Most common molds do not pose a health concern to people who are generally healthy. But for those who have existing health concerns, mold exposure can bring on a host of health issues. To learn more about mold and your health, and the importance of routine mold testing in San Francisco , read on.

Mold Symptoms
People who have allergies or asthma may experience a number of mold symptoms , including skin rash, runny nose, eye irritation, itching, cough, asthma aggravation, and congestion. Those with an immune suppression or lung disease may be at a greater risk for infections from mold exposure. Other serious health resulting from mold exposure include fatigue, coughing up blood, nose bleeds, dizziness, diarrhea, vomiting, liver damage, headaches, fever, and flu-like symptoms.

Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds
Also known as mVOCs, Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds can cause a number of health problems caused by exposure to mold. Produced by fungal metabolism, mVOCs are released into the air and give off a strong, unpleasant odor. Exposure to mVOCs that exist in mold can irritate the respiratory system and eyes. It is common for mVOCs to cause headaches, nasal irritation, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness.

Seeing a Doctor Regarding Mold
If you believe you are exposed to mold in your home or business, visit a family or general health care provider. He or she can refer you to an allergist who treats mold allergies or an infectious disease physician who treats mold infections. The doctor will be able to administer a test to see if you have been exposed to mold. He or she can also determine if you are allergic to mold by using a skin or blood test.

What to Do if You Suspect Mold in Your Home or Business
If you believe mold is inside your home or workplace, schedule a mold inspection with Safe Air Fast to ensure the mold is removed. At Safe Air Fast, we perform mold investigations and mold cleaning services.

If you are experiencing headache, fever, congestion, or fatigue, there is a chance that your body is reacting to mold exposure. Fortunately, these symptoms will go away if you find the source of the mold and eliminate it. The first step to treating mold is to schedule a mold inspection near San Francisco . In this article, we will review the mold inspection process and why it is so important.

Detecting Mold
The first step in the mold inspection process is realizing that you need a mold test. Most people realize they need a mold test when they smell mold—it has a distinctive odor that’s musty and damp. Other people recognize the need for a mold inspection when they experience mold symptoms like the ones listed above, or when they see mold on the walls, in corners of the room, or on objects.

Locating Mold
When the mold testing specialists arrive in your home, they will look in some of the popular hiding places for mold. It is common for mold to grow under carpets or carpet pads, behind draperies and wallpaper, under wood, behind drywall and wallboard, on pipes, above ceiling tiles, and in ductwork.

Cleaning Mold
Getting rid of mold entails both removing it and eliminating the conditions that caused it to grow. Determining what type of mold you have is not as important. Moldy areas must be treated with biocide; otherwise, mold can continue to make you sick even after it dies. To keep mold from growing back, dry wet spots within 48 hours, and keep your indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent.

Post-Clean Test
Mold testing is a good way to make sure your home or business is mold-free after a mold cleaning. At-home mold-testing kits do not provide the level of detailed testing that comes with a professional mold assessment. A professional mold test is especially important if your home has suffered from water damage, as it is very difficult to fully test for mold with an at-home kit.

After a mold inspection uncovers mold on your property, you will need to act fast to prevent wood rot and other structural issues. In addition, a mold problem could lead to symptoms of black mold poisoning, including respiratory issues and allergy symptoms. To eliminate a mold problem, you can start by removing all moisture from your home. Your remediation specialist may also apply a fungicidal spray to the affected areas of your property. Once your mold removal procedure has been completed, you can check to see if it has been successful by scheduling a mold inspection. A post-remediation mold inspection will give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your mold issue has been fully eliminated. A company offering mold testing near San Francisco can provide you with a full range of inspection services. To learn more about mold remediation, check out this video from ABC Action News.

When a mold inspection turns up a problem in your home, it is time to act fast and schedule mold remediation services. Your mold testing company will be able to pinpoint the precise location and extent of your mold damage. After your mold inspection near San Francisco, you may want to contact your insurance company to see whether your remediation will be covered by your insurance plan. With proper recovery, you can prevent your family from being affected by black mold symptoms. Here is a look at how to determine whether your mold remediation is covered by insurance.

Determine the Source of the Mold Problem
The first step of making a mold claim on your homeowner’s insurance is to uncover the precise source and

cause of your mold issue. Since mold requires moisture in order to grow, there is a good chance that your mold problem has been caused by a flooding leak, environmental problem, or other unforeseen issue. Depending on the type of insurance that you have for your home, the source of your mold problem may determine the amount of coverage you receive.

Investigate Your Insurance Policy
Once you have determined the source of your mold problem, your next step will be to investigate the terms of your homeowners insurance policy. Each insurance plan provides different forms of coverage, depending on the reason that your mold problem occurred in the first place. For example, if your mold problem was caused by neglectful maintenance, you may not have coverage.

Consider Adding Mold Coverage
To ensure that you are covered for any future mold damage to your home, you may want to consider taking out additional mold coverage for your home. When you add mold coverage to your insurance policy, you will be covered for any scenario that could cause a mold infestation in your home. With this type of insurance, you can rest assured that you will be able to start on your mold remediation as soon as your inspection is completed.

If a recent mold inspection has shown that your home is infested with black mold, it is vital to the health and safety of yourself and your family to schedule mold removal right away. Mold testing involves a thorough diagnosis of every area of your home that may be susceptible to mold problems. After your black mold testing, you will be able to take the steps needed to rid your home of this troublesome issue. A company offering mold inspection near San Francisco will be able to assess the level of mold damage that is affecting your home. To help you get started on your mold evaluation, here is a look at some frequently asked questions about mold.

Where Does Mold Come From?
When a mold problem shows up in your home, you may wonder where this issue has come from. Mold is a term that is used to describe a form of fungus. Mold spores are ever-present in the air around us. When mold spores find the conditions that they need to grow, they will quickly start a mold colony.

What Conditions Encourage Mold?
There are several conditions that may encourage the growth and spread of mold in your house. In order to grow and spread, mold requires constant moisture. For this reason, a hidden plumbing leak or other form of water damage could result in a mold problem. Along with moisture, mold also needs low lighting, still air, and continually moderate temperatures.

Why Is Mold a Dangerous Problem?
While mold may seem like it is solely a cosmetic nuisance, black mold actually poses a serious health risk to any person who spends time in your home. In fact, continued exposure to black mold has been linked to the symptoms of black mold poisoning. Some of the signs of black mold poisoning include respiratory issues, allergies, and skin rashes. If a member of your family develops these symptoms, you should be sure to schedule a mold inspection for your house.

If you have mold in your house, it’s important to act quickly to address it to avoid serious health risks. The symptoms of mold exposure include asthma, skin irritation, and eye irritation, and mold exposure can be serious for children and the elderly as well as for pregnant women. If you suspect you have mold in your home but aren’t sure, arrange a professional mold inspection. A mold test will identify any mold in your home so you can arrange for the proper removal. Find out more about the importance of acting fast when you have mold in this infographic from Safe Air Fast . Contact us for mold inspection near San Francisco if you think you have an issue. We provide mold inspections, lead testing, bacteria testing, and more. The issue of household mold is a serious one, so please share this information to help other homeowners understand the risk.

Asthma is a serious health problem that affects millions of Americans. Since mold is a proven asthma trigger, it is highly important for asthma sufferers to live and work in mold-free environments. When mold is present in an indoor space, its microscopic spores will contaminate the air. A person with asthma may develop mold symptoms when he or she enters a contaminated building. If you are concerned about mold in your home, you should consider scheduling a mold inspection near San Francisco . A company offering mold testing can help ensure that your home or business is safe for those with asthma. To take a closer look at the benefits of scheduling a mold inspection today, be sure to check out this video from Paul Cochrane.

There are many different types of molds or mildew that can thrive indoors as well as outdoors. A building may require mold removal if it features a warm, humid environment, such as a shower stall in a home. Mold test and removal is essential because even though the mold appears to be stationary, it releases tiny mold spores that drift through the air. If you’ve been exposed to mold, you may suffer from ill health effects.

Allergic Reactions
Some people may suffer from allergic reactions upon being exposed to mold. These symptoms may arise immediately after exposure; however, for some people, it takes a while to experience symptoms. Some of the possible signs of a mold allergy include coughing, wheezing, sneezing, tearing of the eyes. A runny nose, rash, and skin irritation can also indicate a mold allergy. However, even if you aren’t allergic to mold, it is possible to experience some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction, namely irritation of the airways, eyes, and skin.

Asthma Attacks
If you’re allergic to mold and you have asthma, it’s particularly important to contact a mold removal service in San Francisco. Some of the signs of an asthma attack include chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing. You may experience breathing problems, such as gasping for air, breathing faster than usual, and feeling as though you’re out of breath. If you do suffer an asthma attack because of mold, follow your physician’s recommended treatment plan. This will likely include using a rescue inhaler and going to the nearest emergency room.

Respiratory Infections
There is some evidence that mold exposure can cause respiratory infections. This may be more likely to occur to individuals who have a compromised immune system and those who have a chronic lung disease. A mold removal company can help you prevent these dangerous complications.

Sick Building Syndrome
Sick building syndrome is a term that refers to undefinable medical concerns linked to a particular building. For example, a group of individuals who frequent an office building may all develop similar symptoms after spending time in that building. These symptoms may include respiratory complaints, headaches, fatigue, skin irritation, and even gastrointestinal problems. Despite the similarity of the health complaints, professionals are unable to diagnose a specific illness, hence the term, “sick building syndrome.” Sick building syndrome is believed to have a number of causes, including exposure to mold.

Breathing in elevated levels of mold and mildew can initiate an allergic or even toxic response in an otherwise healthy individual. In children, indoor mold exposure can trigger asthma attacks and even result in long-term respiratory problems. Preventing asthma attacks in children can be as easy as cleaning up mold and mildew in your home. This catchy tune from the Ad Council and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will tell you more about protecting your child from mold-related asthma problems.

A mold remediation company in San Francisco can protect you and your family from indoor mold exposure. In addition to mold removal, a thorough mold remediation involves eliminating the source of moisture that caused the mold problem in the first place. Call your San Francisco mold abatement professional to get started.