Mold Factoid

Mold appears most often in moist areas as little black circles on thread-like white objects.  In most cases it is accompanied by a musty odor.

Mold problems begin when invisible mold spores land on moist surfaces.  The moisture in the surface allows mold to reproduce and grow.

Examples of  places where mold can grow include:

Inside HVAC systems and duct work

• Basements
• Kitchens (bottoms of refrigerator)
• Bathrooms (around vanities)
• The underside of carpets and pads
• The surface of walls behind furniture
• Ceilings and the top side of ceiling tiles
• Front and back side of drywall, wall paper or painting
• Clothing
• Food

Mold can produce allergens, irritants and in some cases potentially harmful mycotoxins.  These allergens and toxins can cause people to become ill.

You can do the following to prevent and reduce the growth of indoor mold:

• All HVAC systems should have a good electrostatic filter on the return
• Repair any water leaks
• Provide good air circulation
• Use bathroom, kitchen and laundry room exhaust fans
• Insulate and ventilate attic and crawl space areas
• Clean, dry or remove items that are damaged by water

*It is impossible to eliminate all mold spores from a home or building, they are a natural part of dust and are constantly floating in the air.  If mold exists, the underlying cause of the water damage MUST be corrected.  -Caltex International, Ltd. Syracuse, NY

Mold and Odor Removal

This service is conducted as a whole house or structure approach.  We first attempt to locate the cause of the problem.  Remove, replace or repair the problem.  Then, through a site specific approach, provide and implement a mold and odor remediation plan.  Plans must have the following included in them to be complete:

1. What are we doing?
2. What caused the problem?
3. Fix the problem.
4. How will we clean up the problem?
5. How do you know when the problem is cleaned up and when our work is complete?