Air Purifiers For Black Mold
Whether youre in the mold remediation process, are currently testing for black mold or just suspect its presence, you need to protect yourself. Scientific studies have shown that running a high-quality air purifier can drastically reduce mold in the air. However, not all air purifiers are up to the task. When youre dealing with potentially dangerous airborne contaminants like black mold, its important to buy the best.
At Air Oasis, were proud to produce some of the most powerful air purifiers on the market. Whether you need to remove odors, VOCs, viruses and bacteria, smoke, allergens or mold, weve got you covered. Our air purifiers harness multiple purification technologies to provide you with comprehensive coverage. Questions about air purifiers and mold? Wed love to hear from you! Visit us online or give us a call at .
Dont Want To Use Chemicals Heres How To Test For Mold In Your Home Naturally
If youre concerned about the effects of harmful chemicals when testing for mold in the house, worry not. Testing for mold doesnt use any chemicals, and kits are non-toxic.
In fact, the main thing you should be worried about when testing for mold is the mold itself. If you are collecting direct samples of mold using the swab technique, wear gloves and a mask to reduce your exposure to the mold.
Seeml Labs Diy Mold 3 Test Kit
The Seeml Labs DIY Mold Test Kit allows you to take samples from three different places in your home. Once you collect the samples, you ship them to an AIHA-LAP accredited lab. Since this lab specializes in mold analysis, these results can be used to file a claim with many insurance companies.
There are no additional lab fees and you will receive your results on the same day they receive your sample. The lab emails you a report with the results and the experts will answer any questions you have. This DIY test kit is the closest you will get to hire a professional mold expert, without the high cost.
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What If You Have Mold
Now that you have used a DIY mold test kit, what do you do if you have mold? If you do have a positive result with one of the DIY tests above, then your best option is to call in mold remediation professionals who are trained for this type of job. A full home inspection and air quality testing should be done by a mold remediator to determine the underlying cause of the mold and to reveal any remaining mold that may be hidden from sight. Very small areas of mold can be treated with bleach, but if the mold is in multiple locations, call a professional.
A few things to have on hand if you discover mold in your home are:
- hOmeLabs Dehumidifier. Mold needs moisture to grow. One of the best ways to prevent it from continuing to grow and spread is to immediately use a dehumidifier. We recommend this one and it is highly rated on Amazon.
- OdorFree Villa 3000 Ozone Generator. If the mold smell has taken over your home, rent a hotel room for a night or two and leave this high-powered ozone machine running. This is the best ozone machine we have found for eliminating odor caused by mold and mildew.
- Concrobium Mold Control Cleaner. This EPA registered formula is super effective at killing mold spores and removing mold and mildew to prevent regrowth. It does not contain bleach or harsh chemicals and can be applied with a fogger, spray bottle, cloth, or brush.
How Diy Mold Testing Kits Work
Home mold testing kits use settle plate applications. You set the provided dish out for a specific period of time, usually 24 to 48 hours, and the spores are supposed to fall into the dish. Unfortunately, false negatives and false positives are common with home mold tests. Additionally, even if the test discovers you have mold, it does not identify the type of mold, and whether it is toxic or not. To find out this important information, you have to send the dish of collected samples back to the company who distributes the testing kit, of course at an additional cost.
The results come back, and in most cases, they are unreadable. Instead of saying you have black mold or that you need black mold remediation, it will, for example, give the scientific term, stachybotrys. Its up to you to find out what type of mold this is, and whether you need mold removal or remediation.
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Now You Know How To Test For Mold
Mold is both visually unattractive and hazardous to health. The result?
Its a nightmare for any homeowner! Unfortunately, its also incredibly common around the country. Anywhere thats warm, moist, and dark can be a hotbed for mold and mildew.
Thats why knowing how to test for mold is so important. After all, knowing for sure that theres mold in your home is a key first step to getting rid of it. We hope this article will help in that regard.
Want to read more articles like this one? Keep scrolling our page!
Read What Many Satisfied Diy Mold Test Customers Have To Say About Our Test Kits
Im convinced that I got the best bargain for mold tests
I bought this kit because there was a leak in the apartment above mine which led to some nasty mold growth in my bathroom. The landlord simply cleaned the surface and I wasnt convinced that it took care of the problem. The kit comes with three easy to use slides for collecting specimens which was more than enough for my need.
I tested the bathroom, dust that collected from my bedroom vent , and some mold in the insulation of my fridge
The turn around time was incredible I received my results a lot sooner than I expected. I learned the same mold types existed in both my bathroom and in the dust from my bedroom vent. Customer service was stellar as well. Throughout the purchase process I was contacted multiple times by the service, assuring me that I can contact them with any questions or concerns I may have. I had some questions regarding the mold types found and got to speak with the lab guy. He explained potential causes for concern, variables in the collection process, limitations of analysis, and even suggested options for dealing with the problem. I didnt expect this personal level of customer service.
For anyone looking for more information about mold growth in their homes, this is the kit to buy. You rarely see this level of customer service at this price point.
Great Test Report Same as Professional Would Give
It was very easy to use this kit
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Q: What Is Someone Going To Do With 1 Air Sample Given Airs Heterogeneity Etc
A: The kits are sold with 3 air samples so an outside reference sample can always be included with the air samples. Testing of multiple locations is unlikely with DIY testing as our recommendations are that any extensive mould contamination or issues in multiple rooms in a premises are sampled and inspected by professionals. DIY testing is more used as an indication if further investigations are required.
How To Test For Mold In 6 Steps
Mold infestations can usually be seen or smelled, but they can also remain hidden behind walls or under carpets. Testing isnt necessary if you can see or smell mold that is confirmation enough to call a professional and begin the remediation process. Testing for mold in the house may be necessary if requested by a health professional or needed for legal purposes, such as a lawsuit with a landlord. Another reason to consider testing is if you arent able to see or smell mold in your home but are having unexplained symptoms associated with mold. Always follow the instructions provided with a test kit , but this is generally what to expect:
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How To Remove Mold
- Wear old clothes and shoes that you can launder or throw away after the cleanup work.
- Wear special N-95 or P-100 respirators, in addition to goggles and gloves.
- Set an old box fan or a cheap new one in a window to ventilate the room while working. Throw it out when you’re done cleaning, because the spores are almost impossible to clean off. Tape plywood or cardboard around the window openings so the spores can’t blow back in.
- Wrap and tape moldy carpeting in 6-mil plastic, and double-bag mold-infested debris in garbage bags for disposal.
- To control airborne spores, moisten moldy areas with a garden sprayer while you work.
- Turn off your furnace and air conditioner and cover ducts and doors to contain spores.
- Keep your wet/dry vacuum outside when you vacuum.
How To Test For Mold In Your House: A Step
Are you worried that you have mold in your home?
Well, we cant sugar-coat it you probably should be worried! Somewhere between a third and a half of all buildings in the US have conditions that are conducive to mold development.
Thats bad news.
After all, mold is known to cause a whole host of health issues. Everything from allergies and asthma to sore throats and nasty coughs can occur if youre exposed to it. Clearly, anybody who suspects they have mold would do well to get rid of it ASAP!
Knowing how to test for mold in your house is the first step to doing exactly that.
Its the only way to confirm or disprove your suspicions, enabling you to proceed in an appropriate fashion. Want some advice on how to do it?
Keep reading for a complete guide on testing for mold in your home!
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Q: How Does It Vary If Someone Claims To Have Held If For 5 Minutes And Held It For 30 Seconds Or Pressed Harder At Some Times Than Others
A: As with every type of sampler, sampling with the unit could be conducted in a dishonest fashion. The sampler may remove the cassette during sampling, but the same could be done with any sampler. However, there are disclaimers stating that any sampling which is not conducted by a professional and well documented may not be sufficient evidence for certain applications, and certainly not for legal purposes.
How Do I Know If My House Is Making Me Sick
Common Symptoms: Respiratory Symptoms congestion, aggravated asthma or allergies, sinus infections. Cognitive Issues foggy thinking, sleep disturbance, frequent headaches. Emotional Changes feeling agitated or depressed. Physical Symptoms stomach discomfort, muscle aches, fatigue, rashes, sore throat.
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How The Vacuum Air Pump Works
The vacuum air pump works by pulling in air through the top of the pump, through an Air-O-Cell air cassette, and out through the underside. It is powered by a small wall adaptor, and has a simple five-minute timer inbuilt. You plug it in, slot the Air-O-Cell cassette onto the top of the machine, press the power button, and wait until the 5 minute timer ends. The vacuum pump will turn itself off after it is finished sampling.
You may also wish to read this article on mould sampling before collecting your samples if you have not performed sampling before.
How Common Is Mold In Homes
Unfortunately, mold is very common in homes because it grows in areas with lots of moisture or where there has been flooding. According to advice from the CDC, most building materials are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds especially on wet materials like paper, cardboard, ceiling tiles and wood. But other common household materials like paint, wallpaper, carpet, clothes and upholstery also support mold growth.
Mold is particularly prominent around leaks in roofs, pipes or windows. You will most likely spot this nuisance problem in bathrooms, toilets, kitchens and basements. Mold can enter your home in many different ways. Whether this is through cracks and crevices, windows, open doors or via heating and air conditioning systems. It can also attach itself to clothing, shoes and pets and be brought into your home this way.
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How The Kit Works
We send the kit in an Express Post bag through Australia Post, so youll usually get the package the next business day after placing your order.
Once you receive the kit, the included Instruction Guide will guide you through the process of taking samples. If you have questions at any point, or need help knowing where to sample, feel free to call us at , or check out more DIY mould sampling tips here. Dont forget to label each sample with the place you took it. We also recommend taking a photo with the sample ID and location visible, so you can double check your testing locations and sample IDs if you need.
After youve taken all the samples youd like, return them into their resealable bags and place them all in the kit. Make sure you fill out the Chain of Custody. Write your address on the back of the return Australia Post Bag, and place it in the nearest Australia Post Express Box . Well read, receive, and email you the results, usually within 24 hours of receiving the samples.
Mold Armor Fg500 Do It Yourself Mold Test Kit
The Mold Armor kit includes a test swab, petri dish, and a bottle of mold growth medium. You can use this single kit in one of three waysto test the air for mold spores, to test air quality in your HVAC duct, or to test for surface mold.
To use the kit, pour the growth medium in the petri dish, replace the lid, and allow it to gel for one hour. Then, either allow it to remain open to the atmosphere for an air quality test, tape it to your air duct for a HVAC test, or use the swab to remove a sample from a surface and apply it to the growth medium for a surface test.
If after 48-96 hours mold begins to grow in your dish, you may choose to send it to a lab for analysis. With a price tag of under $10, this mold test kit is affordable. But the lab fee is an additional $40.
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Q: How Does Someone Interpret Their Results What Is Someone Gets A High Count And Is Sick Could This Lead To Legal Actions
A: Interpretation of the results is up to the user. The results are given to provide an indication of contamination, at lower cost. Recommendations to seek professional advice and have a trained person conduct further testing are given if the results show abnormal fungal growth. Disclaimers are included on the reports that samples are taken by untrained persons, and not to be used for medical assessments.
When Should You Test For Mold
If youre wondering about black mold exposure, theres probably a good reason. More often than not, homes with mold infestations have a distinct smell, but not always. You may want to test for the mold if any of the following are true:
- You are purchasing a new home. Some mold infestations are hidden, and homeowners dont find them until its too late. Before purchasing a new home, especially if the homes been unoccupied for a while, you may want to run a mold test.
- Your home has high levels of humidity. Like most molds, black mold needs two things to spread: moisture and nutrients. If your home has a persistent moisture problem, youre more likely to encounter mold.
- Your home smells musty. Molds release mVOCs, compounds with an odor that is often described as musty. Although the health effects of mVOCs are largely unknown, they have been linked to dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nasal irritation and nausea.
- You have chronic health issues. Black mold can cause profound health consequences, including chronic inflammatory and respiratory problems. Even in the absence of mycotoxins, long-term exposure to black mold can cause chronic allergy symptoms and other illnesses.
- You just finished mold remediation. Mold remediation is expensive, and its not always successful. If you recently had professional mold remediation, its a good idea to perform additional tests to ensure the black mold is gone.
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Doesnt The Presence Of Mold Indicate That A House Is Dirty Or Poorly Maintained Mold Cant Possibly Be Whats Making Me Sick Since I Keep My Home Cleanright
While its true that mold can very easily thrive in homes that arent cleaned regularly and scrupulously, mold problems can happen in even the most well-maintained homes. Part of the problem is that mold can grow inside of walls, under carpeting, and in other hard-to-reach places. Mold spores can also withstand vigorous scrubbing with soap and water, rendering standard cleanup efforts ineffective. And, sadly, folks can inadvertently create a mold hazard when they refuse to part with treasured items damaged by wateror dont dry out a room quickly enough after a flood. Many people also believe that mold must be visible mold where you can see discoloration or spreading on surfaces, but there are different kinds of mycotoxins that can spread and grow without being seen.
How Can I Know If Theres Mold In My Carpet
The plush fibers of a carpet can be a thriving spot for mold spores. Its easy for the spores to stick to the surface and theres often a significant amount of dirt, dust and bacteria. Once moisture is introduced, mold will likely begin to grow.
Mold can grow inside the carpet or underneath. The padding or backing of carpets is likely to have mold if exposed to moisture.
A tell-tale sign of mold in a carpet is a musty or even sour odor. However, the best way to know whether or not theres mold growing in your carpet is to pull it up and inspect it.
If you do find mold, consider the severity of it and whether the carpet is worth trying to save or not. You can easily remove the area affected by mold and replace it with new carpeting. Adding additional waterproof padding underneath can help to keep mold and mildew at bay.
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