Call Professional Mold Remediation Services
Even if you have done your part and didnt find anything, it doesnt guarantee your air quality is fine. Consider calling on the services of Mold Remediation to conduct a thorough test of the air in your apartment. Using sensitive equipment, the air or surfaces within your home will be tested for the existence of mold. This equipment can also identify which type of mold is present, as there are different remediation processes for each type.
Samples of the air may be taken with a spore trap, where a large volume of air passes over a sticky surface that catches spores. The strong the air current that passes over the trap, the greater a sampling is taken. The trap is evaluated by a professional laboratory, leaving you with an accurate idea of what you are up against. There are mold test kits that can be done your own, but for the best results, leave mold testing and analysis to the professionals.
Perform A Visual Inspection
If you suspect you have mold, the first step is to perform a thorough visual inspection of your home. You will recognize mold as spots that can appear in many different colors. Mold thrives on moisture, so pay particular attention to roofs, windows, pipes, basements, laundry areas, bathrooms, previously flooded spaces, and so on. Mold commonly appears on fibrous surfaces like drywall, upholstery, wallpaper, fabrics, and cardboard. If you see any signs of mold, call a professional.
Apply A Bleach Solution
Maybe youve noticed a dark spot on your wall. Is it dirty, or is it mold?
Youll want to make a bleach solution of 1 part bleach and 16 parts water. Now dip a clean cloth in the solution and dab it on the spot.
If the spot quickly disappears after you dab it, it might be mold. If the spot keeps coming back after repeated application of the bleach solution, then its very likely that youve got mold.
Recommended Reading: Getting Mold Off Bathroom Ceiling
Cleaning Up Small And Medium Mould Problems
Bleach is not necessary to clean up mould.
You can clean up small areas of mould if you follow the proper procedures and use the right protective equipment. Unless the mould growth is on smooth surfaces such as bathroom tiles, surface cleaning will not eliminate the problem.
In most cases you can clean up medium areas of mould if you follow the proper procedures and use the right protective equipment. Materials damaged by mould must be physically removed and disposed of under safe conditions. However, it is important to seek professional assistance if there is a large mould problem or if mould comes back after cleaning.
Susceptible individuals such as pregnant women, infants, children, the elderly, and occupants with asthma, allergies or other health problems should not be in or near the area where the mould is being cleaned up.
Minimum protective gear needed:
- a disposable N95 mask and
- household disposable gloves.
You can purchase an N95 mask from a hardware store. Make sure that the label says “N95”. Other masks are designed to provide limited protection against dust and are not suitable for protecting against mould exposure. Make sure that the mask is properly fitted and you can breathe through the mask.
Heat Damp Areas To Dry Out Mold
One way to prevent mold in your house is to heat damp areas in the house. While this process is easy, the spores of mold can cause breathing problems and other health issues for those who are exposed. The damp materials also encourage bacteria to grow, and they can allow chemicals from building materials to enter the air. Therefore, you should be sure to ventilate showers, laundry rooms, and kitchens to prevent mold growth.
If the damp areas are wood, heat can help dry the area. Leaving the wood in place may not help. The wood may be too rotten and in need of replacement. To get rid of the mold completely, remove any varnish or paint from the affected areas. For tougher types of mould, stronger solutions may be necessary. Nevertheless, heat can help dry out these damp areas and keep the area dry.
You should also look for signs of mold. It can be green slime, grey fuzz, or a smell of mold. Other signs of mold infestation are peeling walls, excessive room humidity, persistent colds, or constant sneezing. If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek professional assistance. To avoid allergic reactions, make sure you wear protective eyewear, dust mask, and rubber gloves when performing any mold removal.
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Mold On Ceiling
Who Is Most At Risk For Health Problems Associated With Exposure To Mold
People with allergies may be more sensitive to molds. People with immune suppression or underlying lung disease are more susceptible to fungal infections. Individuals with chronic respiratory disease may experience difficulty breathing. Individuals with immune suppression are at increased risk for infection from molds. If you or your family members have these conditions, a qualified medical clinician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment.
Mould Testing Auckland Christchurch & Northland
All Clear provide comprehensive on-site mould testing in Auckland, Christchurch, Whangarei and Northland. Our scientific team are experts in helping to diagnose severity and next steps. We offer an impartial mould testing & analysis service, and are committed to providing independent and pragmatic advice.
Help is just a phone call or email away on or
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Black Mold On Ceiling
What To Do If You Have Mold In Your Home
What should you do if you see mold in your home? The first thing is to do some investigation. Mold is a sign of excess moisture. You need to determine the source of moisture and control or eliminate it. Moisture can come from many sources, including leaks, condensation, and ground water. Once you determine the source, take measures to correct the problem.
The Minnesota Department of Health created a fact sheet explaining why it does not support mold testing as a first response to indoor air quality problems. For more information about MDH’s stance on testing, visit Testing for Mold.
If You Have Mold In Your Home
Mold can look like spots. It can be many different colors, and it can smell musty. If you see or smell mold, you should remove it. You do not need to know the type of mold.
If mold is growing in your home, you need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem. Mold can be removed from hard surfaces with household products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of household laundry bleach in 1 gallon of water.
Read Also: Basement Mold Removal Diy
Know Where It Spreads
Have you ever smelled a musty aroma in a damp room? Mold is a type of fungus, and it can grow on just about anything. It thrives in humidity and warmth, making the bathroom and kitchen ideal environments for growth. Potential hotspots are the bathroom, the kitchen, and even the bedroom.
A common myth is that it can only grow on certain materials. Spores can spread on fabric, glass, paper, wood, and plastic in your home. They can even start to digest the material that they grow on.
Each mold type has preferences for where they like to grow:
- Aspergillus tends to grow on powdery substances. This includes food, dust, and drywall.
- Alternaria shows up where its damp. This could be a leak, a shower or bath, or under the sink.
- Cladosporium ends up on fabric and wood in cool or warm climates.
- Penicillium shows up in water damage with a blueish greenish hue.
Fungi like this can be of various colors, textures, and forms, so dont rule something out as safe just because it doesnt look like what youre used to.
Know How to Spot It
Its important to realize that mold is not always visible. This fungus can be detectable by smell, and symptoms, as well as appearance. It can smell musty and stale and cause respiratory symptoms and flare-ups like triggering asthma attacks. Sometimes, these symptoms may be the first sign to you that you could have mold.
When You Should Get A Mold Inspection And Testing
If you notice mold, it is a good idea to call an inspector to test the home for mold. You should also heed the advice of your home inspector if they notice any signs of water damage or moisture. Even if it appears to be old water damage, mold could still be an issue.
A mold inspection is also recommended if you notice a strong musty smell. Mold could be growing behind drywall or in a dark area.
Professional mold testing by qualified and experienced professionals is recommended. The specialist will have the experience in collecting samples as well as testing for the air quality, and will be better able to provide you with accurate results and recommendations for mold remediation.
Another reason to opt for professional mold inspection and testing is because the number of mold spores can fluctuate and move throughout the home. A professional mold inspector usually performs a few different types of mold tests to ensure the most accurate results. Home tests cannot provide this level of accuracy.
You May Like: How To Clean Up Mold In Basement
Send It To The Scientists
Imagine that youve just used a DIY testing kit to gather a sample.
A perk of these kits is the option to send them to a lab for follow-up testing. Once again, the packaging of the test should reveal how this is done. In general, though, you ship the sample in the post and let the scientists to their stuff.
They take the suspected mold and use official lab tests to confirm/refute your suspicions. Better still, theyll identify the nature of any mold in evidence and recommend the best route forward in terms of treating it.
Be wary of extra fees though. Sometimes the cost of lab testing is included in the products purchase price but not always!
Epa Advice On Mold Testing
The US Environmental Protection Agency advises that mold sampling usually isnt warranted if you can see visible mold growth. There are currently no threshold limits for mold or mold spores, so sampling a home for mold will not tell the homeowner whether or not their homes mold sample falls within an acceptable standard for mold exposure. Also, mold identification usually is not necessary because all molds have the potential to cause unfavorable health reactions, especially in people that have pre-existing sensitivities. Regardless of the type of mold or the amount of mold, it should not be allowed to grow in your home. Once you find it, you should take steps to remove.
For specific information about mold removal and remediation guidelines, follow the EPA’s key steps for remediation.
For information about hiring a mold contractor, visit Hiring a Mold Consultant or Contractor.
Read Also: Leather Mold Cleaner
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.
Air Conditioning And Heating Vents
You probably prefer your bedroom to be at the optimal temperature for you to get a good nights rest. While using the AC and heating unit are fine , its possible for mold to grow in the vents.
To prevent mold from contaminating your bedroom, you should:
- Use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air
- Dry up any condensation you find on the walls and windows
- Invest in a mold-resistant mattress or, at the very least, a waterproof mattress cover
Don’t Miss: Mold Growing In Bathroom Ceiling
How To Tell If You Have Mold In Your House
It can be hard to tell if you have mold in your house. Obviously, if you see mold somewhere, youve got a mold problem in your house, but mold can hide in walls, ventilation ducts, crawl spaces, and in other hard-to-see areas.
A common way to check for mold is to smell for it. A musty smell in an area of your home is often an indicator that there is some kind of mold present. Symptoms like a persistent runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing and throat irritation could also be indicative of mold.
In addition, anywhere that has been exposed to a significant amount of moisture such as water damage from flooding is a potential area where mold may be growing. Look for water where it shouldnt be, and check areas which may have flooded in the past.
What To Do If You Find Mold In Your House Symptoms
How to prevent and eliminate mold. Control the humidity in the house. Try to keep the humidity in your home at 55% or less. Use a desiccant. If you live in a humid area or have high seasonal humidity, use dehumidifiers to lower the humidity in your room. Repair leaking pipes. Keep gutters clean. Make sure your base is solid.
Don’t Miss: How To Treat Mold On Bathroom Ceiling
Treating The Affected Areas
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
Recommended Reading: How To Get Mold Off Of Bathroom Ceiling
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.
How To Prevent The Growth Of Mold
Keeping the interior of your home dry can help prevent mold. The home inspector can discover leaks, issues with plumbing, or problems with the HVAC system and ventilation, which can lead to the growth of mold. This is why a professional home inspection is so important.
High humidity levels can also cause mold to form on wood, drywall, and other materials the mold considers food. Using a dehumidifier to regulate humidity levels can help to prevent mold.
Common places you might find mold include:
- Areas where pipes have been leaking
- Areas beneath roof leaks
- Basements where there has been water damage or flooding
- Areas where you see a buildup of moisture
- Homes with poor air circulation and ventilation
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Bathroom Ceiling Mold
In The Walls And On The Floor
From top to bottom, mold growth is likely in a bathroom. In addition to the places mentioned above, pay attention to any water leaks coming from the walls or floors these leaks can cause mold to grow quickly. Bathroom rugs are also known to harbor mold, and are usually not washed as often as they should be.
Some tips to keep your bathroom free of mold
- Use a ventilation fan during your bath or shower, and keep it on for at least 30 minutes after
- Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to keep humidity levels down throughout your home
- Keep all surfaces, including counters and floors, clean and dry
- Check for leaky faucets and pipes
