Have you noticed how many stories about mold have been in the news in recent times? I think these stories highlight the importance of getting rid of mold wherever it may be: home, school, hospital or office building.
For something different, I decided to let these news stories speak for themselves rather than writing a “normal” post. After all, these are real life events that have impacted upon and touched people from all walks of life in a significant way. From babies to high school students to mentally ill children in a hospital to ordinary home buyers to former employees, they have all been affected by this insidious pest.
Take a look at some of these recent news articles and see what you think:
11 March 2009
Bedford County veteran dealing with mold in house
‘Go to your room’ is a common phrase parents tell their kids.
Deshano Hood can’t say that to his 10-year-old daughter, Whitney Nash.
For months mold has spread throughout her bedroom wall inside Hood’s Bedford County home on Somerset Drive, causing concern for Hood and his wife April.
Read the full story here.
9 March 2009
Mother accused of hurting baby says mold to blame
A Syracuse woman who claims she was wrongfully convicted of assaulting her infant daughter based on bronchial tube bleeding that was actually caused by exposure to mold is back in court for a new trial.
…a state Supreme Court justice overturned the conviction earlier this year after the defense provided evidence to support Gallishaw’s claim that she had laundered her baby’s clothing in the mold-infested basement at her mother’s home.
Read the full story here.
6 March 2009
Mold found in Butner hospital gym
Mentally ill kids used the facility
An environmental study has found high levels of mold in a gym used by mentally ill children at a state hospital in Butner.
The spore count in the gym was 61 times that in the air outside the building…
Read the full story here.
6 March 2009
Home Front: Putting mold on hold
SEATTLE – It’s a four-letter word that many potential homebuyers or sellers don’t want to hear during inspections – mold.
Mold can be a nagging problem in our wet regional climate and a home sale killer….
Read the full story here.
4 March 2009
Extensive repairs needed at Selma High
Mold can be seen on the ceiling in the background.Superintendent Dr. Austin Obasohan walked through the corridors of Selma High School. Around each corner, the lights grew dimmer. He walked past classrooms lined with dingy carpet and underneath ceiling tiles stained with water and mold.
Read the full story here.
Enough said. Get rid of your mold problem without delay.
Filed under black mold, mold removal, remove mold by on Mar 11th, 2009. Comment. 
This video gives you a very good explanation of what toxic mold is.
Duration : 0:0:58
Filed under black mold, mold removal by on Mar 12th, 2009. Comment.
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
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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.
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
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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.
A brief overview of the problem with excessive and/or toxigenic fungi in indoor living spaces.
Duration : 0:3:22
Filed under Uncategorized by on Mar 15th, 2009. Comment.
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
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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.
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
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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. 4 Comments.
we have just discovered mold under the carpets & walls in the bedroom. We are in the process of getting it removed, however I am due to have a baby next week & want to make sure that there are no mold spores that could be floating in the air in other rooms etc that could harm my newborn… How can I ensure that all the mold spores are not present when I bring the baby home… Please help 
Mr. Peabody
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Mold can only grow if there’s moisture. Unless the moisture is eliminated, mold will continue to grow whenever the moisture is present. If there is mold in the walls, it’ll keep coming through the walls and floating in the air forever. However, the more contaminated material you can remove or clean, the better it is. But unless you are extremely careful, you will spread it around when you remove the carpet. You should google “how to remediate mold” before disturbing it. A popular saying in the business is: “a bad cleanup is worse than no cleanup at all.”
Also contrary to what everyone thinks, bleach is no good because the mold will grow back almost overnight (it’s roughly 97% water (good for more mold) which is what’s left after the 3% bleach evaporates in a few minutes!) Lysol is the best product you’ll find in a retail store for exposed surfaces and small areas like bathrooms. It really works and it’s cheap.
You might also want to google “health symptoms of mold”. Many people are surprised to learn that certain kinds of mold can cause headaches, difficulty concentrating, depression, insomnia and skin rashes as well as the obvious things like sneezing and respiratory issues. And anyone with a compromised immune system (ie pregnant or on chemo) will be at a much greater risk of serious illness so you should not be present when the cleanup is going on. Good luck.
References :
Professional experience
Filed under clean mold, remove mold by on Mar 17th, 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
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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. 7 Comments.
How well do ozone generators work killing mold?
westwitch9
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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.