Mold Can Make You Sick.
You probably think it's too dry in Calgary to worry about mold infestations. Think again.
You’ve probably heard plenty of stories about mold, but you never truly know their terrifying effects until your property suffers from a serious mold problem.
Mold are a type of invasive fungi that grows both indoors and outdoors. Some types of fungi are helpful in the world of medicine since they are an essential ingredient for antibiotics, such as penicillin.
But more often than not, you’ll encounter molds that can be detrimental to your family or employees.
There are thousands of types of mold. They grow on damp or steamy, dimly lit areas such as basements, gardens, tight spaces, bathrooms, attics, and kitchens. Any building can be prone to mold formation if you have leaky pipes, windows, and roof.
Contrary to popular belief, molds do not only grow in older buildings. Even newer ones are susceptible when they are not properly maintained or were built with less than stellar attention to detail.
If your area is prone to flooding you are especially vulnerable, but mold can take root anywhere.
It isn’t just residential properties that need to be concerned. Commercial and industrial properties can be in-the-line of fire as well.
Mold is part of dust in the workplace, but if the spores are in large quantities or are toxic, they can cause mild to life-threatening health issues.
Out of all kinds of molds in the world, you better watch out for these:
- Alternaria. This type of mold is probably the most common. Just like other molds, the pesky Alternaria thrives in dark and moist places—be it a sink, shower, or cupboards. The Alternaria mold is notorious for causing allergic reactions like hay fever or worse, asthma attacks.
- Aspergillus. This is also a common type of mold that can be found more frequently in the indoors. In severe cases, these molds can trigger respiratory infections, allergic reactions, and inflamed lungs. It is a major component in mildew.
- Aureobasidium. Found on soil, wood, stone monuments, textiles and human skin. Chronic exposure can lead to “humidifier lung”.
- Chaetomium. Recognizable as cottony and white (young) or grey to olive (mature). These are fast growing colonies.
- Penicillium. This mold likes to settle in the indoors inside furnishings, water damaged furniture, insulation, and carpeting. Unlike other molds, Penicillium is well known for spreading quickly. These types of mold also cause allergic reactions, sinus infections, and lung inflammation. There are species of this mold that are used in food industry (cheeses mostly) and in biotechnologically produced enzymes and macromolecules. It is also used to produce antibiotics.
- Stachybotrys Chartarum. These fungi are also dubbed as the “black mold” and “toxic mold” The Stachybotrys Chartarum got its reputation with its ability to create toxic compounds called mycotoxins. These are known to cause breathing issues, sinus infections, fatigue, asthma attacks, and even depression.
- Fusarium. These molds tend to grow in colder, wetter areas. They also love to hang around carpets and household fabrics such as curtains, drapes, and carpets. If they get in the food chain (through cereal crops) they can affect human and livestock health.
These types of mold are just the tip of the iceberg.
Other kinds of molds may also cause bronchitis, hives, nail fungal infections, rash, pneumonia, lung bleeding, headaches, and joint pain.
Knowing that you spend most of your life in your home and workplace, you cannot allow these risks to plague you for the rest of your life! More concerning, is that pets, infants, and youngsters are the most susceptible to developing issues from poor air quality. A study made by Antova Pattenden and his colleagues about mold exposure and respiratory health showed how mold formation in homes caused a myriad of respiratory disorders, including hay fever.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
There’s no way you can make your property a mold-proof place, but the best you can do is to make it mold-resistant as possible.
Be sure to properly clean damp areas, don’t let plant debris buildup indoors or around the building. Additionally, perform regular maintenance for water heaters, humidifiers, furnaces, etc.
If you suspect mold formation, conduct an in-depth observation of all the surrounding areas. Areas infested with molds are not that difficult to find, once you know where and how molds form.
Make a checklist of all the areas prone to water damage. It’s best if you have mold-resistant furnishings, gutters, and floors but even if you have, it’s best if you check these areas first.
Molds thrive in wet environments. They can’t grow without moisture, and many do not stand a chance when they’re exposed to sunlight. Seepage in the basement, damp drywall, leaky pipes, spills on carpets, and flooded areas in your home must be dried within 1 to 2 days. Leaving wet clothes in the washer promotes mold formation in your laundry area. Most importantly, a well-ventilated building will make it harder for molds to grow.
What Is Mold Remediation And Why Should You Do It?
Mold remediation is removal of the mold, sanitation of the area and, hopefully, prevention of the mold from reoccurring. Molds exist naturally in the air both inside and outside your property, so it’s impossible to completely eradicate all mold, but you must make the effort to deal with it.
If you ignore the mold, it will cause damage to your property and your health. Mold eats away at furniture, textiles, even building materials like drywall, wood and tile. When this occurs, you will need to repair the building as well. From simple hay fever to asthma, fungal infections and neurological problems, your health will be adversely affected by the presence of mold in your home or working environment.
Mold removal is not always as simple as it sounds. You require special equipment to ensure you don’t re-contaminate the area or inhale the spores while cleaning the area. Also, not all mold reacts the same way to every effort to sanitize it. Professional services are your only sure method to eradicate the mold.
ComPro are experts at mold remediation and testing needs. We have the right tools and protective gear for mold remediation with years of experience under our belt. With ComPro, you’ll have the newfound confidence of a mold-resistant home! Don’t try to solve a full-scale mold problem by yourself. Call ComPro find out more or book your appointment today.