Why Are Mold Outbreaks a Pervasive Problem in Marcell?

10/7/2024 (Permalink)

We are leaders in mold damage remediation services in Beltrami County.

Our local Bemidji, Grand Rapids, and Hibbing teams restore mold damage in Marcell, Minnesota, every year. Mold outbreaks are common in Marcell due to the region's unique climate and environmental conditions. The area experiences high humidity levels throughout the year, especially during the spring and summer.

This moisture, combined with the dense vegetation and numerous lakes in the region, creates an ideal environment for mold growth. Mold thrives in damp, dark spaces, and the frequent rain and snowmelt provide plenty of opportunities for moisture to seep into homes and other structures.

Additionally, the long, cold winters can contribute to mold problems. Buildings are often sealed tightly to conserve heat, which can trap moisture. Poor ventilation in these well-insulated homes allows humidity to build up, further encouraging mold growth. Basements, attics, and crawl spaces are particularly vulnerable, as they often remain cool and damp year-round.

Preventing mold outbreaks requires diligent home maintenance, including regular inspections for leaks and prompt drying of any wet areas. But there's more to it. Proper ventilation is a key factor in this ongoing battle against mold. By staying informed and prepared, you can protect your home from the persistent threat of mold in this moisture-prone region.

Call Us Today!

When your home or business has a mold problem, our local Bemidji, Grand Rapids, and Hibbing teams are Here to Help.® Call us today at 218-999-9799. 

SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.

How Can I Prevent Mold Outbreaks in Hibbing?

11/14/2023 (Permalink)

We have been restoring mold damage for years in Hibbing.

Hibbing residents rely on our local SERVPRO of Bemidji, Grand Rapids & Hibbing team to restore mold damage quickly and efficiently. Mold will always be a challenge, but here are some tips from the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent mold outbreaks:

• Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you can, and no higher than 50 percent all day long. Humidity levels change over the course of a day so you will need to check the humidity levels more than once a day.
• Be sure the air in your home flows freely. Use exhaust fans that vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
• Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
• Clean up and dry out your home fully and quickly (within 24 to 48 hours) after a flood.
• Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
• Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away.

Call Us Today!

When your Hibbing area home or commercial business has a mold outbreak, SERVPRO of Bemidji, Grand Rapids & Hibbing is Here to Help. ®

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Mold Outbreak Caused by Deferred Home Maintenance in Hibbing?

10/3/2023 (Permalink)

We are trained and certified to restore mold damage in Beltrami County.

If you have a minor window leak you’ve been meaning to repair and you notice a strong, musty odor, you may have a mold problem. Our Bemidji, Grand Rapids, and Hibbing teams are trusted leaders in mold remediation services. Mold outbreaks can occur for many reasons, including deferred maintenance of home repairs. Our technicians will identify the source of any excess moisture and address these issues to discourage the mold from returning once it has been removed. Here are some reasons mold can be encouraged to grow in your home or business:

Deferred Maintenance and Delayed Repairs: If you have had water damage in the past and have not made repairs to stop water leaks, this excess moisture will allow the mold to spread and cause significant damage over time.

Inadequate Insulation: Poor insulation cal cause temperature differences between indoor and outdoor surfaces, creating moisture and condensation, and encouraging mold growth.

Lack of Routine Cleaning: When a home is not regularly cleaned, dust, dirt, and organic materials can accumulate, giving mold spores a valuable food source.

Call Us Today!

When you discover mold growing in your home or commercial business in Hibbing, our local Bemidji, Grand Rapids, and Hibbing team will restore your mold damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 218-999-9799. 

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Comprehensive Seven-Step Process Restores Mold Damage in Calumet Home?

6/27/2023 (Permalink)

We are leaders in mold remediation services in Itasca County.

Our local Bemidji, Grand Rapids, and Hibbing technicians remediate mold damage in Claumet following local and state protocols and follow these steps for every job:

1. Emergency Contact

We’ll ask you questions to determine the necessary equipment and resources.

2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment

We follow local and state laws regarding inspection and documentation based on your unique situation.

3. Mold Containment

We may use advanced containment procedures like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.

4. Air Filtration

We utilize powerful “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in process.

5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

We use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.

6. Cleaning Contents

We clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. We’re also trained to remove odors and deodorization using fogging equipment.

7. Restoration

Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet, or it may require the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business. 

Call Us Today!

When your home or commercial business in Calumet has a mold problem, our local Bemidji, Grand Rapids, and Hibbing team can help. Call us today at 218-999-9799. 

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Hidden Water Leak Caused Mold Outbreak in Grand Rapids Home?

5/30/2023 (Permalink)

We are leaders in mold remediation services in Itasca County.

Mold is a common challenge during the Spring in Grand Rapids. Our local Bemidji, Grand Rapids, and Hibbing teams are trained and certified to perform mold containment, removal, cleaning, and restoration services. Because mold spores are always present in the Earth’s atmosphere, there is always the potential for mold to become a problem. However, there are things that can be done to discourage mold growth.

Here is some information from the Environmental Protection Agency about mold:

1. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture
2. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth
3. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60 percent) to decrease mold growth by:
• Venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside
• Using air conditioners and de-humidifiers
• Increasing ventilation
• Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning
4. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation
5. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting
6. Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and food.

Call Us Today!

When your home or business in Grand Rapids has a mold problem, our local Bemidji, Grand Rapids, and Hibbing team can help. Call us today at 218-999-9799. 

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Avoid Mold

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

Mold growth after water damages

Mold thrives on moisture along with a food source. It only takes a tiny bit of water to feed a mold colony. There are steps you can take to avoid mold growth in your home or business. Here are some of them:

• Keep the humidity level between 30%-50% by venting bathrooms and dryers to the outside. Use exhaust fans while cooking, cleaning or washing dishes.
• Have the proper insulation in your home to reduce condensation on cold surfaces.
• Don’t carpet bathrooms, kitchen areas or areas that hold moisture.
• Cover dirt in crawlspaces with a moisture barrier plastic sheeting.

This homeowner had mold growth on the back side of the trim board after a flood. We restored the damages for them quickly. Don’t hesitate to call SERVPRO if you discover mold in your home or business. We will come out and mitigate it for you.

What can I do to prevent mold from growing in my home?

2/6/2020 (Permalink)

Since mold needs a food source and moisture to grow, the best thing you can do is to prevent moisture problems that allow mold to grow.

• Maintain lower levels of humidity in your home (preferably between 30-50%) by: venting bathrooms and dryers to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation by adding crawlspace and attic vents; using exhaust fans when cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning, etc.
• Add insulation to reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces such as windows, pipes, exterior walls, roofs, or floors.
• Inspect your home regularly for indications and sources of indoor moisture such as leaking pipes, appliance hoses, showers, tubs, sinks and toilets. Replace plastic hoses with steel-reinforced hoses. Check windows, doors, attics and ceilings for leaks or evidence of water stains or odors, particularly after rains. Fix plumbing, flashing, and roof leaks right away.
• Don't carpet bathrooms, basements, kitchens or other areas prone to moisture. Clean bathrooms often and keep surfaces dry.
• Cover dirt in crawlspaces with a moisture barrier plastic sheeting.
• Prevent water from entering basements and crawlspaces by repairing holes and cracks in walls and foundation. Use landscaping to direct water away from your foundation.
• Clean and maintain your gutters and make sure drainpipes carry water several feet away from your home.
• Watch your utility bills. An abnormally high water bill could signal a water leak.
• Before you travel, turn off the water at the main valve. Have a trusted friend or neighbor check the inside and outside of your home periodically while you're away.

     If you think you may have a mold issue or signs of mold growth in your home call SERVPRO of Bemidji, Grand Rapids and Hibbing at (218) 999-9799

Unsettling Feeling About Mold

11/27/2018 (Permalink)

Do you have mold in your house and you want to know what one of the thousands of different types of mold you may have? SERVPRO of Bemidji, Grand Rapids & Hibbing has a solution for you! This can be done by preforming a settling test.

The settling test is the most common and most accurate test when it comes to mold. The settling test is performed by placing settle plates on all affected levels and outside for a base line. The plates are placed for one to two hours than sealed labeled and sent off to an independent lab. The lab than incubates the dishes for 5-7 days. This allow the lab to identify the microorganisms using a microscope.

If the curiosity has the best of you contact SERVPRO of Bemidji, Grand Rapids & Hibbing and get your settling test done today (218) 999-9799.

Funky Smell Have You Confused?

11/27/2018 (Permalink)

Do you have a strange odor that you suspect might be mold, but don’t have any visible mold? SERVPRO of Bemidji, Grand Rapids & Hibbing has the test for you! This test is an air quality test used to test the large and the small particulates is the air. Giving us an idea of if you have mold or something else that is causing that funky odor.

The air quality test is preformed using a meter to test particulates larger then small micron and smaller than 10 microns. This machine is then placed in various areas around the house to include the affected areas and an unaffected area. Also, it will be placed outside to get a base line for the affected areas. Once the test has been completed results are interpreted by one of our highly trained technicians to determine what the possible causes are. Then one of our production management staff will come up with recommendations on what your next steps might be to solve the issue.

So, if you think you smell mold and can’t see it then call SERVPRO of Bemidji, Grand Rapids & Hibbing today at (218) 999-9799

Have Mold Don't Wait Call

11/27/2018 (Permalink)

MOLD it’s one of the “scary” topics the we get calls about all the time. The thought of having mold in your house can be terrifying, but isn’t as bad as you might think. In fact, mold is natural and can be found all around the world. Yes, there are mold there are mold types that can be hazardous to your health, but not all mold is presents an immediate hazard to your health. Mold can be tolerated in small doses over a short period of time so don’t panic and call SERVPRO of Bemidji, Grand Rapids & Hibbing at (218) 999-9799 to set up an appointment for a mold assessment.

The process of setting up the assessment is simple we just ask you some general questions about the suspected mold. We might have you send us pictures for us to get a better idea of what we might be walking into. From that point we can set up an appointment and a small fee a member of our team will inspect further.

The typical inspection includes a team member to physically inspect the affected areas and use a mold test to determine if it is mold that we are looking at. You can add an air quality test to test the count of particulates in the air. Air quality can be used that is done typically when no physical mold is visible. However, none of these techniques are used for identifying the type of mold. This requires a settling test and a lab to test the results. These tests will come with a report on our findings and an estimated cost for removal of the mold.

Mold Remediation

8/8/2018 (Permalink)

What’s the Difference?

Since microscopic mold spores exist naturally almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors, removing all mold from a home or business is impossible. Many restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold. This is a fallacy. We understand mold and mold growth. SERVPRO of Bemidji, Grand Rapids & Hibbing has the training and expertise to remediate the mold in your home or business.

Signs of Mold? Call Today -

(218) 999-9799

Understanding Mold

When water intrudes into your property, mold growth can start in as little as 48 hours. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic, float along in the air, and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor, and that odor can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

The Mold Remediation Process

Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same. Learn more about mold remediation process.

1. Emergency Contact - (218) 999-9799
2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
3. Mold Containment
4. Air Filtration
5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
6. Cleaning Contents and Belongings

Settling Test

11/17/2017 (Permalink)

Do you have mold in your home and you want to know what one of the thousands of different types of mold you may have? SERVPRO of Bemidji, Grand Rapids & Hibbing has a solution for you! This can be done by preforming a settling test.

The settling test is the most common and most accurate test when it comes to mold. The settling test is performed by placing settle plates on all affected levels and outside for a base line. The plates are placed for one to two hours than sealed labeled and sent off to an independent lab. The lab than incubates the dishes for 5-7 days. This allow the mold to grow and the lab to better identify the microorganisms using a microscope.

If the curiosity has the best of you contact SERVPRO of Bemidji, Grand Rapids & Hibbing and get your settling test done today.

Air quality test

11/14/2017 (Permalink)

Do you have a strange odor that you suspect might be mold, but don’t have any visible mold? SERVPRO of Bemidji, Grand Rapids & Hibbing has the test for you! This test is an air quality test used to test the large and the small particulates is the air. Giving us an idea of if you have mold or something else that is causing that funky odor.

The air quality test is preformed using a meter to test particulates larger then small micron and smaller than 10 microns. This machine is then placed in various areas around the house to include the affected areas and an unaffected area. Also, it will be placed outside to get a base line for the affected areas. Once the test has been completed results are interpreted by one of our highly trained technicians to determine what the possible causes are. Then one of our production management staff will come up with recommendations on what your next steps might be to solve the issue.

So, if you think you smell mold and can’t see then you might want to call SERVPRO of Bemidji, Grand Rapids & Hibbing today!

Mold Assessments

11/10/2017 (Permalink)

MOLD it’s one of the “scary” topics the we get calls about all the time. The thought of having mold in your house can be terrifying, but isn’t as bad as you might think. In fact, mold is natural and can be found all around the world. Yes, there are mold there are mold types that can be hazardous to your health, but not all mold is presents an immediate hazard to your health. Mold can be tolerated in small doses over a short period of time so don’t panic and call SERVPRO of Bemidji, Grand Rapids & Hibbing to set up an appointment for a mold assessment.

The process of setting up the assessment is simple we just ask you some general questions about the suspected mold. We might have you send us pictures for us to get a better idea of what we might be walking into. From that point we can set up an appointment and a small fee a member of our team will inspect further.

The typical inspection includes a team member to physically inspect the affected areas and use a mold test to determine if it is mold that we are looking at. You can add an air quality test to test the count of particulates in the air. Air quality can be used that is done typically when no physical mold is visible. However, none of these techniques are used for identifying the type of mold. This requires a settling test and a lab to test the results. These tests will come with a report on our findings and an estimated cost for removal of the mold.

Tell me about MOLD!

5/19/2017 (Permalink)

Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.

Mold is everywhere, the key is not let it these mold spores turn into colonies. The one thing that we can control that mold needs to grow is water. If you are seeing mold growth you have a moisture problem. This could be a leaky basement, a water leak in your home, high humidity or other reasons. Whatever the cause of the water it needs to be fixed before you start mold remediation or it will return.

When dealing with leaks you can usually see the problem and deal with it. Humidity in your home can be a little harder to detect, but there are many tools on the market that you can get to tell you the humidity level in your home. If your humidity level is above 45% you should think about running a dehumidifier.

Detecting mold without the proper tools can be difficult, however there are some warning signs. Mold often produces a strong, musty odor. If you see areas that look spotted or discolored, or if you have allergies that act up in a certain area, these may be signs to look for mold.

If the unfortunate happens call SERVPRO of Bemidji, Grand Rapids, and Hibbing at 218-999-9799. You can submit your own question on our Facebook page, facebook.com/SERVPRO.BEMIDJI.GRANDRAPIDS.HIBBING, or on Twitter, @SERVPROBGRH.

Preventing Mold Growth

3/31/2016 (Permalink)

Mold Prevention:

To answer that first, we need to explain that mold is everywhere, inside, outside, it doesn’t matter. Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.

So mold is everywhere, the key is not let it these mold spores turn into colonies. The one thing that we can control, is that mold needs water to grow. If you are seeing mold growth, you have a moisture problem. This could be caused by any number of things like a leaky basement, water leaking in your home, high humidity or etc. Whatever the cause of the water is, it needs to be fixed before you start mold remediation or it will return.

When dealing with leaks you can usually see the problem and deal with it. Humidity in your home can be a little trickier to detect, but there are many tools on the market that you can get to tell you the humidity level in your home. If your humidity level is above 45%, you should think about running a dehumidifier to help get the moisture out of the air.

Detecting mold without the proper tools can be difficult, however there are some warning signs you can look for. Mold often produces a strong, musty odor. If you see areas that look spotted, discolored, or if you have allergies that act up in a certain area, these may be signs to look for mold.

If the unfortunate happens call SERVPRO of Bemidji, Grand Rapids, and Hibbing at 218-999-9799. You can submit your own question on our Facebook page, facebook.com/SERVPRO.BEMIDJI.GRANDRAPIDS.HIBBING, or on Twitter, @SERVPROBGRH.