How Do You Choose A Mold Removal Company
Have you ever had mold removed from your home? Do you know what to ask mold removal companies? What do mold removal companies really do?
As a mold removal company, we know what you should expect and what the industry standards should be. Some of our competitors offer free mold inspections. Which basically means that the inspector shows up and hands over a price to fix a symptom, without truly knowing the nature of the problem. The primary reason that we charge for our mold inspections is the time and resources that go into each one.
If you think you might have a mold problem, youre far better off with a thorough inspection like ours. We analyze the symptoms to determine the root cause of your problem, and will only recommend solutions that will solve the actual problem.
Especially if you live outside our service area, check out our post: How to Choose the Best Mold Removal Company. We let you know what you should expect and what the industry standards should be. If the company you interview doesnt know the answer to the questions in our article, you dont want to hire them!
Cmo Ingresa El Moho A Los Ambientes Interiores Y Cmo Crece
El moho se encuentra tanto en interiores como al aire libre. El moho puede entrar a su casa a través de puertas o ventanas abiertas, rejillas de ventilación, y sistemas de calefacción y aire acondicionado. El moho en el aire exterior también puede adherirse a la ropa, los zapatos y las mascotas, y llevarse a los ambientes interiores. Las esporas de moho crecen cuando se depositan en lugares donde hay humedad excesiva, como en aquellos donde hubo filtraciones en techos, tuberías, paredes o macetas, o donde hubo una inundación. Muchos materiales de construcción proveen los nutrientes adecuados para estimular el crecimiento del moho. Los materiales de celulosa húmedos, como el papel y los productos de papel, el cartón, los paneles del cielo raso, la madera y los productos de madera, son especialmente propicios para el crecimiento de algunos tipos de moho. Otros materiales, como el polvo, las pinturas, los empapelados, los materiales aislantes, los paneles de yeso, las alfombras, las telas y los tapizados, generalmente favorecen el crecimiento de moho.
Symptoms Of Mold Exposure
Symptoms of mold exposure can include:
- Nasal and sinus congestion, runny nose
- Respiratory problems, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing, chest tightness
- Sneezing / Sneezing fits
Health effects linking to asthma
Adverse respiratory health effects are associated with occupancy in buildings with moisture and mold damage. Infants may develop respiratory symptoms due to exposure to a specific type of fungal mold, called Penicillium. Signs that an infant may have mold-related respiratory problems include a persistent cough and wheeze. Increased exposure increases the probability of developing respiratory symptoms during their first year of life. Studies have shown that a correlation exists between the probability of developing asthma and increased exposure to Penicillium. The levels are deemed ‘no mold’ to ‘low level’, from ‘low’ to ‘intermediate’, and ‘intermediate’ to ‘high’.
Mold exposures have a variety of health effects depending on the person. Some people are more sensitive to mold than others. Exposure to mold can cause several health issues such as throat irritation, nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, cough, and wheezing, as well as skin irritation in some cases. Exposure to mold may also cause heightened sensitivity depending on the time and nature of exposure. People at higher risk for mold allergies are people with chronic lung illnesses and weak immune systems, which can often result in more severe reactions when exposed to mold.
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How Does Mold Impact Our Health
As mentioned above, some types of mold produce mycotoxins nasty little spores that cannot be seen without a special equipment. For example, one often found toxic type of mold is the infamous black mold.
In most cases, mold spores will weaken your immune system enough that you become vulnerable to many diseases. How much of a harmful effect mold will have on your health will mainly depend on the time spend in mold presence. The longer you live inside a moldy house and breathe in mold spores, the greater the risk for you and, of course, your loved ones.
Ensuring that your home stays mold free is one of the best ways to prevent diseases and infections such as tuberculosis.
Can Mold Make You Feel Crazy
People who suffer from toxic-mold based illnesses may endure depression, anxiety, lack of focus, and brain fog, with some reporting insomnia. These cognitive and psychiatric symptoms may be present with or without the physical symptoms of mold exposure which can include difficulty breathing, fatigue, and headache.
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I Heard About Toxic Molds And Black Molds That Grow In Homes And Other Buildings Should I Be Concerned About A Serious Health Risk To Me And My Family
There is always a little mold everywhere in the air and on many surfaces.
Certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins . Hazards presented by molds that may produce mycotoxins should be considered the same as other common molds which can grow in your house. Not all fungi produce mycotoxins and even those that do will not do so under all surface or environmental conditions.
Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors, and can smell musty. Color is not an indication of how dangerous a mold may be. Any mold should be removed and the moisture source that helped it grow should be removed.
There are very few reports that toxigenic molds found inside homes can cause unique or rare health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss. These case reports are rare, and a causal link between the presence of the toxigenic mold and these conditions has not been proven.
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Causes Of Damp And Mould
Mould and damp are caused by excess moisture. Moisture in buildings can be caused by leaking pipes, rising damp in basements or ground floors, or rain seeping in because of damage to the roof or around window frames.
A newly built home may be damp if the water used when building it is still drying out for example, in the plaster on the walls. Excess moisture indoors can also be caused by condensation.
If you have mould or damp it’s important to find out why you have excess moisture in your home. When you know what’s causing the damp, you can make sure your home is repaired or take steps to limit the moisture in the air. You may need to get a professional to remove mould for you, but if it’s only a small amount you may be able to remove it yourself.
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What Disease Can Be Contracted From A Dirty Environment
Although the list of possible health problems is extensive, its almost all avoidable if your home is regularly cleaned .
While many people think that a dirty or unclean home is not as harmful as smoking cigarettes and driving without seatbelts is dangerous, there are some serious dangers.
The bacteria that can live in any home, even if its kept clean, is the biggest health threat. These germs can cause allergies and ear infections as well as make existing conditions worse. Dirty, polluted dust is one of many major sources of allergy problems. It can contain allergens like mites and mold. Unwashed dishes pose a risk because they may contain bacteria that can lead to food poisoning.
Most cases are not severe, but they can lead to serious illnesses. Another condition, toxic mold syndrome , can also be caused by breathing in the spores of some fungi that are present on damp building materials like cement and wood.
A thorough spring cleaning session once a month can help you avoid most health problems. However, if you find your house in an unacceptable state, there are many professional cleaning services that can help.
How Does Exposure To Mold Affect Your Health
Large mold infestations can usually be seen or smelled. How do molds affect people? Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin.
Is it dangerous to breathe in black mold?
The symptoms, allergies and illnesses that can arise as a result of black mold are real and create a serious health hazard. However, it is the Volatile Organic Compounds that are formed by molds that make them dangerous enough to create respiratory and immune problems.
Is it bad to have damp and mould in your home?
Yes, if you have damp and mould in your home youre more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma. Damp and mould can also affect the immune system. Some people are more sensitive than others, including: babies and children. elderly people.
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Diagnosing Digestive Problems From Mold Exposure
If youre having gastrointestinal problems, see your primary care physician. Let your doctor know if youve been exposed to mold or think your symptoms might be caused by mold exposure. Make sure to let your doctor know if youre experiencing any other symptoms of mold exposure, like coughing, sneezing, headaches, sore throats, shortness of breath, rashes or hives.
Because so many things can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including viruses, parasites, food poisoning, ulcers, food allergies and sensitivities, irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease, it can take some time for a doctor to figure out whats causing your gastrointestinal problems and whether or not its due to mold exposure. Your doctor may order some tests to help make a diagnosis, such as blood tests, an upper GI x-ray , a CT scan, an abdominal ultrasound, an endoscopy and/or colonoscopy , and laboratory analysis of a stool sample. You may be referred to a gastroenterologist, a doctor specializing in digestive problems, for some of these tests or for treatment of certain gastrointestinal conditions.
How Does A Dirty Apartment Affect Your Mental Wellbeing
A dirty house can negatively impact your mental well-being. The first thing that you feel when you walk into an unclean room is stress and overwhelm. If it isnt taken care of, this can lead you to depression or anxiety disorders. It is vital to do the job right and not become overwhelmed with all the tasks in life. When our home becomes overwhelming, we often look to work or social media for help. Our bodies are less able to handle daily tasks such as washing clothes and cooking. Taking care of ourselves through healthy eating and exercise. This can lead you to lose motivation, weight gain and fatigue.
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How Do Molds Get In The Indoor Environment And How Do They Grow
Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, and pets can and be carried indoors. When mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture, such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls, plant pots, or where there has been flooding, they will grow. Many building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth.
How To Prevent Mould
In severe cases, Prof Noakes said there are limits to what occupants can do.
However, in less serious cases, there are things that can help, from taking shorter showers to improving ventilation in the property.
“The shorter the shower, the less moisture there is,” Prof Noakes said.
She also suggests wiping down the shower afterwards, rather than leaving the water to evaporate.
Open kitchen windows or use an extractor fan when cooking.
It is also important to check for obvious problems such as leaky pipes or gutters which could be contributing to the problem.
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What Does Mold Do To The Brain
Inflammation: Mold spores act as irritants, which can trigger the body to mount an immune response. This can lead to inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation in the brain can impair cognitive function, and in the case of chronic inflammation, this can lead to long-lasting cognitive impairment.
Extent Of Mould Growth
It is important to determine the extent of the mould problem in your home to help you decide on the clean-up procedure. An area of mould is considered small if it covers one square metre or less. There should be no more than three patches of mould, with the total area staying within one square metre. Many small patches of mould in one area or throughout your home are a sign of moisture problems that need to be investigated and corrected right away.
If ignored, small mould areas may become larger over time, so it is important to clean them up before the problem gets bigger. A small amount of mould may be cleaned up using proper procedures and protective equipment.
The area of mould is considered medium if there are more than three patches of mould , but the total area is less than three square metres. In this case, assessment by a qualified professional is recommended but in most cases a medium amount of mould may be cleaned up using proper procedures and protective equipment .
An area of mould is considered large if a single patch of mould is larger than three square metres. Health Canada does not recommend that an unqualified person clean up large areas of mould. You may need a professional assessment to determine why the mould is there in the first place and how to clean it up.
Also Check: How To Determine If You Have Mold In Your House
What Can I Do To Heal My Gut After Mold Exposure
Healing your gut is an important step in eliminating mycotoxins from your body to reverse the root cause of your chronic condition. You can work to heal your gut by:
Before you begin a detox and healing protocol, however, its critical you address the source of your exposure to toxic mold. You may even have to move out of your home or work from a different location for a time if mold caused by water damage needs to be remediated. This is called avoidance. Some people can overcome mold-induced illness by practicing extreme avoidance alone.
Avoiding Mold In Your Diet to Heal Your Gut
Avoiding mold in your diet as well as your environment will help eliminate continued exposure to mycotoxins. The best approach is an anti-inflammatory, low-mold diet, reducing the number of inflammatory agents and mycotoxins entering your gut. While there is a science to adopting a low-mold diet, general guidelines include avoidance of all foods that worsen your symptoms.
If you havent made a correlation between what you eat and an increase in your stomach problems, start by eliminating these inflammatory and mold-prone foods from your diet:
Signs Of A Mold Illness
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Who Is Most At Risk Of Mold Exposure
We come into contact with mold in three primary ways: inhalation, physical contact or ingestion. But every reaction to mold is different, as no two immune systems are the same.
Some people are more sensitive to mold than others. Both your genetic makeup and your current state of health are factors that will influence your reaction.
The following groups of people are especially susceptible to the adverse health effects of mold exposure, because their bodies may be weak to begin with:
- Infants and small children
If youve been experiencing some of these symptoms and are concerned, .
What Is Mold Where Does It Live
From the arctic to equator and all the places in between, mold lives literally everywhere. Molds are fungi, and grow from microscopic spores that are everywhere in the air. Molds are important for recycling organic matter . The recycling process they perform returns nutrients to the soil, and is important for plants to grow. In order to grow, molds need four things to grow: oxygen, moisture, a food source, and the right temperature range .
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Helpful Tips For Reducing A Stuffy Nose
Nasal decongestants in the form of sprays and tablets can help relieve a stuffy nose. However, these are only temporary fixes and should not be used too often as they can become addictive. In fact, nasal sprays can actually damage your nasal passages if used in excess.
A humidifier can also help reduce stuffiness by adding moisture to the air and promoting mucous production.
If you are still having persistent stuffy nose, you should contact your doctor or another medical professional.
