Tag: mold

We’ve all seen roof mold.  We may not have been able to identify it as such at the time but we know it as those big ugly black stains along a roof.  These stains are pretty common and they are one of the reasons a new roof on a home stands out so distinctly from all the others.

Roof mold is unsightly, of course, but it’s a bit more than that, too.  It can eat away at the weatherproof seal the roof provides to our homes, leading the way for interior damage and repairs inside.

When roofing shingles become lose or damaged, they can develop cavities and pockets along the roof that collect water.  Over time, these damp spots grow into a colony of roof mold than can eat away at the structure of the roof itself.

Mold spores are everywhere and no one can avoid them entirely.  As a rule, they pose no problems.  It’s just when conditions are right for their growth into a colony that the problems begin.

Starting small, so small we can’t even see it, roof mold establishes itself in a tiny spot on the roof and weakens the area around it as the colony feeds on the roofing materials. 

One small spot that easily goes unnoticed by the human eye can become a roof leak that damages everything underneath, including walls, family heirlooms, the baby’s crib, and the new carpet just installed in the formal dining room.

The best way to prevent damage from roof mold is to maintain the integrity of the roof itself.  Repair any loose shingles as soon as they are detected and replace any shingles that are torn, broken, or damaged in any way.

When damage from severe weather events or fallen trees or limbs may by suspected, repairs done the sooner the better will save costly repairs to larger areas later.

Working on the roof is one task of homeownership that many people feel unqualified to handle alone.  Roofing companies and those that offer most building repairs and construction projects can help with routine maintenance checks and special checks after potential damage to the roof.

Keeping a roof in good shape isn’t just a cosmetic endeavor.  That unsightly roof mold, when allowed to build to damaging proportions, may mean there’ll soon be another pretty new stain-free roof on the block.

There are many ways to test for mold. Mold sampling methods include taking a sample of mold with tape, with a vacuum suction method, or by swabbing the surface where the mold is.  Some mold collection methods are better for mold sampling than others.  It is good to be aware of the limitations of each method before deciding which to use.

Some mold sampling kits necessitate the cultivation of mold for identification. The user would put the mold on  a culture and allow the mold to grow in order to determine the type of mold that it is.  The problem with conducting mold sampling without professional advice is that it may be unclear which is the best area to sample (there may be harmless molds growing alongside more dangerous molds, leading to an ambiguous mold situation.  Your test may identify a harmless mold when in fact a dangerous mold is present. 

Because of the focus on a certain type of harmful, toxic black mold, homeowners may be inclined to overlook other varieties of non-black mold, but these lighter-colored molds may also cause health problems.  Similarly, not all black molds need professional remediation; some can be addressed by any homeowner with a simple diluted bleach wash.  However, in order to determine which kind of mold you do have, a professional mold sampling is  not a bad idea.  Professionals will have the best knowledge of where mold may be hiding, and they will be able to take a more accurate sampling. One way that they might do this is by taking a more extensive sampling of mold from the site and using a microscope to identify the types of mold that are growing.  This is generally more comprehensive and accurate than taking a culture.

One thing to be aware of is that where one mold thrives, the conditions for mold in general are good. Even if you have a harmless mold variety that’s easy to treat, it’s a good idea to address the humidity that the mold is feeding off of so that more molds don’t take up residence in your home.

Exposure to mold is very common inside and outside of the home.  However, some individuals have more vulnerability to mold than others.  Small children, medically frail elderly, people with autoimmune diseases, and those suffering from respiratory infections or difficulties are the most susceptible to mold ailments.  Mold exposure in its more mild forms may cause cold-like symptoms, watery eyes, sore throat, wheezing and dizziness, and trigger asthma attacks.  Some mold spores are very small and can be easily inhaled deeply into the lungs.  It is a health risk to live in houses with high mold levels so, if there is a musty smell in the home, than there is surely a mold problem that must be addressed. Depending on the prevalence of the problem and the mold, homeowners may wish to have a mold professional conduct a mold identification consultation.

Mold Identification is often achieved through a microscope where the naked eye may mistake a dangerous type for a common kitchen mold. For example, a homeowner may see black grime on tiles and believe it to be grout when in fact though the process of mold identification the grout is found to be Stachybotrys chartarum or toxic black mold and causing all kinds of horrific health problems.  Typically, mold identification of a specific classification of mold is not usually necessary or recommended because of the expense in testing the molds. 

However, there are some more inexpensive alternatives in mold identification such as air testing and tape testing.  Air testing will assess the extent of contamination throughout the residence and sampling can be done to assess the microbial contamination on site.  Tape testing is a method used to determine if a mold is toxic and should be examined further for toxicity and health risks.  There are also 24-hour labs available for quick and inexpensive testing of samples.

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.

Mildew is a type of fungus that thrives off of decomposing organisms.  It needs certain elements to grow, namely oxygen, moisture, and a host (decomposing organisms).  The harmful qualities of mildew make it a threat to public safety.  Scientists classify mold and mildew differently.  Basically, they classify mold as the fungus that grows on non-living organisms as well as living matter, (such as mold growth on fruits) and mildew as the white powdery substance that only grows on plant material. However, many people commonly refer to mold and mildew as the same substance.

No matter what you call it, if you have mold or need to remove mildew, you will need to treat the source of the problem as well as prevent any new growth from occurring.  Both mold and mildew are harmful substances that can cause sickness to plants, animals, and humans.

To begin treating mold, or if you need to remove mildew, you should begin by addressing the source of the problem.  This typically tends to be excessive moisture in certain areas.  Common areas where mold and mildew can become a problem are basements, refrigerators, walls, bathrooms, shower stalls, around faucets, in the corners of floors where water may accumulate, on baseboards, and even on ceilings where there may be water pooling underneath floor boards or under roofs.

 For some mold problems, you will be able to remove them yourself, however if you need to remove mildew permanently, you may need to hire a professional for larger areas.  For example, if you have a large amount of mold growth behind a wall, you should hire a professional to help treat the problem.  A homeowner may have genuine intentions, but lack the skills needed to replace the drywall underneath the wall.  Since certain areas have different climates, you may find that your local building and zoning department has the best information regarding materials that you should use to prevent and remove mildew and mold permanently.

Mildew is a black junk that builds up in your shower and around the faucets. Then there is mold which can build up in your basement or in the walls of your house. When you see mildew and mold it is hard to tell the difference. Therefore you should have a method to cleaning them as soon as they appear. Consider some easy steps in order to create your own mold mildew remover.

It may seem like a difficult task to make your own mold mildew remover, but it is actually a simple process that won’t take you that long at all. The first thing you want to do is pour one cup of bleach into a gallon of water and then mix it well. Then take a bowl and pour a small amount of this mixture into it. 

For small areas you should apply the mixture with a toothbrush and for larger areas you should pour the mixture into a spray bottle for application. It is best to spray down the shower walls, doors and curtains. When it comes to a toothbrush an alternative is a large stiff-bristle brush. After cleaning it is important to rinse the area thoroughly.

After a good scrub you should keep the mixture in a spray bottle in order to do a daily cleaning after a shower. Just spray down the walls, doors and curtains and leave it there until you next shower, you don’t have to worry about rinsing. When you are cleaning your bathroom always remember to open all windows and to turn on a fan in the room. This way you can have plenty of fresh air and ventilation to keep the bleach fumes from building up in the room. You don’t want to inhale the fumes coming off the bleach.

There are many different kinds of household mold and these can infest your home very quickly sometimes, usually this is due to excess moisture such as flood damage. When excess moisture is inside your home it can cause mold spores to grow, which then lets mold out into the air you breathe, and this has been linked to many different health issues. Some of these health issues that might arise from household mold are things like respiratory problems, allergies, dry coughing, scratchy throat and watery eyes, and much more. Some individuals may even have stronger reactions to the household mold and it could make them very sick. There are actually certain types of mold that can cause permanent respiratory problems due to the toxic properties found within the mold spores, this is why it is very important to have a professional examine any mold that may develop.

The most common places for household mold to grow in are in areas where there is excess moisture, and the bathroom can be a great breeding ground for mold, especially in the shower in a bathroom where there is sometimes little ventilation. Also if your carpet or furniture were ever to get soaked the chances are pretty high that mold spores will develop before the carpet or furniture could dry and this is why many people will just throw them out and replace them. It may be expensive to replace them if your insurance does not cover it, but it may end costing a lot more in doctor bills if you or other members of your family become exposed to a dangerous household mold. Everyone is going to have a mold problem at some point unless you stay on top of getting rid of it immediately, and the places you want to keep an eye on are damp poorly ventilated areas like the crevices around your tub and possibly many other areas around your tub. Other places could be underneath your sinks or anywhere you may have a leak in the ceiling, and basements are another place where mold likes to grow.

Many homes, especially older homes are often subject to a mold in house situation. Moisture and dark places allows mold to grow and cause many problems besides the obvious unpleasant look to a moldy wall. Some of the health concerns that can come from mold in home are respiratory problems such as asthma and infections, eye irritations such as burning sensation or red eyes, perpetual coughing, throat and nose irritation, rashes, irritable bowel syndrome, muscle and joint aches, and food intolerance or food allergies. These are some but definitely not all of the problems that can come from mold in home or in the garage.

While many people observe mold in the home, not many people know why it is there. The truth is that there is mold everywhere because it is part of the natural environment. When mold is found outside, it breaks down organic matter like trees and leave, but mold in home is much more dangerous and can cause a variety of annoying problems for people who come in contact with it. Mold usually begins to grow when the tiny spores become in contact with wet surfaces in the home, usually beginning is places such as the garage or the attic.

Mold in homes can be cleaned by preferably by a professional, but could be cleaned by the home owner, so long as they take proper precautions.  The first step of cleaning up mold in house is to clean and remove all of the spots infected with mold.  Then next step is to dry all of the areas where there is mold in home and put all of the infected materials into a bag to through out.  It is important to where a mask when removing mold to prevent inhalation of the mold.  Also, if the molded area seems rather large, for example, if the area of mold in home is larger than a 10 square foot radius, it is important to have a professional remove the mold so that serious home damage does not occur.

Many homeowners face the challenges for protecting their homes against the natural elements such as storms, floods, and fire, but many homeowners forget to take precautions against another organic element that is mold in the house.  The problem of mold in house is that it can often spread rapidly and cause a large amount of damage and cost a large amount of money if not tended to in a timely fashion.  Mold in house can cause quiet a few health problems to the people that live in the homes, and over time, the health concerns can become greater.  Some of the health risks that can be cause by mold in house include, but are not limited to, respiratory problems like asthma and lung infections, runny noses, headaches, memory look, irritable bowel syndrome, and flu like symptoms.  Because of these problems, it is important to check the homes for mold damage quite regularly. 

Mold in house occurs when small, micro sized spores blow into a home through a window or door, and then land in a moisture, wet, and often dark spot.  These conditions are great places for mold to land and it often grows rapidly as soon as the spores com in contact with the wet conditions.

Mold removal is not that difficult if caught early, however it is important to follow the proper health procedures so that the mold growth doe not make the homeowner sick.  It is important to wear a mask over the mouth and to dispose of the molded dry wall or other material that has become contaminated by the mold.  For areas that are over ten square feet, it is a good idea to contact a professional to removal the mold in house so that the homeowners do not cause more damage then necessary to the home.