Black Mold
Finding a water leak isn’t fun, especially if it’s been leaking for a while, but there’s a much more serious thing to worry about than wet belongings – mold. There have been many sensationalized stories on the news about the dangers of black mold, but it’s important to remember that not all mold is black mold.
Our mold abatement experts at ServiceMaster of San Francisco/San Mateo are here to clear the air on the issue of black mold.
Stachybotrys chartarum is the Latin name for black mold, and while it does cause respiratory problems, nasal congestion and sneezing, other types of mold do that too. Children, the elderly and people with breathing issues are most vulnerable to it.
Mold Damage Tips
Significant mold can become a hazard in as little as 48 hours, so it’s important to take action and call professional mold removal services as soon as it appears.
Turn off any air conditioning and fans in the affected area immediately. They may have been used to help dry an area, but they can also spread mold spores over a wider area.
Stay away from the mold and don’t try to dry it yourself. Not only will you expose yourself to the health hazards, but the spores will hitch a ride on your clothes and shoes and spread. Keep the doors and windows closed in the affected area as well.
Mold growth also damages the structural integrity of your home. If left unchecked by a mold remediation team, it will spread into walls and under flooring and destroy both.
Ironically, without mold, we wouldn’t have some of the food we enjoy every day. Foods like blue cheese, bread, beer, and wine use mold and yeast in their recipes. Mold saves lives too; penicillin is arguably the most valuable mold in the world.
Mold Remediation Services and Cost
If you find mold, especially black mold, anywhere in your home or business in San Francisco and the Bay area, call ServiceMaster Restore. Our mold specialists are certified through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the Applied Microbial Remediation Specialist (AMRS), Interactive Occupational Training for Mold Remediation (IOT) and the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA).
ServiceMaster’s InstaScope mold detection instrument can find mold anywhere it grows, even in walls and under floors. They’ll stop it before it can damage your home and your health.
The price of mold cleanup varies, depending on the extent and where it is growing. Mold growth in walls is more expensive to remove than growth on walls. The national average cost to remove mold is $2,163.00.
