Mold Moval & Remediation in Spokane and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
More now than ever, home mold damage in WA and ID is a serious concern for homeowners. Other than damage of personal property and the dank, musty smell of mold, many serious mold-related health issues have arisen in recent years.
Given the extensive nature of mold damage, Timbercreek Northwest of Spokane, WA and Coeur d'Alene, ID recommends hiring a mold removal specialist as soon as possible for mold testing and remediation. Remove mold before it spreads, and before the damage becomes too serious, and you stand to best preserve your health and save money.
For a mold remediation quote, call or e-mail Timbercreek Northwest today. We serve the Washington counties of Pend Orielle, Spokane, Northeastern Whitman and Eastern Stevens, including Spokane and Spokane Valley. In Idaho, we serve the counties of Bonner, Kootenai, Western Shoshone, and Benewah, including cities such as Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint, and Kootenai.
Mold Allergens and Health Issues in ID & WA
"If you are reacting to a problem because somebody's been sick, you've waited way too long to address indoor air quality"
--Glenn Fellman, Executive Director, Indoor Air Quality Association
If you suffer from headaches, sinus congestion, or any other allergic reaction when in a building and is relieved soon after you leave, it's possible that mold and mold spores are the problem.
Human Ecology Magazine [PDF] reports that even dead mold and spores can trigger allergic reactions, and that microscopic mold spores can lay dormant for many years while they wait for the right environment to grow in.
Time Magazine has cited hundreds of thousands of mold spores existing in a single cubic meter of air indoors-- a single person inhales 10 to 12 cubic meters of air each day.
Mold spores can do damage to people in areas like Sandpoint or Kootenai, ID in a variety of ways, including through skin contact, inhalation, and ingestion. Exposure to mold spores can lead to a variety of allergic rhinitis, including congested sinuses, a runny nose, scratchy throat, watery eyes, and other allergic reactions. In some cases, mold spores can even be toxic to the building's inhabitants.
To date, The American Lung Association has found that 88 million individuals in the United States suffer from some sort of respiratory distress. Approximately 50% of all American households have at least one person living inside with allergies, asthma, or another respiratory ailment.
Mold Damage in a Home, Basement or Crawl Space
The Journal of Property Management warns property owners that ignoring home mold leads to extensive damage to home and property. When mold damage has become serious, repairs may become very involved, and in the most extreme cases, the building will need to be evacuated while the work is being done.
Mold grows wherever there is moisture or humidity, including near plumbing leaks, in leaking roofs, in wet crawlspaces and basements, and in areas that have been affected by flooding. If there is a water problem within your home, it's extremely important to fix the problem and dry the area within 48 hours to best prevent damage. Mold growth is common on drywall, cardboard, photos, memorabilia, wood, furniture, leather, cloth, fiberglass resins, paper backings, and anything else organic in the space.
In a moldy crawl space, structural damage is common - mold eats away at crawl space supporting beams, and termites, attracted to the rotting lumber, inhabit the space.
Mold, Insurance, and Lawsuits
Mold, mildew, and dust mites in Washington and Idaho is a problem that homeowners, landlords, and building mangers are becoming increasingly concerned with.
According to the Journal of Property Management, lawsuits have been filed by the tens of thousands against landlords, developers, and insurance companies in WA & ID over issues related to mold problems.
Because of this, many general liability and property insurance companies have begun to exclude mold from their protection policies.
There are few regulations for acceptable levels set by the EPA for the results of mold testing.
In the end, it's become a legal battleground, where homeowners and building managers have become the casualties.
Eliminating Mold in Spokane, WA & Coeur d'Alene, ID
Our goal at Timbercreek Northwest, Inc. is to guide the homeowner through the mold remediation process in a professional, effective manner. We can help you remove any existing mold, while providing you with options for preventing mold in the future.
Trying to clean and remove mold in a structure with biocides is a temporary solution at best. NEVER USE BLEACH to try to kill mold on porous surfaces, such as wood and drywall! Bleach itself is 99% water, so you are essentially watering the roots of the mold. While this will change the color of the mold, it will not kill off the mold and can actually make the mold spread even more. (Bleach is best used to sanitize hard surfaces in the kitchen & bath.) Using other mold removal products may remove mold in the short term, but this work can only be safely and accurately done by a trained professional.
For a mold-removal, remediation, and prevention consultation in Spokane, WA, Coeur d'Alene, ID, or surrounding areas, call or contact us today!
