Protecting Your House from Mold in the Spring

Posted by STN Admin on

 

Mold is an ever-present organism mostly found in the outdoor air. Although in its dry state, it may cause some mild allergic reactions such as sneezing and coughing, it is when mold finds a home in a dark, moist environment that it becomes far more dangerous to residences and buildings. 

In the spring, the added moisture and warm temperatures create the perfect environment for mold to grow. It only needs to be in a location left undisturbed. Once it begins to grow, the mold will consume organic materials such as wood and drywall. The spores multiply into the millions which not only spreads the mold further, it can affect the health of those living inside. 

But there are ways to control the mold in your home before it can become an issue. By taking a few steps today, you can prevent most incidents involving mold from developing in your house. The key is to inspect and act before the mold can settle. 

Controlling Mold Growth

While mold will find its way into your home, you can keep it from doing any damage by following these instructions. 

Lower Humidity Levels: Mold needs moisture to grow. By reducing the humidity level in your home to under 50%, it will become difficult for the mold to grow and spread. Purchase a humidity level meter to monitor the results inside your home. 

Fix Leaks: A water pipe leak serves as the perfect growing area for mold. Fix all leaks in the roof, walls, basement, and anywhere there is plumbing. 

Keep the Air Moving: Turning on fans in rooms with higher humidity levels, such as the exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom robs mold of the moisture it needs to grow. 

Cleaning Up Mold

If the mold has established itself in your home, whether near a leaky pipe or a moist area inside the walls, you can remove it using one of the most common household chemicals, bleach. The bleach is more than powerful enough to destroy mold and mildew on contact. However, you will need to handle it with care. 

  • Wear rubber gloves, rubber boots, and goggles
  • Open windows and turn on fans 
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the use of bleach
  • Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Only mix with water

Apply the bleach with a sponge directly to the area covered with the mold. Once you wipe away the mold, dry the area using a fan. You’ll want to keep the air moving until it’s dry. However, if you discover a large patch of mold, then chances are the infiltration will be far more than you can effectively clean up. That is the time to call a professional mold removal service. 

If you suspect that your home is infested with mold based on having unexplained musty odors for example, then you should get it tested. In many cases, mold does not reveal itself in the open until after it has caused considerable damage. After a flooding event or if musty odors are present, hire a professional company to inspect your home for mold.

Contact Brickley Environmental Today 

With numerous dangers facing your home or business, calling the professionals at Brickley Environmental is a good place to start. We offer our knowledge and experience along with the tools to detect and remove infestations of various types. The services provided by Brickley Environmental include the following. 

  • Asbestos Abatement
  • Mold Remediation
  • Lead-Based Paint Removal 
  • Demolition 
  • Hazardous Waste Removal

If you are facing any of these issues, call Brickley Environmental today. Our friendly, courteous staff will take your call and answer your questions, so you can make the best-informed decision about what to do next. At Brickley Environmental, we are here to help you.

New Bill Addresses Mold Removal in Public Buildings

Posted by STN Admin on

In South Carolina, a bill was introduced into the State House, which if approved, will change the way mold removal is performed in the state. The bill seeks to employ greater oversight into how mold is removed in public buildings. A committee will be formed to examine the scope of the issue and how best to remove any mold that is in place.

The co-sponsors of the bill are responding to recent issues in the Cherokee County schools, Spartanburg County courthouse, and public housing in Greenville that have dealt with the presence of mold. The goal of the committee is to come up with an informed recommendation to the General Assembly about how mold removal in public buildings can be performed in the future.

How Mold Became an Issue

Mold is present virtually everywhere, but it presents little threat to public health or the state of buildings until it attaches itself to organic materials and begins to grow. In moist areas, mold can grow virtually anywhere. The people of South Carolina have faced the threat of mold in the past given their location and nature of climate. However, only recently has the threat of mold been dealt with in a serious manner in terms of their public buildings.

South Carolina’s warm and humid climate leads to the growth of mold. In large public buildings, especially those that are aging and may need repair, the threat of mold growth is a viable one. This may be in part because older structures have more cracks or holes that allow moisture to enter and mold to take hold. Left unchecked, mold becomes a serious issue for the health of buildings and people.

Once the mold attaches itself to the interior of a wall, it can grow rapidly and consume the organic materials, such as wood. This, in turn, weakens the structure. Another threat is the spores created by the mold, which affect the health of those who live or work inside.

Left unchecked, mold can severely damage residences and buildings. Some to the point where repairs become incredibly expensive and in rare cases, the structure must be torn down. Whether a building serves the public or is home to your family, it is important to address the presence of mold with the right team of experts.

Brickley Environmental is Here for You

If you suspect that your residence or building has mold, please call the experts at Brickley Environmental. The presence of mold may have a profound effect on the structure and those living or working inside. We have the knowledge, experience, and equipment to identify the presence of mold and remove it quickly from your home, office, or facility.