Effects of Mold

There are many different types of mold and there are numerous causes of a mold infestation in your home. The effects of mold can be seen in your home and you can also have many dangerous health side effects of mold. One of the main causes of mold is moisture, and there are all kinds of things that can cause excess moisture in your home. Some of the wallpapers that people sometimes decorate their homes with are made from vinyl, the glue combined with humidity can cause excess moisture to get trapped behind the wallpaper and this is a perfect place for mold to grow. Some of the effects of mold in wallpaper can be seen as the mold begins to eat away the wallpaper and even the wood behind the wallpaper. If your home is ever flooded and your carpet becomes soaked it will most likely become another breeding ground for mold, and the only real solution for either of these cases of mold is removing the wallpaper and carpets immediately.

When mold starts to grow in your home there can be many bad health effects of mold such as allergic reactions, breathing problems, shortness of breath, and a sore throat. There are certain kinds of molds that can be especially dangerous so if you know you have mold in your home it is very important to call a professional immediately to come and remove the mold, or the health effects of mold could be even worse than the symptoms previously described. You also want to be sure that you always put your clothes away when they are completely dry, if they are put away damp they could start to breed mold. Furniture is another thing that must be removed immediately if it has been affected by mold and as stated before, always call a professional so you can have them inform you of how dangerous the mold in your home is, and they can also remove it from your house.

Mold and Mildew Removal

Anywhere that is exposed to water in a building likely to start growing a fungus of some kind, making mold and mildew removal a priority in that area. As the fungi spread, not only are they an ugly site to look at, but they can also have ill effects on the health of certain people in the area. These plants release spores as part of their reproductive cycles, and these spores may irritate people who are sensitive to allergens. In addition, there is a very rare fungus that can be extremely toxic to anyone in the vicinity, making immediate mold and mildew removal absolute necessary in these cases.

There are many products, tools, and services that can help a homeowner or business owner during the mold and mildew removal process. For minor problems, such as in the bathroom or kitchen, often a simple bleach solution will kill the fungus. There are also a variety of cleaning solutions available that are specifically designed for the task. If the mold is outside of the house, a pressure washer can often be a great tool to get rid of the problem.

The dilemma of mold and mildew removal becomes a little more complicated when the fungus starts growing on surfaces that were not designed to be wet in the first place. A leak in a water line can soak porous surfaces such as wood and drywall. When mold or mildew begins to grow on these areas, the problem is much more serious. Unless the affected area is small and easily removable, it will often be necessary to call in a mold and mildew removal service to do the job correctly, and to avoid health problems associated with toxic mold growth. There are many such services available today, and if one acts quickly, permanent damage to the home can be avoided.

Mold and Mildew

Mold is a type of plant that grows on organic matter, and is a form of fungi (fungus).  Mildew is related to mold, but it grows on fabric.  Both mold and mildew can affect your health, and each is usually ingested by breathing in the spores, coming in physical contact with it, or even eating it in rare cases.  The spores of mold and mildew are microscopic, so unless you actually see or smell it, you may not even know it is there.  Over time, ingestion of these can create some annoying and sometimes serious health issues.  Perhaps the most common problem with mold and mildew is that it can trigger allergies and allergic reactions in people, particularly young children.  It can also make those who suffer from asthma experience symptoms much stronger than usual.  In some cases, mold and mildew can be fatal if it is toxic and breathed in over a period of time.

Since mold and mildew are often hard to detect (mildew has a much more distinct smell), it can be somewhat difficult to remove it.  There are some tips you can follow to try and at least prevent it from spreading or coming into your home before having to call a professional.  Good ventilation and removal of moisture are the two best defenses against the fungus.  Keep basements and closets clean and dry.  Try not to store wet clothing in a closed container.  Use a dehumidifier with a special mold fighting filter if needed, particularly if you live in a very humid part of the country.  Wash linens often.  If you follow these steps, and keep a close eye on any warning signs of mold and mildew, you should be able to prevent it, at least in quantities that will affect your health and the health of your family.

Mold Mildew

Many homes that are located in damp or moist areas are often plagued by unsightly and unhealthy mold mildew.  Mold mildew is formed when tiny spores float through the air and into people’s homes and land on wet and moist areas.  These areas are prime growth areas for mold mildew and in a short period of time, the mold will grow exponentially.  Mold can be quite unhealthy if left to grow, and can cause illnesses such as breathing infections, asthma, nose infections, fevers, memory loose, and even irritable bowel syndrome.

Mold is also very unpleasing to the eye and can cause great concern if someone is trying to sell a home that has mold mildew spots.  Because of this it is important to remove any mold mildew from wet surfaces of the house, and the replace the molded sections of wall or ceiling with dry, untainted materials.  While mold can be removed by the everyday homeowner, it is important to take proper health precautions such as wearing a mask, and disposing of the materials in a proper manner.  For mold mildew areas that are larger that a ten square foot area, it is probably a good idea.

It is quite easy to manage or even to eliminate mold mildew growth within home if several things are taken into consideration.  One thing that a homeowner can do is to remove all possible moisture from areas that are prove to moisture in the home.  This can be done by opening the windows to let moisture out and fresh, dry air in.  Another thing that can be done is to maintain the pipes and waterways in the home so that the water stays in the pipes and that the water does not reach any surfaces where mold could grow. With the proper care and attentive removal, mold mildew can be removed and hopefully banned from a home forever.

Mildew Removal

Mildew is a fungus that grows in areas that are hot and moist, so extremely humid conditions are perfect places for the mildew to grow. Mildew removal is fairly easy if it is only a small area you need to remove it from, for larger areas it may take a little while longer and the process for mildew removal may also vary depending on the surface it is on. The other part of removing mildew is getting rid of that musty scent that mildew has. Mildew will grow in all kinds of places and the walls in your kitchen and bathroom are the most susceptible to this as well as the countertops, sinks, and showers. One of the best ways to clean it off of these areas is with a mixture of water and bleach, and when cleaning mildew off of paint you may want to use an even weaker solution of water and bleach, this will avoid damaging any paint.

A great way to avoid having to deal with mildew removal is by taking the precautions to try and avoid the mildew fungus from growing in the first place. A couple precautions you can take are to be sure the rooms like the kitchen and bathroom have good ventilation systems to help eliminate some of the hot moist air. This is especially important in the bathroom where you take hot showers, since that will build up a lot of moisture on the ceilings and walls, which will then turn into mildew. These are some of the most common places to have to perform a mildew removal job on, and with good ventilation this could be avoided altogether. Another thing to remember is that when you are painting you cannot just paint over mildew, it needs to be cleaned first with the mixture of water and bleach and then a touch of primer would be good as well before the paint. If you were to just try and paint over the mildew it will just grow right through the paint.

Mold Spore

High mold spore levels have become a serious problem for many homeowners, causing a variety of health issues ranging from mild allergic reactions to life threatening illnesses and infections. Mold will grow in any moist area, such as damp basement floors or around leaky pipes. As the mold grows, it releases mold spores into the air of the house that are then inhaled by its occupants. Any mold found in the home must be removed thoroughly to put an end to such contamination, and damp areas must be dried to prevent a recurrence of mold growth.

For those with mold sensitivity, mold spore contamination can be very irritating, causing sneezing, congestion, and even skin rashes. Asthma sufferers often react to mold spores, making breathing more difficult and attacks more frequent. A few mold varieties can cause health issues even in people who are not allergic, releasing toxins into the air as they begin to grow and multiply. Some mold varieties are capable of producing toxins that are extremely harmful, causing chronic bronchitis, heart related problems, hearing loss, and bleeding in the lungs.

A homeowner who is confronted with a small area of mold growing in the home can often remove it safely with common household detergents and chlorine bleach. Hard surfaces can be thoroughly scrubbed and dried, effectively putting an end to the mold spore contamination. Often, moldy wallboard or ceiling tiles will need to be discarded and replaced. A protective mask should be worn while removing mold to prevent the inhalation of spores, and rubber gloves should be used.

Mold can grow in areas that are not accessible for cleaning, such as inside walls or under cabinets or flooring materials. Generally, a musty odor will become apparent in the home as these hidden problems develop. This type of problem can be the source of significant mold spore contamination within the home, and may require the assistance of a mold removal specialist to resolve.

While serious mold problems can be quite a chore to handle, getting rid of this fungus in your home is essential. Avoiding the health risks that can be the result of high mold spore levels in the home are well worth the investment of your time and money.

Mold Spores

Mold spores tend to form in areas that tend to be humid and damp and they are formed from dead and decaying vegetation and other natural plant materials and soil. Once a mold spore forms they can travel through the air until they find nice wet and warm place to land and begin to form mold. Mold is one of the leading causes of allergies and certain molds can even make some people extremely sick if they are very sensitive. Usually mold spores do not get into people’s houses but they can if you have open windows and somewhere wet for them to begin breeding. Once mold spores are found it is important to remove them immediately to avoid becoming sick and some things will probably even need to be thrown out if they become covered in mold or mildew. A lot of times you might be able to get rid of it fairly easily but sometimes it might be best to hire a mold specialist, especially if the mold keeps coming back.

Indoor mold can also have a really bad effect on people with asthma and it can also cause many other health problems. When mold spores and mildew begin to grow indoors you can usually smell the strange odor it gives off and you can usually see it unless it is hidden behind a couch or in a closet. One thing you can do to help battle against mold and mildew in your home is using a HEPA vacuum cleaner when cleaning your rugs and also make sure you always put dry clothing in your closet, because damp clothing can attract mildew as well. Mold is a natural occurrence though and it is quite common for mold to find a breeding ground in your home, whether it gets on damp clothing or furniture as just mildew or if it starts to get on your bathroom walls due to the humidity. Bleach and water can take care of the walls but many times the furniture and clothing can be totally ruined, unless you catch it immediately. Most of the time you are not going to have to worry about your carpeting and furniture getting soaked, unless you live in a high flood area and if that is the case you want to be sure to have flood insurance.

Mold Allergy

Mold is one of the most common causes of allergy. In fact, mold allergy is prevalent, however without proper testing it may go undiagnosed.    Mold is a fungus that thrives on decomposing organisms.  It breeds by sending spores through the air and relies on moist conditions.  Therefore, any area that is damp, warm, humid, or muggy is a potential breeding ground for mold.  Unfortunately, many of these areas are located in homes and office buildings.  Mold could be growing in your home and you may not realize it.  Many people suffer from a mold allergy, without ever knowing that mold is present in their homes.

Mold can grow in places where it is clearly seen, such as in tub or tile grout or on basement walls, however it can also grow in areas where it cannot be detected.  This can contribute greatly to a mold allergy.  For instance, mold may be present in walls, air conditioning vents and ducts, or even in pillows.  This is why if you suspect that you may be allergic to mold, you should have your home tested.  In addition, you will need to have your health care provider give you a test to make certain that you have a mold allergy.

The symptoms of mold allergy include having a runny nose, sinus headache, sneezing, watery eyes, rashes, sinus pain, pressure, and headaches, difficulty breathing, and constantly coughing.  Since these signs are very similar to the common cold or flu, it is imperative that you have a test performed to determine whether or not you are allergic to mold.

If you are allergic to mold, you will need to take certain steps to remove mold from you home. Some of these steps include removing moisture, preventing more mold from occurring, and removing the mold that is already present.  A great way to remove moisture is to use a dehumidifier.  Make sure to keep the dehumidifier set at or below 40% to prevent mold growth.

Mold Killer

Serious mold problems in the home require that the mold be eliminated entirely. Black mold can cause severe health problems for your family, and can do a great amount of damage to your home. Mold spores that are allowed to dry and become airborne are an irritant to skin, lungs and eyes. Because of this you will want to find an effective mold killer to eradicate the threat.

Mold killers come in a variety of forms. Vinegar is a natural and effective mold killer. Use undiluted white distilled vinegar applied with a spray bottle, applied directly to the affected area. Do not rinse immediately, allow the vinegar to penetrate and do its work for a few days, and then clean the dead mold with soap and water, and dry the area completely. Failure to dry may allow the mold to grow again. 

Another effective mold killer is an ozone-generating machine. You need to shock the area with a very high application of ozone. The ozone concentration levels needed to be an effective mold killer are so high; that it is not safe for humans to be present while the room is being treated. If multiple areas of your home are affected, begin in the basement, and work your way up. Allow the treatment to go for several hours, then return, shut down the machine, ventilate the area, and vacuum up the dead spores using a HEPA vacuum. It is recommended you repeat the process the following day. This method is also effective removing the odor associated with mold.

Another natural, and effective mold killer is hydrogen peroxide. This mold killer works almost immediately by depriving the mold spores of the basics need to grow. As with the other mold killers, apply directly to the area, and allow it to work for several days. Clean the mold spores with soap and water rinse and thoroughly dry the area. Large or stubborn areas may require a second treatment.

Mold Allergies

If you look carefully, you’ll find mold both indoors and out.  This is why mold allergies are a large threat to some people.  All of us are exposed to small amounts of mold each day with no ill consequences. We may breathe the spores that exist in household air or eat foods where mold is just beginning to grow.  Mold is very common and can be found nearly everywhere.

Some people, those with strong mold allergies, are more vulnerable to becoming ill from mold than others. This means that for certain people more susceptible to mold spores just breathing the air around them could spur their mold allergies and they would than begin to feel symptoms of the allergy.  Likewise, eating food could cause mold allergies to flair if it contains mold spores.  Some foods; for example mushrooms and yogurt, are more likely to contain the spores, and those with serious mold allergies should avoid eating these foods. 

Mold allergies have a stronger effect in the warmer months of the year and have many symptoms.  These symptoms have a range and can include headaches, congestion, runny nose, itching watery eyes, wheezing and others.  Mold allergies can be avoided however by taking precautions and preventative action.  In order to avoid them in eating, research foods to discover which foods contain high levels of mold spores and remove these from your diet.

Around your home actively search your home for mold growing, which is usually in bathrooms and near water pipes, and disinfect and remove the mold.  And in the air listen to the mold allergies forecast on the news or web.  If taking the proper precautions to avoid being around excessive amounts of mold, even those with severe mold allergies can greatly dampen the blow dealt by their Mold allergies.