Understanding Mold

11/21/2015 (Permalink)

From The Ordinary

Fungi and mold naturally occur in our environment. Infact, over 100,000 kinds of fungi have been identified.

Fungi produce some veryuseful results. Yeast is atype of fungi used inpreparing breads, baked goods and other food products, including some alcoholic beverages. The unique flavor of blue cheese is a result of mold. An edible mushroom is simply a type of fungi, and life saving penicillin is a product of mold (Penicillin chrysogenum).

Even though some forms of mold can add value to our lives, other forms can be harmful. Excessive amounts of mold, different types of mold, and/or exposure to molds may present health concerns for some people.

To The Unhealthy

Intrusion of water into your home or place ofbusiness can result in mold growth. Water intrusions can result from storm damage, plumbing or equipment failures, long-standing leaks and poor humidity control.

When water intrusions are not addressed right away, the resulting damage can present increased risk of harmful mold growth. Some amount of mold spores are normally present in most environments. If the humidity and moisture levels in a water-damaged environment are not promptly returned to normal, mold spores may grow and multiply. Organic materials found inside abuilding, such as wood, paper, drywall and insulation, provide food sources for mold to flourish. Excessive mold growth can lead to indoor environmental conditions that pose a health threat.

Health Concerns

Health concerns may arise when excessive mold grows indoors. Concerns are more likely to arise for “at risk” people, which might include immune suppressed or compromised individuals, young children and individuals with chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma and severe allergies. However, anyone may experience health problems associated with exposure to mold in damp buildings.

Possible health effects include: runny nose, sneezing, coughing, aggravation of asthma, sore throat or inflammation of the sinuses.

People most at risk include:

• Infants and children.
• Pregnant women.
• The elderly.
• People with compromised respiratory systems or asthma and allergies.
• People with weakened immune systems.

Take Precautions

SERVPRO® of Wayne handles water damages every day and knows prompt action is required to prevent mold growth. Mold is more likely to spread when an environment has been subject to moisture for along period of time. If your property has sustained a recent water damage, it is vital to remove excess water and dry the structure promptly.

If there is an ongoing moisture problem in the building, it is important to be alert for:

• The presence of visible mold.
• Strong musty odors which may indicate mold ispresent.
• Any evidence of past moisture problems that might have caused undetected mold growth.
• Excessive humidity.

These conditions may require the expertise of a qualified Indoor Air Quality/Environmental Professional to inspect the building for mold growth and water damage problems.

Indoor Air Quality/Environmental Professionals

Indoor Air Quality/Environmental Professionals evaluate the quality of the air inside a structure.

Some specialize and are skilled in testing buildings for the presence of molds. Using various testing devices, these professionals collect air and surface samples to compare the indoor mold spore count to the outdoor environment. If you have concerns about mold, SERVPRO® of Wayne can assist you in locating a qualified Indoor AirQuality/Environmental Professional.

Help Is Here

If you think you might have a mold problem, call 973-546-4977. A SERVPRO® of Wayne Professional trained in mold remediation will examine the structure for any visible signs of mold.

In the event mold is found, you will be asked to approve and sign a work authorization form prior to any mold cleanup or related work being performed.

The technician may also recommend you leave the affected area while the mold cleanup and associated containment process is being safely completed.

If extensive mold growth is present, additional assistance may be required. Some situations require the addition of an Indoor Air Quality/Environmental Professional with the specialized equipment and services needed to assess and /or repair property. You may wish to consult your adjuster if needed.

SERVPRO®of Wayne cares about proper restoration of your structure. In most water damage situations excessive mold growth is not a problem and SERVPRO®of Wayne Professionals can safely restore your building to pre-loss condition. The need to address the presence of mold can only be determined by an on-site, indoor environmental inspection. Please keep in mind SERVPRO®of WayneProfessionals do not interpret insurance policies or coverage; you must consult your insurance company to determine the scope of policy coverage.