About 27% of the population is sensitive to environments compromised by water damage and mold. Some individuals will experience acute or chronic illness because of water damaged residential or commercial structures.
Dampness and mold in buildings
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dampness and mold in buildings has been a growing concern over the last few years.
There are two primary issues when it comes to water damaged buildings: First is the materials we choose to use for building modern structures. Second is the fact that plumbing is prone to failure over time, and there are environmental repercussions when that happens.
First: Many people are under the impression that modern building materials are stronger than ever, but historically speaking it may be the opposite. We’ve resorted to building processes that utilize materials such as drywall, which is essentially food for mold when it becomes saturated with water. Around the world, you will find that structures built near bodies of water utilize materials such as stone and tile because of their resistance to water. In countries like the USA, we have replaced resilient construction with faster and inexpensive solutions. In other words, the price of convenience is essentially mold whenever a property has water damage.
Second: Plumbing is a highly technical field. Quality plumbing is becoming extremely valuable because the consequences of poor workmanship can be costly to homeowners and property managers alike. Of course, the existential issue here is that even a perfect plumbing system will eventually fail due to wear and tear.
CIRS/Mold/Lyme/Biotoxins
What does this mean for sensitive individuals? Unfortunately, it means there is a certain inevitability when it comes to entering water damaged buildings because the issue is so widespread. Water damage becomes increasingly expensive as the economy becomes more inflated, which means some building owners are delaying repairs as long as possible.
Certain conditions, like Lyme’s disease, are exacerbated due to mold presence. This is because the body already has a compromised immune system, and it becomes overwhelmed when it has to process the biotoxins released by mold spores.
Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, or CIRS, can be observed in a large amount of the population that is being affected by these biotoxins. CIRS can be highly debilitating due to the inflammation that may be affecting many or all organs in the body. If someone with CIRS does not stay out of moldy environments, their body cannot begin the healing process. Some people with CIRS find themselves staying home all day because they feel ill, which may actually worsen their condition if they are living with mold in the property.
Why doesn’t everyone get sick from mold?
Everyone reacts differently to mold, and many people never get sick at all. This makes the issue extremely frustrating for those who are negatively affected by mold. It is common for people to be accused of having other conditions (such as Multiple sclerosis) or that the issue is somehow psychological, when in fact people are being physically affected by their environment.
Here are five possible reasons that cause some individuals to be more sensitive to mold:
1) Sensitivity: People with compromised immune systems, allergies, or asthma can be much more sensitive to mold presence.
2) Exposure Level: The amount of mold present and the amount of time spent in an environment can heavily impact someone’s individual reaction to mold.
3) Genetic Considerations: Variations in genetics can make certain people more or less sensitive to the presence of biotoxins.
4) Overall Health Status: Someone who is already suffering from health issues, such as trouble breathing or moving.
5) Type of mold: Not every mold is identical. While there is not a single type of mold that is good for you, some people may react differently depending on the type of mold present in the environment.
How do we avoid water damaged structures?
Not every property owner or property manager has the desire to perform proper mitigation when water damage occurs. As a renter, you may have a very limited range of issues you can address. This is because a property owner or property manager is the entity that can ultimately authorize any mitigation or repair services.
If you are a homeowner or if you’re an individual who can acquire authorization, here are things to consider checking in a structure:
1) Regular plumbing inspections: Plumbing systems get worn down over time. A house with high quality plumbing will see less issues, but emergencies can still happen. Make sure your pipes are in good shape and insulated for cold weather. A sewer camera inspection can help determine the integrity of your sewer line in order to avoid sewage backups.
2) Roofing inspections: Aside from plumbing, roofs are among the most common reasons for water intrusion. In states like Colorado, hail and wind can create exposures which allow for water to enter a structure. Many roofers provide free inspections and recent hail damage data to understand your home’s unique situation.
3) Drainage and waterproofing: Although waterproofing services are not cheap, they are crucial to long-term health and the value of your home. Foundation companies can ensure that your structure does not allow water to seep through walls, and they can typically setup additional features such as sump pumps to keep your home dry.
4) Respond immediately to water intrusions: Start mitigation right away in order to avoid further damage. Damage can range from warped hardwood flooring to a saturated carpet pad that needs to be removed. If left untreated, water damage can lead to mold within 24-48 hours.
5) Insurance coverage: As your home and personal contents increases in value, it is critical to provide any necessary updates to your insurance company in a timely fashion. Mold and sewage backup coverage is not always included in a policy, and those may be extremely useful during an emergency.
How do we fix a structure affected by mold?
Assuming the home or building is not unsafely dilapidated, mold can be removed through the process of remediation.
The only way to truly ensure removal of mold is to replace all affected building materials. Bleaching, encapsulating, or painting over mold is ineffective for two reasons. First, it may not kill all the mold, which means growth will eventually resume despite those efforts. Second, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), dead mold can continue to harm sensitive individuals.
If you have questions about performing high quality remediation services in Colorado, reach out to Pure Restore today. You will be connected to our customer service team, and our representatives are happy to walk you through the process from start to finish.
Call 303-955-7072 today to learn more.
