Whether you are a snowbird, or a vacationer returning to your Florida home, and you notice a musty, earthy type smell, you have likely returned to find a mold problem. Mold is very common in Florida’s warm, humid climate, and can grow in as little as 48 hours after a recent water damage event. Learn basic mold facts and how to deal with mold growth upon returning to your Florida home.
Common Types of Mold Found in Your Home
Six of the most common molds that can easily grow in the home are Acremonium, Alternaria, Aureobasidium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Trichoderma.
- Acremonium - powdery in appearance and can be white, grey, pink or orange. It is a toxigenic and carcinogenic mold that can affect the brain. Acremonium is usually found in cooling oils, drain pans, humidifiers and window sealants.
- Alternaria - typically found in showers, sinks, and dark places in the home. Alternaria can trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions.
- Aureobasidium - black and pink in appearance and typically found on wooden furniture, painted walls, and wallpaper. It can cause intensive allergic reactions.
- Aspergillus - adverse effects of exposure to this mold includes allergies, respiratory infections, and inflamed lungs.
- Cladosporium - suede-like and brown or olive-green in appearance. Cladosporium can cause allergies to the eyes, nose, throat and skin.
- Trichoderma - usually white-colored with green patches and grows on damp fabric. It is considered destructive to building materials and may result to the deterioration of walls and structures.
Why is There Mold in My Home/Apartment?
Remember that when you are going to be gone for an extended amount of time, water intrusion can provide breeding grounds for mold. If you were home, you would most likely recognize the problem right away.
Simple things like stained drywall or ceiling tiles are a sure sign of moisture coming from somewhere. Even if you put all efforts forward prior to departing, you might still walk into a mold problem upon your return.
Typically, you will smell a musty odor. Most common are black growths, but mold can also be white, gray, brown, yellow and green.
Health Risks of Indoor Mold Exposure
Here are some allergic reactions that can be experienced when you are affected by mold spores:
- Coughing
- Itchy eyes
- Long-standing or frequent sinusitis
- Rash
- Coughing
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Wheezing/shortness of breath
Serious pain and neurological symptoms can also be observed, such as:
- Headaches and migraines
- Fatigue and weakness
- Frequent colds and the flu
- Joint pain
- Muscle cramping, aches, and pains
- Numbness, tingling, or tremors
- Persistent nerve pain
- Poor memory, brain fog, difficulty with focus
- Vertigo/Dizziness
People with compromised immune systems, the elderly, and children are more sensitive to the health effects of mold, so mold removal must be performed immediately by a professional mold remediation company.
What If I Find Mold in My Home/Apartment?
The best way to deal with mold is to prevent it from happening.
- If the drying of wet building materials commenced within 24 hours (assuming clean water), the chances of preventing mold growth are excellent. If building materials remain wet, it is inevitable that mold can start to grow. Therefore, addressing and eliminating moisture problems is a critical first step.
- However, once mold is present, drying is not enough. Moldy materials must either be removed or decontaminated. The process is called remediation, which means “to remedy” or “ to cure”. Proper remediation procedures will be determined by the size, scope and nature of mold contamination.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a helpful guidebook for homeowners about the cleanup and prevention of mold problems in homes. This booklet, entitled A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home, can help you decide when you can handle mold cleanup yourself and when you should call a professional. The booklet is available on the EPA website.
Make an Appointment With Our Mold Remediation Professionals
Mold remediation is a specialty of ServiceMaster by Wright‘s remediation specialists in Southwest Florida. We have the knowledge, skills, experience, and connections as an established mold remediation firm to handle even the most difficult mold problems. Both residential and commercial establishments can benefit from our mold remediation and removal services.
Contact ServiceMaster by Wright at (239) 431-9947 or connect with us online to schedule an appointment. We service Bonita Springs, Bradenton, Cape Coral, Englewood, Fort Myers, Longboat Key, Naples, Marco Island, Sarasota, Siesta Key, and Venice, Florida.
