Archive for October 2009

Bathroom Mold Is A Serious Problem

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If you’ve got bathroom mold or mildew, isn’t it time you kissed it goodbye for good? Sound impossible? It really isn’t if you have the right attack plan and stick with it. Here’s how in five simple steps:

Step One: You must know the types of mold you’re dealing with. All fungi need both food and water to grow. Food can include anything from soap scum, hair, dead skin cells, and even cotton (think toilet paper). However, mildew and black mold aren’t the same and should be treated differently. Mildew isn’t dangerous, but can wreak havoc on your immune system, especially if you’re allergic. Black mold however is toxic and will affect anyone who comes near it.  Yet neither of them can grow on clean and dry surfaces.

Step Two: You need to make a plan. In order to remove mold from your home, you must cut off the food supply. Otherwise all your work will be for nothing. If you have toxic mold, you’ll want to replace any damage areas caused by the fungi, otherwise your problem will only become worse.

Step Three: Shower mold is the worst, so you’ll need to arm yourself with the right supplies. You have to be willing after every use to clean away the excess water, soap scum, hair and debris that showering leaves behind. To get down and dirty you’ll need a pair of rubber gloves, a good eco-friendly cleaning spray and scrubbing brush. If you’re allergic to mold, you might also want to wear a surgical paper mask to protect your lungs. And yes we know the age old tip of using bleach to clean the surfaces, but guess what? Bleaching doesn’t kill below the surfaces; so hidden mold is still there!

Step Four: Spray affected areas with the cleaner of your choice and depending on the manufacturer’s directions, allow the product to absorb or scrub the area immediately with a brush. Then rinse and repeat if necessary. For in between cleanings, you may want to consider using a product that can be sprayed onto your shower walls after showering. Or to keep the area dry, use a towel to wipe down walls after you shower.

Step Five: To prevent future attacks, consider upgrading your bathroom. If you have a cotton shower curtain, trade it in for a vinyl one. Or if you can afford to get away with it, install glass or plastic shower doors instead. You may also want to consider installing an exhaust fan, which can help keep moisture at bay. Or at the very least, every time you shower, open your bathroom windows to let moisture out. And if your bathroom has wallpaper or carpeting, you might want to think about upgrading to paint and tile since carpet and wallpaper can easily absorb moisture.

Okay, that’s it! Now that you’ve conquered that bathroom mold, you can give yourself a round of applause and gloat in victory. It’s a nice feeling knowing that you’ve won the fight against yucky mold and mildew, isn’t it?

Mold in Crawl Space

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Mold in your crawl space is one of the most overlooked places in your home where mold can occur? Even if there are no visible signs of mold in your home, mold that grows under the floors can often lead to a serious problem if it’s not handled immediately.

Because spores can become airborne, they can easily move to the upper levels of your home and if that happens you could need to replace the floors in your home. Now imagine the cost of replacing those floors plus the cost of hiring a mold remediation company. Mold damage can add up fairly quickly, leaving your pocketbook drained and you wondering why you didn’t have your home tested for mold in the first place.

However, this process is necessary and unfortunately should only be done as a professional mold inspection. The mold inspector will look for visible mold under your home by inspecting the framing, joists, girders and posts of your home’s structure. He or she will also inspect the underside of the subflooring as well. And they may even check insulation since it happens to be one of the biggest culprits for mold growth in this area. If there’s nothing visible they may test the air to detect if there is a hidden problem.

If there is a mold problem, your inspector will make suggestion and in some cases offer assistance in removing the mold. In most instances if there is a problem and the damage is extensive enough, your home’s floors, insulation and possibly even foundation, may need to be replaced.

You may also need to replace other structures that may have caused the problem such as roof gutters or downspout spillage that are located near the home’s foundation or plumbing inside of the home.

If the damage is extensive, it may cost anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 depending on the materials and servicing fee. It also may require you to find temporary housing until the work is completed.

If the damage is minor, you may only have to pay for the servicing fee and source of the original problem. In both cases, you should always ask for an estimate and get everything in writing before you allow the contractor to work on your home.

Also in some areas, you may be able to recuperate those costs with homeowner’s insurance, as a tax write-off and through some city programs. So always do your research before hiring.

Once the mold damage is replaced or repaired, your contractor may suggest ways to prevent a future problem. A few suggestions may be, covering a dirt floor with a sheet of plastic to reduce moisture from the soil or replacing insulation with moisture-resistant foam. And in some areas, they may even suggest sealing off the area if it’s not an absolute necessity for the home itself.

However, as tempting as sealing off the area to prevent crawl space mold may be, it’s a big risk since mold could reoccur and result in bigger problems such as re-opening the sealed off area. So while it’s important to take into considerations a professional’s recommendations, it’s not always wise to take them to heart.

Black Mold Inspection Tips

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If you think fungus growing in your home is the toxic black mold (also known as Stachybotrys Chartarum), then you need to have a black mold inspection done on your home immediately. If you don’t, you’re risking not only your health, but also the health of others that live in or visit your home.

Even if you see the fungus and it’s not invisible, you still need to have your home inspected. Sure, it’s going to cost you some money, but it’s either that or deal with some serious health issues. And really, who wants to smell a nasty musty odor or see fuzzy drywall mold all over the place.

Before you open the yellow pages and hire just anyone however, make sure you shop around. If you don’t, you may wind up hiring someone who doesn’t have a clue what they’re doing. If you’re not sure who you should hire, you can always ask neighbors, friends, family and even local businesses who they would recommend.

When you’ve found the perfect inspector, he or she will generally start by finding the source of the problem. He or she will usually look for specific signs such as attic mold from a leaking roof or moldy paneling from a flooded basement. If the problem is hidden they may check for musty odors in the home. They may also look around problem areas like basements, bathrooms, attics, crawlspaces and kitchens.

Your mold inspector may also test the air for a spore count both indoors and outdoors. Testing the air for mold allows them to see if the spore count is higher in the home than it is outside. Some companies may choose to also do a surface sampling on visible fungus growth, which can tell them what types of mold you’re dealing with.

They will then take the samples back to a lab or their office where they can tell you what type of molds are in your home and how serious of a problem you have. Of course if the molds are really visible, you might not have to wait for them to tell you that you have a problem. They should also be able to tell you the specific cause of the problem such as a leaking roof or broken water pipe.

Once the investigation is over, the company should show you a report on what they’ve found. They may also give you some recommendations on removing the mold. In most cases you’ll need to hire a mold remediation company since companies who inspect homes for mold often do not remove the problem themselves.

There are however, some companies who do offer both black mold inspection services and mold remediation services, however you should check with your city’s codes before you hire a company that does so. If you are able to hire them, you should ask if they have any discounts for using additional services with their company.

Get Rid Of Mold Tips

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When it comes to mold (fungus) they almost always can be found growing in places where there is a lot of moisture. The good news is most fungus is really less dangerous than it looks and all you really need to get rid of mold is a little time and some effort. Before you begin, you’ll want to wear a pair of rubber gloves for the task. If you are allergic to mold, you’ll also want to wear a paper surgical type mask for the job.

First, tape off the affected area with a sheet of plastic and some tape. Taping off the area will prevent other areas of your home from being affected by the spores of the fungus.

Next, clean the affected area with a mixture of mild soap and water. This will remove any visible mold. You’ll then want to use a soft rag to dry the area.

One you’ve removed the fungus from the area’s surface, you’ll want to use a mold and mildew remover to kill any invisible mold above and below the surface. You can choose to use a chemical product or one that is organic, depending on your preferences.

Once you’ve applied the product, you may need to wipe it away or rinse, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.

After you’ve removed all traces of the fungus, you will need to keep the humidity in your home at a minimal level. You can use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air and help reduce your home’s humidity.

Or if you’re on a limited budget, you can open windows while you shower or bathe. You can also keep mold to a minimum by drying your shower walls and bathtub after you’ve used it.

If you can afford to do so, you may want to invest in an exhaust fan for your bathroom. An exhaust fan gives your home some extra assurance in reducing the humidity in your home.

Of course if you clean a lot more often, you can reduce mold growth that way. Vacuum rugs often and clean out your refrigerator at least once a week.

To keep mold from coming back, make sure your home is free from leaks. Leaky pipes are almost always the culprit beyond the growth of mold and mildew. Other sources may include a recent flood and even a toilet that has backed up a few too many times. Many of these problems are simple to fix and can prevent fungus from getting out of hand.

If however you find that the problem is more than you can handle, you should consider hiring a black mold removal company who can help you get rid of mold growth. It’s also best to hire a professional if you find yourself dealing with a toxic black fungus. Black mold is very dangerous to your health and must always be treated with caution, with or without a professional. Hiring someone who knows what they are doing is always a safer bet when dealing with black mold removal.

Mold Mildew Removal Tips

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Mold mildew removal is nothing new to many housewives who have to tackle the fungus at least once a year. And chances are you’ve probably already had several areas in your home become affected by mold and mildew.  However, all is not lost in the battle against the fungus and with a little knowledge and some cleaning, you’ll be well on your way to a healthy home in no time.

If you’re smelling the mold problem, but not seeing it, the best solution most people would assume is to follow your nose. However, some mold may be invisible so it’s also a good idea to look in the most common spots for clues. Look for leaky faucets, pipes and sweat on walls or floors.

Also, don’t forget the most obvious places such as in the refrigerator or on cabinets where food is forgotten. Basements, bathrooms and kitchens are all likely places where mold can accumulate, but don’t forget attics, roofs and outside buildings like sheds and garages.

In general, most people believe that bleach is a great solution for mold and mildew. Bleaching is okay if the surface isn’t non-porous, meaning nothing can get below the surface. However, bleach is a chemical one which many people can’t stand to be around. It burns the lungs and isn’t good for the environment.

A better alternative for non-porous surfaces is vinegar. Of course if you’re not fond of the smell you may not want to go this route, but if you can get beyond the pungent aroma, it’s an excellent alternative for cleaning mold.

If the surface you’ll be working with is porous, you’ll need to choose a mold and mildew removal product that is made specifically to absorb deep down into the surface. There are many products made for the task, but the best are the organic ones since they are better for the environment and our health.

Even when using an organic black mold removal product, you should open windows or find some way to create ventilation in the area where you will be working. A dehumidifier is one good way to ventilate the room. You could also use a fan as long as it isn’t blowing on the area you’ll be working in.

Some good items to have on hand along with the product of your choice are a scrubbing brush, a soft rag, and rubber gloves. If you know that you’ll be working around black mold, you will also want to wear a paper surgical mask to protect yourself from the toxic spores of the fungus.

If you’ll be working around a delicate area that is inhabited by mold or mildew such as clothing, require a little more care than your standard wall or floor. If the article of clothing can be bleached, you can wash it alone with a solution of bleach and cold water. It’s best not to use hot since heat can sometimes cause stains to set in place.

If you’re not able to bleach the article of clothing, you may want to look for a product that can kill mold, yet is safe for fabrics. In some cases it may not be possible to remove the mold or mildew from some fabrics just as some materials such as drywall may not be salvageable even with the use of a mold mildew removal product.

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