• Should You Have a Bacteria Test Before Purchasing a Home?

    When you are getting ready to buy a house , you may want to consider scheduling a full house inspection. A company that offers mold inspection and home inspections in San Francisco can determine whether a house is a safe space for you and your family.

    One of the most important types of test that you may want to schedule before you buy a house is a bacteria test. If bacteria are present in a home after a sewage spill or other type of emergency, the health and safety of your loved ones could be at risk after you move in. Bacteria can cause serious illnesses when they are not treated and properly removed from the home. Fortunately, a home inspector with bacteria testing experience can perform a thorough test for your potential property. By taking a look at whether a house has any bacteria contamination, you can embark on buying a house with total confidence.

    Purchasing a Home

  • A Look at the Benefits of Scheduling a Mold Inspection

    If you suspect that you have mold in your house in San Francisco , it’s important to hire an expert in mold remediation to perform a professional mold inspection. Symptoms of mold exposure can be incredibly serious, particularly exposure to toxic black mold. Here is a look at the key benefits of hiring a mold remediation expert to perform a mold inspection and black mold testing in your home.

    Prevent Serious Symptoms of Mold Exposure Mold Inspection
    Mold symptoms, particularly black mold symptoms, are dangerous, and can even be life threatening. If you or anyone in your household is already ill or suffers from an autoimmune disease, you’re at a higher risk of dangerous symptoms of mold exposure. Symptoms of mold exposure can be as mild as allergies, skin rashes, and common cold symptoms. Black mold symptoms can include serious respiratory problems and infections, asthma complications, chronic headaches and fatigue, dangerous neurological problems, and toxic mold syndrome.

    Improve Indoor Air Quality
    When the mold in your house becomes airborne, your indoor air quality significantly declines. Mold exposure and mold symptoms occur when mold spores are inhaled from the air and settle in the lungs or nasal passages. A mold remediation expert can test your indoor air quality for signs of mold spores. He can also perform an extensive mold inspection to look for signs of mold growth throughout your home. If he finds mold in your house, he will perform professional mold testing, including black mold testing, to see if you are at risk for toxic mold exposure.

    Reduce Your Risk of Structural Damage to Your Home
    Mold growth occurs in areas that are damp and warm. This means that mold might grow in areas of your home that aren’t immediately visible, such as behind walls or wallpaper, behind or underneath plumbing fixtures, in flooring or ceiling tiles, and behind or underneath appliances. Water damage and mold growth can cause problems with wooden structures, insulation, and electrical wiring in your home. A mold inspection and mold remediation will reduce or prevent serious structural damage.

  • Getting Rid of Household Mold

    Not only is household mold an unpleasant thing to live with, but it also can pose a serious health risk, especially for those who suffer from respiratory issues such as asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). If you have mold growing in your home, contact an experienced professional who specializes in mold inspection and mold remediation in San Francisco.

    One effective way to get rid of mold is to reduce the amount of moisture inside your home. Watch this video to find out what else you can do if you suspect mold in your home, or if you’re experiencing symptoms of mold exposure.

  • Understanding the Mold Testing Process

    No one wants to live in a home, or work in an office, that is filled with mold. Luckily, there are ways to test for mold. If you suspect that you may have mold growing in your home, don’t hesitate to contact a mold remediation professional in San Francisco to schedule an inspection and a mold test .

    Common Types of Mold Found in Homes mold test
    Knowing how to identify mold is your first line of defense against it. When mold is growing out in the open, it’s pretty easy to recognize—it looks like dark-colored fuzz, usually occurring in clusters or spotted patches speckled across a surface. There are three types of mold that are commonly found in homes: Aspergillus , Cladosporium , and Stachybotras . The first two are relatively harmless, mainly responsible for minor allergic reactions and lung issue. Stachybotras , on the other hand, can really be cause for concern. Known as toxic black mold, Stachybotras can pose a serious health risk, and may send you to the emergency room if you’ve been continually exposed to it for a steady period of time. If you have black mold in your home, you need to call a mold remediation expert immediately.

    Testing for Mold Using Store-Bought Test Kits
    Ideally, when testing your home for mold, you want to perform the test before a deep cleaning, and then again afterward to make sure that you’ve eradicated the problem.

    You can readily purchase a mold test kit at your local hardware or home-improvement store. These kits are fairly straightforward to use, usually requiring homeowners to send prepared samples to a laboratory. They range in prices depending on the companies and how involved the tests are. Be forewarned – these test kits have been known to be unreliable.

    Hiring a Professional
    For peace of mind, hire a professional mold specialist to test your home. Only a trained technician has the knowledge and proper equipment to perform a comprehensive and accurate test.

  • A Look at the Most Common Types of Household Mold

    Mold is everywhere, but the last place it should be is inside your home. Although there are only a few types of mold that can cause very serious health problems, no amount of indoor mold is good for or your family. Unfortunately, considering how humid the Bay Area and the general condition of the homes and buildings in the vicinity, household mold is a common problem in San Francisco. To protect your health and the health of your family, schedule mold testing with an indoor environment testing company in the Bay Area. Technicians will perform a number of different tests to confirm or deny the presence of various different types of harmful indoor molds, including:

    Aspergillus Household Mold
    Aspergillus is one of the most common environmental molds. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims that most people breathe in these fungal spores every day. Although Aspergillus exposure isn’t harmful for people with healthy immune systems, people with weakened immune systems can develop sinus or lung infections which can spread to other parts of the body.

    Cladosporium
    Another common mold in the environment, Cladosporium is usually found on plants and other organic matter outdoors. Indoors, this type of mold can grow in areas where moisture is consistently present, such as in bathrooms and laundry rooms. Although Cladosporium rarely causes human illness, it is known to cause several different types of infections, including brain infections.

    Stachybotrys Chartarum
    The most notorious (and dangerous) of all common household molds, Stachybotrys chartarum is a greenish-black mold that typically grows on materials with a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, such as fiberboard, gypsum board, and paper. Also known as “ toxic black mold ,” Stachybotrys chartarum can cause nausea, vomiting, bleeding in the lungs, and more serious health effects with prolonged exposure.

  • Angie’s List Mold Remediation

    Large amounts of mold can cause serious health concerns as well as extensive harm to your home. If you suspect that there is mold in your home, it is best to get it under control before it can harm you, your family, or your property. Luckily, working with a company that conducts mold inspections in San Francisco can help keep your family safe. Watch this video to learn why you should act quickly to control mold.

    Asthma, allergies, and skin rashes can be black mold symptoms. If you know you have mold, you can try to remove it on your own by eliminating the source of moisture, but mold remediation professionals can help to eliminate it completely. The costs of working with a professional can vary depending on the scope of the job, but it will help to keep your family safe and healthy.

  • Frequently Asked Questions About Mold

    Most people understand that mold does not belong in their home, but they may not understand exactly why. If you are on the fence about getting a mold inspection near San Francisco, you may want to learn more about what mold in your home can mean for you and your family. In order to help you gain a wealth of knowledge about mold, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions on the topic.

    Who is Affected by Mold? Mold Inspection Near San Francisco
    Mold exposure can make you and your family extremely ill. If you have young children or infants in your home, they are very susceptible to the

    effects of mold , as are the elderly. Also, if you have anyone in your home who has a suppressed immune system or asthma, mold can negatively affect them.

    Why Does Mold Grow?
    In nature, mold is very important. It grows in order to help the decomposition of leaves, trees, and other plants. In nature, mold grows in areas with high moisture content. Mold is not hazardous in small amounts; however, in large amounts it can pose a threat to you or your loved one’s health.

    Where Can Mold Be Found?
    Everyone is exposed to mold every day, but in small doses. In your home, it is possible for large amounts of mold to build up. Mold can be found in your carpets, on your walls, appliances, or your floors. Just as in nature, mold will thrive in damp places such as your bathroom, kitchen, or basement.

    How Can You Treat Mold?
    Mold will grow anywhere that conditions are suitable for it. There is no stopping mold completely, but you can take action against it. If you suspect that there are large amounts of mold in your home, working with a company that specializes in mold inspections can help you control it. They can help you identify your home’s problem areas and should also be able to help you remove the mold.

  • Understanding the Symptoms of Black Mold Exposure

    Black mold is more than just an unsightly nuisance in your home. When your property is affected by black mold, you and your loved ones could be at risk of developing black mold symptoms. Since black mold spores are highly toxic to humans, prolonged exposure to areas that are contaminated with mold could lead to serious health problems. If you or a loved one are experiencing mold symptoms , you should be sure to set up a mold inspection in San Francisco. To help you decide whether your home is in need of black mold testing, here is a closer look at some of the most

    Mold Inspection in San Francisco

    common mold symptoms.

    Respiratory Symptoms
    Respiratory symptoms are among the most common indicators of a reaction to toxic black mold . When a person is sensitive to mold, he or she may develop problems breathing, as well as a continual cough. In certain cases, black mold has also been linked to other serious health issues, such as pulmonary edema and asthma. If you or a loved one is having difficulty breathing in your home, you may have a black mold issue.

    Circulatory Symptoms
    Black mold can affect a person’s circulatory system, as well as his or her breathing. Some of the common signs of circulatory issues include low blood pressure, difficulty with blood clotting, or internal bleeding. Since these circulatory problems can potentially become quite serious, it is a very good idea to set up a mold testing appointment at the first sign of black mold in your home.

    Eye and Skin Symptoms
    Exposure to black mold can also lead to irritation around the eyes and on the skin. For example, black mold may cause a person to develop itchy or watery eyes. In addition, repeated exposure to black mold spores can also lead to dermatitis and other skin related issues. If you are concerned about protecting your family from these black mold symptoms, you should be sure to set up a black mold testing appointment today.

  • Black Mold Health Symptoms

    Mold poisoning can cause a variety of health problems. Often, mold exposure can result in allergic reactions. For example, you may experience, sneezing, coughing, or itchy and watery eyes. Additionally, black mold can worsen symptoms of sinusitis and asthma. If you have been experiencing health symptoms such as these at home, you may be eligible for a mold inspection. A company offering mold testing near San Francisco can provide you with a complete and thorough mold inspection for your home. After your mold testing has been completed, you will be ready to start the mold removal process. To learn more about some of the health symptoms of black mold, check out this video from ehowhealth.

  • The Dangers of Mold Exposure

    For people who do not have asthma or allergies, exposure to mold oftentimes does not result in any unpleasant symptoms. But for those who have asthma or mold allergies, mold symptoms can be severe. To learn more about mold poisoning and other dangers of mold exposure, watch this video—and for a professional mold inspection in San Francisco , contact Safe Air Fast.

    Mold exposure can be very harmful if you have asthma, a chronic lung condition, or a weak immune system. These pre-existing conditions can increase the likelihood of developing a mold infection in the lungs. If you have one of these pre-existing conditions and you believe you are in contact with mold at home or at the office, call a mold testing company right away.