Water Damage | Mold Restoration Arizona

Introduction to Mold

Mold and microbial activity occur in every part of the country and can cause allergies, infections, and more serious diseases. Businesses and homeowners need people who know how to identify and remediate mold and microbial activity. Remediation is necessary because molds gradually destroy the things they grow on. Damage to building materials and furnishings are costly. Most importantly, remediation is also crucial for health reasons. Mold produces mycotoxins. Mycotoxins produce allergens, irritants, and potentially toxic substances that lead to irritations, allergies, and other diseases.

Did you know ...

Molds are a type of fungi that have always been on the planet.
Molds are different from plants, animals, and bacteria because they absorb their food, instead of digesting it.
In order to grow, molds need at least three elements: oxygen, food source (wood, paper, cloth, paint, or dust particles), and moisture.

Moisture is the third and most critical element. It can come from natural flooding, leaking air conditioners, broken pipes, leaking windows, poorly vented bathrooms, and damp basements and crawl spaces. Inside sources of moisture can come from plumbing lines and fixtures that leak, from spills, and from improper air flow resulting in condensation in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Outside water can get into a building through leaking roofs, attics, skylights, basements, crawlspaces, windows, and from natural flooding.

There are three categories of flood water. Clean water originates from a source that does not pose substantial harm, such as that from a broken water supply line, tub or sink overflow, rainwater or snow. Gray water contains a significant level of contamination and has the potential to cause discomfort or even sickness. It may carry microorganisms and other forms of contamination from dishwashers, sinks, broken aquariums, toilet water (with no feces). The final category of flood water is called black water. Black water contains pathogenic agents and is extremely unsanitary. This type of water can come from a septic system or toilet containing sewge, or surface flooding from rising streams or rivers that may contain chemicals and toxic substances.

Condensation is another source of unwanted water. When humidity and room temperature combine at the right point, condensation happens. This process - reducing water vaper into a liquid - happens in both visible and hidden areas.

Not only do molds need the three elements to grow, they also need certain conditions to grow. When mold spores (seeds) land on a damp spot indoors, they begin growing by absorbing whatever they have landed on, using it for food. Mold gradually destroys the organic material it grows on. When moisture becomes trapped in the presence of a food source, if natural drying doesn't occur, mold will begin to grow.

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Water Damage | Mold Restoration Arizona