Skylar Life Blocks Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew can cause serious issues if left unchecked in a home. Exposure to mold can lead to allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other respiratory problems. Mold and mildew also damage materials they grow on, leading to costly repairs and replacements. At Skylar Life, we specialize in mold remediation and moisture control to keep your home safe and healthy.

What Are Mold and Mildew?

Mold and mildew are fungi that grow in warm, damp places with little air circulation. Both mold and mildew produce spores that become airborne, allowing them to spread easily. When the spores land on a surface with moisture, they can quickly grow into colonies that damage materials.

Health Dangers

Exposure to mold and mildew spores can cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks, respiratory infections, and other chronic conditions. Mold spores contain mycotoxins that can suppress immune systems and irritate eyes, skin, nasal passages, and lungs.

Costly Damage

Mold and mildew physically damage porous materials like drywall, wood, and fabric as they grow. Trying to clean moldy surfaces rarely succeeds, so full replacement is usually required. Ignoring a mold problem leads to exponentially increased remediation costs down the road.

Identifying Mold and Mildew

Detecting mold and mildew growth early maximizes the chances for successful remediation. There are important differences between mold and mildew as well as telling signs of fungal colonies.

Differences

While both are fungi, mold and mildew thrive under slightly different conditions. Mold grows well indoors and forms fuzzy colonies that may be white, gray, brown, yellow, or black. Mildew prefers higher humidity and forms flat, powdery, usually black growths outdoors or in very damp indoor areas.

Areas of Growth

Check areas with excess moisture for mold and mildew. Problem spots include basement corners, leaks near windows and pipes, bathroom grout and ceilings, refrigerator drip pans, HVAC systems, and carpet with high humidity.

Signs of Mold & Mildew

In addition to visible growth, signs of mold and mildew include musty odors, materials or surfaces that remain damp, condensation on windows and walls, and symptoms like coughing, congestion, and irritated eyes or throat.

Dangers of Mold and Mildew Exposure

Health issues from mold and mildew range from bothersome to severe depending on the length and degree of exposure, the types of fungi, and an individual's sensitivity. Always treat mold growth seriously.

Allergic Reactions & Asthma

Inhaling airborne mold and mildew spores triggers allergic reactions like sneezing, coughing, skin rashes, and asthma attacks. Mold mycotoxins directly attack and irritate lung tissues.

Respiratory Conditions

Toxic mold exposure leads to inflammation and infections in nasal passages, airways, and lung tissues. Symptoms include chronic coughs, congestion, sore throat, and trouble breathing.

Chronic Diseases

Long periods of toxic mold exposure are linked to serious conditions like respiratory diseases, autoimmune disorders, memory loss, vision issues, chronic pain, and nerve damage from inflammation.

Preventing Mold and Mildew Growth

An environment that prevents mold and mildew from growing in the first place is the best defense. Moisture control, proper ventilation, and cleanliness keep fungal spores from taking root and spreading.

Moisture Control

• Dehumidify basements and crawlspaces to between 30% and 50% relative humidity.
• Fix any water leaks immediately to keep excess moisture at bay.
• Make sure air conditioner units drain properly outside the home.

Proper Ventilation

• Use exhaust fans vented to the outside during and after baths and showers.
• Make sure dryer vents lead directly outside.
• Open blinds and curtains to circulate air near windows.

Clean and Disinfect

• Clean bathroom tile, grout, sinks, and showers regularly with diluted bleach.
• Wipe down and disinfect damp areas like windows and pipe fittings.
• Clean debris out of refrigerator drip pans, window A/C units, and dehumidifiers often.

Testing for Mold and Mildew

The first step in any mold remediation plan involves testing to identify all locations and types of fungal growths. Professional inspections, home test kits, and lab work together provide complete analysis.

Professional Testing

Certified mold inspectors conduct detailed assessments to uncover hidden growth behind walls or under materials. They use specialized equipment like thermal imaging cameras, 3D scanners, and mold spore trappers.

At-Home Test Kits

Homeowners use do-it-yourself mold test kits to sample suspect areas. The red, green, black color indications on mold detector strips help identify species. Other kits require sending collected samples to a professional lab for analysis.

When to Test

Schedule testing immediately at the first signs of mold or mildew like suspicious stains or musty odors. Early detection locates all issues for complete mold removal and halts additional spore spread.

Removing Mold and Mildew

Mold remediation starts by preparing proper safety precautions before thoroughly cleaning affected areas and structure components down to the bare, untreated surfaces.

Safety First

• Cover nose and mouth with an N95 respirator mask when handling mold.
• Wear protective goggles, gloves, and full-body coveralls.
• Work in well-ventilated environments and take regular outside air breaks.

Containment

Seal off moldy rooms from the rest of the house with plastic barriers and negative air pressure to stop spore spread during the process.

Surface Cleaning

Use concentrated cleaners formulated to kill mold and mildew down to the root structures. Avoid bleach, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, ammonia, or other DIY solutions.

Hiring a Professional Mold Remediation Company

Severe mold issues often require calling certified mold remediation specialists who use professional-grade treatments and high-tech moisture control systems.

Certified Technicians

Experienced companies put mold remediation crews through months of training to earn top industry certifications for every mold and biohazard cleanup method.

Advanced Treatment Methods

Professional contractors have commercial dehumidification equipment, HEPA air scrubbers, 3D thermal imaging scanners, and commercial disinfectant foggers to eradicate mold.

Post-Remediation Verification

Reputable remediation companies always conduct follow-up checks after finishing cleanup using hygrometers, moisture meters, and air quality testing to guarantee mold removal and dryness.

Moisture Control from Skylar Life

In addition to mold remediation, Skylar Life excels at installing advanced moisture control solutions to prevent fungal growth from returning.

Drying Technology

We utilize commercial dehumidification and drying equipment that pulls gallons of moisture from the air daily, rapidly drying any damp areas.

Desiccant Dehumidification

Skylar Life's desiccant dehumidifier lines use microprocessors to monitor humidity levels down to the percentage point for ultimate moisture control.

Mold Prevention

Our humidity management equipment constantly works to inhibit mold growth conditions. We also apply mold-resistant coatings to vulnerable surfaces.

Skylar Life's Mold Remediation Process

Our mold removal system utilizes industry-leading inspection tools, vacuum-sealed containment barriers, EPA-approved biocides, and third-party testing.

Inspection & Testing

We thoroughly assess all impact areas using infrared cameras, moisture meters, hygrometers, and air testing devices. We take samples for lab analysis to identify all mold types present.

Containment Setups

Our technicians seal off affected rooms with thick plastic sheeting and negative air machines. This prevents cross-contamination and protects other areas while cleaning.

Surface Cleaning

We use strong application methods like fogging and fine misting to saturate all exposed surfaces with concentrated disinfectants made to eliminate mold and fungi down to the root level.

After Cleanup by Skylar

The final phase focuses on guaranteeing mold and moisture issues stay solved for good before the job officially ends.

Verification Testing

Post-remediation, our techs redo all inspection testing using hygrometers, moisture meters, air quality devices, and lab samples. We continue working until all results show safe, dry conditions.

Moisture Prevention

We install commercial dehumidifiers, humidity monitors, and mold-resistant surface coatings tailored to each location for bulletproof moisture control.

Warranties

Every Skylar Life mold remediation job includes long-term mold damage and moisture control warranties for continued peace of mind.

Benefits of Choosing Skylar Life

Selecting Skylar Life for mold and mildew issues ensures you receive industry-leading remediation techniques, decades of experience, and 100% satisfaction.

Industry Certifications

Our mold remediation crews maintain top certifications from the IICRC, IAQA, and EPA demonstrating extensive training for guaranteed proper protocols.

Remediation Experience

With over 20 years solely focused on mold, Skylar Life's seasoned experts utilize the most effective inspection tools and proven removal methods.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

We stand behind our work on every job. If you aren't completely satisfied, we will return to address any lingering issues until solving the problem fully.

Ignoring a mold infestation only worsens the problem over time. Respiratory issues, structural damage, and increased remediation costs are too steep of a price to pay. Trust the mold and mildew experts at Skylar Life to fully eliminate hazardous fungal growth and moisture conditions from your home as quickly as possible.

Don't wait - contact Skylar Life today to schedule your initial inspection. Our skilled technicians utilize the most advanced industry methods for mold testing and removal. Investing in our top-tier remediation services also gains long-term warranties and moisture prevention solutions. We guarantee all our work, so you receive genuine peace of mind that comes from knowing your home's health and safety has been restored.