Choosing the Right Air Purifier To Remove Mold Spores

3/24/2022 (Permalink)

Choose the Right Air Purifier and Avoid Mold Damage by Following Our Tips.

Ensuring your Pueblo, CO home is a safe, welcoming environment means thinking about indoor air quality. Unfortunately, mold spores easily enter the home via open doors and windows or by attaching themselves to clothing and other objects. If those spores get the moisture, warmth and nutrients they need, it may mean needing the services of a professional mold damage company. Installing an air filtration system is one way to minimize spores but not all are created equal.

Types of Purifiers for Mold

Each type of air purifier uses different technologies to clean the air. While some are designed to trap and collect particles, others are designed to simply absorb molecules. When it comes to mold, the former will not help prevent the spread of airborne spores. Below are the top three types made to prevent airborne particles from circulating:

HEPA:

These purifiers feature fine mesh filters that trap approximately 99.7% of pollutants sized .3 micrometers and above. Since fungi spores are typically around 3 to 30 micrometers, this type of device offers optimal peace of mind. A HEPA filter does require frequent replacement. If it is not replaced within six to 12 months, mold may start to collect on it.

Photoelectrochemical Oxidation:

PECO air filtration devices work by light activating a catalytic reaction. Instead of trapping contaminants, it destroys them by changing them into harmless compounds without producing byproducts, such as ozone, or reintroducing them into the air.

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation:

UVGI uses UV lamps to eradicate bacteria, spores and viruses. While it has proven to do what it is designed to, time and area are key considerations. The light has to come into contact with the particles and usually takes several minutes or longer.

How To Choose the Right One

Every home is different, so it’s important to consider your unique situation before purchasing a purifier. Key considerations include:

• Coverage Area:

This calculation is based on the clean air delivery rate. The higher the CADR, the faster and better it is at purifying a larger room. These measurements range in size for the type of pollutant.

• Air Quality:

This is measured using the Air Quality Index, which ranges from 0 to 500. Anything over 100 means the air quality is poor. It is important to choose a device that lists its AQI rating.

• Noise:

While this may not be a big deal for some people, there is noise associated with moving fans. The higher the setting, the louder it will be. For people who like quiet, a large purifier in a bedroom may not be the best option.

Other considerations come down to personal preferences and budgets. From smart technologies to alert systems, many come with the latest innovations. If budget is a concern, it’s best to research costs associated with filter replacement.

Keeping your home fresh and having peace of mind that pesky spores aren't floating around is important. An air filtration device is a good way to ensure invisible airborne particles are eliminated. To get the most out of your investment, ensure you purchase one that is designed for your needs.

Navigating Commercial Insurance, Mold Exclusions, and Professional Cleanup

11/17/2021 (Permalink)

Mold grows in almost any environment. Take some steps to prevent the spread of the fungus in your Pueblo, CO, property.

It doesn't take much moisture to create a welcoming environment for mold spores. If your Pueblo, CO, property is affected by heavy rainfall, melting snow, hurricanes, leaking pipes, or any other type of water disaster, you could end up dealing with mold damage. When mold remains hidden and you don't recognize the problem, the damage can become extensive. If you have a good commercial insurance policy, the mold issue may be covered. It's wise to be aware of mold exclusions, however.

Understand Commercial Insurance for Mold Damage

Mold exists in almost every type of environment, and spores move easily from one host to another. With just a tiny bit of warmth, moisture, oxygen, and food, a spore can establish a colony on wood, carpet, paper, and drywall. As mold feeds, it weakens its food source, eventually destroying property. Mold insurance covers some of the cleanup and remediation expenses.

Limited Fungus Coverage

According to policies from the International Organization for Standardization, Limited Fungus Coverage kicks in when fungus, wet or dry rot, or bacteria is caused by a specific cause and is addressed quickly and appropriately by property owners. Any fungus growth related to flooding may not be covered without flood coverage through an endorsement. If you take action at the first sign of mold, Limited Fungus Coverage usually covers:

• Direct loss or damage
• Removal of fungus
• Tear out and replacement of property
• Removal of damaged property
• Repairs
  

Your insurance company may limit the amount that is paid out for these services, so it's best to prevent mold growth or catch it early.

Mold Exclusion

Professional mold cleanup services are covered in most situations, but some insurance policies contain mold exclusions. This generally means that there is no coverage for the presence of mold, any spread, or related concerns. The most common reason for exclusion is a failure to properly maintain the property. However, the exclusion cannot apply to:

• Mold or fungus that results from lightning or fire
• Mold growth resulting from specified causes, such as riots, vandalism, sinkhole collapses, windstorms, and damage from firefighting equipment
• Specific losses caused by the presence of fungus or mold
  

Make sure you understand your coverage before trouble happens.

Maintenance and Prevention

The best mold insurance happens before you need to file a commercial insurance claim. You can take preventative steps to avoid fungus:

• Routinely inspect your building, especially targeting common problem spots, such as vents and drainage systems.
• Use dehumidifiers and fans to reduce the level of humidity in your building.
• Hire professionals to inspect and maintain the ventilation system, including vents, ducts, and working components.
• Take immediate action at the first visible sign of mold or the first whiff of a suspicious odor.
  

Remember your insurance provider is probably as concerned about preventing the spread of mold as you are. Reach out to your agent or an insurance representative to learn more about the risk of growth and the most effective means of prevention.

Mold can be a real headache for property owners. However, with the proper preventative actions and a good understanding of your commercial insurance, you can reduce the amount of property damage and minimize your own level of frustration.

The Importance of Mold Remediation | SERVPRO® of Pueblo

12/27/2018 (Permalink)

The Importance of Mold Remediation | SERVPRO of Pueblo

Mold growth is likely to follow a water damage situation that occurs in a home or commercial property. It is a fact that mold can begin to grow within 48 hours of moisture exposure.

When facing a mold issue, knowing what steps to follow after the incident is vital, which is why we are devoting this blog to an overview of mold remediation.

<h4mold-remediation:993f6d72e1d3ae97e6a29320ec3715b5">Understanding Mold Remediation

You’ve probably seen or heard ads for mold remediation that also promise mold removal, but the latter of the two is misleading. Removing all mold from a home or business is simply not possible. What a qualified restoration company will focus on is mold remediation, with the goal of bringing mold levels back to a normal and natural range.

Yes, mold spores are a natural occurrence and occur almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. They only become a problem when a minor mold problem is not addressed and it then turns into a major infestation.

During mold remediation, technicians isolate all of the contaminated areas. Depending on the level of remediation, this may be done by either closing all doors and windows or effectively sealing off all doorways and openings with a polyethylene sheeting. Dust in the contaminated areas will be suppressed through misting process.

All wet and mold-damaged materials will then be removed and discarded using plastic bags. All areas that have been exposed to and affected by the mold are completely cleaned and thoroughly dried. Technicians may also use a HEPA vacuum in some cases to help with the removal of the contaminated materials and debris.

A biocide is used to treat the mold-affected area, and the crews will leave it to sit and work overnight to destroy the mold spores. The following day, the remediation crew will return to encapsulate all the affected and surrounding areas.

<h4this-if-you-suspect-mold-in-your-home:993f6d72e1d3ae97e6a29320ec3715b5">Do This If You Suspect Mold in Your Home

If you have a suspicion that your home or business may be affected by a mold problem, you’ll need to act quickly. Call a professional mold remediation company if, upon evaluation of the size of the problem, you discover the area involved is larger than 10 square feet.

Be sure that the professionals you call are highly and efficiently trained and certified in areas like:

• Applied microbial remediation
• Water damage restoration
• Applied structural drying

It is always best to leave mold remediation to a professional company to achieve the quickest and most efficient resolution to the problem even though some minor mold issues have been successfully resolved by home and business owners on their own.

At SERVPRO® of Pueblo, our mold damage specialists are trained and certified experts in mold remediation. If your home or business is experiencing a mold issue, contact us to begin the mold remediation process.

Pueblo Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

4/20/2016 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of Pueblo 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.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Pueblo specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 719.544.7165