The Basics of Mold Damage and Professional Restoration

7/24/2017 (Permalink)

The Basics of Mold Damage and Professional Restoration

It’s not a subject that’s discussed regularly, but mold damage and mold growth is a problem people must be made aware of. The presence of mold in a home or office is dangerous, and it causes health issues. It’s too dangerous for people to handle on their own, which means it’s time to become familiar with the signs of mold. Many people have no idea mold growth behind walls is a problem, that mold shouldn't be touched using DIY methods, or that a professional restoration company is the only option when mold is present.

Health Dangers of Mold in the Home

Many people have no idea just how dangerous mold in the home and commercial mold damage are to their health. If they do know how mold damage is for their health at home, they’re in disbelief commercial mold damage is such a problem since they spend less time at work than home. When mold growth is ignored and left untreated, it can become toxic. While many people are aware that there is such thing as toxic black mold, they have no idea ample amounts of any mold growth become toxic without being black mold.

Black mold is always a health problem. Black mold is not the only fungus associated with health issues. Those who live with asthma, allergies, and immune systems that are compromised due to illness are more likely to suffer health issues when any form of mold, fungus, or mildew is present in a home or office. Mold damage is too dangerous for the health of all people to leave untreated.

Signs of Mold in the Home and/or Commercial Mold Damage

Perhaps someone reading this has no idea how to determine whether they have mold damage in the home. One good way to know mold damage or mold growth is possible is the presence of flood waters or leaks. When water enters the home or office, it needs only a few hours for mold to form. It takes fewer than three days for mold growth to spread into other parts of a building, and it grows rapidly from there.

Mold is a fungus, and there are signs people must be aware of. When anyone sees even the smallest amount of mildew or fungus in their home or office, it’s time to call a restoration company to handle mold removal, mitigation, and remediation. Mildew isn’t mold, but it’s a sign mold growth is imminent if not already present. Mildew grows in warm areas of the home or office with plenty of moisture and humidity, and that’s precisely where mold likes to grow.

Dry rot is another sign of potential mold damage. Dry rot occurs when something in the home becomes wet and stays wet. Since mold grows with moisture and humidity, dry rot could indicate that’s a problem in the home or office. Seeing dry rot might not mean mold is present, but a restoration company can come out and get to the bottom of the issue.

A smelly odor is a good sign to look for. Deodorization is perfectly safe for use if anyone notices a smelly odor, but it’s only a temporary fix for comfort. Deodorization techniques do not kill mold, but they can mask a smelly odor. The reason a smelly odor might be such a problem isn’t the lack of help deodorization provides, but the indication there could be mold growth behind walls. Mold growth behind walls is not noticeable right away. That’s what makes it dangerous.

Handling Mold in the Home and Commercial Mold Damage

Whether it’s mold growth behind walls, black mold, or just the presence of a smelly odor deodorization can only mask for so long, calling for mold removal services with a restoration company is a good idea. Mitigation and remediation is required, but that doesn’t mean there’s not anything people can do to help before mitigation and remediation begins.

While it’s never a good idea for anyone to touch mold or disturb spores while waiting on mold removal restoration companies to arrive, it’s a good idea to get a head start removing standing water from a home or office. It’s also helpful to shut down air and heating systems so mold spores aren’t picked up in the air and transported through the system into other rooms in the same building.

Remediation and mitigation are not optional. Mold must be handled right away by a professional mold removal service. It should not be touched by anyone else for fear it will spread spores rapidly. Let a professional help remove mold and get the issue handled. It’s the only way to keep families and employees healthy.
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