There Is A Musty/moldy Smell Coming From Our Closet There Are No Visible Signs Of Mold On Walls Carpet Or Ceiling I Have Symptoms Related To Mold Exposure Meter Read No Moisture Should I Have Air Testing Done Or Ermi Dust Testing I Am Trying To Figure Out Which Type Of Testing Is The Most Accurate Or Beneficial
I highly recommend steering away from ERMI testing. It is of little value for your scenario. Your best choice is to conduct a non-viable air quality sample. This is a 5 minute air test with a cassette such as the Zefon Air-O-Cell. Make sure the indoor sample is compared to average outdoor data for your region. All homes have mold spores. The question is whether your home has levels above the outside air. This would indicate an indoor source of growth.
A musty odor does not always indicate active mold growth. Like cigarette smoke, the odor can linger long after the source is gone. Youre on the right track by checking the area with a moisture meter. I would also check the relative humidity in the closet, as this can cause a musty odor and mold growth. This is especially true in older homes with poorly insulated exterior walls.
Most Common Places To Check For Mold In Your Home
If you have allergies or a chronic lung disease like asthma, youre probably very aware of the effect mold can have on your health. But even if you have a healthy immune system and no allergies, mold can cause a variety of health problems coughing, wheezing, and throat, skin, and eye irritation, to name a few. Mold is everywhere and, though you cant fully control your exposure to it outdoors or in public spaces, you can check for mold in common places around your home and take measures to prevent and remove it.
Other Places In The Kitchen
Wooden cutting boards, trash cans, behind the stove and windows and window sills in the kitchen are like heaven for mold spores. They feed off of these places, so keeping them clean and dry is critical for keeping mold at bay.
To keep your kitchen mold free, be sure to:
- Ventilate when cooking and doing dishes by opening a window, using a fan, or both
- Wash the dishes every day, so they dont pile up in the sink
- Clean and dry the stove top, microwave, counters, cabinets, and window sills regularly
- Clean out the inside of your fridge and your fridge drip tray often
- Take the trash out every day
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Mold Poisoning Symptoms In Humans
Mold poisoning can cause a number of different symptoms, depending on the age of the affected individual, the strength of their immune system, and whether or not they have a pre-existing mold allergy. Here are a few of the most common signs and symptoms of mold poisoning in humans.
- A stuffy or runny nose
- Sinus issues or infections
- Worsening or development of asthma
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Skin itchiness, redness, or discomfort
- Fever and shortness of breath
- Rashes
I Am Being Told I Have Really Dangerous Mold In My Home And That It Would Normally Cost Between 9 And 15 Thousand Dollars For Remediation There Is No Visible Mold Anywhere Or Leaks I Am A Disabled Mom Of Two I Dont Have That Money Are We Going To Die
The type of mold growth found in your home is very common. While the level is elevated, you are certainly not going to die. A walk in a wet forest would likely expose you to far greater amounts of mold spores.
The most important task is to identify the underlying cause of the mold. All mold growth requires excess moisture to propagate. If there is no visible mold growth, its likely due to elevated humidity. This can be fixed by adjusting your ventilation or HVAC equipment . If you live in a climate with winter humidity issues, increase your ventilation by running your bathroom fan.
If you live in a hot/humid climate, youll likely need to utilize your air conditioner to lower the humidity. A dehumidifier may also be necessary. I would not recommend spending $9,000+ to remediate the issue. Spend the majority of your money on fixing the underlying issue.
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How Mold Affects Your Health
Mold produces irritants and allergens that can cause various reactions when inhaled or touched. Reactions to mold are often allergic symptoms such as sneezing, red eyes, runny nose and skin rashes.
Sensitive individuals may experience immediate reactions when in contact with mold. Others, on the other hand, might have delayed symptoms .
Individuals with asthma may have an especially hard time when in a room with mold. Mold can trigger asthma attacks while irritating the throat, lungs, nose and eyes.
People who dont suffer from allergies or asthma may also experience irritation in the eyes, nose, lungs and throat.
One mold species, in particular, can be more hazardous than others Stachybotrys chartarum. This species is generally referred to as black mold or toxic mold. Despite the name, this mold is actually more greenish in color and is gooier in texture compared to other species.
Black mold can grow on surfaces high in cellulose and low in nitrogen. These include fiberboards, paper, dust and lint. This mold requires constant moisture in order to grow, so its commonly found near water damage, leaks and after floods.
While mold, in general, isnt toxic or poisonous, some species such as black mold can produce toxic byproducts. One of these is called mycotoxins. However, little research is available as to how it affects peoples health .
Mold Appears Around Hvac Events What Should I Do
I assume this home has air conditioning? If so, this is due to condensation forming on the cold ducting in the attic, then dripping onto the adjacent sheetrock. Check the insulation around the ducting and register.
This could also be due to an oversized air conditioner, which causes the unit to power off before its sufficiently pulled the humidity from the air.
hen the cold air exiting the ducting lowers the temperature of the surrounding sheet rock. If the humidity in the home is high, this will cause condensation and mold growth.
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Common Types Of House Mold
Wondering what types of mold are the most common in houses and which ones you should be concerned about? Lets discuss a few of the most common types of household mold now.
- Cladosporium Cladosporium is one of the most common household molds. It usually grows in a greenish-brown colony, but can also be nearly black in color. It is rarely harmful unless you have a mold allergy, but may cause minor issues like toenail or fingernail infections.
- Penicillium Penicillium is sometimes called green mold, as it is usually dark green in color. It tends to grow in large, consistent patches on the walls. As the name suggests, penicillin is derived from some kinds of this mold. However, some kinds of penicillium mold may be toxic to humans and animals.
- Aspergillus This type of mold is usually greenish-white in color, and may be more raised with a more cloudy appearance than other types of mold. It is not harmful, unless you have a weakened immune system, in which case it could infect the lungs or sinuses.
- Alternaria Alternaria mold is usually greenish-white, but can also appear in black patches, so its sometimes confused with black mold. Alternaria can be a factor in exacerbating asthma, particularly for those who may have mold allergies.
I Heard About Toxic Molds And Black Molds That Grow In Homes And Other Buildings Should I Be Concerned About A Serious Health Risk To Me And My Family
There is always a little mold everywhere in the air and on many surfaces.
Certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins . Hazards presented by molds that may produce mycotoxins should be considered the same as other common molds which can grow in your house. Not all fungi produce mycotoxins and even those that do will not do so under all surface or environmental conditions.
Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors, and can smell musty. Color is not an indication of how dangerous a mold may be. Any mold should be removed and the moisture source that helped it grow should be removed.
There are very few reports that toxigenic molds found inside homes can cause unique or rare health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss. These case reports are rare, and a causal link between the presence of the toxigenic mold and these conditions has not been proven.
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Will You Inspect My Home Or Apartment
IDPH does not perform inspections of residential environments for mold. We primarily respond to requests for assistance by providing information by telephone and providing recommendations for homeowners, landlords or tenants to take to alleviate conditions that may represent a potential health hazard.
What Affects The Cost Of Mold Inspection
The cost of mold inspection can vary based on the size and age of the house, as well as location of the home. Larger homes will cost more to inspect, but full-service home inspectors who offer mold inspection and mold testing often have package options available. With a package, homeowners and homebuyers can bundle multiple home inspection services together for a discounted price. If you have questions about the cost of a mold inspection for your home, or packages, contact your local home inspector to learn more.
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Everything You Need To Know About Mold Testing
Mold is the last thing anyone wants to see in their home. It is not only unattractive, but it may also cause harm to your home and health problems for the people who live there. A few symptoms can notify you about whether you may have mold in your home. You can look for the best mold testing services in Cooper City. Musty odors, peeling wallpaper, persistent allergies, chronic illness, and various other issues are among them.
Even if you see some of these signs in your home, expert mold inspection and testing is the best method to be sure. There are many professional mold remediation among which you can choose. Professionals are educated to not only recognize the signs of mold but also to determine the type. They also have the equipment needed to get rid of the infestation in your home.
What makes mold testing important?
Mold spores are airborne and undetectable to the naked eye. Mold is beneficial in the outdoors. It moves around and destroys plant matter naturally. On the other hand, indoor mold is hazardous to ones health and can cause respiratory issues, allergic responses, nausea, and headaches. Professional mold remediation uses the right technique to clean the molds.
Benefits of mold testing
Mold can grow in places where it cannot be seen, such as inside walls. If a pipe inside your wall has a minor leak, you may not notice it for a long time. Water may cause a lot of damage.
- Assist you in locating moisture in your home
- Preventing Health Issues
Emsl Mold Swab Test Kit: Best Lab Tests
Reasons to avoid
EMSL has a broad range of testing kits for all kinds of spores, microbes, and other environmental impacts on your home. The swab mold test kit it makes is among the most accurate you can buy, and we like this one because the emphasis is put squarely on the lab report.
When you commit to a lab report, you’re given the test kit for free, and return postage is already paid. The fee here is $75, which is more expensive than some other mold test kits, but we feel you’re getting good value here.
The lab results are very accurate, and each of EMSL’s labs are accredited by multiple bodies, including the AIHA. There are a good number of EMSL labs throughout the US, so dependant on your location, you can actually get results in 24-hours if you really need them. That is quicker than any other test kit on this list.
The kits themselves are very easy to set-up and they will grow spores within a few hours once placed correctly. They aren’t as good for HVAC testing as our top choice, but handle all other rooms with ease. Overall, highly recommended if you need to know exactly what mold you’re dealing with.
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How Can I Clean Areas Of Mold In My Home Or Business
The guidelines for cleaning smaller areas of mold growth include the following practices:
The guidelines for cleaning areas of mold growth larger than 30 square feet include these additional practices, which may require the services of a professional mold remediator:
How To Test For Mold In Air
In order to test your air for mold, youll need a viable mold test kit. These are widely available at any home improvement store and online at sites like Amazon and Home Depot.
Once mold is determined, call a professional to do additional tests to see what type of mold is present and how to remove it.
Keep In Mind
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Our Air Conditioning Motor Failed This Summer In Fl And Our 34′ X 14′ Mobile Home With Attached 28’x10′ Air Conditioned Lanai Were Subjected To High Humidity And Heat For Several Weeks Before The A/c Unit Was Fixed The Mold Is Visible So No Testing Was Done After Remediation Is Complete And We Do A Post
Good question. While pre-testing is certainly ideal, you can still verify the completion of the project without it. Instead of comparing the post remediation data to pre-remediation numbers, youll need to compare the spore counts to average data in your region. In some ways, this is even more accurate. For example, if the average count for Cladosporium is 1,100 and your home contains 500 spores, your home is clean. Many inspectors do not provide this kind of data, so youll likely need to contact several companies.
Condensation Around The Windows
Mold is often found near windows. It may not be a lot of mold but even a small amount of mold can damage paint and cause health problems.
Mold is less likely to occur on newer windows. Condensation is common on old, single pane windows but rarely on dual pane windows.
Also, make sure the window is set correctly so air isnt entering the house through the sides of the window.
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A Interpretive Considerations For Mold Sampling
Mold is a part of the natural environment and can be found everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. Without them, we could not survive. But currently, there are no governmental or international standards for acceptable levels of airborne concentrations of molds or mold spores in an indoor environment.
However, the experts agree that visible molds on surfaces within living spaces should be cleaned and removed. While non-toxic molds may not cause any health issues, they can still be quite destructive to your home. Further, many people have mold allergies and may experience some negative side effects.
Can Mold Make You Depressed
Mold is also known to cause asthma and life-threatening primary and secondary infections in immune-compromised patients that have been exposed. Toxic mold exposure has also been linked to more serious, long-term effects like memory loss, insomnia, anxiety, depression, trouble concentrating, and confusion.
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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.
