The Hidden Dangers of Painting Over Mold Without Removal in Ocala, FL
websitebuilder • September 20, 2024
The sight of mold on your walls or ceilings can be alarming, and your urge to quickly cover it up with a fresh coat of paint is understandable. However, painting over mold without proper remediation is neither a temporary nor a permanent fix. It is simply a shortcut to minimize the eyesore that you no longer wish to see, but the danger thereof remains, which can have serious consequences for your health and property. The State of Florida’s humid climate, including Ocala, FL and The Villages, FL, mold growth is a common problem, and taking shortcuts lead to costly and potentially dangerous outcomes.
At PUDDLES Restoration Services of Ocala & The Villages, we disagree with, but understand your temptation to opt for a quick fix, but we're here to educate you on the dangers of painting over mold.
Understanding the Problem: Painting Over Mold is a Very Bad Idea
While a fresh coat of paint may temporarily conceal the unsightly appearance of mold, it does nothing to address the underlying problem. Mold is a living organism that thrives in damp, humid environments. When you paint over mold, you're essentially trapping it beneath a layer of paint, creating a perfect breeding ground for it to continue growing and spreading.
- Continued Mold Growth: Mold needs moisture to survive. When you paint over it without addressing the underlying moisture issue, the mold will continue to grow and spread behind the paint, potentially causing structural damage to your walls, ceilings, and other surfaces.
- Health Risks: Mold releases spores into the air, which can be inhaled and trigger a variety of health problems, including allergies, respiratory issues, and even neurological symptoms. Painting over mold does not eliminate these health risks; and during the painting process, you may inadvertently release mold spores into the air withing your home and/or business..
- Increased Costs: While painting over mold may seem like a cost-effective solution, it will likely cause more expensive problems down the road. The mold will continue to cause damage, even if you may not see the mold shortly after painting. Furthermore, you'll eventually need to pay for professional mold remediation, which can be far more costly than addressing the issue early on. For example, in this matter, the seller painted over the mold to conceal it for sale, resulting in this.
- Compromised Indoor Air Quality: Mold spores can circulate through your home's HVAC system, contaminating the air you breathe and affecting the health of everyone inside. Painting over mold does nothing to improve indoor air quality; it can even worsen it by trapping mold and its byproducts behind the paint.
Recognizing the Signs of Microbial Growth
Before you pick up a paintbrush, it's crucial to identify whether you're dealing with mold or simply dirt or mildew. Here are some signs of microbial growth:
- Discoloration: Mold can appear in various colors, including black, green, brown, or white. Look for discolored patches or stains on walls, ceilings, or other surfaces.
- Musty Odor: A persistent musty smell is a common indicator of mold growth, even if you can't see it.
- Water Damage: Mold thrives in damp environments. If you've experienced any water damage, such as leaks, flooding, or condensation, be on the lookout for mold.
- Health Symptoms: If you or your family members are experiencing unexplained allergies, respiratory problems, or other health issues, mold could be the culprit.
- Lab Test: Notwithstanding the foregoing, you can never be certain that what you see or smell is mold until you have a mold test that is sent to a lab to verify.
Safe and Effective Mold Remediation
If you suspect or discover mold in your home or business, it's essential to address the issue promptly and correctly. Here's a safe and effective approach to mold remediation:
- Identify the Source of Moisture: The first step is to identify and address the source of moisture that's fueling the mold growth. This could involve repairing leaks, improving ventilation, or reducing humidity levels.
- Contain the Affected Area: To prevent mold spores from spreading during the remediation process, isolate the contaminated area using 6-Mil plastic sheeting and negative air pressure.
- Remove Contaminated Materials: Depending on the extent of the mold growth, it is necessary to remove and discard porous materials like drywall, insulation, or carpeting that can't be effectively cleaned.
- Clean and Disinfect: Thoroughly clean and disinfect all surfaces within the affected area using EPA-registered mold remediation products.
- Dry the Area: Ensure the area is completely dry to minimize future mold growth. Use dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process, but never use fans, as doing so will likely spread mold spores throughout the area.
- Clearance Testing: After remediation, we highly recommend having a post-remediation verification test (“PRV”) of the remediated areas to ensure that the property was returned to a Condition 1 status. The PRV should be conducted by a Florida-licensed third-party independent environmental professional.
Professional Mold Remediation: The Safer Choice
While DIY mold removal may seem tempting, it's often not the safest or most effective approach, especially for larger infestations or when dealing with toxic mold. See
Mold remediation professionals like PUDDLES Restoration Services of Ocala & The Villages have the expertise, equipment, and experience to handle mold problems safely and efficiently.
We offer:
- 24/7 Emergency Response: We're available around the clock to address your mold remediation needs promptly.
- Thorough Inspection and Assessment: Our certified technicians will conduct a comprehensive inspection to determine the extent of the mold problem and identify the underlying cause.
- Safe and Effective Remediation: We utilize industry-leading techniques and equipment to safely remove mold.
- Moisture Control and Prevention: We'll implement measures to reduce the risk of future mold growth.
Don't Take Risks with Your Health, Call PUDDLES Restoration Services of Ocala & The Villages ASAP 352-722-3790
What Happened A contractor in Williston, Florida stopped his team from “removing” the “mold problem” by, as they suggested, "spraying it with bleach." The contractor insisted that the mold remediation be done correctly and called PUDDLES . Upon completion of the work, PUDDLES insisted that the client retain an independent company to conduct a post remediation verification test to confirm that the mold remediation was done correctly. We were "lucky" to pass a PRV with a gaping hole in the floor.
What Happened The gaps between the ceiling drywall and the light fixtures allowed dirty air from the attic to mix with the air conditioner air, resulting in mold growth in the ceiling. CAN’T YOU JUST WIPE IT [MOLD] OFF! PUDDLES: No We get that a lot for mold removal, except it is usually said as a statement rather than a question. CALLER: Why not? PUDDLES: For many reasons: (1) the lab results confirmed it is mold, (2) it is on drywall, (3) the affected material is a popcorn ceiling, (3) …, (4) …, but more importantly, we don’t do that -- “wipe off drywall.” CALLER: But I was told you can. PUDDLES: You can, but we don’t; and we understand if you wish to call another company who would do that. No hard feelings. CALLER: Two days later: Caller agrees to us removing the affected material starting at 6:30 AM the next business day. Typically, the mold you cannot see is worse than the mold you can see. The same thing applied here.
Not calling PUDDLES will cost you more $$$$. Tarping your roof immediately after it is damaged will minimize secondary damages which ultimately saves you (the property owner) and your insurance company a significant amount of money. In this case, both the homeowner and their public adjuster chose a different (cheaper) company. That company never showed, never called, never emailed, never text; they did nothing. What Happened Hurricane Helene happened in Belleview, FL.
Tarping your roof immediately after it is damaged will minimize secondary damages, which ultimately saves you (the property owner) and your insurance company a significant amount of money. What Happened Severe winds in Ocala, FL bent numerous shingles allowing water penetration when it rains.
What Happened Ocala, Fl: An elderly mother’s cat repeatedly urinated throughout the house, including on the carpet. When the mother passed away, the daughter inherited the house. Unfortunately, the daughter was unable to sell the house because prospective buyers complained about the odor . Given Florida’s temperature and humidity levels, it was not surprising that the odor remained in Ocala, FL. PUDDLES is often asked if we use an ozone machine to remove odors. According to the EPA, “When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation.” See https://www.epa.gov/.../ozone-generators-are-sold-air... “Manufacturers and vendors of ozone devices often use misleading terms to describe ozone. Terms such as "energized oxygen" or "pure air" suggest that ozone is a healthy kind of oxygen. Ozone is a toxic gas with vastly different chemical and toxicological properties from oxygen.” Id. “There is a large body of written material on ozone and the use of ozone indoors. However, much of this material makes claims or draws conclusions without substantiation and sound science. … Often the vendors of ozone generators make statements and distribute material that lead the public to believe that these devices are always safe and effective in controlling indoor air pollution. For almost a century, health professionals have refuted these claims … Some vendors suggest that these devices have been approved by the federal government for use in occupied spaces. To the contrary, NO agency of the federal government has approved these devices for use in occupied spaces.” Id. Because ozone can kill living things, such as plants, pets, and YOU; we do not use ozone machines. What We Did Removed the glued down carpet Utilize chlorine dioxide Implemented a Hydroxyl Machine Added a HEPA Air Scrubber with a charcoal filter Sprayed the entire house (walls and floors) with an EPA-approved plant-based anti-microbial Fogged the entire house with an EPA-approved plant-based anti-microbial approved for fogging Even if you do not plan to be in the property while the ozone machine is operational, ozone also breaks down organic substance, and rubber, plastics, fabrics, paint, and metals. That Gucci or Louis V handbag you love can deteriorate.
What Happened After removing the old flooring from a home in Belleview, Florida , the flooring company uncovered water on the slab that was trapped under the underlayment. Unbeknownst to the homeowner, water was slowly penetrating the vertical exterior walls via hairline fractures. Both the cracks in the stucco and in the concrete slab itself were resolved, but the flooring company wanted the concrete slab moisture levels below a specific percentage. What We Did Florida tends to have elevated levels of humidity, including Belleview, Florida. To increase the drying efficiency, we sealed all the windows throughout the house with 4 mil plastic to prevent any moisture penetration. We placed a Phoenix DryMax XL Pro dehumidifier and a Dri-Eaz Stealth AV3000 axial air mover in each room. We also implemented the use of a heater to increase the internal temperature slowly to draw the moisture out of the concrete.
Homeowners in Crystal River and West Central Florida dealing with insurance claims related to water damage and mold can trust PUDDLES Restoration for assistance. Learn about the complexities of the process and how we can help in this blog article.
WE REMOVED AND DISCARDED THE AFFECTED MATERIALS, CLEANED THE SUBSTRATE, THEN ENCAPSULATED RESULTING IN A CLEAN PRV.
The Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician (FSRT) certification covers scoping, mitigation, cleaning, deodorization, subrogation, spoliation, documentation of residential and commercial fire and smoke damaged structures and contents. Upon completing this certification, you demonstrate that you are prepared to perform and document cleaning and deodorization of typical residential or commercial fire and smoke damage projects. PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com
The Health and Safety Technician (HST) certification covers occupational health and safety. This certification demonstrates competency in cleaning, maintenance, and restoration industries concerning the Global Harmonized System (GHS) and health and safety principles. The certification covers engineering and administrative controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment used in each specific industry or trade. The certification promotes the importance of hazard and risk assessments and implementing controls on the identified hazards. The hierarchy of hazard controls is emphasized so that eliminating, reducing, and controlling hazards will become the focus of health and safety instead of just regulatory compliance. Upon achieving the certification, the technician demonstrates the skills, knowledge, and awareness needed to save lives and prevent work-related injuries and illnesses and recognize and appreciate the value of health and safety on the job. PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com
