Many chemicals are manufactured for the sole purpose of killing mold and removing mildew. While some of these may be safe enough to use under controlled conditions, chemicals in general can produce harmful side effects. In some cases, they are as dangerous as the mold they attempt to destroy.
Borax presents a natural ingredient that is harmful if swallowed, but otherwise it is safe. It does not emit fumes or contain harmful chemicals, but it does kill mold. Borax is used for many things, which include use as an insecticide, fungicide, herbicide, and it is often used as a deodorizer. It is relatively inexpensive and readily available in most supermarkets.
Before applying borax to problem areas, it is best to vacuum up as much of the loose mold as necessary to prevent the spores from becoming airborne during the cleaning process. The vacuum should have a HEPA filter to prevent re-dispersing the mold into the air. A solution of one cup borax to a gallon of water is sufficiently strong enough to kill mold. The best application is with a scrubbing brush that will allow the solution to go deep into porous materials.
Once cleaning is completed, it isn’t necessary to remove residues of borax because they will continue to kill mold for a long time afterwards. The areas should be dried so there is no encouragement for mold to return.
Vinegar is another good product for mold and mildew prevention. It is an acid, however it is very mild and non destructive to the hands when used to kill mold. It doesn’t give off gases that are harmful to breathe the way chlorine bleaches do. Although vinegar is not effective against all species, it will eliminate 82% of them.
Use vinegar full strength on surfaces to kill mold by applying with a spray bottle. Allow the vinegar to dry on the surface and then wipe with a clean wet cloth. It may be necessary to treat an area several times over the course of a week or more to completely get rid of the mold. Although red wine vinegar can be used on mold, it is recommended to use white distilled vinegar for the best results.
The reason that hydrogen peroxide will kill mold is because it is anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial; all the things you want in a treatment against something so nasty. The one thing that must be a consideration when using hydrogen peroxide in your Denver area home is how it affects the materials that mold is attached to. It has bleaching capabilities on some fabrics.
A 3% concentration of peroxide is sufficient to eradicate any mold that you may have. The residue can be left behind because it is non toxic, completely safe for the environment, and it doesn’t have strong odors.
The best way to kill mold with hydrogen peroxide is to use it in a spray bottle the same as with vinegar. It only needs to sit on the surface for about ten minutes before wiping down and cleaning with water. The bleaching effects tend to fade the mold stains that can be left behind after the mold is killed.
Mold is a very stubborn pest no matter what chemicals or cleaners you use to remove it. That is why many of the residents of Grand, Routt, and Summit Counties call Dry Pro when they have a problem with this home invader. It is so very important to remove all mold so it doesn’t come back strong within days after cleaning, and Dry Pro has the experienced personnel to kill mold in all the places where it hides. Call toll free for the professional mold removal specialists at 888-500-2379.
Some types of mold may be easily killed and removed by the homeowner, while others are more serious and difficult to remediate without professional help. Allergenic mold, black mold, and toxic (carrier of mycotoxins) mold are ever present in the world around us, as well as the air we breathe. There is little danger in exposure to mold in low amounts other than slight allergy symptoms, but if they reach higher levels, it is possible to adversely affect people with respiratory conditions.
Types of mold classified as allergenic are not extremely dangerous to anyone even though they cause some discomfort. They are generally easy to remove and can be safely cleaned up with mild soap and water. It is important to completely remove them because even the dead mold spores can cause allergy outcroppings in susceptible individuals.
Mycotoxic types of mold have toxic substances attached to the cell wall and are responsible for more serious health problems than allergenic ones. They not only affect humans, but domesticated house pets may become sick from them, too. Cats are especially affected by these types of mold. Depending on the toxins within them, mycotoxic mold may cause irritation for only a short time or continue to affect people for years. Some studies indicate that they may be a contributor to terminal illnesses such as cancer.
Mold abatement of stachybotrys mold in Denver and other parts of Colorado is an important part of remediation because of the dangers of mycotoxic mold.
Some types of mold are called pathogenic, and these also cause infections. Anyone who has an immune system that is weakened can expect serious problems when exposed to this type of mold. A person with HIV/AIDS or who is undergoing chemotherapy should not be around these types of mold, and neither should anyone who suffers from autoimmunity disorders.
Neither mycotoxic or pathogenic mold should be addressed by the average homeowner. Even professional remediation contractors should understand what they are dealing with when attempting to kill and remove mold of this type.
Fragments of mold, which may be termed hyphae, can present a health issue also. These traces may be left over from a previous mold infestation or be a part of a current one. They are not definable because they are part of the building blocks of several different types of mold. This also means that their affect on living creatures can be very pronounced.
When these unidentified parts of mold form clusters, they are called basidiospores and ascospores. Again, without being able to determine their origin when they were whole, it isn’t easy to understand what dangers they represent.
One clear factor is true in mold research; there is not enough information to determine all the health issues that stem from them. Continued clinical testing brings more enlightenment as to what symptoms people experience that actually come from mold. It is known that coughing and sneezing as well as headaches are very commonly influenced by mold, but there are indicators that tie mold to:
* Indigestion
* Nose bleeds
* Chronic sinusitis
* Asthma
* Chronic rhinitis
* Neurological impairment
* Allergies
Mold slips up on people silently and is often ignored because it is considered to be only a minor problem, but as more research is put forth, there is much reason to take it very seriously.
Simply using chlorine bleach and other cleaners to kill mold does not produce good results and can place the person doing the cleaning in a serious health situation. Dry Pro has trained personnel to deal with the dangers of mold. In Colorado, Dry Pro is known for great service and complete removal of all types of mold in Routt, Summit, and Grand counties. Got mold concerns? Call Dry Pro.
If you discover mold in your home or place of business, your first reaction is to get rid of it as quickly as possible. In Denver or in the counties of Routt, Summit, and Grand quick response might involve calling a professional who is experienced in toxic mold abatement and decontamination, but you also might consider saving money and doing the job yourself.
If you have never attempted to clean up mold yourself, it is wise to consider exactly what you can expect before you undertake the daunting task. Toxic mold abatement is not a simple process because understanding all the ramifications is necessary if you hope to do an adequate job and do it safely.
Not every mold carries mycotoxins, so you should first know if toxic mold abatement is even necessary. You might be dealing with a less dangerous type of mold that would not need powerful cleaners to eradicate. Using fewer chemicals is always better because of the dangers they introduce.
If you have no toxic mold abatement training, you probably don’t have any idea what different chemicals are involved when cleaning mold from a hard surface or those with varying degrees of absorbent textures. There is no one chemical or cleaner that works for everything.
When you haven’t taken any courses on toxic mold abatement, you won’t know how mold becomes ingrained in materials, and you won’t know how it can hide behind certain materials. Without experience, you won’t understand how mold establishes itself and how it spreads, nor will you know where to look for its origin.
There are proper steps to take for killing mold and then removing it. A layman might think it is as simple as wiping the visible mold off the surface and considering the job done. Some materials cannot really be “cleaned” and must be not only removed but destroyed. Do you know which materials these are and at what stage they become infected beyond salvaging?
One of the primary reasons for seeking someone certified in toxic mold abatement is because of the danger you may place yourself in when you don’t know the right steps to take. Toxic mold can cause health issues if it is not dealt with in a safe manner. Depending on your age and physical condition, it may be dangerous for you to attempt to rid your home of mold on your own. There are specific methods that must be used and they involve certain protective equipment and safety precautions.
You may spend a great deal of time attempting to get rid of toxic mold and find that your efforts prove to be unsuccessful. If that occurs, you have not only wasted your time, but you will probably have to hire someone to do the job right. This means a longer exposure to the mold and a cleanup that might be more expensive than it would have been had you hired a professional mold abatement team in the beginning.
Most insurance companies cover mold abatement if it is the result of something included in the policy. For instance, if your home is flooded and that is a covered claim, the damage done by the flood might cause the mold to occur. For that reason, the mold abatement would be covered also.
If you have the need for toxic mold abatement in the counties of Grand, Summit, and Routt in Colorado, call Dry Pro for fast, professional, and courteous service. The peace of mind is well worth it knowing the mold will be safely removed from your home or business. Don’t attempt to fight toxic mold at the expense of your and your family’s health; Dry Pro will get the toxic mold abatement job done right the first time.
Anything that can be done to decrease the opportunities for mold to form and spread is the best defense against it. After mold becomes firmly established, it can be very difficult to get it out of your home and you may need a specialist for Colorado Mold Removal And Mold Remediation Denver Area. Some areas of the home are more prone naturally to have mold growth than others are.
The laundry has the conditions necessary for mold spores to begin their destruction. Water is the primary ingredient for mold to begin its spread of unhealthy living conditions. The reason why laundry rooms most often have a mold problem is because of unseen water leaks, which may occur where water enters the hoses, exits through the disposal line, or from a leak in the washing machine tank. Mold remediation is generally unnecessary if regular visual examinations are performed.
A common practice for some people is the disposal of damp materials such as bathroom towels in a clothes hamper that sits in the laundry room. This is much like an open invitation for mold to set up residence. Hanging wet clothes in the laundry to dry is another way of increasing the overall humidity in the room and attracting mold spores.
Ventilation is one of the primary aspects of mold remediation, and it is just as important in the prevention of an outbreak. Many laundry rooms are closed off and may not even have a window, which slows the circulation of air. A simple exhaust fan similar to a bathroom fan helps with ventilation and deters mold from taking up residence.
In some cases, the dryer hose can become crimped or come loose from the pipe leading outside the home. When the warm moist air goes back into the laundry room area, mold spores floating in the air seize the opportunity to reproduce very quickly. Dryer vents that run under a house in a crawl space may get damaged or come loose, which can result in a mold problem in another hidden area. If mold spreads beneath the floor, it is very likely it will enter the home at some point, too. Again, a visual inspection on a regular basis may be all that is needed to prevent the need for mold remediation.
Every laundry room should have a heat and cooling register so that air enters the room and exits back to the HVAC unit, keeping the circulation active, but ductwork can also be a negative part of the situation if moisture builds up inside it. Having a yearly inspection and cleaning of ductwork can prevent a spawning area for mold.
A hygrometer takes readings of the humidity in the air. If you suspect that the humidity is too high in the laundry, it might be worthwhile to run a reading of your own, or to get a professional service to do a sampling. Readings should be made with the dryer and washer running and again when they are not. The ideal humidity for the laundry room is 45% or lower. A well used laundry room with humidity levels constantly at 70% or more is bound to have some formation of mold.
Early detection is the best defense against mold when it does occur, and mold remediation efforts will be much simpler if the mold is found before the problem becomes advanced.
When mold is established in your Denver home, you need to be able to call someone you can trust to stop it in its tracks. Dry Pro is the first and last call you will ever need to make for mold remediation and removal. Don’t experiment with your family’s health by attempting to remove mold on your own. Call the experts at Dry Pro today!
When home owners call about mold problems in Denver and the surrounding counties, a great percentage of the time it is about basement mold outbreaks. The natural place for mold to form is where moisture is constant, and a majority of basements have that problem. Because cellars are below ground, the water table usually surrounds them, making it very easy for water to find a way through walls.
Many basements don’t have good air circulation and may not have a central heat and air conditioning system, which also makes basement mold a probability. With stagnant air, a little moisture, and plenty of surfaces for mold to grow on, it is little wonder that spores reside in these areas.
There are two factors to be concerned with to prevent basement mold. The first is the humidity level, and if that is not addressed through mechanical or natural means, there is no way that the problem can be eliminated. The second factor is storage because many basements are where all the products end up that are not in use by a family.
A hygrometer is an ideal tool to own if you have a basement. You can check the moisture periodically to determine if and when you have a humidity problem. There are several factors that affect whether there is a humidity problem on the lower floor. Basement mold may begin to form seasonally because of atmospheric conditions. A period of prolonged rain can raise the moisture level in the surrounding earth making conditions ideal for mold growth.
No matter what waterproofing efforts a building contractor makes, conditions in the soil can cause a breach in that envelope. Tree roots and chemicals may erode the waterproofing and leaks may start years after a house is built. Testing the humidity every three months can serve to warn of basement mold formation before it gets to be a large outcropping necessitating toxic mold abatement and decontamination.
Humidity levels above 45% in the basement will lead to the formation of mold. If readings are at least that high, you should look for areas where water intrusion might be the cause. There are products that can be applied to the inside of block walls that will halt some leaks. It may be impossible to completely eliminate all moisture intrusion, but if it can be significantly reduced, there is a much better chance of reducing basement mold.
A dehumidifier is a good appliance to have in basements. It may need to run continually, or in some cases, it might only be needed during high humidity periods on the outside. Taking a reading with the hygrometer is the best way to know when you need to run your equipment.
Storing materials in the basement presents some challenges when moisture is prevalent. It is a bad plan to store clothes, furnishings, and paper in a basement because they are prime breeding grounds for basement mold and it is difficult to remove the mold from them once it starts. Any materials stored in a basement should be away from the exterior basement walls, and they should be elevated so that air can pass between them and the floor.
Some situations may make it very difficult for the homeowner to remove and control mold. At Dry Pro, we know how frustrating basement mold can be and have trained staff who can quickly and completely remove your mildew and mold problems. The Denver and surrounding areas have many homes with basement mold problems, and we see them on a continual basis. Don’t live another day with mold in your home, threatening the health and well being of your family. Call Dry Pro to get the mold out!
Roof leaks can be difficult to find because the area where they first appear on ceilings is not always directly under the leak location. Water may come in near the highest point of the roof and run down rafters to drip at a lower area. Many roof leaks start small and may saturate an area before the water shows up as a ceiling stain. Toxic mold abatement may be necessary before an owner is aware that the roof is leaking.
There are many ways that water and mold can access attic spaces. Colorado water damage can be the result of water pipes leaking when they run overhead, or it can be due to a buildup of an ice dam at the eaves, in addition to the more usual roof leaks. When it gets to a point where toxic mold abatement is necessary, there is a good possibility that some structural damage has taken place, too.
Insulation is a valuable thing to have in the ceiling to help make a building more comfortable temperature wise, but it is also a good place for water to accumulate undetected. Toxic mold abatement is often necessary because water settles in insulation long before it becomes visible below. Mold can begin to spread within 24-hours of water intrusion and it can be weeks before anyone knows there is a water leak.
Finding where the water is coming through the roof is obviously the first action to take. After the area is located and repaired, removing any insulation that is wet will help determine if toxic mold abatement is necessary. It doesn’t matter what type of insulation is wet from the leak; cellulose, fiberglass, rock wool, or any other type of insulation should be replaced because of the threat of mold.
If water is still present after the insulation is removed, it is best to make some small holes in the ceiling to allow it to drip out and dry. These can be made with an ice pick strategically located where the largest accumulation of moisture is. Water that soaks into drywall or other materials will be very slow to dry without the drain holes.
Check the framing members in the attic to be sure that they are structurally sound, and there will be a good probability that toxic mold abatement will be needed at that time. If materials are in sufficient shape to be reused, completely drying out all the components is the next step. In the attic, the best way to dry anything is with a fan.
In the Grand, Summit and Routt Counties in Colorado as well as the Denver area, attics may be so cold that drying will be hampered, and a heater with a blower is a good way to speed up the dying process in that situation.
When everything is dried well and toxic mold abatement is completed, replacing the insulation and finishing the exposed ceiling will complete the job. The ceiling will be stained from the water, and just applying latex ceiling paint will not work because the stain will “bleed” back through.
The drain holes should be spackled and then sanded down. A sealer should then be applied to the stained area. When it is dry, ceiling paint should cover the stain, and the job is finished.
If you need fast removal of water in your ceiling or anywhere else in your Denver home, call the water damage removal specialists, Dry Pro. Anytime of the day or night, we are on call for emergency water situations. Dry Pro handles mold abatement, fire damage treatment and restoration, air quality testing, and many other specialized services. Call Dry Pro at 888-500-2379 for a fast free quote.
For even the experienced buyer, purchasing a home, commercial building, or apartment can be a very risky business. Disclosure laws maintain that the seller must be truthful, to the best of his or her knowledge, about anything pertaining to the real estate sold. It is important to ask the right questions before signing your name on the bottom line.
Existing mold is not just prevalent in buildings that are resold. Many new or relatively new buildings already have some existing mold to contend with, so it is always a question to ask. It is also good to ask other questions that will have some bearing on present or future mold problems.
There are many variations in construction techniques from builder to builder and even between one location of the country and another. This is not to say that a certain practice is wrong, just that some are more conducive to keeping mold out. If there is no existing mold to contend with, there might be a better than average possibility that it will occur because of conditions in a building.
Asking about mold-resistant drywall in the areas of a building where water is present will give some indication of whether a structure was built to withstand future mold outbreaks. It is not a new product, but it does cost a little more so many builders don’t use it.
One primary question you should ask concerns the HVAC installation. The use of fiberglass is widely practiced for insulating duct work, and it has been acceptable by building code for a very long time. The problem with fiberglass is that it offers a good place for mold to start. If existing mold is not a problem in the duct work when you buy a building, with fiberglass, it is almost assured that mold will form within 10 years after construction is completed.
Closed cell foam insulation is a much better insulator, although more expensive. It not only stays cleaner and insulates better, it is very resistant to mold. Many of the building contractors in Summit, Grand and Routt Counties in Colorado use CCF insulation for those reasons.
Before buying a building that is not new, always ask if it has ever been flooded. Existing mold, whether obvious or not, is often prevalent if water has remained in a building for twenty-four hours or longer. Questioning any known leaks, whether current or in the past, will be a good indication if there is any existing mold in a building. Leaks from rain, seepage, or plumbing all may render the same result.
Even though sellers are obligated to tell you anything about a property, they don’t usually offer information when you don’t ask all the questions you should. Omission is a difficult fact to prove after a sale is made. You should always make a visual inspection of a property you consider buying anyway, and doing so with the intent of finding telltale signs of existing mold or the conditions for future mold is just another part of that exercise.
Specific things to notice are around the foundations to see that water does not stand or run under the building. If a basement is part of the building, not only do you need to look, you need to smell for odors that come with mold. Looking at all the ceilings will give an indication if a past leak may have led to the start of mold.
If you have questions about mold on a property before or after your purchase in the counties of Routt, Grand, and Summit, give Dry Pro a call for assistance. We service the tri-county area and the city of Denver, taking water removal and mold remediation very seriously. When you need help with mold in Colorado, Dry Pro is who to call.