Introduction to Residential and Commercial Mold Damage
Mold is unpleasant and hazardous to deal with. Remediating mold is costly and the process is inconvenient—but working with the right team will guarantee you a much better outcome. At Pure Restore we pride ourselves in having a thorough approach to approaching fire damage with the right procedures.
How Does Mold Grow?
Common Causes Of Mold
Mold requires very few components in order to colonize and spread throughout your home. Typically, all you need is an unattended source of water or moisture for mold to get started. This could be from an appliance’s supply line leaking, a pipe leaking, and more.
How Does It Spread?
Mold’s method of reproduction is by spreading tiny spores that float through the air—the spores are very small and they aren’t visible to the naked eye.
As air circulates throughout your home, mold spores are given more opportunities to grow where water or moisture is present. Unfortunately, this can be happening behind your walls which might give it time to colonize before you notice.
How Can Mold Affect Health?
Mold can deteriorate your health in a few ways, and this has affected clients we have worked with. The following is derived from the United States Environmental Protection Agency:
“Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis).”
Learn more: https://www.epa.gov/mold/brief-guide-mold-moisture-and-your-home
You should consult with a medical professional if you think you are reacting to mold in your home. A restoration company like Pure Restore has the tools and expertise to identify where mold could be growing in your residence.
How do I Get Rid Of Mold?
Step 1: Controlling Water And Moisture
The first step is containment (controlling the space to prevent cross-contamination) and making sure any unwanted sources of water and moisture are eliminated from the environment.
This will be done with certain procedures and equipment, such as plastic coverings to isolate affected areas with the addition of air movers air dehumidifiers where needed.
FLIR instruments can be used to detect water sources that are harder to pinpoint.
Step 2: Removing Mold
Removing mold requires multiple tactics, from disinfectants to removal of affected materials.
Testing Mold and Finalizing Abatement
Once mold has been removed, we will ensure that the environment is tested thoroughly to ensure the previously affected area is now safe.
What Is The Difference Between Mold And Mildew?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has information that can help you further understand the growth affecting your home.
Mildew refers to certain kinds of mold or fungus. The term mildew is often used generically to refer to mold growth, usually with a flat growth habit.
Molds include all species of microscopic fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments, called hyphae. Molds can thrive on any organic matter, including clothing, leather, paper, and the ceilings, walls and floors of homes with moisture management problems. Mildew often lives on shower walls, windowsills, and other places where moisture levels are high. There are many species of molds. In unaired places, such as basements, they can produce a strong musty odor.
To learn more, visit the EPA’s official resources here: https://www.epa.gov/mold
Mold FAQ
Q: How long does it take to remove mold?
A: That depends, we need to assess all possible sources of mold and the extent to which it is affecting the environment. A technician will tell you more during an inspection.
Q: How do we know when it is fully removed?
A: By using advanced instruments and testing (such as the InstaScope) we will analyze the environment before, during, and after the remediation process is initiated.
Q: How do I know if mold is covered by my home insurance?
A: Call Pure Restore for assessment. We’ll get started right away, and we are available for mold removal.
Our team provide mold damage services in Northglenn and prepared to help you with everything from start to finish, and we can support the management of your claim throughout the entire process. Call us for help with water damage 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
