How to get rid of mold, though, depends on the extent of the problem that you have with it. Some mold issues are very easy to handle, and others, like a black mold infestation, require a professional mold remediator (we have some tips on choosing the right one) to deal with them because of their size and/or severity.

“So, How Do I Get Rid of Mold?”

Knowing how to get rid of mold on your own is a great way to keep costs down and protect your family and pets from the sicknesses that can come from mold exposure. Of course, some removal jobs are too big to tackle on your own. Knowing when to get a professional is important.

For small infestations, cleaning them thoroughly is usually all you need to do. Use a cleaner that’s specifically for mold and mildew, use a bleach solution, or simply use soap and warm water. If you’re cleaning sheetrock or drywall, don’t soak it heavily. That can keep it from drying properly and cause more growth later. Cleaning the moldy area won’t solve the entire problem, though, because you have to stop the spores from coming back.

Fixing Mold Problems Yourself

To do that, you need to find the source of the problem. It could be a leaking pipe, it could be from flood damage or another type of water damage, or it could be just a buildup of moisture in a kitchen or bathroom where there’s a problem with proper ventilation. Finding the problem and fixing it has to be done – and you might need to get a professional to fix it for you.

Simple things like tightening a loose pipe fitting are easy for a homeowner to handle, but if you have more serious issues or you need an exhaust vent put in so you can get the moisture out of your bathroom or kitchen, it’s best to call in a professional. That way, you’ll know the job is done right.

Calling a Mold Remediator

Sometimes mold removal is too big of a job for a homeowner to handle. If that’s the case for you, you can call a mold remediator. They know how to get rid of mold, and they can help you by making sure mold is removed from your house and the problem that caused it is taken care of. It’s a great way to get larger infestations removed and keep them from coming back in the future.

Suspect a leak?

It really doesn’t take much for mold to start growing. If you see it, especially if it’s black mold, you’ll want to do two things: remove it, and prevent it from coming back. To get rid of the problem, you need to get rid of the source of the moisture. Check carefully for leaks, and for places where moisture and wetness collect. Along the edges of sinks, tubs, and showers are important places to check. You’ll also want to make sure that the pipes under the sink or for the shower or tub aren’t leaking.

If you notice a leak, have it fixed right away. If you don’t have a vent fan in your bathroom – especially one near the shower area – it can be worthwhile to have one installed. If it’s used when the shower is running it’ll take a lot of the moisture out of the bathroom. Just leave it on until you get ready to leave the room, and you should help avoid any mold problems that way. Those kinds of things will help prevent mold from coming back, but they won’t get rid of the issue that you already have. If it’s black mold, it can easily make you sick. Getting rid of it is important.

“What if I only have a small area that needs remediation?”

You can clean small areas of mold with a soap and water solution and a sponge. Make sure to clean the area thoroughly and get all the infestation. It doesn’t take much for mold to return, and even a few spores can start it growing again. If the area isn’t wet when you start to clean it, the spores can get into the air and spread throughout the house. Make sure to dampen the area if the mold is dry. You can also use bleach when cleaning, but you’ll need to be very careful what surfaces you use it on. Bleach can damage a lot of different things.

After you’ve cleaned the black mold, rinse the area thoroughly and make sure it dries completely. You can use a fan or a hair dryer to give yourself some peace of mind. That way, you won’t be risking more mold because you got the area wetter than it was before. Black mold grows quickly, so keep an eye on the area you cleaned for a few days and see if you notice the mold coming back. If you do, it might be time to call in a professional.

What You Don’t Know Can Hurt

The spores of black mold float in the air, and they’re too small to see. If you breathe them in and they start to make you sick, you should never assume that they will go away on their own. The mold will spread, and the problem will only become worse. Knowing what black mold is and what kinds of problems the spores will cause in the human body are both very important, so that the symptoms can be recognized and addressed in a home or a business.

Understanding The Symptoms

Symptoms of black mold include watering and irritated eyes, sneezing, runny nose, chronic fatigue, chronic coughing, and headaches. It can also produce nausea and vomiting, and extreme cases of exposure can cause bleeding in the nose and lungs. Most people are treated for the problem before it becomes too serious, but some people are more sensitive to black mold than others.

“I’ve got the symptoms! What do I do now?”

If you or your loved ones or coworkers are experiencing any of these symptoms on a consistent basis, you may be exposed to black mold without realizing it. If that’s the case, you should find the problem and have it taken care of quickly, before symptoms become any worse. A professional mold remediator (learn how to choose the right one) should be the one to treat the mold, and people with symptoms should be seen by their doctor, just to rule out any serious concerns.

Get It Cleaned While You’re Gone

Once a person with symptoms gets away from the black mold spores, the symptoms should clear up in a short amount of time. While that person is away, a professional mold remediation company can come in and address the black mold problem. The mold is often seen from water damage, but it can also appear anywhere that stays wet a lot, such as in a kitchen or bathroom, or somewhere that has a leaky pipe.

Under a sink is a common place for black mold (learn about where mold grows), or along the baseboard where a washing machine sits. It can also be found in the corners of bathrooms where the dampness from the shower lingers too long. Businesses can get black mold in the bathrooms, around the water cooler, or in the employee kitchen.

Beware of Water Damage

If water damage has occurred on the property (learn how to remove it) – if it’s been flooded, for example – black mold could be anywhere. A professional mold remediator may have to remove the drywall, treat the wooden beams in the walls, and replace the drywall with new materials in order to ensure that the mold problem is stopped. While that can be expensive, it is well worth the trouble to have it done, especially when the health and safety of a family or a business may be at stake.

Stay tuned for more as we expand this guide.

What is mold?

Mold is a fungus. It grows from tiny spores that float in the air. When these spores land in a moist, temperate environment they grow and multiply. The range of what they find temperate is large, from between 40 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. That includes most damp areas in any home.

Signs of Mold

The most recognizable type of mold fungus is mildew. Mildew is generally a surface problem and easy to eliminate using any product containing bleach.

Many times mold problems are undetectable until surface staining or a strong, musty odor appears. Once you suspect a problem below the surface it’s important to expose the infested area. If it’s a wall, cut away mushy drywall past the point of damage. If you don’t get rid of all the mold, it will just grow back.

Often mold can cause rot to set in. If mold is found in wooden studs or joists these must be treated or replaced.

The most notorious type of mold fungus is black mold. This fungus is highly toxic and must be treated with the utmost care. When dealing with black mold it’s recommended that you get a professional to clean and treat the area.

Mold can be very difficult to categorize without testing, so if you find a high concentration of mold it’s always advisable to have it tested. You can contact a professional in your community or get advice from your local health department.

Cleaning Up The Mess

There are certain safety precautions that should be followed when cleaning out a concentrated area of an infestation. Since spores travel through the air, it’s important to protect the rest of your home when treating an area. These simple precautions can keep you and your family safe.

• Wear old clothing that can be cleaned or disposed of after the project is completed.
• Wear gloves, goggles and a respiratory to avoid inhaling the spores.
• Keep the room isolated from the rest of your home.
• Turn off the heater or air conditioner, and block the air ducts in the infected room.
• Make sure the area is well ventilated to the outside.

The bathroom is more susceptible to mold because of the near constant dampness, so when you decide to makeover your bathroom be sure to do the appropriate inspections to insure that no mold is present. And if there is even the slightest trace found, be sure to take the appropriate measures to get rid of it or you could be facing many issues and even health problems in the future.

Gyp board is simply gypsum sandwiched between paper. Some companies (such as US Gypsum (makers of Humitek) chemically treat the paper in order to make it “mold resistant”. Others eliminate paper entirely and use glass mat facings instead. This makes it harder for mold to adhere to its surface.

Most “mold resistant’ gyp board has been tested according to the ASTM 03273 Stanford Test Method for Resistance to Growth of Mold on the surface of interior coatings in an environment chamber. Products are rated 0 to 10 — 0 being the performance of regular gyp board. Quite a few manufacturers quote high performance under these standards.

What they don’t tell you is that the product is tested for performance for only 30 days. Let’s face it – mold will grow on almost any surface given the right conditions. However, many of us would like our gyp board to be mold resistant for more than 30 days.

Mold resistant gyp board does carry a warranty which usually ranges from a warranty for no defects at time of shipment up to a 3 year warranty on manufacturer’s defects. However, they have no specific warranty on mold resistance. As a matter of fact, quite the opposite is true. Manufacturers will frequently cover themselves legally by printing ‘directions’ on their products such as “avoid exposure to excessive, continuous moisture.”
In view of all this, the question arises, “is it worth paying double (around $9.98 per sheet) for the “mold resistant” gyp board when conventional gyp board is going for about $4.98 per sheet?

The answer is a loud and resounding “yes”. Firstly, family and loved ones deserve our best efforts to protect them from mold.

Secondly, for peace of mind knowing that all was done that could be done.

But, just in case, put a good moisture barrier up before putting up the gyp board. If it does eventually grow mold, at least it won’t spread to the studs and insulation.

Pressure treated lumber is often used in building sills for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms. It’s also often used in fixing (sistering) rotted floor joists in old buildings.

Keep in mind that most pressure treated lumber is often wet and mold contaminated (usually with Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp.). If you plan to use it inside (particularly as floor joists,  it’s best to power wash the lumber first.

There is no need to power wash if you plan to use it for exterior decking or exterior stairs, etc.

Here are a few quick tips when renovating:

1. When drywalling, keep drywall at least half inch off the floor.   This will prevent moisture transfer in case of spills.  The baseboard or trim will cover the gap.
2. Paint primer/sealer on back and ends of trim or baseboard.
3. Put a bead of silicone caulking along the bottom and back of baseboard or trim.  This way moisture from floor will not transfer to wall board or “sheet rock”.
4. Spray lacquer on the backs of cabinets before adhering them to the wall.  It dries quickly and forms a moisture seal.
5. Avoid fiberglass floor insulation above damp crawl spaces.   It provides the perfect breeding ground for mold.  Instead, use solid board insulating foam which holds less moisture.

These simple steps will help maintain a healthy home.

Enter the code “turkeyday” at checkout for 20% off. If you haven’t given their products a try, now’s a good time.

Get started by taking a look at their Organic Mold Shield.

Know of any other mold fighting sales going on over the holidays? Leave a message in the comments and I’ll be happy to add it in.

Jonathan Wold
MoldBlogger.com

Answer

• 5 Levels of Mold Remediation
• 12 Tips to Prevent Moisture and Mold

You’ve done well in trying to increase ventilation. Your most difficult problem is that half the flat is underground, which makes sunlight and airflow extremely difficult or impossible to get down there. If there is anything you can do, even if that means putting more windows in, to create better airflow or increased sunlight – definitely do it. You could also try putting an industrial strength fan in to aid in overall ventilation. The dehumidifier that you’re using is good as well.

Bleach is a good “extra” additive to do when trying to perform home mold remediation, but should not be used as the sole fighting ingredient. I would recommend getting a product that specifically deals with mold removal, like Concrobium, etc.

Another option you might want to look into is hiring a professional mold remediator. Also try to figure out the reason for mold growth. Is it the overall weather in your area? Is it because of a chronic leak? Or is it because the house is underground and away from immediate sunlight?

Depending on the reason, remediation can cost a significant amount of money to complete. Have you considered moving? Is that even possible? You need to evaluate your overall health and well-being as well as prioritize your options.

If you have any questions about what I’ve said, feel free to e-mail me back.

I wish you the best as you fight your personal battle with mold.

Joslyn Wold
MoldBlogger.com
Jasper, IN

Are you a present homeowner, or considering buying your first home? Because buying a home is one of the most important investments you will make in your lifetime, it is just as important to make sure you’re making a GOOD investment without having to deal with mold problems in the future.

So how can you tell your home, or prospective home is contaminated with mold?

According to Michael Pugliese, author of “The Homeowner’s Guide to Mold,” there are 2 general indicators that a home may be mold infested :

• A Musty Smell (Approximately 90 % of homes with mold have this)
• Evidence of a water leak or condensation

What Kinds of Questions Should I Ask?

When buying a home, it is important to find out from the previous owner or realtor if there has ever been moisture or mold problems. Know this kind of information before signing any contracts or paying for your home.

Pugliese in his same book, also lists 16 questions that can guide the conversation with your realtor to get all of the important information :

• What is the condition of the home’s roof? How old is it? Has it ever been replaced or patched? If the roof was replaced because of leaking, how long had it leaked?
• Have you had a chimney, dormer, vent pipe, or other flashing repairs done?
• Have you had window casings or trim replaced?
• Have you had any repairs made to your siding?
• Have you ever replaced the hot water heater? When? Was it due to leaks?
• How is your air conditioning unit functioning? Have you ever had any condensation line or pump back up?
• Is the heating and/or central air conditioning system in the crawlspace or attic? If so, has it ever leaked?
• Has the dishwasher ever overflowed?
• Have any of the sinks or toilets leaked?
• Has the refrigerator or icemaker ever leaked water?
• Has the washing machine ever leaked, backed up, or overflowed?
• Have you ever had sewage back up?
• Have you ever had a broken pipe anywhere in the house?
• Have you ever had flooding throughout the home?
• Have you had any problems with moisture in your crawlspace?
• Have you replaced the shower unit or tile? (Shower leaks share top billing for causes of water damage)

Already a Homeowner?

You should know most if not all of these questions. Ask yourself each question, and if any of the above have been a problem it may be a good idea to test and think about remediation procedures.

Further Recommended Reading :

• Economical Changes That Can Be Made to Prevent Mold
• Top 3 Sources of Water Damage and Tips to Avoid Them

Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team

Source: Pugliese, Michael. “The Homeowner’s Guide to Mold.” 15-17.

One of the most important necessities mold needs to grow, is water.

It does not take a whole lot of water, just a small amount of condensation or moisture will do the trick.

The conclusion then, is that if moisture is prevented or eliminated, the chances of mold growth decrease greatly.

In Vicki Lankarge’s book “What Every Home Owner Needs to Know About Mold & What to Do About It”, she gives 12 tips that can prevent the collection of moisture from a few different sources.

12 Moisture Prevention Tips

• Vent bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture generating sources to the outside.
• Use air conditioners and dehumidifiers.
• Increase ventilation throughout the home.
• Use exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
• Fix plumbing leaks immediately.
• Keep your home’s exterior painted.
• Keep flower beds away from exterior walls so the soil doesn’t touch your home’s siding
• Don’t wet walls with lawn sprinklers for a long period of time. This can allow the fungus to from rhizomorphs, so even when the sprinklers are off, the decay continues.
• Make sure the grade of your lawn slopes away from your home and there is adequate drainage. You don’t want water form sprinklers or heavy rain to pool around your home.
• Don’t pile wood or other debris in crawl spaces or against the side of your house.
• Further inspect your home if you see evidence of bugs such as roaches or termites. Remember where you have bugs, you have water.
• Further inspect your home if you see evidence of the fungus. Remember: The fungi can be tricky. The place where you see the fungus may not be the point of origin.

Moisture -> Mold’s Best Friend

If you fall these 12 simple tips, the chances of mold growth in your home will be severely minimized.

Prevention is always the best answer. If a problem is prevented, you will never have to deal with the consequences.

Further Recommended Reading :

• Top 3 Sources of Water Damage & Tips to Avoid Them
• Popular Mold Prevention Products

Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team

Source: Lankarge, Vicki. “What Every Home Owner Needs to Know About Mold & What to Do About It.” 37-38.