Mold Remediation

DOEE. Mold Remediation License Approved.

Mold Remediation, Montgomery County, Frederick, MD

Musty odor? Do you think it’s mold?

If you are concerned about a mold problem in your home, do not hesitate to schedule mold removal/remediation services. Call us at: (240) 316-8940 and get a free estimate.

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Mold Remediation, Maryland, DC & Virginia

If you recently had water damage in your home, it is possible - even likely - that you have mold growth occurring in your home. Failing to test for - and remove - mold can have negative impacts on your health and the health of the occupants of your home.

Mold can grow quickly and can spread quickly thought your home if left unchecked. Restorclean professionals utilize proper mold remediation techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to protect you and your property.

Removal of Mold

Prevention of mold growth indoors is only possible if the factors that allow it to grow are identified and controlled. When prevention has failed and visible growth has occurred in a home or building, remediation and/or restoration may be required. The extent of the mold growth will determine the scope of the remediation required. The goal of remediation is to remove or clean mold-damaged material using work practices that protect occupants by controlling the dispersion of mold from the work area and protect the workers from exposure to mold. You should consult a Restoreclean professional when contemplating fixing a large area of mold growth. Generally, remediation requires:

a) Removal of porous materials showing extensive microbial growth,
(b) Physical removal of surface microbial growth on non-porous materials to typical background levels
(c) Reduction of moisture to levels that do not support microbial growth. Identification of the conditions that contributed to microbial proliferation in a home or building is the most important step in remediation. No effective control strategy can be implemented without a clear understanding of the events or building dynamics responsible for microbial growth.

Following the completion of the remediation process, mold testing should be performed to obtain clearance.

Symptoms of Mold Exposure

The most common symptoms of mold exposure are runny nose, eye irritation, cough, congestion and aggravation of asthma. Individuals with persistent health problems that appear to be related to mold or other types of air quality contaminant exposure should see their physicians for a referral to specialists who are trained in occupational/environmental medicine or related specialties and are knowledgeable about these types of exposures. Decisions about removing individuals from an affected area must be based on the results of such medical evaluation.

Mold is naturally present in outdoor environments, and we share the same air between the indoor and outdoor. It is impossible to eliminate all mold spores indoors.

Ten Things You Should Know About Mold

1) Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory problems.

2) There is no practical way to completely eliminate mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. The way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.

3) If mold is a problem in your home or building, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.

4) To prevent mold growth any source of a water problem or leak must be repaired.

5) Indoor humidity must be reduced (generally below 60%) to reduce the chances of mold growth by: adequately venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dish washing and cleaning.

6) Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

7) Clean mold off of hard surfaces with water and detergent and dry completely.

8) Prevent condensation: reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (e.g., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.

9) In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem on the floor, do not install carpeting.

10) Mold can be found almost anywhere. Mold can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods; almost anything can support some mold growth provided there is moisture, time to grow and food to eat.

Common Questions About Mold Removal and Restoration

Is mold growing in my home?

Indoor mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float thought outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of molds, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

How do I get rid of mold?

Molds gradually destroy the things they grow on. You can prevent damage to your home and furnishings, save money, and avoid potential health problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth. It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growing in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem. If you clean the mold, but don't fix the moisture problem, then most likely, the mold problem will come back.

Why causes mold to develop?

Mold requires nutrients, water, oxygen and favorable temperatures to grow. Nutrients for mold are present in dead organic material such as wood, paper or fabrics; mold can also derive nutrients from some synthetic products such as paints and adhesives. Mold requires moisture, although some mold species can obtain that moisture from moist air when the relative humidity is above 70%. Many molds thrive at normal indoor temperatures; few if any molds are able to grow below 40 degrees F or above 100 degrees F. Outside this range molds may remain dormant or inactive; they may begin to grow again when the temperature is more favorable.

Temperatures well above 100 degrees will kill mold and mold spores, but the exact temperature required to kill specific species is not well-established.

More importantly it is absolutely possible to keep mold from growing inside a building. Moisture control is the key to controlling mold in interior spaces. Air filtration can contribute to lowering mold spores in the air but is secondary to moisture control.

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Contact usif you have questions or need information about mold remediation.