HydraMaster Reminds Cleaning Professionals September is Mold Awareness Month

Sept. 1, 2011 - PRLog -- Mukilteo, WA — Mold can be a serious problem after a violent storm such as Hurricane Irene, which just hit the United States.

And sure enough, September is Mold Awareness Month, designed for homeowners and facility managers to evaluate the possibility of mold growth in their properties under normal or emergency situations.

Developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mold Awareness Month is especially significant for carpet cleaning technicians because we know mold can develop not only after emergencies, but when carpets take too long to dry after cleaning.

Mold is a microscopic organism that serves a helpful purpose in nature. It helps in the decomposition of leaves, wood, and plant debris. However, indoors mold can cause eye irritation, congestion, and respiratory problems.

“It can also be very costly to eradicate,” says Mickey McKee, vice president of sales and marketing for U.S. Products and HydraMaster, manufacturers of professional carpet cleaning equipment. “It is estimated that water and mold damage cost insurers more than $2.5 billion annually, much of which can be prevented.”*

According to McKee, ways to prevent mold from developing in a home or facility include the following:

•   Fix water leaks as soon as they are detected.
•   Keep hard surface floors, counters, and upholstery dry.
•   Take steps to prevent condensation from developing around windows, walls, pipes, and floors.
•   Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners especially in hot, humid climates.
•   After carpet cleaning, place air movers around the room to help carpets dry faster.
Along with the placement of air movers, McKee recommends the use of low-moisture carpet extractors and/or portable and truckmount extractors with more advanced vacuum systems for effective moisture recovery.

“With these extractors, the carpets should dry much faster, helping to prevent mold growth whenever carpets are cleaned,” he says.



*Source: Insurance Information Institute

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About HydraMaster
HydraMaster is a multimillion-dollar corporation with 150 employees and 90 representatives worldwide. The company manufactures several truckmount systems, a wide variety of accessories for high-performance truckmounts, and specialized cleaning wands.

Contact:
HydraMaster Headquarters
11015 47th Ave. West
Mukilteo, WA 98275
Toll Free: 1-800-426-4225