PuroClean Cautions Homeowners to Stay Alert for Signs of Indoor Mold

Prevention and Quick Clean-Up Are Keys to a Mold-Free Home


TAMARAC, FL--(Marketwire - August 17, 2010) -  Summer's storms and high humidity can allow moisture to build up in your home, providing a great environment for molds to grow, according to PuroClean, a property damage restoration company with more than 300 franchise offices nationwide. PuroClean's certified technicians remind homeowners to be on the watch for signs of this potentially harmful and damaging organism in their homes. 

Preventing mold growth indoors is straightforward -- mold will not grow without moisture or water. But, if your walls or carpets do get wet, it's important to dry them quickly, within two days. "Our state-of-the-science drying equipment can remove moisture from your home and dry out carpets and walls before mold has time to grow," says Steve Leger, Executive Vice President of Operations for PuroClean. "And, if mold has already begun to grow in your home, our technicians have the specialized training and equipment to find, contain and remove it."

Should homeowners be concerned about mold growing in their homes? "Yes," says Leger. "While molds are part of the natural environment and play an important role outdoors in breaking down dead organic matter like leaves and fallen trees, inside homes, it's another story. Mold growth indoors can cause serious health problems, allergic reactions and, when left unchecked, even property damage." The Center for Disease Control says that all molds should be removed from the indoor environment.

Leger offers the following tips from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help homeowners protect their families and property from the hazards of indoor mold:

  • Keep moisture out
    • Keep air conditioner drip pans and drain lines clean
    • Clean gutters regularly
    • Make sure that the ground around your home slopes away from the foundation to keep rain water out of your house
  • Keep humidity low
    • Vent appliances such as clothes dryers to the outside
    • Use air conditioners and/or dehumidifiers to keep indoor humidity levels below 60 percent (and ideally between 30 and 50 percent)
    • Clean up spills and leaks immediately -- within 24 hours
    • Control condensation by putting insulation around cold water pipes, and, open your windows when practical for ventilation and air flow

If mold does become a problem, PuroClean specialists work with environmental hygienists and laboratories to help ensure that, after remediation, your home is safe and free from harmful mold growth. "Simply removing the mold is not enough. If you don't take care of the moisture problem that allowed the mold to grow in the first place, the mold may simply grow back," warns Leger.

PuroClean specializes in property emergency services. PuroClean-certified technicians help families and businesses overcome the devastating aftermath of property damage caused by water, fire, mold and other conditions, according to Leger.

For more information about PuroClean, please visit www.puroclean.com. To learn more about the hazards and cleanup of indoor mold, please visit www.epa.gov/mold.

About PuroClean®
PuroClean is a leader in property damage restoration and has earned the trust of property owners, insurance professionals and home service providers throughout the United States and Canada since 2001. Backed by a comprehensive network of over 300 franchise offices and a national training and franchise support center, each PuroClean office responds promptly to property emergencies, demonstrating a high degree of professionalism and compassion. PuroClean technicians are thoroughly screened, insured and trained in utilizing the latest in mitigation technology and procedures throughout the remediation process while operating under a strict code of ethics. In addition to serving the needs of property owners, PuroClean offers hundreds of Continuing Education classes each year to insurance professionals and property service providers nationwide. In 2009, PuroClean trained over 10,500 insurance professionals nationwide, helping them earn their Continuing Education credits. For more information on PuroClean, please visit www.puroclean.com