Ewww-I Have Toxic Mold in my House! - St. Louis Cleaning & Restoration - St. Louis Cleaning and ...

Ewww–I
               Have Toxic
               Mold in my
                House!

St. Louis Cleaning & Restoration

Ewww–I Have Toxic Mold in my House!
Seeing mold growth in your home can trigger strong emotions: disgust, fear,
embarrassment, anxiety. Reasons for these feelings arise from the damage that
mold can cause to your health and general welfare.

Dangers of Mold
Left untreated, mold can cause reactions that are similar to allergies, like watery,
itchy eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing and runny nose. If you didn’t have
these symptoms before the mold was discovered, they are likely being caused by
the mold. If you already have allergies, mold can exacerbate them and make them
worse.

Serious illnesses can result from exposure to mold, especially when “Stachybotrys
Mold” (black mold) is present. Respiratory issues, like asthma, pneumonia, and
bronchitis can result. Even illnesses like multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue
syndrome, lupus, bromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and other auto-immune
diseases can appear if exposed to mold.

What Is Mold, Anyway?
Mold is a fungus that is always present outdoors except in the cold, dry months of
winter. It releases spores that travel through the air. If it makes contact with a
warm, moist surface, it forms a colony that continues to grow if left untreated.

Mold is usually found inside the home where water leaks or ooding have
occurred. It requires a damp environment in order to live. Allowed to thrive, mold
will destroy foundations, furniture, carpeting and drywall.

Worst of all, mold can be present without you even noticing it. It can grow behind
walls, under ooring or in insulation. You may never see it but still suffer from its
toxic effects.

                        Ewww–I Have Toxic Mold in my House!

Ewww–I Have Toxic Mold in my House!

Do I Really Need to Hire a Professional Mold Remediation
Company?
You may be able to effectively remove small amounts of mold yourself. You can
purchase a mold test kit to check for mold growth. If you can detect and see the
mold, you may be able to wipe it clean.

If you choose this do-it-yourself method, you’ll need to be aware of some
precautions:

    Make sure you use proper masks and gear when cleaning the mold. If you
    inhale it, you can have breathing issues.
    Don’t use a dry brush to remove the mold. This method can actually disturb
    the spores and send them oating through the air again.
    Make sure you remove ALL the mold, or your problem will just recur. Ensure
    all surfaces are dry and circulate air throughout the area.
Keep in mind that this DIY method only works if the mold is visible and on solid
surfaces. If mold is growing on porous surfaces, like carpeting or drywall, it cannot
be effectively cleaned. These items may be damaged beyond remediation or need
to be cleaned by a professional mold remediation expert.

If you do try to clean the mold yourself, beware of a persisting musty smell after
you clean. That could mean mold is hiding where you can’t see it. Again, that will
require the professionals to remediate the situation.

6 Important Reasons to Hire a Professional Mold Remediation
Company

                        Ewww–I Have Toxic Mold in my House!

Ewww–I Have Toxic Mold in my House!
Sure, it’s cheaper to try to clean the mold yourself. That’s only true, however, if it’s
effective. If you don’t get all of it cleaned, it can make the situation worse than it
was before. You could wind up spending a lot of money on equipment and supplies
and wasting a lot of your valuable time and still fail to remove all the mold.

Here are some excellent reasons why you
should consider hiring a professional to take
care of your mold problem.

1. Proper Mold Assessment.
The professionals will evaluate the situation
and determine where the mold is growing
and why. They will locate the source of the
mold so that it can be mitigated and not continue to grow. Once the source is
identi ed, the experts will advise you on how to remedy the problem.

2. Thorough Cleaning
The affected area will be properly cordoned off to prevent mold from spreading.
All areas will be treated using the appropriate chemicals and procedures. Mold
spores may have in ltrated your HVAC system, which the amateur will not be able
to detect. The professional mold remediation company has tests to ascertain if
that’s the case. They may recommend a thorough air duct cleaning to eliminate
that problem.

3. Your Health Could Be at Risk.
Attempting to clean up the mold yourself could expose you to its spores and cause
health issues for you and your family. The professionals will ensure all mold is
removed and the process is completed in a safe environment.

                         Ewww–I Have Toxic Mold in my House!

Ewww–I Have Toxic Mold in my House!

4. They Have the Resources.
Professional mold remediation companies employ technicians thoroughly trained
in the process of mold removal. They wear the protective gear needed for safe
removal, as well as the equipment and chemicals needed to thoroughly treat the
environment. Their equipment can detect mold that is not visible and reach areas
that the typical layperson cannot.

5. They Will Educate You.
The professionals don’t only provide mold removal, they will help you avoid the
situation from recurring. They’ll give you tips on preventing mold in the future,
including proper air ventilation, detecting leaks, addressing moisture, etc.

6. Save Money
You may think you can get rid of mold yourself, but it may actually cost you more in
the long run. If mold is not thoroughly removed, it will continue to damage your
property. Illness from exposure can cost you more in medical bills. If the
environment is not effectively remediated, the cost to repair and treat it will just
continue to increase.

What to Expect from a Professional Mold Remediation
Company
When you hire a professional mold remediation company to remove the mold in
your home, there are certain things you should expect.

   They will provide a free consultation. Reputable companies should provide you
with a free initial consultation. They will assess the extent of the mold in ltration
and apprise you of the estimate of damages and costs.
   They will track the source causing the mold. The cause of the mold is usually a
leaky or damaged pipe, or areas that remain damp due to ooding or other water
damage. This must be mitigated before treating the mold.

                        Ewww–I Have Toxic Mold in my House!

Ewww–I Have Toxic Mold in my House!
    They should be wearing proper safety gear. These include high- ltration face
masks, vinyl or neoprene gloves and a full body suit. These will protect them from
injury from exposure to harsh chemicals used to treat the mold.
    They seal off the work area. The area being treated should be cordoned off with
plastic sheeting to prevent the mold spores from escaping into other areas of the
building.
    They have the proper equipment. A professional mold remediation company
will have commercial-grade equipment like HEPA air scrubbers, HEPA vacuums,
dehumidi ers, etc. This equipment is necessary to thoroughly clean the
environment of airborne mold spores. The air scrubber will replace the dirty,
moldy air with clean, fresh air. Only HEPA (High-Ef ciency Particulate Air) lters
should be used, as they will capture particles as small as mold spores, whereas
regular lters can make the situation worse.
    They dispose of damaged materials. Materials and furnishings affected by the
mold should be removed from the premises. Drywall, insulation, carpeting,
baseboards--all should be removed and replaced if mold has permeated their
porous surfaces.
    They use appropriate chemicals. Mold remediation professionals will use an
antimicrobial chemical to remove any mold from solid surfaces. They will apply a
sealant to the treated area to make it more resistant to mold re-growth and
eliminate any remaining odors.

Do Your Research before Hiring a Professional Mold
Remediation Company
Don’t just hire the local handyman to do the very critical job of mold remediation.
You need to check the companies to make sure they are reputable and
trustworthy. They should have lots of experience in the eld. Visit websites, read
reviews, check out their credentials. They should be properly licensed and bonded.
Make sure the company uses professional, commercial-grade equipment and
materials to clean the mold.

                       Ewww–I Have Toxic Mold in my House!

Ewww–I Have Toxic Mold in my House!
Be wary of companies offering “special deals” for low-cost mold remediation
services. If it sounds too good to be true it is! They will likely compensate by taking
shortcuts and using the wrong procedures and materials. This will result in the
problem not being resolved or becoming worse.

They should maintain a brick-and-mortar location. Don’t ever hire an “on-line”
company for mold remediation. In fact, some companies have a location large
enough to place household items for treatment and drying out. This can decrease
the disruption within your home during the process.

If you suspect you have a mold problem, contact St. Louis Cleaning and Restoration
immediately. We have the knowledge, expertise and equipment to properly clean
your home of mold and prevent it from recurring.

We’ve been in the mold remediation business since 1991, providing service to
homeowners and businesses. Our technicians are highly trained and certi ed with
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration (IICRC), which is a certi cation
and Standards Developing Organization (SDO) non-pro t organization for the
inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. This ensures you’ll receive the
highest quality professional services possible.

As a local family-owned company, our mission is to exceed our client’s expectations
and provide fair and honest pricing, quality service, innovative technology and
unprecedented customer service. We offer 24/7 emergency response service so
we’re available when you need us.

Contact us today for a free consultation!

                         Ewww–I Have Toxic Mold in my House!