Water Damage In a Building is Capable of Causing Mold Infestation

LOS ANGELES - June 25, 2014 - PRLog -- LOS ANGELES, CA: Building Cleaning Services, (http://buildingcleaningservices.net/) a Los Angeles mold remediation and environmental cleaning company, warns homeowners and business owners that any water damage in a building must be addressed immediately so mold is prevented from growing. Visible mold can appear within 72 hours on a water damaged surface, or within 24 hours in the case of “black water” from sewage waste. Mold must be removed at once for the safety of all the building’s occupants.

According to a study released from Kansas State University: “Molds require moisture. Moisture can come from water leaks, flooding, capillary movement (wicking from one area to another), high relative humidity, and condensation. The moisture may be in the host material, on its surface, or in the form of humidity in the air. Relative humidity levels above 70 percent appear to be optimal for fungal or mold spore growth. A lower relative humidity level reduces the rate of mold growth as the mold goes dormant but does not stop growth and development entirely. In fact, at low relative humidity levels, there is increased spores released into the air. Materials that are exposed to a constant leak or have been soaked and not dried thoroughly can support mold growth. Some molds can take hold and form a new colony in one or two days on damp materials. When the relative humidity is low, the temperature is too high or too low, or the organic material is gone, molds go dormant. But when the relative humidity gets high, they can regenerate."

Building Cleaning Services has worked tirelessly to increase the public’s awareness on the importance of watching for and handling Los Angeles mold infestations. One of the first things to watch for are the signs of water damage and other factors that lead to mold infestation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states: “Dampness is a problem in buildings because it provides the moisture that supports the growth of bacteria, fungi (i.e., mold), and insects. In the presence of damp building materials the source of water incursion is often readily apparent (e.g., leaks in the roof or windows or a burst pipe). However, dampness problems can be less obvious when the affected materials and water source are hidden from view (e.g., wet insulation within a ceiling or wall; excessive moisture in the building foundation due to the slope of the surrounding land). Office buildings, schools, and other non-industrial buildings may develop moisture and dampness problems from roof and window leaks, high indoor humidity, and flooding events, among other things. For this Alert, we define "dampness" as the presence of unwanted and excessive moisture in buildings [AIHA 2008]. This can lead to the growth of mold, fungi, and bacteria; the release of volatile organic compounds; and the breakdown of building materials.”

The procedures for addressing a mold infestation are precisely laid out, and when used by experts can fully handle the problem. Building Cleaning Services has had many successful Los Angeles mold remediation operations, just like this one from a client in Pasadena: “Mold sucks. It’s stressful, painful, troublesome and you want it out. BCS takes care of all this, makes you feel good about it and hands you back your home and peace of mind. They were honest, friendly, efficient and straight-forward. Roger handled all the details, Kathy the accounting. Both couldn’t be more productive and professional. Hope I never have to see them again, but if anyone needs to get their life back in order after some mold has been discovered, BCS will do it right.”

Building Cleaning Services' other reviews on Yelp can be seen at www.yelp.com/biz/building-cleaning-services-glendale

BCS provides water damage clean up and mold removal services for the Greater Los Angeles area, and other areas of Southern California. Established in 1997, they have over a decade of experience as a company with fast service, high professionalism and work ethic. BCS is certified by the Institute of Inspection and Cleaning and Restoration and Environmental Testing & Technology. To learn more, visit http://www.BuildingCleaningServices.net, or call 818-953-7100 or e-mail bcs@buildingcleaningservices.net.