Tuesday, March 26, 2024

What Is Causing Mold In My House

What Causes Mold In A House

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Find out what causes mold in to grow in the home and how to handle the issue.

Timothy Dale is a home repair expert and writer with over a decade of hands-on construction and home improvement experience. He is skilled in residential, commercial, industrial and institutional plumbing, electrical, carpentry, installation, renovations, and project management.

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Most people have seen some type of mold throughout their lives because mold can appear in a variety of places, like food that has gone bad, growing across wet stones, or showing up in the corners of a damp cellar. While you can toss rotten food and walk around moldy growths outdoors, when you find mold growing inside your home, the problem isn’t as easy to deal with. You will need to be able to identify what is causing the mold to grow and spread in order to take steps to resolve the issue.

Mold is a form of fungi. It thrives in damp, dark environments where there is organic matter, like wood, to feast on. Common areas around the home to find mold include bathrooms, kitchens, basements, attics, doors, and windows. Use this guide to find out what causes mold to grow in a house and how to eliminate it.

Moisture In Your Bathroom

Bathrooms are by far the most common rooms in your house to experience mold problems. Fortunately, theyre the easiest rooms to discover mold outbreaks in, and thats because youre probably looking for mold during routine cleaning.

Bathrooms are high-humidity rooms by nature of their intended use. Normal living creates high humidity from hot showers and baths. Using the sink creates moisture, as does flushing the toilet. Even standing water in the sink or plumbing traps contribute to evaporation and keep the bathroom’s relative humidity high.

Bathrooms have many surfaces where mold can start. There are plenty of places like smooth tile faces and porous grout spaces that quickly harbor mold if moisture isnt controlled. Inside vanity cabinets is a common spot for mold to start. Another common place for mold is behind toilets where air circulation is blocked. All this is due to the presence of moisture that rises from these sources:

General plumbing problems like leaks and overflows

Water evaporation

Poor ventilation, like fans or opening windows

Frequent running water like tap drips or toilet run-ons

Damp shower areas including shower curtains and doors

Standing water in sinks and tubs

Leaky drain pipes

Condensation on cold surfaces such as toilet tanks and chrome fixtures

Broken toilet seals

Wet floor mats and towels

Low heat to allow evaporation of excessive moisture

Failed grout or caulk around shower and tub enclosures

Your Sight Smell Touch And Even Taste Can Come Into Play To Help You Spot The Unwanted Growth

Terri Williams has over 10 years of experience covering student loans, mortgages, real estate, budgeting, home improvement, business, and product reviews. Highlights: * Expert in mortgages, real estate, home buying, home selling, budgeting, insurance, and other personal finance topics * Writing is published in Investopedia, The Balance, The Economist, TIME, Architectural Digest, Realtor.com, Bob Vila, Popular Science, CNN Underscored, and more * Business and technology bylines at The Economist, Amerian Bar Association Journal, and Verizon

Moldthe dreaded M word that no one wants to hear . The presence of mold can stop a home sale in its tracks or lead to some major homebuyer regret later on. And if youre living in a home with mold, youre probably wondering how its adversely affecting you and your familys healthand how much its going to cost to remove it. But, mold can be sneaky, making it hard to find if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for.

Mold growth typically occurs in out-of-sight wall cavities as a result of water damage from flooding or leaks, explains Darren Hudema, director of training and technical services at PuroClean, which provides mold and water damage remediation services. Before you know it, mold creates a toxic environment in your home, compromising the quality of the air you are breathing in every day.

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How To Get Rid Of Mold In A House

Mold growth in a home indicates there is a moisture problem and your first step should be to fix the moisture problem. This means fixing any leaks and getting the humidity levels as low as you can using an air conditioner or dehumidifier. Properly ventilating the area with exhaust fans will also help.

After fixing the moisture problem, you should remove all moldy items from your house. If mold is growing on carpet, drywall or ceiling tiles, the only solution is removal and replacement.

You can remove mold from hard surfaces by scrubbing it with commercial products, soap and water, vinegar or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners.

If the area is too large for you to clean yourself, you should contact a professional who has experience in cleaning mold.

Why Work With A Professional To Remove Mildew

Types of Mold Found in Homes

While it is simple to wipe away mildew growth on hard surfaces in your home, you should still work with a mildew removal professional early on. The reason being, what you might see as mildew my only be a part of the problem.

If your bathroom has mildew growth on the shower tiles, it could be nothing more than mildew growth. But it could also be a sign of an internal leak and more serious mold growth behind the walls or in the floors. If you have children in the home or you suffer from a pre-existing respiratory condition, cleaning these contaminants yourself could cause harmful ramifications.

Moreover, hiring a professional gives you the peace of mind that your home will be thoroughly inspected and tested. If any other mold problems are underlying they will be uncovered. All of the affected areas will be noted, and if you so choose properly cleaned by professionals with any necessary preventative measures into place.

At Silver Environmental, we have over 20 years of experience helping people in the Greater Boston Area remove mold and mildew from their homes – and keep it out. We offer free consultations to anyone who fears they have a mold or mildew problem. It is best to be sure right away if this is something that can affect your home and your family. Donât wait, give us a call today to schedule an appointment.

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Extent Of Mould Growth

It is important to determine the extent of the mould problem in your home to help you decide on the clean-up procedure. An area of mould is considered small if it covers one square metre or less. There should be no more than three patches of mould, with the total area staying within one square metre. Many small patches of mould in one area or throughout your home are a sign of moisture problems that need to be investigated and corrected right away.

If ignored, small mould areas may become larger over time, so it is important to clean them up before the problem gets bigger. A small amount of mould may be cleaned up using proper procedures and protective equipment.

The area of mould is considered medium if there are more than three patches of mould , but the total area is less than three square metres. In this case, assessment by a qualified professional is recommended but in most cases a medium amount of mould may be cleaned up using proper procedures and protective equipment .

An area of mould is considered large if a single patch of mould is larger than three square metres. Health Canada does not recommend that an unqualified person clean up large areas of mould. You may need a professional assessment to determine why the mould is there in the first place and how to clean it up.

Get Rid Of Standing Water Immediately

Also, make sure that you clean up any standing water. Always turn on the fans in your kitchen or your bathroom when you are showering or cooking. If you have an indoor laundry room that doesn’t necessarily pipe the hot air outside, turn on a fan.

You want to keep your home dry and moisture free. If you notice water has spilled on the counter, clean it up and don’t just wait for it to evaporate and leave moisture in the air. If any material in your home gets damp, dry it immediately. Fabric or rugs can be taken outside and put in the sun to dry before they are brought back into the house.

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How Much Could Professional Remediation Cost

Mold assessment and remediation could cost anywhere from several hundred to dozens of thousands of dollars, based on the location and extent of the problem.

“It’s one thing to clean mold and the surfaces, but the other thing that gets more pricey is stopping the water that makes it grow,” said Nardozzi. Suggested remedial measures could range from removing spores via an air scrubbing machine, to digging into insulation or cutting up walls, he said.

The most comprehensive state legislation on mold to date was passed in 2015 and concerns regulation and licensure of mold assessment and remediation professionals. One of the reasons it is in place is because some mold removal companies were charging exorbitant amounts of money to address “extreme” mold problems that didn’t exist, said Nardozzi.

Now, assessment and remediation professionals must obtain appropriate training before gaining licenses with the state, and they must renew that license periodically.

Can Mold Become A Problem In My Home

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Yes, if there is moisture available to allow mold to thrive and multiply. The following are sources of indoor moisture that may cause problems:

  • damp basement or crawl spaces
  • constant plumbing leaks
  • house plants watering can generate large amounts of moisture
  • steam from cooking
  • wet clothes on indoor drying lines
  • clothes dryers vented indoors
  • combustion appliances not exhausted to the outdoors

CAUTION: If you see moisture condensation on the windows or walls, it is also possible that you have a combustion problem in your home. It is important to have sufficient fresh air available for fuel burning appliances, such as the furnace, water heater, stove/range, clothes dryer, or fireplace. A shortage of air for these appliances can result in back drafting of dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide into the home. To prevent back drafting of air, you need either open vents or a ventilation system that brings fresh air into the home to replace air that is exhausted out. Have your local utility company or a professional heating contractor inspect your fuel-burning appliances annually.

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How To Prevent Black Sentiment Build

There are several effective methods for cleaning your toilet bowl and getting rid of the black sentiment forming. The best products are vinegar, bleach, baking soda, Borax, or hydrogen peroxide. Before beginning this cleaning project, putting on protective gear is essential because you may be dealing with harsh chemicals, mold, or bacteria.

Flush the toilet and get rid of the water inside the bowl. Put your desired cleaning product on the water line, underneath the rim of the toilet, and anywhere where black sentiment has accumulated. Let the product sit for one to two hours, and then begin scrubbing using the toilet brush or any other cleaning supplies you may have. Flush the toilet again to remove any leftover product.

Regular maintenance is the best way to ensure black sentiment doesnât form in the bowl again. Cleaning your toilet frequently with vinegar or baking soda will ensure a clean environment without any bacteria forming. To ensure your toilet tank is clean and free of gunk, pour in some vinegar before flushing.

Mold Symptoms And 11 Signs That You Have Mold In Your House

Did you know that, according to the EPA, Americans spend 90% of their time at home? The professionals in the MOLDY documentary suggest that over 50% of the US population has mold and mildew problems, and 28% of the population has a genetic predisposition to mold-related health problems.

If your health is a priority, you need to understand the symptoms of mold exposure so you can act quickly to protect yourself and your family members.

In this short article, we will share the typical signs of mold exposure so you can get the better of this nasty fungus.

Most often, when we see mold on items, we simply throw away the damaged item. Some household mold can pose a much greater danger.

Some molds release a compound called mycotoxin that can cause breathing problems, migraines, and permanent neurological damage. Milder symptoms may consist of a runny nose, sneezing, or an obsessive odor.

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Previous Water Damage Event

Have you previously had the misfortune of discovering a water damage event like flooding or burst pipes in your home? If the water was extracted efficiently and properly, there is likely resulting mold growth.

Because fungus feeds on moisture, water damage often leads to mold problems which can be costly and can potentially harm the structural integrity of your home. To learn about how to manage a water damage event, clickhere.

Fungus and mold need water to thrive. If you have previously had the misfortune of experiencing a water damage event in your home, it is important to ensure that there is no resulting mold problem. At the first sign of mold, call the experts at ProClean at 484-8500.

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According to the EPA, there is no simple way to eliminate all mold within a home, so it is important to stay diligent in detecting any possible problems.

If you notice any of the above warning signs, it is important to thoroughly and comprehensively remove mold colonies before they multiply even further.

Moisture In Your Attic

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Its common to find mold in attics, especially where there are poor ventilation and high humidity conditions. Few people spend time in their attics, particularly in todays homes that use roof trusses instead of rafters and storage space is impractical.

Most people never enter their attic unless theres an emergency. Thats usually due to a water leak, and by then, a mold infestation may be well advanced. Running water is easy to identify in an attic as its going to pour through hatch openings or from light fixtures. High humidity and moisture levels are more difficult to find. Consider these attic moisture sources:

Leaky or missing roof shingles

Leaking drain, waste and ventilation pipes

Condensation on plumbing pipes

Improperly installed flashings and ridge capping

Improperly installed exhaust vents for dryers, bath and kitchen vents

Condensation during cold months

Heat causing high humidity in warm months

Faulty or missing insulation

Snow and ice damming problems

Heaters or furnaces in attic

Air conditioning units in the attic

Stored materials that are wet or damp

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Moisture In Your Heating Ventilation And Air

Regardless of whether you’re heating your home up or cooling it down, youre going to be moving air that contains moisture. There are many different forms of HVAC systems and their parts. Some use water as a primary heat source, and often youll find homes that incorporate some form of humidifier or dehumidifier. That depends on the climate.

Most HVAC systems have ductwork that moves warm air about and cold air in return. These ducts are perfect environments for mold to form because theyre dark and warm and they have plenty of air and contain an optimum humidity level. Removing mold from ductwork can be a terrible chore.

Ductwork is also the place where airborne debris gets trapped. Thats everything from household dust to pet hair and dander. Trapped material also locks in moisture and starts promoting a colony of mold. Here are the HVAC sources of moisture:

Clogged and blocked air filters

Condensation in ductwork from lack of insulation

Condensation runoff in high-efficiency furnaces

Condensation of metal joints and HVAC frames

Wet fiberglass insulation

Improper use or lack of drain pans

Saturated air coming from HVAC condensers

Improper blend of indoor and outdoor air

Damaged or missing foil wrap on ducts

Weak or no air flow from grilles and registers

Leaks at duct joints

What Is Black Mold

All types of mold can cause allergic reactions at certain levels and possibly be harmful to your health.

We have heard the terms black mold and toxic mold more and more often. Black or harmful mold and mold spores refer to molds that can release mycotoxins or toxins. Health and welfare concerns from Stachybotrys, individual species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Chaetomium, Trichoderma, Phoma, and Fusarium are of great interest in the classification of harmful or black mold.

Many types of black mold are harmful and produce harmful materials that are especially harmful to people with chronic conditions. High concentrations of mycotoxins can lead to poisoning even in healthy individuals, depending on the concentration, duration of mold exposure, and various other factors.

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Allergy Or Asthma Flare

Certain species of mold release a harmful substance calledmycotoxin, which can trigger respiratory issues for those with allergies and asthma . Have you found yourself sneezing, coughing, feeling fatigued or blowing your nose no matter the time of year? It may be time to give the home a thorough inspection.

Have you been experiencing an increase in your allergy and asthma symptoms? Mold in your home may be the culprit. If you suspect that your home has a mold problem, it’s critical that you act fast. Trust the Experts. Trust ProClean. #MoldRemediation#MoldAssessment#MoldRemoval

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