3 Ways to Discover Growth in Your Air Ducts

7/28/2022 (Permalink)

Mold is everywhere. There is no such thing as a mold-free environment. Without regular HVAC cleaning in your commercial property in San Antonio, however, it could attach to the dust molecules in your air ducts and result in poor air quality. You can usually see or smell an insidious mold problem, but to be certain, you can also have your HVAC system tested for mold.

1. Professional Testing

The most thorough and foolproof method for discovering whether or not there is a mold problem in your air ducts is to have your building professionally tested. This process can be a little costly, but it is well worth the price if it means you catch the problem early before mold causes damage to various parts of your HVAC system. It is less expensive in the long run to pay for minor mold testing and HVAC cleaning than to incur the cost of the extensive damage that could result from a long-term mold issue.

2. Visual Survey

There are two things that you should be on the lookout for when you check for mold. Of course, seeing patches of mold itself when cleaning vents is a clear sign that you need mold remediation. Another issue to watch for is excess moisture. If you see any condensation or if the building is extra humid, you may have found a breeding ground for mold.

3. Olfactory Cues

If your commercial building in San Antonio, smells musty or reeks of mildew, chances are that you may have a mold problem. You can run an informal test of whether the problem is in your air ducts or not. Turn your HVAC unit off for a little while. After you turn it back on, compare the intensity of the mildew smell. If it smells stronger when the unit is on, you may have pinpointed the location of the growth.

Whether you see it, smell it or test for it, a mold issue must be remediated. A professional HVAC cleaning can improve air quality by ridding your system of mold growth.

For more on San Antonio click here.

Mycotoxins and Mold Remediation

3/1/2022 (Permalink)

Mycotoxin Molecule

Mycotoxins are compounds that are naturally produced by certain types of mold. These molds typically form on foodstuffs such as grains, dried fruits, nuts and spices. Mycotoxin molecules are much smaller than the mold spore itself, making it much easier to travel throughout a structure and ductwork. Mold spores are typically 1-6 microns. For comparison, human hair is about 100 microns and a mycotoxin molecule is only 0.1 micron. This small size, therefore, makes it easy to inhale or be absorbed through the skin.

In the remediation process, it is important not to only be concerned with mold removal, but also the removal of these small molecules that can cause health effects. There are two areas of focus. The first is removal of all dust particulate (dust particles) where these molecules often land and take up residency. The second is in the ductwork and its role in distribution, which must be addressed in mold remediation projects. We always recommend duct and coil cleaning at the same time as mold remediation.

SERVPRO of Alamo Ranch is a licensed Mold Remediation Company with a licensed Mold Remediation Contractor on staff. The process of mold remediation can be a little daunting, but SERVPRO of Alamo Ranch can help you through it.

If you believe that there might mold in your home, you need to hire a Mold Assessment Consultant to do initial testing and to write a Mold Remediation Protocol. If you need help finding a Mold Assessment Consultant, SERVPRO of Alamo Ranch can give you several recommendations.

Call SERVPRO of Alamo Ranch at 210-670-9591 if you suspect mold in your home.

3 Ways to Discover Mold in Your Air Ducts

7/1/2021 (Permalink)

Mold in your air ducts could attach to the dust molecules in your air ducts and result in poor air quality.

Mold is everywhere. There is no such thing as a mold-free environment. Without regular HVAC cleaning in your commercial property in San Antonio, however, it could attach to the dust molecules in your air ducts and result in poor air quality. You can usually see or smell an insidious mold problem, but to be certain, you can also have your HVAC system tested for mold.

1. Professional Testing

The most thorough and foolproof method for discovering whether or not there is a mold problem in your air ducts is to have your building professionally tested. This process can be a little costly, but it is well worth the price if it means you catch the problem early before mold causes damage to various parts of your HVAC system. It is less expensive in the long run to pay for minor mold testing and HVAC cleaning than to incur the cost of the extensive damage that could result from a long-term mold issue.

2. Visual Survey

There are two things that you should be on the lookout for when you check for mold. Of course, seeing patches of mold itself when cleaning vents is a clear sign that you need mold remediation. Another issue to watch for is excess moisture. If you see any condensation or if the building is extra humid, you may have found a breeding ground for mold.

3. Olfactory Cues

If your commercial building in San Antonio, smells musty or reeks of mildew, chances are that you may have a mold problem. You can run an informal test of whether the problem is in your air ducts or not. Turn your HVAC unit off for a little while. After you turn it back on, compare the intensity of the mildew smell. If it smells stronger when the unit is on, you may have pinpointed the location of the mold.

Whether you see it, smell it or test for it, a mold issue must be remediated. A professional HVAC cleaning can improve air quality by ridding your system of mold growth.

For more on San Antonio click here.

Mycotoxins and Mold Remediation

3/3/2021 (Permalink)

Mycotoxin molecule

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds that are naturally produced by certain types of mold. These molds typically form on foodstuffs such as grains, dried fruits, nuts and spices. Mycotoxin molecules are much smaller than the mold spore itself, making it much easier to travel throughout a structure and ductwork. Mold spores are typically 1-6 microns. For comparison, human hair is about 100 microns and a mycotoxin molecule is only 0.1 micron. This small size, therefore, makes it easy to inhale or be absorbed through the skin.

In the remediation process, it is important not to only be concerned with mold removal, but also the removal of these small molecules that can cause severe health effects. There are two areas of focus. The first is removal of all dust particulate (dust particles) where these molecules often land and take up residency. The second is in the ductwork and its role in distribution, which must be addressed in mold remediation projects. We always recommend duct and coil cleaning at the same time as mold remediation.

SERVPRO of Alamo Ranch is a licensed Mold Remediation Company with a licensed Mold Remediation Contractor on staff. The process of mold remediation can be a little daunting, but SERVPRO of Alamo Ranch can help you through it.

If you believe that there might mold in your home, you need to hire a Mold Assessment Consultant to do initial testing and to write a Mold Remediation Protocol. If you need help finding a Mold Assessment Consultant, SERVPRO of Alamo Ranch can give you several recommendations.

Call SERVPRO of Alamo Ranch at 210-670-9591 if you suspect mold in your home.

Everyday Molds

7/14/2020 (Permalink)

Bleu Cheese

In this blog, I would like to address the everyday occurrence of good and normal molds so that we can clarify that all molds are not bad.

Good molds are molds that help make cheese, wines, and medicines. Most people really don't realize the products that would not be possible without good molds.

Normal molds are airborne mold spores and surface mold growth. Airborne mold spores are just a naturally occurring phenomena that get into our homes through open doors, open windows, and even on our clothes. These molds are considered normal as long as they did not originate within the home. What makes normal mold normal is that it is growing on a non-porous surface that can not be a sustainable food source and it can be cleaned with normal house cleaning methods.

I hope that this somewhat clarifies the differences in molds and gives you a better understanding of what to look for.

For any questions or if you need us to look at an issue, please call SERVPRO® of Alamo Ranch at 210-670-9591

Managing Mold

3/4/2020 (Permalink)

Moldy Locker Room

When there is 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 Alamo Ranch professionals have 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 remains the same.

In the State of Texas, the first step is to call on a Mold Remediation Consultant. He or she will carefully inspect your property 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. After testing and inspection, the Mold Assessment Consultant will write a Mold Remediation Protocol directing the Mold Remediation Contractor on the exact procedures to use and follow during the mold remediation.

If you suspect that you may have mold issues, please contact SERVPRO® of Alamo Ranch at 210-670-9591.

Source: Restoration Newsline Volume 31, Issue 3