Mold specialists can't keep up

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/15/2004 8:08:57 AM Pacific Standard Time,

tigerpaw2C@... writes:

In the last several years, the mold-remediation

business has grown exponentially, fed by publicity about related

health hazards. This year's four hurricanes -- which led to

widespread mold damage in Florida -- have boosted the demand for

this business even more, and many mold-fighting companies cannot

keep up with the demand.

Hi Gang,

This exerpt from KC's post shows that we are making an impact. Keep it

UP!!! The more we stay in the public eye, the greater the public awareness.

The

greater the public awareness, the sooner things will change. Do your best

to keep our stories in the media!

Sharon

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/15/2004 8:08:57 AM Pacific Standard Time,

tigerpaw2C@... writes:

In the last several years, the mold-remediation

business has grown exponentially, fed by publicity about related

health hazards. This year's four hurricanes -- which led to

widespread mold damage in Florida -- have boosted the demand for

this business even more, and many mold-fighting companies cannot

keep up with the demand.

Hi Gang,

This exerpt from KC's post shows that we are making an impact. Keep it

UP!!! The more we stay in the public eye, the greater the public awareness.

The

greater the public awareness, the sooner things will change. Do your best

to keep our stories in the media!

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Dec 14, 11:05 PM

http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/localstoryN1215BIZMOLD.htm

Mold specialists can't keep up

BY DONNA BALANCIA

FLORIDA TODAY

Margaret Warren didn't know what to think when she saw what looked

like icicles hanging from the ceiling of her Palm Bay home.

She knew something was wrong. Not only does winter in Florida rarely

bring a freeze, but the growths were a bizarre orange and black.

" It was an awful case of mold, " she said. " One mold-remediation

fellow was astounded at my mold. These things were growing, and I

really didn't know what to do. "

Warren is one of many people who are awaiting help from mold

specialists. In the last several years, the mold-remediation

business has grown exponentially, fed by publicity about related

health hazards. This year's four hurricanes -- which led to

widespread mold damage in Florida -- have boosted the demand for

this business even more, and many mold-fighting companies cannot

keep up with the demand.

" Since the hurricanes hit, I've doubled my business, " said

Cook, owner of Crossroads Construction of Palm Bay. " I'm getting

more and more backed up. I can take on more work, but finding

(workers) who are trustworthy is a challenge. "

" There are at least six other companies that do what I do, " Cook

said of his local competition. " I think what I do better is I think

we offer a little more. We do the mold and then do the rebuild

afterwards. Many companies are just mold only. We don't do that. We

do it all. "

Bob Farr, owner of Can Do! Service Corp. in Melbourne, said the key

to success in the mold business is employing people in the know.

" Everybody in this organization is certified in one discipline or

another, " said Farr, who also has noticed a significant increase in

business since the hurricanes. " Everyone who works here has a

specialty, either in structure or environmental assessments. "

Farr said, while newer homes may be built to certain building codes,

there is value in old homes.

" Old houses breathed better, " Farr said. " With the newer homes,

everything depends on what materials they've used for insulation. "

Homeowner Warren recalled that when she discovered the mold in her

house after her roof was damaged by hurricanes Frances and

Jeanne, " it was terrible. In the upstairs bedroom, you could really

smell it. But I was ready to go and stay with a friend.

" I hadn't realized how dangerous mold could be, " said Warren, a

customer of Cook. " It's gone now, and, hopefully, it'll stay gone. "

Contact Balancia at 242-3647 or dbalancia@...