Toxic Mold

In recent years, mold problems in homes have become a topic of conversation and concern. It has been found that people who don't generally have any type of respiratory problems can be adversely affected by mold in their homes. Because of this, everyone needs to be aware of toxic mold, specifically how to find out if your home has been invaded by it and how to get rid of it.

Mold is a fungus that releases spores into the air in order to reproduce itself. If these spores land on moist objects, they will begin to grow. Toxic mold produces a product called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins can lead to severe lung problems in infants and can cause lung problems and memory loss in the elderly. Stachybotrys chartarum is a common type of toxic mold that invades paper, wood, drywall and any other material that contains cellulose. It is not the type of mold that grows on cement, brick or tile.

Because mold particles are invisible, it is not possible to know where they may have landed and started to grow. These particles are easily inhaled and can cause serious health problems to people and pets that reside in the home.

Mold generally flourishes in damp, humid areas of the home, such as the bathroom. Because of this, there are repairs that need to be made immediately to prevent mold from forming. Any leaking pipes need to be repaired right away, as do leaking roofs. If there has been any type of flooding in your home, such as the basement for instance, you will need to correct the situation immediately.

Because of the potential for water to seep or flood into basements, it is best not to use carpet on basement floors. You will also want to make sure that if you have a crawl space the dirt is covered with plastic and the crawlspace is well ventilated. If your basement stays somewhat damp in general, you will want to install a dehumidifier.

If you discover a small amount of mold, you can clean the area with detergent and water. Once this has been completed, you should allow the area to thoroughly dry and then apply a solution of 1/2 cup of bleach per gallon of water. Keep in mind that the mold will keep coming back unless you correct the problem that is causing it.

If the mold problem is large, you will want to contact a professional mold removal service. Do not try to remove large areas of mold yourself as you can become extremely sick if you don't have the proper equipment for this endeavor.

The best way to prevent mold from forming is to clean your house on a regular basis, once or twice a week. Generally mold can be detected by a musty odor. If your home has a musty smell, you should locate the source of the odor right away. If you are unable to locate the source, then you should have a professional perform a mold test. The safety and health of your family may depend upon it.