1. Prevent Moisture From Accumulating

Mold needs moisture to thrive. To avoid the need for mold remediation, it’s important that moisture be prevented from entering the house. This includes checking the insulation around doors and windows, monitoring the plumbing for leaks, and ensuring the roof sealant is tight.

2. Improve Ventilation

Improving your home’s ventilation is an effective mold prevention tactic. By opening the windows, leaving bedroom doors ajar, and regularly cleaning the ducts, the air won’t get stale, keeping mold at bay.

3. Avoid Wood

Certain materials are more prone to mold growth than others, with wood being high on the list. That’s why naturally mold-resistant materials, like glass, metal, or plastic, are recommended for furniture or decorations. 

1. Maintain the Gutters

Regularly cleaning out the gutters is a simple way to drain any standing water around your home. When they become clogged with leaves and debris, water pools on the roof or overflows near the house; when cleaned, they can effectively divert water.

1. Control the Humidity

High humidity in the home makes mold growth more likely. Try to keep the indoor humidity levels below 50% to prevent it from forming. An easy way to accomplish this is by using a dehumidifier.

In one word… Yes.

Mold is an insidious, invisible predator in your home. It hides in places no one ever thinks to look like under cabinets, in crawl spaces, attics, and behind furniture. People may spend weeks, months, and even years fighting illness, and never know what they are really fighting…mold. Many of our customers find us after a recommendation from their doctor, that they may in fact have a mold problem, and not just an illness.

Mold is most often associated with allergies and asthma, but mold is much more menacing than people know. While all molds have the potential to cause irritation and allergy symptoms, molds can also cause much more dangerous health problems including: fungal poisoning from mycotoxins to mental health issues.

All molds have the potential to cause irritation and allergy symptoms. However, some molds can also cause much more dangerous health problems. Some molds, but not all, produce mycotoxins. Not all molds are toxic, but many are. Mycotoxins can cause health problems ranging from poisoning to cancer. 

Mycotoxins are invisible and cannot be detected just by looking at the mold growth. They can be absorbed by the body in a number of ways including: through the skin, the airways (inhalation), and through the intestinal lining (ingestion). Detrimental health effects caused by mycotoxins can range from “acute poisoning to long-term effects such as immune deficiency and cancer.” Chronic disease sufferers, such as people with immunosuppressive disorders or underlying lung disease may be more sensitive to molds and mycotoxins in their environment.

Even for people in good health, exposure to large amounts of mycotoxins and molds can overwhelm the immune system and cause symptoms of poisoning. Mycotoxins can be especially dangerous for people with compromised immune systems. Symptoms that are associated with allergic reactions are highlighted in italics. Some of the symptoms associated with mold and mycotoxins can include:

• Chronic burning in the throat and nasal passages
• Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath
• Eye irritation – red eyes, blurred vision
• Headache
• Skin rashes
• Fatigue
• Loss of balance
• Dizziness and Disorientation
• Reduced color distinction
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Light sensitivity
• Vertigo
• Feeling lightheaded
• Morning stiffness, joint pain and/or muscle pain
• Muscle weakness
• Slower reaction time
• Poor memory, difficult word finding
• Difficulty concentrating
• Unusual skin sensations, tingling and numbness
• Appetite and mood swings
• Body temperature regulation problems
• Increased urinary frequency, increased sweating (especially at night), or increased thirst
• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating
• Metallic taste in mouth

Always talk to your doctor about symptoms of any medical condition you are experiencing. It is unlikely to experience all the symptoms listed, but many of these symptoms could be cause for concern. An open dialog with your doctor is important for any medical condition. Ask questions to be sure you understand your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery process.

Mold is great at hiding in hard to detect locations such as in drywall and insulation. If the area of mold covers more than about 10 square feet, there is a good chance the mold problem is more than an isolated issue. If the area of mold is less than 10 square feet, you may be able to handle it yourself. But it is always better to be safe than sorry.  Contact us right away and let the Professionals do the job right the first time.

Mold and mildew both thrive in warm, damp areas of the home, making it difficult for the untrained eye to spot the difference. But they each have a unique behavior, appearance, and impact. Here are four primary key distinctions:  

• Appearance. Mildew is typically grey or white when it first crops up, although it may darken over time. It has a downy or powdery appearance. Mold, on the other hand, comes in many colors, most often green, black, or yellow, with a slimy or fuzzy texture. 
• Characteristics. Mildew is flat-growing, without pushing below surfaces. It’s commonly found on already-wet surfaces like cloth or paper. Mold will grow in every direction, using hyphae to burrow into porous surfaces. It can cause serious damage to structures.   
• Health effects. Both mold and mildew can cause health aggravations, but mold can have more serious repercussions. Mildew is linked with headaches and congestion, while mold can result in long-term respiratory complications and other concerns. 
• Effort to clean. While it’s always a good idea to check with the professionals, mildew is surface-based and therefore easier to clean with household products. Because mold is so pervasive and invasive, professional mold removal can be necessary for effective long-term results. 

The products we use to clean up and remove mold are completely safe for humans, pets and plants, when used as directed. We always prioritize the health and well-being of your clients—not just with the sprays we use, but throughout every aspect of treatment. Our first two priorities are to People and Planet. Your client’s safety matters to us