Mold Problems
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If these mold spores come in contact with moisture and an organic substance the spore will begin to reproduce. When spores reproduce they will release VOC's (volatile organic compounds). Some will release mycotoxins. These 2 things (VOC's and mycotoxins) are the culprits of most health problems caused by mold. Children, senior citizens and people with immune or respiratory diseases are most susceptible to the hazards of mold.
And unfortunately, there is no product yet invented that will stop the mold from reproducing by itself.
So what can you do?
1. Control Moisture
Mold growth is encouraged by warm and humid conditions. Outdoors they can be found in shady, damp areas or places where leaves or other vegetation is decomposing. Indoors they can be found where humidity levels are high or leaks have occurred, such as basements, attics or showers. Because the only proactive thing you can do is control moisture, it is mandatory to eliminate any moisture source problem areas before the remediation process, if required, is needed.
2. Take the Healthy Way Test
The human eye, no matter how well trained, can't be 100% sure that what it is looking at is definitely mold. The only way to be positive is through certified testing - the Healthy Way Test.
Mold vs. Your Health
Current evidence indicates that allergies are the type of diseases most often associated with molds. Since the susceptibility of individuals can vary greatly either because of the amount or type of mold, sampling and culturing are not reliable in determining your health risk. If you are susceptible to mold and mold is seen or smelled, there is a potential health risk; therefore, no matter what type of mold is present, you should arrange for its removal. Furthermore, reliable sampling for mold can be expensive, and standards for judging what is and what is not an acceptable or tolerable quantity of mold have not been established".
Mold in Your World
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states"Molds are found in virtually every environment and can be detected, both indoors and outdoors, year round".
The CDC adds,"Mold spores may enter your house from the outside through open doorways, windows, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems with outdoor air intakes. Spores in the air outside also attach themselves to people and animals, making clothing, shoes, bags, and pets convenient vehicles for carrying mold indoors. When mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture, such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls, plant pots, or where there has been flooding, they will grow. Many building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth".
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states,"In some cases, indoor mold growth may not be obvious. It is possible that mold may be growing on hidden surfaces, such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads, etc. Possible locations of hidden mold can include pipe chases and utility tunnels (with leaking or condensing pipes), walls behind furniture (where condensation forms), condensate drain pans inside air handling units, porous thermal or acoustic liners inside ductwork, or roof materials above ceiling tiles (due to roof leaks or insufficient insulation). You may suspect hidden mold if a building smells moldy, but you cannot see the source, or if you know there has been water damage...".
Be PRO-Active! Next Steps.
1. Schedule a Healthy Way Straight Answer Inspection - call today!
2. Control Moisture & Problem Areas
What do we do?
Upon inspecting and determining the exact state of your mold problem, we will provide a written estimate of our 100% solution. If we can't solve your problem in its entirety - we won't take on the job - its that simple.
But, provided that we do engage in mold remediation services for you, Healthy Way will first eliminate the moisture source and then remediate the existing mold spores to make sure that the mold problem does not reoccur. We will take all of the required precautions to make sure that the area being remediated is contained so that no spores will spread in to other areas of the home or building.
Once we eliminate your moisture problem and our mold remediation process is complete, Healthy Way will warranty the area serviced for five years against any mold growth.