Tag: mold

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve noticed a mold problem in your  home.  You may be wondering if the mold is toxic, like certain varieties of black mold that you’ve read about.  You may not be aware that some harmful molds are nearly invisible because they are pale or pinkish in color and may blend in better with their surroundings than the more evident black mold.  You may smell mold in your home and not be able to actually locate it; it could be in your ducts, behind your walls, or in your crawl space. 

A mold expert will be able to locate mold even if it is hidden, and will be able to sample the mold with a variety of methods to determine if it is of a harmful variety or not. Mold may be collected for biochemical analysis or physical examination with a microscope, and mold experts are able to tell what kind of mold is infesting your house with these methods.  Remember that not all mold is harmful; however, different individuals can have different reactions depending on the mold varieties that are present.
When hiring mold experts, use caution.  Some “certifications” are very easy to obtain and require little knowledge or experience.

Look for mold experts who have successfully identified and alleviated mold problems in your neighborhood.  It might be embarrassing to ask around to your neighbors and thereby reveal that you have a potentially serious mold problem, but you can ask for references from the mold experts instead. Talk to at least a few mold experts and get reference information and estimates in advance; this will enable you to choose the right mold expert for  your needs.   The right mold experts will be able to efficiently and correctly identify the type of molds that are present, and provide mold remediation as well as advice on preventing further mold issues.

Have you ever gone looking for a new home and notice that there is mold growing in corners of rooms and on ceilings?  Well, it might be worse than it seems.  Mold is a somewhat harmful organic substance that is produced in the wild to dissolve and help disintegrate old leaves and trees.  Once the spores of the mold travel into a home, they attach themselves to a wet or moist surface and begin to grow quiet fast. 

Many people choose to have mold inspections done on their potential new homes so that they are not faces with a large amount of clean up once they purchase the home.  Many people are thankful that they have had  mold inspections done because they know the potential health risks caused by mold growth.  Mold in the home can cause several health problems such as respiratory problems like asthma, nasal infections, lung infections, depression, and even irritable bowel syndrome.  Because of these potential health risks, it is important for people to have mold inspections done on homes they plan on purchasing.

Mold inspections are done very thoroughly and the inspectors are trained to look for mold in places other than where the potential homeowners would look for the mold.  For example, mold commonly grows on garage walls where things tend to be damp, but the home inspectors also check hard to reach air ducks, crawl spaces, and attics.  It is important for home inspectors to check these places because not only are they hard places for the homeowners to see, they are also the places where mold is most likely to grow and can spread rapidly if not found at an early stage. While mild can look like a nuisance to clean, it is actually a fairly simple process, as long as the right health measures such as wearing a mask or disposing the materials in a safe manner are taken.

If you think you may be dealing with a mold problem it’s best to address the problem early and aggressively. Mold is the kind of problem that builds up over time, so waiting to do something about it is never a good strategy. Although it can be annoying to take the time and the effort to fix the problem, it can be a health hazard if it is left alone. One easy way to significantly reduce hold in your working or home environment is to use an air purifier mold solution. With an air purifier you can eliminate the majority of mold particles from the air and make your environment much healthier without any extreme amount of effort.

When finding an air purifier mold solution it can be difficult to pick what air purifier to use. It’s important to get an effective purifier but nobody wants to spend a fortune on making sure their air is clean. Thankfully it is possible to find an air purifier mold solution without spending too much money. You want to make sure to pick one that doesn’t disturb your living area with noise, but also make sure that the filter doesn’t have to be replaced too often.

There are several factors which can contribute to dust and mold in your home such as having pets or living in a climate that is prone to mold growth due to warmth or moisture. If you use an air purifier mold solution you can solve all of your air health problems easily and cut down on allergy issues as well. It is especially important to use an air purifier mold solution in your home if you have small children or elderly members of the family living in your home. Since they are most susceptible to the adverse effects of mold and unhealthy air they are the first affected by the problem. Children with asthma are also susceptible to air health issues. Be sure to protect your family and take the time to look into an air purifier.

One common mold solution is air purifiers.  With the right air purifiers mold can be destroyed, or at least its symptoms can be relieved. Air purifiers can filter the mold that is found in the air you may be breathing. With air purifiers mold can be reduced.   They can clean your air supply and combat the mold. One of the most common ways for mold to be harmful is through the air. Breathing in mold can cause a number of health problems to your lungs, blood supply, and other parts of your body. With air purifiers mold is cleaned out of the air so it is safe for you to breathe the air in your home or business. 

Air purifiers can be a good idea in general, not just for mold. They can also guard against other respiratory problems and just help make the air inside your home fresher and nicer to inhale.  If your house gets a musty smell, you may just need to open the windows; however, you could actually have mold in your house, and using air purifiers mold is alleviated.  Some types of mold may be too stubborn for the air purifier to help.

With air purifiers mold  prevention can be accomplished.  Purifiers can be found online and may also be provided by the mold removal company that comes to your home to help with your mold problem.  You can also buy air purifiers at hardware stores or home improvement stores. Bear in mind that air purifiers mold won’t solve the mold problem entirely—it is still best to solve the problem at the source by cleaning up the mold itself and trying to ensure that it won’t return. The best way to do this is to apply diluted bleach to the surface and scrape away the mold, or  for serious problems hire a professional mold removal service.  Be sure to wear appropriate skin, eye, and breathing protection before attempting to remove the mold.

Moisture control is an important factor in mold prevention.  Since mold thrives in moist areas, you can prevent many mold problems from occurring through moisture control.  Ideally, moisture control begins when your house or structure is first built.  Modern technology is enhancing many building materials, and today you will find that many building materials are designed with moisture control built in.

If you are having a house built, you should discuss using materials that utilize moisture control with the contractors.  You will find that things such as water sealant can help prevent moisture from accumulating and prevent mold and mildew from becoming a problem in your home.

Many homes use drywall that is a literal breeding ground for mold.  Today, you can choose moisture control alternatives that will help protect your home from excess moisture and subsequent mold problems. 

It may sound simple but one way that you can effectively control moisture in your home is to keep your home dry.  You should always wipe off water from walls after showering or bathing, and make certain that any holes in the basement are patched or caulked.  Regularly check your roof for leaks, as this can lead to excess moisture collecting and pooling in your ceiling.  This water can lead to serious problems.  Not only can it promote mold growth, but also it can damage beams, rafters, and floorboards and cause significant damage.  If you have any leaks in your ceiling, you should contact a professional to protect the safety of your family and to get the excess moisture under control.

Another very effective way to control excess moisture in your home is to use a dehumidifier.  A dehumidifier will ensure that your home is low in excess moisture and this will help prevent the growth of mold and other harmful bacteria.  By keeping your home dry and moisture free, you can ensure that you home is a safe and healthy environment.

It might start slowly, with a few black spots on the bathroom ceiling. Or it might be behind your walls, growing and growing, unnoticed until the day when you seemed to have suddenly developed asthma. Mold spores can get into the air and affect your breathing.  Children and pets can be especially susceptible to mold-related health issues.   Sometimes mold is easily noticed and fixed; other times, it grows without being seen. A mold solution is required to get rid of it for once and for all.

Mold can affect not only your health, but your finances as well. This is another reason that it’s important to find a mold solution for your mold problems.  Mold can affect the resale value of your home, or your home’s smell and appearance, making it harder to sell. Depending on the duration and type of mold problem, your homeowner’s insurance may not fully cover a mold solution.

For a minor problem, you may be able to tackle it yourself, but some types of mold are more of a problem than others. Some mold is harmless (or even beneficial, such as the mold used to make penicillin or process cheese) but other mold verges on poisonous.   If your mold problem seems serious, it’s best to seek professional advice for a mold solution.

Once you choose a company there are a number of mold solutions that will get rid of your mold. Some molds can be killed off simply with a bleach solution. However, in some cases more high tech mold solutions are needed, such as steam cleaning and air cleaning. Only a trained mold professional will be able to look at your mold report and determine what type of mold solution would suit your needs. You may also be able to find valuable mold solution information elsewhere such as your local library or home improvement center.

Mold growth in your home can cause a great deal of damage, causing rot in structural supports, terrible stains and odors, and even health problems as spores are released into the air. Depending upon the extent of your mold problem, finding the right mold solutions to ensure that it is addressed effectively can be quite difficult.

The first step in choosing effective mold solutions for you home is a thorough inspection. If you have found mold in one area, there is a good possibility that there may be colonies thriving in other places within your home. Determining whether you have a small, isolated area of difficulty or a widespread mold scourge is essential to your mold solutions plan.

If a visual inspection has revealed one or more small areas of surface mold on a wall, ceiling, or floor, these can often be treated with one of the many chemical mold solutions available in your neighborhood hardware or home improvement store, or sold by online retailers. A dust mask should be worn as you remove mold, protecting your lungs from the mold spores emitted while you work. Protective waterproof gloves are recommended as well, to avoid skin reactions to the mold or the chemicals used to remove it.

Once visible mold has been removed and the home well ventilated, another inspection should be done, this time to detect odors. If your home still has a musty smell, you may have a hidden mold issue. Mold can grow inside walls, under flooring materials and cabinets, behind appliances, or nearly anywhere else that moisture lurks.

Problems of this magnitude may require more aggressive mold solutions, such as a qualified mold mitigation specialist. Once mold had invaded materials like wood beams or wallboard, removal can be extremely difficult. Mold can cause rot in structural elements of the home, making professional evaluation of the situation a wise investment to ensure the safety of your home.

While mold problems are quite a headache for many homeowners, modern mold solutions have made them easier to manage effectively. Handled with the proper mold solutions, these issues can be quickly eliminated, restoring the home and your peace mind.

While most homeowners know what to look for when they sense the presence of mold, sometimes it is not always that easy.  In addition, some spores or strains of mold can be so dangerous and spread so rapidly, that it’s best to hire a professional mold inspection company.  The Environmental Protection Agency supplies a list of local professionals you can choose from and trust.  In fact, there is an organization called the National Association of Mold Professionals that trains and certifies experts to perform duties in the mold inspection field.  A course must be passed so that everyone who applies has a full understanding and knowledge about the various strains of mold, how and why they spread, and an understanding about the standards that must be upheld when performing a mold inspection.  Safety standards and practices should also be observed to protect both the inspector and the homeowner or building occupants.

When a mold inspection is performed, the mold needs to be contained and a sample should be taken.  This sample can be in the form of small spores placed in a sealed container, water samples, or material samples.  In the case of material samples, a piece of carpeting or flooring, or even a part of the wall may need to be taken in order to get it tested.  The mold inspector then takes this sample to a lab, or they may even have mobile lab equipment there to test the mold so they can identify the strain.  This is the basic layout of a mold inspection, but the next step would be to kill the mold effectively.  Once all of the mold is dead, it needs to be safely removed and then steps should be taken to “mold proof” the home so that it does not come back later on.

Mold can lead to serious health consequences, therefore it is very important that your business have a mold inspector come and regularly check for the presence of mold.  When many people share an office and work together, it is very easy for germs and viruses to spread from one person to another.  Mold is a fungus that thrives on moisture.  Typically, businesses that use air conditioning may be inviting mold to grow and spread through the building via the air ducts.  Therefore a mold inspector can help ensure that there is no mold present, or stop a serious outbreak before it occurs.

A mold inspector will use various testing kits to detect the presence of mold in a building.  If mold is present, he or she will have a report readily available that will detail the type of mold found and will advise you on how best to treat the problem.  Many times, office illnesses can be traced back to the presence of mold, and it is a health hazard not to remove mold and take steps to prevent it from returning.

You should make certain that you choose a certified mold inspector as well.  Ensuring that the mold inspector is certified will let you know that you are dealing with an expert who is thoroughly educated and informed in mold detection and removal.  Just treating localized areas of mold by yourself is not enough.  If you are running or managing an office building, you need to ensure that a certified mold inspector checks the building and that the safety and well being of the employees is the first priority.  Many employers may balk at the cost of hiring a mold inspector, but when compared to the amount of lost revenue when an entire office is sick due to mold, the cost of prevention far outweighs the total of lost profits.

There has been increasing concern that the unpredictability of weather patterns, the onslaught of natural disasters such as hurricanes and the general effects of climate change may be doing some kind of damage that may be internal, and not external.

Home-owners in New Orleans for example after the ravages of Katrina settled down and began the arduous task of rebuilding or fixing their homes and discovered that some of them had to contend with more than just broken windows and water-logged rooms. There were reported cases of mold infections, some of which were so severe as to cause immediate allergic reactions in some individuals.

For the rest of the country fortunate enough to have escaped nature’s wrath, you still have to realize that nature even in its calm state, still allows for the natural processes that makes mold flourish. And experts say that it’s more common than you think. With such chances, getting expert mold inspectors into your home right now may be the most prudent thing to do.

Industry experts cite the practicality of having your home inspected for molds and general indoor quality at a time when costs have significantly dropped. In some states, the value of a home being sold or bought sometimes hinges on the certification that it has passed indoor air standards. If you are a real estate agent, a building contractor or a simple homeowner, the next best people to have by your side may be mold inspectors.

The rule of thumb in getting competent mold inspectors is to look for those who have an extensive construction and inspection background. Be wary of mold inspectors who would simply tell you upfront that they could only do physical inspections for water intrusion and mold. This is not sufficient because you would need air testing as well to reveal airborne levels of mold spores which may pose dangerous health risks.

Look and check for other credentials as well such as an E & O and GL insurances, and membership with the Indoor Air Quality Association. Ask friends and other homeowners if they can refer mold inspectors that have already done satisfactory work for their homes.