Consider This: Basement Moisture Issues
The potential for basement moisture issues lurks anywhere that building components are below grade, and most basement moisture control issues result from water flowing through holes or water wicking into cracks and pores of porous building materials like wood and masonry blocks. The most common basement moisture culprits include:
- Improper ventilation
Removing Mold From Fabric
If your home has been flooded and mold and bacteria have been left to grow for many days, it may be impossible to salvage fabric items. However, if mildew has developed due to dampness and is caught early, it can easily be removed from most fabrics.
Begin by taking the items outside to brush away as much surface mold as possible and to prevent spreading the mold spores inside your home. If the fabric is washable, use the hottest water recommended on the care label and add a disinfectant. If stains remain, create a solution of oxygen bleach and water and allow the clothes to soak for at least eight hours. Oxygen bleach can be used safely on any washable fabric.
For fabrics that are dry clean only, brush away the mildew outside and then head to a professional cleaner. Identify and point out the stains most fabrics can be successfully restored.
Where Black Mold Most Often Grows
Black mold grows in areas that stay consistently wet over long periods of timeso you won’t find it immediately after your toilet overflows, but you might notice it under the bathroom or kitchen sink where a slow drip has gone undetected. Look for it in “utility closets where your water heater is, basements, bathroomsanywhere you have the probability for moisture, or even groundwater seepagebasements are famous for that,” says Andersen. “It doesn’t need dark at all.” It’s also important to note that black mold isn’t the same gunk you might find on grout around an old bathtubthat’s more likely to be mildew, which thrives on residual dampness and dirt in your shower.
Also Check: How To Tell If You Have Toxic Mold
How To Remove Mold From Wallpaper
- In a spray bottle, combine equal parts of water and a mild detergent.
- Spray the affected area and scrub until the spots are gone.
- Allow the surface of the treated area to dry completely. If possible run a fan to help speed up the drying process.
- Ventilation is the last and most crucial step, especially in areas where there is continuous moisture. Thoroughly ventilating the room, especially the bathroom after every shower, will help limit growth and spreading of the spores.
If you have thoroughly cleaned the surface of the wallpaper, but still smell a moldy odor, you may need to look behind the wallpaper. Lift a corner, near the floorboard or other out-of-sight area to look behind the wallpaper. Keep in mind that removing the wallpaper can lead to a large release of spores, so before removing all of it, consider hiring a remediation company.
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.
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What Causes Mold To Grow On Carpets
Mold can grow on virtually any substance or surface, as long as there is moisture. A source of moisture is the most important factor in mould growth, in addition to temperature, light and nutrients for them to feed on.
Act Now and Remove Mold from your HomeCall a Professional Mold Remediation Specialist or Get Up to 4 Quotes Now.
Rugs and carpets are a perfect place for molds to grow because they have the ability to retain moisture. Black mold on carpets and rugs also occurs because they can collect lots of dust. This gives it the nutrients they require to exist.
How To Prevent Black Mold Growth
Conducting routine home inspections and maintenance are the best ways to deal with a black mold problem. Keep an eye out for evidence of water damage and visible mold on a regular basis. The conditions that cause mold should be corrected in a timely manner to prevent mold from growing further.
The extent of structural damage black mold can cause to your home, depends on how quickly you act to fix it.
Some of the ways you can keep mold out of your home is by:
To completely get rid of black mold from your home, you must address the root cause of the problem, so that there is no recurrence of mold. For example, just cleaning up the mold without addressing the moisture problem will not solve the issue because the mold will very likely return.
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If Necessary Sand The Wood
These cleaning solutions should take care of your mold problem, but if youve got some stubborn traces left under the surface, you have one last resort: sanding.
- Use 100-grit sandpaper to rub out the affected portion, taking care not to sand away too much of the surrounding areas.
- Repeat Step 2 to remove the dust and any loosened mold spores.
Removing Mold From Household Appliances
Appliances like washers, refrigerators, and coffee makers that combine moisture, heat, or food to feed mold need frequent cleaning.
Clean washers by running a hot water cycle with chlorine bleach at least monthly. Inspect every nook and cranny of front-load washer door seals to be sure no mold is growing that can leave clothes smelling moldy.
Distilled white vinegar helps inhibit mold growth and does a great job cleaning refrigerators and coffee makers.
Read Also: Will An Ozone Machine Kill Mold
Can Black Mold Spores Travel In The Air
Yes. Mold spores are airborne and can attach themselves to peoples skin, clothing, shoes, shopping bags, furniture, carpets, and even pets. Once spores enter your home, they can settle onto any surface and start to multiply. They can also enter your house through open doorways, open windows, and HVAC systems.
Mold spores are microscopic and are virtually found everywhere. They are naturally found in the air we breathe, both indoors and outdoors. Since spores are tiny and lightweight, they become airborne easily, every time we vacuum or walk on the carpets or even sit on our couch.
How To Kill Black Mold With Ammonia
Killing Black Mold with Ammonia has its advantages. Its a good disinfectant and does a pretty good job of killing mold on hard, non-porous items.
These items would include the bathroom sink, shower doors or kitchen counters. Ive written an article on how to get rid of shower mold here. And, tackling all of the bathroom mildew challenges here.
Ammonia is also cheap and easy to find in your local grocery or hardware stores.
However, ammonias active ingredients , do a lousy job of penetrating porous materials such as wood, concrete, sheet-rock, particle board or some of the traditional, drop-down ceiling tiles.
Ask anyone who has scrubbed their wooden deck with bleach looking so very pretty and stain-free . And, then later, eyed their deck in wonder. Wondering, why in the heck had the previously scrubbed mold returned!
If you live in an area where you have a decent amount of humidity, moisture, and your deck is surrounded by tree cover . Then you know exactly what Im talking about.
Ive written here on how you can get to know the different types of mold associated with wood and mold growth specifically. Youll find some very helpful tips on getting rid of the fungus. Enjoy the read!
In order to effectively kill mold spores, you have to get to them at the root level. And, chlorinated bleach and ammonia are not up to the task.
There are many other mold cleaning agents that will kill the fungi effectively and at the root level.
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How To Get Rid Of Mold
Just as there are many types of mold, there are numerous removal methods. The best option for your situation will depend on what type of mold youre encountering, the surface that its on and the extent to which it has spread.
In some cases, it may be necessary to call an expert when it comes to home mold removal. DIY mold removal is only possible depending on the size and impact the mold has made.
If you choose to handle the mold removal yourself, make sure to don adequate protective gear. The CDC recommends that you wear long pants and a long-sleeve shirt, protective gloves and eyewear, waterproof boots and a mask rated at least N95 or more to protect your nose and mouth. Note that while these masks protect you from small particles like mold, they are not adequate if you are encountering any sort of gases, chemical vapors, asbestos or lead.
Treating Black Mold Poisoning
If you suspect youre suffering from symptoms associated with black mold exposure or poisoning, there are some things you can do to improve your health.
In conclusion, the best way to avoid the negative effects of black mold poisoning is to minimize your exposure to black mold.
You can do this by preventing its growth in the first place. If its too late to prevent it and you suspect theres black mold already in your home, dont wait to book black mold removal, completed quickly and efficiently by the industry experts.
Black mold, typically green or black, in your home can be extremely hazardous to your health. Learn about black mold poisoning and start preventing black mold growth today.
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Tips For Mold Prevention
After you learn how to remove mold, focus on preventing it in the future. Controlling dampness is the key to stopping most mold. The worst infestations usually occur in damp crawl spaces, attics, walls where water leaked in from the outside, and in basements with poor foundation drainage. Stopping leaks, ensuring good ventilation in attics, keeping crawl spaces dry and routing water away from the foundation are the best defenses against mold.
Mildewcide in paint is usually effective for controlling surface mold in damp rooms like bathrooms, and outside in shady areas. Many paints already have mildewcide in them. Check with your paint dealer about mold removal products.
Removing Molds From Walls
For a natural and eco-friendly method of mold remediation, you can consider the use of extracts from citrus seed. Its free of any odor and can be used to kill mold. All you need to do is to mix about 20 or so drops into a spray can containing 2 cups of normal water. This you will use for spraying over the affected area.
Another solution you can consider is pure white vinegar. A baking soda solution will also work. You can spray the solution on the problem area, leave for about one hour and then scrub, wipe and rinse any residue.
If you decide to use a less natural means, you can consider products such as chlorine bleach and hydrogen peroxide.
Also Check: How To Get Mold Smell Out Of Basement
Can Mold Be Completely Removed From A House
However, the reality of mold is this: Even though some mold can be removed from the home by cleaning thoroughly and taking out rotten materials, it can never be removed completely, which is why getting rid of it is often referred to as mold remediation. The important thing is to handle a mold issue promptly to help Jun 11, 2021
Signs Of Black Mold And How To Get Rid Of It
Do you know if theres mold in your home? Mold grows in areas that are dark and damp, like bathrooms or around heating and cooling units that produce condensation.
The thought of any type of mold growing in your home might have you reaching for the nearest scrub brush and cleaning agent. Before you start scrubbing, be sure to evaluate what type of mold youre facing. While you dont want any mold in your house, black mold may pose more health risks than other types.
Learn more about black mold so you can identify it and prevent it from contaminating your home.
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How To Dry Wet Carpet
There are numerous ways how to dry wet carpet. We will discuss a couple of those methods below.
Blotting the carpet dry for small areas of wet carpet, for example caused by someone spilling a glass of water the best way to dry it up and help prevent mold or mildew growth is blotting it dry with a towel. Be sure not to use a towel that has not been washed before because it could transfer coloring to the carpet. By blotting the carpet dry you will help soak up the excess moisture and allow the carpet to air dry. To assist with the drying process you can open windows or move a dehumidifier into the room.Carpet Blowers You can rent for a reasonable fee a carpet blower, which really is simply a high powered fan that is angled to the ground. This creates air circulation that helps effectively dry the carpet.Wet/Dry Vacs A wet dry vac can be used to help extract water from the carpeting if you catch it early enough. On a similar note you can also use a carpet cleaner that usually has a water extraction feature. Both methods are effective for carpet water removal.
Tea Tree Oil Is Also Extremely Effective
Getting rid of black mold with tea tree oil is an extremely effective method. Tea tree is an essential oil that is safe for people and pets. It is more expensive than vinegar, but a few teaspoons go a long way. I’ve used it successfully on a small area of the rug and a moldy shower curtain.
It does have a distinct smell but don’t worry the smell will dissipate over time. Since it has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, aside from killing all types of mold, tea tree oil can be useful for treating lice, dandruff, athlete’s foot, and many other conditions. It is a good idea to buy a small bottle and keep in your house. Remember, a little goes a long way.
TIP: Make sure you buy real tea tree oil, made from the Melaleuca alternifolia.
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Scrub Moldy Surfaces With Mold Cleaner
- Scrub the surface mold stains from walls and wood trim with a mixture of one quart water and 1/2-cup bleach mold cleaner to kill the mold.
- Use a soft brush and work until signs of the mold disappear.
- After scrubbing the surfaces, allow the bleach solution to continue to penetrate the surfaces and dry.
- Wipe off, but DO NOT RINSE these surfaces.
- Set trim in direct sunlight to dry. Scrub concrete with TSP or automatic dishwasher detergent.
Washing The Mold Off Of Your Clothes Is Crucial
When you finish, he says to take off your work clothes, place them in a plastic bag and transport them to the washing machine. Add ¾ cup white vinegar to your wash water to kill the mold on your clothes.
Keep in mind, you need to ensure that youre addressing the problem and not just a symptom of the problem. When you come across mold in a home, it should be understood that you have a moisture issue first and a mold issue second, says Evan Roberts, a real estate agent with Dependable Homebuyers in Baltimore, MD. He tells us that scrubbing surface mold with mold killer will not be effective if you do not address the moisture issue.
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How To Remove Ceiling Mold
This article was co-authored by Mike Kapur. Mike Kapur is a home inspector and the owner of Sonic Home Inspections, a home inspection company in Westchester, New York. With over 15 years of experience in pre-inspecting properties, Mike specializes in mold, radon, asbestos, lead, water, and air quality testing as well as hazardous materials, pest, infrared, and general home inspections. Prior to founding Sonic Home Inspections, Mike worked pre-inspecting apartments. Mike holds a BS in Accounting from Queens College and is a Certified Mold Assessor in the state of New York.There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 15 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 738,276 times.
Ceiling mold is unsightly, unhealthy and a bit of a challenge to clean. It can also cause permanent damage to your home and must always be treated as soon as possible. Following a few simple steps can help you on your way to a clean and healthy ceiling.
