KPTM FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; kptm.com |Mold Causes Thousands of Dollars of Damage to House

Mold Causes Thousands of Dollars of Damage to House

Maureen Wurtz

 OMAHA (KPTM)- The flood may have been officially declared over, but the battle for victims has just begun.

 "When you see mold on the surface of drywall, it's three times worse on the back side of your drywall," said Jack Price of Global Eco Services.

 Water in houses damaged by the flood has provided the perfect food for rapid mold growth.   Normal spore count is around 200 and in a house just outside of Sidney, Iowa, the spore count is 36,000.  This is common in houses that were under water due to flooding, according to Price. 

 Price is an expert at getting rid of mold in houses and has begun assessing the house outside of Sidney.

 Breathing in mold can be extremely hazardous to your health, according to Price.  One particular type of mold that shows up in high spore counts is carcinogenic mold. "(Carcinogenic mold is) very toxic. When you are exposed to them after a certain period of time, they can even cause cardiac arrest," said Price

 Iowa resident Rosie Hall just had her 90-year-old home cleared of mold. "I stood up and for the first time in, almost, well I can't tell you how long- didn't have to grab a hold of furniture to make my way to the bathroom which is just around the corner," said Hall.

 Price has a word of warning for anyone who may try to clean up mold without expert help.  "Bleach actually acts like a food source for mold-and it's like pouring gasoline on a fire," said Price.