For Mold Awareness Month, Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Experts Stress Mold Detection Signs

(Franchise Buy) - By . Updated Aug 22, 2013

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For Mold Awareness Month, Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Experts Stress Mold Detection Signs

Chem-Dry Encourages Homeowners to Be Aware of Risks, Inspect Homes for Mold this September

Nashville, TN – This September marks Mold Awareness Month and serves as the perfect time of year to evaluate and improve upon the health of your home, particularly in regards to unwelcome, lingering mold. Recent studies have shown a significant association between indoor dampness that can cause or be indicators of mold and mildew, and an assortment of accompanying respiratory illnesses, including asthma, respiratory infections, and upper respiratory tract symptoms such as cough, wheezing and shortness of breath.

Chem-Dry, the global leader in carpet and upholstery cleaning services, recognizes mold removal as a key component to preserving a safe and healthy home. Homeowners should keep a close eye on areas in the home where mold is most common, including basements, attics, bathrooms, kitchens, and any areas with leaks. Other areas where mold is often found include recently painted or wallpapered surfaces, insulation materials, ceiling tiles, drywall, carpet, area rugs and mats, upholstery and other fabrics. Additionally, homeowners should pay special attention to hidden crevices that don’t see much light, such as behind refrigerators, toilet bowls and sinks, and on windowsills.

“Just as regular carpet and upholstery cleanings are essential for maintaining a clean and healthy home, mold removal is absolutely crucial for avoiding common respiratory illnesses and symptoms that most homeowners aren’t aware can be caused by the presence of mold,” said Dan Tarantin, CEO of Chem-Dry. “Since Chem-Dry’s cleaning process uses 80 percent less water than typical steam cleaning, carpets dry in hours instead of days and aren’t prone to the mold and mildew growth that can often occur from the excessive water used in steam cleaning that can spark respiratory issues.”

With so many potential hotspots, Chem-Dry advises homeowners to watch for the following key warning signs in detecting mold:

-          Allergies: If your allergies seem to worsen when you’re at home but you feel better when you go out, there’s a high probability you have mold in your home. On the other hand, if you find your allergies are more severe in some other location, like your workplace, then there could be mold growing there instead.

-          Sight: Not all mold spores look alike. While some are white and thread-like, other appears as clusters of small black spots. Mold may be black, gray-brown, gray-green, or white in color, and if it’s growing behind vinyl wallpaper, it can even appear orange, pink or purple.

-          Smell: The compounds produced by mold, known as microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs), have a strong scent once they’re released into the air, making them easy to detect. These mVOCs give off a musty smell that typically signifies mold growth.

“Our mission at Chem-Dry is to help people live more healthfully,” continued Tarantin. “Between our low-moisture process that results in faster-drying carpets and our green-certified cleaning solution that’s safe and non-toxic for kids and pets, we believe that maintaining a clean, safe and healthy home or business starts from the ground up.”

For more information on Chem-Dry’s products and services, visit www.chemdry.com. For tips on preserving a healthy home, visit Chem-Dry’s blog at http://www.chemdry.com/products-tips/blog.

About Chem-Dry

Founded in 1977, Chem-Dry is the world’s leading carpet and upholstery cleaning service, with a network of over 3,500 units in 39 countries serving over 10,000 homes a day worldwide. Its green-certified solution and proprietary hot carbonating extraction cleaning process provide a deeper clean, allow surfaces to dry faster, and leave homes healthier. Chem-Dry has been ranked the number one carpet cleaning franchise by Entrepreneur magazine for 25 consecutive years and has been selected by Franchise Direct as one of the top 100 global franchises. For more information or to schedule a cleaning, visit www.chemdry.com or, for franchise opportunities, visit www.chemdryfranchise.com. Chem-Dry is owned by Harris Research, Inc., which is also the founder and owner of the fast-growing N-Hance Wood Renewal franchise.

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