Restoreclean Pro. Mold Remediation, Cleanup and Testing

Mold Testing

Mold Testing, swap and air surface testing.

Free Mold Remediation estimated.

Air Surface Testing

Moisture Detection

Mold Testing, and Removal, Montgomery County MD

Mold Testing Services.

Musty odor? Do you think is mold?

Restoreclean. Offers: Mold testing and moisture inspection.

If you are concerned about a mold problem in your home, do not hesitate to schedule testing for mold. Call us at: (240)316-8940.

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 or if left unchecked. Restoreclean professionals utilize proper mold testing and mold remediation techniques and state-of- the-art equipment to protect you and your property.

Indoor Air Quality Testing

Introduction.

The fungi are a large group of organisms that include mold. In nature, the fungi and mold help breakdown and recycle nutrients in the environment. Mold are the most common type of fungi that grow indoors. Mold are microscopic organisms that live on plants, in the soil, and on animals, in fact almost anywhere food and moisture are available. Mold is everywhere present in the outdoor and normal indoor environments. It is in the air and on surfaces as settled dust. Exposure to mold is inevitable in everyday life. This, exposure to mold is considered part of a normal activity for most people. Only environments for which extraordinary preparations have been taken don’t have mold present in the air or on surfaces.

Understanding Mold Under the right conditions (moisture, a food source, and time) mold will grow, multiply and produce spores. Mold grows throughout nature as well as the built environment. Mold reproduces by microscopic cells called “spores” that can be spread easily through the air. Mold spores are always present in the indoor and outdoor air. There is mold that can grow on any organic substrate including wood, paper, carpet, food, ceiling tiles, dried fish, carpet, or any surface where dust has accumulated. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the

moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed.

There is no practical way to eliminate all mold spores in the indoor environment. The way to control indoor mold growth is to control the amount of moisture available to the mold.

Mold growth can become a problem in your home or office where there is sufficient moisture, and the right foodstuff is available. The key to preventing mold growth is to prevent all moisture problems. Of course, hidden mold can grow when there is water available behind walls, sinks, floors, etc. Indications of hidden moisture problems are discoloration of ceiling or walls, warped floors or condensation on the windows or walls.

Controlling Moisture.

The most critical step in solving a mold problem is to accurately identify and fix the source(s) of moisture that allowed the growth to occur. In order to prevent mold from growing, it is important that water damaged areas be dried within a 24–48-hour period. If a small amount of mold is present in the home, the mold can be cleaned up with a mild detergent and the excess water or moisture removed. It is not necessary to try and kill the mold or its spores. You can carefully remove the moldy materials if necessary.

There are many common sources of excess moisture that can contribute to indoor mold growth. Some of the primary means of moisture entry into homes and buildings are water leakage (such as roof or plumbing leaks), vapor migration, capillary movement, air infiltration, humidifier use, and inadequate venting of kitchen and

bath humidity. The key to controlling moisture is to generally reduce indoor humidity within 35% - 60% (depending on what climate you live in) and fix all leaks whatever their cause.

Mold Growth Sources If the source of moisture is not easily detected or you have a hidden water leak, mold testing can be helpful. Often a roof leak or a plumbing leak can be identified as the source. The difficulty arises when there is an odor present or when an occupant shows signs of mold exposure, but no visible mold can be seen. Excess water intrusion can also lead to dry rot of lumber and cause a serious structural defect in buildings.

Health Related Risks Based on the Institute of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, dampness and mold in homes is associated with increases in several adverse health effects including cough, upper respiratory symptoms, wheeze, and exacerbation of asthma. Mold and fungi contain many known allergens and toxins that can adversely affect your health. Scientific evidence suggests that the disease of asthma may be more prevalent in damp affected buildings. Dampness and mold in homes, office buildings and schools represent a public health problem. The Institute of Medicine concluded, “When microbial contamination is found, it should be eliminated by means that not only limit the possibility of recurrence but also limit exposure of occupants and persons conducting the remediation”.

Common questions about Mold?

Mold is growing in my home?

Indoors 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 mold, 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. lt 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 grow 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, 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 per cent. Many molds thrive at normal indoor temperatures; few if any molds are able to grow below 40f or above 100f. Outside this range molds may remain dormant or inactive; they may begin to grow again when the temperature is more favorable .

Temperatures well above 100f 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.

Servicing:

Maryland, DC & Northern Virginia