With the high humidity, frequent thunderstorms, and the potential for seasonal hurricanes, mold is always a concern in the Gulf Coast region. If you have found a patch of mold in your building, you may be wondering how great a risk it poses.

Action Restoration is here to clarify what kinds of mold are most common and how to identify them.

For mold removal or remediation in your home or business in the Gulf Coast region, contact us online today!

Identifying Common Household Molds

Although there are thousands of species of mold, only a handful are commonly found in the average business. Most are relatively harmless, while a few can cause irritation and allergy-like symptoms. The most concerning are “toxic” molds, which are less common and produce mycotoxins that have been linked to health conditions like allergic reactions, breathing trouble, and fatigue. Here are a few of the most common molds, and characteristics that can help you identify them:

• Aspergillus – This mold can often be found in air conditioning systems and on foods high in starch, such as breads and potatoes. The most common species feature a yellow-green surface coloring, with brown underneath, and they can cause allergic reactions, repository infections, and inflammation of the lungs.
• Aureobasidium – Often found in damp areas like window frames, bathroom rugs, or caulk, this mold is typically pink and black, and it is known to cause allergic reactions.
• Cladosporium – Black and green in color, this mold has an pepper-like appearance and can be found on surfaces like toilets, fiberglass ducts, fabrics, and wood. Although it is not toxic, it can cause irritation and allergy-like symptoms, such as watery eyes, sore throats, or respiratory problems.
• Chaetomium – Often found in buildings that have suffered extensive water damage, Chaetomium produces a musty odor and is dark green, brown, or black in color. Although it rarely causes health issues in humans, it can be an indication of more serious mold problems.
• Penicillium – Typically blue or green, this mold can easily be transferred from room to room, and it is common on wallpaper and textiles like carpets, mattresses, or curtains. It can cause allergic reactions, sinus infections, and lung inflammation.
• Stachybotrys chartarum – Often called “black mold” or “toxic mold,” Stachybotrys chartarum is dark in color and produces a musty odor. It is one of the most common molds associated with health problems due to its production of mycotoxins, and can cause allergic reactions, sinus infections, asthma symptoms, fatigue, and depression. It grows in extremely damp locations, like within air conditioning systems, near leaky pipes, and on porous surfaces like drywall. It can be extremely dangerous, especially for those sensitive to mold problems.
• Trichoderma – Often found on wallpaper, carpets, and other porous surfaces, Trichoderma can be green to bright green, often mixed with white. Like Stachybotrys chartarum, it produces mycotoxins that can cause serious health problems.

Positively identifying the type of mold in your building can be a challenge, as many species look similar. The only way to be sure is to have a professional inspect the building and perform the proper testing procedures. If the affected area is more than a few feet in size, if you have had recent water damage, or if the mold returns after cleaning, it is best to consult an expert.

Mold Remediation Services in the Gulf Coast Area

At Action Restoration, we have been performing mold remediation services throughout the Gulf Coast since 1999, including Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida. Our experts can inspect your building and determine the extent of the damage. If remediation is required, we will provide a complete estimate, and we can assist you with starting the insurance claim process.

For help with your mold problems, contact Action Restoration today at (800) 218-9556!

Do you suspect there might be mold growing in your home or business? The experts at Action Restoration are here to tell you how to identify mold, where it typically grows, and how to get rid of it.

Keep reading for our complete guide to mold removal!

What Does Mold Look Like?

Everybody has heard of mold, but what does the term mean, and how does it affect your daily life? You might be surprised by the answers. Mold is actually fungi that are present indoors and out. Estimates put the number of species of fungi at more than 10,000 to as many as 300,000.

Mold loves damp and humid areas and easily reproduces in this kind of environment by producing spores. Mold is resilient and can continue to live in the harshest of environments. Typically thought of as black, mold colors span the rainbow to include pink, green, orange, blue, and more.

Typical Places Mold Grows in Homes and Businesses

Since mold likes to grow in damp places, the following areas are likely places for mold to grow and spread:

• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Basements

Businesses at the highest risk of having mold are:

• Farms
• Antique stores
• Flower shops
• Mills
• Construction zones
• Greenhouses

Why Should I Worry About Mold?

Not only does mold break down the structural integrity of porous materials, (like drywall and flooring) mold can be dangerous to your health. Mold causes the following symptoms in people who are sensitive to fungi:

• Nasal congestion
• Red, itchy eyes
• Skin rashes
• Wheezing

People who work around high levels of mold are at risk of developing extreme reactions like shortness of breath, fever, and lung infections.

What Should I Do if I Find Mold in My Home or Business?

In areas where you can see and reach mold, cleaning the area with a bleach solution can be effective. However, if your home or business has suffered water damage from a storm, flood, burst pipes, or other reason, mold can develop and grow rapidly. Mold may be growing in areas where you can’t see it. Call a mold remediation specialist if you notice the following in your home or business:

• Large areas of discoloration
• Persistent musty smells
• Standing water
• Mold near HVAC systems or ductwork

Mold remediation specialists will thoroughly evaluate your home or business to pinpoint mold damage. They’ll take the following measures to remove mold and make sure it doesn’t pose a health risk to your family or employees.

• Cleaning surfaces – Using an environmentally friendly decontaminant solution, specialists will destroy all molds on all surfaces.
• Mold inspection – Basements, HVAC systems, attics, crawlspaces, and more will be inspected before your home or business is declared mold-free.
• Mold removal – For areas that can’t be salvaged like carpets, insulation, drywall, and furniture, the affected contents will be removed and replaced.
• Cleaning air ducts – Removing mold from air ducts is vital to prevent mold spores from spreading throughout your home or business and causing health problems.

Mold Removal in TX, AL, LA, FL & MS

Do you suspect you have mold growth in your Gulf Coast home or business? Contact Action Restoration today for mold remediation services. Our experts use cutting-edge technology and specialized tools to remove mold and ensure your home or business is safe.

Black Mold Exposure in Gulf Coast Properties

If you have found more than a square foot of black mold in your home or commercial building, it’s important to have it removed carefully and promptly by a professional restoration service. Because mold can spread quickly, waiting to solve this issue could result in further damage to your health or building structure. Black mold prefers to grow in materials rich in cellulose, such as wood and many construction materials. With many support beams and walls containing wood, black mold can eventually cause irreparable damage and a possible building collapse.

So is black mold really dangerous? Yes! In addition to causing structural damage, black mold can present some serious health hazards. When mold levels begin to increase, those who are sensitive to the fungus will experience greater effects. If left untreated, black mold can present respiratory problems, common allergic reaction symptoms, nervous-system disorders, and even depression.

Schedule your mold inspection today to determine which type of fungus you are dealing with.

Preventing Black Bold Exposure in TX, LA, AL, MS & FL

Warm, dark, humid conditions are ideal for mold growth. Once you have had mold properly removed, you will want to take steps to prevent a future infestation. To prevent repetitive growth, you should determine what caused your black mold to grow the first time. In order for mold to grow, high levels of moisture, warm temperatures, and limited lighting are required. Follow these four steps to help prevent black mold from growing in your Gulf Coast home:

• Reduce humidity. A dehumidifier is ideal for removing excess moisture from the air in your home. High levels of moisture enable and accelerate mold growth.
• Prevent water leaks. Inspect all plumbing, dryer ducts, bathrooms, and other moisture-creating sources to be sure they are directed and vented outside the home or building. If material in your home is wet for more than 24 hours, then you run the risk of mold growth.
• Keep items away from basement walls. Basements are a prime location for black mold growth because they are naturally dark and humid. Raise items such as clothing, firewood, and paper off the floor and away from the walls of your basement to reduce mold and mildew in your home.
• Keep rooms well lit. Because mold thrives in dark environments, it’s a good idea to keep rooms well lit. Allowing sunlight into your rooms will not only create a cheery atmosphere, it can reduce the chances of black mold growth.

Black Mold Symptoms / Health Risks

When black mold begins to spread, tiny fungus spores are released into the air. If ingested or inhaled, these spores can cause a range of unpleasant and dangerous symptoms for all building or home occupants. Symptoms of black mold exposure or poisoning include:

• Chronic coughing and sneezing
• Irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat
• Rashes
• Chronic fatigue
• Persistent headaches

During longer, more severe periods of exposure, health risks can be more dangerous. These advanced symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and bleeding in the lungs and nose. Call a doctor right away if you are experiencing any of these above symptoms in response to mold exposure. If you suspect black mold growth in your Gulf Coast property, don’t hesitate to schedule your inspection service. Rely on the team of professionals at Action Restoration for prompt and careful black mold removal.

Learn more about the dangers of mold growth from the Global Healing Center.

Black Mold Removal & Testing in the Gulf Coast

If you need mold remediation at your home or business in the Gulf Coast region, contact Action Restoration today! We will provide you with a comprehensive assessment of the mold damage and provide your property with all necessary repairs and restorations. To make the process as easy as possible, our team can even assist you with your insurance claims.

Learn more about the mold removal services that we offer throughout the Gulf Coast areas including Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. Call Action Restoration today at 800-760-9081 to schedule your mold removal.