Archived Mold Remediation Blog Posts
Signs and Symptoms of Hidden Mold Damage in My Chino Hills Home?
5/28/2024 (Permalink)
We are leaders in mold remediation services in San Bernardino County.
Our local Chino/Chino Hills team has been restoring mold damage in Chino Hills for many years. Visible signs of mold may not always be apparent, but discoloration or staining on walls, ceilings, or floors can indicate underlying mold growth. Such discoloration may appear as patches of black, green, or brown. Additionally, peeling or bubbling paint and wallpaper can suggest moisture issues and potential mold growth beneath the surface.
Mold feeds on organic matter, like paint, drywall, glue, fabric, wood, and clothing. Residents may notice a strong, musty odor they cannot place, which is often an indicator of mold hiding inside a wall. Some places mold colonies may thrive include inside air conditioning units, inside wallpaper, or underneath carpeting.
Water damage, such as water stains, warped or buckled flooring, and swollen drywall, may also indicate hidden mold growth behind surfaces. Furthermore, excessive moisture or condensation on windows, walls, or ceilings and a noticeable increase in humidity levels can suggest conditions conducive to mold growth.
Regular inspections, prompt remediation of water leaks, proper ventilation, and maintaining indoor humidity levels below 60% are essential for preventing and addressing hidden mold damage in homes.
Call Us Today!
When your Chino Hills home or commercial business experiences a mold outbreak, our Chino/Chino Hills team will remediate the mold damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 909-548-3191.
SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.
Can Mold Grow in the Air Conditioning Unit in My Home in Chino Hills?
4/23/2024 (Permalink)
We are leaders in mold damage remediation in San Bernardino County.
Our Chino/Chino Hills team restores mold damage in homes and businesses in Chino Hills quickly and efficiently.
Mold growth can occur inside an air conditioning unit due to several factors. Air conditioning units create a conducive environment for mold growth through condensation, where moisture accumulates on surfaces within the unit. This moisture and organic particles such as dust and debris provide an ideal substrate for mold spores to germinate and proliferate.
The evaporator coils inside the unit can become coated with moisture and dust over time, creating a breeding ground for mold. Additionally, the dark, damp environment inside the unit promotes mold growth, especially in areas with poor ventilation.
Moisture can also accumulate if the air conditioning unit experiences frequent or prolonged periods of inactivity, promoting mold growth.
Improper maintenance, such as neglecting to clean or replace air filters regularly, can exacerbate the problem by accumulating dust and debris, providing additional nutrients for mold growth.
Once mold establishes itself within the air conditioning unit, it can spread to other parts of the HVAC system, potentially contaminating the indoor air supply.
Regular maintenance, including cleaning and disinfecting the unit, replacing air filters, and ensuring proper ventilation, is essential for preventing mold growth inside air conditioning units and maintaining indoor air quality.
Call Us Today!
When your Chino Hills home or commercial property has mold damage, our Chino/Chino Hills team will restore the damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 909-548-3191.
SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.
Chino & Chino Hills Water Damage Restoration: The Ultimate Guide
10/9/2023 (Permalink)
We restore water damage 24 hours a day in Chino Hills & all of San Bernardino County.
Water damage can strike at any time, and if you live in Chino or Chino Hills, California, you know that the risk of flooding is a constant concern. Whether it's from heavy rains, burst pipes, or other unforeseen disasters, being prepared and knowing what to do after a flood is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through step-by-step instructions on how homeowners in Chino and Chino Hills can address water damage and when it's essential to call in professionals like SERVPRO for assistance.
Step 1: Ensure Safety
The first and foremost concern after a flood is ensuring the safety of your family and yourself. Be cautious about electrical hazards and potential structural damage. Turn off the power supply to your home if it's safe to do so and avoid walking through standing water until you're sure it's not electrically charged.
Step 2: Document the Damage
Before you start cleaning up, document the extent of the damage for insurance purposes. Take photos and videos of all affected areas, including walls, floors, furniture, and personal belongings. This will help streamline the insurance claims process.
Step 3: Remove Water
The next step is to remove the standing water from your home. You can use a wet/dry vacuum or hire a professional water extraction service for more extensive flooding. Ensure that all waterlogged items like carpets and furniture are removed and placed in a dry area to prevent further damage.
Step 4: Prevent Mold Growth
Mold can start to grow within 24-48 hours after water damage, so it's essential to take steps to prevent it. Begin by opening windows and doors to increase ventilation. Use dehumidifiers and fans to dry out the affected areas. Remove any wet materials that cannot be adequately dried, such as drywall or insulation.
Step 5: Sanitize and Disinfect
After the area is dry, it's crucial to sanitize and disinfect thoroughly to prevent microbial growth and ensure a safe living environment. Use a mixture of water and bleach or a commercial disinfectant to clean all surfaces, including walls and floors.
Step 6: Assess Structural Damage
Inspect your home for any structural damage that may have occurred during the flood. Look for cracks in the walls, warped floors, or compromised foundations. If you find any issues, consult a structural engineer or contractor for assessment and repair.
Step 7: Contact Your Insurance Company
Notify your insurance company of the water damage as soon as possible. Provide them with all the documentation you collected in Step 2 and follow their instructions for filing a claim. This will help you get the financial assistance you need for repairs.
When to Call SERVPRO:
While these steps can help you address minor water damage, there are situations where calling in professionals like SERVPRO is necessary:
Extensive Flooding: If your home has been severely flooded, it's best to leave the cleanup to experts who have the equipment and experience to handle large-scale disasters.
Hidden Water Damage: Water can seep into walls, floors, and other hidden areas, leading to mold growth and structural damage. SERVPRO professionals can identify and address these hidden issues.
Sewage Contamination: If the floodwater is contaminated with sewage or other hazardous materials, it's unsafe to handle without proper protective gear and expertise.
Electrical Concerns: If there is any risk of electrical hazards, it's crucial to have professionals assess and mitigate the danger.
Water damage restoration in Chino and Chino Hills requires a systematic approach to ensure the safety of your home and family. While minor issues can often be addressed by homeowners, it's essential to recognize when professional assistance is needed. SERVPRO is your trusted partner in handling severe water damage situations. By following these steps and knowing when to call in the experts, you can recover from a flood and restore your home to its pre-damage condition.
Call Us Today!
When your Chino/Chino Hills home or commercial business has a water damage problem, our Chino/Chino Hills team is Here to Help. ® We’ll restore your water damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 909-548-3191.
Water Leak Causes Mold Outbreak in El Prado Home?
5/16/2023 (Permalink)
We are leaders in mold remediation services in San Bernardino County.
Our local Chino/Chino Hills team is trained and certified to mitigate and restore mold damage in El Prado. Mold is often a symptom of water damage. We will locate and address any leaks or excess moisture issues as part of the remediation process to reduce the chances of the mold returning once the remediation process is complete.
Here are some of the signs that you may have mold damage:
- Strong, musty odor
- Recent water damage
- Fluffy white or black spots on clothing
- Stinky, damp carpeting
- Water leak inside of a wall
- Water leak inside a cabinet
- Leaking water tank
- Leaking water heater
- Leaking water supply line
- Spotting on upholstered furniture
- Spotting on drapes or fabric blinds
- Spotting on wallpaper
- Bubbling paint on walls
- Dark spots on walls
- Musty smell from an air conditioner
- Visible mold growing on wall or floor tiles
Mold Removal Process
- Emergency Contact – 909-548-3191
- Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
- Mold Containment
- Air Filtration
- Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
- Cleaning Contents and Belongings
- Restoration
Call Us!
When your El Prado home or commercial business has a mold outbreak, our Chino/Chino Hills team is Here to Help. ® We’ll restore your mold damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 909-548-3191.
Franchises are independently owned and operated.
What is the Process Used to Remove Mold from my Home in Los Serranos?
4/3/2023 (Permalink)
We are leaders in mold remediation services in San Bernardino County.
Los Serranos residents trust our local team in Chino/Chino Hills to mitigate and remove mold from contaminated surfaces, furnishings, and clothing. We follow the same comprehensive process for every customer we serve.
- Emergency Contact
We’ll ask you questions to determine the necessary equipment and resources.
- Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
We follow local and state laws regarding inspection and documentation based on your unique situation.
- Mold Containment
We may use advanced containment procedures like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.
- Air Filtration
We utilize powerful “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while mold remediation is in process.
- Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
We use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming.
- Cleaning Contents
We clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold.
- Restoration
Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet, or it may require the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.
Call Us!
When your Los Serranos home or commercial business has a mold problem, our Chino/Chino Hills team is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 909-548-3191.
Franchises are independently owned and operated.
Baby Sleeps Through Mold Remediation Services in Chino Hills?
3/28/2023 (Permalink)
We clean surfaces and belongings exposed to mold in San Bernardino County.
Our local team in Chino/Chino Hills technicians are trained and certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to mitigate and remove mold from contaminated surfaces, furnishings, and clothing. We go above and beyond to ensure our customers are completely satisfied with our work. Here is a recent Google review from one of our happy mold remediation customers:
“So happy to have used SERVPRO for our mold mitigation and remodel. They went above and beyond to help get our home back to normal. They were so nice and even worked quietly when our baby slept! Highly recommend!” Emmy Jerez
Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness
Services: Water removal, Remodeling, Mold mitigation, Water damage-related cleanup & repair
Restoration
Sometimes mold remediation involves the removal of drywall, subfloors, and other building materials. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may require major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.
Call Us Today!
If you notice a musty odor, or if you have had water damage recently, you may have a mold outbreak. When your Chino Hills home or commercial property has a mold problem, our Chino/Chino Hills team is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 909-548-3191.
Franchises are independently owned and operated.
Mold Problem in El Prado?
2/21/2023 (Permalink)
We are leaders in mold mitigation and removal services in San Bernardino County.
Our local team in Chino/Chino Hills can help when you discover a mold outbreak in your home or commercial business. Our technicians have the training, equipment, and experience needed to remediate mold problems in El Prado, no matter how extensive the infestation is. Everything in the compromised area will require professional cleaning to minimize the chances for the mold to return once the remediation process is complete.
We specialize in restoring contents damaged by mold. Our expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. We pretest your contents to determine what items can be restored back to their condition before the water and mold damage. We utilize several methods of cleaning your contents, including:
- Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning
- Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues
- Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand wet cleaning
- Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned
- Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned
- Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product
Call Us Today!
When you have a mold problem in your El Prado home or commercial business, our Chino/Chino Hills team is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 909-548-3191.
Franchises are independently owned and operated.
Mold and Mildew Concerns
1/29/2020 (Permalink)
Mold on floor joist
When something goes wrong in your home, it is natural to expect the worst. Many homeowners in the Chino/Chino Hills area are well-educated in regards to mold and the problems it can cause and while many of the homes in the area are relatively new, mold does not necessarily stick to a timeline. Trapped moisture behind a wall that has gone unnoticed or ignored can rapidly become a more serious (and expensive) issue.
Recently, our office was contacted by a homeowner in Chino Hills who was experiencing a chronic illness brought on by what was suspected to be a mold issue. After several rounds of antibiotics, she had had enough. We dispatched two technicians to the home to do an initial inspection in the garage and bathroom areas, respectively. We discovered a roof leak that had spread down into one of the walls and effectively destroyed the drywall. While seemingly a fairly black and white situation with a simple enough solution (cut open the wall, remove affected materials, dry out the wall’s interior), there was one glaring inconsistency: the affected wall was nowhere near the bathroom and the source of the earthen odor that is common with mold.
Our technicians deduced that since the roof had leaked in one place, it was reasonable enough to assume that it had leaked in another. After inspecting the bathroom, they discovered that the downstairs bathtub was being used as a storage area for extra towels and washcloths. Over the years, the bathtub faucet had dripped water onto the washcloths and they had begun to mold. The homeowner had no idea, due to the fact that the washcloths were buried beneath other items. The inspection showed no other signs of moisture in the bathroom, and the odor began to fade as soon as the washcloths were removed.
The homeowner was not only happy, but relieved. After so many rounds of heavy-duty medications and not knowing the culprit, she could finally find closure and begin to recover.
Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the ones that are overlooked. This situation is more common than you may think. In the midst of a seemingly major event, it is important to take a step back and assess the situation from a calm perspective. More often than not, it is an easy fix. If it is a major problem, your local SERVPRO of Chino / Chino Hills is here to help, 24/7, 365 days a year.
Does Your Chino Valley Home Have A Mold Problem?
6/6/2019 (Permalink)
Act fast! Mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.
Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:
- Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
- Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
- Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
- Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
- Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
- Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.
If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.
If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (909) 548-3191.
Mold
2/28/2017 (Permalink)
Mold problem? SERVPRO of Chino / Chino Hills will make it like it never happened.
Molds are part of the natural environment, and can be found everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Mold is not usually a problem, unless it begins growing indoors. The best way to control mold growth is to control moisture. The EPA website provides guidance about mold and moisture for homes, schools, multifamily and commercial buildings. Molds can have a big impact on indoor air quality.
Ten Things You Should Know about Mold
- Mold can cause health effects.
- There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
- If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
- Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
- Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by:
- Venting bathrooms, dryers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside
- Using air conditioners and de-humidifiers
- Increasing ventilation
- Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning
- Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
- Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
- Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
- In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
- Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance,so long as moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.
Mold Cleanup
If you already have a mold problem - ACT QUICKLY. Mold damages what it grows on. The longer it grows, the more damage it can cause. Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors. One consideration is the size of the mold problem. If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (think of a roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself. However:
- If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, consult EPA guide Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document is applicable to other building types.
- If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professional service provider) to do the cleanup, make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold. Check references and ask the contractor to follow the recommendations in EPA guide Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, the guidelines of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other guidelines from professional or government organizations.
- If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold (it is part of an identified moisture problem, for instance, or there is mold near the intake to the system), consult EPA guide Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? before taking further action. Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold - it could spread mold throughout the building.
- If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, then call in a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.
- If you have health concerns, consult a health professional before starting cleanup.
Floods and Flooding
During a flood cleanup, the indoor air quality in your home or office may appear to be the least of your problems. However, failure to remove contaminated materials and to reduce moisture and humidity can present serious long-term health risks. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and mold. They can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the flood.
EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency): https://www.epa.gov/mold
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