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Hi, I’m Mike, owner and Council Certified Mold Hygienist. As a leader in mold industry, I wanted to give you a brief explanation of mold and what to expect during residential or commercial mold remediation.
Fungi and mold are a major cause of indoor air quality (IAQ) problems because of exposure to fungal and mold parts that can cause allergic reactions in many people. Mold sensitivity varies from person to person. Those more sensitive are children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Some molds give off toxins called mycotoxins, some of them can actually cause cancer. Mycotoxins are poisonous substances produced by mold. They can be toxic for humans when they are eaten, absorbed into the skin, or inhaled. Poisoning by mycotoxins is called mycotoxicosis.
Irritation
Moldy odors, these odors come from volatile organic compounds produced by mold. It can irritate mucous membranes and cause headaches and other symptoms.
Allergic Reations
Typically the most common health problems. Symptoms include respiratory problems with difficulty breathing, nasal and sinus congestion, burning / watery or reddened eyes, dry hacking cough, nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, skin irritation, headaches, memory problems, mood changes, aches, pains, and possible fever.
Infection
There are an estimated 200 species of mold known to cause infections in humans, and immune-suppressed individuals who are especially at risk. Infections can be localized or systemic. Some fungi can affect hair, skin, and nails. Aspergillosis is a common fungal infection requiring hospitalization.
Toxicosis
Many species of mold produce toxic metabolites called mycotoxins, which are believed to be most prevalent in spores. Mycotoxins have caused nerve damage, organ damage, and cancer. Symptoms of toxicosis from mold include cold and flu-like symptoms, headaches, nosebleeds, memory problems, fatigue, dermatitis, and immune suppression.
First Call has helped thousands in times of need. From neighbors to businesses we have been there every step of the way.
During Hurricane Irene and Sandy we deployed all our staff to tirelessly work alongside the Red Cross to help get our community back together again.
Find out what makes First Call the Leading Mold Remediation company in the Hudson Valley
You don’t have to have a flood to develop a mold issue. It can be caused by condensation or a high relative humidity (RH). So what’s condensation? It can be the frost or wet windows (on the INSIDE). It can be wet walls in the bathroom after taking a shower. That’s why you need to run the bathroom fan.
Mold can also develop from high humidity (RH), whether it be from a hot humid summer days or a damp basement. You don’t want an RH that is near 60%. An alarm should sound in your head if the RH is at 60% or above.
Mold is everywhere, outside and inside our homes and workspace. As building structures breath they circulate the mold spores. Air currents and HVAC systems also add to the movement of spores. Mold spores are always present, it just needs a few more ingredients to grow. The recipe is as follows: moisture, food source and a dark cozy place. Its food source is easy to find. Carpet backing, drywall, cardboard, and wood are just of the appetizing item to mold spores. Now to finish the recipe, add moisture or water. Once conditions are right, spores can germinate within 12 hours, colonies can begin to form within 24 hours. Spores can be produced within 48-72 hours.
It’s important to know that if the moisture / water issue isn’t corrected mold will continue to grow. Left untreated mold has a “stacking affect.” Meaning the spores build up and move upward. For example, if a basement has enough mold, it is very likely the spores will travel to the main level. Again, air currents and HVAC systems aid in the movement of spores. They may not be visible yet on the main level yet but if an air test was done it would show an increased number of spores compared to outside.
If you have more than 10SF of mold, NY State requires you have a licensed Mold Assessor inspect the area of concern to make sure it’s actually mold and write a remediation plan for the remediation company. The Department of Labor (DOL) now over sees mold remediation since NY State established NY State Article 32 in 2015. For more information, please visit https://dol.ny.gov/mold-program.
All of our mold remediation services start with a comprehensive inspection. We want to understand the extent of the damage before creating a remediation plan.
Next, we perform containment in the affected area using an air filtration or negative air pressure device. This method will inhibit the spread of mold to other areas of the property.
Then, our professionally trained team performs a complete mold removal and disposal using specialized equipment and techniques. We complete the process by replacing or restoring your mold-damaged items while putting proper safety measures in place.
“I was highly impressed with everyone at First Call from start to finish. All my questions were answered respectfully, they arranged an appointment right away, and the work was done neatly, completely, and quickly. The cost of remediation was VERY fair. I can see why they were highly recommended! Many thanks!!”
– Jane Lenard
Excellent service from this company. Very knowledgeable and thorough. Put my mind at ease with the mold removal. I can’t recommend them enough.
– Rhonda Kleman
First Call Restoration identifies the extent of the mold damage using training and equipment. We can locate and effectively tackle all cases of mold.
Yes, First Call Restoration’s mold removal can help prevent future mold issues. For example, some measures may include:
The mold removal and mitigation process takes one to seven days, depending on the extent of the infestation and the severity of the overall property damage.
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