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.

Mold Caused By Water Damage

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.

Clearing Up Water

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.

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.

Get A Full Report

* 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.

Black mold treatment must begin by finding the source of the problem. The fungus – correct name Stachybotrys chart arum or Stachybotrys atra will only flourish in damp conditions therefore it is essential that the source of the dampness is pinpointed. The usual cause is poor building maintenance – water is allowed to seep into the building from broken guttering, leaking roofs, dripping pipes or the atmosphere in the building contains excess humidity which in turn creates condensation.

Black Mold Growth

Once the cause of the dampness has been put right the damage can be accessed and the black mold treatment can begin.

If you are fortunate enough to have only a small area affected by the mold you should be able to carry out the mold treatment yourself. If the damage is extensive the only option really is to call in professionals in mold remediation. The reason for this is that by exposing yourself to large amounts of mold without the proper equipment and protective gear you really are asking for trouble. Exposure like this can lead to major health issues which may include – skin rashes, vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing problems and then there is the possibility it could kill you! So please play safe.

Before tackling the black mold treatment even on a small area it is essential that you are kitted out with disposable gloves, a respiratory mask and eye protection. You must ensure you have as little contact with the mold as possible.

There are a number of things you can use to treat the mold, however the last thing you want is toxic chemicals – let’s face it the mold is toxic enough on its own!

Here are a few examples of black mold treatments

Vinegar – Cheap and plentiful and a great way to remove mold. Simply spray on to the affected area, leave for a while then wipe with a damp cloth. The only real problem with this black mold treatment is the pungent odour from the vinegar.

Tea Tree Oil – A solution of water and a few drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle, again spray the affected area and leave to sit. Again this treatment can be a bit smelly and also quite expensive but a little tea tree oil goes a long way. The solution you make up will also stay good for an indefinite period of time so it can be re-used over and over again.

Grapefruit Seed Oil – this is used in the same way as tea tree oil. Make a solution in a spray bottle and apply to the black mold and allow to dry. Like the tea tree oil, grapefruit seed oil is expensive but it too goes a long way. The huge advantage here is that it is completely odourless.

Commercial Mold Treatments – These are readily available. Be careful however, which you choose some can be as toxic as the mold itself! There are some on the market which are non toxic and can safely be used around children and pets.

You will notice that all of these black mold treatments involve spraying the mold with product this is because it is vital that dry mold spores are not allowed to escape into the atmosphere. With this in mind do not be tempted to brush or in anyway remove dry mold. This too will have detrimental effects on your health and others that of others sharing the same building.

The next step is to again allow the area to dry out completely, this is important to prevent mold returning. So, open windows, turn on heating or use a dehumidifier- remember mold is a living organism and need moisture to flourish remove the moisture and it cannot survive.

Here’s to success in your black mold treatment!

The growth of mold can be due to a number of reasons. Probably most commonly to high levels on moisture in the atmosphere. In summer this is often due to high humidity levels and in winter due to inadequate ventilation as we try to keep our homes heated. This can cause condensation on windows and other cold surfaces as the air cools and the moisture turns to water droplets. Of course moisture is exactly what mold needs to germinate and flourish.

A Bad Case Of Mold Growth

In this scenario it is fairly easy to remedy – remove the moisture for the atmosphere and use a good mold cleaner to remove and kill the mold and your problem should go away.

How do you reduce the moisture in the air?

Something as simple as opening a window to let air circulate will help, you could purchase a dehumidifierwhich will greatly reduce the moisture and will dry out any particularly damp rooms. These are not too expensive to run especially if you purchase a model which has a humidistat fitted which means it will only switch itself on when the humidity level rises. Another feature which is useful is that some models have various types of air filters which will help to remove mold spores from circulating in the atmosphere.

Fitting a ventilation fanin the bathroom which is vented directly to the outside of your property is a good plan for use during bathing. A cooker hoodfitted in the kitchen will extract excess moisture and steam created during cooking. Tumble driers create huge amounts of moisture so make sure that this too is ventilated to the outside of your house using a simple hose.

All of these simple measures are extremely effective and not hugely expensive.

Good maintenance to the fabric of your property is also vital. Taking care of small problems as they arise can prevent major cost and major repairs in the future. Check for leaky pipes, blocked gutters, damaged brick work etc. all of these will allow water to seep into your home damaging walls and floors as well as furniture and soft furnishings – creating a mold growing haven.

Once you have dealt with the source of your mold problem it is time to tackle the mold with a good mold cleaner.

If you venture into your local store or on to the internet you will be faced with a myriad of mold cleaner products all claiming to be the best. Beware, many of these are toxic containing all sorts of chemical agents which can do as much if not more damage to your health and that of your family if not used with extreme care. The good news is, that there are now natural mold cleaners out there which contain nothing but natural ingredients but which are equally as effective as the chemical products available.

If you don’t want to spend any extra money there are a couple of every day ingredients which will act as great mold cleaners which you will likely have in a cupboard.

Soap – Plain old soap will do a perfectly good job if the mold infestation is fairly minor. It is as simple as scrubbing the affected area, wiping it clean then allowing to dry.

Baking Soda – This is a very simple but effective and cheap mold cleaner for tiles. Mix the baking soda into a paste with water and vinegar. Use a toothbrush to scrub with the paste. Leave this to sit for around twenty minutes then rinse off.

This is just a couple of suggestions for natural mold cleaners, you could also try tea tree oil or grapefruit seed oil – these are quite expensive but a little bottle goes a long way! Plain distilled white vinegar will also work well.

Caution: If you are unsure of the type of mold in your home please consult a professional – it may be toxic!

Mold Growth On Wall

Mold will also attack carpets, rugs, shower curtains, walls and ceilings – the actual fabric of your home. It is important to remember that mold and mildew spores are very hardy and can stay in a dormant state for long periods until the moisture level in the you home rises to a sufficient level for them to begin to grow. Not only will it cause unsightly blackish stains and a horrid musty odour but if no mold treatment is applied it will literally destroy your fabrics as it eats into them.

The best mold treatment is no treatment it is prevention! Here are some tips which may help.

1. Good housekeeping is a good place to start, dirt and grim provide mold with the food it needs to grow and multiply.

2. Use wax as a barrier on leather items. This will stop moisture and therefore protect against mold. Alternatively there are sprays available.

3. Don’t leave dirty, wet clothing lying around – put them in the laundry basket!

Allow Shower Curtain To Dry

4. Open out your shower curtain and allow it to dry.

5. If you have a problem with moisture in closets etc. storing clothing along with moisture inhibitors to prevent mildew is a good idea. If the weather is favourable, air your clothes outside in the sunshine if possible.

6. Ventilation should be a priority to keep air circulating. Open windows, switch on an electric fan. Stagnant, moist air is heaven for mold!

7. Leave your closet doors open now and then to let air circulate and remember NOT to put clothes which are not completely dry in the closet.

8. Lastly but very importantly dry out the areas of dampness or excess moisture which is accumulated through normal daily routine or through leaks etc. Any problems should be repaired and then remove the moisture either with a dehumidifier absorbent silica or something similar or simply by heating and opening windows.

Mold treatment for different types of materials will vary. Here are a few tips for mold treatment.

Fabrics and Clothes:

The most important thing is that you start mold treatment as soon as you discover the problem. The first thing to do is brush the item to remove as much of the mold as possible – Remember to do this outside so as not so allow mold spores to spread throughout the house. Launder the item using detergent and if possible allow to dry outside in the sunshine.

There are a few specially designed detergents for this purpose but there are other alternatives such as the use of lemon juice and salt which is applied to the item and left to sun dry. Chlorine bleach is another option. Dilute 2 tablespoons in a quart of warm water and leave the stain to soak for between 5 and 15 minutes, then rise and allow to dry. The big problem with using bleach is that it definitely cannot be used on wool or silk items and it can remove the colour from items also, so caution should be taken if using this option.

Carpets, Rugs, Upholstery and Mattresses.

Mold treatment in soft furnishings can be a real pain in the neck. There are a few options open to you but the first step is the same no matter what the item is. Remove the item from the house and brush loose mold off – this should be done with great care – please ensure you are wearing the necessary protective gear i.e. gloves, face mask and goggles – then vacuum up as much as possible. The next step is to dry the item out preferably outside in the sun but if this is not possible you could use a heater or perhaps a dehumidifier.

In the case of mattresses and upholstery the mold treatment is usually to use a cloth soaked in an alcohol solution used to wipe the mold infected area then dry out properly. If you have a mattress or chair etc. which is particularly bad the only real method of mold treatment is fumigation.

For carpets and rugs you could try using a carpet shampooing machine or a detergent and damp cloth.
There are once again commercial products designed specifically for this purpose.

Wood.

Where you have wood which has not been treated or painted you will have a greater risk of mold and mildew forming if the surface becomes wet or damp. Painting with enamel or oil resin paints usually keeps wood resistant.

mold treatment for wood involves scrubbing the area down with something like washing soda or an organic detergent. It is important that the area is dried out as quickly as possible and then painted  or sprayed with a protective substance which will act as a barrier and will prevent mold spores germinating in the same area in future.

Caution: If you are unsure of the type of mold in your house please consult a professional – it may be toxic.