Archive for January 2010

Some Tips On Mold Detection

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One of the biggest reasons most of us aren’t really concerned with the dangers of mold is all thanks to rumors and the media. They don’t believe that mold detection is a major concern or that it could lead to poisonous mold.

Sure, they agree that mold removal and cleanup is necessary in order to maintain a clean home, but when it comes to toxic mold, they don’t think that being exposed to it will do any serious harm. And when someone comes forward to tell his or her story of mold sickness, they blow it off as other health problems that have nothing to do with toxic fungus exposure.

Yet for those of us who know better, it’s a frustration and a continuing battle that challenges us every step of the way. We know we’re sick from mold, yet many doctors are unable to pinpoint it as the problem, while the rest of the world thinks we’ve lost our minds. Still, checking for mold in and around the home is an absolute must no matter what other people think.

There are actually a couple of ways you can check for mold. One of the easiest ways is by hiring a mold inspector to inspect your home. A proper inspection will consist of detecting for mold thoroughly both in and around the home.

He or she should check in crawlspaces, the attic, behind walls, in air ducts and anywhere mold may be visible or hidden. They’ll then take samples of those mold and send them to a lab for testing. Once the test results come back, the inspector will go over the report and should answer any questions that you have. From there he or she will offer advice on what you should do next if there is a problem. However, they should not offer to do the work themselves.

Another option you may want to consider when it comes to inspecting for mold is to just do it yourself since it can often be cheaper than hiring a professional to inspect your home. However, there are also some downfalls when doing it yourself.

For example, if you have hidden mold in your home and don’t know where to look to find it, you could be putting your health at risk if it’s left undetected. Also, if you’re unfamiliar with how to read a lab analysis report, that could be a problem as well. And of course not every company out there who sells testing kits for mold is reliable. However, if you’re still considering doing the testing on your own, you’ll find the kits work in practically the very same way as a professional test.

Whichever route you decide to take whether it’s hiring a professional for mold detection or testing for mold on your own, it’s always important to do your research beforehand. Otherwise, you could find yourself spending way more than you should have on black mold removal or you could potentially wind up with more problems than you started with in the first place.

Water Damage and Mold and What To Do About It

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I’ve read two different stories reported by the news involving the death of an elderly man and an infant due to mold sickness from toxic black mold. What many people believe is not going to really harm them, really can. It’s no joke and a very serious matter.

If you own your own home or even if you’re renting a home, apartment, mobile home, etc. and you even suspect you have water damage and mold in your home, you need to clean it up right away.

Often times people are unsure of how to determine if they have mold in their home. One of the sure signs of a fungus invasion is a musty smell. Where there is musty there is almost always some form of fungi. And if your home has a leaky basement, kitchen or bathroom, then it’s obvious there’s a moisture problem and chances are you also have mold growth.

Of course you may be shaking your heading and thinking that leak was only a small one, but what most people don’t realize is that fungi spores are very tiny and are able to survive in very minimal conditions. So it really doesn’t take much moisture for mold to grow.

In order to remove the problem, there are several steps that need to be taken.

The first step is to remove any contaminated items from the home for good, including damaged wood, carpet, wallpaper, or ceiling tiles. It’s pretty much impossible to repair damaged property that has already been infected by mold growth.

If it’s not black mold you can get away with cleaning up the problem using vinegar and baking soda or an environmentally safe product that is specifically made for fungal cleanup. But before cleanup can begin, you must repair any leaks. Otherwise the mold is not going to go away with cleanup.

If you find that the leaks are an extreme problem and will take time to repair, your best solution may be to find temporary housing to stay in until the job is done.

If you need to hire a professional to repair your home’s leaks, you must warn them about any mold that is in your home. After all, you certainly don’t want to endanger the health of others.

If you’re repairing the damage yourself and walls or floors are involved; you may want to consider using a waterproofing product on them to help minimize any future problems. There are also mold resistant paints available on the market that may also help.

Once you’ve repaired the damages and clean up has been done, you’ll need to lower the moisture in your home. There are many ways you can do this with some being more expensive than others. 

One of the most common tools that can reduce moisture in the home is a dehumidifier. There are many models on the market to choose from, so you’ll want to do your research before purchasing one.

Once you’ve taken the necessary steps to remove the water damage and mold from your home, you’ll find that you can breathe easier and you may even notice an improvement in your health.

Shower Mold Do It Yourself Clean Up Tips

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The holidays are here and with family and friends coming to stay, maybe it’s time you did some thorough cleaning in the bathroom and make sure you’re not going to scare them away with nasty shower mold and mildew. Now as far as dinner is concerned, you’re on your own!

In order to get started on this messy task, you’ll need a pair of rubber gloves, a paper mask if you’re allergic to mold and mildew, a scrub brush, clean dry rags and a good tough cleaner that won’t be harmful to your health. And yes that means skip the bleach and ammonia. You don’t want your family and friends passing out from chemical fumes, do you?

There are plenty of mildew and black mold removal home remedies that will work just find for simple jobs like this. Plus, they’re not only easy on our health; they’re easy on the pocketbook as well.

A mixture of vinegar and water in a spray bottle will get rid of the problem while leaving the bathroom fresh and clean. Simply spray on the affected areas, scrub with a brush if necessary, then rinse and wipe clean with a dry cloth. If you can’t stand the smell of vinegar you can always open the bathroom windows to help minimize the strong odor.

You can make a paste of baking soda and vinegar and scrub it into the affected areas. Then rinse with vinegar and water to really get the areas clean. Finally, rinse with water and wipe clean with a dry cloth.

Since bathmats are a wonderful place for mold to grow, be sure you wash your bathmat and dry it after every use. And if it’s possible, place your bathmat outside in the sun for several hours. It is said that sunlight may be able to help remove small amounts of mold.

You can also add a tablespoon of tea tree oil to a spray bottle of water and use that on your bathroom mold and mildew. Then simply rinse with water and wipe with a dry cloth. However, you need to keep in mind that tea tree oil does come at a hefty price, so if you’re on a budget, you’re better off sticking with vinegar, baking soda or sunlight.

After you’ve cleaned your bathroom to a nice healthy, sparkling shine again, you can make your life a whole lot easier if you consider investing in a dehumidifier or exhaust fan for your bathroom. Both will remove the moisture from the air, which in return will help minimize future problems. If you can’t afford either of them, you can open your bathroom windows and wipe off the walls after bathing or showering.

Even cleaning your bathroom on a regular basis can help minimize moisture and control fungus. And who wouldn’t want a clean bathroom anyway? And it’s especially nice to hear your friends and family whispering to everyone about how great your bathroom looks. And you won’t have to worry about scaring them away with your shower mold and mildew!

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