Healthy Homes

Mold can be very dangerious inside your home.  Leaks & water damage shoud be immediately cleaned up & dried. After 48 hours thoroughly.  I don't recommend fans but rather HEPA  (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Negative Air Machines.  If wet building materials are left wet or trapped between floors or walls bacteria & mold will multiply.  It blackens the grout lines in your shower, discolors drywall, shows up as black spots on siding, darkens decks, and grows on and rots damp wood everywhere. Even worse, it can be bad for your health. It releases microscopic spores that cause allergic reactions, runny noses and sneezing, as well as irritating, even injurious, odors.

Almost every home gets mold infestations. The trick is to stop them before they get big and harm both you and your home. 

Common problems result from moisture.  Leaking or sweating plumbing, as result of moisture found in heating and air conditioning ductwork may be overlooked. 

Here are some basic tips that you can look at and determine if you need to make adjustments:

• Take notice of mold growing in your home (around tubs, showers or in damp areas in your basement, behind cabinets, walls and tiles) keep in mind that it can be any color, from black to green.
  

• Determine what the source for growth is and correct the problem.  Leaking basement walls, leaking plumbing, air conditioning coils or leaking humidifiers may be the source.

• Wet and damp areas, like those behind bathrooms vanities are primary growth areas for mold.  Odors are another clue. If you have a stale or musty smell, even one that smells like stale socks, start checking these areas.  Walls that have some discoloring from dampness may be another clue.

• Determine if your home has enough ventilation.  Homes that are sealed so tight that fresh air is kept out are primed for mold growth when moisture is introduced.  Bathroom and kitchen fans should be installed as well as fresh air ventilation into attics and basements.
  

What can be done to lower moisture and mold growth:

• Indoor humidity levels should be kept below 40% (percent).
• Air conditioning and / or dehumidifiers should be used during humid months.
• Adequate ventilation should be maintained. In the attic, basement, kitchen, bathrooms & crawl spaces.
  
• Add mold inhibitors to paints before application ( purchase from Healthy Homes).
  
• Bathrooms should be cleaned with Anti-Microbial Mold Products ( purchase from Healthy Homes) .
  
• Moist indoor areas (bathrooms, basements, etc) should not be carpeted.
• Quickly remove and replace previously soaked carpet and uphostery.

Minor mold remediation (clean up) can be done easily with proper cleaning supplies. Click here f or my mold remediation cleaning product recommendations.

But disturbing big infestations can be bad for your health, particularly if you are an allergy sufferer or have a weakened immune system. I recommend calling a professional mold remediation company.