Few types of mold are toxic, but that doesn’t mean you want them in your building!
Mold is a very common indoor air contaminant. Out of the thousands and thousands of types of mold that exist, very few are toxic. Some molds, like penicillin, are actually beneficial. However, having any type of mold growing unchecked in your home or business can be a problem. You should always clean up mold when you find it, but you don’t need to really get worried unless one of these 4 scenarios applies:
The mold covers 3 square feet or more. In general, a small spot of mold is nothing to worry about. You can clean it up yourself, or, to be extra safe, you can throw out the material entirely. But if you have mold covering a very large area, you will need professional help from a mold remediation specialist like Microtech Environmental Services.
The mold is located near your HVAC system. You may be tempted to ignore mold in out of the way areas like basements and attics. But if mold spores get into your HVAC system, the problem can quickly spread to other parts of the building. Mold near vents or duct joints should be removed carefully to avoid contaminating the system.
The mold is gone but odors remain. If you’ve cleaned up all visible mold in an area but the moldy smell remains, there is likely mold growth occurring beneath the surface of your wall, floor, or ceiling. You won’t know the extent of the problem until you rip out the materials that had mold and check behind them.
You or anyone else feels sick. Some people have allergic reactions to mold spores or to the chemical byproducts created by mold as it grows. Symptoms may range from sneezing, runny nose, and eye irritation to fever and severe respiratory problems or lung infections in susceptible individuals. People with asthma may experience more frequent and severe attacks when exposed to mold.
Get Expert Mold Remediation Services
If you have a mold problem, Microtech can help. We’ll assist you in creating a plan for mold remediation, which will include advice on how to eliminate the moisture that is fueling mold growth as well as the removal of all contaminated porous materials and the cleaning of non-porous materials with an approved biocide. As a final step, we’ll vacuum the area with a HEPA filtered machine in order to capture any stray mold spores that may be left behind. Once we’re through, you won’t have to worry about mold anymore.