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How do I know if I have mold?
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Musty odors, increased allergy symptoms, such as wheezing, sneezing, coughing, watery, red or itchy eyes, runny nose, and even rashes. Many times mold will be easily detectable, as spores will begin to appear and spread across walls, tiles, and other household surfaces. However, not all mold is immediately visible and we recommend scheduling an inspection from a trusted company. JMC can recommend a verified inspector.
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What does mold look like?
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Mold can often appear in a variety of colors and textures. The most commonly seen household molds are green, black, grey, and white. However, mold can also grow to be brown or yellow. Mold colonies most often appear cotton or velvet-like in texture, but can also be granular or glassy, and become denser toward the origin of the colony, spreading in all directions thereafter.
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What causes mold to develop?
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Mold is caused by water infiltration areas around the home. Popular in basements, kitchens, bathrooms, the underside of rugs and carpets, and on ceilings. These areas tend to carry more humidity and moisture, making them ideal origins for mold growth. Mold is most commonly found in areas with over 60% humidity, and on porous materials, such as wood, drywall, ceilings, paneling, and leather fixtures and furniture.
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Is mold harmful?
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Some common molds are not especially harmful to healthy humans, though the majority of them can affect those with existing compromised immune systems, such as those who suffer from asthma. However, some molds do produce chemicals called “mycotoxins” which are known to cause sickness in humans and animals alike. The most common major health effects are gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, sinus infection that does not respond to antibiotics, eye infections, lung infections, allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivities, skin rashes, exhaustion and chronic fatigue, colds or flus that never go away.
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Should I have my home inspected?
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Because of the overwhelming number of mold-affected homes across the United States, it is generally recommended that you have your home professionally inspected at least once a year. If you're moving into a new home, have seen mold colonies or spores appear, or have experienced any of the aforementioned health characteristics, you should absolutely have your home inspected for remediation.
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What is involved in a mold inspection?
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JMC can recommend an independent and certified mold inspector to take the following steps:
1. Visually inspect the home or building to determine the existence or non-existence of mold.
2. Investigate the environmental conditions in and around the home or building.
3. Identify the cite of water infiltration into the home or building, or identify areas in the home that might be susceptible to water damage.
4. Obtain photographic proof of concern areas and lab testing if necessary.
5. Construct a detailed investigation report regarding inspectors' findings, remediations, and future precautions for mold growth in the home or building, including general recommendations for preventative maintenance.
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What can I do to protect against mold?
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Because mold cannot thrive without water or moisture, it is vital that any and all instances of water exposure be remedied within 24 to 48 hours of water damage by taking the following steps:
1. Promptly repairing all water leaks and moist areas.
2. Maintaining proper air circulation within home or building.
3. Ensuring the proper insulation and ventilation of attic, basement, and crawlspace areas.
4. Clean, dry, or eliminate items that have been exposed to water or water damage.
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Should I try to remove mold myself?
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JMC Contracting Corp strongly suggests to never undertake a remediation plan yourself or with someone else who is not a certified mold remediator. Here are some of the risks you run by not using a certified mold remediation company to safely and effectively remove the mold:
1. Cross contamination. Mold spores are very light and very small, .02 microns to be exact. When removing building material that has mold, without the proper equipment, thousands of mold spores spread across the air. This is why protocols have been developed to prevent cross contaminating one area of the home by removing mold in another.
2. Not following proper IICRC and IAQ protocols could result in a failed attempt to remove the mold. If you or someone who is not certified in following these protocols, fails to remove the mold properly, the mold will grow back; wasting time and money.
3. It is important to note the health risks associated with not using the correct protective equipment. Certified Mold Remediation companies such as JMC are trained to use the correct personal protective equipment to protect our clients, their families, and our employees.
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What is mold remediation?
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Mold remediation is the process of removing and cleaning an environment of mold growth and infestation back to a normal ecology.
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How important is it to hire a certified mold remediation company to ensure the mold is properly removed?
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JMC Contracting Corp strongly suggests to never undertake a remediation plan with someone who is not a certified mold remediator. Please note that not all contractors are certified in mold remediation. It is always important to obtain a current copy of certifications in mold remediation. Here are some of the risks you run by not using a certified mold remediation company to safely and effectively remove the mold:
1. Cross contamination. Mold spores are very light and very small, .02 microns to be exact. When removing building material that has mold, without the proper equipment, thousands of mold spores spread across the air. This is why protocols have been developed to prevent cross contaminating one area of the home by removing mold in another.
2. Not following proper IICRC and IAQ protocols could result in a failed attempt to remove the mold. If you or someone who is not certified in following these protocols, fails to remove the mold properly, the mold will grow back; wasting time and money.
3. It is important to note the health risks associated with not using the correct protective equipment. Certified Mold Remediation companies such as JMC are trained to use the correct personal protective equipment to protect our clients, their families, and our employees.
