MOLD
EVENTUALLY DESTROYS WHATEVER IT COMES INTO CONTACT WITH
 Mold does two things: Damages property and makes people sick.
Either way, mold is most dangerous when you can't see it. Undetected
mold often causes irreversible damage before it is discovered.
Mold remediation can become impossible.
The most common mistake people make is to assume that only visible mold is a problem. In vain, they attempt to wash
mold with bleach or cover it with paint or wallpaper, only to have
it come back worse than before.
Bleach does not kill spores (see Removing
Mold).
Covering mold up with new paint, wallpaper, carpet or tile won't solve the problem.
It only makes it worse. It may seem like the cheapest way out
at the time, but rest assure, unless it's done right the
first, you will be paying to do it over again soon. Unless all mold contaminated materials are removed or properly remediated, mold will keep coming
back and the problem is compounded each time as mold spreads
through inner-walls, crawl spaces, attics and HVAC systems.
The only way to stop mold is to stop what is causing it to
begin with. Many indoor mold problems originate outdoors.
Porous exterior surfaces such as brick, concrete, stucco and wood are often exposed to water, either by sprinklers, humidity, dew, etc. Concrete
slabs are like sponges, sucking water out of the ground and
creating damp air space between the floor and the carpet, the
perfect environment for mold spore reproduction. The majority
of mold problems that result in extensive property damage are
the direct result of over watering, inadequate drainage and
neglected plumbing leaks.
 Control the moisture and you control the mold! Excessive moisture will penetrate exterior walls
and concrete slabs and create perfect conditions for mold growth in the dark inner walls between indoors and outdoors. Mold may be hidden in places such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads,
and even embedded into studs, joists, etc.
Other indoor mold problems originate near areas that are continually exposed to indoor moisture from showers, steam, and condensation. Again, simply cleaning mold off the surface does not correct the problem.
If you have you ever scrubbed mold off your shower, only to see it back again soon
after you know. Often times, the reason that happens is because the problem is not ON the wall, it’s IN the wall – and it just keeps growing through. The
only way to resolve the problem is to:
- Make sure you have stopped the cause, i.e. repaired the
damage, dried out salvageable construction materials. Seek
advice from a competent and experienced Mold Remediator.
- Make sure you have removed all contaminated materials
and if you salvage any materials, such as rafters, stud,
joists, plywood sub-flooring, etc., be certain to thoroughly wash off all traces of mold and mildew, treat
the materials with an antimicrobial mildewcide (not a
fungicide).
- Thoroughly dry all cleaned materials prior to re
installing new surface materials, i.e. drywall, plaster,
carpet, tile, etc. Professional Mold Remediators do not
reapply surface materials over wet structures.
- Take samples of any salvaged materials and have them analyzed for mold
by a qualified lab prior to reinstalling new surface
materials, i.e. drywall, plaster, carpet, tile, etc.
Reputable mold remediation contractors never re-install
surface materials without having a Certified Mold
Inspector perform clearance tests of previously
contaminated areas.
Please note: Mold does not have to be viable (alive) to
cause illnesses. Dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in some
people.
Got questions? Visit our Questions & Answers page or
call us at (760) 757-3606.
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