Archive for November 2009

Mold in Basement Tips

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When I discovered we had black mold in our basement after a severe flood, I thought I had seen the last of it after a thorough cleaning. About a week ago I discovered that the toxic fungus was back.

And the cause? It wasn’t because of hidden mold as I initially assumed. It was because of a water drainage problem that happens in basements all around the Midwest every time it rains.

The worst part is, I soon learned that not only was the water drainage a problem, I’d also become affected by the musty smell of the fungus. Unfortunately there’s not a lot that can be done about the drainage I’ve learned.

However, keeping the basement dry using dehumidifiers and a sump pump have been of some help. Still, it’s back to cleaning up the mess once again.

While removing the mold may seem like a difficult task – just swipe with a cleaner and you’re done, right? Wrong. It’s not that easy. So you’ll want to pick a day when you have several hours to devote to this task.

I know it may seem like a real pain, but it’s better to tackle this problem than let things get worse. And if you live in a state where water drainage in basements is a problem, believe me it will get worse.

So arm yourself with a pair of rubber gloves, a paper surgical mask, a scrubbing brush, dry rags and a good black mold spray that can get the job done permanently without damaging the environment or your health (you’ve already got enough to worry about with toxic mold poisoning.).

Now, before you begin, remove and seal anything in a bag that has a porous (absorbent) surface and get rid of it. I know this sounds pretty darn extreme, but since mold tends to hide deep down below the surface of porous materials, they generally can’t be cleaned (ex. Insulation).

And unfortunately drywall happens to be one of them. If the surface is non-porous, you can safely scrub the material with the fungal cleaner and a brush.

You’ll want to start by ensuring that there are no leaky pipes or cracks in the walls. If there are, you’ll need to replace the pipes or repair the cracks. Also check for gaps in the window seals.

After all of the repairs have been made, follow the manufacturer’s directions on the mold spray and use the scrub brush to thoroughly clean the surface area.

Next, rinse the area with water and dry it with a clean rag or old towel.

Once all of the affected areas have been cleaned you can use a dehumidifier to remove any remaining moisture in the room.

To help prevent a future mold problem when possible, you may want to consider painting your basement walls and floors with a paint that is specifically made to resist mold. You may also want to consider storing items such as seasonal clothing, cardboard and other porous materials elsewhere.

And to help assure of items being damaged from future mold in basement problems, consider raising furniture and other removable materials off of the floor and away from walls.

Getting Rid of Mold

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Are you a little sick and tired of all of the articles on how to remove black mold from your home? Well, so are we. Sure, we know that removing toxic mold from your home is important, but what about all of those other molds? I mean there is a whole lot more fungi out there than just the black stuff, so let’s talk about getting rid of mold that may not be toxic as well, shall we?

First and foremost, we need to make something very clear. Just because your fungus isn’t poisonous, doesn’t mean it’s safe to live with. For one, some mold can cause allergies and others are just plain disgusting to look at. And then there are the molds that can cause damage to materials like wood, carpet and even houseplants.

If you’re unsure of the types of mold that are in your home you can purchase a simple mold home test kit that are generally available in hardware stores and online. Most kits are designed to allow you to place a petri dish where a fungal problem is suspected. Once the suspected molds are obtained, the dish can then be sent to a professional lab where it will be analyzed to identify the specific type.

Once you know what kind of fungus you are dealing with, you can then purchase the right type of mold cleaning product that will remove it. If you’re concerned with the environment, there are numerous products available on the market that are considered green or you can make your own safe cleaners for simple molds.

Green mold cleaners are also ideal for areas where chemicals should not be used such as refrigerators or children’s rooms. Plus they’re safer on your home and your health.

Although it is impossible to remove all mold from your home, there are a few things you can do to help minimize them.

• Consider painting your walls with paint that is resistant to mold.

• Use dehumidifiers to remove as much moisture as possible from the air.

• Use air purifiers to remove mold from the air.

• Have your family remove their shoes before they enter the house so they’re not tracking in dirt, which can harbor mold.

• Consider removing carpets and rugs from your home since they are the perfect breeding ground for mold.

• Have your air ducts cleaned by a professional at least every six months.

• Keep bathrooms free from mold and mildew by opening windows and wiping down the walls of the shower after every use.

• Don’t forget to clean the coils and underneath of your refrigerator every time you clean inside of it.

• Install exhaust fans in your home where moisture easily occurs.

• Consider purchasing a HEPA filter vacuum, which can remove even the tiniest of spores.

• Instead of letting things pile up such as junk mail, keep things under control by cleaning up messes and sorting through the junk as soon as they happen to prevent dust and mold from taking over.

Getting rid of mold doesn’t have to be a major chore and with the above ideas you can reduce fungal buildup and provide you and your family with a safer and much healthier environment.

Mold and Mildew Remover Tips

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When it comes to the words mold and mildew remover, many people are often confused. And it’s no wonder with so many mold removal products on today’s market. Everywhere you look there are a variety of mold cleaners. There are bathroom cleaners, kitchen cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, products for toxic molds and even eco-friendly fungal removers. The choices are virtually unlimited. And with all of the confusion lies the uncontrollable urge to just grab any cleaner and go. Unfortunately doing so can be a bad choice.

Despite what a manufacturer tries to convince you of, there is a difference between mold and mildew. Mildew is generally harmless, but can cause allergies in people while some molds like black mold are very toxic.

And while a simple black mold removal spray may work on mildews and some molds, it won’t work on the toxic stuff. And speaking of toxic, if you’re concerned about your health and the ozone layer, you’ll definitely want to go with an eco-friendly product. However, whether you decide to use an eco-friendly product or not is your own call since many people have a disagreement on whether or not the product’s ability to permanently remove mold and mildew is valid.

Of course if you’re on a budget you may have heard that bleach works just as well as all of the rest. It does if it’s used on surfaces that are non-porous. Otherwise you’ll be wiping away the fungus again in a matter of a few days. Plus, you’re better off not using bleach since the chemical can cause lung damage and respiratory problems, not to mention it’s bad for the environment.

If you are going to be using a mold spray meant to remove toxic fungus, you need to arm yourself with a respiratory (surgical) mask and a pair of rubber gloves. These items will insure the safety of your health from the toxic spores. You may also want to purchase a sheet of plastic and some tape to seal of the area affected by the moldy spores, which will prevent them from migrating to other areas of your home.

Once the mold cleaner has been applied to the surface area, you should allow it to set for the exact time indicated on the bottle. Otherwise you can risk damaging the surface if you leave it on for too long or the fungus might not be removed if it’s not left on for long enough.

And of course as with any product, you’ll want to read the manufacturers notes since directions may vary. Also, you need to keep in mind that not every product will be safe on all surfaces. Even eco-friendly products can cause damage to some materials like leather. So be sure to read the warning labels and always test the mold and mildew remover in an inconspicuous area if you’re not sure of the reaction to it.

You certainly don’t want that $5000 leather couch to have a nice big ugly spot right in plain sight for all of your friends and family to see, now do you?

Mold Removal Services – Some Things To Consider

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Mother Nature happens, so when the rains poured and didn’t stop in the flood that was considered a disaster several years ago in the state of Kansas, many homeowners needed to hire mold removal services in order to effectively remove the mold from their homes.

Many of the smaller communities of Kansas didn’t have much of a choice in who they could and couldn’t hire, however in the larger cities, most residents could choose a service that provided eco-friendly products for a greener environment. Even if homeowners have black mold dangers, which were the case with Kansas’s residents, eco-friendly products are just as efficient as those containing unsafe chemicals.

Think about it. Why would someone hire a mold removal company to eliminate toxic mold from their home with toxic chemicals? I mean there’s an obvious reason why we’re removing the dangerous fungi in the first place, right? With all of the health concerns over mold and what they can do to us, you would also assume that using chemicals which can cause just as serious of health problems would be a really big NO.

Unfortunately when it comes to the use of chemicals in our homes, we just don’t think that way. Lately however, more and more homeowners have become concerned with the destruction of Mother Nature and are taking the greener road when it comes to what they use. Still, there’s that hesitation when hiring a black mold removal professional because we’re more concerned about the problem than anything else.

The next time you’re in need of help when it comes to removing mold from your home, shop around if it’s possible. Don’t just hire the first person that sounds good. Ask the company a few questions like, do you use eco-friendly products or are you willing to use them during clean up of my home? If they aren’t, maybe you should shop around some more. If they’re willing to work with you, get it in writing.

And while we’re on that note, are there any other requirements you have? If so, get it in writing. As long as your requirements aren’t outrageous (like demanding free service) I’m sure they would agree to a written contract of some kind. Not only is a written contract great for a homeowner, it’s also a good idea for the company and will keep both sides on good terms.

While you’re at it, you might want to get an estimate on the damage that’s done. You definitely don’t want a surprise bill after the work is finished. And I can guarantee not everyone asks for an estimate. Then after the work is done they’re shocked at the costs and considering taking the company to court. Always do your homework before you do the hiring.

If references are a concern then by all means you should ask for them. However, you should also keep in mind that if the company is still fairly new, their references might not stack up to a lot. So don’t be determined to give them the boot if they don’t have very many references. After all, not all mold removal services are going to have 50 years of experience.

Mold Removal Company – When Do You Need One?

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If you’ve come to the realization that your home has been overrun by mold and is in need of a mold removal company, you’ll soon learn that there are several steps that the professional you hire will take in order to remove the mold from your home.

The first step that they will take is to assess your home for mold. This process usually requires a mold inspection of your home’s foundation and structure. They may also need to move furniture, remove carpeting and check behind the walls and under the floors of your home. They will also look for any water damage mold caused by leaks or flooding.

The next step involves sampling or testing the air or surfaces for mold. This type of testing will determine how high the spore count is and whether or not it’s enough of a problem to need to be removed. In general most mold removal companies will test the air for mold rather than a surface.

After determining the source of the cause and repairing the damage if it is needed, the contaminated area should be blocked off using plastic sheets and tape or something in similarity. This will prevent other areas of the home from becoming contaminated.

The next step is the most crucial since it involves the elimination of the mold. Depending on yours or your contractor’s preferences, chemicals or an organic mold spray may be used to remove the mold problem. They may also use a HEPA vacuum and other special equipments to reduce the problem of spores that can become airborne. If there is extreme moisture to any structure, they may dry the area to prevent further mold contamination.

Once the affected area is cleaned, the professional may re-test the air to determine whether or not there is still a mold problem. If there is still mold present, they may reapply the product used to eliminate the fungus and take the necessary steps needed for clean up.

Also if it is necessary, the contractor may discuss how to prevent future contamination of mold by suggesting a dehumidifier or other useful ideas to reduce the humidity in your home.

After the mold clean up is complete, they should remove any contaminated items from your home including materials that could not be saved such as carpeting or furniture. All contaminated items should also be sealed to prevent spores from transferring to other clean areas.

In some cases it may or may not be necessary to hire a black mold removal company. If the damage is less than 10 square feet and you feel comfortable enough to remove the mold yourself, then with proper safety precautions, you should be able to do the job yourself.

However, you should keep in mind that this only applies if the affected area is a small problem. Otherwise not only are you risking your home and your health, but depending on your city codes, you may also be getting yourself into some legal trouble. Remember, it’s never out of the question to ask for professional help.

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