With all the media attention in recent years, the word MOLD brings an instant hesitation. Is it a real concern? Afterall, it’s been around forever. The truth is, the effects of mold on our bodies are just now being understood. While rare, serious health effects from exposure to fungi, do occur. Too much exposure to certain types of mold could trigger asthma, cause allergic reactions, rashes and other respiratory complaints.
People are more susceptible to a fungus when it is in a building. Infants are more susceptible to infection because their immune systems haven’t fully developed. The elderly tend to have weaker immune systems, too. Because of the potential harm, any water intrusion into a building should be handled quickly and professionally.
What are some of the signs of mold contamination?
- Visible mold growth
- Musty or earthy odor that is most noticeable when you first enter a structure or room. Your nose will become desensitized to it in about 10 seconds.
- High indoor humidity levels for extended periods
- Headaches and allergic reactions when within the environment
Molds can grow on virtually any substance, provided that moisture is present. Prompt attention to water damage or visible mold can often keep a minor problem from becoming major.
If I discover mold, what do I do?
First, don’t panic, but do use caution. Make sure your actions won’t aggravate the problem by making the spores airborne or spread them to uncontaminated areas. Call a Whalen Restorations professional for an assessment. Testing can be done to determine the type of mold, but the bottom line is that the mold has to go, no matter what species.
You can call on Whalen Restorations for all your drying and remediation needs. These include:
- Inspection and Assessment of the cause and extent of the damage.
- Health & Safety issues including containment and removal of contaminated materials. Protective clothing and respirators may be required during the remediation process.
- Containment to prevent the spread of fungi to unaffected areas.
- Remediation, depending on the extent of the damage.
- Clearance testing through an independent third party.
How can I be proactive in preventing mold in my home?
- Mold needs two main factors to grow: water and an organic food source.
- Check your water bill – if water usage has increased noticeably this could be an indication of a water leak.
- If you have had recent remodeling or construction – check roof, flashings, window seals, bathrooms and humidifiers regularly for signs of excess water.
- Inspections on a regular basis – HVAC and appliance drip pans, appliance water line connections, bathrooms, water heaters, windows and attics.
- If you experience ANY flooding in your structure, make sure the removal and drying is handled properly, professionally and promptly. Water can seep under baseboards and into wall cavities, resulting in undetected mold growth.
- If you have a small amount of visible mold that reoccurs after cleaning with a bleach and water solution, this could be an indication of ongoing water intrusion, which should be corrected immediately.
Quality Workmanship
When you choose to work with Whalen Restorations, you choose to work with professionals – people who are going to do the job right the first time, saving you time and money. Our technicians are thoroughly trained and take pride in their work. Whalen Restorations’ crews are equipped with a variety of HEPA filtered vacuums and hegative air machines.
Precautions taken before the remediation help us guarantee that our services will be effective. Service technicians carefully build containment structures, in effect, sealing off the contaminated area. This process prevents further spread of the contamination throughout the rest of the structure. Other approved steps in our remediation process include: HEPA vacuuming, disinfecting, sealing and documenting all project activities to make sure the job is done right.
Whalen Restorations takes mold remediation seriously and requires that a Certified Industrial Hygienist be on hand for every major project. They determine what the initial scope of work will be and perform the clearance tests at all stages of the remediation to ensure that the job is complete and the area is safe for occupants to return. All of Whalen Restorations’ technicians are in the field every day performing mold remediation projects and Whalen Restorations’ president William Whalen (CMR 02631) oversees all jobs himself for the highest quality assurance. In addition, if the mold contamination reaches beyond our scope of services, we immediately access our network of nationally-renowned indoor air quality professionals to provide you with the service you need. With the health of building and home occupants on the line, we can afford to do nothing less.
Safety: Priority One
Safety for both your building occupants and out employees is primary. Meticulous care is taken to prevent contamination from entering the atmosphere.
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