Monitoring Humidity Levels: Tools To Help
What if you arent sure about the humidity level in the house? In that case, you may want to invest in an air quality monitor. The one I have, made by Koogeek, tracks relative humidity .
It has the added advantage of being able to track particulate matter levels, temperature, and noise/light levels. to check out my full hands-on review of this device. Overall, Im quite happy with this monitor, and it gives me confidence that I understand the conditions in my home at any given time.
How To Get Rid Of Mold On Plant Soil
Mold on the plant-soil usually appears due to high humidity. If you have this problem then you need to take immediate action. Almost every beginner grower sooner or later faces a similar problem.
No worries you can get rid of this problem easily and I will tell you how.
How to get rid of mold on plant soil:
So, it is important to know why mold appears in the soil of a plant pot, how to get rid of it, and how to prevent its new appearance. Keep reading, I have all the answers and solutions to this problem.
Who Is This Guide Intended For
This guide has been written for anyone owning, renting or selling a house. Whether youre the occupant or a good landlord, knowing what causes mold and how to prevent it will save you a lot of time and money from potential remodelling you would have to do later.
To all moms, dads, students, landlords and maid services, this is the guide you have been searching for. We have put in over a decades worth of knowledge about mold and related indoor air quality issues and created the ultimate guide for mold prevention.
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Dry Wet Walls Immediately
Mold needs moisture to grow and the best way to prevent this from happening is to cut the liquid source from them. As soon as a pipe or roof leaks, wet materials, especially drywall which is high in cellulose, should be removed and replaced. If the leak is small and has access to fresh air , you can let it dry out on its own by simply leaving the window open.
On the other hand, if you have problems with basement walls or with a lot of liquid , the smartest move is to quickly before they become home to mold. Timing is essential thus, it is important to act as soon as the problem occurs.
To Tackle The Root Of Mold Growth And Prevent Spores From Spreading:
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Get a dehumidifier: Its possible that despite proper ventilation, there is still a lot of natural humidity in your home. A great way to control this issue is with a dehumidifier. This will help keep your humidity levels at a controlled percentage.
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Inspect and clean your air ducts: Incorrect duct sizing or buildup from lack of cleaning can lead to trapped moisture and blockage. Get your ducts inspected, and schedule regular duct cleaning to avoid attracting mold.
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Inspect plumbing and your exterior for leaks: Plumbing leaks can be hard to spot if theyre located in less-visited or even hidden areas of your homeunattended they can lead to a lot of damage and mold growth. Its also important to maintain the exterior for improper drainage or leaks that will surround your home and lead any mold growth to eventually enter and find other sources of moisture.
For any visible mold growing in your home, the only way to safely and fully remove it is with professional extraction. Contact our Neighborly partners at Rainbow International for professional mold remediation services.
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How Do Doctors Diagnose Mold Allergy
To diagnose an allergy to mold or fungi, the doctor will take a complete medical history. If they suspect a mold allergy, the doctor often will do skin tests or allergen specific IgE blood tests. Extracts of different types of fungi may be used to scratch or prick the skin. If there is no reaction, then you probably dont have an allergy. The doctor uses the patient’s medical history, the skin testing results and the physical exam to diagnose a mold allergy.
How Do I Test For Mold In My House
The first thing I want you to do is to take your flashlight and inspect areas that collect moisture. Dont forget to check corners and tight spaces that dont get much airflow.
Mold likes to grow in a dark area. It may not be visible right away.
If you have spotted mold, you should bring in a professional mold remediation company to help get rid of it.
You can also get an indoor air quality test done by a qualified professional, like a home inspector. They can test for Mold Spores in the air you breathe. The sample they collect is sent to a Certified Third Party Laboratory. The lab report should provide a detailed written report of the quantity and type of spores.
Home inspectors can also use an Infrared Thermal Imaging camera and a Moisture Meter to determine if theres any water damage between the walls, floors and ceilings. Water damage can cause mold growth.
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But First What Is Mold And How Is It Affecting Me And My Home
Mold and mildew are agents of nature, and they break down organic material to enrich the soil. Theyre not so friendly for us humans, though.
Some people have allergic reactions to mold, though even if you dont have allergies, you might still encounter some problems with mold in your home.
For example, if you already suffer from respiratory problems, then inhaling mold spores will only worsen your symptoms.
Even if youre perfectly healthy, living in an area with an accumulation of mold can result in more headaches, and make you more prone to eye, nose, and throat irritation.
Clean Your Walls And Ceilings
As weve said many times before, mold loves moisture. It loves it so much that it will throw a party everywhere they find enough moisture and organic food. That being said, in order to prevent mold from invading your home, it is important to thoroughly check your walls and ceilings for any signs of leaks. Both high humidity level and condensation may increase your chances of having mold on your walls, so keeping control of these two components will keep control of mold.
Start by dusting and vacuuming all the surfaces in every room. Wipe the walls and get rid of any spider web you see. If you notice any leaks, find the cause and fix it immediately. While you are at it, carefully dust your light bulbs, chandeliers and any other light source you have in your room. Remember, there is no better organic food for mold than dust.
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How To Prevent Mold From Growing In Your Home
This article was co-authored by Ashley Matuska. Ashley Matuska is the owner and founder of Dashing Maids, a sustainably focused cleaning agency in Denver, Colorado. She has worked in the cleaning industry for over 5 years.There are 8 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. In this case, 95% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 171,994 times.
Molds are a type of fungus that naturally grow in many places, but inside your house they can pose a health risk and negatively impact air quality. Therefore, preventing mold in your house is important for the health and safety of your family and visitors who spend time in your home. The good news is that preventing mold is quite simple, and the key is controlling moisture and humidity in your house.
Clean Or Repair Roof Gutters
Treehugger / Christian Yonkers
A mold problem might be a simple matter of a roof that is leaking because of full or damaged gutters. Have your roof gutters cleaned regularly and inspected for damage. Repair them as necessary, and keep an eye out for water stains after storms that may indicate a leak.
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What Health Effects Can Be Caused By Exposure To Mold
Some people are more sensitive to molds than others. These include
- infants and children
- elderly persons
- immune compromised persons
- individuals with existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma and allergies
The same amount of mold may cause health effects in one person, but not in another. Exposure to molds can cause allergic symptoms such as watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, itching, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and headaches.
When airborne mold spores are present in large numbers, they can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections and other respiratory problems for people. Exposure to high spore levels can cause the development of an allergy to the mold. See the Illinois Department of Public Healths fact sheet, Mold and Your Health, for more information about health effects.
Keep The House Dry To Prevent Mold Spores
So, lets imagine youve identified a potential problem area in your home. It could be that the bathroom fan is not venting well, and the bathroom is staying moist for a long time after you shower.
Or maybe youve had some recent water damage.
In this case, you know youre creating a high-risk situation for mold growth, and getting the moisture out of the air should be your top priority. A few ways to do this might include:
- Help circulate the air using tower fans The issue might be that you have a small, moist space with little air movement, like an unvented bathroom. You can use portable fans of any kind of move the air out and help get it into equilibrium with the room its connected to. By dissipating the moisture, you can keep one area from getting too humid.
- Invest in a dehumidifer to pull moisture out of the room You may have a room in the house that is just prone to dampness, like a basement. You can focus your efforts on just this spot using a room dehumidifier, which can be found relatively inexpensive .
- Make sure any vent fans are operating correctly. You can check by taking a piece of toilet paper and holding it up to the vent while the fan is running. If it sticks thanks to the suction, then you have good flow. If not, then you should investigate further, or call a heating and cooling specialist to have a look at what might be the issue.
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Some Precautionary Measures To Prevent Mold Growth
Mold and mildew is found both indoors and outdoors, from the doors, walls, ceiling, cupboards, to the backyard and garden shedit is everywhere! You can adopt these preventive measures to reduce mold growth:
- Open the doors and windows, let the sunlight stream in
- Cover your nose and mouth properly before you begin the cleaning spree.
- Fix the leaking roofs, windows and pipes to prevent mold on walls
- Fix the ventilation issues, add exhaust fans and ventilators in bathroom and kitchen
- Clean the corners thoroughly, especially after floods
- Take steps to control the humidity levels, keep the house warm and dry,
To Prevent Mold Growth In Your Home
- Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you canno higher than 50%all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. You can buy a meter to check your homes humidity at a home improvement store. Humidity levels change over the course of a day so you will need to check the humidity levels more than once a day.
- Be sure the air in your home flows freely. Use exhaust fans that vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
- Fix any leaks in your homes roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
- Clean up and dry out your home fully and quickly after a flood.
- Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting. You can buy mold inhibitors at paint and home improvement stores.
- Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
- Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away. Think about not using carpet in places like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.
- To learn more about preventing mold in your home, see the Environmental Protection Agencys book A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home at .
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Dangerous Mold Vs Mildew
The most common type of mold found in homes is mildew. Mildew is a surface mold that grows in warm, damp places like your bathroom and on fabrics and books stored in damp basements. Mildew begins as a gray or white powdery colony. It will turn black or brown if not removed promptly and often looks like soil accumulation. To test if the surface is covered with mildew or just dirt, dab the stain with a cotton swab dipped in household chlorine bleach. If the stain lightens or disappears after two or three minutes, it’s mildew. If not, it’s probably just dirt.
If you detect a musty smell anywhere in your home, then you have a high concentration of mold. It can be coming from a hamper filled with damp towels, from a damp crawlspace under your home, or from carpets that have mold growing in the padding. If you smell that odor, it’s definitely time to take action to get rid of the problem.
All mildew is mold, but not all molds are mildew. Mildew can discolor and slowly harm surfaces but there are much more dangerous molds that can damage the structure of your home. If you see a black or green mold that is fuzzy or slimy and the drywall or wood underneath is soft or crumbly, there is irreversible rot, and the mold and the damaged surfaces must be removed immediately.
Do Air Purifiers Remove Mould Spores
Air purifiers have been proven to significantly help the removal of spores within the air. But while they are used on festering mould within your property, the device itself will not treat the leading cause of the fungus.
According to an article by Healthy but Smart , an air purifier draws the air into its filters and captures tiny airborne particles such as smoke, dust and mould spores. Clean air is then circulated throughout the room, leaving the air feeling drier and more hygienic.
Once you have found the leading cause of mould within your apartment, its advised that you use an air purifier to filter out harmful mould spores that need a little more nudging to leave the environment. However, this technology should only be used at the end of the mould remediation process for maximum and long-term effect.
An air purifier is not a piece of technology you will need daily. It can be an expensive purchase to use in a one-time situation therefore, we would always advise that you rent an air purifier or hire a service such as our technicians here at ICE Cleaning to implement the technology.
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Top Tips For Controlling Mold
It’s impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores in your home, but because mold spores can’t grow without moisture, reducing moisture in your home is the best way to prevent or eliminate mold growth. If there is already mold growing in your home, it’s important to clean up the mold and fix the problem causing dampness. If you clean up the mold but don’t fix the problem, the mold will most likely return.
Following is some advice for reducing moisture throughout the home with specific tips for the areas most prone to dampness and mold growth:
Around the house:
In the kitchen:
- Use exhaust fans to move moisture outside whenever you are cooking, washing dishes, or cleaning.
- Turn off certain appliances if you notice moisture on windows and other surfaces.
- Check for leaks around the kitchen sink, refrigerator ice makers, and other sources of water. Repair if necessary.
- Empty and clean refrigerator drip pans if necessary.
In basements and crawl spaces:
In the laundry room:
- Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
- Make sure the vent is clear of obstructions, such as lint, and that there are no holes that leak air. If the vent duct is damaged, replace it with a metal duct. Have the duct cleaned at least once a year.
- Avoid leaving damp clothes in the laundry basket or dryer. Wash and dry them promptly.
In bathrooms:
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How Do I Detect Mold Growth In My Home
The first sign of mold that people usually point to is its smell. Its described as having an old, musty smell.
Visitors will find it very easy to notice this smell, as they have yet to be accustomed to it, unlike you, who have been living in your house and have most probably gotten used to it.
If you suspect mold growth in your home, its also a good idea to check around for visual signs of it.
Mold grows in moist places, so be sure to snoop around your bathroom, kitchen, laundry area, and other possible areas where moisture could gather.
If you spot any leaks or water stains, then that may be the source of your mold problem.
Mold can also appear on your ceilings, walls, and even furniture. It will have a fuzzy or velvety texture, and may be yellow, green, brown, or black in color.
You cant completely remove mold spores from your house, because theyre simply present wherever we go.
How long do these mold spores stay in the air then?
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