Category Archives: Mold Remediation

Why is Dehumidification Important to Treat Mold

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Do you believe that keeping your house or office clean is a sufficient defense against mold? The truth is that your housekeeping habits really have no impact. When it comes to mold infestation, the real enemy is water, not dirt.

Mold spores travel through the air unseen by the naked eye. You come into contact with them nearly every day, and no amount of cleaning can remove them from your surroundings. Most of the time they have no effect until they come into contact with moisture, which is the essential ingredient for mold growth. Once a spore lands on a damp spot, it has everything it needs to begin multiplying freely.

This is why humid areas like bathrooms and basements are fertile areas for an infestation. An effective mold removal program requires dehumidification to eliminate problem areas and prevent future occurrences. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air, keeping the condensation process from creating damp surfaces.

It’s not just the moisture in the air that you need to be concerned about. Check regularly for plumbing and roof leaks so they can be repaired as soon as possible.

Our proprietary MoldExterm mold removal system includes installation of a professional-grade dehumidifier that controls atmospheric moisture even in hard-to-reach areas. Visit our website to learn more about why the MoldExterm process is superior to outdated remediation methods.

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

What’s That Smell? Mold!

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Sometimes you don’t even have to see mold to know that it’s there. You’ve probably noticed that distinctively musty smell before, perhaps in a damp basement or bathroom. That tell-tale odor can alert you to the presence of mold even if it’s hidden away.

The smell comes from gases produced by mold. Microbial volatile organic compounds, or MVOC, are mostly odorless but some forms create that musty smell. When the smell is present, you are probably inhaling spores along with various compounds manufactured by mold.

Those spores and compounds can raise the likelihood of health difficulties. The most common are upper respiratory ailments such as sinus infections, sneezing and coughing. You may also suffer from red, itchy eyes and a scratchy throat. A mold problem should be addressed regardless of whether or not you experience any physical symptoms.

Mold treatment is the only way to completely remove the smell. While scented candles, potpourri and other air fresheners may help to disguise it, the effect is only temporary. The odor is certainly unpleasant from a cosmetic standpoint, but your health is the main concern.

Not all mold produces an odor, so smell is not the only evidence you should be concerned with. Make it a regular practice to check all the areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and basements where moisture can accumulate.

Our comprehensive MoldExterm system provides safe and effective mold treatment that’s less expensive and intrusive than traditional remediation methods. In most cases our trained technicians can be in and out of your home or office in one day. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection.

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

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

What Types of Molds are Seen Before Mold Treatment

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Like most living organisms, mold and fungus come in a variety of different types. While they all have basic similarities, each has certain characteristics that set it apart from the others.

Here’s a look at some of the more common types of mold. Any fungus found indoors is likely to come from this group.

  • Aspergillus spores are generally present in the atmosphere. While they don’t normally cause illness, exposure can result in upper respiratory infections with symptoms such as fever, cough and breathlessness. People with existing respiratory conditions or weakened immune systems are the most susceptible.
  • Altenaria is also readily airborne with a greater presence during summer and early fall. A known allergen, altenaria is a primary source of hay fever and similar reactions. Studies have also shown a link between alternia exposure and asthma.
  • Aureobasidium is a yeast-like mildew that may be pink or black in appearance. Unlike aspergillus and alternia, these spores become airborne only through manual disruption of contaminated materials. It can often be found on damp surfaces such as shower curtains and tile grout or outdoors on siding.
  • Stachybotrys chartarum is a greenish-black mold that needs a regular source of moisture such as high humidity or water leaks to grow. It feeds on paper, fiberboard and other materials rich in cellulose.

If you find mold and fungus in your home or office, it should be removed regardless of the type. Our MoldExterm system can successfully treat any type of mold safely and effectively with minimal disruption to your activities. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection by one of our trained technicians.

Posted in Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment, News

What Makes Mold Grow?

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What Makes Mold Grow?

What Makes Mold Grow?

Effective mold treatment is more than just removing the visible signs of infestation. Conditions need to be adjusted in order to make your home or building a less hospitable site for mold growth. Understanding the process helps you take steps to prevent future infestations.

Mold is a common sight outdoors in the vicinity of organic matter such as trees and foliage. They multiply via microscopic spores that are easily transmitted through the atmosphere. While they’re almost always present indoors, in most cases they don’t present a problem.

Remember the science class experiment where you grew mold in a petri dish? This activity demonstrates the three elements necessary for mold spores to multiply: moisture, warmth and food. The agar base provided the nutrients and moisture, and the sealed dishes were placed in a warm, dry place to incubate.

Once a mold spore settles on a damp spot in your home or building, it’s ready to start reproducing. The warmth and moisture found in bathrooms and kitchens makes those rooms the usual suspects. Damp, dark basements can also be easily infested. While the spores feed primarily on organic materials, they also thrive on cellulose which is found in carpeting, paper (including wallpaper) and dry wall.

Controlling moisture is the key to successful mold treatment. Our proprietary MoldExterm process does this with a two-step method. The affected surfaces are treated with an anti-microbial solution and then coated with a powerful polymer that springs into action when needed. Contact us to learn more about how MoldExterm can safely end your building’s mold problem.

Posted in Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment, News
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