There is quite a bit of contradictory advice when it comes to testing for mold in the home; namely, whether it’s a DIY-type job or one that calls for the experts. But as with most things, it’s not a black and white answer, with different circumstances requiring different approaches. Before we explain further, however, let’s outline the factors that may lead you to check your home for mold in the first place:
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Summertime is well and truly here and, with it, the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables. But like a contestant on America’s Got Talent who has only two minutes to change their destiny, the window of opportunity for some juicy summer berries or a crisp green salad – before mold and other unwanted visitors mark their territory – is tiny.
Luckily for you, we’ve put together a handy guide to ensure your five a day go the distance!
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The days are long, the sun is out and the beaches are having their moment; summer is well and truly here. Hooray! Yet, as the saying goes, there’s no such thing as a free, er, BBQ. For with all the fun of the summer comes the added risk of mold.
Yup, that pesky fungal growth really knows how to get everywhere, doesn’t it? Especially at this time of year. This is down to several factors, which we shall now explore:
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Clean Air Day 2018 came and went last week, but it got us thinking: If mold thrives off elements present in the air we breathe, surely there must be a connection pertinent to our cause. And we were right.
One of the largest factors in mold survival is the amount of moisture in the air, as it can – and will – grow anywhere and on any substance that dampness is present.
But did you know that, as well as causing mold, excess moisture in the home can also contaminate the actual air, too? Just think of the cold, musty smell often accompanying it. And according to Global Action Plan – the organizers behind Clean Air Day – mold in the home is a source of air pollution itself. Yet the relationship is actually more complex, as if mold is present, toxic particles will emanate from it and infiltrate the air you breathe – not to mention the fact that damp itself causes water vapor, which in turn encourages microbial growth, leading to yet more mold in an ongoing vicious cycle. Thus, this two-way relationship emphasises how important – both for the cleanliness of the air and the actual, tangible things surrounding it – controlling the level of moisture is.
Monitoring the levels of humidity in the home, therefore, is extremely important, and most experts believe that erring on the lower side of the 40-60% recommended bracket will help to prevent the build-up of mold – thus keeping the air clean, too.
But there are many other things you can – and should – do to reduce the growth of mold and – by extension – keep the air around you clean. You can breathe a (toxin-free!) sigh of relief, as we’ve done the hard work for you:
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Keeping mold from growing in your home is an important consideration for a healthy, safe environment to live. The first task in keeping mold at bay is discovering what areas and conditions might encourage mold growth. Molds are pervasive everywhere, and thrive in wet conditions. How does mold grow? Mold grows best when moisture and humidity are present. When mold spores encounter a damp surface most advantageous for fungal growth, they can begin to grow and thrive.
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There are numerous aromas our olfactory organs are subjected to each day. Whether it be the smell of food cooking or baking, the distinct aroma of herbs or essential oils, or the unpleasant reek of yesterday’s trash, our nose encounters a host of various scents, both appealing and unappealing. While our sense of smell has many purposes, it is often overlooked as an alarm system. In fact, when it comes to personal safety, our nose is an excellent source for warnings against danger—not just burnt toast. Are there smells that can alert us to potential health hazards or signal that the environment we are in is not safe? Certainly. Aside from the distinct smell of smoke or gas, mold’s pungent odor is a helpful indicator that your health, as well as the health of those living with you, is at risk.
This time of year brings lots of sneezes and wheezes to young babies as the warm weather is replaced with colder temperatures. Going outside may seem like a bad idea to those parents whose children suffer with seasonal allergies or are susceptible to colds and flus. You may be tempted to stay indoors. But what if staying inside is actually worse? If mold is present in your home, your baby could be at a higher risk indoors.
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Are you planning to have your home renovated? Your home should be the most comfortable and sophisticated place to live in. You don’t have to own expensive furniture or items to make it comfortable and cozy. The most important thing to consider is to make sure that no part of your house is being neglected.
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Are you a “DIY-er” at heart? A lot of people love the thrill of taking on home projects from building their own furniture to remodeling a kitchen. DIY can be a great hobby, involve the entire family and save a lot of money. But what about when it comes to major issues like mold remediation?
Mold inside your house is a serious condition. If you’ve seen some or suspect it in your home, you may be wondering what the best method is to remove it. No matter what, mold is definitely different than your typical home maintenance project. When it comes to mold remediation in your home, should you try to DIY or should you call in the professionals?
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What happens to a city when a storm system dumps an entire year’s worth of rain in just 3 days? In late August of 2017, Hurricane Harvey devastated the city of Houston, Tx and surrounding areas. The storm left 33 trillion gallons of water on U.S. soil before finally weakening. As you can imagine, the flooding experienced in Houston was intense. Many lives were lost. Homes were ripped apart, bridges collapsed and dams gave way. Even though the hurricane is now in the rear-view mirror, the health catastrophe continues to unfold in slow motion. While the focus of the news was on the shear amount of rainfall in the city (upwards of 50 inches in some locations), mold will be an issue for months and potentially years to come.
So, the question remains: after the wrath of a big storm has passed, what should a homeowner or renter do to keep mold from growing in their homes? Here are the essential steps to consider after your home has been flooded.
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Lisa: We get contacted quite often for mold inquiries from people all across the country, but most people are unaware if they actually have mold, the scope of the problem or how to properly remove it. Many people will experience hay fever like symptoms, but if they can’t see visible mold, they tend to think it doesn’t exist or isn’t a real threat.
Ron: We always start by advising the person test, not guess. Too many people unknowingly put themselves and/or their loved ones in danger by ignoring the visible signs of moisture or water damage and/or a musty smell. They assume it will go away on its own. Many people wait too long before addressing the root cause of the issue – typically a leaky water source.
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Yellow. Green. Brown. White. Black. Mold comes in these and many other colors, just like a box of crayons. However, unlike crayons, these invasive fungi are nowhere near as fun to work with. If your property has been affected by this highly persistent growth, simply wiping it away will not solve the issue. Below, we will discuss the effects of mold on health, its common varieties, and the cleaning techniques that you can use to prevent the growth from coming back.
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Mold in the basement can be a major problem and can seriously worry you. Mold can easily grow in the basement of your house or apartment building, especially in old buildings. This can create a very unhealthy living environment. How can you recognize the existence of basement mold?
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Mold spores are all around us, in the form of thousands of different species of mold. They manifest themselves on walls, in damp spaces, on food, and in public spaces. To most people, the near-constant contact with mold is virtually undetectable. To those with mold allergy, the contact can lead to a whole host of problems that can range from physical to mental.
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No one is very comfortable with the idea of mold. It’s slimy and smells bad and just is generally distasteful. Even the word “mold” is an ugly sounding word. You wouldn’t even imagine eating a piece of cheese or slice of bread that has mold on it. And yet, when it comes to mold in their home, many people are surprisingly complacent. The smell might be annoying, but not annoying enough for many to want to spend time, money, or effort getting rid of it. This idea is potentially disastrous; despite being seemingly innocuous, mold in the home can be very dangerous. Even if you don’t come into physical contact with the mold, it can still affect you. A number of different types of mold especially forms of black mold, release airborne spores known as mycotoxins, which can enter the human body through the respiratory system and cause a number of adverse health effects.
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The aftermath of any flooding or water damage catastrophe can mean harmful mold consequences for years to come. The scale of the flooding in Houston Texas reveals the grim reality of a huge and destructive mold issue on the horizon as citizens work towards moving back to their homes and try to return to life after hurricane Harvey.
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One of many things to take into account when building a house or any other facility is the growth of mold during the construction. Mold is everywhere, so it stands as huge and possible threat that can slow the construction and increase costs of replacing affected materials as well as costs of remediation. Depending on climate and location, some construction sites are more susceptible to moisture that later result in moldy buildings. The least expensive way to deal with the mold is the prevention and certain measures undertaken before and during the construction can go a long way.
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Mold is the last thing you want to deal with in your home. Not only does it spread quickly, potentially damaging the structure of your home, it can also cause serious health problems to you or your family members. If you know, or even suspect, you have mold, it’s crucial that you take care of it quickly.
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Mold is a great concern today. People talk about it, and also the national media discusses it with recklessness. The word mold can create fear. Buyers often fear that a home may have mold or, even worse, that it might have toxic mold.
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The most common allergens that may trigger asthma, like pollen, pet dander, mold and dust mites, settle indoors unobstructed and make allergy sufferers’ day-to-day lives a real challenge. The microscopic antigens thrive on a variety of surfaces at home, such as carpets, upholstered furniture and heavy curtains. Or when there is nothing to trap them, the invisible airborne allergy culprits simply become part of the indoor air composition we breathe.