Knoxville Mold Information
What’s the deal with MOLD?
According to the CDC there are about 300 known types of fungi that are harmful to humans.
There is sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract infections in otherwise healthy people. Studies have shown links between early mold exposure in children and the development of asthma.
Mold exposure can cause a variety of reactions from nothing to allergy symptoms similar to pollen or animal allergies, skin rash, and flu like symptoms all the way up to and including fungal infections.
Black Mold
Black mold or Stachybotrys chartarum is a greenish-black mold usually associated with heavy water damage or areas of high moisture. Not all black mold is Stachybotrys.
Who is affected?
Those most likely to experience a negative health reaction to mold include:
Infants & Children
Elderly people
Pregnant women
Those suffering with respiratory issues
People with weakened immune systems
What to do?
If you find mold in your home there are several things you can do on your own.
-Identify and eliminate the source or cause
-Repair the damage
-Properly clean the area while taking necessary precautions to protect yourself and others.
DID YOU KNOW that mold can develop in your home and all it takes are three common things?
1. Moisture: Mold needs moisture to grow, which is why you see it all the time in showers and baths… and, unfortunately, in basements. You can clean up the mold in a shower or bath, but when you see it in other parts of the home, it’s best to call a pro.
2. Food: Mold is alive, and needs to eat. So usually you won’t see mold growing on plastic surfaces in your home. It will grow on wood and other organic surfaces. However, dirt in the carpet or on the floor can be a food source, so keeping your house super clean is smart.
3. Darkness: Mold likes the shadows of your home, and grows quickly in the dark. That’s why basements are often the first place mold is discovered.
Do-it yourself mold removal?
If you are going to clean up some mold in your house, it’s important to protect yourself. A mold removal specialist knows the dangers of mold, and if you hire a pro, you will see him all suited up and protected against possible contamination.
For cleaning up very small amounts of mold, like you might find in a shower stall, be sure to wear rubber gloves, the type that come up to your elbows. And wear a good mask, the type the EPA recommends (like an N-95 from your hardware store) so that you don’t inhale mold spores. Spores are actually the dangerous part of mold, and they are very tiny and float in the air, which means you can breathe them in. Eye protection goggles are also smart, but avoid goggles that have holes in them.
Remember, do-it-yourself mold removal is only for those common molds like in showers and baths. Anything else? Call a pro!
Call us @ 865-805-9714
24/7 emergency @ 865-804-7010
