Tech Supported Mold Inspection
Sometimes, especially in its early stages, black mold is difficult to detect with the naked eye. In this case, our next step is using technology to aid our mold investigation. These tools help us find cool and damp areas in a home where mold might be growing.
Our inspectors will also gather samples that are analyzed by the lab. This will tell us without a doubt if mold is present.
How To Get Musty Smells Out Of Clothes
Your house smells oh so fresh and clean, but your shirts have you wrinkling your nose. Whatâs going on?
- A pinch of apple cider vinegar
- One cup of white vinegar
- One cup of baking soda
Air Purifiers To Remove Mold Smell And Other Odors
Air purification systems are a great way to combat musty odors in the home. Keep in mind that not all air purification systems are the same. Some are better than others.
Air purifiers work by not just covering up odors with some kind of fragrance, but removing the actual contaminents in the air that cause the odor in the first place.
But how does it do that?
Basically, long story short, it uses negative air to take in airborne particles through a serious of filters. The air purifier then traps the contaminents in a filter or destroys it altogether. It really depends on what type of air purifier you have.
These are some of the most common type of air purifiers you can get:
HEPA Filter Air Purifier
This is probably the most common type of air purifier.
HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air. A HEPA filter is a type of mechanical air filter it works by forcing air through a fine mesh that traps harmful particles such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and tobacco smoke.
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How To Remove Mildew Smell From Towels
As you might expect, the first thing youll need to do is find out where that yucky smell is coming from. If youre lucky, you might find its simply coming from your towels. If thats the case, soak them in all-fabric bleach for about 30 minutes, rinse them off and then run through the washing machine. But, if you spot the dreary discolored mildew spot in your tub, prepare to get your hands dirty.
How To Prevent That Musty Smell From Returning
The best way to prevent a musty smell from returning is by maximizing air circulation and minimizing dampness as much as possible. Install fans in your bathrooms, kitchen, and basement, and try to keep them running whenever moisture enters your home, such as the day of a rainstorm, while showering, or when cooking. After bathing or cooking, leave the fans on to allow the area to dry fully.
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Signs Of Black Mold And How To Get Rid Of It
Do you know if theres mold in your home? Mold grows in areas that are dark and damp, like bathrooms or around heating and cooling units that produce condensation.
The thought of any type of mold growing in your home might have you reaching for the nearest scrub brush and cleaning agent. Before you start scrubbing, be sure to evaluate what type of mold youre facing. While you dont want any mold in your house, black mold may pose more health risks than other types.
Learn more about black mold so you can identify it and prevent it from contaminating your home.
A Comprehensive Inspection Is Key
MILFORD’S MOST TRUSTED MOLD REMEDIATION COMPANY SINCE 1988
Every house has its own unique smells that reflect the nature of the home and those who live in it. Sometimes there are factors that change that smell, one of those being mold. Mold does not always have a strong smell but when it is present, its often described as musty.
Others have described mold smelling earthy, meaty or resembling the odor of wet socks or rotten wood. For many homeowners, the smell is unpleasant and pungent. As mold grows, it can emit gases known as microbial volatile organic compounds or MVOCs. Technically, it is not just mold you are smelling but the chemical compounds that are released at different stages of the molds growth.
IF YOU SMELL MOLD, GET YOUR AIR QUALITY TESTED
Some people may think that they are able to air out the musty mold smell, but that isnt always the case. It is strongly recommended to get your air tested by a certified mold testing and inspection company.
It is better to act early than wait and see if the smell will go away on its own, because chances are it wont! Household cleaners or air fresheners will only mask the smell for a short period of time. Inhaling mold spores can be the cause of allergic reactions or symptoms like coughing, irritated eyes and throat, headaches and sneezing.
IF THE SMELL PERSISTS, YOU MAY HAVE MOLD INSIDE YOUR HOME
A persistently musty smell can also be an indication of mildew in your home
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What Do You Need To Know About Mold And Mildew
While mold and mildew are both fungi that need water, oxygen, and food in order to live and survive, they differ in a number of ways. Mold tends to have a higher profile and can even become fuzzy, while mildew is always flat. Mold exhibits darker colors such as deep green and black mildew may begin as white, then turn brown or gray.
Why Mold Smell Varies Greatly
Mold release a volatile substance which is called microbial volatile organic compounds . It easily diffuses into the air and fills the room with a certain smell. Those MVOCs secreted by mold might differ according to their species.
Another factor may play a role in creating mold smell. For example, the substrate in which mold resides. Water source, the presence of sunlight, relative humidity, and room temperature also contribute to mold odor.
The presence of other microorganisms is also another factor. Another organism may produce substances which interact with volatile mold compound and create a different smell. Thats why it is difficult to define what does mold smell like exactly.
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Https: //wwwcdcgov What Can Mold Do To Your Body
What Can Mold Do To Your Body? Mold in your home or business can take a huge risk to your body. Mold Remediation Pros of Baltimore has seen instances where our clients health has been affected. The CDS has published a article on how mold can affect your body. You know it is serious when a national info site gets involved. Here is the article and source:
Mold and Your Health
Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to mold. These people should stay away from areas that are likely to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas.
A link between other adverse health effects, such as acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants, memory loss, or lethargy, and molds, including the mold Stachybotrys chartarum , has not been proven. Further studies are needed to find out what causes acute idiopathic hemorrhage and other adverse health effects.
Mold and Your Home
You Can Control Mold
What Does Mold Smell Like
Mold has an odor that can be described as wet and musty. The foul odor can resemble the smell of decaying food or garbage.
Keep in mind that mold can often look different and smell a little different depending what type of mold and what type of surface it is growing on.
But think back to your high school locker room after gym class.
Remember that horrible combination of stinky socks, sweaty people and just overall yuckyness? That’s another synonym for what mold can smell like.
Here are two easy ways to get a more exact idea of what mold smells like:
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How Common Is Mold In Buildings
Molds are very common in buildings and homes. Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.
The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. We do not have precise information about how often different molds are found in buildings and homes.
What Are Mold And Mildew
Mildew vs. Mold: Mildew has a flat growth pattern, while mold has more of a textured, raised growth pattern.
In a nutshell, the term mildew describes certain types of mold or fungus, and generically refers to mold that grows flat and remains on a materials surface. Mildew likes to grow where moisture levels are high, like shower walls and windowsills. Thankfully, mildew can be treated easily and does not usually require hiring a professional. There are several ways to clean and remove mildew but no matter which you choose, it is best to wear a face mask and keep the area you are cleaning well-ventilated.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , mold are fungi that are found indoors and outside. No one is sure how many species of mold exist, but estimates range from the tens of thousands to maybe three hundred thousand or more.
You can find mold in many different places throughout your home from the tiles in your shower to the crawl space in your basement. The majority of mold favor dark, damp, and warm environments, and anywhere that possesses those characteristics should be at the top of your list when you begin to look for the source of the musty smell in your home.
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Perform A Deep Clean To Remove Dust
Did you know that dust can actually be a cause of the musty odor in your home? Dust can collect and gather an amalgam of odors and spread it throughout the area quickly and aggressively, contributing to the odors in the home tremendously! When you begin to experience an overabundance of odors in your home it may be a good indicator that a deep clean is in order. Use a damp cloth to successfully collect dust from the surfaces of your home and clean the flooring by vacuuming and/or mopping.
Mold In The Workplace
Some workplaces, such as poorly ventilated factories, greenhouses, and vineyards, may house large amounts of mold.
Any workplace that contains lots of old paper products, such as used book stores, may be a source of mold. Paper contains cellulose, an organic food source that certain mold species thrive upon. Old books thatve been housed in humid conditions may be filled with millions of mold spores.
Farms and stables may also harbor large amounts of moldy hay. Mold toxins often develop in hay after a delayed harvest. Hay that contains mold is dangerous for humans to breathe in and for horses to eat.
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Take Your Toothbrush To Scour The Mildew
There is no such an effortless way other than scraping off the mold on your dank clothing with your daily used item like a toothbrush. To apply that, you just need to rub it gently on the garments surface.
To clear the mildew or mold away permanently, take the frequent removal and put the clothes into the washing cycle soon. Voila, the stain is missing.
How To Fix Humidity Problems In The Home
A home that has high relative humidity problems indicates there is a problems with the HVAC system, ventilation or poor living habits such as running the air conditioning with the windows open. A licensed HVAC contractor or engineer may need to be contacted.
But that sounds expensive, right?
Well another option is:
Get an external dehumidifier. This is especially good if you are just having a humidity problem in one section of the home.
External dehumidifiers can work great and don’t necessarily need to be ran 24 hours a day. You can run it for a few hours in a room while you are somewhere else in the home and it can make a big difference.
The downside about external dehumidifiers is they need to be emptied because they fill up with water pretty easily.
To prevent humidity problems that can lead to condensation, you should also make sure the air conditioning is set to the “Auto” position and not “On”. You will really start to see mold growing on your clothes if you do this.
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Q: Are Both Mold Spores And Mycotoxins Harmful
A: Yes, its both. Some mold spores may be either allergy, pathogenic or toxigenic. Black mold is one example of a toxic mold.
Other molds might be allergenic, like aspergillus penicillium.To keep it simple: if you have mold actively growing inside your home, figure out what caused it to grow. There has to be some sort of source of water, so fix that, remove the mold safely and properly
How To Get Rid Of Musty Smells In Your Home
Okay, so youâve now diagnosed the underlying problem and have got everything in tip-top shape and mold- and mildew-free . Now, itâs time to deal with the lingering smell.
As a general rule of thumb, increasing ventilation, enhancing natural light , and decreasing humidity are your best friends in the fight against musty smells. Depending on how irritatingâand/or persistentâthe smell is, a full-on, deep cleaning of your home could also be on your horizon .
Below is an easy-to-follow guide that should set you on the right path. By completing these steps, you should be well on your way to an odor-free homeâand equipped with the know-how to keep it that way!
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Mold Reactions: Who’s At Risk
For people sensitive to mold, inhaling or touching mold spores can cause allergic reactions, including sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash. People with serious mold allergies may have more severe reactions, including shortness of breath. In people with asthma who are allergic to mold, breathing in spores can also cause asthma attacks.
In addition to people with allergies and asthma, others who may be more sensitive to the effects of mold include:
- Infants and children
- People with chronic lung disease
Apply The Small Amount Of Vinegar
Vinegar doesnt only enrich the flavor of your pickle, but its pretty handy for killing any mold and taking out the stubborn mildew. To apply that, you can pour a cup of vinegar into the gasket along with your affected clothes.
Turn on the washer for about 10 to 15 minutes. For the rinse process, an extra cup would be added in a few minutes, the whiff will be gone.
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