When To Call On Professionals
Painting over any mold or mildew is not recommended unless you have first identified the type of mold or mildew you may be dealing with. If unsure as to whether the mold inside your home is of the hazardous or non-hazardous form, you should consult with a mold expert in Ottawa.
Professional painting companies in Ottawa will have the experience and knowledge to recommend the right kinds of paints to use, if any drywall pieces need replacing or if a mold removal expert should be brought in.
If you are selling your home and there is a pre-existing mold issue be aware of the legal ramifications for not disclosing the problem. New home buyers can hold the owner as well as any painting contractor or Ottawa real estate agent you may have hired.
It is not recommended that you just paint over it and hide it to conceal it from potential home buyers. You should fully disclose the problem to alleviate the headaches of having to deal with the additional costs that would arise from non-disclosure.
If you feel uncertain as to whether you can or should tackle painting over mold and mildew issues feel free to reach out to a painting professional you can trust.
This post was originally published on Jul 8, 2019 and edited on May 02, 2021
Black Mold Vs Mildew How To Diy
Removing mold and mildew can be a DIY project, but its a good idea to know when to call the pros. Our tips for mold and mildew removal help you know what products to use, and what not to use. We can help you clean up the problem area safely. Whether you choose to DIY or have us help you, we want to help you get back to living your best life!
Do They Cause Structural Damage
Extensive mold can cause structural damage to the building. It also damages paper, leather, books, and woods. Meanwhile, no mildew has been discovered to cause structural damage.
Even if your indoor plant is infested with mildew, and the splotchy white substance falls to a nearby area, it wont cause damage.
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How Hard Is It To Get Rid Of Mold And Mildew
Mildew can often be treated with cleaning products, leaving surfaces unharmed. Sometimes a good scrubbing bush is needed, too. Ive been able to clean mildew easily many times using a solution of bleach and water.
Mold, however, is a different story especially if it has had time to grow further into surfaces. Mold removal is best left to experienced professionals as in many cases walls, floors, ceiling sections, and more will must be replaced. Mold exposure should be dealt with the right way too.
For best results, if you have moisture or high humidity you can prevent mold by ensuring leaks or water sources are completely stopped or by using a dehumidifier.
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How To Get Rid Of Mold
If your mold problem is small, or has just started to develop, you may be able to deal with it yourself. There are mold removers you can buy some that use heavy chemicals to deal with mold. Of course, you need to pay careful attention to the instructions when using these dangerous products.
Aside from that, mold typically penetrates deep into surfaces, so it isnt generally something you can deal with yourself. Youre best to have a professional evaluate the situation and recommend a fix.
For milder mold issues, check out our comprehensive review of the best all-natural mold removers.
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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Health Risks Of Mold Vs Mildew
Here is one major thing that mold and mildew have in common: They can both cause mild to severe health issues if left untreated. Thatâs right: Mold and mildew are more than just unsightly, particularly if you have allergies or asthma. Some mold and mildew species can release toxins into the air which trigger your immune response.
The CDC and the Mayo Clinic report that those sensitive to species of molds can experience stuffy noses, wheezing, itchy eyes and skin. More intense reactions include fever, upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to it. Mold exposure has also been linked to headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nasal irritation and nausea, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Other adverse health effects potentially caused by mold, such as memory loss, lethargy and more severe effects on infants and children may not yet be proven: research is ongoing.
A 2017 French study found that mycotoxins from three species of mold can become directly aerosolized into indoor environments under regular conditions. In the study, researchers explained that once airborne, these mold particles âcould be easily inhaled by occupants and deeply penetrate into respiratory tract,â the researchers said in a statement, as reported by NBC News.
How To Prevent Mold And Mildew Throughout The House
Help keep your home free of mold and mildew with a few preventive measures.
- Use dehumidifiers, fans, and open windows to help reduce the moisture in your home. Be especially vigilant during hot, humid months.
- Fix plumbing leaks as soon as possible.
- Do what you can to prevent rainwater from seeping into your home. Check potential problem areas regularly.
- Clean the fabrics in your home routinely and keep them dry.
- Store items in dry, well-ventilated areas.
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Mold & Mildew: Where Does It Lurk
Most molds are microscopic fungi that grow on a host surface, like a loaf of bread or a musty, kitchen cabinet. The green mold you see on an old loaf of bread is not one mold, but is actually clusters of hundreds of connected networks of mold.
Mold spores join together using tiny, tubular arms to create a singular organism, commonly referred to as a cluster. This clustered type of mold is visible.
But, high amounts of “un-clustered” microscopic individual mold spores are often moving through our airspace. These spores are completely invisible to the human eye. For this reason, mold and mildew can be hard to spot, and therefore even harder to get rid of. Although a small amount of mold and mildew won’t hurt most of us, it begins to become a big concern when the mold spores get out of hand. When quantity does get out of hand, or when individuals who are highly sensitive to toxic mold, breathe it in, it can present a serious health hazard. Mold and mildew are known to cause respiratory concerns, common allergic reaction symptoms, nervous-system disorders and depression.
In particular, there are certain types of molds that produce what are called mycotoxins . These molds are particularly dangerous and create a toxic breathing environment for you, your children and your pets. Studies have shown that breathing in large amounts of these mycotoxins can impair the entire human body, and can even lead to death.
Special Care For Some Articles And Surfaces
Preventing mildew on clothing and household fabricsKeep fabrics dry. Never let clothing or other fabric articles lie around damp or wet. Dry soiled clothes before putting them into the hamper. Wash out dishcloths and hang them to dry. Spread out washcloths and damp towels. Stretch out wet shower curtains. It is the wet curtain left bunched together or sticking to the wall or tub that is most likely to mildew. Sprinkle only as many articles as can be ironed in a day. Shake out and dry those not ironed.
Dry washed garments and fabrics thoroughly and quickly. Fabrics dried slowly may get sour and musty smelling a sign of mold growth.
To help keep moisture out of clothing and household fabrics and thus make them less susceptible to mold growth, treat them with water-repellent sprays. Spray draperies, slipcovers, mattresses, overshoes and jackets and other outer garments.
Fungicide products that may be sprayed on fabrics to give them mildew protection are available in low-pressure aerosol containers. Some germicidal, mothproof and water-repellent sprays may also protect against mildew. Read labels on the container for information.
For adequate mildew protection, wet the surface of the fabric thoroughly with the spray. Unless the sprayed fabrics are kept in a closed container, they should be examined frequently and resprayed. For precautions, see Use of pesticides, including fungicides.
Paradichlorobenzene is also available in spray cans.
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How To Prevent Mold And Mildew In The Bathroom
Few rooms in the home see as much moisture and humidity as the bathroom. The first step to preventing mold and mildew is making sure your bathroom stays well-ventilated. An exhaust fan will help circulate the air and remove moisture more quickly. These additional actions will help keep your bathroom fresh and mold-free.
If you’re dealing with a mildewed shower curtain made of durable fabric, follow these steps for cleaning it.
How To Clean Mold
To clean surface mold, you can also reach for plain white distilled vinegar. Spray the area liberally and let it sit for a while before wiping or scrubbing. You can also reach for hydrogen peroxide or chlorine bleach as you would with mildew . Or, try a product like RMR-86 which can be used to combat both mold and mildew.
If youâre painting a room in your home that is generally prone to humid and moist conditions , you can also reach for Mold Primer to help prevent fungi from growing before it starts.
And, if you are asthmatic or have allergy issues, it is a good idea to consider investing in an air purifier or dehumidifier to help keep the air clean and breathable. Also, check for any leaks in your home. The EPA says moisture control and prevention is key in the case of mold, which may be practically impossible to remove entirely if it has infested walls and interiors.
Please note that there are some cases in which professional services are required for cleaning mold. If you are experiencing symptoms, if you have a large area of mold in your home , if you canât find the source of a moldy smell, if your home has been flooded or if you donât think you can do the job effectively yourself, you may need additional help.
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What Causes Mold Or Mildew Inside The House
Mildew can show up in rooms with high levels of humidity such as bathrooms, kitchens or basements and can appear as black, gray, green or brown spots. Areas in the home with high levels of humidity that are without proper or adequate fresh air circulation can eventually create mold or mildew problems.
To prevent mildew buildup ensure you create good air circulation within the home by installing bathroom vents that lead to the outdoors, replace air filters on furnaces and/or air conditioners at recommended intervals, open windows even slightly to allow some fresh air to circulate through the room. You should also make sure the proper ventilation is set up for any washers and dryers in any basement or laundry room.
Mold is typically caused by water leaks where the water infiltrates the drywall materials of the ceiling or walls and is left to sit and soak into the drywall for a long period of time.
Leaks are usually caused from leaks from a bathtub, a toilet, a water faucet or sink, a leaking roof or from flood damage. It is imperative to find the source of the water damage causing the mold and fixing it before it wreaks havoc on your home and your health.
Paint itself is not a cause of mold or mildew but the appearance of bubbling paint, peeling or cracking paint are usually signs that high levels of moisture are present and that immediate action should be taken.
What Is The Appearance Of Mildew And Mold
Since mold and mildew are both part of the kingdom of fungi, they can appear similar. However, there are some differences that help distinguish the two. Mildew is powdery and downy in texture and appears as white or grey. Sometimes this white color may turn to yellow, blue or green. Depending on the time of mold, it can be fuzzy and in various colors including black, blue, green, or yellow. The way each fungus grows will also determine its appearance. As mentioned, mildew grows flat while mold grows as raised texture and expands outwards.
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Should You Paint Over Mold Or Mildew
Once the source of the high humidity or moisture levels inside your home are found you should identify whether the mold is of the hazardous or non-hazardous form. This is important to find out before considering to paint over it as paint products are not formulated to get rid of or kill any mold.
Painting in high humidity areas like bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry rooms with a mold and mildew resistant paint primer prevents the re-occurrence. You should only paint over any mold or mildew that is non-toxic.
There are plenty of paint products on the market that are specifically formulated to work best in high moisture level areas. Using the right types of primers, sealants and paints that are best suited for kitchens and bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements where moisture levels are usually high is your best first defence to avoid recurring mold and mildew problems.
By simply painting over it without taking care of removing it or eliminating it first will only continue to cause problems and eventually the mold spots will re-appear. If you paint over water damage for example you will only mask the problem temporarily because mold is a fungus and fungus loves humidity and moisture, it thrives on it and will continue to grow under the new paint.
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.
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