One situation where ozone generators can be extremely useful comes when a home has a mold or mildew problem.
Mold and mildew are both types of fungi. The scent of either can be hard to eradicate, and worse, airborne mold or mildew spores can take root in walls and floors, leading to repeated outbreaks.
Ozone is very active chemically, which is why it is so useful against mold and mildew — it breaks down the outer membrane of fungus cells, killing them. Ozone treatment can even kill isolated spores that are embedded in fabrics like drapery, rugs, and carpets. But the same property that makes ozone useful against mold and mildew makes high concentrations harmful to people and animals. As is the case whenever ozone is used for cleaning purposes, the area should be sealed off, with people and animals kept outside of the area until the cleaning is completed.
Ozone is not a cure-all for mold or mildew. By itself it cannot remove large infestations. Before treating the air with ozone, walls and floors need to be thoroughly cleaned of visible stains, and infected objects need to be removed. Any sources of moisture should also be dealt with. This may mean repairing structural damage.
But even after all these steps are taken, there’s likely be a musty odor in the air. That comes from remaining airborne mold or mildew spores. Small amounts of spores — invisible to the naked eye — may also be lurking in corners or trapped in walls and fabrics. At a minimum these create unpleasant odors and may irritate people with mold allergies. At worst, they can lead to the return of mold or mildew to the home. That’s where ozone comes in.
Spores can be tough to kill, and it is essential that they be cleaned thoroughly, so when clearing away atmospheric mold or mildew one should use a fairly high output ozone generator and be prepared to leave it operating for several hours or even days. Depending on circumstances it may be necessary to run the heat or air-conditioning system for part of the time so that ozone is spread thoroughly through the room and vents. After the generator is turned off additional time should be given so that the ozone can break down before people return to the area.
A strong application of ozone will kill those lingering spores, ridding the home of any remaining odors and minimizing the risk that mold or mildew will return. And because ozone breaks down naturally, homeowners do not need to worry about chemicals harming their families or pets — as long as they use proper precautions and wait long enough for the ozone to clear up, the air will be perfectly safe afterwards. Ozone’s air-cleaning properties and safety make it a valuable part of mold and mildew remediation.
If you have any questions or concerns about ozone generators, please give us a call at 603-673-4830. You can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jenescoinc/. We have been building America’s best ozone generators since 1987 and pride ourselves on being Made in America!
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