Water damage is a major risk to homes, and handling restoration for water damage in Orange County, CA is one of the key services we’ve offered since we started in business. Cleaning up water damage and restoring property is more detailed than mopping up the water: this type of damage leads to mold, and mold remediation is often a crucial part of the restoration process.
Today, we want to look closer at mold and talk about the dual dangers it presents. It threatens the health of your family and the integrity of your home.
The Major Risks of Mold Damage
Mold is an organic substance, a fungus, that has to consume food to survive—and that food source, cellulose, is often found in building materials. Mold will eat into wood and drywall, which means ruining both the basic interior walls of a house as well as undermining the house’s structure.
Because drywall is a porous material, it’s easy for mold to sink into it and become impossible to remove. Remediation usually requires replacing the drywall—and it has to be done soon because the mold will continue to spread as it consumes cellulose in the walls. Mold-damaged wood may not need replacement, but it must be thoroughly dried and treated to stop the mold growth before it creates structural threats.
The Serious Health Risks of Mold
It’s easy for people to dismiss the idea that mold can create serious health concerns. It’s just ugly discoloration on parts of the wall—how bad can that be? But the harm from toxic mold spores can be intense and affect people fast. People working with clothing molding from water damage will report feeling strangely sick in only a few minutes, with the effects lingering for hours. Since people often don’t immediately identify mold as the source of these ill-effects, they may spend even longer exposed to the mold.
The danger from mold comes from their spores. Not all molds are toxic, but black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) is dangerous and often results from water damage. In the wake of water damage to a house, black mold is one of your main concerns. We mentioned above that mold needs to survive on materials that contain a lot of cellulose, such as drywall and wood. Southern California’s warm temperatures make it easier for black mold to grow: the mix of water and warmth is just what the mold needs.
Black mold affects people with mold allergies, and unfortunately many are unaware they have these allergies until they encounter black mold. Black mold is also harmful for people with compromised immune systems or who are taking medications that weaken their immune systems. It can also cause a fungal infection (mycosis) in the lungs.
You Must Have Mold Remediation Experts
It’s vital to have trained professionals handle mold removal, remediation, and restoration. Experts have the safety equipment and training necessary to remove the mold without causing health problems and without allowing the spores to spread. They know how to treat different materials to thoroughly remove the mold so it creates no future health problems or dangers to the home’s structure.
Our team has the experience, training, and tools to ensure complete mold remediation and water damage restoration.
For comprehensive home restoration services you can rely on, contact Jarvis Restoration today!