Mold Remediation
Residential Mold Detection & Removal Services
One of the worst contaminants known is the silent but dangerous growth of mold. Mold can grow indoors on wet or damp surfaces, such as wallpaper, ceiling tiles, carpets, insulation material, wood, and drywall. It can start to grow within 48 hours and if left unchecked, can have serious impacts on both your quality of life and your home's physical structure. If you see signs of mold or suspect that it has infected your home, we're here to help remediate the problem and prevent long-term damage.
Don’t let your home and health be ruined with mold!
Mold is present everywhere in nature, but when it finds its way into your home it can be a major problem. We use infrared technology as part of the mold detection process and special chemicals to help remediate the mold and protect your home.
Why is mold a problem?
Structural Damage
Molds gradually destroy things they grow on and can grow anywhere:
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Foundation
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Roof
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HVAC system
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Drywall
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Gutters
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Furnishings and more
Health Problems
In your home, all molds have the potential to cause side effects:
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Headaches
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Breathing difficulties
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Skin irritation
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Allergic reactions
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Aggravations of asthma symptoms
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after
What is Mold?
Mold is a fungus that can be found both indoors and outdoors. No one knows how many species of mold exist but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps three hundred thousand or more. Mold spreads and reproduces by making spores. Spores can survive conditions that are too sunny, hot, cold, dry or wet for mold to grow. When spores are released they can be carried by air or water to new locations.
Where Does Mold Come From?
Molds thrive in moist environments created by a flood, slow leak, broken pipe or just high humidity. Without water mold, cannot grow. Mold also needs a food source, oxygen and a temperature between 40 and 100 degrees F.
How Does Mold Spread?
For molds to grow and reproduce, they only need an organic food source, such as cellulose, which is found in building materials such as wood and drywall.
Are There Any Warning Signs to Look For?
If there are dark spots on your ceiling, floors or walls, this is a sure sign of mold growth. Musty odors and mildew are often signs that mold may be growing in your home. Respiratory and allergy symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, trouble breathing, and wheezing are a common indicator of mold growth as well. Also, high humidity levels such as condensation on glass and metal surfaces are a warning sign of mold.
The Special Challenges of Mold
Despite what's readily known about mold, it remains the subject of a lot of confusion.
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Mold is an issue that can affect the health of your family and compromise the physical structure of your home
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Mold and mildew grow best in warm, damp and humid conditions
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Mold may never become visible since it can grow in the walls and under the floor
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If more than two days have passed, any wet materials will be affected by mold, even if it's not yet visible
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Whether you can see a problem or merely suspect its presence, only a professional can help identify the source and extent of the challenge
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Home remedies like bleach can cause more problems
Can I Get Rid of Mold By Myself?
Doing it yourself is not recommended. At ServiceMaster of White Plains, our experts have completed intensive mold remediation training as well as detailed instruction in the proper procedures for handling mold claims.
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Is professional carpet cleaning expensive?Professional carpet cleaning is just pennies compared to the cost of replacing it. Call today to get an estimate from one of our professionals.
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How long will it take to have my carpets cleaned at my home?The amount of time will be contingent on the size of the area needing to be cleaned and processes used – low moisture, portable extraction, or truck-mount extraction in terms of efficiencies and time. A highly trained ServiceMaster technician can help you pick a program best meets your needs and schedule.
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Will carpet cleaning be disruptive to my family?The team at ServiceMaster will work with you to schedule a time convenient for you. Our technician will let you know of expected dry times that you will need to be aware of.
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How often do I need to get my carpets professionally cleaned?To keep your carpets in your home looking their best, we recommend having your carpets professionally cleaned every 6-12 months depending on traffic. Many carpet manufacturers require professional cleaning to maintain your warranty, so save your cleaning receipts.
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When will I be able to walk on my floors after a carpet cleaning?Allow drying time of six to eight hours before you walk on your carpet. It is best to wait two days before placing heavy furniture back onto carpet if not using blocks.
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Will there be an odor?Depending on the type of carpet we’re cleaning, you may notice a faint scent. This is especially prevalent when cleaning wool carpets. The amount of time it takes for the odor to dissipate is usually within an hour but varies based on air circulation, heat and humidity. A big difference in the way ServiceMaster of White Plains cleans carpet compared to many of our competitors is that we do not put soap in our rinse water. We pre-spray the carpets, remove the spots, then clean water extract, ensuring we do not leave any soapy residue behind allowing for fresh, clean carpets.
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Do I need to do anything prior to the technician arriving for my scheduled service?Yes. Remove breakables from the tops of furniture in the room we will be cleaning. Pick up items from the floor, such as rugs, plants, toys, pet beds, etc. Pre-vacuum all areas to be cleaned.
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Do I have to move furniture?To get the best results with professional carpet cleaning, we recommend removing furniture from the rooms we will be cleaning. However, we can place blocks under lighter items such as end tables, coffee tables, dining room chairs, loveseats, chairs and small sofas. Items we clean around instead of moving include beds, armoires, pieces containing china and electronics, exercise equipment and large or heavy sofas.