Recent Why SERVPRO Posts

Spring is Coming!! Be Ready For Rain!

3/2/2023 (Permalink)

Spring is just around the corner and that means so is the rain. Like they say, Spring showers bring May flowers. But Spring storms often bring flooding and storm damage as well. Here are some tips to help prevent Spring storm damage in Delaware, OH:

  • Clean out your gutters and downspouts- this prevents clogging that will add weight to your roof causing roof damage and possible roof collapse
  • Seal windows, doors, and roof- these areas are prone to heavy storm waters leaking through
  • Search for cracks in your foundation- even small cracks in you foundation can cause major damage as water sits in the ground and seeps into your home
  •  Install a backflow valve in your basement to prevent sewage backup- when there are heavy rains, the city sewage system becomes overwhelmed often leaving you with the problem of backflow.

Hopefully, you don't have any issues due to Spring storms but if you do call SERVPRO of Delaware, OH at 740-369-5020. We are open 24/7 and always here to help our community!

Delaware and Union County Tips for Mold

12/5/2022 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

  • Stay out of affected areas.
  • Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
  • Contact SERVPRO of Delaware, OH for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do:

  • Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
  • Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
  • Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
  • Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Delaware, OH specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 740-369-5020

Community Involvement in Delaware, OH

12/5/2022 (Permalink)

We have been in the community a lot. We don't just help with fire, water, mold, and reconstruction, but we also volunteer in the community. Our Marketing Manager, Christi is always helping out daily. You may have seen her at First Friday, all of the local chamber events, Touch-a-Truck, volunteering to pass out food to those who need it most, and much more. Since it is the season of giving, we wanted to share with you when you may see us in the community coming up:

-Donating ornaments to give out during Christmas parades

-Christmas Parties for all of the local realty groups and chambers

-Christmas Breakfast's 

-Donating food and passing out food

-Handing out hot cocoa and crafts for the kids

We can't wait to see all of you and we hope you have a wonderful Christmas season and a Happy New Year!

Love, Your SERVPRO family!

Where Does Mold Come From In Your Home?

12/1/2022 (Permalink)

A mold situation begins with those small, dark, little dots that, with ample moisture and nutrients, gradually spreads and grows across a wall or on a surface. You may open a closet door and see a dark circular pattern growing on the back wall and can only wonder how it got there?

Mold has to come from somewhere and the reality is, it’s no mystery. Mold found indoors comes from the outdoors. There are many types of mold found in the environment—tens of thousands of species in a wide variety of colors, in fact—and many ways it can get in your home. Mold spores can drift indoors through a screened window or open door, or it can be carried in on shoes, a golf bag, a backpack, or a coat that gets hung in a closet, and then spread through the ventilation system. Mold spores can also enter your home through leaky roofs, foundations, door frames or window casements. Once the spores that are carried in or drift in are exposed to dampness, moisture or water, mold usually begins to grow there. The spores that come in through a leak somewhere in the structure of your house are already primed to grow. If you suspect mold in your home, give SERVPRO of Delaware, OH a call at 740-369-5020. 

Mold In Delaware, OH

7/4/2022 (Permalink)

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.

Dealing With Mold In Your Ostrander Home

5/12/2022 (Permalink)

What can Increase the Risk of Mold Growth?

Interestingly enough, the more people in your home, the higher your risks of mold growing there. The reason for this, is because we release a lot of moisture into the air when we breathe.

Also, things such as long hot showers, cooking with uncovered pots, drying clothes on an indoor clothesline, and use of humidifiers, contribute to placing moisture into the air.

Storing wet firewood, watering many plants, and keeping many vegetables like potatoes and squash can create a mold problem too.

What Does Mold Need to Grow?

Not only does mold need that moisture, but also food sources too. By food sources I mean materials they live on.

Food sources such as drywall, wood, insulation, cardboard and paper, as well as invisible bio-film on hard surfaces, carpet backing, wallpaper adhesive, many fabrics, leather, and especially house dust are mold havens for spores.

Can We Live in a Mold Free World?

Mold is ever present; we cannot expect to live in a mold free world. However, mold is not a problem most of the time, until you can see or smell it.

This is when a call to action is needed. Delay in these matters will worsen the problem at hand.

Always remember, when mold is an issue, deal with it promptly, and do not wait. If you have any questions regarding mold, contact SERVPRO of Delaware, OH at 740-369-5020.

Understanding Moisture and Mold

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

It’s estimated that more than 1 million types of mold exist, yet less than 10 percent have actually been named. This means mold is very common in both indoor and outdoor environments. While mold and humans can sometimes co-exist without issue, there are certain species of mold that can cause health effects.

If the right conditions exist, mold will grow.  Those conditions include:

  • Water - Different mold types require varying amounts of liquid before growth begins.   
  • Temperature - Normal indoor temperatures will promote mold growth.
  • Time - Initial mold colonizers can take hold within one day after being exposed to an adequate water supply.

Mold growth can occur in any home, so it’s important to keep an eye out for situations that might promote mold activity. Roof/chimney leaks, wet basements, or condensation from ducts that dampen surrounding insulation are just a few examples of issues that make a house a prime target for mold growth.

If you suspect mold in your home, call SERVPRO of Delaware, Oh to assess the situation. We have the knowledge, tools and track record to effectively remediate mold in your home or business.

If you suspect mold, call us today at 740-369-5020

What to Do:

  • Stay out of affected areas.
  • Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
  • Contact SERVPRO of Delaware, OH for mold remediation services

Should You Remove Mold By Yourself?

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

Many homeowners are interested in do it yourself mold removal. They want to know how to clean mold themselves because they want to save money. Some also like the satisfaction of doing a job themselves. In some cases, it makes sense to handle a household mold problem yourself. Sometimes, though, it’s necessary to call in a professional that knows how to clean mold, like SERVPRO of Delaware, OH.

When Is Removing Mold Yourself a Good Idea?

Cleaning up mold yourself may be a good idea if:

  • The mold only covers a small area.
  • The mold is growing on easy-to-clean surfaces like glass, metal, tile, tubs, or sinks.
  • The mold is growing on hard-to-clean materials, like carpet, that are easy to remove and replace and you know how to do it properly.

Of course, you always have the option of hiring a professional for the job if you don’t want to do it yourself or simply don’t have the time or energy for what can be a time-consuming process.

When Is Do It Yourself Mold Removal Not Such a Good Idea?

In some situations, it’s better to call in a mold remediation professional for assistance. Cleaning up mold yourself is probably not such a good idea if:

  • The mold covers a large area (greater than three feet by three feet, according to the Environmental Protection Agency).
  • Mold develops after flooding with water
  • There is mold in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (most homeowners have neither the knowledge nor the equipment needed to properly remove mold from their HVAC systems).
  • You aren’t sure how to do all parts of the job correctly (if, for instance, there is mold inside your walls and you don’t know how to remove and replace drywall) or you don’t have all the tools required to do the job (such as a drywall saw, if you need to remove moldy drywall).
  • You have moldy wood that cannot be removed and replaced, so the moldy area needs to be sanded and encapsulated instead.

In some instances, homeowners handle part of the job themselves while calling in a professional for other parts of the job, like removing mold from their HVAC system.

For Help with Mold Removal

If you need help with mold removal, or if you’d just like some professional advice before beginning do it yourself mold removal, we suggest consulting with a mold remediation specialist in Delaware County. You can schedule a free in-home consultation with a professional that knows how to clean mold. You can get some free expert advice and then determine whether or not it’s a job you’re prepared to tackle yourself. There is no charge and no obligation, so there’s nothing to lose.

If you suspect mold that you cannot handle or want advice on contact SERVPRO of Delaware, OH at (740) 369-5020.

We are Cleaning Experts

3/20/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

  • Kitchen/Food Areas
  • Bathrooms
  • Schools/Classrooms
  • Offices
  • Retail Spaces
  • Water Fountains
  • Shelving/Racks
  • Sales Counters
  • Carpets and Rugs
  • Stair Handrails
  • Elevator Cars
  • Playground Equipment
  • Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Delaware,OH at 740-369-5020 

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-prevent-spread.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html