Just when we think we know all there is to know, someone goes ahead and publishes a post about the top ten facts about mold! Of all things!
Well, mold is everywhere and can be extremely hazardous to the health of humans and pets. Mold is what we term microscopic fungi that grow in long, branching filaments and that are multicellular (these filaments are called hyphae incidentally). There are thousands of species of mold and mold derives its energy from the organic matter in which it lives. Mold produces mold spores. Most spores remain airborne indefinitely and can resist extreme temperatures and pressures. Molds are only visible to the naked eye when colonies grow.
Knowledge is power and just knowing a few things can help you keep a healthy indoor environment for you and your loved ones.
1-800-DRY-ME-OUT is a full service water damage restoration company that provides emergency water removal, water mitigation, carpet drying, mold removal, fire damage, sinkhole and sewer cleanup services. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT is located in Port Richey, Florida, and proudly services the West Gulf Coast of Florida. For more information, please visit http://www.drymeout.com
When it comes to mold, it is important to act as soon as you find it. Unfortunately, most people either don't know what to do or are misled by false information.
What is Mold?
Mold is what we term microscopic fungi that grow in long, branching filaments and that are multicellular (these filaments are called hyphae incidentally). There are thousands of species of mold and mold derives its energy from the organic matter in which it lives. Mold produces mold spores. Most spores remain airborne indefinitely and can resist extreme temperatures and pressures. Molds are only visible to the naked eye when colonies grow.
The internet offers a plethora of information: some resources are good while some are not so good. We have taken the guess work out of research and hope that this list will help you.
Whether you own property, are looking to buy or rent, mold can be a serious issue. To help you combat any mold damage that you find, here is a Top 10 Mold Removal Resources list for you to keep hand and share!
Black mold often connotes the "Black Plague." If you find something you think is black mold, don't panic, as not all discoloration is mold and not all black molds are toxic. In fact, humans and pets often cause some of the spots that look like black mold. If people lean their heads against a wall repeatedly, or pets rest in the same spot against a wall, the oils from hair and fur can cling to the wall. The oil will collect dust from the air, and the patterns created often look like mold. If you see something that appears to be mold, relax and investigate the area, because you may be panicking for no reason. At the same time, learning to look for mold will also alert you to finding toxic mold. Toxic mold must be removed as it can cause several health problems in people and pets.
Common molds such as Stachybotrys (also known as Black Mold) and Aspergillus have been proven to cause symptoms of sickness in both humans and pets. Read more on pet exposure to mold.
Symptoms of mold exposure have been studied by top researchers and centers including the Mayo Clinic. Research continues on today on leading theories that link mold to diseases such as Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. To read more about these theories, please visit: http://www.biosignlabs.com/Symptoms_Mold_Sickness.html
Mold damage is serious. If any water damage has occurred, mold spores can begin to grow into mold within 24-48 hours. If you believe that you might have a mold problem, contact a certified mold removal specialist and talk to your doctor about any health concerns you may have.
Here are some symptoms that have been linked to mold exposure within the home or workplace:
1-800-DRY-ME-OUT is a full service water damage restoration company that provides emergency water removal, water mitigation, carpet drying, mold remediation, fire damage, sinkhole and sewer cleanup services. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT is located in Port Richey, Florida, and proudly services the West Gulf Coast of Florida.
Recently, we were called in for a mold remediation job. The homeowners were concerned about a build up of mold in their master bathroom shower stall as well as a strong odor that they couldn’t place.
Apparently, they had tried several methods to clean the shower stall and after every attempt failed, they hired a professional cleaning service.
“I finally hired a cleaning company to get rid of the mold and they couldn’t do it,” one homeowner told our mold inspection expert.
The homeowners were unable to get rid of the mold because they were simply applying topical cleaning agents, such as bleach, to the moldy materials. Likewise, the cleaning company came in and used whatever cleaning solutions it had trying to make the mold disappear. Mold, however, does not just disappear and moldy materials cannot simply be cleaned; they must be removed.
A common myth that many homeowners hold is that bleach kills mold. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Mold is rooted into a mold spore. While beach has more power on non-porous surfaces, it cannot reach into porous surfaces, such as grout or caulk where bathroom mold usually grows, and thus, affects only the top layer of mold by bleaching the color. In essence, bleach only removes stains, not the mold, because it does not have any effect on destroying the roots of mold spores. Furthermore, there is some argument that bleach worsens the problem because it tends to make surfaces more porous due to its abrasive nature. Currently, publicly available chemical mold cleaners are bleach-based.
When it comes to mold and mold damage, there are five facts to understanding mold that everyone should know. These facts include: 1) Mold needs moisture to grow; 2) Mold can be harmful or helpful — depending on where it grows; 3) Mold does not grow on dry materials; 4) Mold growing inside a home can affect the residents; and 5) Homeowners and property residents can learn to recognize mold.
Before one can fight mold, we must learn about what mold is. Molds are microscopic fungi, a group of organisms which also includes mushrooms and yeasts. Fungi are highly adapted to grow and reproduce rapidly, producing spores and mycelia in the process.
Mold is encountered every day. Foods spoil because of mold. Leaves decay and pieces of wood lying on the ground rot due to mold. That fuzzy black growth on wet window sills is mold. Paper or fabrics stored in a damp place get a musty smell that is due to the action of molds.
While molds are often considered to be harmful, certain molds can be useful to people. The drug penicillin is obtained from a specific type of mold. Some foods and beverages are made by the actions of molds. The key to beneficial kinds of molds is that they are selected and grown in a controlled fashion.
Molds are undesirable when they grow where we don't want them, such as in homes. Molds that grow inside may be different from the ones found outdoors. According to USA Today, there are at least 100,000 types of mold, but only a few dozen are toxic and can cause health problems. These toxic molds produce chemicals called mycotoxins that can cause rashes, seizures, unusual bleeding, headaches, respiratory problems and severe fatigue in some people. According to the Mayo Clinic, sinus problems are almost always the result of toxic mold.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New York City Health Department, here are ten top things to know about mold!
1. There are more than 100,000 species of mold. Most types that are routinely found are not hazardous to healthy individuals. But too much exposure or certain types of mold could cause allergic reactions, asthma, rashes, respiratory complaints or other types of mold related illness.
2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores indoors. The way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
3. If mold is a problem at home or in school, clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials like ceiling tiles, plasterboard or wood, may need to be replaced.
8. Prevent condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, pipes, exterior walls, roof or floors) by adding insulation.
9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting.
10. Molds can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet and foods.
Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Damage Tampa, Sinkhole, Fire Damage, Sewer Damage and Emergency Disaster Recovery Restoration Company in Tampa Bay, Florida. Company Services Include: WATER DAMAGE EXTRACTION and RESTORATION; MOLD REMOVAL and MOLD REMEDIATION; STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION; FLOODS; HURRICANE DAMAGE; SEWER DAMAGE; Complete Restoration Services. Residential, Commercial & Industrial structures in the Tampa Bay Metro Area, Sarasota County, FL and Manatee County, FL. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!
A simple trick to help reduce mold spores within the home and thus, help thwart mold growth is to vacuum surfaces with a vacuum cleaner which has a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter.
Proper vacuuming reduces the amount of mold spores. All surfaces in the home (floors, walls, ceilings, shelves) and non-washable furnishings (such as sofas, chairs, etc.) must be vacuumed thoroughly and frequently.
HEPA filter vacuums are made by companies such as Dyson and are found in all major retailers now. Some other great benefits to using a HEPA filter vacuum is that the filter doesn’t clog with dust and can be washed. As well, you don’t need to purchase vacuum bags; rather, you dump the vacuum tank when full. This is both a benefit on the budget and for the environment (less waste). Plus, no loss of suction!
Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Damage Tarpon Springs, Sinkhole, Fire Damage, Sewer Damage and Emergency Disaster Recovery Restoration Company in Tampa Bay, Florida. Company Services Include: WATER DAMAGE EXTRACTION and RESTORATION; MOLD REMOVAL and MOLD REMEDIATION; STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION; FLOODS; HURRICANE DAMAGE; SEWER DAMAGE; Complete Restoration Services. Residential, Commercial & Industrial structures in the Tampa Bay Metro Area, Sarasota County, FL and Manatee County, FL. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!
NEW PORT RICHEY – Cable television is filled with flashy home renovation shows. Many are the product of Hollywood directors who carefully supervise the driving of every nail.
Unlike the emotion-filled, multi-camera, star-driven home renovation extravaganzas, Jon Hall works quietly. He runs Advanced Restoration in Port Richey, specializing in repairing homes with water, mold or other damage.
Hall is preparing for a long weekend of hard work. He and some of his employees will do a major renovation project at the Good Samaritan Clinic.
“We want to give back to a community that has given so much to us,” Hall said.
The Good Samaritan Clinic is where the poor and uninsured go for free health care. More than 4,000 patients are treated there for free every year, and the demand for service is growing.
“When they pull into our parking lot, this is their last means. They’ve let their diagnosis go so long and when they walk in our door they are very sick,” explained Melissa Fahy, the CEO at Good Samaritan.
As the clinic serves the needs of the sick for free, the building itself has become a little sick.
“The outside of the building, the mold, the structure being cracked, the wear and tear takes its toll,” Fahy said.
Hall decided to ask the New Port Richey business and civil leaders to recommend something that could benefit from a restoration project that would be donated by Advanced Restoration.
Good Samaritan was selected.
“We’re going to fill all the cracks, we’re going to apply sealer, we’re going to paint the whole thing, repaint the curbs, scrape all those and take care of any other issues that need to be taken care of while we’re here,” Hall said.
The clinic gets no state or federal funding. Building restoration is not in the clinic’s budget.
“You just never know where the next dollar is going to come from, or what we’re going to do next,” according to Fahy.
There may have been no surprise announcement about the project, but there was a lot of emotion.
“We were just doing a dance in the hallway, and everyone was just ecstatic,” Fahy recalled.
The recession that brought so many people to the Good Samaritan Clinic has been tough on the construction industry as well. So why donate thousands of dollars worth of supplies, equipment, and time?
“It feels good,” said Donald Polson who will do all the painting work. “Anybody can write a check for a donation, but actually getting out there and doing the work is totally different. They do a lot for the community here. It’s just giving back.”
Saturday will be the big construction day. For more information, visit www.drymeout.com or e-mail Melissa Fahy at mfahy@goodsamclinic.org.
Day 1: The property restoration has begun at The Good Samaritan Health Clinic of Pasco!
For those of you who may not know, The Good Samaritan Health Clinic of Pasco was chosen as winner of our Secret Restoration Project. The building exterior is in rough shape. Falling apart in places and completely infested by mold on several walls. Today, we have the awesome team from Don Polson Painting, including owner Don Polson himself, out with us to begin repairing the clinic’s exterior. We have quite a large team out because we have a lot of work to do in just 3 days. Our goal is to have the project completed by Saturday, February 19th.
In the meanwhile, FOX News stopped by today to get some footage of the restoration in action. You can see the segment tonight, Thursday, February 17th, at both the 5pm and 6pm hours.
We will keep you posted throughout the restoration!
Here are some photos that Don took at the site with his cell phone:
Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Water Damage, Mold Remediation New Port Richey, Sinkhole, Fire Damage, Sewer Damage and Emergency Disaster Recovery Restoration Company in Tampa Bay, Florida. Company Services Include: WATER DAMAGE EXTRACTION and RESTORATION; MOLD REMOVAL and MOLD REMEDIATION; STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION; FLOODS; HURRICANE DAMAGE; SEWER DAMAGE; Complete Restoration Services. Residential, Commercial & Industrial structures in the Tampa Bay Metro Area, Sarasota County, FL and Manatee County, FL. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT Contact Us!
