Does your home have a persistent musty or earthy smell? You may have a mold problem that requires residential mold removal. Let's learn more about mold and removing it.

The Harms of Mold

Inhaling airborne mold spores can cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks, sinus congestion, coughing, sore throat, and other respiratory problems for you and your family members. Some molds also produce toxins called mycotoxins that further irritate mucous membranes and can cause neurological and immune system issues. Mold exposure is particularly harmful to children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems or respiratory conditions. According to the National Center for Healthy Houses, an estimated 6-10% of the general population is allergic to mold.

The Process of Inspecting and Testing for Mold

The first step is inspecting your home to identify all areas that have visible mold growth or water damage where mold could be hiding behind walls or under materials it is growing on. Pay special attention to damp basements or crawlspaces, bathrooms, under sinks, and near plumbing since these are common problem areas. If you find areas of possible mold, then you may want to test to identify the type before beginning residential mold removal. An environmental hygienist can take samples to determine what species are present and test their toxicity.

The Process of Removing Mold Properly

Any identifiable mold in your home needs to be cleaned up properly to get rid of it and stop it from spreading and causing health issues. Proper residential mold removal requires containing affected areas with plastic sheeting to avoid spreading spores as you work, removing all moldy materials, using special cleaning solutions to kill mold at the roots, completely drying affected areas, and taking special precautions to protect your health. Due to the dangers of exposure and spreading mold, professional mold remediation contractors have special training to do this properly and safely.

Don't let lingering musty smells and hidden mold take over your home and health. If you spot black, white, yellow, blue, or green spots that look like mold or smell its unpleasant funk, then take action. Our mold removal company can help to remove the mold in your home, as well as determine why it's there, so you can make repairs to prevent the issue from happening again. Call us now at America's Best Cleaning & Restoration Services to get started.