Recent Mold Remediation Posts

Small Fridge Leak in Anaheim Hills

1/17/2022 (Permalink)

Mold Damage in the Cabinet Space 1 the fridge that was leaking, 2 the affected area, 3 mold damage

We had a client call us because they found their refrigerator was leaking water from their fridge in the wall. When we finally got on scene our SERVPRO team of Anaheim realized that the fridge was leaking from their water purifier, their wall behind the sink unfortunately took the damage and left it with damage.

Once we seen the damage we immediately got to work and start repairing the area effected by the water. We have specialized training to deal with these situations, we even have our own chemicals to kill all of the area that may try and grow again.

Once we moved the fridge the SERVPRO team got into the details behind the wall and dried it out with our dehumidifier, we then took out all the damaged area and disposed of it properly to make sure that it wouldn’t grow back. As precaution we then scrub the surrounding area to make our clients feel safe as well as prevent any new growth. Do not worry, give us a call today!

The Mold Needs to Go

6/10/2021 (Permalink)

The Mold Has got to Go 1 shows the original area of damage, 2 the drying process and cleaning the air, 3 removal of wall and internal drying

This mold problem slowly occurred in a resident’s home in Yorba Linda. A pipe was slowly leaking and caused an area to start growing mold within the affected area. This mold was hard to detect by the resident only because this small leak took time to cause problems.

Once our SERVPRO team got onsite we immediately closed off the area effected and began working in our PPE gear to keep us safe as well as the residents. The team gers to the bottom of the problem by excavating the entire area and disinfecting the wood with our very own chemical. Before doing any type of treatment to the wood, we use our dehumidifiers to dry out any left-over water and then treat the wood with a specialized chemical that not only kills the area but prevents the area from any type of growth. SERVPRO prides in being able to complete a project with keeping the residents and entire team safe from harm.

Mold in the Walls in Brea

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

The Walls and their mold 1 shows the block off, 2 shows the infected walls, 3 shows the vacuum to clean any small particles, 4 saturation with our chemicals on the walls

Our clients had an unfortunate leak in their home that led to the destruction of the inside of their wall which was infected with mold. The wall slabs were then sectioned off from the rest of the home to help reduce any type of harmful chemicals that may try to leak out.

We had to completely treat and excavate all the damaged material to ensure that it was a healthy environment to live in, but to also stop the spread of anything else at the source. Our SERVPRO team had to properly get rid of all the damaged area to keep the clients home safe upon return.

Once we dry the area and get rid of all the mold, we then take our very own chemicals and saturate all the effected areas to not only completely kill the harmful bacteria, but to also help prevent any future growth that may try to occur. Give us a call today if you think you may have mold, our SERVPRO team is ready to serve you.

Brea Mold Removal

1/5/2021 (Permalink)

Mold Damage 1after mold clean up, 2 mold on the removed wall, 3 mold before clean up, 4 air purifier and dehumidifier

We got a call from a client about a weird smell in their office out of Brea. As we arrived on scene they had told us they recently had a water leak but it was fixed. As we checked around the vicinity we found there had been damage to a wall which led us to see that their was mold growth within the building.

Mold can cause health effects but we take special care in removing it and calling a third party business to help dispose of the waste properly. As the mold growth could have continued to spread our clients did the best in giving SERVPRO a call to properly handle the situation.

When it comes to mold growth it can be a hard thing to handle but we take safety measures in first blocking off the affected area, then we clear out the building, and then our team safely removes the mold while they wear proper PPE suits to ensure nobody takes in anything that could cause health effects. If you think you may have a problem with mold, give us a call so we may go out and serve you.

From Mold Infection to Healthy Walls Again

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

Before and After Reconstruction On the left you see the photo once we removed the affected material and the right shows the patch job and reconstruction.

Our clients called us out because of a small water leak they found in the ceiling of their staircase. This was surprising to them because they had not seen this before. Luckily it was an early catch and they didn't let it sit for too long.

As our team went out to the client we found that mold had grown within the walls and it was deep within the material of the ceiling. The client was relieved to see our team move swiftly and safely in the removal of this mold because of how harmful it could be.

This was an easy fix and the cost of the job wasn't too much to ask of our clients either in which they were relieved. Since the problem was small and easy our team was able to move in and out of the house within one day of the call. Mold can grow in almost any crevice with just the right circumstances. We ask our clients to always be on the lookout for any leaks whether they are big or small to help prevent any type of mold growth in their home. 

3 Ways to Prevent Mold Growth in Your Orange County Property

1/6/2020 (Permalink)

Visible Mold Visible mold is found in a damp area inside a home in Orange County.

Mold thrives in damp and humid environments. Mold is categorized as a fungus, and therefore it eats the material it’s growing on, hence causing physical damage to your property. Besides causing physical damage, mold produces spores that travel in the air, which can cause health effects in the human body.

3 Easy Ways to Prevent Mold:

  • Allow fresh air to circulate throughout your property on a regular basis.
  • Check your HVAC system’s ductwork, coils, and drip pans for mold growth and any visible moisture present.
  • Clear debris from downspouts/rain gutter regularly, especially if rain is predicted in your area.

We here at SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea, Anaheim Hills, and Norwalk are experts in mold remediation and water damage restoration services.

If you see visible signs of mold or you smell mildew throughout your property, please feel free to call us at 714-701-0207.

Mold Remediation In an Anaheim Home

12/26/2018 (Permalink)

This ceiling mold was the tip of the iceberg. Margie Faciana was very happy she called the restoration experts at SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/ Brea.

A few weeks ago, we had an opportunity to serve a young couple in Anaheim Hills whose home had been affected by a long term bathroom shower leak where seals had given way.  The leak had led to substantial sub-floor water retention.  Because of the long period of time that things had stayed moist, there was extensive mold growth.

During our initial inspection, we’d identified mold growth in the ceiling, and sub-floor which affected the upstairs bathroom and a downstairs bedroom and extensive work was needed to complete this project.  During the project, we had to demolish all the drywall in the bathroom and bedroom to complete our mold remediation. 

Exposure to mold can be a potential health hazard.  Because of this risk, we encourage our customers not to attempt remediation on their own.  In fact, it’s the health risk involved in mold remediation that requires our trained technicians to wear full  HAZMAT suits, complete with air cannisters to aid their breathing. 

The SERVPRO technicians at SERVPRO Yorba Linda/ Brea are all certified experts in mold remediation.  When we perform our services, we will protect your home by using techniques such as erecting negative air-flow containments around the work areas.  These containments prevent the migration of mold spores to other un-contaminated areas of your home.  Industrial HEPA filters filter the air in your home, removing all airborne contaminants (we’re mostly concerned about mold spores in mold remediation cases), to bring the air quality in your home to EPA health standards. 

We use special anti-microbial sprays and wire brushes to scrub all surfaces where mold has grown.  We safely bag all dirt and debris from the remediation in special plastic bags and take the trash with us when we leave the work site.  While we’re on the job, we are very careful to place floor runners over any surfaces where we’ll be working and we cover your furniture and other household items with plastic sheeting to protect it while the job is in progress.

One of our recent customers shared this testimonial about our mold remediation work at their home:

“We recently discovered mold growing in between our garage and a small restroom overhead on the second floor.  I reported it to my insurance company and they sent SERVPRO Yorba Linda/ Brea out to take care of it.  They were very professional and friendly and when the job was finished, everything was left extremely clean and everything put in its right place.  I would use them again.”

— Margie Faciana in Corona, CA

You can read more testimonials about our work in mold remediation as well as our other services by visiting the following web page:  https://www.SERVPROyorbalindabrea.com/testimonials

Mold Remediation in Fullerton, CA

12/26/2018 (Permalink)

For a dozen years, SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/ Brea has been helping customers with mold, commercial, water, fire, and storm damage. We can help you too.

Talk about a wet mess!

Mr. and Mrs. Han, in Fullerton, CA had been experiencing a leak in the area behind their stairs which lead to the second floor of their home.  This leak had been running for a period of over two weeks before they realized it.  This is when they phoned in their local SERVPRO heroes at SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/ Brea. 

We sent one of our best project managers, Jonathan, to meet with the Hans and perform an inspection/ estimate.  Jonathan found out during his meeting that another restoration company had already been out to provide a quote and a work plan.  We won the job because Jonathan’s expertise and his concern for the customer’s welfare showed through.  In fact, the customer remarked that he felt he’d been well cared for from the first moment he’d spoken with our dispatch department. 

After two weeks of a steady leak, it was necessary to remove an extensive amount of drywall in order to thoroughly dry the hidden studs.  Additionally, the heavy saturation of the carpeting had led to its delamination and we had to tear it out and dispose of it.

Mold grows well in areas that are moist and where wood fiber can be found. Of course, when we exposed the studs, we found a serious amount of mold had already grown.   In order to avoid spreading the mold to other unaffected areas of the home, we set up several containment areas.  A containment is built from special 6 ml plastic sheeting.  Adding a HEPA vacuum filter to the contained area creates negative airflow which prevents any air-born mold spores from traveling through the homes airways where they can colonize other areas.   These HEPA filters scrub the air to safe levels as defined by the EPA.

Since mold is a potential health risk, our technicians wear special HAZMAT outfits which completely cover all exposed areas of their bodies and latex gloves.  They breathe with the assistance of masks and air cannisters.  Most homeowners don’t have this kind of gear, and this is just one reason why we strongly suggest that mold remediation not be something they tackle on their own.

Actual mold removal is done with the use of special anti-microbial sprays and wire brushes which are used to remove mold from all surfaces. 

Once our work is complete, we carefully bag all materials, remove them from the home and deliver them to land fill. 

Like nearly all of our customers, Mr. and Mrs. Han were very content with the work we did for them.  We actually received the following testimonial about their experience with SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/ Brea:  “I discovered a mold problem in my HVAC air return and my landlord said to use SERVPRO to do the remediation. This involved not just the remediation, but also completely replacing the furnace, ducting and attic insulation. And it had to be done in a highly compressed five days, with SERVPRO and the contractor working together in a choreographed fashion. It was important for each to do their part at the right time so the other could continue the project. SERVPRO (and Total Comfort, the contractor) did an absolutely fantastic job, and were extremely thorough and professional. I would use (hopefully won't need to!) or recommend them without hesitation. They were also excellent about keeping up communication as the project progressed, so I always knew what was happening.”  You can read more testimonials like this at our website.  Follow this link:  https://www.SERVPROyorbalindabrea.com/testimonials

Grow Your Business, Not Black Mold!

8/9/2018 (Permalink)

Follow the advice in this chart to thoroughly dry your possessions following a flood.

As a business owner,  you do everything you can to treat your employees well, and serve your customers in the best way.  You want to grow your business, not black mold.  A mold growth problem can be a health irritant to your employees and customers alike.

What is Mold?

Mold is a living organism that can grow on any organic substance.  All it needs is moisture and oxygen to be present.  Molds can grown on wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation.  Mold spores continually drift in outdoor and indoor air currents.  When people inhale these spores, health issues may occur.

At SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/ Brea, we see a fair amount of mold growth in buildings where restoration work was not completed properly following water damage.  In other cases, we’ve seen it in buildings that were built with tight water seals and there was a moisture accumulation that could not escape.  Roof leaks, landscaping or gutters that direct water into or under buildings and even unvented combustion appliances can all play a role in mold growth in commercial properties.

Preventing Mold Growth at Your Commercial Property

There are numerous mold prevention steps that commercial property owners can take.  These include:

  • Clean up small mold problems on a regular check and remediate basis, especially before they become large problems.
  • Investigate areas associated with occupant complaints
  • Check inside air ducts and air handling units
  • Consider the possibility of hidden mold (interior of walls, under flooring, around air ducts and combustion appliances).
  • Select a professional mold remediation company to handle medium sized or large sized mold problems.

After a leak or other type of water damage, there are additional steps to take.  These include:

Take the necessary actions to thoroughly dry wet, non-moldy materials within 48 hours.  Waiting longer than this will increase the chances of mold significantly.

The chart in this blog offers specific direction on how to thoroughly dry various materials.

If the recommendations in this blog sound difficult, it is because mold is a challenging problem.  Effective remediation should be completed by a certified, skilled and experienced remediation company. 

In Southern California, SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/ Brea has been assisting customers for over eleven years.  The consistently high level of professionalism we demonstrate with every client has made us the #1 SERVPRO franchise in California!  You can read more about us on our testimonial page, http://www.SERVPROyorbalindabrea.com/testimonials

Need immediate assistance with mold remediation?  Call us at 714-701-0207.  We’ll make you feel "Like it never even happened."

Unsightly, Stinky and a Potential Health Hazard. Protect Your Tenants and Employees From Mold.

7/20/2018 (Permalink)

For the best professional service in certified mold remediation, call SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/ Brea. 714-701-0207.

Not only is mold unsightly and stinky, in a commercial structure setting, it also could impact the health of your employees as well as lower the productivity of your entire team.  Whether you’re in Fountain Valley, Villa Park, San Juan Capistrano, Garden Grove or maybe someplace else in Orange County, CA, commercial rental properties (apartments as example), mold growth has even resulted in lawsuits against landlords.   As the owner of a commercial building, its  up to you to do everything possible to eliminate mold from the structure.

Mold needs three things to thrive; proper temperature, proper humidity and a food source.  However, creating a mold-adverse environment also would make your co-workers very uncomfortable.  Mold can live in a temperature that ranges between 40°F and 100°F.  Mold also requires a humid atmosphere; over 70%.  The best method is to make the internal humidity range between 25% and 60%.  The lower the percentage, the more comfortable it will be for your human occupants!   Regular commitment to a number of ‘house-keeping’ tasks will help ensure this.

In the last few years, there have been multiple high visibility law suits filed against commercial property owners that have allowed mold to propagate in their buildings.  In California, Governor Gray Davis signed the Toxic Mold Protection Act (SB 732) into law in 2001.  Since then, regular commercial property inspection has become a legal requirement.  Later, in 2015, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 655 into law.  This law added visible mold growth to the list of dangerous health conditions which define substandard housing in the state’s Health and Safety Code.  Under California law, landlords are required to provide written documentation to potential tenants prior to signing a rental agreement when they know, or have reason to know, that mold exceeds permissible exposure limits or poses a health threat.  In addition, the law also allows tenants to sue landlords if exposure to mold on the property leads to health issues.

The same right to sue may extend to office workers whose health is impacted by exposure to ‘toxic molds’ if it can be proven that the mold exposure was due to ‘actual intent’.  Legal actions can also be taken against any third parties, such as building contractors or materials suppliers if negligence in their actions or products can be shown to have led to the mold conditions and resulting health issues.  Office workers may also file for Worker’s Compensation.  One example occurred in the LAPD when 115 officers and civilian employees all filed alleging that their respiratory issues were toxic mold related.  The lawyer representing the case stated "We can accept our jobs being dangerous on the streets, but it shouldn't be dangerous at the police station."

Obviously, mold prevention is the lesser cost alternative to remediation and there are number of things that commercial property owners can do to prevent mold growth.  These include:

  • Regularly – at least annually, inspect all the areas in your building for moisture, water and mold.
  • Prompt attention to leaks and/ or water damage. Allowing moist conditions to continue for more than 48 to 72 hours will  up the odds of mold. 
  • Since pooling water creates great conditions for mold growth, include your HVAC system in the regular building review.  Systems coils and drip pans should remain clear so that they drain properly.  Likewise, don’t allow ducts or system components like air handlers, blowers or enclosed chambers to develop moisture.
  • Check where your air intakes for the HVAC system are on your building.  Air intakes near dumpsters or standing water can increase the quantity and probability of spores inside your building.

If you are addressing a commercial structure mold remediation situation, you should select only a certified remediation company.  SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/ Brea has been helping homeowners and commercial property owners with mold remediation for over eleven years.  We’re the #1 SERVPRO franchise in California.  Our focus on urgency, integrity, cleanliness, knowledge, commitment to consistently excellent work, and our ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with our customers and colleagues has made us the #1 SERVPRO franchise in California!    To read testimonials from our customers, click here.  https://www.yelp.com/biz/SERVPRO-of-yorba-linda-brea-anaheim.   Need mold remediation services NOW?  Give us a call; 7614-701-0207.

Like it never even happened.

Dealing With Mold Presence in Your Brea Home

7/13/2018 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO Yorba Linda/ Brea for black mold remediation.

Mold presence in your Brea home or business usually happens following some form of water damage, so in some ways it’s a ‘double-whammy’.  Not only is it gross and stinky, it may also be dangerous to your family or colleagues.  Knowing what to do in this situation is important.  Eliminating the moisture following the water damage is an essential step to fully address the challenge.   Follow these steps and you should be fine.   The more extensive the affected area, the more important it is for you to hire a qualified, professional mold remediation company.  In the Yorba Linda/ Brea area, there is no better service partner than SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/ Brea.

Since mold needs moisture to live and colonize a new area, the first step is to stop the intrusion of water.  Emergency actions may include turning off the water main, repairing pipes, temporarily closing holes in roofs or walls, pumping water out of buildings, unclogging drains, vacuuming water from materials in buildings, and actively dehumidifying buildings, rooms, or cavities. Appropriate worker protection may be necessary, depending on the source of the water, for example, flood water must be considered septic.

Also, since visible fungal growth can occur within a few days of wetting, to avoid fungal growth on susceptible materials, it is important to dry them quickly. Porous materials can absorb and retain a great deal of water.  Impacted carpeting, drapes and cloth upholstered furniture  all present significant challenges and salvaging these items may not be possible.  Anything made from non-porous materials, however, will not present difficulties after they are dried and cleaned. 

It will be necessary to build containment walls around any areas of the home that have been affected with mold.  This is an important step in order to prevent mold spores from spreading to other parts of the home or business.  These are built using 6mm plastic sheeting and duct tape.  Be certain to place sheeting around all supply and return vents in work areas.  Workers in these areas should be equipped with N95 respirators (avoid inhalation of black mold spores) and should wear special hooded suits, non-vented goggles and rubber gloves that extend to mid-forearm. 

Depending on the extent of the damage, it may be necessary to remove dry wall from the studs to a height of two-feet.  In commercial properties, it may also be necessary to remove insulation from between the metal studs and vacuum out the “C” channels to eliminate any pooled water. 

With all this completed, you’re ready to mist the entire contaminated area.  This will weigh down dust to prevent spreading of mold spores. 

Now it’s time to  bag all wet and moldy materials in plastic 6 mil bags.   Twist the bags closed and ‘goose neck’ (double-over) them.  Close them with duct tape.  Wipe down the outside of the trash bags using a damp cloth (detergent solution).  Its ok to dispose this trash through your weekly trash collection.

With all the trash removed, its time to introduce a HEPA vacuum into the contained area.  Follow this with a cleaning of all surfaces using a damp cloth or mop and detergent solution.

The next step is to thoroughly dry the contaminated area.  This can take up to a week, depending on the extent of damage.  Fans and dehumidifiers are commonly used.  In some occasions, heat may also be increased in the house or business to aid the drying process. 

As you can tell, mold remediation is a tricky business.  Unless you are experienced in it, we recommend hiring a professional, certified, trusted remediation firm to ensure its done properly.  In north Orange County, SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/ Brea is your best source.  The #1 SERVPRO franchise in California, we have been helping families and businesses stop mold in its tracks for over fifteen years.  You can learn more about us at our Yelp page, https://www.yelp.com/biz/SERVPRO-of-yorba-linda-brea-anaheim.  Need help immediately, don’t wait!  Call us at 714-701-0207.

Little Holes Create BIG Problems... But SERVPRO Yorba Linda/ Brea Makes You Feel Like It Never Even Happened!

6/25/2018 (Permalink)

A SERVPRO Yorba Linda/ Brea service tech removes black mold from underneath a customer's sink.

Imagine the excitement one of our customers in Yorba Linda, CA had as he was moving into his new home.  With the inspection contractor’s clean bill of health on his future home, our client proceeded to get his mortgage funded and soon after moved in!  Unfortunately, this particular road to home-ownership bliss had a major pot-hole just around the bend and our client was about to find it.

On moving in, his family discovered a leak under the kitchen sink and, upon completion of testing, they had confirmation.  Black mold.  Not exactly the kind of house warming gift he’d been hoping for! 

SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/ Brea was called in to provide an estimate for mold remediation services.  Our thorough, attention-to-detail follow up confirmed the presence of black mold in several areas throughout the house including the lower cabinets throughout the kitchen, and behind the walls.  Eventually, 80% of the lower kitchen cabinets had to be removed.  Worse, the bathroom on the opposite side of the wall was also positive for black mold.  One bathroom wall also connected with a bedroom closet wall – and more black mold.  Adding to our customer’s troubles, he discovered that his homeowner’s insurance policy did not cover him for black mold related problems.

Instead of day-dreaming of all the fun ways his family could begin living in their new home, our very disappointed customer was having nightmares about the steady rise of all the repair bills! 

Luckily, SERVPRO Yorba Linda/ Brea is dedicated to making our clients feel ‘like it never even happened’. 

We created a workplan that maximized efficiency.  Some of the impacted areas were still wet, and they required water damage restoration.  We built a single containment area that encompassed all impacted areas of the home, installed dehumidifiers and an air scrubber to dry everything out.  Of course, we also completed mold abatement.  Our technicians meticulously wire-brushed and disinfected all impacted areas.  We restored the air quality within the home to EPA standards.

In the end, our swift response, technical expertise, and professionalism made it possible to return our customer to an ‘as good as ever’ state.  We added a little frosting on his cake, too, when we charged him our ‘uninsured’ rates.

SERVPRO’s Checklist for Detecting Mold

3/18/2016 (Permalink)

“You have visible mold." 

These are words no homeowner ever wants to hear. Not only is mold a hassle to remove, but you may have family members who could be affected by it and it may also damage your home. SERVPRO realizes how hazardous mold can be to a home and its residents. That’s why we offer rapid mold removal services. However, there are certain warning signs that all homeowners should take into consideration. We at SERVPRO have compiled a checklist of ways to detect potential mold in their house. 

About Mold 

In order to be able to detect potential mold in your home, it’s important to have an understanding of what mold is. Mold is a fungus that likes to grow in places with lots of moisture. Whether it is a leaking roof or a damaged water pipe, mold can spread anywhere and everywhere inside and outside the home. 

While nobody wants mold in their home, it actually isn’t bad everywhere. In fact, mold plays an important role in nature, as it breaks down dead leaves, plants and trees. However, when it reaches your home and starts to spread, that’s when mold becomes unwelcomed. 

Mold comes in all different shapes and sizes, but the one thing that all molds have in common is its attraction to moisture. Mold loves to grow in wet areas. Because of this, mold will most likely be found in damp places like bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms. But if it’s not caught soon enough, it can spread further and affect all parts of the home. 

How to Detect for Mold 

1. Something smells suspicious. 

Mold has a very distinct smell. The odor typically has a musty or mildew scent to it. When mold is kept contained to one area of your home, you may notice an unpleasant odor when you enter that area. Mold can sometimes live within the walls of your home. This means that while you may not be able to visually detect it, mold can still be growing in your home, so if you smell something strange, this could be a sign of mold presence. 

2. Take a look around your house. 

While not all molds are visible, many of them are. The easiest way to detect mold is by simply taking a look around your house. If you feel like there is a possibility of mold in your home, check out our Home Checklist that covers where you should be on the lookout for mold.   

Spotting for Mold Checklist

1. The colors of mold

When inspecting for mold, it helps to know what kind of colors you should be looking out for. Mold comes in a variety of colors including, green, grey, brown, white and black.  The most common types of mold usually come in the shade of black. 

2. Check water source areas 

Because mold loves to grow in moist areas, it’s a good idea to look around areas where your water comes from. If you check places like your kitchen sink, laundry room, basement and bathroom early enough, you might be able to protect your home from further mold growth. 

3. Look up 

Do you find any water spots on your ceiling? This could possibly mean that you have a condensation or humidity problem. The water spots have most likely been caused by a water leak above the ceiling, which means your house could be the victim of mold.

4. Look down

Just like mold can affect your ceilings, it can also affect your flooring. Moisture, dust and dirt make the perfect landing spot for mold to grow. The biggest trappers of dust are typically carpets and tiles. Carpets contain moisture very well, so if you want to prevent mold, it’s important to consistently inspect your flooring for any water damage.  

5.  Check your walls

Do you have paint peeling or wall discoloration? This is a classic symptom of your wall being exposed to moisture. If you see this, it’s important to really take a closer look at your walls and if necessary, take action immediately. While it might just be the beginning of some tiny mold growth, it could actually be much worse. Mold might be growing behind the wall, and seeing it on the wall’s surface can be a sign that there is a larger problem underneath.

6. Inspect your furniture

There are certain pieces of furniture that molds likes to grab a hold of. Furniture made of wood or other organic materials are common places for mold growth. Upholstered furniture typically holds moisture well, which means it’s a perfect space for mold to grow. One way to prevent mold from reaching your furniture is to keep it away from your walls. If you have mold growing on your walls and your furniture is touching those walls, it is likely that the mold will then grab ahold of your furniture. Because of this, be sure to check inside your cabinets and cupboards as well. 

7. Take a look at your windows

During the colder months, windows and window frames can very easily become the victims of mold growth. Due to the cold outside air, condensation frequently forms on windows, which cools the glass.  If your windows are dirty, the combination of the moisture and grime add up to be a great spot for potential mold to grow. Be sure to clean your windows on a regular basis. Also, check the area around your windows where the frame meets the wall. 

8. Always keep dry clothes

Leaving wet clothes unattended for a long period of time can create mold. Keeping damp towels or wet clothing items for more than a day creates a very good possibility of mold growth. 

9. Call SERVPRO!

If you are unsure as to whether or not there is mold in your home, our SERVPRO team can help! We use various professional moisture detecting tools and equipment to examine whether or not your home is exposed to moisture, which may ultimately show signs of visible mold presence.  

If by chance you discover mold in any area of your home, call SERVPRO today! We are experts in mold remediation and removal. As soon as we receive your call, we are dedicated to making the remediation process as quick and as smooth as possible. The faster we are able to get to your home, the more effective we can be in removing any signs of mold. 

The Do’s and Don’ts While You Wait

When it is determined a mold remediation is needed in your home, a mold remediation , the hardest part can be waiting for the removal process to be completed. While it might be difficult, there are certain things that should and should not do while you wait:

Do…

-Stay out of affected areas.

-Turn off the HVAC system and fans.

-Contact a SERVPRO Franchise Professional for mold remediation services.

Don’t…

-Touch or disturb the mold. 

-Blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth. 

-Attempt to dry the area yourself.

-Spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

How to Prevent Mold in the Future

Once the mold is removed from your home, there are certain things homeowners can look for to prevent mold growth in the future: Here are a few tips on how to prevent mold in the future:

1. Be weary of indoor humidity.

Higher than normal indoor humidity can support the growth of mold in a home. We recommend homeowners to keep the indoor humidity below 45 percent. 

2. Clean up wet and water damaged areas as soon as possible. 

Whether it’s a simple water spill or a disastrous flood, it is important to respond immediately to the potential water damage. The sooner you can dry up those water-damaged areas, the more likely you can prevent mold from growing in your home. As soon as you discover the water damage, give SERVPRO a call, as we also specialize in water damage remediation as well. 

3. Repair your home’s gutters.

If the mold originated from a leaking roof, it is possible that there might be an issue with your gutters. In the future, be sure to clean them on a regular basis. If the damage is severe, you might need to repair or purchase new gutters all together. 

4. Increase the airflow in your home.

As the cold winter temperatures start to kick in, the air doesn’t hold as much moisture as it does in the warmer months. That leaves the extra moisture to appear on your walls, windows, floors and other surfaces in your home. To prevent this from happening, it is essential to have good airflow in your home. Open doors throughout your home and move your furniture away from walls to let fresh air in and prevent the possibility of mold forming in your home. 

Mold in a home will never be welcomed. It smells, it may be hazardous to our health and can be just plain gross. We at SERVPRO are dedicated to helping our customers completely remove mold in a home. If you discover mold in your house, contact SERVPRO today!  

Not Sure If Mold Is Affecting Your Home? This Checklist Can Help.

1/12/2016 (Permalink)

“You have mold.” 

These are words no homeowner ever wants to hear. Not only is mold a hassle to remove, but if it’s not removed properly, it can also cause serious health problems and damage to a home. SERVPRO realizes how hazardous mold can be to a home and its residents. That’s why we offer excellent mold removal services. However, there are certain warning signs that all homeowners should take into consideration. We at SERVPRO have compiled a checklist of ways to detect mold in their house. 

About Mold 

In order to be able to detect mold in your home, it’s important to have a strong understanding of what mold is exactly. Mold is a fungus that likes to grow in places with lots of moisture. Whether it is a leaking roof or a damaged water pipe, mold can spread anywhere and everywhere inside and outside the home. 

While nobody wants mold in their home, it actually isn’t bad everywhere. In fact, mold plays an important role in nature, as it breaks down dead leaves, plants and trees. However, when it reaches your home and starts to spread, that’s when mold becomes unwelcomed. 

Mold comes in all different shapes and sizes, but the one thing that all molds have in common is its attraction to moisture. Mold loves to grow in wet areas. Because of this, mold will most likely be found in damp places like bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms. But if it’s not caught soon enough, it can spread further and affect all parts of the home. 

How to Detect for Mold 

1. Something smells suspicious. 

Mold has a very distinct smell. The odor typically has a musty or mildew scent to it. When mold is kept contained to one area of your home, you may notice an unpleasant odor when you enter that area. Mold can sometimes live within the walls of your home. This means that while you may not be able to visually detect it, mold can still be growing in your home, so if you smell something strange, this could be a sign of mold. 

2. It might not just be seasonal allergies. 

While it might seem like you only have a little winter cold, you might want to think again. A symptom of mold is that it can oftentimes leave you feeling sick. Depending on how sensitive you are to mold, exposure to mold can cause a runny nose, sneezing, red eyes, skin rashes, shortness of breath and other respiratory issues.

3. Take a look around your house. 

While not all molds are visible, many of them are. The easiest way to detect mold is by simply taking a look around your house. If you feel like there is a possibility of mold in your home, check out our Home Checklist that covers where you should be on the lookout for mold.   

Spotting for Mold Checklist

1. The colors of mold

When inspecting for mold, it helps to know what kind of colors you should be looking out for. Mold comes in a variety of colors including, green, grey, brown, white and black.  The most common types of mold usually come in the shade of black. 

2. Check water source areas 

Because mold loves to grow in moist areas, it’s a good idea to look around areas where your water comes from. If you check places like your kitchen sink, laundry room, basement and bathroom early enough, you might be able to protect your home from further mold growth. 

3. Look up 

Do you find any water spots on your ceiling? This could possibly mean that you have a condensation or humidity problem. The water spots have most likely been caused by a water leak above the ceiling, which means your house could be the victim of mold.

4. Look down

Just like mold can affect your ceilings, it can also affect your flooring. Moisture, dust and dirt make the perfect landing spot for mold to grow. The biggest trappers of dust are typically carpets and tiles. Carpets contain moisture very well, so if you want to prevent mold, it’s important to consistently inspect your flooring for any water damage.  

5.  Check your walls

Do you have paint peeling or wall discoloration? This is a classic symptom of your wall being exposed to moisture. If you see this, it’s important to really take a closer look at your walls and if necessary, take action immediately. While it might just be the beginning of some tiny mold growth, it could actually be much worse. Mold might be growing behind the wall, and seeing it on the wall’s surface can be a sign that there is a larger problem underneath.

6. Inspect your furniture

There are certain pieces of furniture that molds likes to grab a hold of. Furniture made of wood or other organic materials are common places for mold growth. Upholstered furniture typically holds moisture well, which means it’s a perfect space for mold to grow. One way to prevent mold from reaching your furniture is to keep it away from your walls. If you have mold growing on your walls and your furniture is touching those walls, it is likely that the mold will then grab ahold of your furniture. Because of this, be sure to check inside your cabinets and cupboards as well. 

7. Take a look at your windows

During the colder months, windows and window frames can very easily become the victims of mold growth. Due to the cold outside air, condensation frequently forms on windows, which cools the glass.  If your windows are dirty, the combination of the moisture and grime add up to be a great spot for potential mold to grow. Be sure to clean your windows on a regular basis. Also, check the area around your windows where the frame meets the wall. 

8. Always keep dry clothes

Leaving wet clothes unattended for a long period of time can create mold. Keeping damp towels or wet clothing items for more than a day creates a very good possibility of mold growth. 

9. Call SERVPRO!

If you are unsure as to whether or not there is mold in your home, our SERVPRO team can help! We use various professional testing tools and equipment to examine whether or not your house has been exposed to mold. 

If by chance you discover mold in any area of your home, call SERVPRO today! We are experts in mold remediation and removal. As soon as we receive your call, we are dedicated to making the remediation process as quick and as smooth as possible. The faster we are able to get to your home, the more affective we can be in removing any signs of mold. 

SERVPRO’s Mold Remediation Process

The process of removing mold from your home depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears to be. We use certain antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. Depending on the severity of the mold damage, SERVPRO will remove mold-infested pieces like drywall and carpeting if needed. 

The Do’s and Don’ts While You Wait

When it is determined that you do in fact have mold in your home, the hardest part can be waiting for the removal process to be completed. While it might be difficult, there are certain things that should and should not do while you wait:

Do…

-Stay out of affected areas.

-Turn off the HVAC system and fans.

-Contact a SERVPRO Franchise Professional for mold remediation services.

Don’t…

-Touch or disturb the mold. 

-Blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth. 

-Attempt to dry the area yourself.

-Spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

How to Prevent Mold in the Future

Once the mold is removed from your home, there are certain things homeowners can do to help make sure that the mold does not come back. Here are a few tips on how to prevent mold in the future:

1. Be weary of indoor humidity.

Higher than normal indoor humidity can support the growth of mold in a home. We recommend homeowners to keep the indoor humidity below 45 percent. 

2. Clean up wet and water damaged areas as soon as possible. 

Whether it’s a simple water spill or a disastrous flood, it is important to respond immediately to the potential water damage. The sooner you can dry up those water damaged areas, the more likely you can prevent mold from coming pack into your home. As soon as you discover the water damage, give SERVPRO a call, as we also specialize in water damage remediation as well. 

3. Repair your home’s gutters.

If the mold originated from a leaking roof, it is possible that there might be an issue with your gutters. In the future, be sure to clean them on a regular basis. If the damage is severe, you might need to repair or purchase new gutters all together. 

4. Increase the airflow in your home.

As the cold winter temperatures start to kick in, the air doesn’t hold as much moisture as it does in the warmer months. That leaves the extra moisture to appear on your walls, windows, floors and other surfaces in your home. To prevent this from happening, it is essential to have good airflow in your home. Open doors throughout your home and move your furniture away from walls to let fresh air in and prevent the possibility of mold forming in your home. 

Mold in a home will never be welcomed. It smells, it’s hazardous to our health and can be just plain gross. We at SERVPRO understand that and are dedicated to helping our customers completely remove any and all types of mold in a home. If you discover mold in your house, contact SERVPRO today!  

4 Tips for Detecting Mold in Your Home

11/9/2015 (Permalink)

When left undetected, Mold can grow and leave damaging effects on a home. For something so potent, it would be helpful to know how to detect it as soon as possible.  SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea is happy to share 4 tips that can help you uncover mold in your home. 

1. Be on the look out.

Many types of mold are visible with the naked eye, so always be on the look out for mold in your home. Typical colors of mold include grey, white, green or black. 

2. What does your house smell like?  

Oftentimes, homeowners have hidden molds and don’t realize it. However, if your house smells like mold or mildew, it can be a good indicator of a hidden mold residing in your home. 

3. Check humidity levels. 

Mold is caused by the presence of too much moisture or water. Typically, there is an excess of moisture when it’s cold. Because of this, it is important to keep humidity levels below 40 percent. At this level, mold growth is slowed down and can be prevented. 

4. Check for flooding or leaks.

If your home has been exposed to flooding or leaks, there is a good chance that your home might have mold growth. After any flood or leak, be sure to search for possible signs of mold. 

If for any reason you find mold growing in your home, please don’t hesitate to give SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea a call today. We are happy to take care of any and all mold remediation projects you may have. 

Flood Damage in Brea Means Help from SERVPRO

9/22/2015 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea, we often get flood damage reports from residential homes. But that’s not all we do. In fact, we offer a multitude of services; whether it’s water damage, mold remediation, asbestos abatements or anything in between. More than that, we don’t just do residential homes, we serve businesses and commercial buildings as well. So no matter your restoration needs, SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea is here to help. 

A business in Brea, CA recently contacted us about issues they were having at their office. They found that the women’s bathroom smelled like it was starting to grow mold. Unsure of how to handle the situation, the owner called SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea after a quick search online to find the best restoration company. They knew their bathrooms could be suffering from flood damage, mold damage or both. 

As soon as we received the call, we sent our Project Manager to perform an inspection. In the two-story building, there was a women’s restroom upstairs and directly below it was the men’s restroom. Mold from previous water damage was found in the walls of both locations. Our Project Manager called our technicians out to the scene to start the work and make sure everything was done quickly and efficiently.

We ended up removing drywall, insulation and sinks in the women’s restroom as well as drywall and sinks in the men’s. From there, we sanded all the studs to ensure no more mold grew from the water damage. We even called an environmental company to get our work double checked. We set up some air movers to clean everything up for good and finished the job.

The owner was so happy with our work. She complemented us on our cleanliness and efficiency with the mold and knew she would be calling again if the situation ever arose! 

Previous Water Damage Means Mold in San Juan Capistrano

9/15/2015 (Permalink)

Leaving water damage alone in a home or assuming it will dry on its own is a great way to start mold growth. That’s why it is so important to call a professional restoration company if your home has been through any sort of pipe leak. When mold spores start growing, they can release into the air and get into the lungs of you and anyone in your family. When that happens, you or your family members could be at risk for serious illnesses. Give SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea a call today if you have any sort of water damage that needs to be addressed.

One San Juan Capistrano homeowner recently called us with a mold complaint. They had water damage in their home that they didn’t know about until one day when they noticed a musty smell. They lifted a little bit of carpet and found some mold, so they knew they would need the help of a professional restoration company. A quick Google search had them finding SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea’s name and phenomenal reviews. 

They gave us a call and we immediately sent out our Project Manager, Chris Trejo. Chris performed the initial inspection and found mold in four separate rooms. He knew it would be a job that SERVPRO could handle, so he called the Crew Chief, Nathan Rodriguez, and had him lead a team of our expert technicians to the home.

The team got to work immediately. They removed all the affected drywall and flooring, of course, but then to take more preventative measures, we sprayed an antimicrobial agent so no further mold could grow. From there, we set up an air mover to get the air clean of any spores that may have still been in the air.

The homeowners were so happy with the work we did. They knew they made the right decision by calling SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea. They know now their home is safe from mold spores and their family can breathe with ease. 

SERVPRO Saves Kitchen From Mold

8/3/2015 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea not only deals with the effects of water damage, but can also take care of any mold found in your home due to water damage or from other sources. Mold is a huge health hazard that is also incredibly common and it should be dealt with thoroughly and as quickly as possible. Luckily, mold remediation is something we specialize in here at SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea and we can help you with any of your mold remediation needs.

One recent customer, who lives and works in Rancho Cucamonga, found out just how thorough SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea is when it comes to mold remediation. After being referred to us over the Internet through the Google search engine when searching for the best way to deal with mold, this customer self-paid to have SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea do their customary mold remediation for their affected kitchen.

The Project Manager for this job was Chris Trejo, who quickly assessed the home and knew that SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea could help with mold remediation. He had SERVPRO’s expert technicians sent out to Rancho Cucamonga as soon as possible to deal with the issue. 

Once they arrived, they did a thorough scan of the house and mold was found in the kitchen cabinets from previous water damage, which is a common occurrence that homeowners should watch out for. To deal with the problem of mold, SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea had all of the affected cabinets removed. The SERVPRO technicians also set up dehumidifiers to remove any more potential for mold as part of our mold remediation technique.

The Rancho Cucamonga homeowner was incredibly pleased with SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea’s dedication to mold remediation and the fact that we prevented future mold from forming. They promised that the next time they dealt with mold, they’d call SERVPRO for our quick and easy mold remediation services!

SERVPRO Saves Family Home

7/29/2015 (Permalink)

Water damage and mold can be scary problems, especially when you have a child. Mold is a big health hazard and should be taken care of as quickly as possible to ensure your family’s safety. One single mom in Irvine, CA knew the importance of eradicating mold.

She had found mold in her home because the upstairs neighbor in her complex had a water heater leak that eventually leaked into our client’s home. She found SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea through Yelp, the online review service. After noticing SERVPRO’s great ratings and reviews, she called us with concerns over mold. She was very concerned for her child’s safety. The mom and baby moved in to a hotel due to safety concerns as SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea took care of the problem. 

After we received the call, we immediately sent out our Production Manager, Jonathan Arcila, to the family’s home. He did an initial inspection and immediately knew that SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea would be able to come out and save the day. He called our Crew Chief, Waldo Roman, to get to the client’s house with his crew of technicians to start the job as soon as possible.

But mom wasn’t the only one concerned. Her uncle also asked SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea to keep him constantly updated as we took on the mold problem, which we were happy to do. The carpet, padding and drywall were all removed in response to the water damage. The studs were also sanded and a disinfectant was applied for the mold as part of SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea’s treatment.   

The tenant, and her uncle, were both incredibly happy with the work of SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea. SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea ensured the safety of the young child, as well as each and every member of the family.

Concerned Homeowner Calls SERVPRO about Mold

7/22/2015 (Permalink)

Sometimes being overly cautious can end up saving you a ton of money. Especially when it comes to mold, caution is key. Catching mold early will help save on the costs of damage. So if you or anyone you know notices mold growth, the best idea is to get it checked out. Much better safe than sorry in the long run!

A tenant in Rancho Santa Margarita recently noticed a little bit of mold in his laundry room. It almost looked like laundry lint, but the tenant was skeptical. He contacted the property manager, who came out to look at the mold and did not believe it to be a big deal. The manager wanted to leave it alone, but the tenant insisted on further help. He was worried for the safety of himself and his wife.

The manager called SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea to come out and take a look. We sent out our Project Manager, Jonathan Arcila, to the job to investigate. Sure enough, he found a lot more mold than the property manager thought. So much that we decided to call out an environmental company to test and see if the mold was airborne.

They tested and found that there were mold spores in the air, on the furniture, and even on the clothing of the tenants. Because of this, SERVPRO went in and performed a complete mold remediation. This included cleaning the clothes and furniture of the tenants.

The tenants were so happy with the work of SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea. They knew their insistence on double checking the mold would prove to be necessary, and they were glad SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea had their backs. They promised to call again if any similar mold or water damage came up!

Mother’s Day Mold in Packed Home

5/26/2015 (Permalink)

Over time, we all tend to accumulate a lot of “things.” Whether those things refer to furniture, collections, pictures, boxes, etc., our houses can get fuller as we get older. Sometimes, our homes get too full to be safe. When boxes and stacks of magazines start blocking walls and doors, it is a safety hazard for you, the homeowner, but it makes things more difficult if something dangerous were to happen in the home.

For one homeowner in Laguna Hills, a packed home created mold damage that became difficult to remove. The elderly couple did not like to throw away anything that came with a great memory, so instead they had filled their home with them. Over time, there were so many objects in their home that it became difficult for them to maneuver their electric walkers.

They had a plumber out one day checking on a pipe, and the plumber found mold in their walls. The couple had a cat that was currently undergoing chemotherapy, so when they found out there was mold, they knew the health of themselves and their cat could be in danger. The plumber told them to call a mold remediation company to get the job taken care of.

She found SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea from their insurance company and gave us a call. We made it out to the home within 90 minutes. We told the couple that we needed to start work immediately, but since it was the weekend of Mother’s Day, the couple preferred we come back on Monday.

When we got back on Monday and moved some boxes out of the way, we noticed water damage in addition to the mold. The couple had not noticed that there was so much mold and water damage because the home had been so full of storage boxes. We worked to help them remove the boxes from their home so we could get the job done, then we performed a mold remediation on the home to ensure the safety of the owners.

The couple was so pleased with how quickly we responded and how great our work was. We were able to work quickly and restore the air quality of the home, making sure both the couple and the cat were safe from the mold. 

Mold is Discovered in an Attic in a Brea, CA Home

2/24/2015 (Permalink)

A Brea, CA homeowner never spent much time in his attic and was unaware that it was not ventilated properly. It seemed as though when the home was built, the builders did not build the attic correctly to have proper ventilation. This led to stagnant air and moisture that caused mold to begin to grow in the attic. The homeowner noticed this one day when he went into his attic and was confronted by a horrible stale smell. Knowing he should have the issue checked out by a professional, he performed a Yelp search to find the best mold removal company in the area. He quickly discovered that SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea was the mold clean up company to call. 

After receiving his call, SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea sent out Production Manager, Jonathan Arcila, to the home. He was sent right away because of the health hazards that mold poses. Our team did not want to waste any time in removing the mold from the customer’s home. Jonathan arrived at the home to inspect the damage and assess what needed to be done. Once he determined the necessity for mold clean up, he called out our Crew Chief, Jose Melgar. Jose arrived with his team of mold clean up experts to get started on the removal right away.

The team immediately set up dehumidifiers and an air scrubber in the attic to get rid of any mold spores lingering in the air. The team then began to remove any mold-infested areas of the attic. They worked quickly and efficiently to make the home and the attic mold free in a matter of days. 

Once the project was complete, the homeowner assured us he was going to have the ventilation fixed in the attic so that the problem did not occur again. He was grateful we were able to come to his home on such short notice to be able to remove the mold and make his home a safe place to live once again. Our team of professional mold clean up experts were happy to provide excellent service to this customer. 

A Backyard Flood Leads to Mold in a Yorba Linda, CA Home

2/18/2015 (Permalink)

A homeowner in Yorba Linda, CA accidentally left her sprinklers on in the backyard for too long and the backyard began to flood. The water flowed towards the house and began seeping into one of the bedrooms. It soaked the carpeting and caused some water damage at the base of the wall. The homeowner tried to sop up the water with towels and did her best to dry out the carpet. Then, a few months later, she noticed a musty smell in the bedroom. She could not think of what it could be at first, but then a friend suggested it could be mold from the small flood. Worried about mold in her home, she called the professional mold clean up experts at SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea.

We sent out our Production Manager, Jonathan Arcila, to the home to take a look at the water damage and inspect for mold. Jonathan discovered that mold was indeed growing under the carpet and mold clean up was necessary. He called out our Crew Chief, Jose Melgar, to the home along with his team of experts to begin the mold clean up.

The team worked quickly to remove all the mold from the bedroom and then set up dehumidifiers and air scrubbers to remove any remaining mold spores from the home. The team wanted to be sure that there were no spores in the air or on the floor that could potentially lead to more growth. 

Once the project was complete, the homeowner could not believe how efficient we were and how professional our team was. She was grateful we were able to come out and completely remove the mold even though it had been so long since the flooding occurred. She was thankful that we were able to keep her family safe by removing all of the mold and getting her home back to its normal, healthy condition.

Mold in an Old Home in Brea, CA Makes the Homeowner Sick

2/13/2015 (Permalink)

A homeowner in Brea, CA lived in a very old home.  Over a period of time, he began experiencing some serious bouts of illness and could not determine why he was getting sick so often.  He finally went to see a doctor to determine what the reason could be and if there was anything he could do to prevent himself from continuing to get sick.  The doctor explained that if he lived in an old home, there could be mold spores in the home that were causing him to get sick.  The homeowner decided to call SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea as soon as he got home from the doctor.  He wanted us to come and see if we could detect any mold in his home to determine if this was the reason for his illnesses.

We sent our Production Manager, Jonathan Arcila, to the home the same day.  He did not want to delay any mold clean-up because mold is hazardous to your health.  He didn’t want this customer to have to suffer any more than he already had.  When he arrived, he performed a thorough inspection of the home and detected mold throughout the entire home.  He was confident we would be able to complete the mold clean-up for him and sent our Crew Chief, Waldo Roman, to the home with his team of professionals to start the mold clean up right away.

The team worked quickly and efficiently to remove all of the mold from the home.  They wanted to get the job done as fast as they could so that the homeowner could get back into his home and live in a safe, mold-free environment.  Our team finished the job quickly and ended by setting up air scrubbers to ensure there were no remaining mold spores in the air of the home.  They wanted to be as complete and thorough as possible. 

When the team was finished with the mold clean-up, the homeowner was thrilled with their hard and professional work.  He was very thankful they were able to remove the mold quickly allowing him to get back into his home in a short amount of time.

Mold is Discovered Under the Floors in a Yorba Linda, CA Business

1/28/2015 (Permalink)

A Yorba Linda, CA business owner was preparing to have new hardwood floors installed in his building. He hired a team of carpenters to come and remove the old flooring to prepare for the new. When the carpenters began their work, they removed the old hardwood uncovering the flooring beneath. They discovered that the flooring was covered in mold. The business owner was shocked and could not believe all of that mold could be growing without his knowledge. 

The carpenters, however, had seen this before and recommended he call SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea to perform mold removal. He called us right away, and we sent our Production Manager, Chris Trejo, to the business to check out the severity of the mold. He determined our services were needed for the mold removal, and he sent out our Crew Chief, Waldo Roman, to the business along with his team of mold removal experts. 

The team got to work right away to remove all the mold from the floors. They quickly removed any damaged areas of flooring and then set up air scrubbers to remove any mold spores from the air. This ensured the safety of the employees and anyone else who came into the building and also helped to prevent the re-growth of mold anywhere else. 

Thanks to the quick work of our team, the mold was removed in no time. The building was ready for the carpentry team to come back in and install the new hardwood flooring after just a couple of days. The business owner was pleased with our quick and professional work and was very happy with our efficiency. He was very happy we were done quickly so he could get his new hardwood floors installed in a timely manner.

An Old Flood Causes Mold in a Yorba Linda, CA Home

1/21/2015 (Permalink)

A particular home in Yorba Linda, CA with hardwood floors was affected by a small flood a few months prior. The flood had been cleaned by the homeowner, but they had not called a professional for the water removal. One morning, the owner of the home noticed that there was a musty and stale smell. He was not sure where the smell was coming from, but he knew there was a possibility of mold because of the flood. He couldn’t see any mold though, so he thought it would be best to call the professional mold removal experts at SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea to take a look. 

We sent our Production Manager, Jonathan Arcila, to investigate the smell. He looked around the building for some time to figure out what was causing the odor, and he soon realized that mold had been growing in some of the cracks in the hardwood floor and the water had wicked up the walls along the perimeter. Because the homeowner did not originally hire professionals to remove the water, some was missed and caused mold.

Because of the health threats mold poses, we wanted to take care of the situation as soon as possible. Jonathan called our Crew Chief, Jose Melgar, to come to the home with his team of mold removal experts. They began the mold removal process right away. They worked quickly and efficiently to remove the threat of mold from the home and to ensure the people living in the home would not have to move out. Once the mold was removed, the team set up air scrubbers and dehumidifiers to remove any remaining mold spores from the air and any extra moisture. 

Thanks to SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea, the mold removal was a success. The job was completed in just a few days and the homeowner was very thankful for our hard work and timely completion of the project. 

Mold is Found in a Bathroom by a Brea Business Owner

11/13/2014 (Permalink)

Our customer, a Brea business owner, was recently cleaning out the cabinets in one the bathrooms and discovered mold growing on the wall behind the cabinets.  He immediately became concerned for the health of his employees and customers.  He was aware that mold could cause allergy-like symptoms and other respiratory issues.  He did not want to put anyone in danger, so he performed a quick search on Yelp.  The results showed him that SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea was the best company to perform mold removal.  He picked up the phone and called us right away.

We were able to send our Production Manager, Jonathan Arcila, to the business that same afternoon.  Once he arrived, he was able to determine that mold was, indeed, growing in the bathroom, and mold removal needed to be performed quickly.  We then sent our Crew Chief, Jose Melgar, and his experienced crew to the business to start the mold removal process.  

They began by removing all of the affected drywall.  This allowed them to start the mold removal and disinfection process that was necessary to eliminate the mold from the building.  Seeing the drywall removed, the business owner was nervous that our presence would affect his revenue.  Jose was able to assure him that we would only be touching the affected areas and that we would complete the process in no time; the owner would still be able to run his business effectively and safely throughout the mold removal process.

The customer was happy with the open line of communication Jose provided.  The customer knew everything that was going on in his building and was comforted knowing he had a great crew of professionals in his building.  Overall, he was thrilled with our service and the excellent work we did in completing the mold removal. 

Mold Removal in a Brea, CA Apartment Complex

11/13/2014 (Permalink)

One of the tenants in a Brea, CA apartment complex had been experiencing allergy-like symptoms for some time.  After a few months of suffering, she decided to go to the doctor to see what could be done.  Her doctor suggested the symptoms could have been caused by mold in her living environment.  Concerned, our customer contacted her apartment manager right away. 

The apartment manager wanted to have some samples taken from the complex and tested for mold.  When the results came back positive for mold, he immediately called SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea.  We sent our Production Manager, Jonathan Arcila, to the complex to inspect the area and determine the extent of the mold contamination.  He determined that the mold damage was extensive in the old complex and immediate mold removal was necessary. 

Sometimes, old buildings provide the perfect living environment for mold, and the conditions allow it to grow and spread.  It is important to investigate any evidence of mold because it can lead to serious health issues.  Our customer found out first hand how mold can cause allergy-like symptoms.  In addition to allergies, mold can also cause skin and eye irritations and other respiratory issues.  To prevent any other people living in the complex from experiencing any of these symptoms, we sent our Crew Chief, Jose Melgar, to the property as soon as possible to begin the mold removal process. 

The apartment manager appreciated the constant contact he had with Jose and was impressed with our timely and quality work.  He was also happy we could send such a large team with Jose to complete the mold removal quickly and keep his tenants safe and healthy.  Even the tenants were pleased with how quickly we finished the mold removal project, and they said our service was excellent. 

Mold Removal after Water Damage Occurs in a Yorba Linda, CA Home

9/26/2014 (Permalink)

Mold Removal after Water Damage Occurs in a Yorba Linda, CA Home

A customer was in the process of selling his home when his realtor noticed a musty smell during a showing.  The customer had had water damage in the past and had already had a restoration company come to repair it.  To find out the extent of the issue that still existed, the realtor contacted a laboratory to test for mold spores in the home.  The test results came back positive for elevated mold spores in the home.

Mold poses a serious health threat that would certainly hinder the home from being sold if the issue was not taken care of.  The homeowner did not want the mold to affect him or his family or any of the people coming to look at his house, so he knew he needed to call out a professional water damage restoration company.  The lab recommended SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea to do the water damage restoration because they knew of our quality work. Christian Trejo performed the inspection of the water damage and provided a competitive estimate. Many bids were considered, but when factoring in our competitive prices, our highly regarded name and the professionalism and thoroughness during Chris’s initial response, the homeowner was happy to choose SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea, and we began work immediately.  

The homeowner and the realtor were very happy with our highly recommended water damage restoration and mold removal services.  We set up our drying equipment the very next day to begin the process.  We worked quickly and diligently because we knew our customer was in the process of selling the house and every day was precious time for him.  Our professional crew was able to completely remove the mold spores, allowing the sale of the house to proceed.  The homeowner could not have been more thrilled with our work!

Water and Mold are found in a Yorba Linda, CA Home

9/26/2014 (Permalink)

Water and Mold are found in a Yorba Linda, CA Home

A customer recently had a toilet leak in his upstairs bathroom that led to water damage in the downstairs bathroom as well.  When the leak first occurred, he called a plumber to have the toilet looked at and fixed.  The plumber removed a small section of the ceiling in the downstairs bathroom to repair the leak.  When he did so, he noticed a small area with visible mold that had begun growing due to the leak.  It was at this point that the customer realized he needed to call the water removal heroes at SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea.

When our crew arrived, they noticed there was moisture and mold on the bathroom ceiling.  The owner of the property was concerned about liability issues and wanted us to complete the water removal process as quickly as possible to ensure the mold did not spread and harm her tenants.  Our customer, the tenant, was concerned about the amount of time it would take for the water removal process because he had a family event scheduled at the home that weekend, and he and his guests needed access to the bathroom.  We ensured them both that the process would be done as quickly as possible and that we would start immediately.  

We began by removing the affected area of the ceiling and cleaning up the area with a biocide to kill the harmful, health hazardous mold that was growing.  We were able to almost finish the job before the tenant’s event, but his guests never knew we weren’t done.  Before they arrived, we removed all of our drying equipment to open up access to the bathroom for the guests.  When the event was over, we set everything back up to continue with the end of our water removal process.  

The customer was thrilled with our ability to work around his event and his schedule.  He was happy with our superior work and was thankful we were able to remove the mold from his home.

Mold Removal After a Leak in a Yorba Linda, CA Home

9/26/2014 (Permalink)

Mold Removal After a Leak in a Yorba Linda, CA Home

A customer called us because he had caused accidental water damage to the unit below him, and it was causing water damage on the ceiling in the garage.  We sent our Production Manager, Jonathan Arcila, to perform a free inspection and assessment for the customer.  When he arrived, he noticed that the garage ceiling was heavily saturated with water and that visible mold had begun to grow because the damage had been left for over ten days without any form of water damage restoration being performed.  Luckily, the customer called the professional water damage restoration heroes at SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea to perform excellent water and mold removal services.

The customer was concerned because he stored his valuable cars in the garage and did not want anything to happen to them.  We first needed to stabilize the ceiling because it was so damaged that it threatened to collapse.  We knew that the damage had caused an issue with the integrity of the structure, and we wanted to take care of it immediately to ensure no one got hurt.  The customer wanted us to begin right away and work as quickly as possible because he knew his cars would have to be parked on the street during the water damage restoration, and he was concerned that something could happen to them.  Our crew understood his concern and quickly got to work.

We worked closely with his insurance company to obtain all of the necessary approvals for completion of the water damage restoration process.  The customer was extremely satisfied with our ability to completely restore the water damage and do so in a short amount of time.  Our work was professional and allowed our customer to return his cars safely to his garage very quickly.  He was thankful for our hard work and willingness to work within his timeframe.  

Mold Removal in a Yorba Linda, CA Bathroom

9/11/2014 (Permalink)

A recent customer was concerned that mold could be growing in her two bathrooms.  She knew that mold was a serious problem to have, and in order to be sure that everything was inspected thoroughly, she called the mold removal experts and heroes at SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea.  

When our representative arrived at the home, he performed an inspection of both of the bathrooms and found visible mold and water damage in both areas.  Because the customer had done some research about mold, she was well aware of the health hazards that are caused by mold.  She has children in her home and was particularly concerned for their health.  Mold can cause respiratory issues and is especially dangerous to children and the elderly.  

Our representative, Edgar Orozco, ensured the customer that the affected areas of her home would be sealed off so that the mold contamination did not spread to the rest of the house.  He calmed her nerves in telling her that the rest of the house would be a safe place for her and her children to be living.  Edgar then placed an air scrubber in the bathrooms to restore the air quality in those rooms.  This would allow him to return the bathrooms to a safe breathing environment.  

Our customer was very happy with Edgar’s expertise and professionalism.  She knew that our crew would do a superior job in addressing the water damage and removing the mold.  She was extremely thankful that she was updated daily on the progress of the removal process and felt at peace knowing that her home would once again be a safe place for her and her family to be living.  She could not thank our heroic crew enough for their thorough and professional work.

Mold is Discovered and Removed in a Yorba Linda, CA Home

9/11/2014 (Permalink)

A homeowner was in her kitchen and noticed there was some mold under her sink.  She had had a mold problem in the past and had used SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea to complete the mold remediation.  When she discovered mold for a second time, she immediately thought to call our mold removal heroes again. 

She first had a plumber out to find out if she had a leak that could be causing the mold growth.  The plumber did not find a leak, but the presence of mold was evident.  The customer was concerned that there was more mold than just what she could see, so she knew she needed the professionals to come and take a look.  When we arrived, we inspected the damaged area of her kitchen and sure enough, the mold growth was more extensive than what the customer could see.  Water damage was seeping up the wall and extended two feet above the mold. 

The extent of the mold growth concerned our customer because she had heard of all of the health risks mold poses.  She did not want to get sick or expose anyone else to the mold growing in her home.  She expressed the urgency of the issue to our representative, Jonathan Arcila, and was very pleased when he had a team arrive the very next day to begin the removal process.  He explained, in detail, the mold removal process to keep the customer informed.  She was very pleased with his professionalism and willingness to help her in every way.  He was even able to ensure that his crew would protect her cabinets and flooring during the removal process.  He assured her her home would be back to its normal, healthy state in no time. 

The customer was thrilled to be in a mold free home in just a short amount of time.  The mold removal was completed quickly and our customer could not have been happier with the professional crew and exceptional service she was provided by SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea.

Mold is Discovered During a Remodel in a Yorba Linda, CA Home

9/11/2014 (Permalink)

Yorba Linda, CA homeowners had just begun an expensive remodel in their home when their contractors discovered visible mold damage in addition to extensive water damage on a few walls.  The affected areas were located in the formal living room and in the bathroom.  The remodel work could not continue with the home in its current condition.  Both the homeowners and the construction crew were in danger of inhaling mold spores which are a potential health risk.  Knowing that the remodel could not continue in an unsafe environment, the homeowners frantically searched for a mold remediation company to come in and work quickly to get their remodel back on track.  They decided to call the professional heroes at SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea to take care of the mold and the water damage.

The property was inspected by our representative, Jonathan Arcila, who determined the water damage was caused by the water heater located in the garage.  The water had then spread through the inside of the walls.  Unfortunately, the water damage was extensive.  But luckily for the customers, they were in the best hands.  Jonathan described the entire mold removal process to his concerned customers who were worried about getting their remodel completed and making their home mold free.  He assured them both that the SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea crew would quickly return their home to a safe and clean place for them to live and for the contractor to re-enter and continue work. 

Once the mold remediation and water damage clean-up were completed, the customers expressed their gratitude to the SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea crew for their rapid response in an emergency situation.  Their professional work met the customers needs in every way and the customers could not have been happier to return to their mold free home.  They were ready to enjoy their summer vacation in mold free, water damage free, and newly remodeled home.  Their remodel was back on track in no time, especially because our crew gave them daily updates on their progress, allowing the customer to know precisely when to have their contractor return.  We brought back their peace of mind and they had complete confidence in our work.  

Mold Remediation in Brea due to a Condensation Line Leak

9/4/2014 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation in Brea due to a Condensation Line Leak

The presence of moisture for an extended period of time can lead to mold growth.  And if enough time has passed, the mold can begin to spread.  This is exactly what happened to a Brea, CA homeowner, and SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea, a mold remediation company, was available to come in and resolve the situation quickly.

When this customer’s master bathroom was being built, the contractor left her HVAC condensation line to drain under the bathroom sink.  This meant that every time the customer turned on her HVAC unit, the condensation line would leak water into her cabinet and onto the wall.  The leak went unnoticed for months until finally the family noticed that some of their baseboards were warped and pulling away from the wall in the family room.  In addition, a musty odor was present near the warped baseboards. 

The odor concerned the homeowner, who believed there could be mold growing due to the leak.  Visible mold was discovered behind her kitchen cabinets and was also present in the bathroom and family room.  The homeowner was told by her plumber that the leak had originated under the sink in the bathroom and a mold mitigation was necessary due to the extent.  Mold can cause health effects of anyone breathing in the spores, so it is important a mold remediation is performed timely.  To protect her family, the homeowner then called SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea to perform the mold remediation. 

The water damage in the family room was of great concern to the customer because she had expensive hardwood flooring that was affected by the leak.  SERVPRO water damage professionals were able to completely dry out the affected floorboards and save the customer thousands of dollars in replacement costs.  Our Crew Chief, Cesar Arcila, was also able to protect the rest of the unaffected wood flooring to prevent any damages.  The customer was extremely appreciative of Cesar going above and beyond caring for the protection of her flooring.

Our customer was appreciative of SERVPRO’s ability to isolate the affected areas of her home while performing the mold removal because it prohibited the spread of the mold and also allowed her family to remain in their home while the mold mitigation was taking place.  Our Production Manager, Jonathan, ensured her home was safe to be in and guaranteed our professional mold removal crew could contain the affected areas.  The customer was extremely pleased with our work and our ability to keep the unaffected areas of her home, well, unaffected!

Mold Remediation due to a Water Heater Leak in a Brea Garage

9/4/2014 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation due to a Water Heater Leak in a Brea Garage

Often times, water leaks go unnoticed for quite some time because they are in areas we cannot see.  We often may not notice the leak until extensive water damage has occurred and mold has been able to grow.  This is especially true in low traffic areas.  SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea, a mold remediation company, understands this happens, which is why our crews become instant heroes when they respond at nights and on weekends to help our worried customers.  For instance, a recent customer did not notice a leak in the water heater closet in her garage for several weeks because the leak was well hidden and out of sight.  Unfortunately, by the time she discovered the leak, there was visible brown water staining and mold on the drywall behind the water heater. 

The customer immediately contacted SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea to perform mold remediation in her garage.  She spoke with SERVPRO representative, Jonathan Arcila, and told him that she was very allergic to mold and needed the mold cleanup begun right away.  She was concerned for her health and did not want the mold to travel from the garage into her house.  Mold is a health hazard for everyone, but when a customer has a known allergy it is particularly important to perform the mold mitigation as soon as possible to ensure respiratory issues do not occur.

Cesar Arcila, a SERVPRO mold mitigation professional was designated to perform the mold remediation for our valued customer.  He quickly contained the affected area to give the customer peace of mind that the mold contamination would not travel into her home.  He then set up an air scrubber to bring the air quality back to a healthy and breathable state, just as it was before the leak.  Cesar kept the customer informed during the entire mold mitigation process to make sure she felt comfortable with all of the work being done.  Before long, the crew had completely disinfected the mold contaminated area and had restored the customer’s garage to a healthy, breathable environment. 

Our customer felt at ease throughout the entire mold remediation process because of the openness and professional work performed by Cesar and his crew.  Upon the completion of the mold cleanup, she was confident thankful that we restored her peace of mind. 

Mold mitigation needed after rain leaked into a Brea, CA home

9/4/2014 (Permalink)

Mold mitigation needed after rain leaked into a Brea, CA home

Anytime moisture enters our homes, there is the potential for mold to begin growing.  With Spring rainy season in the area of Brea, CA, a customer discovered water seeping into her daughter’s room.  The leak was discovered by the presence of water stains on the wall of the bedroom.  Upon further investigation, the homeowner also noticed visible mold in her daughter’s closet.  Mold is a strong threat in a home that prompt mold mitigation.  The mold remediation heroes at SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea are available to do so in a timely and professional manner. 

Mold is cause for concern because of the many health risks involved in breathing in the spores, especially for children and the elderly.  Mold can cause allergy-like symptoms and respiratory issues that can become quite serious if not treated.  Because this homeowner discovered mold in her daughter’s room, she was particularly concerned about her daughter’s health.  She immediately requested an Indoor Environmental Professional, IEP, to perform microbial sampling in her home to determine the extent of the mold contamination.  The IEP determined that mold was indeed present and a mold remediation would be necessary.

The customer then contacted SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea, a mold removal company to come out and perform the mold cleanup process.  Our representative, ChrisTrejo, met with the homeowner to assess her situation and assure her that all mold would be removed from her home by our professional crew.  He also explained the entire mold remediation process to her and was in constant contact throughout the duration of the mold cleanup to keep her updated on the project. 

This customer was concerned about the amount of time the mold remediation would take because she had a vacation scheduled for three days after her first appointment with us.  She was extremely pleased to discover that we could fully perform the mold remediation before she left and she would leave with the peace of mind of knowing that her daughter’s room would be a safe and mold-free environment once again when they returned from their vacation.      

Another concern our customer had was protecting the unaffected hardwood floor in her daughter’s room.  Chris assured the customer that we would protect her floor and ensure nothing would happen to it during the mold remediation process.  The customer was ecstatic with our professionalism, timeliness, and concern for her property.  She was very pleased with the proficient mold removal work we had performed and could not be happier to have her home restored to a mold free environment as determined by the IEP’s follow-up, post mold remediation clearance.

Mold Removal in a Brea, CA Home

8/26/2014 (Permalink)

Mold Removal in a Brea, CA Home

A water heater had begun to leak in a Brea, CA home that was occupied by tenants.  The property owner was concerned for the health of his tenants because he knew the risks of living in an area that was contaminated by mold.  Because the water had leaked through into the house, they were afraid that mold might be growing there as well.

To determine if mold was present, the tenants asked the homeowner to have the property tested by an Industrial Environmental Professional (IEP).  They performed a microbial sampling and results determined there was indeed mold present.  The IEP performed their inspection and found visible signs of moisture penetration, growing mold, and a malodor that was consistent with wet materials.  The water coming from the water heater was flooding into an adjacent bedroom and causing mold to grow.  

At this point, it was necessary to have a professional perform a mold remediation in the home.  When SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea arrived, the tenant brought up concerns of cross contamination and wanted to be sure that the mold spores were contained and would not spread to the rest of the house.  We assured them this would not happen.  He then explained in detail the mold remediation process and assured the tenants that the affected areas would be isolated.  The tenant was very pleased with our professionalism and ability to perform the mold removal in a timely and efficient manner.  The property owner was thankful and content that we were able to work so well with his tenant and the tenants are now breathing safely in a mold-free home.  

Mold Remediation in a Brea, CA Home

8/26/2014 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation in a Brea, CA Home

Sometimes, it is hard to know that mold is growing in your home.  A customer recently had a plumber out for a leak that had originated from a sewer pipe in her wall.  In order to fix the leak, the plumber had to remove a section of the drywall to access the pipe.  To their surprise, there was visible mold growing in the entryway and hallway of her home.  

The discovery of mold was a great concern to the customer because she lived in the home with her young son and knew the presence of mold could affect their health.  Mold can cause allergy-like symptoms and other potentially serious conditions in anyone, but especially in children and the elderly.  The customer wanted the mold removed quickly and completely to ensure the health of her household.  

When SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea arrived, we installed a H.E.P.A filter and a dehumidifier to prevent the further growth of the mold.  This allowed the excess moisture and the air quality to stabilize while preparing the area for a complete mold remediation.  

Before any work was done, SERVPRO representative, Chris Trejo thoroughly explained the entire mold remediation process to the customer to ensure she knew what was going on in her home at all times.  She was very appreciative of the details and explanations she was given, and they made her feel at ease throughout the entire mold removal process.  All of her concerns in regards to mold remediation process were addressed and taken care of during our time at her house.  

The customer also appreciated our promptness.  We were able to remove the mold in one day, allowing her contractor to come in and repair all of the damage to her walls the next day.  It was important to give our customer her home back as soon as possible, which is why we worked diligently to make her home safe and mold-free once again.  A lab came in to test the air quality, and they determined clearance and successful removal of the mold in her home and she felt comfortable being there with her family.  She had worked with SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea before and was happy to have her expectations exceeded once again.

Mold cleanup in a Brea condominium

8/26/2014 (Permalink)

Mold cleanup in a Brea condominium

What do you do when an upstairs neighbor has a toilet leak that causes your ceiling to collapse and spreads mold throughout your house?  You call SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea, of course!

A property owner in Brea, CA was notified that the condo above his was leaking water into his tenant’s bathroom.  The leak became so bad that it caused our customer’s ceiling to collapse from the excess water.  When the ceiling collapsed, the mold growth in the ceiling above the bathroom was exposed.  Mold can be extremely hazardous to your health, especially with prolonged exposure.  Upon the discovery of mold, the tenant knew immediate action needed to be taken to rid her home of mold.   

The tenant wanted the mold removed quickly and was concerned that a quick, thorough, and professional mold remediation would be difficult with her busy schedule.  She wanted to be present in the home when the mold removal crew was there, but knew her limited availability could be an issue.  She was pleasantly surprised by our accommodations to her schedule.   

When we arrived at the home, we discovered there was mold underneath the toilet seal in the upstairs unit.  The toilet had been leaking water down to our customer’s unit causing a water stain and water damage on the ceiling.  We quickly contained and isolated the mold growth to keep it from spreading and performed a complete mold removal.

The customer was extremely satisfied with our services.  She was appreciative of us working around her schedule.  Mold growth can happen when you least expect it, especially when the moisture from a leak does not even originate in your own home.  However, you can trust SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea professionals to remediate the water and mold problem quickly and efficiently!  The customer can now be at ease knowing the mold was appropriately remediated and the home is now mold-free. 

Black mold caused by a sprinkler system in a Brea residence

8/21/2014 (Permalink)

Black mold caused by a sprinkler system in a Brea residence

Even when a seemingly small leak is discovered, it is important to have a professional assess the situation to be sure the problem is not bigger than it seems.  Recently, a customer found a small water stain on the inside of his built-in cabinets in his garage.  When searching for the source of the water, he discovered water leaking from an air vent above his cabinets.  

It was later determined that the water was coming from a leaky sprinkler system in a neighboring unit.  He contacted SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea right away, and we contained the affected areas to prevent mold from spreading anywhere else in the garage.  Upon removal of the cabinets, we found extensive water damage that had caused black mold growth on the back of the cabinets and all along the wall behind them.  The wall had begun to rot from the consistent moisture coming from the leaky sprinkler system and mold developed since the source had not been stopped. 

Upon seeing the mold, the customer quickly became concerned because his children lived in his home.  Children are particularly susceptible to mold induced illnesses and health problems.  The customer wanted the mold to be removed quickly for his children’s health.  Thankfully, we were able to do just that and could return his home to the safe and healthy environment it was before the mold growth.  It is important to call the professionals when any water damage occurs to be sure to take care of the issue wholly and properly.  The health risks alone are not worth waiting to see if mold becomes visible -- it could be hiding and causing damage without you even knowing it is there.  As soon as you notice a leak, water damage or visible mold, be sure to call SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea and we will return your home to pre-loss condition in no time.  

Mold in a Brea, CA Home after a flood from a toilet supply line

8/21/2014 (Permalink)

Mold in a Brea, CA Home after a flood from a toilet supply line

A Brea homeowner first noticed a leak in her toilet supply line when she discovered a foul odor coming from her bathroom.  As she began to investigate the leak, she quickly discovered the presence of black mold behind the vanity in the bathroom and in an adjacent closet.  

In an effort to reduce the humidity in the bathroom air, the customer set up fans and a dehumidifier.  While these actions may have helped prevent further damage, it was obvious that the mold was still present and that she was going to be unable to remedy the problem on her own.  She had an injured back and realized the work that was going to be required to fully rid her home of mold would require more labor than she was capable of performing.  After a thorough Internet search for a reliable company, she determined SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea was the best option. 

She called us after being impressed by our professional website, and we were more than happy to assist her.  It was very important to remove the mold as quickly as possible to be sure her home was a safe living environment.  We placed drying equipment and an air scrubber in her home to purify and filter the air of any mold spores.  It was critical to prevent the homeowner from getting sick from the mold that had begun to grow in her bathroom and closet.  She knew the air quality was poor based on the odor in her home, and she was quite happy to have both the mold removed and the odor went along with it.  

All work that was going to be done in her home was discussed and explained beforehand to give the customer a clear picture of what the mold removal process entailed.  The process of isolating the work area and remediating the existing mold was thoroughly explained to ensure the customer was well informed and comfortable with the mold remediation process.  Thanks to SERVPRO’s experienced technicians, she is now happily living in a mold-free environment.  

Mold growth and slab leak flood in Brea

8/21/2014 (Permalink)

Mold growth and slab leak flood in Brea

A leak in your home needs to be taken care of immediately to eliminate the potential for mold growth.  Often, we do not think of mold growing in our homes unless we see it.  For a Brea homeowner, this is exactly what happened. 

A Brea homeowner noticed that there was a slab leak in his home, and he attempted to soak up the water with a towel.  The leak began in his hallway and quickly flooded the surrounding rooms as well.  He knew the leak needed to be fixed but did not immediately think that mold could be growing in his home due to the leak. 

His elderly father-in-law lives in the home with him, and his health was a major concern for our customer.  Ensuring his health was not compromised due to the mold growth in his home was a priority.  Soon there was visible mold and mildew growing in the bedroom, closet, and bathroom from the floodwater that had travelled from the hallway.  At this point, the homeowner knew he needed the professionals at SERVPRO to remove the mold in his home.

The leak had caused water stains on the baseboards and drywall, and they had become warped with water damage.  Upon removal, there was visible green, fuzzy, and black mold growing behind the baseboards and drywall.  Mold growth is very unhealthy for anyone living in the home, but our client’s elderly father-in-law was particularly at risk of developing allergy-like symptoms with potential serious complications.  In order to completely remove the mold and moisture to prevent more mold from growing, all surfaces were cleaned and disinfected.  A specialty air scrubbing tubing was placed in all of the affected rooms in order to restore the air quality as well. 

Because our customer did not know where to start when having his home restored after the mold growth, our knowledgeable and friendly estimator, Edgar Arcila, walked him through the process.  Edgar guided him through the steps from filing a claim and describing exactly what was needed to restore his home to normal after the water damage and mold remediation, and restore the air quality to a safe environment.  The customer was extremely appreciative of Edgar’s professionalism and helpfulness in getting him through this difficult situation.  He is now living peacefully knowing his father-in-law and family are breathing in a clean home.

Keep your Kitchen Clean: Avoiding Mold in your Garbage Disposal

6/9/2014 (Permalink)

It is often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and indeed it is. It is also the last place you want a hazardous fungus growing, as it should be the most sanitary room in your home. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people that are sensitive to molds can develop skin, eye, and throat irritations due to the presence of mildew or mold. Oftentimes mold can grow undetected right under your nose—in the garbage disposal in your kitchen.

The garbage disposal, or waste unit, is installed under the kitchen sink and shreds food waste so that it is thin enough to pass through the pipes and down to the street.  A garbage disposal can be a helpful appliance in your kitchen if it is maintained properly. If not, your disposal can smell, clog, and turn into a plumbing nightmare. The experienced technicians at SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda, a mold cleaning company, specialize in fixing plumbing disasters but will also analyze why your mold problem has occurred—maybe there is a leak in the piping between the garbage disposal and plumbing.

In order to avoid any unnecessary mold growing in your garbage disposal here are some tips on how to maintain cleanliness in the appliance:

  • Locate large objects: Whether it is a piece of chicken or a chunk of pineapple, sometimes food particles don’t get completely chopped up the way that they should or sometimes they get stuck in the nooks and crannies of the appliance. Make sure your garbage disposal if off and stick your hand in the unit and remove any excess food.
  • Don’t pour grease: After cooking a delicious chicken dish or frying bacon you may be tempted to get rid of the grease by pouring it down the garbage disposal, but that is absolutely the worst thing you can do! Grease clogs the drain and impedes your garbage disposal’s grinding ability. Once it cools off it hardens, which makes it difficult for the grinding mechanism to function properly.  
  • Run the water: At least once or twice a month let your water get as hot as it possibly can and run the garbage disposal for 5-7 minutes. The hot water helps break up or loosen any food particles and grease. Allowing the disposal to run for a long period of time helps flush everything down through the pipes and to the street, where the city’s pipes will take over.

Mold grows best in dark, damp conditions and your garbage disposal could be the perfect environment. To make sure it is not, pour a little dish soap with some ice cubes inside the garbage disposal and let it run for a few minutes. If you are suffering from unwanted mold, SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda can help alleviate some of your stress. The goal of our dedicated technicians is to make sure you are comfortable in your home, and if we can’t, then we aim to make the process as quick and painless as possible.

SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda Specializes in Mold Removal

5/14/2014 (Permalink)

Mold thrives in humid environments with excess water or moisture. It’s no surprise that mold often lurks in the rafters of old and worn roofs. Whether it is damaged drywall due to a leaky roof or harm to your ceiling, attics, floors, or walls, water damage can proliferate the spread of toxic mold if not eradicated promptly and efficiently. SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda specializes in quality mold removal and mold remediation for your home as soon as the presence of mold is identified. Additionally, SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda recognizes that a mold problem is really a moisture control problem and the key to getting rid of mold is identifying the source of excess moisture and squelching it. Therefore, our experienced technicians perform an assessment of your home that focuses on a specialized water damage removal and water damage restoration plan.

Water leaks from a faulty roof on your home can be deadly and they can affect every single room in your home. We know you want each room in your home to have breathable, sanitary air, but when water damage has taken place this is not always possible without outside intervention. Oftentimes the mold growing in your attic has made itself at home and must be attacked with a powerful fungicide. In the kitchen the water damage can increase moisture that can promote mold growth around the kitchen sink. The moisture level in your bathroom may also increase and you want to pay special attention to mold growing on tiles and grout. In the bedrooms, the rise in moisture can be marked by stained vinyl flooring or noticeable condensation on the windowsills.

If you are looking for water damage repair in Brea or Yorba Linda, SERVPRO can help alleviate some of your stress. The goal of our experienced technicians is to make sure you are comfortable in your home, and if we can’t, then we aim to make the process as quick and painless as possible.

Tips for Preventing Kitchen Mold Damage

5/14/2014 (Permalink)

One of the most hazardous places for mold to run rampant is in your kitchen. Mold growth is encouraged by warm and humid conditions exposed to moisture. The last thing you want is toxic mold spores multiplying around your food. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals (the elderly and young children) such as sneezing, runny nose, eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Molds have also been linked to asthma attacks for people who have asthma and are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can even cause chronic fatigue or respiratory illness. SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda is a mold cleaning company in Yorba Linda that is committed to providing quality mold assessment and remediation services to make sure your indoor air quality remains uncontaminated. 

In order to ensure that your kitchen remains mold free here are some tips to make sure your food preparation space stays sanitary.

  • Stay aware: Kitchen mold can grow on the back of walls and cabinets, along windowsills, beneath the sink, or around dysfunctional faucets.
  • Get rid of old food: Rotting food can easily stimulate and spread rapid mold growth. Look on the bottom of the fruit bowl or around the back of the kitchen trashcan.
  • Clean out your fridge: According to the United States Department of Agriculture, you should clean the inside of the refrigerator every few months with 1 tablespoon of baking soda dissolved in a quart of water. Rinse with clear water and dry. Make sure to Scrub mold using 3 teaspoons of bleach in a quart of water.

If mold damage is troublesome to you, SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda is a quality mold cleaning company in Brea that can help alleviate some of your stress. The goal of our experienced technicians is to make sure you are comfortable in your home, and if we can’t, then we aim to make the process as quick and painless as possible.

SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/Brea Eradicates Black Mold

5/14/2014 (Permalink)

There is nothing more alarming than knowing that you and your family could be in danger. Poisonous black mold could be growing inside walls, above ceilings or under floors in your home and it is extremely dangerous to you and your family. SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda knows that if black mold is not eradicated from your home it could cause nausea, damage to internal organs, skin inflammation, and respiratory problems. It is especially harmful for newborns and the elderly. According to the Michigan Environmental Health Association, there have even been reported cases of severe bleeding in the lungs due to black mold poisoning.

Often black mold can be challenging to detect because it comes in so many different forms. Toxic black mold can be brownish-greenish-black gelatinous mold or it can be slimy and the top layer is wet.  It can also appear dry and powdery. Black mold is often accompanied by black water. Black water is water that is unsanitary due to harmful bacteria and fungi. Black water damage can result when sewage damage occurs in your home due to a leaky toilet or burst drainpipes.

  • It doesn’t matter how the black water gets in your home, we know you want to get rid of it as soon as possible so it doesn’t create toxic black mold. As you wait for us after a water damage catastrophe here are some tips to follow. Stop the moisture: Mold is a moisture problem and as soon as you detect where the moisture is coming from you are one step closer to fixing the problem.
  • Check your insurance policy: Some homeowners’ insurance policies cover mold damage and others do not.

If you are suffering from unwanted black water damage that can cause hazardous black mold SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda is an experienced black water restoration company that will come immediately to alleviate your stress. The goal of our dedicated technicians is to make sure you are comfortable in your home, and if we can’t, then we aim to make the process as quick and painless as possible.

SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda Combats Hidden Mold

5/9/2014 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda we are just as committed to creating a healthy home environment as you. We are aware that excessive amounts of mold and certain types of hazardous mold may present health concerns. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, inhaling or touching mold may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. These allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both. The problem is that often the mold growing in your home is hidden on the back side of dry wall, in wallpaper or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, or the underside of carpets and pads, etc. It is very important that you arrange for certified professionals to conduct mold removal and mold remediation as soon as the presence of mold is identified.

One indication that mold is present is by the smell. Indoor mold damage varies, but the familiar musty odor of mildew or mold can often make your room smell stuffy, aged, or stale. Smell is not the only indicator when investigating for hidden mold. You may also notice that the paint in a room is chipped, peeling, or bulging. This can signal that moisture is building up. Since monitoring the moisture in your home is the most important step to control the mold in your home, you want to check the area with the peeling paint to make sure no hidden underlying water problem is present.  

If you encounter hidden mold here are some tips to help you deal with the situation appropriately:

  • Do Not Repaint Right Away: Check for hidden mold first. Clean up the mold and dry the surfaces before painting. Paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel.
  • Analyze furniture deterioration: If you notice any water stains on rotting wood or dilapidated furniture it could suggest a long standing water moisture problem. Take furnishings in to a licensed professional for refurbishing.

If you encounter any hidden mold SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda is the best of all the mold cleaning companies in Yorba Linda and can help alleviate some of your stress. The goal of our experienced technicians is to make sure you are comfortable in your home, and if we can’t, then we aim to make the process as quick and painless as possible.

SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda Removes Poisonous Mold

5/9/2014 (Permalink)

Don’t allow out of control mold to take over your home! At SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda, a premier mold cleaning company, we know that poisonous mold growing in your house is most often found on floors, ceilings, walls, carpets, and fabrics exposed to moisture. According to an article about mold in the New York Times, “One particularly troublesome hiding place is inside the ductwork and associated components of central forced-air heating and air-conditioning systems.” It doesn’t matter where the mold spores are in your home, hazardous mold can stimulate itching eyes, trigger sneezing and coughing fits, induce asthma attacks, and even produce permanent lung damage. Mold damage is often a symptom of a moisture control problem, so the first step in eradicating the mold is fixing your water problem.

One of the most common places people have a mold problem is in the bathroom. With the toilet, sink, and tub crammed in such a small space the ceramic tile, laminate flooring, or carpet can easily remain damp on a regular basis. It can be troublesome to try and prevent mold in an area that remains damp unless you utilize some ventilation techniques. You can install a fan over the tub, one in the shower and in the water closet in order to make sure everything stays dry.  You can also make sure the bathroom window always remains slightly cracked unless it snows or rains. Other techniques to prevent water damage that leads to mold growth include:

  •  Clean and repair roof gutters. Make sure that no excess runoff water is seeping into your home through leaking pipes. If gutters stay consistently wet hydrostatic pressure can build up and water can get in your home.
  • Keep indoor humidity low. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) to reduce condensation.

If you need a quality mold cleaning company in Brea call SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda today because our experienced technicians are always ready to meet your home repair needs.

A Quality Mold Cleaning Company

5/9/2014 (Permalink)

Mold is a microscopic organism called fungi that can grow anywhere there is a damp or wet environment, a food source (ranging from wood to tile and other organic based materials), and high humidity. If certain types of mold didn’t exist we wouldn’t have cheese or penicillin, but there are other types of mold that can create major health concerns. Some molds growing in your home also produce mycotoxins that can pose serious health risks to humans and animals. When people touch or breathe in these mold spores they can elicit nasal and sinus congestion, induce runny nose and eye irritation, and provoke respiratory problems such as chest tightness and sneezing fits. At SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda we are committed to the protection of your property and the health of your family, so we have cutting-edge mold cleanup and restoration packages to suit your home repair needs.

The first step for eliminating mold is to investigate your home for any sources of major indoor moisture. Pay special attention to piping connected to the roof, plumbing leaks, backed-up sewers, and the space around the humidifier or air conditioning unit. If you are a tenant you want to alert your property manager of potential water damage areas that should be fixed immediately.

One way that you can safeguard your home against mold is to improve the ventilation in your residence.  Not all heating or cooling systems circulate fresh air into your home, so in order to help keep your home well-ventilated you should consider using kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans, window or attic fans, or a window air conditioner with the vent control open. If weather permits it’s always helpful to keep the window open as well.

If you are suffering from unwanted mold in your home SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda, a quality mold cleaning company, can help alleviate some of your stress. The goal of our dedicated technicians is to make sure you are comfortable in your home, and if we can’t, then we aim to make the process as quick and painless as possible.

Mold Damage Repair in Yorba Linda, Ca

4/24/2014 (Permalink)

Recently SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda received a call from a distressed client because the drainpipe connected to their toilet burst and sewage water leaked everywhere. SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda has also rescued other families that have encountered unexpected toilet leaks that can lead to serious water and structural damage to your home.  Professional water damage repair is often necessary after an unexpected catastrophe with a leaking or clogged toilet because “grey water," which has chemical contaminants, can cause sickness and discomfort.  Water damage is a hassle to clean but if the water is not properly extracted it can lead to hazardous mold growth in your bathroom.

Within 24-48 hours mold spores multiply in moist areas and pose a serious health threat. According the United States Environmental Protection Agency, mold exposure is associated with allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints and can require mold damage remediation. The EPA also stresses that if you have a problem where mold could grow, act quickly because over time mold damage can destroy home furnishings and spread infectious diseases.

The best way to be on guard against mold and avoid mold damage repair is to prevent it from taking over your bathroom. Here are some tips to help you control the moisture in your bathroom and make sure contaminated water is handled properly.

  • Put on the Air: Use your bathroom ventilation fan when you are using the shower. Ventilation fans can make sure that air circulates properly and get rid of excess moisture that builds on shower walls and curtains. If you absolutely have to, open the bathroom door during showers.
  • Double check pipes: Review all pipes around the toilet and sink. Water is more likely to seep out of pipes that are old or damaged. Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.
  • Clean all nooks and crannies:  Mold loves dark damp crevices so make sure you scrub the bathrooms corners and grout if you have tile floor so you can kill all bacteria.

After a water damage disaster let SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda alleviate all your worries and clean up your mess immediately so you can avoid all mold damage repair in Yorba Linda.

SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda offers Mold Damage Remediation in Brea, Ca

4/22/2014 (Permalink)

With the summertime heat right around the corner, it isn’t uncommon to find moisture and heat coexisting on the same surfaces in your home. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, mildew (mold in early stage) and molds grow on wood products, ceiling tiles, cardboard, wallpaper, carpets, drywall, fabric, plants, foods, insulation, decaying leaves, and other organic materials. Recently SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda helped a distraught client that was headed out of town before she discovered harmful mold growing in her home.

Our client was initially distressed because she was all set to go to New York when she noticed the hazardous green and black mold spots but she still didn’t want to cancel her travel plans. The experienced SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda mold damage remediation team immediately rushed to her rescue to create a mold damage repair plan. The SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda technicians identified, assessed, and cleared the mold in the structure of her home by using a specialized anti-microbial disinfectant treatment to prevent the spread of mold spores that can make one sick and spread infectious diseases.

Mold poses the biggest health threat for infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with existing respiratory conditions.

One way to detect mold in your home is to look out for any foul, musty odors. Often dangerous mold spores are located in air ducts and wall cavities and mold may not be seen but is still present. Mold grows rapidly in dark damp crevices so the best defense against mold damage is prevention.

  • Keep it clean: If you notice any musty odors, which can occur before the mold spots show up, use bleach, borax, or vinegar to disinfect the area thoroughly.
  • Do the laundry: During the summer many of us like to go swimming, but don’t leave soiled clothes out in places where they will not dry within an hour.

If you are looking for mold damage repair in Brea SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda can help alleviate some of your stress. The goal of our experienced technicians is to make sure you are comfortable in your home, and if we can’t, then we aim to make the process as quick and painless as possible.

Mold Matters: Mold Removal and Restoration Yorba Linda

3/11/2014 (Permalink)

Recently SERVPO Brea/Yorba Linda had a concerned customer in the Yorba Linda area call about mold growing in their home due to unattended water damage.  Although other companies in Orange County may say they offer services to get rid of mold, SERVPRO conducts a thorough mold removal inspection in order to identify the growth of mold bacteria or house mites due to indoor dampness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, and wheezing in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (an allergic reaction to mold) in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also speculated there may be a link between indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children.

Mold can thrive in any environment but it is typically found in homes on wallpaper, windows, pipes, and anywhere in the home where there has been water damage. SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda has many years of experience and well-trained technicians to help eradicate any mold damage you might experience. We offer the following services to our customers:

  • Mold Analysis: Thorough investigation of plumbing leaks and other water problems causing the increase of mold spores.
  • Disinfection products: our advanced cleaning products stop the growth of harmful microorganisms, mold, fungi, mildew, and bacteria.
  • Heating Assessment: our technicians also are mindful that maintaining a quality level of indoor humidity in your home (below 60 percent) is crucial to mold prevention, so we assess vents and air conditioning units.

If you are suffering from unwanted mold in Yorba Linda, SERVPRO Brea/Yorba Linda can help alleviate some of your stress. The goal of our dedicated technicians is to make sure you are comfortable in your home, and if we can’t, then we aim to make the process as quick and painless as possible.