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Mold Cleanup
Poor drainage system in a house and lack of ventilation are a sure recipe for toxic mold to build up on the walls of your house.
Living with molds puts your health in danger. Molds produce irritants and allergens. Some molds called "toxigenic molds" also produce potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Prolonged exposure can be particularly harmful. Molds have been related to allergies, headaches, asthma, chronic fatigue, nausea and even tuberculosis. Some mycotoxins have a poisonous effect on the body and can cause damage to the internal organs and nervous system.
Molds and mycotoxins can cause or worsen conditions such as:
1 Allergies/Irritations:
Allergic response to mold is very common and includes sneezing, red eyes, skin rash and runny nose. Most people (both mold-allergic and non-allergic people) suffer reactions to the irritants contained in mold: skin, eyes, nose, throat, lungs.
2 Infections:
Athlete's foot and Jock Itch are infections caused by some parasitic fungi (dermatophytes) which take the form of a mold. Infections by molds represent a cause of illness and death among people with a weak immune system (AIDS).
3 Immunotoxic diseases:
Micotoxins weaken the immune system, being able to produce cancer. This explains the commonness of mold allergies.
Long exposure to mold can have a huge negative impact on your health. It is essential to fight it since you notice the very first signs indicating you might have a problem with it.
Mold removal and prevention
Mold is very resistant and cannot be totally removed with powerful products as chlorine, ammonia and acids. After the affected area is clean, the mold will reappear in short time if the environmental conditions are the same.
But rather than fight an endless, hard battle against mold, the ideal strategy is prevention. After ridding your house of mold and even if you haven’t had such problems, keep in mind that mold will take any opportunity to hide in your home. Also, keep in mind that toxic mold and fungi need a moist or damp environment to thrive. The most important step to prevent mold is to maintain a clean, dry home and have under control all possible sources of high humidity.
Measures to keep away mold:
4 Replace poor drainage system with an efficient one or maintain the existing system in good functioning parameters.
There are contributing factors to poor drainage, like clogged gutters, improperly angled downspout drains, improperly installed windows. All these problems can be easily controlled.
A major problem is represented by the high degree of humidity that is found usually in basements. Water in the surrounding ground puts pressure on the house walls and without the proper gear in place, the walls structure will be always impregnated with water. That is why an efficient drainage system is essential. If the basement does not have it, beside a correct insulation and ventilation, it is a sure place for mold to grow.
5 Repair roof or any other leaks.
6 Dry wet and damp things in the house.
7 Clean affected surfaces with a solution of water and detergent, then dry them thoroughly.
8 Disinfect surfaces. After cleaning, disinfect with a solution of water and bleach.
9 Treat or dispose of any contaminated materials.
Even if you didn’t have to deal with mold, stay alert, keep the house clean, dry and ventilated.
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