Cambridge Mold Cleanup with Commercial-Grade SERVPRO Tools

4/13/2023 (Permalink)

When you discover mold damage in your Cambridge home, contact SERVPRO. We are Here to Help.

Understanding Microbial Mitigation Versus Mold Removal

Mold damage is a disaster complication that does not exist in a vacuum. Microbes live in all properties and only require one disaster, like a pipe leak or a home fire doused with water, to accelerate their growth and spread. Microbes are especially damaging to structural materials because they eat by releasing digestive enzymes that harm porous, organic materials like wood and sheetrock.

SERVPRO Cambridge mold remediation specialists are equipped to render restoration services around the clock for properties in need. This team is committed to keeping damage to a minimum while maximizing the benefits homeowners can receive from professional cleanup and restoration services. 

The Difference Between "Mold Removal" and Mold Mitigation

While it may seem like the terms are interchangeable, mold removal and mold remediation are two different processes. In short, the difference is that total spore removal is not possible, and the scope of this service may only be limited to removing the spores themselves. While this does help in the short term, it does not address the conditions that allow mold to continue growing. 

Meanwhile, mold mitigation focuses on the following:

• Reducing spore populations to pre-disaster levels
• Eliminating moisture, stagnant air, and debris that microbes subsist on for growth
• Performing necessary demolition services to save walls, ceilings, and floors
• Odor control and rebuilding where needed to return the home to a clean and livable condition

With these factors in mind, certified professionals best handle microbial cleanup who can resolve the problem in full. Highly trained crews like SERVPRO's are equipped with a repertoire of industrial-grade solutions and tools to address spore growth thoroughly. 

Another crucial question homeowners might have about the mitigation process is whether their insurance covers it. A comprehensive policy may include mold coverage, but many home insurance policies may require this to be added separately. It may only cover certain aspects of the cleanup. Microbial damage related to a pipe leak, for example, may have coverage for the spore remediation but not plumbing repairs for the damaged pipe. Residents can discuss this with their insurers to better understand their policy's terms. 

SERVPRO Tools are Designed to Remediate Mold Damage 

Mold remediation tools and strategies used by SERVPRO are tailored to both the disaster at hand and national standards for the restoration industry. This team's microbe-fighting arsenal includes:

• EPA-registered biocides tailored to spore cleanup
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) and containment measures for rooms and ductwork
• HEPA filter vacuums and air scrubbers to collect spores as minuscule as 0.3 microns in diameter
• SERVPRO drying equipment, including hot water extractors, air movers, and low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers, can effectively remediate water damage and humidity that enables mold damage to spread

Restoration technicians initially focus on establishing containment for mold to prevent it from spreading during cleanup. These measures can include designing "clean rooms" for decontaminating equipment, sealing doors, windows, and ductwork, and setting up sealed polyethylene chambers. SERVPRO also performs debris removal for homeowners, including removing unsalvageable carpets, mattresses, or insulation.

After debris and spore clusters are removed from the home, technicians focus on reducing moisture with extraction, air movement, and dehumidification, which can dry out remaining microbes and make them easier to collect. SERVPRO Odor Control Technicians can address spore odors. 

When property owners need mitigation and restoration services, they can call SERVPRO of Cambridge / Belmont at (617) 864-7378 to make it "Like it never even happened."