Leading Mold Removal Specialist In San Diego County
We are San Diego mold remediation experts. We provide each and every customer with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. Abbotts specializes in safe and permanent mold removal, delivering the quality mold remediation San Diego deserves.
Mold occurs naturally, it’s an important part of our environment. Outside, mold is necessary for breaking down dead trees, leaves, and other organic matter. They use their spores to reproduce. These spores can be present inside as well as outside your home. That’s why mold can grow in your home in areas that contain moisture or food.
You can identify mold by a musty smell but when it comes to identifying mold with your eyes there is a significant difference between mold that is active and mold that is inactive. When dealing with young active mold you will notice filaments much like hair which become more and more full as the mold ages. When dealing with inactive mold you will notice that it will be dried and powder-like. Inactive mold can come back, you will note it is inactive, not dead. The right circumstances can resuscitate inactive mold. You may be surprised to hear that mold can actually stain the surface it grew on.
Mold growth and property damage can occur within 24 to 48 hours if a property is left with high moisture levels. In addition to the mold damage, mold can also cause serious respiratory and health problems due to the mycotoxins they produce. A popular question we are asked is if “bleach” will “kill” mold. Bleach can cause mold spots to fade or change color on the surface but mold is still in the air to be ingested. We eliminate this by filtering the air using machines called HEPA air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums.
Homeowners will also ask if the color of the mold shows the level of harmful effects to health. This is not true specific mold strain can only be identified by taking a sample and cultivating it in a lab. It is then analyzed under a microscope. This is part of our process. Elderly and young children are more susceptible to being harmed by mold than others. There are certain strains that nearly all individuals will be affected by during exposure. Because of this we treat all mold damage seriously.
If your’re healthy mold should not pose as a health risk for you. However if you suffer from allergies or asthma you could experience worsening of your symptoms. There are some molds which create mycotoxins, these can affect your health depending on how much of them and how long you are exposed to them. Whether active or not, mold can have an effect on your health. These effects can be strong from heavy exposure even short-term and long-term exposure can have serious effects on your health.
We will assess the mold damage, coordinate the mold testing and walk you through the steps necessary to remove the mold and restore your property. Our specialized remediation techniques include the following:
Our Mold Remediation Services Include:
- Residential & Commercial Mold Remediation & Restoration Services
- Meeting or exceeding the EPA, IICRC, and San Diego Department of Health Standards for mold remediation
- Coordination of air or surface sampling if needed
- Moisture examination
- Analysis of moisture source
- Containment and negative air cleaning
- Removal of damaged areas and proper disposal of debris
- Extraction of mold spores
- HEPA vacuuming
- HEPA air scrubbing
- Odor Removal & Control
- Air duct cleaning
- Dehumidification
- Drying / air movement for expediting drying
- Specialized drying of cabinets, hardwood floors, carpets, and interiors of drywall
- Final Air Clearance Testing
- Free assessment
- 24/7 Service & 60 minute response time
- Fully licensed and Insured Professionals
- Fungicidal protective coating application to prevent future mold growth
- Mold removal using eco-friendly materials for a permanent and safe mold remediation
- Complete mold restoration for affected areas
- Mold tests including swab and air samples
- A final mold spore test will be conducted to verify complete remediation
- Water damage not taken care of quickly that causes microbial growth buildup
- Pipe leak within a wall causing mold damage on the drywall
- Appliance leak like a refrigerator or dishwasher causing mold damage to the hardwood floor or subfloor
- Shower pan leak on a second floor causing a slow drip and damage to first floor ceiling drywall
- Vacant house with flood damage will cause microbial growth on carpet, drywall and hardwood flooring
- Standing water under a house in a crawl space left unattended and causing microbial growth on ceiling / floor joists
- Broken water heater causing consistent water damage to drywall and the water heater stand
A mold problem is always a moisture problem. Moisture problems are caused by water damage from floods, broken pipes, failed appliances, as well as by on-going and unnoticed leaks from pipes, roofs or around doors and windows. A high level of humidity causes fungus growth while lower levels tend to increase the release of mold spores as a method of self-preservation. Since leaks are the easiest to spot, this will be one of the first indications that you may have mold in your home. If you have mold in your home you will want to get rid of it before it becomes an extensive problem.
Signs of Mold Contamination
When mold and toxins enter a building, they will damage the structure and causing unsightly stains and odors. Mildew and mold can rot the framing around windows and doors, or creep into porous surfaces of the concrete, wood, insulation or carpet and fabrics – which often require a complete replacement. If any of these symptoms occur in your home or business, you may have a mold problem.
Discovering that you have a mold problem is only the first step.
Once the mold is identified and treated it is important to make sure it is removed completely. Individual removal attempts can be very effective initially but many times when people try to get rid of the mold themselves the mold keeps coming back. Mold can be very elusive, growing in cracks and even within the walls of your home. To make sure that all mold is removed properly we advise a mold removal specialist to come to your home and thoroughly inspect and clean your building.
Mold Inspection
The purpose of a mold inspection is to locate potential mold infestations, determine the cause and provide information for an effective remediation (removal) plan. A mold inspection is a visual inspection of a property for mold and conditions that may cause mold. The inspection also includes moisture readings of construction materials, including exterior walls, interior walls, floors, cabinets, shower enclosures and concrete slabs. Abbotts uses state-of-the-art technology to detect excessive moisture in construction materials, the primary cause of indoor mold problems.
All Abbotts mold inspections are professionally completed by certified mold inspectors who go above and beyond what other inspection companies offer. Mold spores and moldy smells have a source and our goal is to identify the source(s).
Our mold inspections include a visual examination AND a deep forensic look into your property. Similar to a complete home inspection, we will identify water damage, musty odors, and moisture intrusion. We also alert you to indications of hidden mold growth and conditions conducive to mold growth. We will look inside your walls, floor and ceilings using moisture meters and thermal leak detectors.
After the visual inspection, our air sampling machine tests for mold growth. The inspector typically takes a total of three air samples (one outdoor, two indoor) that are analyzed by a certified indoor air quality (IAQ) testing laboratory.
Mold Removal and Mold Remediation
Mold remediation is a process that involves inspection and testing to identify the presence of potentially dangerous amounts of mold contaminants. Contaminated areas are isolated from other areas of the property so that there is no cross-contamination. Abbotts uses specialized equipment, tools and licensed personnel to decontaminate affected areas and prevent future growth. We will not only completely and thoroughly remove the molds and toxins; we will also repair the damage they caused.
Mold Testing
Water damage can be devastating to property. Even small leaks can become a major problem, especially if undetected over time. In particular, potentially toxic mold can develop in hard-to-find places.
In some cases, you may see visible signs of mold, such as discoloration on walls or ceilings, and you may smell its musty odor. But it can also hide in spaces between walls, in attics and even duct work. People who are sensitive to mold may experience stuffy nose, irritated eyes, wheezing, or skin irritation. People allergic to mold may have difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath. People with weakened immune systems and with chronic lung diseases, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.
If you think you have a mold problem, the EPA recommends consulting a mold remediation professional who has training and experience in assessing mold problems and implementing remediation plans to eradicate and prevent the return of potentially hazardous mold. Abbotts experts have the know-how and equipment to quickly find the cause of your mold problem, fix it, eradicate the mold and ensure that it stays gone.
When you call Abbotts, we’ll spring into action. Upon arriving at your property, our mold remediation experts will perform visual inspections and, depending upon the circumstances, use an array of tests to sniff out any sign of mold.
Upon completing the analysis, your Abbotts mold specialist will report any evidence of:
Moisture intrusion
Water damage
Apparent mold growth
Conditions conducive to mold growth
Upon assessing the scope of the mold problem, we’ll craft a comprehensive mold remediation plan designed to eradicate all mold in the affected area and prevent its return.
Mold Loves San Diego
As it turns out, the old song was wrong when it declared, “It never rains in southern California.” Or maybe it was, after all, when it continued, “It pours, man, it pours!” Sporadic extreme wet weather, like El Niño-spawned waves of drenching storms that have caused widespread San Diego flooding and mudslides in recent years, can also leave behind a fertile breeding ground for mold that can threaten human health in lots of nasty ways.
Wet, Warm, Organic Material + Enclosed Spaces = Mold (and Damage)
Take equal parts water and heat, add organic material for food, such as wood or paper (common in building materials), and the mold spores that are often already scattered about can suddenly burst into not-so-lovely bloom, resulting in a big, smelly, unsightly and potentially hazardous mess. So when “It pours, man, it pours,” mold can be a big threat. But it can find its way into your home or business almost anytime.
Even When it’s Dry, Mold Threatens
Mold needs moisture and food to grow. When it gets hot and dry for extended periods, such as when pollen and dust blow everywhere in hot summertime winds, mold produces spores that can join dust and pollen in hot, circulating air. When the tiny spores find their way into enclosed spaces with moisture and food, trouble ensues.
Got Mold? It’ll Get Worse …
Perhaps some mold started growing on a wall in your basement, but it dried up and stopped spreading, so you stopped worrying about it. The problem is that it actually is spreading. So your family, employees or customers could be breathing potentially toxic spores right now. And when the spores find water and food (they always do), your little mold problem will become a big infestation.
What to Do? Test for Mold and Remove It, Right Away!
The best way to combat mold damage in San Diego or anywhere is to catch it before it gets out of hand and remove it. If you know or suspect you have mold, have your home tested and ensure total eradication. Also consider using antifungal paints and other building materials to prevent future infestations.
Frequently Asked Mold Removal Questions by San Diego Home & Business owners:
What is mold remediation?
The process of removing mold from inside a home or business premises is known as mold remediation. If your premises have incurred substantial damage from mold, you should contact a professional mold remediation and removal specialist to inspect the property.
Mold testing is essential to determining the spore count, genus species, rooms or areas affected by mold. How dangerous the mold is to humans and people with immune deficiencies.
How does mold grow?
Once mold is present in the form of minute spores. These spores require moisture to be able to grow, and as they grow, they cause havoc to the surfaces on which they grow. Mold can grow on pretty much anything, including:
- Carpet
- Ceilings
- Insulation
- Paint
- Drywall
- Clothing
- Wallpaper
- Wood
A moist environment provides the best growing conditions for mold. This moisture can come from a variety of sources such as a flood, leaking roof, or humidity caused by poor ventilation.
Completely getting rid of all mold spores from your premises is not practically possible. However, it is possible to manage the problem by maintaining a dry environment.
Mold does not do well in a dry environment, as it needs plenty of moisture as well as oxygen, nutrients, and a suitable temperature to be able to grow. Mold can get its nutrition from dead wood, fabric, paper, and other organic materials. It can also find nutrients in paint, glues, and other synthetic compounds.
Although mold requires moisture to grow, it can obtain this without a direct water source. Moisture from the air in an environment with over seventy percent humidity will be sufficient for mold to grow.
Mold tends to thrive in what we consider average inside temperatures. An environment below forty degrees Fahrenheit, or above one hundred, will not support mold growth. This doesn’t mean that mold spores will not be present; it means they’re just not active.
Mold needs 3 things in order to grow.
- A food source ie. Cellulose anything is organic in nature and that grows for the ground and any product this made into clothing, paper, wood, building materials etc
- Mold needs moisture in any form, high humidity, rain, flooding, water damage etc.
- Mold lives best with little or no light and little or no air movement and little or no way to dry or dehumidify
How long does it take to get rid of mold?
There are plenty of factors that will determine the length of time it takes to remove mold from your premises. The amount of mold, its location, and the material that is hosting the mold are three essential factors, amongst others. On average, mold remediation can take between one to five days.
If you would like to discuss mold removal further, or have any questions about the process, get in touch with us right now. Abbotts fire and Flood is available at 619-223-1800
How can you tell when the mold has been removed?
The first way to check, also the quickest and easiest, is to conduct a visual check of the treated area. Checking this way, you will see if the mold has gone, however, it will not inform you about the presence of hidden or airborne spores.
To get verification that the mold has been completely removed, you can seek the services of a third-party mold testing service. This should not be the same company that removed your mold, as this would lead to a conflict of interest.
Also, testing companies need to be certified as being such. There are different types of mold testing companies for the home and larger or industrial premises. Whichever service you choose, get a legally binding statement as to the validity of their mold tests.
There is also a pre mold testing procedure that needs to be adhered to. This procedure details things like spore tests, mold removal protocols, clearance testing, etc.
Can I remove mold myself, or do I need a professional?
Yes, of course, anyone can remove mold from their premises. If you choose to do the procedure yourself, you should understand that disturbing the mold will spread the spores to other areas, potentially causing new mold problems. To correctly remove mold, you should create a negative pressure environment around the affected area. Also, ensure that everyone involved in the removal is wearing PPE – personal protection equipment
We suggest you use a well established company that strictly adheres to a dedicated protocol set by industrial hygienists. The removal process should be done according to the Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation – IICRC S-520. One such recommendation is that an industrial hygienist is present to verify that the mold has been removed in final clearance testing by a third party, thus verifying that the area is complete and satisfactory . This final clearance test is great to have upon selling your home, it will need to be on the property disclosure form and the final clearance declares that mold remediation has been completed properly in the property disclosure form.
Abbotts: Expert, Professional Mold Damage Mitigation
Bottom line: If you have mold, Abbotts will find it, eradicate it and fix its cause, so you won’t have to worry about it returning.
Removing mold, cleaning infested surfaces and mitigating mold causes is potentially hazardous and challenging work. Without proper training and personal protection equipment, you can expose your family or employees to potentially hazardous mold spores and toxins. And you could be taking these unnecessary risks for no good reason, failing to completely eradicate and mitigate the mold problem and incurring repeated, heavy expenses in your attempts.
If you know or suspect that you have a mold infestation on your property, call Abbotts today. If we find mold on your property, we’ll apply your testing fee to the cost of any remediation work we do to eradicate your mold and repair your property.
