Recent Why SERVPRO Posts

Mold Testing and Professional Restoration

8/29/2022 (Permalink)


A specialist with SERVPRO of Louisa, Orange and Madison counties can help commercial property managers and owners determine whether mold is present in a building in in Orange, VA.

A visual inspection may be sufficient, or a trained expert may take air, batch or surface samples to detect mold and identify the species.

Schedule a Mold Inspection with SERVPRO of Louisa, Orange and Madison counties (540) 513-3111


A mold inspection may start with a search for visible mold and lead to a mold test. Testing is only cost-effective at early stages for the following reasons:

detecting the presence of hidden mold


determining the toxicity of mold


measuring concentrations of spores or off-gasses

If an infestation is obvious, testing is more practical to confirm the completion of cleanup. Bringing in the trained professionals at SERVPRO of Louisa, Orange and Madison counties is recommended for all mold cleanup, though full containment is necessary for toxic species.


Have Experts Take Samples

Our specialist may take any of the following types of samples from a commercial building:

Airborne spore and gas samples


Batch spore samples


Surface spore samples

Spores can be gathered from the air inside a building or directly from contents or surfaces. These samples are used to grow the same mold in a controlled lab environment for identifying the species and toxicity status.


Lab Results


Once test results are in, an expert from SERVPRO of Louisa, Orange and Madison counties will contact property owners to report on the species or concentration of spores and microbial volatile organic compounds. This data can help a specialist recommend the best strategy for stopping mold growth and eradicating existing colonies.


Regardless of test results, our SERVPRO specialists can recommend the right approach to cleaning up mold or preventing an infestation. Cleanup can take up to a week and remediation may go on for longer based on whether contaminated building materials need to be replaced during restoration.

Call the restoration pros at SERVPRO of Louisa, Orange and Madison counties (540) 513-3111.

SERVPRO of Louisa, Orange and Madison Counties Offers Pack Out Services

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

Professional Pack Out Services in Virginia

If you have had damage to your home or business you should call the restoration specialists, SERVPRO of Louisa, Orange and Madison Counties. Restoration has a lot of elements that not everyone considers. Pack out services are a good example of something most don't take into consideration.


During restoration work, a pack-out refers to the moving of contents out of a damaged structure to access work areas and perform restoration work in our facilities.


When a customer’s home or business requires extensive, specialized cleaning, SERVPRO of Louisa, Orange and Madison Counties specialists can conduct an organized, efficient pack out.

By itemizing, recording and relocating your contents to a secure location, the move-out will provide several benefits, including:

Provide extensive restoration to contents.
Protecting contents from further on-site damage.

A quicker remodeling process.
Protecting items from potential damage.

The pack out process usually consists of these steps:

Video the job site.


Perform an initial scope & job estimate.


Pack, tag, inventory, and additional sorting of clean and claim items.


Move to a warehouse, clean and deodorize, and repack.


Claim list suggestions from the customer.


Move items back to the customer.


When restoration is completed, SERVPRO of Louisa, Orange and Madison Counties will work with you to coordinate the move-in according to your needs. Give us a call with any questions (540) 513-3111.

If You Suspect a Leak in Your Home, Don't Put Off Getting It Fixed

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

a shower pan leak is shown Give us a call if you have water damage or suspect mold, SERVPRO of Louisa, Orange, and Madison Counties (540) 513-3111.


If you have a bathtub leak, fixing it quickly will lessen the amount of time the water can damage your property. Many homeowners suspect a water problem, but do not know how to determine the source of the leak.

Here are four ways to determine if you might have a water leak coming from your bathroom.


1. Check Ceilings for Rings


Even tiny water leaks can lead to damage over time. If you suspect a bathtub leak and have a room underneath your bathroom, check its ceiling for signs of water damage. Water rings, discolored paint, and sagging ceilings are all signs of water damage coming from above.


2. Look for Warped Walls and Floors


Water can break down and weaken fibrous material. Drywall, baseboards, and sub-floors can all become less stable when water damage occurs. Check your walls and floors for any signs of warping or peeling.


3. Test the Shower Pan


Test your shower pan for leaks by closing off the drain and marking the pan with a piece of tape. Next, fill the basin up to the level of the tape. Leave the water to sit for 24-72 hours. At the end of the waiting period, the water level should still be in the same place it was originally. If the water level has gone down, you may have a shower pan leak.


4. Smell the Bathroom


Leaks can lead to moisture problems, which can lead to mold and mildew overtaking your bathroom. If you cannot see the mold, but suspect a moisture problem, try closing the door for an hour or two. When you re-enter the room, notice if there is an unexpected musky smell. If so, you may have mold or mildew hiding where you cannot see it.


A bathtub leak is a fairly common problem that needs to be taken care of quickly to avoid further damage. Luckily, a professional water remediation company can fix the source of the problem and return your home to its pre-leak condition.


SERVPRO of Louisa, Orange, and Madison Counties provides 24-hour fire and water damage restoration service. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is critical.

The technician that responds to your water damage is well trained. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Give us a call if you have water damage or suspect mold, SERVPRO of Louisa, Orange, and Madison Counties (540) 513-3111. We'll get to you quickly. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

3 Ways To Avoid Fires When Grilling

11/29/2021 (Permalink)

Barbecue grill with fire on nature, outdoor, close up These measures can help you grill more safely.

Prevent a Grill Fire at Your Home

Gas, hardwood, and other types of grills generate a lot of heat and often rely on open flame. It is possible to grill safely if you take a few simple fire safety precautions. Here are three ways to prevent a grill fire at your home in Locust Hill, VA.

1. Grill In a Safe Place

One of the best ways to avoid starting a barbeque fire is to move a safe distance away from structures and flammable items. Never operate a grill on a patio or porch that has a roof. You should also never start kindling a cooking fire inside. Always allow a grill to cool completely prior to storage.

2. Clean and Maintain Your Grill

A grill fire is more likely to break out on a grill covered with grease and flammable food residue. Maintain a fire for at least ten to fifteen minutes after cooking to burn off residue and scrape the grates with a wire brush. Give the entire grill a deep cleaning at least once or twice per season. When the grill is cool, remove the grates and drip pan and clean them with water and a suitable soap. Wipe down the interior and exterior.

3. Factor Fire Safety Into Food Preparation

Trim excess fat from meat prior to grilling. This can reduce the amount of grease that builds up on the grates or in the drip pan and lower the risk of a barbeque fire. You should also use igniting agents responsibly and store containers at a safe distance from an open flame. Keep other flammable items such as napkins and towels at a safe distance.

These measures can help you grill more safely. If a grill fire does start and cause damage to the exterior of your home, schedule an appointment with a fire and smoke damage mitigation and restoration company in Locust Hill, VA.

4 Tips to Help You Stop Mold From Growing in Your Bathroom

10/20/2021 (Permalink)

Mold growth on bathroom tiles Bathrooms are an ideal environment for mold development to begin.

Tips To Stop Mold from Growing In Your Bathroom

Bathrooms are the perfect place for mold growth to start. The damp environment invites spores to make a home in your Unionville, VA, house. Because this room is notorious for having extra moisture, it can be hard to stop mold from appearing time after time. A residential mold cleanup crew may be able to help you stop this cycle. These experts can help you address water damage, cleanup mold and prevent new growth. Consider these tips as you try to put an end to bathroom mold.

1. Use Ventilation. Steam can create a great environment for fungus just as well as water damage can. If you want to make sure excess moisture doesn't build up in your bathroom, you need to find a way to help it escape. Fans and ventilation systems are a great tool to use in this space. Be sure to have the fan on when you use the tub or shower.

2. Dry the Shower. After you're done in the shower, water tends to cling to walls, floors and curtains. This clinging water can encourage mold growth. If you are able to, you should get the water out of your tub or shower to reduce the moisture buildup. You can use towels or a special shower squeegee to dry off your shower.

3. Reseal Fixtures. Faucets can become uncaulked after years of use. When this happens, you may notice leaking water. Water can also get trapped in these small crevices. You can reseal the fixtures in your bathroom every year to ensure they don't provide a place for mold to grow.

4. Repair Grout Lines. Cracked grout lines can also trap water and encourage mold growth. Most grout has a waterproof sealer, but this can wear out over the course of time. You should repair and reseal grout lines to keep your bathroom in top shape.

Your bathroom is susceptible to water damage and fungus growth. You can follow these tips to kick your mold prevention into top gear.

The Advantages of Hiring a Professional Mold Inspector

9/14/2021 (Permalink)

Mold growth on wall in bathroom. If it’s not quickly discovered, mold can significantly damage your home’s infrastructure.

If your home sustains water damage from a flood or burst pipe, it is also vulnerable to mold damage. Extensive mold growth can be a difficult problem for any homeowner in Louisa, VA, to battle, especially since mold is adept at finding hidden moisture spots. For peace of mind, you may wish to consult a professional mold inspector who can thoroughly examine your home and identify areas requiring mold cleaning.

Extensive Knowledge

A certified mold expert will have broad knowledge about mold growth and the ensuing damage it can cause. In addition, the certification process requires technicians to complete extensive training and hands-on experience. This proficiency will enable your inspector to complete numerous tasks:
• Recognize signs of moisture
• Identify subtle indications of mold damage
• Locate potential hiding spots

Access to Useful Tools

To complete a thorough mold cleaning, you will need to address every moldy spot. While some mold may be readily visible, it may be difficult to locate hidden sources, especially under flooring and behind drywall. To aid their work, professional inspectors have several useful tools at their disposal:
• Moisture meters to evaluate moisture levels in walls, carpets, and other materials
• Borescopes to visually examine the area behind walls and other surfaces
• Hygrometers to measure humidity levels inside your home

Each of these instruments enables the expert to search for hidden mold in a minimally invasive manner that most homeowners cannot easily accomplish themselves.

A Beneficial Service

If it’s not quickly discovered, mold can significantly damage your home’s infrastructure. Hiring a professional mold inspector can help you efficiently identify mold sources behind drywall, in crawl spaces, under flooring, and in other locations not readily visible. Quick identification is important because it enables you to jumpstart the mold cleaning process and hopefully address the situation before it becomes a serious problem. If the inspector does, however, discover extensive contamination, you may want to hire a professional mold remediation team to help you tackle the problem and reduce the risk of a future recurrence.

3 Reasons Mold Grows on Bread

8/30/2021 (Permalink)

mold on bread loaf if you suspect the presence of mold in your home where it cannot be seen, SERVPRO can help you.

Mold Grows On Bread for Three Reasons

You may have dealt with bread mold in the past and wondered where it came from when you make such an effort to keep your Burr Hill, VA, home clean. However, when mold grows on bread you have stored in a breadbox or on a counter, it has little to do with cleanliness. There are several reasons you might encounter this mold, and being aware of them may help you prevent it from spreading to other foods or, even more troublesome, other areas of your home.

1. Mold Can Grow Without Sunlight

Unlike other plants, all mold species are fungi, which means they do not get their energy from sunlight. Instead, fungus growth occurs when mold spores in the air find a food source they can latch onto, such as your bread. The warm, moist conditions inside a plastic bread bag can also cause mold to grow, which is why bread can go moldy even when it is properly stored.

2. It Can Grow in Cool Environments

You might believe you can prevent bread mold by storing it in the fridge. However, mold does not always need warm conditions to thrive. While it does tend to grow more quickly in warm areas, species that grow on food can also form within your fridge. This is why you might sometimes find mold on old leftovers and fridge mold inside your fruit or vegetable keeper.

3. Mold Spreads Quickly

Mold spores, which are invisible to the naked eye, can spread quickly once they find a food source. Since bread is moist and yeasty, it can be a perfect environment for mold to multiply. If you suspect mold spores might have originated from another area of your home, a water damage cleanup and mold remediation company can inspect your home to find and eradicate the source.

Finding bread mold in your Burr Hill, VA, home can be a common occurrence and little cause for alarm. However, if you suspect the presence of mold in your home where it cannot be seen, calling for mold remediation can be the first step in having it treated.

How To Tackle Black Shower Mold

6/17/2021 (Permalink)

Mold growth on ceiling Ceiling moisture produces mold growth

Water that bombards your shower every day can lead to mold growth. Discovering shower mold at your home in Locust Hill, VA, can be concerning, and you may worry about how to manage it.

How Causes Mold to Grow In a Shower?

Several factors contribute to black mold in your shower. Mold spores thrive under conditions in your bathroom, including:

  • Excessive moisture
  • Warm temperature
  • Insufficient venitaltion
  • Low lighting

Mold can quickly overtake non-porous surfaces, including tile and grout, leaving behind stains that can be difficult to remove.

What Can You Do To Prevent a Moldy Shower?
Preventing mold is challenging, but you can clean it away using a solution of equal parts bleach and water and a scrub brush. Before you commit to routine, rigorous shower cleaning sessions, you can commit to a plan to minimize mold growth.
Controlling shower mold starts with keeping all areas of your shower as dry as possible. Use an absorbent towel to wipe up excess water that lands on the tiles, walls, grout and porcelain surfaces of your shower. A squeegee can help you access inner and upper walls.
After taking a shower, your bathroom will fill with steam quickly, and you should open a window or use an exhaust fan to help it escape. Remember to draw your bathroom curtains to let in sunlight and prevent darkness that encourages mold growth. Be sure to keep your shower curtain open also; this will allow it to dry thoroughly.
In between each use, spray the surfaces of your shower with white vinegar, which has anti-fungal properties that inhibit mold growth. Scenting the vinegar with a drop or two of your favorite essential oil will also infuse your entire bathroom with a pleasant aroma.

When Do You Need Help?
Shower mold can be unpleasant, but it is usually manageable. If you worry about black mold in any part of your home in Locust Hill, VA, a mold remediation service is your best resource for safely addressing it and restoring sanitary conditions.

Proactive Cleaning with SERVPRO

4/15/2021 (Permalink)

illustration of covid-19 Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

SERVPRO of Louisa, Orange & Madison Counties is "Here to Help" during all times of need. 
When we were faced with unprecedented times caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, we want to remind our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training
We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope
of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.
The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures,
toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:
• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no
product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local
authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning
If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call us today!

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F
%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-prevent-spread.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html

I Just Discovered Standing Water in My Building. Now What?

3/18/2021 (Permalink)

Breaker box with the word CUT THE POWER! Turn off the electricity at the fuse box.

Prevention Is Key When It Comes To Black Mold

In only a couple of days, water left to stand in your commercial building can result in major damage. Black mold and structural damage are real possibilities. Once the water is finally discovered, you’ll need to act quickly by:

1. Turning Off Electricity
First and foremost, when safely accessible, turn off the electricity at the fuse box. Appliances, electronics or exposed wires in the affected area will mean there’s probably an electric current traveling through the standing water. If the box isn’t safe to approach, you can call the power company to have them turn it off.

2. Stopping the Water
When it’s safe to enter the flooded area, stop the inflow of water, if possible. This might involve turning off the building’s main water supply or shutting it off at the source.

3. Turning Off HVAC System
No matter how long the water has been in the area, there will be some degree of water damage. If it’s been over 24 hours, it’s possible that black mold has started growing. You’ll want to turn off the HVAC system until the mold clean-up is completed. Mold spores could be in the vents, which means possible cross-contamination to other areas.

4. Removing Water
A wet/dry vacuum is a great way to quickly and safely extract standing water. It’ll also pull small debris from the water.

5. Containing Affected Area
The water-damaged area should be contained from the rest of the building until the mold remediation process is complete. Simply closing all doors to the area and sealing them with painter's tape will work until the professionals arrive. It’s also best to cover all vents to prevent mold spores from getting into the ventilation system.
Prevention is key when it comes to black mold. However, it’s sometimes unavoidable in the wake of a disaster, especially if the water has gone unnoticed for 24 hours or more. Locust Hill, VA, mold cleanup experts can handle these jobs along with any resulting moisture problem.

Storm Damage and Your Business: How SERVPRO Can Help

2/25/2021 (Permalink)

Damage to the roof and ceiling of an office following a violent storm Commercial storm damage in Unionville, VA.

Storm Damage and Your Business

A severe storm can wreak havoc on your Unionville, VA, business and cause many different types of damage. From flooding to wrecked building materials to mold growth due to standing water, you may be looking at a substantial insurance claim. Working with a storm restoration service like SERVPRO may help ease the path to rebuilding your business.

A Fast Response
Having a storm response team on your side that you can reach out to 24/7 may offer you peace of mind when a major storm damages your business. Not only do you have someplace to turn to for assistance but a swift response may also prevent secondary damage, including:

  • Mold growth
  • A weakening of exterior building materials
  • Broken and cracked windows or skylights

A fast response may lower the cost of your insurance claim and the price of some repairs, which may help you increase your overall restoration budget.

Insurance Claim Assistance
Flood damage can cause widespread problems throughout your commercial building and the items it contains, which means filing an insurance claim that can help cover the cost of repairs. Because SERVPRO is a well-known and preferred storm restoration and emergency disaster response service, both you and your agent will take comfort in knowing you are both working with experienced repair technicians.

Local and Corporate Support
Working with an emergency disaster response service that provides both local and corporate support can provide you with all the assistance you need after a storm damages your business. Your local team acts swiftly when you need immediate mitigation and later, when the time comes to file an insurance claim, the company’s corporate contacts may assist you with itemizing the damage so the filing process is simpler.
When a severe storm causes damage to your Unionville, VA, property, it can cause serious upheaval in your life. Having somewhere to turn to for storm restoration can make a significant difference in how quickly repairs and insurance claims take place.

Why Does Mold Have an Odor?

12/30/2020 (Permalink)

Mold growth on wall with the phrase Musty Odor? A mold smell is a red flag that mold has found a moisture source

The musty odor that most people associate with mold is actually the smell of mycotoxins. A mycotoxin is a type of microbial, volatile, organic compound (MVOC) that mold releases as part of its digestive function. Not all MVOCs are mycotoxins, and consequently, not all mold has a smell.

How MVOCs Are Released

The air in Louisa, VA, is filled with tiny, invisible mold spores. These spores grow into mold when they come into contact with a moisture source, such as a leak. For mold to grow and colonize, it also needs a food source. Most materials can serve as food for mold, including:

  • wood
  • paper
  • cloth
  • drywall
  • food scraps
  • soil

Mold grows on the surface of its food source. As it digests this surface material, mold releases MVOCs and mycotoxins. These compounds are, essentially, mold burps.

Why Mycotoxins Exist
Scientists are still in the early stages of mycotoxin research, and the purpose of mycotoxins isn’t completely clear. The most pervasive theory is that they act as a defense mechanism for mold that may be competing with other organisms. In a damp building, there may be several organisms present and competing for the same food and moisture source, including other fungi, bacteria, dust mites, and/or insects. Studies suggest that the higher the competition levels, the higher the production of mycotoxins.

What The Odor Means
A mold smell is a red flag that mold has found a moisture source and is actively eating away at some part of your building. DIY cleanup efforts are often inadequate and can lead to recurring mold outbreaks. To ensure the mold is completely eradicated, it’s best to call a professional mold remediation company. These specialists have the necessary equipment and training to completely remove surface mold and airborne mold spores to eliminate the smell and prevent future mold damage.
While that distinctive, musty mycotoxin odor isn’t pleasant, it does serve as an excellent signal that your building has a mold problem. Don’t ignore the smell: The sooner mold remediation begins, the less mold damage will occur.

DIY Mold Testing: Is It Reliable?

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

Mold Armor DIY test kit. For testing mold at home. A home mold kit can only detect the presence of mold

Do They Work?

Molds are a normal part of our natural environment and are usually found at levels that have no effect on people. However, mold grows rapidly indoors if one element is present — moisture. This fungus flourishes in warmth, darkness and oxygen, making many spaces in your house likely candidates for mold growth, especially "mold magnets" like basements. Homeowners in Louisa, VA, sometimes buy mold testing kits, DIY mold screening devices and various mold-detecting tape lifts and swabs to determine if they have a mold problem. Are they reliable? Here's a rundown:
Basically, a home mold kit can only detect the presence of mold. Because mold is all around us, outdoors and indoors, it will always test positive. An over-the-counter kit doesn't have the capability to provide more important information:


Mold Type
Home testing can't distinguish between the two types of mold:

  • Harmful mold, or black mold, is often found in large patches across surfaces. It grows rapidly, causes property and structural damage and requires professional mold remediation.
  • Non-harmful mold is the kind found in spaces like the pantry, refrigerator or breadbox. Although a common nuisance, this type of mold can be easily cleaned and removed.

Mold Source
Mold testing kits can't identify the mold's place of origin. The first step in remediation is pinpointing the location of the moisture causing the mold. In residential properties, the source could be anything from a seeping chimney to a cracked water pipe. In most instances, a professional evaluation is needed to determine the cause of the moisture.


Mold Level
DIY testing can't determine the level of infestation. The DIY kit only collects mold spores and confirms its presence. To know the degree of mold infestation, a homeowner would need to submit the kit for lab analysis (at added expense) or contact a mold remediation company for an assessment.
So, do mold testing kits work? Yes. Are they reliable or useful? No. The effectiveness of a DIY kit is limited. Only environmental hygienists and trained remediation professionals can accurately test for mold in your home.