How to Choose the Right Mold Testing Firm
You may be ill because of mold in your home or place of employment, your property value may fall because of mold that bleach and paint just cannot control. If you have a compromised immune system mold may even grow in you lungs or other parts of your body in the form of a systemic fungal infection. However, no requirements exist for mold inspectors nor mold remediators in most states. When choosing a mold testing firm be sure that the professional is familiar with the following.
1) Building construction and building forensics.
Your mold problem is not in a Petri dish or lab but in a home or commercial building. Mold testing should be done by someone who has knowledge of buildings and how to inspect building and not just the mold itself. Your mold inspector should be familiar with vapor barriers, roofing, plumbing, wall structure and wall waterproofing, building pressurization and more to properly diagnose sometimes unusual building failures that have resulted in mold and moisture problems.
2) Psychometrics.
Psychometric pertains to humidity, temperature, dew point and air and how they all influence each other. A deep understanding of the interrelations of these factors might not be important in New York, new jersey, or Florida but in Florida with it's unique hot humid climate it is very important.
3) Biological sciences.
Mold is a living organism many other common indoor allergens are products of biological activities in your house or office, your inspector should understand at least some basic biological and ecological science principles pertaining to microbiology or mycology (the study of mold).
4) HVAC knowledge.
Your mold testing expert must be very familiar with heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC systems) because many mold problems are related to HVAC system malfunctions, leaks, or contamination. Contaminated return and supply plenums, and contaminated blower fans and coils are a common hiding place for mold. Properly working HVAC systems can help prevent mold, humidity, and even general indoor air quality problems from ever occurring.
5) Sampling techniques.
Your mold inspector should be properly trained and experienced in investigating and sampling mold, and if needed other bio-allergens, and they should know how to interpret the lab results.
6) Legally defensible reporting documenting findings and recommendations.
Will your mold testing firm leave you with simple lab results?, or a detailed legally defensible mold inspection report that your allergy doctor, insurance adjuster, and attorney will find helpful complete with digital photos and executive summary page showing a summary of the inspectors findings and conclusions? Your inspector should give you a comprehensive mold inspection report form documenting visual findings, environmental monitoring results, interpretation of lab results, inspector's conclusions, recommendations on how to control the mold problem and more.
7) Proper certifications.
Currently there are no requirements that a person must fulfill to call themselves a Florida mold inspector. There is no training required in the state of Florida. In fact, the term "certified mold inspector" is almost meaningless. There are good certification courses but there are also worthless certification training courses for mold inspectors in Florida. In fact as of 2006 few states have licenses for mold inspectors.
Be sure to verify that your mold inspector is one of the following:
Industrial Hygienist or Certified Industrial Hygienist
Board Certified Indoor Environmentalist
Board Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
You can verify some of the above certifications at the
IAQA or ImIaq web site consultant database.
How To Use Your Senses To Detect Black Mold
Mold is a small yet dangerous living organism, which belongs to the fungi family. Mold can survive on a variety of objects and can often be found growing inside houses. There are different varieties of molds, and some are more harmful than others. Perhaps the most harmful kind of mold is black mold, and this should be immediately removed from the home.
Black mold is known to cause a number of health problems in humans, and has even been a cause of several deaths. That is why it is very important to take quick action when it comes to mold and make your home safe for your family again.
There are some tips that can help you detect mold in your house. If your house is prone to humidity, leaks and flooding, there is a big probability that there might be a mold infestation somewhere. If you have experienced these issues in the past, do take some time and check for symptoms of mold.
The first thing that you need to see is visible signs of mold in the house. Black mold can leave spots over the infected area, which may be black, green or yellow in appearance. Check for these kinds of spots and stains all over the house, concentrating more on places like the basement, bathrooms and closets. Mold growth resembles fuzzy cotton balls, so keep that in mind when you are searching for it.
Another good tip for mold detection is to use your sense of smell. Black mold can often have a very strong musty odor, which can be detected easily if you try. Check out all the nooks and crannies of your house and see if you detect any peculiar smells. Make sure to check out all your drawers and closets as well.
You can also use black light in order to test for mold. If you see any spots on a surface and need to make sure whether it is mold, you can shine a black light on it. If it seems yellow or green in that light, it is mold.
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There are also a number of mold detection kits available in the market, which can be used for this purpose. These are designed to be used by amateurs, so you do not need to be an expert for this purpose. However, black mold can be very dangerous, so it is always better to call in an expert if you detect that there is a problem in your house.
How To Remove Black Mold Without Bleach
Black mold is a greenish black colored substance that is commonly found in damp places. It is a toxic material that can cause serious health problems. In fact, molds are tiny organisms that are harmful for human health, as they produce toxic gas, called mycotoxins. People who are already patients of asthma are affected more. Molds are found in almost all the homes, and the main trick to stop their growth is to control them. The areas where black molds are most commonly found are bathrooms, kitchens and leaked pipes. It is a kind of fungus that spreads in the air. It is hard to locate all the areas but the smell of mold will help you identify it.
The best way to find the molds is to drop a few drops of bleach on the surface. If the surface gets faded after a few minutes, it indicates that the area has black molds. If the area does not become faded, it means that it is just dirt. It is important to get the mold removed before it can affect health of your family. The best solution is to opt for mold remediation. There are many mold removal methods that help to stop the flow of spores in the air so that they do not cause breathing and allergy problems.
There are many people who use bleach to remove black molds present in their houses. The removal of toxic mold with the help of bleach is not that simple. When bleach is mixed with bleach water, the bleach vaporizes leaving behind water. So, how can water remove black mold? Many reports and studies have shown that bleach is not sufficient to remove molds completely, because it can also cause harm to human health.
Some quick and healthy ways of removing molds require keeping the home ventilated with air conditioners and exhaust fans. If you notice presence of moisture or a broken pipe, get it fixed as soon as possible. It is necessary to let the sunlight enter into your bathroom, kitchens and laundry, so that it can kill germs and moisture. Humidity level of your house should be more than it is outside. You can buy a dehumidifier to control the humidity level of your house. You can control the humidity level with the help of humidistat.
When you loved this post and you wish to receive much more information about testing for mold i implore you to visit our own webpage. Last but not least, clean your bathroom regularly and keep the curtains, floors, shower, tub and water pipes dry. These tricks can help you control molds and keep you healthy.
The Good, The Bad And The Ugly When It Comes To Black Mold
Mold is one of the most ancient organisms living in this world. It performs some very essential function such as decomposition of organic matter.
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However, in some forms, it is quiet a health hazard. Black mold is one of the kinds of mold that is a serious risk to human and animal health if present in the indoor environment. It can cause respiratory tract problems, allergies, skin damage, organ damage, vascular damage, infections and can even be fatal for infants.
Not every mold is toxic; however, if you do have mold problem at your place, it is important to determine whether it is harmful or not. Usually, this can be done by a close inspection. Unlike usual mold, black mold is greenish black in color. It is important to keep your place clean, be it ordinary mold or the toxic mold. Mold typically thrives in humid and moist conditions, so watch out for the damp places inside your house like the kitchen, laundry and washrooms.
Removal of black mold is extremely essential for your health. It must also be understood that cleaning mold is not the solution; you need extreme measures for its removal, as it has the probability of growing again once cleaned. However, determine its root cause before you invest in any removal activity. Check out the humidity levels and all the pipes for possible leakages so that you can find out the exact cause.
Small amount of mold can easily be cleaned up by oneself. You would need to scrub the infected area with soap and warm water and spray it with a disinfectant containing alcohols, phenolics, iodophors, glutaraldehydes, hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorites or quarternary ammonium compounds. Keep the room sealed once you are done to let it dry.
On the other hand, for large infected areas, you might have to hire professional help. There are a number of professional mold removal companies out there that can get your home free of mold for a fee. These companies are run by professionals and know their job well. These professionals work out various methods and chemicals for removing toxic mold from your household, which might also include tearing down infected wall paper or scraping the infected paint.
If you are removing black mold yourself or getting helped, make sure that you have suitable protective gear. You must wear a respirator, goggles and gloves to protect yourself from black mold particles. Protective clothing covering your entire body must also be used to stay safe from it.
DIY Mold Removal - Cleaning Products And Safety Procedures
First things first; why would you let black mold grow in your house in the first place? Taking precautionary measures is better and cheaper than removal. Let us list a few of the most common triggers and preventive measures of black mold growth.
- Places where there might be moisture, e.g. bathrooms, plumbing leakage, basements which flood, or cracks or holes in walls which might have moisture in them
- Reducing moisture by improving ventilation within the house or using dehumidifiers, especially during water related activities, like washing
- Finally, knowledge of weather changes and how they may affect mold growth
I agree that there isn't much that can be done to prevent black mold growth but even these measures can ensure black mold prevention. Alright, what if you already have a toxic mold problem; how do you deal with it?
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Note should be taken that you should consider professional help if you are unsure, or at least wear the sufficient protective gear during mold removal, such as safety goggles, nonporous rubber gloves and disposable dust mask.
The best and the easiest solution to black mold removal is vinegar. Vinegar is a reliable disinfectant and is known to kill bacteria, germs and molds effectively. Pour or spray some distilled white vinegar on black mold and scrub off black mold, which might be present on any hard surface. Alternatively, you can also use three teaspoons of tea tree oil mixed in 3 cups of water to make an effective substitute and get on with the scrubbing.
Non-permeable materials are more of hassle comparatively, e.g. plastic, glass, rubber, etc. It is preferred that you seal the room with plastic sheets and tapes before you begin. Spray either vinegar or the tea tree oil solution on to the moldly surfaces and leave it for at least 24 hours. After you have waited for 24 hours, use your preferred detergent to wash the mold off.
During the cleaning processes, try to keep the mold wet as its releases airborne spores, which even though would die because of vinegar but might still cause allergic reactions. Once you are done, dry the area with a dehumidifier to prevent any future growth of mold. Dispose off the material you used for cleaning the mold by sealing it in a plastic bag.
Items like furniture are quite impossible to completely get rid of mold. Unless you are willing to put an extra effort and time to save that sofa which reminds you of someone special, it is wise and easier to discard it than saving it. Instead of moving the objects through the house to cause more mold contamination, it is better to flip them out the window.
If you are thinking of why to go through all this trouble to remove black mold rather than just use the chemicals to kill it, be assured that it can grow again in those places and even if not so, the dead spores can cause severe health issues in people with allergies and respiratory problems. If the area of contamination is large, it is advisable that you call for professional help.
Mold Removal - Finding And Eliminating The Source Of The Problem
Black mold is a toxic creature most often found in damp and moist areas, and can cause severe health hazards. Black mold starts cultivating in damp areas and can spread at an alarming speed.
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If your house is affected by this toxic fungus, you should do something about its removal before it spreads out and contaminates other areas of your house.
In order to remove mold, you need a solution to remove the main source of the mold. You should observe the perimeter of wall, tiny holes, little cracks and small corners and look for mildew. If, by any chance, mildew is thriving in your home, yours and your family's health is at risk. When removing mold, you need to ensure that you actually remove the real source of the problem. When there is high humidity in any area of your house, like washroom, basement or kitchen, you would see dark spots of mold and mildew growing.
You can start off the process of mold removal by first finding the source of the problem. If there is water leak, leaky pipes or any sort of water intrusion, you will need to fix that up. Just cleaning off mold from walls and floors will not solve your problem. Make sure that you do not ignore the source of the problem. Once you have identified the source and have dealt with it effectively, you can then move on with the removal process.
Be sure to use mold killing products as they are strong enough to eradicate mold entirely. Some people use household natural cleaning products to get rid of black mold, but these natural products are not tough enough to remove mold completely. This is because these natural products would clean off mold temporarily, and it would soon grow back. You need to get rid of mold completely and not just temporarily. In this case, mold removing products will work best. They will not only remove mold but will also prevent it from coming back.
You must bear in mind the fact that black mold removal is not a safe process, especially if you are doing it the wrong way. You should call mold removal experts in order to remove mold infestations. These experts use proper protective shield like mask, eye shields and gloves. They then spray the entire area with organic fluids and liquids. Bleaches are not advisable in this case, as they do not kill mold completely.
Once you are through with the removal process, make sure that you get rid of the material and objects that have been contaminated during the removal procedure. After mold removal, you and your family can breathe a sigh of relief.
Mycotoxins - The Toxin That Makes Black Mold Deadly
Black mold and mildew is a problem in every house. They grow on practically anything and spread at an alarming rate. There are many different types and all of them produce deadly toxins, known as mycotoxins. The severity of these toxins varies from mold to mold. Some molds grow on organic matters while others on damp walls and floors.
Indoor mold growth can adversely affect your health. Among various types of mold, black mold is widely found inside and outside homes. Once they start growing indoors, they can actually invade the entire house. These creatures are greenish black in color and prefer to grow on objects and material that have high cellulose content. You can also find them on building materials that contain cellulose and nitrogen.
Humidity is the main factor that helps in the growth of toxic mold. When a particular object or substance holds moisture for long, black mold grows on it rapidly. 40 degree Celsius temperature is an ideal temperature for growth.
Inspecting and identifying black mold can, at times, be a tough task. It is difficult to locate the exact area where mold growth is taking place. They usually hide in small corners, cracks and dark areas. You will have to conduct a thorough research in order to find the exact area and location of growth. Then, you will have to carry out mold test that would identify what type of mold has infected your house.
Once you are through with mold testing process, you can move on with the cleaning process. There are a number of cleaning products available in the market. Use organic mold removers, as they are very effective in removing mold and preventing it from growing back. Moreover, these organic products are free from side effects and would not affect one's health in any way.
Black mold produces toxins, which are the byproducts of metabolism. Excessive exposure to these toxins can severely affect human's health in many different ways. They can cause irritation of eyes and throat, diarrhea, cancer, headache, memory loss, dermatitis and flu. In extreme cases, a person may die due to persistent exposure to mold toxins.
They can also paralyze men's sperm and can even result in bleeding in lungs. It is also believed that mold can destroy the tissues of nervous system and especially affects the health of children and pets. People who have inhaled too much mold toxins find it difficult to concentrate on their work.
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Hence, it is very important that people keep their houses clean and free from black mold in order to avoid health problems.
