How Mold Damage Impacts HVAC in Jamestown Homes

3/30/2023 (Permalink)

Our IICRC-certified technicians have the know-how and experience you are looking for when you find mold damage in your Jamestown home.

SERVPRO Mold Remediation Technicians Can Restore Jamestown Properties 

An estimated 70% of homes worldwide have detectable amounts of mold. These spores exist in nearly all indoor and outdoor spaces and often travel through the air. Jamestown residents can take measures to minimize microbe populations in their homes. However, disasters can still occur that allow spores to increase and impact comfort and safety, particularly in its ventilation system.

Jamestown SERVPRO mold remediation technicians are trained to render thorough mitigation of spores and perform necessary services to return a property to a pre-damage state. While total mold removal is not possible to guarantee in any space, SERVPRO remediation techniques can eliminate the conditions that allow these microbes to spread.

Mold and its Effects on HVAC and Indoor Air Quality

HVAC systems are frequently vulnerable to microbial growth for a variety of reasons, such as:

• Leaks in or around ductwork can elevate humidity levels that help mold to grow
• Vents that need cleaning may have dust, residues, and other organic materials for mold to settle into and feed upon
• HVAC drainage failures or faulty dehumidification can also allow spores to spread due to the elevated humidity inside the property

If allowed to spread, mold spores can stick to a wide array of surfaces and break down organic materials by exuding digestive enzymes. On top of that, these microbial odors are unpleasant. They can spread easily when spore populations move through or settle inside a homeowner's ductwork. Many property owners are unlikely to have the tools necessary to mitigate microbes in these hard-to-reach areas fully.

While homeowners can pursue DIY remediation, it is not recommended because it can put residents at risk during the cleanup. Without quality personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper sealing of ductwork and other openings in the home, mold spores can spread and settle on different surfaces to start growing once more.

SERVPRO Mold Mitigation Training Can Safely Restore Properties

SERVPRO staff, technicians, and even franchise owners undertake extensive training and education regarding a diverse array of restoration topics, including the following:

• Fire Damage Restoration
• Water Damage Restoration
• Mold Mitigation
• Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning

Multiple categories of disasters can overlap, especially when it comes to mold. After a home structure fire, fire suppression can accelerate spore growth if the moisture is not dried in less than 48 hours after saturation. A small supply line leak behind a homeowner's washing machine can allow mold to eat away at sheetrock, caulk, or tile grout behind the appliance.

With this in mind, SERVPRO is committed to offering continuous learning opportunities for technicians and staff to stay up-to-date on restoration industry best practices.

Franchise owners, meanwhile, take on a 15-day hands-on course at SERVPRO's Corporate Training Facility, including demonstrative restoration training at the facility's Training House, which allows for realistic simulations of residential disaster scenarios.

SERVPRO also provides credit and non-credit courses for staff and professionals in related industries. These courses cover restoration topics like fire and water damage, structural drying, and the restoration industry's relationship with mold. 

Residents can count on SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean to make it "Like it never even happened." Call (716) 338-4901 to kick-start the restoration process.