Mold: Frequently Asked Questions

The Questions

Question: Is mold able to develop in drier climates?

Answer: Mold does, of course, develop in dry areas. Mold requires 50 to 60 percent humidity and a food source to thrive. The food supply might be as basic as dust on a surface, and the humidity or moisture can come from something as common as condensation. A customer previously told me that their property owner told them that mold can't grow higher than 4000 feet. LOL. In the contiguous United States, we have yet to locate a mold-free elevation.

Question: What is the risk level of indoor mold?

Answer: It's impossible to tell without mentioning that it could be quite dangerous. Every person is unique, and each mold is unique. Penicillium causes some people to react, while Chaetomium causes others to react. Stachybotrys bothers some people, whereas it doesn't bother others. Toxins produced by mold are also impacted by the food supply on which the mold feeds. It's impossible to tell if the mold in your home is dangerous to one person but not to another due to hundreds of combinations of mold, toxins, and mvoc's (microbial volatile organic compounds) emitted and an individual's DNA or health profile. The best rule of thumb is to stay away from mold as much as possible and to take proactive measures to prevent and eliminate mold in your house, automobile, and workplace.

Question: Is it true that Pure Maintenance methods are toxic?

Answer: No, the answer is no. Pure Maintenance makes use of a substance known as peracetic acid. Peracetic acid is one of only seven antimicrobials designated as "Safer Choice" by the Environmental Protection Agency. Furthermore, during the procedure, the fog emits very low parts per million. The second stage is a patented mixture that generates a mechanical device on each surface of the home, making it extremely difficult for mold to survive on any surface. The second stage attaches a covalent link to each surface that cannot be removed, cannot off-gas, and simply makes landing and survival of spores extremely difficult. It's like landing a balloon on a bed of nails.

Question: What is the average time it takes to cure a home?

Answer: It takes about 3 to 5 hours to cure a typical home. Customers should leave for a couple of hours before returning to allow the vinegar scent to diminish. Some people enjoy it, while others prefer to "air out" the house for the two hours we propose.

Question: I've been unwell for years, and my doctor thinks the mold in my house is the source of my illness. Is that something you can do?

Answer: Yes, evidence of indoor mold toxins and associated mold sickness is becoming more widely accepted each year. Indoor mold can make people sick is no longer just a "hunch." Doctors like Daniel Pompa, a well-known health practitioner in the United States, are at the forefront of some people's very personal battles with mold toxicity.

What is the frequency with which I will need to treat my home?

Answer: Most of the time, just one therapy is adequate. The long-term implications of providing a hostile environment for mold spores prevent the mold load cycle from reoccurring.

What is the mold load cycle, exactly? Answer: Pure Maintenance coined the Mold Load Cycle a few years ago. Moisture can be found in certain regions of any home. Window sills, baths, carpets, drains, garments, HVAC systems, HVAC humidifiers, air conditioners, and so on are examples of these locations. The cumulative effect of multiple small places harboring mold and emitting spores intermittently (no pun intended) results in more and more areas with mold and greater and heavier concentrations in these areas. Furthermore, after a few years, every home will experience a leak or flood, and some may experience multiple water occurrences. The location of the water will be addressed by a typical remediator, but the entire home mold elevation or cycle will continue. A flood or leak adds to the mold load, which can be reduced slightly if treated, but only marginally. Furthermore, because the average homeowner does not employ a sterilant or sporicide to clean, and because mold may live for years without food or moisture, the overall "mold burden" grows. Every home goes through the mold load cycle, albeit some go through it more vigorously than others. The well-known "grandma and grandpa" scent in a home is caused by the mold load elevation or cycle. The moldy, mildewed odor that we all associate with older houses.

Why does my bathroom ceiling or caulking continually sprouting mold despite my best efforts to clean it? Answer: It's critical to realize that, in the vast majority of cases, there's nothing wrong with the restroom itself. There's a problem with the entire house. The house has a high "Mold Load." When a home has a high mold load and is going through the mold load cycle, the high mold and accompanying spores show up anywhere there is dampness. So, yes, you can keep washing it, and it will return. When there are signs of mold growth in a bathroom, the window sills drains, and your bread is likely to mold soon. P.S. Because certain breads include so many preservatives, this isn't always a reliable predictor of mold load.

Why is it that my front-loading washing machine grows mold so quickly? Answer: There are a few possibilities. The design of front-loading machines, in particular, does not completely clean the clothes, and the fact that the door must be sealed to keep water out also prevents fresh air from drying out the moisture between loads. When this becomes habitual, you'll discover that your clothing never smells fresh. In fact, stores are now stocked with additives that may be used in either washing machines or dryers to try to eliminate the moldy odor.

Is it possible to salvage my "things" if our house is moldy? Yes, that is one of the many benefits of Pure Maintenance therapy. Everything in the house will be fogged, including the residence and HVAC system. This is frequently referred to as "too wonderful to be true." We think it's an excellent treatment.