Mold is Scary, But Not with Guarantee

Mold is something that is seemingly inescapable for those of us who reside in the South. It takes next to nothing before mold starts to form and then you have an organic growth infestation. Oftentimes, you might not even know it’s happening. Before anyone loses it because there is something strange looking around your vents or a funny smell in your laundry room, you have to understand what you are dealing with.

First Things First

The first step to addressing mold, or any problem really, is figuring out if you have one first. People always confuse mold with mildew, dust, or even dirt. In order for you to determine if it is actually mold, you have to utilize a testing company. Many companies test for more materials than only mold. A mold remediation company, like us here at Guarantee Restoration, cannot do the testing ourselves, so we work with third party contractors to complete this step. These professionals tell us exactly what we are dealing with. Some surface molds aren’t very harmful if they are treated quickly. Others, like stachybotrys, can prove to be highly toxic if spores are inhaled.

Steps for Mold Prevention

So that brings about the million-dollar question, “how can I prevent mold growth?” Like I previously mentioned, it’s not the easiest thing to do here in the South. In the summer especially, it can feel like you swam from your front door to your car because of the air’s moisture levels. The heat and humidity combination is no joke!

There are plenty of tricks to make sure your home stays as dry as possible. Monitor your humidity inside your house from your AC output vents. Some HVAC units produce at levels of 70% or higher, which can cause mold to start growing on any surface. Additionally, another cause of mold growth to be mindful of is from food that is either old or improperly stored. 

However, the most prevalent cause of mold occurs when water damage is not mitigated properly. These instances and bathrooms alone are notorious for being breeding grounds for organic mold growth. It important that your bathrooms are correctly ventilated so any steam can be released. 

Our GRS Mold Process 

Guarantee Restoration Services is certified by the IICRC to handle mold remediation of any size, small or large. There are a few steps to go through before a property can be considered mold-free. First, our team sets up a containment around the affected area. If mold is located only in one room, we don’t want it spreading to the rest of the property; nor do we want anyone remediating the property to get sick from the spores. 

Our team of professionals ensures this by wearing proper PPE, or personal protective equipment. They wear gloves, masks or respirators if needed. Once the containment is set up, we adjust the moisture levels of the area. A dehumidifier should be present and monitored daily to make sure the correct humidity levels are put back into the air. We will also utilize a HEPA vacuum with a filter that is changed regularly. HEPA stands for “high efficiency particulate air,” and this equipment filters out any airborne particles. 

Once our equipment is set up, we turn off any HVAC vents. Then, we cover and seal them to prevent further mold spreading. After this is completed, the demolition begins. As directed by the IICRC, we remove any affected area and cut two feet passed where the growth stopped growing. Next, our team encapsulates any mold growing on immovable materials like studs. This prevents additional spreading and stops the growth by essentially starving the mold from eating any other organic material. Finally, we dispose of any removed materials, take down our equipment and containment, and proceed to getting repairs organized. 

The 24/7 Team

At the end of the day, mold is scary, but it does not have to be. Our team of mold remediation experts is available 24/7, which is not just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE. If your business or home has a mold issue, contact us today at 1-800-349-HELP (4357) or email info@guaranteerstoration.net.

Conner Perryman is a Business Development Associate at our Jackson office. He has been with the Guarantee team since May 2018. To connect with him, visit LinkedIn or send him an email.