Mold is a type of fungus that produces growth on various types of moist or decaying surfaces. It can grow on leather, clothing, walls, ceilings, and food or almost anywhere that moisture is present. It can often be identified by its color, which can range in blues, greens, blacks and reds. While some mold is harmless, some can be toxic and cause health problems in both humans and animals.
Mildew is also a type of fungus that grows on moist surfaces. However, mildew is generally found in showers, bathtubs and windowsills. It can be identified by its color of gray or white. Mildew is also more distinct since it can only take on a powdery or fuzzy form. Although mildewing surfaces are not toxic, they can cause problems for people who are allergic to mold.
10 tips to prevent mold in your home
- Eliminate clutter
- Control indoor climate
- Shut windows and doors when AC is on
- Properly size your AC unit
- Monitor humidity
- Evaluate your AC
- Look for standing water
- Cover your crawl space
- Add a dehumidifier
- Call ServiceMaster of San Francisco/ San Mateo County
Tiny amounts of mold are in every breath you take. Only the cleanest environments, such as a sterilized hospital organ transplant room, are mold-free. A home will continue to have low levels of mold even after mold removal and mold remediation is finished. For more information on MOLD and MOLD removal visit https://www.servicemastersanfrancisco.com/mold-remediation/
Steve VanDenBerg is the owner of ServiceMaster Disaster Restoration and Recovery. He has over 30 years of experience working within the restoration industry and successfully leading start-ups, turnarounds, acquisitions and mergers, and rapidly growing companies.
Steve earned his BS in Business & Accounting from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI and began working for DSI Holdings as their Chief Financial Officer. When Steve began with DSI Holdings, they were running an underperforming ServiceMaster Restore franchise with one location. Steve implemented new policies and procedures for accounting and finance as well as a professional sales plan that increased profits eightfold over his time as the CFO. He was then promoted to President and CEO and in this time, he expanded the company from two locations with $4M in sales to 12 locations and $45M in sales. DSI Holdings became one of the largest disaster restoration companies in the U.S. and helped with major restoration projects throughout the U.S. and around the world.
Steve purchased ServiceMaster DRR in 2015 when the business was in decline. Drawing on his years of experience in turning around struggling ServiceMaster franchises, Steve overhauled our operations, including finance, sales, and marketing, which led to a quick turnaround. Within Steve’s first 24 months, sales increased by 60 percent. Steve also helped greatly improve our operating margins and established a relationship with California’s largest residential insurance company. Under Steve’s leadership, we have become one of the largest disaster restoration providers in California.
Steve has found great success in turning around struggling and stagnant restoration franchises by changing the business model and strategy, greatly increasing sales and profits. Many of the changes he has implemented have even been adopted by the franchisor into their operating model.