We all have mold problems. You may not know it yet or you may not be fully aware that you do, but this is why we are here to talk about it, in a no-nonsense style. 

Mold is naturally occurring; hence, it’s also sort of inevitable. You may want to look for effective ways to keep your office dust-free.

And when you stumble upon the tiniest bit of mold in your home or in your office, you act immediately. Here’s why. 

What is mold and what causes it? 

Molds are a form of fungi that grow on just about everything—food, clothing, and porous materials like wood, drywall, and even insulation. 

Mold is a common household problem. Where there is moisture, you can expect mold to grow. But mold growth is especially rampant during the hot summer and autumn months, as heat and humidity are a dangerous duo that ignites mold. Dark places also provide an easy avenue for mold growth. 

Why should you be concerned about mold growth?

Unlike most natural things, mold growth is not good. It’s destructive. It destroys property material, causing wood and other porous matter to become weak and require replacement. 

Apart from causing property damage, molds also pose an even bigger threat to health and safety. Prolonged and repeated exposure to mold may trigger adverse health concerns on some people. Mold spores can penetrate the surrounding air and cause allergic reactions and respiratory symptoms. 

How can you tell if you have a mold problem?

In most cases, mold is easily visible on surfaces. You can detect the presence of molds through their colors which come in black, green, gray, and brown. Apart from their identifiable colors, they also produce a smell that can be musty, stale, earthy, or pungent. 

Another telltale sign that you may have a mold problem is if people around start having health issues such as breathing problems and coughing and sneezing out of nowhere. 

If you suspect you may have a mold problem, you may want to look into mold remediation. 

What is a mold remediation?

Mold remediation is the elimination of harmful mold growth through a wide-scale systematic series of tests and processes which include mold testing, removal, demolition, sanitation, containment, and mold cleaning.

Mold remediation is highly recommended for buildings and spaces where mold growth is widespread and severe. 

What to expect on a mold remediation job?

Mold remediation can either be done by the building owner or a mold remediation company or contractor. This depends on how large the affected area is. Moldy areas beyond 10 square feet must already be handled by a mold remediation company.

Here’s how the mold remediation process goes:

Containment and validation

Proper ventilation and air filtration devices ensure that disturbed mold spores that have already contaminated the air do not spread out to an uninfected area.

Cleaning and disinfection

Infected materials are disposed of during this step in the process. Afterward, EPA-approved biocide or fungicide solutions are applied.

Remedy the mold source. 

Finding the source of the mold and fixing it is the next step. Since molds are caused by humidity, there will be a search for loose fan duct or faucet looks. Some fixes may be complex and may require the help of third-party repair providers. 

Encapsulate the mold

Encapsulation takes place when most of the mold has been rid of. Once the affected area is thoroughly dry, it is encapsulated by paint or similar material. Encapsulating the affected area when it’s not completely dry is a big no-no. 

Can you clean mold by yourself?

Sure, you can. For spaces less than 10 square feet, you can deal with the mold yourself as long as it’s not as severe a case. However, while you can absolutely handle these instances, it is still advised to contact the experts. A mold remediation specialist in Windham County, Connecticut can easily determine what kind of mold you are dealing with and do the best practices needed to get rid of these molds. 

However, while you are waiting for the experts, there are a couple of things that you can do once you found out you have mold in your building. 

Turn off fans and HVAC systems.

Doing so prevents the disturbed mold spores from spreading throughout the space, and even affecting the nearby areas.

Close off the room where the mold is found. 

As much as possible, seal the affected area and prevent any usage of it. This allows the mold to get contained only in that area. 

Find the source.

If you can determine the source of the mold yourself, then it would be helpful to the experts. Just make sure to not get yourself harmed in the process. 

When to call a professional?

Not all molds are toxic, but most can be a threat to health, so to be on the safe side of things, call the experts when the mold is widespread. You want a licensed and experienced professional in Windham County, Connecticut to handle your mold problem.

Prevention of molds

An even better idea is to prevent molds from ever growing in the first place. While mold spores can exist everywhere, you can stop them from growing by doing the following easy steps.

• Keep indoor humidity to less than 50 percent.
• Run maintenance checks on faucets and pipes in the comfort rooms, kitchens, and other water-connected appliances in the office. In case of leaks, have them fixed as soon as possible. 
• Utilize non-porous materials in the office like glass surfaces in place of wood and drywall. 
• Clean liquid spills on the carpet immediately. Use towels to soak as much of the spilled liquid on the carpet, and then use angle fans or blow-dry the affected spot so that the moisture does not reach the baseboards and cause mold growth. 
• Make use of disinfecting wipes that kill bacteria, viruses, and yes, even mold. The importance of disinfecting wipes in eliminating mold growth cannot be discounted. You can check Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) website for approved disinfectant wipes that you can use and are readily available in the market.