Mold Is Often A Sign That You Have A Bigger Problem
If you spot mold in your home, its often a sign that you have a water leak or plumbing issue that needs attention. Some species of mold also give off a musty odor, which is a telltale sign that youve got a bigger problem to address.
Mold is also a big concern in areas that have been impacted by significant storms and flooding. For example, mold formed in many buildings in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
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Can Mold Cause Elevated Liver Enzymes In Dogs
Toxins in your environment can lead to elevated liver enzymes in dogs. Whether its due to ingested human medications or mold in your home, these toxins can cause serious liver damage if your dog comes in contact with them. You may see an elevation in each of the four liver enzymes, especially in the GGT.
What Is Mold Allergy
While many molds and fungi do not pose a health or wellness hazard, there are some molds that can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, which can be serious.
The most typical times when mold allergies are at their optimum are the months between July and the early fall months, but because mold can thrive throughout the year, mold allergies can occur all year round. Most types of mold and fungus become dormant in cold weather but become active again when spring arrives, starting the period of mold allergy. In cases of mold allergy, there is an overreaction of the bodys immune system where a person inhales the mold spores, causing the person to cough, itchy eyes, and make it difficult for the person to perform activities. It also creates breathing problems for some people, especially those with a known diagnosis of asthma.
If you are allergic to mold, your immune system overreacts when you ingest mold spores. A mold allergy can cause coughing, itchy eyes, and various other symptoms that make you miserable. In some people, mold allergy is associated with asthma, and exposure causes breathing difficulties and other respiratory symptoms.
If you are allergic to mold, the most effective defense is to minimize direct exposure to the types of mold that are causing your reaction. Medications can help control mold allergy reactions.
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How To Test For Mold
You probably dont need to do mold testing or buy a mold test kit, especially if the fungus is visible. Because the health effects of mold vary from person to person, the CDC says that if you can see it or smell it, it should be removed, no matter what type of mold is in your home.
While its not possible to completely eliminate mold in your house, you can prevent a build-up by cleaning up any wet or damp spots and fixing any existing water leaks.
Neither the CDC nor the EPA recommends doing routine mold samplingsboth organizations point out that there are no federal limits for mold in buildings, so people cant check their apartment complexs compliance with the law, for example. Plus, the testing can be expensive.
Professional Mold Testing Services In Florida
The only way to be certain if your property has mold or not is to have a free mold inspection performed by an expert mold testing and remediation professional atFP Property Restoration. We will come out to your property and do a fullthermal and moisture inspection to determine what issues exist and if there is reason to believe there is mold present. From there, we can recommend an air quality test to determine the type of mold your property has, as well as the amount present in the air.
Contact usonline or call today to book your appointment.
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What To Do About Mold In Your Home
For areas that have already fallen victim to mold, there is hope. We cannot stress this enough – your first action should either be a mold test kit , or a call to a professional service. Do not simply attack mold with bleach and expect it to disappear, because you’re likely fixing the symptom and not the root cause. When you know what you’re dealing with, you can then take appropriate action.
In some instances, common household ingredients can rescue you home. Mix a cup of bleach with a gallon of water and scrub the mold off your walls, carpet or ceiling. This will kill the mold, and allow you to repair or repaint the impacted area . This is usually fine for areas where you haven’t been allowing enough ventilation – simply remove the mold, repaint with a moisture or mold repellant paint, and remember to open doors and windows to prevent the area from getting stale.
If you have a windowless bathroom, mold will likely grow here. Having an air extraction fan fitted is relatively inexpensive, and can prevent moisture from staying within the room. Failing that, keep the door open as much as possible.
How Do I Know If My House Has A Moisture Problem
One of the best ways to tell is by checking the humidity. A home with high humidity likely has a moisture problem. Musty smells suggest mold, mildew or rot. Household odors that linger may indicate too much moisture in the air. Frost and ice on cold surfaces from condensation can be a sign of excess moisture in the air as well.
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How Mold And Mildew Form
Mold and mildew need the right conditions for growth. To begin, they need mold spores as a type of seed. Spores grow with three factors: food , water, and oxygen. Increasing or decreasing any of these factors will cause mold and mildew to grow or die.
Spores land on the surface, germinate, and grow. Mold and mildew may start as early as 24 to 48 hours after the surface has been dampened. Mildew’s white-gray spots spread outward, not upward, remaining on the surface. Mold, though, eats into its basewhich makes it harder to removeand sometimes grows upward.
Mold And Mildew Health Concerns
The health of both humans and pets may be affected by the presence of mold and mildew in the home. While some people may not be affected at all, others who are especially sensitive may experience symptoms such as itchy eyes, wheezing, or a runny nose. People with asthma or allergies will feel the most severe reactions to mold and mildew.
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Smell The Basement For Mold
If youve been noticing constant and strange smells in your basement, it may be a sign of mold growth. Mold has a unique odor, consisting of a strong, musty, damp, earthy, and tangy smell.
The mold smell originates from the microbial volatile organic compounds it releases. The bigger this fungus gets, the stronger it smells. You can tell the smell is coming from mold as its odor is overpowering. And its especially potent when confined to one area.
Moreover, if you or your family have asthma or allergies, mold can trigger your conditions. Thats because mold is a common allergen, and its smell can trigger allergic reactions.
If youve been dealing with allergies at home, you may have a mold problem.
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.
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Check For Plumbing Leaks
Its likely that a nearby leak is feeding the mold if you detect it near water pipes and other water- or waste-related plumbing equipment. Turn on the water and keep an eye on the pipes and the surrounding area to see if there is any water damage or mold growth. The real leak may be some distance away from the mold since water can move in any directiondown, sideways, or even upwhen it wicks into absorbent material like drywall. Fix the leak once youve located it. When inspecting cabinets and other hard-to-reach areas, this lightweight work light is ideal. Learn how to remove black spots from the bathroom by reading this. Is it ok to use bleach in the bathroom to clean it? Discover the solution right here.
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This Is What To Do If You Find Mold In Your House
If youve noticed an unsightly black patch growing in your kitchen or bathroom, youre far from alone. Mold is a common issue in U.S. households, and the chances are good that youll run into this nuisance at least once in your life. In fact, this health hazard is so common that the WHO estimates that between 10-50% of indoor environments have conditions damp enough to make mold growth possible.
Of course, just because mold is common doesnt mean you want to let it stick around! Though you may not know what to do if you find mold in your house, its worth noting that mold can spread faster than you expectand that large amounts of it can pose a significant health risk for you and your household.
If you suspect that those black patches on your wall may be hazardous, weve got you covered: heres what you should know about mold identification and removal.
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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
- Excess condensation on cold metallic, glass, or concrete surfaces.
Condensation_Causes_Mold
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.
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How To Detect Mold In Walls
If there is an area of your home where you think mold may be present in the walls due to smell, a strange appearance of the wall, or any other factor there are a few ways you can test this.
The simplest way is to probe the area with a screwdriver. If the area is soft or the screwdriver easily pierces the drywall, mold likely has rotted the surface away, and youll be able to see it once a hole has been opened up in the surface. Be careful when doing this and do not do it near any wiring or electrical outlets.
You could also use a fiber optic camera to look around inside after opening a hole in the wall, but at this point, you may as well hire a professional inspector. A professional inspector has the tools required to examine the wall thoroughly, and ensure that its mold free or detect any potential issues.
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Look For Signs Of Moisture Or Mold
- Mold can have a cottony, velvety, granular or leathery texture
- The color of mold can vary from white, gray, brown, black, green or other colors
- Mold damage may look like discoloration or staining on the surface of building materials or furnishings
- Noticeable mold odors are described as musty or earthly
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Where Does Black Mold Come From
Black Mold can originate from many different sources. It thrives in damp areas with a lot of cellulose, such as cardboard or paper items. Black mold is also present in some foods that are high in cellulose and low acidity .
However, mold can grow in any warm, wet areas of the house such as basements, showers, crawlspaces, and especially on windows. It can form as the result of your ventilation not working properly or if you have leaky pipes.
If you suspect you have leaky pipes in your house, you should check your basement thoroughly for mold. You should also check showers, corners, and crawlspaces if you think your ventilation is not working properly.
If left unchecked it will cause serious damage to your home.
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How Can I Know If Theres Mold In My Carpet
The plush fibers of a carpet can be a thriving spot for mold spores. Its easy for the spores to stick to the surface and theres often a significant amount of dirt, dust and bacteria. Once moisture is introduced, mold will likely begin to grow.
Mold can grow inside the carpet or underneath. The padding or backing of carpets is likely to have mold if exposed to moisture.
A tell-tale sign of mold in a carpet is a musty or even sour odor. However, the best way to know whether or not theres mold growing in your carpet is to pull it up and inspect it.
If you do find mold, consider the severity of it and whether the carpet is worth trying to save or not. You can easily remove the area affected by mold and replace it with new carpeting. Adding additional waterproof padding underneath can help to keep mold and mildew at bay.
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Other Issues Brought On By Mold And Mildew
Allergens, mold and mildew can present various other wellness dangers to at-risk individuals. For example, mold can trigger infections of the skin or mucous membranes. Normally, however, mold and mildew dont create systemic infections except for individuals with impaired body immune systems, such as those who have HIV/AIDS or who are taking immunosuppressant medication.
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How To Deal With Mold In Walls: The Definitive Guide
Last Updated on December 4, 2019 by Diana Rodriguez-Zaba
When you spot it taking hold behind the toilet or under the sink, you have a clear line of attack. You solve the problem with bleach, water and a good scrubbing. Still, you worry about the stuff invading sheetrock and crawl spaces. This isnt something that you can ignore.
How do you deal with a hidden threat like mold inside the walls?
We often hear this question from concerned residents who contact us about mold inspection in their Chicago homes. Its important to understand mold basics before you decide on how to handle unhealthy growth that you cant see.
When it comes to mold inside walls, The Mold Twins have been on well over 1,200 calls in Los Angeles alone. We know we can provide you the best tactics to deal with the potential dangers of it, how to determine if there is, and what you should do to remove it.
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How To Check For Mold In Your House Or Apartment
Article Sections:
Mold is the most common source of indoor air quality problems in houses and apartments.
With the average American spending 90% of their time indoors, according to the EPA, the presence of mold is something everyone should be concerned about.
Over time, exposure to mold spores can produce the following signs and symptoms:
- Musty, earthy odors
How to Check for Mold
To check for mold, look for discoloration on surfaces with a slimy, fuzzy, or powdery texture.
Mold can sometimes grow in hard-to-spot places, such as behind wallpaper, inside vents, or in an attic or basement.
Start by inspecting your house or apartment for leaky pipes or any other signs or sources of moisture. Mold always needs moisture to grow, so look in areas and surfaces that have been recently exposed to water, humidity, or condensation.
When you check for mold, youll want to answer these 3 questions:
- Do you have mold?
- What caused it?
- Where is it located?
With answers the questions above, youll have a much higher chance of successfully getting rid of the mold and keeping your house or apartment mold-free in the future.
If you discover mold growing in your home, its important to take steps promptly to find and remove it.
If You Suspect Mold in Your House or Apartment
Here is a list of common places to check for signs of mold:
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How To Know You Have Mold Growing Behind A Bathrooms Drywall
Mold is a type of fungus that spawns from very small spores that normally float in the air. It can grow anywhere provided there is moisture and suitable temperatures. It thrives mostly in damp places especially behind a bathrooms drywall, which is high in cellulose and has a lot of water and possible leakages. This article looks at the best ways to know you have mold growing behind a bathrooms drywall.
Often, mold is visible in the grout lines in your bathroom. In order to distinguish mold from dirt, you can do a test using household bleach. Pour a few drops of the bleach in the dark spots along the grout lines. If the dark areas lighten after a few minutes, then you certainly have mold. If it remains completely dark, then you have dirt and not mold. This is a good indicator of whether you have mold in your bathrooms drywall.
In addition to this, if you see mold growing in the basement, then it is very probable that some of it is growing behind the drywall. You can therefore proceed to call in a professional to confirm the presence of mold and have it removed.
- Peeling Paint, Bulging, and Odors
If you happen to see any spots of mold on the wall, it could be a very good indicator that there is actually much more mold growing behind the drywall in your bathroom. Peeling paint is also a god telltale sign of mold growth. Another sign to watch out for is odors coming from the drywall, which will clearly give a sign that there is mold growing in there.
