mold remediation

How to Prevent Home Sewage Backup

Posted on by Matt Nelson

Homeowners who have been through hiring a water removal company for sewage cleanup in their homes understand the hazards and risk of black water. Anyone who has dealt with sewage cleanups will tell you that the one thing they are most concerned with afterwards is how to prevent it from ever happening again and the risk of mold developing.  In that case, you would need to look for a company that specializes in mold removal in Pittsburg. 

When would you need Mold Removal in Pittsburgh? 

Sewage backups can be caused by drain clogs, tree roots, damaged lines, and even heavy rainfall that overwhelms the city plumbing infrastructure. There are few things you can do as a homeowner to prevent some of the worst-case scenarios; however, there are a few little things you can do to prevent toilets overflowing or appliances leaking.

 

  • Never Poor Grease Down the Drain- You might think grease flows right through the pipes with the water, but it does not. Grease sticks to the sides of the drains and hardens which leads to obstructions. Grease should be put into containers and thrown in the garbage. 
  • Paper and Hygiene Product Disposal- Never flush feminine hygiene products, paper towels, baby wipes, q-tips, and other products down the toilet. You should also be cognizant of how much toilet paper you are using. Overflowing toilets are the number one reason for sewage backup into your home. 
  • Sump Pump Maintenance- Why is a sump pump important?  Silt, sand and dirt can be pulled into the pump and ruin the motor. The pump can also lose power or stop working without your knowledge. If you know the flood risk is high due to a coming storm, make sure to double check the sump pump. 

 

Sewage backup needs to be cleaned up by a professional water cleanup company.  If the sewage backup isn’t addressed properly, water damage occurs, and then the risk of mold.  There are many hazards and dangers associated with mold that can affect the health of your family and pets.   Contact a professional mold removal  company in Pittsburgh.

ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburgh is here to help you with all of your mold removal needs. Call us today at 412-376-4645.

Mold Removal Company | How to Design a Mold Resistant Home

Posted on by Matt Nelson

Homeowners who have ever dealt with a flood know that their worst enemy is mold. In fact, homeowners are often doing everything they can to make their homes mold-resistant if they live in coastal communities, flood zones, or have dealt with basement flooding from storm runoff. One of the best times to design a mold-resistant home is when you are remodeling or building new; however, a mold removal company can help homeowners with some of these upgrades if they ever do suffer a mold infestation.

  1. Mold Resistant Building Materials- There are building materials that are made specifically to be mold-resistant, and others that don’t take mold resistance into consideration at all when being manufactured. Some building materials are also naturally resistant to mold such as stone or tile. Make sure to ask your mold removal company about mold-resistant drywall.
  2. Seal Concrete Floors-Concrete subflooring needs to be coated with a waterproof crystalline sealant to create a moisture barrier between the slab and any flooring you install on top of the slab.
  3. Insulate Pipes-If the temperatures get below freezing during winter months, you need to make sure your pipes are insulated to protect against cracking or bursting. Even the tiniest leaks can cause moisture to promote mold growth.
  4. Filtered HVAC-Your HVAC system can be equipped with a filter or air purifier that catches mold spores in the air, so they aren’t circulated around your home. This is one of the first upgrades a mold removal company might recommend if a mold infestation has already occurred.
  5. Dehumidifiers-Most central air systems pull humidity out of the air; however, if a home is prone to moisture or humidity (look for condensation on the walls or windows) a dehumidifier can be installed to help pull any additional moisture from the air. Small, transportable ones are affordable and perfect for small homes.

If you ever notice or suspect mold growth in your home, call a mold removal company as soon as possible to set up a mitigation consultation. Mold can pose serious health threats to humans and animals you care about and must be removed immediately.

Call ServiceMaster of Pittsburgh to learn more about mold removal today at 412-376-4645.

 

Mold Removal | Do You Have to Declare Mold When Selling A Home?

Posted on by Matt Nelson

No home is immune to mold growth no matter how clean or old it is, or if it has had water damage and flooding. However, since mold can pose serious health risks to humans and animals, mold issues can be a big problem for homeowners who are trying to sell their home. If you’re trying to sell your home and discover mold, the first thing you should do is contact a mold removal service. Even if the mold is mitigated, chances are your state laws demand that you declare the presence of mold or recent mold removal to potential homebuyers.

What Can Happen If Your Home Sells with Mold In It?

The chances of having severe complications from mold exposure are very low for most homebuyers; however, if someone purchases your home and they discover mold in it, they can acquire lawyers and file a lawsuit. If the lawyers can prove that the mold was a problem before the home was sold, you might be found liable, and could be ordered to pay for damages and restitution.

What Sellers Can Do About Mold Growth – Mold Removal

If, after a home inspection, the presence of mold in the house is revealed, there are a few things the homeowner can do. First, they could hire a model removal service that guarantees 100 percent mitigation, such as ServiceMaster. Buyers may also try to negotiate a lower price on the home if they love the property and don’t want to wait to move. Make sure that the disclosure of mold in the house is included in the contract for sale so that the new buyers cannot file a suit against you in the future.

Mold can seriously affect your home’s sale and price. Getting a home inspection and appraisal done on the property before you put it on the market is always a great idea, that way, you can choose which issues you want to work on before deciding on an asking price.

Do you need help with mold removal in your home? Call ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburgh today at 412-419-3253

 

Mold Removal | Is Mold in the Basement Dangerous?

Posted on by Matt Nelson

Mold Removal | Is Mold in the Basement Dangerous?

Have you noticed a musty smell when you go into your basement lately? Is your basement damp or been recently flooded? Basements are a prime growing ground for mold and if we don’t use our basements regularly, mold can easily get out of control before we know it is there. Mold can be dangerous to the health of your family and pets which makes it imperative to get mold removal done quickly; but before you panic, you need to understand the different types of mold that might be present in your basement.

White Mold- This type of mold is what is found on foods that go bad but it can also be present on waterlogged property in your basement. White mold doesn’t produce mycotoxins usually, but it is possible and can cause allergic reactions and some mild respiratory issues.

Black Mold- Black mold is what most people are afraid of finding in their basement because it is one of the most common types of mold and also one of the most dangerous to humans. Black mold releases mycotoxins which can cause a wide variety of negative and potentially serious side effects and health problems when ingested. Black mold found in basements is usually the Stachybotrys chart arum species and is commonly found on wood trim, carpet, and basement walls and ceilings. Professional mold removal is the best option for getting rid of black mold because of the health dangers and how the mold easily spreads upon disturbance.

Green Mold- Green mold is most likely found on rotting food, like white mold; however, when it is found in your basement it is usually the Cladosporium species. This kind of mold sometimes has mycotoxins but not all of the time and can travel through the air easily and allergic reactions are very common.

While black mold is the most harmful mold to find in your basement, professional mold removal services are always the best way to remediate mold correctly, especially for families with allergies or asthma.

Contact ServiceMaster for your Mold Removal

When you discover mold in your basement, call ServiceMaster of Pittsburgh at 412-826-1010.

Mold Removal After Flooding | ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburgh

Posted on by Matt Nelson

Mold Removal After Flooding

Whenever you have a flood or water damage issue, one of the major complications you have to watch for is mold growth. Needing mold removal services is common after flooding or a major natural disaster, but mold removal can be dangerous for homeowners and families. You need to know what you are getting yourself into if you’re going to try to DIY a mold removal job.

How to Recognize Mold

Mold spores grow and spread quickly if you do not have mold removal completed. Anywhere water was allowed to sit in the first place, you’ll find mold, although mold is not always visible to the naked eye. Some of the places you should keep an eye on for mold include:

  • Where walls and ceilings join
  • Air ducts
  • Baseboards
  • Basement
  • Bathrooms
  • Attic
  • Anywhere with past flooding
  • Anywhere there are roof leaks
  • Anywhere condensation builds up such as around AC units or refrigerators

Most molds look like smears of soot or dirt and will be black in color. Other types of mold will be white and threadlike, while still others will look like clusters of fuzzy black dots. Mold can even be green, gray, brown, or a mixture of these colors. Professional mold removal teams can assess the type of mold you have and the proper way to remediate that mold.

Non-Physical Signs of Mold

Since mold is not always visible to the naked eye, people must know some of the symptoms of mold growth in your home that can happen to people.

Some of the symptoms of a mold infestation include:

  • Allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose or congestion
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Smelling a musty or moldy odor

Mold can cause serious health issues for you and your family if you don’t get proper mold removal. Use a company that is certified in mold removal so that you know the problem is getting taken care of correctly and efficiently.

If you are looking for mold removal services, call ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburg.  Our team of service professionals is efficient, professional, and quick at their jobs, which can save you time and money at the end of your remodel project. Call ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburg to discuss your residential or commercial cleaning needs today at 412-528-5986.