Mold is only a problem to people with an allergy to it right?

Where toxigenic mold is concerned, it can affect anyone and it has nothing to do with allergies. Certain people may have a higher sensitivity and different genes that make it more difficult to detox toxins from their bodies, but generally mold will affect everyone to some degree. Many people we have met (including our own kids) have developed very serious long-term medical problems from mold exposure. The illness that mold causes is often referred to as CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome). Recent studies have shown that exposure to biotoxins such as mold don’t cause an allergic response, but an inflammatory immune response that can affect nearly every system in the body.

I think I have mold. Should I just call a remediation company?

No! At least not yet. Most remediation companies will offer to inspect your home. This is a very serious conflict of interest, and while not technically illegal, should raise serious red flags. Pre and post inspection/testing should always be conducted by an independent 3rd party. To learn more about the remediation process, we recommend learning more on the Change the Air Foundation website.

What is an Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP)?

An IEP is a specialist who is trained and certified to assess, diagnose, and recommend solutions for indoor environmental quality issues. In the world of mold, an IEP is an expert in finding and diagnosing moisture problems and microbial growth including multiple methods laboratory sampling, proper remediation planning/strategy, and preventative recommendations.

How do I know for sure that my health issues are caused by mold?

We always recommend reaching out to a doctor or clinic that is experienced in treating CIRS. But if you are new to this journey, and don’t know where to start, we recommend visiting the Surviving Mold website to learn about CIRS and see if you meet the diagnostic criteria.

“I’m pretty sure mold is making my family sick. What do I do next?”

That’s where we come in! We have been trained to find the mold that is making you sick. We conduct a comprehensive inspection of your home with state of the art tools, and rely on laboratory samples taken around your home to prove the presence of mold and can even determine if the mold is toxigenic.

Colorado is a dry climate. Can mold grow here?

Yes! It is a common misconception that mold only grows in humid climates. Our modern homes are a perfect environment for mold to take root and grow. Whether through a small water leak, condensation, poor building design, or a major water loss event, mold doesn’t take much moisture to grow. In fact, some molds that are known to produce many different types of toxins (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Wallemia) grow quite well will only a slightly raised relative humidity. Wherever there is a moisture problem, mold can complete it’s initial life cycle in less than 48 hours and begin to spread.

What Areas Does Mold Freedom Serve?

Currently, we are only conducting mold inspections in Douglas County Colorado and the northern part of Colorado Springs. This includes Castle Rock, Parker, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Sedalia, Castle Pines, Larkspur, Franktown, Monument, and North Colorado Springs above Briargate.