Protect Yourself When You Remove Mold In Air Vents And Ducts
When removing mold from vents, you will need to have some specific tools on hand. A face mask with a HEPA filter is a necessity to avoid the spores entering your nose and mouth. You will also need some bleach, water, and tools to reach the insides of the vents. You will want to make sure that the electric to the furnace or air conditioning system is shut off before beginning your task. A long, flexible mop or sponge is needed to spread the bleach solution inside vents. Allow the ducts to dry thoroughly before turning the system back on.
Useful Tips For Prevention And Removal
In the restoration industry, one of the biggest threats to health and safety for home owners and businesses alike is mold.
Without proper clean up and containment, mold can lead to compromised health conditions and respiratory illnesses.
But there are effective ways to get rid of mold and leave your property uncontaminated and clean.
In this article we will provide twelve tips to help you get rid of mold and eliminate the danger from your home or business.
This past week, Hurricane Florence barreled its way through the Carolinas, bringing with it substantial amounts of rain, high winds, and subsequent flooding. Though the actual hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm over the weekend, the impact and damage have continued.
Most significantly, the entire coastal area has been hit with widespread and catastrophic flooding from a combination of record rainfalls and massive storm surges.
Water has filled streets, homes, basements, and businesses, leaving residents stranded and overwhelmed by the magnitude of the destruction and the cleanup.
As the water recedes, the threat of mold will be very high. Mold grows in damp and wet conditions, and the drying process for building materials and furnishings takes time. Mold will be a natural result of the flooding in these areas, especially given the amount of standing water and time it takes to remove it.
1. Dont Panic
So, dont panic.
While you do not need to panic, recognize that mold is by no means harmless.
4. Act Quickly
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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Should You Kill Silverfish
Silverfish are capable of scaling walls and ceilings, so it is possible for them to drop on you. These creatures prefer to live in dark, damp places and can live for a long time, sometimes up to 8 years. Silverfish can be extremely hard to kill. They have a high tolerance to insect control products.
Different Types Of Mold
Molds come in many different forms in fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are probably tens of thousands of types of molds, if not more. Molds play an important role in breaking down leaves, plants and trees. While many molds are harmless, harmful types in enclosed places can lead to respiratory distress, manifesting itself in symptoms that include stuffy noses and wheezing. The effects will be more intense for those who are allergic to that mold or have asthma. Molds responsible for breaking down natural materials, like wood and leaves, can damage the structure of your home. Everyone has an aversion to that.
Lets take a look at a few different types of mold that you might commonly encounter in various areas of your home.
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What Causes Black Mold In Air Vents And Ducts
Mold in air ducts most commonly occurs when there is moisture inside the ductwork. As cool air flows through the vents on hot days, the moisture in the air can condense inside the air vent. You can see the same principle at work when you drink an icy beverage, and water beads up on the outside of the glass. When moisture is present, mold can flourish inside vents. The mildew can be introduced into the vents in several ways.
Mold spores are generally air borne, or spread through air. Spores can enter the duct work by simply blowing in from another area of the home, or from outside. The conditions need to be right for the spores to develop, however. A single mould spore can blow inside your home and begin to develop into a colony if the conditions are right. Warmer, moist environments are ideal for mildew spores to grow.
Act Now and Remove Mold from your HomeCall a Professional Mold Remediation Specialist or Get Up to 4 Quotes Now.
What Is My Landlords Responsibility To Eliminate Mold In My Apartment
Your landlord is responsible for properly cleaning up the mold and for repairing any conditions that are keeping the condition in your apartment wet.
The source of the water or moisture build-up should be stopped prior to cleanup If mold is cleaned but the water source isnt stopped, the mold will soon re-emerge. Even replacing a section of wall, ceiling, or floor will be inadequate, as the new piece will soon become wet.
Certain fixes may be expensive, such as replacing pipes between the walls or in adjacent apartments, fixing the roof, or repairing the outside walls of your building. Your landlord is responsible for making whatever repair is necessary to cure the problem, no matter what the repair costs. If your landlord resists, you may need to involve the courts.
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How To Clean Mold In Air Ducts
When cleaning and disinfecting ductwork, you will need to have a chemical cleaner. The most budget friendly, and also the most effective, solution to choose is a mixture of chlorine bleach and water. For each gallon of water you use, you will add one cup of bleach. Make sure that you can reach all the duct work or you may not eliminate the spores. It is important to know that you cannot simply remove the mildew using a cloth or mop. All the spores must be killed for the problem to be fully resolved.
In general, do it yourself mold removal in air ducts is a difficult task that may not result in the total eradication of the spores that are present. This is particularly true if you have insulated vents. Any insulated vents that you have will need to be totally replaced in order to kill the mold that is present in the home. You will also need to fully inspect the interior of the furnace or heating system, including the coils, to determine the root cause of the mold contamination.
How To Remove Mold From Your Apartment
You can remove mold yourself depending on how much is present and where its located. For example, if you discover mold in your bathroom, you can spray an anti-fungal cleaner designed to remove mold on the area. Once youve saturated the affected area, use a sponge or toothbrush to scrub the mold away. Combine equal parts water and bleach in a spray bottle and saturate the remaining stains. Let this spray sit for a few minutes, then start scrubbing.
You should take preventative measures to help offset the development of mold moving forward. You can do this is by applying distilled vinegar to the areas and letting them dry. After it dries, wipe the surfaces down and turn on your bathroom fan to help ventilate the room.
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What Legal Obligation Do Landlords Have To Maintain Their Premises
Florida statute 83.51 outlines what landlords are required to do to maintain a multi-family apartment building.
In sum, 83.51 states that a landlord must ensure the property is in good repair and in compliance with all applicable building, housing, and health codes. If there are no applicable codes, landlords are required to, at a minimum, maintain the roofs, windows , doors, floors, steps, porches, exterior walls, foundations, and all other structural components in good repair and capable of resisting normal forces and loads. Landlords must also make sure all plumbing is in reasonable working condition.
Unless otherwise agreed to in your lease, your landlord must also provide for the extermination of rats, mice, roaches, ants, termites, and bedbugs locks and keys clean and safe common areas garbage removal functioning heat and hot water, and smoke detectors.
What To Do If You Have Mold
If there is mold in your apartment, you need to notify your landlord immediately. You might also consider asking your landlord to bring in a professional mold inspector. Mold usually grows in difficult to see places, like behind walls or appliances, and the professionals will have equipment to detect it. Whatever they do to find the mold, though, it is important that you and your landlord work together to get it addressed immediately.
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What Scents Do Silverfish Hate
How to Keep Silverfish Out of Your Home
- Spray with scents that repel silverfish. Silverfish do not enjoy the smell of citrus, cinnamon, or lavender.
- Use spicy sachets. Other scents silverfish avoid include cedar, cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaves.
- Caulk and seal.
How To Get Rid Of Mold In Your Rental: Remediation For Landlords
- How to Get Rid of Mold in Your Rental: Remediation for Landlords
Mold can be a serious problemits difficult to detect, expensive to remove, and can cause health issues for your renters. Per landlord-tenant laws, however, the implied warranty of habitability requires landlords to keep their rental properties free of health hazards. Thats why its important to spot mold issues and remediate them immediately.
Read Also: How To Clean Black Mold In Basement
What Should Be Done When Mold Is Found In My Apartment
Mold should be cleaned up, according to the NYC Department of Health, with a mild bleach and water solution by a person who is not allergic or sensitive to the mold. Young children, especially babies, older people, pregnant women and anyone with asthma or other allergic or lung condition should not be involved in or around the mold or the clean up. The cleaning cloths should be discarded, and any thing that had the mold growing on it, such as carpets, curtains, furniture, paper, wall paper, plaster or sheet rock should also be discarded. The citys health department has clear guidelines for cleaning up mold growths which should be followed. If your landlord is doing the cleanup, make sure the workers follow the guidelines. Obviously, very large growths should be handled by a trained contractor hired by the landlord.
How To Cut Base Molding With Miter Saw
Once you have set the miter angle and bevel angle, and you have the baseboard on the cutting table of the miter saw, you can turn the saw on. Hold the handle of the saw with one hand, hold the baseboard securely in place with the other, and then move the blade down through the wood until the cut has been made.
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Mold In The Closet Heres How To Get Rid Of It For Good
Last Updated on January 25, 2021 by Diana Rodriguez-Zaba
A hacking cough, chronic fatigue, and red, itchy eyes might be a sign of a hidden culprit: mold growing in your closet.
Toxic black mold thrives in dark, damp areas, releasing spores as it feeds on materials found in drywall, carpet, paper, cardboard, or fabric. Breathing in these spores can cause symptoms you might mistake for a respiratory infection or allergies.
More severe cases of mold poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, or bleeding in the lungs and nose.
Do you know how to remove mold in the closet?
Our certified ServiceMaster Chicago cleaning and restoration specialists have years of experience providing mold removal for area homeowners.
From attics to basements and even the cleanest closets, weve seen it all. We know why it happens, and we know how to prevent it too.
Lets get started.
How To Get Rid Of Mold On Walls
Mold on your interior walls can be a hint that youve got a water problem. Behind that wall, you may have a leaky pipe or a drainage issue. Or it could mean you have a ventilation issue. Does the bathroom have a vent? If not, moisture may be building up whenever you shower, encouraging mold growth.
If there is a water problem, any mold you kill by scrubbing is only going to come back. Fix these problems first. If you suspect a leak, clean the area and see how quickly the mold comes back. If it pops up quickly, you may need to hire someone to fix the problem.
To scrub mold off your walls, use a heavy-duty sponge soaked in a bleach/water solution. While wearing a protective mask and gloves, scrub the tainted spot with your solution. For stubborn patches of mold, you may need to let the solution soak in for a few minutes. If that still doesnt work, you can use specially formulated mold remover and mix it in with your bleach solution. Once done scrubbing, make sure to dry off the area you scrubbed.
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What Options Do Tenants Have If Their Landlord Wont Remove Or Repair The Mold
Showing actual damages is another problem facing tenants experiencing a mold issue . If a landlord is guilty of violating the Florida Statutes and is found to be in material noncompliance with the statute or the lease , the tenants remedy many times is to simply terminate the lease and vacate. Practically speaking though, this is not possible for many tenants as many have no place else to go.
A second alternative is demanding of the landlord to repair the mold or bring the unit into compliance with the lease and/or the building and health codes. In such an instance the tenant may be able to withhold rent. A tenant should be aware that such instances of withholding rent are almost always met with an eviction lawsuit filed by the landlord. The tenant would then have to defend the lawsuit, using the landlords violation of Florida Statute 83.51 as a defense. A tenant may or may not have to deposit rent into the court registry during the pendency of an eviction lawsuit. A tenant may also sue the landlord should any personal effects be damaged, and possibly recover the expense of moving if the tenant so chooses. The legal value of personal property however is usually not great and many times not worth the expense and effort of a lawsuit. None of these options may be particularly attractive to a tenant. However, if your situation is not manageable, please read on:
Find and Read Your Lease Agreement
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Theres Mold In My Apartment: What Do I Do
Mold isnt just ugly to look atits dangerous to be around, especially for older adults, children, and people with certain health problems, like asthma. While there are some things you can do on your own, your landlord is legally required to fix the problem, whether youre in public or private housing. Use the steps below as a guide for getting your mold problem under control.
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Mold In Water Heater Closet
A closet or small storage area with a water heater inside presents another great environment for mold growth. Sometimes, a water heater will purge extra pressure and create some steam and water. This will disperse the walls and ceiling of the closet and start the mold growth process. This water is hot, and the tank/heater creates some heat to speed up the growth of the mold. Prevention is similar to having a sump inside the closet. Use a low-wattage light bulb to create a bit of dry heat to cut down on the humidity inside the closet. Vent the blow-off valve to a drain using a hose as well so that if it does release, the water goes directly to the drain.
The main thing to remember is to check all closets in your home once a week to ensure you do not have any growth happening. If you do, contact Mold Busters to inspect and remediate the affected areas.
