Toxic Mold

While most human beings can handle mold in very small quantities, toxic mold can be a very different story.  If toxic mold is found in the environment, it can result in a myriad of health problems for both humans and pets.  Mold grows in moist areas with little sunlight.  Many people are not even aware that they could have potentially toxic mold growing in their homes, which is why education on this is so important.  If you know what environments it likes to live in, you can be more aware of it and know what to look for.  It is essential that people know what kind of serious health risks toxic mold can pose.  You may not even know you have mold in your home, but might begin to feel sick.  In many cases, you might feel worse at home, but your symptoms often subside when you leave that environment.  If this persists, it’s important to do a check for toxic mold.

Some of the most well known symptoms of toxic mold include breathing difficulty, memory loss, nausea, dizziness, allergies that come on out of nowhere, and in some cases, burning and itchy eyes and nasal passages.  All of these are very distinct signs that toxic mold may be in your home or workplace.  This dangerous mold can often cause serious illness, and in some severe and unfortunate cases, death.  It is essential that this mold be removed immediately by a professional.  Try not to attempt to remove this mold by you if at all possible, as prolonged exposure can be very dangerous.  Once you are aware of the warning signs, you can help to keep your home and family safe from the dangers of toxic mold.  Be sure to contact someone right away at the very first sign that toxic mold might be in your home so you can eliminate quickly.

Toxic Molds

Toxic molds are many varieties of mold that can cause the human immune system to deteriorate.  Toxic Molds will make your family very ill and cause your quality of life to deteriorate.  You want to make sure you are following the proper steps to make sure that Toxic Mold does not grow in your home and cause sickness.  You can watch out for the signs of mold growth on your walls and furniture if you know what to look for.

There are many classes of mold which can invade your home.  Some of the classes of mold are Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Cryptococcus, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Rhodotorula and Harposporium.  There is a point for every person where the mold levels can be considered as Toxic Mold and health concerns will arise.  It is easier for people with compromised immune systems to be affected by Toxic Molds more easily then healthy people.

The growing conditions for Toxic Mold require a water source, a food source and a substance to grow upon.  Plywood, drywall, carpets and padding can all be conditions where Toxic Molds can grow.  Toxic Molds can grow at a very slow rate on some surfaces until they have gone through an incident of water damage and then the Toxic Molds will be in the perfect conditions for growth.

In order to prevent Toxic Molds from growing in your home you want to make sure that first and foremost your home is dry.  If you are aware of the conditions where Toxic Molds can grow then it will be easier for you to prevent Toxic Molds from causing your family from being sick.  The key to making sure your home is in good condition is prevention because it is always easier to prevent Toxic Molds then to rid them from your home. 

Black Mold

Black mold is one of the most devastating types of mold to infect both a home and human beings.  It has been known to cause illness and even death in certain people, and it spreads very rapidly, sometimes taking over the entire home.  There are several warning signs that everyone should pay attention to in order to be warned about a possible black mold infestation.  First and foremost, people living in areas of the country with high humidity should pay special attention and look for black mold.  If the interior of your home has high humidity levels, this can be a breeding ground for the mold.  Basements that are dark and damp are also places where the mold likes to grow, so be sure to check it often and treat these areas if possible for mold growth.  Any kind of pipe leaks or water dripping in areas of the house are also warning signs that black mold can grow there, so be sure to investigate at least every 6 months or so for these drips and leaks.

Black mold starts off very small, which makes it more difficult to notice, however this mold also spreads extremely quickly and has a dark color that is hard to miss.  If you begin to notice musty or mildew like smells, it’s important to find out what is causing them and where they’re coming from, as black mold has this scent.  You may also notice that you or your family members are becoming more prone to colds that last longer than usual.  This could be an indication that there is black mold in your home.  It’s important to know the warning signs of black mold so you can prevent it from affecting you and your loved ones.  Catching it early and eliminating it as soon as possible is the best defense against this unhealthy invader.

Toxic Black Mold

Some types of mold are toxic, and some are just a nuisance. If you have mold, it’s important to figure out which kind you have.  Harmless mold is merely unsightly and annoying; it can be quickly cleaned with a diluted bleach solution.  If it grows back, that means that the problem is more than just a surface issue. You may need to remove part of the wall where the mold is growing in order to address the problem at its source.

However, before you do this (or have a contractor do this) it’s a good idea to see if the mold is toxic black mold or another harmful variety.  (A mold can be any color and still cause health problems, since there are many varieties of mold and just as many individual reactions to mold.) Before disturbing the mold further, a mold test can determine if toxic black mold is present, or if another mold variety is there.  Since mold danger increases as spores spread throughout the air, a big toxic black mold problem or other mold issue will need to be well-contained so that the air quality  in other parts of the house isn’t harmed.

A mold test done by a mold inspection professional can offer a good idea of the type and degree of mold present. This may take a while, but in the meantime you can ensure that conditions in your house don’t favor mold. Use a dehumidifier to make life unpleasant for mold, since toxic black mold thrives on moisture.  If the mold test reveals a serious problem, you many need to temporarily evacuate your house while it’s cleaned up by a professional.   Like asbestos removal, mold remediation is best left to a professional rather than to a homeowner.  Increased exposure to toxic black mold spores can cause serious health problems, and any person (professional or otherwise) should wear adequate protective gear while working with it.

Black Mold Removal

It’s important to fix all leaks in a home as soon as their presence is detected.  Ignoring them damages property and makes a mess but it also leads to the growth of a toxic form of mold that can cause allergic reactions that can lead to severe respiratory distress.

It’s impossible to develop an environment that is 100% free of mold.  They’re, quite literally, everywhere and won’t cause harm in most cases.  The problem occurs when growing conditions are favorable and the mold colony reaches a size that contaminates the environment.

One such infestation is called black mold because it stains walls, ceilings, floors, and everything else it grows on black.  It’s highly toxic and ridding it from a home calls for the help of black mold removal technicians.

Black mold removal is never successful or safe when done by oneself.  In fact, it’s such a highly specialized service that the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has special guidelines, regulations, and procedures for anyone attempting to do so.
Black mold removal, often referred to as remediation, is a four-step procedure that requires special training and specialized equipment.  The goal is to not merely remove the damaged building materials and clean up the structure.  These things must be done in a way that doesn’t further contaminate the environment and leaves little chance of regrowth.

Black mold removal procedures also require special handling and disposal of the contaminated materials removed from a home.  Regulations vary according to local government statutes but the professional remediation specialists know how to do this safely and legally.

Many black mold infestations are not caused by mechanical failures but are caused instead by acts of nature such as flood, rain, and storm damage.  The presence of black mold colonization may not show up immediately but it is almost certain to be in the beginning stages.

Should your home suffer such damages, the obvious repairs may be costly.  Nevertheless, it could be a wise idea to call a black mold removal specialist when the repairs are made, even if no presence is yet detected.

It may take months before colonization becomes apparent.  By then the job required of the black mold removal specialists is bigger and, accordingly, much more costly.

Cleaning Black Mold

If you have a black mold problem it’s best to eradicate it early so you avoid health problems down the line. Cleaning black mold isn’t difficult if you know the steps to take. The first step is to understand the cause of the mold so you can remove the environmental conditions that affect mold growth. A warm and moist environment is often at the root of the mold so reducing the moisture and the temperature eliminates further growth. Although cleaning black mold isn’t difficult if you don’t remove the source of mold growth the problem will come back.

The second step is to make sure the mold doesn’t spread to other areas. Since mold spores can become airborne this can be tricky. There are different ways to prevent the mold from spreading, but it is generally agreed that preventing possibly contaminated air from flowing to other rooms is the best course of action. Close off air passageways between rooms and you’ll make sure that the problem doesn’t spread to other areas while you are actively removing it. Since black mold is such a major health threat you definitely don’t want to deal with it recurring in other areas of your home, so take care to make sure the possibly airborne mold doesn’t circulate outside of the room being cleaned.

Finally the last step is too actually removing the mold itself with soap and a cloth. Make sure to also disinfect the area to make sure all mold is eliminated. Make sure the area is not left wet as this maybe cause a recurrence in the mold growth. Eliminating all mold can be an arduous task, but you’ll be happy to have removed the health risk from your home. It is well worth the effort. Don’t let cleaning black mold fall to the bottom of your to-do list, take care of it early and take precautions when doing so.

Removing Black Mold

Black mold or toxic mold can form in your home after water damage or a period of intense humidity.  In order to make sure that your family and pets stay safe when they are home you will want to go through the steps of removing black mold as soon as possible.  Since mold is very easily spread and can make people very sick you want to make sure that you are as careful as possible during this process so that you do not have a reappearance of mold and so that you do not become sick as you are cleaning.

The first step to removing black mold is to make sure the space infested with the mold has had time to completely dry.  If you want to clean a room that still has standing water in it then you will need to pump the water out of the room, get fans to air out the room and possibly get a dehumidifier as well to make sure the room is dry before you begin work. 

When you are about to begin cleaning you want to make sure that you properly seal off the room.  When removing black mold from a room you should duct tape plastic sheets over the entryway to any of the other rooms.  It is also a good idea to ask any family members to evacuate the house during the decontamination process.  You should take precautions yourself and wear a mask or ventilator over your mouth and a suit that completely covers your body so that the mold does not make you sick.

Clean all affected surfaces with soapy water, bleach or a disinfectant cleanser.  If the mold has dried to the area you are about to clean then you should mist it lightly with water as that will help you in removing the black mold and stop the black mold from spreading.  During the cleaning process you may want to run an air purifier in the home so that any airborne contaminates are trapped. 

After the cleaning process make sure that you remove all the mold laden materials properly.  It is best to get any trash related to the cleaning out through the nearest window or door without trying to move it through the house.  If you have cleaned effectively you will not see the mold problem reoccur in the future.

Attic Black Mold

The attic is a wonderful secret space in a home with a myriad of possibilities.  Most people will use their attic as a storage space for holiday ornaments or baby clothes.  If you are a super do it yourselfer then you may want to turn your attic into a workspace where you can be creative.  In either case you will want to make sure that neither your home nor attic has Black Mold.

Black Mold usually comes from mold being allowed to grow after a water source has fed it.  If you have had any leaks in your roof or an intense bought of high humidity in your home then you want to look into attic Black Mold remediation.  Most folks have exposed insulation in their attic and Black Mold would love to take up residence there.

After a storm you want to go up and check your attic for Black Mold.  Does the attic smell moldy?  Are the black mold spores attaching to the walls and in the insulation, taking over your space and growing?  If you can see the attic Black Mold infestations then you will be able to fix them yourself.  If you are not able to see the attic Black Mold infestations you should call in a professional Mold Remediation Specialist to take a look at your attic.  Mold Remediation Specialists have a way of testing your home to make sure it is free of the poisonous gasses created by Black Mold.

There is no reason not to have a Black Mold free attic.  You want your home to be in good shape and safe for your family.  You do not want attic Black Mold to grow and cause serious illness to your family.  Take care of attic Black Mold quickly and you will not run into any drama.

Mildew Mold Removal

When mildew and mold is first detected in our homes, the first instinct is to grab that nearby sponge or expensive spray cleaner and begin a long and sometimes painful regiment of mildew mold removal.  Why is it that we put ourselves through such an exercise for the mildew mold removal process?  Why is mildew and mold so hard to get rid of?  Is there any thing that is more effective for mildew mold removal?

To answer these questions we must first consider what mildew and mold are.  Mildew is a thin black or white growth found on just about any surface that mold can be grown.  Molds are pretty prevalent in the air but mildew needs moisture and favorable temperature conditions in order to grow usually humid summer weather in closed houses.  Mildew is especially prevalent in areas that are damp, poorly lit, warm, and poorly ventilated.  Mildew will cling to cotton, rayon, linen, silk, wool, wood, paper, and leather and if untreated will stain, discolor, rot fabrics and create a musty odor. 

Since mildew mold removal is many times difficult and undetected until it is a problem, it is first recommended that when mildew is found to be present, the source of the moisture is recognized and when applicable, seal any cracks, repair insulations, drafts, and misfitting fixtures to control or eliminate moisture buildup.  Keeping things clean and taking preventative measures such as spraying your showers and tubs after each use will also ease mildew mold removal by providing a less favorable environment for the mildew to thrive upon and less nutrients for it to grow.  Drying out the air will also ease the battle of mildew mold removal.  Remember that cool air will hold less moisture than warm air so air conditioners and humidifiers are great for this task.