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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Mold Remediation Blog Posts

Mold found in your Cleveland and Western Lake County, OH home?

6/13/2024 (Permalink)

Moldy drywall with water lines in it. When mold begins growing in places where we do not want it, that is when it becomes a serious issue that can negatively impact our health and safety

Mold is a common and necessary part of our world. This type of fungus is useful in decomposing organic material, and is part of nature’s garbage disposal system.

It is when mold begins growing in places where we do not want it (such as in our homes) that it becomes a serious issue that can negatively impact our health and the safety of our house. That is why it is important to regularly check and evaluate the mold risk in our homes.

Visually spotting mold is the most obvious way to determine if you have mold in your home. If mold is growing on walls, ceilings, in cabinets, etc.  you most likely have something going on that is encouraging the mold growth, such as a leak, or a humidity issue. The item that is causing the mold is important to fix, even before you begin to think about how to get rid of the mold, because if you don’t fix the source, the mold will inevitably return.

Here at SERVPRO of Gateway and Western Lake County we have Certified Trained Technicians that can Visually spotting mold is the most obvious way to determine if you have mold in your home.

Call us at 216-575-1985

Mold Remediation

10/10/2018 (Permalink)

When you have water coming down through your ceiling and pouring through light fixtures, the most important thing to you in that moment is a quick response to mitigate the issue. SERVPRO® of Gateway is able to react and respond quickly and efficiently. We adhere to what is called the 1-4-8 rule. We will call you within 1 hour of being notified; we respond as quickly as possible. We will be on site within 4 hours of speaking with you and we will update your insurance company within 8 hours. If disaster should cause disruption in your home or office, make sure to call the team with 40+ years of experience helping to make it “Like it never even happened.” Call SERVPRO® of Gateway at 216-575-1985. SERVPRO® of Gateway has been serving the community since 1977. We are dedicated to helping our customers when disaster strikes and helping to make it “Like it never even happened,” We are ready 24/7, 365 at 216-575-1985 to help you. We are a certified company and committed to serving our community when disasters such as pipe breaks and fires occur. Call SERVPRO of Gateway today! 216-575-1985

Mold Remediation

10/10/2018 (Permalink)

There are lots of companies who will do a mold inspection/estimate for your company & talk about how they can “clean” mold with bleach. Well, they can certainly try, but it won’t help. SERVPRO® of Gateway is committed to remediating the problem completely & correctly so that you can get back to business faster, with less impact on your customers & business. We are able to work with you to limit disruptions allowing your work to go on. For more information on how SERVPRO® of Gateway can help you call us at 216-575-1985. We can come out and do an inspection & speak honestly & openly with you about options that you have.  SERVPRO® of Gateway has been serving the community since 1977. We are dedicated to helping our customers when disaster strikes and helping to make it “Like it never even happened,” We are ready 24/7, 365 at 216-575-1985 to help you.

Does your home or business have a mold problem?

9/21/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can spread through a home in as little as 72 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 in Cleveland, OH has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to re mediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 800-933-7179

Mold Remediation

9/21/2018 (Permalink)

Some answers and simple tips to help you prevent mold.

  • Identify problem areas in your home and correct them. You can't mold-proof your home, but you can make it mold-resistant.  Check your house for areas of concern and face them head on.  It might cost money up front but it will save you money down the road.  Pull up that carpet and install mold proofing products, find that water leak and fix it so it doesn’t creep inside the house, or repair that broken rain gutter.
  • Dry wet areas immediately. Mold can't grow without moisture, so tackle wet areas right away.  Even spills should be cleaned up ASAP.  The key is the small daily task that makes the difference. Be sure to dry the floor and walls after a shower. Don't leave wet clothes in the washing machine, where mold can spread quickly. Get them in the dryer and make sure to leave the door open and let your washer dryer out
  • Prevent moisture with proper ventilation. It may be that your routine activities are encouraging the growth of mold in your home. Make sure an activity as simple as cooking dinner, taking a shower, or doing a load of laundry doesn't invite mold by providing proper ventilation in your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and any other high-moisture area. Your energy-efficient home may be holding moisture inside, so open a window when cooking or washing dishes or showering, or run an exhaust fan.
  • Equip your home with mold-resistant products. Building a new home or renovating an old one? Use mold-resistant products like mold-resistant drywall or mold-resistant Sheetrock, and mold inhibitors for paints. This is especially import in moisture prone areas like the bathroom and kitchen.
  • Monitor humidity indoors. The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 60 percent. You can measure humidity with a moisture meter purchased from a hardware store or online. You'll also be able to detect high humidity by simply paying attention to problem areas in your home. Signs of excessive humidity include condensation on windows, pipes, and walls. If you notice condensation, dry the surface immediately and address the source of the moisture
  • Direct water away from your home. If the ground around your home isn't sufficiently sloped away from the foundation, water may collect there and seep into your crawlspace or basement.
  • Clean or repair roof gutters. A mold problem might be a simple matter of a roof that is leaking because of full or damaged gutters. Have your roof gutters cleaned regularly and inspected for damage. Repair them as necessary, and keep an eye out for water stains after storms that may indicate a leak.
  • Improve air flow in your home. According to the EPA, as temperatures drop, the air is able to hold less moisture. Without good air flow in your home, that extra moisture may appear on your walls, windows and floors. To increase circulation, open doors between rooms, move furniture away from walls, and open doors to closets that may be colder than the rooms they’re in. Let fresh air in to reduce moisture and keep mold

Call SERVPRO of Gateway today! 800-933-7179

Understanding Mold Growth.

8/23/2018 (Permalink)

Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided, according to the EPA. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet or contain moisture. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

Molds can gradually destroy the things they grow on. You can prevent damage to your home and furnishings, save money, and avoid potential health problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth, according to the EPA.

Since microscopic mold spores exist naturally almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors, removing all mold from a home or business is impossible. Many restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold. This is a fallacy. We understand mold and mold growth.

Characteristics of Mold

4/24/2018 (Permalink)

You probably have many checklists that apply to your commercial building. With all the regular maintenance routines and proper repairs, finding black mold growth – or any type of mold invasion – can come as a complete shock. However, you might be wondering what mold looks like in the first place. The following list includes three angles from which you can better identify mold.


1. Color


If you've observed some funky colors spring up around the company sink, you may have a mold cleanup in your future. Most commonly known as Alternaria, this kind of mold frequents bathrooms and other damp places indoors. This fungus spreads quickly, so you'll want to address even minor problems in a timely manner.


2. Texture


Another way you can detect mold in your building is by observing its texture. If you've tried cleaning those worn-out carpets time and again to no avail, a mold called Cladosporium could be your culprit. In addition, not all dark colored molds are black mold; this dark colored mold with a suede-like texture loves to thrive in carpets and upholsteries. Cladosporium is also known to grow in both warm and cool climates. Some molds may take on powdery textures, while others can take on a slimy appearance.


3. Smell


Most Ogden, UT, residents are familiar with that musty smell that can pop up in basements or other dark, humid places. Black mold could be present if that earthy smell just won't go away. Even if your building has never had past moisture damage, this kind of mold easily feeds on damp drywall and even dusty corners. Hiring a professional is usually your best bet when it comes to detecting types of mold, since identifying and determining all those subtle growth spots could prove challenging.