Tag: mold

Mold is a fungal organism that can spread and grow very quickly when given the most favorable conditions needed such as poorly lit, damp surfaces.  When conditions for growth are not favorable however, the mold becomes a fine powder and is usually airborne until it can stick to a surface where conditions can be met for growth.  Airborne molds can cause many health risks both minor and severe. 

Removing a mold stain can be as big a challenge as many large household chores.  Sometimes chlorine bleach is recommended for use in a 10% solution for bathrooms to kill mold and remove the mold stain.  However, chlorine bleach does not always kill the mold body and may require prolonged and frequent uses to completely kill the mold.  If the mold is not completely killed, discoloration and damage can continue at the site of the mold stain.  To begin an effective mold stain removal process, circulation of dry air and sunlight are needed to help kill an active mold.  Wooden floors can stand to be severely damaged from a mold stain that goes unnoticed.  To remove a mold stain from a hardwood floor, dry the area and treat with chlorine bleach solution.  Afterward, scrape the affected area with a piece of metal and sand the area down after scraping.

Believe it or not, clothing can be stained by mold as well.  To remove a mold stain from clothing, make sure the garment is thoroughly aired out preferably in the sunlight and dried.  The ultraviolet rays of the sun should effectively kill the mold and allow the garment to be cleaned by normal means in the washing machine using bleach when conventional cleaning may fail. Unfortunately, a mold stain cannot always be removed such as the case on paper and paintings without ruining or damaging it.  Prevention is the only key to keeping paper goods and artwork mold free.

Basement mold is a common occurrence and statistics show that over fifty percent of all homes have excess water, providing the perfect environment for basement mold.  Mold is a fungus that thrives off of certain conditions.  These conditions include excessive moisture, humidity, and decomposing organisms.  Mold will spread through the release of airborne spores and is a specific cause of sickness and allergies.  Since basements are prone to being damp and dark, they are the perfect environments for mold growth.

You can often identify basement mold by seeing it with the visible eye.  You may notice spots of black mold growing on your basement wall.  You may also notice that you have basement mold when you detect a musty odor.  The best way to treat basement mold is through prevention.  The number one way to prevent mold from growing is by removing excess moisture.  Basically, you should invest in ways to keep your basement dry.

One of the best things that you can do to reduce the amount of moisture in your basement is to invest in a dehumidifier.  A dehumidifier will ensure that your basement does not have excessive amounts of moisture in the air as well as on the walls.    By drying out the basement, you can eliminate the growth of mold from the source.  Some other steps that you can take are to have your basement walls waterproofed with a professional sealant.  This will help repel water and keep the basement dry as well.  If you use a washer and dryer in your basement, make sure that the dryer vent is connected properly and that all of the air from your dryer is leaving through the vent.  When you see mold in your basement, remove it with a solution of bleach and water.  Make sure that you open the window and air out the basement as well.

We often hear about mold when referring to things like moldy bread or the term black mold.  So what is mold, and how does it affect human beings in our environment?  Mold is a form of a microscopic fungus that feeds on dead organic matter such as rotting plants, leaves, or even animals.  It thrives in moist and humid climates, and most forms of mold exist in the form of tiny little organisms called spores.  There are thousands of different species of mold, although some are a little more common to humans than others.  It may be surprising to know, but some molds actually have important uses.  So what is mold used for?  Mold can be used to produce certain cheeses, and is also an important part of food production in many countries.  On the other hand, some molds can be very harmful and dangerous when breathed in, consumed, or even touched.

What is mold looking for in order to thrive in an indoor environment?  Mold needs three basic things to grow successfully inside someone’s house.  These three things are moisture, food (for the mold to thrive), and period of time where it can remain undisturbed.  If mold has enough humidity or moisture, it can grow rapidly.  Combine that with organic matter (food), and a decent amount of time being undisturbed, and mold can become a menacing force.  The question what is mold can be answered in many ways, depending on the type of mold.  While most of us don’t really see the positive effects or results of mold, we do know the negative.  Educating yourself about the different kinds of mold and what it needs to survive, as well as how to avoid letting it grow in your home is the best way you can be protected against its harmful effects.

Mold is a fungus that can cause serious health consequences in many people.  However, not all molds are harmful, and some are more harmful than others.  What makes mold even more of a threat, is the fact that some people may respond negatively to one type of mold, while that same mold may not affect another person.  Therefore, it is important to identify the different types of mold and know which ones are more serious or harmful.

Just as not all molds are toxic, not all molds are allergic either.  Again, it is a good idea to know the different types of mold to determine if there are any present in your home that may cause allergies for you and your family.  The most common types of mold present in homes that cause allergies are, Aspergilus, Penicillium, Mucor, Fusarium, Chaetomium, Stachybotrys, Cladosporium, and Alternaria.

When it comes to determining toxic types of mold, one stands apart from the rest that is Stachybotrys.  Stachybotrys is also referred to as black mold.  This mold is extremely dangerous and has caused fatal lung bleeding in many infants.  Where as some of the other types of mold may attribute to allergies, Stachybotrys is more serious and can be fatal.  It is very important that if you detect mold in your home or business, that you have the mold tested to determine what type it is.

Since mold requires the presence of moisture to thrive, toxic or black mold is often found in the same locations as other types of mold.  Therefore, any place in your home or business that is conductive for mold growth is a place where toxic mold may grow.  It is important that if you have any mold growing in your home or business that you have it tested, cleaned, and removed immediately.  After the mold has been cleaned, you will then need to take steps to ensure that the mold does not return.

Mold is a type of microscopic organisms living on plant and animal matter and break down dead and decaying matter recycling environmental nutrients.  Molds are prevalent just about everywhere and reproduce by releasing spores to the air, water, and with animals and insects.  Favorable mold conditions are high humidity, condensation, and organic materials such as paper, fibers, wood, etc.  Molds are certainly a concern for homeowners because the spores are carried so easily by air and in water.  Homeowners should inspect their homes for symptoms of mold growth due to flooding, leaky piping or roofing, damp basements, and steam in bathrooms and kitchens.  Symptoms of mold growth are also prevalent in places with poor ventilation ad insulation around clothes dryers and combustion appliances.

Mold can make people sick, especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory and continual and preexisting health problems.  Mold most commonly affects the body by triggering responses to allergens due to inhaling mold spores.  These triggers are most commonly felt in the manner of hay fever, asthma, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and lungs.  Even less commonly, mold can very seriously detriment a person’s health with exposure leading to infections and toxicity, especially in those with weak immune systems or autoimmune diseases such as HIV/AIDS. 

The symptoms of mold exposure are nasal and sinus congestion, eye irritation and respiratory problems, cough, throat and skin irritation, and headache.  Anyone experiencing symptoms of mold exposure should see a doctor if irritation and symptoms persist and find the source of the mold and clean it thoroughly and immediately.  Cleaning the mold can be tricky so the first step in removal is to control the moisture problem that is allowing the mold to thrive in the area.  Porous or materials that cannot be dried should be thrown away and the area cleaned with a 10% bleach solution to kill the mold.

Mold is a type of fungus which lives by breaking down dead material and returning nutrients to  its environment. Mold digests plant and animal material to grow, feeding off of dirt, bark, wood, paper,  or leaves. It spreads itself by releasing floating spores that drift through the air. Mold favors damp, dark locales and is fond of garbage, piles of rotting leaves or other yard waste, and humid basements.

 On food, mold often is visible on the food’s surface, such as the fuzzy green spots that appear on bread. However, mold has tiny roots and “fingers” that allow it to spread. As it grows, the mold’s roots can penetrate deep inside the food, where it cannot be seen.  For these reasons, mold detection can sometimes be difficult.  Usually, mold detection is signaled by the smell of it.  It carries in the air a pungent smell that most people associate with older homes, or wet basements. Because it prefers dark cramped quarters, mold detection is something that might have to be actively approached in order to find the source.

These days, as with anything else, mold detection has evolved.   Where as before mold detection was simply walking around with a flashlight searching, it is now part of a high tech science and business, in order to assure and guarantee that all mold has been detected, and appropriately handled.  The new breakthrough in mold detection is actually canine power.  Dogs, with a better sense of smell than humans, are naturally equipped to assist in mold detection.  Now, businesses specialize in training dogs for the purpose of mold detection, allowing the home owner to hire the business to find his or her mold problem, and eliminate it.  With these naturally advancements the operation of mold detection is now a much easier one, with better results, making the clean up effort easier as well.

Most people do not think about mold when it comes to their home’s overall health.  The unfortunate fact is that mold can affect people of all ages, and often comes on unannounced.  Some people simply experience an allergic reaction, while others may have much more severe symptoms.  Regardless of the type of symptoms a person feels, it’s important to remove mold from your home if you find it.  With a mold test, you can find out what strains of mold may be living in your home, and if you have a serious problem or just a mild one.  You can buy your own mold test at many home improvement stores, online, or via other mail order methods.  The basic method for an in home mold test is to get a sample of either the air where mold may be present, or a sample of the material that may have mold on it.  Most test kits ask that you keep the sample for a 48 hour incubation period before sending it off to be tested.

When you send your mold test kit off, it will arrive at a laboratory where it can be further examined.  Usually in a matter of days you will receive a report listing the types of mold found, and their impact on your health.  At this point once the mold test is completed it is time to take proactive steps to removing it from your home.  It is important to know what strain of mold you have so you can take the proper steps towards eliminating it.  Mold has been known to cause all kinds of respiratory problems as well as mood swings, headaches, dizziness, and nose and throat irritation, to name a few.  With a mold test kit, you can discover what types of mold exist in your home so you can get rid of them and keep your family safe.

Mold can be spread very rapidly through the air, since it is originally in the form of tiny spores that are almost invisible to the naked eye.   Once the spores get into a moist area, they begin to grow and spread, and this usually occurs at a rapid rate.  If you think you might have mold in your home, mold testing is definitely necessary to be sure of not only the presence of mold, but also what kind of mold is there.  In most cases mold is visible once it has established a growing area.  Most of the time it has a greenish color but it can also be black which usually indicates that it is dangerous or possibly toxic.  A smell or musty scent can also indicate the presence of mold, and combined with an ideal environment can almost guarantee the presence of mold.  Of course, not all mold testing can be done simply by smelling or seeing it; sometimes situations call for more sophisticated methods.

You can buy a simple mold testing kit at most home improvement stores.  This kit will allow you to test the type of mold and how severe it is.  These kits are fairly inexpensive and should only cost around $10 to $25 or so.  Of course, if the mold situation in your home is serious, then the mold testing should definitely be done by trained professionals.  These professionals can take samples of the mold to a lab for testing to better determine what kind it is, and also come up with the best way to kill and remove it.  They may test the air, the surface on which the mold has been found, or in severe cases, they may remove actual sections of a home (such as flooring or drywall) to perform mold testing in bulk.

Mold can be a major health concern if left untreated in your home. That’s why it’s important to test for mold. If you catch the problem early you can avoid any health problems related to the mold. Testing for mold is a simple process as long as you know the steps and precautions before you begin. Some of the most important steps include knowing what kind of mold to look for, how to look for it, and how to remove it if you find any. It’s also important to look for mold in the places where it thrives. Spaces like attics, basements or storage closets are prime targets for mold and should be checked first when you test for mold.

Oftentimes people look for the more obvious types of mold when performing a search. Unfortunately some of the most harmful types of mold are less obvious and harder to spot. Be sure you don’t get distracted; make sure to look for both black mold and lighter colored mold. Also be sure to look everywhere in the area where you test. When you test for mold don’t just peek in the corners of the basement or attic, survey the whole area and take the extra time to look in confined area. Look behind furniture, in closets, and underneath carpets to make sure you’ve covered all possible areas for mold to grow.

Once you have found evidence of mold be sure to remove it properly to avoid a recurrence of the problem, or worse, and increased health risk due to improper removal. If you are not sure your home has mold it can be helpful to employ a professional to test for mold. Professionals in the field are certified to collect mold and have the experience to identify what kind of mold is affecting the area. If the mold is obvious with the naked eye than a test for mold by a professional is not necessary. Make sure to use water spray to dampen the mold before removing it. This way the mold is not stirred up and you avoid creating an airborne health risk.

There are several different mold test kit types that you can purchase for mold testing purposes.  Some are designed to obtain a sample of airborne mold spores;others are designed to take samples off of a surface. Samples from a mold test kit typically must be sent to a lab for analysis.  Both types have some benefits; however, it may be best to use both types to really get a full picture of the types of mold that are present.  Air collection kits may collect other things besides mold spores, which may complicate results; surface samples, collected by swab, may not get all types of mold that are present, or they may destroy the structure of the mold (which makes it harder to identify).

If you are collecting air samples, the cultures should be allowed to grow for a couple of days to fully allow the mold to be identified. With surface samples, it’s a good idea to collect from multiple places (on multiple swabs) for best identification.

When you buy a mold test kit be sure that you follow the directions very carefully. Read the directions thoroughly, and obey the instructions, especially regarding how to collect the mold sample and the time frame within which you should send it back.  Consider using more than one type of mold test kit so that you can obtain maximum accuracy in your results.   If you obtain inaccurate results, you may get information that says that you have a harmless variety of mold, which is not, in fact, the case. 

However, a mold test kit can give you information that you can use to decide what kinds of mold remediation action you need to take, or what kind of precautions you should take. If you identify a harmful type of mold, you may want to vacate your home until the mold is removed, as some types of mold cause serious health problems.