MOLD & MILDEW REMEDIATION

Some of the facts about Mold

Did you know that there are more than 10,000 species of mold in the world, they are microscopic organisms and reproduce rather quickly.

Once mold spores settle in your home, they need moisture to begin growing. When excess moisture builds up in your home from a leaky roof, high humidity or flooding, this becomes an ideal condition for mold.

Longstanding moisture or high humidity conditions and mold grow together happily. When mold is disturbed, their spores are released into the air. You can be exposed to the spores through contact with your skin if you handle moldy materials.

Mold that grows indoors can have a serious health effect on people. Common symptoms of someone who has been in contact with mold include runny nose, eye irritation, congestion, aggravation of asthma, headaches or migraine headaches, dizziness and fatigue. They can also develop allergies, coughing up blood, fibrous growth in the lungs, nausea, and respiratory irritation. There have been several reported incidents of loss of memory, and the list goes on.

Discoloration is one sign of mold. However, all discoloration is not due to mold. Carpeting near baseboards, for example, can be stained by outdoor pollution entering the home. Stains or soot may also be caused by the smoke from burning candles or cigarettes.

Mold may be any colour: black, white, red, orange, yellow, blue or violet. Dab a drop of household bleach onto a suspected spot. If the stain loses its colour or disappears, it may be mold. If there is no change it probably isn’t mold.

A second sign of mold may be a musty or earthy smell. However, a smell may not be present for all molds. Even when you don’t notice a smell, wet spots, dampness or evidence of a water leak are indications of moisture problems and mold may follow.

Did you know that killing mold with bleach only kills its viability; the mold is still in your home and can cause health problems.