⋅Do You Have a Mold Problem? ⋅

Mold is a fungi that grows only in moist, warm environments. Its energy source is whatever it grows on. That means eventually, the mold will consume and destroy whatever it grows on. There are several hundred thousand kinds of mold, and some of them are toxic enough to kill you.

Early Signs of Mold: Allergies

Allergies are one of the most common and often the first signs of mold presence in your environment. If your allergies worsen when you’re home or at work but lessen when you’re away from home or work, mold may be present in one of those environments.

What kind of allergic reactions signal a possible mold problem? Most often, allergic reactions to mold involve the respiratory system and skin – sneezing, coughing, sore eyes, runny or itchy nose, nasal congestion, sinus congestion, and skin rash. All of these annoyances can be signs of mold presence.

You don’t build a tolerance to mold. The more you are exposed to it, the more sensitive you become and the more severe your allergic reactions become.

And allergic reactions are only the tip of the iceberg. Mold can be deadly. It can kill you. Some of the more severe reactions to mold are asthma, infections and bleeding in the lungs, lung disease, and cancer.

Other Important Signs of Mold

If you suspect a mold problem, start by looking for signs of mold in your home or office:

A musty or moldy smell. Don’t ignore these odors.
Visible clusters of black spots; white, thread-like marks; or patches of gray-brown or gray-green spots.
Any evidence of water leaks, flooding, or water damage, even if these things happened long ago.
Condensation on glass windows or metal pipes.
Rusted indoor pipes, which suggest condensation.

Be aware that not all mold is detectable. You may have a mold problem yet have none of these signs of mold. Mold can grow in hidden places, like the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, paneling, and ceiling tiles, where you can’t see it. It can also grow inside duct work, in roof materials, and on walls behind furniture. When you can see mold, you may not recognize it as mold. Mold also does not always have an odor. If you suspect a mold problem but can’t see or smell mold, call a professional with experience in mold remediation like Advanced Bio Treatment.

Preventing Mold Problems

The best way to deal with a mold problem is to prevent the problem. All types of mold require moisture and warmth to grow. Therefore, best way to control mold is to control moisture. Mold begins to grow within 48 hours in water-damaged areas. It is critical, therefore, to act quickly. Most of the time, you will have no mold problem if water damage is cleaned and dried within 24-48 hours.

According to the EPA, you should not attempt to clean an area larger than 10 square feet or roughly 3 x 3 feet. If the damaged area is larger, call a professional trauma cleaning service like Advanced Bio Treatment to remove the water and thoroughly dry the structure. Make sure the company is experienced in cleaning up mold. Advanced Bio Treatment professionals have extensive mold-remediation experience and follow all EPA mold-remediation recommendations.
Repair water problems immediately. If you clean up mold but don’t repair the water problem, the mold will come right back.
If the damage was caused by contaminated “black” water like sewage, always call a professional to clean and dry the damaged area.
Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and drain lines flowing smoothly.
Keep indoor humidity below 60 percent.
Clean and dry condensation, which is often a sign of high humidity, quickly.
In bathrooms, increase ventilation by running a fan or opening a window, and clean frequently.
Vent moisture-generating appliances like dryers to the outside.

Know the signs of mold growth from flooding

Flood, Water Damage & Mold Cleanup – Find Out More

Handling a Mold Problem Yourself

Anytime you go on a scavenger hunt for mold, you risk releasing mold spores, which are as deadly as the mold itself. Tearing down dry wall or wallpaper is a great way to release those deadly spores. For this reason, we recommend calling a professional if you suspect a hidden mold problem or if the mold problem is larger than 10 square feet.

If you do tackle a small job yourself, you should do the following:

Wear a respirator so that you do not breathe in the mold spores.
Wear long rubber gloves that extend almost to the elbow.
Wear goggles with no ventilation holes to avoid getting mold spores in your eyes.
Fix and dry the source of the mold – water leaks and water damage – immediately.
Remove and discard porous materials such as ceiling tiles and carpet because mold grows in the crevices of these porous materials. It may be impossible to remove all the mold from these items.
Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water and then dry the surface completely.
The EPA recommends that you NOT use biocides like chlorine bleach routinely to clean up mold because of the dangers inherent in these products. If you do use a biocide, according to the CDC, you should mix no more than one cup of bleach in a gallon of water, ventilate the area well, use non-porous gloves and protective eye wear, and never mix the bleach with ammonia or other household cleaning products.
Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces until they are completely clean and dry.

If you suspect you have a mold problem, don’t wait. If you can’t readily find, identify, and clean the mold yourself, let us help. Call the experts at Advanced Bio Treatment at 800-295-1684. We are available 24 hours every day of the year, provide emergency services, and assist with filing insurance claims.

Mold Resources:

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home

Moisture and Mold Problems: Preventing and Solving Them in Your Home

Molds in The Environment From The CDC