Hi, this is Shaun from Power Clean of Central Florida and today I want to discuss the health and safety implications of organic matter, commonly referred to as moss, mold, mildew, algae, etc.

 

First, the obligatory disclaimer. This article is merely a representation of my lay opinion which is based on my experience as a parent of 2 young boys and as a pressure washing and exterior cleaning pro. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and is designed to highlight the topic and to encourage you perform your own research. For more specific information please consult the appropriate medical doctors, biologists, botanists, etc.

 

Ok, now let’s dive right in.

 

Question:
What is often various shades of green and/or black, can be slippery and often causes a health problems if encountered?

 

Answer:
Mold, Algae, Moss, Mildew, etc. Let’s call it organic matter for the purposes of simplification.

 

At Thanksgiving, my parents, the grandparents to my 2 sons, and various other family members head over to our house to enjoy a delicious home cooked feasT. It is one of the few times that we use our front door. If you are anything like us, we enter and leave via our garage which means that with the exception of a few deliveries the only time our front door and the pathway leading up to it are used is around celebrations (The holidays).

Ok, but what has this to do with the health and safety implications of organic matter?

Everything!

 

The safety implications of mold, algae, moss, mildew, etc.
Most organic matter is extremely slick. It does not have to be an extreme case. Even a light coating can easily cause a family member, young and old, to slip and fall. A fall on a hard surface such as a concrete or paved pathway can cause severe injuries. Kids running to the front door, or down a path don’t know any better and before you know it you’re heading to the emergency room with a broken arm or skinned knee. The same can be said for older members of the family with the exception that any injury will have greater implications than a skinned knee. Consider what a broken leg or hip would mean to a grandparent or great grandparent.

 

Let’s talk about kids for a moment and the “5 second rule” – aka the health implications of mold, algae, moss, mildew, etc.

If they can reach the dropped item, they will pick it up and either continue to play with it or in the case of snacks, put it in their mouth. Fingers go in mouths, noses, ears and eyes. It’s avoidable.  You work hard to keep the surfaces inside your home clean and free of allergens, virus and alike, but what about the route that your kids take to and from your car?

There are more than 100,000 types of mold and some pose more health risks than others. Also, some people are more sensitive to mold than others. The biggest health problem from exposure to mold is allergy and asthma although nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing, eye irritation and/or skin irritation can occur. We don’t have time to cover all types of organic matter and their associated health risks, but we think that you get the point.

Still not convinced that you should get rid of that layer of mold, algae, moss, mildew, etc from your pathways and driveways? Wives, consider this. Your mother-in-law is coming over…………

 

Husbands, mark off a day on your calendar to pressure wash your driveway and walkways. Do it correctly using the appropriate eco-friendly treatments and you will have a clean and safe surface for the entire family. Or, just hire a pressure washing pro and take the credit!

 

With kind regards,

 

Your friends and Orlando pressure washing professionals.