Mold and mildew has been around for hundreds of years. Today almost everyone has contact with it from the shower to a full blown toxic mold infestation. Black mold is becoming so prominent in our daily lives and is now a big concern for the air we breathe better known as our indoor air quality. Millions of dollars are spent each year on research removal and prevention techniques. Black mold removal remains somewhat of a science today and each case is different and unique.
Black mold, toxic mold, or black toxic mold is usually talking about the same type of mold when you read articles or watch television. The most important thing to know is that any type of black or toxic mold has the potential to cause damage to the structure of your property and your health. Visit moldremoval.org for a complete list of articles and videos regarding your indoor air quality.
Aspergillis or stachybotrys is different forms of black mold that likes to grow in moist damp areas like basements, bathrooms, crawl spaces or attics. Some individual are highly allergic to mold of any type and when exposed can cause serious allergic reactions. The reason why black mold makes individuals sick is from the toxic spores that are released from the mold. The mold must find a food source such as dry wall, gypsum, furniture, wood, paper or any organic materials.
Prevention is the key to prevent mold and mildew form establishing in your property. Look in your basement, surfaces of walls, ceiling, showers, carpets or air condition vents. Mold can come in almost any colors shapes, or textures. For you the homeowner the best detection is the use of your eyes and nose. Your nose can lead you to areas that may have that musty odor that regardless of what type of chemicals you use it returns and often worse in areas that are not exposed to fresh air on a daily basis.
Should you have questions regarding your indoor air quality your initial response is to check for any visibleleaks in your plumbing, roof, gutters, chimney or hot water heater? Once you have done that you should consider investing in your future by hiring a certified professional like an industrial hygienist or mold tester to visit your property for a consultation. They will do a detailed assessment of what is going on with your property from their visual inspection. This will be followed by collection of various air and surfaces samples which will be sent to a certified lab for evaluation.
Once the lab results are review they will make recommendations of what is necessary to restore your indoor air quality to acceptable levels. This is very important to you the property owner as you will have a global picture of not only what types of mold you have, it will identify the spore count and the report will give you in the priority of what is needed to be done and the health risk associated with each.