Professional Deodorization After Fire Damage in San Angelo

9/12/2019 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot ashes penetrate surfaces and leave odors. SERVPRO of San Angelo has the equipment to leave your home smelling fresh.

A fire in your San Angelo home causes many kinds of harm. Destruction of contents and supporting structures from charring can be severe, and soiling from soot drifting throughout your home reaches areas far from the blaze. As you cope with the many tasks needed to restore possessions and building materials, you concentrate on safety and swift remediation of your living spaces back to a clean, dry, and safe state.

Although your initial focus might not be on the smells resulting from fire damage in your San Angelo home, failure to address the odors in your dwelling can come back to haunt you. Lingering smoky aromas impact the enjoyment you deserve to remain in your home after cleanup and restoration. Our team of highly-qualified fire damage responders have strategies to rid your home of offensive odors related to the fire damage.

The first steps toward effective odor control are part of overall fire damage cleanup. SERVPRO removes all charred items from your home, which might need some detective work if the fire spread behind walls or other hidden areas. Sealing of charred surfaces is sometimes an option if the disposal is not possible. Any burned materials continue to emit odor vapors unless steps are taken to remove or contain them.

Thorough cleaning also works to reduce odors. SERVPRO uses appropriate cleaners and solvents to clear bad-smelling soot and other residues. If disposal of charred remains and heavy-duty cleaning do not do the trick, we move on to technological advances that use different approaches.

Thermal fogging is an option SERVPRO employs in some cases. A heated chamber recreates the fire’s environment, combusting deodorizing compounds that then spread into the air seeking odor-bearing particles. When the heated deodorizers encounter the particles, they combine, neutralizing the odor through a series of chemical changes. Ozone machines and hydroxyl generators also create minute deodorizing residue, sending these tiny bits airborne to locate the odor-bearing particles, rendering them odorless at the molecular level.

Consult SERVPRO of San Angelo for assistance in eliminating the odors created by fire damage. Call (325)942-0414 to set up an appointment with a deodorization expert.

What's Involved in Mold Remediation

8/13/2018 (Permalink)

The air scrubber is one of the many equipment SERVPRO of San Angelo can respond to your home with for your restoration needs.

There are several phases in the mold remediation process. The following list does not include mold testing, which is the precursor to mold cleanup. If testing reveals the presence of any type of mold in your home, including black mold, you should retain the services of a certified remediation company in Oklahoma City, OK.

1. Containment: The first step to handling mold is to determine how much mold is present and containing the problem to avoid mold from spreading during cleanup. Mold should be removed by experts who adhere to industry best practices.

2. Personal Protection: The next step to handling a mold problem is determining whether the remediation process will pose a threat to any residents in the household with weak or compromised immune systems including very young children or elderly people.

3. Tear Out: Only experts trained in industry best practices are qualified to safely tear out mold infested building materials such as drywall or insulation. This is particularly the case when black mold is involved.

4. Cleaning and Disinfection: Once the worst of the mold has been removed, remediation experts will clean and disinfect the affected area of a home.

5. Drying and Restoration: The most critical phase in remediation is preventing a mold problem from returning. It is important to keep affected areas dry and even run a dehumidifier to prevent moisture from collecting. Once the moisture problem has been handled, the area is ready to be restored to pre-damage condition.

If you discover mold in your home or suspect that non-visible mold is present, you should contact remediation specialists based in Oklahoma City, OK to schedule mold testing. Once you determine whether you are dealing with black mold or another type of mold and the extent of the growth, you will be better prepared to make the best choices to eliminate the presence of mold in your home. Visit SERVPROOfSanAngelo.com for more information on mold. 

What Happens During Mold Remediation?

8/6/2018 (Permalink)

If you are concerned about black mold in your home in San Angelo understanding the mold cleanup process is a fantastic way to help yourself feel more relaxed about the process. Mold remediation is a well-understood process, after all, and when executed by trained professionals, it can clean up practically any damage while preventing the recurrence of mold growths.

Containment

The first step to remediating mold is to remove the moisture and the heat that allows the mold to flourish. This might mean a variety of different operations need to be undertaken, including:

Drying the area
Possibly repairing plumbing, foundation leaks, or other sources of moisture
Removing damaged materials that cannot be cleaned
Repairing and replacing those materials

Cleanup

Once the area is contained and anything that is too damaged to be cleaned has been removed, the next step is to clean the remaining mold. Since some mold can be toxic, professional cleaning crews use personal protective equipment during this process. Cleaning often disturbs the mold in ways that can temporarily make it airborne, so it is important that only protected workers occupy the area during cleanup.

If your mold cleanup process involves mold in areas where it is likely to have spread into and through ducts, it is important to hire specialists who know how to work within the EPA’s guidelines for repairing HVAC system mold problems and cleaning ducts.

Mold Cleanup in San Angelo

The important thing to remember is that mold remediation should be handled by trained professionals with the right equipment. If you discover a mold problem in your home, it is important that you hire contractors with the experience and the training to not only fully clean your home, but to protect it and themselves.

Water damage and restoration specialists are the way to go, but not every firm is fully certified for mold. That’s why you need to work with people you know can get the job done. Visit SERVPROOfSanAngelo.com for more information on mold damage.

Giving Mold the Boot

8/3/2018 (Permalink)

You've likely heard it before: most buildings can become prone to mold growth at some point or another. But why your place in San Angelo? While you rack your brain for reasons why your commercial building has seen a recent mold invasion, take a look at some of these three quick facts, as well as some tips on how to prevent this troubling organism in your facility.

1. Strong Fungi

With the ability to grow on any organic surface, mold is one powerful fungus. However, you can combat this resilience by learning more about the organism itself. Mold can travel through reproductive spores in the air – making it impossible to see with the naked eye. Part of mold prevention means maintaining an awareness of its many destructive capabilities.

2. Stronger Maintenance

Mold doesn't just lay claim to your delicious workplace meals. Look beyond the company refrigerator and into subtler places where moisture could become trapped. If your building has fallen victim to past water damage, you could be dealing with some uninvited guests. Start off on the right foot with mold prevention by remaining aware of all maintenance checkups, which could help you catch a problem in its beginning stages. If a repair is in order, address it promptly so no outside moisture lets itself in.

3. Clean Spaces

You also likely know the importance of a clean working environment. Rarely do employees enjoy a filthy fridge or a dirty bathroom; however, these are some of mold's favorite locations. Put a stop to mold growth by cleaning all rooms regularly, including tough spots such as the backs of sinks and toilets, near pipes where condensation builds up, and in any other place that can harbor moisture.

There are many preventative steps building owners in San Angelo can consider when approaching a fungal issue on the property. Educate yourself on mold prevention and all the basics so you can address the problem and get back to your facility and your business. For more information, visit SERVPROOfSanAngelo.com

Mold Can Be Tricky to Spot

7/11/2018 (Permalink)

Nobody wants to hear the word mold. Since our youth we have been taught mold is bad and harmful to your health. If you have mold on your food you throw it away. If mold is in the air you pray for rain and head to the drug store for sinuses medicine. If mold is involved there is a problem, especially if it is in your house. But, luckily for everyone mold can be remediated. People forget there are mold spores all around us outside all the time. The purpose of a house is to protect you from the outside elements like keeping mold spores in nature. Some individuals are more sensitive to allergies than others. Good thing mold remediation is a common practice and can be done in a timely manner with some simple steps.

First and foremost, the moisture source of the mold growth must be eliminated or fixed before cleaning can begin. If you notice a water leak, please contact a plumber immediately. 

Mold remediation can simplified into three steps:

1. Control Environment-Set up containment, air filtration equipment and negative air flow to control environment and prevent further contamination.
2. Remove and Clean- Remove and properly dispose of all porous materials contaminated with mold. Clean all nonporous materials contaminated with mold, HEPA vacuum, and apply anti-microbial agent.
3. Dry Structure- Dry structure to reduce moisture levels below that which enables growth. Obtain final clearance testing from Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP).

SERVPRO of San Angelo specializes in mold remediation for both commercial and residential buildings. If you notice mold growing in your home or business, please give us a call today at 325-942-0414. 

The Process of Mold Remediation

7/6/2018 (Permalink)

Mold is a fungus, and it grows virtually everywhere on Earth. Lately, mold has become a hot topic because of increasing awareness about its potential health hazards. People aren’t exactly sure how many mold species there are, but estimates range anywhere between tens of thousands to over a few hundred thousand. Some of these different types aren’t dangerous to human health, while others lead to chronic and severe health conditions.

In as little as 48 hours, a minor mold issue can quickly spread through a home or business. Once you contact us, we’re dedicated to starting the remediation process quickly. This fast response lessens the mold damage, limits additional damage, and reduces the remediation cost.

SERVPRO of San Angelo (325)942-0414.

Get Rid of Mold

5/8/2018 (Permalink)

Get Rid of Mold

Here are some healthy tips to follow when you are dealing with mold from us here at SERVPRO of San Angelo. Some people cringe at the sound of the word mold but it may be easier to take care of then you think. Hopefully these will help ease the stress along the way.

• Take things that were wet for 2 or more days outside. Things that stay wet 2 or more days can have mold on them. Mold is not always visible by looking.
• Take out stuff made of cloth, unless you can wash them in HOT water.
• Use bleach to clean mold of of hard things(like floors, counter tops, toys, tools, and plates.)
• Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners.
• wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, googles, and a mask.
• Open windows and doors to get fresh air when you use bleach.
• Mix no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water.
• Wash the item with the bleach and water mixture.
• Rinse the item with clean water.
• Dry the item or leave it out to dry.

Mold Remediation

8/3/2017 (Permalink)

Typical mold on walls and ceiling

San Angelo and Concho Valley residents,

Is MOLD trying to take over your home or business?

 Everyone dreads when they look in their basement, under the kitchen sink, or around wet boxes in the garage and see that yellow, green, black, or orange substance. The sinking feeling hits – “I’ve got a mold problem.” While not all mold is bad, some mold can cause health concerns for many people. Any kind of water flooding in your home or business can cause mold to grow --anything from water leaks to varying humidity. The best way to get ahead of Mold is to take precautions. Here are some different signs that your home or business is being over-run by the Mold itself:

-You can visibly see the mold
-Musty odor –indicates mold is present
-Any type of moisture problems that may have -caused mold growth
-Excessive humidity

If you think you have a mold problem, and Mold has taken up residence in your home or business, please call SERVPRO® of San Angelo, (325)942-0414.  We are always Here to Help!