Category : Types of Mold

Airborne Mold

When it comes to allergy triggers, airborne mold is oftentimes one of the biggest problems. While most types of molds aren’t fatal to humans, black mold in particular is infamous for being deadly to both humans and pets if left untreated. The trouble with airborne mold is that you can’t see it with the naked eye, which means that oftentimes you don’t discover its source until it’s already spread considerably. Here area few ways you can prevent and treat airborne mold.

One of the best ways to get rid of airborne mold is to prevent it from occurring at all. You can do this by vacuuming regularly, cleaning up spills as soon as you see them, and storing soft materials such as blankets, clothes, and stuffed animals in plastic bags to prevent moisture from reaching them. Dehumidifiers also work wonders for lowering your chances of mold growth.

One of the most common sources of airborne mold is via your air vents. What many homeowners don’t realize is that these vents accumulate a staggering amount of dust and mold spores. This means that every time they turn on, more mold is distributed throughout your home. You can prevent this from happening by having your vents cleaned as needed as needed and having them tested regularly. Many specialists are able to spray the newly cleaned vents with a special solution that helps enormously in preventing spore growth for much longer.

What about testing for airborne mold? There is something of a debate regarding whether or not one should choose home testing kits or just hire the professionals. Home testing kits are great if you simply want to test for how much mold is in your home, but their options tend to be limited and there’s no guarantee of an accurate reading. Professional mold testing companies, however, can not only test your home for airborne mold, but they can identify the exact species. This helps enormously in figuring out a way to isolate and remove the source of the mold.

Learn more today about how you can prevent airborne mold in your home. You would be surprised at just how much mold exists in one household. You can go for years without even knowing it exists. However, along with being sanitary, it can also do wonders for improving your health and the health of those around you. Act now and take charge of your health!

Mildew Mold

Are you concerned about the presence of mildew mold in your home? If so, there are plenty of simple ways you can prevent its growth in the first place. Here are a few suggestions to consider when tidying your home.

One of the best ways to prevent mildew mold from taking over your home is to simply clean regularly. Simple vacuuming, scrubbing your bathroom, mopping, and wiping up spills and puddles as soon as you encounter them already does wonders for holding mold at bay. Essentially, the only thing that mold needs to thrive is a solid surface, moisture, and time. By keeping your carpets and counters as clean as possible, you’re already doing a lot to prevent its growth.

Additionally, air vents are notorious for being breeding places for mildew mold. By having your vents cleaned as needed, you are helping enormously to stop the distribution of mold spores every time your air vents kick on. Many vent cleaning companies also provide an additional service that involves them spraying newly cleaned vents with a solution that prevents spores from growing.

Another thing you can do to prevent mildew mold is to simply keep the surfaces in your home as dry as possible. You can do this by installing a few dehumidifiers in vulnerable rooms in your home. Also avoid storing damp laundry in dark areas like the closet for long periods of time, as this is practically inviting the mildew mold into your home. Similarly, don’t let your carpet remain wet for too long. Once the mold begins spreading beneath it, it’s next to impossible to remove entirely, resulting in it appearing again and again.

Some target areas in your home for mildew mold, strangely enough, aren’t the usual places you clean. Areas such as storage rooms, attics, closets, and bathrooms are all where mold tends to flourish the most. Not only are they dark and have the potential to become humid or damp, but they’re also commonly neglected areas.

You can prevent mildew mold from growing in your attic or storage rooms, for example, by making sure the windows are locked tight against letting in humidity or rain. Additionally, store soft items such as spare blankets or stuffed animals in plastic bags to reduce the chances of it being exposed to moisture. That done, put them in plastic tins rather than cardboard boxes.

As for the basement, you can prevent mildew mold from thriving here simply by performing regular maintenance checks. Fix any burst pipes you find immediately. Keep any drains completely unobstructed. Finally, try to keep sources of water, such as hoses, sprinklers, and water toys away from the edges of your house. Learn more today!

Household Mold

The threat of common household mold is something that worries both allergy sufferers and homeowners alike. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to prevent mold from taking over your home. By taking some simple preventive measures, you can help significantly in decreasing the risk of household mold. Here are a few suggestions.

When it comes to preventing the growth of household mold, it’s best to leave no area of your house untouched. Mold flourishes, after all, in damp, dark areas that we often have trouble reaching or just don’t think about checking. For example, a typical mold checkup consists of everything from your attic to your basement and every room between.

Your attic is particularly vulnerable. Leaky roofs, shoddy storage, and humidity make attics a prime breeding ground for mold. You can prevent it from spreading there by fixing any leaks you find as soon as possible, by using plastic tubs and bins instead of cardboard boxes, and by doing your best to lower the humidity in the room. Also be on the alert for water spots on the ceiling or any musty smells.

Your basement is another household mold hot spot. Its dark, damp location makes it easy for mold to grow in hard to reach areas. By keeping any drains unobstructed and avoiding putting any running garden hoses or sprinklers near the groundwork of your home, you can do your part to make sure no moisture trickles into unattended areas.

Kitchens and bathrooms are also common homes for household mold. You can prevent mold from spreading here by cleaning up any puddles or spills as soon as you encounter them. By using less water when bathing or washing dishes, you can also lower the humidity significantly. Also be sure to scrub tiles with your favorite mild household cleaner to prevent mold from growing in your shower or tub.

Finally, the ventilation system is the most common spreader of household mold. Throughout the year, mold is able to thrive and mingle among the dust that accumulates there. Many don’t realize that their vents are moldy at all until they have a professional test them. Be sure to have your vents cleaned at least once every few years to prevent them from spreading household mold into every corner of your home. Some companies also spray the newly cleaned vents with a special chemical solution that prevents the growth of germs and mold spores, thus keeping them cleaner for much longer. Learn more today!

Drywall Mold

Are you concerned about the presence of drywall mold in your home? If you’re not, you should be. While most types of mold found in the home, such as bread mold or shower mold, tend to be mostly harmless, the type of mold that is typically found in drywall can seriously affect your health. Here are a few ways you can prevent and remove drywall mold.

The best way to tackle the problem of any type of mold is to prevent it from occurring at all. You can do this by keeping an eye on common problem areas such as basements, attics, and other areas where stagnant water can create the presence of mold. After all, the worst places mold occurs are in areas that we don’t typically check.

Another way to prevent drywall mold from occurring is preventing stagnant water from forming. If you find your roof leaks, be sure to fix the problem as soon as possible and keep your home as dry as possible. If you water your lawn or garden with hoses or sprinklers, make sure that your hose is always off when you’re done using it and that your sprinklers face away from your home. This prevents water from leaking into your basement.

How can you remove drywall mold? Unfortunately, it cannot simply be scrubbed out. Once the wood is contaminated, your best hope is to remove it and sanitize the area as best as you can with a boric acid solution to kill any lingering remains. Mold spreads quickly and flourishes in soft woods such as drywall. Be sure to also be careful when removing the mold; there are still ways it can contaminate your home as you attempt to remove it. Be sure to wear a mask and other protective materials to prevent breathing it in.

Some other low key ways you can prevent the growth of drywall mold is to keep your house as humidity free as possible. You can do this by using less water and investing in a few dehumidifiers. You can also prevent mold from growing by mopping up spills as soon as you find them. This includes spills on grout tiles, kitchen counters, and bathroom floors. Be sure to also clean bathroom tiles regularly with a quality solution to keep mold from spreading to the drywall.

Learn more today about how you can prevent the growth of drywall mold! Not only will you help keep your home sanitary and healthy, but preventing mold will help keep your house resale value up as well. Act now and take charge today.

Carpet Mold

When it comes to ridding your home of mold, getting rid of carpet mold has to be one of the most difficult chores to face. Not only is it immensely hard to scrub out of its surface, but heaven help you should it begin growing underneath it. However, there are plenty of ways to prevent carpet mold.

One of the best ways to get rid of carpet mold is to prevent it from forming at all. You can do this by simply going about your usual chores—vacuuming and the occasional steam clean can do wonders for keeping mold at bay.

Another crucial thing to consider when preventing carpet mold is the issue of moisture. Mold needs two things to thrive: dampness and an ideal surface. Unfortunately, carpeting is about as ideal as you can get when it comes to breeding mold. You can help significantly in holding mold at bay simply by keeping your carpet clean and dry. Keeping it dry is the most important part—you can manage this by cleaning up spills and puddles as soon as you find them.

Humidity is another unfortunate factor that encourages carpet mold. If you live in a climate that’s naturally humid, particularly in the summertime, you may find yourself at a loss. However, by installing a few dehumidifiers here and there, you’ll be surprised at just how much they help in keeping the air from being saturated with spores.

A big step in removing carpet mold that not many homeowners consider is their ventilation system. Many don’t realize there’s anything wrong until they have their home tested for spores and discover that they’ve been lurking in the vents all along. Dark, damp, and a natural trap for dust and mites, mold thrives in its depths as well. Worst of all, every time your air kicks on, mold spores are distributed to every room in your home.

By having your vents cleaned regularly, you can prevent mold spores from forming there. Many duct cleaners will also spray newly cleaned vents with a special solution that helps to prevent mold from growing there for much longer.

Keeping your house free of carpet mold may seem like an impossible endeavor. However, by keeping up with your chores and having your house tested regularly, you will be able to make a difference in the cleanliness of your home. Learn more today about how you can defeat carpet mold and take control of your home once more!

Black Mold

When it comes to battling black mold, the best way to keep it out of your house is to prevent it from occurring at all. Unlike most molds, which occur naturally and are relatively harmless, black mold contains elements that are actually harmful and sometimes even fatal toward pets and humans alike. Here are a few ways you can treat and prevent mold from occurring.

Black mold typically flourishes in areas we forget to check. These include basements, attics, storage rooms, laundry rooms, and more. It tends to flourish in wet, warm, dark areas and can grow on anything from carpet to furniture to even drywall. It also lurks in ventilation systems as well as in perfectly obvious places, such as bathroom tiles or fridges.

With so many areas to consider, you may think that getting rid of black mold is absolutely impossible. However, by taking a few preventive measures, you can significantly lessen your chances of black mold flourishing in your home. Do you live in a climate that’s naturally humid? Try adding some dehumidifiers to various rooms in your home to lower the level a bit. Not only will this make things more comfortable, but it will prevent mold from forming.

Be sure to clean up any stagnant water as soon as you find it. These include obvious areas, such as puddles on kitchen counters and on bathroom floors as well as not so obvious areas, including basements, attics, and other neglected spots. Since not all sources of stagnant water are messes we create ourselves, it’s a good idea to check things periodically and have your home tested if you have any reason to doubt.

Are you worried about black mold forming in your basement? Try lessening the amount of moisture that forms by being absolutely sure to turn off your hose completely after using it and keeping any sprinklers or other water systems pointed away from your home so that the water doesn’t run back in and seep into your basement.  Be sure that any drains are exposed completely as well.

If you find black mold forming in your drywall or furniture, sadly, there is nothing to be done for it. No amount of scrubbing, scouring, or soaking will loosen the mold. Your best bet is to get rid of the drywall or furniture and replace it. This, however, isn’t always enough either—you should do your best to sanitize the surrounding area as well to make sure no spores remain. Learn more today!

Basement Mold

When it comes to fighting mold, one of the prime areas of mold growth is the basement. This dark, damp area is a natural breeding place for mold. Worse still, it’s a commonly neglected area of the home as well. Here are a few ways you can help prevent the growth of basement mold in your home.

An ideal way to prevent basement mold is to keep groundwater from seeping into your home. This includes turning off the garden hose as soon as you’re through using it and pointing any sprinklers or other lawn watering devices away from your home if possible.

Another good way to prevent basement mold is to keep any drains completely unobstructed. This way, in the event of flooding, the water will have a place to go. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to accidentally cover this with a washing machine, storage boxes, or other large objects. Blocking it, however, promotes the growth of stagnant puddles. While mold doesn’t typically grow in stagnant water, it can nevertheless seep into the floor and promote mold growth.

Is your basement carpeted? If so, be sure that you check the carpet frequently for damp spots and do your best to dry any spills as quickly as you can. When your carpet is soaked, it’s all too easy for mold to form underneath it, and once it’s established itself, it’s next to impossible to get rid of. A sign of extreme basement mold is actually seeing the stuff growing on top of your carpet rather than underneath.

Should you encounter a small patch of basement mold, you have a chance of treating it by scrubbing it with a solution of boric acid. However, if you discover that you have a significant amount of mold, no amount of scrubbing or scouring will prevent it from spreading. In this case, it’s better to simply remove the mold by removing its source. While replacing chunks of drywall or older wood may be expensive, it’s not worth the constant battle of reappearing mold.

These are only a few ways you can combat basement mold. While it’s not typically an easy task, the more preventive measures you take, the better off you’ll be. To prevent mold from spreading to other areas of your home, be sure to have regular mold tests, clean up stagnant water, and clean your ventilation systems regularly to prevent it from circulating throughout your home. Learn more today!

Attic Mold

Are you concerned about attic mold? If you’re not, perhaps you should be. The attic happens to be one of the most vulnerable spots in your home when it comes to mold growth. Anyone who has ever suffered a Mold Allergy can attest that regularly testing your home for mold is a responsible idea indeed. Here are a few ways you can prevent and treat attic mold.

Why is the attic such a vulnerable spot? This is largely because it’s very susceptible to heat and humidity, which are two things mold needs to start spreading. Furthermore, if you keep storage boxes in your attic, mold may very well begin to cover cardboard boxes, old clothing, drywall, insulation, and other soft, perishable materials.

However, the biggest thing that puts your home at risk for attic mold is the rain. Is your roof leaky? Even if it doesn’t leak, it’s still easy for water to get in via an open window or a small crack. Sometimes even intense humidity is enough for mold to survive on. The combination of hot, damp air and soft materials makes it all too easy for attic mold to flourish.

With this in mind, getting rid of attic mold may seem impossible. However, there are plenty of ways you can prevent mold from spreading. One basic way to do this is to check over your attic regularly. Look for water stains on the ceiling or signs of mold along the walls. If you find any boxes that have moldy items in them, throw them out immediately and do your best to sanitize the room. Most importantly, do your best to fix any leaky spots as soon as you can.

Does your attic have a ventilation duct in it? If so, it is more at risk for attic mold than one that doesn’t. Vents are also at risk for harboring mold, and every time the heater or air conditioning kicks on, spores are distributed throughout the house at an alarming rate. You can prevent attic mold from forming, however, simply by having your ducts cleaned at the appointed time. Many professionals will also spray the insides of your newly cleaned ducts with a special cleaner to prevent spores from forming.

These are only a few ways to combat attic mold. While it may initially seem intimidating, you can do wonders for improving your health and the health of those around you simply by performing these precautionary measures. Learn more about how to beat mold today.