When did you first learn about mold?  Most likely back when you were a child in school.  There are many experiments that can be fun and exciting when it comes to mold.  Doing one in your home however is not something that anyone wants to take part in.  Everyone has found forgotten leftovers in the fridge with more colors than a crayon box.  It’s not at all uncommon to find an orange turn green overnight with mold growth or that bread that was left out a little too long to start getting spots.  When we see it growing on food, there is little concern other than to throw it out (sometimes the container too).  We have come to accept that mold has a purpose which is to bread down organic matter.  What is not acceptable is when that thing it is breaking down is our homes.   Mold in a home can cause material and structural damage as well as posing a possible health hazard.  Do you know your mold facts?

ServiceMaster First Response was asked for their input as a  mold remediation professional which was used by ServiceMaster Restore® to compile facts about mold everyone needs to know.  Here they are:

1. Mold needs moisture to grow. Outdoors, mold grows in the soil, on vegetation and on decaying materials. Indoors, mold thrives in damp, moist conditions like bathrooms, basements or even behind the drywall when there’s been water damage.
2. Mildew is mold. That white-gray, powdery stuff that sometimes appears on the leaves of plants is mildew, an early stage of mold.
3. There are four common types of indoor mold: alternaria, aspergillus, cladosporium and penicillium.
4. Often, mold found in a home appears greenish-gray, brownish-green, gray and even black. You may find slimy green mold on the exterior growing on vinyl siding located in an area that receives little to no sun. This mold usually can be removed with a power washer.
5. Mold, a fungi, spreads by spores, which act as seeds to form new mold colonies.
6. Some mold spores do contain toxins that can cause health issues when inhaled. People with mold allergies, pregnant women, anyone suffering from asthma, has a compromised immune system or respiratory conditions shouldn’t be exposed to mold. This is why mold remediation by professionals is essential.
7. Reactions to mold may include, but are not limited to, headache, fever, cough, wheezing and flu-like symptoms. It can trigger asthma attacks as well.
8. The terms “toxic mold” or “black mold” refer to Stachybotrys chartarum. Typically, it’s greenish-black in color and develops after a space has suffered heavy water damage. It, and all other kinds of mold, needs to be removed safely by professionals trained in mold removal.
9. Mold on a shower curtain or in the tile’s grout around a tub can be removed by a homeowner. Bleach removes mold, but remember to only use it in a room that’s well-ventilated. Also, some types of tile will etch with bleach contact, so make sure to spot check the bleach before using around the entire tub.
10. Running a bathroom fan can help reduce the development of mold in the room. Open glass shower doors to allow ventilation and never bunch a shower curtain, instead keep it open so it can dry thoroughly. Remember, mold needs moisture for growth.
11. A musty, mildew-y smell in the basement is not natural. It’s likely mold due to water damage, a cracked foundation or leaking pipes.
12. If that musty, mildew-y smell is present in your home, it’s important to locate the source of the smell or the location of the mold.
13. For mold growth in a residential home, the CDC does not recommend mold sampling or testing.
14. Keeping indoor humidity levels below 45 percent can inhibit mold growth.
15. Condensation on windows, walls and other hard surfaces is a sign of high humidity in the home, which increases the risk for mold development.
16. After a water damage event (flood, burst pipe, firefighting efforts), mold can begin to grow as soon as 24 to 48 hours.
17. Mildew, a type of mold, easily develops on cardboard, books and even fabrics. Store old clothes and other items in water-resistant containers instead of cardboard boxes to reduce the risk for mold growth.
18. After a home flood, mold can grow in many unseen places including behind drywall, within insulation, on carpet padding and even throughout the HVAC system.
19. Adding mold-inhibitors to paint before painting can reduce the potential for mold growth.
20. ServiceMaster Restore® offers complete mold remediation servicesperformed safely and effectively by professionals.

At ServiceMaster First Response we hold ourselves to the highest of cleaning standards. This week we had the opportunity to aid another local business with their office furniture. The image to the left is of a waiting room chair. To the naked eye everything looked in order, however once we took a closer look we found all evidence to the contrary. Under 800x magnification we found all manor of dirt and debris that had worked its way deep into the upholstery fibers. The furniture was then handed off to our highly skilled upholstery cleaning technician. Once thoroughly cleaned and dried [right], we again dove down into the fibers to assess the situation. As expected, there was not a speck of dirt to be found.

If you have upholstered furniture, it is a good practice to have those items cleaned on an annual basis. Regular cleaning can help to prolong the life and appearance of your furniture.

If you would like to know more please feel welcome to contact us. Thank you!

ServiceMaster First Response
855-SM-FIRST
​760-948-1506

We cleanup what plumbing clogs like this leave behind. As this root system grew, it clogged the main drain from the house. That clog is only a little part of the trouble. What happens to the water that can’t get through a drain like this? It floods a house out. Walls, carpet and customers contents get wet and need to be cleaned up, dried out and taken care of properly. When it comes to contaminated water sources like septic and sewer backups, you need to find a company that knows what they are doing, has trained technicians who follow industry standards to make sure that your home is not just cleaned up but is returned to a safe environment. That is where ServiceMaster First Response comes in. Our staff knows just what to do. They will explain to you what needs to be done, how we can do it and give you the peace of mind to know it will be done right.

If you have a slow drain, call a plumber quickly to avoid a flood. if you have a flood, call ServiceMaster. We can get your home back to the beautiful safe environment that it should be.

You have the choice of who you want to use to handle a flood. You can count on us.

Why Choose ServiceMaster First Resonse?
Because It’s Your Home,
It’s Your Family
And It’s Your Choice!

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We are looking for a few GREAT people to join our team here at ServiceMaster First Response.  We are one of the original franchises in Southern California tracing our roots in this community to 1960 when the doors were first opened.  We clean up after floods, fires, mold and more.

One of the requirements to work for our franchise is that you must be able to pass and maintain a Crime-Free Certification.  This is a must for all of our employees.  It is one of the many ways we bring true peace of mind to our customers at their time of need.  We also support a drug free workplace so yes, we test.

We have a full training program and have a team that loves to help customers when they have disasters in their home or office, day and night.

We have been serving the High desert, mountain communities of Big Bear, lake Arrowhead, Crestline, Wrightwood as well as all of San Bernardino County from Hesperia since we opened the doors in 1960.

We are currently looking for temporary part to full time helpers in our Fire/Smoke cleanup as well as Water Damage divisions.  We also have a complete contents and soft goods restoration division.  Most of our employees began as helpers and then moved up into their current positions.

Please stop by the office and apply in person Monday through Friday from 8AM till 5PM.