DIY Clean: Cost-Effective Tips for Mold Removal in Mobile, AL

9/18/2024 (Permalink)

DIY Clean: Cost-Effective Tips for Mold Removal in Mobile, AL

Mold can be a serious issue in any home, affecting air quality and posing health risks. Fortunately, you don’t always need to call in professionals for mold remediation. With some simple supplies and a proactive approach, you can tackle minor mold problems yourself. Here are some cost-effective tips for DIY mold cleaning, along with causes of mold growth specifically in Mobile, AL.

Common Causes of Mold Growth in Mobile, AL

The humid climate in Mobile creates ideal conditions for mold growth. Here are some common causes:

• High Humidity: The humid subtropical climate leads to elevated indoor humidity levels, especially during summer.
• Poor Ventilation: Lack of airflow in areas like bathrooms and attics can trap moisture, encouraging mold.
• Water Leaks: Roof leaks, plumbing issues, or condensation can create damp spots conducive to mold.
• Flooding: Seasonal storms can lead to water intrusion, creating perfect breeding grounds for mold.

1. Identify the Problem Areas

Before you begin cleaning, identify where mold is growing. Common areas include:

• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Basements
• Around windows
• Any damp spots on walls or ceilings

Check for signs of water damage, as moisture is a key factor in mold growth.

2. Gather Your Supplies

You don’t need expensive products to combat mold. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cleaning Solutions:

  • Vinegar: An effective, natural cleaner that kills many types of mold.
  • Baking Soda: Helps scrub away mold and absorbs odors.
  • Dish Soap: Useful for general cleaning before applying mold treatments.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide: A strong mold killer for tougher stains.

• Tools:

  • Scrub brushes or sponges
  • Spray bottles for easy application
  • Buckets
  • Rubber gloves and masks for protection
  • Rags or paper towels for drying

3. Clean the Affected Areas

Using Vinegar

1. Spray undiluted white vinegar directly onto the moldy area and let it sit for at least an hour.
2. Scrub the area with a brush to remove the mold.
3. Rinse with water and dry thoroughly.

Using Baking Soda

1. Mix a solution of 1/2 cup of baking soda with water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray the affected area and scrub with a brush.
3. Rinse and dry. You can also leave some baking soda on the area to help absorb any remaining moisture.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide

1. Spray 3% hydrogen peroxide directly onto the mold.
2. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, then scrub the area.
3. Rinse and dry thoroughly to prevent regrowth.

4. Prevent Future Mold Growth

After cleaning, take steps to prevent mold from returning:

• Control Humidity: Keep indoor humidity below 50% using dehumidifiers and air conditioning.
• Ventilation: Ensure proper ventilation in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas. Use exhaust fans when cooking or showering.
• Fix Leaks: Repair any leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing immediately to eliminate sources of moisture.
• Regular Inspections: Check areas prone to moisture regularly for any signs of mold.

5. Know When to Seek Help from SERVPRO of Mobile County

While DIY methods are effective for minor mold issues, certain situations require professional assistance:

• Extensive Mold Growth: If you notice mold covering a large area (more than 10 square feet), it’s time to call in the experts.
• Toxic Mold Types: If you suspect the presence of toxic mold, such as black mold, do not attempt to clean it yourself. This type can pose serious health risks.
• Ongoing Water Issues: If mold persists despite your cleaning efforts, it may indicate a larger underlying problem that requires professional assessment and remediation.

At SERVPRO of Mobile County, our trained technicians are equipped to handle any mold situation safely and effectively. We can assess the extent of the mold problem, perform thorough cleanup, and help prevent future growth. If you're facing a mold issue, contact us today for professional support!

Conclusion

Taking a proactive approach to mold cleaning can save you money and help maintain a healthy home environment. With these cost-effective DIY tips, you can tackle minor mold issues effectively. Remember, the key to mold prevention is controlling moisture and maintaining good ventilation. If you ever feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out to SERVPRO of Mobile County for professional assistance!

Navigating Water in Your Crawlspace

12/8/2023 (Permalink)

A wet crawlspace can be a cause for concern, triggering questions about its normalcy and potential risks. At SERVPRO of Mobile County, we're here to shed light on the matter, providing insights into why water intrusion occurs, the risks it poses, and how to effectively tackle the issue to prevent further damage.

Water in a crawlspace is common, but its presence should not be dismissed. Various factors contribute to water intrusion, including heavy rainfall, poor drainage, inadequate ventilation, and plumbing leaks. As water accumulates in the soil, it can seep into your crawlspace, creating an environment ripe for mold growth and structural damage.

This damp environment can wreak havoc on your home's foundation, wooden structures, and overall indoor air quality. Mold and mildew thrive in moist conditions, spreading allergens and potentially harmful particles throughout your living space. Additionally, prolonged exposure to moisture can compromise structural integrity, leading to sagging floors, rotting wood, and even pest infestations.

Addressing the Issue: Ignoring a wet crawlspace can lead to dire consequences. If you suspect water intrusion, it's crucial to take immediate action. Engage professionals like SERVPRO of Mobile County who specialize in water damage restoration. Our experts will conduct a thorough assessment, identifying the source of the intrusion and developing a customized plan for remediation.

Preventing Further Damage: Prevention is key to maintaining a dry and healthy crawlspace. Start by ensuring proper drainage around your home's foundation, maintaining gutters and downspouts, and sealing any cracks or openings that could allow water entry. Installing a vapor barrier and improving crawlspace ventilation can also mitigate moisture-related issues.

At SERVPRO of Mobile County, we understand the importance of a dry and safe home environment. A wet crawlspace is a red flag that demands attention. With our expertise in water damage restoration, we're committed to not only addressing the issue but also preventing future occurrences. Don't let water intrusion compromise your property's integrity – let us be your partner in safeguarding your investment and ensuring your peace of mind.

How to Protect Your Pipes

12/3/2021 (Permalink)

Follow these steps so that your pipes do not end up looking like the ones above.

12/3/2021 

While cooler weather may be scarce here in lower Alabama, it does not mean we are in the clear for winter weather mishaps. If you are anything like a lot of people in our area, you are under the impression that since our temperatures do not drop very low that your pipes will not freeze. Unfortunately, that ideology is far from true. If you do not know what happens when pipes freeze, you can click here to check out this article from Live Science. Spoiler alert though, the pipes will burst and that is exactly what you do not want to happen. A burst pipe can cause various issues of water damage in your home. While SERVPRO of Mobile County can help with water damage and restoration, we want to help you avoid it at all costs.  

An article from State Farm discusses that there are three central causes as to why pipes freeze. You can view that article here.  

Causes of Pipes Freezing  

1. Quick Drop in Temperature 

1. Thermostat Set Too Low 

1. Poor Insulation 

In order to avoid a pipe or pipes bursting, there are a few things that homeowners can do to protect their pipes. The most common tip people typically try is the first option listed below. Having a flow of warm or cold water will help the pipes to not freeze. This option is a solid one, but there are other avenues to explore as well that are listed below: 

Ways to Protect Your Pipes from Freezing 

1. Let Cold or Hot Water Steadily Drip  

• Preferably from a faucet on an outside wall. Doing this when the temperature drops will prevent pipes from freezing. 

1. Seal Leaks 

• You may find air leaks around dryer vents and pipes, or around electrical wiring. Search and locate any leaks that will allow cold air to get in. Once located, seal the leaks diligently with either caulk or insulation. 

1. Open Cabinet Doors 

• This simple concept can have a bigger impact than you may realize. Opening the cabinet doors allows heat to get to un-insulated pipes that may be under sinks or near appliances located near exterior walls.  

1. Insulate Pipes 

• This is an especially ideal option because it is great for homeowners to do that live in areas that are uncommon for freezing temperatures to happen. 

1.  Adjust the Thermostat 

• Consistency throughout the day and night is key for reducing the likelihood of your pipes freezing. This is the opportunity for the ‘thermostat police’ to put a lockbox on it with the rule to not touch the thermostat. This is their free pass!  

Hopefully you will consider implementing these tips in your own home. It will surely help the odds to be in your favor. If you are the type of person who prefers a visual example on exactly what to do, check out this video on how to prevent frozen pipes.  

If you do, however, find yourself in the event that your pipes do freeze, and they do unfortunately burst, we are here to help. When and if that were to happen, that is when you call us, SERVPRO of Mobile County at 251-343-0534. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is our hope that in this type of instance, you will not need our services. However, if you find yourself in the situation that you do need us, you know where to find us.  

Before Help Arrives When Your home is Flooding

6/14/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Mobile County arrived to remove water and damage after bathroom sink pipe came loose over night.

If you have never experienced a water damage, you may not understand the stress and worry that comes along with it.  It is overwhelming and it can be hard to know where to begin.  That is why priority response is so important.  

At SERVPRO of Mobile County, we understand that you just want someone to be there for you as soon as possible. We are available 24/7 to answer your call and respond when you need us the most. 

We have created a streamlined process to ensure your call will be returned within 15 minutes and Priority Responders will be on-site assessing the damage within 1 hour.  Within 3 hours, our IICRC Water Restoration Technicians will be on site to begin work. When you are standing in what feels like a disaster, you need help and you need it now.  You can always count on the experts at SERVPRO of Mobile County to be here when you need us. 

What to do before help arrives when you have water damage in your home

After any water damage situation, your primary focus should be safety:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

Are you Ready?

2/6/2018 (Permalink)

We all know that the best time to prepare for a disaster is before it happens. Having a plan of action in place can help us protect our property and our loved ones. In the insurance industry, the number of claims and claims costs can be drastically reduced when you give your customers the tools to minimize or prevent many common risks. Being prepared is especially important for property owners and businesses. Downtime means lost revenue and that have a big impact on your bottom line in 2018. Research has shown that as many as 50% of businesses never reopen after after experiencing a disaster. We can help get you ready for the unexpected in 2020. Call SERVPRO of Mobile County to schedule your FREE Emergency Ready Profile consultation. We come to you and put together a customized plan with all of the resources you need to get your customer or business ready for the unexpected. This no cost service gives you all of the tools you would need in a disaster situation at your fingertips. The entire plan is available in an easily accessible app form for all Apple and Android devices. Call us at 251-343-0534 for more information!

Why Choose SERVPRO...

12/21/2016 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Mobile County, all of our employees that enter your home are trained to safely clean and restore your home or business after it's faced a loss.

Below are the steps that we take for Cleaning and Restoring Your Home or Business in regards to a water loss:

- Identify the Source/ Type of Water

- Measure Temperature and Humidity for Drying Analysis

- Survey the Extent of Damage and Inspect the Premises for Hidden Moisture

- Perform Emergency Water Extraction

- Move and Block furniture and Contents

- Inspect Carpet Pad/Carpet and Provide Service

- Apply Necessary Treatments (Disinfectants/Deodorization)

- Utilize Advanced Drying and Monitoring Equipment

- Dispose of Refuse

All of our technicians are IICRC certified and have extensive knowledge about our services and equipment. Even if we can’t do the job we will help in finding a service who can handle it.

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can restore your Home

12/1/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Mobile County is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of Mobile County

SERVPRO of Mobile County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.