Concerned about mold in your home? You don't have to be. Disaster Solutions has your solution to a better night's rest. First, we'll check to see if mold is a reason for concern. Although there are many types of mold, none of them will grow without water. And since mold is a fungus, it must have a substance to feed upon.

So if you've had accidental water enter your home or business through flooding, bursting of pipes or possibly just a long-standing leak, and organic materials were wet, you may indeed have mold growth. If our tests reveal moisture content of over 15% and at least 60% relative humidity, mold remediation is probably needed.

Moisture control is a must in controlling mold. We'll identify the source of the problem, and assess where and to what extent mold is present. Our experienced professionals will then work quickly to remove the source, if still present, and the mold itself. Mold can be as easy to locate as taking a quick look at your bathroom, or as difficult as getting into the crawlspace of your home. But we'll find it and remove it. If your moisture problem has been existent for a while, however, certain furniture items and clothing may not be salvageable. We'll make recommendations regarding the discarding of items, or alternative methods, such as dry cleaning.

If you have unexpected water infiltration occur, act quickly! A prompt response (within 24-48 hours) and thorough cleanup, drying, and/or removal of water-damaged materials will prevent or limit mold growth. After our assessment, we'll provide you an upfront cost—with no surprises later. And after our work is done, a third-party tester will then be scheduled to test your home or business. If mold is still present, we will re-clean at no charge.

Rest easier, breathe easier—call Disaster Solutions today for an evaluation.

What is mold?

Molds are part of the natural environment. Molds are fungi that can be found anywhere—inside or outside—throughout the year. About 1,000 species of mold can be found in the United States, with more than 100,000 known species worldwide.

Outdoors, molds play an important role in nature by breaking down organic matter such as toppled trees, fallen leaves and dead animals. We would not have food and medicines, like cheese and penicillin, without mold.

Indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Problems may arise when mold starts eating away at materials, affecting the look, smell, and possibly, with respect to wood-framed buildings, affecting the structural integrity of the buildings.

Molds can grow on virtually any substance, as long as moisture or water, oxygen, and an organic source are present. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth often will occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains uncorrected. While it is impossible to eliminate all molds and mold spores, controlling moisture can control indoor mold growth.

All molds share the characteristic of being able to grow without sunlight; mold needs only a viable seed (spore), a nutrient source, moisture, and the right temperature to proliferate. This explains why mold infestation is often found in damp, dark, hidden spaces; light and air circulation dry areas out, making them less hospitable for mold.

Molds gradually damage building materials and furnishings. If left unchecked, mold can
eventually cause structural damage to a wood-framed building, weakening floors and walls as it feeds on moist wooden structural members. If you suspect that mold has damaged building integrity, consult a structural engineer or other professional with the appropriate expertise.

Since mold requires water to grow, it is important to prevent excessive moisture in buildings. Some moisture problems in buildings have been linked to changes in building construction
practices since the 1970s, which resulted in tightly sealed buildings with diminished ventilation, contributing to moisture vapor buildup. Other moisture problems may result from roof leaks, landscaping or gutters that direct water into or under a building, or un-vented combustion appliance. Delayed or insufficient maintenance may contribute to moisture problems in buildings. Improper maintenance and design of building heating/ventilating/air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, such as insufficient cooling capacity for an air conditioning system, can result in elevated humidity levels in a building.

Does mold present any health risks?

Currently, there are no federal standards or recommendations, (e.g., OSHA, NIOSH, EPA) for airborne concentrations of mold or mold spores.

Scientific research on the relationship between mold exposures and health effects is ongoing. This section provides a brief overview, but does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information, consult a health professional or your state or local health department.

There are many types of mold. Most typical indoor air exposures to mold do not present a risk of adverse health effects. Molds can cause adverse effects by producing allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions). Potential health concerns are important reasons to prevent mold growth and to remediate existing problem areas.

The onset of allergic reactions to mold can be either immediate or delayed. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms such as runny nose and red eyes.

Molds may cause localized skin or mucosal infections but, in general, do not cause systemic infections in humans, except for persons with impaired immunity, AIDS, uncontrolled diabetes, or those taking immune suppressive drugs. An important reference with guidelines for immuno-compromised individuals can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website (www.cdc.gov).

Molds can also cause asthma attacks in some individuals who are allergic to mold. In addition, exposure to mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose and throat in certain individuals. Symptoms other than allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold in the indoor environment.

Eating, drinking, and using tobacco products and cosmetics where mold remediation is taking place should be avoided. This will prevent unnecessary contamination of food, beverage, cosmetics, and tobacco products by mold and other harmful substances within the work area.

FAQs information above obtained from the US Environmental Protection Agency website. For additional information regarding mold from the US EPA, click here.