The group of fungi popularly called mold naturally clean up decaying organic material present in every ecosystem, but are not welcome inside homes. The spores this life form generates can be found everywhere, especially outdoors. When the right conditions exist indoors, populations explode exponentially, staining ceilings and walls with moist, dark, spreading discolorations. Basement mold removal is not only an aesthetic improvement, but also a protective health measure.
People recognize the value of the ecological niche that mold inhabits, but are also aware of the potential health threats it can produce. The fungus normally thrives in warm, dark spaces containing enough organic food sources for survival. When oxygen and water are also available in sufficient quantities, rapid reproduction occurs, and the colony becomes easily visible in less than two days.
While visible growth is no reason to panic, some varieties are actually considered toxic. Healthy individuals may notice mild congestion or other symptoms similar to a cold, but people with compromised immune systems, as well as the very young or old, can suffer much more serious consequences. Wheezing, irritated areas of skin, shortness of breath, and even fungal lung infections have been reported.
These distressing symptoms will not disappear until the population is controlled and eliminated, a process involving discovering and removing all moisture sources. Buildings normally are a fungal smorgasbord of edible wall paper, woods, fabric, and dust. When sufficient water is added, growth becomes very difficult to control. Moisture can come from slowly leaking appliances, pipes, or even poor external drainage.
Humidity in some regions is high naturally, and a sluggish indoor air circulation may add to the problem. Mechanical dehumidifiers are helpful in some cases, and many do more than lower the moisture content of air. They also filter particulate matter including spores and pollen, as well as other common airborne pollutants. Although helpful, they cannot solve the problem alone.
Finding and fixing small openings in ceilings or walls is crucial, especially in rooms lower than the ground surface. Basements containing water heaters or other appliances are the common sites of small but constant leaks that raise humidity levels to an ideal sixty percent. Improperly ventilated basement bathrooms with showers prevent standing water from evaporating. Until these issues are corrected, regrowth is guaranteed.
In limited outbreaks cleanup is usually a do-it-yourself homeowner project. Commercial formulas or simple bleach help disperse most signs, but most experts agree that removal of the affected housing materials provides a longer-lasting solution that prevents return. Because many infestations spread upward from the basement, colonies not completely disrupted can eventually inhabit all inner walls of an affected home.
When the outbreak is too widespread to handle alone, it may be necessary to consider hiring a remediation team to resolve the issue permanently. The initial cleanup will get rid of current growth, and may need to be followed by an inspection performed by a basement contractor, familiar with recommend longer-term solutions. Not only is this fungus a recognized health issue, but it can also severely impact the resale value of a structure.
People recognize the value of the ecological niche that mold inhabits, but are also aware of the potential health threats it can produce. The fungus normally thrives in warm, dark spaces containing enough organic food sources for survival. When oxygen and water are also available in sufficient quantities, rapid reproduction occurs, and the colony becomes easily visible in less than two days.
While visible growth is no reason to panic, some varieties are actually considered toxic. Healthy individuals may notice mild congestion or other symptoms similar to a cold, but people with compromised immune systems, as well as the very young or old, can suffer much more serious consequences. Wheezing, irritated areas of skin, shortness of breath, and even fungal lung infections have been reported.
These distressing symptoms will not disappear until the population is controlled and eliminated, a process involving discovering and removing all moisture sources. Buildings normally are a fungal smorgasbord of edible wall paper, woods, fabric, and dust. When sufficient water is added, growth becomes very difficult to control. Moisture can come from slowly leaking appliances, pipes, or even poor external drainage.
Humidity in some regions is high naturally, and a sluggish indoor air circulation may add to the problem. Mechanical dehumidifiers are helpful in some cases, and many do more than lower the moisture content of air. They also filter particulate matter including spores and pollen, as well as other common airborne pollutants. Although helpful, they cannot solve the problem alone.
Finding and fixing small openings in ceilings or walls is crucial, especially in rooms lower than the ground surface. Basements containing water heaters or other appliances are the common sites of small but constant leaks that raise humidity levels to an ideal sixty percent. Improperly ventilated basement bathrooms with showers prevent standing water from evaporating. Until these issues are corrected, regrowth is guaranteed.
In limited outbreaks cleanup is usually a do-it-yourself homeowner project. Commercial formulas or simple bleach help disperse most signs, but most experts agree that removal of the affected housing materials provides a longer-lasting solution that prevents return. Because many infestations spread upward from the basement, colonies not completely disrupted can eventually inhabit all inner walls of an affected home.
When the outbreak is too widespread to handle alone, it may be necessary to consider hiring a remediation team to resolve the issue permanently. The initial cleanup will get rid of current growth, and may need to be followed by an inspection performed by a basement contractor, familiar with recommend longer-term solutions. Not only is this fungus a recognized health issue, but it can also severely impact the resale value of a structure.
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