Stachybotrys, Trichoderma, and Aspergillus: these are just a few of the common types of mold infecting Utah’s homes and businesses. Of course, it isn’t unusual to find mold inside the average property. However, if left unchecked, these prolific organisms can do real and costly damage.
Mold is a type of fungus. There are several other fungal species, including mushrooms, mildews, lichen, yeast, and more. Each plays an important part in our ecosystems, providing decomposition and promoting the growth of healthy plants. However, these same characteristics make them extremely good at deteriorating household materials. This is especially true of mold.
Common Characteristics of Mold
Mold varies by appearance. Some are blue and have medicinal purposes, like Penicillin. Some are black and may produce more toxins than others, such as Stachybotrys. But despite their differences, all mold has one thing in common: growing in a multicellular network (or colonies) called a mycelium.
A mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus, made up of hyphae. Hyphae are thready structures providing a connection between the individual cells. This makes mold a highly effective and self-regenerating organism – able to grow and branch out from any individual cell. As it spreads, it consumes more and more material, decaying and decomposing walls, support beams, flooring, and more.
Though, that’s not the only reason mold is so prolific. These fungi also release millions of microscopic spores, which can often reproduce asexually. So, in the right conditions (usually damp and cool environments with plenty of shade), mold can spread easily and even repopulate after ineffective treatments. This is concerning since mold can sometimes cause illnesses and acute allergic reactions. (Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, burning throat or eyes, and more. (Though, the long-term effects of exposure are still unknown.)
Considering the risk to property and health, it’s no wonder that mold can reduce a home’s value and complicate (or even halt) real estate transactions.
Luckily, you can mitigate most household fungi with good maintenance and prevention (especially controlling moisture.) However, sometimes even the best-tended homes can still have problems, and they aren’t always obvious right away.
AEI Decon Can Help
If you have mold in your home or property, there’s no need to fret. Our certified technicians are here for you. We can effectively test, treat, and mitigate mold – restoring the air quality of your home and stopping the infection in its tracks.
Our advanced mold remediation protocols can safely treat:
- All Indoor Surfaces
- Asphalt or Cedar Roofing Shingles
- Decks (Wooden or Otherwise)
- Vinyl Fences and Siding
- Stucco, Brick and Other Types of Facings
- And More!
Of course, not all mold treatments require a specialist. However, depending on the size, complication, material, and location of the affected area, you may find that hiring the right professional can save you time and money. (As we said, ineffective treatments can lead to mold resurfacing all over again. In some cases, it can even make the problem worse.)
That’s why we recommend calling a mold remediation specialist before starting a mold mitigation project on your own. If you’re in Utah, feel free to call AEI Decon. We have the skill and experience to provide expert remediation and decontamination services. Call us today for your free evaluation at (801) 888-6698