Dangers of Unchecked Residential Mold Growth Highlighted by Recent Drenching Rainfall in Texas

HOUSTON, July 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As the recognized experts in mold testing and assessment, Mold Inspection Houston understands the tremendous damage these colonies of microorganisms can cause. Given a little moisture and warmth, mold fungi can grow rapidly, eating away at building materials and fouling the air with their reproductive spores. With May 2015 going down as the wettest month on record in the U.S., followed by Tropical Storm Bill raking the Gulf Coast in mid-June, Houston and much of Texas have had precious little chance to dry out – and the environment remains primed for toxic mold infestations.

Health Problems Caused by Mold

Most individuals have some degree of sensitivity to mold, especially in the case of heavy exposure. People with severe mold allergies have more to worry about, including fever and difficulty breathing. Chronic lung diseases like asthma or COPD can intensify people's symptoms when mold spores populate the air. According to the Centers for Disease Control, research suggests that children are at a higher risk of developing health issues related to mold when exposed for too long. The risk increases in children with predispositions to allergies or asthma.

Signs and symptoms of mold exposure include headache, sneezing, coughing, watery eye and skin irritation. Mold Inspection Houston can quickly confirm or rule out mold as a cause of these symptoms

How Houston Mold Inspections Can Help

The first step in dealing with mold is to find where it's living and remove its "food." While mold can sometimes present itself as discolored, slimy splotches on walls and other surfaces, the fungi are just as likely to remain unseen – but that doesn't mean they're harmless. Once the right ingredients come together, mold can begin growing and multiplying in just a few days. Therefore, any home or business owner with reason to suspect a mold problem should schedule an inspection as soon as possible.

The licensed professionals at Mold Inspection Houston possess the tools and knowledge to root out mold wherever it grows. They conduct a visual exam, along with testing of air and surface samples. If mold is discovered, Mold Inspection Houston will recommend a qualified and local remediation expert; the company has strong relationships with the leading remediation providers in and around Houston. Depending on the degree of damage, remediation involves removing and replacing walls, carpet and hardwood flooring.

Preventative Measures

All homes will inevitably have some mold growth – the organism is simply too hardy to absolutely eradicate. The key is to keep its presence under control to the point that residents do not experience symptoms or see mold on surfaces. The best way to achieve this is to limit moisture in the home.

Dampness and Moisture can enter homes in a variety of ways. Poor drainage can channel rainwater into the foundation. Cold windows and doors encourage moisture buildup through condensation. Most dramatically, a flooding rain can fill a house with several inches or feet of dirty water, soaking floors and walls and requiring extensive remediation. Apart from epic flooding, most sources of lingering moisture can be dealt with effectively.

Mold Inspection Houston recommends that people have a hygrometer in their home or business. Costing only a few dollars, a hygrometer indicates the relative humidity in the environment. Holding that number below 60% is ideal. Strategically placed dehumidifiers and properly maintained air conditioners are the best weapons against moisture buildup. In kitchens and bathrooms, exhaust fans are effective in pulling out moisture before it has a chance to condense on surfaces or in walls.

Keeping a house or business clean and dry is ultimately the best defense against mold. However, on the heels of the kind of flooding Texas has experienced this spring, even the best mold prevention strategies can come up short. That's where the professionals at Mold Inspection Houston come in. No matter how big or small the problem, the company's inspectors can discover if and where mold is growing and recommend the best services for its removal.

About Mold Inspection Houston

At Mold Inspection Houston, we offer complete mold testing services for residential and commercial customers. We understand the litany of health problems mold exposure can cause, and we are committed to providing affordable mold inspections to care for your health and provide you with total peace of mind.

Contact:

Mold Inspection Houston
by: Platinum Environmental Solutions, LLC
5534 Birdwood Rd

Houston, TX 77096
Mold Consultant Lic. #1278
Asbestos Inspector Lic. #60-3270

Christopher Felan M.S.
(713) 446-9737
Email

SOURCE Houston Mold Inspections