The Importance of Mold Inspection and Removal

Molds are organic substances that thrive in dark and damp places. They are a natural part of most ecosystems, providing an important service in the decomposition of dead material. However, when molds find their way into your home, they can spread rapidly and cause many health problems.

There are many different types of molds but none of them can grow without the presence of water. This means that most households become home to molds after some sort of water damage. Mold can also gain a foothold in the ducts of your home through faulty air conditioning systems that do not remove enough moisture from the air. This type of infestation can have an especially strong impact as the spores that molds use to reproduce are circulated throughout the house by the air conditioning.

These spores are released into the air by molds in incredibly high numbers. They are too small to be noticed by the human eye until they find a wet surface to germinate on. These spores also cause most of the health problems associated with mold infestations. The most problematic reactions to molds are reported by the many people who are allergic to molds. For mold-allergic people, breathing in the spores or touching mold can cause sometimes severe asthma like symptoms as well as irritate the throat, skin, eyes, and nose. Although these symptoms are most severe in mold-allergic people, people who are not allergic can also be affected. In extreme cases of mold infestation, some types of mold will release substances called mycotoxins which, in high enough levels, can cause more serious health problems.

The key to preventing and cleaning a mold infestation is to notice and quickly respond to any sort of water damage. If the area is dried and sterilized within 48 hours of water exposure, most mold growth can be prevented. Many people also use humidifiers to keep too much moisture from building up in the air. By keeping the humidity in the house under 60 percent, excess condensation that can cause mold can also be prevented.

However, many times all the moisture from water damage cannot be easily cleaned, allowing mold to grow in hard to reach places such as in ducts, between walls, and behind tile and wall paper. In these instances many people choose to hire professional removal services.

These services provide several advantages over doing it yourself. They can measure the spore count in the air to more accurately estimate the amount of mold in your house. They also have much more experience dealing with mold and the chemicals necessary to kill it, called biocides. These biocides can be dangerous is used incorrectly and an improper knowledge of how mold spreads can cause you to miss mold patches or cause the release of more spores. Not only can professional services find and clean hidden infestations with minimum disturbance of your home, they can also give you tips on how to prevent mold from coming back; making sure that your house remains and healthy mold free environment.