Thursday, March 21, 2024

How Serious Is Mold In Your House

How To Remove Mold From A Crawl Space Or Basement

10 Warning Signs of Mold Toxicity in Your Home – Black Mold Symptoms

When it comes to mold, preventing moisture buildup is a top priority. If there any leaks in your home, theyll promote more mold growth. Accordingly, you want to repair any leaks immediately.

Youll also want to clean your kitchen trashcan regularly. Kitchen wastebaskets are fertile for mold growth. You may also want to think about using a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture in your home.

If you only have a small amount of mold growth, you should clean it right away. Youll want to wear rubber gloves to avoid a reaction to the mold.

You must kill mold rather than simply wiping it away. You can use pure white vinegar to kill the mold in your kitchen and bathroom. Bleach also works well for killing mold.If you use bleach, you want to mix one cup of bleach with every gallon of water. Youd then apply it to the surface without rinsing.

However, you could find that mold comes back repeatedly. In that case, youll need to seek the help of a professional mold removal service as soon as possible.

A professional remediator can conduct a thorough basement or crawl space inspection. Theyll help you find the issue thats causing mold growth. Furthermore, a remediator has special mold removal equipment.

You may need a mold inspection if you notice a musty smell in your home no matter how many times you clean. You may also notice cupping or sloping floors

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.

Various Types Of Household Molds

While most mold may look more or less the same to the human eye, there are actually many different kinds of household molds, and each can present different health risks as well as damages to the foundation. There are thousands of types of mold spores in the world, and hundreds that can be found in the home. The most common types of household molds are:

  • Alternaria
  • Ulocladium

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Is It A Mold Smell Or Mildew Smell

Mold smell and mildew smell are generally used interchangeably when referring to “that” smell in the home.

But are they the same thing?

Yes and No.

Mold and mildew are both fungi.

While both from the same family there are many differences.

However

The main difference is mildew generally grows on surfaces whereas mold will actually penetrate the surfaces.

When the average person is referring to an moldy odor or mildew odor, they generally are referring to the same thing.

Some Natural Recipes To Stop Mold

Water Damage Restoration Denver: How To Remove Mold From ...
  • Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is one of several natural mold killers that can be used as an alternative to chemicals such as bleach. Combine about 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil with water in a spray bottle. Apply the mixture where you see the black mold. Allow it to saturate, then reapply if necessary. Tea tree oil is said to be one of the best natural mold killers.

  • Baking Soda

Baking soda works as a remedy for mold because of its antifungal content. Mix baking soda with water, and spray the content on the moldy area. Scrub off the mold using a brush, then rinse and respray the surface, without scrubbing allow it to dry.

  • Vinegar

Spay undiluted vinegar on moldy areas, do not rinse or wash off. After a while, the presence of the mold will begin to fade and so will the vinegar smell.

  • Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit seed extract offers an alternative to vinegar because it is odorless and contains an antifungal property that helps fight off mold. Add grapefruit seed to water and spray on the affected area.

  • Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can be used to fight black mold. Spray the hydrogen peroxide around the affected area, let it saturate for about 10 minutes and then scrub thoroughly. Wipe the area with hydrogen peroxide when youre done scrubbing.

Hire Professionals

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Water In The Foundation

Look out for a build-up of water around your homes base. This can lead to foundational problems for your home if there is a lot of water. At your homes foundation, gathering rainwater can be prevented by sloping your yard outwards from your foundation. In the same line of thought, damp basements are another culprit. Usually, there is no good ventilation in basements. This is an indication that basements could contain higher humidity or moisture amounts compared to other rooms in the home. Also, basements are often colder which means more condensation occurs which leads to humidity and basement.

What Should You Do If You Have Mold In Your Basement Or Crawl Space

Find an experienced local foundation company, and make an appointment. Before you sign a contract for any service, you should always verify the company is reputable, insured, and accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

For an overview of the mold removal/repair methods, we have an article that reviews both methods and costs for treatment.

If you live in Indiana or the surrounding states, contact Acculevel. Established in 1996, we specialize in foundation repairs. If you have noticed any signs of mold in your home, you can request a free estimate. An experienced project manager will evaluate your home and recommend the best course of action for you, to keep your home strong and healthy for years to come.

We have also created a free tool that any homeowner can use to see what could be causing problems in your home and how to fix it. Identify problems, explore solutions, and get advice on how and when to take action with our Symptom Checker.

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Brain Immune Gut Summit

Did you know that you have a second brain in your gut that communicates directly with your brain, or that the majority of your immune system resides in your gut?

New understandings on the link between the gut and the brain show that not only does our brain influence our gut health, but it also works the other way around!

Gut issues can impact your brain and cognition, causing anxiety, depression and other symptoms, just as poor gut health can impair your immune systems ability to respond.

Often, suppressed immunity, autoimmunity, gut symptoms and mental health concerns are treated as separate issues, while deeper dysfunction within the brain-immune-gut axis goes undetected .

But its not just one or the other we have to look at this as a symphony and not one stand-alone thing, or we stay sick.

In order to reverse chronic health issues, we must treat the root cause and optimize the brain-immune-gut axis. The secret is how you sequence the protocol based on the priorities of your body.

Mold Reactions: Who’s At Risk

How To Get Rid of Mold in Your House

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 whose immune systems are compromised due to HIV infection, cancer, liver disease, or chemotherapy
  • People with chronic lung disease

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Navigating All Of The Confusing And Concerning Information About Black Mold Is Hard But Were Here To Tell You The Truth

Many of us have heard of the dangers of toxic black mold and may worry about black mold poisoning, but the truth is that black mold is a much more manageable problem than you might expect.

Few topics get us more upset than seeing misinformation publicized about toxic black mold, and mold in general, by unscrupulous companies and zealous media articles that seem more interested in sensationalism than fact-based reporting.

When you understand what youre dealing with, you can make informed choices to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy. Were here to cut through the mess and help you understand what having black mold in your home may mean, and give you some tips on how to fix the problem yourself and save big money in the process.

Who Is Most At Risk For Health Problems Associated With Exposure To Mold

People with allergies may be more sensitive to molds. People with immune suppression or underlying lung disease are more susceptible to fungal infections. Individuals with chronic respiratory disease may experience difficulty breathing. Individuals with immune suppression are at increased risk for infection from molds. If you or your family members have these conditions, a qualified medical clinician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment.

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Common Types Of Toxic Mold

1. Stachybotrys. Stachybotrys is otherwise known as black mold and is one of the more harmful toxic mold species. Black mold is usually found inside a house.

The mycotoxins that this species of mold produce can cause the lungs to bleed, which is fatal to animals and infants. The problem with black mold is that its hard to detect it usually develops behind walls and under ceilings and is resistant to regular air sampling.

2. Memnoniella. Memnoniella, also referred to as black mold, is similar to Stachybotrys and has the same effects. Memoniella differs in that when viewed under a microscope, its spores are released in chains, whereas the spores that Stachybotrys releases are in clumps.

3. Aspergillus. Aspergillus are gray or green flecks and appear on wooden surfaces. Aspergillus, with 20 species in total, is dangerous, because it will often cause allergies, leading to serious asthmatic reactions, hay fever or lung infections. Every Aspergillus species produces mycotoxins, which are a health hazard, especially for those individuals with compromised immune systems.

4. Penicillum. There are many species of Penicillum some beneficial and some harmful. Some species of Penicillum are used when producing cheese and medicine. Similar to other molds, Penicillium causes allergies, and its especially troublesome for people that already have a weak immune system.

5. Alternaria. Alternaria is one of the most prevalent toxic molds and includes many species.

Did you know?

How To Remove Black Mold Yourself

How Dangerous is Mold in Your Home?

Did you know that its often possible to remove black mold yourself? Its true! Professional mold remediation can cost thousands of dollars and is often excluded from many homeowners insurance policies. But in many instances hiring a mold removal professional isnt necessary and black mold can be removed by a handy homeowner in less than one weekend of work.

If you feel like you may be a homeowner who is up to the challenge, weve written an eBook that gives step-by-step instructions on how to tackle your mold problem. For less than $20, we guarantee that youll save hundreds, if not thousands, of your hard-earned dollars.

You can purchase our eBook here:

And if youre not comfortable tackling the problem yourself, were happy to provide you a quote if youre in our service area. Just contact us for a completely free quote.

Bottom Line: No mold belongs in a healthy home. Be it black mold, or any other color of mold. It should all be treated the same. If you have mold, remove it.

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White Mold On Walls/drywall

White mold grows on your walls or drywall in the presence of moisture and low lights that breed its food. It can develop anywhere on your building walls, including the basement, bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, and other poorly ventilated rooms. Surprisingly, you can also find white mold growing on your tiled walls.

You can see visible growth of this mold on your damp painted or wallpapered walls that are peeling. Accompany signs include stale smells, moist cracked paints, and dusty or swollen walls.

White mold growth on your drywall can be dangerous to the health of those with allergy symptoms. Its spores can spread from the walls to humans and cause health risks. So, before it strikes, act fast to strike it first.

How To Remove The Mold From Your Home

“There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture,” says the EPA. Call a specialist to have the mold addressed and “keep your windows closed at night and if possible, use air conditioning, which cleans, cools and dries the air.” And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don’t miss these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.

Eat This, Not That!

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Using A Mold Exposure Test

A mold exposure test is often the best way for you to check for mold on your own. You can pick one up at any home improvement or home supply store.

Simply follow the instructions on the box. Usually, youll just brush the surface where you think mold may be present, and send the test strip or brush in for a laboratory analysis. If mold is present, youll be notified.

Ozone To Remove Smell

BEST way to Clean DANGEROUS Mold out of Your HOME and HVAC…

Ozone generators have become popular removing indoor odors in recent years. It has been said to be very effective according to manufacturers of the product. There is no scientific evidence to back this up and can be harmful to humans when inhaled or ingested. Additionally, no government agency recommends this be used in a location when occupied.

If you use an Ozone generator that states it’s EPA approved, this can be misleading. The EPA states this about Ozone:

Several brands of ozone generators have EPA establishment number on their packaging. This number helps EPA identify the specific facility that produces the product. The display of this number does not imply EPA endorsement or suggest in any way that EPA has found the product to be either safe or effective.

Please Note: EPA does not certify air cleaning devices. The Agency does not recommend air cleaning devices or manufacturers. If you need information on specific devices or manufacturers.

If you decide to use Ozone to remove odors in the home, make sure you are not staying there!

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How Do I Fix Mold In My House

Getting rid of mold is the only way to ensure you dont encounter the same problem in the future. You also need to keep your house dry and well ventilated to keep it dry. Looking for all leaks and fixing them can also help with keeping your home dry and mold-free. In case you dont find leaks, but you still have mold, check the ductwork around your ventilation systems.

When removing the mold, you are going to be better off leaving it to the experts. If you believe you have mold in your house, dont hesitate. Contact ServiceMaster Fire & Water Restoration Services for help today! Our mold remediation experts will help identify and treat your house with ease. Call today!

Derek Collier

You Notice A Bit Of A Musty Or Damp Smell

If you notice that your home has a bit of a moldy or musty smell to it, that might also indicate that there may be a mold issue.

“Many different mold species have different odors, so it is difficult to pinpoint the exact smell, however, if it is an odor that isn’t common in your home or building, then it should be investigated,” George Hernandez, the vice president of operations at PuroClean, told INSIDER.

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Dont Let Mold Hide In Your Home

To an untrained professional glancing at a suspect problem area might not give you the answers you need. Give us a call to discuss how we can help identify and solve the issue. DIY mold clean-up can also be beneficial, but the harsh chemicals that need to be used tend to be harsh. Check out 6 natural ways to treat mold without using bleach.

The Hidden Dangers Of Black Mold

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chronic sinus infectionsAllergic reactionsSilent, Often Invisible, and DangerousWho Is Affected By Mold?

Physical signs of mold exposure can range from itchy, water eyes to asthma and airway problems. The body reacts to a mold that may not otherwise be toxic by exhibiting allergy-related symptoms, such as an irritated throat, coughing, or a runny nose. For some people, the reaction may be more severe, causing nausea, fatigue, sinus infections or trouble breathing. In more extreme cases, fungus can produce volatile organic compounds, which can affect the central nervous system and cause headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating and decreased attention span, according to www.toxic-black-mold-info.com. The Environmental Protection Agency also has information on mold and how to combat it and protect yourself and your home.Documentation of the dangers of mold, the result of studies being undertaken by countries around the world, is pointing toward an increase in the prevalence of the health problems mold can cause, particularly in children.

The Mold You BreatheMethods for Preventing and Dealing With Mold

Are You A Clean Freak?

It’s easy to spot a clean freak when you see one in action. What’s not so easy is recognizing the signs of compulsive obsession with cleanliness when you’re the one who’s obsessing. Having a clean house doesn’t mean that you are a clean freak.

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