The Need to Know About Mold This Summer

5/27/2022 (Permalink)

Mold thrives in warm environments, so summer and its temperature changes make for a particularly fruitful time for mold growth.

Summer is almost here, and with all the fun that entails, it is important to understand that it is also a time of year in which mold growth is more likely to occur. Why is that? During the summer, there is often increased humidity, which means that there is more moisture in the air and on surfaces. Mold also thrives in warm environments, so summer and its temperature changes make for a particularly fruitful time for mold growth. Today, we’ll introduce you to three of the most common types of mold in homes and share with you the ways in which we care for them.

Categories of Mold

Three different types of mold that are most commonly found in homes are alternaria, stachybotrys (black mold), and cladosporium. Alternaria is the most common variety of allergenic mold. Water damaged and damp areas within the home, such as showers, bathtubs, and leaking sinks, are prone to the growth of Alternaria if preventative measures are not taken. Black mold, stachybotrys, appears black, as its name suggests, and is commonly found in damp areas, as well as the spaces around ventilation systems if they leak during the summer. Lastly, Cladosporium is usually blue/green to brown or black in color and can be found on decaying plant surfaces.

How We Care for Mold & Our 5 Principles of Mold Remediation

Here at SERVPRO, we abide by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification’s S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation. The IICRC outlines three condition levels for mold remediation, which include: 1) Normal Fungal Ecology, 2) Settled Spores, and 3) Actual Growth. Our primary focus when handling mold is containment, as we aim to prevent spread. Through the use of advanced technologies like negative air chambers, which isolate the affected area with negative air pressure and physical barriers, prevent mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process. Additionally, we ensure thorough results through our 5 principles of mold remediation: 

1. Safety and Health
2. Documentation
3. Control Contaminants
4. Remove the Contamination
5. Correct the Moisture Problem

We also consult an Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP), who conducts final clearance testing as soon as the moisture problem is corrected.

Call SERVPRO for Mold Remediation Services This Summer

If your residential or commercial property experiences mold growth this summer, look no further than SERVPRO. For more information about SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team - Team Wall’s professional mold remediation, check out our web pages dedicated to specific topics, like Commercial Mold Remediation and Mold Restoration Process, or call your local office of SERVPRO Team Wall, SERVPRO of Hunt Valley and Harford County, at (410) 229-0012. Trust SERVPRO for thorough and reliable mold remediation services that make your emergency “Like it never even happened.”