Mold is notorious for spreading once it makes an appearance on your property. This is because it continually releases its spores, which latch on to any area with moisture and an organic food source. In homes and offices, this is particularly troubling because common building elements (such as wood, drywall, and more) contain cellulose – a natural food source of mold. If not addressed, mold will spread throughout your property, weaken structural elements, discolor affected areas, and release a variety of unpleasant odors.
Mold Removal and Remediation
Can mold cause serious health issues? Yes
Studies have shown that 93% of chronic sinus infections are attributed to mold. It can also put the health of you and your family at risk, especially young children, and seniors. Mold causes a variety of allergic reactions, respiratory infections, and other health issues.
Mold remediation is critical to our having a healthy indoor environment. The air we breathe daily needs to be as clean as possible. Removing contaminated materials is critical.
Should you use bleach to treat an ongoing mold issue?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency makes this statement regarding why bleach should not be used in mold cleanup.
Biocides are substances that can destroy living organisms. The use of a chemical or biocide that kills organisms such as mold (chlorine bleach, for example) is not recommended as a routine practice during mold cleanup.
Typically, when people see mold in their home or business the first thing, they reach for is a bottle of bleach. However, bleach should never be used to kill the fungus on porous surfaces such as drywall, concrete block, and wood. Since bleach is about 90 percent water you are adding to your current mold issue if you use the chemical to treat the mold. The water in the bleach saturates the spores and promotes growth. When porous materials have mold on them the fungus cannot be properly killed with regular household cleaners.
If mold is found in in your attic or in your crawlspace, these materials can be treated without removing them. The wood materials can be treated with specific mold removal products that will not only kill the mold, but they will also remove most of the staining caused by mold growth. (See before and after pictures)
Have Steele Environmental Services come test your home or business location in Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne or Alpine Counties.