/22/2018 (Permalink)

Moisture Buildup in Stockton Homes Can Lead to Mold Damage--Contact SERVPRO for Remediation

SERVPRO Remediates Mold Growths in Stockton Properties and Explains How

Whether you discover obvious colonies of mold inside your Stockton home or are suspicious of a musty smell that does not go away, you need support from professional mold remediation experts. Mold outbreaks are a cause for concern but can be well-managed if trained and experienced technicians handle the abatement. Our IICRC trained employees have a solid mastery of the proper protocols for mitigating mold.

Mold damage in Stockton does not need to create panic in your household. Understanding what services a reliable mold remediation company delivers is essential to a homeowner trying to be responsible and proactive when faced with active mold growth. A reputable remediator never promises to make a dwelling mold-free or guarantees that the services and treatments provided prevent mold from recurring for a specified period. We instead offer a proven process that deals with a current infestation efficiently and lays out a practical approach that when followed minimizes the risk of future mold growth.
 
SERVPRO employs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protocol to remediate mold colonies. Our employees can locate and contain the areas where the mold grows. Containing is a precise concept that has at its heart the prevention of permitting moldy material from migrating throughout the living spaces during remediation. We accomplish this by using physical barriers such as heavy-duty plastic sheeting and by taking advantage of our technologically advanced equipment like air scrubbers. These cutting-edge machines use negative air pressure to confine most mold particles within the working area, filtering the air exhausted to the outdoors.
 
SERVPRO employees wear personal protective gear while working in the containment spaces. We evaluate whether the mold lives on a non-porous surface that can be scrubbed clean and disinfected, or if the mycelium invades the interior of the object affected. If the fungi are found beneath the surface, the contaminated materials must be removed and bagged with the mold before proper disposal per local hazardous waste rules. After removing the moldy materials, we use vacuums with HEPA filters to eliminate every particle of mold in the containment area and apply professional-grade antimicrobials to inhibit future growth.
 
After the containment area returns to its former use, SERVPRO concentrates on the only truly effective strategy to help prevent mold from returning. We seek and find the source of moisture that activated the mold spores always in your home. Then we work closely with you to eliminate the water from intruding again. It might be a plumbing job, a regrading of the ground around your home, unclogging gutters, or recalibrating AC or dehumidifiers, among many other possibilities, which stems the flow or condensation of moisture. Control the moisture, and you gain control over the mold.
 
Mold remediation is a process that begins and ends with minimizing moisture. SERVPRO of Stockton has decades of experience in managing mold behind its current practices. Call (209) 477-3090 to schedule an appointment to get you some answers to your mold questions.

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Mold Damage Ortega Calls for Inspection and Remediation

12/1/2017 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation in Ortega? Homeowners Rely on SERVPRO

SERVPRO Can Remediate Mold Issues in Your Ortega Property

We do not usually associate mold with California. The sunny weather makes people think it cannot happen in a city like Ortega, but the truth is very different. As long as mold spores have a source of food and moisture, it can expand and grow in any home.

With those two factors in place and a temperature between 68 and 86 degrees, mold damage in Ortega homes can happen year-round. The food source is the building material itself; i.e., drywall, ceiling tiles, carpets, and even the wood in wall framing. The moisture source can be a tiny pool of water from a leaking roof or a loose intake hose on a dishwasher. SERVPRO has over three decades of experience in finding the origin of mold and eliminating both it and the sources that feed it.
 
We trace mold to its origin point using visual inspections, air content meters, and the nose of course. Many fungi give off that tell-tale musty odor which is how many people first suspect a problem. Unfortunately, it does not provide a location past which end of the house it might be.
 
Our best tool for finding the mold is an air content meter. With it, technicians measure various points in the home until we find the highest content and then follow it back to the highest number we can measure. Once we have that, the visual inspection begins. At times, a mold stain is visible on a wall or object, and we can start from that point with the inspection.
 
SERVPRO looks above ceilings and removes and checks behind floor and wall trim. If we do not see mold, then we have to look at the walls and under carpets. Once a technician finds it, he follows the growth back to the point of origin, marking locations where there is a source of water and where the mold has grown into building material, feeding on it.
 
When we have the point of origin, we can exterminate the mold. Technicians remove the water or moisture and if possible, repair the source of the leak. We then spray the affected surfaces with an anti-fungal agent and then remove the material that has mold growing into it.
 
Stopping and removing mold is not a simple task, but we can accomplish it safely and quickly. If you have or merely suspect a mold problem in your home, contact SERVPRO of Stockton at (209) 477-3090 today. We are here to help.

Location of this city in CA click here.

How SERVPRO's Expertise Shows In Stockton Mold Damage Remediation

11/2/2017 (Permalink)

Once the mold has been killed the remaining dead organic matter must be attended to immediately.

Mold Damage Remediation

Many sources, both on our website and elsewhere, advise the average homeowner to leave mold undisturbed and call for help from a professional, certified mold remediation company like SERVPRO. It is not difficult to understand why those untrained and uncertified to combat mold damage could potentially hurt themselves, spread the mold even farther, or cause damage to the structure. However, we have access to multiple specialized tools and techniques for cleaning up mold damage in Stockton and surrounding areas. Here are a few ways we bring high-tech mold removal and remediation options to the table.

UV Light Treatments
You may picture the mold damage remediation in your Stockton home as a process filled with scenes of intense scrubbing, heavy sanitization, and other manual cleaning methods. However, we also have access to some high-tech and hands-free mold remediation tools. Ultraviolet light generators create UV rays - the same type of light that causes sunburn - in a concentrated area over the mold growth. With these, we can sanitize an area with no scrubbing, no chemicals, and no risk to the structure. Since their implementation in SERVPRO franchises nationwide, these machines have proven to be some of our most effective in the average mold remediation job.

Advanced Scrubbing Solutions
Once the mold has been killed off and sanitized, its dead organic matter must be attended to immediately. We have industrial-grade cleaning tools and products to thoroughly and quickly eliminate any remaining traces of mold and remove it from your home. We also have unique appendages and devices for reaching tight and high places, ensuring a thorough job throughout the area.

Spore Removal Technology
Even after the mold has been visually removed from the building, airborne spores likely still populate the home's atmosphere, potentially causing health effects and increasing risk of successive mold colonies developing. We take these spores directly out of the air, purifying it and returning your home's atmosphere to a default state.

SERVPRO of Stockton is a locally-owned provider of expert home damage mitigation and restoration services. Give us a call 24/7 at (209) 477-3090.

If you are interested in learning more about the city of Stockton click here.

Does Ortega Mold Damage Actually Hurt My Home?

9/18/2017 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation in Ortega Is Accomplished by SERVPRO

Mold Remediation Is Always a Wise Choice for Ortega Properties

Some homeowners question how mold can cause so much damage to their home. Sure, the fungus is troublesome, but is it worth expensive restoration fees just to stamp out some mold? The fact is that mold damage to Ortega homes can cause expensive, visible, and long-lasting damage to your home, even leading to serious structural damage in some cases. Taking care of mold in a timely fashion is equally important, as growth tends to follow an exponential curve and significantly worsen with time. So, what, specifically, can mold do to a home?
 
To start, our experiences with mold damage in Ortega have almost always involved some amount of deodorization. Many varieties of mold create strong, musty, and foul odors, requiring intense deodorization treatments to nullify. If left untreated, these odors can embed themselves in the home and persist for years after the mold itself has been wiped out.
 
Secondly, mold does not just appear on your walls and furniture for no reason. When mold begins to grow on your property, it has found not only space but also a source of food. Mold feeds off of your furniture and home, digesting organic material and eating away at whatever surface it has infested. Wood, fabric, drywall, wallpaper, tile grout, and carpeting are all materials SERVPRO commonly must replace due to excessive corrosion from mold damage.
 
Finally, visible mold damage may be a small precursor to a big problem. If mold has started to grow in an unusual place (away from faucets, taps, and bathrooms), this may be an indicator of a leak or break in your pipes or walls. SERVPRO inspectors equip special moisture-detecting devices to find sources of moisture and eliminate them before more serious damage can occur.
 
No matter how bad the mold gets, SERVPRO of Stockton is ready to help whenever you need us. Give us a call 24/7 at (209) 477-3090 for our services or advice on home damages.

More information about this area here.
 

The Basic of Mold Cleanup

8/28/2017 (Permalink)

Example of mold on damp walls and baseboard.

Mold Restoration Basics

After a flood or fire has wreaked havoc on an individual's residential property, one of the primary concerns should be mitigation / restoration. Unfortunately, mold can start to grow within your private living space just 24 hours following a natural disaster. The mold will then reproduce by releasing their spores out and into the air. These spores will then settle on any given surface and proliferate when conditions are humid and damp. When the spores start settling on water-damaged or organic surfaces, they can begin to germinate and eventually create mold colonies. Even the surfaces where mold removal has transpired can become areas where the fungi start to regrow. Additionally, the presence of mold in one's home can give cause health effects. Since this is the case, attaining high quality restoration services is a must. Learn more about the importance of attaining mold restoration services by reviewing the information outlined below:

Getting Professional Help
When your residential property is subjected to the presence of unwanted microbial growth it is imperative that you leave the restoration process to professionals. If you attempt to complete a do-it-yourself project, you could aggravate the issue. Additionally, homes that have undergone substantive water damage tend to have weakened structures. As a result, entering the house can be very dangerous for an individual who does not have knowledge and experience in the water damage restoration sector. Remember that timeliness is important when it comes to contacting and hiring a professional water restoration company. This is the case because mold can start to grow and proliferate just 24 hours after the flood or fire. When the restoration experts arrive, they will utilize special tools to remove excess water from your property so that mold cannot grow.

Conclusion
One of the most challenging events for a homeowner to deal with is a flood or fire. In addition to causing substantive water damage, these natural disasters can precipitate mold growth. Despite this challenge, you can get your home in safe, sanitary condition by calling a team of trained professionals to complete the restoration process. If you want the best team on the block, the company to call is SERVPRO. We work with unprecedented determination and diligence to restore your residential property to its pristine, perfect condition. Call us now and let us start the restoration process on your behalf!

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 Stockton is close by and ready to help with your mold-damaged property. We are proud to be an active member of the Stockton community and want to pitch in and help make our community the best it can be.

When a major storm or flooding 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. 

We are here in Weston Ranch and are ready to help you. Just call us. (209) 477-3090

Yacht Cleaning on the Delta

8/8/2017 (Permalink)

Boat cleaning including mold removal.

Stockton Yacht Cleaning

SERVPRO of Stockton by Clayton A. Barry

Over the years, I have personally performed specialty cleaning of yacht interiors. Sailing and motor yachts are usually appointed with fine carpets and furnishings that are covered in top-grade leather or synthetic textiles. Just like the floors and furniture in our homes, yacht interiors get soiled and often require professional cleaning. Today, the three SERVPRO Franchises I’m associated with, continue to do this work. Thus, we have cleaned numerous yachts that are docked in Alameda, Berkeley, Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, San Francisco, Point Richmond, San Leandro and on the Delta.

Of all the jobs we performed, one was especially rewarding. A few years ago we dried and cleaned a sailing yacht interior that was badly wetted during the return leg of the Trans-Pacific Honolulu Race. A forward hatch was not securely closed when the racing yacht was hit by a rough wave about four-days out from the Golden Gate. The boat was never in peril of sinking. However, the interior was sloppy wet for the remainder of the cruise. By the time the yacht made its way to it’s’ slip in the marina, it was beginning to smell ripe. We installed a dehumidifier and performed mold cleanup. Since fiberglass yachts are “tightly” constructed, it was relatively easy to dry.

What made this job so satisfying was this yacht took first place in the race and I was invited to the victory party. The owner told me, “You made my boat look and smell as good as when it was new.” That was a good thing because the winning yacht is on tour during the victory party.

Whether it’s cleaning carpets and floors or eliminating severe odors in your boat, you can rely on SERVPRO of Stockton to make your boat, business or home look as good as new. Call us at 209-477-3090 and we’ll get you sailing again. 

Commercial Mold Cleanup

6/18/2017 (Permalink)

Mold in a Petris dish

Commercial Building Mold Remediation

It is increasingly problematic when mold grows in buildings that are often crowded, such as businesses and schools, because it comes in contact with a large amount of people. Mold remediation becomes an essential process because mold affects the health of students teachers and the public.

Mold Growth
Mold can grow indoors just as easily as it does outdoors. Mold grows on any organic surface with the help of moisture and oxygen. This means that it can grow on insulation, paper products, wood, and carpet. Excessive moisture in a building can assist with the development of mold.

The problem will become worse if it is left untreated. The issue with some mold is that it can remain undetected. Mold spores spread from mold, and they cannot be entirely eradicated from any environment. However, mold growth can be contained using the proper treatment methods. 

Mold Treatment
One of the most effective ways to reduce mold development is to lessen the amount of moisture in a building. Excessive moisture in a building results from floods, uncontrolled humidity, structural damage, leaky roofs and inadequate ventilation. There are other causes of excessive moisture. Appliances may cause condensation. Modern construction can often create buildings that are airtight, which creates an environment with excessive moisture. It’s important to properly ventilate schools and businesses to avoid excessive moisture.

The most efficient way to combat mold is to seek out mold remediation services from SERVPRO of Stockton can properly handle surfaces that are contaminated with mold to avoid further contamination. Special tests are used to distinguish the types of mold present and how best to treat them. In addition, SERVPRO of Stockton can contain mold spores to prevent them from spreading. This prevents people from inhaling the mold spores and causing them to spread.

We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Stockton is close by and ready to help with your mold-damaged property. We are proud to be an active member of the Stockton 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 1,700 SERVPRO franchises if we need additional resources or personnel in the local area. When your commercial property or home has mold damage from leaks or flooding, we have the experience and expertise to help.  Please, give us a call. (209) 477-3090

This HVAC System Spreads Mold

5/30/2017 (Permalink)

Dirty ductwork vent spreads mold and bacteria.

HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems can move a high volume of air. When they do the air will carry pollens, dust, dander and mold spores into the system. There are filters in the HVAC systems, but unless they are changed frequently and HVAC system can become badly soiled. When these air handling systems pump moldy air into a damp indoor environment, a building can become "sick" bad moldy air may have an impact on the occupants health. Mold colonies can form near the vents and their spores will be spread around the home or office.

Professional HVAC cleaning as is performed by SERVPRO can dramatically help improve the indoor environment in a home or office. Call us for reasonably priced HVAC cleaning. SERVPRO of Stockton 209-477-3090

Mold is out there.

5/28/2017 (Permalink)

Mold growing on the inside of an office wall.

There are few topics that are filled with as much misunderstanding than mold.

So many people are afraid of mold and blame mold for a long list of negative health issues. In reality mold is an important part of life and we can't live without mold. Most molds are not toxic. Howe er, some mold can cause health problems. When mold is found in the indoor environment we need to remove it and control it from reoccurring. That is done by control indoor humidity. 

Studies have revealed that for indoor mold to grow it requires a damp surface, or high indoor humidity. When indoor air is above 60% Relative Humidity for several days ( usually five days or more), mold spore may be able to colonize and grow. 

When mold grows inside a wall cavity, the mold may be able to produce gases that can escape from the wall cavity and put toxic spores into the indoor air. However, the mold that is visible on the outer surface of a wall presents the greater risk. That is why the EPA says, "If you see mold, remove it."

For help with mold concerns please call SERVPRO of Stockton at 209-477-3090

Mold... Who Can You Trust?

5/26/2017 (Permalink)

Serious mold remediation that also feature bacterial contamination at a senior facility.

The services of mold remediation range from a simple wipe-down of slime mold on a few bathroom tiles, to full-blown containment and demolition of badly infested and damaged structural materials.

The level of service (some self do it) to requiring professional assistance is determined by certain standards, some set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other recommendations are suggested by Industrial Hygienists and even mold contractors.

This is where it gets tricky. Some mold remediation contractors can take advantage of persons who are not familiar with mold to convince them that a whole lot of services are needed. Not all of these services are required. The EPA can provide the best information about mold. Search “EPA mold” and a wealth of information will show up from their official website. This way, the consumer can sift through the mountain of “information” and get down to the basics. The EPA removes the fear and confusion over this topic. For example, the EPA says that the consumer should be able to clean away several square feet of mold without having to hire a professional. Of course they suggest safe practices and present thoughtful ideas about this suggestion. The EPA also makes it clear when professional help is required. If you have a mold problem that requires professional help, please consider SERVPRO of Stockton at 209-477-3090.

Mold is a Four-letter Word

5/19/2017 (Permalink)

Closeup of mold, note the tiny black spores.

Mold is a four-letter word… the very mention of mold stirs negative feelings. Yet mold is a necessary part of life. Bread makers, and people who make wine, beer and cheese also rely of mold and yeasts, all part of the fungi kingdom. Molds are part of our eco system. Saying mold is bad is not a realistic statement. Tens of thousands of different molds have been identified and studied. Only a few produce negative affects on people. Tell a baker, wine maker, brewer or cheese maker that molds and yeasts are bad and your will get a funny look.

What gives mold a bad reputation?

There are molds that are able to produce tiny spores that become airborne and these spores can pass through our respiratory system and into the Alveoli sacks in our lungs and cause toxins to enter our blood stream. Infants, seniors and anyone with a compromised immune system are susceptible. These molds are called, “toxic black mold.”

Problem is, the majority of molds are black in color. Some are white, yellow and pink, but black is the most common color. People hear about “black toxic mold” and then equate the black mold that they see on a window frame as being this potentially harmful variety of “toxic mold”. The there are contractors who make a living playing off of the public’s fear and lack of knowledge about mold. They charge big fees to remove mold of any variety, harmful or not.

For realistic information about mold, one of the best sources to learn about mold is to visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website using mold as a search phrase. You will get easy to understand information about mold, and even tips on how to remove it. Another thing to do is to give us a call. SERVPRO of Stockton at 209-477-3090.