What is Mold?

Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive.

There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.

5 Criteria Must Be Met for Mold to Grow: 1) Organic food - natural materials such as paper, wood and/or soil are ideal stages for mold to develop 2) Moisture or high humidity – no moisture, no mold 3) Moderate temperature – labs incubate most household molds at about 77F, although they grow well in a range of 68F to 86F. Below that range, especially, the growth is slowed and the response time envelope is considerably extended 4) Stagnant air – most microbes do not like fresh moving air, which removes moisture from surfaces 5) Time – germination takes about two to three days under ideal conditions for most household molds

-- mold spores under a microscope

Should I Be Concerned About Mold in My Property?
When airborne mold spores are present in large numbers, they can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections and other respiratory problems for people. Exposure to high spore levels can cause the development of an allergy to the mold. Mold also can cause structural damage to your property.

How Do Molds Affect People?
Some people are more sensitive to molds than others. They include:

-- Infants and children

-- Elderly persons

-- Immune comprise patients

-- Individuals with existing respiratory conditions, such as allergies and asthma

The same amount of mold may cause health effects in one person, but not in another. Exposure to molds can cause allergic symptoms such as watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, itching, coughing, wheezing, headache and fatigue.

If you suspect mold-related health issues, you will need to contact an Industrial Hygienist to determine the contamination type and levels before remediation can begin. Contact JCR for assistance in finding the appropriate environmental professionals for your particular situation.

What is Mold Remediation?
 

Mold remediation, also known as mold removal, is the process by which a certified and/or trained professional performs the removal and/or cleanup of mold from an indoor environment. When these levels become abnormally high as determined by indoor air quality testing or a mold inspection, remediation is recommended to be carried out by a professional remediation company.

Five Typical Steps of Professional Mold Removal & Remediation

--- mold remediation technician in full PPE gear

1) Source Identification: Through the use of moisture detection equipment, such as thermal imaging, JCR technicians will identify moisture intrusion in residential and commercial structures. Potential sources of moisture include: Flooding, Leaky Roofs, Humidifiers, Damp Basements or Crawl Spaces, Constant Plumbing Leaks, and Clothes Dryers that have been vented indoors. The source of the moisture must be addressed before remediation can begin. 2) Containment: Technicians isolate the area of contamination to eliminate the spread of mold spores to other areas of the property.

3) Filtration: HEPA air filters and negative air machines run continuously throughout the project. Mold spores, dust, MVOCs, and other airborne debris are removed from the air.

4) Removal and Cleanup: Contaminated materials are removed or remediated according to mold remediation guidelines. Drywall, carpet, furniture, and other damaged materials may have to be replaced to prevent mold from returning.

5) Replacement: JCR's reconstruction teams can provide and install all the new building materials required to return all effected areas of the property to its pre-loss condition.