Mold Damage and Mold Removal Milwaukee and Waukesha

What is MOLD?

Mold is a form of simple life which has been in existence on this planet for thousands of years.  It is a very important part of our lives and naturally occurring throughout our environment.  The general term "mold" consists of THOUSANDS of different types of simple life that live in conditions which are favorable to them.  Mold becomes a problem inside a home or business when there's excessive humidity or moisture for an extended period of time. The problem can originate from sudden water releases, like a burst pipe or large spill that goes untreated, or from a chronic condition, such as a leaking roof or plumbing. Even high humidity or warm, moist air condensing on cool surfaces can trigger mold problems.  The website address below is linked to the informational page created by OSHA; Servpro of Milwaukee North encourages all our customers to become educated about mold and mold removal Milwaukee.

OSHA's "A brief guide to mold in the workplace": http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib101003.html

Can I STOP mold from growing?

Simply controlling the moisture content of the living space will help reduce viable locations that mold can grow.  Cleaning and organizing living space is important to allow airflow which helps eliminate damp areas which need to dry out.  This solution is sometimes easier said than done; structures have difficult places to monitor like attics, basements, crawl spaces, etc.  Informational articles are linked below which help provide further information regarding how to identify and control moisture/mold issues.  Servpro of Milwaukee North recommends the use of a dehumidifier in basements of your Milwaukee home to control humidity.  Technology has improved so dehumidifiers can be plugged in and ran the entire year; the dehumidifier has a sensor to shut the unit down when humidity levels are below your goal.  Always attempt to run a drain hose to the floor drain; this will allow the dehumidifier to run without shutting down because of a full bucket. This will help reduce the need for mold removal services in Milwaukee and Waukesha.

This dehumidifier has digital readings which show what the relative humidity is currently and what relative humidity you would like it to achieve.  Typical basement relative humidity should be 50% or less.

How does Servpro take care of MOLD REMOVAL?

Servpro of Milwaukee North follows procedures which are certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certification http://www.iicrc.org/.  This third-party board is comprised of industry professionals who teach and perform work with the highest level of safety in mind.  Each project is evaluated to determine the extent of microbial damage and how it is impacting the structure.  Servpro of Milwaukee North recommends using environmental professionals who can sample the air inside and outside of affected areas and provide clearance testing to confirm that proper mold removal has been achieved.  The simplest way to explain our procedure is:

1. Use of containment and air filtration equipment to keep all dust and airborne debris from spreading outside of our work area.
2. Cut and remove drywall which is affected by mold damage
3. Sand and clean wood that is affected by mold damage
4. Locate and control the moisture source to reduce the environment which mold can grow
5. Perform a detailed cleaning of all surfaces inside the work area
6. Use environmental professionals to verify work was properly completed

Does Servpro use OZONE to clean or kill Mold?

No.  The truth is ozone in high concentrations may not be friendly to mold growth but that same amount of ozone is dangerous for humans, pets, house plants, etc.  The BEST way to stop mold growth in your Milwaukee home is by eliminating the moisture source; depending on seasonal weather the moisture source may not be present (please see Attic Mold for explanation).

Basement Mold

Basements have transformed in usage over the years; changing from damp storage areas to fully finished living space with mini-kitchens, full bathrooms, and lap pools!  No matter the usage, understanding the unique moisture problems that may arise is very important.  The picture below shows a typical situation of mold damage in an unfinished basement.

Moisture issues can cause discoloration which occurs in basement corners similar to this.

• Leak History: Examine your Waukesha basement for evidence of recurrent leaks and water entry.
• Un-finished basement Inspection
• Always run a dehumidifier - very helpful in eliminating wet/damp basement odors
• Organize contents and put in plastic bins; cardboard boxes are very bad for holding odors - packing items up against the walls may increase the problem
• If moisture is leaking thru the foundation walls or up from the floor - contact a basement foundation company to determine possible solutions
• Keep the area clean - even if you don't use the space
• Finished Basement Inspection
• Look carefully at organic surfaces such as wood, drywall, and carpets in a finished basement
• Walls: drywall, especially low on walls, in wet corners, behind furniture, and in areas of leaks from above
• Carpeted flooring may become a problem if humidity levels remain high
• Always remember to monitor the amount of moisture in your finished basement - using a dehumidifier can substantially sustain a dry environment during the summer months in Wisconsin.

Bathroom Mold

Bathroom areas have a difficult time staying dry - seems silly, but a wet environment is a perfect place for mold to grow.  Bathrooms require ventilation to reduce the amount of moisture that is generated from showering and cold toilet tanks which drip condensation.  The picture below shows moisture which was trapped behind wallpaper and became a perfect home for mold to grow.

Proper ventilation or your Brookfield bathroom is VERY important, contact a heating and ventilation company to inspect and propose any changes to reduce the moisture.  When ventilation is operating correctly make sure the shower stall is not leaking during use and toilets are operating correctly.  These steps are very important in correcting bathroom mold.  Servpro of Milwaukee North is available to help inspect for problems that may require mold removal services in Milwaukee, Brookfield, and Waukesha areas. 

Contents

Mold growth on contents need to be divided into categories to determine if cleaning and mold removal can be done.  The categories listed below help breakdown possible cleaning options:

• Porous Contents - Stuffed animals, clothing, bedding, pillows, mattresses, wall hangings, cloth furniture, etc.  These items represent 2 difficult problems to overcome: staining and material decomposition.  Staining is the result of mold waste; the natural process of life takes in a food source and excretes its waste.  The mold can typically be cleaned from the fiber but the staining left behind is sometimes impossible to remove.  Material decomposition is sometimes accelerated by mold growth; organic fibers in clothing (cotton) and paper products will become a food source for mold growth.  Servpro of Milwaukee North will not attempt or recommend cleaning and saving porous contents affected by mold damage.
• Semi-porous Contents - Wood furniture, leather, plastic items, and concrete.  Staining is still a major problem but sometimes easier to remove because of refinishing possibilities and stronger cleaning products.   Servpro of Milwaukee North will consider cleaning and mold removal of these types of items based on importance to the customer and cost.
• Non-porous Contents - Metal, glass, and hard plastics.  These contents offer the best restoration possibilities because the surfaces can be cleaned.  Staining becomes a smaller problem because surface porous don't allow penetration as easy.  Servpro of Milwaukee North will routinely consider cleaning and mold removal these types of items.
• Deodorization - Musty odors can be eliminated.  The degree of difficulty depends on how badly the item was affected by mold growth and for how long.  Always remember that cleaning the item first is critical to any deodorization, once clean the item needs to be treated with a deodorizing agent.

Mold does not have to become a problem - constant inspection, preparation, and controlling moisture will result in a difficult place for mold to grow.  Clean basement areas and organize contents, remove excess moisture by using a NEW dehumidifier set to run properly, make sure downspouts are directing water away from the building.