Recent Mold Remediation Posts

Four Things You NEED To Know About Winter Mold

1/29/2021 (Permalink)

mold green black dark Mold can occur all year round INCLUDING the winter. Here are some of our most asked questions about mold from Long Island homeowners

SERVPRO of Freeport, Roosevelt is the leader on Long Island for Mold Removal. There is a common misconception that mold is a seasonal problem. Many homeowners think mold issues disappear when the weather is cold. But while temperature does affect the way mold grows, it’s a year-round problem for New Yorkers. It’s important to be aware of how and where mold can grow in your home, even during the winter months.

Keep reading to learn the answers to the top 5 most-asked winter mold questions our technicians are asked.

1. Can mold grow in cold temperatures?

YES! Mold requires three things to grow: enough moisture, an adequate food source, and the right temperature. But contrary to what many people think, mold DOES grow in cold temperatures.

Different types of molds thrive under different conditions, and some molds are more likely to grow in the winter months than others. Each type of mold has a minimum and maximum temperature ranges for growth, with many varieties of fungi thriving in environments between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, the right temperature conditions for mold growth are also ideal for our comfort, and we tend to heat or cool our homes to stay within those parameters.

2. Does mold die in the winter?

Cold weather will not kill mold. Mold spores are opportunistic in the sense that they wait for the right conditions and then begin to spread. 

Extreme temperatures do not kill mold, but they can deactivate them. Even when temperatures drop below freezing, mold spores don’t die; they simply become dormant and will begin to multiply and grow again as soon as the temperature rises.

That’s why controlling the temperature alone will not solve your mold problems. The key to removing mold from your home and keeping it from popping back up is to control humidity levels and prevent the buildup of moisture.

3. Why does mold grow on windows in winter?

The fall and winter months bring precipitation and dew, and surfaces in our homes that collect moisture, like window panes, are ideal places for mold to expand and grow.

Moisture collects on and around windows in the winter due to condensation, which happens when warm air hits a cold surface. When the temperature drops during the winter, the warm air in your home comes into contact with the cool glass of your window panes, depositing water vapor and leading to moisture buildup around your windows. That’s why moisture, and sometimes mold, tends to collect around windows during the colder months.

4. How do you prevent mold from growing in the winter?

Here’s what you can do in your home to prevent mold from growing and spreading during the winter months; these strategies will also help prevent and improve mold allergies:

  1. Try to keep humidity below 50% throughout your home at all times. 
  2. Inspect pipes and fix plumbing leaks as soon as possible to prevent water from collecting.
  3. Use mold-killing cleaners in bathrooms and areas of your kitchen where moisture collects.
  4. Avoid having carpets or rugs near windows, sinks, or other places that tend to become wet.
  5. Inspect your air ducts and change the filters on your furnace regularly.
  6. Always use a ventilation fan during showers or baths.
  7. Clean your gutters regularly to prevent moisture from building up on collected debris.
  8. Get rid of old recycled material, newspapers, and any upholstery or fabric that has been exposed to moisture.

SERVPRO of Freeport, Roosevelt are fully-trained and certified to handle any mold issues you may be facing this Winter. Don't waste another day with mold in your home. Call for a FREE consultation for your Long Island home by calling 516-774-2200.

Types of Mold

1/4/2021 (Permalink)

Mold on Walls No matter what type of mold is in your home, be sure to remove with the help of a professional, like SERVPRO of Freeport, Roosevelt!

Household mold is an all too common occurrence that can cause major issues for anyone living with it.  While many different types of mold can grow in many different places, here are a few common ones to watch out for in your home or business. Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate the "typical" process:

 1)  Contact SERVPRO of Freeport, Roosevelt2)  Inspection and mold damage assessment3)  Mold Containment4)  Air Filtration5)  Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials6)  Cleaning Contents and Belongings7)  Restoration These are some of the most common types of mold in homes and or businesses and how to identify them. 1)  Penicillium/Aspergillus - While many molds require active water intrusion, penicillium/ aspergillus can thrive either in dry conditions or with moderate humidity.  Human impact from this mold may include allergy-type symptoms such as hay fever and asthma along with various respiratory irritations and infections. It is most commonly found in household dust, wallpaper, fabrics (including carpet) and moist building materials.  Colonies may range in color from grey to white, plus various shades  of blue or green. 2)  Cladosporium - generally considered one of the most common molds worldwide, produces the same symptoms as the penicillium/aspergillus cited above, in addition to symptoms such as dry skin, hives and postnasal drip.  It will grow on many substrates, including textiles, wood and moist window sills (check windows for interior condensation), and has a wide temperature-range tolerance.  Colonies may range in color from white, to olive green, to brown, to black. 3)  Chaetomium is a marker mold, meaning that it is an indicator or water intrusion.  It will produce allergy type symptoms such as asthma and hay fever, plus a nail infection known as onychomycosis.  It may also produce symptoms such as memory loss, balance issues, acid reflux headaches, nose bleeds, and fevers.  Indoors, it will grow on virtually any substrate that may be moist, and is commonly found on damp sheetrock.  It may appear as a smudge of dirt, and can range in color from brown to black. 3)  Stachybotrys, commonly known as toxic, black mold this mold has achieved infamy in the media, and with good reason.  It requires live, active water intrusion to commence growth.  Indoors, it is commonly found on wet materials containing cellulose, such as sheetrock, jute, wicker, straw baskets, and other paper materials.  To humans it can cause depression, seizures, nasal passages and eyes to burn.  It is known to produce severe brain fog, and mental impairment.  It is black in appearance.   With a better understanding of the signs and symptoms of mold, you have a significantly greater chance of catching it early and avoiding major health issues, thereby protecting yourself and your loved ones.  SERVPRO of Freeport, Roosevelt's mold removal services will eliminate the threat mold poses in your home and or business so you can enjoy a happy, healthy mold-free life. For more information, please give us a call at (516) 774-2200