- Musty, stale odours can be a sign that you have a mould problem.
- The key to mould control is moisture control
- If mould is a problem in your home or office, you should clean up the mould problem and fix the moisture problem
Moulds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, moulds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead tree. But indoors, mould growth should be avoided. Mould spores are a common component of household and workplace dust. However, when mould spores are present in large quantities, they can present a health hazard to humans, potentially causing allergic reactions and respiratory problems.
Some moulds also produce mycotoxins that can pose serious health risks to humans. Some studies claim that exposure to high levels of mycotoxins can lead to neurological problems and in some cases death. Prolonged exposure. e.g daily home or office exposure, may be particularly harmful.
Moulds can gradually destroy the things they grow on. You can prevent damage to your home/office furnishings, save money and avoid potential health problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mould growth.
Mould & the Impact on Health
The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported in its June 2006 report, ‘Mould Prevention Strategies and Possible Health Effects in the Aftermath of Hurricanes and Major Floods,’ that “exposure to mould contaminated materials can cause adverse health effects in susceptible persons regardless of the type of mould of the extent of contamination”.
Mould exposures have a variety of health effects depending on the person, some people are more sensitive to moulds than others.
Exposure to mould can cause a number of health issues such as:
- Nasal and sinus congestion, runny nose
- Eye Irritation, such as itch, red, water eyes
- Respiratory problems, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing, chest tightness
- Cough
- Throat Irritation
- Skins Irritation, such as a rash
- Headaches or migraines
- Tiredness
As you can see mould growth in homes and offices can lead to a variety of health problems. Effective remediation is essential to minimise impact to the health of occupants, and address the wider issues of liability and in relation to workplace health and safety of individuals. Protection of such things like documents, art work, furnishings etc. is also very important.
Hidden Mould
You may suspect hidden mould if a building smells mouldy but you cannot see the source, or if you know there has been water damage and occupants are reporting health problems. Mould may be hidden behind wallpaper or paneling, the topside of ceiling tiles, back side of gyprock, or the underside of carpets or carpet underlay. Piping inside the walls may also be a source of mould growth since pipes often leak and cause moisture and condensation.
If you are suspicious about mould growth you need to call us as we have the experience to investigate without the complication of spreading the mould spores throughout the home or office.
Our 3 Step Process:
Mould Remediation follows a simple 3 step process of:
- Assessment
- Sampling
- Remediation
1. Assessment
The first step in an assessment is to determine if mould is present. This is done by inspection and visually examining the premises. If mould is growing and visible this helps determine the level of remediation that is necessary.
Visual inspection is considered non-intrusive. and only detect visible and odor causing moulds. Sometimes more intrusive methods are needed to asses the level of mould contamination. This may include moving furniture, lifting and or removing carpets, checking behind wallpaper or panelling, checking in ventilation dust work, opening and exposing wall cavities etc.
2. Sampling
Sampling is useful in determining issues like, what the spore concentration is in the air, or what particular species of fungi is presentation in the building. Post remediation testing is useful in determining the reduction in mould spore count.
Three types of sampling methods that Cleaning Services Group carry out are:
- Air Sampling
- Surface Samples
- Bulk Samples
3. Remediation
To remove mould from your home of office we utilise the latest technology and follow the IICRC guidelines in mould remediation. Cleaning Services Group are certified in Applied Microbial Remediatio and we guarantee our results.
The purpose of the remediation process is to eliminate the mould and fungal growth and to remove contaminated materials.
Please note – Dead mould may still cause allergic reactions in some people, so it is not enough to simply kills the mould; it also must be removed.
Call us on 0404 345 720 to arrange one of our technicians to inspect and provide an assessment or email us.
Additional Resources:
The publication“Indoor Environmental Quality Dampness and Mould in Buildings” National Insitutte for Occupational Safety and Health. August 1 2008
The publication “Mould Remediation is Schools and Commercial Buildings”
The publication “Population Specific Recommendations for Protection From Exposure to Mould in Flooded Buildings, by Specific Activity and Risk Factor.
The publication “A Brief Guide to Mould, Moisture and Your Home”
National Centre for Environmental Health “Asthma”