Have you ever tried to kill mold in your home, only to find that it has returned to haunt you, often within days and, as if to rub it in, in the same areas that you treated earlier?
If that’s happened to you, here are some practical tips to assist you in preventing mold from invading your home in the first place. That’s right. Prevention is the best, most effective method of mold control that I know. If you follow these tips, you will reduce the possibility of having to kill any mold that you may find later on.
Mold and moisture are friends, great friends. If you have moisture anywhere in or around your house, that’s where you’ll find it. So, the first rule is to track down the origin of the moisture so you can control it.
If you don’t do this, you and members of your family could face a myriad of health problems down the track should any of you become exposed to the harmful effects of mold.
This particularly applies to those who already have existing medical conditions such as asthma, allergies, chronic lung diseases, and weakened immune systems. So, whatever you do, try and find where the source of the moisture is. For example, look for leaks in water pipes (including those that are hidden in walls), roofs, guttering, down spouts and appliances that are not vented to the outside such as clothes dryers.
At times, you may also suspect that there is mold somewhere because you can literally smell it. Mold has its own distinctive odor that makes it virtually impossible not to notice. No matter how hard you try, however, you still can’t detect it. In these situations, you could try looking in places that are not so obvious such as underneath carpets and behind drywalls or wall paper.
Once you’ve determined the origin of the moisture in your home, you need to fix whatever was causing the problem. If you have the skill to do that yourself, then that’s great because you will save money. How much will depend on the severity of the problem you’ve identified. However, if you can’t, it’s best to fork out the cash and hire a professional to do the job.
Proper air circulation is extremely important in stopping mold from getting a foothold in your home. So, you should make sure that there is adequate ventilation in areas that are prone to dampness like bathrooms, laundry and utility rooms and basements. Whenever possible, leave as many windows and doors open for as long as you can, especially in bathrooms and laundries. Failure to do this will only encourage mold growth.
There is nothing particularly exciting about having to kill mold in your home. It’s a chore you want to avoid at all costs.
Filed under kill mold, mold removal by on Apr 10th, 2010. Comment. 
People are often too complacent about whether or not they should kill mold that, unfortunately, is becoming too prevalent these days. No doubt, the major shift in climate conditions around the world has a lot to do with the increase in mold infestations.
However, if you feel like you want to remove mold that may have taken hold in your home, it’s a good idea to avoid using toxic materials which are unfriendly to the environment.
You will find some tips on how to kill mold and mildew naturally here.
Filed under kill mold by on Apr 4th, 2010. Comment.
This is an example of mold, stachybotrys and chaetomium. A 1 year old Palmer Home.
Duration : 0:1:32
Filed under black mold, kill mold by on Mar 21st, 2009. 4 Comments.
I am interested in buying a house that may have mold.
Is there a way to get rid of the mold if it is in the walls without taking the walls down? And is all mold dangerous?
I don’t know all the details, but, the seller should be responsible for having a possible mold issue taken care of. 1. All molds can be dangerous to people and pet’s. It depends on how much mold is in the living environment and what other health issues a person or pet has. Mold may affect people that have allergies,asthma, immune problems, etc. more than so called healthy people. 2. The seller should be required to have a mold test done by a professional to determine the level of mold spores in the home. 3. If the mold is visible, some kind of remediation needs to be done. 4. Moisture is the necessary ingredient that mold needs to live. (What’s causing the moisture problem?) 5. You don’t have to tear down the walls unless the walls have been compromised by the mold. (I don’t know what your walls are made of.) I can go on an on regarding Mold issues in peoples living environments. Since I don’t know the specifics of the possible mold infestation that your asking about, it’s hard for me to give further advise. Plus, it would help to know what state you live in. New York, for example has some of the toughest guidelines regarding mold remediation.
Filed under kill mold, mold removal by on Mar 20th, 2009. 1 Comment.
How well do ozone generators work killing mold?
westwitch9
0.0.0.0
No, there isn’t. You need to clean the area, (I assume it’s block) with bleach water. Then you need to find out why there is mold there in the first place. If it is moisture from the outside, you might look into the grading of your property. If the ground slopes toward your home, you have a negative grade and water is seeping in- You will need to raise the grade by sloping the ground away from your house.
You might also look at your gutters, if they are full of debris, this can cause water to flow over the side and down into your foundation. Concrete walkways next to a foundation is another way to trap water.
References :
10 years of my life
Filed under kill mold, mold removal, remove mold by on Mar 19th, 2009. 1 Comment.
I’ven been noticing mold growing around the corners of my bathroom ceiling and are now spreading. What’s the most effective way of getting rid of mold?
belen2499
0.0.0.0
Mold in a bathroom is a delicate process to get rid of and you just cannot paint over it as you will need something that acts as a barrier against the moisture.
Bathrooms are prone to mold and mildew buildup because of its moist, humid environment. Mold can be one of the most damaging elements in your bathroom. If left uncleaned, it can cause hard-to-remove stains, bad odors, and extensive damage to your bathroom walls and fixtures not to mention health hazards.
However, it can also be the hardest to remove, especially if it’s been building up for some time. Here’s a step-by-step guide to removing mold and keeping your bathroom mold-free.
1. Scrub off existing mold from the walls and ceiling using household bleach and a piece of cloth. Dilute the bleach (two parts water to one part bleach) to keep from damaging the wall paint or tile. Rinse the cloth under running water from time to time to remove the mold and keep from spreading it to other areas. Remember to wear gloes and protective clothing, and keep the area well-ventilated.
2. When you’ve scrubbed off the surface mold, wash off the remaining bleach with water and allow the surface to dry. You can use fans to help them dry faster, opening a window helps too.
3. Using a roller, apply a coat of Bin paint to the surface. This will remove stains and keep existing mold from sticking to the wall. It also keeps leftover mold from growing back out on the surface. Allow the paint to dry (usually about 45 minutes). Note: This step is not necessary for new bathrooms.
4. Apply two coats of mildew-proof bathroom paint over the Bin paint. This paint contains a special resin that prevents mildew from growing back, even in moist environments. It will not kill existing mildew, however, so make sure you’ve removed it all before applying the paint. Wait one hour before applying the second coat.
Mold-proofing your bathroom
Keep moisture low. Mold and mildew grow on moist surfaces, so keep things as dry possible. Do not leave towels on the floor or keep damp clothes in piles. Keep the room well-ventilated so that excess water can evaporate faster. Use a ceiling fan or open a window when taking a hot shower so steam and moisture can evaporate and escape.
Clean mildew-prone areas regularly. Use a sponge or squeegee to remove excess moisture from walls and shower curtains. Scrub these areas every other week with a bleach and water solution.
Hang loose cloths. Mold can accumulate on damp cloths that are left crumpled or in contact with the floor. Hanging them from a rack will allow them to dry before mold or mildew can grow. Make sure you hang them stretched out, as mold can grow between the creases. Mold can also spread from the floor to the walls.
Brighten up. Dark areas are more prone to mold and mildew growth. Use bright lights and light colored paint or tiles. Install light bulbs in dark areas like closets and cabinets.
Filed under kill mold, mold removal, remove mold by on Mar 18th, 2009. 6 Comments.
I got some mold on the walls of my basement after a flood. Now, there are these somewhat red spots in the carpet, and there’s little pieces of [of what look like pasta] growing out of it. They are in shades of cream to brown. How do i get rid of that [pasta thing] and some mold on the walls without my parents finding out?
If my parents find out, I’m in a lot of trouble.
be_a_lert
0.0.0.0
You have to get rid of the moisture. You will need to run a dehumidifier for a while to get the moisture out of the concrete. Once the dehumidifier goes from running most of the time to about 2 hours in a day, you can clean everything with a strong bleach solution to get rid of the leftover mold.
The carpet will most likely have to go. If nothing else, you will be left with stains.
Whether you get in trouble or not, you will have to get rid of the mold ASAP. Some (certainly not all) kinds of mold are very toxic and can make you very ill.
.
Filed under kill mold by on Mar 16th, 2009. 3 Comments.
I had an ice dam on my house, over the past couple of days water has been slowly trickling into my laundry room which has old plaster walls covered in wall paper and paint. The wall and the edge of the ceiling is wet and a little soft in places, and I think mold might be starting to grow, in some places the water running down the walls is orange (I don’t know why, possibly dye from the wallpaper, or something in the wood framing, the house is very old). I wanted to remodel this room eventually but I don’t have the time or money to do it right now. Is there any way to kill or prevent mold growth on and in the walls without ripping them out?
I was thinking of using a spray on the walls … but I have a feeling this is only superficial and that there could still be growth behind the plaster.
I’d just like to get some opinions.
tim r
0.0.0.0
A common misnomer is that a bleach/water solution will kill mold. IT WILL NOT. You need an industrial strength bleach to accomplish this. Without removing the wall board, you will not be able to safely remove the mold. If you wait, you can only hope the water dries out so the mold doesn’t prosper.
Kilz primer will not be effective if the mold is continuing to grow. You have to remove the mold, dry things out, then and only then can you encapsulate safely.
There are many reasons mold is dangerous, and that doesn’t take in account the adverse health effects. Feel free to e-mail me with the particulars and I will try to help you further. Good luck.
References :
certified mold inspector & remediator
Filed under kill mold by on Mar 16th, 2009. 5 Comments.
If there is wallpaper and it is seeping through the wallpaper. Do I have to remove the wallpaper & kill the mold then get new wallpaper? How do you kill mold on the wall?
jeff s
0.0.0.0
mold can be a very serious and dangerous problem in your home. if you don’t have an exhaust fan in your bathroom this could be the problem, but you do need to find out the cause of the mold otherwise it will be back no mater what you do. at the very least you need to cut a hole in the wall (about hand size) and look at the back of the piece of drywall that you cut out, then with a small mirror and flashlight look inside the wall for signs of mold or mildew. you should wear gloves and a dust mask when you do this. some forms of household mold are very dangerous and sometimes deadly to humans. what your inspection reveals will determine how to fix it. if you need more info at that point feel free to e-mail me and i will answer your questions.
Filed under kill mold by on Mar 14th, 2009. 2 Comments.
I found out that the vent on my roof that is used for the bathroom fan is leaking a bit. I’m going to take out the vent and re-install it making sure that it is well sealed. There is some mold around it on the surface of the plywood (the side that is in the addict). the house is only 4 years old and I’m told I should be able to just use some bleach and kill the mold after making sure it is sealed and I should be good to go. Just looking for other opinions/suggestions.
Jim N
0.0.0.0
Bleach does NOT kill mold. You must use a biocide or anti-microbial. Supporting article: http://www.normi.org/articles/bleach-mold.php
It won’t be easy on a substance such as plywood because of it’s multiple layers into which mold spores can penetrate. However, after an application of biocide or anti-microbial and allowing time to dry, check to see if it returns. If not, I would seal with Shellac. Just brush it on. Sealers/Primers such as KILZ often contain Shellac because of it’s sealing properties and the fact that any finish including paint can be put over Shellac. If you elect to use KILZ or a similar product, make sure it has a anti-fungicide in it. If not, it can be added.
It won’t be easy on a substance such as plywood because of it’s multiple layers into which mold spores can penetrate. However, after an application of biocide or anti-microbial and allowing time to dry, check to see if it returns. If not, I would seal with Shellac. Just brush it on. Sealers/Primers such as KILZ often contain Shellac because of it’s sealing properties and the fact that any finish including paint can be put over Shellac. If you elect to use KILZ or a similar product, make sure it has a anti-fungicide in it. If not, it can be added.
Filed under kill mold by on Mar 12th, 2009. 9 Comments.