Mold Removal Review

All About Mold Removal

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What Is a Mold Test?

August 11th, 2010 · Mold Testing

Mold Test

A mold test is a process that detects the growth of mold in a home or building. It can be done in any type of building, including your home. The test might not tell you what type of mold you have or where you can find it. However, the test will alert you to the presence of mold in your home.

You can request a mold test by contacting a local mold inspection company. They will come to your home and perform the test. You can also order a mold testing kit from a lab. The lab will either send someone to perform the test or send you a testing kit. If they send a kit, you have to collect samples following the instructions included with the kit.

Mold Testing Facts

You should understand some things before deciding to perform one of these tests. First, mold is usually present in all homes. Most of it is harmless, so there’s no need to panic if the test is positive. A positive reading doesn’t mean you are in danger.

Second, the mold test simply takes a sample that determines if mold is present. This means the test usually will not indicate if you have a serious problem or not. If toxic mold is present, the test will not tell you if toxins are actually in the air.

Why Have a Mold Test?

People request these tests for a number of reasons. If you suspect sickness in your family is the result of mold, then a test is a good idea. A mold test is also helpful if you want to sue someone for selling or renting you a contaminated home. The test may provide the evidence you need.

Unfortunately, the tests are not always accurate. They vary in quality, and can be a waste of money if you really don’t need it. It’s also not necessary to test if you can clearly see the contamination. If you’re bringing legal action against someone, you can simply take pictures of the contamination as evidence.

If you see the mold contamination, you can do the mold removal job on your own if it’s confined to a small area. If the contamination is in a large area, it will be harder to eliminate. For instance, if an entire wall in your home is contaminated, then that indicates a big problem. 

Signs You May Need a Mold Test

If your home smells musty, that’s a sign of mold contamination. Find the contamination and remove the mold. You also should find out the source of moisture that allowed the problem to develop. Once you discover the answer, fix the problem as soon as possible. If you don’t, the same problem will keep reoccurring even after initial cleaning.

Mold testing in the home is generally needed only if you’re worried about toxic mold. Perhaps the home has a history of contamination, and you want to make sure it hasn’t redeveloped. Perhaps you’re worried that by removing the mold, you may be at risk of inhaling or spreading dangerous spores. In any case, think carefully before ordering a mold test.

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Mold Removal Company Information You Can Use

July 30th, 2010 · mold removal

Mold removal is one service you hope you never need. If you do need professional help, then that means your mold contamination problem is serious. No one wants to deal with that in a home or place of business. You should not hesitate to call a mold removal company if you really need one. However, there are some things to consider before placing that call.

First, think about whether or not you really need the help. These companies are generally for large mold infestations. A small bathroom with a few patches of mold does not require professional cleaning.

You should have the ability to handle a small job. Buy some rubber gloves and mold remover from a local store. Follow the instructions on the mold cleaner, and proceed to clean the room on your own.

If your problem is more than you can handle, then that is when you call for help. How do you know when help is necessary? Here are some clues. If the walls and ceiling are completely black with growths, then you need help.

If you or anyone in your home is sick from breathing the air, then you need help. Finally, call for help if more than one room is dripping in mold.

Contacting a Mold Removal Company

There are con artists in every business imaginable, including mold removal. If you research online, you will find horror stories from families conned into paying for unprofessional removal services. You can avoid becoming a statistic by doing your research first.

The best place to start is by asking for personal referrals. Ask among friends, family and coworkers. They might have experience with a particular company. The people you ask might even know other people with personal experiences. This is the best way to find out about a company’s reputation. In fact, you should try to get the name of two or three companies. That way, you have options about which one to choose.

Your next option is to search online for a local company. You can learn a lot about a company by searching online. Most company websites include just about everything you’d want to know. The services they offer, the prices, how they work and more is usually listed on a website.

You can also search online to see if anyone has anything bad to say about the company. Unsatisfied customers don’t mind talking, and they always talk on the internet.

An optional step is checking the company with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). If anyone has complained about the company, the complaint will be on file with the BBB. You can find out exactly what happened, why the customer complained and what the company did about it.

You want a reliable mold removal company that will do the job right. When you find a reliable company, give them a call. Explain your situation and go from there.

The company will probably send a representative out to inspect your home. This is the only way they can tell the true extent of your mold problem. From there, you should receive an estimate on how much time and money the job requires.

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Natural Mold Removal Products You Can Make Yourself

July 23rd, 2010 · Mold Removal Products, Natural Mold Removal

There are dozens of mold removal products on the market. You can walk into any grocery or hardware store and find what you need. With so many options available, deciding what to use can be difficult. Even worse, some of the products contain harsh chemicals. You want to kill the mold, but you don’t want to choke yourself in the process. A solution is to use natural cleaning products. You can make these at home with common household products.

First, you should know that bleach does not kill mold. So if you think bleach will do the trick, you’ve got it wrong. Some ingredients that should work include tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract and vinegar. All three of these items should be easy to find. Check your local grocery or health food store. These items might not work as quickly as a commercial cleaner, but they are better for your health.

Vinegar is the easiest ingredient to obtain. You probably already have some in your kitchen. It’s also the cheapest ingredient of the three. Genuine tea tree oil costs more, and will probably only be available from a health food store. It also has a strong scent that some people dislike. Grapefruit extract is also more expensive than vinegar, but it is odorless.

Vinegar Mixture

Vinegar has a million uses. Homeowners have used it for years to remove mold. You can use white distilled vinegar alone or mix it with water. Put the mixture into a spray bottle, saturate the moldy area, let it sit for an hour and then wipe it away. The smell is strong, but it doesn’t last too long.

Tea Tree Oil

If you can stand the smell, tea tree oil is known as a great mold removal ingredient. You mix a few teaspoons of the oil with at least one cup of water. Put the mixture into a spray bottle and shake it well. Spray the mixture directly onto the mold. Do not rinse the mixture off the wall. Let it sit for at least thirty minutes, and then wipe it away with a sponge or rag. Keep in mind that tea tree oil has a strong scent. It may take a day or two for the odor to subside. If you dislike the scent, use an alternate cleaning method.
 
Grapefruit Seed Extract

The only advantage of using grapefruit seed extract is the lack of scent. It doesn’t work any worse or better than the other items on the list. If you dislike strong odors, the grapefruit is the best choice. Mix twenty to twenty five drops of the extract into one or two cups of water. Add the ingredients to a spray bottle and spray the contaminated area. Let it sit for at least thirty minutes, then wipe it away with a sponge or cloth.

Mold removal products are readily available. If the products sold in stores don’t appeal to you, it’s possible to make your own. The mixtures mentioned in this article should do the trick.

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How to Kill Mold in Your Home

July 15th, 2010 · mold removal

Mold (fungi) is a threat when it appears in your home. Although most fungi are harmless, there are many incidents of families becoming sick from mold contamination. Perhaps it’s because of increased pollution in the atmosphere or badly constructed homes. Whatever the cause, reports of contamination are on the rise. Homeowners should learn how to kill mold before a dangerous situation develops.

You can get rid of mold easily. It’s not an active organism that you have to chase and catch, like a rodent. It just sits there waiting for you to get rid of it. Stores sell mold cleaning products that contain ingredients that kill all types of fungi. So getting it out of your home can be easy, depending on the situation.

Mold spores can spread during the mold removal process. You should protect other parts of your home during mold cleaning. Covering the door with a piece of heavy plastic can prevent spores from escaping. After you’re done cleaning, open a door or window to properly ventilate the room.

The bad news is mold can reoccur. Wiping it away isn’t the same as killing the problem. The only way to get rid of mold so that it never returns is to change your home’s atmosphere. You must make your home unattractive to fungi.

The first step is to cut off its moisture supply. Many homes have leaky pipes and siding that allows moisture, such as rain to seep inside. Taking care of these problems will reduce your chances of contamination or recontamination.

Poor ventilation is also a problem in humid rooms or climates. That leads to dampness, which encourages mold growth. If your attic or basement smells musty, it means some sort of fungi is growing there. Killing mold requires you to address all of these problems.

Humidity and excess moisture can be controlled with a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier removes some of the moisture from the air. If it’s a model with a HEPA filter, the dehumidifier will also filter the air.

A HEPA filter removes certain allergens from the air, such as spores, dust and pollen. Even if you don’t have mold, dehumidifiers are good for people with allergies. Dehumidifiers are the best things for controlling humidity. A fan is also a good way to circulate the air.

Mold doesn’t grow without a source of water. If humidity isn’t the problem, then you probably have a leak. You can make a visual inspection of your pipes. You may also have to hire a plumber to search inside the walls. If mold grows on a specific spot on the wall, there’s probably a leak behind it.

Floods can also cause fungi growth. If your home floods every time it rains, then you have a serious problem. Get your home checked to discover the source of the flooding. There could be serious structural damage to your home.

Knowing how to kill mold involves more than just washing it away. The steps in this article will help you get started.

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Cleaning Mold from Your Home

July 12th, 2010 · mold removal

Cleaning Mold

No one wants a moldy home. It looks bad, poses a health threat and can cause odors. Cleaning mold from your home should be a priority. However, there are some things to consider before starting the (fungi) mold cleanup process.

First, you need to find out why it’s growing in your home. When you find the answer, fixing the problem is the next step. You might have to inspect your home to discover the source of the problem. It depends on where the fungi are growing.

If the growth is in the bathroom, then you know it is because the bathroom is damp. You need to dry the walls following showers or steam baths. The steam causes moisture to accumulate in the area. Drying wet walls and shower stalls prevents mold from finding a home.

Unfortunately, it’s not always so easy to find the source of the mold problem. The source could be behind a wall, under the floor, hidden in a closet or in another hidden location. This is when you must decide to get help or tackle the project on your own.

A thorough search of the home is necessary. Getting rid of the mold is useless if the problem that created it remains. You must search everywhere because fungi often grow in hidden places. It thrives as long as it has a source of water, adequate food and a nice atmosphere. Places in your home that are damp and closed off are prime spots.

When you locate the problem, fix it immediately. If you don’t, the problem will return until it’s stopped. If the area is damp, get rid of what’s causing the dampness. For example, if a leak in the wall is causing the problem, fix the leak. If your basement is humid, ventilate the area.

You might also have to replace certain items in your home. It’s impossible to clean mold from carpets and drywall. Those items will have to go.

Mold Testing

Mold testing is often not necessary. In many cases, the mold is in a visible spot. If it’s not visible, you may still detect it if it has an odor. If the growth looks slimy and is dark green or black, then testing may be best. You could have a toxic black mold infestation.

Toxic mold requires special care during the mold removal process. You most definitely need a professional cleaning crew.

Mold Removal

You can use a cleaning agent to remove mold from shower curtains, bathroom stalls, walls and windowsills. Mold cleaners are available from stores such as Home Depot and WalMart. Simply follow the instructions on the cleaner, and clean the surface.

Cleaning mold from your home is normally a simple process. In extreme cases, over-the-counter cleaning supplies will not be enough. Plastic sheets may be needed to cover door openings, vents and floors. Facemasks, gloves and goggles may be necessary as well. Assess the situation before performing mold removal in your home. Contacting a cleaning team may be the best solution.

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Toxic Mold Facts You Need to Know

July 12th, 2010 · Types of Mold

Toxic Mold

There are many different types of mold. Most are harmless, but some cause health problems. Toxic mold is one type that makes people and animals sick because it produces mycotoxin. A mycotoxin is a dangerous product produced by some fungi.

Kids, animals and people with allergies normally react negatively to most types of mold. However, mycotoxins are more likely to cause health problems in anyone – even if they are healthy with a strong immune system. Possible health complications include asthma, headaches and rashes. Loss of memory and lung problems is possible as well.

One problem is mold releases spores when disturbed. The spores are invisible to the human eye. They could be anywhere in your home. The spores would remain undetected until they started to grow.

Even if the spores never grow, people can inhale them. If the spores accumulate around the home, anyone visiting will breathe the spore-infested air. In the case of toxic fungi, this is how the spores cause sickness and irritate the lungs.
 
The most common type of toxic mold is called Stachybotrys chartarum. It is recognizable by its greenish-black color and slimy appearance. It grows on moist materials that contain cellulose. Items that contain cellulose include drywall, paper and wood.

This type of fungi doesn’t grow on cement or tile, so you won’t find it on the tile in your bathroom. However, if you have a bathroom window, it can grow on the wooden window frame. It can also grow on the bathroom ceiling.

Even if the mold in your home is not toxic, you still need to get rid of it. The problem will not go away on its own. It will only get worse, and continue to destroy items in your home. Eventually, the air quality will worsen. Your home might even start to smell musty.

Mold Removal

Mold removal is sometimes a complicated process. Removing a small amount from a bathroom is not a big deal. All you need is a mold remover, some gloves and time to complete the task.  It’s not that simple when a large area is involved.

If you need to clean more than 30 square feet of space, a professional is the best idea. That’s a significant amount of space, and special care is required to remove the mold without spreading spores. The goal is to remove the threat, determine its origin and eliminate the problem.

There’s also the matter of the cleaning process. Depending on which method is used, odors and spores may spread. A professional can use barriers made of plastic or other material to block the infected area. The barriers prevent spores from contaminating surrounding areas. After cleaning, the professional can also check to make sure no spores have spread.

Getting rid of toxic mold is a professional job. Doing it yourself is risky because you could spread the spores. Based on what you know about the toxic fungi, you should be able to recognize it. If you think your home is contaminated, contact a professional for help.

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Mold Removal Companies Can Be Expensive

July 12th, 2010 · mold removal

Mold Removal Companies

There are dozens of mold removal companies waiting for your call. That’s understandable, especially since mold removal service isn’t cheap. Nor is it something you should do on a whim. You should only contact one of these companies if you seriously need help. Unless you have money to throw away, wait before calling for professional help. However, you should call for help if you think the situation is serious.

Mold can cause all types of health hazards. Small children, animals, and people with allergies are most often affected. The elderly are at risk as well. Mold exposure can cause breathing problems like asthma. Some people might even develop a rash or bad cough. Constant headaches are also possible. If this is happening to anyone in your home, mold could be the cause.

If the person’s symptoms clear up when they leave the home, that’s a clue the environment is the problem. Even if you don’t see the evidence, the problem could be hidden in the walls or under the floorboards. If you suspect the air in your home is making someone sick, you should inspect your home before calling for outside help.

You might have a simple problem of mold or mildew in the bathroom. Perhaps you have some growing on a basement wall. If you find the source, it’s possible you can also remove it. As long as the problem isn’t too big, cleaning the area should be simple.
Mix distilled vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

Wear rubber or plastic gloves during the process to protect your hands. Saturate the area with the mixture and let it sit for three to four minutes. Get a cloth or sponge and wipe the area clean. That should solve the problem in the case of a small area. 

The rooms most often affected include bathrooms, kitchens and basements. Those areas are often damp and dark, which is the perfect place for all types of fungi to prosper. Look for growths that have an appearance like fur or cotton. The colors are normally green, white or gray. Toxic mold is normally very dark, like black mold. If you suspect it in your home, you need to start considering mold removal companies right away.

You should research any company you plan on using. There have been incidents of unqualified, unscrupulous companies taking people’s money. For complex situations, the cleaning process isn’t simple. The company might have to look inside your walls or under your floorboards. It’s important to get a reliable company.

Look for companies that have at least 2 years in the business. Search for reviews online, check with the Better Business Bureau and ask around town.

Get an estimate before doing business with any mold removal companies. You want good service, but at a reasonable price. Avoid panicking and hiring the first service that responds. You need to take care of the problem, and you must find the right company to get the job done.

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What is Water Damage Mold Remediation?

July 9th, 2010 · Mold Remediation, Water Damage Mold

Water Damage Mold Remediation

Water damage mold remediation is the removal of mold caused by water damage. The process can cost you nothing or it can cost you a lot. It depends on the method of removal you decide to use. Read this article to learn more about mold remediation. You’ll also learn when you can do it on your own and when a professional service is recommended.

The Water Connection

Mold usually grows inside of homes because of water, humidity and condensation. The rooms most affected include the attic, bathroom, basement, wall interior and crawlspace. However, any room is at risk if the conditions are right. All mold needs is a nice damp and dark area to make itself at home.

Do You Need Help?

Mold isn’t always as scary as it seems. It looks frightening, but that’s usually the extent of the trouble.

A small amount of it in your shower or basement isn’t too serious. You can remove it on your own using a mixture of distilled vinegar and baking soda. Mix the ingredients to make a paste. Apply the paste to the problem areas, let it soak and then wipe it off. The mold should easily wash away. If it doesn’t, you can purchase a mold cleaner from a home improvement store.

Cleaning is only the first step in the process. You must also find the source of the problem. That means checking for leaks, places of condensation and humidity. It’s important to keep the area dry. Mold removal does nothing if the bad conditions still exist. You’ll just end up cleaning it away again in a few months.

What happens if you have a serious mold problem? What do you do if your basement looks like a horror film overrun with black slime? You call in a professional mold remediation service.

Is it Dangerous?

First of all, you’ll want to find out if the situation is toxic. It rarely occurs, but toxic black mold is dangerous. You’ll need more than vinegar and baking soda to get rid of it. Professionals should come in and check to make sure the situation isn’t toxic. You want to clean no matter what, but you might need to remove your family from the house.

If it is toxic, you shouldn’t try to remove it on your own. Leave it a professional team that has the proper training and equipment. Some people will say this is unnecessary in a small home. Usually, mold remediation is reserved for buildings such as schools or commercial spaces. However, a small home can have a big problem. If your problem is big, get the help you need.

It’s true that water damage mold remediation isn’t always necessary. That is at least, not in a home. Make sure you need the service before getting involved with anything. If you know the job is too big for you to handle, then ask for help. Otherwise, it’s probably a good idea to take care of the problem on your own.

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Drywall Water Damage Mold Removal

July 8th, 2010 · Water Damage Mold, mold removal

Drywall Water Damage Mold

Water can be a destructive force. It can drown people, ruin property and destroy land. People don’t fear it as much as they fear fire. However, water is a very destructive force of nature. It can really cause serious damage to a home. Even worse, water can lead to mold growth. Drywall water damage mold removal is just one possible expense you’ll pay following water damage.

What is Drywall?

Drywall is used to finish the inside of building walls. In fact, it replaced plaster as the material of choice for finishing walls. On the upside, builders were able to create interesting patterns and decorations into the plaster. On the downside, the plaster method required a great deal of careful planning and skill.

Drywall eventually became popular and plaster took a backseat. Other names for the material include sheetrock, plasterboard and gypsum. There are advantages of using this material instead of plaster. First of all, it’s much easier to install. Just about anyone can learn to finish a wall with drywall. It doesn’t take a lot of skill or planning. Plaster is nowhere near as simple to use.

Sometimes drywall has anti-mildew ingredients added so it won’t attract mold. This isn’t done to all drywall, however. Unfortunately, when it does get infected with mold or mildew it’s impossible to clean. The damaged area must be cut out, thrown away and replaced. Just make sure to check the entire area for more trouble spots. Clean it well before installing new drywall. After you do the procedure once, you never want to do it again.

It might be best to hire a professional to do the job. Unless you know exactly what you’re doing, you could possibly make things worse. If you’ve never performed a big home improvement project, this isn’t the one to start with.

Find the Root of the Problem

What caused the water damage mold in the first place? Was there a leak inside the wall? Is a leak in the roof allowing rain inside? Find out the cause of the damage. Failing to fix the original problem will simply lead to more damage to the wall. Do you want to keep paying to replace a portion of the wall?

If you can’t find the source of the water damage, hire a professional. A home improvement specialist or plumber can check your home for trouble spots. They should also be able to repair any leaks they discover. This may cost you a fair amount, but it’s worth your money to have the repairs done.

Drywall water damage mold is a pain. It completely ruins the material. Then you have to remove and replace the damaged area in order to ensure compete mold removal. This costs you time, money or both. If the damage is already done, there’s nothing to do but fix the problem. If you see signs of a leak, but no mold has grown take precautions to prevent it from happening. Find the source of the leak and repair it as soon as possible.

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Water Damage Black Mold Removal

July 7th, 2010 · Water Damage Mold, black mold, mold removal

Water Damage Black Mold

Mold belongs to a group of fungi that consists of over a million species. Aside from looking bad in your home, most molds don’t cause any problems. However, black mold is a different story. It’s a greenish-black toxic organism, which could result in serious health hazards. You definitely don’t want to see it in your home. Water damage can cause it to grow. Then you have to deal with water damage black mold removal.

Signs of a Toxic Situation
 
Signs of black mold should be something you’re familiar with. Every homeowner should be aware of and take mold removal steps to get rid of this harmful organism. It’s also important to note that just like with any kind of toxin, there are people who are more sensitive than others. People with respiratory disease or allergies should be particularly cautious.

Black mold symptoms vary from person to person. The most common symptoms are difficulty concentrating, light-headedness and headaches. Furthermore, allergy-driven responses are also common such as coughing, watery eyes, throat irritation and sneezing.

Locations

This toxic mold can grow just about anywhere. It’s commonly found in ceiling tiles, water-soaked wood, cardboard and paneling. It can also grow on insulation and drywall, and can grow in walls, ceilings and floors. Basements and bathrooms are the rooms most often affected.

When you are planning to clean up this type of problem, you should first understand the extent of the problem. In fact, it’s a good idea to have your home tested. You can purchase mold testing kits from home improvement stores.

Take the kit home, get a sample of the mold and place it into a container that comes with the kit. Send it off, and a lab tests the sample. You’ll find out if there’s cause for alarm.

Another option is to call a local mold removal company to check your home. That might be easier if you don’t want to deal with collecting samples. The company can inspect your home and provide an idea of the type of mold you have.  However, they’ll probably have to run a test as well. If you do have a toxic problem, the company will tell you how to proceed.

If possible, children should be sent away from the place before proceeding to clean up the mold. Spores can get into the air and into the children’s lungs. Additionally, any person who is involved in the cleaning and eradication process should wear protective clothing, mask and gloves. Seal the room off from the rest of the house if possible.

Your main concern should be with water damage black mold removal. Even if there are other damages to the area, you can probably put them on hold. Getting rid of the water damage mold should be your first priority. Cleaning can be a long and tedious process, but it’s worth the trouble.

You and your family will breathe easier knowing the threat has been eliminated. To avoid further problems, keep your home clean and dry. That’s the perfect way to stop mold before it starts.

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