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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Mold Remediation Blog Posts

Mold Outbreak in Mullens Garage Left Unmitigated for Weeks?

6/25/2024 (Permalink)

A garage shows signs of extensive mold damage. We are leaders in mold remediation services in Raleigh County.

Our local Beckley team has been restoring mold damage in Mullens for many years. We witness how mold damage significantly worsens when left unaddressed. Initially, mold may appear as minor discoloration or surface growth, but it has the potential to spread rapidly and cause extensive damage to homes and businesses. Here are some of the ways that mold damage can escalate over time:

Structural Damage

Mold thrives on organic materials such as wood, drywall, and insulation. Over time, it can break down these materials, compromising the structural integrity of buildings. In severe cases, this can lead to sagging floors, crumbling walls, and structural collapses.

Property Devaluation

Visible mold growth can significantly reduce the value of a property, making it harder to sell or rent. Even after remediation, the stigma associated with mold can linger, affecting property values long-term.

Increased Remediation Costs

The longer mold is allowed to spread, the more extensive the remediation process becomes. What might have been a relatively simple cleanup task initially can evolve into a major remediation project involving extensive repairs and restoration work.

Overall, the longer mold damage is left unattended, the more challenging and costly it becomes to address. Early detection and prompt remediation are key to mitigating the long-term consequences of mold damage.

Call Us Today!

When your home or commercial business in Mullens has a mold problem, our local Beckley team is Here to Help®. Call us today at 304-253-6633.

SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.

Mold Outbreak in Beckley Home Encouraged by Wide Variety of Organic Food Sources?

5/7/2024 (Permalink)

Mold grows on a shower curtain. We are trained and certified to restore mold outbreaks in Raleigh County.

Our local Beckley team has years of experience restoring mold-damaged properties. Mold can consume a wide range of organic materials as a food source. Common organic materials that mold can eat include:

Wood: Mold can grow on various types of wood, including structural wood in buildings, furniture, and wooden fixtures.

Paper: Mold can feed on paper products such as books, cardboard boxes, newspapers, and documents.

Fabric and Textiles: Mold can consume natural fibers like cotton, wool, and linen found in clothing, upholstery, curtains, and carpets.

Drywall: Mold can grow on the paper covering of drywall if it becomes damp or moist.

Cellulose-Based Materials: Mold can thrive on cellulose materials, such as insulation, ceiling tiles, and some types of wallpaper.

Soap Scum: Mold can grow on soap scum in bathrooms and kitchens, as it contains organic matter.

Pet Dander and Skin Cells: Mold can consume organic matter shed by pets, such as dander and skin cells found in carpets, upholstery, and bedding.

Natural Oils and Grease: Mold can grow on surfaces where natural oils and grease accumulate, such as kitchen countertops and cooking appliances.

Essentially, any material containing organic matter exposed to moisture can become a food source for mold. Proper maintenance, ventilation, and moisture control are essential for preventing mold growth on these materials.

Call Us!

When your Beckley home or commercial business has a mold problem damage, our local Beckley team is Here to Help®. Call us today at 304-253-6633.

SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.

What Can I Do While Waiting for Professional Help to Arrive if I Discover a Mold Outbreak in My Beckley Home?

4/2/2024 (Permalink)

A person discovers a mold outbreak in their home. We are leaders in mold remediation services in Raleigh County.

Our local Beckley team has the training, equipment, and experience to restore mold outbreaks in homes and commercial buildings in Beckley. Our technicians are certified in applied microbial remediation by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the nonprofit certifying body for the cleaning and restoration industries. Here are some mold damage emergency tips for things you can and should not do while waiting for professional help to arrive:

Important Facts

  • Significant mold growth can occur in 48 to 72 hours.
  • A strong, musty odor may indicate hidden mold behind drywall or under carpeting.

What to Do

  • Stay out of affected areas.
  • Turn off the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and fans.
  • Contact our Beckley offices for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do

  • Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
  • Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
  • Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
  • Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

Call Us Today!

Mold outbreaks are often a symptom of water damage. When you discover mold growing in your Beckley home or commercial business, our local Beckley team is Here to Help. ® We will locate the source of the excess water and make repairs to minimize the chances of the mold returning once the remediation process is complete. Call us today at 304-253-6633.

SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.

Can Frozen Pipes Cause Mold Damage in my Beckley Home?

12/5/2023 (Permalink)

A frozen pipe is shown. We are a top choice for water damage restoration services in Raleigh County.

Have you ever had frozen pipes in your home or business? During the winter months, our local Beckley team responds to water damage emergencies caused by frozen pipes. One side effect of water damage from frozen pipes is mold and mildew growth caused by the excess moisture.

Here are some of the ways frozen pipes can cause damage to homes and buildings:

Water Damage: When pipes burst or leak, they can release a significant amount of water into the home. This can damage walls, ceilings, floors, and belongings, leading to costly repairs and mold growth if not addressed promptly.

Structural Damage: Water damage from frozen pipes can weaken structural elements of the property, such as wooden beams, drywall, and insulation.

Mold and Mildew: Excess moisture from leaks can create an environment conducive to mold and mildew growth, which can pose health risks and further damage the property.

Damage to Personal Belongings: Frozen pipe leaks can damage personal belongings, including furniture, electronics, and sentimental items.

Increased Utility Costs: Leaking pipes can lead to higher water bills as a result of water wastage.


Call Us Today!

When your home or commercial property in Beckley has frozen pipe damage, our local Beckley team is Here to Help. ® We’ll restore your water damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 304-253-6633.

SERVPRO® of Beckley is independently owned and operated.

Hidden Water Damage Causes Mold Outbreak in Sophia Home?

6/27/2023 (Permalink)

A closeup of mold growing in a Petrie dish is shown. We are leaders in mold remediation services in Raleigh County.

If you notice a strong, musty odor you can’t place, you may have hidden water damage that is contributing to a mold outbreak inside the walls of your home or business. Mold damage is often the result of a water leak or another source of excess moisture, like an overflowing air conditioning unit drip pan. Our local Beckley team will identify the source of the excess moisture and make corrections during the mold remediation process to discourage the mold from returning once the mold removal is complete.

Microscopic mold spores are always present in the Earth’s atmosphere, waiting for the perfect conditions to propagate. There are thousands of species of molds, and no home or business is immune to mold problems. We will advise you on the local and state laws and documentation protocols based on your unique situation and will advise you on the process.

Mold Removal Process

  1. Emergency Contact – 304-253-6633
  2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
  3. Mold Containment
  4. Air Filtration
  5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
  6. Cleaning Contents and Belongings
  7. Restoration

Call Us Today!

When you find a mold outbreak in your home or commercial business in Sophia, our team in Beckley is Here to Help. ® We’ll restore your mold damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 304-253-6633.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Mold growth in ceiling from water intrusion

7/3/2018 (Permalink)

A very small water leak in the bathroom above this room went unnoticed for several weeks.

This property was for sale and the realtor found the problem on a visit to show a potential buyer. The realtor contacted us and during our initial visit our estimator recommended that an Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) be contracted to inspect and test the mold.

Our recommendation was passed on to the home owner and they immediately contacted an IEP for testing.  Within just a few days the IEP developed a protocol, environmental controls, and technical specifications along with detail how remediation was to be conducted during our project.

SERVPRO of Beckley followed all of the guidelines set by the IEP. When we finished the IEP returned for the post remediation sampling. Based on the results of total spore air sampling surveys they determined the mold remediation was successfully completed.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

6/29/2018 (Permalink)

Our crew’s health and safety is a huge priority for us it’s not just an OSHA regulation.

We hope you are never faced with a mold problem but if you are and use SERVPRO of Beckley you can expect our team to be dressed in “Personal Protective Equipment”. Please do not be alarmed or offended.

The following are excerpts from the “OSHA ‘s Mold Safety & Health Topics”

Any remediation work that disturbs mold and causes mold spores to become airborne increases the degree of respiratory exposure. Actions that tend to disperse mold include: breaking apart moldy porous materials such as wallboard; destructive invasive procedures to examine or remediate mold growth in a wall cavity; removal of contaminated wallpaper by stripping or peeling; using fans to dry items or ventilate areas.

The primary function of personal protective equipment is to prevent the inhalation and ingestion of mold and mold spores and to avoid mold contact with the skin or eyes. The following sections discuss the various types of PPE that may be used during remediation activities.

Gloves protect the skin from contact with mold, as well as from potentially irritating cleaning solutions.

To protect your eyes, use Properly fitted goggles or a Full Face Piece Respirator. Respirators protect cleanup workers from inhaling airborne mold, contaminated dust, and other particulates that are released during the remediation process.

Protective Clothing -While conducting building inspections and remediation work, individuals may encounter hazardous biological agents as well as chemical and physical hazards. Consequently, appropriate personal protective clothing (i.e., reusable or disposable) is recommended to minimize cross-contamination between work areas and clean areas, to prevent the transfer and spread of mold and other contaminants to street clothing, and to eliminate skin contact with mold and potential chemical exposures.

Are you afraid of mold growing in your home?

4/5/2018 (Permalink)

Mold behind a wooden cabinet in a utility room that went unnoticed for an extended period of time.

Controlling the moisture in your home is the best approach to your fear.  

Here are a few things you can do inside your home to keep moisture levels under control:

  • Open exterior doors and windows whenever possible to keep air circulating.
  • For closets that are rarely used, keep the door cracked so air can circulate.
  • Use AC units, dehumidifiers, and exhaust fans regularly.
  • Purchase high quality air filters for your HVAC Unit.
  • Watch for mold growth in the soil in your house plants.
  • Fix water leaks.
  • Check for condensation on your windows.
  • Dry Wet surfaces as soon as possible.
  • Don’t leave wet materials lying around.

If you are taking steps to control the moisture and still smell a musty odor or see signs of mold, there may be a problem that only a remediation company can recognize. Contact SERVPRO of Beckley, a qualified Indoor Air Quality/Environmental Professional.

SELLING YOUR HOME? DON'T REMODEL UNTIL YOU READ THIS

3/16/2017 (Permalink)

Look what was found in the Laundry Room as appliances were being removed!

Mold and mildew have become a BIG concern. Most home Buyers will search the internet to see what is important when purchasing a home. A majority of web sites list “leaks, dampness, water damage, mold, mildew” in the top 10 list of things to look for.


The Seller should pull out that washer and dryer – dishwasher – refrigerator, look around the water heater, window sills, doors, bathtubs,  on the base of cabinets -  ANYWHERE there is a water source - to inspect the areas for moisture.


Since the buyer will be on the lookout for these types of issues, we encourage the seller to have their home ready for the inspection. Any money set aside for an upgrade may have to be spent on “problems” as opposed to “remodeling”.