How To Clean Mold Off Basement Walls
Most people assume that simply cleaning the mold is enough to get rid of it. But this is far from the truth and the mold will likely return after a short period of time. That is because cleaning it only removes mold from the surface, but it doesn’t remove the mold that has already penetrated into the material itself.
Can A Moldy Basement Really Make You Sick
The answer is yes, it can. Infectious diseases are caused by organisms including bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. Really, thats exactly what mold isbacteria and fungus. Its not pleasant, and its not healthy.
Damp, indoor spaces breed mold.
Mold is a destructive force. When mold is actively growing, it is actively feeding on and breaking down the material it lives on, such as your basement. This is why its so structurally important to make sure the mold in your basement is cleaned out. But more importantly, mold is bad for your familys health. If you have a moldy basement, you are at risk for sickness that affects your respiratory system. These include coughs, asthma, nose and throat issues, and shortness of breath. But it doesnt stop thereyou could suffer from physical concerns such as headaches and skin irritations as well.
Concerned about mold in your basement?
Summary Of Health Problems
Many types of indoor mold, not just black mold, may cause health problems in some individuals.
Long-term exposure to high levels of mold in the home, however,
People who are most at risk of the symptoms of mold exposure are:
- infants and children
- people with allergies or asthma
- people with weakened immune systems
The main health risks related to mold exposure are allergies and irritation, which typically cause respiratory symptoms.
People with weakened immune systems may also have a risk of fungal infection.
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All Carpet Cleaning Companies Should Give You A Precise Quote Over The Phone
As much as you would like to know exactly how much you will have pay for carpet cleaning, a serious company will rarely give you a quote over the phone.
The price will depend on the type of carpet, the amount of dirt and the amount of furniture that has to be moved. None of these can be determined over the phone, so cleaners will have to come to your house to perform an assessment. Only then will they be able to give you an accurate quote.
Hire A Professional To Clean Your Carpet
A dirty carpet does not just look ugly and smell disgusting, but it also threatens your health due to dust, pet hairs, mold, bacteria and other microscopic organisms that are trapped within its fibres.
If your carpet is not yet too old or worn enough for replacement, doing a deep clean is a great idea.
A professional carpet cleaner will not only remove stains, odors, and dirt but also provide specific solutions to minimize the cause of allergens and pathogens in your carpeted flooring.
Take care of your carpet like you would your body because ultimately your carpet affects your health.
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Volatile Organic Compounds Or Vocs
We may cringe when we have to breathe recycled air on an airplane, yet the indoor air quality in our basements may not be too much better or even worse! According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air may be up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air. Because the air in your basement tends to be stagnant, it can breed unhealthy conditions. Poor air circulation and inadequate ventilation may force us to breathe in toxins and chemicals, including lead dust, exhaust, radon, formaldehyde, asbestos, and VOCs from adhesives, upholstery, appliances, carpeting, manufactured wood products, machines, pesticides, cleaning agents and even personal care products.
How To Prevent Sickness From Mold
“To avoid basement mold making you sick, the most important thing is to deal with it immediately,” said McBride. “And keep in mind that molds don’t only grow in basements, they can thrive unseen behind baseboard heating, between walls and in attics. Basically, anywhere moisture can be present, which is why heating, ventilation and air condition systems are notorious for creating mold issues.”
And because mold can grow within 24 hours of an area becoming wet, McBride suggests reducing the risk of long-term exposure by tackling the source of any excess moisture in your home whether thats condensation or a leak. When you know what’s causing the damp problem, you can carry out the appropriate home repairs.
You may need to get a professional to remove mold for you, but if it’s only a small amount you could opt to deal with it yourself. However, if you do decide to tackle mold patches yourself, be sure to protect your health from toxic mold microbes by wearing an N-95 mask , disposable gloves and goggles.
Fungicides can be just as toxic as mold, so I would use an everyday household detergent to clean the area, McBride told Live Science. Youll also need to contain and decontaminate any items that have been affected. For example, storage boxes, furniture or documents, in order to reduce the spread of toxic microbes. You can use a dehumidifier to help prevent mold, however, these can be susceptible to growing mold themselves, so be sure to maintain it very closely.
Also Check: How To Get Mold Out Of Your House
Measures To Prevent Mold Sickness
A Health professional advises that homeowners should never leave their basement in a state of inactivity that allows for mold growth. As a good practice, get rid of the mold buildup as soon as possible. Failure to do the needful will see it increase.
Mold grows anywhere that accommodates moisture. It takes less than 24 hours for mold to spread if the place is damp. Keep your surroundings dry and clean always. That is crucial to keep mold sources under check. Also, check for leaks and naturally wet areas. Those are usually the origin of mold.
When the mold growth is beyond your capacity, hire professionals to clean your house. Its never advisable to handle a significant mold presence in your home to avoid getting infected. Your health matters, and its not worth the risk if you are not an expert at removing complex mold. Also, do repairs when necessary.
What Causes Mold Sickness
The toxins in your system from breathing in mold spores add to the total amount of toxicity in your body. We call this the Total Body Burden. When your burden is high, you start experiencing symptoms many which are seemingly unrelated.
For most people, toxins get flushed out from the body when eliminating waste.
For some, the toxic load is so high that its too much for the body to eliminate them all efficiently. For others, they may have poor detoxification processes or they may even recycle or reabsorb these mycotoxins back, as the body tries to eliminate them. Genetics plays a huge role in this difference from person to person
In short, multiple symptoms happen because, as we say in environmental medicine genetics points the gun, and then the environment pulls the trigger.
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Signs Of A Mold Illness
Basement Mold: Health Risks And Mold Prevention Tips
Friday, February 3rd
Understand the health symptoms associated with a moldy basement and what you can do to banish and prevent it.
Mold grows quickly on damp organic materials in basements, including cardboard, drywall, wood, and insulation. Airborne mold spores can circulate throughout the home.
Mold stains and musty smells are common problems in areas with a lot of moisture. In damp basements and crawl spaces where moisture is high, ventilation is poor, and temperatures are warm, invisible, airborne mold spores can quickly multiply, leading to unhealthy conditions. For this reason, its important to act quickly to get rid of your mold problem.
Here well discuss common health symptoms caused by a mold problem and ways you can effectively deal with basement mold.
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What Is Mold Sickness
You may have seen a local news story on the toxic black mold thats lurking in your basement or otherwise heard that exposure to mold can be dangerous. While the latter is certainly true, the health issues associated with mold are generally misconstrued or misdiagnosed.
Toxic mold is a term coined and perpetuated by the media, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , its inaccurate.
Certain molds are toxigenic, meaning that while they are not themselves toxic or poisonous, they can produce toxins, specifically mycotoxins. In general, toxigenic molds present the same health hazards as other molds commonly found in homes.
Pink Mold In Basements
The basement areas of your home are naturally damp because of the exposed concrete and lower temperatures. Mold will grow there because most times, basements do not go through the same cleaning procedures as the living spaces in your home. They are usually just cleaned when they become very soiled.
If your home has a sump system, ensure your pump is working correctly and is pumping water to the outside of your home. Also, keep the areas around the sump clean from residue and dust.
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Is Pink Mold Dangerous
The simple answer is yes. Pink mold can be very dangerous. It is more dangerous to the very young, the elderly, and to people who are immunocompromised but can make anyone sick. The symptoms range from a runny nose and sneezing to poisoning which could include vomiting and diarrhea. If you think you have pink colored mold, or any other mold growing inside your home, contact Mold Busters right away.
Who Is At Risk Of Mold Growth
Not everyone has a strong immune system, so we react differently to mold buildup in homes. Susceptible individuals are the most affected because their bodies cant deal with the situation. As a result, they start to show different allergic reactions, especially sneezing and skin rash.
Patients with asthma will also find it challenging to breathe where the air quality is low. Additionally, infants and the elderly are also susceptible to mold growth. A runny nose and red eyes are other mold symptoms, but it differs from one person to another. A patient with lung disease should do everything possible to avoid inhaling mold.
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What If Mold Is Under Carpet
Typically, mold can be found in damp areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms. However, if mold is found under carpet, it may be a sign of leaky pipes or condensation on windows with improper insulation. The most difficult part of removing mold from carpets is getting rid of the mildew spores that often come with it. A steam cleaner or hot water will greatly reduce these particles, which leaves behind a residue that requires an additional cleaning process.
Get Special Gift: Industry-Standard Mold Removal Guidelines
Download the industry-standard guidelines that Mold Busters use in their own mold removal services, including news, tips and special offers:
What Are The Side Effects Of Mold In My House
When its in an area you dont access on a regular basis, you may not notice any mold growth until youre smelling a stale, musty odor. And by then? You could already be suffering from the side effects. As soon as you detect that tell-tale odor, please investigate or call a professional for the sake of your and your familys health.
Breathing in mold spores can cause a wide range of symptoms. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, these are the most common ones:
- Nasal and sinus congestion
- Chronic cough
- Skin rash
The National Capital Poison Center also reminds us that damp spaces with mold are also likely to have other nasty contaminants. These include by-products that occur as part of molds growing process.
As mold breaks down the surfaces in your home, it may be releasing dust mites, bacteria, chemicals, gasses, and particulate matter. Dust mites and chemical odors can be similarly irritating to your sinuses, adding to the congestion or allergic reactions you already have.
Mold growth and wood decay are clearly visible on the beam.This picture was taken by an Acculevel project manager during a routine free estimate.
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Mold Busters Now Offers Hot
There are a surprising number of myths surrounding carpet cleaning. But as always, Mold Busters wants to help clarify those misconceptions. And now, with our brand new carpet-cleaning service, we can make sure that you make the right decision when it comes to your carpets.
If you want us to perform an assessment for your home, give us a call today. We use the most up-to-date hot water extraction method that will leave your carpet as clean as new. When we clean your carpets, you will be surprised by how great it actually looks.
Home Mold And Your Basement
The basement is one of the most common places to find mold. Why? Because it is dark, wet and there are plenty of materials like wood, carpet, and concrete for spores to grow on. on top of that, the basement does not get as much cleaning as the rest of the home which means mold can grow undetected for long periods of time.
We recommend checking areas that mold commonly grows every time you do sump pump maintenance and cleanings. This will give you an opportunity to check places like the sump basin and drain lines for mold multiple times per year. If you find mold growing it is important to take action right away to protect your health!
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Mold Reactions: Who’s At Risk
For people sensitive to mold, inhaling or touching mold spores can cause allergic reactions, including sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash. People with serious mold allergies may have more severe reactions, including shortness of breath. In people with asthma who are allergic to mold, breathing in spores can also cause asthma attacks.
In addition to people with allergies and asthma, others who may be more sensitive to the effects of mold include:
- Infants and children
- People with chronic lung disease
Dont Wait Make Sure Your Homes Safe
Now you know more about the answer to the question, Can mold in the basement affect upstairs? If you think you have a serious mold problem, Crawlspace Medic can help.
Its best to fix mold problems as soon as possible. In addition to causing health problems, mold can result in structural problems with your home, leading to more costly repairs. Crawlspace Medic will help you to fix the problem as fast as possible, helping you to save money in the long run.
Contact Crawlspace Medic today 822-7295 or connect with us online to arrange a free inspection of your crawlspace or basement if you suspect theres dangerous mold in your home.
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Mold Symptoms And Health Problems
Usually, indoor mold isnt a problem. The trouble begins, however, when mold finds a nice damp surface to take root.
Here, mold will start to grow. As it does, it will also start to cause health problems.
Growing mold produces allergens. Allergens are simply substances that cause allergic reactions. They can also cause various forms of physical irritation.
You might also experience an allergic reaction to mold if you touch it or inhale it. Mold is especially problematic for people who are sensitive to it.
These individuals might develop allergic responses to mold. They might include hay-fever like symptoms. For example, someone whos allergic to mold might show symptoms such as:
Red eyes Sneezing
Among people who are susceptible to mold, these kinds of reactions are common.
Someone might exhibit a reaction to mold right away or over time. Some people can even have an asthma attack because of mold exposure.
How To Remove Mold From Basement
The best way to remove mold in the basement is to find a professional mold removal company with a good track record. Hiring the right company for the job is the only way to get the best results at competitive basement mold removal costs. Depending on the extent of the mold growth, they may completely seal the basement to prevent its spread and will then work on removing the mold.
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Signs Of Mold Illness
by Dr. Michele Neil-Sherwood | Health Tips
Mold is a big problem in most homes, but many people are unaware of the problem. Of course, everyone looks at the shower curtain, under the sink, or in the basement when he or she think about mold issues, but mold can grow just about anywhere.
Mold can be found in drywall, in the roof , and even in ones Christmas tree. One study found that Christmas trees can breed mold, quietly releasing millions of spores into the room causing winter allergies and asthma attacks. Studies have found that indoor air quality dropped six-fold over the 14 days a Christmas tree typically decorates a room.
There are 1,000 types of mold that can be found growing in the modern American home. Scientists classify these molds based on the effect they have on humans and other living things.
