Your Complete Guide to Mold Removal in Manalapan, NJ
Mold is an annoying issue for many homeowners, causing damage to both their property and health. While some forms of mold are easy to spot, others may be hiding in less visible places in your home. It takes a highly qualified mold specialist to inspect your home and provide mold remediation services to return the mold levels in your home back to normal. From identifying mold to properly removing it, there is a lot to know about the different types of mold.
How to Identify Mold
If you are concerned about house molds, there are a few key ways you can identify mold growth. Unfortunately, mold growths can develop for weeks or months before they are noticed. Mold that goes on too long can become a health hazard or damage property.
While many homeowners are concerned with black mold, there are a variety of benign and dangerous molds. It is important to learn about the properties of molds and the symptoms of mold growths in your home. Keep reading to learn more about the signs of dangerous mold in your home.
- Mold typically smells like mildew. While a musty smell may be common for basements or other areas of your home, it is not indicative of a healthy environment. Homeowners may get used to the musty or mildew smell without realizing that it is a problem. Mold is not always visible, so smell is a great way to find it.
- Some mold may be visible. When mold is visible, it is also likely that more mold is nearby. If you see mold in plain sight, you should request an inspection. It is dangerous to breathe in mold spores, and homeowners may not be aware of the full extent of mold growths even if they are visible.
- If you find you or your family experiencing respiratory issues, mold may be to blame. Mold can cause allergic reactions or worsen the symptoms of asthma. When you notice these types of problems, you can look for mold or schedule a mold inspection to find the source.
Common Types of Mold in Homes
Just because mold is black or dark in color does not mean that it is the same “black mold.” There are a variety of mold types common to homes, and each can be dangerous to your health. Mold is a fungus, and harmful molds can be classified into three different categories.
Allergenic mold can cause allergic reactions or worsen existing allergies. Pathogenic molds can seriously affect people who suffer from acute illnesses. Toxigenic molds can be dangerous for anyone’s health and even deadly. It is often called toxic mold.
- Acremonium is a toxigenic mold that may appear pink, gray, orange, or white. It grows in places with condensation, such as humidifiers or window sealants.
- Alternaria is an allergenic mold that looks dark green or brown. It typically has a velvet-like texture and grows in damp areas such as showers or leaking sinks.
- Aspergillus is an allergenic mold that can appear in many colors. It is common to houses in America and can lead to serious allergic symptoms.
- Aureobasidium is an allergenic mold that looks pink, brown, or black. It is usually found behind wallpaper or growing behind painted surfaces.
- Chaetomium is a toxigenic mold that starts white and changes to gray and brown or black over time. It is commonly found in damp roofs, leaking basements or sinks.
- Cladosporium is an allergenic mold that can grow in warm or cold conditions. It is an olive-green color or brown, and it may be found in fabrics or carpets.
- Fusarium is an allergenic and toxigenic mold that is found in homes experiencing water damage. It is typically pink, white or red, and it can cause serious skin infections.
- Mucor is an allergenic mold that is white or gray and grows in thick patches. It may grow near air conditioning systems or ducting with high moisture and condensation.
- Penicillin is an allergenic mold that is blue or green and has a velvet-like texture. It may be found in fabrics such as carpets or wallpapers and ducting. It also spreads very quickly.
- Stachybotrys is a toxigenic mold commonly known as “black mold.” It is dark green or black and slimy. It can be found in damp areas with high humidity levels and causes severe health issues.
- Trichoderma is an allergenic mold that is usually white with green patches. It is typically found in wet surfaces or moist areas in homes.
- Ulocladium is a pathogenic mold that is generally black. It may be found in buildings with extreme water damage, but it can be easily confused with different mold types.
What is the Mold Inspection Process?
If you suspect mold to be growing in your home or building, it is wise to call a professional mold remover. Mold can be very dangerous and cause serious health problems if it is inhaled. Searching for mold in your home can further expose you to mold, but a professional team can safely inspect your property.
It is crucial to find a mold inspector that is qualified with formal training. They should also have experience conducting mold inspections on a regular basis to ensure they know what to look for and how to remove mold. Before working with a mold inspector, ask for their qualifications.
Mold inspections consist of looking for mold growth or evidence of past growth. While current mold growth is obviously dangerous, signs of past growth can indicate a problem. Mold may reoccur when there are certain conditions like leaks or increased moisture.
A professional inspector will look for mold in several places in your home. It is important that they check inside the building as well as inside the walls. If you have structure damage or wood decay, they will check those places as well to ensure mold is not causing the problem. Most importantly, they will look for moisture sources. Mold growth needs water, so moisture can cause frequent mold problems.
What is the Mold Removal Process?
Mold removal is actually more often meant as mold remediation. This is the process of returning mold levels in your home to normal levels, or what is natural. The first step for mold remediation is contacting a qualified mold remediation specialist.
They will conduct an inspection and assess the damage caused by mold. If you have any questions about the process or concerns about your home, a qualified professional will be quick and thorough in their answers. They will take the time to make sure you understand the results of the mold inspection and the plan to remediate the mold.
Mold containment procedures will help stop mold growths from spreading further. This process will also involve turning off fans as well as heating or cooling systems to keep mold from spreading. Air filtration equipment will help capture mold spores and clean the air during mold remediation. Also, any materials infested with mold will be removed while antifungal and antimicrobial treatments are used to remove mold colonies.
When Should You Request Mold Removal Services?
When you spot mold in your home, you should contact a mold removal specialist as soon as possible. Visible mold is often a sign of more extensive growths or previous growth. However, mold growth is not always easy to spot.
- If you frequently have allergic reactions in a specific room or area of your home, mold may be the cause. Common symptoms include a runny nose or itchy eyes as well as sneezing or a cough.
- If you notice asthmatic symptoms are worse, mold may be causing allergy symptoms.
- If you have experienced problems with mold before and notice similar issues, mold could be reoccurring.
- If you have had mold removed recently but suspect the job was not done fully, you may need to hire a more experienced professional.
- If your home has significant water damage or a leak, you may need to inspect for mold to ensure the water did not encourage mold growth.
Top-Notch Mold Removal Services in Manalapan, NJ
If you are searching for mold removal services in Manalapan, New Jersey, Nash Everett has your expert solution. As an experienced and highly qualified mold remediation and management specialist, Nash Everett provides free mold estimates and extensive home and health evaluations. If mold is giving you problems, Nash Everett can help you get your home back to normal.