In order to know the risks and hazards of mold, you must have a better understanding of what mold is and how you can identify it.

So What is Mold?

Mold is a fungus that grows from spores and is essential for the breakdown of dead plant and animal matter. Usually these spores are inactive, but they grow when humidity exceeds 70 percent or when temperature goes above 65 degrees.

Mold is everywhere in our environment, both indoors and outdoors. Indoors you can usually find mold in the bathroom and in damp areas, such as the basement or kitchen . Outdoors, mold grows in areas such as grass, leaf piles, hay, and mulch. Mold is encountered daily and by everyone. It causes food to spoil, wood to rot, paper to smell musty, etc.

That fuzzy black stuff on wet window sills is mold. Paper or fabrics stored in a damp place get a musty smell that is due to the presence of molds.

Identifying Mold

Active mold growth is slimy and usually green, black, orange or purple. Inactive mold is powdery and is usually white. In early stages , mold may look like a web, but in full bloom it looks bushy.

Another indicator of mold presence is odor. Mold has a musty, earthy smell that can indicate its presence even if hidden .

Mold Area

Mold and mildew removal should be done early when the damage is limited to a small area. A small area is usually defined as three patches of mold, smaller than ten square feet. A moderate area of mold is defined if there are more than three patches, but each patch is smaller than ten square feet.

A mold area is considered extensive if a single patch of mold is larger than 32 square feet.

The humid and balmy climate of Birmingham, Alabama requires residents to not only manage water problems, but mold and mildew concerns as well. With hot summers, mild winters, and abundant rainfall, the homeowners of Birmingham consider mold remediation an important procedure .

Birmingham’s vulnerability to the ruining effects of water is combined with its unique location in the center of the tornado alley and its being near the waters of the central Gulf Coast. Mold remediation, thus, has become a very important process for every homeowner in the region . This is more notable among households that have to contend with the angst of a flooded basement year in and year out .

Residents in Birmingham do not only perform efficient water removal, water extraction, and water damage cleanup and restoration activities. They also need mold and mildew remediation in order to render their homes relatively free from the associated risks of water damage.

In implementing an efficient mechanism to render the home free from mold and mildew, the following are a few guidelines any homeowner can use.

1.     The quickness of the removal and extraction of water and moisture from the flooded areas of the home is the main focus of efforts to correct the problems from mold. This is vital in ensuring that mold or mildew will not able to form and grow in these parts of the home. Using appropriate devices and equipment designed to remove water all at once is required.

2.     The use of sub-surface extractors to eliminate water as well as minute particles and debris in the flood water is the main goal in mold and mildew remediation. The device can also reduce, if not eliminate, moisture or water vapor from the air in order to reduce or eliminate the opportunities for mold and mildew growth and reproduction.

3.     In situations when sub-surface extractors are not available, using a dehumidifier can help to reduce or eliminate moisture from the air. Both subsurface extractors and dehumidifiers can reduce the chances of mold from growing and wreaking an entirely different kind of concern for the whole household .

4.     The use of an ordinary bleach or ammonia solution to clean the area where mold and mildew have grown and is taking over is also recommended. However, caution is required not to mix ammonia and bleach together in a single solution because the resulting chemical reaction can release toxic fumes which are damaging to one’s health.

The main thing why it is necessary to institute mold remediation in your home is because of mold’s adverse effects on human health. Mold and mildew have been known to release microscopic spores that can travel in the air and reach a person’s respiratory passages and eventually the lungs .

Although these spores are non-pathogenic in themselves they do serve as ‘allergens’ to the body. The body then implements a host of immune system responses to get rid of the allergens resulting in the symptoms we often hear about.

Birmingham homeowners will not have to worry about any health issues as a result of mold growth as long as the remediation guidelines are followed

Mold damage repair can be a very involved procedure. The spores of the mold can spread throughout your house and could create respiratory problems. Because of this, there are very specific guidelines when it comes to handling mold. It is for this reason that it is a situation that is best handled by the professionals.

Do determine the kind of mold it is

Any kind of mold remediation begins with identifying what variation of mold it is. The reason for this is that there are some kinds of mold which are extremely hazardous to the point that it can cause death upon those who are exposed to it in prolonged periods of time . Professionals should be able to come in and take some samples for identification purposes . It is only when the mold is named that they can determine what the best course of action is.

Don’t forget to use the right materials

There are some mold infestations that can be found only on the surfaces of the home . These are called topical infestations. Although these are typically easy to clean up , the cleaning agents used to get rid of them should be specifically formulated for molds. Bleach should not be used because it tends to add moisture when the excess water is the reason why the molds grew in the first place .

Do inspect every area of the home

Mold is often found in areas that you don’t usually see . The spores can invade drywall and even the insulation of the home and grow there. In addition to this , it is important not to disturb the mold to prevent it from reaching other places. Professional mold remediators will inspect even hidden areas to see the true severity and level of toxicity of the mold problem. Before hiring a contractor , always see if they are licensed and if they follow the guidelines given by professional and government agencies.