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It’s creepy, it’s damp, it stinks, and it’s in your home – that’s right, it’s mold. Technically speaking, mold is a type of fungus, a spore-producing organism that feeds on organic matter. And boy, does mold ever like to invade a home. Every year, mold remediation experts like the team at Central Coast Casualty Restoration, Inc. spend many long hours removing mold from homes. The average home is full of organic matter; from the wood building materials in the walls to clothes, there are dozens of places for mold to thrive in a home.
If mold is allowed to grow, it spreads quickly and becomes a challenge to remove by conventional means. Homeowners can equip themselves to handle these home invaders by exploring the types of mold that grow in homes and learn the best removal methods for them.
There are three main categories of mold that can grow in the home. Depending on the category of mold that’s growing, you may need to call professional mold remediation specialists to solve the problem.
Pathogenic molds are named for their capacity to cause illness in humans. Like pathogenic bacteria and viruses, exposure to pathogenic molds leads to sickness and diseases, some of which are extreme. Because of their dangerous side effects, pathogenic molds need to be removed by a mold remediation specialist.
The allergenic variety of mold is a pest. It triggers the allergies of the occupants in a home. 20-30% of Americans experience mold allergies, which are aggravated by mold spores or colonies growing in the home. Appropriate disinfectants tame mold colonies in this category if caught early.
Anything with the word toxic in it triggers warning bells. Toxic molds emit mycotoxins, which are chemical products produced by fungi that actively attack other living organisms. These toxins are poisonous and require professional care for complete and safe removal.
Most molds found in the home fall into one of these three categories, but the actual species of mold will also dictate how professionals choose to remove the colony.
There are over 100,000 types of mold in the world. But as far as houses in Atascadero and the rest of the United States go, only a handful of common mold species plague homes.
This particular mold thrives anywhere that’s dark and prone to dampness in a home. It poses a danger to immunocompromised individuals. It is a well-known cause of bone marrow and immune diseases.
Alternalia falls into the allergenic mold category. It frequents bathtubs, showers, and sink drains. While it may not cause disease, it can increase asthma and allergy symptoms in exposed individuals.
This mold haunts every homeowner’s and mold remediation expert’s nightmares. Toxic, fast to grow, and hard to get rid of, black mold is a slimy mess to kill and remove.
Penicillium happens to be a powerful respiratory irritant. Its spores travel easily through a home’s air ducts. It typically thrives in wet mattresses, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
Trichoderma ruins many a home’s carpet and wallpaper. Anywhere moisture collects, Trichoderma thrives. It’s allergenic and known to irritate those with asthma or autoimmune deficiencies.
Ulocladium follows in the wake of water damage. This mold loves excess moisture and grows to produce spores that trigger hay fever. It grows in black colonies, often mistaken for black mold until tested by a professional.
Mold remediation is often a lengthy process and can be expensive. It makes sense that homeowners would want to handle mold on their own to avoid the costs of professional remediation. There are some instances when DIY remediation may work, but keep in mind that not all DIY solutions are suitable for safe mold remediation.
Remember that any mold problem spanning more than 10 square feet needs to be handled by an expert remediation service.
Bleach does not work against mold. It removes the dark spots left by mold but will not kill down to the roots. Mold will quickly spring back up if the roots continue to live. Bleach works to clean up mold stains, but never use it to solve a mold growth problem.
Detergent acts as a surfactant, which breaks down the surface tension of water. The detergent causes mold spores to release from hard surfaces and allows easy removal of spores by wiping. This treatment only works for superficial mold growths.
Removing sources of excess moisture in the home will prevent future mold growth, but it won’t necessarily kill an existing colony. Additionally, dried-out mold colonies are still dangerous and need proper removal to avoid illness or continued development.
Professional mold remediation methods center around proper removal of affected materials and purification of the air in the affected area. Some of their most common tools and techniques include the following:
HEPA Air Scrubbers and Vacuums use High-Efficiency Particulate Air to filter mold spores out of the air to prevent any recolonization in affected areas. Professionals use these scrubbers and vacuums throughout the remediation process.
Professionals apply antimicrobial chemicals to affected areas once the removal of colonies is complete. Antimicrobial chemicals prevent any additional mold growth resurgence.
Professionals apply sealers to any hard surface areas and structures exposed to mold or predisposed to more moisture before completing their work. Sealers prevent mold from growing on surfaces, reduce odor, and make surfaces more water-resistant.
To conquer mold growth in your home, reach out to the team at Central Coast Casualty Restoration, Inc. Our experts are available 24/7 to handle mold remediation and water damage. You can trust our team to treat your home with the utmost care and leave you 100% satisfied with our results. Give us a call today!
