|
|
Posts Tagged ‘Mold’
Sunday, December 27th, 2009
Mold needs moisture in order to grow and thrive. Many mold problems originate as a result of some kind of water intrusion, especially those that are not resolved quickly. In which case, water and pipe leaks are common culprits, since they provide plenty of moisture, and are often undetected for days, months, or even years if minor enough. When leaks are discovered, appropriate steps are not normally taken to minimize potential mold growth problems. A mold remediation or mold removal might be necessary if these pipes have leaked for a long enough period of time and aloud mold growth to occur. Often times this growth can occur in hard to find places where water leaks occur, such as wall cavities. Mold problems are very common after flooding for obvious reasons (plenty of moisture which is conducive for mold growth). If you have experienced a flood you might need a professional water damage repair, water extraction, or water restoration company to help with the water removal. Plus, it usually requires several days or weeks to fully dry out the home or building once flooding occurs, giving colonies of black mold more than adequate time to become fully ingrained in these sections (if you hire a professional restoration company it will SIGNIFICANTLY reduce the time it takes to dry your home or office.. Mold testing is always recommended after a mold removal or mold remediation to properly diagnose that all the mold has been removed.
Tags: Damage Repair, Flood, Flooding, Mold, Mold Information, Mold Remediation, Mold Removal, Mold Testing, Water, Water Extraction, Water Removal, Water Restoration
Posted in Uncategorized | 56 Comments »
Friday, December 18th, 2009
Molds, mushrooms, mildews, and yeasts are all classified as fungi, a kingdom of organisms distinct from plants and animals. Fungi differ from plants and animals in several respects. Unlike animals, fungi have cell walls. However, unlike plants, which also have cell walls, fungal cell walls are made mostly of chitin and glucan. Fungi cannot produce their own nutrients as plants do through photosynthesis. Fungi secrete enzymes that digest the material in which the fungi are embedded and absorb the released nutrients. Multicellular fungi do not differentiate into different organs or functional components the way plants and animals do.
Approximately 100,000 species of fungi exists; fewer than 500 fungal species have been described as human pathogens that can cause infections. Visible growth of multicellular fungi consisting of branching filamentous structures (mycelia) are known popularly as molds.
Molds are ubiquitous in nature and grow almost anywhere indoors or outdoors. The overall diversity of fungi is considerable. For example, the genus Aspergillus has at least 185 known species. Molds spread and reproduce by making spores, which are small and lightweight, able to travel through air, capable of resisting dry, adverse environmental conditions, and capable of surviving a long time. The filamentous parts of mold (hyphae) form a network called mycelium, which is observed when a mold is growing on a nutrient source. Although these mycelia are usually firmly attached to whatever the mold is growing on, they can break off, and persons can be exposed to fungal fragments. Some micro-organisms, including molds, also produce characteristic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or microbial VOCs (mVOCs). Molds also contain substances known as beta glucans; mVOCs and beta glucans might be useful as markers of exposure to molds.
Some molds are capable of producing toxins (sometimes called mycotoxins) under specific environmental conditions, such as competition from other organisms, these types of molds (often classified as black toxic mold) are toxic and should be inspected by a mold remediation professional, after a mold test is conducted a mold removal might be necessary. Molds capable of producing toxins are popularly known as toxigenic molds; however, use of this term is discouraged because even molds known to produce toxins can grow without producing them. Many fungi are capable of toxin production, and different fungi can produce the same toxin. Black toxic mold is an example of this type of mold
Tags: black toxic mold, Mildew, Mold, Mold Information, Mold Remediation, Mold Removal, Mold Test
Posted in Ask A Professional... | 32 Comments »
Monday, December 14th, 2009
Black Mold or Black Toxic Mold can be found anywhere it can acquire an appropriate food source, desired levels of moisture, and simply a place to grow. After a water intrusion mold spores can begin to germinate in as little as 24 to 48 hours
You can see from this picture that the mold was able to find a food source and ample levels of moisture. This mold damage was probably caused by a leak in the pipe, and the excess water allowed mold spores to germinate. If you have mold underneath your counter make sure you call F N F Restorations (480) 314-4800 for FREE professional advice before trying to remove any mold damaged materials. By trying to remove it yourself you might accidentally send it airborne allowing it to contaminate other parts of the home or commercial property. Even if it doesn’t need a professional mold remediation it is still better to get professional advice before attempting anything risky with your home or business.
What if there isn’t as much black mold as in this picture though?? In some cases it might be much more difficult to visually determine the extent of damage caused by the black mold from simply looking at it. In some instances there might only be a small surface amount of mold showing but behind the wall all of the building materials are covered by mold. That is why mold remediation companies typically suggest getting mold testing services done before ever starting the remediation. By doing this they are able to establish the exact spore count of the mold infestation, which makes determining and predicting the total amount of remediation much more accurate.
Tags: Black Mold, black toxic mold, Commercial, Mold, Mold Damage, Mold Information, Mold Remediation, Mold Remediation Companies, Mold Spores, Mold Test, Water, Water Intrusion
Posted in Ask A Professional... | 45 Comments »
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
There are many water restoration companies and even a few 24 hour emergency response water restoration companies that can come to your business or home and give you free estimates of the cost for the extraction of the water. Even though we live in a desert water restoration companies are still very popular in Phoenix Az, Mesa Az, Chandler Az, Gilbert Az, Glendale Az, Scottsdale Az, Tempe Az, and Peoria Az. In the majority of situations home owners insurance will cover any sort of flood or house flooding situations. However, they wont typically cover mold damage so if you wait to have your water damage restored you might not be able to get covered if mold has already started to grow.
Since there are so many water damage restoration companies it is important that you shop around and do your homework. Many companies claim to have the best rates or prices but if a professional company agrees to a price that is much lower than others you have to be concerned about the quality of work that is going to be performed. There are many professional flood removal companies but there are also a number of companies that may not meet your standards, so make sure you take your time and ask a lot of questions.
Water damage is something that should be taken very seriously by all homeowners, business owners and industrial owners as well. When hiring a water extraction company you need to make sure the job is done right because if it’s not additional damage could occur causing future mold growth. Mold Remediation in Scottsdale Arizona has been around for many years and over the time many methods have been implemented to removing the mold. If you have a mold contaminated area that is larger than 10 square feet it is best that you leave it alone and contact a professional mold remediation company by contacting F N F Restorations (480) 314-4800. We are able to do mold testing or air quality testing to determine the extent of the damage and then give you a free estimate.
Tags: 24 Hour Emergency Response, Air Quality Testing, Chandler Az, Flood Removal, Flooded Basement, Flooded House, Gilbert Az, Glendale Az, House Flooding, Mesa Az, Mold, Mold Remediation, Mold Testing, Peoria Az, Phoenix Az, Scottsdale Az, Structural Damage, Tempe Az, Water, water damage, Water Damage Restoration, Water Restoration
Posted in Water Damage Restoration | 4 Comments »
Saturday, December 12th, 2009
Moisture and Mold Prevention and Control Tips
- When water leaks or spills occur indoors – ACT QUICKLY. If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow.
- Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
- Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.
- Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.
- Keep indoor humidity low. If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity. Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture or humidity meter, a small, inexpensive ($10-$50) instrument available at many hardware stores.
- If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes ACT QUICKLY to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water source. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.
Actions that will help to reduce humidity
- Vent appliances that produce moisture, such as clothes dryers, stoves, and kerosene heaters to the outside where possible. (Combustion appliances such as stoves and kerosene heaters produce water vapor and will increase the humidity unless vented to the outside.)
- Use air conditioners and/or de-humidifiers when needed.
- Run the bathroom fan or open the window when showering. Use exhaust fans or open windows whenever cooking, running the dishwasher or dishwashing, etc.
Actions that will help prevent condensation
- Reduce the humidity.
- Increase ventilation or air movement by opening doors and/or windows, when practical. Use fans as needed.
- Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation.
- Increase air temperature.
Testing or Sampling for Mold
Is sampling for mold needed? In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary. Since no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mold or mold spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building’s compliance with federal mold standards. Surface sampling may be useful to determine if an area has been adequately cleaned or remediated. Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods, and interpreting results. Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional organizations.
Tags: Mold, Mold Information, professionals, remediated, sampling, Water
Posted in Ask A Professional..., Mold Damage Restoration | 2 Comments »
Friday, December 11th, 2009
Mold Cleanup
Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors. One consideration is the size of the mold problem. If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself, following the guidelines below. However:
- If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, consult EPA’s Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document is applicable to other building types.
- If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professional service provider) to do the cleanup, make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold. Check references and ask the contractor to follow the recommendations in EPA’s Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, the guidelines of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygenists (ACGIH), or other guidelines from professional or government organizations.
- If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold (it is part of an identified moisture problem, for instance, or there is mold near the intake to the system), consult EPA’s guide Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? before taking further action.
- Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold – it could spread mold throughout the building.
- If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, then call in a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.
- If you have health concerns, consult a health professional before starting cleanup.
Tags: Contractor, Mold, Mold Information, Mold Remediation, Professional, Water, water damage
Posted in Mold Damage Restoration | 1 Comment »
|
