With more than 10,000 known kinds, molds are a natural part of our indoor and outdoor environments. They can be found just about anywhere there’s moisture and oxygen, thriving especially well in the warm, damp, and humid conditions familiar to Oklahomans.
However, the prevalence of mold in the Sooner State doesn’t necessarily make it safe, especially if it shows up in your home or business. Mold can cause serious allergic reactions and contribute to chronic illness, so no matter what kind you think you have, it’s important to remove it.
The Mold Consultant is a locally-owned BBB-accredited business with more than 10 years of experience treating mold in the Oklahoma City area. Led by Luke Hibbs, a state licensed industrial hygienist, our team of expert technicians are trained certified microbial remediation supervisors (CMRS), certified residential mold inspectors (CRMI), and certified restorers (CR), all accredited by the Restoration Industry Association (RIA), the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA), and the American Indoor Air Quality Council (AIAQC).
Understanding Mold
Mold is a fungus that requires moisture, darkness, and organic material to grow. As it grows, spores, cells, and other compounds from the mold can be released into the air, producing irritants, allergens, and mycotoxins that can be detrimental to human health.
Treating and removing mold is very important because it can pose a serious risk to your health and the health of anyone else in the building. It can cause or exacerbate chronic conditions like asthma and allergies, and certain strains, like Stachybotrys chartarum, can even cause problems like bone marrow suppression.
4 Signs You May Have a Mold Problem
Mold problems begin slowly, and many homes and businesses don’t realize that they have an issue until the mold has become well-established.
Here are 4 signs you may have a mold problem.
- Physical symptoms. The most common symptoms of mold in the area are respiratory issues such as sneezing or a scratchy throat. Even if you don’t normally have allergies, mold can create allergic-type responses, including a runny nose, watery eyes, or stuffiness. Those with allergies may notice more severe symptoms.
The physical symptoms caused by mold are often overlooked or initially blamed on things like spending time outside or maybe coming down with a cold. A tell-tale sign that discomfort is caused by mold and not other things is a persistence in symptoms even with treatment, or symptoms that worsen when in a particular building or room, then seem to subside outside of it. - Sour or musty smell. Because mold symptoms are easily ignored or attributed to other causes, the first real indication that most people notice is the smell. Mold traps (and thrives on) moisture, which can result in a musty or sour smell. As air is piped through a building’s HVAC system, this odor can spread far from its origin.
- Discoloration. Discoloration is the most obvious indication of mold and can look like water spots on a wall or blue, green, or black specks. The seams of a surface, such as grout lines, are the most likely place for these symptoms to appear.
- Sticky or wet surfaces. Additionally, if you notice moist spaces or areas that seem to always be sticky, tacky, or humid, mold may already be growing but not yet visible.
Mold Prevention Strategies
Simple prevention strategies can go a long way in protecting your home or business from mold. And, when it comes to this frustrating fungus, the old adage about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure is more than true, since once mold starts to grow, it is extremely difficult to get rid of.
Here are 3 important steps you can take to prevent mold in your home or business.
- Reduce the humidity. Humidity that is comfortable for humans—between 30% and 50%—is too low for most mold growth. By controlling the humidity in your building, you eliminate the moisture mold needs to thrive. This can be done by changing décor, adding a dehumidifier, or even installing a humidity controller on the HVAC unit itself. Aim for around 40% humidity, but be sure to check closets and enclosed spaces periodically, which may be more damp.
- Properly ventilate. Another way to reduce the moisture in a space is with ventilation. This does not necessarily mean opening windows, but it could, depending on the weather outside. You can also achieve ventilation through fans and regular airflow. Something as simple as keeping a door open could be sufficient.
- Proper insulation. Building insulation also plays a big role in preventing mold. Outside moisture from rain and humidity seeps through the intake vents in the soffits. This is an intentional feature of attic spaces, but without insulation, that moist air goes right up against (and around) the ceiling of your structure. This introduces wet air and a damp environment for mold.
Professional Mold Remediation Services
Once a mold problem has begun, it will not go away on its own, and no amount of scrubbing, cleaning, or painting will get rid of it. However, acting quickly with early professional mediation treatment can stop the growth that releases spores into other parts of the building and eliminate any existing mold.
If you suspect or have seen visual evidence of mold in your home or business, it’s important to enlist professional mold remediation services that include:
- Inspection. Experts can identify mold at its source, including where it is coming from and what type of mold you’re dealing with. This allows for a precise plan that addresses your specific needs with as few invasive procedures as possible.
- Mold removal. Once you’ve identified the mold, you need to get rid of it—for good. Professional mold removal services will eliminate existing mold so that it can no longer cast its spores to other areas of the home. Mold removal also includes as many preventative measures as possible and additional education about what caused the mold in the first place so that you can keep it from coming back.
- Air purification and structural drying. Sometimes, an unavoidable issue like a flood can make mold growth more likely. Professional mold remediation services can help you to purify the air in your home or business and dry your building so that mold can’t gain a foothold. If mold already exists, they can help contain and remove it so that it doesn’t spread.
Mold remediation experts like those at The Mold Consultant have access to the tools necessary for a thorough understanding of the mold problem. From industry-standard testing equipment to experience in critical areas like avoiding cross-contamination (which can affect whether the mold comes back later), professional remediators know what it takes to find mold and eliminate it. They also have personal protective equipment that keeps them—and you—safe from the possible health effects of mold.
Trust The Mold Consultant for Professional Mold Remediation in Oklahoma City
Mold might seem innocent enough—and in fact, you might be able to wipe it away and continue on as if nothing happened. But what you don’t see is the microscopic spores that remain, gaining a foothold and spreading throughout your home or office. To prevent mold, you can take some simple steps to ventilate your space and make it less habitable for fungi. If you’re already facing a mold problem, avoid the time, cost, and risk of tackling it yourself by entrusting the task to the experts instead.
As the leading mold testing company in the Oklahoma City area, The Mold Consultant offers comprehensive commercial and residential mold testing and inspection services including swab tests, viable air quality tests, and non-viable air tests, as well as tests for asbestos and radon. We use the latest technology to identify moisture intrusion points that can lead to mold growth and offer a range of non-destructive mediation solutions to keep your home or business clean and safe.
Don’t wait to find out if you have a mold problem. Call The Mold Consultant today for an inspection, a plan, and peace of mind.
