Cladosporium Mold- Microscopic View

Cladosporium Mold Type: What You Need to Know

Posted by Kiran on

Mold growth in a residential or office space and disrupt the harmony of your everyday life. It is hard to identify mold growth and it is often harder to detect its effects on your health until it turns into something critical.

Out of the common mold types found in homes and office spaces, Cladosporium is a genus of fungi that can trigger asthma and allergies. This post features some important facts about Cladosporium mold type, allergies, identification, and more.

What is Cladosporium?

Ubiquitous around the globe and with over 300 species, Cladosporium mold type of usually isolated from soil and organic matter. Even though this mold type normally affects your health by triggering conditions including allergies and asthma, on rare occasions, it can trigger infections.

Common types

Common Cladosporium mold types are:

Cladosporium herbarum: commonly isolated from organic matter including woody plants, textiles rubber paper, and dead herbaceous. In an indoor environment, these are commonly found in:

  • Carpets
  • Mattress, Furniture dust
  • Painted walls and
  • HVAC insulation

This Cladosporium mold type can grow in a wide range of temperature and this seconds its extreme commonness.

Cladosporium sphaerospermum: commonly isolated from soil, air, painted words and walls, this Cladosporium mold variant can trigger allergies and occasional health concerns in humans. This is one of the few Cladosporium mold type that can grow below 0 degrees Celsius and also known for spoilage of meats in cold storages.

Cladosporium cladosporioides: it is a common mold type found both indoors and outdoors. Majorly found in outdoor conditions, this fungi type is responsible for plant diseases and seasonal allergic reactions.

Cladosporium macrocarpum: this Cladosporium mold type is mainly found outdoors and isolated from dead plants, soil and seeds.

Appearances

Cladosporium mold type usually forms dark pigmented colonies the coloration can vary from green to black/brown spots. From the outset, this mold type has a powder or velvety type appearance. The abundant production of conidia contributes to the powdery appearance.

Where can you find

Cladosporium mold is not hard to find if you know the technical know-how. This mold type has an ideal growth temperature range of 18 – 28 degree Celsius. However, some species including Cladosporium herbarum can grow below 0 degree Celsius.

Cladosporium is prominent in areas that doesn’t get enough sunlight and air ventilation. Some common household areas where you can find this mold type are:

  • Wet or damp areas
  • Bathrooms
  • Areas surrounding heating and cooling appliances
  • Wooden surfaces
  • Fabrics
  • Wallpapers
  • Carpets/rugs
  • Window sills
  • Grills
  • Upholstered furniture
  • Faucets
  • Curtains

Health concerns

The health concerns related to Cladosporium can vary from person to person. While some develop allergic reactions to exposure, others may not.

Some symptoms due to Cladosporium exposure are:

  • coughing and sneezing
  • dry skin
  • stuffy or runny nose
  • itchy throat, eyes, and nose
  • watery eyes

Reactions are minor on most occasions, in rare cases, these can elevate to major health concerns that require immediate medical supervision.

If you suspect a severe allergic reaction due to Cladosporium, keep an eye out for symptoms including shortness of breath, wheezing, tightness in the chest.

Who is more likely to develop allergic reaction?

As discussed, some people are more vulnerable to allergic reaction due to exposure to Cladosporium, these people can belong to the following category:

  • Family history of allergies
  • Living or working in damp and poorly ventilated environments for prolonged time
  • Diagnosed with other respiratory conditions like asthma
  • Diagnosed with other respiratory conditions like eczema

Prevention

There are several precautionary measures that can help you keep the consequences of Cladosporium exposure at a minimum.

  • Ensure that your house is properly ventilated
  • Identify water leaks, especially in crawl spaces and fix immediately
  • If any part of your house is damp, use dehumidifiers to regulate the temperature
  • Be on constant look out for mold growth and water damages
  • Keep the gutters clutter free
  • Do not use carpets in crawl spaces or basements

Cladosporium mold type does not pose a serious threat to human health. However, underestimating this mold type, especially for prolonged duration can have serious consequences. It is usually hard to identify and treat this mold type; this is where you need a professional mold removal specialist. You can even send the mold sample to a laboratory for an accurate diagnosis.

water damage restoration faq

Water Damage Restoration: 21 Frequently Asked Questions

Posted by Kiran on

Residential or commercial water damage is a nuisance that taunts every landlord or property owner. If not addressed quickly, it can lead to major concerns including mold growth and property structural damage in the long run.

As a certified water damage restoration specialist, we come across several questions related to water damage cleanup. This post showcases some common questions related to water/flood damage restoration.

What are the common causes of water damage?

Some common causes of water damage include:

  • Faulty appliances
  • Plumbing mishaps
  • Deteriorating foundation
  • HVAC problems and
  • Natural disasters

What should I do after a flood, or sewage or water leak?

  • Turn off water supply to your house
  • Disconnect electrical appliances in the affected rooms
  • Move furniture or other perishable possessions from the affected area
  • Take photos and videos during the different stages for insurance claim purposes
  • Call a water damage restoration specialist

How do certified technicians typically handle water damage?

Certified or experienced water damage technicians start with a detailed assessment using industry-grade equipment, which includes moisture and humidity level checks.

Determining the severity of damages to possessions like carpets or drywall is a crucial step. Any possession beyond repair is removed from the property to prevent any concerns of mold growth.

The next step is to dry and disinfect the water damaged areas using tools including humidifiers and Wet/Dry Shop Vac.

Some water damage specialists can also assist you in claiming the insurance.

Will my homeowner’s insurance cover water damage?

This depends on the policy you have chosen. Usually, homeowners insurance covers for water damages that seem to be sudden or spontaneous. Gradual water damage like damage from a leaking pipe is not covered.

How bad is water damage to a house?

The effects of water damage can be severe and can go unnoticed until it’s too late. It can trigger gradual structural deterioration and mold growth, which in turn can cause health concerns.

What happens when water gets in your walls?

Once water gets into walls, it starts deteriorating the wall structure and gradually gives way to the formation of mold colonies.

Mold formation is accompanied by a strong musty smell and additional mold spore generation which turns ubiquitous and starts infecting other possessions including dresses and furniture.

Mold infected drywall in Office in Jupiter Florida

How can you tell if your house has water damage?

  • High utility bill
  • Musty smell
  • Mold growth
  • Outdated water supply system
  • Appearance changes to ceiling, walls, and flooring

Learn the details about each here:

How do you tell if there is a leak behind a wall?

Look for the following signs to identify leaks behind walls:

  • Discoloration of walls
  • Peeling and bubbling
  • Musty smell
  • Warped walls
  • Staining


How can you tell where a water leak is coming from?

You can check the water meter for signs of leaks and do a thorough inspection. However, identifying the water leak source can be tricky, especially when you are dealing with multiple leaks and leaks in inaccessible areas.

This is where a trained specialist who uses sound equipment, charging pipe strategy, locator clamps, and other advanced tools can make a difference.

How long does it take to dry a flooded house?

It depends on the severity of the damage. On average it can take from 12 hours to a few weeks.

How long does it take for mold to grow in wet drywall?

A drywall is highly porous and suitable for mold growth. Under the right conditions, it can take from 24 to 48 hours for mold growth on drywall.

Does drywall need to be replaced after water damage?

Due to the porous nature, drywalls accommodates water easily. Given the condition, drywalls are replaced on most of the occasions after water damage. Since they are not load-bearing, you do not have to be concerned about the structural integrity of the property.

What are the consequences of Water Damage in Office Buildings?

With commercial water damage, you risk the following:

  • Business coming to a standstill
  • Damage and replacement of office equipment
  • Destruction of documents or paper records
  • Cost based on severity and response time to the mishap

What kind of damage is caused by floods?

  • Sewage and bacterial infestation
  • Damaged natural gas lines
  • Sinkholes
  • Property structural damage
  • Mold growth

Can electrical wiring be water damaged?

Exposing electrical wiring to water or excessive moisture can make the internal components vulnerable to mold growth and corrosion. This is prominent with low quality or poorly maintained wiring. We recommend performing an electrical and water supply system inspection for your house or residential property at least once a year.

Can water damaged carpet be saved?

Water damaged carpets are not unfixable; however, it is important to consider the severity of the damage. There are some potential risks which makes reusing water damaged carpets not a smart move.

Will wet carpet smell go away?

The carpet smell can be removed, provided, each and every inch of the carpet is dried under the right conditions. A carpet that is not properly dried can second mold and mildew growth.

How do you fix the water damaged wooden floor?

Fixing waterlogged wooden floors can be tricky as wood is a good water absorber. Depending on the severity of water absorption, which is determined via advanced moisture meters, we can choose between replacing and restoring.
When it comes to replacing it is ideal to replace the wooden boards that were affected by water.

What are the precautionary steps that I should take after a hurricane?

Find some important steps to consider here.

How much does it cost to repair water damage?

It varies from the type of property and the extent of water damage; we offer a free inspection and bill the insurance career for the water damage repairs.

How do you restore flood-damaged clothes?

Flood-damaged clothing can be infected with bacteria and fungi. Soaking the clothes overnight in oxygen-based bleach followed by washing it with normal water and detergent is an ideal strategy. Also, ensure that the cloth is dried in the highest drying heating level possible.

Water damage to residential or commercial property can have major impacts. Foreseeing the possibilities and taking precautionary steps are the key to making sure that things are in control or you know what needs to be done when the unexpected happens.

Yeast Vs Mold Comparison

Yeast & Mold: How To Tell The Difference

Posted by Kiran on

Yeast and mold are the two different forms of fungi that people find hard to distinguish. Fungi can be normal and natural, however, a higher concentration, especially in residential structures, can cause an adverse effect on health and safety.

The ability to distinguish yeast from mold or vice versa has significance when it comes to dealing with the concerns caused by each.

Importance of identifying mold and yeast

The need for identifying yeast is not considered to be critical as it does not pose a real threat to indoor air quality.

Mold on the other hand can be dangerous with respect to the type that you are dealing with. For instance, the most toxic mold found in homes; Stachybotrys chartarum or black mold, can cause severe cough, skin rashes, and chronic fatigue.

This makes looking for signs of mold infestation within your house on a regular basis critical, especially if you live in coastal areas or areas with high atmospheric humidity.

Appearance

Appearance can be one of the major means to distinguish between yeast and mold.

Yeast Mold
Can only appear as white or monochromatic Can appear in a variety of colors from green, pink purple or black.
Smooth to touch Furry to touch
Hard to detect due to the lack of color Individual spores are invisible to the naked eye, colonies are pigmented.

Where do they grow?

Yeast: Growth can be naturally triggered and it can thrive on fruits, plants, animals and soil. You can even notice yeast growth on your or your pet’s skin. They have an affinity towards sucrose-rich products, hence found on fruits and vegetables for the purpose of fermentation.

Mold: Molds are naturally triggered, provided the conditions favor its growth.
Mold growth is supported by a mixture of the following factors:

  • Moisture
  • Warmth
  • Food source (wood, drywall etc)

The fact that mold spores can easily travel between substances and areas within your house contributes to its capability to infect the inhabitants easily.

A pipe burst, flooding in your house, or any other form of water damage can create favorable conditions for mold growth.

Health risks

Yeast: The yeast type: Candida albicans are considered to be good for health, however, a higher concentration of this yeast type in the body can weaken the immune system.

Similarly, people occasionally can even develop an allergy to nutritional yeast, which is usually indicated via hives breakout.

Mold: Health risks associated with mold can be several and it can even vary with respect to the mold type you are exposed to. Some common symptoms of mold infestation are:

  • Itchiness
  • Water eyes
  • Dry throat
  • Persistent coughing
  • Runny nose
  • Diarrhea
  • Skin infections

If mold spores and inhaled in excess amounts and if it enters your kidney or lungs, it can lead trigger other life-threatening conditions.

Perform a house inspection today to identify mold from yeast and act quickly to get the concern under control. If it seems too much to handle, contact a professional mold restoration company to get the condition handled effectively.

Mold-Spore-Colony-under-Microscope

Mold Damage: 41 Frequently Asked Questions

Posted by Kiran on

What are molds?

Mold is a type of fungi found in both indoor and outdoor environments. The primary functionality of the mold is to breakdown dead materials. In nature, mold can be found on soil, food, and plants.

What makes mold grow?

Mold can grow abruptly with the following limited resources.

  • Nutrients (organic materials like paper, wood, drywall)
  • A suitable place to grow (basement, bathroom & crawl spaces)
  • Suitable condition (Moisture & Humidity)

How does mold spread?

Molds produce “spores”, a set of microscopic cells that can spread through air, water and insects. Under the right conditions, live spores transported to new areas form mold colonies.

Is inhaling mold spores dangerous?

For people sensitive to mold, touching or inhaling mold spores can trigger health concerns like sneezing, itching, sore throat, runny nose, and skin rashes. These issues can be chronic for people with existing health concerns like:

  • Liver diseases
  • Compromised immunity
  • Asthma and allergies

Infants, children, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to health concerns from mold spore interaction.

Can mold kill you?

No, exposure even to the most dangerous mold types like black mold will not kill you.

How dangerous is black mold?

Even though black mold has been linked to chronic health concerns like cancer and lung diseases, we still have no solid proof to confirm the direct association of black mold with these chronic diseases.

As per the Florida Department of Health, exposure to black mold can trigger the following health problems:

  • Dry cough
  • Sore throat
  • Wheezing
  • Blurry vision
  • Itchy eyes

What are the most dangerous mold types?

Some of the mold dangerous mold types are:

  • Stachybotrys (Black Mold)
  • Chaetomium
  • Aspergillus
  • Cladosporium and
  • Fusarium

What are the signs of mold growth?

Some signs of mold in your house are:

  • You are sick and never better
  • Musty smell
  • Bubbly walls
  • Rust

How can I get exposed to mold?

It is impossible to avoid exposing yourself to mold spores due to its ubiquitous nature. It is when the level of exposure elevates, you start observing symptoms. Handling moldy materials or inhaling moldy air often can elevate the concern.

People with existing health concerns start exhibiting systems even with minor exposure levels.

What is the cost of mold removal?

The cost of mold removal or remediation can vary based on factors like the area, location, and type of contamination.

How long does mold removal take?

It depends on your individual situation; however, on average we take 3 to 6 days to restore the conditions based on IICRC best practices for mold remediation.

Can I remove mold myself?

It depends on the mold type and the situation that you are dealing with. You can use DIY tips for everyday mold, which you can often see in the bathroom corners and the kitchen cabinets.

However, when you start observing the other signs of mold like the musty smell and feeling of uneasiness or if you observe a hidden mold colony with size more than 10 sq. ft., you have to consult a mold specialist.

Mold reoccurrence after using DIY techniques is another sign that you are dealing with a strong mold type, which needs to be taken care of by a professional.

Can mold dry out and die?

Mold spores require moisture and food to thrive. However, when the moisture supply is cut off, the spores actually fall into an inactive state. Once they come in contact with moisture again, they start functioning and multiplying.
Some mold types are can stay dormant for years under the right condition.

Does mold come back after remediation?

Yes, mold can reappear after the remediation process.

Moisture problem is the main reason that drives mold re-growth.

Professional remediation services can reduce the probability of mold reoccurrence to 10%.

As per our observation, the probability of mold reoccurrence increases by 40% if DIY techniques were initially used to address mold growth.

Can I use bleach to kill mold?

Using bleach does not kill the mold. The chemical composition of the bleach takes away the color of the mold and creates an illusion of a mold-free surface. The fungi present can continue damaging your property.

Furthermore, the overuse of bleach can also cause permanent damage to residential possessions like furniture or marble.

Can I paint over mold?

Have you observed bubbling on newly painted walls after a couple of months? Painting on molded walls without properly addressing the concerns can lead to this situation.

Painting over mold can delay the inevitable, but you are certain to face the following:

  • Personal & family health concerns
  • Property damage
  • Hefty mold remediation bills
  • Property value depreciation

Does painting or using caulk over mold kill it?

The short answer is ‘No’.

There are several mold killing paints and coatings available in the market today. However, if you do in-depth research, you can easily challenge these claims.

Mold colonies on walls or other surfaces have to be properly addressed prior to painting.

You can easily see surface mold. However, on most occasions, the problem sits deeper within your walls. If you suspect that there is mold beneath your painted walls, hire a professional mold remediation service.

Commercial mold remediation service can access the mold growth, identify the extent of damage, and recommend a plan of repair.

What are the signs of mold growth under the paint?

  • Paint appears chipped, bubbled, cracked
  • Wall discoloration, especially a tinge yellow color that signifies water leak
  • Wall surfaces appear irregular

What does mold smell like?
Mold smell can vary, some are:

  • Musty
  • Meaty
  • Earthy
  • Wet socks or rotten wood

Why are some mold types hazardous to others?

Mold types producing the chemical: ‘mycotoxins” are considered toxic. However, no research has so far linked toxic mold types to unique health concerns.
All mold types in properties should be treated and eliminated the same.
If my air conditioning system is contaminated, can I still use it?
Any systems that regulate airflow in your house or office should not be used if it is suspected of mold contamination.
Using a contaminated air regulation system seconds quick and effortless spread of mold spores.

How can I prevent mold growth?

  • Use dehumidifiers or air conditioner to maintain the humidity level in your property around 50%
  • Dry any spills or wet surfaces in 24 hours
  • Do not use carpets in bathrooms, basement and crawl areas
  • Address water leaks as quickly as possible

How much mold exposure does it take to make me sick?

This depends on your health statistics and age. Infants and the elderly are more vulnerable to mold exposure.

A 2012 study conducted on infants and young children across 289 homes, found that group exposed to mold had increased risk of developing asthma by the age of 7.

The bottom line is mold exposure will trigger major health concerns in the long run.

Does homeowners insurance cover mold?

Homeowners insurance covers mold damage, provided it is included in the ‘covered peril’.

Homeowner insurance covered perils is a list of damages that makes you eligible to file a claim. The covered peril can vary with the insurance type and other factors.

The main cause of mold damage is water leak or damage. To understand whether mold damage is covered in your home insurance, you need to initially understand what lead to mold damage.

The following can be included in a home insurance policy and related to mold damage:

  • Water damage due to faulty appliances
  • Water damage due to attempts to control fire b firefighters

Can mold ruin my house?

Mold can take its toll on any property made of wood. Look for decay and rotting wood in crawl spaces and basements.
Mold takes its time to inflict serious damage to the structural integrity of your house. This is why we recommend early detection and regulation of mold damage.

If I engage a contractor for structural repair, will I address any mold issues?

Performing a structural repair on your mold-infested property does not guarantee that mold will not re-occur. For the best results, mold has to be eliminated at its root prior to performing structural repair.

Can I sell a house with mold?

You can sell a house with mold, but, disclose any history of water leaks or mold growth that you have addressed or any present related concerns that are not fixed.

For instance, if you fixed a faucet leak, which was not mentioned during the property handover.

If the buyer finds a major mold outbreak behind the faucet wall and the present situation demands him to replace the cabinets completely. He can request you to pay for the damages and even sue you and the realtor.

How does mold inspector check for mold?

A licensed mold removal technician uses a variety of industry level equipment to test, remove and prevent mold contamination. Some tools that we use are:

  • Moisture meter
  • Infrared or thermal imaging camera
  • Rotameter
  • Borescope
  • Humidity gauge

How do I find hidden mold in my house?

Hidden mold is difficult to diagnose. You need advanced tools like a digital hygrometer, moisture meter, and humidity gauge to identify hidden mold.

Do air purifiers help with mold spread?

Yes, an air purifier can prevent mold spore spread, provided they are armed with:

  • HEPA filter: captures airborne spores and prevent reentry
  • Carbon filter: alleviates mold odor
  • UV-C light: prevent mold reproduction

Note that, existing mold colonies is not destroyed even though reproduction might be prevented. In such cases, mold can enter the dormant state and continue to exist in that state until it encounters a favorable condition to reproduce.

Is there a device to check for mold?

There are several mold test kits available in the market to test for mold.

Will moldy food make me sick?

Yes, moldy food can trigger allergic reactions and respiratory issues. Some mold types can produce mycotoxins, ingestion of which could make you sick.

Will mold only occupy the food surface?

No.

You might have observed pigmented mold or dusty spots on edible substances like bread, cheddar and fruits. Mold has root threads that invade deep into the surface of contamination. Therefore, removing the pigmented moldy spots on the food surfaces does not make it safe.

Can I use DIY mold removal tips to kill mold?

We do not recommend DIY Mold removal tips, provided you are unaware of the mold type you are dealing with. Here is why.

How does mold differ from mildew?

Mold differs from mildew in some aspects; find a detailed comparison table here.

When should I call a mold removal specialist?

The area of mold contamination, the air quality within your property and reoccurring health concerns are some signs that you should call a mold removal specialist.

Can my clothes get contaminated with mold?

Yes, learn more here.

What are the best practices to consider while removing mold?

It is recommended to align your removal efforts alongside IICRC’s on 5 major principles for mold remediation:

  • Provide the safety and health of workers and occupants
  • Document the conditions and work progress
  • Decontamination during remediation
  • Contamination removal
  • Contamination prevention

There are several consequences of not abiding by these principles.

What are the common types of mold found in homes?

  • Alternaria
  • Aspergillus fumigates
  • Aureobasidium
  • Chaetomium
  • Cladosporium

Learn more about each of these mold types here.

What to expect from a commercial mold removal services?

A commercial mold removal service is licensed and uses industry-grade equipment to test, remove, clean up and prevent mold contamination.

They also align their work process along with IICRC’s best practices for mold removal and foresee different situations and ensure the safety of both workers and inhabitants.

Mold growth is easy to prevent if you remain vigilant and invest time and effort to maintain your property consistently.

Mold-inside-the-drywall-in-a-house-in-Jupiter

What to Expect from a Professional Mold Removal Service

Posted by Kiran on

If not handled properly, mold growth in houses and offices can be a recurring problem. Incidents of mold growth disrupting the lives of people have increased in the past two years.

With the rise in indoor fungal and bacterial contaminations, the task of finding a professional mold removal services has become a challenge.

Once you observe those obvious signs of mold growth in your house or office and feel that things are getting out of hand, you need to hire a mold remediation specialist.

The checklist below will provide you a snapshot of how a professional mold removal service operates.

Assessment Checklist

Since mold growth is usually visible, your remediator will start with a visual assessment to understand the extent of mold contamination.

The specialist can also use high powered light sources coupled with fiber-optic borescopes to survey hidden areas like cavities.

Additional industry-level tools/equipment will be used for the assessment; which will be discussed later in this post.

A mold removal specialist can also interview the occupants of the building to understand the following:

  • The extent of mold contamination
  • Events of water incursion in the past, if any and the pertinent details like how, where, type and how long
  • Whether infected areas have been covered in the past with paints, sealants or other coatings
  • The history of the building (this information will come in handy for the documentation process, which will be discussed later.)

detailed picture of mold inside drywall
Mold equipment

Mold assessment and removal equipment used by mold cleanup services. Following factors will influence usage of equipment in this list.

  • Geo location
  • Structure type, age, materials involved
  • Mold contamination level

Assessment/inspection equipment: Your mold remediation specialist should use some or all the below listed equipment to analyze and document the status of the structure, infected area and systems during remediation.
A professional mold removal company uses the same assessment tools and equipment at the same geo-location to ensure the following:

  • Consistent data collection
  • Accurate project forecasting
  • Accurate budgeting and post-cleanup evaluations

Moisture sensors: Moisture sensors are used to determine the moisture levels in multiple materials. The device has multiple pins that penetrate the material to provide moisture level readings audibly or visually. These sensors help remediators to identify things that are beyond repair.

Moisture meters: Mold specialist uses moisture meters to review the moisture levels of materials with known or acceptable moisture content.

The result from the moisture meters are compared with the acceptable moisture content in materials and used to set target drying goals.

Thermo-hygrometer: professional mold specialists will use the same thermo-hygrometer to read determine the temperature and relative humidity in the contaminated area.

Environmental conditions are documented before, during and after remediation. If fluctuations in readings indicate conditions that support microbial growth, remediators take preventive measures.

IR Thermometers & Thermal imaging devices: IR Thermometer and imaging devices are used to detect moisture level fluctuations on material surfaces.

IR and thermal devices cannot provide moisture readings within the material. These tools list the materials eligible for a moisture meter check.

Supplemental systems: heating systems, air conditioning equipment and power generators can fall under supplemental systems.

Remediators use these systems when gas, fuel oil and electrical systems need to be disconnected as part of remediation efforts.

Any supplemental mechanical system used should adhere to the local laws and regulations set by the federal, country or the state.

Removal materials/equipment: a professional mold remediation service will strategize the remediation process using the following removal equipment.

6-mil polyethylene sheets/ bags: uncontaminated or occupied areas in the building are separated from the contaminated area using 6-mil polyethylene sheets.

Materials beyond repair are securely sealed using 6-mil polyethylene bags and discarded in composing landfill rather than recycling landfill.

Antimicrobial coatings and sealants: Water-based coatings and sealants with a standard permeability rating of minimum 1.0 perms as per ASTM D-1653 should be used.

Low odor, low volatile organic compound-driven and the ones that don’t create a vapor barrier are usually preferred.

Chemicals: A mold removal specialist will only use chemicals or antimicrobials in conjunction with proper cleaning standards.

The source removal of mold contamination is always the priority. Indiscriminate use of antimicrobials, coatings, and sealants can trigger health concerns like asthma, headache, and itchy eyes.

Mold inside piping system in a house in Jupiter

Safety work practice checklist

A professional mold remediation service adopts the best workplace safety precautions. Some of these restrictions or precautions are:

  • Enforce wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and a daily inspection before use
  • Electrical safety practices like using Lock Out, Tag Out (LOTO)
  • No edible consumables or smoking in contaminated area
  • Proper containment of PPE before moving from one area to another
  • Enforcing the use of multiple gloves to address the concern of personal injury
  • Adhering to buddy system while working in isolated or high heat workspaces
  • Daily standup meetings to track progress, layout deadlines and review safety concerns

Project documentation & record keeping

How many of you have thought about checking whether your mold removal specialist keeps a record of the recent remediation work? If yes, do you know how detailed their documentation is? Are the same person involved in the future remediation work if mold reoccurs?

A perfect mold project document and recordkeeping are critical for successful execution and completion of the remediation project. This documentation becomes inevitable in cases of mold reoccurrence.

Perfect project documentation will have the following:

  • The complete list of readings and observation for all materials and areas involved
  • Documentation of important communication
  • Pictures of previous conditions
  • Strategies used to decontaminate for e.g. use of specific chemicals, sealants etc.
  • A detailed work/activity log that lists the technicians involved in specific activities, how long, the outcome and any potential risk identified but not resolved during the project

Identifying a professional mold removal specialist is a tricky task. Review this checklist and ensure that the specialist that you hire has experience with all the pointers listed above. This can be your starting point.

Mold in residential property ceiling west palm beach

Mold Can Affect More Than Your Carpets & Drywalls

Posted by Kiran on

Mold infestation is a collective non-scientific name that pins different types of fungi. These unpleasant fungi types can be found both indoors and outdoors.

Mold growth has been increasingly becoming a major headache for both residential and commercial property owners, especially in Florida.

Research by Hindawi 2016, on economic costs of certain health issues caused by exposure to indoor dampness and mold in the U.S estimated the following annual costs:

  • Allergic Rhinitis: $3.7 billion
  • Acute Bronchitis $1.9 billion
  • Asthma Morbidity $15.1 billion
  • Asthma Mortality $1.7 billion

These statistics make a point, it’s just not your carpets or drywalls that are affected by mold, but these fungi types hoard some serious concerns.

Mold infestation on clothes

Mold can easily find its way to clothes and take its time to inflict some damage. Some mold types can go unnoticed and create the following health concerns:

  • Rashes
  • Watery and itchy eyes
  • Coughing and sneezing
  • Fatigue
  • Headache

The possibility of mold infestation on clothes is usually overlooked and turns out to be a mistake in the long run.

Health hazards

Mold on carpets and drywalls are often just the beginning. Usually, mold takes it time and starts affecting your health. The irony is that most symptoms are hard to link to mold growth and hence the core problem remains at large.

Allergy and asthma: respiratory issues are the most common aftereffects of mold infestation. Black mold spores can trigger respiratory concerns like shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing.

These conditions, if unchecked, with time can develop to chronic asthma and other serious respiratory issues.

Memory loss and concentration: Mold also has the potential to thwart the smooth functioning of the brain. Mold spores can make you feel sluggish and create a foggy feeling.

Weakened immune system: being sick all of a sudden and on a consistent basis can be linked to inhalation of mold spores. Such situations lead to a weakened immune system, which can make you vulnerable to any other health concerns.

Mold infected drywall in Office in Jupiter Florida

Structural damage

Mold growth can impact the residential or property structure. Mold growth in areas like behind the drywalls and ceilings usually go unnoticed.

More often property owners fail to notice the different signs of mold growth. Such situations can escalate in a couple of years and have a bigger impact on the structure of the property.

Properties made of organic or cellulose dominated materials like wood, drywall, etc can feed mold and deteriorate over time. This leads to situations like collapsing walls and roofs.

This is why we recommend inspecting your property for water and mold damage inspections at least twice every year.

Mold growth is easy to prevent, it’s just that you need to invest some time and effort to ensure that everything is under control. If you find any signs of mold infestation at your house, make it a point to contact a certified mold remediation specialist as soon as possible. It is also wise to ensure that your mold remediation specialist abides by IICRC’s best practices for mold remediation.