St. Petersburg Mold Damage and Remedies

5/10/2017 (Permalink)

Rely on SERVPRO for Mold Remediation and Cleaning in St. Petersburg Homes and Condos

SERVPRO Offers Specific Mold Remediation Services for Your St. Petersburg Property

Fire and water damage are costly by themselves, but can also lead to further loss of property and structure damage from mold. An infestation often goes undetected until after the first disaster is dealt with and remediated.

When mold damage in a St. Petersburg home goes unnoticed or untreated, the damage can extend to much more than a stain on a wall or ceiling in the bathroom or basement. SERVPRO IICRC certified personnel have the skills and equipment needed to repair, restore, and remove the threat to your home. Once fungi are actively growing, they extend hyphae into and consumes portions of the structure itself. It most easily consumes drywall (cellulose backing), but carpets and wood are at risk as well.

If the mold has barely started growing on a section of drywall, then our technicians may be able to clean it from the surface. If the section is not wet from flooding or rainfall, it may also be possible to remove small pieces from it. This removal and patching of the area is labor-intensive, and can quickly add up to a higher cost than simply replacing the section. In most cases, we recommend replacing drywall if there is any growth at all below the surface.

Carpets are other items which are very tough to clean. If the mold growth is minor, our technicians may be able to use anti-fungal and anti-microbial cleaning agents to destroy the active spores. They apply these agents with sprayers and shampoo machines. The next step is to dry and vacuum the carpet as quickly as possible. If the first two steps are successful, no replacement is needed. If there was a pad underneath, we recommend replacing it if infestations remain post remediation and cleaning.

Wood framing is much more resistant to mold, but an untreated growth can still infest and even compromise the material over time. It is cheaper to purchase and replace new pieces compared to the hours it might take to scrape them clean. If there is only surface mold, our restoration team can quickly clean and dry it before hanging new drywall. The degree of the amount and depth of mold infestations set the parameters for treatment. Restore and clean is always preferred to replacement.

Although mold growth is harder to find compared to water or fire damage, it is still a threat to Florida homes. SERVPRO of NE St. Petersburg has the experience and training to deal with an infestation and stands ready with a 24-hour response team to serve you. Call our office today at (727) 522-0000 to get started.