Tag: mold

Mold is a specific organism that is classified as a member of the fungi family.  As a fungus, mold absorbs nutrients from dead and decaying matter.  Mold grows by spreading out branch like threads that are used to absorb decaying matter. However, mold can spread via the air or by attaching itself to another object and spreading.  Though mold can spread and grow anywhere it lands, there is one nutrient that is vital to ensuring that mold thrives, moisture.  Mold must have moisture as well as oxygen to grow, thrive, and spread.  Without moisture, mold will die.  Understanding the situations that are conducive to mold growth is essential if you want to effectively kill mold.

It is very important to kill mold and to prevent it from growing and spreading.   Though mold may serve a purpose in the environment, by helping to decomposed organic material, it poses a serious health benefit to humans as well as animals.  People who live in homes that have mold often experience a number of symptoms ranging from allergies to severe sickness.  Some of the symptoms of mold include rashes, coughing, allergies, fevers, running noses, sneezing, and in some people, the effects are more severe.  For someone with asthma, mold can cause a number of complications that can have serious health consequences.  There is no doubt about it, if mold is present in your house, you must effectively kill mold and prevent its regrowth.

To ensure that you kill mold effectively, you need to remove the moisture.  Finding the source of the moisture and treating it will ensure that the mold does not regrow.  Once you treat the moisture problem, you can kill mold effectively by using household bleach.  Bleach is a very powerful cleaner and will ensure that the mold is removed effectively.  Always use bleach according to the instructions, where gloves when treating mold areas, where a dust mask to prevent breathing in spores, and work in a well ventilated area.

Mold can grow in almost any dark and damp area, whether it is in someone’s basement, dark corners of a home, or even in places like the kitchen where you may not expect it.  It is important then, to be aware of various mold symptoms that can affect your health and well being.  Some people are more sensitive to mold than others, and may experience mold symptoms such as severe allergies.  These symptoms may help to discover mold before it spreads too far.  Persistent itchy and watery eyes and nose, constant sneezing, burning in the throat and/or chest, and difficulty breathing are just a few mold symptoms too look out for if you think you are allergic.  Of course, mold can be worse than just causing an allergic reaction.  Toxic mold can be dangerous, and these mold symptoms are much more severe and a lot more serious.

Some warning signs that dangerous mold may be lurking about include: nose bleeds, feeling dizzy quite often, skin rashes, coughing up blood, and unusual memory loss.  If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it is imperative that someone check for signs of mold.  Of course, there are things you can do to not only kill and remove the mold, but also prevent it from reoccurring.  Education is the best weapon against mold, and the more you know, the more you can share with others who may be experiencing this pesky fungus.  Knowing what environments mold likes to grow in can help prevent it from happening.  Mold symptoms can range from mild to extreme, but no one wants to feel constantly sick in an environment they frequent often, so removal of mold is an absolute must.  Consult a professional if you have any doubts about the location or eradication of mold in your home or office.

If you’ve ever had a mold infestation in your house, you know just how expensive it can be to hire someone to kill the mold.  That’s because killing mold is very difficult and it often can come back to regrow in the same location.  Leaving mold to fester in your house will only make the situation work and will put you and your family at risk.  Most molds can cause allergy type symptoms however there are also toxic species out there which can cause very serious illness and death if inhaled.

Mold loves to be in a dark and wet area.  When killing mold, the first step should be to eliminate the food source.  Water must be being supplied from somewhere within the house, or through a leak in the roof.  Water pipes are a likely culprit for supplying the necessary water for mold to grow.  Even if there isn’t a leak in the pipes, condensation on the outside of the pipes due to a temperature difference can be the source of the problem.  A condensation problem is probably the easiest water problem to fix and can be repaired by just adding some insulation to the outside of the pipe.

Now that you’ve eliminated the source of water, it’s time to kill the mold and clean it.  Bleach does do a good job of killing mold however it doesn’t remove the dead mold, which can be just as hazardous as live mold.  What you’ll want to use to remove the mold is good old soap and water with a brush.  Keep scrubbing at the wall to remove all of the mold.  You’ll want to wear a mask and keep the area well ventilated to help reduce your exposure to the mold.  Once the mold is removed dry the area very thoroughly and then repaint the wall as the wall is probably discolored from the mold and all of the scrubbing you did to remove the mold.

Does your child have a cold that won’t go away? Did you recently move and your teenager, who never had allergies before, is coughing and sneezing all over the house? Do you feel mysteriously fatigued or have trouble breathing? Your house may contain airborne mold. Toxic mold health problems are not to be trifled with, so if you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to discuss them with your doctor.

If you think that your house might be causing unsafe toxic mold health issues, you might also consider having a professional mold inspection that will reveal the variety of mold that is in your house.  It is important to know that some molds are harmless, even if they have an ugly appearance.  Some of the worst molds are actually pale or pinkish, and they  might not be as noticeable as a dark mold.  A mold inspection can tell you if your mold reactions are from toxic mold health problems, or if the mold variety is a harmless one. Not all mold is trouble, although it is always unsightly.   If your mold turns out to be harmless, you can save expenses on mold remediation, and your doctor will know to examine other causes for your health problems.

Symptoms of toxic mold health problems include rashes, eye irritation, respiratory problems, chronic fatigue, and irritable bowel syndrome.  Since these symptoms may follow from a variety of illnesses, it is crucial to determine if toxic mold health problems are to be blamed or not.  You can conduct a visual inspection of your home yourself.  Check areas where humidity is likely to be present (such as basements and bathrooms) because mold needs humidity to grow.  Be sure to examine these areas for pale molds as well as the more noticeable dark molds.   If mold is determined to be present and a family member seems to be having a strong reaction, or has an immune deficiency problem, it might be a good idea to move that person to a hotel until the mold is removed.

Cleaning your home is something you do on a daily basis.  Each day we make our beds, wipe the bathroom sink clean after brushing and wash up our breakfast dishes.  Once a week we vacuum and do laundry.  We stay on top of the cleanliness of our home.  How often do we perform basement mold cleaning?  You do not need to do this as often as washing dishes but we should do basement mold cleaning at least once a week.

If you have a basement then you should go on monthly basement mold cleaning duty.  Check any areas of the basement where water could accumulate and sit.  Check around the oil tank, the heating unit, the pipes to the bathroom and kitchen and around the windows.  Look for an accumulation of mold spores building up in the crevices.  If you find mold on your basement mold cleaning tour then you should get rid of it as soon as possible.

To perform basement mold removal you should arm yourself with the proper gear.  You should have disinfectant cleanser, a face mask, an air purifier and several disposable rags.  If you think the basement mold cleaning project is too big for you then call in a Mold Remediation Specialist.  At any rate you want to get rid of the mold before it can spread to your valuable stored possessions or to the rest of the house.

If you do a precise basement mold cleaning once a month you should not have any problems. If you have had a flood or standing water in the basement then you will want to run a basement mold cleaning session more often to make sure there are no mold issues.  Start at the bottom of your home and work up consistently keeping a clean mold free front against germ invasions in your home.

Have you ever walked into a home that instantly has a mold smell?  Well, chances are that that mold smell is coming from wet and moisture rich areas of the home.  Mold thrives in dark, wet places, and can come into a home and start growing without anyone even noticing. 

Mold can a nuisance and can also be harmful to peoples health. Mold can cause people to have respiratory problems like asthma , nose infections, and even cause people to have irritable bowel syndrome.  Mold, and therefore the mold smell, grows when little spores travel into a home and latch on the a moist surface.  While everyone hates that muggy, mold smell, there are some ways to prevent the mold smell, and the mold altogether. 

One way to prevent mold growth is to keep the home dry.  It is important not to let water build up anywhere, even on the floor because mold can grow underneath flooring and then it is extremely time consuming and expensive to redo a floor.  Another way to keep out the mold smell is to use air conditioners and dehumidifiers in the warm months so that water and moisture do not build up within the home.  This creates a dry living space that is definitely not mold smell friendly.  Still another way to prevent mold from growing is to wash shower curtains and tile flooring on a regular basis so that moisture doesn’t build up and cause mold to grow. When mold attached itself to fabrics such as shower curtains or drapes, it becomes extremely hard, if not impossible to get off.  Therefore, shower curtains should be washed with bacteria eliminating cleansers and drapes should be washed in warm water, preferably with a bleach filled cleanser.   With proper precautions, that annoying mold smell can easily be eliminated.

If you have had a flood recently in your basement then you may need to consider basement mold removal.  Any area where there is standing water and dust there can be mold.  In order to keep your family and your precious things clean you need to make sure that mold can not grow in your home.  Along with cleaning your things by hand there are many tools you should look into to aid you in basement mold removal.

The first things you will need for basement mold removal is a fan and a pump system.  The key to basement mold removal is the keep the basement as dry as possible.  If you have had water damage then you need to pump any excess water out of the basement and use a fan to circulate the air and promote a dry area.  If you are having a difficult time with the water removal then you should look into a dehumidifier to get rid of any last traces of water in the basement. 

Once the area is dry and you have begun cleaning you may want to have the assistance of an air purifier working along side of you.  An air purifier will aid in basement mold removal because it will help to trap any mold spores that have become airborne and stop them from spreading to the rest of the house.  You can then continue to use the air purifier after the basement mold removal process has been completed to prevent any new mold from forming.

While working through the process of basement mold removal you may want to look into a respirator for yourself.  If you inhale mold during the cleaning process you can develop any number of lung or skin infections that will render you helpless for days or weeks.  Wearing a respirator will help to filter the air you breathe in so that it is mold free.

Using any of these tools may make it easier for you to work on basement mold removal.  There is something very satisfying about knowing you have done a job well.  Using the above tools will let you know you not only did the job but you went above and beyond to make sure that you and your family are living in a healthy home.

Mold is a serious health concern that can have negative health consequences.  Whether in your basement, bathroom, or in your work office if mold is detected, you will need to find a way to effectively remove mold and prevent it from returning. 

There are certain conditions that encourage mold to thrive.  Humidity is the number one environmental trait that fosters mold. By allowing moisture in certain areas, mold can grow out of control.  The best way to prevent and remove mold is to stop moisture from forming in these areas.  Some of these areas include bathrooms, basements, areas where water tends to pool or collect (around faucets, wash basins, bathtubs, grout, air conditioners), and walls.  Sometimes mold will form inside walls and ceilings and may go for a long period of time undetected.  It is important to use testing kits to determine if there is hidden mold in your walls or ceilings.  If there is, you will need to effectively remove mold immediately.

For smaller areas of mold, you will find that you can easily remove mold with bleach.  However, if mold is hidden in your ceiling or walls you will need to hire a professional to ensure that the mold is removed properly.  Since mold can spread and reproduce quickly, a professional can ensure that the mold has been removed thoroughly.

Many times, homeowners like to try to tackle projects themselves so that they can save money.  However, if you need to remove mold from ceilings or walls, you may end up causing more damage than harm if you are not a skilled professional.  You may find that you’ll save money in the long run by having a professional remove the mold from larger areas and save your skills for tackling mold in the bathroom or on surface areas.  However, one thing is certain, if you have mold, you must remove it immediately.

Mold is caused when moisture, humidity, and decaying organic material create the environment for this fungus to thrive.  Feeding off of decaying matter, such as animal, leaves, and plants mold is spread through the air and by attaching itself to plants, animals, and clothing.  When the spores are transported, they in turn multiply, causing mold to become a very large problem in a very short amount of time.  Removing mold is the number one priority for anyone who has detected its presence in his or her home, office, or environment. In fact, removing mold is key to ensuring your health and well being.

Removing mold isn’t as difficult as it sounds.  There are numerous products and remedies available and most professionals recommend removing mold with simple household bleach.  The difficulty is not in finding products to use, it is in treating mold when it covers larger areas.  Sometimes, mold may spread so quickly that it invades an entire wall or ceiling, however it may be under the surface and not visible to the eye.  This is when removing mold can become challenging. In fact, the average homeowner, may find it nearly impossible to tackle this type of situation themselves, and will benefit greatly from contacting a professional.

When it comes to removing mold, one thing is key. You need to ensure that you remove all of it. If any mold is left, it will continue to multiply and grow and you will be facing the same problem as before.  Again, a professional may be the best one to help you determine how extensive the mold problem is.  If you have surface mold, you can easily remove it with a simple solution of bleach and water.  You should always wear gloves and a facemask when treating mold, to ensure that you do not breathe in any of the spores.  It is also a wise idea to open a window when cleaning mold with bleach.

While mold and fungi are an important part of the food chain, they can cause serious problems for homeowners when houses have a mold infestation.  Mold is able to grow on nearly any surface as long as it contains moisture.  Mold reproduces by creating spores which are released into the air to be carried by air currents to nearby moist surfaces.

Mold can cause a number of serious health problems.  Many of the more common molds cause allergic reactions such as itching eyes, coughing or a runny nose however toxic mold can be cause sickness in a large number of people and even death.

When you suspect you have a mold problem, the first step is to confirm your suspicions.  Often a severe mold problem can be spotted visually, often in a damp area such as where a roof or pipe is leaking.  In addition to visually seeing the mold, many types of mold have a musty odor and can be smelled.  If no traces of mold can be seen or smelled a more scientific approach should be taken with air samples or surface samples being sent to a lab for testing.

Once you confirm that you have a mold problem, you’ll need to remove the mold.  Just killing the mold won’t solve your problem as mold may continue to grow in that area, and also dead mold still contains the chemicals harmful to humans.  If possible, removal of whatever has mold growing on it is recommended, however with locations such as a concrete basement floor that may prove impossible.  In cases like that you’ll want to vacuum up all of the mold possible with a HEPA vacuum to prevent the redistribution of the spores once the vacuum sucks them up.  In addition the area should be scrubbed with soap and water to remove any additional mold.  Make sure that the area is dried quickly to prevent the reinfection by mold.