Stopping Mold Growth

8/4/2017 (Permalink)

The simplest way to stop mold growth is to reduce moisture.

Mold growth is not as noticeable as fire or water damage. It can be just as dangerous to residents and destroy as much property if left unchecked and untreated. Stopping the advancement of mold growth, however, is simpler to accomplish for the most part.

To understand how SERVPRO stops mold damage in Huntsville homes and businesses, it helps to know how mold gets started in the first place. Individual mold spores are smaller than a mustard seed, but function in the same manner. A mass containing thousands of them is much smaller than a dandelion, but when it is disturbed, reacts the same way; it breaks apart and spreads the spores (seeds) as far as an air current takes them.

In most cases, these spores touchdown and remain inert, a threat to no one or anything. To expand, they need moisture. The expanding spores extend hyphae across surfaces, seeking a food source so they can grow. When they find one, the spores form a new mass, and the cycle repeats itself, spreading across walls, ceilings, under carpets, and into HVAC ductwork. Most of this takes place between 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, but a few species of mold can grow at high or lower temperatures. To stop growth and render the spores inert, we perform the following tasks: reduce the moisture available, remove the food source and either raise or lower the temperature.

The simplest way to stop growth is to reduce moisture. Our technicians examine the area around it for standing water and measure the humidity level. We use pumps and extractors to remove visible water and draw unseen water from floors and carpets and set-up dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the air.

Removing the food source requires a certain amount of demolition that starts with removing drywall and ceiling tiles. It is simply not cost-effective to try to clean and restore them. If we find mold under a carpet, the same is true.

Changing the temperature is the most difficult factor to manage. Trying to raise or lower the temperature of an affected area can take a long time since it is usually unsafe to engage the HVAC with an active mold growth in the home. In smaller areas, we use heaters to raise the temperature effectively, but even then, we do so as part of reducing the moisture levels.

As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of South Madison County is close by and ready to help with your mold-damaged property.  Contact us today at (256) 533-5335 if you need our help or suspect there may be a problem and want to schedule an inspection.