Mold removal, Mold Remediation, Black Mold removal are not governed by any city, state or federal regulatory board. The US EPA, NYC Board of Health or the NYS Department of Labor does not certified or require Mold Contractors to be certified. The contractors that arrive at your home with Hazmat suits and respirators are most likely using scare tactics to get you to agreed to giving them a lot of money to remove the mold. It is advisable to wear protective clothing, P 100 respirator, gloves & goggles when removing mold or when has grown excessively, but is your whole family going to wear that garb throughout the day if you have mold in your house. Mold can be a health hazard if left untreated. Mold has been present and will always be present in small quantities in your home indoors and outdoors regardless of our efforts to get rid of mold completely, so no need to empty your wallet today. Below is some information about the health effects of mold.
Mold is from the fungi family. All fungi produce spores in order to reproduce, and since fungi (molds, yeasts) have been around for millions of years. Mold spores can never be eradicated in their entirety from any area, and since they’re microscopic, they can travel anywhere with very little support from their environment. Like dust, mold spores are all around us.
Some molds cause disease or food spoilage, others play an important role in biodegradation or in the production of various foods, beverages, antibiotics and enzymes. There is a symbiotic relationship between molds, our forests and environment. Forests would not exist without them. So in short, there are good molds and bad molds and due diligence is needed when hiring a mold contractor.
The key to removing Mold is water & moisture control. If you do not eliminate or control the water & moisture in your home or office Mold will remain or return.
Water in your home can come from many sources. Water can enter your home by leaking or by seeping through basement floors and walls. Showers or even cooking can add moisture to the air in your home. The amount of moisture that the air in your home can hold depends on the temperature of the air. As the temperature goes down, the air is able to hold less moisture. This is why, in cold weather, moisture condenses on cold surfaces This moisture can encourage biological pollutants to grow.
Moisture problems and their solutions vary from one climate to another. The types of construction and weatherization for the different climates can lead to different problems and solutions. In the North East we have cold damp weather. The goal is to decrease the humidity, increase the sunlight and circulation. First we need to evaluate the building construction and than you need to find an affordable solution based on the given conditions.
The first thing we do when we arrive at a home that has mold is to determine the possible sources of moisture, than we recommend how and eliminate the moisture. This is why you should use a Mold Contractor that is also a construction & renovating expert.
Leaks, moisture and water seepage are the primary cause of mold. The following are some items we look for & recommend.
1) Installing vapor barriers in crawlspaces and under new flooring or carpet.
2) Ventilating & increasing the circulation in the room to include installing bathroom exhaust fans and venting dryers or making sure the dryer vent is working properly, opening doors between rooms and closet
3) Equalizing the temperature in the room and on surfaces with air conditioners, dehumidifiers and surface heaters
4) Check foundations for leaks or points where water or moisture is entering the home.
5) Clean gutters and check the gradient of the property to make sure storm water is directed away from the home
How do molds affect people?
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause immediate symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.
In my view and research, I have determined that mold is more of a concern when it is untreated for long periods of time. A week or two of mold presense will not have an adverse affect on your or your families health, so be diligent and take an extra day or two to hire the proper Mold Contractor.
The Mazzei Group construction, a licensed General Contractor performs mold removal, mold testing, mold inspection to include black mold and repairs any damaged caused by that removal.