Your Choice For Mold And Mildew Removal In Bentonville
Drywall is particularly susceptible to mold growth. This is because drywall is a porous material. Add moisture and poor ventilation and you have the perfect recipe for mold. Bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, and kitchens are the most the commonly affected rooms in a home, but mold can grow anywhere where these conditions are present. Roof leaks and flooding can also lead to mold growth if not properly and immediately dealt with.
Common Causes Of Mold
Mold flourishes in damp conditions, so most causes of mold growth involve unwanted water getting into the house. Some of the most common situations include:
- Leaky pipes or air-conditioning ducts
- Heavy rain or flooding
- Excess condensation on cold metallic, glass, or concrete surfaces.
Water can also pool up around sinks, bathtubs, dishwashers, or washing machines, so be wary and clean any water up right away. Some problems to look out for outdoors include a yard that slopes toward the foundation of the house, leaky shingles on the roof, and improper caulking on windows.
The Bottom Line On Testing For Mold
The cleanup procedures for treating mold are the same, whether it is black mold or another type, so it isnt always necessary to test for mold if you can see or smell it. But if you have a specific reason for identifying types of mold in your home or suspect you have mold but cant find the source, a do-it-yourself mold test is extremely easy to conduct.
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How Long Does It Take To Remove Black Mold
Armen D. Glendale Ca.
The time it takes for Black mold removal, is all dependent on how severe the growth is, the location of it, what caused the mold to grow in the first place, sewer wastewater, or freshwater leak.
We have removed black mold in 4 hours for lite contamination, and up to 4 days for severe contamination.
Having the proper certified black mold removal agents makes the removal process safe and very effective.
Air Purifiers To Remove Mold Smell And Other Odors
Air purification systems are a great way to combat musty odors in the home. Keep in mind that not all air purification systems are the same. Some are better than others.
Air purifiers work by not just covering up odors with some kind of fragrance, but removing the actual contaminents in the air that cause the odor in the first place.
But how does it do that?
Basically, long story short, it uses negative air to take in airborne particles through a serious of filters. The air purifier then traps the contaminents in a filter or destroys it altogether. It really depends on what type of air purifier you have.
These are some of the most common type of air purifiers you can get:
HEPA Filter Air Purifier
This is probably the most common type of air purifier.
HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air. A HEPA filter is a type of mechanical air filter it works by forcing air through a fine mesh that traps harmful particles such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and tobacco smoke.
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So What Is A Mycotoxin
, literally fungus poison in Latin, are secondary metabolites that can be produced by molds, and are not living organisms. Mycotoxins are a byproduct of mold. Not all mold spores produce mycotoxins, but some do. So the molds that produce mycotoxins are the ones that could be categorized as toxic or poisonous.
So, where is the line between an allergic mold and a toxic mold? That line is defined by the presence of mycotoxins, and is NOT defined by color. Mycotoxins are invisible and cannot be detected just by looking at the mold growth.
What Do Mycotoxins Do?
These chemical substances can cause many health problems ranging from mild to severe. Even if you are not allergic to mold, you can be affected by mycotoxins.
Mycotoxins can be absorbed by the body in a number of ways including: through the skin, the airways , and through the intestinal lining . Detrimental health effects caused by mycotoxins can range from acute poisoning to long-term effects such as immune deficiency and cancer.2 Chronic disease sufferers, such as people with immunosuppressive disorders or underlying lung disease may be more sensitive to molds and mycotoxins in their environment.4
Mycotoxins are NOT something you want in your home! Keep reading to learn how you can remove them. To learn more about mycotoxins in foods check out the World Health Organizations article: Mycotoxins.
Condensation On Windows Window Frames And Sills
- Promptly repair any leaks.
- Lower the indoor moisture levels.
- Use exhaust bathroom fans and a kitchen range hood.
- Keep window coverings open to move the warm air over the windows .
- Keep baseboards or heating vents clear of furniture to make sure the heat flows.
- Dry your window frames and sills daily to keep water from dripping and causing mould to grow.
- Leave interior doors open for good air and heat flow.
- Unplug and remove humidifiers.
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Other Signs Of Mold Growth
For many homeowners, a bad odor provides the first clue of mold growth. This usually presents as a persistent musty odor. The odor will remain despite any type of cleaning you do in the area of the smell.
Electrical outlets penetrate into the wall. That makes them an ideal spot for pinning down where in your walls the mold is growing. If you get an extra-strong musty smell near an outlet, that wall is probably in trouble.
Also, keep an eye out for symptoms of mold exposure, such as:
- persistent runny nose
How Long Does It Take For Mold To Spread In Walls
Mold growths, or colonies, can start to grow on a damp surface within 24 to 48 hours. They reproduce by spores tiny, lightweight seeds- that travel through the air. Molds digest organic material, eventually destroying the material they grow on, and then spread to destroy adjacent organic material.
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For Help Removing Mold In Walls
If you need help removing mold in your walls, or if youâd just like some advice about the mold removal process, we suggest scheduling a free consultation in your home with a mold removal professional. Thereâs no obligation on your part, so even if you opt to handle the mold removal job yourself, you can benefit from some free professional guidance. To find qualified mold removal professionals offering free consultations in your area, you can follow the link.
Pay Attention To Strange Smells
Have you ever walked into a room and been struck by an unpleasant musty smell that makes you want to turn around and walk right back out? Chances are that an issue with moisture in the walls was to blame.
When mold and mildew begin to grow and spread, they emit a pretty apparent scent of dampness, which can be a helpful tool for identifying a problem.
Other items in a room can also collect moisture and signal mold growth, such as curtains, bathmats, towels, and carpets.
If the distinctive smelliness sticks around after a thorough wash of all nearby fabric, though, then you likely have a moisture problem in the walls instead.
To be extra careful, you can try directly smelling the walls to see if the scent increases. Youll probably feel silly, but its better than the alternative.
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What Is Black Mold
When people say black mold, they refer to Stachybotrys, a greenish-black mold that grows on damp material with a high cellulose content. In our homes, that includes wood, fiber or gypsum board, paper, fabric, or green insulation. Just because mold is black doesnt mean its the dreaded Stachybotrys though, which by the way also manifests itself in blue and grey. But because Stachybotrys can off-gas dangerous mycotoxins, its the mold variety most feared.
Reader Question: I Have A Hidden Mold Problem But None Of My Mold Inspectors Has Been Able To Find It How Should I Proceed
I am convinced I have a hidden mold problem in one of my bathrooms, and have had this problem for quite some time. At times I have smelled a moldy odor, and almost always when I enter the room I IMMEDIATELY experience allergy symptoms.
I have made a visual inspection of the surfaces in the room, and see no mold deposits. I also had a chance to look at the under flooring a couple of years ago, including the area right adjacent to the toilet bowl, when I had the old tile removed and new tile installed. There didnt appear to be any significant mold signs there.
I also had a handyman cut out two 24 square panels of drywall directly underneath the pipes of both sinks in this room, and although we couldnt see much further than the immediate areas, there were no signs of mold on the inside of the drywall or surrounding areas.
I am affected seriously in terms of health by this problem, and am very concerned about finally finding some way to pinpoint this problem, so I can have it resolved. .
I have had two or three so-called mold inspectors out over the last few years, and none was effective. They tried to sell me mold testing, but to me, this will do no good because
I already KNOW I have moldthe problem is, to FIND it, so I can have it removed. Any suggestions, and any local referrals you can make for services in my area , will be much appreciated. M.R.
Profile the Buildings Leak or Moisture History to Track Down Hidden Mold
If you havent seen it take a look
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How Do I Remove Mold From The Inside Of My Walls
The extent of the damage caused by mold in your walls cannot be determined by you alone. If you have any of the following illnesses, removing mold from within your own walls could be risky.
- a rash on the skin
The removal of mold should be left to the professionals unless you are a certified mold expert. Doing this on your own could make your symptoms worse and exacerbate any existing issues. You may end up spending more money in the long run if you try to fix things on your own because of your mold-related problems.
What To Do When Finding Mold In Your Home
Make sure to call the experts at ServiceMaster to properly remediate your mold problem.
Be alert of any of the aforementioned signs. Such things are likely indicators that your homes walls have mold growing behind them. Considering the damage that mold can have on not only your homes building materials but also yours and others health, it is important that you address any mold growth immediately.
With that being said, if you find your home has mold growth, then you should seek professional mold remediation services. Professionals can thoroughly tend to the damage, contain the mold, prevent further damage and spreading, conduct necessary repairs or replacements, and even treat your home in a manner that prevents mold from returning.
Restoration professionals should be IICRC-certified and experienced to remove mold growth of all sizes. Shortly after receiving your call, their experts will be on their way to inspect the area. They will then contain the affected area to prevent the mold from spreading.
Licensed restoration companies use only the latest products and equipment in order to completely remove mold at its source. After a thorough remediation service, we will ensure that all areas have been restored to their original conditions, giving you the peace of mind that your home is safe from unsafe living conditions.
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Is Mold Growing Behind Your Walls
Is mold growing behind your walls? When your home has suffered water damage, its very likely that your home will also experience mold growth. If the water damage is serious, then within 24 hours, mold can begin to grow on your property. Since mold often grows in wall cavities following pipe leaks and flooding, it can be difficult to spot. And its for this reason that it can grow and create a toxic environment in your home. The good news is that even hidden mold leaves behind clues and if detected early, mold can be safely removed before it becomes a catastrophe. You can find out if mold is growing in your walls in several ways.
Noticeable Signs of Mold
Discoloration and Stains Because mold growth is often a result of water damage, water stains can be an indicator of the presence of mold. As such, if you spot water stains on your walls, then it is likely that theres mold growing behind them. Water stains can be yellow or brown in color, so look out for such colors on your wall. If the spots are damp, then thats an obvious sign of moisture problems as well.
Another indicator of mold growth is discoloration, which can occur even if you have repainted your homes walls. Discoloration can also happen in the event that damage has been done from within. This is because the mold will still be visible on the walls surface.
Is Mold Behind Walls Costly?
Should You Call a Professional?
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Preventing Moisture In Homes Causing Mold
Now you know that condensation in the home is what is causing mold to form on your walls.
But, how do you prevent that moisture in your home and the mold from forming?
The best way to prevent that moisture on interior walls is to stop the outdoor temperature from meeting your indoor air. You can do this by adding insulation in your walls that acts as an air barrier.
Creating an air seal in your exterior walls, like with injection foam insulation, will stop air movement into and out of your home. It will prevent the extreme hot or cold outdoor temperatures from meeting with your conditioned air in the wall cavity and forming condensation.
Think of a pop can when you pull it out of a cooler on a hot summer day. The can starts to sweat because the soda inside is cold and the air outside is hot. This is essentially what happens in your walls when those two temperatures meet.
When the condensation starts to form, it clings to your drywall and the old traditional insulation you may have in the wall cavity. This becomes a breeding ground for the mold.
Creating the air barrier I mentioned above prevents this from happening, keeping your home happy and healthy.
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How To Know If There Is Mold Growing Inside The Walls
Mind it, if the water damage is serious, within quite a less time, molds will begin to grow after the water has absorbed and reached the drywall. If you have leaks in the pipes, moisture can be easily trapped in the walls which will consequently favor mold growth.
Therefore, water damages largely serve to form moisture platforms for molds to boom.
It is noteworthy that the longer these molds stay in your home undetected, the better chances they will have to over-populate and the harder it will be for you to remove them altogether. Thats why its best to get your home inspected for molds at the first sign of their existence. If not, instead of you controlling them they will control you.
What Are Signs Of Mold In Your House
Mold is a common sign of environmental abuse in the home. Many people are unaware that mold can also be a sign of health problems. In order to determine if you have Mold in your house, first make sure you have access to all the necessary tools and information.
Mold is an unpleasant odor that can be found in homes of all types. It is a type of fungus that can grow on surfaces, including walls and ceilings, and it can form colonies. If left unchecked, mold can cause damage to your home and its interior.
There are a few key signs that you may have mold in your home. The most common sign is the presence of mold spores. Spores are tiny pieces of fungi that live inside cells in plants and animals. When they grow large enough, they produce an unpleasant odor. Molds also produce a greenish-white film on surfaces that can look like moss or masonry.
If you see any of these signs in your home, you should immediately call a professional to clean it out and check for mold spores.
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Problems Caused By Mold
Mold can be as dangerous as it is destructive. Make sure to have it removed as soon as you find it.
Mold growth is particularly concerning because the mold will continue to eat away at affected building materials and increase the damage as it spreads. Mold will also compromise the air quality of your home and pose as a health hazard to any and all occupants. Among some of the health concerns that mold presents are eye irritation, coughing, nasal issues, and throat irritation.
Knowing the amount of damage mold can cause, it is important for you to know how to detect mold in your home. However, it can sometimes be difficult to spot mold because it can be hidden. One case of this is mold growth behind your homes walls.
