Understanding and Preventing Bread Mold

8/25/2022 (Permalink)

Mold on bread loaf

You've probably opened a loaf of bread only to be disappointed and alarmed to see it covered in fuzzy mold. Finding this fungus in the kitchen is normal, but understanding how fungus growth occurs in Cloverleaf,TX, is key to preventing it.

How Mold Occurs

There are mold spores floating through the air everywhere around you, looking for a place to land. Many of them land on inhospitable environments, but some land on a location with characteristics ideal for their growth:

• Warmth
• Moisture
• Plenty of food
  
  

Bread mold occurs when these spores take up residence on your loaf of bread, which is full of moisture and food for the fungus, and is often kept in a nice, warm pantry. They spread very quickly, which is why you can find mold-covered bread just the day after it seemed perfectly fine.

How To Prevent It
While it's nearly impossible to totally prevent fungus growth on your food, you can do some things to slow it down before it overtakes it. Keeping items in the refrigerator will help slow mold because the spores don't thrive in cold environments. They can still grow though, which is why you find fridge mold as well. Double your efforts by keeping items in sealed containers both in your refrigerator and pantry, and cut down on the amount of time they're sitting in the open. This will help reduce the number of spores landing on your food. If you do find mold on your food, clean the area where it was sitting and check surrounding items, as the mold might have spread to them as well. Dispose of the moldy item in a sealed bag so that the spores don't spread further.
While bread mold is inevitable, you can slow its spread by taking precautions like sealing your food, keeping it covered as much as possible, and thoroughly cleaning the area where moldy food was stored to prevent it from spreading. If you start finding mold on your walls and in your cabinets, though, it might be time to call mold cleanup professionals, as this can be indicative of a larger problem.

Finding the Best Air Purifier to Reduce Mold Spores

7/23/2022 (Permalink)

An air purifier can be purchased with a number of features.

The spores that produce mold are present in every room of your home, but most aren’t cause for alarm. When water enters the equation, mold begins to grow at an alarming rate. Air filtration systems can keep the spore count under control in these situations to reduce the risk of mold growth.

What Features Should You Choose When Selecting an Air Filter?

An air purifier can be purchased with a number of features. Many are aimed at convenience and comfort, including:

Remote controls - People with limited mobility will especially appreciate this feature.
Programmable timers - This option is great for the person on the go.
Fan speed - The speed you choose depends on the size of the room.
Filter change reminder - For those who need reminders, this is a smart option when choosing an air filtration system.
Wheels for mobility - If you want to be able to move the unit from room to room, this feature is helpful.
Air quality sensors - It may give your peace of mind to be able to monitor the air quality in your home.

Which Filtration System Is Best at Removing Mold Spores?
High-efficiency particulate air filters are the best at removing your home's mold spores in Baytown, TX. HEPA filters trap airborne particles and remove them from the air. It's critical to select a filter made to the HEPA standard, however. May filters use the HEPA term by claiming to be a high-efficiency filter, but they may not be made to the HEPA standard. A true HEPA standard filter collects 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in size. This information should be clearly marked on the packaging.
If you are concerned about mold growth in your home, contact a mold remediation specialist right away.
When buying an air filtration system, there are many options from which to choose. Just make sure you select a HEPA standard unit to keep mold at bay.

Roof Leaks and Mold Growth

7/18/2022 (Permalink)

Mold growth on the ceiling due to roof leak in a Baytown, TX building.

Although a roof leak at your Baytown, TX, business is annoying in itself, any associated mold growth can mean even bigger trouble. Black mold may be the most infamous variety, but all mold species can cause serious damage, so it is important to address the problem as soon as possible.

Causes of Roof Leaks

There are many possible causes of a roof leak. The following are some of the most common:

• Improper roof installation
• Storm damage
  
  
  

Normal wear and tear
Roofs that were not installed correctly may leak even when they are brand new. They may also be more prone to storm damage and wear out quickly. However, even correctly installed high-quality roofs are susceptible to damage and eventually deteriorate.

What To Do If You Have a Leak
Black mold and other varieties of fungal growth can result from water left standing for more than 24 hours. Therefore, the two main goals in preventing damage are drying up the water and repairing the ceiling leak as quickly as possible. Fortunately, most roof leaks do not result in huge amounts of water inundating a building. Dry up any water that has already made its way into the structure. Then situate a bucket so that it can catch the rest of the water as it comes in. Place a towel under the bucket to absorb any water that splashes out. If you have extensive water damage from the leak, you may need to hire a professional to dry out the affected area. After the rain has stopped, you can either call a roofing contractor or go up on the roof yourself to repair the leak.
If your business has black mold, water damage, or other issues resulting from a roof leak, a professional restoration service can help restore the building. They have the experience and equipment to address the problem in a timely and safe manner.

3 Reasons Why Pretesting Matters

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage in Cloverleaf, TX.

Why Is It Important To Pretest Your Space?

Once you've discovered water damage to your commercial property in Cloverleaf, TX, it's important to get the cause of the damage, usually a leak, under control right away. The next most important step is getting a complete understanding of the extent of the damage and how much it will cost to complete all of the repairs. To do this, the pretesting process is essential. While you may want to get started on remediation right away, here are three reasons why it's important to pretest your space.

1. Identify the Type of Water

The type of water that caused the damage is an important factor in how long it will take to clean up the damage and how much it will cost. There are three categories of water — white (1), gray (2), and black (3). Black water, or Category 3 water, is the most highly contaminated. Without pretesting, you may be quoted for a Category 2 cleanup, but the reality of cleaning up Category 3 water will impact the final cost on your insurance claim.

2. Manage Furniture

Filing cabinets, desks, shelves, and other furniture that can't be easily removed have to be factored into the cleanup process. The furniture will need to be raised in order to clean underneath, and restoration of damaged furniture will show up on your final bill. Make sure to take pictures of everything for your insurance agent.

3. Inspect the Area

The extent of the overall damage will be the biggest factor in managing your remediation. The water damage experts will be able to tell you exactly what has been damaged, where, and what steps will be needed to correct everything. Safety is the main priority, and the team will work to clean up your space so that you're able to safely conduct business again.
Without pretesting, it's easy to underestimate the hazards that must be managed and the total materials that will be needed to complete the project. Always take the time to understand the scope of damage before undertaking any remediation project.

3 Ways an Electronic Claims System May Help

2/18/2022 (Permalink)

The use of an electronic claims system can both keep data organized and help save time when it comes to processing an insurance claim.

Three Ways an Electronic Claims System Could Be Beneficial

When processing your client’s insurance claim in Cloverleaf, TX, you may find yourself sifting through a lot of information to find the most recent data. In cases like these, an electronics claim system may help. These systems are databases comprised of the information related to your client’s claim along with their updates, provided by professional restoration companies like SERVPRO. Here are a few ways this system can benefit you.

1. It Keeps the Information You Need Together

As an insurance agent, you understand the importance of having your client’s claim information organized. The claims system provided by the restoration service can help. Not only does this system allow you to look at the original estimates and recent updates, but you can access the data based on location, claim type, loss type, or even an individual file review. This means you can pull up all the data together, or just the pertinent details, at need.

2. It Allows for Quick Access from Anywhere

In some cases, processing an insurance claim may mean you have to work from several locations. Whether you're in the office with your client, or at the property looking over the damage, an electronic claims system may allow you to access the database from any location you have internet service.

3. The Information Stays Up-to-date

As the restoration team works on your client’s property, they can make updates to the data in the claims system at need. This means that as new information becomes available you can access it to inform your client. It also allows you to have all the recent information you need to answer any questions.

The use of an electronic claims system can both keep data organized and help save time when it comes to processing an insurance claim. The system can organize the information so that all the data you need is together, allow you to access it from anywhere you have internet, and stay updated regularly.