Mold Damage in Denville Cutting Down Property Lifespans

6/13/2024 (Permalink)

With advanced equipment, SERVPRO restores property to pre-damaged conditions, "Like it never even happened."

A Simple Strategy to Simplify Mold Restoration in Denville  

Denville has many historic properties, including the Ayres-Knuth Farm, established in 1803, the second Union School, and the Peter Cook Dutch colonial stone home built in 1778. Many of these properties precede the township’s formation in 1913 but have remained standing over the years, serving various purposes, including accommodation and recreational space for the 17,107 residents. Denville is unique for its lake communities, like Indian Lake, Rock Ridge, Cedar Lake, and Lake Arrowhead, which offer fishing, swimming, and boating, contributing to the township’s appeal as a residential area.  

Houses can last for centuries when built well and maintained accordingly. However, several enemies, including mold damage, have threatened Denville structures over the years, shortening their lifespan. Mold left to spread uncontrolled in a building eats into frames and studs, compromising the structural integrity. It also affects finishes, leaving paint falling off and deteriorating indoor air quality. SERVPRO® is crucial in continuous property maintenance, including addressing microbial growth.  

Preventive maintenance is essential to curtail such damage to your property. The best preventive action is identifying microbial growth and the conditions that favor it early enough. In most cases, pinpointing and resolving moisture intrusion early is enough. SERVPRO uses advanced equipment such as thermal cameras and penetrative moisture meters to track moisture in your property. 

The moisture aspects we evaluate 

• Whether relative humidity levels exceed 60% 
• Whether there are hidden moisture pockets  
• Whether solid materials like wooden frames contain moisture 

Moisture discovery does not end mold prevention efforts. Our SERVPRO crews can implement different strategies to dry your property, denying mold, which is one of the vital provisions that drive contamination. Setting up LGR or desiccant dehumidifiers brings down humidity levels, allowing moisture trapped in materials to escape into the air, leaving them dry. Porous materials like carpets and upholstery absorb and hold significant moisture. Vacuum extraction helps remove such moisture, eliminating the reservoirs that fuel mold growth.  

SERVPRO of North Morris County reliably handles mold damage, ensuring your property does not deteriorate unnecessarily. Here to Help® (973) 983-5657.

Defense Against Mold Damage

8/11/2018 (Permalink)

-Keep the humidity between 30 to 60 percent.

-Provide for proper drainage away from building foundations.

-Regularly inspect plumbing and appliances for leaks.

-Keep gutters and drains clear of debris. 

-Inspect the roof, windows and other areas where water might enter the building and perform necessary maintenance.

-Respond to all water intrusions immediately. 

-Contact us for assistance after a water damage or if you discover mold

MANAGING MOLD

7/14/2018 (Permalink)

When there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. Fortunately, SERVPRO of North Morris County has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. Although every mold damage scenario is different requiring a unique solution, the general mold remediation process stays the same. The following steps illustrate a “typical” mold removal process.

Call the Team in Green

The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call SERVPRO. A representative will ask a series of questions to help determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed.

Inspection and Damage Assessment

Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold using technology designed to detect mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view.

Mold Containment

Various containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold and isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.

Air Filtration

Specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. SERVPRO technicians utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress.

Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments will be used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.

Cleaning Contents and Belongings

SERVPRO cleans your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. They are also trained to remove odors and deodorize using fogging equipment.

Restoration

Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may be removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business. SERVPRO understands mold and mold growth and have the training and equipment to remediate mold in your home or business. n

MANAGING MOLD

9/16/2017 (Permalink)

IN AS LITTLE AS 48 HOURS, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business when there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. Fortunately, SERVPRO of North Morris County has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem.

Although every mold damage scenario is different requiring a unique solution, the general mold remediation process stays the same. The following steps illustrate a “typical” mold removal process:

1. Call SERVPRO of North Morris County (973-983-5657). The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call speak to our representative. They will ask a series of questions to help determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed.
2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment - Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold using various technologies to detect mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view.
3. Mold Containment Various - containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold, like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.
4. Air Filtration - Specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. SERVPRO® technicians utilize powerful “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress.
5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials - The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments will be used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.
6. Cleaning Contents and Belongings - SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. They are also trained to remove odors and deodorization using fogging equipment.
7. Restoration Depending - on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may be removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

SERVPRO of North Morris County understands mold and mold growth and have the training and equipment to remediate mold in your home or business.

CE Class - MOLD

3/15/2016 (Permalink)

Continuing Education Course

“Understanding Mold for Property Insurers”

Great for Property Managers & Real Estate Professionals, Too

Sponsored by:SERVPRO^® of North Morris County

           *** Date:April 12, 2016  ***Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

    Location:  Hampton Inn    350 Morris Ave.   Denville, NJ 07834

New Jersey Approval # 0507908   Credit Hours: 3

Approved for the following licenses: Property-Casualty

Course fee: $60.00 (Fee waived by SERVPRO franchise)

Complimentary Continental Breakfast (8:30 AM – 9:00 AM)

What You Will Learn:

Mold is still a “hot topic”, especially after Super Storm Sandy and the ‘Vortex’ freeze that directly affects the insurance community and involves third-party liability issues for property, owners, builders, & sellers; related service industries, and institutions.  Topics to be discussed at the seminar include:

To Register CALL – 973-983-5657

10 Things You Should Know About MOLD - Part 1 of 2

3/5/2016 (Permalink)

Mold is a very hot topic these days, especially in the real estate community. If you are buying or selling a house, or even if you are not moving, the last thing you want to hear is the word MOLD. However, when is it a concern? Yes, there are times when it's serious, but some companies will lead you to believe it's the end of the world. 

Understand that mold IS everywhere. As a matter of fact, if you have ever taken penicillin or eaten bleu cheese dressing on your salad, you have consumed a form of mold. The point is, there are many different types of mold. There are harmless, allergens and toxic.

Today, we will look at the first five things you should know about mold.

1.    Potential Health Effects - People who have respiratory issues such as asthma, or young children or the elderly, these are people who may suffer health effects from mold.

2.    You Cannot Eliminate Mold – There are acceptable levels of mold. Unless you are living in a “clean room” at some laboratory, you are living with mold every day. Whether it’s your living room, kitchen or bedroom, there is a certain level of mold in those rooms. The amount, however, is typically so small that you are have no ill affects. The recipe for mold is moisture + food source (wood, Insulation paper, drywall, etc) + a lack of ventilation. If you eliminate any one of these, you cannot grow mold. This is why it is so important to quickly address a water intrusion.

3.    When Is Mold A Problem? – If you don’t clean your shower stall often enough, you may end up with some surface mold. This is relatively minor and you can clean it with an over-the-counter product. However, say you go on vacation and a pipe bursts and your finished basement is flooded. Due to our recipe (moisture+food source+lack of ventilation) you have significant mold growth, this is a major issue and you need to bring in a professional to address it.

4.    Prevention Is The Best Medicine – As stated before, anytime you can eliminate any of the three parts to the mold recipe, you can prevent mold. Some additional thoughts:

A.    Leave your HVAC running when you leave on extended trips.

B.    Check for roof leaks

C.    Check for leaks around doors & windows

D.    Check for proper gutter drainage

E.    Check vacant buildings regularly

F.     Inspect hot water heaters, air conditioners, water softeners, etc

G.    Investigate moldy odors

5.    Control Humidity – Mold can actually grow just from elevated relative humidity, An RH of 60% or higher for an extended period of time can start old growth on structural surfaces. Make sure any moisture generating appliances (bathroom exhaust fans, dryers) should be vented to the outside.

NEXT TIME – The Ten Things You Should Know About MOLD – parts 6-10