Mold Removal | Fun Mold Facts

Mold: The “Un” Invited Guest to the Party

Oh boy! What to do! An unexpected flood…Water Damage that sets in…And then, who comes knocking on the door? Mold!

Before one can fight mold, though, one 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.

To help you survive the party with grace, we offer you a list we lovingly call, “Fun Facts about Mold!” Don’t worry…even with mold as your guest, we’re certain you’re party will be a scream!
Read the article: Fun Facts About Mold

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

Top Ten Facts About Mold

Mold….It’s Everywhere!

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.

Click to read the Top Ten Facts About Mold

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

Top Ten Mold Removal Resources Online

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!

Click to read: Top 10 Mold Removal Resources Online

Mold Removal: Is All Mold Toxic?

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.

Read the entire article: Is Black Mold Toxic?

Mold and odor problems with your towels?

If you live in Florida, then you know what I’m talking about. You reach for a towel and ICK, it has been possessed by a musty odor. Your towel may have just fallen victim to mold growth. Think about it. After you use your towel, you hang it to dry in your bathroom. As you know, bathrooms are notorious for having poorair circulation and retaining humidity – the perfect breeding ground for mold.

So how does one win the battle against moldy towels? Read on:

1. First off, keep your washer clean. Clean it regularly per manufacturer’s instructions. For example, my front loader requires a bleach clean cycle once a month.

2. In your bathroom, try to maximize the drying area of your towel.

3. Replace your towel often. Some experts even argue that towels should be replaced daily, especially if you have any skin irritations like acne. But, we know most people don’t have the time to constantly wash towels.

4. Once you are ready to wash your towel, WASH your towel. Wet or damp towels that are left lying around are the perfect host for mold growth.

5. When washing your towels, understand that laundry detergent will just not cut it. You need to get serious. Either a) Use a Color-safe bleach (if you missed our article on how bleach doesn’t kill mold, please refer to it. In the meantime, this product works in a pinch) or b) add 1 1/2 cups of white vinegar to the laundry cycle in addition to the detergent or c) use Borax per the box’s directions.

6. Our preferred cleaner here is a natural enzyme based laundry detergent like “Naturally It’s Clean”. Enzymes are amazing. They dissolve mold and eat up odor. Unfortunately, natural cleaners tend to be on the pricey side.

7. Make certain to leave your washer door open.

8. Completely dry your towels in the dryer. Make sure that towels do not feel damp to the touch or throw them back in for a touch up. If you take a damp towel out of the dryer, you are undoing everything you just did.

We hope this helps you in your quest to having and maintaining fresh smelling towels!

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

Symptoms of Mold Exposure

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:

CLICK TO READ: Symptoms of Mold Exposure

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.

Black Mold | Dear 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT: Is My Workplace Making Me Sick?

Thanks to Mike for sending in a question about the health of his workplace and whether or not it might be infected by black mold.



Dear 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT:

I work at a dealership and over the last two months or so, I have been noticing that I feel unwell near the end of the day. I feel headachey, worn down and almost as if I have allergies. Recently, I was talking with one of my co-workers about how I have been feeling and they mentioned that they have been feeling the same way. We also agreed that on weekends away from the office, we both feel fine.

I am wondering if it could be an underlying mold issue? I have heard about black mold inducing similar effects but we cannot see any mold anywhere. I know that you deal a lot with mold and performed a mold remediation for a friend of mine when they purchased an older fixer-upper home. What are your thoughts?

Thanks for your help,

Mike



Here us our response:



Hi there Mike,

Thank you for your question on whether or not we may feel the health of your workplace is being jeopardized by mold.

You had mentioned in your question that you cannot see mold so you weren’t sure if mold could actually be the cause. You have excellent insight because mold does not need to be visible to the eye to be present and wreaking havoc on your system. Often, mold can grow in hidden places like behind a water source, in the attic, in the drywall etc. Mold will also grow undetected under carpet, behind baseboards, under wood flooring, in ducts and so on.

For example, if the property has ever experienced any kind of water damage from a storm or heavy rain, mold could have easily grown if the area damaged by water was not thoroughly dried out and properly restored. Mold will begin to grow within 24-48 hours of water damage occurring. So yes, there could definitely be a mold problem within the building you work in.

As for whether or not mold could be causing these symptoms you and your co-worker are experiencing, it most certainly could be. Prolonged exposure to mold can stimulate allergic like reactions in people as well as cause symptoms of being sick. The mold most famous for producing negative sick-like symptoms is Stachybotrys also known as Black Mold. However, other forms of mold such as Aspergillus, also a common mold, can also create symptoms of allergies and illness.

Common symptoms of mold exposure and sensitivity include: sinusitis, headaches, general allergy symptoms such as stuffy or runny nose, fatigue, memory loss and breathing disorders. For a more complete list of mold-associated symptoms, visit Symptoms of Mold Exposure and Sickness. Sinusitis is the most common health care complaint and affects 37 million people in USA (about 1 out of every 7 Americans). According to a Mayo Clinic study, mold is a known allergen that many people are likely sensitive to. In addition, the study shows that mold in the air and in the nose is directly linked to sinus inflammation. The Mayo Clinic study proved that 93% of all chronic sinusitis studied was caused by mold!

Mold is extremely dangerous to a person or even a pet’s health. Currently, there is a theory that supports that Fibromyalgia, sudden onset of Asthma or Emphysema, Chronic Lung and Sinus infections as well as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are actually caused by mold exposure.

It appears that people with better immunity will be able to tolerate the ill effects of mold; however, people who are under stress, have weakened immunities, are allergic to mold or are seniors are at greater risk to develop mold-induced illnesses. Constantly working in a mold-infected environment can take its toll on even a healthy person.

What we suggest is that you talk to a health care provider and also speak with your employer about your concerns. A health care provider can treat you if needed and employers, by most laws, are required to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of workers.

Regarding your employer, we suggest they hire a mold remediation company like 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT to perform a mold inspection. We have the latest technology to find mold anywhere within a building. Upon receiving the results of a mold test, we could determine whether or not mold exists within your building. If mold is found, a plan would be devised for mold removal and complete remediation of the property.

Thank you for sending us your question and let us know if we can help with this situation any further.

Jeremy
Mold Remediation Specialist
1-800-DRY-ME-OUT


Have a water damage, mold removal or sewer repair question for us? Contact 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT here.

1-800-DRY-ME-OUT is a full service water damage restoration company that provides emergency water removal, 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