High Humidity in a Crawlspace Can Cause Buckling Floors and Mold Growth?

12/9/2024 (Permalink)

Humidity was so high in this Island Heights crawlspace that floors above inside home buckled and had mold.

SERVPRO of Toms River Can Help

Excess humidity in a crawlspace can wreak havoc on your home, affecting not just the space below but the living areas above. When moisture levels rise in the crawlspace, it creates a perfect storm for structural issues like buckling floors and hazardous mold growth. If you’re noticing these signs in your home, it’s time to call SERVPRO of Toms River for professional restoration and remediation services.

The Connection Between Crawlspace Humidity and Floor Damage

The crawlspace plays a critical role in maintaining your home’s structural integrity. However, when humidity levels become too high, moisture seeps into the wood framing, subfloors, and floorboards above. Over time, this excess moisture causes the floors to:

• Warp or Buckle: High moisture content weakens the wood, causing it to expand and distort.
• Sag or Sink: Prolonged exposure to humidity can compromise the wood’s strength, leading to structural instability.
• Mold: Damp wood becomes a breeding ground for mold, which can spread to other areas of the home and pose health risks.

How SERVPRO of Toms River Can Help

SERVPRO of Toms River offers comprehensive solutions to address humidity-related crawlspace and home damage:

• Crawlspace Assessment and Moisture Control: Our team begins with a thorough inspection of the crawlspace to identify the source of high humidity, whether it’s poor ventilation, a lack of vapor barriers, or water intrusion. We then recommend moisture control strategies, such as dehumidifiers or sealing solutions, to prevent future issues.
• Water Damage Restoration and Floor Repair: If your floors have buckled due to moisture, we’ll work to repair or replace damaged areas. Using advanced drying techniques, we ensure your home’s wood components are stabilized and protected.
• Mold Remediation: Our certified technicians follow strict remediation protocols to safely remove it from affected surfaces. We also apply antimicrobial treatments to prevent mold from returning.

Protect Your Home with SERVPRO of Toms River

Don’t let crawlspace humidity damage your home. Contact SERVPRO of Toms River for professional water damage restoration and mold remediation. We’ll restore your home and give you peace of mind. With SERVPRO of Toms River, it’s “Like it never even happened.”

Understanding Mold in Your Beachwood Home

2/10/2023 (Permalink)

Mold from a leak in a Beachwood basement before SERVPRO of Toms River's mold remediation removal process.

Do you know that mold growth can start in 24-48 hours?

When water and/or moisture intrudes into your property, mold growth can start in as little as 24 hours. Mold growth occurs when mold spores settle on a surface at the proper temperature, with appropriate food sources, and with the proper amount of moisture. 

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.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed and stopped. Otherwise the mold may return.
• Mold grows fastest between 77°F and 86°F with relative humidity above 55%. 

How do I tell if my Beachwood home has mold?

You can contact a qualified mold testing company.

What to do if you discover it is mold?

Mold in your home should be treated with caution until it can be safely remediated. Try to avoid the areas affected with mold if possible. Don’t touch or disturb the mold because you could inadvertently cause the mold to spread.

If you suspect that you have a mold issue and are in need of mold remediation in Ocean County, contact SERVPRO of Toms River at 732-349-9898. 

What Makes Mold Different Colors?

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

There are thousands of species of molds and each type of mold can vary in color, shape and size.

Mold is a type of fungus that forms multicellular, thread-like structures and produces spores that give it its color. Mold is typically green, white, black or grey but can be brown, purple, orange, pink, yellow, red, white, or even a combination of colors. The color of mold can be influenced by many factors including food source, humidity level, light, region and even their age. The same mold can be different colors in different conditions and can even change over time.

Mold is typically multi-colored. This is because most types of mold appear with a small array of color or colors, ranging from white at the edges to a dark or bright color in the center. The colors are the spores themselves, the second surrounding color is the body, and the white or gray are the filaments that explore and produce spores. It is important to remember that the same mold type can appear in several different colors. This can make it very difficult to identify any particular type of mold by appearance alone. 

Here’s some interesting facts about different colors of molds:

• Blue Mold can start out as blue and if the area keeps getting wet, eventually it can start to eat the blue mold and it will become black or green. This is why blue will not always stay blue and is usually pretty powdery. Blue mold is often found growing on food, but it can also be found growing on household materials like wallpaper, insulation, furnishings and carpeting that have been damaged by water.
• Gray Mold affects many plant species and greatly depends on the type of plant and environmental conditions.
• Orange Mold is unique and generally not a single type of species, but more like a colony of single-celled organisms. This mold may grow together with some other mold types, such as green mold or black mold, especially on food and usually appears with a slimy, spongy consistency. It is typically spotted eating rotted trees that have fallen in the woods and in mulch piles.
• Purple Mold is something that you can find behind walls, often underneath vinyl and wallpaper, and on wood. It mostly grows in areas hidden from plain sight.
• Brown Mold typically grows on plywood, other wood surfaces and in the bathroom on window sills or between tiles. It may look like fuzzy growth or small moist blobs.
• Pink Mold is controversial as some believe it is not a mold but instead is a bacteria. Science has proven that it is indeed both a mold and a bacteria. It is mostly found in moisture-rich environments like bathrooms where it can feed off soap and shower products and tends to be fuzzy
• Red Mold usually grows in tandem with other color molds. It grows on building materials such as particle board or drywall. It can also grow on spoiled food.
• White Mold is the default spore-free color of most molds and the exploratory tendrils of a mold are almost always white before they produce and release spores. This means that very new mold will almost always appear to be white. It can be found on virtually any material and thrives in dark and damp areas that include framing in the attic, basement walls, and exposed dirt in crawlspaces.
• Green Mold appears as soft and fuzzy or powdery and can have different hues of green. It can basically grow anywhere in your home where a water problem may occur. It loves latching onto food such as bread and starch heavy foods.
• Yellow Mold is a common household mold and can found virtually everywhere you’ve experienced water damage. It is sometimes referred to as house-eating mold because it feeds on wooden structures and literally eats away at them causing the deterioration of many old wooden buildings and wooden furniture.
• Black Mold favors materials, such as cardboard, hay, paper, wicker, and wood especially in humid rooms of a house.

Interested in learning other fascinating science facts about mold? Try searching “prettiest molds”, “slime molds” and even “bizarre fruiting bodies of slime molds!” This shows just how amazing nature is in our world.

The only time it is not interesting to learn about mold is when you learn you have unwanted mold growing in your home or business. Regardless of the color of your mold, you want it gone as soon as possible. That is when it is time to call SERVPRO of Toms River! Our highly trained technicians will remediate the mold with our Mold Remediation Process.

Do You Know How Molds Are Used In Our Daily Lives?

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

Not all molds should be growing on all cheese including this mold growing on old pizza from a hoarding situation in Manchester, NJ.

Mold is a scary word to some people but it is very common in our daily lives. Mold is a type of fungus that forms multicellular, thread-like structures. Mold is found everywhere in nature. Some molds are known to cause damage, decay and mild annoyances while others have become indispensable to humans.

Do you know what things are made from mold that most of us have used before?

1. The Penicillium mold is one of the first and still one of the most widely used antibiotic agents to make Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin and Nafcillin. The PBS News Story has an interesting article, The Real Story of Penicillin, about how Penicillin was first discovered to treat infections. It is truly remarkable how a few doctors changed the course of medicine that we still use in our lives today.
2. The second thing made with mold that most of us use are certain kinds of cheeses. Yes, cheese. Blue veined cheese such as Roquefort, blue, Gorgonzola, and Stilton are created by the introduction of Penicillium roqueforti or Penicillium roqueforti spores. Cheeses such as Brie and Camembert have white surface molds. Production involves adding a white mold culture to the curd, causing a white bloom to grow on the surface. The cheese then ripens in four to nine weeks. The longer it is stored, the softer it becomes. Other cheeses have both an internal and a surface mold. The molds used to manufacture these cheeses are safe to eat. Visit Castello to look at some of their white mold cheese.
3. Some molds are used in the production of alcohol. Rhizopus has several industrial applications in the manufacturing of enzymes and metabolites such as ethanol, lactic, and fumaric acids. This means that Rhizopus can metabolize starch into glucose, directly fermenting the glucose to give alcohol.
4. Koji molds are used to ferment soybeans to make soy sauce. They are also used to make vinegar, as well as fermented beverages, like sake.

Mold can grow on almost all foods. Do you know what common foods are likely to grow mold?

• Fruits: Including strawberries, oranges, grapes, apples and raspberries
• Vegetables: Including tomatoes, bell peppers, cauliflower and carrots
• Bread: Especially when it contains no preservatives
• Cheese: Both soft and hard varieties
• Meats
• Nuts
• Milk
• Processed Foods

Even if mold is only visible on the surface, its roots may lie deep in the food.

What does mold need to grow on these foods?

Most molds need organic matter and oxygen to live, which is why they usually don’t thrive where oxygen is limited. Also, most molds need moisture to live.

Even though some molds are added to particular foods during production to achieve certain effects, the same molds can still spoil other products. Remember that just because some molds are used to make some cheese does not mean you should eat them.

So, how can you prevent mold from growing on your food?

According to healthline, here are their tips to help prevent mold growth in your food:

• Clean your fridge regularly: Wipe out the inside every few months.
• Keep cleaning supplies clean: This includes dishcloths, sponges and other cleaning utensils.
• Don’t let your produce rot: Fresh food has a limited shelf life. Buy a small amount at a time and use it within a few days.
• Keep perishable foods cool: Store foods with limited shelf lives, such as vegetables, in the refrigerator, and don’t leave them out for more than two hours.
• Storage containers should be clean and sealed: Use clean containers when storing food and cover it to prevent exposure to mold spores in the air.
• Use leftover food fast: Eat leftovers within three to four days.
• Freeze for longer-term storage: If you don’t plan on eating the food soon, put it in the freezer.

If you do find mold growing in places that should not have mold, call SERVPRO of Toms River. 

It's Time to Winterize Your Summer Home

8/31/2019 (Permalink)

This Beach Haven home was left unchecked for a month and then was discovered to have both water and mold damage.

Even though the warmer weather might still be here for a little longer, the colder weather is just around the corner. Now is the time to start thinking about winterizing the water and plumbing systems in your summer home because a vacant house is particularly prone to damage during extended periods of freezing temperatures.

Proper care and frequent checks around your property by yourself if possible, or a friend, neighbor or relative while you are away, will help prevent your home from disaster. A quick look around done periodically for as long as the house is empty can mean the difference between a problem being caught early enough to be fixed before any damage is done, and a problem left unchecked left to cause serious and costly damage. The last thing you want to walk into after the long, winter season is to find a catastrophe has hit your vacation home.

Follow these simple steps to help prevent water and mold damage to your summer home:

• You may want to shut off the water to the house when you leave, as it reduces the chance of water leakage and subsequent damage. Always consult with your heating professional to determine if it is safe to turn off the water supply for your particular heating system. Also, if your home is protected by a fire sprinkler system, make sure that you do not turn off the water to this system. If you have turned off the water supply, drain your pipes of all water by opening the faucets, and flush your toilet to clear the water from the tank and bowl. 

• If you decide against draining your water pipes, keep the furnace running with the temperature 55°F or higher to help ensure the home stays warm and that the pipes do not freeze. Also, wrap any pipes that might be exposed to the elements with insulation or heat tape. Keeping room and cabinet doors open can also help heat to circulate and warm the areas where pipes are located. Shut off the water to washing machine, dishwasher, and/or ice maker line where possible, to avoid leaks or broken hoses. It is also advisable to wrap insulation around the water heater, the pipes leading to and from it and insulate any pipes exposed outdoors, in a crawl space under the house, etc. If the pilot light is left on, it is not necessary to drain the water heater.

• Invest in smart home technology that detects water leaks and can alert you to a problem, before it overwhelms your house.

Even if you have someone regularly checking on your summer home, they might not see the water until it has caused serious damage to your property. Any home can quickly become infested with mold if a source of water is present. Mold can spread throughout a property in as little as 48 hours. 

If you return to your summer home to water or mold damage or both, know that you will be in great hands if you call SERVPRO of Toms River.

How to Defend Your Home from Mold

2/20/2019 (Permalink)

Leaky pipes left alone may not only bring water damage but mold damage too. Fix them ASAP to avoid mold growth in your Toms River home.

When there is a water or moisture intrusion of any kind in your home, mold can quickly become a problem. Not only can mold cause health effects but it can also cause significant damage to your property.

Follow these simple tips to help prevent your property against mold:

• Keep the humidity between 30-60 percent.
• Provide proper drainage away from your home’s foundation.
• Regularly inspect plumbing and appliances for leaks.
• Keeps gutters and drains free of debris.
• Inspect the roof, windows and other areas where water might enter the building and preform necessary maintenance.
• Respond to all water intrusions immediately.
• Contact SERVPRO of Toms River ASAP if you suspect or find a water intrusion.

We understand both water, mold and mold growth. Our team has the training, protective gear and specialized equipment necessary to handle any mold problem. Because every mold damage is different and will require a unique solution, you need an experienced crew there to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Are You Aware that September is Mold Awareness Month?

9/1/2018 (Permalink)

Mold spreads quickly, so a minor mold infestation can quickly escalate into a major problem.

Are You Aware that September is Mold Awareness Month?

Molds are part of our natural environment, and can be found everywhere, indoors and outdoors.  Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. 

It only takes a small water leak, or even excess humidity, for mold to form in your Toms River home or business. Then, mold can spread quickly through the property in as little as 48 hours. Mold can produce allergens and irritants, and it has the potential to cause other health effects.

Listed below are a few simple tips if you suspect you may have a mold situation:

• DO NOT ignore possible signs of mold.  Immediately look for possible sources of moisture without disturbing suspected mold to prevent further spreading.
• Repair any sources of water as quickly as possible and thoroughly dry the any areas that are wet or damp.
• Move anything that is not suspected of having mold on it to a safe and dry area.
• If possible, seal off areas that may be contaminated to prevent further spreading. 

If You See Signs of Mold, 
Call SERVPRO of Toms River Today at 732-349-9898.

Mold Spores are Present in the Air all the Time

7/5/2018 (Permalink)

A water leak behind a sink was unseen for more than 48 hours and quickly spread into a "mold problem" in this home in Toms River, NJ.

Mold spores are present in the air all the time so it is impossible to eliminate every trace of it. It becomes more a matter of preventing the start of mold growth rather than trying to eliminate it once it starts to grow and spread. You might come across “DIY” tricks for getting rid of mold, but they almost never work. The most effective option is usually to call a professional who can:

• Locate and identify mold
• Assess the damage
• Contain the mold and keep it from spreading
• Identify and repair sources of moisture
• Provide air filtration
• Physically remove the mold
• Clean the affected area
• Develop and execute a restoration plan

When choosing a mold removal company, it is important to remember that killing the mold is more important than scoring a low price or “cheap deal.” SERVPRO of Toms River has highly trained specialists that specialize in mold removal and remediation.  We effectively restore your home or business to pre-mold condition.

Mold can spread in as little as 48 hours. We will beat the clock and attend to your mold issue immediately so that it does not worsen. As your Toms River neighbors, we take pride in making your mold problem “Like it never even happened.” If you suspect you might have a mold problem, call us 24/7 at 732-349-9898. You can also learn more about our mold remediation and restoration services here.

Mold and the Mold Remediation Process

6/13/2018 (Permalink)

During our mold remediation process in this home in Brick, NJ, barriers were constructed to prevent the further spread of mold spores.

Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided, according to the EPA. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet or contain moisture. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

Molds can gradually destroy the things they grow on. You can prevent damage to your home and furnishings, save money, and avoid potential health problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth, according to the EPA.

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 Toms River has the training and expertise to remediate the mold in your home or business.

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

1. Call SERVPRO of Toms River as soon as possible at 732-349-9898
2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
3. Mold Containment
4. Air Filtration
5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
6. Cleaning Contents and Belongings

For a guide from the EPA on Mold, Moisture and Your Home please visit their website.

A Water Intrusion Quickly Becomes a Mold Problem

3/12/2018 (Permalink)

This home in Whiting, NJ had a roof that leaked into the attic, unbeknownst to the homeowners, and quickly turned into a mold problem.

When there is a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line, mold can quickly become a problem in your home. Mold can cause health effects and significant damage to your property. Fortunately, the team at SERVPRO of Toms River, has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. Although every mold damage scenario is different requiring a unique solution, the general remediation process stays the same. The following steps illustrate a “typical” mold removal process:

• Call 732-349-9898 and we will ask you a series of questions to help us determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed for your mold problem.
• We will carefully inspect for signs of mold using technology designed to detect mold and hidden water sources, sometimes hidden from plain view.
• Containment procedures may need to be set up to further prevent spreading and isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.
• Specialized filtration equipment will capture microscopic mold spores out of the air. We will utilize our powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these spores while the process is in progress.
• The remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. We will use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new ones from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary to remediate heavy growth.
• Cleaning furniture, decorative items, curtains and other restorable items that are affected comes next. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings along with removing odors and deodorization using fogging equipment.
• Finally, depending on the level of damage and removing what was necessary, installing new drywall, subfloors, carpeting, etc. and painting may be necessary to finish the restoration process

SERVPRO of Toms River is a trusted leader in the restoration industry. Locally owned and operated, we live and work here and are proud to be part of this community. We are proud to provide mold remediation services in our local communities.

Mold is Present Almost Everywhere

3/2/2018 (Permalink)

Mold growing on wood in a home in Tuckerton, NJ before the mold remediation process.

Mold is present almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors, year round, which is not necessarily a bad thing. They are a necessary part of our environment that play a key role in the breakdown of organic materials and recycle nutrients back through our ecosystem.

Airborne mold spores float around inside our homes are simply a fact of our daily life and are normally not harmful. They only becomes harmful or bad when they enter our indoor environment and begin to grow on sustainable food sources that could potentially affect the air with an elevated level of mold spores.

Some examples of sustainable food sources are:

• Drywall
• Wood
• Carpeting or rugs
• Furniture
• Insulation

Indoors, mold needs moisture to grow and becomes a problem where there is water damage, elevated, prolonged or excessive humidity or dampness. They grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions. Mold growth can start to grow on a damp surface within 24 to 48 hours and will digest organic material, eventually destroying the material they grow on.

Some people are unaware that molds can be many colors including white, green, orange or blue and not just black or grey. Color has no bearing on whether it is dangerous or not and not all black, brown, grey, or white spots are mold. When unsure, it is best to have a professional evaluate the situation.

The best practice is to remediate the mold at the source and work to prevent future growth. The key to preventing and stopping mold growth is to control excessive moisture and condensation. Removing the mold without fixing the water problem will usually result in the mold coming back. Keeping susceptible areas in the home clean and dry is critical. In cases dealing with humidity, use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months. Humidity levels change with changes in the moisture in the air and the air temperature, so they will need to regularly monitored. Be sure the home has adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans.

SERVPRO of Toms River knows that every mold infestation is different, from the amount of mold to the types of materials affected. Each scenario requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. We are locally owned and operated, and proud to provide mold remediation services in our local communities.

If You See Signs of Mold, 
Call us today at (732)349-9898.

Mold Prevention

1/25/2017 (Permalink)

Mold growing on a wall in a Manchester, NJ home

What You Should Do to Prevent Against Mold Growth:

• Keep the humidity between 30 to 60 percent.
• Provide for proper drainage away from building foundations.
• Regularly inspect plumbing and appliances for leaks.
• Keep gutters and drains clear of debris.
• Inspect the roof, windows and other areas where water might enter the building, and perform necessary maintenance.
• Respond to water intrusions immediately.
• Contact SERVPRO of Toms River for assistance after a water damage or if you discover mold.

Prompt mitigation is vital to avoid mold growth which can be visible in as little as 24 to 48 hours under certain conditions.

In as little as 48 hours, a minor mold issue can quickly spread through a home or business. Once you contact us, we’re dedicated to starting the remediation process quickly. This fast response lessens the mold damage, limits additional damage, and reduces the remediation cost.

If You See Signs of Mold, 
Call Us Today – 732-349-8989

Mold Removal: Get Rid of Mold for Good

1/17/2017 (Permalink)

The mold remediation team of SERVPRO of Toms River can help make your home healthy again.

Mold Removal: Get Rid of Mold for Good

Mold is unhealthy and unrelenting. Cases of black mold are also unsightly, while other types of mold can be more difficult to detect.

It doesn’t take much for mold to become a big problem in your home or business, especially here in Toms River, NJ, where humid summers, year-round precipitation and proximity to the ocean foster mold growth.

What Exactly is Mold?

Mold is a fungus that exists just about everywhere, indoors and outdoors. There are hundreds of thousands of mold types, ranging in seriousness from completely harmless to major health hazard. Microscopic mold spores float in the air, entering your home through windows, doors, AC/heating systems, and other small cracks that allow airflow. They can also live on your clothing and pets.

Why and Where Does Mold Grow?

When mold spores find a thriving environment, they can quickly multiply into allergen- and irritant-producing colonies. Mold typically grows when there is some combination of:

• Moisture (often from a leak)
• Humidity
• Warmth
• Darkness
• Oxygen
• Poor Ventilation

Mold also needs a food source, whether it’s drywall, fabric, wood, or any other material found in your home or business. If you are having ongoing respiratory problems, throat irritation, sneezing fits, or unexplained health concerns, you should check for mold in in the following areas:

• Under sinks
• Behind walls
• Around AC units
• Around windows
• Under carpeting
• In the basement
• In the laundry room
• Anywhere that might have been dampened

How Does Mold Removal or Mold Remediation Work?

Since mold spores are in the air all the time, it’s impossible to completely eliminate mold. It’s more a matter of keeping it out of your home or business. You might come across “DIY” tricks for getting rid of mold, but they almost never work. The most effective option is usually to call a professional who can:

• Locate and identify mold
• Assess the damage
• Contain the mold and keep it from spreading
• Identify and repair sources of moisture
• Provide air filtration
• Physically remove the mold
• Clean the affected area
• Develop and execute a restoration plan

Mold Removal Experts

When choosing a mold removal company, it’s important to remember that killing the mold is more important than scoring a low price or “cheap deal.” SERVPRO of Toms River specializes in mold removal and mold remediation, with a team of highly trained mold damage specialists and an arsenal of advanced equipment to effectively restore your home or business the first time around.

Mold can spread in as little as 48 hours–we will beat the clock and attend to your mold issue immediately so that it doesn’t worsen. As your Toms River neighbors, getting rid of mold once and for all is as important to us as it is to you. If you think you might have a mold problem, call us at 732-349-9898, or request help online. You can also learn more about our mold remediation and restoration services here.