Salem Residents Use Professional Mold Damage Remediation

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO AMRT technicians contain the mold infested area of your Salem home to prevent cross-contamination. Call us to get it done right.

Mold Removal Technicians from SERVPRO Can Help

Microscopic organisms are a normal part of a home environment. However, the tiny seed-like spores can increase under the right conditions and become a problem for homeowners. Microbial infestation in the home causes unpleasant odors and damages materials and belongings. SERVPRO is a licensed remediation service that can help restore your property and mitigate an infestation.

Remediation of mold damage in Salem is best left to the professionals. There are hundreds of different strains of fungi, with each one having unique characteristics, and posing unique challenges, for restoration. Our technicians are extensively trained in identifying different types of fungi and implementing remediation practices.

At SERVPRO, we do not use laboratory testing for microbial infestations as these can often be time-consuming and expensive. A visual inspection of the property using an array of measuring equipment is more than sufficient to perform remediation. We recommend that homeowners who notice the common symptoms of microbial infestation- malodor, discoloration, and dampness- initiate a remediation team immediately. You can contact our twenty-four-emergency helpline and provide a loss notification. We can dispatch AMRT-applied microbial remediation technicians typically within four hours of the initial call.

When there is a microbial infestation in the home, it is crucial to avoid disturbing colonies as much as possible. Reduce foot traffic in the area suspected of infestation, and do not brush mold stains. This non-action prevents spores from becoming airborne and spreading to other home areas. We always establish proper containment protocols before agitating or aggressive action on infestations. Some of our methods for removing the infestation from materials are chemical agents, physical agitation, and the use of machinery. When a property shows severe infestation, our team generally resorts to mechanical equipment. These include rotational machines, sanders, and pressurized blasting equipment that rely on abrasive action to remove colonies. The last resort is a controlled demolition of the non-salvageable materials. SERVPRO techs bag and dispose of the infested materials according to local codes and EPA guidelines.

Steps to Prevent the Spread of Spores

• Trying to avoid entering rooms with clear signs of an infestation is vital to preventing the spread of a microbial infestation. 
• Physical barriers such as 6-mil polyethylene sheeting, which is entirely non-porous, can block airborne spores. 
• Careful organization and management of space, including decontamination rooms, are equally vital to cleaning microbes. 

The fungi require water to grow. It stands to reason then that most microbial infestations result from an underlying moisture issue. Moisture issues can originate from ineffective vapor barriers in the home. Crawlspaces are a specific area where microbes can proliferate rapidly. We offer additional services such as installing vapor barriers in crawlspaces to help prevent recurring microbial growth issues and correct moisture problems. Vapor damage is caused by evaporating moisture from underneath a home that can become wet due to rainwater or groundwater. We seal the interior with waterproof materials to stop evaporating moisture from condensation on organic materials such as the subfloor. Sometimes we can install or inspect sump pumps that help move standing water from underneath the home into a nearby drainage duct. We call this service encapsulation.

Preventative Measures for Infestations

• Pumping equipment to move water out of the home is essential for properties with crawlspaces in high rainfall areas. 
• Maintenance and cleaning of gutters, as well as appropriate pipe insulation, can help to stem the growth of microbes. 
• Replacing insulation inside wall cavities or adding insulation to poorly insulated spaces, such as garages, is also helpful in the fight against infestation. 

If you suspect a microbial infestation, contact SERVPRO of Salem / Peabody / Marblehead for mold remediation at (978) 744-4545.