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Through the Eyes of Mold Inspection Experts in Skagit County, WA: The Truth Behind the Black Mold

The “black mold” has been known as the most dangerous mold species which can grow inside homes. But do you know that there are many misconceptions surrounding this fungus? Some of these myths have caused unnecessary fear in many homeowners across the State. That’s why many mold inspection professionals in Skagit County, WA aim to help residents understand what the black mold is and what it isn’t. But for starters, here are some of the basic things you should know about Black Molds: 

What is Black Mold?

To some, it may be a mildly hard truth to swallow but the term “Black Mold” does not actually refer to a particular mold species. This is because one cannot simply solely rely on the colors of molds visible to the naked eye to be able to specifically define the fungal type to which it belongs. In truth, there are many mold species that possess a blackish shade, such as the Nigrospora sp., Cladosporium sp., Pithomyces sp., Alternaria sp., and a whole lot more.

Nonetheless, when the term is used by people in the American community, they are most likely pertaining to the mold species, Stachybotrys chartarum or Stachybotrys atra. So with this, we will be using the term “black mold” as a common name in reference to S. chartarum and S. atra in this article.

Now, you might be wondering: What is the real deal behind these species, commonly known as the Black Mold?

Visibly greenish-black in color, S. chartarum is known to thrive and develop on materials’ surfaces that have high cellulose content. Examples of such materials include paper, fiber cardboard, gypsum board, and drywalls. One thing to know about these species is that they are overly dependent on moisture, so normally, their growth and development are more stimulated in the presence of water damage, including leaks, flooding, and water infiltrations.  

But really, how dangerous is the Black Mold?

Black Molds are also called Toxic Molds. That fact may have made you anxious and conscious about the mold growths in your home. You may be even itching to jump into the telephone and call your go-to mold inspection company around Skagit County, WA. But frankly, S. chartarum and S. atra may not be as scary as they seem to be. Here are the reasons why:

There is no evidence supporting some claims about the Black Mold. Even the most professional of them can tell it straight to people that there is no shred of evidence that suggests S. chartarum and S. atra spores can cause certain symptoms, such as mood swings, memory loss, and muscle aches, in the human body system. There are even misleading ideas going around that Black Mold spores can cause the bleeding of the lungs, also called idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage, in infants. But this is being debunked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when they confirmed that there is still no proof that supports this. There is also a belief that the Black Molds can cause cancer, but there is no strong evidence that backs up such claims.      

The health problems that Black Molds can cause are limited. While it’s true that S. chartarum and S. atra can produce toxic fungal substances, called mycotoxins, these can only cause mold poisoning or mycotoxicosis if the person has eaten food that is already contaminated with the Black Mold. Simply inhaling the spores or touching the molds itself will not poison a person. However, there are other symptoms that Black Mold spores can trigger, such as asthma and allergies; most are related to respiratory conditions.

Not everyone is susceptible to the ill effects of the Black Mold. Let’s cut to the chase here. Black Mold spores can only cause trouble to anyone’s health if they are present in massive amounts. But generally, there are only some people who are sensitive to the effects of the Black Molds, including:

Infants

Elderlies

Those with weakened immune systems (such as people who are undergoing dialysis, transplant patients, cancer patients, etc.)

Those with pre-existing allergies and asthmatic conditions 

Now that sums up some basic knowledge you should arm yourself with regarding Black Molds. Because once you understand the real truth about these mold species, you will be able to grasp the full extent of the safety measures which you will need to undertake in order to keep your self and your family safe from the proven adverse effects that the Black Molds can bring.

If you’re curious about the deeper truths of the Black Mold, you can always contact and discuss them with your most trusted mold inspection expert in Skagit County, WA, while you have them over to ensure a mold-free home for your loved ones.

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Signs You Need Antique Furniture Restoration

Although everything nowadays is high-tech and modernized, there are simply a few prized possessions that will always remain special. Antiques are irreplaceable and valuable items that are often passed on as family heirlooms. They have also made its comeback by becoming an interior design trend amongst several homeowners. After some time, these pieces may start to develop flaws or damages. Therefore, you may want to consider getting antique furniture restoration in NYC to preserve its beauty.  

Bringing your piece back to life will not be a quick process, but it will definitely be worth the time and effort to enjoy this beautiful item for many more years to come. The proper tools and materials can make the task significantly easier and rewarding. So you might be wondering, how do you know if your favorite upholstery is due for antique furniture restoration in NYC? In this article, you will get to know of a few factors that can help you determine if your pieces need attention: 

Missing Parts: Antique furniture with scrolls and inlays will often have a broken or missing piece that needs to be replaced or completely restored. Professional restoration companies can come up with a reliable solution to the problem. They may try to find vintage materials they can use that will match your item. They can also use small pieces of period veneers or shells to recreate them into the missing or damaged parts. Then, they can replace them using proper attachment methods. Since antique items are fragile, it is best not to attempt to do the job on your own. One wrong move and it can lead to irrevocable damages. 

Scratches, Dents, Burns, Cuts, Cracks, and Deep Gashes: Even if your piece is an expensive heirloom, signs of minor damage can make it look worn out. This can happen if you live in a home that is crowded or if you constantly move your furniture around. Fortunately, you will be happy to know that these issues can be easily repaired unless the problem is severe and extensive. Experts have several remedies to these problems such as applying furniture-patching wax sticks to the surfaces or refinishing work. They also paint over the imperfections to cover it up. 

Changing of Colors: A sign that indicates you need restoration is if the furniture starts to show noticeable signs of fading. While you can try to do your own remedies, you need to be careful, especially if you have not done re-staining in the past. Without the right set of skills, your antiques may end up having uneven shades. 

Wobbly Furniture: Test out the sturdiness of your piece. If it sways from side to side or there is an uneven part, then this is a sign that it may be too dangerous to use. If this is the case, it will need to be taken apart and re-glued to bring back its stability. 

Saggy Seats: If your couch has provided you with full comfort for a lifetime, then most likely the seats will naturally sag. If your item was made from low-quality foam, then this can happen a lot sooner. The damage that often follows is metal springs jutting out. Before any accidents happen, the solution would be to contact a reputable restoration company with unremarkable craftsmanship. 

Water Damage: If there was a flood due to a storm or a faulty pipe, then all types of germs, bacteria, and other elements can enter your home. If you have wooden furniture, then it can be washed and left to dry under the sun for a few days. On the other hand, your cushions may need some additional help. Any upholstery that has been submerged in a flood can quickly be the cause of mold and mildew buildup. It can also cause a series of stains all throughout the fabric. If this happens to you, call a professional to assess your furniture so they can try and salvage the items through extensive repair and restoration. 

You can never really tell how long your pieces will last. Properly done antique furniture restoration in NYC will give you the chance to bring these pieces back to life while increasing its overall value. While the repairs can be a costly investment, it will definitely be worth the money in the long run.