All About Mold Removal

Tag: "mold damage"

What Mold Damage Can Do to You and Your Home

[ 2 ] June 20, 2010

Mold Damage

Mold is natural. It exists in nature, and is sometimes eaten and used to create food. But some mold is dangerous and can cause all kinds of mold damage. Toxic mold grows indoors where they eat up wood, carpets and walls. They can cause toxic responses from people exposed and could hurt the health of the people in the house.

Mold is Natural

Mold presence in the home is nothing new. It has been around forever, and most homeowners do mold removal at some time or another. It is of vital importance that as a homeowner, you should not ignore symptoms of a mold infestation in your home. You should understand what type of damage can result from not dealing with this problem.

Items in your home can be destroyed. Organic materials, like paper and wood can be practically taken over by an infestation. If black spots start to develop in your home, you probably have a black mold infestation.

Possible Sickness

Mold can also trigger attacks on people with asthma who are exposed to them. Furthermore, numerous health problems could develop. They include: abdominal pain, bladder and kidney pain, breathing difficulties, nasal congestion, recurring colds, choking, skin rashes, dizziness, vision problems, sneezing, diarrhea and even death.

It’s important to note that these cases are extreme. People have become seriously ill, but it’s rare. Usually, the most that happens is a person might develop a rash or experience allergies. In any case, it’s not good to have any type of sickness. Even if it’s something minor, solving the problem will be a relief.

Home Repair Expenses

Mold can deteriorate and decompose matter. If you’re not careful, it will destroy everything it feeds on around your house. You could end up paying thousands of dollars in repairs for structural damage. There are instances where a small crack in the shower allowed water to drain down one wall and into the house and it cost thousands of dollars in correcting the water damage mold problem.

After learning more about the mold damages that can occur in your home, you should take measures to control the problem. It might be more important than you realize. Bear in mind that people have different reactions to mold. Some people can tolerate it better than others. So while it may not bother you, someone else could get seriously ill.

It is always best to keep your home dry and clean as much as possible. Find and repair any leaks. Dry the bathroom after you take a shower or bath to help reduce bathroom mold. And remove any mold you find on the surface. If you suspect the mold is toxic, contact a professional to test the mold. Only do this if someone has become sick, and you suspect that mold is the reason.

The most effective way to make your home mold-free is to control the moisture in your home. Air filtration can help in reducing mold spores in the air, but that’s not enough. Controlling the moisture in your house is the best way to prevent mold damage.

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Drywall Mold and What To Do About It

[ 0 ] April 20, 2010

Drywall Mold

Drywall mold can create a lot of unnecessary health problems and structural damage if it is left untreated for even a short amount of time. Black mold, which is generally associated with this type of damage, gives off corrosive gases that can become extremely toxic to your health. That’s why it’s very important that homeowners remove the mold damage immediately before the problem become severe.

So if you’re seeing little black spots on your walls, you’ll need to take the steps necessary to eliminate the water damage mold and make your home a safe environment once again. And to help you get started on your mold removal process, here’s what you need to know.

First, assess the situation and make sure what’s on your walls in really a fungus. One of the most common signs that there are molds growing on your walls is by taking a whiff. If the results are a musty smell, then you’ve got a mold problem. Another sign is by checking for a source. Is there moisture or some form of water damage? Do the walls feel damp or cold to the touch? If so, you’ve got mold.

Once you know you really have a problem, you’ll need to figure out whether or not the damage is extreme (more than 10 square feet), which will require professional services or minimal (less than 10 square feet), which you can take on yourself.

If you know the job is one you can do yourself, you’ll need to gather some safety supplies including rubber gloves, goggles and a respiratory paper surgical mask. Without these items you will be exposing your health to the dangers of the mold since their spores can quickly and easily travel at the slightest touch.

Other supplies you will need include an exacto knife, clean rags, a sandpaper, scrub brush, patch kit for drywall and a mold cleaner designed to specifically remove toxic mold.

Next you’ll want to remove the areas of the wall where the mold is present because you cannot clean this particular type of wall. After removing the contaminated areas, you’ll need to sand over any wooden joints where is was attached to the moldy wall to remove any traces of the toxic fungus.

Once the areas are sanded, you’ll need to use a cleaner that will penetrate into the wood’s surface and kill the mold permanently. Mold cleaners can be found at most hardware and farming stores, as well as discount stores.

After you’ve applied the product and followed the manufacturer’s directions, you’ll need to let the area thoroughly dry and then apply the patch kit to repair the damaged area of the wall. And you’re done.

Remember, the sooner you remove the drywall mold, the less the damage will be. However, in some instances the damages can become hidden and once that happens a professional is generally needed to correct the situation and make your home safe once again. So please don’t skip the help when it’s needed, your health and home both depend on it.

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