About Mold
Many people hate to hear the word mold in connection with their homes or offices. Mold and mildew is classified as fungi, a common part of everyday dust. There are literally hundreds of types of molds that exist naturally throughout the world. However, high concentrations of mold spores exposures can lead to adverse health effects in certain individuals.
Unlike plants, fungi cannot produce it own nutrients through photosynthesis. Molds grow best in warm, damp and humid conditions. Mold and mildew both reproduce by tiny spores that require moisture and nutrients to grow. Mold spores drift through the air continually and can survive harsh, dry conditions that do not support normal mold growth. Mold spores will often land on wet indoor surfaces and begin to grow by digesting the wet material.
Unlike plants, fungi cannot produce it own nutrients through photosynthesis. Molds grow best in warm, damp and humid conditions. Mold and mildew both reproduce by tiny spores that require moisture and nutrients to grow. Mold spores drift through the air continually and can survive harsh, dry conditions that do not support normal mold growth. Mold spores will often land on wet indoor surfaces and begin to grow by digesting the wet material.
Common Indoor Molds include:
- Aspergillus
- Penicillium
- Cladosporium
- Stachybotrys
Unfortunately, the condition of many buildings after water intrusion provides the perfect environment for molds to grow. Drywall, baseboards, cabinets and wood flooring all serve as nutritional sources for mold to flourish. Buildings contaminated with mold growth often require professional restoration by trained individuals.
How can mold affect people?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, many people have adverse reactions when they come into contact with molds. Exposure to high concentrations of mold, through inhalation or contact, can produce disease in many ways. Removal or disruption of mold contaminated building materials can cause individuals to be in contact with large mold spore concentrations.
Health problems associated with indoor mold exposure range from:
Health problems associated with indoor mold exposure range from:
- Headaches
- Skin and eye irritation
- Flu-like symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Respiratory problems including Asthma
- Lung Infection (for persons with preexisting lung diseases)
In a 2004 study, the Institute of Medicine found sufficient evidence to link indoor mold exposure to upper respiratory tract infections and many other symptoms in otherwise healthy individuals. Individuals with chronic lung illness can develop mold infections.
Since every person reacts differently to mold exposure, it is best to consider all molds in any building as potentially dangerous and most likely be properly remediated by a qualified restoration contractor. Mold spores (the seed-like structures that mold are germinated from) are very hard to kill. Many people experience re-growth of mold after they treat the areas with mold killing sprays like Tilex or bleach.
What you Need to Know:
If you believe you have found mold in your property, you may not know if you need the services of a professional San Diego mold remediation company. For small mold jobs, less than 10 square feet, you may be able to do some clean up and repair work yourself. However, mold affected building materials are not always visible. Interior wall cavities, wood floors, cabinets and baseboards all serve as hiding places for mold growth. Moisture detection equipment, borescopes and thermal imaging assist restoration contractors in locating hidden areas of mold contamination.
Before you begin to treat a mold problem, please consider the following: anytime you attempt to treat mold conditions in an uncontrolled environment, you risk the possibility of cross-contamination to unaffected areas by releasing mold spores into the air. Why is this? Disrupting mold contaminated building materials such as carpet, drywall or baseboards cause mold spores to become airborne. As disrupted mold spores drift through the air, they seek other food sources throughout the areas.
Ideally, the affected areas should be sealed off from the rest of the building using heavy plastic sheeting and “negative air” should be established with HEPA filtered air scrubbers.
Ideally, the affected areas should be sealed off from the rest of the building using heavy plastic sheeting and “negative air” should be established with HEPA filtered air scrubbers.
The Inspection
A complete and thorough San Diego mold inspection will determine if there is a need for mold remediation. Hard to reach areas that are not visible to the eye may be in need of restoration. Kitchens, bathrooms and other areas where water is present are frequent targets for mold infestation. An irrigation system, window failures and ground water migration also tops the list of potential sources for mold growth. There are many potential sources for water to adversely affect your property; proper inspection and identification of water sources and penetration points are keys to successful property restoration.
Pacific Restoration has trained individuals that can properly identify potentially contaminated areas and devise a remediation plan. We can inspect the interior and exterior of the building for both known and unknown sources of moisture intrusion and areas in need of repair. Pacific Restoration can recommend a course of action to elevate the problem. We use state of the art equipment to determine the moisture content in the building and the extent of water damage and potential mold infestation. Our inspection equipment allows us to see inside wall cavities, under cabinetry and other inaccessible areas without doing expensive destructive testing.
Pacific Restoration has trained individuals that can properly identify potentially contaminated areas and devise a remediation plan. We can inspect the interior and exterior of the building for both known and unknown sources of moisture intrusion and areas in need of repair. Pacific Restoration can recommend a course of action to elevate the problem. We use state of the art equipment to determine the moisture content in the building and the extent of water damage and potential mold infestation. Our inspection equipment allows us to see inside wall cavities, under cabinetry and other inaccessible areas without doing expensive destructive testing.
Mold Remediation
Water damage increases the likelihood of mold contamination in buildings. Practical applications in order to be protective of one’s health and the health of occupants are crucial for all mold remediation projects. Personal protection equipment including mask, gloves and proper clothing is recommended on all jobs. Undisturbed building materials that have been affected by mold do not often pose health concerns for the majority of people. However, removing such materials may cause mold spores to become airborne and therefore potentially dangerous.
Pacific Restoration uses a certified and trained San Diego mold remediation manager on all mold projects, large and small. The manager develops a remediation plan and may vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the problem. The size of the affected area, the building materials contaminated by mold and the loss of use by the occupant all play key roles in the remediation plan. The plan should also include a resolution to the source of moisture intrusion to the building.
Pacific Restoration uses a certified and trained San Diego mold remediation manager on all mold projects, large and small. The manager develops a remediation plan and may vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the problem. The size of the affected area, the building materials contaminated by mold and the loss of use by the occupant all play key roles in the remediation plan. The plan should also include a resolution to the source of moisture intrusion to the building.
After the remediation plan is prepared, the manager and property owners coordinate the logistics of the project.
Careful isolation of the affected areas prevent cross contamination of other areas of the property. This important step called “containment or critical barriers” establishes a safe work environment for technicians to effectively remove the contaminated building materials and properly bag for disposal. HEPA air scrubbers and ducting establish “negative air” pressure inside the contained areas. After contaminated building materials are removed and sealed for disposal, all structural components are treat with biocides. All debris is HEPA vacuumed. It is important that there is no dust or debris left inside the containment, therefore all vertical and horizontal surfaces are “wet wiped” several times during the mold remediation.
Mold Testing and Clearance
Although not always recommended, mold testing after remediation is complete is considered the most effective way to determine the restoration has been successful. Mold testing and clearance provides a “snapshot” of the area and is considered by many to be the standard for completion of a mold remediation project where over 10 square feet of materials have been affected.
OSHA, EPA, American Industrial Hygiene Association and other regulatory bodies have established mold-sampling protocols and should be performed by professionals who have specific experience in this area. Currently, there are no widely accepted regulations regarding mold testing.
Air sampling (viable and nonviable) is the most common form of testing to determine mold levels. Indoor air concentration levels are often compared to outside levels. A spore trap cassette is connected to a vacuum pump and captures airborne particles to be sent for lab analysis.
Surface tape lift or swab type sampling is used to determine and identify molds on a specific surface. Surface samples can often identify molds that have not yet become airborne.
Bulk sampling involves collecting visibly moldy materials such as drywall, baseboards or carpet. Usually, a 2” by 2” sample is collected for laboratory analysis.
OSHA, EPA, American Industrial Hygiene Association and other regulatory bodies have established mold-sampling protocols and should be performed by professionals who have specific experience in this area. Currently, there are no widely accepted regulations regarding mold testing.
Air sampling (viable and nonviable) is the most common form of testing to determine mold levels. Indoor air concentration levels are often compared to outside levels. A spore trap cassette is connected to a vacuum pump and captures airborne particles to be sent for lab analysis.
Surface tape lift or swab type sampling is used to determine and identify molds on a specific surface. Surface samples can often identify molds that have not yet become airborne.
Bulk sampling involves collecting visibly moldy materials such as drywall, baseboards or carpet. Usually, a 2” by 2” sample is collected for laboratory analysis.
Experience in analyzing sample results is imperative in mold testing and building clearances. Pacific Restoration always recommends third party testing to insure neutrality. A list of qualified companies is available upon request. Be wary of the contractor who tests his own mold remediation project.
Effective and safe mold removal is a complicated procedure that should only be undertaken by qualified individuals. As with all restoration projects, the most important decision the property owner faces is deciding which contractor he or she should hire to perform the work. Pacific Restoration has successfully performed over 600 San Diego mold remediation projects in the last 14 years. We care deeply about the health and safety of both the occupants and the restorers and we know how to do it correctly. Read about a recent mold remediation client’s experience with Pacific Restoration:
Effective and safe mold removal is a complicated procedure that should only be undertaken by qualified individuals. As with all restoration projects, the most important decision the property owner faces is deciding which contractor he or she should hire to perform the work. Pacific Restoration has successfully performed over 600 San Diego mold remediation projects in the last 14 years. We care deeply about the health and safety of both the occupants and the restorers and we know how to do it correctly. Read about a recent mold remediation client’s experience with Pacific Restoration:
Real Client Testimonial
Please give us a call now at 760-632-7800 for a totally free, no obligation estimate for any of your mold testing, mold cleanup or San Diego mold remediation needs.“After my condo was flooded, mold started growing rapidly within just a couple of weeks. My kids started coughing and the whole family was feeling out of it. Andy and his mold remediation team showed up and immediately found the trouble areas, cleaned them up, restored them to new and now we’re breathing clean and feeling good. Best company in San Diego for safe mold cleanup. This definitely could have been a very dangerous situation without all of his help.” — Carlsbad mold remediation client
