The Basics Of Mold Within The Home
Mold is a familiar condition in many homes. Wetter areas of the country have moldier homes, and even homes in dry areas have certain rooms and spaces that are more prone to developing mold.
Where there is moisture in a home, there is undoubtedly mold. The most familiar example of mold is the type that develops in the grout between ceramic tiles. A simple form of homeowner-driven mold remediation happens each time you spray that mold down with a bleach-based cleaner and wipe it off. More critical mold, either from a safety or aesthetic standpoint, happens elsewhere.
Is Black Mold Dangerous
Despite widespread implications that black mold is highly toxic,;Stachybotrys chartarum is about as dangerous as any other mold. According to the CDC, no link has been established between exposure to black mold and the development of serious respiratory problems, skin conditions or other major health problems. That being said, black mold has the potential to cause bodily irritation in several different ways.
Some side effects of black mold exposure may include:
- Coughing
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
Symptoms such as fever or shortness of breath typically arise in more severe cases, and most side effects of mold exposure are easily treatable. Some symptoms may be more intense for people with asthma, COPD, compromised immune systems, severe allergies or other bodily sensitivity. Overall, however, there is currently no evidence that black mold poses life-threatening health risks.
When To Dry The Premises Contaminated By Molds
Have you done mold inspection? Have you found the areas affected by mold? Thats great. Without letting fear to creep, its time to pull the;molds out of your house. Its necessary to dry all the mold affected areas within 48 hours. This will ensure that molds will not infest your homes again.
Floods are natural disasters. But if you wont pay any heed to flooded areas, you are most likely to entertain molds in your residence. Completely dry off the flooded regions within 48 to 72 hours would be a great help in alleviating mold.
Some surfaces or furnishings are hard to dry. For instance, carpets are one of the greatest absorbents of moisture which largely promotes mold development. Therefore, its better not to use carpets in areas where water intrusion is maximum.
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Us Epa Guidance For Mold Clearance Inspection After A Mold Cleanup
Our complete collection of US and international mold standards references are collected at
From the US EPA we include this more general advice on the criteria for a mold cleanup job:
How Do I Know When the Remediation or Cleanup is Finished?
- You must have completely fixed the water or moisture problem;before the cleanup or remediation can be considered finished.
- See MOLD RELATED ILLNESS GUIDE
- Ultimately, this is a judgment call;; there is no easy answer. If you have concerns or questions consult our Frequently Asked Questions database and ask a question if you don’t find what you need.
Professional Water Damage Cleanup And Mold Removal
At ServiceMaster Restoration Services, we use industrial air movers and dehumidifiers to evaporate the moisture from the affected materials and then draw that moisture from the air and pump it out of the home, thus stopping mold from forming in your property. Our highly effective tools, procedures, and techniques allow us to keep drying times to a minimum and faster drying means less time and smaller chance for mold to develop, which helps avoid costly repairs and health problems that occur as a result of fungal contamination.
You can count on ServiceMaster Restoration Services for water damage cleanup, drying services, mold growth evaluation, damage containment, mold removal, and mold damage mitigation in Omaha, NE, and the surrounding areas.
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Mold Remediation: How Long Will Treatment Take
Mold grows fast. Once its found the right conditions to grow and reproduce, it can spread very swiftly. Its one of the reasons Green Home Solutions always prioritizes rapid-response mold remediation. We understand a fast, strategic approach can do plenty to halt mold in its tracks.;
How long does a treatment take? At Green Home Solutions, we comprehensively contain and clean up mold issues within days. Your Green Home Solutions representative will provide clear treatment timelines once weve investigated for active mold. Lets see what some of those timelines can look like.;
How We Plan Rapid-Response Mold Remediation
At Green Home Solutions, we use high-precision methods to find, isolate, and treat mold. These processes allow us to work rapidly but accurately, leaving you with a mold-free indoor environment.;
On average, treatment takes us 2 to 4 days to finish. The length of mold remediation will always depend on the scale of the mold problem were dealing with. Both speed and precision are crucial to our approach. While we work quickly, we also want to make sure all mold has been dealt with.;
Here are three factors that may affect overall treatment timelines:;;
Your Green Home Solutions representative will update you before and during treatment. We make sure you always know what to expect in terms of the time and work involved.;
Schedule Your Consultation with Green Home Solutions
When You Should Call A Trained Professional
There is no set rule when it comes to calling in a trained professional to treat a mold problem, but the earlier this issue is treated, the less costly and invasive the treatment may be. A qualified mold professional can conduct an analysis of the surfaces and air quality within your home. This will allow him or her to provide you with an analysis of the types and levels of mold that are present. Knowing this will allow us to build a customized treatment plan for your specific home.
It is recommended that you select a company that has the ability to perform a laboratory analysis of the surface and air quality within your home in addition to having a visual analysis completed. A laboratory test will only take a few days to receive results. This allows the mold professional to treat the mold with the most appropriate measures available.
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What Should I Expect From A True Mold Removal Professional
Any mold professional should be able to explain your mold removal project in plain English. ;If a contractor is unable to explain the basic processes and steps of mold remediation and mold removal in laymans terms, be very wary! ;If someone tries to complicate and confuse you about the process and scare you into hiring them, walk away and say, Thanks, but no thanks.
Where To Look For Mold In Your Home
There are some areas in your home that are more susceptible and vulnerable to mold growth than others. It is best to know what these areas are so that you can perform a routine mold inspection on your own to identify whether you are in need of further measures.
These areas that are most susceptible include untreated basement walls, leaks around pipe fittings, poorly sealed flashing around chimneys or in attic spaces, your HVAC system, and anywhere moisture builds up due to poor ventilation.
A home is especially susceptible to mold growth after a flooding incident. And, sump pump failures will also exacerbate any basement flooding issues.
If you recollect seeing some of the homes on TV after Hurricane Katrina, you could see black mold growing on the walls up to where the water line had been.
If you arent sure whether or not you have mold in these areas, there are some obvious ways to detect mold growth.
Your nose may detect a musty mold odor. And, sometimes that is the only hint you have that there is mold in your house.
That is when you need to take a look in the aforementioned areas to see if mold is present.
You may actually see the mold. And, when the mold makes itself visible, it is possible that there is more below the surface.
However, mold peeking from behind a baseboard or through sheet rock can look like dirt rather than mold, which can result in nothing being done.
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How Fast Does Mold Spread
Mold spreads in as little as a few hours. When a mold spore lands on a moist organic material, it roots into the porous surface and begins to feed off the organic substance. Within hours, the harmful microorganisms start spreading to adjacent moist areas, damaging the structural integrity of the material theyre attached to. Once mold gets a foothold on a surface in your home, it quickly fills the air with thousands of spores that spread throughout the building, affecting more and more areas with every passing hour.
So, the only way to prevent mold from infesting your home following an incident with water damage is to dry the premises within the first 48 hours after the water intrusion.
Will Mold Come Back After Removal
If the climate is damp, there is a chance that mold will come back. Given that mold is always present, it can quickly become a problem once again, even if it was thought removed. Moreover, it can spread fairly quickly, which is why it should be taken care of before it becomes a serious problem not only so it doesnt ruin your house but so it doesnt ruin your health as well.
When detected again, mold spots should be handled before they spread. If they keep appearing in the same area then either the initial removal wasnt actually complete and the problem is deeper, or the climate is not favourable for the area too much humidity.
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Removing Mold From Wood
Removing mold from wood is easy if it has not spread far and wide. Before starting, put on your protective wear, especially a mask and gloves. First, vacuum up the area with the mold. This will suck up any loose spores on the surface of the wood. Next, scrub the area with soap and water. On bare, untreated or unpainted wood, you can use bleach. Soak up any cleaner and extra moisture.
If mold is still apparent in the wood, you can try to sand it out. Note that sanding will take off any finish and some of the wood. Since mold can live deep in the pores of wood, you may need to do a lot of sanding to fully remove it.
Can Mold Cause Health Problems
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens , irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances . Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash .
Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing.
This provides a brief overview; it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your state or local health department.
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When Do I Call A Mold Remediation Company
The EPA recommends calling a mold remediation expert for mold that appears to affect an area of 10 sq. feet or more.
That said, things arent always as they appear. Surface mold usually doesnt tell the whole story. Cleaning surface mold does not remove the mold spores, which will eventually cause recurring mold growth. That is why it is typically advisable to call a mold expert for an evaluation.
Nelson Barnes Jr., a mold remediation expert in the Washington D.C. area, told the Washington Post:
The biggest thing, the absolute biggest thing in mold remediation is the evacuation of spores. You can go in, clean it up, wipe it down, put in a dehumidifier and you have done nothing to control the spores.
Another reason experts recommend calling a remediation company is that there is often an underlying problem that caused the mold to begin with, such as moisture, leaks, or humidity.
Barnes went on to say: If you get rid of the mold, but you do not correct the moisture problem, the mold will return.
Mold restoration companies also specialize in plumbing and water damage. They will be able to not only identify the cause and source of mold growth but also fix whatever the problem is. Mold evaluations are usually free.
- Pipe leaks
- Temperatures between 72-81 Fahrenheit
Mold can grow in any home, but older homes are at greater risk. Aging pipes, cracked walls, or cracked ceilings even if not noticeable can cause just enough moisture to create a perfect habitat for mold.
Contact Fp Property Restoration For All Your Mold Remediation Needs
While no one likes having to deal with mold growth, you can count on our experts at FP Property Restoration to help you get through the mold remediation process as quickly as possible. While a lot of individuals claim to be mold certified, our professionals at FP Property Restoration are in the elite position of being licensed mold remediators, which means they are fully trained and insured to deliver nothing but the safest, most efficient service. If your home has experienced water damage leading to mold growth, we can also help you deal with any lingering effects, and we provide various cleaning and repair services, including custom cabinetry building, in case mold growth has seriously damaged your property. If you believe you have a mold problem, give us a call for mold inspection and testing today, and let our pros at FP Property Restoration take care of your mold problem ASAP!
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How Does Mold Growth Start
Mold growth starts as mildew. Looking out for that slimy, smelly substance is the first start to keeping your home mold free. All mold needs to grow is air, and a moist environment. As anyone in the south especially knows, mold is an all to common occurrence, and its a year-round problem. Mold growth is usually the result of the following things:
Unfortunately, just drying up a leak or a wet spot may not be enough to stop mold growth. Next, well look at what to do if mold exists.
What You Should Know Before Hiring Mold Removal Help
Home>Mold Tips>What You Should Know Before Hiring Mold Removal Help
We know mold removal can be a daunting task. ;Where should you begin? And how can you get it done right at a reasonable price? ;Well, the truth is that mold removal isnt as complicated as its often made out to be. The right mold professional can guide you through the process while charging a reasonable price. Weve created a DIY Mold Removal eBook so everyone can easily learn how to identify and approach mold in their home before consulting with a professional.
So here are Moldmans tips for finding the right pro to get your job done right without breaking the bank.
**Note: ;For the purpose of this article, Mold Removal, Mold Remediation, Mold Abatement and Mold Mitigation are interchangeable terms that essentially mean fixing a mold problem in a structure.
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Attic Mold Remediation Attic Mold Removal Cost
By the time you realize that there is mold in your attic, the growth may be significant. This is often because people neglect to inspect their attic for signs of mold, or at all.
So it can be helpful to add a routine attic inspection into your home maintenance schedule, to avoid a larger issue down the line.
You will need to call an attic mold removal service as soon as possible if you suspect a mold issue, particularly a toxic mold issue.
When you make that call, simply describe the problem and the severity. Be sure to be as specific as possible so you can get an accurate quote.
The quote for services should be free and you will have the opportunity to ask questions.
Some questions to ask might include:
- What is the average cost to remediate mold in an attic space?
- What do I need to do until you get here?
- Will my homeowners insurance policy cover the remediation costs?
- What methods do you use and are they safe for my family and me?
- Do you use any harmful or toxic chemicals?
- Will my pets be safe?
- What guarantees do you offer that the mold will not come back?
- Will you come back to do a follow-up testing to make sure all of the mold and the mold spores are removed?
- Do I need to leave my home while you eliminate the mold?
Once a remediation specialist has been sent to your home to evaluate the mold problem, you can ask approximately how long it will take for the mold to be eliminated.
Some mold services will need 1-2 days or more to complete their work.
Removing Mold In The Kitchen
Spotted mold in your kitchen? Scrub any hard surfaces with one of the solutions mentioned above, taking care to thoroughly rinse any food prep areas after. You may need to replace porous surfaces, such as wooden cabinets, that are contaminated.
To prevent mold and practice adequate kitchen maintenance, open your windows to improve ventilation and run the hood vent when cooking and cleaning. Wipe water from hard surfaces, and fix leaky faucets as soon as possible. Always make sure your tableware and serving dishes are dry before storing them to keep mold from proliferating in cabinets. Scrub mold from surfaces as soon as it appears, then be sure to dry the area to prevent it from spreading.
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