Eliminating and Preventing Mold Damage in Phoenix

8/15/2018 (Permalink)

Meet Our Future SERVPRO Mold Remediation Hero for the Phoenix Area

Phoenix Homeowners Call SERVPRO for Safe Mold Remediation

Phoenix residents rarely consider mold to be the same level of threat as a fire or one of the flash floods that can strike when the rains finally fall. The physical damage is not as explicit, but the cost to clean homes and remove mold growth each year still runs into the millions nationwide.

Mold damage to Phoenix homes usually starts in areas where owners and residents do not spend much time, or they walk in to accomplish a task and then leave quickly, such as attics and laundry rooms. When called in for a mold problem, SERVPRO restoration specialists look to these areas first as a probable point of origin for the mold.
 
Our specialists do this because mold cannot grow without enough moisture to cause dormant spores to expand and begin seeking out more water and a food source. Eliminating nearby sources of water forces the spores back to an inactive state, stopping mold growth. SERVPRO specialists can repair minor plumbing leaks that often lead to mold growth and also fix small tears in the roof or siding on a home that allows water inside. More extensive repairs require the hiring of outside contractors.
 
As the mold grows inactive, it dries out, and specialists can use vacuums with specially designed HEPA filters to trap mold spores off surfaces and even from the surrounding air. If the mold layer is very thick, they can also use water or a cleaning agent to break it up and then vacuum or wipe off the mold with a sponge. Soda blasting is a pressurized, abrasive method for removing visible mold growth from hard surfaces.
 
In areas where it is difficult to reach every surface, specialists can spray an anti-fungal agent to help eliminate all active spores or use a fogger to generate a cloud of chemical agent to stop growth. The fogger device is particularly useful in small, enclosed areas like attics, or even garages.
 
Finally, there is one thing a homeowner can do to prevent mold or stop it before it becomes a significant problem. Take a look around your out-of-the-way spaces at least once a year. Mold can grow almost anywhere, but a simple, visual inspection can quickly stop it. Remember also to use your nose, so if you detect that musty odor, which mold produces, call SERVPRO of Central Phoenix at (602) 386-4268. We are here for you.

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