Category Archives: Mold & Your Health

Moisture = Mold – Three Prevention Tips

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Water is an essential element for all living matter. Unfortunately, that’s particularly true for mold, which can’t exist without it. Reducing moisture in your home or office is the key to mold prevention.

Microscopic mold spores travel unseen throughout the atmosphere. You come into contact with them almost daily, usually without any consequence. The trouble starts once one of them finds a home on a damp surface. This provides the material for them to begin propagating to the point where they do become a problem.

Bathrooms, basement pipes and other areas where moisture accumulates are prime candidates for mold growth. Controlling the dampness will help to prevent mold from taking hold on these surfaces. Use these tips to reduce the chance of a mold infestation.

  • Regularly inspect your home or office for leaks. Check all faucets, pipes and the roof. If you find a leak, repair it promptly and dry the area thoroughly.
  • Cut down on humidity by running an air conditioner or dehumidifier. This removes moisture from the air, keeping condensation from creating excessively damp surfaces.
  • Make sure your home or office is well-ventilated. Use fans in bathrooms and kitchens and open windows whenever possible to keep fresh air circulating.

If you do find mold in your home or office, you’re not limited to a costly, disruptive remediation process. Our MoldExterm system eliminates the infestation safely and efficiently, usually within one day. Treatment includes mold prevention steps to keep the problem from reoccurring. Contact us today to schedule your free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment, News

Is It Mold or Mildew? Is There a Difference?

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Mildew Or Mold?

Mildew Or Mold?

Many people think of mold and mildew as being the same type of fungi. However, they are different, and they must be treated differently. Perhaps you have a mold or a mildew problem, but you’re not sure what you’re dealing with, or what to do about it. Read on to find out more about these common household problems and to learn valuable mildew and mold prevention tips.

Mildew

Around your home or office, mildew is most commonly found in the bathroom or in the kitchen. That’s because the moisture in these spaces offers mildew the perfect growth environment. If you leave wet cloths lying around, mildew is likely to grow on them too. The best way to prevent mildew is to make sure to launder everything properly, and if you leave wet cloths in the bathroom or kitchen, spread them out so they have an opportunity to dry.

If mildew isn’t taken care of, it can become mold.

Mold

Mold has a fuzzy or slimy appearance, and can grow on different surfaces. It can begin to look like a plant growing as it spreads, and it spreads quickly. Mold can appear in different colors, including white, green, black or gray. If it’s not taken care of quickly, it can lead to rotting of the surface it’s growing on, as well as many health problems, such as asthma or allergic reactions.

Mold prevention is important, and regular cleaning of household surfaces is recommended to keep areas mold-free. However, no method is bullet-proof, and sometimes mold growth can happen without your knowledge.

If you have a mold problem, it’s important to act quickly. Please contact us today.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News

Is Mold in My Home or Office Really a Fungus?

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Not The Fungus You Want

Not The Fungus You Want

So you’ve discovered a patch of something that looks suspiciously like mold in your home or office. You might think it seems to have more in common with dirt or a stain than a fungus. A look at the nature of mold and fungus should dispel any doubts.

Most people’s definition of fungus doesn’t extend beyond “something yucky”. Science defines fungus as an organism similar to a plant with the crucial difference that it lacks chlorophyll. As a result, fungi must seek food from other sources. Since it doesn’t need sunshine to synthesize chlorophyll, mold can flourish in dark areas like basements.

Mold and fungus also lack cellulose, so they need to ingest it in other ways. Materials like carpeting, paper, wood and drywall contain significant amounts of cellulose. These are common items that mold will attach to when growing inside a building.

Another significant difference between plants and fungi is the manner of reproduction. While most plants multiply through the traditional process of fertilization, fungi use an asexual method that centers around the dispersal of spores. These microscopic organisms are carried through the air until they land on a spot where they can begin to reproduce. Water is the crucial element they require, making damp spaces like bathrooms a favored spot.

If you find mold in your home or office, you don’t have to resort to ripping out any fungus-affected surfaces. Our trained technicians use our unique MoldExerm system to remove any trace of mold and treat the surfaces to prevent future occurrences. Contact us today to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News

What is the Issue with Mold Spores?

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Mold Spores

Mold Spores

Most people are aware that mold is a part of nature that should remain outdoors. However, spores are the real basis of the problem. They’re the primary reason why an infestation can be so difficult to battle. What makes these seemingly harmless cells so dangerous?

You may remember from high school biology that spores are the means by which mold and fungus propagate. These microscopic organisms travel unfettered throughout the atmosphere, reproducing once they land in an area with the right conditions. This is one of the reasons you’ll often see mushrooms in many of the same places where you find mold.

When it comes to “the right conditions”, tops on the list is a damp place. Mold and fungus need water to grow. Since spores aren’t visible to the naked eye, there’s no way of preventing them from coming to rest in your shower or on a basement wall.

Spores are also the cause of the health threat presented by infestations. Mold itself is not particularly harmful. Allergic reactions and other issues arise when mold spores are inhaled, causing irritation to linings in the upper respiratory system. Some people are highly sensitive to these effects, while others may develop an allergy after prolonged exposure. Studies have also demonstrated a link between exposure to mold spores and development of asthma in children.

Traditional mold remediation can actually aggravate the problem by causing spores to disperse more widely. With the MoldExterm system, affected surfaces are encapsulated and treated with a non-micron mist for safe, effective removal. Visit our website to schedule a free mold inspection from our trained technicians.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, MoldExterm, News

Can Mold Exposure Cause Asthma?

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Lungs And Mold

Lungs And Mold

One of the reasons effective mold treatment is so important is the negative health effects for the home or building’s occupants. The microscopic spores drift through the atmosphere where they can be inhaled with each breath. The greater the concentration, the stronger the effect.

Upper respiratory problems are a common result of interior mold growth. The spores irritate the linings of the throat and nasal passages causing symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes. Intensity varies based on an individual’s particular sensitivity, which can become more acute with extensive exposure.

People with chronic lung illnesses such as asthma are at higher risk for mold allergies. Exposure can trigger an attack accompanied by coughing and wheezing. But can mold exposure actually cause an individual to develop asthma?

There is currently no evidence showing a direct link between mold and asthma in adults. However, a government-funded study has shown a correlation between mold exposure and the development of asthma in children. Out of 289 infants with an average age of eight months, 24 percent developed asthma by the age of seven.

The study focused on the homes’ Environmental Relative Moldiness Index, or ERMI. Researchers discovered that high ERMI values put the children at risk even when there was no visual evidence of mold.

Traditional mold remediation can further disperse mold spores, actually aggravating the problem. Our proprietary MoldExterm mold treatment encapsulates the affected surfaces for non-toxic removal. Don’t put the health of your family or others at risk. Visit our website to schedule an appointment for a free mold evaluation.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News
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