gotmoldinnorthcarolina.com

Molds (sometimes referred to as black molds, even though mold can come in a variety of colors) can cause a wide array of illness in human depending the concentration of mold in the residence or building. However, these are not the only factors when considering the health effects to mold exposure. Since the amount of mold, and human response can be highly individual, the sensitivity of the person exposed is also an important consideration. For example, infants and young children, the immune-compromised, and the elderly are at an increased risk of experiencing adverse health effects related to mold exposure. There are many ways of exposure to molds including dermal contact, ingestion, and inhalation. The health risks associated with mold exposure include, but are not limited to: allergic reactions, irritation associated with volatile organic compounds, invasive disease, mycotoxicosis. The most common symptoms of an allergic response to increased levels of mold range from runny noses, itchy-watery eyes, coughing, sneezing, and throat irritation to more severe symptoms caused by chronic conditions such as sinusitis and asthma. Fungi produce Volatile Organic Compounds which is the cause of the typical “moldy/musty” commonly associated with fungal contamination indoors. Exposure to high levels of VOCs may irritate the mucous membranes and the central nervous system leading to symptoms of headaches, decreased attention span, difficulty in concentration, and dizziness. Invasive Disease is an opportunistic infection caused by exposure to microorganisms that don’t normally produce disease in healthy individuals, but affects those persons with abnormally functioning immune systems.  For example, those with HIV/AIDS or those receiving immunosuppressive drugs such as transplant or chemotherapy patients.   Some common fungi that have been associated with invasive disease are Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Mucor, and Rhizopus.

This is information I learned from Dave and our friends over at Executive Restoration, www.executiverestoration.com. A myth exists concerning the use and “effectiveness” of chlorine bleach (sodium hypochorite) in the remediation of a mold problem. Mold remediation involves the removal and or clean up and restoration of mold contaminated building materials.

Chlorine bleach, commonly referred to as laundry bleach, is generally perceived to be an “accepted and answer-all” biocide to abate mold in the remediation processes. Well-intentioned recommendations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal, state and local agencies are perpetuating that belief. And confusing the issue is one federal agency, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), taking an opposing point of view by NOT recommending the use of chlorine bleach as a routine practice in mold remediation.

Will chlorine bleach kill mold or not—yes or no? The answer is yes, but with a caveat. That answer comes from The Clorox Company, Oakland CA, manufacturer and distributor of Ultra Clorox® Regular Bleach. The company’s correspondence to stated that their Tech Center studies supported by independent laboratories show that “…3/4 cup of Clorox liquid bleach per gallon of water will be effective on hard, non-porous surfaces against… Aspergillus niger and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (Athlete’s Foot Fungus)”. Whether or not chlorine bleach kills other molds and fungi, the company did not say. The words “hard, non-porous” surfaces” present the caveat. Mold remediation involves the need to disinfect wood and wood-based building materials, all of which are porous materials. Thus, chlorine bleach should not be used in mold remediation as confirmed by OSHA’s Mold Remediation/ Clean Up Methods guidelines. The use of bleach as a mold disinfectant is best left to kitchen and bathroom countertops, tubs and shower glass, etc.

Mista R.  – Norwalk, CT

www.snellexperts.com goes live in Oct. 2009 which is an online directory that is about where to find mold inspectors, home inspectors, mold remediators, mold clean up companies, fire and water damage companies as well as smoke damage companies on line in your city and in your state or across the USA.

This on line directory was initiated by David Snell and company who approximately 10 folks were retained to get up on line and it took about eight months to build to try to help the small companies who are struggling such as carpet cleaners, mold inspectors, home inspectors and so many more.

Who can qualify to be on board the directory? You must have a b rating or higher with the Better Business Bureau in your city, you must have been in business for at least 3 years in your field, you must have insurance, you must have a business license.  If you have to many complaints in 1 year with us and you do not resolve the complaints then you will not be allowed back in no matter how much money you have.  We offer the Snell Seal of Approval.

Got Mold In North Carolina is a division of Executive Restoration.

Snell Experts is a division of Executive Restoration LLC and this site is copy righted trade marked.

Call us today at 704-545-0098

• Sneezing
• Itching Skin
• Redness and skin irritation
• Watery Eyes
• Itching Eyes
• Headache

Congressman John Conyers is introducing a new bill, a bill that will hopefully help educate, reduce, and prevent several factors that have come to alarming numbers under the topic of toxic mold.  This bill is being introduced under the name of, “The United States Toxic Mold Safety and Protection Act”.

This act is to create research into mold growth, types of molds, clean-up options, as well as prevention options of some molds. Mold has been here since the beginning of time and can not be completely destroyed but it can be controlled to a degree. The act also speaks of educational programs that will be created to teach the public of such dangers. Also includes assistance to those victims who have suffered from such issues.

All the help and education from this act that is being brought to the attention of our nation is something that anyone and everyone will benefit from.  Mold is too much of a risk to people to just let it go as an unknown topic to all the public.  Do your own research and see what information you can find on this act.

For more general information or if you need help with a mold problem or you believe you might have a mold problem give us a call at 704-545-0098.  Check out our website at www.gotmoldinnorthcarolina.com

When speaking of duct cleaning there are several different parts and areas that are looked at to be cleaned, and should be cleaned thoroughly to increase the indoor air quality of your home or business. Such parts and areas that need to be cleaned by a service provider that is qualified to clean all areas include the supply and return air ducts, registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing. All these mechanisms need to be properly installed, operated, as well as maintained throughout their use or they may become contaminated with several concerns. Dust, pollen, and debris are common items that get into the duct systems if they aren’t properly taken care and maintained that could become a much larger scale issue down the road if left untreated, especially for people who have allergies to such contaminates. If your home or business has a higher level of moisture in the air then normal these ducts could start to grow mold and when this happens mold spores could start to filter into your breathing space and cause havoc.

Executive Restoration is a qualified company to do duct cleaning as well as mold removal if you find your home or business has been suffering from such an issue. Call us at 704-545-0098 with any questions or to set up an inspection or check out our website at www.moldinspectionscharlotte.com

I love strawberries! So imagine how excited I was to start seeing them at the grocery store this spring; red, juicy, and on sale! I rushed to make my purchase anxious to bring them home for breakfast the next day.

The next morning I head downstairs in anticipation of having my newly purchased strawberries for breakfast and dang, almost half of my strawberries have succumbed to mold. How can that be, I just bought them yesterday and they looked fine in the store. It appears that if one of them starts to mold it quickly jumps over to the next one and the next one. I discard the moldy ones and vow to try and find a way to extend the life of my precious strawberries.

I had heard of Debbie Myers Green Bags on TV and so while walking through Target I decide to try them out. The green bags claim to extend the life of fruits and vegetables. I wondered how that works. After reading the box, I find that all fruits and vegetables give off a gas called Ethylene. The bags work by absorbing the gas thereby delaying the growth of mold. Neat, huh. So, I head back to the store, pick out the best looking strawberries I can find and head home with my strawberries and green bags. I place the strawberries in the green bags in the refrigerator and wait. The next day they are just fine. Definitely in better shape than if I had left them on the counter. The following day they seem ok also but not quite as juicy.

Well, I can’t say the green bags were the magic pill I was looking for but they did increase the life of my strawberries and saved them from the dreaded mold. If you are searching for a certified mold inspector, contact Executive Restoration at 704-545-0098 or visit online at www.gotmoldinnorthcarolina.com

Dishrag or sponge? What do you use in the kitchen to wipe your counters, stove, and refrigerator? Some people are fanatics about germs and have a definite preference. I personally like to use the 3M sponges with the yellow on one side and green scouring pad on the other. The only problem with this is that after about 2 days, the sponge starts to smell bad. Well, those sponges are not cheap so I decided to try and find a way to sanitize them.

The first recommendation was that I put them in the dishwasher with my dirty dishes; this method appears to kill about 99.9998% of the bacteria found on a sponge. Make sure and allow the sponge to go through the whole wash and dry cycle. The next method recommended is zapping the sponge in the microwave. The key element here is to make sure the sponge is wet. If you put a dry sponge in your microwave, it could very likely start on fire. Allow the sponge to stay in there for a minimum of one minute, if you want to have better results, microwave the sponge for two minutes. By increasing the time you can kill up to 99.9% of the microbes.

Either way obtains about the same results. I prefer the microwave method as it’s much quicker. Happy cleaning! If you are searching for a certified mold inspector, contact Executive Restoration at 704-545-0098 or visit online at www.moldinspectionscharlotte.com

Have you ever opened the refrigerator in anticipation of something delicious only to pull it out with mold on it?  Do you love eating mushrooms?  Ever wonder what makes bread rise, the magic ingredient is yeast.  Mushrooms, molds, mildew and yeast are all considered fungi.  Fungi have to take in food materials from the bodies of living or dead plants or animals to survive; they have no roots, stems, leaves, flowers, or seeds as most plants do.  Fungi thrive in dark places, such as underground caves, dark closets and between walls; they don’t need light to live.

When you refrigerate food, it prevents bacteria from growing, but it won’t prevent mold form growing on fruits and vegetables, or on your favorite cheese.  Found everywhere, fungi are in the air, soil, and water.  To date, about 100,000 different kinds of fungi have been classified.  Mycology is the study of fungi and the scientist who study fungi are called mycologists.  Mycologists believe there are another 200,000 fungi waiting to be named.

Fungi play a critical role as important recyclers in nature.  By the process of decomposition, they break down dead animals and plants into simple compounds that are returned to the soil.  Plants in turn, can use these compounds to grow.  Believe it or not, fungi and bacteria are the main decomposers of organic matter on our planet, their role is critical.  Dead plants and animals would pile up and cover the earth and their chemicals could not be reused if they were not composed and recycled by fungi.  Fungi allow their nutrients to be returned to the soil and water for other things to use.

Contact the experts at Executive Restoration (704) 545-0098.  They can answer any questions you may have about mold, or visit us online at www.gotmoldinnorthcarolina.com.

You’ve had water damage in your house due to a burst pipe, a roof leak or a heavy summer storm.  You hope that your insurance will cover the damage.  What to do?  First, read about mold below.  You may not know the implications of water and mold damage.

What is Mold, and Why should you care?

Molds are part of a group of micro-organisms called fungi that also includes mushrooms and yeasts.  Molds are familiar to most people as food spoilers on items such as bread or fruit.  Molds are nature’s decomposers in the food chain.

Mold requires the following conditions to grow:

• Mold spores (which are always present indoors and outdoors)
• The right temperature range, from 2-40 degrees C
• A food supply, which means anything organic such as books, carpets, clothing, wood, drywall, etc.
• A source of moisture

The last condition, moisture, is the only practical factor to control in most houses.  If allowed to grow inside your house, mold can be a problem because:

• It can damage your possessions
• It can cause health problems, for example:

“…mold…can cause…allergic reactions such as asthma or allergic rhinitis, non-allergic reactions such as headaches, and other symptoms [including] lung and breathing infections”

Dry Quickly to Avoid Mold!

1. Contact your insurance broker

First, call your insurance broker or agent and report the water damage.  You can expect to discuss these questions and issues:

• How did the water damage occur?
• Is this damage covered by your policy?
• Did the damage occur during the period your policy was in effect?
• Are you reporting the water damage promptly (within 24 hours) to allow quick drying and repairs?

1. Hire A Contractor

Hire a contractor to clean up the water and make repairs as needed to your house.  Your adjuster can recommend contractors, but you must confirm the selection with your adjuster-the contractor reports to and is paid by you.  You need to be sure that the adjuster and the contractor are following the best possible procedures to look after your concerns.

A thorough and fast cleanup will help avoid mold growth.  If you wait too long and mold growth starts, cleanup costs will increase significantly.  This is what you should be looking for:

Speed

Mold grows quickly; your adjuster should ensure that you have a contractor in your house promptly

Knowledge

The contractor you select should have certification or training in water damage restoration and mold remediation

Competence

The contractor should follow basic, good clean up practices after your water damage.  Here are some things to look for:

• The moisture source is stopped
• Wet items that can’t be salvaged are remove