What a Mold Remediation Company Does
As you can see, there are many steps that a mold remediation company takes to remediate the mold problem.
But some full-service mold remediation companies offer a more comprehensive solution
To help with other areas of the restoration process.
For example.
Your mold remediation company might offer help with everything from disaster response to water damage restoration process to complete build back.
Having a highly-skilled, experienced disaster restoration team on your side also means getting assistance with your insurance claim.
In the end, it is important to work with a mold remediation company that understands your needs as a commercial property owner.
And can help walk you through each aspect of the process until your building is back to pre-damage condition.
Molds are part of the natural environment, and can be found everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Mold is not usually a problem, unless it begins growing indoors. The best way to control mold growth is to control moisture. This website provides guidance about mold and moisture for homes, schools, multifamily and commercial buildings. Molds can have a big impact on indoor air quality.
One of the biggest worries property owners have after water damage from a major pipe break or flood is mold growth.
Finding out you have this problem inside your walls, under flooring, or in your ceiling can seem overwhelming.
After all, mold can easily ruin building materials and cause significant health concerns for those exposed to it.
What is Mold?
Simply put, mold is a type of fungus that thrives in areas with high moisture. While naturally present around you in the world we live in, mold only becomes a problem if it is a certain type. Mold comes in a variety of colors including green, black, purple, white, pink, and others.
The vast majority of mold is harmless and usually can be found outdoors, such as on decaying leaves or grass clippings.
Or on food in your refrigerator, like the green mold that shows up on old cheese.
However, there are some varieties that you really need to watch out for.
The most harmful type is a version of black mold called Stachybotrys chartarum.
Here's what it looks like.
This incredibly dangerous type of mold is what most building owners find after a burst pipe or roof leak, as it needs constant moisture to grow.
A byproduct of this type of black mold are mycotoxin spores, which are lightweight and travel easily through the air.
When inhaled by humans and pets, the mycotoxin spores can cause serious health conditions like severe headaches, coughing, sneezing, skin rashes, and even death by blood poisoning.
This is why it is absolutely vital to seek mold remediation services the moment you notice the issue.
While the presence of mold can be easy to spot in some cases, it can be difficult to determine whether you have Stachybotrys chartarum in your building making it very important to call a qualified mold remediation company as soon as possible.
Mold removal and remediation is the only true way to get your property back to normal and ensure it is safe for your employees, tenants, and customers.
Let’s take a closer look at mold and how Green Carpet Restorers can help you after your building has had significant water damage due to a flood or fire.
Ten Things You Should Know about Mold
- Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory complaints.
- There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
- If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
- Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
- Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by:
- Venting bathrooms, dryers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside
- Using air conditioners and de-humidifiers
- Increasing ventilation
- Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning
- Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
- Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
- Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
- In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
- Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.
Mold and Health
How do molds affect people?
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 (substances that can cause allergic reactions) and irritants. 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.
The above does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information consult a health professional, your state or local health department,
Asthma and Mold
Molds can trigger asthma episodes in sensitive individuals with asthma. People with asthma should avoid contact with or exposure to molds. Read more about asthma triggers
What is Mold Remediation?
The mold remediation process is a restoration process that involves finding the cause of the problem, dealing with it, and making sure it never happens again.
That said, there are key elements to the remediation process to restore your commercial building back to where it was before the issue.
There are a lot of interchangeable terms used among restoration professionals, so it is important to know the difference between them.
Mold abatement is the process of removing mold from the structure and contents and encapsulating it. This may include tearing out parts of the building such as drywall and insulation, spraying a mold killer and following up with an encapsulant.
Mold remediation involves a more comprehensive process. The process includes mold removal and an abatement strategy.
Remediation also includes looking at the overall issue from a higher level to deal with the current growth and ensure it doesn’t come back.
How to Prevent Mold
Once you discover mold in your building…
...you must take concrete steps to keep it from growing and spreading.
It doesn’t matter if the issue is from a sudden water leak or some other past problem.
For the safety of your building occupants, it is very important to take action immediately.
Plus, quick action will help to minimize damage and remediation expense once you notice mold or mildew.
In our blog, we’ve detailed the exact steps you need to take to prevent mold from growing after water damage.
However, the short version includes the following steps:
- Fix the Cause of the Water Leak: Once you’ve done this, it will make it easier for a mold remediation expert to come in and start assessing the situation.
- Turn Off Electricity: Water and electric don’t mix well, so make sure to cut off power at the main breaker to the affected area.
- Document Damage and File a Commercial Insurance Claim: Take lots of pictures of the issue and areas that have mold growth. Talk to your insurance company promptly.
- Contact a Water Damage Restoration and Removal Company: They’ll help you start to dry everything out and ensure mold growth doesn’t happen.
- Ensure Your Building is Completely Dry: Before the build back, you need to make sure all moisture levels are back to normal to prevent future mold growth and damage.
Mold Remediation Process Step-by-Step
Of course, the mold remediation process is about far more than just removing mold from the damaged area.
That’s the most important thing property owners should know about the mold removal vs. mold remediation process.
To make the whole thing easy to understand, we’ve put together this step-by-step guide on what happens during mold remediation.
1. Assess and Isolate
The first real step in mold mediation is to assess the situation. A trained mold removal specialist (MRS) comes out to your building and determines what the next steps need to be. This is the most important time to document everything and ensure you’ve contacted your insurance company. Then they’ll look at the cause of the mold, where it is at, and what could potentially be hiding inside walls or ceilings. From there, they’ll isolate the problem and keep spread of spores to a minimum by using plastic or polyurethane sheeting.
2. Suit Up
While it will probably look like something out of a Hollywood movie, the special protective gear that mold remediation teams wear is for their overall safety. Often, this includes booties, goggles, and a respirator mask at a minimum. This shouldn’t alarm you, but is important to mention to show just how risky breathing in mold spores can be.
3. Use Moisture to Suppress Dust
It might seem counterintuitive to introduce more moisture to an area with mold growth, but it helps keep spores from traveling within the area. Your mold removal specialist may use a humidifier or other tool to create an ambient mist while the process continues.
4. Removal of Affected Building Materials
During this part of remediation, building materials affected by mold are removed. This includes drywall, carpeting, insulation, etc. The overall process is highly regulated by EPA standards that must be followed accordingly. Damaged items have to be packaged, sealed, and then sprayed down to eliminate any hidden spores on the outside of the bag. From there, the remediation team disposes of them accordingly.
5. Cleaning the Area
Any materials that cannot be removed are cleaned with a special brush and wipes using detergent solutions. This is one of the more difficult aspects of the mold remediation process and usually stirs spores into the air. All used cleaning tools that cannot be disinfected must be disposed of according to the guidelines in the previous step. If the HVAC system is affected, special tools and treatment methods will be used to clear any problem areas.
6. Contents Restoration
Though any type of property damage has the potential to ruin certain belongings, contents restoration technologies have advanced to a point today where many items are also salvageable. Usually near the beginning of the mold remediation process, a contents pack out will occur. This consists of a restoration company removing saveable contents such as textiles, clothes, hard goods, photos, electronics and more, and taking them off site to restore. Not every item can be saved, but some can.
7. Biocide & Encapsulating Products
Next, the mold remediation team may a special chemical called biocide to the entire space. This is a liquid that is approved by the EPA to kill mold spores. Generally, it must set overnight before being deemed fully effective. Then the mold remediation team applies a special mold resistant coating encapsulating product to the affected space. This stops mold from coming back and will prevent future infestations. Of course, this assumes the issue that caused the leak in the first place is handled and moisture levels are completely back to normal.
8. Egress Areas are Sanitized
The team then starts to take down and dispose of any plastic sheeting between the affected space and the rest of the building. They’ll likely use a HEPA-approved vacuum cleaner to ensure any spores that escaped during previous steps are fully killed.
9. Complete Drying of the Space
To keep mold from coming back in the future, your mold remediation and damage restoration company will use dryers, fans, and other tools to ensure the room meets a certain humidity standard. This is incredibly important, as the wrong level could allow the mold to grow back and defeat the purpose of the whole process.
10. Post-remediation Clearance Testing
After all that effort, a trained mold remediation expert will re-inspect the area. They’ll look for humidity, moisture readings and visual cues that ensure the mold problem is eliminated for good. They will also test airborne spore samples inside and outside the remediated area. These are necessary steps to properly assess whether or not the mold remediation was successful. Clearance testing ensures the success of the mold remediation efforts and also documents that the areas remediated are safe for reconstruction & occupancy.
Communicating with building occupants is an important part of any mold remediation project. The building owner or management should notify occupants about the scope of the problem along with planned remedial steps that will take place. Occupants should also be given a copy of any inspection reports upon request.
Mold Cleanup in Your Home
Mold Cleanup
Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors. One consideration is the size of the mold problem. If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself, follow the Mold Cleanup Tips and Techniques. However:
- If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, consult Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document is applicable to other building types.
Tips and Techniques
The tips and techniques presented in this section will help you clean up your mold problem. Professional cleaners or remediators may use methods not covered here. Please note that mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage. It may not be possible to clean an item so that its original appearance is restored.
- Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely.
Bathroom Tips
Places that are often or always damp can be hard to maintain completely free of mold. If there's some mold in the shower or elsewhere in the bathroom that seems to reappear, increasing ventilation (running a fan or opening a window) and cleaning more frequently will usually prevent mold from recurring, or at least keep the mold to a minimum.
Floods and Flooding
During flood cleanup, the indoor air quality in your home or office may appear to be the least of your problems. However, failure to remove contaminated materials and to reduce moisture and humidity can present serious long-term health risks. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and mold. They can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the flood.
To learn more about flood clean up and indoor air quality,
Flood Cleanup to Protect Indoor Air and Your Health
Flood water can make the air in your home unhealthy. Mold can grow on wood, drywall, carpet and furniture if they remain wet for more than 24 hours. Breathing in mold can make you sick. Flood water can also contain bacteria, chemicals or other hazards which may affect your health.
This page describes four important actions you should consider to protect your health and indoor air quality (IAQ) when cleaning up after a flood (like a flash flood or flooding after a hurricane):
Note: If your home is damaged by water from a pipe leak or rainwater intrusion, for information on mold prevention and cleanup. Water damage from these types of events typically presents fewer hazards and affects a smaller area than damage from hurricanes and floods.
What a Mold Remediation Company Does
As you can see, there are many steps that a mold remediation company takes to remediate the mold problem.
But some full-service mold remediation companies offer a more comprehensive solution
To help with other areas of the restoration process.
For example.
Your mold remediation company might offer help with everything from disaster response to water damage restoration process to complete build back.
Having a highly-skilled, experienced disaster restoration team on your side also means getting assistance with your insurance claim.
In the end, it is important to work with a mold remediation company that understands your needs as a commercial property owner.
And can help walk you through each aspect of the process until your building is back to pre-damage condition.
Mold Testing or Sampling
Is sampling for mold needed?
In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary. Since no limits have been set for mold or mold spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building's compliance with federal mold standards. Surface sampling may be useful to determine if an area has been adequately cleaned or remediated. Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods and interpreting results. Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended .
Mold Remediation FAQ
Mold Frequently Asked Questions
Search Frequent Questions for immediate answers to the most common questions or send a question to our customer care team.
1.What is mold?
Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
Remember:
The key to mold control is moisture control. If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem. It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
How can I tell if I have a mold problem?
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing.
Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, most likely, the mold problem will come back.
How fast does mold grow after a water leak?
According to FEMA, mold and mildew can grow twenty-four to forty-eight hours after water damage exposure.
If you’re thinking that is incredibly quick…
We agree.
Think about this for a moment.
What if you own a commercial building where everyone is gone on the weekend?
By the time employees arrive on Monday morning and discover a problem…
What are the signs I might have mold in my building?
Besides the obvious visual cues that you have mold…
...there are other ways you can tell there’s a growth problem.
If you’ve had a major leak in the recent past, it is a good indicator you might have mold.
Bubbling paint, a musty odor, and soft spots in floors could mean there’s a presence of mold.
And health conditions like a cough with no cold or headaches might also mean there’s an issue.
Ultimately, calling a dedicated mold remediation company for an inspection is the only way to know for sure.
Why is mold growing in my home?
Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.
Key points to keep in mind:
The key to mold control is moisture control. If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem. It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
What is the difference between Mold and Mildew?
Mildew refers to certain kinds of mold or fungus. The term mildew is often used generically to refer to mold growth, usually with a flat growth habit.
Molds include all species of microscopic fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments, called hyphae. Molds can thrive on any organic matter, including clothing, leather, paper, and the ceilings, walls and floors of homes with moisture management problems. Mildew often lives on shower walls, windowsills, and other places where moisture levels are high. There are many species of molds. In unaired places, such as basements, they can produce a strong musty odor
What does mold smell like?
Some compounds produced by molds have strong smells and are volatile and quickly released into the air. These compounds are known as microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). Because mVOCs often have strong or unpleasant odors, they can be the source of the "moldy odor" or musty smell frequently associated with mold growth. A moldy odor suggests that mold is growing in the building and should be investigated.
The health effects of inhaling mVOCs are largely unknown, although exposure to mVOCs has been linked to symptoms such as headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. More research is needed to determine whether there are any human health effects from non-occupational indoor exposures to mVOCs.
The Key to Mold Control is Moisture Control.
It is important to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid of the excess water or moisture. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water. Wash mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles & carpet) that become moldy may have to be replaced.
What is black mold and why is it so dangerous?
As we mentioned above, Stachybotrys chartarum is the most dangerous kind of black mold.
It can cause extreme health issues for even moderately active adults.
But in children, seniors, and those with compromised immune systems, it could be potentially lethal.
However.
Not all black mold is dangerous.
The trick here is that you really can’t tell with the naked eye.
And that’s why calling a mold removal company is so important.
What are the main ways to control moisture in your home?
Water in your home can come from many sources. Water can enter your home by leaking or by seeping through basement floors. Showers or even cooking can add moisture to the air in your home. The amount of moisture that the air in your home can hold depends on the temperature of the air. As the temperature goes down, the air is able to hold less moisture. This is why, in cold weather, moisture condenses on cold surfaces (for example, drops of water form on the inside of a window). This moisture can encourage biological pollutants to grow.
There are many ways to control moisture in your home:
Fix leaks and seepage. If water is entering the house from the outside, your options range from simple landscaping to extensive excavation and waterproofing. (The ground should slope away from the house.) Water in the basement can result from the lack of gutters or a water flow toward the house. Water leaks in pipes or around tubs and sinks can provide a place for biological pollutants to grow. Put a plastic cover over dirt in crawlspaces to prevent moisture from coming in from the ground. Be sure crawlspaces are well-ventilated. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture to the outside (not into the attic). Vent your clothes dryer to the outside. Turn off certain appliances (such as humidifiers or kerosene heaters) if you notice moisture on windows and other surfaces.
Moisture on Windows
Your humidistat is set too high if excessive moisture collects on windows and other cold surfaces. Excess humidity for a prolonged time can damage walls especially when outdoor air temperatures are very low. Excess moisture condenses on window glass because the glass is cold. Other sources of excess moisture besides overuse of a humidifier may be long showers, running water for other uses, boiling or steaming in cooking, plants, and drying clothes indoors. A tight, energy efficient house holds more moisture inside; you may need to run a kitchen or bath ventilating fan sometimes, or open a window briefly. Storm windows and caulking around windows keep the interior glass warmer and reduce condensation of moisture there.
Humidifiers are not recommended for use in buildings without proper vapor barriers because of potential damage from moisture buildup. Consult a building contractor to determine the adequacy of the vapor barrier in your house. Use a humidity indicator to measure the relative humidity in your house.
- Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners, especially in hot, humid climates, to reduce moisture in the air, but be sure that the appliances themselves don't become sources of biological pollutants.
- Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows. (A storm window installed on the inside works better than one installed on the outside.) Open doors between rooms (especially doors to closets which may be colder than the rooms) to increase circulation. Circulation carries heat to the cold surfaces. Increase air circulation by using fans and by moving furniture from wall corners to promote air and heat circulation. Be sure that your house has a source of fresh air and can expel excessive moisture from the home.
- Pay special attention to carpet on concrete floors. Carpet can absorb moisture and serve as a place for biological pollutants to grow. Use area rugs which can be taken up and washed often. In certain climates, if carpet is to be installed over a concrete floor, it may be necessary to use a vapor barrier (plastic sheeting) over the concrete and cover that with sub-flooring (insulation covered with plywood) to prevent a moisture problem.
- Moisture problems and their solutions differ from one climate to another. The Northeast is cold and wet; the Southwest is hot and dry; the South is hot and wet; and the Western Mountain states are cold and dry. All of these regions can have moisture problems. For example, evaporative coolers used in the Southwest can encourage the growth of biological pollutants. In other hot regions, the use of air conditioners which cool the air too quickly may prevent the air conditioners from running long enough to remove excess moisture from the air. The types of construction and weatherization for the different climates can lead to different problems and solutions.
Should I use bleach to clean up mold?
Biocides are substances that can destroy living organisms. The use of a chemical or biocide that kills organisms such as mold (chlorine bleach, for example) is not recommended as a routine practice during mold cleanup. There may be instances, however, when professional judgment may indicate its use (for example, when immune-compromised individuals are present). In most cases, it is not possible or desirable to sterilize an area; a background level of mold spores will remain - these spores will not grow if the moisture problem has been resolved. If you choose to use disinfectants or biocides, always ventilate the area and exhaust the air to the outdoors. Never mix chlorine bleach solution with other cleaning solutions or detergents that contain ammonia because toxic fumes could be produced.
Please note: Dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in some people, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold, it must also be removed.
Can I just remove the mold myself?
Some guidelines suggest remediation efforts can be conducted by trained building staff on small affected areas (under 100 sq.ft.) as long as personnel receive training on proper cleaning methods, area protection, HVAC protection, disposal requirements, personal protection equipment and potential health hazards associated with mold. If you are not 100% prepared to handle even a small job, don't risk it.
It is never advised to attempt to handle a major mold problem by yourself. First, the process requires numerous steps outlined by the EPA for safety. Second, bleach alone will not kill a large mold infestation.
Due to the potentially harmful health effects of black mold, we highly advise you contact a professional and do not attempt to handle the problem yourself.
What are the basic mold cleanup steps?
The key to mold control is moisture control. Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely. Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. Mold can grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so the mold may be difficult or impossible to remove completely. Avoid exposing yourself or others to mold . Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces. Clean up the mold and dry the surfaces before painting. Paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel. If you are unsure about how to clean an item, or if the item is expensive or of sentimental value, you may wish to consult a specialist. Specialists in furniture repair, restoration, painting, art restoration and conservation, carpet and rug cleaning, water damage, and fire or water restoration are commonly listed in phone books. Be sure to ask for and check references. Look for specialists who are affiliated with professional organizations.
When is mold remediation required?
If the area affected by water damage in your building is more than ten square feet, you’ll need to contact a mold remediation specialist.
Best case scenario?
They come out and let you know that there isn’t a significant amount of mold growth.
Worst case?
Your building has to undergo the entire mold remediation process, as outlined guidelines for commercial buildings and schools.
Either way…
...you’ll rest assured knowing your tenants, staff, and customers are safe from health problems associated with mold exposure.
How do I get rid of mold?
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.
It's important to remember:
The key to mold control is moisture control. If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem. It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
How do molds affect people?
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 (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). 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 (dermatitis). 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. For more detailed information consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your state or local health department.
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 (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). 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 (dermatitis). 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 brochure 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.
Keep in mind that:
The key to mold control is moisture control. If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem. It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Can you remove mold from furniture and other building contents?
There are many ways to remove mold from furniture and other building contents.
Often, this requires special cleaners and solvents to fully eradicate any hidden spores.
The mold remediation company you hire will know what the process should be for the particular item you’re trying to save.
Should I use bleach to clean up mold?
Biocides are substances that can destroy living organisms. The use of a chemical or biocide that kills organisms such as mold (chlorine bleach, for example) is not recommended as a routine practice during mold cleanup. There may be instances, however, when professional judgment may indicate its use (for example, when immune-compromised individuals are present). In most cases, it is not possible or desirable to sterilize an area; a background level of mold spores will remain - these spores will not grow if the moisture problem has been resolved. If you choose to use disinfectants or biocides, always ventilate the area and exhaust the air to the outdoors. Never mix chlorine bleach solution with other cleaning solutions or detergents that contain ammonia because toxic fumes could be produced.
Please note: Dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in some people, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold, it must also be removed.
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