Have you checked your house for signs of mold?  If not, check out earlier post to learn what you should be looking for.  Of course the problem is, many of these signs indicate only that you could have mold.  Often you don’t see the mold itself, and it’s difficult to check the place where there’s an indication of mold.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a page dedicated to this “hidden mold.”

One of the main points of the page that we’d like to highlight is the risks you face when you just investigate possible mold growth.  If you peel back wallpaper, move ceiling tiles, or take up areas of carpeting, the disturbance to any mold growing there can cause the release of spores.  Suddenly the mold growth in one part of your house can spread to other parts. 

The page also points out the dangers of using chlorine bleach to deal with mold infestation.  It’s harmful to mold but is also hazardous to other things in your home including kids, animals, and plants (and you if the area’s not well ventilated).

The best option is to call in a professional like those at Advance Mold Remediation.  Contact us, and we’ll tell you how we can minimize the risk of releasing mold spores during our investigation and then safely eliminate the mold without harming your family.

What is Mold Remediation?

Mold remediation is the process of removing cleaning up mold found in an indoor environment. While many people think that simply spraying and cleaning themselves with chlorine bleach will solve the problem of a mold infestation, the truth is that the EPA has not approved the use of chlorine bleach to kill mold. Instead, there are specific, professional products that need to be used in order to effectively eradicate mold. In addition, simply dealing with the mold that is visible is frequently not enough to end your mold problem. As long as a source of water remains along with any vestige of mold spores, the mold is likely to simply return – often in another nearby location. In order to prevent this, all existing mold need to be encapsulated – which is definitely a job for a professional.

Companies that specialize in mold remediation are experts in the clean-up of mold as well as in the prevention of future outbreaks. They are especially effective when the mold is widespread and/or located in a public or commercial building. Although most molds are not considered to be toxic, it is important to understand that any type of mold has the potential to make individuals ill, particularly those who are young, elderly, have allergies or suffer from a weakened immune system. For this reason, it is often a mistake to take a mold infestation lightly.

Keep in mind that getting rid of mold completely involves multiple steps. You need to not only kill the mold, but to actually remove all traces. This includes all contaminated materials as well as encapsulating and removing all spores. As with any complicated process, it is necessary to have training and experience in order to do the most effective job possible.

The best idea if you encounter any sort of extensive mold issue is to contact a licensed professional who has experience in handling mold issues. They will begin by assessing your particular situation, giving you an estimate for correcting the problem, and recommending changes that may keep the mold from returning. Depending on the extent of the damage, they may recommend that you also consult contractors and/or cleaning companies which specialize in repairing mold damage and removing mold spores and odor.