Mold and Allergies
|
100% Mold Removed on Wood - GUARANTEED!!
Why is Mold Bad?
How to Remove Mold
How Do I Know When the Mold Remediation is Complete?
|
Ice Blasters’ dry ice blasting removes 100% of mold spores from wood, and it does so up to 80% faster
than traditional cleaning methods. Ice Blasters provides complete removal, even in tight angles, around
mails, wiring and all plumbing, without damage.
Dry ice blasting is rapidly increasing the amount of mold remediation projects our Company can perform
due to a 60-80% time and manpower reduction, as well as the technology’s ability to thoroughly remove
mold spores from wood. Add to that the ability to reach tight, confined areas; the significant lack of
sanding and scraping; and, no secondary waste streams,
Ice Blasters’ dry ice blasting technology is a proven cleaning method to get rid of mold.
The existence of mold in a residence is the symptom of much larger problems with moisture. As any mold
remediator knows, eliminating the moisture problem is the only way to assure the mold will not return.
Once the moisture problem has been solved, remediation of the existing mold is top priority. Mold can
cause a great deal of health problems and can severely damage the integrity of a building’s structure. So,
removing the mold in its entirety is vital to any mold remediation project.
The only way to ensure 100% mold spore removal from wood is through dry ice blasting. Ice Blasters
provides the complete blasting solution for any mold removal project. Ice Blasters’ dry ice blasting
cleaning system allows for easy entry into tight places, otherwise impossible to reach, and 100% spore
removal in drastically less time than any traditional removal method. No other company in Kentuckiana can
provide the variety of essential nozzles and accessories to ensure complete spore removal from the
multitudes of angles a mold remediator typically encounters.
Using the traditional methods of sanding and scraping a mold-infested attic, three technicians would
typically complete the attic job in five to six working days. However, with Ice Blasters’ dry ice blasting
solution, two technicians can complete that very same job in two days.
The unpleasant and uncomfortable process of squeezing into tight corners to sand the mold off of wood
trusses and joists, only to have mold spores remain, is soon to become a thing of the past. Ice Blasters’
dry ice blasting provides for complete spore removal from wood. This means that the use of biocides and
encapsulation can be drastically reduced or eliminated, as these registered pesticides were used as back-up
methods to kill and contain leftover mold spores. However, dead mold is still allergenic and must be
removed. Ice Blasters removes all mold spores, so these chemicals are no longer needed.
|
Why is Mold Bad?
|
Typically, mold is not a problem indoors, unless the mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin
growing. In many cases, molds have the potential to cause health problems. Mold produces allergens
(allergens are substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic
substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in
sensitive individuals. Typically, allergic reactions can range from hay fever-type symptoms, like sneezing,
runny nose, red eyes and skin rashes. Allergic reactions to mold are common and many people do not even
realize that it is the mold causing their symptoms. Often, the symptoms can be felt in individuals that may
not have had any mold allergies before, or did not even know that they were allergic.
The symptoms can be felt immediately, but sometimes they are delayed. Mold has been known to cause
asthma attacks in people with asthma and a mold allergy. In addition, mold exposure can be an irritant in a
variety of ways from itchy eyes, skin, nose, throat and lung discomfort in both those with and without
mold allergies. However, symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as
a result of inhaling mold. It is important to note that research on mold and its health effects is ongoing.
This does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information,
it is wise to consult a health professional and your state or local health department.
For information on the types of mold, please visit www.spore-tech.com
|
How to Remove Mold
|
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating
through the air and in-house dust. This is normal and to be expected. However, the mold that lands on a
surface will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or
controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the
mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but do not fix the water problem, then, most
likely, the mold problem will come back.
The most important thing to note is that once the water problem is resolved, the mold must be removed in
its entirety. Too often, remediators will just spray and biocide the mold, encapsulate it and consider the job
done. However, this still leaves the allergenic mold behind and the potential for re-growth is much higher.
In addition, all absorbent and porous materials, such as ceiling tiles, dry wall and carpet, will have to be
thrown out.
It is recommended by the IICRC and the IAQA to follow the S520 for mold remediation and the S500 for
water damage restoration. In these standards, there are clear steps to be used for setting up containment,
negative air, heap vacuuming, etc. Dry ice blasting is a new addition to these standards. Dry ice blasting
was developed over 20 years ago, with the assistance of a NASA engineer. Dry ice blasting had been used
in industrial markets. Now the world has embraced dry ice blasting for its quick, thorough and complete
cleaning results.
The traditional methods of mold remediation involved a great deal of time consuming manual labor and
backbreaking work. Manual sanding and scraping take up the majority of the mold remediator’s time in
any remediation project and, therefore, account for the majority of the labor costs for any remediation
contractor. Our dry ice blasting set-up of a project, including negative air set-ups, containment and HEPA
vacuuming, takes minimal time and will always be required.
Dry ice blasting is the superior alternative to traditional methods because there is no secondary waste
stream created. This is not the case with other forms of media blasting. Sand blasting and soda blasting
both create a huge secondary mess to attend to that can as much double the project time to that of dry ice
blasting. Dry ice blasting is environmentally green!
|
How Do I Know When the Mold Remediation is Complete?
|
The water or moisture problem must be eliminated before the cleanup or remediation can be considered
finished.
|
- Mold removal must be complete. There should be no remaining visible mold or moldy odors.
Please note: Mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage. Dry ice blasting is the superior way to
ensure complete mold spore removal.
- After a revisit to the site, there should be no signs of water damage or mold growth.
- People should have been able to occupy or re-occupy the area without health complaints or physical
symptoms.
- In the end, this can only be determined by a third party indoor air quality professional or certified
mold inspector/consultant. Ice Blasters can put you in touch with a certified professional. Results
are run through in-State accredited laboratories.
|
|
