Mold can be seen as a four letter word that makes most of us cringe because of allergies and just "ick!" But, be aware, after extenisive water damage cleanup from recent storms and snowfall in Westchester County that mold can grow if your property is not completely dry.
But, contrary to popular belief, not all mold is dangerous. In fact, some mold is even quite useful, like those healthy mushrooms in our salads and favorite meals.
However, after Superstorm Sandy damage in some Westchester County homes, your home, business or listed properties may NOT be mold free. Mold growth is microscopic and grows at different rates, based on the humidity and amount of food sources in yours or your client's property.
Organic materials found in a home or business, like wood, drywall, paper and insulation, provide a food source for mold, allowing it to grow over time. Then, the mold settles in and creates all types of lovely measures to protect its "food and territory" on walls and even on furniture.
Some mold growth can be harmful to humans and excessive exposure to it may present health concerns, especially for those of us who are sensitive. I'm a "canary in a coal mine" for our business. Actually, my husband Forrest, knows we have a mold issue at a client's property when I go into a damp basement or space -- that's with lots of sneezing, or my throat starts to close up and I have to get out!
What makes us sick or "sneezy" is the toxins that different types of mold spit out into the air as they grow. This is a defense mechanism to fight for "territory" and food, as the mold grows and stakes it's claim in a realtively humid environment. It does so by spitting out harmful mold spores into the air and claiming more area as well as fighting off other mold growth and their territories. Breathing these spores can be harmful in a confined, indoor area, although mold spores are outside and all around us in the natural world.
The intrusion of water into your home, business or your client's sales listing can result in mold growth -- especially after extreme storm damage like Sandy caused last fall.
Water and high levels of "mold loving" moisture and humidity may result from wind or storm damage -- like our experiences with Sandy -- that impact a structure from the attic to a basement. It may also result from leaks in plumbing and equipment failure, such as a hot water heater or radiator that fails, a sewage backup that was not thoroughly cleaned by a water certified professional, or a toilet malfunction.
Essentially, mold really grows when water intrusions are not addressed right away and there is poor humidity control -- even in an empty basement that seems "dry."
If your property sustained a recent water damage, it is vital to remove any excess water and dry it promptly and completely, to prevent mold growth in the near future. No job is too large or too small for many restoration companies and mine will bring in a huge truck to dry even the biggest building.
This home had six feet of water in the basement, from Sandy's Long Island Sound storm surge.
Companies like ours put in professional, commercial drying equipment that quickly addresses moisture, humidity and mold growth concerns. We have "cleaned up after" property owners and general contractors, who were not able to fully dry and dehumidify storm damaged properties, and put up new dry wall over their wet insulation or wood studs.
Mold grows in the walls and eventually can come through that new dry wall and pretty fresh paint...after all, that's food for mold. So, if your property or your client's listed home was not properly dried out after a water damage or Sandy storm surge, it's worth checking the humidity levels if you see any signs of mold that are listed below:
Signs of the presence of mold:
- The presence of visible mold (any color).
- Strong, musty odors -- "mildew" is essentially what mold growth 'smells like!"
- Any evidence of past moisture problems that might have caused undetected mold growth -- like water stained basement walls.
- Excessive humidity and dampness from your attic, to basements and crawl spaces.
NOTE: In most water damage situations, like the frozen pipe issues we are seeing this cold New Year's week, mold growth is not a problem. Restoration professionals can assess any damage for free and, if needed, safely restore your home or business to preloss condition. A reminder that the need to address the mold removal can only be determined by an on-site, indoor environmentalist.
Mold Remediation
In some situations an indoor air quality professional will be required to create a restoration plan for your home or business. We are experienced in carrying out any assigned mold remediation plan and working to make it "Like it Never Even Happened."
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