DomestiClean Corporation is associated, certified and in partnership with PRO-LAB LABORITORIES of Weston, Florida. PRO-LAB is the Professional's Choice for Environmental Testing, an accredited Environmental Microbioligy Laboratory. DomestiClean employees are trained and qualified to use all of the testing equipment and procedures set forth by PRO-LAB.
When you are dealing with flooding situations, you need to choose specialists with the training, equipment and chemicals that kill the allergy and disease causing germs, bacteria, mold and mildew that may be lurking in flood waters.
Our highly specialized equipment will dry the area contaminated, remove vertually all hazardous particals from the air and absorb a wide range of odors and gases. Our foggers, air scrubbers and O-Zone generators economically seek out and destroy the bacteria and molecules that cause odors; leaving pure, fresh oxygen in its place.
How can someone be exposed to MOLD?
There are several ways you can become exposed to mold:
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Breathing in the spores from the air.
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skin contact from handling an item that has mold growing on it.
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Eating without properly washing your hands after handling moldy objects.
Can MOLD cause health problems?
Mold has the potential to cause health problems and even make a home uninhabitable. However, everyone is affected differently when in contact with mold. The mold that may not bother the seller may severely affect the buyer. Some mold can produce allergens, irritants and, in some cases, potentially toxic chemical substances known as mycotoxins. People who are sensitive and exposed to mycotoxins can become ill. Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be asthma may be very sensitive to mold. Mold can cause asthma attacks. Others at risk may include: infants, children, the elderly, immune compromised patients, pregnant woman and individuals with existing respiratory conditions.
With exposure, even in small amounts, mold may cause:
- Itching or irration of the nose, eyes, throat or skin
- Mysterious skin rashes
- Sinus infections or congestion / sinustis (runny nose)
- Respiratory problems (sneezing and coughing)
- Upper or lower respiratory infections
- Fatique
- Frequent headaches
- Trouble concentrating, memory lapses, confusion
- Mood swings, anxiety, depression
- Chronic aches and pains
- Digestive problems
Where is MOLD found in the home?
Mold can be found in several areas in the home environment. It appears most often in moist areas as little black circles or thread-like white objects. It is usually accompanied with a musty-type odor. Outdoors, mold plays a natural part in the environment by breaking down dead organic matter such as dead trees or fallen leaves. Mold reproduces by mens of microscopic spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through the indoor and outdoor air. Mold begins to grow indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet or damp. Mold will not grow without water or moisture. Therefore, it is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Some examples of places where mold can be found inside the home include:
- Basements, kitchens (bottom of fridge), around bathroom vanities, washer/dryer area
- the underside of carpets and pads
- The surface of walls behind furniture (where condensation forms)
- Ceilings and the top side of ceiling tiles
- Front and back side of dry wall, wall paper or paneling
- Inside HVAC systems and air conditioning duct work
- Clothing
- Food
If you are concerned about the air quality of your home, DomestiClean will send an inspector to you home to complete a visual inspection FREE of charge.
How can I reduce or eliminate MOLD inside my home?
It is impossible to completly eliminate all mold and mold spores indoors. Mold will always be found floating in the air and in house dust. Indoor mold growth can be prevented by controlling water and moisture indoors. The following may prevent or reduce indoor mold growth:
- Repair any water leaks
- Provide good air circulation
- Professionally clean the air conditioning system
- All HVAC systems should have a good electrostatic filter on the return
- Use bathroom, kitchen and laundry room exhaust fans
- Insulate and ventilate attic and crawl space areas
- Clean, dry or remove items that are damaged by water immediately.
Real Estate Deals DO NOT Need To Be Broken!
If the home your are thinking about purchasing has mold, do not panic! You can remove unusual mold level from the home, and bring it back to the original condition.
NOTE: If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem, the mold will grow back.
Post Remediation Testing: The most important part of the remediation (Clean Up Process) process is the post remediation testing. This final testing procedure provides confirmation that the project has been satisfactorily remediated and that the contamination has not spread to other areas.
To Find out if mold is a problem in your home, you MUST have a mold inspection conducted by your inspector.
Visual Inspection: A visual inspection is the initial step in identifying possible contamination problems. It will identify any visible water leaks or moisture stains on ceilings, walls, floors or under counters. The air conditioning and heating systems, the attic and crawl spaces under homes will receive a visual inspection as well. The use of equipment, such as a boroscope, to view spaces in ductwork or behind walls, and moisture meters are used to help identify hidden sources of mold growth, musty odors, visible water damage or stains, poorly maintained HVAC systems or construction defects. By combining a visual inspection with air, tape or swab sampling, the Inspector can help identify the hidden source of mold, allergens and indoor pollutants and the extent of any acute or chronic water or moisture damage.
Air Sampling: The purpose of air sampling is to determine the type and amount of airborne contamination in a building. Air sampling may be necessary if the presence of mold, allergens or toxins is suspected (e.g.: musty odors, allergies) but cannot be identifed by a visual inspection. When air sampling is performed, both the indoor air and outdoor air are sampled, so the results can be compared to see if a problem exists. Typically, the indoor sample is taken while the heating and/or air conditioning unit is operating; this will ensure the interior air is effectively tested.
Tape/Swab Sampling: Tape/Swab samples are usually collected from visible moldy surfaces by wiping the area with a sterile swab. This type of sampling is used to identify specific mold types
We are proud member of Association of Residential Cleaning Services International .
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