Mold in Your Home or Business

Mold spores exist almost everywhere. They are present in the air and are invisible to the naked eye. Spores can enter your home or business through doors and windows, AC/heating systems, and may even be carried indoors on shoes and pets. These microscopic particles can be found in dust, grout, around plumbing fixtures and on virtually any surface. Outdoors, molds are important in our environment because they decompose organic material. It is when mold is given the proper environment to grow in our indoor living spaces that it becomes problematic. Not only can mold damage buildings and furnishings but, it can impact your health. Mold spores can travel throughout a structure and spread potentially harmful particulates, which can lead to a much more extensive and costly problem.

Mold thrives on moisture and can quickly grow into colonies in as little as 48 hours after a flooding event, pipe break, water heater leak, etc. It is important to identify the source and address water intrusion immediately in order to prevent a more serious problem. This is why Steam Green Inc offers 24/7 emergency water extraction services. Our technicians are IICRC certified in water restoration and applied structural drying. We follow the IICRC S-520 Guide for Professional Mold Remediation.

Without moisture, mold cannot grow. Temperature and humidity are also factors that can contribute to mold growth. The ideal mold thriving temperature is between 60-80 degrees with a relative humidity exceeding 50 percent, according to many studies. Mold needs moisture, oxygen and a food source in order to grow. Mold can grow on wood, the paper facing on drywall and other cellulosic materials. More information found in this link regarding different types of mold, common places that it is found in homes and the health effects associated with exposure https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-image-library

Signs You may be living with Mold

• Musty odor
• Warped, wrinkled appearance to walls
• Cracked or peeling paint
• Visible water spots or dark areas on ceiling/walls
• Allergic Symptoms

A Holistic Approach to Mold Remediation

Steam Green recognizes the health hazards of sharing air space with toxic mold but, also views mold remediation from a holistic viewpoint. We will inspect all areas and collect air samples prior to and after remediation to assess the condition of your air and determine the level of contaminants. These samples are sent to a third party lab and signed off by an industrial hygienist who provides a report comparing your air quality to IAQ standards. Mold is typically thought of as an indoor air quality hazard but, other contaminants such as bacteria, pet dander, dead skin cells, VOCs from cleaning products and other particles share the same space and grow alongside mold which can contribute to a “sick” environment. When Steam Green remediates your home or business for mold, we not only address the obvious mold contamination but, we treat the entire living/working space with a micro-cleaning process that cleans the air thoroughly. We treat the air with an unscented proprietary food-grade solution which acts as a non mechanical air scrubber to ensure healthy air quality. Our Whole House Protocol not only removes mold spores but, also sanitizes all areas. Treating mold with an antimicrobial kills mold but, because mold can still produce mycotoxins when dead, it is important to completely remove it and apply a mold inhibitor that seals the surface and prevents future mold growth.

Steam Green's Mold Remediation Process

• Inspection/determine source of contamination using infrared cameras/moisture meters and borescope to inspect inside of walls
• Air sampling using a calibrated video particle counter
• Provide Estimate and Scope of work to be performed
• Containment of areas being remediated
• Use of Air scrubbers/ set up negative air chamber -prevent spread of mold spores
• Removal of unsalvageable mold affected materials
• Hepa vacuum affected surfaces
• Apply plant based antimicrobial, clean and wipe all affected surfaces
• Micro-cleaning of surfaces using proprietary cleaner designed to remove mold staining from porous and nonporous materials
• Apply micro-sealer mold preventative to affected areas
• Fog the entire dwelling with proprietary solution designed to eliminate mold and other airborne particulates from indoor air environment
• 48 hour post remediation testing through air sample readings
• Third party clearance and reporting through IAQ Analytics

* Prior to mold remediation, cause of water intrusion must be addressed to ensure that mold does not have an environment in which to re-grow

FAQs