Dealing With Mould in Buildings
Mould often forms in damp conditions and restoration companies will have had to tackle several mould varieties in many types of buildings. The causes of mould growth is well understood, the presence of moisture through rising damp being an example, but few realise the number of human activities which create local humid wet conditions such as cooking, washing clothes, showering and taking a bath. Most people have come across evidence of black mould from dampness in buildings at some point in their lives. Often it can be alarming however it is seldom dangerous, despite what you read from so called mould remediation specialists who make a living from scare tactics. However it is always unsightly and every office worker or home dweller would want it removed, especially during building restoration work after water damage repair is completed.
The phrase “Toxic mould” is in the public arena these days especially in the USA (American spelling is: mold). In the USA in particular there is a thriving industry which is fuelled by the litigious mind-set of the American public, lawyers and specialist mould remediation companies. They have seen an opportunity to profit from the great triple motivators: Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt. The public perception in the USA is that “Toxic mold” is dangerous to health. Even the very names of toxic moulds make them sound dangerous: Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, Paecilomyces, Trichoderma, Fusarium etc.
Do these moulds contain toxins that are harmful to human health? Yes they do, but restoration companies that deal with dampness in buildings and mould removal day in day out will also allay your fears. Reputable firms know that the concentrations found on mould on walls in your kitchen or bathroom are far too low to be likely to harm you.
Reinstatement companies that deal with councils and housing associations know that tenants will often complain of health conditions caused by mould on walls or mould in a wet carpet, even after a flood clean-up. However, let’s look again at the conditions in which mould thrives: warm, wet and humid environments. Wet and damp conditions cause many health problems and it is this that is the cause for health concern not the mould. Mould is a symptom of unhealthy conditions, it doesn’t cause health problems, despite the fact that they do contain (extremely low levels of) toxins.
People with low incomes tend to suffer most in mould affected properties, trying to save money by not putting on the heating or not ventilating with open windows, these combine to generate high humidity and are ideal conditions for mould to thrive. Dampness in buildings that are not heated and ventilated properly are breeding grounds for mould to develop. Mould is a sign that there is an underlying problem that is more serious, such as rising damp. However any building restoration company will soon be able to solve the problem during an insurance restoration project that locates the root cause of the dampness. They will, of course, remedy the mould problem in the process.
Based in Central Scotland, Paradigm Reinstatements is one of the leading specialist building restoration companies specialising in mould on walls and rising damp. They are chosen by many of the UK’s leading insurance companies to deal with flood damage, fire damage and building reinstatement services, including mould and the causes of mould and dampness in buildings.
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