Mold - Risks and Removal

First and foremost, the scope of this article will not be an exhaustive review of the types of mold, the risks from each type of mold, or include any discussion on the proper handling of mold. Rather this article will be a general overview of the common mold that grows as a result of water damage and it will briefly outline the potential threats and the proper remediation techniques to fully remove the mold and its contaminated structures professionally and in line with Florida's mold remediation laws and standards.

Mold runs the health effect gambit from benign through toxic causing reactions that range from nothing through any combination of anaphylaxis, cognitive debilitation, and death. The results you suffer from mold are contingent upon factors including the type of mold, your sensitivity to the mold, and the length of time that you are exposed to the mold. It is common for someone who is not initially affected by mold to develop sensitivities and allergies as their exposure increases in frequency and duration; however, even if you never suffer any sensitivity or debilitation from the mold that infiltrates and infests your structure, your asset does.

In nature, mold is a decomposer meaning it decomposes old material by consuming it. While your house, building, or other structure is new, beautiful, and extremely valuable to you, to nature such asset is nothing more than an aging skeleton that needs to be recycled... hence man's continued struggle against nature. Unfortunately for the occupants, inhabitants, and visitors to structures in which mold is already undertaking its natural course of action, mold can cause serious trouble to man and man's structures which prompts man to see mold as a threat and try to get rid of it.

While many people understand how serious mold is, many people severely and detrimentally underestimate the best method to remove mold. A common erroneous removal method is to simply spray or wipe the visible mold with an over-the-counter bleach product or disinfectant. While this may remove the visible layer of mold, this technique does nothing other than causing discoloration of the affected area and releasing mold spores into the air conditioning system thereby aerosolizing the spores throughout the structure. It is common, and unfortunate, to see such cost conscious persons repeatedly employing this technique as the mold "returns", ad-nauseum, until such time as the owner realizes that this treatment methodology is akin to putting a child's band-aid on an arterial shower and seeks more advanced removal. Unfortunately by this time the mold contamination, saturation, and penetration can be severe and systemic.

The best way to protect you, your family, and your asset from mold is by contacting a professional, independent water damage restoration company to professionally assess your mold and to provide a professional and effective mold remediation strategy. The State of Florida has specialized training and requirements for a company to function as a Mold Assessor or a Mold Remediation company so be sure to ask your company which license they have. Only such company has proven to the State of Florida that they have the education, equipment, and knowledge to accurately address your mold concerns within the expected standard of care. Mold can grow like cancer in a structure. You wouldn't use an over-the-counter panacea to "cure" your cancer so why would you use one to handle your structure's?

Do the job right the first time... use your local independent water damage restoration company.

This article is composed by and offered as a public service by Jimmy K. Jimmy K is the Independent Owner and Operator of Emergency Response Restoration (http://www.emergencyresponserestoration.com/), 2665 N Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118. Jimmy K is a true consumer advocate who is not afraid to battle the insurance company to ensure the proper restoration of the consumer's water damaged home office or asset.

8 Signs of Hidden Water Damage

The devastating and long lasting negative effects that sudden and accidental water damage can have upon the inhabitants of an affected structure are well known and well established. What is not realized by affected persons during such challenging times is the mixed blessing of the intruding water being ample enough that the structure's owner understands the immediate need to remediate the situation as quickly and as thoroughly as possible; unfortunately, such is NOT the case when it comes to hidden water damage.

The known and often discussed challenges and maladies that result from the onset of sudden and accidental water damage are often times magnified by hidden water damage as hidden water damage, as its name implies, may not be found until such time as extensive structural damage has occurred and/or potentially toxic and debilitating microbial activity is well underway. Pursuant to and in agreement with the ancient sagely adage... an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure but how does one protect itself from hidden water damage? Here are some warning signs that, if observed, can indicate that you may be affected...

1. Your water bill is slowly increasing without visible cause or notice of rate increase
2. Your wallpaper or paint is peeling, boiling, or cracking
3. You notice strange discoloration of your walls, ceiling, or carpeting
4. You may hear a quiet dripping sound when trying to sleep
5. There is a moldy or musty foul odor that cannot be found
6. Your baseboards seem to be swelling or peeling away from the wall
7. One of your rooms seems to be cooler than the others
8. Finding unexpected or recurring moisture in areas NOT typically wet

The reasons for hidden water damage run the gambit of potential sources from intrawall pipe break through a breach in your roofing shingles/tiles. Regardless of the source, the longer hidden water damage remains unabated, the longer and more severe the consequences for the structure and the structure's inhabitants. Hopefully you are able to find and cure the problem yourself before the situation gets out of control, exponentially, but should the circumstances be beyond control, rest assured that an independent, water damage restoration company is willing and able to handle this scenario for you.

Only an independent water damage restoration company works for and in the customer's best interest as its survival and livelihood are contingent upon quality work and customer satisfaction. Such company has achieved its status through a significant investment in education, equipment, and ongoing certification to ensure its techniques are cutting edge in order to return its customer to its preloss condition as quickly and as invasively as possible.

Choose wisely... choose the best... choose to ONLY use your local independent water damage professional to address your water damaged asset.

This article is composed by and offered as a public service by Jimmy K. Jimmy K is the Independent Owner and Operator of Emergency Response Restoration (http://www.emergencyresponserestoration.com/), 2665 N Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118. Jimmy K is a true consumer advocate who is not afraid to battle the insurance company to ensure the proper restoration of the consumer's water damaged home office or asset.