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

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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.

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It’s a long magical ride for carpets, which may have originated in Central Asia in the 3rd millennium, traveled all the way to Europe and found prominence in many stately interiors, until it found its way to almost every American and European homes, today.

Cleaning Carpets is the least-liked household chore of most women for three counts: first, it covers a wide expanse of space, second, it requires a certain degree of skill and care, and 3rd, it should not be a woman’s chore! Period.

The ‘odds’ however are far outweighed by the benefits of unrolling this felted cloth on the floor. Here are some of them:

- Aesthetics. Carpets have a comfortable look ( and feel) on them; they can easily transform a dull room into an attractive and cozy place; carpets also lend a certain degree of class in the interiors of any house or office.

- Energy saving. Homes with carpeted flooring cut back on energy costs since carpets are heat insulators.

- Safer. Fewer slip and fall accidents are attributed to carpets than wood or laminated surfaces.

- Practical. Cleaning carpets, though it entails cleaning a whole lot of space, is easier to do than other surfaces. It eliminates the stripping of old wax and application of a new coat for one; cleaning can be scheduled less frequently than cleaning wood and laminates.

- Other Plus points. Carpets reduce noise as it absorbs it; air pollutants that enter the household are trapped as well.

But just like in anything doing well, there are always ‘spoilers’.

Molds and mildew can grow at a faster rate under carpets because of the textile’s tendency to hold in moisture. Let alone, molds and mildew can chew up your carpet easy…slowly but surely.

Best carpet cleaners, also referred to as ‘the carpet authority’ can recommend products in the market that can provide instant solution to the problem, but would advise you not to throw caution to the wind. Read the labels carefully; check the manufacturer’s warnings.

It’s easier to grab from store shelves,  molds and mildew removal solution than replacing a damaged carpet altogether, which is far expensive, too! Don’t believe on the first product advertisement you hear. If unsure, you can have a ‘dab test’ on a less conspicuous part of the carpet, to make sure that the color of your carpet does not bleed with the molds and mildew solution.

Homemade solutions against molds and mildew may prove useful too, according to some carpet dry cleaning experts: try dusting off carpets with your kitchen’s baking soda. When done regularly, this can eliminate the proliferation of molds and mildew on your carpet. Don’t forget to vacuum after a few hours.

‘Prevention is better than cure’. That’s the other golden rule. Molds and mildew grow in damp areas. To avoid persistent problems with molds, there are housekeeping ‘ups’ that can tilt the balance in your favor:

- Brighten up! A well-lit household has a lower incidence of growing molds and mildew because these can’t thrive under the light. Replace dimly-lit bulbs with bright ones in areas or rooms that pose a higher risk to grow molds and mildew. It’s cheaper to invest in well-lit bulbs than replacing carpets;

- Clean up. The real antidote to all housekeeping woes is to keep all areas in your house clean. Simple.

- Dry up. Your carpets hold in moisture as it circulates in the air. Molds and mildew thrive on beneath your carpets for the same reason – they need moisture to survive. To minimize growth of molds and mildew, you should lessen the amount of moisture that circulates in the air and sinks into the carpet. Wipe everything dry as you go – shower rooms, where bathroom mold starts to form should be maintained clean and dry; kitchen sinks, too. Hang damp clothes, instead of letting them stay in the laundry bin, until the next washing day.  Use a dehumidifier to take out excess moisture from the air. Molds and mildew destroy fabric, too.

You may opt for Carpet dry cleaning, which is usually done by a professional. Carpet dry cleaning professionals operate their business legally; this is premium service guarantee.

There are  ‘un-homemade’ solutions like buying a dehumidifier, which lowers the humidity level indoors, and purposely eliminate the growth of molds and mildew. You can try this one out, if you have cash to spare. Fans and air conditioning units and  using an air purifier have proven helpful, too.

In the overall, carpets remain as one of your wise investments for the home. The soft feel and welcoming effect of carpets, makes coming home each day, not a drab routine but a renewing experience.

By: Markus Skupeika -

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Looking for a California Carpet Cleaner? We are offering a Free Shampoo with every Carpet Cleaning Quote online. Act Now and visit us online or see our Mold Removal Site and Cleaning resource.

Don’t Forget to Shampoo the Carpet! Successful Spring Cleaning

Once the carpet is shampooed, go over it again with the machine on dry. This soaks up excess water. If the carpet isn’t dried, mold can spread in the padding and carpet, and the sub-floor may be damaged. 

Home Improvement  Toxic Black Mold – Its Symptoms

Toxic black mold is a fungus that can grow on almost any material and can have some very serious health effects, hence the toxic label. This type of mold appears powdery or downy and will grow on clothes, carpets, wood, HVAC systems

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Flood Damage services: Under flood damage services, Carpet Cleaners DC offers services that are simply second to none. It offers various quality services like drying, deodorizing and disinfecting, mold and mildew removal and carpet 

Ways To Kill Mold In Carpet

It is a common problem; hundreds of houses suffer from carpet molds. Carpets get wet and retain moisture providing the ideal condition for mold growth. The article discusses how to kill mold in carpet and keep home healthy

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Avoid health problems by treating it quickly .

In order for you to distinguish the species of mold growing in your house, you need to obtain a sample of it.

Cladosporium is a kind of mold that affects both outside and inside the house.

It has around 40 species, which are found naturally around potted plants. They thrive in the soil and decaying plants. On the other hand, Cladosporium may occur as plant pathogen.

According to studies performed in North America and Europe, the spores of Cladosporium are circulating in the atmosphere the entire year. However, their concentration or population is extremely low during winter. They are highly present during summer with daily peaks ranging from 2,000 to 50,000 spores per cubic meters of air. The growth of different Cladosporium species within homes and other buildings depends on the concentration from outside environments. The concentration may also be influenced by the indoor sources of the growth.

A high concentration of spores may lead to some detrimental health effects and in this case   mold removal is advised .

Common Cladosporium Species

Cladosporium species grow as secondary colonizers of walls within indoor environments. They appear after the development of primary molds such as Aspergillus versicolor, Wallemia sebi, and certain species of Penicillium. Cladosporium is commonly found or grows on wet or damp building materials. These usually include acrylic paint, gypsum board, damp wood, and wet insulation within cooling units. The most common Cladosporium species include the following:

1. Cladosporium macrocarpum – This cosmopolitan species is commonly found in soil, dead plants, seeds, and juice concentrates of apples, and indoor air.

2. Cladosporium cladosporioides – This is another cosmopolitan species that can be commonly found in the air, soil, textiles, paint, and meat.

3. Cladosporium sphaerospermum – This is one of the most commonly encountered species. It can be commonly found in the soil, acrylic paint, air, gypsum board, painted wood, dust from mattresses or carpets, wet insulation in cooling units, HVAC fans, textiles, paint, and some food sources.

4. Cladosporium herbarum – This is perhaps the most common species of the Cladosporium. It is found on textiles, dead woody and herbaceous plants, paper, rubber, and different food sources. This species can be found in indoor areas such as the floor, mattresses, carpets, wet walls that are painted with acrylic, wallpaper, filters, fans, and HVAC insulation. C. herbarum is considered as the most well-known airborne mold spores. It is capable of developing in different temperature ranges. As a matter of fact, there have been reports of meat spoilage within cold storage.

The Effects of Cladosporium

Most Cladosporium species are not pathogenic to human beings. However, there are isolated cases, especially to immunocompromised patients. On the other hand, Cladosporium species are widely known to possess the capability to stimulate allergic reactions.

This is common to individuals that are highly sensitive. Prolonged and heavy exposure to the airborne  spores of this mold species can lead to chronic asthma and allergic reactions .

There is an observed clinical significance to a concentration threshold of 3,000 spores per air cubic meter.

The reactions of an individual to the concentration of the airborne spores depend on his or her health conditions.

People with weak immune system easily acquire allergic reactions even if the spore concentration is low. Like other mold spores, the spores of Cladosporium are very small, microscopic even. Because of this, they are easily breathed into the person’s alveoli and terminal bronchi.

By: Paul Wise

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

The author of this article, Paul Wise, has completed extensive research about mold. If you encounter mold within your home it would be wise to contact a mold specialist. Trying to do-it-yourself when it comes to mold can be hazardous to your health. A well respected company dealing with Mold Inspections and Mold Removal is CleanFlood they are experts in their field.

How to Learn  Removing Mold

There are many, many different species and types of mold. Each has its own type of spores. Some of the most common types are also the most toxic. Toxic mold spores are especially dangerous for asthmatics and those prone to alergies.

Healthy World Environment

Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types

Toxic Mold

Not all types of mold fall into this category. In fact, there are many types of beneficial mold. We would not have cheese for example, without the beneficial action of mold on milk ingredients for example.

Black Mold Forces  Woman Out Of Apartment

You either have mold or do not. Depending on the person, they may or may not be allergic to certain mold types. Some people could be more sensitive than others. If mold is found clean or remove it. Mold also needs a continous water

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One of the dangers that all home owners should be aware of is the spread of black mold throughout the home. the problem with black mold is that no one thinks that they have a problem with mold growth until they become ill. Since the mold has been growing for a long period of time it has become toxic which gives off deadly fumes that causes illness. This makes toxic mold such a deadly force because you could be inhaling deadly fumes as you read this and not even know it. Not many people believe how quick mold spores can reproduce in the home so i will help your judge for yourself.

I will be honest with you i just experienced a mold problem not more than 2 weeks ago. We live in Florida so we have the air conditioning running constantly. Normally when the a/c unit turns off it will darin the excess water through a pipe that leads outside. This was always working properly until recently. I listened to the a/c system when it turned off and it sounded like it was raining water on my water heating unit. I always thought the water was draining properly just like it always did. Boy was i wrong. I was shocked when i woke up the next day and noticed that my hallway was soaked with water. I took a peak at the a/c unit and realized that all the support wood beams and filter were drenched with water. But now i saw the real problem because the black mold had already began to spread on the wood and sides of the air conditioning unit. I started to worry that this mold was growing there for a good day or two. What makes this more scary is i have no clue of how long that mold was growing in there until this incident happened.

The main option i had was to figure out how and where this thing was leaking water from. The next issue i had to deal with was to find what natural mold removers were out there that were strong enough to help fix my problem. I suspected that the drain plug had something blocking it. I just went ahead and took a look at that first before i did anything else. And wouldn’t you know it, that was the problem. I looked inside the drain pipe and it was filled with mold and algae. I got my trusty natural mold cleaner and applied it to the inner portions of the drain pipe. It did a great job cleaning both the mold and the algae at the same time.

The next thing i had to do was get rid of all the mold spores that were in the carpet areas. I took a drive to the rental place and got a water vacuum device and sucked up most of the standing water in the carpet. Since the carpet was not dry in the hallway I squirted all the areas in the air conditioning closet and carpeting with the mold removers. I let it sit for about 20 minutes to let it really sink in. I made sure i used a dry rag on the walls to make sure they were not wet and mold free. after that i just got out my vacuum cleaner to scrub up the remaining mold from the carpet and let the brushes do the work for me.

Since then, I don’t have a spec of black mold growing in the air conditioning area. I can’t tell you how glad i am that i learned about this mold problem before i ran out of time. i was reading stories about how families had to leave their homes because the mold became toxic and was giving off toxic fumes therefore causing the living conditions to be unliveable. Thankfully, my timliness was the key to my success. Now i know to keep an eye on my air conditioning unit each and every day to make sure it won’t leak again.

By: Drago Marx

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Find out the latest mold product that gets you the most bang for the buck. See why natural cleaning products are becoming more and more popular when it comes to cleaning black mold

Here is some more information on leaking problems and mold investigations:

Home Invasion: Dealing With Mold | House Mold

There are several ways to prevent and minimize mold – most importantly, keep your home dry, and find and fix leaks. Vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter vacuum, they have special filters that capture small mold spores.

Salina Journal

Jilka, as a downtown furniture store owner, said he’s had a lot of experience dealing with leaks from a roof with little or no slope.

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Slab leaks may occur in your houses incoming water pipes or in your outgoing sanitary sewer line. Both of which may have been laid in or under the foundation of the house. Leaks in both lines can cause extensive damage to the foundation

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