Mold is one of those words that sends shivers down the spine of a home owner. You know it is a serious issue that damages your home and can make your family sick. How do you know if you have mold? How long does it take for mold to grow? What are the symptoms of a mold allergy in you or your kids? And if you suspect a mold infestation, how do you deal with it? Who do you call? Is mold removal possible? Fear not! We’ve got the information you need to take control of the situation and protect your home and the health of your family.
What is mold?
Mold is a fungus that can grow pretty much anywhere. Mold spores are always in the air, so if moisture is present, the spores can feed, grow, and spread. Mold spores are everywhere, inside and outside.
Mold is toxic. Many people refer to black mold but really there are hundreds of kinds of mold and they can all destroy your home and make everyone in your house sick, especially infants and young children, people with respiratory problems, and the elderly.
Does your home have mold?
You may think that your home could not have mold because the environment isn’t right for it or you dried up any water from a leak quickly. However, no home is immune from a mold infestation. In order to grow, mold needs:
- A temperature between 32° and 120° F
- Nutrients, an organic or inorganic substance to feed the mold
- Moisture of any kind: water, humidity, dampness
Not much water is needed actually. Just a few inches of water or high humidity can be all mold needs to feed and grow in your home. Mold grows quickly in anything porous from walls to furniture. It grows quickly, very quickly, so don’t wait to start the process of mold removal.
If you see black spots on walls or ceilings, you have mold. This is surface mold. That may not be all of the mold either. Remember, you are just seeing the surface. A musty smell is also a sign of mold. If you are not sure about moisture in your home, there is a free pdf guide for moisture control and mold prevention available here. Finally, if you have a family member who is mysteriously sick all the time, mold may be the culprit. You need to figure that out and find a professional for mold removal whether you have outward signs in your home or symptoms of mold allergies.
Is mold making your family sick?
Some people are more allergic to mold than others. Reactions are broad and cover lots of symptoms. You and your family members can experience allergic reactions, asthma attack, ear inflammation, eye irritation, fatigue, headache, nasal congestion, runny nose, sinus infections, sore throat and many others symptoms. Mold allergies can be severe and very dangerous. You cannot live in a home infested with mold. This is why mold removal is so important and must be done properly.
Mold Removal and Remediation
You cannot get rid of mold on your own. That nasty stuff is toxic! Don’t touch it! Stay out of the area containing the mold. Mold removal is not a diy kind of project. There’s a lot involved and you need a professional service that offers a service called “mold remediation.” The only way to get rid of mold is by having a certified trained professional that will perform mold remediation and restoration in the affected area.
Here is what you need for legitimate mold remediation:
- You need a professional you can call 24/7. A water emergency cannot wait.
- You need a thorough inspection of your entire home by a technician. This should include samples being tested and result in a plan for mold removal and mold remediation.
- Identify the source of the moisture that is feeding the mold and stop it.
- Before any clean up or work is done, your professional team should set up a containment area to keep the mess from spreading.
- Any building materials with mold need to be removed, like moldy drywall and insulation.
- All affected areas need to be clean and sanitized.
- Samples should be collected after the work is done to ensure all mold is really gone.
- Any building material that had to be removed need to now be replaced/rebuilt.
So how do you find a certified trained professional for mold removal and mold remediation? You need someone who can handle every step of the process that you can trust because mold removal is nothing to take lightly. The value of your home and the health of your family is at stake. It is actually easier than you think though. Locate A Certified Professional in North America with just a few clicks of the mouse!
If you suspect mold, please find someone for mold removal and mold remediation immediately. A bottle of bleach and some rubber gloves are not going to cut it. Protect your home and the health of your family by hiring certified professionals to handle the process from start to finish.
Mold allergies can only be dealt with by getting rid of the mold. However, seasonal allergies can be dealt with naturally. Here are 8 Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies.
