Mold In New York
New York, one of the most loved and well-known states of the US in the world, has all the things one can dream of in a place to live or vacation. The lights of Broadway, the rush of Niagara Falls, the greenery in Central Park, hot dogs vendors on the streets, cold winters and hot summers, and the coast lines are what dream are made of.
The nightmare that many residents and businesses experience, but that often goes undetected or eliminated until it is too late is mold. The waters surrounding many parts of the state, like Staten Island or Long Island, create the perfect conditions for the growth of this microscopic organism. The snows of the winters and hot, humid summers (often accompanies by uninvited visits from hurricanes and thunderstorms) create ideal conditions for mold to grow and stick-around.
Mold’s purpose in an ecosystem is to breakdown material and then recycle the nutrients into the earth. Mold grows through the production of spores and respiratory exposure and all it needs to grow is water—in any shape or form. This fungus may be great in forests or wetlands where the mold acts as nature’s recycling center, but mold can be dangerous when humans are exposed to it or it begins to breakdown the integrity of a building’s structure. Many illnesses and allergies in humans are caused by molds they are exposed to in buildings. Some molds, such as “black mold,” can be fatal.
If the invasion of mold in one’s home or business is minimal, the owner can usually take care of it. If the problem is extensive, a mold remediation specialist will need to be called in to help. Controlling mold involves controlling the amount of moisture in the area. This means fixing any leaks, not leaving any standing water in or around a building, keeping water away from the property by installing a proper gutter system, fixing cracked masonry and separated roof shingles, and fixing seals around doors and windows. Mold’s favorite food is wet paper, which is why newer homes with more insulation are more susceptible to mold problems.
A professional mold restoration company can come in to a home or business and expertly assess the damage mold may have caused and which areas are vulnerable to mold damage. They also have equipment that can analyze mold levels to see if it is safe for people to be in the building or not. Professionals also know how to watch for other indoor environmental hazards like asbestos and lead so the remediation process does not cause unnecessary illnesses.
Mold remediation requires an arsenal of tools. One is a “wet vacuum”, which is designed to remove water from floors, carpets, and other hard surfaces. Proper disinfection is also necessary since mold can be allergenic or toxic even when it is dead. A “damp wipe”, a towel with water and possibly detergent, is used to remove mold from non-porous materials. HEPA vacuums are used as one of the final clean-up tool after materials are completely dry. The HEPA vacuum will pick up any dust that has landed outside of the remedied area that could contaminate other areas of a building with mold. The contents of the vacuum and any items damaged by mold are then double bagged, sealed and discarded with other construction waste. Big items that will not fit into plastic bags are covered with polyethylene sheeting, sealed with duct tape, and then disposed of with other construction waste. After the clean-up is done, a dehumidifying system may need to be installed into the building to help prevent mold growth in the future.
With areas as humid as Staten Island and Long Island, moisture control is the key to mold prevention. Taking the steps to properly prevent mold damage will save time and money in the long run. However, if it is already too late, calling in a mold remediation specialist to ensure the mold is eliminated properly is the safest step.
~Flora Richards-Gustafson, 2009
