Common Questions About Mold
A: Families across America trust Green Home Solutions for all their mold remediation needs and for improved air quality. Our services are trusted by homeowners and businesses alike because:
- We only use products that minimize harm to the environment.
- A licensed and/or certified representative comes to your home to perform an initial assessment of your situation.
- You will receive a professional proposal that if applicable, includes testing by a third-party lab to identify the extent of contamination in your structure.
- We provide comprehensive services designed to fully eliminate the problem at its source.
A: We are better in many ways. For one thing, other companies may just cover up odors or use temporary sprays that make you think your problem is gone, but the mold spores and other toxins are still there.
- Our treatments are proven to destroy fungal spores and bacteria from within so that they dont return. We dont use harsh chemicals. The health and safety of your family, employees, tenants is always our goal. The products we use in our services are selected with that in mind. We are proud of our reputation as the go-to mold remediation company that uses EPA-registered products. Our services are also competitively priced.
A: We will schedule an on-site assessment and evaluation of your issues as soon as is practical and at your convenience.
Tips For Safely Removing Black Mold
Black mold can easily be removed from hard surfaces like tile, sealed and painted wood, metal, tub surrounds, and enamel-coated walls and fixtures by scrubbing with soap and water, household products, or a bleach solution.
However, understanding the type of mold you have will help you more effectively eliminate it. Once you confirm its black mold, you need to take proper precautions to prevent yourself from getting sick and keep mold spores from being released into the air.
Wear full protective clothing, including a respirator, safety glasses, gloves, boots, long pants, and long sleeves, ventilate the room, and sort and discard any objects with black mold. You also need to take precautions to resolve any issues that could result in the risk of black mold regrowth, such as fixing any water issues and ensuring the area is dry before renovating.
There Is Mold Now What
The mold inspection test comes back positive for mold. The licensed inspector will provide a report about the type of mold and the amount of space it covers. If it is less than 10 square feet or 5×2 area space, you can clean it easily. However, if it is more than 10 square feet, there is an issue and mitigation may or may not be needed. Knowing the answers to these questions will help you decide if it is smart buying a house with mold.
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If You Have Mold In Your Home
Mold can look like spots. It can be many different colors, and it can smell musty. If you see or smell mold, you should remove it. You do not need to know the type of mold.
If mold is growing in your home, you need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem. Mold can be removed from hard surfaces with household products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of household laundry bleach in 1 gallon of water.
What To Consider When Buying A Home With Mold
Everyone responds to mold differently.
There is a spectrum between those people who are very sensitive to mold versus. others who are not. The highest risk populations to mold exposure include infants and children, pregnant women, the elderly, people who are already sick or have existing health conditions and those who have respiratory conditions like asthma.
If a mold problem is fixed properly, you can rest easy.
It is not going to suddenly come back without warning in 5 years. Unless: the water problem is not fixed. In other words, the cause of all mold problems is: water. The presence of mold indicates a water problem. If the mold is properly removed, but the water problem remains unfixed, it is likely that the mold problem will return.
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Your Wallpaper Is Peeling
Moist, peeling wallpaper is an ideal location for mold to thrive. Like all types of mold, black mold spreads when it is able to attach to a host like paper or wallboard, and is able to remain moist.
A plus for the mold colony is that the peeling paper provides ample cover for it to avoid the drying effects of sunlight.
What Is Black Mold
Mold is a type of fungal growth that produces spores. While there are various types of mold that can grow in a home, black mold is the one you hear of most often. Lets look at what black mold is, the symptoms of and allergic reactions to black mold exposure, and how you can safely remove and prevent black mold growth in your home.
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If You Treat Mold Yourself Always Wear Protection
In fact, preparation and protective wear are important parts of making sure that youre removing and not spreading mold.
Robert Weitz is a certified microbial investigator and founder of RTK Environmental, a leading environmental testing firm. If you find mold, he recommends having a professional mold test to see if you can clean it yourself. If you can, he has a list of items that youll need:
- A mask or respirator to filter out the mold spores youll be disturbing
How To Get Rid Of Mold
Just as there are many types of mold, there are numerous removal methods. The best option for your situation will depend on what type of mold youre encountering, the surface that its on and the extent to which it has spread.
In some cases, it may be necessary to call an expert when it comes to home mold removal. DIY mold removal is only possible depending on the size and impact the mold has made.
If you choose to handle the mold removal yourself, make sure to don adequate protective gear. The CDC recommends that you wear long pants and a long-sleeve shirt, protective gloves and eyewear, waterproof boots and a mask rated at least N95 or more to protect your nose and mouth. Note that while these masks protect you from small particles like mold, they are not adequate if you are encountering any sort of gases, chemical vapors, asbestos or lead.
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Black Mold: The Basics
Scientifically known as Stachybotrys chartarum, black mold is a species of mold thats dark green or black in appearance. It sometimes produces toxic chemicals found in its airborne mold spores and fungus fragments which can cause various health problems. Black mold growth usually appears as spots or patches that spread over time and often produce a musty odor.
What To Do If You Find Black Mold In Your Home
Mold isn’t always a bad thingbut it’s still not an organism you want growing unchecked in your home. “Some molds are very benign,” says Leslie Andersen, vice president of training and launch at restoration company Paul Davis. “And some are really good: Think about bleu cheese, or penicillin, or mushrooms, or beerall of those have molds in them.” But if you find a musty smell in your basement or see a patch of fungal growth in a water-prone area of your home, that indicates a mold you’ll want to removeespecially if it’s hazardous black mold.
“When people use the term black mold, they’re often identifying a type of mold called stachybotrys,” says Andersen. While many types of mold grow in circular patterns and boast a shiny finish, black mold differs in a few key ways: It grows in a patchier shape and has a much lighter tone. “It’s a dull, kind of chalky mold, reminiscent of if you looked inside your fireplacethat kind of a sooty look,” says Andersen. When disturbed, it releases mycotoxins which can cause irritation in the nose, eyes, and lungs. “People wipe it or they touch it, and they start sneezing, they cough, they get runny eyesit’s because the mold spores are off-gassing to make you stop bothering it,” Andersen says. “What makes it more dangerous to humans is how it affects our respiratory system. We breathe it in, it goes into our lungs, and folks get very, very serious lung conditions from that type of mold spore.”
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How Common Is Mold In Buildings
Mold is very common in homes and buildings.
One 2017 study found mold in every public building studied, with an average of about 14 instances of mold per building.
Another involving 31 European countries found mold in 1 in 6 homes. The author noted that the prevalence of mold may vary greatly depending on the regional climate.
To Prevent Mold Growth In Your Home
- Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you canno higher than 50%all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. You can buy a meter to check your homes humidity at a home improvement store. Humidity levels change over the course of a day so you will need to check the humidity levels more than once a day.
- Be sure the air in your home flows freely. Use exhaust fans that vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
- Fix any leaks in your homes roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
- Clean up and dry out your home fully and quickly after a flood.
- Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting. You can buy mold inhibitors at paint and home improvement stores.
- Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
- Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away. Think about not using carpet in places like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.
- To learn more about preventing mold in your home, see the Environmental Protection Agencys book A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home at .
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Tips For Mold Prevention
Wondering how you can prevent mold from affecting your home? Here are a few tips that may help you prevent mold from forming altogether.
What Can I Do To Prevent Mold Growth In My House
Using dehumidifiers, insulating living spaces to prevent condensation and plugging any leaks in the house will reduce the possibility of indoor mold. Here are a few other tips from Rochester Environmental and Construction Group:
- Continuously monitor for water leaks, water stains and water activity, upon discovery act immediately.
- Monitor ventilation and blockage of ventilation periodically.
- Monitor water drainage/gutters and blockage of water drainage/gutters periodically.
- Maintain relative humidity at or below 55 percent, using proper ventilation or dehumidification where necessary.
- Maintain proper housekeeping and areas free of clutter to promote proper air circulation.
- Periodically change your furnace or whole-house filtration system and maintain/clean HVAC ductwork.
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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.
Using A Mold Exposure Test
A mold exposure test is often the best way for you to check for mold on your own. You can pick one up at any home improvement or home supply store.
Simply follow the instructions on the box. Usually, youll just brush the surface where you think mold may be present, and send the test strip or brush in for a laboratory analysis. If mold is present, youll be notified.
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What Are Symptoms And Signs Of Mold Exposure
Molds produce irritating substances that may act as allergy-causing substances in sensitive individuals. Furthermore, some molds produce toxic substances known as mycotoxins, but mold itself is not poisonous or toxic. The term toxic mold, therefore, refers to the fact that certain kinds of mold can produce mycotoxins. The conditions under which some molds produce toxins are not understood, and the presence of mold, even a mold that is capable of producing toxins, does not always imply that toxins are being produced or that a health risk or problem is present. Mold may not cause any health problems, or it may lead to allergy or other symptoms in people, including adults and children, who are sensitive to molds.
Allergic reactions to mold are the most common health effects of mold and are therefore the greatest health risk related to mold. Allergic reactions may happen immediately or develop after a period following exposure. Both growing mold and mold spores may lead to allergic reactions. Symptoms and signs of mold allergy may include
Mold or mold spores may cause asthma attacks in people who have asthma and are allergic to mold. Even in some non-allergic individuals, mold can cause symptoms of irritation in the eyes, skin, and airways. For example, the black moldStachybotrys, along with some other types of mold, produces toxins known as mycotoxins that can cause irritation of the skin and airways in susceptible individuals.
Treat With Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is less harsh and produces fewer fumes than chlorine bleach, but it works more slowly. Be sure the bottle of hydrogen peroxide is fresh , or it will not be effective. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down quickly in sunlight.
Hydrogen peroxide does not need to be diluted for cleaning areas of mold. Pour fresh hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle and spray it directly onto the moldy surfaces. It should begin to bubble or fizz. Wait for 10 to 15 minutes or until the fizzing stops. Use a scrub brush, sponge, or cloth to wipe away the mold. Repeat if needed.
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Who Is Most At Risk For Health Problems Associated With Exposure To Mold
People with allergies may be more sensitive to molds. People with immune suppression or underlying lung disease are more susceptible to fungal infections. Individuals with chronic respiratory disease may experience difficulty breathing. Individuals with immune suppression are at increased risk for infection from molds. If you or your family members have these conditions, a qualified medical clinician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment.
How To Remove Mold From Your House
So youve identified mold in your newly purchased house, and youve decided to remove it yourself. But how do you determine if its safe to do it yourself or hire a professional?
- How big of an area does the mold cover? If its small, then you can probably do it yourself.
- What kind of surface is the mold growing on? If its on easy-to-clean surfaces like sinks, glass, metal, or tile, you can remove it yourself.
- If you have any health problems, exposing yourself to molds will worsen them.
- What type of mold are you dealing with? Get a mold tester to ensure the mold youre dealing with doesnt cause allergies.
If youve determined that you can do it yourself, follow these steps to remove the mold.
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