If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (802) 674-8004

To have the optimal experience while using this site, you will need to update your browser. You may want to try one of the following alternatives:

Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Mold Remediation Blog Posts

Applied Microbial Remediation Training

8/22/2023 (Permalink)

Collage of classroom and hands-on training along with students. Information, technology, and procedures are constantly evolving and improving in our industry. Learning never stops!

Thank you to our friends at SERVPRO of The Seacoast for hosting last week's Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT) certification course at their facility in Dover, NH. Our SERVPRO or Windham & Windsor Counties team members were grateful to spend the week with fellow SERVPRO professionals from around New England learning the finite details of applied microbial remediation from industry expert, Mark Cornelius of the Emergency Mitigation Technician Academy. Topics from included proper safety, product application, remediation procedures, containment building as a process for preventing cross-contamination, and biological terminology and identification as it pertains to mold and category 3 water contamination within residential and commercial structures.

This course is certified through the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning & Restoration Certification) and was an opportunity for our staff members to obtain a new industry certification and continue growing their knowledge in our industry. Information, technology, and procedures are constantly improving & evolving in our industry. Learning never stops! Thanks again SERVPRO of the Seacoast for hosting and to Mark Cornelius for presenting this training!

Wilmington Properties Benefit from SERVPRO Expert Mold Remediation

12/26/2018 (Permalink)

A Green Fleet Van from SERVPRO Ready to Remediation Mold Damage in Wilmington

A Damp Environment Can Cause Mold Damage in Your Wilmington Garage  

Mold damage can be difficult for the average person to identify, and even harder for them to deal with. Mold spores are omnipresent and impossible to be rid of altogether. Usually, they are not a problem or a risk to your health while in this state. However, the problem occurs when thousands of spores activate from excess moisture and begin to feed off of organic materials within your home. In the case of your unfinished garage, the mold attached itself to the drywall that had become damper than it should be from seasonal weather. Once the mold spores had access to that moisture, they were able to develop into a mold colony causing damage to the structure of your home.

 
Upon finding mold damage or the evidence of mold in your Wilmington residence, it is wise to reach out for professional help. Contacting a cleanup and damage restoration company can ensure that the problem is dealt with thoroughly and professionally. Leaving mold colonies in your house to sit is never wise, as fungi can cause health effects in the individuals living there.
 
When you contact SERVPRO, we always make it a top priority to arrive at your property as swiftly as possible. We understand how stressful these situations can be and know that the sooner remediation begins, the sooner it can end. Our IICRC-certified techs can investigate the mold damage and create a remediation strategy.
 
Before we begin removing mold, we can set up an air scrubber with a HEPA filter to catch mold spores and particles as they become dislodged from the drywall. From there, we can use plastic sheeting to set up a barrier, so the damage cannot spread as we remove it. To begin the remediation, we can start by soda blasting the surface mold to remove it gently. From there, SERVPRO can spray disinfectants and begin to clean the drywall, removing the colonies thoroughly.
 
If our SERVPRO techs feel that the colony penetrated the drywall to deeply, we can make cuts and remove the sections that are too contaminated. To handle the musty odor that mold can leave behind, SERVPRO can use priming paint over the drywall to seal the scent, not allowing it to permeate the air anymore. Lastly, we can spray an antifungal agent to finish the job.
 
Should your home suffer mold damage, do not delay when getting help. Phone SERVPRO of Windham & Windsor Counties by dialing (802) 674-8004. Night or day, we can keep the mold away.

More about this Vermont town by clicking.

Our Mold Damage Team In Wilmington Can Remove Mold In Your Home

8/23/2018 (Permalink)

When you have a mold infestation in your home, you may need professional restoration services.

Mold Damage

When you have a mold infestation in your home, you may need professional restoration services. You did notice a significant presence of mold in your bathroom. Calling professionals to remove mold can help save your home and may stop mold from spreading to other areas in your house. It is best to act fast because mold can spread quickly and can cause health effects.

SERVPRO mold damage restoration teams in Wilmington use advanced remediation equipment and techniques to restore your home. Plus, our services can make the environment in your home safe and clean. It takes a minimal amount of moisture for mold to expand and spread. Our teams are trained to prevent mold growth by first stopping the source of water in the home. Typically, a plumbing leak or pipe burst is the culprit. Our technicians can make repairs to stop some leaks. If there is a major plumbing problem, we recommend contacting a licensed plumber.

The next step our crew takes involves neutralizing and removing any existing mold in your home. In most cases, the techs spray the affected surfaces with an anti-fungal cleaning agent and then wipe down the surfaces with either a dry or damp sponge. If there is a thick layer of mold, our crew can employ a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove mold spores. The technicians may also use air scrubbers to clean the air and to eliminate odors. Also, they may use dehumidifiers to help reduce moisture inside the structure.

After the team removes mold from your home, they dry the structure and contents in the area to stop mold from growing back. Plus, they may utilize air movers to pull in warm, dry air and to remove moisture. The team may also strategically place axial fans in the affected areas to push damp air from the structure and to speed up drying.

SERVPRO of Windham & Windsor Counties mold damage services can restore your home to its preloss condition when possible. Call us 24/7 at (802) 674-8004.

Click here for more about Wilmington.

Cleaning Mold Damage In Wilmington Homes

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

Mold damage can happen in any home.

Cleaning Mold Damage

Wilmington is a picturesque ideal of small-town Vermont. Visitors to the Hagley or Nemours come away amazed at what they find in our little community. Residents never want to leave, but even here mold can surprise and temporarily drive out even the most loyal citizen.

Mold damage can happen in any Wilmington home. SERVPRO technicians understand that mold growth has nothing to do with keeping a clean home since mold spores are in every home. Spores only need a source of moisture, food, and a temperature range between 68 to 86 degrees to expand through a residence.

After the mold has enough time to grow, restoring infested or damaged items can require specialized equipment and cleaning agents. Removing mold from carpets can especially be difficult.

Mold usually find its way into a carpet after a flood, either from a storm or plumbing failure. The water causes mold spores to expand and begin searching for a food source. Often, both the carpet fibers and the glue can feed mold. To remove the mold, SERVPRO technicians use a water extraction wand, an anti-fungal cleaner, and a shampooing machine.

They begin by removing the water trapped in the carpet. The extraction wands can remove most of the water, leaving a tiny amount of moisture. If there is a pad underneath the carpet, our team members raise the carpet, roll it to one side, and dispose of it. Pads deteriorate quickly and are cheaper to replace than to spend any time attempting to clean and dry them.

After removing the mold contaminated water, specialists unroll the carpet and use the anti-fungal cleaner in the shampoo machine to clean the carpet nape and remove as much of the mold as possible. They follow-up with the extraction wands again to draw out any remaining water.

To prevent mold from expanding and growing again, our technicians dry the carpet. To complete the task, they raise the ends of the carpet and use a combination of air movers and exhaust fans to force warm air under and over the carpet while drawing out the damp air under the carpet and the remaining moisture from the nape.

At SERVPRO of Windham & Windsor Counties, our goal is to return every Vermont home to a clean, safe condition. If you need our restoration services, call us today at (802) 674-8004 to schedule a visit.

Click here for more about Wilmington.

A Quick Look At Mold Remediation For Your Wilmington Home

6/4/2018 (Permalink)

Areas of the home affected by mold can be sectioned off like this to avoid contaminating other areas of the home.

How water can lead to Mold damage in your home

Many things can allow for water damages to your Wilmington home. While you try to safeguard your home from some of these occurrences, accidents and disasters occur. The real trouble comes when many homeowners determine that they can clean up this water sufficiently on their own and do not opt for professional restoration. Conventional cleaning and drying methods can prove inefficient against substantial water damages, allowing the area to stay moist and damp.

Inefficient drying leads to persistent dampness and moisture ridden areas of your home once affected by the water. Without drying these areas thoroughly, you have opened the door for mold damages to affect your Wilmington home. Again, this is something that many homeowners believe they can remedy on their own, but this would also be incorrect.

Our SERVPRO applied microbial remediation technicians get certified to the highest standards put out by the IICRC. Our training and expertise allow us a significant advantage when it comes to remediating the mold damages that you experience in your house. This process begins with fully understanding the widespread nature of the mold growth and sectioning off this area to prevent further spreading of the colonies.

While our SERVPRO professionals work to remove the colonies from the surfaces and items they seat on, we also work to remove the lingering dampness and moisture from the affected area. This approach prevents similar occurrences from happening in the immediate future. The drying and dehumidifying permit our technicians to assess damages to structural components from the initial water damage, as well as address further steps that may need to get taken to prevent growth again.

Finding mold growing in your home is not something that any homeowner wants to experience, but moisture and dampness can often lead to that conclusion quickly. Trust our SERVPRO of Windham & Windsor Counties mold remediation specialists to help you to determine all of the damage you face and the most effective approach for removing mold and restoring the damage. Give us a call anytime at (802) 674-8004.

See more about hiking trail in Wilmington here.

Damp Winters Can Lead to Mold Damage in the Attic of Your Wilmington Residence

4/23/2018 (Permalink)

Mold in Wilmington Attics Get Professional and Safe Remediation When SERVPRO Does the Job

No Matter the Season, SERVPRO Remediates Mold Infestations in Homes

Wet winter weather can bother even the best of us in Wilmington, but it can also pose problems for your home. Ice dams can create watery problems inside your attic. As your home's heat rises, this moisture quickly evaporates.

Wilmington homes can eventually sustain mold damage, especially in the attic, when temperatures over the winter fluctuated considerably. Ice dams can quietly damage shingles and the roof's structure underneath, allowing only a minute amount of water inside the attic. Even if you never noticed stains on ceilings or other signs of intrusive water, mold damage can quickly get out of control in less-used areas of your home, especially the attic.
 
Our technicians can help restore your home, from the attic to the ground, and fend off mold damage. Microbes do not require much moisture to support their life cycle, so we begin there. We eliminate the availability of water so microbes can no longer grow. This includes the presence of moisture in materials and belongings, as well as humidity in the air.
 
After we restore your home's interior to a dry state, we can begin extracting mold particles, mold-damaged materials, and cleaning your belongings of mold. Vacuums with various attachments and HEPA filters extract microbes from even the most delicate items you store in your attic while keeping the mold in our vacuum's tank.
 
Air scrubbers help keep the air from transporting mold to other areas in your attic, and because we seal off the area, these should not find their way into your living space. Because attics typically include unfinished wood, we know that these microbes can reach deep into the rough surfaces of your roof's structure. We treat these places with antimicrobial agents that quickly dry to a safe but effective, albeit somewhat invisible, coating.
 
SERVPRO of Windham & Windsor Counties works in the West Dover, Ludlow, and Stratton areas, and can help you restore your home's attic after mold damage threatens to destroy your family's keepsakes. Call us at (802) 674-8004, any day of the year for assistance at our 24-hour service line.

More about this town by clicking.

Cleaning Mold Damage In Your Wilmington Home

3/12/2018 (Permalink)

Moisture is always the cause of mold growth in Wilmington homes.

Cleaning Mold Damage

Moisture is always the cause of mold growth in Wilmington homes. It cannot grow on its own, as it requires a wet environment. Therefore, if you control moisture in your home, you control the growth of mold. Typically, mold occurs for three main reasons – direct water intrusion such as a roof leak, poorly sealed windows, and plumbing leaks, indirect water intrusion from moisture wicking up from damage concrete or the ground, or intermittent water intrusion from condensation from things such as vaporizers or humidifiers.

Mold growing inside your Wilmington home can cause mold damage to structural parts of your home and personal property, but it can also cause health effects. Mold’s very nature is to decompose matter, so detecting it and addressing it early on is the best thing. If you leave it alone, mold eventually destroys whatever it is growing on. Our trained staff at SERVPRO are experienced in remediating mold growth and stopping the source of moisture which started it.

As we prepare to remediate the mold from your home, we first entirely suit up with white, head-to-toe suits, respirators, booties, and goggles. We do this to protect us from the potentially toxic mold and from breathing in any of the spores during remediation. The affected area is contained before we begin our process, so mold does not spread to unaffected areas of your home.

SERVPRO techs spray the area that is affected by old with a biocide. It is an EPA-approved liquid that kills mold. Beach is not approved by the EPA, so you should not attempt to do the mold cleanup yourself. Performing this first step usually takes less time than the next step.

Encapsulation involves spraying the affected area with a kind of whitewash or pain that encapsulates the remaining spores of mold. We spay well beyond the moldy area to make sure that no more mold continues to grow. If porous materials such as drywall were affected, they might need to be removed and disposed of, as the mold is difficult to clean from them.

Your structure is then dried to stop further mold growth. Dehumidifiers without much airflow can be used for this step, as the usual air-movers used for drying can just spread the mold further.

SERVPRO of Windham & Windsor Counties knows how to carefully proceed with mold remediation in your home in Ludlow, Chester, or Stratton so as not to make the problem worse. Reach out to us at (802) 674-8004 as soon as you realize there is a problem so we can stop the mold before it continues to spread.

For more about Wilmington click here.

Removing Unsightly Mold Damage Around Windows and Exterior Doors of Your Wilmington Residence

1/11/2018 (Permalink)

Moisture and Mold Readily Grow on Wilimington Windows - Call SERVPRO for Remediation

SERVPRO Handles Mold Remediation and Helps Protect Your Home

Homeowners in Wilmington often invest in their home's functionality and appearance with various home improvements. Maintaining a home's clean look helps reduce stress as well as decreasing the likelihood of some illnesses caused by a build-up of grime and dirt.

Sometimes, as a home in Wilmington ages, but homeowners should not confuse mold damage with natural wood discoloration and fading of painted areas. Mold can grow on the exterior of your home as well as inside. No matter where microbes grow, professional remediation can help protect your home and your family's health.

SERVPRO employs dedicated professionals who care about your family and your home. We do everything we can to restore all types of damage. Mold colonization can produce extensive disintegration when it grows. However, before this damage taking place, the ugly look of microbial activity alerts many homeowners to its presence.

When mold grows around doors and windows, which many experts state hold the highest populations of mold in the homes they treat, it can seem like a sign of aging or dust accumulation. Mold and mildew do not easily brush off without leaving at least a stain. Dust in these areas rarely stains the surrounding walls.

An Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT) can help you determine the extent of any mold activity and how best to proceed. An aggressive approach is often the most suitable, however, because of the way mold colonies and spores can spread when handled. We use negative pressure containment methods to filter out these unwanted particulates as we work at removing moldy materials.

When materials only show mold activity, prior to sustaining extensive damage, we remove the mold only. Detailed cleaning of your home's window frames and other aspects of your architecture help keep mold from coming back later. Sealing with an antimicrobial agent provides additional protection.

SERVPRO of Windham & Windsor Counties is locally owned and operated and can be contacted at (802) 674-8004. Our 24-hour services can help you clean up mold damage and protect your home from this and other types of damage.

Economic Development in this Vermont City by clicking here.

Mold Damage Versus Mildew in White River Junction

10/18/2017 (Permalink)

Whether you discover mold or mildew in your home, you can rely on SERVPRO for advice and remediation services.

Whether You Experience Issues with Mold or Mildew, SERVPRO Can Help

Most homeowners dread mold damage. The tell-tale black or green patches and accompanying musty smell are a sure sign that the spores have found a place to grow in your home. The fungus that is not dealt with spreads further causing more damage, and can even cause health effects or reduce the value of your home. That is why SERVPRO recommends calling us as soon as possible. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, and we train our technicians to carry out thorough mold remediation in White River Junction.

Sometimes our customers ask us about the difference between mold damage and mildew in their White River Junction homes. Although mold and mildew are both kinds of fungus, they are quite distinct from one another, and knowing the difference helps you discern which is present in your home.

First, let us look at what both types of fungus have in common. The first thing is, of course, that they are both a kind of fungus; also, they both like to grow in moist areas of the home and can grow on a range of surfaces including paper, leather, drywall, or even food.

What are the differences? Mildew is a surface fungus that is classified as either downy or powdery. Mildew is usually either white or gray in appearance, although it can turn yellowish or even brown as it grows. Mildew is most likely to grow on crops or flowering paths; however, it is possible for it to grow in the home as well.

Mold is usually fuzzy or slimy in appearance and manifests as much larger patches than mildew. Mold colonies appear black, green or brown in appearance, and the growth is not merely a surface fungus – it can cause underlying surfaces to rot.

Whether your problem is with mold or mildew, SERVPRO is on hand to offer advice and remediation services. Mildew can often be cleaned using soap and water. Mold, however, requires professional remediation. Our IICRC-certified technicians tackle every stage of remediation from establishing containment and removing visible mold, to lowering humidity to discouraging regrowth.

For help with fungal growth in Ludlow, Stratton, Chester, White River Junction and surrounding areas, call SERVPRO of Windham / Windsor Counties at (802) 674-8004 today.

To learn more about White River Junction, click here.

Trustworthy Mold Damage Remediation in Brattleboro

8/7/2017 (Permalink)

Call the technicians at SERVPRO at the first sign of mold. We will investigate and put together a plan to remediate the damage fast.

SERVPRO Technicians Remediate the Mold Damage and Help Prevent Future Mold Infestations

Mold sneaks up on almost every homeowner at some point. The raw materials for a colony to grow are available in abundance in virtually any home -- moisture, warmth, and organic nourishment and many, many mold spores. SERVPRO has answers to your questions about mold growth and a proven solution that eliminates the current colony and limits the risk of reinfestation.
 
You plan to welcome family and friends very soon, so you are horrified to find mold damage in your Brattleboro vacation cottage. Fungal growth is evident in a bathroom and a corner of one of your guest rooms, probably due to an ice dam that leaked water during the spring thaw. We know you need a fast but effective response, and we are ready with the industry standard Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protocols.
 
People sleep, shower, and bathe in these areas, so SERVPRO crew members set up a containment system including a multi-filter, negative pressure air scrubber first. The air scrubber vents any mold spore or particles out of the affected areas during removal of the colonies. Our crew assesses the condition of the surfaces underlying the mold to see if simply removing the mold is possible. Drywall may contain too many “roots” of the colony, requiring a piece to be cut out and disposed of with the mold. In the tiled bathroom simply removing the mold is commonly enough.
 
Both rooms then receive a sanitization treatment using industry approved antimicrobials. We do not recommend bleach or other DIY remedies as they actually feed the mold water, and only lighten the stain. SERVPRO crew members then patch the drywall, vacuum the area using high-powered equipment with HEPA filters, and touch up the repairs with paint. We also advise on strategies to deal with the ice dams next winter. If the moisture is not eliminated, mold will return.
 
You are now ready to open the doors wide for your visitors. Enjoy your time together knowing that SERVPRO made it all seem “Like it never even happened.”
 
Find mold when you open your retreat for the season? Call (802) 674-8004. SERVPRO of Windham & Windsor Counties awaits with the specialized equipment and trained technicians to rid your home of mold now and prevent it from coming back later.

For more information about the City of Brattleboro, Vermont visit: http://www.brattleboro.org/

How Mold Spores Spread and Cause Damage To Your Brattleboro Home

7/7/2017 (Permalink)

Containment Barriers Set Up By SERVPRO Help Prevent the Circulation of Mold Spores in Your Brattleboro Home

SERVPRO Uses Contamination Barriers to Reduce Mold Circulation

Mold is a common problem for homeowners. Nearly any home is a potential breeding ground for mold. The fungus likes damp environments, and all it needs to feed is organic matter, which could include drywall or furnishings!
 
SERVPRO teams are experts in mold remediation, and we know that when it comes to minimizing mold damage to your Brattleboro home, one of the most important things is to prevent the spread of spores. Here is a primer on how mold spores spread and how we help to avoid their spread so we can better remediate any damage to your home.
 
Mold is a type of fungus, and like most fungi, it reproduces by spreading spores into the immediate and further away environments. The mold that grows in a bathroom, kitchen or laundry room will by its very nature attempt to spread further into the house by releasing single cell spores that are far too tiny to be seen with the naked eye. In fact, mold spores are even smaller than pollen grains – that gives you an idea of how small they are.
 
So how does the fungus spread? Most of the time it spreads by way of the spores getting airborne and traveling from room to room. The route might be from one doorway and into another room, or the route might be via the HVAC system. There is also a risk of the mold being carried by animals on their coat, or even on occupant’s clothes.
 
We train our remediation experts to be aware of the dangers of spores spreading through the air. Our technicians take precautions to prevent movement of mold from the contaminated area into other areas of your home.
 
When you call SERVPRO, one of the first things we do is establish containment around the affected area. We use heavy duty plastic sheeting to seal off the area, and we also cover vents and ducts. We set up a negative air machine with powerful HEPA filtration that is capable of trapping the tiny spores so they cannot re-enter the room. The contaminated air is vented outside your home.
 
Our IICRC-certified technicians set up safe working and decontamination areas to ensure we do not carry mold from a zone to another. Because mold is present in the environment it cannot be eradicated; however, our professional remediation service is your best bet for reducing mold and discouraging regrowth.
 
For effective mold cleaning and containment, call SERVPRO of Windham and Windsor counties at (802) 674-8004 today.

Plenty of Festivals here.

Why Mold often Returns, Causing Additional Mold Damage, to Brattleboro Residences

6/1/2017 (Permalink)

Getting rid of mold can be tricky for a homeowner. Call SERVPRO at the first sign of mold for thorough remediation efforts.

SERVPRO Technicians are Extensively Trained in Methods of Mold Remediation

Finding mold on a discarded toy or old book often means the item is cleaned a bit more thoroughly and then left to dry. Even if there are no visible mold stains left behind, the chances all traces of mold having been removed are small. The same goes for when mold is discovered on a wall or other part of your home.
 
In Brattleboro, cleaning items and structures in your home affected by mold damage is often not enough to fix the underlying problem. Mold cannot grow unless it has sufficient moisture. Many of the methods that are touted as DIY solutions for mold growth within the home contain water. Instead of killing mold, these methods are actually encouraging mold to grow. Often, the water in these remedies comes from the bleach used, and the 'eradication' of the mold is in reality just a stripping of the color from the mold.
 
Sunlight can kill mold, which is why hanging white sheets on the clothesline outside can make them seem that much whiter. Not every day is full of sunshine, though, and mold is often found in the colder, rainier months, making that solution unusable on the days many people feel more inclined to clean the interior of their home.
 
Cleaning with a bleach solution seems as if it would work, but the bleach does not penetrate into the same locations that the mold's hyphae are at, leaving them intact, and worse, the water does penetrate, remaining there to hydrate the mold. This is why mold growth often returns and often, even more prolifically than before. The mold is not having the same type of reaction bacteria has come to be known for - resistance to antibiotics. In the case of mold, instead of it becoming resistant to bleach, it is only reacting to its newfound source of water.
 
At SERVPRO, we have many types of specialized equipment that can help decrease the chances of mold being able to return. Our training and experience are always ongoing, ensuring we know the latest in technological developments regarding mold, its containment, and how to restore structures and items damaged by its growth. When we are unable to contain it for removal, we have a spray that encapsulates mold at the microscopic level as the liquid dries.
 
If you have found mold damage in your home, or think there may be a problem with mold and want to stop any problems before they happen, call us. We are SERVPRO of Windham & Windsor Counties, locally owned and operated, making us Faster To Any Size Disaster. Our number, (802) 674-8004, is always answered, regardless of when you call.

For more information regarding Brattleboro, click here

Windham & Windsor Counties Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

4/13/2016 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

  • Stay out of affected areas.
  • Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
  • Contact SERVPRO of Windham and Windsor Counties for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do:

  • Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
  • Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
  • Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
  • Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Windham & Windsor Counties specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 802-674-8004