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 There A Permanent Solution
Mould thrives in damp conditions where there is plenty of moisture to evaporate into the air and raise the humidity levels. If you want to eradicate those musty odours you must ensure your property is properly ventilated. Electric fans extract excess moisture and remove it from your home so mould cannot grow.
A whole house ventilation system will reduce and control the humidity levels within the home. Ventilation fans will diminish damp and condensation and prevent mould problems, leaving the air inside your home clean and fresh, free from musty smells.
So if you are noticing a musty smell in your home its time to act get in touch with a member of our team and we can arrange a free home survey.
How To Get Rid Of That Old House Smell
In this article:
There is no worse feeling than when you walk into your own home and realize it smells bad. When a candle is no longer enough to freshen up your home, you likely have bigger issues at hand that you need to address. This is even more important when it comes to that old house smell that can be a sign of much bigger problems in the home than just an unpleasant odor.
Letâs examine how to get that old smell out of the house so you can take a deep breath and relax.
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Does Mold Wipe Off Easily
While mold can grow on food and damp surfaces, mildew forms in humid and poorly ventilated areas like bathrooms, windows, attics, and basements. Unlike black mold, mildew can easily be wiped off surfaces, especially nonporous ones.
Do air purifiers help with mold? An air purifier can help reduce the concentration of spores in the air during the initial cleanup, though filters may need be changed frequently. An air purifier can also help right after the cleanup to remove lingering mold particles. An air purifier can also help in common places for mold in the home like a basement.
Is mold covered in insurance?
Mold coverage isnt guaranteed by your homeowners insurance policy. Typically, mold damage is only covered if its related to a covered peril. Mold damage caused by flooding would need to be covered by a separate flood insurance policy.
Can mold grow in air ducts? Mold grows in ductwork when two things are present: moisture and warm temperatures. A warm, humid environment has the ideal conditions for mold to form. A humid climate along with poor ventilation, or anything that traps moisture in your walls and causes condensation, can lead to mold in air ducts.
Signs Your Home Has Mold
Worried your house or apartment has mold? Here are the telltale signs you may have a damp or fungus problem.
Does your home have mold? If you own your house or apartment, mold can be an expensive issue to fix, and a persistent problem. And it isn’t just the cost either – many forms of mold are extremely bad for your health, if ingested over a period of time, so you need to get it sorted. If you’re in any doubt about whether you have mold, what type you have, or where it is concentrated, you should pick from any of the best mold test kits and check it out for yourself. They’re all inexpensive, and can help you start to fix the problem.
However, you need to know the early-warning signs in order to start your investigation. Mold can often grow in places you rarely inspect, and can even spread behind stud walls, chimneys, or large items of furniture like wardrobes. One of the most common places for mold to grow is in your HVAC unit, which will then spread it through your home. Many test kits will sample from your air con unit, but some won’t. In some instances you may even need to change the heating and cooling system in your home, if mold gets bad, so if this is the case you should consult our guide to the best central air conditioning units .
Hopefully, though, you’ll spot one of the signs your home has mold early, and get it fixed before it spreads.
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Is Black Mold Dangerous
The short answer isnot really. But that doesnt mean you should keep black mold as a pet.
Everyone has different levels of tolerance to allergens like mold spores, but thats all black mold isan allergen.1 Those with asthma, respiratory allergies, or immune suppression will feel the effects of black molds mycotoxins more than most folks.
As one source put it, Previous reports of toxic mold syndrome or toxic black mold have been shown to be no more than media hype and mass hysteria. 2
But whether you feel black mold symptoms or not, its best to get rid of black mold as soon as you find it.
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Can You Die From Living In A House With Mold
In reality, all molds including black mold can produce toxins, but exposure to mold is rarely deadly. People are exposed to mold through spores that are released and travel through the air.
What does black mold look like in Your House?
Black mold, one of the most common types of mold found growing in homes across America and a type of mold that causes some of the most severe health problems, is typically black in color, as its name suggests. Sometimes there is a whitish coloring around the edges of a patch of black mold, however. It often looks slimy.
Where can you find mold in Your House?
If there is adequate moisture mold can grow in our bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and attics. Mold can also grow undetected inside of our walls. As someone who grew up with allergies, Im vigilant about monitoring moisture inside my home.
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Worth The Cost Of Testing
Mold can be a tricky problem to deal with. The first step in tackling your potential mold problem is to have a certified inspector visit your home to assess the mold damage or to bring a sample of your mold growth to an accredited lab for testing. At JSE, we specialize in laboratory and in-home testing to provide you with an accurate analysis of your mold growth.
Our mold lab offers quick turn-around times and has hygienists on staff to answer your questions. In-house lab services include mold spore analysis by direct exam for both bulk and air samples. Mold can be a pesky problem in any household. If you suspect you have mold growth in your home, contact JSE online or at to get your sample tested.
Spotting And Fur On Your Walls
There are so many varieties of mold that you cant really identify the type based on specific shape, size or color. It can appear as a furry, dark growth, as a black stain, or as black, white, orange, green or brown specks. Rather than look for out-of-the-ordinary, multi-colored flakes in every inch of your home, identify areas that are moist and then look for possible signs of mold. The fungus thrives in cool, damp areas, and it will be much easier to find it by limiting your search to areas that are affected by excess moisture. Yes, paint and wallpaper gets stained and marked from every day living, but if you see a pattern to the stains, or they appear in the corners of a room, this is usually a good indicator that mold is present.
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Does Lysol Kill Mold Spores In The Air
Mold is a type of fungus that decays organic matter. Its spores float through the air until they find a place that has enough nutrients and water to support their life. Lysol is a brand of disinfectant that makes a cleaning solution that will kill mold and mildew spores.
How do you tell if there are mold spores in the air?
Some are designed to only determine whether mold is present on surfaces. To test for mold spores in the air youre breathing, youll need to purchase a viable mold test kit, which costs $20 to $45 .
Does Lysol spray kill mold spores in the air?
What happens when you breathe in mold spores?
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.
Common Places For Mold To Grow
If you have had water damage to your home, its important to be on the lookout for possible mold growth. For example, mold in basement walls or floors can occur after flooding or severe water damage. Also chronic or persistent leaking from appliances, sinks, and showers can also lead to mold growth.
To find hidden mold, look for evidence of water intrusion which is often a sure sign that you either have mold in the home now or will be growing it soon. While it can be difficult to detect mold in the walls, its important to look for these signs of mold growth, to identify the problem as quickly as possible. Moisture meters and particle counters can be used by a certified inspector to source the water leak and fungal growth and even help detect if there is mold in your walls.
If you suspect mold growth in your home, here are some of the most common locations to check for mold to grow in the house:
Keep in mind that mold is a sign of excessive moisture and water intrusion and can be visible or hidden behind many different surfaces. Whether its from a leaking pipe or previous water damage, mold can lead to costly building repairs and even adverse health effects, which is why it should be handled promptly.
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Technical Reviewers & References
Best Ways To Store Zucchini
Here are some ways to store your zucchinis so they last longer:
- Storing the zucchini at room temperature: Your fruits can last for three to five days when kept at room temperature. Just ensure that they are not exposed to direct sunlight and the surface is not too cold.
- Sealing the zucchini in an airtight bag: If you want your zucchini to last longer, keep them in an airtight bag. You can also leave them in their original seal or pack. Please do not wash them before you seal them.
- Refrigerating the zucchini: You can store your cooked or cut zucchini in the fridge if you want them to last for five to seven days. But be sure to consume them quickly.
- Freezing the zucchini: How long does zucchini last in the fridge? They can last for six or more months so long as the freezers temperature is around 0°F. Can you freeze your cooked zucchini? Of course, you can. However, remember to eat or use it quickly after defrosting it.
- Never Wash the Zucchini: If you want your fruits to last longer, do not get them wet or wash them. Water makes fruits rot faster, so avoid letting water sit on zucchini.
Which of the methods given above will you adopt in storing your zucchinis?
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How Do I Find Mold In My House
All homes have the key ingredients needed for mold growth:
The presence of mold spores
A surface for it to grow on
Oxygen
Warmth
Darkness
When you add moisture, whether from a water leak, sitting water or high levels of humidity, into the mix, thats where mold problems begin. Knowing where mold is commonly found throughout your home can help you prevent and treat it so you can keep your home and family healthy.
What About Black Mold Or Stachybotrys
Recently, there has been heightened concern regarding exposure to a specific type of mold commonly referred to as black or toxic mold. Currently there is no conclusive scientific evidence linking the inhalation of black mold spores or any type of mold in the indoor environment to any illness other than the previously described allergy symptoms. The term toxic is an inaccurate description of this mold. There are many common molds that are black in color.
If you see mold growing in your home, the most important thing to remember is not to panic. You do not have to leave your home or belongings behind or destroy everything in the house. Instead, seek the help of someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in dealing with mold. Contact your local public health agency or state health department for more information on mold.
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The Zucchini Becomes Light In Weight
When microbes are decomposing fruits such as zucchinis, they break down the flesh inside and release gases. When the gases find ways to escape, it creates holes and cavities in the fruit. This makes the fruit weigh less than it ordinarily would.
If your zucchini fruits do not weigh as much as they should there is a high chance that they are bad. However, before disposing of them, you should examine them with other methods to see if they have truly gone bad or not.
Tips And Techniques For Mold Cleanup
While much has been written about mold cleanup, the simplest advice is still the best Control the Moisture, Control the Mold. Without moisture, mold will not grow. With sufficient moisture, mold will keep coming back no matter how many times it is cleaned up.
Take the following steps when mold is spotted or suspected:
- Stop the mold growth by finding and repairing the source of the excess moisture. Fix the plumbing leaks, roof leak, flooding, a large spill or high relative humidity.
- Dry all items within 24-48 hours.
- Porous items such as drywall, ceiling tiles, carpeting, padding, books, clothing and other paper or cloth materials soak up moisture. Items that are not dried quickly should be discarded if they show signs of mold or water damage.
- Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, then dry.
- If the water was from a sewage backup or flood, the items should probably be discarded. If you clean the items, use a diluted household bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Avoid breathing the fumes, getting on skin, or in eyes. Note: Do not mix bleach with other cleaners!
- For more information, see
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You Feel Like You Have A Lingering Cold Or Are Battling Flu
“It is pretty tough to detect until it starts coming through the walls because mold, as you know, is a problem with some sort of leak somewhere,” Hayes-Raitt said. “So the problem starts behind the walls. But if you’re getting sick, it might be because of a mold problem.”
If you’re dealing with symptoms that you can’t exactly pinpoint, it could be that you’re stressed, haven’t been taking care of yourself, or wound up with some sort of virus, of course, but it could also potentially be that you’re dealing with mold.
If possible, Hayes-Raitt said that one of the best ways to determine if the sickness you feel is related to the house or not is to leave for a few days and then return home. If you feel those same symptoms coming on again, it might be the result of something more than a cold or virus.
