As the warm weather comes in, it’s time for enjoying the sun, having cookouts with friends and family, and getting away on vacation. The downside is that it’s also time for mold to take center stage. Warm temperatures and higher humidity levels increase the chance of mold infestations. This is especially true if it’s a rainier summer, making it that much more important to understand how you can avoid an infestation.
What is mold?
A common variety of fungus, mold comes in many forms, some toxic and others not. Mold requires four things to grow:
- Oxygen
- Moisture
- Warmth
- Nutrient Source
Organic material will sustain mold growth and can be several things in your household – from drywall and floorboards to the structural foundation you rely on for a safe home.
How does mold grow on buildings?
A common way that we see mold growth is in the aftermath of flooding, particularly in the Bay City area. That’s why we offer mold mitigation and elimination services that are typically a result of house floods due to:
- Plumbing Damage
- Melting Snow Runoff
- Sump Pump Failures
- Foundation Cracks
- Heavy Rainfall
- Severe Storms
- Firefighting Efforts
Back in March, we participated in Severe Weather Awareness Week, but it’s still just as relevant today to remember to plan for severe weather season. And that means that franchisors need to prep for both spreading prevention awareness and an influx of restoration projects.
It’s easy for the first instinct with mold to be attempting removal on your own. Unfortunately, there are many risks associated with DIY mold cleanup, perhaps the most important being that you could accidentally make a minor mold situation become a disaster.
Mold Services in the Midland Area
Not only does it ruin possessions and structures, but mold also impacts human health. From IAQ services to cleaning air ducts, our franchisors are part of a network of caring individuals who want to make their communities a safer place. We work quickly to locate, isolate, and mitigate mold growth to prevent it from spreading while we carefully eliminate the infestation.
How does mold impact a person’s health?
More often than not, mold will cause allergy symptoms, bring onset asthma, and persistent fatigue, although it likely will not be fatal.
Summer is Mold & Asbestos Season
Where the mold is found, asbestos has a chance of simultaneously existing, although not for the same reasons. Asbestos releases into the environment during construction, demolition, and manufacturing events, and contaminates the air, water, and soil.
It’s also common that asbestos-containing materials are at risk for hosting mold growth under the right (damp) circumstances. Drywall along with duct and pipe insulation, become targets for mold infestations, which is why we inform clients about our recommendation to test materials for asbestos if they are going to endure mold remediation.
How does asbestos impact a person’s health?
There are two forms of exposure to asbestos that pose health risks:
- Acute Exposure: Those who are exposed to high concentrations of asbestos within a short length of time, and
- Chronic Exposure: Exposure to lower levels of asbestos for a longer length of time.
As a higher health hazard than mold, asbestos causes illness over time, such as:
- Mesothelioma: Cancer in the lining of the lungs and abdominal cavity
- Lung Cancer: A disease that starts in the lungs where cells in the body grow out of control
- Asbestosis: Scarring of the lungs that makes breathing increasingly more difficult
Asbestos Priority & Regulations
Asbestos is a higher priority both in toxicity and regulations. While mold is not federally regulated, asbestos is, which means there are much stricter requirements for handling and removing. There are also state and municipal level requirements for inspections and abatement processes that require specific licensing.
Mold licensing is only mandated in a couple of states while still following strict industry standards. Asbestos licensing is necessary everywhere and regulations are mandated by many agencies, including the EPA, OSHA, and NIOSH. That means that if a mold-riddled item also contains asbestos, only certain professionals will be able to perform remediation.
Support from ServiceMaster
ServiceMaster Restoration by FUSON franchisors who offer asbestos and mold damage services tend to find themselves with more business helping home and business owners ensure their property is safe. It’s imperative that both asbestos and mold are carefully handled, which is where the expertise of our service shines. With decades of experience, customers rely on our knowledge and technologies.
We’re here to help if you need mold damage restoration in Midland.
