Do I Need an Indoor Air Quality Test?

People have their own set of fears. They fear things that they see with their naked eye. However, there are things that could be scarier for others and these include what cannot be seen.

 

This also goes with the air quality at homes. What cannot be seen can justify the fear that a person has when it comes to the invisible dangers that a person can breathe. 

 

Common concerns related to air quality involve odors, issues regarding comfort, and health complaints. Here are some reasons why a person should have an indoor air quality test:

 

1. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCS)

 

Carpets and shower curtains often release a chemical smell that lasts for days or even weeks. This smell is due to the release of VOCs in these materials. 

 

A home has numerous products that emit VOCs. These include paint and furniture cleaners. Although not all of these can be smelled, these can result to short-term health problems such as nausea and headaches. However, repeated exposure can result to longer-term health issues. 

 

There are numerous VOCs that are not encompassed with indoor air quality testing. However, formaldehyde, a dangerous VOC, can be detected. Formaldehyde is a component in tobacco smoke, fabrics, wood, combustion appliances, and more. 

 

2. Mold, mildew, and bacteria

 

There are also biological contaminants present in addition to chemical contaminants. These include mold, mildew, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. These organisms thrive and multiply in warm, humid air. This means that homeowners should be alert when it comes to regulating the humidity and fixing water leaks in basements and bathrooms. 

 

Mold exposure can result to different symptoms that include respiratory problems, and eye and skin irritation, according to CDC. These conditions aggravate the health of people with already existing respiratory problems, such as asthma. 

 

There are dangers when it comes to cleaning mold in a DIY fashion. This can be prevented by hiring a mold removal company in Saluda SC. They perform mold removal in Saluda SC and mold remediation in Saluda SC with their certified Saluda SC mold remediation technicians.

  

3. Pesticides

 

Most solutions often result to another problem. This goes with pesticides as a household means to remove insects. However, pesticides can result to concerns in indoor air quality. 

 

EPA reports that two-thirds of US households have used at least one pesticide in the past year. This implies that there will be a detection of a certain amount of pesticides in the air in the conduct of an indoor air quality testing. However, this is best done since there might be high levels of pesticide due to improper use. 

  

Health and well-being could never be given too much importance. If a person cares about the well-being of his/her household members, an air quality testing must be done to ensure that biological and chemical contaminants are not present at home. 

 

If you had an air quality test done and discovered that there is mold in your home, call ServiceMaster of the Upstate at (864) 310-7891 for a 24-hour emergency service in South Carolina. We are serving Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Newberry, Saluda and surrounding areas and counties.

Can Mold Make You Sick?

Molds are living organisms that thrive in warm, dark and moist places. Hence, you can expect them to be found anywhere in your home or office after warm and wet seasons, especially in corners and any place hidden or not regularly cleaned. Molds can also grow on your bags, shoes, furniture, and even on your food. 

 

So, the question is: can mold make you sick? Aside from penicillin, the answer is “yes” because it is considered dirt or pollutant in the air you breathe or a toxin in your food.

 

Respiratory illnesses

 

Spores are tiny reproductive cells of molds that are easily released in the air. Inside a closed area, these spores can be inhaled and may cause health issues especially to those who have respiratory problems, allergies or weak immune systems. When you or any of your household members or business staff experience sore throat, headache, coughing, runny nose, sneezing, fatigue, and watery eyes, you may have some molds hiding within your domain. Immediately seek an expert on mold removal in Greenville SC to avoid more health hazards.

Exposure to mold can also worsen existing respiratory problems and asthma. Infants and young children who are exposed to mold have an increased risk of getting asthma when they reach the age of seven, according to a 2012 study.

 

Gastrointestinal problems

 

When ingested, black mold is said to have toxic effects. Eating moldy food results in mycotoxicosis or mold poisoning. This condition may worsen if you have pre-existing digestive problems; hence, it may result to diarrhea or stomach ache and discomfort. Mold remediation in Greenville SC will be able to help you eliminate the presence of this toxic mold.

 

Immune system-related issues

 

Anyone who has a weakened immune system, such as one with uncontrolled HIV, under cancer treatment, and transplant patients could have fungal infections. The most vulnerable people at risk are older adults, infants, and children. Greenville SC mold remediation technicians are dependable and are able to clean up your place to avoid further health risks.

 

Remedies and preventive measures

If anyone in your household has mold allergy, the following must be considered: avoid the allergen if possible; use a nasal rinse; take antihistamines; use decongestant sprays; take nasal corticosteroids; take oral decongestants; or undergo immunotherapy.

 

The following things must be done in order to eliminate mold infestation: monitor the humidity level in your place, use a dehumidifier when necessary, check if there are signs of mold or water damage, clean the bathroom frequently to remove mildew and mold, use exhaust fans or open windows in the bathroom or kitchen in order to improve ventilation, and don’t use carpets in the basement, bathroom or kitchen. Finally and most importantly, contact your mold removal company in Greenville SC and get professional advice and help.

 

For your mold remediation concerns, call ServiceMaster of the Upstate at (864) 310-7891 for a 24-hour emergency service in South Carolina. For details, visit our website at https://www.servicemasterupstate.com. We serve Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Newberry, Saluda and other surrounding areas and counties.

Top Signs of Mold Allergy

Mold can grow anywhere. You may find it in your bathroom, below your kitchen sink, where a leak can go undetected, or in your musty basement. These are just some of the usual places where you can encounter mold, which can be a possible cause of allergy. 

 

Molds are members of the kingdom Fungi. The way they reproduce is different from those of plants. Molds have spores that can travel through the air. These spores can be inhaled and may cause allergic reactions to some people. 

 

Outdoor molds can be found in a moist log or a pile of wet leaves in the garden and can cause allergy during summer and fall. Indoor molds, on the other hand, may cause allergic reactions all year round because you can find them in many usual places, like the basement, kitchen, or bathroom. 

 

There are many kinds of molds, but not all can cause allergies. People who experience allergic reactions to molds have symptoms similar to that of other respiratory allergies, like sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy throat, irritated eyes, wheezing, coughing, and runny nose. Asthma symptoms can also be triggered and intensified by mold.

 

When you inhale mold spores, the body recognizes them as invaders and produces allergy-causing antibodies to ward them off. In later contact with the mold, the body identifies it. It reacts by releasing chemicals such as histamine, which causes these usual mold allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itchy watery eyes, or runny nose.

 

You may develop mold allergy symptoms due to some of these risk factors around you. 

· High humidity indoors 

Humidity above 50 inside your home poses a risk of increased exposure to mold. Mold grows best in damp and humid places like the basement, uncleaned grout, and carpets. You may notice that allergy symptoms get worse when you are in a moldy room like the basement.

· Poor house ventilation 

When some areas in your house are closed tightly, proper ventilation is compromised, which is a perfect situation for mold growth. The area below the kitchen sink is vulnerable to unnoticed leaks, which may lead to undetected mold growth. When this happens, you may need mold remediation services in Laurens SC to take care of your mold problems. Other areas in your home susceptible to moisture are the basement, kitchen, and laundry area.

· Flood-damaged home or building

Houses or buildings which have been exposed to excess moisture, such as flooding due to storms or leaky pipelines, are highly prone to mold growth. Professionals expert in mold removal in Laurens SC and mold remediation in Laurens SC must be called to clean up mold growth in hard-to-reach areas in your home. The longer mold stays in your home, the greater the exposure to allergy-causing spores.

 

For your mold remediation services in South Carolina, call ServiceMaster of the Upstate at (864) 310-7891. We have well-trained and experienced technicians who can remove mold from your house or establishment and bring it back to pre-damage status. We are serving Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Newberry, Saluda, and surrounding areas and counties.

5 Advantages of Routine Carpet Cleaning in Spartanburg, South Carolina

Can you imagine what lurks underneath your carpet? Aside from dust, there are various things that fall down on your floor as you, your pets and other people come in and out of your place. 

It depends on how often you clean your carpet but, surely, you can find human and pet hair, dust, bits of food, grime, dirt, bacteria, allergens, and other byproducts of human activity. Hence, regular carpet cleaning Spartanburg SC is necessary so that you can enjoy the blessings of healthy living, peace of mind, savings, aesthetic effect, and good smell and clean air.

Healthy living

In order to stop the spread of allergens and bacteria that cause sickness, you have to make sure that your carpet is clean all the time. You can only maintain its cleanliness with a regular vacuuming schedule from a reliable service provider. Dark, moist, and warm places are breeding grounds of harmful bacteria that will endanger your family, especially young children and pets who are always in close contact with the floor. Enclosed areas with dirt can pollute the air you breathe, even when you sleep and the AC is on.

Peace of mind

Have you noticed that a sense of security comes to your mind when you know that your house or office is free from germs and dirt? In addition to freedom from physical illnesses due to dirt and allergens trapped in carpets, this freedom from guilt which is related to mental health is the end result of regular carpet cleaning. You have peace of mind because you are not scared that anyone in your family or office may get sick, and that you have done your part in keeping your surroundings clean.

Savings

Because carpets are costly, you can surely save money when you take care of your carpets. With regular cleaning, the good condition of the carpet is maintained; hence, you don’t have to buy a new one for a long time. Moreover, if you plan to sell your home soon, well-maintained carpets are a plus to its appeal to the buyers and even renters. Spending money on carpet cleaning is a lot cheaper than replacing the whole area with a new one. Get this job done through the help of carpet cleaning company Spartanburg SC.

Aesthetic effect

Regular cleaning will allow you to maintain the original appearance of your carpet. The overall effect of a home or office is enhanced by clean and great-looking carpets. Regular vacuuming can remove the debris, dirt, and other things on the surface of your carpet; however, deep cleaning can only be achieved through the help of the professional carpet cleaners. They can remove the stain and other dirt under the carpet that you cannot do on your own.

Good smell and clean air

Finally, a dirty carpet would be smelly and would affect the whole ambiance of your home or office as well as pollute the air inside. Spills, pet urine, and young children’s vomit on the carpet can really produce an awful smell. Surely, nobody would want to remain in a room or office that smells bad. This problem can be solved by professional carpet cleaning. Spartanburg carpet cleaning services  have an answer to your need in this respect.

If you have been postponing your carpet cleaning, you have to act now. Call ServiceMaster of the Upstate at (864) 310-7891 for inquiry, quotation and carpet cleaning services in South Carolina. You can also visit our website at https://www.servicemasterupstate.com to see the different services we offer. Our service areas are Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Newberry, Saluda and surrounding areas and counties.