Archive for December 2009

Black Mold and Mildew Information You Can Use

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Did you know that there is a difference between toxic black mold and mildew? While both are a type of fungus (mold), mildew is not generally toxic, but it can cause allergy problems in some people. Toxic mold (aka toxic black mold) however, can be quite serious and when left undisturbed it can cause a wide arrange of health problems.

Yet despite their differences, both types of mold and mildew should never be left undisturbed for obvious health reasons and I honestly don’t know anyone who loves looking at a nasty fungus problem. However, before you run out and buy a mold and mildew remover, you should keep in mind that:

Black Mold is a toxin that requires special attention. A simple cleaner will not kill this type of fungus. You need to purchase a product that is designed for toxic mold.

While mildew is generally not dangerous, it’s a good idea that you wear protection when cleaning any fungus. You’ll need a pair of rubber gloves, goggles and a paper (surgical) mask for the job.

Both types of fungus rely on moisture. To minimize growth, repair and seal any leaks before you try to clean up the mold. Otherwise the mold will be back within a few weeks.

Keep things dry to prevent future fungal growth. Wipe down walls after bathing or showering, run exhaust vans and open windows when possible.

Don’t try to do it yourself when materical contaminate with toxic molds are more than 10 square feet. Instead, hire a professional black mold removal company to get the job done safely. If you’re worried about your budget, talk to your insurance company to see if the costs are covered. If not, find out if your city or county offers help for homes that have been invaded by mold.

If you can, invest in an exhaust fan for the laundry room, bathroom and kitchen. If you can’t afford to do so, consider investing in a few dehumidifiers to help reduce the moisture in your home.

Keep in mind that you cannot remove all mold from your home. There are literally hundreds of thousands of different molds that live among us and it is impossible not to have some of those molds inside of our home.

Don’t try to salvage anything that has been contaminated by black mold. It’s almost impossible to save wallpaper, drywall, paperwork and other delicate items. If it’s replaceable and non-salvageable, seal it in a plastic bag and throw it away.

And finally, don’t ignore the problem. It’s not going to go away and when black mold and mildew get out of hand, there’s no stopping it. At the very least, you may have to spend hundreds of dollars repair your home and at worst, you could end up losing your home or your life to the toxic mold. Black mold is nothing to play around with. Always be prepared because your good health could very well depend on it.

Water Damage Mold Removal Tips

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If you’ve ever experienced any type of flooding, then you know that along with it usually comes the need for some water damage mold removal. And if the mold is minimal, you can do the mold removal on your own. Ready, set, go!

First of all, you’ll need to eliminate the source of the problem. This means fixing any leaky pipes, walls, ceilings or whatever the problem may be. You’ll also want to make sure that the area is free from moisture.

Once you’ve repaired and dried out the affected area, you’ll want to seal it off with a tape and plastic to prevent the spores of the fungus from spreading to other areas of your home. You’ll also want to open as many windows as possible in the room or run an exhaust fan so you have good ventilation.

Next, arm yourself with protective gear. This should include goggles, a respiratory mask and a pair of rubber gloves. Without these items you could be prone to health problems caused by the spores of the fungus.

Then, skip the bleach and purchase a mold and mildew remover instead. Recent studies have shown that using bleach on mold will not permanently kill it because it cannot penetrate below the surface where spores tend to hide. Not to mention the fact that bleach gives off dangerous fumes.

You’ll need to seal any non-salvageable items that have been damaged by the mold in a plastic bag and discard them. Such items may include drywall, wallpaper, furniture, or anything that is a porous material.

Now, spray the mold and mildew removal product onto the affected surface and scrub the area using a stiff brush. Then, spray the area again and allow the product to set for the time indicated on the bottle. Rinse and repeat if necessary. Then wipe away any remaining residue with a clean, dry rag.

Once the area has been cleaned and all traces of the fungus are gone, you’ll want to dry the area using a dehumidifier or several fans. If neither of these options is available, then you’ll want to at least open windows in the room if the weather permits. You can also use an exhaust fan if you have one in the room.

If you find that the mold growth has affected a much larger area than you’d anticipated (over 10 square feet), you should immediately call a professional. It’s not wise to try and remove the mold yourself even if you think you know what you’re doing.

While some water damage mold removal is simple enough to do on your own, not everyone is experienced enough to clean up a major mold infestation.

Plus, a certified professional will have the proper equipment to help remove the mold safely from your home. Your health depends on it and in some cities it’s even a law that severe fungus growth be left to the hands of a professional. Be wise, be safe. You and your family’s health should never be at risk.

Mold Testing Tips

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If you’re considering purchasing an older home, you may want to have it tested for mold (fungus) beforehand. Mold testing is a process that involves looking for any signs of fungus in the home. It is usually done by a professional, but can be done by homeowners who would rather do it themselves.

While the test cannot identify the types of mold found in the home, or where it’s specifically located, it can tell you the count of the molds. If your city allows it, you may be able to have the test conducted by request without having to pay for it yourself. Or if you already own an older home, you can order a test kit online and collect the samples yourself.

You should know however that no matter what type of home you live in you will have some mold. And while some can be toxic and others can cause allergies, not all molds are dangerous. Therefore, it is impossible to conduct a test and find that there are no molds present. So even with positive results, it doesn’t necessarily mean your home has a problem. And unfortunately even with a test, there’s no way to determine whether or not you have dangerous mold in your home.

And because the tests can vary widely in scope and quality, it can sometimes be a waste of money as well, if you’re not careful. One instance would be if there were visible signs of mold growing in your home. Another example is if a musty smell is detected in the home. In both cases the tests are not necessary since the homeowner is already aware of a mold problem.

If you suspect that there is a problem and you’re certain that your home has toxic black mold, you should take action immediately. Toxic molds are not only a sore sight; they can also cause respiratory problems, allergies, headaches and fatigue. And toxic molds are extremely dangerous to those with weak immune systems, infants, pets and the elderly.

Because toxic mold poses a significant health risk, you should eliminate it immediately.

In the past, people have used bleach to eliminate mold; however, scientists have discovered that bleaching is ineffective. Instead, you should use a black mold removal product that is specifically designed to kill the mold, permanently.

But, before you can kill the black mold, you must stop it at its source. Fixing any leaks is your first priority. Otherwise, your mold problem will keep coming back no matter what.

If you find that your mold testing results are telling you that the mold in your home is more than just a small amount (10 square feet or less), you should consider hiring a professional to eliminate your mold growth, especially if you have a toxic problem.

It’s never safe for a homeowner to try to remove large amounts of toxic mold from their home no matter how careful they are. A professional is not only trained to handle this type of toxic matter, but they’re also equipped to do it safely with special equipment.

Mold Inspection Tips

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If you discover a problem with mold and have hired someone to have your home tested, please don’t think that testing for mold is the same as a mold inspection because it’s not. There is a difference and unfortunately many homeowners are unaware of this.

In fact, mold testing is only a small part of what’s involved in inspecting for mold (fungus). In most cases, a reputable inspector will identify the source and extent of any mold issues that you have in your home and determine if you are dealing with black mold. However, it’s not required by law to do so and homeowners need to understand that lab results from tests are simply not enough information to decide if there is really a mold problem or not.

A sure sign that your inspector is only testing for mold is if he or she tells you to call the lab to get the results of your report. A reputable inspector will give you a report that should include:

1. The lab results

2. A summary that documents any suspect conditions

3. Source of mold that has been identified and recommendations for correcting the problem

4. An infrared thermal imaging survey of the home

5. Any photos showing signs of moisture problems and suspected fungus.

The inspector should also be able to explain the report and answer any questions that you may have about the report and his or her findings. And while hiring an inspector may seem like a waste of time, it’s not and can cost around $300 for an average-sized home.

So why is it not a waste of time? If you’re home is overrun by mold, they can be extremely harmful to your health, especially around little ones, pets and the elderly.

Molds have been linked to both asthma and severe asthma and are often the cause of chronic sinus infections. They can also cause even more serious health issues such as bleeding of the lungs, depression and even death.

And while many people don’t really believe that mold can cause any serious health problems, there’s another concern. Molds that are left unchecked can result in extensive damage and the need for mold removal services, which can run homeowners thousands of dollars.

And if they refuse to give in to hiring a professional, they’ll be scrubbing the moldy areas on a continuous basis, which can waste precious time that can be spent on other activities with their family. And even with all of that constant scrubbing, the fungus is still going to cause a lot of structural damage and you could end up losing your home.

So you really are better off hiring a certified mold inspector who is trained to search every area of you home and offer you a professional mold inspection report. Otherwise you may end up having to pay thousands of dollars just to repair the damages done by the fungus. Stopping the problem in its tracks now is the only way you and your family can breathe a healthy sigh of relief in your home once again.

How to Remove Carpet Mold

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Almost everyone that has experienced some sort of flooding knows that most carpets that have been contaminated with mold are not worth salvaging, especially if they have been contaminated with black mold. But, there are some instances where you can remove carpet mold as long as it’s not severe.

How to Remove Carpet Mold

• If it’s wall-to-wall carpeting you’ll need to lift it up from the tack strip in the area where the moisture problem has occurred and mold growth now remains. Begin at the corner of the carpeting where it’s closest to the water damage mold and fold it back onto itself.

• Next, remove the padding that is underneath the carpeting, and check the floor beneath it. If there is any moisture under the floor, you’ll need to allow it to dry before laying more padding on the floor. To speed up the process you can use a fan or dehumidifier for drying. You’ll also want to wash the floor down with a mold and mildew remover using a scrub brush and allow the floor to dry.

• Next you’ll want to use that same product (unless the manufacturer suggests otherwise) on the carpeting and on the underside of it as well. Let it set according to the manufacturer’s directions and then use a scrub brush to really get down into the core of the fibers. Continue the process until no more mold is visible.

• Now you’ll want to use that same product, again letting it set for the time allowed by the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, using a rag wipe away any remaining moldy residue. Make sure every time you use the rag you are using a clean area of the rag (or a new rag) for each wipe. Otherwise, you’re just going to contaminate the area again.

• Your next step is to dry out the carpeting. If it’s possible try to find a wet vacuum to get it done faster. If you don’t have a way of getting a wet vacuum you should place several fans near the carpet to speed the drying time.

• Next you will need to apply a new layer of padding, and new tack strip if there were any signs of fungus present. You can then lay the carpeting back down and vacuum (preferably with a HEPA vacuum) to clean up any remaining dirt and dust that could be trapped in the fibers.

• And finally, you’ll need to keep an eye on the area of carpeting where the moldy growth was to assure that a future problem does not occur.

On a final note, if the above method to remove carpet mold isn’t effective, you will have to throw it out. This might seem like an expensive waste, but in the long run, it will actually save you money. It’s better to get rid of the carpet than be faced with a lot of hospital bills, contracting bills, remodeling bills or even needing to buy a new home. And why take the risk of an unhealthy environment in the first place? So if necessary, ditch the carpeting and believe me you’ll feel a whole lot better in the end.

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