How Do You Know If Subfloor Mold Is Present
When mold grows on your subfloor it can be very difficult to find. Since it is under your finished flooring, you usually cannot see it. You may however smell it. Most molds produce a musty, pungent, earthy odor. Sometimes a mold-sensitive person will suffer from allergic symptoms when exposed by just spending time in a room containing mold.
How Exactly Does It Drive The Problem Deeper
Bleach is MOSTLY water. When you apply it, the chlorine quickly evaporates out, leaving behind yes, you guessed it water. The water will then soak into porous surfaces like dry wall, and feed the mold spores at their roots, making the problem much worse.
So what do you do if you have mold in your home? Please dont spray bleach on it. Instead, call a mold remediator to properly remediate your home. Make sure to ask questions like how will you contain the mold spores as you remove the mold, so it doesnt contaminate the rest of the house? Do you use bleach or any other chlorine product during the remediation process?.
If youre in need of a good mold remediation company and youre local to Jacksonville, FL please give our office a call! We have partnered with a phenomenal mold remediation company that has passed our standards and wed be happy to share the recommendation with you.
Make sure you link up with a mold-literate practitioner to then help you heal, simply removing the mold is not always enough in addressing mold-related illness. Often times your body needs help removing the mold from the body. Thats where we come in!
Using Tea Tree Oil To Kill Mold
Tea tree oil is the most effective natural solution to killing mold. While it is a more expensive option, a small amount of tea tree oil goes a long way in removing mold. It is an antifungal that is capable of killing all types of mold. Make sure the tea tree oil you purchase to remove mold is derived from the Melaleuca Alternifolia.
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What Is Black Mold
Mold is a vital part of our ecosystem. It absorbs and decomposes organic matter. Mold grows anywhere that the conditions are right. It needs adequate moisture, a food source, oxygen, and an appropriate temperature to grow. If these conditions are present, then mold will grow and reproduce by releasing spores, which are microscopic cells that act like seeds, into the environment.
While mold plays an important role outside, when it grows inside buildings, it can cause health problems for some people. When people talk about black mold, they are usually referring to Stachybotrys chartarum, which has been referred to as “toxic black mold.” However, there is no evidence to suggest that the color of mold affects how dangerous it is.
There is also no evidence that exposure to any type of mold causes memory loss, trouble focusing, headaches, fatigue, autoimmune disease, or infant pulmonary hemorrhage, which is bleeding into the lungs.
Some molds do produce mycotoxins, which are toxic substances. However, mycotoxins are most harmful when they are eaten, not inhaled. Although the threat of black mold has been overhyped in the media, mold can cause health problems in people who are sensitive to it. Mold should always be properly treated and removed from buildings using adequate precautions.
The Problem With Using Bleach For Mold Removal
Most people assume chlorine bleach will kill mold simply because that is what they heard from a family member, friend or co-worker. Perhaps you have seen a parent, spouse or roommate use bleach in an attempt to eliminate mold in the past. Bleach certainly has the potential to work in some instances yet it will fail to exonerate the mold positioned on a porous surface. In fact, bleach can even worsen mold problems.
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Is It Safe To Clean Black Mold Yourself
If the black mold growth in your home is small enough for you to treat alone, a simple mixture of bleach and water can help. Add one cup of bleach to one gallon of water and apply it to the moldy spots. Apply the cleaner to the mold spot and scrub away the growth. Be sure to dry the area thoroughly when youre done.
Reasons Why You Should Never Use Bleach To Clean Mold
Mold is not a topic that most homeowners want to think about. If they are discussing mold, it is likely because they have discovered some mold in their home, and as it can be both dangerous and costly, the chances are if you have found some you are desperately trying to determine how to get rid of it as soon as possible.
You may be wondering if you can do the remediation yourself and if so, what type of chemicals or cleaners you should use. Luckily for you, were here with those answers!
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How Often Should You Pour Bleach In Your Ac
Using Bleach in Your AC Drain Be sure to use a minimum of 2 cups once or twice per year. Be advised, however, some newer units no longer recommend bleach or vinegar due to oxidation/degradation concerns. In these cases, boiling water is recommended.
Can I put bleach in my condensate pump?
Put a funnel in the T and pour a quart or two of bleach into the drain. Go slowly as to allow the bleach to kill the mold and mildew . This should be done once a year at least. If you have a condensate pump, the bleach will fill up the water reservoir and turn on the pump cleaning out the vinyl exit tubing.
Cleaning Mold: Bleach Vs Hydrogen Peroxide
Although minor mold spots are easy enough to wipe away while cleaning, the mold often returns quickly. While you might think to reach for the disinfectant spray or prepare a bucket of bleach to douse the area to kill it once and for all, these are not the best solutions for fixing a mold issue. These disinfectants are named for their ability to dis-infect, or kill, microbes and while that may sound good, in many cases this can actually make a mold problem worse!
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Is There Another Way To Kill Mold
You may want other non-toxic ways to kill mold without endangering your health and the health of your loved ones. Here are some of the natural methods we recommend.
Try Vinegar
As we said, vinegar is one of the most effective, natural, and non-toxic methods to kill mold.
In a clean and dry spray bottle, pour some distilled vinegar. Spray the moldy area and let the vinegar work its magic for one hour. Proceed to clean the area with water and let the area dry.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has properties that kill bacteria, viruses, and fungus.
Pour hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Spray abundantly on the mold area and leave for 10 minutes. Then proceed to clean the area with a scrub brush and then wipe.
Baking Soda
Known also as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda can be used to kill mold. Its a safe, natural option.
Take a spray bottle filled with water and add a quarter of a tablespoon of baking soda. Shake the bottle until the baking soda dissolves completely. Spray the moldy surface.
Proceed to clean the area with a scrub brush and then wipe. Spray the area again and leave it dry to prevent the mold from returning.
How To Remove Mold With Vinegar
Vinegar is natural and safe mild acid that can kill 82% of mold species. Plus it doesnt give off dangerous fumes like bleach. If you want to use vinegar to prevent mold growth on surfaces, spray vinegar on the surface and leave it. Repeat every few days to keep the surface mold-free.
How to Use Vinegar
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If Bleach Doesnt Kill Mold What Should I Do
Many of you are reading this because you currently have a mold problem and are looking for a solution to remedy it.
So now that you know you shouldnt use bleach to remove mold, the natural question is what should you do?
We recommend that if your mold is growing on wood or drywall, that you consult with a mold remediation company first.
Remember, the mold that you see on the surface could be the proverbial tip of the iceberg. You wont know whats going on unless you have your mold problem professionally inspected.
Here at MoldPro LLC we know where to look for the sources of mold and can take samples of your air and specimens of surface discoloration to determine the extent and type of mold that may be present.
Its our goal help to you identify your mold sources and develop your mold elimination strategy.
What Does Mold Look Like On Brick
Bricks do not support mold growth. As a stone masonry surface, brick has no living nutrients, and since brick is only mildly porous, it does not naturally trap a lot of moisture. As a result, mold lacks the ideal growth conditions that it would find on a drywall panel or a piece of fabric.
How do I kill white mold?
To kill mold: Use white distilled vinegar and pour it into a spray bottle without watering it down. Spray the vinegar onto the moldy surface and leave it to sit for an hour. Finally, wipe the area clean with water and allow the surface to dry. Any smell from the vinegar should clear within a few hours.
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Stop You Shouldnt Use Bleach On Mold
Mold. We all dread this toxic substance yet here we are, talking about it. Mold is in every home, apartment, office and other building in minor amounts. If mold accumulates to the point that it is visible or if you have a mold inspection performed that indicates the presence of this substance, you might be tempted to use bleach.
Below, we explain why using bleach in an attempt to destroy mold is a mistake no homeowner should make.
Vinegar Is A Universal Cleaner
You can find vinegar in every kitchen, and it has amazing properties that might surprise you. It can help you get rid of odors, its a great surface cleaner, and it acts as a natural fabric softener. But did you know vinegar can also get rid of mold?
All you need to do is apply it directly onto the moldy surface and let it sit for one hour. Then, wipe the surface using a clean rug or a sponge soaked in water and the mold should be gone.
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How To Effective Remove Mold In Your Home Or Business
There are several products that can be utilized to kill and remove mold. Some effective products that kill mold are:
- Bleach
- Tea tree oil
- Grapefruit seed extract
While these types of products can be effective in killing mold, they are only efficient when you recognize the first signs of mold growth and manage to prevent its development. In addition to eliminating the mold you see, you must also eliminate the source of the moisture that allowed its appearance in the first place. For many people, while doing it yourself may be an option to remove the mold it is often done incompletely providing only a temporary solution to your mold problem.
It is always best to hire a professional mold remediation company when you see mold but, if the mold in your home is not toxic and the area of mold growth is small then you can try to perform the mold remediation on your own.
Is There A Safer And More Effectivealternative Than Bleach To Remove Mold
There sure is! In fact, there are quite a few. Head over to my article on the Best Mold Removers where I break down the pros and cons of the most popular products out there.
In case you were wondering about the effectiveness of other common household products that are used to clean mold, you can learn why they do or do not really work in these posts:
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Mold Damages To Your Property And Health
Mold eats the materials it grows on,breaks down the material bit by bit. Its presence can result in extensivestructural property damage. Mold is also a threat to spread to new areas bydispersing its spores.
Mold produces allergens, irritants andtoxins. Another source of irritation is microbial volatile organic compounds ormVOCs. These compounds are produced via fungal metabolism and are releaseddirectly into the air, often giving off strong and unpleasant odor. So whileproperty damage is a major concern, the possible health effects for those whoare exposed are a bigger cause of alarm. Health risks associated with airbornemold spores exposure range from mild to severe including the fungal allergy,respiratory infections, eye and nose irritations, throat and skin irritations,mood swings, headaches, memory loss and worse wheezing and asthma attacks.
Should I Use Bleach To Remove Attic Mold
Should I use bleach to remove attic mold?
First understand the purpose of bleach. It cleans stains, but does not have a surfactant to separate dirt. In your washer, laundry detergent is dispensed first. The laundry detergent has a surfactant that separates dirt from clothes. That water is washed out in the first rinse. Than the bleach is dispensed to disinfect and remove stains. The fabric softener is added last.
What does that have to do with mold removal? Bleach will kill some, but not all molds. The problem with bleach is dwell time. That is, how long will the product stay on the surface you are trying to clean. Bleach evaporates rapidly. Since bleach is made with water, it degrades to water. If you are trying to clean a porous surface, like wood, the water will absorb into the wood and the bleach will evaporate but will leave a lingering nasty smell. Remember that there are already lots of chemicals in the wood and there may be a reaction to the bleach.
Lets say you are a homeowner, you just had a home inspection and the inspector found mold in your attic, and your thinking you are going to clean it up with bleach. A few facts on bleach:
1. Although you can use it, chlorine bleach is a hazardous substance. The product we know as bleach is a solution of hypochlorite. chlorine and water.
2. If you mix chlorine bleach with any acid chlorine gas is produced. Chlorine gas is extremely dangerous and exposure can be fatal.
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Will Clorox Get Rid Of Mold
Clorox is a popular brand of household bleach used in various applications, including mold removal. The company also developed a bleach product specifically formulated to tackle mold and mildew, which is the Tilex Plus Mold and Mildew Remover.
The difference between a regular Clorox bleach and Clorox Plus Tilex is that there is no need for you to scrub the affected area. The cleaner only has to be sprayed and allowed to sit for about five to 10 minutes.
While it has a powerful cleaning action, it is marketed for use in tubs, shower doors, countertops, tiles, sinks, and shower curtains.
While Clorox is a popular household name, I personally find that RMR-86 Pro Instant Mold Stain & Mildew Stain Remover is by far the better product and most superior when it comes to cleaning and killing mold on the spot. Its also contractor grade, which means its typically used for cleaning really bad mold situations.
The Problem Of Applying Bleach To Porous Surfaces
Bleach is incapable of killing mold positioned on porous surfaces. In fact, bleach can even contribute to the growth of such mold. Take a close look at the label on your bleach container and you will likely see it is meant for non-porous surfaces. In other words, chlorine bleach is only capable of attacking surface mold.Mold has the potential to grow roots down deep within porous surfaces like drywall and wood. As a result, bleach will not help in the full extermination of that pesky mold in your basement, bathroom, kitchen or elsewhere. The only component of chlorine bleach to move below the surface is its water. Water that moves below the surface has the potential to spur additional mold growth.
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Bleach Can Damage Your Structure
Just as mold can destroy surfaces by eating into them, bleach can also cause damage to your structure. The corrosive feature of bleach means it can eat into your wood and cause it to disintegrate by weakening the wood fibers. When you apply bleach to metal surfaces, it corrodes the metal and damages your structure.
Dangers Of Bleach + Never Mix Bleach With These 3 Cleaning Ingredients
Some of the most common items in your house might not be as safe as you think. One example? The dangers of bleach, one of the most commonly used disinfectants in the world.
Despite claims that its extremely safe when used properly, bleach continues to be the subject of research for its potential impact on respiratory health, particularly in children.
In addition, one of the scariest dangers of bleach involves what happens when you mix it with other household chemicals.
BuzzFeed includes three toxic bleach combinations on a list of common products never to mix, warning readers about what happens when bleach comes into contact with vinegar, ammonia or rubbing alcohol.
Still, some of the dangers of bleach are not well-known, and people continue to mix products and expose themselves and their families to dangerous chemicals, all in the name of cleanliness.
But I think you should never use bleach in your home again, and Im going to explain why. As a bonus, Ill also show you some natural cleaning products that can get the job done without putting you and your family in danger.
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