Category: <span>Mold</span>

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – If your home suffered flood damage during Hurricane Ian, state health officials say you should ensure your residence does not fall victim to mold.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) said those who experienced flooding should not re-enter their home until it is safe to do so because mold could be present on floors, walls, furniture, appliances, and clothing.

“Drying your home and removing water-damaged items within 24 to 48 hours is the most important step in stopping mold growth, damage, and potential exposure,” said DHEC.

Health officials said mold can be recognized by sight and smell – but it could also present no signs at all if hidden behind walls or under floors. Mold often appears on walls and ceilings, appearing as spots that can be in many different colors.

Mold smell is often a strong unpleasant musty, earthy odor.

The Department of Health and Environmental Control does not perform remediation for mold; however, the state health agency said residents can call their mold hotline at 1-888-815-3509 for resources and to speak with a DHEC representative who can help answer questions about mold.

To learn more about mold after a severe weather event, please click here.

Crawl Space Encapsulation Greenville SC connects customers with local crawl space contractors for repair and encapsulation in Greenville, South Carolina.

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES, September 26, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — Twenty percent of southern new builds have basements or crawl areas. Crawl spaces are common in residential construction in the states of North Carolina and Virginia; they provide a barrier between the living quarters and the potentially hazardous moisture content of the soil. In addition, they provide a tidy spot for stowing the piping and wires that carry electricity and air conditioning around the home. However, without a proper crawl space encapsulation in Greenville, SC, a property might collect water and become a repository for damp air instead of acting as a buffer. In addition, mold and mildew growth, wet sills, and framing can all contribute to a potentially disastrous combination of structural damage and pest infestations due to a high humidity environment. Therefore, it makes sense for Greenville and South Carolina homeowners to hire a professional like Crawl Space Encapsulation Greenville SC to seal the basements and crawl spaces for the safety of their loved ones.

There are many advantages of crawl space encapsulation. First, encapsulation helps mitigate home humidity problems, one of its primary benefits. No matter the season, Southerly residents must deal with the perennial issue of high humidity. Another benefit of placing a Crawl Space Vapor Barrier in Greenville, SC, is reducing the pest infestation, termites entering the decks, and other harmful insects. Many trustworthy businesses, such as Crawl Space Encapsulation Greenville SC, install pest-specific barriers to protect a home from insects, mildew, and the environment.

Crawl areas are notorious for harboring mold, mildew, and bacteria, which can negatively impact indoor air quality. A home’s indoor air quality can become poor if outside air is allowed to climb inside. Drying out a damp crawl space will reduce the likelihood of mold and mildew growth, which contribute to poor air quality and pose health risks to anyone who breathes in their spores. In addition, enclosing a crawl space prevents mold growth and reduces the symptoms of respiratory conditions like asthma. Encapsulating a crawl space is beneficial since it lowers heating and cooling costs. Encapsulation saves money on energy costs by preventing the escape of heated or cooled air through the crawl space. It also means more comfort for occupants and good indoor air throughout the season.

Crawl spaces, once enclosed, can be used for stowing things. Unfortunately, common materials for the floor of conventional crawl spaces include soil and sand, making them unfit for storing valuables. Those needing storage space will find restoring this area an excellent option because it will ensure that their goods remain dry and pest-free. Get in touch with a local service provider for crawl space repair in Greenville, SC, to turn the crawl space into a dry, secure storage area. A professional company like Crawl Space Encapsulation Greenville SC starts with removing debris, wet insulation, and molds before waterproofing the crawl space and installing a new vapor barrier and dehumidifier to complete the encapsulation process.

About Crawl Space Encapsulation Greenville SC

Crawl Space Encapsulation Greenville SC is a one-stop shop to find crawl space repair and encapsulation service providers. It connects homeowners with the best crawl space contractors and helps schedule a free crawl space inspection. In addition, those requiring crawl space encapsulation services can contact via this website to schedule a free crawl space inspection for their homes.

Robert Keefer
Crawl Space Encapsulation Greenville SC
+1 864-777-8308
email us here

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – A single mother says she has failed her children for choosing to live at the Spring Gardens apartments on Percival Road in Columbia.

This tenant, going under the pseudonym of Jenifer in fear of retaliation, says a building leak in March rendered two-thirds of her apartment unlivable. Her air conditioning stopped working within the same month.

“The crazy part, my children were sleeping on a bed not realizing that was mold on the bed. And they were literally sleeping in the bed,” said Jenifer on Thursday.

Now four months after the alarming discovery, black mold consumes her children’s bedroom which has since been cleared and barricaded for their protection. The family sleeps in an 84-degree living room every night.

Jenifer says the leasing office harasses tenants and threatens evictions on a daily basis. Following police and fire reports, she hired a lawyer and filed an injunction on the complex.

“If they would have came in and did what they were supposed to do, it would have never escalated to that.”

Jenifer’s bench trial was Aug. 17 before the Richland County Magistrate. She says the judge ruled in her favor and ordered Spring Gardens to conduct repairs with a licensed contractor by Oct. 25.

She was joined in court by an equally as appalled neighbor introduced to WIS as Ms. Patterson. The single mother of two children lives in a downstairs unit with three missing windows and a busted sliding door.

“We’re trying to fight back our rights… the fire department just came here to fix all the lights. We filed a work order for that one year ago,” said Ms. Patterson.

While touring Ms. Patterson’s unit, WIS located a dead rat in her utility closet. Meanwhile, the comfort of her family is dependent on three window units purchased out of pocket. She says the A/C has not worked all summer.

In addition to those who pay full rent, the complex houses Section-8 tenants financially restricted to hazardous living conditions.

“This complex is disturbing and disgusting… my mom is a survivor cancer patient. So everything she’s inhaling is going through her body to the point she gets sick,” said Samja, son of a tenant on Section-8.

While touring Samja’s room, WIS stepped through a large puddle of water surrounding his bed. An unidentified white substance protruded from his floorboards.

WIS emailed Spring Gardens’ parent company, Your Way Management Team, and received a response from President John Marti. However, he never responded to the calendar invite he requested.

While on-site, WIS made several attempts for in-person comment from the leasing office. Per tenants, the office was evacuated and locked when our news vans arrived.

Jenifer says the court-ordered repairs to her unit has not started.

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Copyright 2022 WIS. All rights reserved.

Residents at a southeast Charlotte apartment complex say management won’t fix mold problems that have lasted for months.

A resident, who wanted to be identified as Nicole, contacted Channel 9 after she said she had spent months trying to get the mold removed.

ALSO READ: Mother says daughter’s asthma worsened after mold discovered in school

Nicole said she hasn’t had any luck getting help from property management at Crest on Providence in Providence Square.

“The smell is really bad, hence, why I have my mask on,” she said as she showed Channel 9 a neighbor’s apartment.

Nicole’s neighbor, who gave her permission to go into the apartment, has moved into another apartment.

Inside the old apartment, mold could be seen growing on air-conditioning vents. Watermarks were on ceilings and walls and mold spores were on the carpet and walls.

“It really makes me angry, because no one should have to live like this,” Nicole said.

She said Blake Bouldin, a mold inspector with Integrity Environmental Solutions, has inspected her apartment and her neighbor’s apartment.

Channel 9 met Bouldin at the complex and he took us on a tour. Bouldin explained how bad the mold was inside the apartment.

“You can see all of the mold growth that’s on that vent,” he said, pointing a flashlight. “What happens is, the air pushes through that vent, there are spores that are on this mold right here, and they enter into the air.”

He then used an infrared light on the carpet, which showed more mold.

“So, this carpet is undoubtedly filled with mold spores,” he said.

Then, he opened a vent inside the apartment, which was dark gray and filled with dust and mold.

Nicole believes the mold that has built up in her home is from flooding that seeps into her foyer when it rains. Video she shared with Channel 9 shows how deep it can get.

“It is unsafe,” she exclaimed.

Bouldin said he tested Nicole’s apartment for mold and found roughly 15,000 mold spores. He said a normal level would be a few hundred spores.

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“It can be problematic,” he said.

Nicole believes her kids could be getting sick from the mold, with many of them suffering from respiratory problems, she said.

ALSO READ: West Rowan Middle extends remote learning to Sept. 9 after mold discovered at school, officials say

“I mean, they really need to take a look at this,” Nicole said. “Mold is a serious issue and it has impacting effects on people’s health.”

Channel 9 reached out to the complex to ask about the issues and if they would be addressed.

A spokesperson said in a statement, “We are aware of concerns raised by a few residents at Crest on Providence and have proactively taken significant steps to address them. We also expanded our on-site team with a full-time staff member focused on addressing code compliance and major repairs at the community. The well-being of residents at all of our communities is our top priority.”

VIDEO: Viral TikTok shows mold in Myrtle Beach resort room

CHARLOTTE — Residents at a southeast Charlotte apartment complex say management won’t fix mold problems that have lasted for months.

A resident, who wanted to be identified as Nicole, contacted Channel 9 after she said she had spent months trying to get the mold removed.

Nicole said she hasn’t had any luck getting help from property management at Crest on Providence in Providence Square.

“The smell is really bad, hence, why I have my mask on,” she said as she showed Channel 9 a neighbor’s apartment.

Nicole’s neighbor, who gave her permission to go into the apartment, has moved into another apartment.

Inside the old apartment, mold could be seen growing on air-conditioning vents. Watermarks were on ceilings and walls and mold spores were on the carpet and walls.

“It really makes me angry, because no one should have to live like this,” Nicole said.

She said Blake Bouldin, a mold inspector with Integrity Environmental Solutions, has inspected her apartment and her neighbor’s apartment.

Channel 9 met Bouldin at the complex and he took us on a tour. Bouldin explained how bad the mold was inside the apartment.

“You can see all of the mold growth that’s on that vent,” he said, pointing a flashlight. “What happens is, the air pushes through that vent, there are spores that are on this mold right here, and they enter into the air.”

He then used an infrared light on the carpet, which showed more mold.

“So, this carpet is undoubtedly filled with mold spores,” he said.

Then, he opened a vent inside the apartment, which was dark gray and filled with dust and mold.

Nicole believes the mold that has built up in her home is from flooding that seeps into her foyer when it rains. Video she shared with Channel 9 shows how deep it can get.

“It is unsafe,” she exclaimed.

Bouldin said he tested Nicole’s apartment for mold and found roughly 15,000 mold spores. He said a normal level would be a few hundred spores.

“It can be problematic,” he said.

Nicole believes her kids could be getting sick from the mold, with many of them suffering from respiratory problems, she said.

“I mean, they really need to take a look at this,” Nicole said. “Mold is a serious issue and it has impacting effects on people’s health.”

Channel 9 reached out to the complex to ask about the issues and if they would be addressed.

A spokesperson said in a statement, “We are aware of concerns raised by a few residents at Crest on Providence and have proactively taken significant steps to address them. We also expanded our on-site team with a full-time staff member focused on addressing code compliance and major repairs at the community. The well-being of residents at all of our communities is our top priority.”

VIDEO: Viral TikTok shows mold in Myrtle Beach resort room

Viral TikTok shows mold in Myrtle Beach resort room

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ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Students at West Rowan Middle School returned to the classroom for in-person learning Monday. It comes after mold was found in the HVAC system last month, forcing the school to send students home for remote learning. 

Custodial staff reported microbial growth in the HVAC system earlier in August and the district began testing the building for mold and other issues.

Tests for mold came back negative on Aug. 17, but further test results indicated additional cleaning was necessary. 

The school cleaned the system and retested it before students could return. Staff returned Thursday, Sept. 15, to get ready for students ahead of the official return date. The middle school is welcoming students back with a Spirit Week. 

Testing for mold and other issues will continue throughout the school year.

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