The RiskS of Having Mold
INSPECTING FOR MOLD
MOLD REMOVAL AND PREVENTION
MOLD REMOVAL GUIDE
There are a few ways you can identify if your home has mold. You can see it, smell it, or identify the possible health effects that these dangerous spores can cause. Mold can affect almost any area of the body, from the respiratory system to the brain.
Once you notice the presence of mold, it is possible to prevent or combat the spores yourself. However, the best way to protect your family is to hire a professional to test your home and perform remediation to keep the problem from coming back.
Read our guide to learn the hidden dangers of mold and how to protect yourself from them.
Hidden Dangers of MoldHome air pollution of all types causes 7 million deaths and causes 50% of all diseases. Mold is one of the most common causes of this pollution and must be addressed as soon as you notice it.
Most cases of mold can be seen or smelt when they begin. Another way to know if you have spores in your home is to see if they begin to affect your health. Common mold health concerns include:
- Runny noses
- Skin rashes
- Headaches
- Asthma
- Dizziness
- Sneezing
- Red, itchy eyes
The type of spores present in your home also changes how they affect your health. Black mold is a mycotoxin, and exposure symptoms can include:
- Respiratory issues
- Headache
- Tremors
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Reduced mental ability
- Death
There are several ways to protect yourself from mold depending on how serious the infestation is. Start one right away the moment you notice the presence of spores to minimize the effect on your family’s health.
How to Protect Yourself From MoldMold spores can grow in a single day when conditions are right. They also tend to hide in difficult-to-reach areas such as carpets or under carpets.
Are you wondering, what should I do with mold? There are several ways to protect yourself. You can use self-made methods as well as mold testing and remediation.
Prevention and Home RemediesBeginning by preventing and/or removing as much mold as possible saves time later and reduces the negative health effects you’ll experience. These home remedies aren’t as effective as a professional cleaning but can reduce levels in the meantime.
Reduce moisture and/or humidity to between 30-50%, increase ventilation, and fix leaks. Mold tends to only grow in wet areas. You can also try to kill the spores with soap and water or harsher chemicals like bleach.
If these steps don’t work, the best method is to hire a professional. They can perform mold testing and remediation to help you remove the problem for good.
Mold TestingWhile mold can usually be seen or smelt, it is possible for it to go undetected. Testing is an essential step to ensure you remove all spores and know what type they are to develop a proper removal plan.
Mold testing is an important part of any mold inspection. It involves a professional looking for past or current mold growth. There are three types: air sampling, tape swab testing, and lift tape sampling.
Air sampling involves comparing air samples from inside your home to a control sample from outside. These samples are then sent to a lab to determine if there’s an elevated level of mold spores.
Tape swab testing is less common and focuses on identifying what types of mold spores are present in your home. With so many different types of mold this test is essential to narrow them down and identify what exactly is present in your home.
During lift tape sampling, professionals place a piece of tape on a surface where mold may be present. After lifting it off and sending it to a lab, they can examine it under a micro-glass slide to see if mold spores are present.
Mold RemediationOnce you’ve confirmed the presence of mold in your home through the testing process, it’s time to remove it. Professionals can do this using a five-step process known as mold remediation.
Each step is essential to get the mold levels in your home back to normal. It includes inspection, containment, air filtering, cleaning, and sanitization.
Inspection is the first and one of the most important steps. It involves taking samples to determine what types and how much mold is present.
Containment requires sealing off all areas of the home where mold is present. This prevents spores from spreading and making the problem even worse.
During the air filtering step, professionals use a high-efficiency air filter to remove mold spores from your HVAC system. This prevents them from remaining in the home and reentering the air.
The cleaning stage removes any leftover mold spores using antibacterial and antifungal cleansers. The sanitization step removes anything that’s left over using fogging equipment.
The average cost of the mold remediation process depends on how extensive the damage is and whether or not any parts of the home need to be removed. Homeowner’s insurance may cover most of the required services.