Monthly Archives: September 2014

What Types of Molds are Seen Before Mold Treatment

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Like most living organisms, mold and fungus come in a variety of different types. While they all have basic similarities, each has certain characteristics that set it apart from the others.

Here’s a look at some of the more common types of mold. Any fungus found indoors is likely to come from this group.

  • Aspergillus spores are generally present in the atmosphere. While they don’t normally cause illness, exposure can result in upper respiratory infections with symptoms such as fever, cough and breathlessness. People with existing respiratory conditions or weakened immune systems are the most susceptible.
  • Altenaria is also readily airborne with a greater presence during summer and early fall. A known allergen, altenaria is a primary source of hay fever and similar reactions. Studies have also shown a link between alternia exposure and asthma.
  • Aureobasidium is a yeast-like mildew that may be pink or black in appearance. Unlike aspergillus and alternia, these spores become airborne only through manual disruption of contaminated materials. It can often be found on damp surfaces such as shower curtains and tile grout or outdoors on siding.
  • Stachybotrys chartarum is a greenish-black mold that needs a regular source of moisture such as high humidity or water leaks to grow. It feeds on paper, fiberboard and other materials rich in cellulose.

If you find mold and fungus in your home or office, it should be removed regardless of the type. Our MoldExterm system can successfully treat any type of mold safely and effectively with minimal disruption to your activities. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection by one of our trained technicians.

Posted in Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment, News

Is Mold in My Home or Office Really a Fungus?

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Not The Fungus You Want

Not The Fungus You Want

So you’ve discovered a patch of something that looks suspiciously like mold in your home or office. You might think it seems to have more in common with dirt or a stain than a fungus. A look at the nature of mold and fungus should dispel any doubts.

Most people’s definition of fungus doesn’t extend beyond “something yucky”. Science defines fungus as an organism similar to a plant with the crucial difference that it lacks chlorophyll. As a result, fungi must seek food from other sources. Since it doesn’t need sunshine to synthesize chlorophyll, mold can flourish in dark areas like basements.

Mold and fungus also lack cellulose, so they need to ingest it in other ways. Materials like carpeting, paper, wood and drywall contain significant amounts of cellulose. These are common items that mold will attach to when growing inside a building.

Another significant difference between plants and fungi is the manner of reproduction. While most plants multiply through the traditional process of fertilization, fungi use an asexual method that centers around the dispersal of spores. These microscopic organisms are carried through the air until they land on a spot where they can begin to reproduce. Water is the crucial element they require, making damp spaces like bathrooms a favored spot.

If you find mold in your home or office, you don’t have to resort to ripping out any fungus-affected surfaces. Our trained technicians use our unique MoldExerm system to remove any trace of mold and treat the surfaces to prevent future occurrences. Contact us today to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News

What is the Issue with Mold Spores?

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Mold Spores

Mold Spores

Most people are aware that mold is a part of nature that should remain outdoors. However, spores are the real basis of the problem. They’re the primary reason why an infestation can be so difficult to battle. What makes these seemingly harmless cells so dangerous?

You may remember from high school biology that spores are the means by which mold and fungus propagate. These microscopic organisms travel unfettered throughout the atmosphere, reproducing once they land in an area with the right conditions. This is one of the reasons you’ll often see mushrooms in many of the same places where you find mold.

When it comes to “the right conditions”, tops on the list is a damp place. Mold and fungus need water to grow. Since spores aren’t visible to the naked eye, there’s no way of preventing them from coming to rest in your shower or on a basement wall.

Spores are also the cause of the health threat presented by infestations. Mold itself is not particularly harmful. Allergic reactions and other issues arise when mold spores are inhaled, causing irritation to linings in the upper respiratory system. Some people are highly sensitive to these effects, while others may develop an allergy after prolonged exposure. Studies have also demonstrated a link between exposure to mold spores and development of asthma in children.

Traditional mold remediation can actually aggravate the problem by causing spores to disperse more widely. With the MoldExterm system, affected surfaces are encapsulated and treated with a non-micron mist for safe, effective removal. Visit our website to schedule a free mold inspection from our trained technicians.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, MoldExterm, News

What Makes Mold Grow?

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What Makes Mold Grow?

What Makes Mold Grow?

Effective mold treatment is more than just removing the visible signs of infestation. Conditions need to be adjusted in order to make your home or building a less hospitable site for mold growth. Understanding the process helps you take steps to prevent future infestations.

Mold is a common sight outdoors in the vicinity of organic matter such as trees and foliage. They multiply via microscopic spores that are easily transmitted through the atmosphere. While they’re almost always present indoors, in most cases they don’t present a problem.

Remember the science class experiment where you grew mold in a petri dish? This activity demonstrates the three elements necessary for mold spores to multiply: moisture, warmth and food. The agar base provided the nutrients and moisture, and the sealed dishes were placed in a warm, dry place to incubate.

Once a mold spore settles on a damp spot in your home or building, it’s ready to start reproducing. The warmth and moisture found in bathrooms and kitchens makes those rooms the usual suspects. Damp, dark basements can also be easily infested. While the spores feed primarily on organic materials, they also thrive on cellulose which is found in carpeting, paper (including wallpaper) and dry wall.

Controlling moisture is the key to successful mold treatment. Our proprietary MoldExterm process does this with a two-step method. The affected surfaces are treated with an anti-microbial solution and then coated with a powerful polymer that springs into action when needed. Contact us to learn more about how MoldExterm can safely end your building’s mold problem.

Posted in Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment, News

Can Mold Exposure Cause Asthma?

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Lungs And Mold

Lungs And Mold

One of the reasons effective mold treatment is so important is the negative health effects for the home or building’s occupants. The microscopic spores drift through the atmosphere where they can be inhaled with each breath. The greater the concentration, the stronger the effect.

Upper respiratory problems are a common result of interior mold growth. The spores irritate the linings of the throat and nasal passages causing symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes. Intensity varies based on an individual’s particular sensitivity, which can become more acute with extensive exposure.

People with chronic lung illnesses such as asthma are at higher risk for mold allergies. Exposure can trigger an attack accompanied by coughing and wheezing. But can mold exposure actually cause an individual to develop asthma?

There is currently no evidence showing a direct link between mold and asthma in adults. However, a government-funded study has shown a correlation between mold exposure and the development of asthma in children. Out of 289 infants with an average age of eight months, 24 percent developed asthma by the age of seven.

The study focused on the homes’ Environmental Relative Moldiness Index, or ERMI. Researchers discovered that high ERMI values put the children at risk even when there was no visual evidence of mold.

Traditional mold remediation can further disperse mold spores, actually aggravating the problem. Our proprietary MoldExterm mold treatment encapsulates the affected surfaces for non-toxic removal. Don’t put the health of your family or others at risk. Visit our website to schedule an appointment for a free mold evaluation.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News