House Mold Treatment

Numerous various types of normal household molds are in a position to contaminate a house. The signs of their presence might differ and frequently spontaneous and unknown. Kinds of mold which are typical within the house consist of Aspergillus, Penicilium, Alternaria, Mucor and Cladosporium. Household molds which are regarded as to become much more harmful but much less typical consist of Menoniella and Stachybotrys, known as black mold.

Signs and symptoms of House Mold

The more frequent symptoms of household mold which are found in persons that are experiencing fungus home infestation include tired or red eyes, runny nose, sniffles and itchy nose and eyes. The throat will start to feel frequently irritated and sinus pressure and headaches commonly occur. There are also the severe headaches and migraines and numerous allergies and ear infections which may be indicating that the home is infected by a type of mold.

A lot more alarming and intensified signs and symptoms take place if the black mold types infect the residence. These contain the progression of hives and skin rashes, respiratory difficulties, nausea, chronic coughing, memory loss, dizziness, lethargy, Asthma, concentration loss, abnormal blood pressure, respiratory and digestive technique harm, urinary infections, internal organ discomfort and if several situations, lung bleeding. Extended and intense exposure for the black molds may also outcome in infertility.

There are physical signs to look for in the process of dealing with any mold – the appearance of it. Generally, mold develops in warm and damp places like the shower area, under waterbeds and the back of a toilet. Mold often results from an air conditioning system that is leaky or from roof or ceiling areas where rain water seeps through over a long period.

The typical mold might seem with numerous various colours, like grey, black, brown or green also as on a number of various locations. However they are most frequently observed on wood or drywall that’s overly exposed to wetness or moisture.

Frederic Pittman is a publisher that publishes content on intreseting topics such as house mold removal, and other interesting topics including house mold symptoms.

Molds are thought to be pests in one’s household and office when they continue to grow in big areas and they may affect our health. Therefore it’s critical to investigate your surroundings especially if you’ve been experiencing reoccurring health issues. The method called mold testing it is 1 method of finding out if molds do exist in your dwelling and just how alarming they already are. This way, you would understand how to counter its colony efficiently.

To attain an effective mold testing you’d need the services of the experts or the mold testing providers who have got the complete array of tools and gadgets to do the method completely.

How is mold testing done?

The most convincing incident that will let you consider the options of having an essential mold testing is the progressing ill effects of mold infestation like various pulmonary conditions suffered among the family members whose immunological reaction isn’t that strong, the kids and the elderly rather more likely suffers.

For medical reasons, testing mold growth is critical to prevent it from spreading and to guarantee a cleaner air for everybody at home, in school, at the office or elsewhere.

It is merely testing the air quality of a specific place of the building which you think to have an extensive mold outnumbering. The testing contractor then will tell you if indeed there’s truth to your suspicion. Often you think that your place is clean due to you cant see molds developing in your area where actually they are growing but they are not perceivable. This Testing is essential for securing your place from this molds infestation.

Necessary steps on how to solve the prevalent mold issues will come in after the test is done. This will also let you choose whether or not to submit the whole area of the area for mold testing also known as mold inspection.

It is advisable to get experts help as there are a lot of contractors who give quality mould eliminating services you will all appreciate.

Mold Inspection

After the mold testing , a comprehensive visible inspection should straight away be done. ?Mold inspection differs greatly from testing in the sense that the former checks all the areas of the building from possible mold expansion.

The inspector whom you have contracted will do all of the inspection of your house, building by utilizing their pro tools. The inspection report that you would sometimes get from the contractors may include the following critical information:

– Photos of mold pested areas.
– A written plan or advised plan of action from the contractors.
– A diagnosis of the source of mould.
– Laboratory test results of samples taken and researched to prove that there’s indeed mold infestations in your place.

Mold inspections are certainly so much better than mold testing because they are more comprehensive and complete. They give out particular information on areas where molds developed and advocate substantial actions that you must do to stop such infestation.

General types of molds tested.

In your mold testing activities, these varieties of molds are generally found:

The black mold variety comes in different colors like light blue, green, brown, and infrequently even red. This breed is the most perilous one that might ever infest your dwelling. Among the black mold variations, is the one with the dark green colour it’s not that dangerous, nevertheless it could still infect people with significant neurological disorders, lung and breathing issues as well as irritated bowel syndrome. Therefore even if you have found out from the contractors that you have got the dark green mold infestation, do not be smug about it. You still need to have it eradicated professionally because they’d spread and create the harmful breed.

House molds are quite standard as it is nearly always evident in damp areas like the lavatory. Nevertheless you would never know the type of house mold you are having when you do not seek for experts help. Through these mold contractors services, test results would give you the diagnosis if these molds are perilous to health or not.

We should be extremely serious about these toxic black mold. We know little about its appearance and even its existence so all we should do is leave it all up to the specialists. Nevertheless when you and all individual members have experienced symptoms of recurring breathing illness, other lung conditions or possibly even a loss of memory, maybe your house has this poisonous molds without knowing it.

Therefore to keep our place safe and shielded from any underlying health risk, we shouldn’t only submit our dwelling,. Building and places to mold testing . An inclusive mold inspection is always ideal instead of of mold testing.

Households even business corporations should seek experts help from a mold reporter to have this in depth mold inspection to your whole area for a safer environment to all occupants health.

When buying a home, there are various things you should have on your checklist. A home inspection is one of the most important ones. Home inspections simply mean visual evaluation of the structure of the house. This will prove to be important especially when buying an old house since it will help you identify any areas that might require special attention in future. So, you can take it just as an employee requires a medical examination before employment.

You will need a qualified person to check out different areas in the house to ensure it is fit to inhabit. Some of the main areas to be checked include ceilings, the walls, heating installations and other electric systems. The inspector should also check for any signs of a weak foundation. Remember, a weak foundation can lead to many problems in future.

Similar to above indication, one of your responsibilities is getting a qualified person for doing the work. However, you must note that different inspectors charge differently particularly depending on their expertise level. Thus, you should also consider your budget when selecting the inspector. Other aspects like the location and the property size as well influence the cost.

In view of these issues, it may therefore be a bit hard to get an inspector. You may try to ease the burden by doing online search for the top-rated inspectors. This would offer you a big collection to select from. Remember you should confirm the level of education and expertise of every provider before going for his/her services.

The major reason for inspection is to establish the house condition therefore ensuring the price paid for will be worthy. Thus, a good inspector should give a comprehensive report stating any problems identified immediately the process is complete. This will offer you authority in making an informed choice.

An honest inspector will always encourage your attendance to the inspection process. This will create you an opportunity to know much information of your prospective home. Further, you can get your questions clarified right on the spot. This is very important as the final report may not answer all your queries. The provider will also help you calculate the cost of any repair work that is necessary to fix the defects. The details can be used to fix a fair deal with the property seller.

Now you can understand the significance of this entire process. The practical information provided after the completion of the project is necessary for the prospective buyer to ensure a fair transaction. The cost of repairs should be considered in order to make necessary adjustments to the final price tag. Some time it is more economical to look for another house than spending money for fixing problems.

Such strong decisions are possible only with the assistance of a dependable inspector. That is the reason why any professional selected to carry out Barrie home inspections must be highly competent and reliable. This is the reason why should make appropriate background checks. You may also find firms that also assist the new house owner fix the identified issues. This will even offer you better results.

Buying a new home? Ontario Home Inspectors is a leading inspections service provider that offers a variety of Barrie Home inspections and Mold removal Barrie and Mold inspection Barrie.

As you are probably aware mold is a tiny living organism you have most likely come across it on some forgotten bread or something lurking at the back of the refrigerator! However, this member of the fungi family will not just appear on food, it produces spores which become air borne and will quite happily settle grow on many different surfaces particularly if they are made of cellulose so things like timber, natural materials like cotton, wool carpets, leather, paper and cardboard.

The biggest cause of mold growth in homes is additional moisture caused by leaking water which has gone un-noticed or high humidity due to poor ventilation.  The obvious places for mold to show up are the areas of the home which are most likely to be damp like the bathroom and the kitchen, basements and crawl space/attics are also areas commonly associated with mold problems (mold will grow in glass fibre insulation.)
In many cases mold growing in the home is fairly harmless whilst it may cause some irritation such as itching eyes and is far from ideal for those already suffering from respiratory related illness like asthma it will do no real harm. However, there are other types of mold which are extremely toxic and very damaging to human health, for this reason early mold detection and eradication in your home is essential.
MOLD DETECTION – it sounds very complicated and expensive! The truth is it does not have to be. You could employ a mold inspector and in certain instances this is the only option and this will cost you some hard earned cash but it is possible to do it yourself. How? Purely by being vigilant!
Here are a few mold detection steps you can take:-
1. Visual Inspection:-
Mold will appear in many different colors including black, green, gray or white. Mold is often described as having a “furry” appearance and will usually show up in patches for example on an external wall, or in the grouting of tiles, on clothing, in closets – anywhere that is or has been damp.  Regular mold detection inspections can often catch a problem before it gets too big.
2. Visual Basement/Attic Inspection:-

These are places we rarely visit – usually only to deposit items we no longer use – often making them a haven for mold because of leaks or seepage of water which has gone undetected. Therefore, these areas should be inspected regularly as part of your mold detection routine. Checking for leaks/damp patches as well as established mold growth should be a priority especially before winter sets in.

3. Mold Odor:-

Mold gives off a distinct “musty” smell as it eats into the surface on which it is growing. So, whilst mold may not be visible if a room or area of your home smells musty and unpleasant it is definitely time to carry out some serious mold detection work. Look under carpeting, behind pictures on the wall, behind wall paper (which if damp will probably be peeling at the edges anyway) behind baseboards etc. All of these place can have hidden, possibly toxic mold growing.

4. Unseen Mold

Even when you carry out extensive mold detection searches it is possible that there is still unseen microscopic mold within your home. Tell tale signs that this may be the case include frequent problems with a blocked nose and irritation in the throat or eyes. This type of mold is thought to be the most dangerous and often the only real clue you will have to its presence is the physical irritation it causes in humans and the “musty” odour it gives off.  In this instance it really is a job for professionals.

5. Mold Detection/Testing Kits

Some will determine the presence of mold, others which will allow you to establish the type of mold whilst others will let you to check the air quality within your home. In some cases you can get results from these kits within hours or days with others you may have to package them up and send them to a laboratory for analysis – usually at additional cost.

6. Mold Detection From A Mold Inspector:-

As I mentioned before in some cases there is not option other than to leave mold detection to the professionals, particularly where you have been unable to detect mold growth in your own search. A mold inspector should have the know how to track down hidden mold and will have all the necessary equipment to carry out testing as required.

If you discover what you think may be mold growth in your property no matter whether it is on the walls of your bedroom, in the basement or crawl space of your home or even in your closet it is always wise to identify the type of mold before attempting any sort of clean up.

Why? Well, some molds are pretty harmless perhaps causing some minor allergies like itchy eyes headaches or irritating some existing illness such as asthma whilst others can be positively toxic and should only be dealt with by professionals.

To enable you to identify mold types there are many different home mold testing kits on the market. As always the choice can be confusing as certain kits are for specific types of test.

So, in an attempt to help you decide what type of mold test kit you should purchase shown below is a list of the different kits and their uses.

1. The Lift Tape Mold Test Kit

This type of mold test kit is ideal if you are already sure that the substance you have uncovered is indeed mold but need to establish the strain. It can be used to test the surfaces of floors, ceilings, walls, furniture and so forth.

This mold test kit couldn’t be simpler to use, simply peel back the tape from the sticky surface and press this gently onto the area with the suspected mold growth.  All you need do then is carefully replace the covering over the sticky surface and send off for laboratory analysis.

The only draw back is you will need a kit for each individual surface you want to test.

2. The Instant Mold Test Kit

This kit will tell you in a instant – well in around 10 minutes to be more precise – whether the substance you are suspicious of is in fact mold. What it does not tell you is the actual type of mold, you will still need laboratory analysis to determine whether it is toxic and/or potentially damaging to health.

Once again this kit is extremely simple to use. Remove the swab from the tube – ensure you do not touch the end of the swab. Swab suspect area then replace the swab back in the tube. Shake and leave for around 10 minutes then check the color against the color chart which is included.

This mold test kit also requires you use a new mold test  kit for each area you wish to test.

3. The Viable Mold Test Kit

The Viable Mold Test Kit is probably the one which has most uses for a mold kit which does not require laboratory analysis. You can use this simple kit to establish whether you have mold and the type of mold. You can also use it to test the air quality of your home and indeed to test your heating system.

This test kit consists of a Petri dish with gel in it and a swab. To complete the test simply swab the suspected mold then rub the swab over the gel in the dish and allow to stand for a few days usually anything from 3 to 7.

If you want to use it to test the air quality of a room you will need two mold test kits. Remove the lids from both – place one in the room and the second should be placed outside close to the room you are testing. Leave them for around one hour before replacing the lids. After about 7 days you should have some mold growth. Compare the results if both show the same types of mold growth then the mold in your room is just representative of what is in the general environment. If there are differences and the dish which was in the room is showing different or additional types of mold it is probably wise to have it checked out at a laboratory.

To check your heating system close all vents except one which is furthest away from the heating/cooling system. Put your system on the highest setting for about 10 minutes with the mold test kit attached to the open vent. After this time close the dish and allow it to sit for about 7 days maximum.

A note of caution – if you discover that there is significant mold growth in the test dish used for your heating/cooling system it would be wise to have it analysed at a laboratory.

Mold spores require moisture to germinate and flourish so any type of water damage to your property can spell major mold problems. Mold will grow on many different surfaces such as wood, tile grout, carpeting, fabrics, paint and so on and if it is allowed to spread it can begin to cause health problems for those living in the property.

The molds which cause ill health are those which produce toxins called mycotoxins, if these are found in high concentrations they can and will cause allergies affecting the respiratory system and eyes as well as possibly causing nausea, headaches and fatigue. Any one who already suffers from asthma, the very young and the elderly are most at risk.

Therefore it is essential that any water damage is dealt with quickly and effectively to limit the amount of mold growth which may occur.

Obviously cause of the water damage will dictate the severity and whether or not it is possible to clear up and deal with any water damage mold yourself.

Major flooding will without doubt need the services of a professional company to clear up, dry out and restore your property as this would be a major undertaking and would most likely be beyond the capabilities of most DIY “experts.” If this is the case you can be sure that any water damage mold will have been dealt with.

If on the other hand you have a burst pipe or something similar and the water damage is not too extensive you may decide to tackle the clean up yourself.

The key to preventing water damage mold is to remove the excess water and moisture as quickly as possible.

1. Remove everything from the area. If the weather allows take furniture etc. outside and allow it to dry out thoroughly.

2. Remove any water inside the property – you may need professional help with this.

3. Any items which can be laundered should be and thoroughly dried also.

4. Any cardboard, paper etc. should be disposed of as this is prime mold growing material.

5. Items such as carpets and rugs must be dried out as quickly as possible to prevent mold growth. Again if you can remove them and allow them to dry outside this is the best option. Cleaning with a steam cleaner may also be a wise move as this will kill off any mold spores and provided the carpet or rug is thoroughly dried mold will not form.

6. Floors, walls and wood must also be dried quickly. Opening windows will help as will the use of heaters and electric fans but investing in a dehumidifier is without doubt the best option. (It is possible to rent these if you don’t want to buy.) There are dehumidifiers available which will not only help dry out the room but which also contain HEPA filters which will help remove mold spores from the atmosphere.

7. Drying everything out however, may in some instances not be an option if damage or mold growth is extensive plaster board, wall insulation wood and floorings may require replacing otherwise mold growth will be a continual problem.

8. Don’t be tempted to cover mold with carpets, tiles, wall paper etc. or to return items to the room until everything is 100% dry. This will only give more problems in the future.

9. Any mold growth can be cleaned from walls and other surfaces using various cleaning materials either commercial mold removers from a store or household items such as vinegar or lemon juice from the kitchen cupboard.

10. REMEMBER – If mold caused by water damage is extensive getting it professionally treated is essential.

There are millions of people throughout the world who suffer from an allergy in some form. As with all allergies a mold allergy is caused by the immune system responding and overreacting to an allergy trigger in this case mold spores.

A mold allergy will cause similar types of symptoms found with many allergies of the upper respiratory system i.e. runny or stuffed up nose, cough, itchy eyes, nose and throat, sneezing and watering eyes – all of which spell misery for the sufferer! However not everyone will suffer to the same degree and you may find that certain environments where there are higher concentrations of mold spores present or even certain time of the year may influence the severity of mold allergy symptoms.

There is also a close link between mold allergies and asthma. Indeed asthma attacks may in fact be set off if the sufferer is exposed to mold spores in the atmosphere. Some particular strains of mold spores can cause severe asthma attacks in certain instances. Some of the classic symptoms of asthma are wheezing, being short of breath, feeling tight in the chest and a cough.

The body will try to fight off the mold allergy by producing antibodies, so that as soon as the body detects mold spores being inhaled the immune system will kick in and begin to release chemicals, such as histamine into the body which in turn will trigger the horrid symptoms of itchy nose, throat, watery eyes and so on.

Fortunately for us if we suffer an allergy to one type of mold it does not mean that we will react to all types of mold spores. This is probably just as well, because mold is pretty much everywhere but there only a few which will cause a mold allergy, the most common being cladosporium, aspergillus, alternari and penicillium.

Allergies are undoubtedly the most common illness brought about by the presence of mold spores, however mold can in some cases cause some fairly unpleasant and potentially serious conditions without any allergic reaction.

Infection: This may take the form of skin infections or flu-like illness in some instances even pneumonia.

Irritant: The irritation occurs when VOCs (volatile organic compounds) irritate the mucus membranes around the body. The symptoms are very similar to that of a mold allergy. The main difference being that with an allergy symptoms tend to worsen each time contact is made with a particular type of mold spore where as with an irritation the condition will not worsen.

Toxic Reaction: Usually caused by ingesting or inhaling something called mycotoxins. The symptoms of this can include flu-like illness, breathing problems, skin irritation and in addition headaches, dizziness, problems with concentration and fatigue.

Mold allergy symptoms are more likely to rear their heads or existing conditions worsen depending on various factors for example:

The type of work you do, certain occupations give higher exposure to mold spores like working with wood for example be it logging or repairing furniture, working with grain or flour such as baking or milling.

Conditions at home will also have an effect. If your home has a high humidity level, mold growth can appear in all kinds of places like the basement, in the carpet, in tile grout basically anywhere there is a sufficiently damp surface. Having leaking pipes or water seeping into the building in some way will also create the ideal growing conditions for mold. Another common problem in homes which will encourage mold growth is lack of ventilation particularly in areas where moisture is generated in huge quantities like the kitchen and bathroom.

Lastly and possibly the most likely contributory factor in a person developing a mold allergy is family history. If there are a number of family members who suffer from asthma or some form of allergy the chances of an individual also suffering become much greater.

The best way to avoid or lessen the symptoms of a mold allergy is to avoid the source. However this is virtually impossible because mold is found in so many places both indoors and out. There are medications available which will help such as nasal corticosteroids, antihistamines and decongestants. For persistent problems and particularly for asthma sufferers it is probably best to consult a doctor who will prescribe the most appropriate treatment.

At home simple things such as wearing a face mask when carrying out certain tasks particularly in the garden may help. Keeping windows closed during the night time hours when mold spores tend to peak in numbers especially if it is damp and cool outside.

Prevention of mold is undoubtedly the best solution to mold allergies so here are a few things you can do;

* Buy a dehumidifier – some models come with HEPA filters
* Invest in an air conditioner with a HEPA filter
* Adequately ventilate rooms especially bathrooms and kitchens – get a ventilation fan and cooker hood
* Repair leaking pipes and any other problems which allow water to seep into the building

These are just a few suggestions but ones which really will make a difference to anyone suffering a mold allergy.

Act Today!

Finding mold growth in your home can be very disconcerting. It can and will eventually affect the structure of your property and can have potentially serious affects on the health of you and your family often causing respiratory and other related illnesses as well as making existing conditions like for example asthma worsen. All this said, I think It is safe to say that this is a problem needs the cause pinpointed and the problem resolved quickly. The best person to help you do this is a professional mold inspector.

The most common places for mold to flourish – often undetected – is in attic space and basements although it can often be found on walls, on wood surrounding windows, in closets, basically any surface which is damp and which can be labelled as a “natural” material for example, wood, wool, silk, leather, cardboard. Any synthetic materials or metals are usually unaffected.

Now it is possible to tackle mold growth yourself, if the area is small. However, for large perhaps difficult to access areas you really need a mold inspector who is qualified and who can assess the situation and have work carried out in a safe manner – remember mold can be toxic as can some chemicals used to eradicate it!

How To Find A Good Mold Inspector.

The two most important aspects of deciding on a mold inspector are experience and relevant qualifications.  Often when we require tradesmen to carry out work our whole aim is to find someone who will do the work as cheaply as possible. Where serious mold is involved you really cannot afford to look at it in this way. Remember you could be dealing with a toxic substance which could destroy both your home and your health!

So what qualifications should a good mold inspector have?

* Experience and knowledge in roofing, building, HVAC systems and vapour barriers and other related subjects. This is essential so that an accurate assessment so that root cause can be established.

* Humidity and temperature can often play a large part in mold growth so it is also necessary for a mold inspector to have a thorough understanding of psychometrics i.e. the study of air, dew points, temperature, humidity and so on.

* Mold is a living organism so it is a huge advantage if the mold inspector you employ has a least a basic understanding of microbiology and ecology as well as the study of mold which is called mycology.

* It is vital that not only should a mold inspector have the relevant knowledge of how to to carry out investigations and take mold samples competently but they should also have the knowledge required to read and interpret the results of these tests accurately.

* Occasionally mold inspectors are called in to a building where there may be odours or health issues which may indicate a mold problem but which are in fact due to other problems such as lack of ventilation, hydrogen sulphide gas or dust mite allergens to name but a few. In which case a mold inspector should be trained to detect such problems to allow residents to call in professionals in the proper field.

* Your prospective mold inspector should have the ability to provide you with a full written report giving comprehensive information regarding the results obtained from visual observations, lab results and results from environmental monitoring. The report should include a clear conclusion and recommendations for dealing with the mold. A good mold inspector will ensure that this report is written in terms which can be understood by Joe public and not just hand over the lab report.

With these qualifications and experience a good mold inspector should be well equipped to provide the service required the main points of which are:-

1. Locate and detect major problems in the structure of the building.

2. Give you the complete picture as to the defects in your property which may be causing the mold together with comprehensive details of repair which need to be carried out to eradicate the problem.

Remember – contact more than one company, enquire about the mold inspectors experience and qualifications but in many instances you can get a good idea of the quality of service just by talking to the inspector on the telephone. It is worth asking to see a sample report you will receive and perhaps testimonials from other customers.

If you are unfortunate enough to discover a problem with mold growth in your home, you will want to start a fast and efficient mold clean up operation immediately.

But, how can you be sure that you really do have mold?

Well usually one of the first signs is a horrid “earthy” “musty” odour which is given off by the mold, secondly you will notice discolored areas on walls, window sills, fabrics etc. one way of establishing if these stains are caused by mold is to wipe it with some normal household bleach. (Mold can appear in a variety of colors – black, white, yellow and blue are a few examples.) If the stain is removed by the bleach the chances are it is mold, if not it could be a number of things such as pollutants entering the home from outside through open windows etc.

Whatever type of mold you discover it can most definitely be attributed to excess moisture in the building due to condensation, water leaks, dampness and so on. It is therefore imperative that these issues are dealt with before any mold clean up can begin. Fitting ventilation fan, range hoods and opening windows will help reduce moisture in the atmosphere whilst a dehumidifier will help dry out damp areas quickly and efficiently once any necessary repairs have been carried out.

Before starting any mold clean up it is essential that you evaluate the level of mold growth – large areas can be extremely hazardous and will most definitely require professional attention.

So when is it safe to tackle a mold clean-up yourself?

Mold growth can be divided into three categories:

1. Small Growth Area- this would be defined as an area of mold growth which is no larger than 1 meter square and there should be no more than three areas(all less than 1 meter square) This you can tackle yourself.

2. Moderate Growth Area – mold growth can be put in this classification if there are more than three areas with each one smaller that 1 square meter or one single larger area, but this should be no larger than 3 meters square. Again, with care you should be able to tackle this amount of mold yourself.

3. Extensive Growth Area – If you find you have an patch of mold which covers an area more than 3 square meters, it is time to call in professional help.

Now of course the big question is how to carry out a mold clean-up?

Before you begin working to remove any type of mold you must protect yourself so, you will need a minimum of goggles, face mask and rubber gloves, if you are dealing with a moderate rather than a small mold growth area you should seal of the whole room with plastic sheeting before you begin. Anyone who already suffers respiratory problems or allergies and small children should be kept as far from the work area as possible – probably best if they are not even in the building.

OK, so if you have just a small area of mold to clean it is quite simply a case of scrubbing it clean using a solution containing a detergent, you may want to consider using a commercial mold clean up product or some basic household ingredients like baking soda, white vinegar, tea tree oil orgrapefruit seed oil all of which will remove mold stains. Once cleaned it is important to dry the area out as quickly as possible. A dehumidifier is fantastic for this.

If the area of mold you want to clean is a bit larger i.e. “moderate” in size it is best to use a vacuum cleaner to remove the surface mold which can be “powdery” in appearance first. However, the vacuum you use should have a HEPA filter fitted or should be exhausted outside. Once again scrub the area using a mold clean up solution and allow to dry. If you are tackling a wood surface and the stain cannot be removed in this way it will be necessary to use a sander (use one with an inbuilt vacuum to prevent the spread of mold spores in the atmosphere) to remove the mold. If the mold is extensive it is probably wiser to replace the wood rather than try to clean it.

In both instances, if you have cleaned the mold and it continues to return it would suggest that there is a further problem with moisture or damp which needs investigation by a professional.

Professional help will also be require if you have large, extensive areas of mold growth, mold can be very damaging to health so do not be tempted to try such a mold clean up!

Black mold, sometimes referred to as toxic mold or mildew is a common problem in many homes. When the correct conditions prevail such as a surface which contains moisture caused usually by high humidity or dampness and the correct temperature range this fungi will begin to germinate and grow. It takes on almost a “furry” appearance although it has also been described as looking “powdery”

Once the mold has formed as with any living organism it needs food to survive and this is when the potential for the black mold to cause symptoms of illness in humans begins. The  cause of the symptoms are due to something known as VOC’s – Volatile Organic Compounds – these are produced by the mold when it begins to break down the surface on which it is present in order to get the nourishment it needs for continued growth.
Anyone exposed to high levels of these VOC’s can experience any of a number of symptoms attributed to the black mold growth.

Listed below are some of the most common symptoms of black mold induced illness:

1.Respiratory problems

2. coughs

3. nausea

4. Rashes on the skin

5. Loss of memory

6. Dizziness

7. Problems with blood pressure

8. Asthma

9. Urinary tract infection

10. Damage to the lungs

11. Allergies – itchy or running nose, eyes etc.

12. Difficulty concentrating

These are just a few but as you can see the symptoms caused by black mold are varied and can be potentially very serious especially those affecting the respiratory and central nervous systems.

Obviously if you find yourself suffering from any of these symptoms it is best to consult a doctor. However the best way to ease or eradicate your symptoms caused by black mold is to eliminate the mold from your home.

As I have said before black mold needs moisture to grow and the moisture within our homes can usually be caused by one of two things high humidity or dampness.

High humidity is excess moisture in the atmosphere. The number one cause of this is lack of ventilation. As we go about our daily tasks we generate steam through cooking, bathing, perhaps using a tumble dryer to dry clothing, We hang wet clothing to dry around heaters – the list is endless. However without enough ventilation the moisture in the atmosphere builds because it cannot escape, then as it cools moisture begins to settle on cold surfaces as water droplets better know as condensation. The wet surfaces such as window frames, walls etc. then become prime growing areas for black mold.

Dampness is usually caused by an underlying problem with water leakage. Poor property maintenance can lead to water seeping in through roofs, into basements, through cracks in walls or from leaking pipes. A constant drip will over

time cause a huge amount of damage and the damp surfaces create ideal growing conditions for black mold.

The first step to getting rid of black mold and the symptoms it can inflict is to identify what the root cause is.

If your property has a problem high humidity then it is fairly easy to put right. Simply open a few windows! This is the simplest and cheapest solution but possible not the best one if the temperature outside is -10oC. However there are other relatively cheap things you can do, for example:-

1. Have extractor fan installed in your kitchen and bathroom which are directly vented to the outside of the building – NOT into attic space or basements, do that and you will have BIG problems in the future.

2. If you use a tumble dryer this too should have a vent to the outside of the house. These things create massive amounts of steam so by doing this alone you will cut the humidity levels greatly.

3. Try not to dry wet clothing in the house – where possible hang it outside to dry. If you must dry it inside hang it in an unheated room, open the window and close the door.

4. dehumidifierare a great tool in solving this problem too. They may not be particularly cheap to buy but if you have a problem then they are well worth the investment. A dehumidifier will draw the air in through a vent remove the moisture and blow the dry air back out and you empty the container of water! Obviously this is a very simplified description of how it works but believe me it works! You may wonder about the cost of running one of these units, well it really is not that expensive especially if you purchase a model which has a humidistat fitted. This means it will switch itself on and off as required rather than running constantly. Another point to consider is that dry air is far easier to heat than moist air so you should be able to cut down on your winter heating bill!

If the cause of your black mold is dampness, it may not be so easy to remedy.

1. The first thing to do is to establish why you have damp areas in the first place – if necessary you should bring in a professional builder or plumber to assess the situation. You cannot begin to eradicate the black mold and the symptoms of ill health it causes until repairs are completed.

2. If the damage is extensive it may be necessary to replace wood, plaster, carpets etc. If this is not the case the next step is to dry the area out remember – remove the moisture and the black mold cannot grow or spread. Opening windows in good weather will do the job as will the use of heaters. A dehumidifier is once again the ideal piece of kit. It will do the job much faster than heaters or open windows and many models have the added advantage of having air filters which may help remove any mold spores in the atmosphere.

The black mold clean up:-

The task of cleaning any signs of black mold need not be an expensive one. However, it should be a non toxic one.

There are many natural ways to clean black mold from good old soap and water to solutions of tea tree oil or grapefruit seed oil. However, there many commercialy produced products designed for the purpose of removing black mold
It is worth taking a bit of time when choosing such a product to be sure that it is safe for use by non professionals and that it is not highly toxic especially around children and pets.