September 1st, 2009
Mold growth in homes can be a major problem. Mold remediation companies can charge in the tens of thousands of dollars to clean mold from your home. Depending on the severity of your mold problem and your abilities you may be able to solve that household mold problem yourself. Here are some tips and pointers on mold clean up that I picked up from my own experiences.
It should be noted that some mold problems are beyond the scope of the average homeowner and should be left to the professionals. Some molds are toxigenic and can produce mycotoxins, so called “toxic mold.” If you have decided to tackle this battle with household mold on your own, precautions should be taken.
First the gear a respirator, gloves and goggles should be procured before you clean mold. The respirator should be an n-95 approved respirator (these are generally inexpensive) to filter out those mold spores, believe me it is not fun or healthy breathing that garbage in. A long pair of gloves either neoprene or rubber should be used, these will protect your skin from the mold as well as cleaners. If biocide will be used make sure the gloves are rated for whatever biocide will be used. Ventless goggles should be worn to protect your eyes from mold and cleaners. A good source of ventilation should also be used.
So now you got the gear, are your prepared to be a mold fighter. The first plan of action in the battle to clean mold needs to be the elimination of the source of moisture. Whether it is a leaky pipe a leak in the roof or even condensation the problem area will need to be repaired. If possible it is best to separate the contaminated area with plastic.
Next you will need to dry the area and take stock of what is contaminated. Most non porous items can be cleaned completely of the mold. Items like ceiling tiles and wall board very well may need to be replaced. Carpet can also be a difficult item to clean mold from. Anything that is to be removed should be sealed in plastic to minimize contamination of other areas of your house.
If personal items are contaminated you may need to weigh the value of the items, whether it be sentimental or otherwise, versus replacement cost. If there are certain non replaceable items that are trouble to clean there still may be hope. There are specialized companies that may be able to clean mold off of your prized possessions.
Admittedly I am not an expert in the field of mold removal, I have had to deal with the problem personally on more than one occasion though. If you would like a more comprehensive resource on safe mold removal the Mold Manuscript is a wonderful informative in depth training course for mold removal. In the battle to clean mold it can be your best ally.
Technorati Tags: Black Mold Removal, clean mold, house mold, mold, Mold Treatment
Tags: Black Mold Removal, clean mold, house mold, mold, Mold Treatment
Posted in Uncategorized, clean mold | No Comments »
September 5th, 2009
Black mold is a dark green or black fungi that has been linked to some serious health problems. Black mold is also known as Stachybotrys Chartarum was first spoke of in Prague in the early nineteenth century. stachybotrys chartarum is found outdoors as well as indoors, black mold infestation in homes is generally found where there has been extensive moisture problem such as a leaking roof or flooding. There is definitive evidence of the detrimental effects of black mold on health. Although not yet scientifically established there also is evidence that black mold is linked to sick building syndrome, a syndrome usually related to poor indoor air quality.
If your home is suspected of having a black mold problem remediation is important. This is not something to mess around with. This is especially the case in homes that house children or people with weak immune systems or previous respiratory problems. Mold has been linked to deadly pulmonary conditions.
Black mold will not grow if there is not some type of moisture problem this can be something as small as condensation on pipes. Check for evidence of any type of water problems. Unfortunately the breeding ground for black mold is not always evident for example a pipe that may be leaking behind a wall. Mold can appear just about anywhere in your home if you notice any discoloration on your walls base boards or other areas this may be a black mold problem. The attic the basement and the bathroom are prime places for the growth of black mold. Check for spaces in the grout in your shower, how about the seal around the toilet theses are two places that provide great breeding grounds fro toxic black mold. Check the pipes in you basement if there is any sign of rust that means there is condensation and that’s right the potential for black mold growth.
If you see evidence of black mold you may want to get a mold test kit, these test kits are available at most retailers and may be able to tell you what type of mold is present.
The first important step if you have a black mold problem is to stop the moisture. Rid your home of the
breeding ground this organism needs to grow. Mold is a very important part of the food chain but not in
our homes. Before you start to attack this problem on your own check out mold clean up for a list of the
gear you need to protect yourself . You may be best served by calling a mold remediation specialist to
help resolve your black mold problem.
Technorati Tags: black mold, Black Mold Removal, clean mold, house mold, Mold Treatment
Tags: black mold, Black Mold Removal, clean mold, house mold, Mold Treatment
Posted in Types of Mold | No Comments »
September 5th, 2009
Is that toxic mold? Obviously if you have a mold problem in your house you need to get rid of it whether it be the sometimes deadly Stachybotrys chartarum or another type of household mold. Toxic mold has been linked to many health problems. I think we have all seen at least some of the reports of the possible health concerns connected to toxic black mold. There are test kits available that are capable of identifying the type of mold present. If the mold growth is so high that you can see or smell it you may require the help of a mold remediation company to solve your problem. If you have a mold problem your first step should be assessment. Mold only thrives in a moist or damp environment. Do you have a roof leak, leaky pipes, a damp basement these things can very quickly escalate into a very dangerous situation. If the water problem is not corrected mold removal will be a futile battle. Mold spores are present everywhere which is not a problem if the mold spores do not have a place to grow. So if you plan on removing mold growth whether it be the so called “toxic mold” or any kind of mold the water problem should first be taken care of.
Toxic mold or Stachybotrys chartarum is a black or actually very dark green mold that usually grows outdoors. Unfortunately when indoor environments hold the right conditions for mold growth the spores that can be carried in on clothes or just blow in can lead to mold growth. Toxic mold has been linked to health problems for decades. It is even a top suspect for the leprosy of the bible.
Mold in its natural environment is our friend mold is used to make medicine food and it even cleans up much of the decaying matter. Mold inside of a home is quite the opposite. If you plan on tackling the toxic mold yourself you should pick up a mold test kit also check out mold clean up for a guide on the gear you may need for cleaning that mold toxic or otherwise.
Posted in Types of Mold | No Comments »
