What Mold in Air Ducts Could Mean for Commercial Buildings

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

Mold in air ducts in Houston, TX.

The Potential Impact of Mold in Air Ducts for Commercial Buildings

Mold frequently grows on construction materials for commercial buildings in Houston, TX. It thrives in hidden, dark spaces with favorable humidity levels and hosts that provide it the nutrients it needs. Mold spores will settle and develop into colonies in any areas that provide these conditions. Hiring an HVAC cleaning service at least twice a year is recommended for commercial buildings. It is common to find fungus growing inside of HVAC systems on:

• AC evaporator coils
• The drip pan
• Inside air ducts
  
  

If you find mold around your commercial property, it is likely there is mold inside of your HVAC system as well. Here's what mold in the HVAC system could mean for your commercial building:

Mold Spores Will Circulate When the HVAC System Turns On

Mold can be found feeding off the dust in your HVAC system. This is because air ducts provide a suitable environment for fungus to thrive. This mold will release mold spores that circulate into every room of a commercial building when the HVAC system turns on. This makes them more likely to attach themselves to the natural construction materials of the building. Regular HVAC cleaning will clear your air conditioning system of dust, preventing mold growth. Cleaning vents frequently will also aid in mold prevention.

Mold in Your Air Ducts Will Cause Unpleasant Smells

A key indicator of mold being circulated through the building is an unpleasant, musky smell. When mold spores are circulated through air vents it makes them more likely to grow on other materials that provide the right nutrients, including water damaged wood or drywall. The smell coming from these materials is often described as humid and earthy.

Mold spores only take about 48-72 hours to develop into colonies. If you have found mold on your property, it is crucial to address it right away by calling an HVAC cleaning service. This will improve the overall air quality in your building and prevent mold damage.

The Hows and Whys of Document Restoration

7/31/2022 (Permalink)

When documents are affected by water damage, always call in a team of professionals that are Here to Help

The Hows and Whys of Document Restoration

A big storm, a building fire or a flood can do a number on just about everything a business owns. Knowing how to deal with water removal, mold abatement, smoke odors, and other issues is a must for a professional disaster mitigation franchise. The process of document restoration is one area that requires expertise, training, and the right equipment. With the proper procedures the following materials can be salvaged in many situations:

• Photographs and films
• Paper documents
• Maps and blueprints
• Books and magazines
• Parchment
  
  

Successful restoration involves state-of-the-art technology and experienced technicians. A fast response to damaged documents increases the chance of success.

Why Document Restoration Is Needed

Any major upheaval to a business in Spring Valley,TX, could result in damaged documents. A flood could bring in dirty water that coats papers and photographs with contaminated bacteria and chemicals. A fire could result in soot damage to materials. To prevent these important, historic or valuable materials from being lost forever, a meticulous restoration process can save them. With advanced document drying and cleaning techniques, these materials can still be retained in the company archives and be accessible to employees. SERVPRO technicians know how important it is to recover these valuable documents.

How Restoration Is Accomplished

HIPPA master-certified technicians use the latest technology to restore documents. Vacuum freeze-drying methods and gamma irradiation technology are two options to dry, clean and sterilize paper and parchment. Technicians use many of the same methods employed by the Library of Congress and the National Archive and Records Administration. SERVPRO provides full-service document restoration. These measures, in addition to drying, include cleaning and disinfecting, re-jacketing, digitizing, and deodorizing. The digital process uses a computerized inventory system that converts paper and photos to digital, thereby increasing storage, ease of access, and durability of materials. When documents are affected by water damage, always call in a team of professionals that are Here to Help.

Why SERVPRO Is Faster to Any Size Disaster

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is the ideal restoration company and is Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Why SERVPRO Is Faster to Any Size Disaster

The faster you get help after a disaster, the less property damage you are likely to sustain. When water is left to sit after a flood, mold can begin to set in after as little as 24-48 hours. When fire damage is left unattended, holes in the exterior of the building can lead to more damage from the elements. If you experience a disaster in Hilshire Village, TX, you will need a team of experts to help immediately. Here are several reasons that SERVPRO is the ideal restoration company and is Faster to Any Size Disaster.

1. Locally Owned
Since there are over 1,900 SERVPRO franchises, experts can reach 90% of all U.S. zip codes within two hours of your initial call. Additionally,locally-owned franchises can provide an extra set of knowledge about specific conditions in the Hilshire Village, TX, area.

2. Available 24 Hours a Day
SERVPRO knows that disasters do not happen only during regular business hours. That is why they are ready to take your call and send out an emergency response team 24 hours a day, every day. No matter the day or time, SERVPRO is standing by and ready to be Faster to Any Size Disaster.

3. Highly Trained Staff
SERVPRO has over 50 years of experience in the restoration and remediation of mold, fire, and water damage. Headquarters passes this knowledge on to each of its franchisees through extensive training programs.

4. Help With Your Insurance Claim
When your team of experts arrives onsite, the claims process will begin. SERVPRO has completed thousands of jobs and understands the insurance process well. They will help monitor the entire process from beginning to end. 
Having a SERVPRO team that is Faster to Any Size Disaster can help minimize additional damage to your property. By having SERVPRO experts help you through the process, your property will be back to its original condition as quickly as possible. 
 

Get a Fast Response for Your Emergency

2/18/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO professionals are ready to arrive faster to any size disaster.

SERVPRO has franchises in nearly 2,000 locations around the country. When you need flooding, fire, or storm restoration services, SERVPRO gets there faster to any size disaster. Hilshire Village, TX, trained professionals are available every day at all hours, so when your property needs damage mitigation or other emergency services, a technician is just a phone call away.

Why Choose SERVPRO?

• On-call teams are available at all times.
  
• Teams arrive faster to any size disaster.
  
• Franchises are recognized industry leaders across the nation.
  
• Technicians are ready to file your insurance claim.
  
• Local insurance companies and other service providers prefer working with SERVPRO.
  
• Technicians have top-quality training for fire, water, mold, and mildew cleanup and restoration.
  
  

If you're not sure which services you need or how to get started, get answers with a simple phone call.

Trust Owners and Technicians From Your Hometown

It's easier to trust an emergency flood damage restoration company with your home when you know the technicians doing the work. SERVPRO franchises are locally owned, so you can verify the quality of training, work results, and methods. Services for residential customers include:

• Water damage remediation
  
• Fire damage cleanup and repairs
  
• Mold identification and remediation
  
• Storm damage cleanup and restoration
  
• Cleaning services for other disasters
  
  

Residential and Commercial Services

Do you have a commercial property that needs attention as well? The condition of your business sends a message to clients, even after natural disasters. Get your commercial properties looking their best as quickly as possible. SERVPRO cleaning and emergency restoration crews are on standby to provide emergency services that prevent further damages and to make a plan of action immediately following the disaster.

Any Time, Any Size Service Response

Whether you need emergency damage restoration for your Hilshire Village, TX, home or business, SERVPRO professionals are ready to arrive faster to any size disaster. Locally owned franchises are located across the country, so teams can be mobilized to provide you with the services you need to feel like the disaster never even happened.

Is That Mold? Identifying the Black Stuff

1/30/2022 (Permalink)

Black mold found in a Spring Valley, TX home.

Most people feel certain they know what mold is – it’s green, black or brown, fuzzy and pretty gross. But the fact is that there are numerous things that can be mistaken for mold. It’s important to know if you’re dealing with mold and what kind to start combatting the problem. Here are some common things people mistake for mold and tips for getting proper mold assessment in your Spring Valley, TX, property.

What is Mold?

There’s lots in the media about the harmfulness of mold, but just what is it? Mold is a type of fungus. There are hundreds of different types found indoors and outdoors. In the home, mold tends to thrive wherever it’s dark and slightly moist. This includes:

• Crawl spaces
  
• Bathrooms
  
• Attics
  
• Basements
  

While mold tends to like these places, there are lots of things that merely mold lookalikes.

Mildew
Mildew is actually a kind of mold. Like mold, it’s a fungus that thrives in a moist environment and can cause smells. Unlike mold, however, it tends toward flat surfaces and the damage it causes can be much more cosmetic and easily resolved than that of mold.

Dirt
It can be surprisingly hard to tell the difference between black mold and plain old dirt. Both grow in some of the same areas and can be dark and caked-on in appearance. A proper mold assessment can help spot key differences.

Soap Scum
Like mold, soap scum has a tendency to gather in wet areas like your bathroom sink, drains and shower doors. In the worst scenarios, it can become darkened, taking a dusky appearance that can make it easily mistaken for mold.
The first step in banishing mold is making sure mold is what you’re facing. Schedule a proper mold assessment and you’ll be on your way to a mold-free home.