Mold removal is something we have all dealt with at least at some point in our lives. Only the rarest amongst us will not have seen those stomach-turning, colored organisms growing on the leftovers in our refrigerator. Luckily, the mold on food is easy to deal with; toss the leftovers into the trash, and you will be good to go. It is the mold growing inside your basement, attic, or rooms that present the bigger danger.
Why the Mold in Home Cannot Be Overlooked
Mold is more than a nuisance. It spreads quickly, jeopardizes your health, and may point to a more severe issue with your building’s structure.
Spreads Quickly
While the mold in your basement might not seem like an urgent problem today, under ideal conditions “it can take mold less than three days to transform itself from ‘barely detectable’ into a source of pungent smells and sickening viruses.” Warm and damp areas without proper ventilation are a hotbed for mold.
Jeopardizes Your Health
Mold is anything but harmless. Exposure to black mold spores on a daily basis leaves you vulnerable to several health issues, such as mild allergy, irritation in the eyes, respiratory issues, fatigue, and an ache in your muscles.
Suggests a More Serious Issue
Mold does not appear out of a vacuum. If you spot it inside your home, you can be all but sure that conditions exist for mold to develop. Those conditions can be excessive moisture, the presence of soil, meal leftovers, and high temperature. A mold inspection by a professional can identify the real issue.
Mold removal is essential to address deeper underlying issues in the structure of your house and improve your and your family’s well-being. But how do you go about it?
You can clean mold yourself using bleach, vinegar, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, or other chemicals. As if handling those chemicals wasn’t risky in itself, mold fumes can be fatal, especially in closed spaces, such as your basement or attic.
Mold Removal Facts
A safer alternative is to hire a contractor. You will find Mold Remediation Contractor Hiring Tips handy if you have never paid a mold removal contractor before.
Whether you are doing it yourself or hiring a professional for the job, knowing these six facts about mold removal will help avoid any ugly surprises.
- Mold is Generally Invisible. Don’t let the little bit of mold you have just seen fool you into believing that removal will be a simple process. It will not be because mold generally hides in wet and dark places, where it can grow for years without ever coming into notice.
- Mold Should be Removed Quickly. Mold can grow quickly. It can cover your walls and other surfaces within a matter of days. The problem is especially acute during rain, and in areas where humidity is high year around. Your HVAC, condensers, and leaking pipes can also be a source. Whatever the cause, professional remediation has to be started quickly to keep harmful fumes and expenses in check.
- A Spray Down Is Never Enough. A lot of homeowners think that the removal process is little more than spraying bleach or another chemical onto the mold. Reality is different. In fact, chemical spraying provides little relief, especially in more serious situations. The proper process involves locating mold and isolating it before removal, and the whole thing usually takes longer than an afternoon.
- Mold Removal from Porous Materials Damages Them. Because mold entrenches itself deep into the surface, it is on, removing it is particularly difficult from porous surfaces, such as wood and fabric. Sometimes, even plaster and concrete may prove to be a big hurdle.
- Some Molds Are Toxic. Several kinds of molds infect homes and offices. Some of them are more dangerous than others. The most common of toxic molds is Stachybotrys, more popular by its other name, Black Mold. Removing it should definitely be left to professionals. Other toxic molds are Aspergillus, Fusarium, paecilomyces, Penicillium, and Trichoderma.
- Effective Removal Prevents Recurrence. The primary reason for calling experts, besides safety, is their ability to inhibit mold from recurring. Even a few dead mold cells hanging in the air are sufficient to seed a new generation of mold and become a danger to you and your loved ones’ health. An expert at mold removal will ensure that all mold cells have been removed, and your home is protected from a recurrence.
Takeaway
The mold inside your home is a serious problem that can only be overlooked at the risk of your health. Do not do that. Turn to GreenWorks for expert mold removal if you are in New Jersey. The company has the best talent in the state for dealing with all types of mold, and of highest severity. Contact them to make your home or office safe once more.
Got Moisture, Odor and Mold Issues?
Thank you for the information and facts about mold removal. I think having a professional come do mold removal is a must due to how dangerous and toxic some molds can be. A professional will also take steps to ensure spores don’t break off and filter through the air during cleanup. I will pass this along to my friend who thinks mold removal only entails wiping the area down.
Thanks for pointing out that Stachybotrys or Black Mold removal should only be left to the professionals. I noticed that there was some mold crawling up my shower wall, and it is black. I don’t know for sure if it is Stachybotrys, but it won’t do to let it stay. I’ll have to find someone who can safely remove it.
I’m glad that you talked about how a little mold is still really hard to remove completely. I have been looking for someone to come take care of the mold in my bathroom. I can see how it would be nice to have it removed by a professional. That way, I won’t risk trying to remove it myself and not getting rid of everything.
[…] in New Jersey, GreenWorks will assess the impact to your property and come up with the appropriate mold removal and remediation solutions to address your flooding and mold […]
I had no idea that mold could lead to some very serious health issues that could cause problems all over the body. My wife and I have noticed that there was a small patch of mold on our wall and reading what you said, this has me worried. We’ll have to start looking for a mold remediation company as soon as possible to avoid any possible health issues that could be caused by the mold.
Earlier, I noticed a growing mold infestation under our basement while cleaning it as part of my early spring cleaning activity. That is why I thought about having it removed once I have the time in the week. Knowing that mold can spread quickly given the right circumstances made me think to move my removal as soon as possible. I would not want a pungent smelling home that reeks of a foul decaying smell. Thanks for the heads-up on some mold removal facts!
Thank you for the 6 mold removal facts you should know. I definitely think people need to realize that the majority of mold in their home is probably hidden. Like you said it can grow for years before you notice you have a problem. I think it’s always best to hire a professional so you don’t risk mold spores getting into the air.
I just wanted to thank you for helping me learn more about mold removal. I didn’t know that it’s important for it to be removed quickly because it can spread in a few days. It definitely sounds important to be able to identify early signs so that you can handle the problem accordingly.
I didn’t realize that plaster and concrete can prove to be difficult when dealing with mold. In my basement, I’ve started to notice some mold development in the bathroom and storage area. There’s a bit of concrete in my storage room, so I’ll be sure to work with an expert to take care of the mold removal.
My wife discovered some mold on the siding of our kitchen backsplash. I didn’t realize that exposure to black mold spores can cause eye irritation, fatigue, and respiratory issues! We will check further to see how much damage is done, and consult a professional for help knowing that!
I like that you mentioned how serious molds is and that it can be fatal for you if it is not taken care of. I know people who have gotten sick while renting because of mold in the apartment that they were staying in. I think that mold restoration is something that should be taken care of quickly so that it doesn’t affect anyone’s health.
It’s great to know more about mold. I didn’t realize that it could cause health problems like eye irritation and fatigue! We’ve got some minor mold issues in our basement bathroom, so I’ll have to hire someone to get rid of that before it gets worse.