Homewatchingw Beware of MOLD

By Russell Miller

How can your homewatch expert save you dollars and headaches in renovations?

STACHYBOTRYS, ASPERGILLUS, PENICILLIUM or CLADOSPORIUM? What are these Names? These are 4 of more than 100,000 names of Mold (microorganisms)! I was at an interesting conference back in October and my Thanks to Greg Firth from Fireservice on the Southwest coast of Florida, we received loads of great tips and warnings to best fight fast against Water Damage whenever it arises! The timely response to any water damage is necessary to prevent progressive material DAMAGE, amplification of microorganisms and to minimize the potential adverse health effects.

WHAT your disaster clean up company should be?

It will be important to know your best local RESTORATION company and to build a relationship so that if or when the time comes for service, you’re not a new customer on the block! During that investigative phone call, keep in mind their response time, if they will do the Water Extraction, how much drying equipment they have and will they concentrate on the very important Structural Drying? Finally will they offer documentation and certification of the findings and the work performed?

100,000 Species of Mold Microorganisms

Back to our original microorganisms names: Stachybotrys is a popular and serious type of mold that grows within 10-12 days around wet areas. Aspergillus is the most common that is probably in the air where you are right now! Penicillium is the type that grows on fruit. Mold is woolly or fluffy growth produced by various fungi on food, leather, clothes etc…that have been left in warm and moist air. Usually, the unfortunate combination of your Air conditioner malfunction or stoppage with the warm air are the perfect condition to let Stachybotrys multiply at frightening speeds! Then the danger of inhaling these microorganisms becomes real and your home needs professional help! Where a mask ASAP if you feel mold has begun in your home.

Why is MOLD now emerging as a new issue?

Questions arise more as to why mold has become more present in issues facing homeowners and Condo home owners associations (HOA). Some say tighter building construction codes could a reason with less outdoor air being used in ventilation and this in turn means that microbes are not readily diluted! Energy conservation and Poor Building Maintenance are also possible factors that could contribute to the rise in popularity of these microorganisms known as Mold! And by the way, why not check with your homeowners insurance to see if you are covered for the maximum amount set at $10,000.? Try to avoid wallpaper in Florida, not a good idea… and finally, a homemade mix of water and vinegar or a product by the name of Benefect, botanical disinfectant.

▸Russell Miller, contributing author and CEO of Ice Palm International Concierge and Consulting. Russell is also a Florida licensed Realtor, part of the Sklar Team at

Coldwell Banker Realty.

I N T E R N A T I O N A L CONCIERGE & CONSULTING SERVICES

Ice Palm is a one-stop shop for modern concierge services based in Fort Lauderdale. We provide a wide array of services for Snowbird Owners and Investors. Ice-Palm does HomeWatching while property is vacant, supervises house cleaning, renovations and other vendors. For peace of mind while you’re away, the Ice-Palm Team is there while you’re not! Call 954-239-7176 or Canada 514-827-3666 www.ice-palm.com