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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Mold Remediation Blog Posts

The top FAQ's we get about Mold in Greene County, NY

5/23/2023 (Permalink)

Brown-colored microbial growth visible on ceiling tile in a home. Mold growth occurs all year long, call the experts in Mold Remediation to take care of it the right way, the first time!

Doesn't matter the season, there will always be mold in N.Y. Here's some of our most popular questions and answers to this irritating product of nature.

“It’s 20 degrees out, there’s no way that is mold growing in my basement, it’s not warm enough.”

The hard truth is that mold, or microbial growth, happens whenever there is a consistent moisture or water source and it’s above 32 degrees. That means a leaky hot water heater or pipe in the ceiling can very well be the source of mold in the winter in your basement.

“Ok, yes it smells funky and we noticed a leak in the wall, but it’s been fixed, now what?”

Ah, yes- the undeniable smell of mold. The dirty, musty, earthy, mushroomy, slightly bitter, off-putting, something-is-weird-here smell. Now, put down the bottle of bleach. Trust us, that will only touch the surface of the mold growth. Even if you see a difference when you scrub it, the inside of the material is still harboring a whole colony of microbes.

“Yuck, where does it even come from?”

Microbial growth is naturally occurring in the environment and gets into your home through hitching a ride on clothes, shoes and pets. But it will always be present when water is present. Mold spores just need moisture, comfy temperature and a good food source like wood or sheet rock to live and grow.

“But it’s cold out, how is it growing?”

It’s not 20 degrees inside your walls unless they’re completely uninsulated from the environment. A basement, crawl space and attic usually are insulated to help keep pipes from freezing in the winter and to keep heat inside. If you have an unknown pipe leak in the wall or ceiling, mold can start growing in as little as 48 hours. It does take longer to grow in the winter months, but it will still be there.

If bleach won't work, how do I get rid of it?”

The first step is to call a certified mold remediation company, like SERVPRO of Columbia & Greene Counties. Our experienced team will ask a few questions to get a good idea of what you might be dealing with. In some cases, they’ll recommend you have the mold tested by a mold assessor. Those are independent companies who focus on the science behind the mold and what kind you could have.**

What the mold assessor finds by lab testing is what our remediation techs use as a protocol for treatment and mitigation. We’ll be happy to give you a few names of companies we’ve worked with before and you can choose whoever you feel is the right fit for your situation.

Utilizing the protocol, our certified mold remediation pros will handle the containment, removal and treatments of the affected areas in your home, that can also include drying equipment and specialized treatments depending on the scope of the project.

Once the mitigation is complete, the assessor will come back to re-test to make sure all is clear. This is crucial to get documented as well when you sell or if you’re buying a home.

If you think you might have a mold issue in your home or business anywhere in Columbia or Greene Counties, trust the local experts who have been taking care of the Hudson Valley for over 30 years. We’ll walk you through every step of the way, and always here to help-24/7.

**Per NY State guidelines- the remediation company and the mold testing company can not be one and the same, that’s a significant conflict to you as the consumer.

Mold Doctors

4/9/2020 (Permalink)

This is a basement that had mold in it and the owners called SERVPRO of Columbia & Greene Counties to come assess the issue and take care of it. First step was place a negative air machine/ HEPA filter air scrubbing machine to clean out the air in the basement. While that was being done, techs cleaned the entire basement with appropriate products from ceiling to floor. Underside of the subfloor plywood sheathing, floor joists, walls, and floor was done. Techs then sprayed all of the basement except the floor with mold sealant to prevent further mold from appearing. It came out looking great and even gave the basement a newer cleaner look! You can count on SERVPRO of Columbia & Greene Counties for your mold mitigation!

Taking Mold Precautions

4/19/2019 (Permalink)

The above picture shows mold that formed behind kitchen cabinets during an unknown water loss at a summer home.

SERVPRO of Columbia & Greene Counties Professionals handle water damages every day and know immediate action is required to prevent mold growth. Mold is most likely to spread in high moisture conditions in your home or business after a long period of time. If you sustained a water damage, it is important to remove excess water and wet contents within the structure as soon as possible. It is important to be alert for: 

  • The presence of mold.
  • Strong musty odors.
  • Evidence of past moisture problems.
  • Excessive humidity. 

If you think you may be experiencing a mold problem or just sustained a water damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Columbia & Greene Counties at (518) 943-5005. A Professional will assess the issue and examine the structure for any signs of mold.