Molds are microscopic fungi. The term “Mold” generally refers to over 100,000 species of fungi. Traveling through the air as tiny spores, it seeks out moisture. Once established, it will breed, using microscopic spores to reproduce quickly. Once airborne, these mold spores are hard to filter out and can stay suspended in the air for long periods of time. A few mold species are capable of producing toxins if a proper food source is available.
In a moist environment and other proper conditions, molds can attack materials in a house or building; these materials include fiberboard, drywall, carpet backing, paper, dust, wood, and exposed soils in crawlspaces.
The most common of the toxic molds is known as stachybrotrys or “black mold”. Stachybrotys will typically colonize on drywall and carpet after a flood or other water intrusion has occurred, generally where moisture has had a prolonged stay. Toxigenic mold exposure can present a wide range of very serious health risks to the occupants. Headaches, fever, coughing, wheezing, respiratory difficulty, sinus problems, aggravating asthma, flu-like symptoms that don’t go away and dermatological problems are just a handful of indications that you are your family have been exposed to mold.
If you can see visible mold you will have more mold hiding in secluded places. If you can smell a musty odor, it is likely you have mold and it’s imperative that it is cleaned up properly and immediately. Do not take mold lightly; improper clean up can have devastating consequences. Bio Clean recommends first eliminating unhealthy conditions . . . Some water damage episodes can literally take weeks to dry on their own. Mold can begin to grow in as little as 48 hours, and with the proper conditions, double every few hours. Mold is very unhealthy; those especially at risk include infants, the elderly and those with weak and/or compromised immune systems.
Mold has been the cause of illnesses in many “sick building” situations. It is also recommended that the proper equipment is utilized, including, powerful truck mounted and portable extraction units for water removal. Moisture detectors, hygrometers and other meters help to accurately measure the extent of moisture saturation.
Bio Clean uses a dehumidification process that has been proven to save property owners; businesses and insurance companies bring in revenue in restoration and replacement costs, as well as the difficult task of calculating the cost of down time and delayed deadlines. High-tech drying equipment reduces humidity levels and prevents swelling and warping of floors, wall and furniture.
The use of sanitizing agents, germicides & anti-microbial treatments is imperative in control of odor from microorganisms attracted by dark moist places. These agents provide an ideal growth environment of mold, bacteria, fungi, mildew and other harmful microorganisms.
Of course, if you find mold growing amidst dinner leftovers forgotten in the unseen depths of your refrigerator, you can probably just get a sponge. However, there are very few moldy encounters you should tackle by yourself. Therefore, if you suspect you have a mold problem, professional help may be required.