It is important to be informed about mold in your homes so that you can take the appropriate measures to deal with it and gurantee your family’s health safety

>  Specialist cleaning products to keep mold at bay. Click here

Spores. They almost sound like alien invaders from a 1950′s sci-fi movie — “Attack of the Killer Spores!” But that description may not be too far off the mark.

Mold is dangerous

It can be more prevalent and can cause more health problems than termites, carbon monoxide, asbestos, or radon.

In fact, It is everywhere and impossible to get rid of in nature.

According to the EPA website,

“There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and their spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor growth is to control moisture.”

From one third to one half of all buildings in the United States have the damp conditions necessary to facilitate its growth, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Moldy growth and its spores can cause serious health problems and, in the case of someone with mold sensitivities, even death. Many people are vaguely aware of the health concerns but most do not know that it can also cause serious damage to a house or building (similar to a termite infestation.) When it comes to protecting your family and your home, fighting and preventing it should be at the top of every homeowner’s list.

> Keep your home dry  use a dehumidifier  Click here

> Clear spores from the air  use an air purifier. Click here

What are molds?

The simple answer: They are part of the fungi kingdom, similar to yeasts or mushrooms (the antibiotic Penicillin is actually a mould.)

Mould is a living organism, a part of nature, and even has a beneficial function – it breaks down all of our dead organic matter.

It reproduces by releasing tiny spores, invisible to the naked eye, into the air. These spores land in moist areas and begin to grow and spread. While there are hundreds of thousands of varieties, none would exist without the presence of moisture, air, and something to feed on. Since it will always exist outdoors, it is important to control the one ingredient a homeowner doesn’t need inside the house – moisture.

This unpleasant fungus can grow on rotting wood, grass, weeds, and compost piles. The problem is that it can also grow where you don’t want it to – indoors.

It can be found on food or clothing, in bathrooms and attics and damp basements, on carpeting, and even inside the walls of a house

Fungus can feed on the wood in the wall, breaking down the materials as it spreads unseen throughout a house. As the it digests organic material, it continues to spread to find new food sources.

Spotting growth colonies can be easy, if the mold colony is visible. It comes in a variety of colors (including white, black, green, gray, brown, and more), bunching as spots or discolorations. If  not visible, someone may not recognize it is present until it is late in the process. People discover it when there is physical damage to a structure or an increase in musty smells. Sometimes problematic growth is not found until it is too late. Whenever a house or building has an overexposure to moisture, it is important to inspect forthis problem.

Moisture overexposure can come from many sources, including:

• Floods
• Roofs or basements that leak
• Irrigation or fire sprinklers
• Shower or bath water
• Sink or sewer overflow
• Humidifiers
• Plumbing leaks

Why should I worry ?

There are two main reasons to worry about the spread of mold in a building. The most important consideration -  health problems. The second consideration -  property damage. Frank Foreman, President & CEO of NO ODOR, Inc, a remediation company, believes mold is coming to the forefront because everyone is learning that its damage can affect property value.

Health issues

Let’s start with the health issues. Molds produce allergens that can cause reactions such as sneezing, runny noses, even asthma attacks in those allergic to it. It can even cause irritation to the nose, throat, lungs, and eyes to those who are not allergic. Certain molds can also release toxins (mycotoxins) that cause more serious problems.

According to the Mold Help Organization, exposure to these mycotoxins could cause people “to suffer from a myriad of serious symptoms and illnesses such as chronic bronchitis, learning disabilities, mental deficiencies, heart problems, cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple chemical sensitivity, bleeding lungs and much more” (http://www.mold-help.org/content/view/478/).

Because many people are not as aware or concerned about the health threats, it is also important to consider the damage it can cause to property. Everyone tends to pay more attention to a problem when it affects the wallet. A home or business is the largest investment most people have. A colony or colonies can cause severe devastation.

>  Get rid of spores with an air purifier or a  dehumidifier

According to the EPA website,

“If you already have a  problem – act quickly. Mold damages what it grows on. The longer it grows, the more damage it can cause”

(http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldcleanup.html).

Moulds can cause structural damage to a building, because it feeds on and breaks down the organic matter (wood, mostly) within the structure. When it grows in the walls, on insulation, or under carpeting, these items must be removed from the building. In addition to the damage caused to the building, molds may destroy personal items in the home. It can attach to personal property which may be very difficult or impossible to clean. Often the item will have to be destroyed because it cannot be completely removed.

What can be done about it?

For the most part, since it is everywhere, it is impossible to completely avoid all indoor molds.

The key to prevention is to control the moisture levels indoors

> Use a dehumidifier. Click here to view

> Use an air purifier. Click here to view

The EPA website states,

“If there is growth in your home, you must clean it up and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don’t fix the water problem, then, most likely, the problem will come back” (http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldbasics.html).

For small areas, usually a mouldy section of 9 to 10 square feet, the home or business owner can usually clean up the section themselves. For larger areas, it is important to hire a professional mold removal contractor to make sure the problem is taken care of safely.

If you have a small patch of black, green or gray colored spots, Frank Foreman, of No Odor, Inc., has a smart tip to determine whether or not it is mold: put some hydrogen peroxide on the growth and watch the reaction. Almost everyone has one of those brown bottles of the 3% hydrogen peroxide solution in their medicine cabinet, so he suggests putting it in a clean spray bottle and spraying the colored spots. If the solution runs down the wall and there is no reaction, then the spots are not growths  (it could possibly just be dirt.) Since mould is a living organism, when sprayed with the hydrogen peroxide, there will be an oxidation process. If you hit it and the growth starts to foam up with white foam, then you know you are dealing with mold.

For small amounts, many sources recommend using a combination of water and detergent to clean the moldy surfaces. However, Frank Foreman recommends using only products that are approved by the EPA to kill mold. He further states that care and precaution need to be taken when doing the cleanup by an individual.

>  Wear a breathing mask  Find here

>  Use mold killing products. Find here

“It is a living organism and it can travel easily when disturbed. Someone may wash away half of it and the other half might release spores that can escape to another source of moisture in the home. Or worse, into the A/C or heating system which can spread mold spores to every room in the house,” claims Foreman.

Spores can escape into the A/C or heating system

Foreman also suggests that someone with a problem should really educate themselves before hiring a professional. “The mold removal industry is completely unregulated. There are no federal, state, or local regulations that govern removal professionals.” This means, according to Foreman, with no standards, there is no way to prove the job was done or that it is done right. “Only seventy to eighty percent of all mold removal jobs are done right, which means the property owner is going to have residual problems.”

He says that it is important to shop around, to get references, and to scan the Internet to learn as much as possible about the subject. “Education is the key. Learn the basics so you can talk to the remediation expert and you’ll have a good idea if he or she really knows what they’re doing.”

Removal methods

Mold removal methods vary from company to company. But the process can be complicated and expensive. For example, if a 10′ x 10′ bedroom has two infested walls, it may be necessary to seal off that portion of the house, remove all wall boards until there are no more visible signs of growth. Next, the remediation pro will have to hand sand it away . Then, a mold killing detergent will be washed over the surface.

The exposed area will then be HEPA vacuumed to remove remnant spores. After the area is tested to make sure there is none left, new walls will have to be built back up and painted. As you can see, the process can be time consuming and very expensive. However, to save on excessive destruction, some professionals have been employing fiber optic technology to view within the walls or ceilings, looking for growth, before tearing down all the drywall.

Water damage

If you have had a flooding problem or a major water leak, it is also important to contact your insurance company. Many do not know that insurance may cover the mold removal as well.

However, most insurance companies are starting to put limits on removal coverage (sometimes keeping caps at $5000 to $10,000.) While it may sound like a lot of money, the insurance company will be giving you money to fix the damage and remove the mold.

The process may cost more than repairing the damage caused by the water.

For example, if the roof of a house comes off during a storm and causes water damage to the house, the insurance company may give a lump sum to cover the repairs to the roof, the damage inside, and the mold problem. By accepting their lump sum, you have to pay to replace the roof and damage from water but the money also has to cover the costs to remove the mould that may come days, weeks, or months later.

How can I prevent it from coming back?

Once you have removed the entire infestation from your property, it is still important to control moisture levels in the structure.

> Use a dehumidifier. Click here to view

> Use an air purifier. Click here to view

Prevention methods

• If there is any kind of flooding, it is imperative you remove the water within 24 to 48 hours.
• Whenever possible, move wet items to a dry, well-ventilated place or outside to speed up the drying process. Remove drywall up to the height of the water level. Remove carpeting as soon as possible.
• Keep the indoor humidity low. If possible, keep below 60 percent relative humidity.
• If condensation or moisture collects on windows, walls or water pipes, dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.
• Keep gutters clean and make sure water drains away from the building to prevent it from collecting around the foundation.
• Run or install venting fans in high moisture areas, like the bathroom.
• Run a dehumidifier in moist areas, such as a basement or bathroom.
• Ventilating areas can help reduce moisture, as well as keeping the temperature up or the air conditioner on. However, aim the air conditioning vents away from the condensing surfaces to prevent cold spots where moisture condensation can occur.
• Adding thermal insulation to walls, ceilings, and pipes can help, too (in fact, rust spots on any water pipes could be an indication there is too much moisture in a room. Adding insulation to the pipes is a good idea.)

Mouldy outbreaks can be a very serious problem in homes and businesses and it is important to take care of the problem as soon as possible. The consequences to health and property can be severe. While remediation can be expensive, the damage it can cause could be even worse. Frank Foreman has seen many cases where it is actually cheaper for the homeowner to knock down and rebuild an entire house rather than remove the existing infestation.

Keep in mind some of the potential signs of it growing within a property:

• Unexplained discoloration on a surface
• Musty or earthy odor
• Dark spots on or around vents
• Water stains anywhere
• Peeling or curling of floors or wallpaper

Do your homework and hire a professional to handle even moderate problems as soon as possible. If one is not sure where to look for a removal and remediation specialist, there are services that can help everyone find a local professional. One example would be the service provided by ConstructionDeal.com – they have a network of pre-screened removal companies and one can register any mold problem for free. Simply visit www.constructiondeal.com and they can help anyone find a local  removal specialist today.

Whenever a home or business owner believes there are signs of mold growth within their property, he or she should contact a professional as soon as possible to avoid future problems or costs.

Attack those “Killer Spores” before your own personal home invasion gets any worse.

Author: Timothy Clark http://www.constructiondeal.com/pub/customer/article/MoldInvasion.pub

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/invasion-of-the-mold-spores-633321.html

About the Author:

Tim Clark Marketing Director Construction Deal, Inc. 818-657-8002
866-663-4711

Here is a list of further sources of information from other blogs that you may want to read and review

Radon and molds – InspectionNews – Home Inspection

Since I’m new to this Profession how and where can I get certification for Molds and Radon Inspections?

New Britain Black Mold Inspection (860) 248-4376 – Flood Control

blog for: Flood Control of New Britain. title: New Britain Black Mold Inspection (860) 248-4376. Preview: Fogging Helps in Mold Remediation Several mold remediation companies have come into existence today that offers professional…

Why to Get an Inspection

Professional inspectors test for mold in several ways. First, the professionals visually inspect each area of the house for obvious signs of growth. Inspectors also test moisture levels in the air to determine if the home is a …

Fort Meade: Soldiers Living in Condemned Buildings – Infested with mold

The second thing they did was paint over it. I’m not an expert, but I don’t think painting over the mould is enough.

New Canaan Black Mold Inspection – Flood Control of

Flood Control of New Canaan. title: New Canaan Black Mold Inspection (203) 347-4875. Preview: What to Wear and What to do During Removal

Technorati Tags: homes, how to, in, kill, killing, mold, mould, pictures, products, your home

Some molds cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. And a few molds, in the right conditions, produce “mycotoxins,” poisonous substances that can make people sick.

When it comes to the question of mold on food, there are actually quite a few different things that need to be known.

For one, mold is a fungus that grows on plants and in damp areas, and while most types of mold are generally harmless, there are some known as toxic mold which can be extremely dangerous and which can result in anything from coughs and colds to fibromyalgia.

When you see mold on food, a question that is often asked is, is it safe to cut off the moldy part and use the rest of the food? For an answer to this question, look beneath the surface of the food to where the molds have taken root. You only see part of the mold on the surface. what you may not see are the “root” threads that are more deeply entrenched.

Molds have roots like very thin threads and these can be difficult to see when the mold is growing on food. They may go  deeper into the food than you can see. Besides this, some foods that are moldy may also contain invisible bacteria growing alongside the mold and this can result in the spread of toxins, dangerous to health.

As well when it comes to the question of what is mold, it is important to know that a lot of the times you will not even notice that mold has developed in your home until months or even years down the road, unless you purposely keep an eye out for it and take the proper steps to ensuring a safe and mold-free home.

Make Steps to Prevent Molds:

If you have found mold on food, then you need to get to work on getting rid of it as soon as possible. Mold is not only unattractive to look at but as well can be extremely dangerous to the health of you and your family. There are a few things that you are going to need to know if you want to know how to kill mold.

Mold protection is basically when you would take the proper steps and precautions in order to attempt at keeping your house free from mold. For instance you will always want to check around your house, especially in the basement, to look for any areas with lots of moisture or dampness, or where leaks have sprung and there is water damage.

Get Rid of Mold on Food as soon as Possible:

There are many different types of mold in food. There is black mold, white mold, brown mold and more. They are commonly named due to the color that they are. Black mold is often immediately mistaken for the deadly mold that produces mycotoxins. Not all black molds produces mycotoxins but most Stacybotrys Atra mold is colored black.

We can usually find many different types of mold on food in any house. Mold spores are floating in the air even as we speak and these are invisible to the human eye. When the area of black mold growth is wet, the mold takes a slimy appearance with a greenish black tinge of color

The best way to get rid of mold would be to inspect the entire area and see if the damage is extensive or relatively small. If the mold colony is still small you can do the mold removal on your own. There are several things that you need to keep in mind when removing molds. You must not physically touch them with bare skin so wear gloves and you must be careful inhaling in their vicinity. Please wear a mask when trying to remove mold.

By: Judy Wellsworth Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

You can also find more info on symptom of toxic and sensitive to mold. ToxicBlackMoldHelp.org is a comprehensive resource to help individuals to test and inspect, identify health symptoms and removal of toxic black mold.

How Can You Protect Yourself and Your Food from Mold Invasion?

• Keep it covered to prevent exposure to mold spores in the air. You can do this by, for example, using clingfilm or aluminium foil to cover foods you want to keep fresh

• Store opened packages and canned foods in clean airtight storage containers in the refrigerator

• Don’t consume perishables that have been left out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours

• Use any food leftovers within a few days so that mold doesn’t have a chance to grow.

Here are a few more sites you can visit with information about mold

Home Remedies: Detect and Prevent Toxic Mold in the Home

Mold can feed on old food left out or grime that has built up in the corners or tile cracks. Check windows to ensure that they are properly insulated and that condensation is not building up between the panes.

Safe and Effective Mold Removal

However, some mold spores are very dangerous, and if you suspect you have discovered toxic mold, contact a professional mold removal service immediately. Toxic molds have been responsible for human illness for hundreds of years. … Molds are dangerous because they produce secondary metabolites such as antibiotics and mycotoxins, which is a poisonous substance produced by a fungus. Mold was primarily believed to be thought of as a contaminant in food

Dangers of Mold

A dynamic author and speaker, Dr. Group focuses solely on spreading the message of health and wellness to the global community with the philosophy of full body cleansing, pure clean organic food, water, air, exercise and nutritional … Homeowners concerned about mold in their homes may want to check out the remarkable research on toxic mold removal done by environmental expert Dr Ed Close. 

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