Do you sense that mold has moved in and become an invisible resident in your home or business? If you suspect that it has, then DryHero in Lincoln, Nebraska is here to alleviate your fears with mold remediation. The DryHero team of specialists is trained and certified in mold remediation, and we can provide you with an honest, common-sense assessment of the severity of your mold issue. We offer precise inspection techniques and mold testing to help identify and locate mold contamination.
Mold, Mildew, and Mold Spores
Understanding the difference between mold and mildew will help you to determine what you are up against. Mildew refers to specific types of mold or fungus and is used when describing mold growth. Typically, mildew is found where there is a high degree of moisture, such as showers and windowsills.
Mold is a category that includes many species of microscopic fungi that can live on any organic matter, such as ceilings, walls, floors, clothing, and paper. In buildings that have basements or sub-levels, there may be a noticeable musty odor present.
Mold spores are naturally occurring making it impossible to keep a structure “mold-free.” If you have dust, you have mold spores. This is perfectly normal and these mold spores pose little threat to indoor air quality for most healthy occupants as long as the building materials are kept clean and dry. When mold spores end up inside your home or business and land on wet surfaces, mold can begin growing. Mold growth is not normal and should be promptly addressed whenever it’s discovered in the home or business with mold remediation.
Can Mold on walls make you sick?
Yes! Exposure to damp, moldy areas may cause various health issues, especially for people who have asthma or are allergic to mold. Symptoms may include:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Skin rash
If you or others experience these types of symptoms due to exposure to mold spores, you may want to consult a healthcare provider, your state or local health department, or the Centers for Disease Control’s website, www.cdc.gov/mold.
Mold Contamination & Testing
Mold contamination can often be identified during a simple inspection of your property. However, it’s possible to have elevated levels of airborne mold in your home or business that are not visually detectable. The best way to evaluate your air quality or mold problem is to simply give us a call, so we can do a full mold remediation. Our certified specialists at DryHero, Nebraska in Lincoln can answer many of your questions by phone and will give you candid, professional advice regarding your specific situation. We even offer free, on-site mold assessments during normal business hours to further address your air quality and mold concerns.
Mold growth awareness in buildings has risen greatly in recent years due to energy conservation measures, modifications in building materials, fast-track construction techniques, failure of occupants to properly manage moisture intrusion and humidity, and an increased reliance on mechanical heating and cooling for comfort. Significant media focus and litigation have fueled increased air quality concerns as well.
Since professional indoor air quality (IAQ) organizations, state governments, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have not agreed upon threshold exposure limits or levels of visible mold growth that constitute a concern for occupant and worker safety, assessing individual mold and air quality concerns can be quite challenging. Quantifying visible levels of mold growth alone has obvious limitations because it does not take into consideration hidden or concealed mold growth and contamination resulting from settled spores (not visible) that were dispersed from areas of actual growth. The IAQ and mold remediation industry are constantly evolving.
How do I get rid of mold?
Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. Cleaning up the mold without fixing the water issue will invite the mold problem to come back.
You may be wondering if the cleanup, or mold remediation, can be done by you or do you need to hire a professional. If the area where the mold problem has occurred is less than 10 square feet, you can probably perform the cleanup yourself. Keep in mind the following guidelines suggested by the CDC:
- If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, consult EPA’s Mold Remediation guidelines.
- If you choose to hire a professional service provider to do the mold remediation, make sure they have experience cleaning up mold. Check references. DryHero in Lincoln, Nebraska specializes in mold remediation and has a team of certified specialists with years of experience.
- If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold, 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.
What You Need to do Before the Mold Remediation
Here are some helpful tips that you can do once you have determined you have a mold problem.
- Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible.
- Dry all items completely.
- Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.
- Throw away any items that are made of absorbent or porous materials, such as carpeting or ceiling tiles.
- Wear protective apparel, including long pants, goggles, rubber gloves, and a mask when cleaning mold-covered surfaces.
- Clean up the mold and dry the surfaces before painting.
- Consult a professional for items that are valuable or are a keepsake if you are unsure how to clean them.
No one wants to think that they have a mold problem. But if you are faced with this issue, don’t hesitate to give DryHero in Lincoln, Nebraska a call. We will give you an extensive assessment of your mold problem and the best plan to remove it. Call 402-438-2379 in Lincoln for your no-risk, professional consultation!