Sonshine Window Washing Company

P.O. Box 506

Hainesport, NJ 08036-0506

Phone: 800-648-0333

Fax: 609-265-3527

The Good, Bad, and the Ugly About Mold

Molds are naturally occurring biological organisms. There are literally thousands of types of mold in the environment. The good news is that over the centuries, molds have helped produce some wonderful inventions such as penicillin, breads, cheese, and in particular, alcoholic beverages. The bad news is that molds reproduce by sending out spores. These spores activate and grow when they land on a moist spot. This mold then grows more spores and so on. The mold spreads and spreads.

Outside, this is not necessarily a bad situation because mold is part of the natural process of decay. It is part of the reason that leaves that missed the fall raking will have deteriorated into soil by spring.

However, when mold intrudes into a home due to an existing moisture problem, it can get ugly. Mold when left unremediated, can produce a strong musty smell, have a furry appearance, and be mushy in texture. Not an attractive sight.

There are many different diverse species of mold but all have some common characteristics for survival:

Mold requires an organic food source such as cellulose, found in drywall.
Mold requires oxygen.
Mold requires constant supply of water. To prevent mold, buildings must be kept dry.
Mold is spread by tiny particles called spores. (A spore can be compared to a seed.)

The Unforeseen or Unattended

Mold spores often waft on the air through dry locations. Nothing happens. Why is this? Nothing happens when mold spores are in dry areas because mold requires a moist surface to grow and reproduce upon. In homes or commercial facilities leaks, humidity problems, condensation on pipes, structural damage to foundations or roofs, broken windows or window sills, or venting failures can lead to internal mold problems.

Why does this lead to a mold problem? Mold requires a food source. The food source is cellulose. This is found in many common household items such as wallpaper, paper, drywall, insulation, wallboard, and many others.

Where Can Mold Be Found?

Mold appears most often in moist areas as little black circles on thread-like white objects. In most cases it is accompanied by a musty odor.

Mold problems begin when invisible mold spores land on moist surfaces. The moisture in the surface allows the mold to reproduce and grow.

Some examples of places where mold can be found include:

Basements
Kitchens (bottom of refrigerators)
Bathrooms (around vanities)
The underside of carpets and pads
The surface of walls behind furniture
Ceilings and the top side of ceiling tiles
Front and back side of dry wall, wallpaper or painting
Inside HVAC systems and duct work
Clothing
Food

Health Issues

People may have health problems when mold grows to a particular level in a structure. People who are immuno-compromised or who have suppressed immune systems such as children, the elderly, chronically ill, or those with breathing and lung problems may be more susceptible to mold. Remember, there are many kinds of mold. Some types of mold may cause a cough, congestion, headaches, fatigue, a runny nose, and aggravated asthma. Other molds can cause more serious symptoms such as a flu-like illness or worse. The intensity of the mold and the length of exposure are also factors in how people react to it.

People can be exposed to mold in the following ways:

Breathing in the spores from the air
Skin contact from handling an item that has mold growing on it
Eating without properly washing your hands after handling moldy objects

Small exposure to mold has the potential to cause the following health problems:

Itching or irritation of the nose, eyes, throat and skin
Skin rash
Sinus infections or congestion/runny nose
Sneezing and coughing
Upper or lower respiratory infections
Fatigue
Frequent headaches
Trouble concentrating, memory lapses, confusion
Mood swings, anxiety, depression
Chronic aches and pains
Digestive problems
Long term memory loss

Individuals with allergies or asthma tend to be very sensitive to mold and are much more susceptible to asthma attacks in the presence of mold.

Others at high risk of health affects due to mold include:

Infants
Children
The elderly
Immuno-compromised patients
Pregnant women
Others with respiratory issues

Prevention and Remediation

The Authorized Caltex Dealers can help address your mold problem. If there is a moisture problem, it is important to dry it up within 48 hours or mold will start to grow. Many times in areas where extensive mold growth is found, the moisture problem has been unattended for a long period of time.

If you suspect you may have a mold problem or a leakage issue be aware of the following:

A strong musty odor signals the presence of mold
Mold can be furry and black, reddish, or other colors
Areas of excess humidity
Locations of leaking pipes around insulation
Location of moisture on or near wooden surfaces
Buckling wallpaper
Brownish stains on walls

This is not an all-inclusive list but simply several signs that may indicate the need for an experienced Mold Remediator and staff who are qualified in industrial hygiene and indoor air quality assessments.

Eliminate the Problem

You can do the following to prevent and reduce the growth of indoor mold:

Repair any water leaks
Provide good air circulation
All HVAC systems should have a good electrostatic filter on the return
Use bathroom, kitchen and laundry room exhaust fans
Insulate and ventilate attic and crawl space areas
Clean, dry or remove items that are damaged by water

The Caltex Solution:

Caltex trained and certified remediators will do a thorough mold and odor inspection
We follow the EPA guidelines as described in the Environmental Protection Agency's document: "Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings". These guidelines apply to homes too
We will provide mold testing results by an independant third party for vertification
We will make recommendations on how to prevent further mold problems by using a hydrometer, vents, AC, humidistat and dehumidifier

NOTE: It is impossible to eliminate all mold spores from a home or building, they are a natural part of dust and are constantly floating in the air.

Before

After

Mold Inspection and Remediation

Your Authorized Caltex Dealer has been trained to identify the symptoms and signs of mold, to prepare a mold remediationn plan, and commence a remediation for your structure. They will implement safety measures to ensure you are safe and you will be asked to approve the work prior to the actual cleanup process. Your remediator will provide you with his or her professional advice regarding your specific situation.

Visual Inspection:

A visual inspection is an initial step in identifying mold problems and possible contamination issues. During the process, water leaks and moisture stains within the house will be identified. Air conditioning, heating systems, and crawl spaces will also receive inspection. Visual inspection in combination with air, tape, and swab sampling will ensure the inspector will be able to determine the source of the contamination problem and remediate it.

Air Sampling:

The purpose of air sampling is to determine the type and amount of airborne contaminants present. Air sampling is performed when the presence of mold is suspect, due to musty odors and allergies but cannot be determined through the visual inspection. Air sampling is performed on both the indoor and outdoor air for a comparison to determine where problems exist or originate. The indoor sample is taken when the AC or heating systems are in operation to ensure an effective and accurate test.

Tape/Swab Sampling:

Tape/swab samples are typically collected from visually moldy areas of an interior area using a sterile swab. This type of test is done to determine the type of mold infestation.

Recommendation and Laboratory Results:

Once all tests have been performed and the problems evaluated, actions can be planned to avoid further problems and prevent future contamination. Based upon the samples, evidence gathered, and lab analysis results regarding the contamination problem, your inspector can provide a detained written report for reference and disclosure.

If mold exists, the underlying cause of the water damage must be corrected

Containment:

Containment is the practice of separating or sealing the affected area to keep mold from growing in previously uncontaminated areas.

Removal/Cleanup and Safety:

We use "Cal-Brite"; a USDA approved, non-toxic, and environmentally safe, odorless cleaning product, proven effective for over 18 years. We follow current and evolving mold remediation standards with proper safety precautions and equipment.

Prevention:

We use mold inhibitors in our remediation process. The use of mold inhibitors is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the prevention of mold.

These services made possible by Caltex International.