MCS is a IICRC certified company meaning you can be confident that you will get a professional service who will take care of your valuable carpets, furnishings and property.

Certified companies are registered businesses which have pledged to conduct their business honestly, observing the IICRC Code of Ethics, continuing staff training / education and are fully insured.

Mould Infested Book Collection Restoration Services

Quick facts about mould

What is mould?

Mould is a type of fungus. It grows on surfaces in masses of branching threads which resemble dense cobwebs. The fertile threads, those which spores, often stand up from the surface into the air to release their spores. Spores are carried by air currents and consequently can spread quickly throughout a book collection.

Where does it come from?

The spores of fungi that become mould or mildew are always present in the air and on objects. When the temperature and moisture in a book collection environment are suitable for germination, the fungus spore bursts and grows into a thread-like filament called a hyphae. The organic material of books is its food source and within a short period it begins to produce spores thereby spreading fungi throughout a book collection.  

Environment which favors growth of mould!

The most important environmental factor to control is the amount of moisture in the air and consequently in books and paper. Books and paper naturally contain an amount of water. They are hygroscopic, so that when the relative humidity (RH) goes up, they absorb water to achieve equilibrium. At 50% RH, the moisture content of paper is approximately 7%; at 70% RH, it is approximately 10%. Moisture enables mould to absorb nutrients from books and paper substrates, so the more moisture a book contains, the greater are the chances for fungus spores to germinate at room temperature. The potential for mould development on wet books is one important reason why books need to be dried immediately or preserve in a freezer.

Most mould thrives in warm temperatures. When combined with high levels of humidity, temperatures of 21 to 24 degrees Celsius can cause mould to develop. Temperatures below freezing will not kill mould, but they do make it dormant.

What to do when you have a mould outbreak

In buildings that house book collections customer comfort (normal air conditioner systems range between 21-24 degrees Celsius) in times of high RH (60% upwards) creates ideally environments for mould to germinate. If you encounter active mould (normally visible on the spine of books first), isolation of affected material is suggested. If small quantity of books is mouldy (10 or less), seal them in air-tight plastic bag.

If the infestation is larger, quarantine the area. Isolating mouldy books and papers serves two purposes: it minimizes the spread of mould, and it protects those persons who may have allergies or respiratory problems from harm. Then contact a qualified mould remediation company ASAP. 

See our overview of mould remediation and  recovery services for books >

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Dehumidifier Sales

MCS can deliver your desired dehumidifier Australia wide.
Home, domestic, commercial dehumidifiers for sale in use in your home and workplace

• protect electronic equipment
• photographic needs
• collections & paper items
• libraries
• museums
• leather and timber items
• allergy / asthma suffers
• mould and dust mites

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In the unlikely situation that you are not happy with our job we will re-attend and rectify the item requested. If this cannot be achieved to your satisfaction MCS will refund you the value of this work.