The Truth about Mold

Mold occurs naturally throughout the environment both indoors and outdoors. In fact, mold spores could be found in nearly every structure in the United States regardless of how new or clean the structure is. That’s because mold in normal amounts is no more dangerous than dust or pollen. Even through some forms of mold can add value to our lives, other forms can be harmful. Excessive amounts of mold, different types of mold or exposure to molds may present health concerns for some people. If there is an ongoing moisture problem in your office, your home or in your customer’s home it is important to be alert for:

-The presence of visible mold.

- Strong, musty odors which may indicate mold is present

-Any evidence of past moisture problems that might have caused mold growth

These conditions may require the expertise of a qualified Indoor Air Quality/ Environmental Professional to inspect the building for mold growth and water damage problems. If you think you or your customer might have a mold problem, check out our website for more information or give us a call: 803-755-9774. 

-Denea Duran

Mold Cleanup 101: Say No to Bleach

It's pretty common knowledge that if you're doing mold cleanup around the house that your weapon of choice should be bleach. As is the way with much common knowledge, this factoid is completely false. While using bleach as an antimicrobial is a nice thought, the truth is that bleach doesn't actually kill mold. Not only is mold caustic (it is capable of burning living tissue -- aka. your skin), but when mixed with the right stuff it can actually be toxic. According to HowToCleanThings.com, "you'd do better simply licking the mold away." This website suggests doing minor cleanups with vinegar, which kills mold and disinfects. An even better (and more expensive) option is also tea tree oil.

Something very important to keep in mind, though, is that when you see a little bit of mold in your home, it's likely that there is a lot you can't see. That's where we come in. The most important aspect of mold removal is to remove the water source, something that we're, well, experts at. Mold in your home can jeopardize your health, so step 1: Don't ignore it. Step 2: Don't use bleach. Step 3: Give SERVPRO a call.

Photo Credit: http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/re-nest/no-bleach.jpg

Sandy Hayden