MOLD REMOVAL

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Common Types of Mold

Mold is a fungus that can be viewed and identified by the natural eye. As previously stated, it can take form in various colors, grow into colonies and spread by spores through inhalation or by direct contact with eyes, hands or mouth. It can be very toxic and dangerous simply due to the living conditions are needed for growth and survival. Mold loves to grow and spread in dark areas where moisture is retained. Mold also loves the damp areas. It can greatly affect the health and safety of you and your family. You want to identify the mold that is present get rid of it as soon as possible so that it does not bring hard to you or your family.

Seeking professional help is the best option in achieving your goal of eliminating the problem. When getting rid of mold, it can be a complicated process. It can be very dangerous to be around especially in the case of mold infestation.

The professionals have very specific remediation equipment that they use to get rid of mold permanently. Relying on them to assist with your mold alleviation needs is important and crucial to finding the perfect solution.

When identifying the mold in your home, it is important that you look at the characteristics of the mold. You must also look at the growth pattern. This will help you in pinpointing which mold you are dealing with and what health affects you have to be concerned about.

Lastly, you must be aware of the common places in which you will find mold. Having the proper knowledge of what kind of mold you are dealing with will help you in taking the proper healthcare precautions until the issue can be completely resolved.

Below is a list of 6 common molds found in your home:

Alternaria

This mold is considered the most common form of allergenic mold. This type of mold is found primarily in showers or bathtubs, below the sink and in any other damp environment. It has a hairy texture and its appearance is that of branching. It is a dark swamp green or brown in color. This type of mode is the direct result of water damage. This water damage can occur from flooding, sewage or sitting water that has not been cleaned or removed. Since this is an allergenic mold, it is very harmful to the respiratory system. Individuals with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should really be careful when getting rid of this type of mold since it can spread quickly.

Aspergillus

Aspergillus is the most common mold found in all homes throughout America is aspergillus and you can never avoid it. This mold comes in many different colors because there are so many species within this class. Aspergillus is commonly found in foods that contain large amounts of starch like potatoes and can be found in seasonings like pepper. The aspergillus found in foods is the least of your worries. Individuals that come in contact with that species of aspergillus does not have to worry about the allergenic effects of aspergillus, but if you have a weaker immune system, you may want to take other precautions and prevention mechanisms to keep your allergies under control. However, aspergillus can be very dangerous because they produce aflatoxins, which is a carcinogen that can be fatal. It grows on the walls and thrives in environments that are rich in oxygen and very damp. This includes air conditioning units mounted on walls or windows and buildings with water damage.

Chaetomium

This mold is found in water damaged buildings and homes. Chaetomium is a mold that changes colors over time. It starts by turning white and then changes its color to grey. It continues to get darker overtime and eventually changes from grey to brown and then, finally to black. This mold is commonly found in the basement, sink or a leaking roof. It can be recognized by a musty odor that it produces. This mold has very harmful effects when it comes in contact with skin and nails. It can cause infections. Depending on the strength of an individual’s health immunity, direct contact with Chaetomium and its mycotoxins can cause serious health issues. It is important to make sure you address this mold from the source, even if that includes cutting off the water at the source. You must repair everything that was damaged by the water and make sure it is down properly so that it does not return.

Cladosporium

Cladosporium is commonly found indoors in mostly all materials. These materials include carpets, clothing fabrics and furnishings such as sofas and chairs. The fascinating part about Cladosporium is that it can grow in varying temperatures, meaning that it can grow when it is warm and cold. This mold is found in cabinets and cupboards. It can also be found under floorboards. It can be identified by its green or brown color. In addition, it causes allergic reactions upon direct contact. This allergen causes reactions to skin, eyes, nose and throat. A serious reaction can cause a skin rash or lesion or lung infections. This is the reason why this type of mold should not be handled directly and show be handles by the professionals. The toxic properties associated with this mold can potentially be deadly.

Fusarium

This mold has similar characteristics to those of cladosporium. It can grow in warm and cold conditions. It not only grows in cold temperatures, but it can spread very well. It grows in upholsteries, wallpaper, and carpets. It grows in response to water damage. It can appear as red, pink or white. This mold spreads quickly throughout the home specifically from room to room. Fusarium can have allergenic and toxigenic effects. If exposed to fusarium, the allergenic reactions are flu-like symptoms such as itchy eyes, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and in some cases, fever. The toxic effects of fusarium can severely damage the nervous system and can lead to internal bleeding. If you are continuously exposed to this mold, you can develop brain and bone infections. Once this mold is identified, it is important to make sure each room is examined closely to avoid the spread and long-term effects from exposure of this mold.

Penicillin

Most people are familiar with penicillin being an antibiotic, but it is also a mold that can cause allergic reactions ranging in severity. It is present in homes that have experienced water damage and is found pretty much everywhere. It is found in mattresses, carpets, and wallpapers. It can even be found in water ducts. It has a distinct green and blue color and spreads quickly throughout the home. The spores associated with penicillin are very swift when traveling throughout the home and can be airborne. This mold affects not only adults but children and pets as well. Penicillin disturbs the respiratory system. Asthma and pulmonary inflammation are two signifying conditions that may arise. Immunocompromised individuals should avoid all contact with penicillin to avoid further health issues.

Importance of Professional Mold Removal Services

Listed above were just a few of the common molds that are found in various places of the household. Now that you are familiar with a few of their characteristics, it will be easy for you to identify them if you ever come in direct contact with them in your home. It is important to call in a professional team to remediate the situation with the mold. They will bring in the proper equipment necessary to get rid of the mold.

Below is a list of things that the professional company will do to solve the problem:

Locate the Mold and Evaluate the Severity of the Mold

The professionals will be able to identify the area of the mold and the reason. Whether it be due to water damage or a fire, they will be able to test the mold to see which class of species it is. They will then evaluate what all needs to be done and what methods they want to proceed with. This is something that you can do on your own without the help of the professionals. If you have had experiences with mold, this may be easy for you but if you have not, it does not hurt to try. You may not be an expert but everyone knows when something is different.

Dumping of All Items Containing Mold

Items or materials that have a mold infestation and cannot be refurnished will be removed from the environment. The use safety gear is important to limit contact. The safety gear includes masks, gloves and safety goggles.

Equipment Usage to Dry Out the Area

The professionals will use commercial equipment to dry out the area since most molds needs a warm and moist environment to survive. The equipment used are air movers, dehumidifiers, and air scrubbers. The use of safety gear is used during the use of equipment as well.

Use of a Sealant

While preparing each room for treatment, it will be sealed since the mold spores can be airborne. To create the seal, plastic sheets and tape is used on vents, window seals and doorways. This is a very important step that must happen before they start work on the room or rooms affected.

Start the Repair Process

The repair process consists of replacement of all things that were not able to be salvaged during the cleaning process. This can include all carpeting, tiling, drywall or ceiling replacement. Before all of the repairs can be made, everything must be cleaned thoroughly.

Use of Fungicides

Fungicides are used to ensure that items that were successfully cleaned of the mold remain clean and no longer a viable source for mold to grow. Although fungicides can be used by the professionals, this is something you can do on your own to ensure that the mold does not come back. Also, making sure that all surfaces are properly cleaned before the use of a fungicide is important to make sure that the mold does not stand a chance to grow.

Assessment of Air Pressure

Once the room is sealed, there has to be a negative airflow established where air can flow inside and not out. There is special equipment used to maintain this negative air pressure. The use of an air mover duct allows for the flow to be in equilibrium. The importance of the negative air pressure is to avoid the spread of mold spores to the rest of the home.

The entire removal process is vital to making sure that any invasion of mold does not continue to affect your home. You should bring in the professional help you need as soon as you notice that mold has made its way into your home.

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Mold Removal