Using Bleach vs. Professional Mold Treatment

What Is Mold?

Mold is part of any moist environment in nature itself, through the decomposition of organic matter such as fallen leaves, dead trees, or other debris where moisture is present. Mold can come in varied ‘colors’ of white, black, green, or brown.

Where there is excessive moisture in homes or businesses, mold can grow rapidly if not addressed promptly, or if it is hidden behind walls, ceilings, or under floors. Mold growth is due to microscopic mold spores that ‘fly through the air with the greatest of ease!’ Mold spores can be sticky and cling to surfaces; they are dislodged by brushing against or direct contact. Other mold spores are easily disturbed and settle repeatedly on new surfaces. The best way to control mold growth indoors is to control excessive moisture.

The immediate answer for many homeowners is to reach for chlorine bleach, otherwise known as sodium hypochlorite, to ‘kill,’ or rather deactivate, biological vegetative bacteria and fungi. A bleach-to-water solution must be in proper concentration to be effective, but be aware also that bleach is approximately 90% water, and since mold thrives in moisture, simply spraying bleach on porous surfaces can actually promote further mold growth.

What Are The Sources Of Moisture That Brings Mold Growth?

The remediation of mold must begin with assessing and identifying the source of the mold, which is moisture! A myriad of sources of moisture bring mold spores and visible mold contamination. Such sources that a professional mold inspection finds include:

• Rainwater Build-up At Home Foundation: Standing water at the foundation of a house is due to poor grading of the ground so that water cannot flow away from the home foundation. The stagnant water at the home foundation works with the environment of nature with its fallen leaves, tree branches, or other organic debris, providing the breeding ground for saprotrophic fungi, a food source, and the development of mold to home wood support structures, such as window frames, concrete pavements, or a home’s cement foundation, vinyl siding, or bricks. 
• Damp Basements: The three issues causing moisture in basements are: high humidity, when the warm and humid summer air touches the cool basement walls, bringing condensation to form, or the intrusion of water when rainwater pools near the home foundation or from plumbing leaks or non-insulated pipes ‘sweating,’ or there is inadequate basement ventilation that prevents moisture from evaporating quickly.
• Leaky Roofs:  A common source of moisture in the attic space is caused when the roof shingles loosen and are blown away or fall off, or there is cracked flashing around chimneys or attic vents, or a nail head becomes rusty from exposure to wet weather, or rusty because of being poorly driven and losing its galvanized coating, which causes metal to degrade and become a channel for water to enter the attic.
• Leaky Pipes: Such ‘little things’ as a leaky pipe that is behind a wall, under a floor, or under the ceiling can bring unseen moisture and produce the most havoc with the growth of mold as the moisture slowly saturates structural sub-flooring, ceiling joists, house framework, and carpeting. This source of moisture can lead to mold growth within 24 to 48 hours.
•  Poor Ventilation and Humidity: A well-ventilated home or business brings a continual flow of clean air. A
  A well-ventilated home has enough exterior vents to maintain a proper balance of airflow in and out of the house. If house vents are obstructed by debris or otherwise blocked, restricted airflow can create a humid environment that promotes mold growth! This restricted airflow is especially problematic when attic soffit intake vents and ridge exhaust vents are blocked, preventing airflow. Humid air in the attic can lead to black mold, which releases spores and mycotoxins into the home space, triggering respiratory problems, eye irritation, asthma, fatigue, and skin irritation. A certified mold remediation contractor does not overlook performing an HVAC mold inspection (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), as mold can form within AC drip pans, air handlers, AC evaporator coils, and ductwork.
• Flooding: A flood from heavy rainfall, poor ground drainage, or pipe burst is truly a home disaster requiring repair and restoration.

How Are Mold Spores Core To Health Issues?

If experiencing continual nasal and sinus congestion, sore throat, headache, chronic cough, eye irritation, a skin rash or blurry vision — do not assume it is simply the result of the common cold or a seasonal allergy. It may not be just a cold, but the presence of mold, or rather the breathing in of mold spores. Mold growth, as described in scientific analysis, is caused by a fungus, or plural fungi — a group of spore producing organisms that feed on such organic matter as mold, or yeast, mushrooms, toadstools. In individuals with compromised immune systems, serious health conditions can occur as:

• Asthma: a chronic disease of the respiratory system that causes inflammation in the lungs, narrowing the airway. The risk of asthma developing or getting worse, especially in young children, is often linked to prolonged mold exposure.
• Cancer: a type of cancer known as Aflatoxin, a carcinogen that grows in living tissue.
• Cognitive Difficulties: long-term mold exposure may be the cause of memory loss, lightheadedness, blurred vision, or ‘brain fog.’
• Mental Health Issues: depression, anxiety, stress in adults or children.
• Inflammation and Immune System Changes: long-term mold exposure can bring on immune system changes and inflammation in the body, including asthma.

All scientific analysis aside, mold is best described by homeowners, when they discover the slightly fuzzy, discolored, slimy substance known as mold in their home, with one word: UGGGH!  It is not the mold itself that causes structural damage to a home; it is the fungi that feed on the mold that can cause wood rot in flooring and house beams, corrupt carpeting, walls, and ceiling tiles, and leave stains on furniture and upholstery! Our article today aims to educate on the best method of mold remediation.

Does Bleach Kill Mold — Or Hide It?

Using bleach may clean up (hide) the unsightly, ‘UGGGH,’ fuzzy, discolored, greenish, black, or brown, slimy mold on non-porous surfaces such as sinks, bathtubs, ceramic tile, or glass because the mold roots did not penetrate the surface, and surface-level mold is easily removed. The use of bleach on porous surfaces, such as wood or drywall, will only change the color of the ‘UGGGH’ surface mold. The bleach does not reach the mold hyphae or the deep roots of the mold material, which are anchored to its organic food sources, such as drywall, wood, or fabric, and in a few days or weeks, the mold regains its ‘UGGGH’ color, growing back worse than when bleach was applied! Airborne mold spores are the seeds of new mold colonies, and mold hyphae are the living ‘roots’ that allow mold to grow and spread. Concisely, bleach does not kill mold!

Bleach, a highly corrosive chemical, can also weaken wood fibers or corrode metal surfaces if not used correctly, and mold remediation professionals advise against the use of bleach on non-porous or porous surfaces, with the major concern being the prolonged breathing of the gaseous fumes that chlorine bleach, aka sodium hypochlorite, directly produces. Mixing chlorine bleach with ammonia or other cleaning solutions can also produce hazardous fumes that can cause a burning sensation in the eyes, nostrils, lungs, or on the skin!

What Is The Process Of Professional Mold Remediation?

Exit Mold professional technicians handle mold remediation in a step-by-step methodical process of removing the mold contaminated material found on drywall, insulation, flooring, and ceiling tiles and disposing of this material in accordance with the EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, standards. Exit Mold technicians use HEPA vacuums for non-porous surfaces, and porous surfaces are cleaned using anti-microbial cleaning solutions. 

The official details of professional mold remediation:

• Inspection and Assessment: Using such technological tools as thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters can locate hidden mold colonies and the water sources that ‘feed’ the mold.
• Containment: To ensure airborne mold spores are prevented from spreading to unaffected areas, a process known as containment is first initiated by way of re-usable polyethylene containment barrier sheeting ‘walls.’ These barrier walls are sealed with tape, caulk, and expanding foam to seal any air leaks around the edges.
• Mold Removal: When the air pressure within a contained space is kept lower than the surrounding area, this is known as negative air pressure containment. The air is pulled into the contained area, preventing airborne mold spores from moving into the unaffected area. With that, an industrial-grade HEPA air scrubber and vacuum run continuously to capture 99.97% of microscopic airborne mold spores in the area as the certified mold remediation contractor removes all mold from porous drywall and ceilings, as well as non-porous surfaces. Non-porous materials are cleaned with EPA-approved antimicrobial cleaning solutions. Porous material, such as drywall, flooring, carpeting, insulation, and ceiling tiles, is disposed of in sealed plastic bags.
• Resolve of Moisture Issue: The next essential step after cleaning and sanitizing the area affected by mold is structural drying and dehumidification using high-velocity air movers, aka industrial fans, to accelerate the evaporation of trapped water. This airflow accelerates evaporation, turning liquid moisture into a vapor that can be removed from the environment by a dehumidifier, which pulls in moisture-laden air and lowers the relative humidity. The dehumidifier condenses water vapor to a liquid and pumps it out via hoses. Structural drying and dehumidification allow for more moisture to evaporate from structural materials. The next step after structural drying and dehumidification is to resolve the initial problem of the source of moisture, be it a leaky pipe, leaky roof, or poor ventilation to the room.
• Repair and Replacement of Damaged Material: In this step of the mold remediation process, the professional mold remediation contractors begin the work of repairing and replacing all materials damaged by the mold contamination. Such work involves replacing or repairing such material as drywall, flooring, and ceiling tiles.
• Remediation Verification and Air Quality Testing: The job is not complete without the mold remediation contractor doing clearance testing or verification that the affected area is fully dry, using moisture meters and infrared cameras. A visual and odor check walk-through is done to ensure all mold and fungal mold spores are removed. An indoor air quality test is performed using a calibrated air pump that draws a specific volume of air
  to a collection cassette, known as a spore trap. This spore trap is sent to an accredited lab for analysis, along with an outdoor baseline sample, so that the lab can compare indoor air to the outdoor environment. Clearance verification documentation can then be provided to the homeowner.

Who Do You Want To Resolve Mold Remediation?

Exit Mold, a fully trained, licensed, and insured biohazard cleanup company serving residential homeowners and businesses in New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk County for 25+ years! Our trained technicians use the most advanced technological tools to restore residential homes and businesses. Contact us with any concerns or questions — we are here to serve!  Call or send an email today, time is of the essence when dealing with any home emergency!