Flood Damage CleanUp Info for El Paso Residents

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El Paso, TX Flood Damage CleanUp

Flood Damage CleanUp Info for El Paso Residents

By gsullyver

http://elpasoflooddamagecleanupelpasotx.wordpress.com/2008/11/14/unde

rstanding-molds-is-the-first-step-towards-mold-remediation/

Flood Damage CleanUp Understanding Molds Is the First Step towards

Mold Remediation

So you suspect, or know, you have molds in your house. What steps

can you take to deal with this?

The first step, of course, in mold remediation is understanding the

nature of molds. Unless you live in a totally controlled antiseptic

environment (which most of us don't), chances are you have molds in,

and outside, your house. For the most part, in mild doses, molds do

not pose a serious threat. Molds have co-existed with mankind from

the dawn of time. And they have their practical uses in the general

order of things. Indeed, we need molds because they help break down

dead materials and recycle them into other forms of nutrients for

our environment. But when they begin to multiply prodigiously and

they start to threaten your health and overrun your house, then they

become a problem. And then you have to consider a program of mold

remediation to solve the problem.

Molds are microscopic organisms that thrive under certain

conditions: high humidity and relative heat. In other words, they

prefer areas where there is always a high content of water or

moisture in the air, such as the bathrooms, kitchens, crawling space

under kitchen sinks, dank closets, spaces under beds. In other

words, places not ordinarily exposed to a periodic good airing and

strong sunlight, or places where there is water damage. Molds grow

on organic materials like garbage, wood, fibers, paper, leaves,

lint, dead skin, etc. The human body is not spared from molds since

the body is also an organic material.

Molds produce spores or minute seeds, millions of them, which are

released into the air and are air-borne to other spots where they

eventually grow into adult molds. That's how they multiply so fast.

When the mold infestation is heavy, they produce a greenish-blackish

slimy layer and even emit mycotoxins or poisonous chemicals,

depending on the species of the mold concerned.

The immediate effects of a serious mold infestation in your house

are twofold. First, you have these unsightly and smelly slimy spots

and blotches and discolorations growing on the affected areas.

Perhaps, you don't see them immediately but you smell that dank

unpleasant smell hanging in the air, like a wet towel that has been

left on the bathroom floor too long. Second, depending on your

tolerance or resistance to molds, you may have certain reactions

like skin rashes, coughing, eye irritation, body aches, headaches,

nasal congestion, and allergies.

Mold remediation starts with correcting the conditions that

encourage mold infestation. If the source of excessive moisture is

a water leak or flooding, then stop it. Then eliminate the moisture

in and around the affected areas by thoroughly airing and wiping

them dry. Use exhaust fans if necessary to speed up the drying.

Dispose of the materials that serve as the " food " of molds by

bagging them and throwing them in the trash. Wash the affected

areas with soap and a solution of 10% household bleach in order to

kill the remaining molds and spores. Make sure that you protect

yourself in the process of mold remediation by wearing a mask and

gloves. Also be sure that there is adequate ventilation while doing

your mold remediation. Even while bending over and scrubbing the

affected area, you are invariably inhaling spores and mycotoxins and

bleach fumes and this can be dangerous. Particularly if you have a

respiratory condition, engaging in this sort of intervention may

pose as a serious hazard. If in doubt,

call in a professional help.

Effects of mold infestation in the house are relatively easier to

correct. They can be seen. What is more complicated is when mold or

fungal poisons have entered the human body and released its unseen

harm on the respiratory, the bowel, and the immune system. In this

case, there is no other choice but to call in a medical professional

to diagnose and treat. Start a mold remediation before it is too

late.

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November 14, 2008 - Posted by gsullyver | Uncategorized | mold, mold

remediation, understanding mold | No Comments