Actions You Can Take To Reduce Mould
The most important actions you can take to prevent mould in your home are those that minimise moisture.
- Fix leaky plumbing and roofs and other building faults
- Ensure gutters are cleared and maintained
- Reduce condensation by using exhaust fans, or open windows in the bathroom and kitchen when showering, cooking or using the dishwasher
- Wipe up excess water caused by condensation such as on single glazed windows and on shower glazing
- Air the home regularly by opening windows and doors on warmer days
- Vent clothes dryers to the outside and clean lint filters according to the manufacturers instructions.
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.
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.
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Removing Mold From Wood
Removing mold from wood is easy if it has not spread far and wide. Before starting, put on your protective wear, especially a mask and gloves. First, vacuum up the area with the mold. This will suck up any loose spores on the surface of the wood. Next, scrub the area with soap and water. On bare, untreated or unpainted wood, you can use bleach. Soak up any cleaner and extra moisture.
If mold is still apparent in the wood, you can try to sand it out. Note that sanding will take off any finish and some of the wood. Since mold can live deep in the pores of wood, you may need to do a lot of sanding to fully remove it.
Moisture: Investigating And Solving Problems
Mould will grow indoors if moisture is present. Moisture problems in homes may result from:
- daily activities such as showering or bathing, washing clothes or cooking, if exhaust fans are not working properly or are not used
- infiltration of water from the outside when there are cracks or leaks in the foundation, floor, walls or roof
- plumbing leaks
- moisture condensation on cold surfaces
- flooding due to weather conditions
- inadequate ventilation.
Moisture indoors accumulates when it cannot be vented outside and becomes a problem when building materials become damp or wet.
Moisture problems are preventable.
Unless the cause of the moisture problem has been identified and solved, mould will reappear. Once the moisture problem and its causes have been identified, they must be fixed. To prevent future problems, measures should be put in place to control sources of moisture in your home, for example:
- Ensure rain, irrigation water and snowmelt drain away from the house by sloping the grade away from the building.
- Keep eavestroughs and downspouts clean of debris and ensure that the outflow runs away from the house and not into neighbouring foundations.
- Repair plumbing leaks promptly.
- Use exhaust fans, ventilation and air conditioning systems to vent moisture outdoors.
- Use moisture tolerant materials in areas likely to get wet .
Run a dehumidifier in damp areas such as basements or if you observe that moisture is condensing on cold surfaces such as window panes.
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What Does It Look Like
Molds are a type of fungus and can look like their fungal cousins, mushrooms, and yeasts. There are thousands of types of mold, and their appearance can depend on the type and where it’s growing. Outdoors, molds can be seen gobbling up the dead organic matter on decomposing surfaces like fallen leaves and rotting logs indoors, house mold thrives in wet, humid environments like bathrooms and basements or anywhere that has recently flooded.
According to the CDC, the most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria. However, black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum , is sometimes found in homes and other buildings. This greenish-black growth can grow on fiberboard, paper, dust, and lint, particularly in areas that may have recently flooded or suffered other types of water damage. While black mold can certainly look scary, the CDC says that Stachybotrys chartarum isn’t any more harmful than other types of mold.
Controlling Mould Growth Removal & Prevention
If you can see or smell mould, you need to have it cleaned up and removed immediately, as mould can damage surfaces it grows on. The longer it grows the more damage it can cause.
Mould only grows when there is sufficient moisture. When mould appears, the first task is to try to establish where the moisture is coming from.
Some causes include:
- showering, cooking and boiling without adequate ventilation
- use of clothes dryers and unflued gas heaters without adequate ventilation
- indoor plumbing leaks
- indoor liquid spills
- storing large amounts of water absorbent materials, such as books or cardboard boxes, in a damp space.
Common parts of a house that get wet or have poor ventilation are prone to mould growth, are:
- kitchens, bathrooms and laundries due to condensation or high humidity and leaking pipes
- cupboards and corners due to restricted ventilation
- walls or windows that are exposed to hot indoor air and cold outdoor air
- walls and ceilings due to insufficient insulation or rain seeping through the roof.
Avoid conditions encouraging mould growth, by using heat, insulation and ventilation. The best and easiest way of reducing moisture and humidity levels is by ventilating using a SolarVenti for drying.
In addition, there are some things that you can do to help prevent mould in your home, including:
Mould removal efforts after flooding should focus on:
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Symptoms Of Mold Exposure
While many are harmless, certain molds can harm your health by producing allergens or even toxins. Typical symptoms of mold exposure include sneezing, runny nose, congestion, rashes and irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and even lungs. If you have asthma, mold can potentially trigger an asthma attack.
How To Test For Mold In Air
Mold is a fungus that can grow indoors as well as outdoors. There are countless species of mold, some of which are more harmful than others. Mold grows in dark, damp, and warm areas, such as bathrooms or basements.
However, not all mold is visible.
Sadly, if you have mold in one area of your home, spores could fly around. Thats right, mold spreads and reproduces through spores, which can survive severe environmental conditions . So, if your allergies are agitated, it might be due to mold spores flying around in the air.
Well show you how to test for mold in the air so that you can take the next steps for tackling the issue.
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How To Identify Mould
There are more than 150 different types of mould in Australian homes. Mould can take numerous forms, from a stain or discolouration in the walls to a gentle carpet fuzz. Mould can also grow in numerous places, which can make it difficult to detect and remove. Environments with mould growth can be smelly or musty, and are known to adversely affect people with asthma or allergies.
As mould is a living thing, it wants to grow and spread its territory.
In order to grow, mould needs the right temperature,the right food, and an adequate amount of moisture. Mould growth is common in attics and basements, with a lack of light helping to create the ideal conditions. Mould can use multiple building materials, and even personal belongings, as food, including insulation, wood, clothing, and stored books and other items. Mould can grow when its exposed to moisture, so its important to eliminate plumbing leaks or storm damage as soon as they occur.
Testing For Invisible Hidden Mould
Not all mould is visible, as contamination may be in cavities or the ceiling.
If you suspect mould contamination but cannot find the source of the problem, or if you have already taken measures to prevent mould from growing and you are still having problems, you could employ an occupational hygienist or environmental health and safety professional. For a fee, these professionals can provide specialist mould testing and consultancy services.
Places where you may find hidden mould or damp include:
- Opposite side of dry walls, wallpaper or panelling. Inside walls it often found around pipes that are leaking or condensing and drains.
- Roof materials above ceiling tiles cement roof tiles may lose their outer glaze and absorb moisture into roof spaces. Moisture in roof spaces accumulate, particularly if moist air is vented into the roof space but not allowed to escape
- Underside of carpets and pads, or curtains
- Condensate drain pans inside air handling units
- Porous thermal or acoustic liners inside ductwork
You may need professional help to find and remove hidden mould.
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How Much Does It Cost To Test Your House For Mold
Getting your home professionally inspected for mold isnt cheap. The average cost for an inspection is around $650. But, it can range between $250 and $1000 depending on the size and location of your house .
Many homeowners are enticed by the affordability of DIY test kits, usually available at around $40 or less. However, its crucial to get the house inspected by professionals if mold is detected or suspected.
Can You Get Sick From Mold In Your House
Yes. Those will allergies, compromised immune systems, asthma, or other such issues are at a higher risk as even minor, non-toxic molds could cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Mold in your house is rarely life-threatening. However, prolonged exposure is far from ideal for a number of reasons.
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Look Out For These Symptoms
You must be familiar with the damp, rusty smell and dirty green and black patches usually associated with fungal growth. Not only is this mold ugly and pesky to look at, it poses serious health threats as well. Mentioned below are some signs to know whether your house is infected by mold and mildew:
- A damp musty smell would be present all over the house
- Brown, green or black patches of fungi in the corners, walls etc.
- White and mouldy fungi accumulation on books, clothes, cardboard, and wooden furniture
- It even causes allergies, sneezing and irritation
Indoor Air Quality Check
Surface mould is often the tip of the iceberg, and an indoor air quality check is also needed to ensure a healthy home. Mould releases tiny spores into the air in an effort to colonise new territory, and these spores have a negative impact on air quality. A dedicated air quality check is the only way to identify and measure the level of the problem and pinpoint the type and amount of spores present.
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Issues That Cause Mold And Mildew
Moisture is the chief cause behind the growth of mold and mildew. Mold spores entering your home are inevitable this is difficult to stop. But you can stop the factors that help mold and mildew to grow. Besides moisture, lack of sunlight, poor ventilation, and dirt and debris can cause mold and mildew to grow. Because of this, mold and mildew tend to develop in the home:
- Under carpeting
How Are Mold Allergies And Exposure Diagnosed
There are no proven tests that show when or where you may have been exposed to mold.
But your doctor may check for mold allergies by reviewing your symptoms and performing one of the following tests:
- Blood test. Your doctor takes a blood sample and then sends it to a laboratory to measure the number of certain antibodies, which can indicate your immune systems sensitivity to different mold species.
- Skin prick test. Your doctor takes a small amount of mold and applies it to your skin using a tiny needle. Your skin will break out in bumps, a rash, or hives if youre allergic to that type of mold.
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How Much Does A Los Angeles Mold Removal Company Charge To Remove Mold From Inside Walls Gene West Hollywood
This truly depends on the extent of the mold growth and what caused the mold in the first place, how wet are the walls, is it a large wall area, small wall area.
All these play an important factor in cost.
The range we have charged here at the Twin Home Experts over our 37 years performing mold cleaning is a high of $12,300.00 for some extreme cases and a low of $950.00 for very light and small cases.
Moisture In Your Basement
If you have a full, in-ground basement, youve got a good breeding place for mold. Most basements are dark, fairly warm, poorly ventilated and quite humid. They also have food sources and abundant oxygen.
Basements also contain plumbing parts like pressurized hot and cold supply lines, drain pipes, floor drains, sumps and sometimes wells. Consider these basement sources of moisture:
Flooding from natural or plumbing causes
Clogged or faulty perimeter drains
Poor or lack of exterior damp-proofing
Sump pump failure
Improper drainage of exterior water from bad grading
Cracks in foundation walls
Dirt and dust accumulations over time
Broken or leaky gutters and downspouts
Poor air circulation
Drain lines from high-efficiency furnaces
Hot water tank overflows
Water condensation on cold surfaces
Rain or melting snow on windows causing ingress or condensation
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Comprehensive Mould Inspection By Iecl
If youre concerned about a mould issue in and around your home, its important to carry out professional house mould testing as soon as possible.
Whether its a recent water leak, a strange smell, or visual signs of mould growth, there are lots of things that point towards a mould issue. As the leading mould inspection company in Australia, we know where to look and how to diagnose issues before they get out of hand.
We have access to a number of specialised tools for detecting mould in your house. Our advanced equipment enables air and surface mould collection and includes analysis capabilities. This means we can identify different types of mould, including black mould. Thermal imaging is also used as a non-invasive way to detect moisture, with a laser particle counter used to determine particulate levels and air quality.
At IECL, we have access to advanced equipment and can take readings for carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature,humidity, and dew points, just to name a few. A qualified IECL technician will check your home and test your air for mould spores, gases, and toxic chemicals. After the inspection, we provide a complete report, with removal details and costs along with mould prevention tips.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Having Mold In Your House
Whether youre selling a home, preparing to buy one for the first time, or just performing regular maintenance, the issue of mold may worry you particularly if your home is in a damp environment.
In most cases, a typical home inspection wont include mold inspections and testing. You will need to hire a professional mold inspector to check your home for issues like black mold.
So, to help you understand whether or not you may need a home inspection for mold, weve put together this comprehensive guide that will help you understand the signs and symptoms of mold, know what next steps to take if you think you have mold issues, and provide you with other helpful information and tips that will help you deal with a potential mold problem.
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What Is Mold And What Causes Mold In Your Home
Mold is, by broad definition, a type of fungus that sprouts from microscopic spores floating in the air. When clusters of mold spores grow on surfaces, they start to reproduce and become visible to the human eye. If you have mold allergies, asthma, or another lung condition, even breathing in the microscopic pores can trigger an attack. If you dont, you may not even be aware that there is mold in your home until you see it or smell it .
All homes have the key ingredients needed for mold growth: the presence of mold spores, a surface for it to grow on, oxygen, warmth, and darkness. When you add moisture, whether from a water leak, stagnant water, or high levels of humidity, into the mix, thats where mold problems begin. Knowing where mold is commonly found in homes can help you prevent and treat it so you can keep your home and body healthy.
