Why Choosing a Qualified Preferred Vendor Matters

8/23/2022 (Permalink)

Did you know that we are a Preferred Vendor for many insurance companies.

Why It's Important to Pick a Qualified Preferred Vendor

A client calls your office to report that they have an insurance claim in Century City, CA. Like most business owners who are facing a disaster, they're anxious to get the cleanup and restoration process completed as quickly as possible. As an insurance agent, you have a responsibility to help your client get the help they need while keeping costs down for your company. Luckily, you have a list of preferred vendors, and you inform your client that the names on that list are truly the best. Here's why it matters to you and to your client that they choose a preferred vendor.

1. Qualified
To participate in the vendor program, a company has to be able to verify that they are qualified to complete the services that they say they provide. Vendors who value their business will keep good records of certifications, but it's even more important to know that the staff receives regular continuing education in order to stay on top of the latest best practices. A company like SERVPRO has a set of twenty-one guidelines that employees of each franchise must meet in order to remain on preferred vendor lists.

2. Compliant
In addition to qualified staff, a preferred vendor who wants to be recommended by an insurance agent must maintain compliance with all industry standards. This means that the tools they use, the standards to which they complete jobs, and the way they maintain project paperwork all have to be above board. The easiest way to ensure that these things happen is to work with a company that has consistent expectations for every franchisee.

3. Professional
The last thing that your client wants to deal with is a vendor who doesn't keep in touch. SERVPRO has the reach to ensure that calls are answered and the resources to keep every project organized.
As an insurance agent, you want your clients to be confident when they choose a restoration company after a disaster. Encourage your clients to use the preferred vendor list so that they can be confident that they are working with the best in the business.

Containment Key to Minimizing Mold Spreading

7/15/2022 (Permalink)

Contacting a mold cleanup and restoration company is essential in stopping the spread.

Key to Reducing Mold Spread: Containment

If mold makes an appearance in your Westwood Village, CA, business, immediate action needs to be taken to keep the problem from growing. Once mold spores get the moisture, nutrients and warm temps they need, they will quickly start spreading to other areas of the property. Contacting a mold cleanup and restoration company is essential in stopping the spread. They will work to contain the affected area and have the tools and expertise to mitigate the issue the right way.

Stopping the Spread

While you wait for help to arrive, there are a few ways to minimize the spread.

If possible, turn off vents to the affected area to minimize the chances of spores spreading. Consider sealing the door with plastic wrap and tape.
Lower the temperature and ensure humidity is below 60%. If possible, run a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture in the air.
Any moldy objects should be placed in sealable plastic bags and removed from the area. For delicate items, such as documents, bag and freeze them to deactivate the growth process.
Objects that can’t be removed should be wiped down or temporarily covered.

Professional Cleanup
Once help arrives, a certified professional will inspect and assess the mold contamination. Depending on the extent of the issues, different containment and cleaning techniques may be used. They will create a containment chamber to isolate the affected area, which minimizes the chances of cross-contamination. In most cases, HEPA-filtered negative air will be used to better seal the area. It creates a vacuum effect, limiting contamination. Disposable personal protective equipment, including facemasks, gloves and full-body suits will be employed to keep spores from attaching to regular clothes and drifting to unknown parts.
Dealing with mold cleanup is not an easy task. It is a microorganism that wants to survive, so taking immediate action to contain and begin the removal process is essential.

5 Advantages of Electronic Claims Systems

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Exchanging information with your insurance agent just became much easier with electronic claims systems.

Electronic Claims Systems Have Five Benefits

Today, technology has made sharing data and filing an insurance claim for your business in Beverly Hills, CA, incredibly easy. This allows you to get your claim money quicker, so you can hire a disaster restoration company, such as SERVPRO, and get started rebuilding as soon as possible.

1. Earlier Payments
It can take a while for a traditional claim to receive a payout. However, filing an electronic insurance claim can result in earlier payments. This means you can start rebuilding your business sooner and reopen with minimal downtime.

2. Earlier Detection of Errors
Any information in your insurance claim that you submit electronically can be scanned for errors quicker. This means you can edit your claim as soon as possible and resubmit it if any errors are found. This drastically reduces the chance that your claim will be rejected or you will be denied payment.

3. Lower Administrative Costs
When you submit claims electronically, you lower the amount you have to pay to create paper copies and send them in. This is because you don't need to print documents and physically submit them to your agent. Instead, you can submit them all online through your customer portal.

4. Free Software Submissions
Most insurance companies now have their own electronic claims system. That means you no longer have to pay a third-party electronic claim submitter and submit your documents for free through a customer portal.

5. Available Support
Many insurance companies have a helpline for customers who are trying to submit their documents electronically. You can often find this number in the customer portal or on the company's website if you need it. In other words, even technophobes can submit their documents online.

Exchanging information with your insurance agent just became much easier with electronic claims systems. This lets you get connected faster and submit your critical documents for review. Many benefits come from a faster submission.

3 Reasons To Own and Operate a Damage Restoration Franchise

2/17/2022 (Permalink)

If your home in Westwood, CA has suffered from damage seek the expertise of a certified mitigation company.

Why Entrepreneurs Should Consider Owning and Operating a SERVPRO Franchise

Damage mitigation and restoration services are always in demand. Whether a crisis impacts a single home, neighborhood, city or larger region, a one-stop cleanup and remediation business can meet the needs of homeowners and communities. Here are three reasons why entrepreneurs should consider owning and operating a SERVPRO franchise.

1. Perpetual Demand

When a home suffers damage, many homeowners will seek the expertise of a certified mitigation company. There are several factors that set SERVPRO apart from the competition:

• All-in-one mitigation and restoration services
  
• Fast response times
  
• Industry-leading certifications and standards
  
• National company with local franchises
  
  

These factors draw customers and explain why entrepreneurs may want to own and operate this business. If demand exceeds the capacity of a local SERVPRO franchise in the event of a catastrophe, the national company can offer regional support.

2. Professional Support

In the event of a disaster such as a hurricane, tornado or wildfire, a national restoration company can help a local franchise provide services to the affected area. This can enable a location to meet increased demand for mitigation and restoration services with the following resources:

• Additional equipment
  
• Certified experts
• Supplementary personnel
  
  

SERVPRO is on call 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. When a catastrophe strikes, the company can mobilize more than 1,700 franchises nationwide.

3. Proven Success

SERVPRO was founded in 1967 and sold its first franchise in 1969. The company has continued to grow over the last 50 years. Today, it is the highest-ranked restoration company on the 2018 Entrepreneur Franchise 500 ranking.

Entrepreneurs should consider opening a SERVPRO franchise for the same reasons that homeowners and insurers rely on this company in the event of a disaster in Westwood, CA. The business model enables one-stop mitigation and restoration businesses that are locally owned to benefit from the experience, name-recognition and national network of an established company.

How Do Hygienists Check for Mold?

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

An environmental hygienist will take samples to send to a lab for analysis.

Sampling Techniques Professionals Use

Hiring an environmental hygienist to perform a mold test is the most accurate method for determining whether mold is growing in a residence. Learn about the sampling techniques professionals use and how test results can increase the effectiveness of mold cleaning.

Obtaining Samples

An environmental hygienist will take samples to send to a lab for analysis. Depending on the situation, a hygienist may obtain different types of samples:

• Air
  
• Bulk (contents or materials)
  
• Spores
  
  

Any of these methods can yield conclusive results about the type of mold present in a house. Air testing may include analysis of microbial volatile organic compounds and spores. Bulk testing may focus primarily on the presence of spores. All of these methods allow for targeted mold remediation measures.

Analyzing Samples

There are several methods of lab analysis that a hygienist or mold specialist may recommend. The amount of detail and speed of these methods vary:

• Microscopy
  
• Culturing
  
• A combination of these methods
  
  

Microscopy involves visual analysis and can provide results in as little as two days. Culturing is a slower process that involves growing mold spores in a petri dish. This process can provide more detailed results, such as the subspecies of mold, but is slower and more expensive.

Reporting Findings

A hygienist can provide test results and recommendations for mold cleaning. A homeowner may want to work with a full-service restoration company to ensure that mold remediation proceeds as efficiently as possible. Depending on the species of mold and the extent of an infestation, different cleaning or quarantining methods may be recommended.

These are the three major stages of checking for mold. An environmental hygienist can recommend the best mold cleaning methods for a particular species of fungi or type of infestation. If a homeowner is concerned about mold damage at a residence in Westwood Village, CA, he or she should hire a certified hygienist.

Tips for Using a Fire Extinguisher

12/13/2021 (Permalink)

Experts classify extinguishers based on the type of fire they can combat.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

As a homeowner in Century City, CA, you need to be prepared for emergencies. If you've ever had a house fire and had to call in professionals to restore your home, you understand the importance of having a fire extinguisher on hand. Following the steps below can ensure that you're using it correctly.

1. Assess the Situation

First, understand what you're dealing with. If the blaze is already too big, the best idea may be to call the fire department and get yourself and anyone else in the house to safety. If you can safely douse it with a fire extinguisher, you need to next make sure that you have the right type for whatever material is burning.

2. Use the Right Extinguisher for the Fire

Experts classify extinguishers based on the type of fire they can combat. These include:

• Type A: for fires involving plastics, wood, textiles and paper
• Type B: used on fires involving solvents, gasoline, oils, paints and other flammable liquids
• Type C: for electrical fires, including plugged-in equipment like computers or appliances
• Type D: for fires involving combustible powders or metals
• Type E: commonly used for a kitchen fire involving fats or cooking oils

These letter classifications are always found on the sides of the extinguishers, many of which are rated for putting out fires of more than one type.

3. Remember: "PASS"

The PASS method is an easy way to remember how to use most fire extinguishers. Each letter in "PASS" stands for the first word of an operational step. The "P" tells you to pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher; it needs to be removed before operation. The "A" tells you to aim the nozzle. The nozzle should not be aimed at the top of the flames, but at the bottom, where the combustion is taking place. The first "S" tells you to squeeze the handle to start the flow, and the second one reminds you to sweep from side to side while spraying.

By acting quickly and following the instructions above, you can safely prevent fire damage before it has a chance.

Can I Still Have Mold if I Don’t See It?

10/7/2021 (Permalink)

Mold damage in Westwood, CA.

Just because there’s no visible mold on the surfaces of your home doesn’t mean you don’t have it. Mold can often proliferate in rainy weather in Westwood, CA, but if it’s hidden away in little crevices in your home then you might not find it until it’s done irreparable damage. This is where an indoor environmental specialist can help you by identifying mold growth before it spreads. By calling in a specialist, you may uncover a disturbing pattern of mold growth that’s been going unchecked for longer than you think.

Why Would I Suspect That I Have Mold?

If you can’t see the mold, why would you suspect you have it? There can be a number of tell-tale signs, including:

• Terrible odors caused by mycotoxins in the air
• Discolorations and stains on your walls, including water stains
• Cracking, peeling, or bubbling paint
• Problems with water leakage in the home – while you may not see visible mold, where there’s water leakage mold and mildew almost always follow
• Condensation clinging to places such as windowsills and door frames
  
  

If these signs make you suspect you have mold, you may try a home mold testing kit, but you can get better answers from a professional indoor environmental specialist.

Why Trust a Specialist?

Mold can be extremely difficult to get rid of, especially if it’s hidden deep in the corners of your home and in inaccessible areas. Indoor environmental specialists are trained in detecting mold in places the average person wouldn’t think to look, and recommending safe remediation activities that may not be accessible to the general public. Specialists also know a great deal about the types of mold, and the damage they can do to your home – and can advise you not just on mold remediation and cleanup, but future mold prevention.

Swamp Cooler Maintenance Is a Key To Mold Prevention

9/15/2021 (Permalink)

Swamp coolers provide an economical way to keep your house cool, but they introduce moisture into an otherwise dry home. If you have a properly maintained cooler, monitor the humidity levels, and are on the lookout for mold or a musty smell, you are probably going to be mold-free. If you have a leaking swamp cooler and it goes unnoticed, you could have problems. Swamp coolers can leak for several reasons.

• The plumbing connections to the cooler could be loose or corroded.
• The pads are loose, have become dislodged, or need to be replaced.
• The float valve that maintains the water level allows the water in the reservoir to overflow.
• The reservoir is cracked or otherwise damaged, allowing water to leak into the house.
• The residue from hard water evaporation negatively affects its operation.

Have Your Swamp Cooler Checked Regularly
By the time you realize that you have a leaking swamp cooler, you may already have a mold problem. With swamp coolers, the best approach to leaks is to prevent them or catch them early. Schedule an appointment to have your cooler inspected and tested. That would also be a good time to have the pad changed and look for evidence of leaks.

Do Not Let Your Swamp Cooler Operate Unattended
This is not to say that you should turn it off before going to the grocery store and turn it back on when you return. This refers to times when you are away, and no one is keeping an eye on your house because changes in the weather or failure of your cooler can change the amount of moisture being delivered into your house.

You Don't Need a Swamp Cooler To Have a Mold Problem
A leaking swamp cooler is only one of many problems that can trigger mold growth. Mold problems can occur anywhere that mold can find moisture and food, including Century City, CA. If you have a mold problem, it’s best to have nearby mold removal experts address your problem quickly and completely.

3 Ways To Prevent Mold in Your Home

5/26/2021 (Permalink)

Prevent condensation on your windows.

Mold Prevention

Discovering mold in your Westwood Village, CA, home is one sign of a moisture problem. In addition to repairing water damage, you'll have to begin mold remediation immediately, as mold can quickly get out of control and spread throughout your home. Because mold can thrive virtually anywhere that dampness exists, the key to preventing mold growth is controlling the moisture level in your home.

1. Keep Relative Humidity Low
You should keep your home's indoor relative humidity between 30% and 50% and a maximum of 60%. You can measure relative humidity with a moisture or humidity meter. Many hardware stores have inexpensive ones that work well.
There are various ways to reduce your indoor humidity if it is too high. You can run fans and dehumidifiers in multiple rooms. It also helps to run exhaust fans while you're cooking, running the dishwasher or showering. Keep the exhaust fan on for 30 minutes after a shower, because there is typically a lot of humidity in a small space like a bathroom.

2. Dry Spills and Leaks Immediately
It's essential to immediately and thoroughly dry excess water resulting from a spill or a leak. Also, dry any damp or wet materials. Mold can begin growing within 48 hours of water exposure. If the water intrusion is extensive, it's best to call water damage remediation professionals to tackle the job. They can deal with large amounts of gray or black water and also do a thorough inspection for mold throughout your home.

3. Prevent Condensation
You may notice condensation on your windows. This moisture can also form on pipes or walls. Wherever it is, it's crucial to dry it immediately. Then, identify the source of the water. It could be simply that the humidity in your home is too high. Temperature changes due to poor insulation can also cause condensation.
Mold prevention depends on managing all water damage immediately. Once mold growth begins, it can be challenging to completely eliminate it to avoid it spreading into unaffected areas.

The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

A healthy ERP plans for initial steps and long-term strategy.

The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile

AN OLD ADAGE

There’s an old adage that says, “why do today what I can put off ’til tomorrow?” File that one in your folder, Words on Procrastination.

But there is a good answer to that old adage: important tasks demand action because the consequences of inaction can be detrimental, greater complexity and difficulty.

Action creates ease.

In the spirit of action I want to help you think about a SERVPRO Emergency Readiness Plan, also known as an ERP. An ERP falls into the category of “being proactive.” It’s something a business and institution can do to prepare for future difficult moments, think storm damage, fire damage, or water damage. An ERP helps property owners and managers think in advance what their course of action will be, who can authorize work, the identification of shut-off valve locations and other priority areas and much more — in other words, a readiness plan for emergencies.

Your ERP will lay the framework for action items, who to call and healthy expectations.

PLAN FOR DISASTER

Disasters disrupt businesses and threaten to level and close otherwise healthy operations.

Here are two stats that are staggering:

• Nearly 40% of small businesses fail to reopen after natural disasters.
• 75% of small businesses do not have a readiness plan in place.

Since a large portion of stores that close due to emergencies cannot reopen, and since disasters always strike without warning, businesses and institutions need ERP’s in place. With an ERP your business is protected, you create greater trust amongst employees and customers, the potential for business interruption is minimized and secondary damage is limited.

Some businesses and institutions do have ERP’s, but they’re limited and often not comprehensive at all. A healthy ERP plans for both traumatic natural events (acts of God) and more run-of-the-mill emergencies, whether human error or aging infrastructure. A healthy ERP also plans for initial steps and long-term strategy: first, how to we minimize damage, second, who do we call?, what is a path forward?

WHAT’S NEXT?

Find more information for the SERVPRO Emergency Readiness Plan at website at https://www.SERVPRObeverlyhillswestwood.com/.

How To Remove Plant Mildew

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

Plant mildew can be devastating to your plants

If you start noticing a white powder on the leaves of your houseplants in your home in Beverly Hills, CA, you might be dealing with plant mildew. Mildew is a specific type of mold that only grows on plants, and it can severely weaken and even kill them. Some factors that cause mildew growth include:

• Poor airflow around the plant
• Excess humidity
• An already weak plant

Removing Mildew

If you notice that one of your plants has mildew on it, here are some steps to take to get rid of it.

1. Take your plant outside and wash it with the heaviest spray it can reasonably take to remove the built-up mildew.

2. Cut away as many of the mildewy areas as possible to protect the rest of your plant. This will not only keep it from spreading to the rest of it, but it will also allow more air circulation, which will help keep the leaves drier.

3. If you need to, you can purchase a plant-friendly mildewcide to kill off the rest of the plant mildew. Just make sure you do your research so that you know it's appropriate for your particular plant. This is especially important if they're edible, since you don't want to ingest any toxic chemicals.

5. Help your plant continue to fight off mildew by preventing the humidity that causes the mildew growth in the first place. You can do this by placing your plant in a sunny area, removing any dead leaves or weeds around the base of it, and watering around the base of it instead of on the leaves.

Mildew vs. Mold
People often refer to the mold in bathrooms as mildew, but this isn't technically true. Mildew only grows on plants, so if you see something growing in other places in your home, it's a different type of mold. Call a mold remediation company to clean up these areas and prevent it from spreading elsewhere.
While plant mildew can be devastating to your plants, it doesn't have to be. Just follow these steps to remove and prevent it.

Mold and Masks Go Together

10/6/2020 (Permalink)

Mold remediation in a Westwood Village, CA

The word "mold" can strike dread in the hearts of homeowners in Westwood Village, CA. If you see patches of this fungus on carpets, furniture, drywall or anywhere else indoors, or if you smell a musty odor and can't locate its source, it's a good idea to opt for a professional inspection and hire a mold remediation expert to resolve the problem. Remediation professionals understand the high importance of mold safety, especially the use of face masks. They have the knowledge and know-how to restore your property quickly, thoroughly and cost effectively.

What Equipment Do Professionals Use?

To limit their exposure, mold technicians wear specially designed protective gear and use the latest user-safe equipment and technologies when treating mold damage:

Protective suits and long, mid-arm length gloves are essential. Because technicians use strong, professional-grade cleaning solutions, they use gloves made from natural rubber, polyurethane or other high-tech materials.
Among personal protective equipment, well-fitted face masks are a must. Many remediation professionals use an N-95 respirator, which is federally recommended as the best option to trap mold spores and to prevent breathing them in.
To keep mold or spores from getting into eyes, goggles without ventilation holes are also a critical piece of protective wear.

How Does Mold Develop?
Molds are a normal part of our natural environment. Problems arise when mold begins to grow indoors, in your house, where it can grow on any surface if one element is present: moisture. Water leaks, for instance, often trigger rapid mold growth that can spread in as little as 48 to 72 hours.
Mold remediation specialists employ state-of-the-art training, processes, and equipment to analyze and manage mold issues. Face masks and other personal protective items are vital to safety. Because a mold infestation can cause significant property damage and even property loss if left untreated, it is always a good idea to call in professionals immediately to assess a problem before it worsens.

Can Air Ducts Have Mold in Them?

9/5/2020 (Permalink)

Mold present in commercial air ducts

Three Ways To Find Out Your Air Ducts Have Mold

Clean air ducts are important for the overall health and comfort of any indoor space. If your commercial facility uses indoor heating and cooling methods, regular HVAC cleaning and inspection is essential for high-quality, breathable air for all of your employees.
It is true that air circulation ducts can accumulate mold. More commonly, dust settles and sits over time and develops mold when moisture is added to the picture. Such fungus can be hard to find without getting into the ducts and inspecting them closely. You may not be able to get inside vents without the help of a professional, but there are other ways to detect mold in the early stages. To find out if any is present in your commercial air ducts, look for the following three traits:

1. Odors
One of the most common cues that leads building tenants to suspect mold is a distinctive smell. Mold can carry a wet, mildew-like stench that is unpleasant and heavy. If any fungus is growing in your AC ducts, the smell may not occur until the air conditioning or heating unit is fired up for the day. If you suspect a moldy smell, contact a local HVAC cleaning service to schedule a professional mold inspection.

2. Stale Air
Clean air starts with clean ducts, preventing irritants like mold from bothering workers on-site. Sometimes the air may feel thick, musty or stale when mold is present. In this case, your HVAC system could probably use some freshening up. Cleaning vents can reduce and eliminate mold in your commercial facility.

3. Visual Appearance
If you suspect mold in your AC or heating system, inspect the exterior of the intake vents and duct openings around your facility for the appearance of mold. If you find it on any of your vents, call a Westwood Village, CA, HVAC cleaning professional to access the situation immediately. Have mold removed to create clean, sanitary airflow in your workplace.

Unmonitored Space Heaters Can Cause Fire Damage in a Century City House

7/10/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO’s Tips to Prevent Fire Damage in Your Home

Space heaters can be a great way to warm up the coldest areas of your house throughout the harshest of winter months. They are not without their potential threats, however. Monitoring them carefully and not leaving these heaters running unattended can help prevent unnecessary damage to your Century City home, let alone those who live inside of it.

Electric and gas space heaters offer a great deal of warmth and can completely transform the coldest areas of your house into the most comfortable. They also put out lots of concentrated heat, and many of them feature grills or open flames that burn hot enough to scald a person or to catch loosely hanging fabrics or drapes on fire. There are some words of caution about these heaters if you want to virtually eliminate the possibility of fire damages to your Century City residence.

The first step is to consider the placement of your heater very wisely. While it might require being close enough to an outlet to plug in, you should be mindful of the furniture and other objects in the room that could inadvertently make contact with the heater. With the excessive heat and open design of many of the small room heaters, something left too close to the heat could catch on fire (even without directly touching).

As many of our experienced SERVPRO team would tell you, preventing fire damage is often as simple as walking yourself through all of the scenarios that might happen. People do not intend to set their homes on fire, but these accidents can happen with a lack of foresight. As an added precaution, you should not leave these types of heaters on unattended in a room that you are not currently occupying.

While regrettable, house fires and small incidents do occur when using space heaters. While it might not be significant enough to force you to leave the house, sometimes the remains of the soot or the lingering odor of burned materials can be more than you can repair or remedy on your own. Our fire restoration team is equipped with deodorizing equipment to neutralize smoke and foul odors, and our commitment to mitigating your loss ensures that we restore the damage promptly.

No matter what degree of fire damage you might have to deal with, you can trust us at SERVPRO of Beverly Hills / Westwood to make it right. Call us 24/7 at (310) 390-7540.

For more information about Century City click here.

The Vocabulary of Mold

5/4/2020 (Permalink)

Stachybotrys chartarum also known as Black Mold

Whenever you face a new situation, you are likely to encounter words that are unfamiliar. This is true if you find mold in your commercial building in Beverly Hills, CA, for the first time. You might notice the presence of mold in your building by a musty odor. Blotches or patches of dark green on walls and ceilings are another common sign of a mold problem. Before you know it, someone will be throwing out a word such as mycotoxin, which sounds terrifying. Other unfamiliar words are likely to follow. Knowing the vocabulary of mold can help you understand the disruptive fungus, and it can help you make better decisions on taking care of the problem.

The Terminology of Mold

Mold is present nearly everywhere. Mostly it is not a problem, but under the right (or wrong) conditions it spreads into buildings and causes aesthetic, sanitary, structural, and health issues. A mold mitigation franchise is often needed to address the infestation. When this happens, you might hear some of the following terms:

Mycotoxin - any toxic substance produced by a fungus
Mold Remediation - the process of treating a mold issue through professional services
Black Mold - a certain type of mold, Stachybotrys chartarum, that grows on wood and paper under moist conditions
Fungus - a group of organisms that include mold, yeast, and mushrooms
Mildew - a destructive growth of fungi on plants
Mold Containment - the process of preventing mold from spreading throughout a building

The Clarification of Some Mold Issues
While mold in an indoor environment can have negative effects on air quality, the term mycotoxin often refers to the ingestion of mushrooms. Like all different types of fungus, black mold has its own set of characteristics; it is removed from a building in much the same manner as other types of mold. Mold and mildew are often used interchangeably, but they are actually quite different, with mildew most commonly associated with plant diseases.

3 Tools Used For Mold Removal

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

It’s not uncommon to see mold remediation professionals wear face masks and gloves

3 Tools Used For Mold Removal

When you contact a local mold remediation service to help with your Westwood, CA, home, you may be wondering what tools you might see them use to do the job. In many cases, three of the most common include containment barriers, face masks, and clothing covers. Here’s what you may want to know.

1. Containment

One of the first types of protective equipment a remediation team may bring in are the materials needed to contain the mold affected area. This may include plastic sheeting and a fan that can exhaust to the outside, creating a negative pressure zone. This is done both to prevent spore spreading to the rest of the home, and to create an environment where existing spore are less likely to become airborne during the cleaning process.

2. Masks and Gloves

It’s not uncommon to see mold remediation professionals wear face masks and gloves. This is done to help prevent physical contact with any mold spore that might stick to the skin and travel to other parts of the home. Masks may also be worn to help prevent inhalation of mold spores, paint flakes, dust and other debris that could result from mold removal.

3. Clothing Covers

Another thing you may see professionals do when cleaning up mold damage, is wear protective clothing covers. Items such as coveralls are worn while in the work area and then removed whenever the professional leave the containment zone. This is done to help insure that no mold spores get on the clothing over the course of the work, and then tracked through the rest of the home.

From containment barriers to face masks and clothing covers, the mold professionals working on your home will take a number of measures to protect the space. These are designed to both protect the individuals working, and to help prevent the spread of mold further into your home. If you have any questions, these professionals should be able to help.