If you visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Mold Resources Web site, you’ll find information on duct cleaning as a method for dealing with mold.  It actually is quite useful because it goes beyond mold investigation and remediation and looks at other supposed benefits of duct cleaning and gives advice on choosing a good inspector.  At Advance Mold Remediation, we know a thing or two about duct cleaning and believe this is a worthwhile site that consumers should use to avoid unscrupulous duct cleaning companies.

Although the EPA points out that it can’t verify the claims some proponents of duct cleaning make, the one thing it says for sure is that mold can grow in you ductwork.  This causes particular problems because mold spores can easily spread throughout your house through your ducts.

However, because it’s difficult for average homeowners to inspect ductwork on their own, unethical service providers can use an inspection to create a problem where none exists.  Aside from a musty smell in your ducts, the only sure way of determining whether mold is present is to actually see it.  The EPA recommends asking your service provider to show you any mold it claims to find and to have the substance tested by a laboratory. The EPA provides a full rundown on its Web site.

At Advance Mold Remediation, we follow procedures and protocols developed by the EPA when serving our customers, so you can trust us to make a thorough and honest inspection of your heating and cooling system.  If, and only if, we find mold, we’ll walk you through our process for cleaning out your system and keeping you and your family safe. Contact us to learn more.

The who, what, and where for the most common, harmful indoor molds

Mold is everywhere:  inside, outside, upstairs, downstairs, in the dark, in the light.  Certain types of mold though thrive particularly well in indoor spaces and pose a threat to people occupying these buildings.  Let’s run down a few of the most common indoor molds listed on Mold-Info.net that need to be eliminated.

Aspergillus. When you let starchy foods such as bread and potatoes sit around too long, you’re providing a good environment for this mold.  One type of Aspergillus is a main component of mildew.  Though this type of mold is used to produce alcoholic drinks such as sake and medications, it can also damage human lungs, and is particularly dangerous to those with respiratory or immune problems.

Stachybotrys. This species of mold likes the essential components of structures.  Sheet rock, wallpaper, ceiling tiles, and insulation backing are all fertile breeding grounds for Stachybotrys when they’re water-damaged and unattended to.  These fungi are among the most dangerous to humans as they can damage the immune system and can also cause cancer.  However, they also require a lot of time and moisture to grow, so a quick response to water damage is the best way to avoid this mold.

Cladosporium.  You may never see this mold, which can grow in ductwork with fiberglass lining.  On the other hand you can also find it growing on decaying plants, food, paint, and textiles.  It can cause a number of respiratory and skin ailments, which is why Advance Mold Remediation offers duct cleaning as part of its services.

Fusarium. If you’ve ever seen mold growing in and around a humidifier, you’ve probably seen Fusarium.  It also grows on plants and water-damaged carpets.  It can cause gastrointestinal problems in humans as well as eye, skin, and respiratory irritation.

Penicillium. Though Penicillium helps produce one of the most useful antibiotics, it can also be quite harmful to us.  Worse yet, it can grow many places inside the home.  Food, some building materials, paint, carpet, and duct insulation all provide good homes for Penicillium.  It’s most harmful to those with suppressed immune systems and can cause liver and kidney issues.

You have mold in the places you live and work.  You can’t avoid it.  But with some preventative measures, diligence when an outbreak occurs, and some help from mold experts such as Advance Mold Remediation you can make these fungi a little less common.  Call us at 1-877-411-MOLD (6653) or visit our website:  http://www.advancemoldenv.com/.