Are You Growing Toxic Mold Spores?
FUZZY. UNHEALTHY. SMELLY. TOXIC MOLD, OH, MY!
Mold, a not so scientific term typically used to describe multiple types of fungi, is ugly, furry, yellow, green, pink, and oftentimes smelly. Found both indoors and out, toxic mold is mostly unpleasant and unsightly.
On the positive side, molds are also responsible for penicillin and blue cheese producing yeasts used to make bread, beer and wine. Mold and its spores are basically everywhere, everywhere there is moisture.
It is true, moisture begets mold and if you don’t want mold, you need to get rid of the moisture that is causing it. Damp environments are the perfect place for mold and fungi to grow. Whether in basements, attics, garages, under the sink cabinets, under carpeting, or anywhere there is humidity and moisture, mold can be found along with:
- Bacteria
- Dust mites
- Bi-products of bacteria
- Airborne chemicals/gasses
Unsightly mold and musty odors— the bi-product from breakdown of the matter it grows on can pose potential health problems as well as structural damage. Mold can cause allergies, infections and at its worst, toxic mold can cause a sick building and a myriad of symptoms that can affect quality of life. When humans spend time in an environment where mold or fungi are present they can experience respiratory issues such as asthma, headaches, infections, and other unpleasant physical symptoms
Mold remediation expert, Spencer Yaklin, CEO of Advance Restoration gives us some perspective, “If you ‘re experiencing respiratory issues with no known cause and, you are concerned about mold, you can have the moist areas tested to determine the mold species by a professional hygienist. The hygienist will supply a report of the types of mold present and their potential risk assessment. Large amounts of mold will require specialized techniques and personal protective gear for proper and safe removal. Hiring a professional to remediate the mold based on that testing, and using appropriate corresponding mold remediation techniques is critical to stopping the growth of mold and avoiding its return”.
Here’s what you should expect from a mold remediation professional
Any mold professional should insist on a test by a mold hygienist. The test will reveal the type of mold you are dealing with and let you know if you need a professional to then remediate the mold going forward. It’s important to hire an expert mold remediation team like Advance Restoration, or one that will:
- Wear proper safety PPE equipment
- Isolate mold work area
- Use HEPA air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums
- Commercial Strength dehumidifiers
- Discard moldy porous building materials
- Use anti-microbial disinfectants to clean and sanitize
- Use professional sealants to encapsulate treated areas
To remove mold and odors, locate a professional near you to guide you through the steps and return your commercial or residential property to pre-mold condition and gain not only peace of mind —but for your health!
