If you think mold isn’t that toxic, think again. As of 2012, 7 million deaths per year are due to the presence of mold in homes or buildings. This means 1 in 8 people globally die from a mold problem.
Mold manages to make an unwelcome appearance in many residences and can drastically impact your home’s well-being. It begins with an unhealthy amount of moisture inside the home or building, exposing mold spores that spread quickly.
Concentrated high levels of airborne molds can be extremely dangerous and can release chemicals known as mycotoxins that are unknowingly inhaled. Without proper mold abatement (removal) performed by a reputable company, existing mold can cause severe respiratory problems like asthma and allergies. Mold can also cause a weakened immune system.
There are various ways to prevent mold growth, but not getting rid of existing mold can lead to long-term health problems. If your home or place of work has been introduced to water damage and hasn’t been completely dried within 48 hours — you should consider your home or place of work to be mold-infested. Luckily, removal of mold is easy with mold abatement service.
WHAT ARE MOLD ABATEMENT SERVICES?
As aforementioned, mold is a type of harmful fungus that can grow in damp and humid areas. Without professional removal, mold can ruin the health of anyone, and ruin the safety of any building. This is where mold abatement comes into play. Mold abatement services are used to carefully remove mold from buildings and homes.
Companies that provide mold abatement services typically use a combination of methods such as physical removal, and chemical or biological treatment. These efficient methods are used to remove any mold build-up.
Keep in mind that mold can be in places you can’t visibly see, which is another reason to hire a reputable company to take care of your mold removal needs. Mold is tricky to take off and is a time-sensitive issue. The longer the existing mold can grow, the more problems it’s going to cause. With so many people dying from mold, you’ll want to take mold removal seriously.
Looking to prevent mold? Inspections can be done on any building. During an inspection, a sample will be taken via tape lifts or spore traps. Even if there isn’t any mold present in those samples, a thorough cleaning is still done to aid in preventing the formation of mold.
OUR MOLD ABATEMENT IN LOS ANGELES
The process of removing mold from a property or building is termed mold abatement or mold remediation. The presence of mold has the ability to cause many lasting negative health effects; therefore mold remediation is an important approach. Any structure subject to flooding or major water damage, should be presumed as contaminated with mold if the building materials were not thoroughly dried within a 48 hour time period. It is recommended that immediate steps are taken to prevent further exposure and risk of mold health hazards.
Assessing the level of human exposure is an important aspect of the initial stages of mold abatement. A visual inspection is the first important step in detecting potential mold contamination and hazards. This assessment is a crucial part of determining the project design and personal protective equipment necessary for workers health safety. There are certain materials to keep an eye out for in particular: Ceiling tiles, cardboard, drywall, paper and other plant based materials.
An important thing to know is that not all mold contamination is visible or obvious, and contamination of the interiors of ceilings and walls is commonly found. Ventilation systems are also susceptible to mold contamination and should be checked for damp filters and conditions. An HVAC system should not be run if mold contamination is detected.
SAMPLING
Taking mold samples such as tape lifts or spore traps (air sample) are a routine part of building inspections. Decisions concerning the need for PPE can be made solely on the visual inspection in most cases. Remediation should be done regardless of whether samples are taken in the case that visible mold is present.
CLEANING
A series of actions are taken during mold removal, and the type of actions can vary case-by-case. The following steps are typically taken regardless of whether the problem is small or large.
- If needed: Take emergency action to stop water leaks or intrusion
- Establish containment around the mold problem and supply protection for workers and inhabitants.
- Eradicate or limit sources of water and moisture.
- Decontaminate and/or remove materials that are damaged.
- Dry out the wet materials, if possible.
- Make an evaluation as to whether the space has been effectively remediated, air sampling can be done.
Mold may be removed with a bleach solution of 1-cup bleach to 1-gallon of water for cleaning purposes. Note: never mix ammonia or ammonia-containing products with bleach products. If mold growth or water damage is extensive, then you should contact a mold remediation contractor to properly assess the damage. More aggressive steps in mold abatement procedures should then be taken. The experienced staff who provide mold abatement in Los Angeles can help!
SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL’S TOP RATED MOLD ABATEMENT SERVICES
If your property has been exposed to a great amount of water damage, you need to get mold abatement services as soon as possible. You only have a 24-48 hour window after water damage has occurred to dry out your home or building. After that window is over, mold has already begun to grow.
No matter whether you need mold abatement or help with controlling fire damage, Sensitive Environmental has your back.
Sensitive Environmental is a company that offers mold abatement services in Los Angeles, Orange County, and Southern California. We are one of the top-rated mold removal companies in the area. Here at Sensitive Environmental, we offer multiple services to the residents of California, including asbestos abatement, lead paint removal, and fire damage restoration.
Don’t wait for health problems to arise before you handle the mold problem, call us today for a free consultation! We understand that life’s greatest challenges happen when you least expect it, that’s why we are open 24/7.
Need us now? Contact us!
A member of our staff will be more than happy to speak with you about what services you need and answer any other questions you may have. We want to help!