Archive for September 2009

Basement Mold Removal Tips

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Just recently we’ve learned that the basements in our area are getting flooded again thanks to Mother Nature. Unfortunately that also means not only will we need a sump pump to remove the water, but it will also require a little basement black mold removal clean up to keep the black mold at bay and prevent them from returning.

The first step in cleaning up the toxic fungi is to find the source of the problem. In basements, most molds can usually be found behind wall panels, under carpeting and around perimeter walls. Sometimes mold can be on the ceiling, on appliances or even on furniture.

If there is any sort of water damage, it will need to be fixed before you can remove the mold problem. Otherwise it will never really go away. Once you have the source resolved, it’s time to move on and tackle those toxic spores.

First and foremost, bleaching may seem like the wisest and cheapest solution to your do it yourself mold removal project, however it’s not. The problem with bleach is -yes it removes molds, but give it a week and the mold will be back. Bleach doesn’t penetrate the surface where fungi spores tend to hide. So it’s only killing what’s on top and not what’s deep down below the surface. Not to mention that bleach is harmful to both the environment and your lungs.

Instead, you should consider a mold removal product that is environmental safe and easy on your health. Today, there are many products designed specifically for removing mold permanently. Many are also safe on furniture and other areas that can be harmed by bleach.

If you have a wooden surface where the dangerous fungus is growing, you can use a stiff wire brush to loosen the surface of the wood. You’ll want to still use an environmentally safe product, but the brush will bring molds up that have surfaced deep in the grain of the wood.

Keep in mind that while you are working around any type of mold, you’ll want to wear protective attire such as rubber gloves, a paper mask and eyewear. You’ll also want to block off the area where the affected area using a sheet of plastic and some tape. Blocking off the area will keep the spores from polluting other areas that have not been affected.

Once you have effectively cleaned the problem area, you’ll want to prevent it from coming back. One of the most important ways you can do this is by making sure you have air circulating in the room. You may want to consider installing an A/C or fan system to allow for better airflow or at least invest in a dehumidifier to reduce the room’s humidity.

If you don’t consider at least on of the prevention options listed above, your basement mold removal clean up would be all for nothing and you’ll have wasted more money than necessary. That’s why it’s absolutely essential to do everything possible when it comes to the clean up and prevention of toxic mold.

Mold Remediation Cost Factors to Consider

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Your mold remediation cost will depend of what type of a fungus your home has. If your home doesn’t have very much mold, there’s no reason you should need to hire someone to help you get rid of the problem. If however, there is a large quantity of mold growing in your home, you’ve got a problem.

Molds not only cause damage to your home, they can also make you very sick. Symptoms of black mold poisoning can include chest congestion, headaches, panic attacks, the feeling of blacking out, tremors, Attention Deficit Disorder, swollen Lymph Nodes, weight gain, hearing loss, frequent nose bleeds, hives, hair loss, pain in the joints, an irregular heart beat, seizures, developmental delays in children, jaundice and stomach ulcers.

If you find that your home is overrun by toxic mold, it’s time to take action and dial the number to an experienced professional who can remove the mold safely and effective from your home. Unfortunately in order to get the job done right, it can be quite expensive, depending on the exact area.

For example, mold in a crawl space can run you anywhere from $500 to $4000 depending on the amount of fungi and area. Now, tack on bigger areas such as a basement or bathroom and the estimated price can be as much as $6000.

Of course if you have any structural damage like floors or walls, you can expect to pay as much as $10,000 to $30,000 for repair and clean up. Now keep in mind that these costs are generally for the removal of the mold only. There’s actually a lot more to the process when dealing with a toxic fungus then just a simple clean up.

Before work can even be done to remove the dangerous fungus, the company you intend to hire will probably suggest a mold inspection just to be sure that you’ve pinned down all of the sources for mold in your home. Depending on the mold inspection company you’ve hired, you may be able to get the inspection done for free or a discounted rate if you ask them.

If repairs are needed from water damage that is causing the mold problem, you will need to get them done before you consider hiring a company to clean up the toxic molds. You can either hire a professional depending on the extent of the damage or you can save a lot of money by doing it yourself if you’re skilled in that area or it’s a minor repair.

You should also keep in mind that if a large amount of work needs to be done in order to remove mold from your home, you’ll need to find a temporary place to stay since no one can be in the home while the work is being done. If you have family or friends nearby you can save the cost of a hotel room by asking to stay with them.

And finally there is some good news when it comes to mold remediation and its cost. Before you hand over your checkbook, talk to your city about programs that may be available for home repair services. You never know when you could get the work done for a considerably low rate or possibly even for free!

When Dealing with Mold Removal Companies

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Did you know that not all mold removal companies are the same? Depending on the type of molds that are in your home, the company may or may not be an expert in that area. For example, did you know that there are dry molds, which can wreak havoc on your home, but don’t always affect humans? And then there’s black mold, which can be toxic to both humans and animals.

And while black mold removal may seem easy enough for homeowners to do themselves, often times it’s not safe to do so. So if you find your home overrun by a mold infestation caused by flooding or other major events, it’s very important that you enlist in the services of a qualified professional mold removal company. 

It’s also very important that you call that professional immediately. Mold can grow within hours and you’ll want to take immediate action to avoid serious infestation problems. Before you hire someone however, you’ll want to make sure of several things.

First, they should be certified. Check to see that they’re either certified with the Environmental Protection Agency or the Occupational, Health and Safety Administration. If they’re not, you may want to consider looking elsewhere.

Next, make sure that the company you’re hiring is licensed, bonded and insured in your state. Not only do these qualifications protect the company, they protect you as well if there is ever a serious disagreement or city or state concern.

Consider choosing a company that offers a free and no obligation quote. That way you can get estimates from several well-known professionals and not get stuck with just one expert or outrageous quote.

If you’re on a budget and want to save some money, you should consider removing the source of the problem yourself whether it’s a leaky pipe or wet and moldy drywall. This could at least save you some money since it’s a step the company won’t have to do themselves.

Any mold remediation company that you choose should ask you questions about the fungus, where it came from and what the source was that started its growth. They will then concentrate on the areas of the contamination and isolate them from the rest of the home.

Once they have sealed off the contaminated area, they will test the air for any musty odors and remove them using HEPA air filters or a similar type of equipment. After the air has been cleaned, the process of removing the mold will begin and any items that have been exposed to the toxic fungi may be removed from the home.

When the mold has been safely removed from your home, the air should be tested once again to verify that there are no additional problems with molding. If your home is cleared, the company should then go over the contract with you to make sure that all of the necessary steps were taken to remove the fungus.

If you find however there is a discrepancy with the contract or the company itself, you should seek legal advice if the problem is not solved. While most mold removal companies are honest, there is never a reason you should have to just suck it up and deal with one that is not.

Do You Need a Mold Remediation Company?

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If you have an extreme moisture problem in your home or business, you’ll want to contact a mold remediation company to help you find the toxins and find a way to remove them.

Much of the toxins that come from flooded or leaky buildings can actually be very harmful to our body, and can cause disease when you come into contact with it.

Some of the symptoms of toxic mold include arthritis, bloody noses, chronic colds, chronic headaches, coughing, dizziness, flu, irritated eyes, nose and throat, rash, sinus congestion and upper respiratory infections.

So what many people simply believe is an airborne virus is actually small spores from the fungi that infect our body. That’s why it’s extremely important to have home mold inspections done so that the cause of the infestation can be removed.

A home mold inspection will also help prevent the fungi from becoming a problem again in the future and making the environment safe to breathe in.

One of the first things that will happen during the mold inspection is a visual examination of the home or business. Musty smelling odors and discolorations are both signs of a mold problem that the inspector will look for.

There are several types of mold, which can look similar to cotton and be gray, green or white in color and while a musty odor is an obvious sign of a problem, there’s not always a guarantee that an odor will even be present.

Mold can be present almost anywhere. One of the most primary places where black mold grows is in the bathroom. Bathroom tiles and water pipes are a popular source for molds to grow. Kitchens are another area where the fungus tends to accumulate because water pipes attract moisture.

Of course mold prevention is the first step in keeping molds away from your home or business. Your home or business should be free from moisture, which acts as a source of food to the fungi.

Investing in a good dehumidifier may help as well as fixing any leaks that occur in the home or business, immediately.

The longer you put things off, the worse the problem will get, and when that happens, you’ll need to spend the money to have a professional remove the mold from your home or business.

If you’ve decided that you need to contact a professional black mold removal company, you should choose one that is certified with many years of business experience. You may also want to consider the types of areas that they have worked in such as residential and commercial.

Once they have taken the necessary steps in inspection, an estimate and proposal of services should be presented to you.

If you’re not sure if the offer is fair enough, you may want to consider interviewing another mold remediation company before you make a decision. If you’re still not sure, you should ask friends, family and neighbors for recommendations.

It never hurts to be too cautious when it comes to hiring a professional. After all, it’s not only your home that’s on the line; it’s also your health and the health of your family.

Do It Yourself Furniture Mold Removal

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If you have a leaky roof or flooded room, chances are you have furniture that is in need of some tender loving mold removal care. Unfortunately, furniture mold removal is not as easy as simply spraying a black mold removal product on your couch or favorite dresser and watching that mold problem disappear.

You can however, tackle the problem yourself with the proper equipment like a respirator, gloves and protective eyewear. You’ll also want to make sure you’re removing the fungi from your favorite item, outside. Working outside may seem like a hassle, but if you don’t you’ll wind up spreading the spores of the fungus to other parts of your home.

If you only have a minor mold problem, you could put the effected piece out in the sun for several days. You’ll want to bring the piece in at night or you’ll wind up with dew right back on it. Also, make sure that you remove any cushions and dry them separately in the sun.

You’ll also want to flip the cushions every few hours and remove the foam if possible. You may also need to brush off spores with a stiff brush if the piece isn’t delicate. This method of furniture mold removal will only work if the problem is slight.

If you have an item that can be penetrated such as wicker, you can spray the item with a mixture of hot water and bleach or vinegar. Make sure that the solution is strong enough to kill the fungi, but don’t saturate it or you’ll end up warping the wicker.

Make sure you spray enough however to get in between the cracks and overlays of the wicker’s design. Since wicker is porous, the bleach or vinegar solution should kill the mold.

Once you’ve sprayed the solution on the piece, scrub it with a still brush to loosen any remaining spores. And discard the brush once you’re through using it on the item by placing it into a sealed bag and removing it from the home.

Wipe the item with a clean dry rag to absorb moisture then spray the item with the solution once again and allow it to set for about a day. Repeat scrubbing with a stiff brush and dry with a rag.

Check the on the piece over the next few days for any remaining fungi and repeat the procedure if necessary.

You can look for a mold spray that is specifically design for removing mold, but make sure that the product will not fade furniture and just to be extra safe, you may want to test it in an inconspicuous place.

You should also keep in mind that many chemicals in these products can be just as dangerous as molds themselves. So you may want to consider using one that is eco-friendly on both the environment and the lungs.

To prevent future problems with your furniture and the removal of mold from it, don’t store them in damp places such as basements, garages, shed or anywhere that has a musty smell. Otherwise you’ll end up having to remove the fungi again. And you can see that furniture mold removal can be involved.

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