Bad Mold Vs Good Mold
Wondering whether some molds can be of any good like good bacteria? Yes. They are not bad always. Because of their pharmacological activity, some of the mycotoxins are useful as antibiotics.17 Under correct conditions, some molds are also used in the production of cheese. But, you cannot eat the fungi that grow on the cheese at home. They may result in allergic reactions. Outdoors, molds are considered to be a good thing. However, inside your home, if they find a sustainable food source to grow they become dangerous.
The Percentage Of Possible Iaq Issues In Remodeled And New Buildings Is 30%
Mold infestations in buildings can cause a drop in indoor air quality or IAQ, contributing to respiratory and other health-related problems. The statistics on buildings with mold reveal that a 10-year-old condominium complex required to cash out $4 million due to repair costs caused by mold infestation.
Are You Considering Buying A Home With Mold
Dont worry buying a house with mold isnt the end of the world. The technicians from GP Inspect can identify and solve nearly any kind of mold infestation imaginable. We will also get you in touch with certified mold remediation services to tackle the job.
If you think you have a mold problem, contact us today and let us help you!
First Published on: May 22, 2020
Updated:
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Do You Get Frequent Headaches
Symptom tracking your headaches to see when they occur is a great way of detecting if they are happening because of mold. If your headaches increase or only happen when you are home, mold may be the culprit and its worth checking out. Mold exposure can cause both short-term and long-term health effects including headaches, coughing, runny nose, flu-like symptoms, mental health concerns and auto immune disorders.
Which Is Better To Remove Mold Bleach Or Vinegar
Vinegar truly is better than bleach at killing mold. That means the mold will grow back. In fact, recognizing the bleach as a threat, the mold will grow back even stronger. When bleach is used on porous surfaces like drywall or wood, mold membranes will move deeper into the surface to avoid the chemical.
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The Difference Between Buyers That Conduct Mold Inspections And Those That Dont
Before you buy any home, you should conduct a professional mold inspection regardless of whether you see visible signs or not. This will let you know how much mold, if any, is in a home and whether its easily removable. You want to know the house is worth the investment upfront.
When buyers DO conduct a mold inspection, they have the chance to:
- Identify all of the different affected areas.
- Understand the extent of moisture or water damage.
- Learn about past claims to insurance.
- Talk to the seller about covering/addressing mold remediation costs.
- Negotiate a better price for the house after finding the mold growth.
- Back out of the sale if the mold problem is out of control.
- Remediate the mold immediately if they plan to move in and stay safe.
When buyers DO NOT conduct a mold inspection, they will likely:
- Not find out about the mold until weeks or months after the purchase.
- Overpay for a house with serious problems.
- Expose their family and pets to health complications after moving in.
- Jeopardize the safety of their belongings by exposing them to mold.
- Face a hefty remediation bill .
- Deal with hefty medical bills after mold exposure.
- Have to vacate the property if the infestation turns out to be extensive.
The bottom line is that if youre considering buying a home, you need to have a mold inspection done to cover yourself and to avoid purchasing a nightmare of a situation.
What Does Mold Smell Like
Mold has a damp, musty scentsimilar to what you’d smell after opening an old book. “In general, smell is not a good way to determine if there is a mold problem,” said Laureen Burton, a staff chemist and toxicologist for the Environmental Protection Agency . The smell of indoor molds can differ depending on the type of mold, the surface on which it’s growing, and its source of moisture. Plus, she said, some people don’t notice a smell at all.
The mold smell is caused by microbial volatile organic compounds , which are substances that are naturally produced by molds as they grow. “The health effects of inhaling mVOCs are largely unknown,” said Burton, “although exposure to some mVOCs has been linked to symptoms such as headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.”
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Myth #: Black Mold Is Dangerous
Trueand False.
Did you know you cant tell what type of mold is growing in your home by color alone?
Thats right. That black mold you just discovered in your bathroom might be blackbut it isnt necessarily toxic!
Molds color comes from what its metabolizednot the species. Only expert testing can tell you if your home has Stachybotrys chartarum
So there is a bright side: if you do find mold in your home, most molds are allergenic rather than toxic. This means while some people are more sensitive to indoor mold, most of the time exposure wont lead to a hospital trip.
If you take care of the problem as soon as you find it, your chances of experiencing long-term health problems are minimal.
The takeaway is this: if you find mold, or a problem that could lead to mold growth like a leak under the sink, dont panic- but dont wait. Quick response will save you from expensive professional remediation and remodeling.
How Much Mold Exposure Is Considered Harmful
There is no minimum or maximum exposure when it comes to mold when youre susceptible to certain health conditions.
Mold exposure can occur through touch, consumption, or inhaling mold spores. Mold not only adversely affects buildings but can also be damaging to your health.
Whether you suffer from a weakened immune system, asthma, allergies, or any respiratory condition or not, its recommended that you thoroughly clean up mold before exposure can become hazardous.
You should not take chances with mold.
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You Visibly See Mold Spores
Of course one of the most obvious ways to determine that you have mold in your house is if you can see it. The downside? If you see a ton of visible mold, it can be an indicator that you have a big problem on your hands.
“Once you see it, you’ve got a big mold problem because what you’re seeing is literally just the tip of the iceberg,” Kelly Hayes-Raitt, a housesitter and the former director of the HomeSafe Campaign in California, told INSIDER.
Simply scrubbing the visible mold with soap and a sponge won’t actually get rid of the mold. So if you see visible mold, you need to reach out to a mold remediation company or another expert to help you get things under control, including any leaks that may have caused the issue in the first place.
Common Areas To Check Mold In Your Home
The first step to eliminate mold is to identify the common areas for growth. Because it thrives in a warm and humid environment, you can see it in the bathroom and bathtubs. After every bath, check the walls, shampoo bottles, shower curtain, tile grout, and showerheads.
Make sure they are cleaned and dried well. Dont forget to inspect underneath areas where the cleaning supplies are stored. Also, check if there are any leaks on the walls and floor. Another area susceptible to mold is the kitchen. Inspect the refrigerator, microwave, trash cans, cutting boards, and window seals.
The bedroom can also be a breeding ground for mold. Because finding mold in your mattress can be a frightening thought, you should invest in a mold-resistance mattress. The fungus will also grow if you use anair conditioning system.
Other than that, if the window seals get into contact with moisture they will collect humidity. Its important that you use a humidifier to get rid of the excess mold in your living room.
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Bread Mold Can Cause Dangerous Infections Especially In People With Weaker Immune Systems
If you were wondering whether its safe to consume bread with fuzzy mold parts, then here is your answer: Throw that bread in the trash! The bread mold facts reveal that the most common types of mold that grow on this food are Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Rhizopus. Not only can bread mold trigger allergies, but it can also lead to breathing problems such as asthma.
Condensation And Persistent Moisture
Whether there is excess moisture on your windows, or condensation dripping from your pipes, a damp home is an ideal breeding ground for mold, and can be an indicator that mold is already present in your home. The best dehumidifiers serve as a good solution to reduce excess moisture as they will set the humidity in your home to the level you indicate on the dehumidifier. They aren’t a permanent solution, however, and you should consider getting your windows swapped for double-glazed panes, or having them re-sealed by a professional.
If you’re finding moisture on pipes, a plumber can help diagnose the problem here. In some instances, putting insulation around pipes can prevent moisture build-up, and in others you can consider running warm-water pipes away from cold ones, to avoid excess moisture build-up.
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Mold Forms Within 24 To 48 Hours After Water Damage Occurs
Mold statistics confirm that immediate action is necessary after water damage occurs. Water damage can occur due to floods, leaky ceilings, plumbing accidents.
To avoid mold growth be sure to immediately clean carpet spills, stains, and spots. Using less water when cleaning surfaces and carpets will also reduce mold growth risk.
How Do You Determine The Severity Of A Mold Problem
A mold problem isn’t quantifiable in the way you might think.
“Mold is a living organism,” said Steven Nardozzi of Rochester Environmental and Construction Group, which handles remediation of mold, asbestos, lead paint and other unwanted household issues.
“When we deal with lead paint and asbestos, those are fibers particulates that can be measured. Mold cant be measured. It’s always growing,” he said.
Spore count numbers are evaluated using air quality testing equipment based on what the outside numbers are in any particular area, said Wes Kimble of Turn Key Home and Mold Inspections.
For example, if the spore count is 13,000 in a garage, 2,000 in an adjacent living environment and 1,000 outside, then you could deduce that the garage likely has a mold issue, said Nardozzi.
Not all molds are toxic, and often a number of types are present in an area at one time.
Other tools to determine the extent of a mold problem include visual inspection, and moisture meters that determine the level of moisture in building materials, said Nardozzi.
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What Are The Signs My House Has Mold
There are simple signs to look for when your house might have mold. It can be an odd smell to feeling sick and we go over what some of those signs are that can indicated that your house has a mold problem. If you think your home has mold having it taken care quickly as possible is important because mold problems dont generally improve with time, they only get worse.
Mold can cause structural damage to your home amongst other challenges. Mold can also impact your health when left untreated. As soon as you suspect mold its best to address the problem as thoroughly as possible as soon as possible.
Some of the signs that you could have a mold problem are listed below, but when in doubt have a home inspection by a licensed contractor to get to the root of the problem.
Mold Can Destroy Your Property
When mold grows on personal items like furniture or clothing, it needs to be completely eradicated so it doesnt spread. Its virtually impossible to remove mold completely from personal items like fabric or paper, so you will likely need to throw it out, even if it holds sentimental value.
Along with personal belongings, mold can damage large sections of a home, like built-in carpeting. You may even need to hire demolition services to remove mold from your home, and this could result in numerous home repairs. This also significantly lowers the value of your property, unless it is remediated completely and renovated.
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Is Mildew Safe To Breathe
The same potential health issues exist with mildew as they do with mold. Some of these symptoms according to FEMA include respiratory issues like wheezing, nasal and sinus congestion, eye, nose or throat irritation, and headaches. If mildew is not removed, it will continue to grow and these symptoms may become worse.
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Mold Statistics 202: How Common Is Mold In Homes
- Fact Checked by
Would you be surprised to know that an estimated 70% of houses have mold? Today, we will be peeking into other startling mold statistics.
Mold is a subject that homeowners should know more about since it comes with many challenges. Thats why we made this list of interesting mold statistics for 2022 everyone should know.
Mold isnt only detrimental to a homes structural integrity. Its associated with several types of health conditions and illnesses, such as allergies and infections.
What is mold? Mold is categorized as a group of fungi that generate in damp places, like a basement.
It can give off a foul odor, trigger asthma attacks, athletes foot, and a plethora of other health complications.
Conversely, without the discovery of mold, we wouldnt have penicillin or blue cheese without this fungus.
Lets address some important mold statistics and facts that may surprise you while informing you what you really should know about it.
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Why Should You Only Use A Local Home Mold Removal Service
It is best to avoid mold removal companies who claim they are from out of state. Without local connections, it is easy for a scam artist to take the projects money and run away with it.
If someone claims they work for an out-of-state company, chances are there is not even a company by the name they give since it can be challenging to track these things out of state.
Additionally, you can check local references. Actual neighbors who have used the company before will be the best way to determine if a company is honest, if they do quality work, and if theyre reliable.
I Found Mold Growing In My Home How Do I Test The Mold
If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. You do not need to know the type of mold growing in your home, and CDC does not recommend or perform routine sampling for molds. No matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it. Since the effect of mold on people can vary greatly, either because of the amount or type of mold, you cannot rely on sampling and culturing to know your health risk.
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Buckling Paint Or Floors Soggy Walls Drywall Damage
If you are seeing buckling paint, uneven floorboards, soggy walls or drywall damage, its probably time to call in a licensed contractor to assess the situation. All of these situations can point to water intrusion and the perfect incubator for mold in your home. Once mold growth has started it doesnt improve with time. So you want to contact a professional sooner rather than later to detect and remove mold. Ultimately a speedy response to mold eradication is the best way to insure your house wont have permanent damage and your wont be dealing with mold-related health issues in the future.
Once the mold is gone, its time for a deep cleaning of your whole home. Be sure to give us a call at Crystal Clear Home so we can help you get your home back to its healthy state we are only a phone call at 707-827-3316 or contact form away.
What Are The Laws Regarding Mold Remediation And Who’s Responsible To Pay For It
New York state requires that all mold assessment and removal professionals be licensed, and details a framework for how the jobs are to be planned and carried out.
If a consumer believes a mold assessor/remediator hasn’t followed the law while on the job, he/she can fill out a state mold contractor complaint form.
Neither federal nor state law addresses a landlord’s responsibility when it comes a mold outbreak in a rented space, other than broad standards that require them to keep living spaces in a safe and sanitary condition.
Landlords of multi-family units like apartments can have their own property managers handle mold, and are exempt from state licensure laws, said Nardozzi.
“People fight about this every day,” he said. “It is a constant battle in our world.”
His tip for both tenants and landlords for a relatively small fee, you can get a professional into the space in question to assess whether a problem exists and how severe it is.
If a tenant feels a landlord has ignored a repair issue to the point that it has become a health concern, he or she can bring the matter to court and consider rent withholding or “repair and deduct,” during which the tenant repairs the issue and reduces his or her rent.
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Air Conditioning And Heating Vents
You probably prefer your bedroom to be at the optimal temperature for you to get a good nights rest. While using the AC and heating unit are fine , its possible for mold to grow in the vents.
To prevent mold from contaminating your bedroom, you should:
- Use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air
- Dry up any condensation you find on the walls and windows
- Invest in a mold-resistant mattress or, at the very least, a waterproof mattress cover
