Mold Removal and Remediation | HGTV

If you've spotted mold in your home, it's time to fight it fair and square. Use these mold removal tips and kiss that nasty fungus goodbye.

By: Caroline Shannon-Karasik

It's hard to imagine two better friends than mold and water. But like Bonnie and Clyde, when paired together the two partners in crime make a dangerous team, ready to wreak havoc. If moisture has taken your home hostage, it's time to consider the most effective mold-removal technique.

Even though you may have seen your grandmother or mother scrub mold away with a bit of bleach, experts say it's not the best technique for mold remediation. Instead, it's recommended that your take a few basic steps to remediate mold, starting with identifying the source of the excess moisture.

Once that's done, clean up the water and eliminate the source. In order to nix a mold problem for good, it is important to remove mold with a biocide and disinfectant, like OxB biocide. Be sure to open windows and wear gloves, eye protection and a facemask when applying a biocide because of the harsh chemicals that are often used in these products.

After cleaning up, allow the affected area to dry or speed up the process by using a fan.

Linda Cobb shows some natural, inexpensive ways to clean tile and grout.

How to clean stainless steel and bring it back to a smooth, bright luster.

The Queen of Clean shares tips for cleaning window treatments.

Take a look at these tips for getting your bathroom ultra clean.

Whip up a batch of laundry detergent to keep clothes cleaner and greener.

Company is 5 minutes away! Learn how to clean only the things that matter.

Star Hansen creates a storage corner for cleaning supplies.

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest trends and expert advice delivered to your inbox Privacy Policy

Follow this link:
Mold Removal and Remediation | HGTV

Mold is all around us. In small amounts, we can live harmoniously with it.

But after a natural disaster or water intrusion, building interiors can become magnets for exponential mold growth, which can lead to serious health problems for some people. When there is visible mold, remediation is essential.

Following an incident of water damage, our preferred method of attack is to properly clean and dry surfaces and materials to prevent mold growth. If thats not possible, our mold remediation teams can make recommendations for removing mold based on the size and scope of the contamination. We may also bring in the services of a Certified Industrial Hygienist to help with consulting and testing to ensure you have all the information you need about your situation.

While there are few laws on the books related to how mold remediation must be done, we follow guidelines for the safe removal and disposal of mold-contaminated items published by the IICRC (Institute for Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification), the EPA, and other state guidelines and requirements.

Resources to learn more about the impact of mold include:

U.S. EPACenters for Disease Control and PreventionFEMA

We have the experience and expertise to provide the best mold remediation services for your property. Contact us to learn more call us today at 888.88.BLUSKY (888.882.5875) orsend us an email.

View post:
Mold Remediation, Fungus and Microbial Growth Removal | BluSky

Any home or business can quickly become infested with mold with the introduction of a water source, like a roof or plumbing leak.Mold can spread throughout a property in as little as 48-72 hours, and can produce allergens and irritants that have the potential to cause other health effects.

If you suspect that your home or business has a mold problem, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals can inspect and assess your property. If mold is found, they have the training, equipment, and expertise to handle the situation.

Please refer to our Mold Damage Tipsto learn more about mold and what to do until help arrives.

Microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere, outdoors and indoors, making it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Some restoration businesses advertise mold removal and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

With sensational news stories and misleading advertising, you can easily understand why so many people are misinformed about indoor mold. Learn the facts about mold and the mold remediation process.

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals are dedicated to responding immediately when you contact them. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces cost.

Learn More

They specialize in water and mold damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have the training and expertise to safely handle any mold situation.

Learn More

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals use advanced equipment to detect the source of water feeding the mold. Next, they isolate the affected area using a negative air pressure chamber.

Learn More

Read the original here:
Mold Removal and Mold Remediation | Servpro Industries, LLC.

Mold is a severe health hazard that can exacerbate or cause allergies, breathing problems, headaches, and even medical conditions that require hospitalization.If you suspect mold in your home or business, The Elite Grouphas mold inspection services that can spearhead the mold removal process.

Were a full-service firm that specializes in mold and indoor air quality testing and consulting. Our services are available to homebuyers, homeowners, and business owners in Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego, Sacramento, San Jose and surrounding areasof California. Request an inspection online, or contact us at (800) 494-8998 to get a free quote on a mold inspection today.

Once we finish assessing the problem, well send you a detailed report of our findings. If we did discover mold, our professionals will work with you to form a mold remediation and abatement plan.

Based on the prevalence and severity of the mold, well do either non-invasive or invasive remediation. Non-invasive surface cleaning works best for smaller pockets of mold, but invasive measures are often needed for more serious infestations. Below are some of the common ways we remove mold:

HEPA cleaning: If the mold hasnt infiltrated the structure of your home, we can employ other mold removal techniques to clean it by wiping and disinfecting all surfaces. Well finish the process by using HEPA vacuums and air filters to remove mold spores and purify the air.

Its always necessary to be thorough, so after mold remediation, we bring in a third-party consultant to test the home, ensuring that everything is back to normal.

Looking to learn more about mold? Watch this quick informational video below for more information about mold! Call the Elite Group today to have a Certified Master Inspector come and rid your home or building of mold forever.

Our mold inspection services dont stop there! In addition to the services listed above, we can also do the following:

If youve recently had another company complete mold remediation, we can do third-party post-remediation verification testing. Well perform indoor tests and officially confirm that your home or commercial building is free of mold.

Please note that, due to a conflict of interest, we cant do abatement and post-remediation verification for the same property.

Were certified to do mold removal and air quality testing by the International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants. The Elite Group also complies with InterNACHIs Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. We have insurance for general liability, E&O, and negligent liability. Learn more about our certifications and credentials, as well as other helpful resources.

In addition to mold testing, The Elite Group also specializes in residential and commercial termite inspections, home inspections, and commercial inspections. Contact us at (800) 494-8998 to make an appointment, or request an appointment online, inLos Angeles, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego, Sacramento, San Jose and surrounding areastoday. We look forward to serving you!

Read the original:
Mold Inspection | Mold Removal | Mold Remediation | Mold Testing

The true value of highly engineered processing aids and mold maintenance products can be hard to see in the short term. The true value often appears over time through longer equipment and tooling life, less downtime for cleaning and repair, higher quality production and increased output and operational efficiency.

Chem-Trend is globally recognized for its leadership in improving the efficiency of molding and casting processes. Our development and production of high performance mold maintenance products for multiple process applications has positively impacted industry. Our primary focus is on products that reduce our customers on-line costs and improve the productivity of their operations. In addition to decreasing downtime and scrap rates, and extending mold life, our mold maintenance products help our customers achieve optimum finished product appearance, all of which contribute to improving their bottom line.

Chem-Trends comprehensive range of molding and casting process aids is developed to work in unison with our release agents to leverage the properties of each, creating the maximum benefit to boost your productivity, quality and profitability. Our broad portfolio of products for enhancing molding, casting and forming operations fall into these broad categories:

Contact us today to learn how our innovative mold maintenance products can benefit your operations, or explore the expanded content below to read more about each mold maintenance product category.

Back To Top

Read the original here:
Mold Maintenance Products for Molding, Forming & Casting ...

Psoriasis, also termed as Psoriasis Vulgaris, is a chronic relapsing/remitting immune-mediated skin disease. The patient experiences red scaly patches, papules, and plaques on the top layer of the skin, which are quite itchy. Highly prone areas are elbows and knees, but it can affect any area, including the scalp, palms of hands and soles of feet, fingernails, toenails and genitals too.

Vitiligo or Leukoderma is a problem in which white marks and patches having irregular shape appear on various areas of your skin. This disorder occurs when melanocytes (cells which produce melanin pigment responsible for giving color to your skin) are destroyed or stop functioning. It is the most common depigmenting disorder that affects approximately 0.5 to 1% of the general population regardless of race and sex.

Eczema is a very common, chronic skin condition that is distinguished by irritated, inflamed, and itchy patches of skin. Eczema is not life-threatening but can cause itching, which typically induces scratching that can produce infections, making the condition more serious than a regular rash. The causes of eczema can vary and there are many different beliefs about what causes this itchy skin condition. Eczema is believed to occur because of an overactive immune system response while other theories state that it is caused by an overly sensitive epidermis; however, the most common theories include genetics, household products, beauty products, chemicals, certain foods, living organisms (mold, dust mites, etc.), fabrics and the environment.

Go here to read the rest:
SPECIAL TREATMENTS FOR - drnaiyabansalskinclinic.com

Step 1:How to Get Rid of Mold Overview

Mold is a major-league nuisance. 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. Mold releases microscopic spores that cause allergic reactions, runny noses and sneezing, as well as irritating, even injurious, odors. Well cover how to remove mold, how to get rid of black mold, how to kill mold on wood and what kills mold in a few steps.

Almost every home gets mold infestations. The trick is tomold remediation is to get to them before they get big and harm both you and your home. In this article, youll learn about mold remediation and how to get rid of mold, how to get rid of black mold and what kills mold. Well show you how to identify mold, how to eliminate the small infestations as well as the big ones that have gotten out of hand and how to clean mold. Well also answer the question: Does bleach kill mold?

How to remove mold and how to perform black mold removal can be done with ordinary household cleaning products. But disturbing big infestations of mold on bathroom walls and other places can be bad for your health, particularly if you are an allergy sufferer or have a weakened immune system. When you discover an extensive mold problem, we recommend that you use the rigorous protective measures we show in Photos 1 6, or consider calling in a professional, who knows what kills mold, to handle the problem of how to remove mold. (Search Industrial Hygiene Consultants or Environmental and Ecological Consultants online to find out how to remove black mold and black mold removal cost. Or call your local public health department on how to get rid of black mold.) And even if you hire pros, read through this article and make sure they follow similar precautions on how to get rid of mold and to keep the mold from spreading throughout your house.

A few types of mold are highly toxic. If you have an allergic reaction to mold or a heavy infestation inside your home, call in a pro to analyze the types. Or call your local public heath department and ask for mold-testing advice.

Mold is everywhere. Its a type of fungus that grows from tiny spores that float in the air. It can grow almost anywhere that spores land and find moisture and a comfortable temperature, between 40 and 100 degrees F. Typically that includes about every damp place in your home.

You can easily spot the most visible type of mold, called mildew, which begins as tiny, usually black spots but often grows into larger colonies. Its the black stuff you see in the grout lines in your shower, on damp walls, and outdoors on the surfaces of deck boards and painted siding, especially in damp and shady areas. A mildewed surface is often difficult to distinguish from a dirty one. To test for mildew, simply dab a few drops of household bleach on the blackened area. If it lightens after one to two minutes, you have mildew. If the area remains dark, you probably have dirt.

Mildew is a surface type of mold that wont damage your homes structure. But other types of mold cause rot. Remove mildew from wood when you probe the suspect area with a screwdriver or other sharp tool (Photo 3). If the wood is soft or crumbles, the fungi have taken hold and rot has begun. Well show you how to remove mold from wood in a few steps.

If you have a high concentration of mold, you may smell it. If you detect the typical musty odor, check for mold on damp carpets, damp walls, damp crawlspaces and wet wood under your floors, wet roof sheathing and other damp areas. Clean up these infestations right away before they get worse, and see the following photos for prevention measures on how to remove mold.

You can scrub away the surface mold common to bathrooms, decks and siding in a matter of minutes with a 1-to-8 bleach/water mold cleaner solution as one way on how to remove mold. But often mold grows and spreads in places you dont notice, until you spot surface staining, feel mushy drywall or detect that musty smell.

If you have to remove mold concentrations or perform any black mold removal covering more than a few square feet, where the musty odor is strong or where you find extensive water damage, we recommend that you take special precautions. You want to not only avoid contaminating the rest of the house but also protect yourself from breathing high concentrations of spores and VOCs.

Moisture damage and large mold infestations go hand in hand. The photos below demonstrate cleaning under an old leaky window where wind-driven rain frequently got into the wall and gave mold a foothold.

Cut stained or musty carpet and pads into 6 x 8-ft. sections with a utility knife. Using a pump sprayer, mist the surfaces with water to control the spread of spores, and roll up the sections. Double-wrap them in 6-mil plastic and tape them with duct tape for disposal. Wear protective clothing and run an exhaust fan in the window.

Seal the room from the rest of the house. Cover the doorway with a barrier made of overlapping plastic sheeting and tape it to the wall and floor. Cover all air ducts in the room with plastic and tape.

Pry off baseboards and trim from contaminated areas with a pry bar and block of wood. Probe heavily stained or moisture-swollen walls using a screwdriver to discover and open up moisture damage and hidden mold in the insulation and wall framing.

You have to open up the wall to get at the mold growing inside. Since you have to repair the wall anyway, dont hesitate to cut the drywall back beyond the obvious damage to find all the mold and let the wall dry out. To avoid cutting electrical wires, poke a hole through the damaged section and locate the wires first. Turn off the power to the outlets before you cut. Mist the moldy drywall and insulation with the pump sprayer to avoid spreading mold spores. Double-bag moldy material in heavy-duty plastic bags and tie them shut.

If the moisture damage has been neglected or gone unnoticed for long, youre likely to find rot. Where possible, remove and replace soft, spongy studs and wall sheathing. Where removal is difficult, treat the affected areas with a wood preservative (available at home centers), after cleaning the wood and allowing it to dry. Then double up rotted members with pressure-treated wood.

After you learn how to remove mold, youll want to prevent it in the future. The key to stopping most mold is to control dampness. The worst infestations usually occur in damp crawlspaces, in attics and walls where water has leaked in from the outside, and in basements with poor foundation drainage. Stopping leaks, ensuring good ventilation in attics, keeping crawlspaces dry and routing water away from the foundation are the best defenses on how to get rid of mold.

Mildewcide in paint is usually effective for controlling surface mold in damp rooms like bathrooms and outside in shady areas. Many paints already have mildewcide in them. Check with your paint dealer to be sure of mold removal products. You can add mildewcide, although you might void the paint warranty.

Complete the initial cleanup by vacuuming up the debris. Thoroughly clean the wet/dry vac afterward by disposing of the filter and washing out the tank, hose and attachments with the bleach-and-water solution.

Vacuum up moldy debris with a standard wet/dry vacuum. Buy an extra length of hose and run it out the window so you can keep the vacuum outside to avoid further spore spread.

Scrub the surface mold stains from walls and wood trim with a mixture of 1 qt. water and 1/2 cup bleach mold cleaner to kill the mold. Use a soft brush and work until signs of the mold disappear.After scrubbing the surfaces, simply allow the bleach solution to continue to penetrate the surfaces and dry.

Wipe off, but DO NOT RINSE these surfaces. Set trim in direct sunlight to dry. Scrub concrete with TSP or automatic dishwasher detergent.

Set out dehumidifiers and new fans to dry the now-cleaned areas for at least three days, then check them (by sight and smell) for mold. If you discover more mold, clean again with bleach formold remediation.

When youre sure the mold has been eliminated, seal the wood surfaces with pigmented shellac like BIN or an oil-based primer like KILZ. Repaint cleaned wall surfaces with a regular latex paint that contains a mildewcide to help stop future mold growth. Then install new insulation and drywall and nail the trim back on. And keep in mind that if the moisture returns, mold will return.

Surface molds grow in just about any damp location, such as the grout lines of a ceramic tiled shower. Theyre easy to scrub away with a mold cleaner mixture of 1/2 cup bleach, 1 qt. water and a little detergent. Inmold remediation, the bleach in the cleaning mixture kills the mold, and the detergent helps lift it off the surface so you can rinse it away so it wont return as fast. You can also buy a mildew cleaner at hardware stores, paint stores and most home centers.

Even for simple cleaning, protect yourself from contact with mold and the bleach solution by wearing a long-sleeve shirt and long pants as well as plastic or rubber gloves and goggles.

If the mold doesnt disappear after light scrubbing, reapply the cleaning mix and let it sit for a minute or two. Then lightly scrub again formold remediation.

Seal the clean surfaces when theyre thoroughly dry to slow future moisture penetration. Apply a grout sealer (available at tile shops and home centers) to tile joints to help your how to remove mold project

Dont mix ammonia or any detergent containing ammonia with bleach. The combination forms a poisonous gas.

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project on how to get rid of mold lined up before you startyoull save time and frustration for your mold remediation and black mold removal.

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time to know how to get rid of mold. Heres a list.

See original here:
How To Remove Mold: Mold Remediation The Family Handyman

Is mold remediation a genuine, worthwhile project or just a big scam?There are two sides to this.

On one side, the mold is a real thing. Where there is moisture in a home, there is undoubtedly mold. Just crawl in the ceiling above your bathroom and you will likely find mold. Some mold, but not all, produces health-threatening mycotoxins. Not everyone is affected by this. But people who are affected are often gravely affected.

On the other side, the presence of mold is often used as a scare tactic and a bargaining chip on real estate property inspections. Not all mold is bad. Mold remediation itself is a big, highly politicized industry. One leading mold remediation company, in trying to sell itself to potential franchisees, advertises mold remediation as the latest gold rush--the asbestos business of the 21st century.

Attics, crawl spaces, wall interiors, basements, around chimneys--all are places where water can intrude. An excessive amount of humidity in a house can also condense and cause mold.

Ian Shapiro ofNv Environmental, LLCnotes that newer homes tend to experience more mold growth than older homes because of the fibrous nature of drywall. Fiberglass insulation, too, provides fertile ground for mold growth.

There's mold...and then there's mold. The scary mold in popular imagination--the mold that attacks entire towns--doesn't really exist. It is often the same benign mold that you see growing in your shower that you spray with Tilex.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) even advises that any moldy areas less than 10 square feet (about 3 feet by 3 feet) can be remediated by the homeowner. Beyond that, you may want to talk to a mold remediation contractor.

According to the Centers for Disease Control: "While certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins (specifically mycotoxins), the molds themselves are not toxic, or poisonous." And while it's possible for toxigenic molds to produce "rare health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss (CDC)," this only rarely happens.

This is not to say that mold cannot produce health issues. Indoor exposure can cause coughing and wheeling in healthy people and severe issues for people with asthma and upper respiratory tract problems.

Even though chlorine bleach is often used to kill mold, bleach is not an EPA-approved biocide. For that, you will need to use a product such as Mold Stat.

Shapiro adds that "If greater than 3x3 feet or if mold growth is heavily concentrated or near the HVAC system, it should be contained to prevent dispersal."

Mold remediation companies certainly do good work when the mold is widespread and is a public institution or in commercial buildings. And while most mold is not toxic, some mold is can be very hazardous to one's health. For this, you want a licensed, experienced professional dealing with the mold.

Shapiro of Nv Environmental stresses two additional points: containment of the mold and making sure that the remediation company does not do inspections or sampling, and "making sure they are completely independent and do not write scopes."

David L. Edwards Sr. of Fungus Fighters, Inc., a mold removal and remediation company in Central Illinois, with locations in Ohio and Indiana, tells us the following:

"Mold problems that we see today are problems that we unknowingly created ourselves and they are not problems we had 20 years ago or more.

"Since 1978 the government has been requiring us to become more energy efficient in our construction. The more energy efficient we are, the tighter we seal up our homes, the less natural breathability our home has. This is why we can easily address questions when people ask 'If mold can be dangerous to our health, how come it's only been a problem for the past couple of decades? Mold had been around forever so why is it only a problem now?

"Mold remediation by definition is the act of removing infected materials and if done properly will require more than 2 steps. Most reputable mold professionals will be quick to tell you that killing mold has nothing to do with remediation and technically they are correct. Mold doesn't need to be killed for successful remediation...

"The first step, and arguably the most important, is setting up containment and ventilation. The use of proper ventilation and air filtration devices (AFDs) such as air scrubbers is required to ensure that mold spores that are disturbed and become airborne are not spreading to an uninfected area.

"Cleaning and disinfecting is the next step and this is the stage that includes the actual remediation and disposal of infected materials.

"After the cleaning and disinfecting, then we apply our biocide/fungicide/moldicide solutions. The next step is where we address any moisture or humidity concerns we may have before applying an encapsulant.

"Too many so-called mold professionals try to use the scare tactics. We try hard not to but sometimes it's difficult to get accurate information out there without causing concerns over health.

"Many times the health issue is severely downplayed. If a person is not sensitive to or allergic to mold, they can become sensitive after repeated or prolonged exposure to mycotoxins.

"Although there has been credible research over the past couple of years linking some types of cancer, brain damage, early onset of dementia, Alzheimer's and other serious conditions besides asthma and breathing and respiratory issues, we try not to focus on these concerns unless the individual is a resident who is at high risk for developing a problem due to exposure to mycotoxins.

"...People should be educated with a clear understanding but not made to cause panic or undue alarm. There are some very serious health issues associated with mold mycotoxins but most people will never have the need to be overly concerned with them."

Originally posted here:
Mold Remediation - Scam or Worthwhile Investment?

We usually get about 42 inches of rain a year in my area. Last year we got 82 inches. Some of that rain came down so hard and fast, that it overflowed our gutters and rain barrels. On top of that, we had intense humidity and so much cloud cover that things never dried out.

After several months of all that wet weather, I started to notice pockets of mold around our windows. I thoroughly cleaned the mold and kept watch. I wasn't too worried. Windows are notorious vectors for moisture and mold. As long as you stay on top of the clean-up, it doesn't necessarily mean a serious problem.

Then, one day while cleaning the bedroom, I saw a patch of mold growing up the wall behind my nightstand. It had apparently been growing there for a while. But it had only just reached high enough that I could see it poking up behind the top of the nightstand.

Seeing that patch was both disturbing and a huge relief. On the relief front, I have asthma and had been suffering symptoms for months. Since I'd been vigilant about keeping the visible mold on the windows clean, I thought the wet conditions outside the house were making me sick.

Discovering that there was mold in my bedroom, meant that I could do something to solve the problem. And that meant I could feel better soon!

Not everyone is affected by mold spores, but others like me, can suffer respiratory problems, headaches, fatigue, and a whole host of other symptoms. Removing the mold can mean a return to good health for symptomatic people.

The disturbing part was that where there is mold, there is moisture. Moisture around windows is irritating but relatively common. Moisture on the corner of a house, though, can be a sign that there's a huge problem. Visions of dollar signs danced in my head.

Mold happens. Spores are floating around in the air all around us. When they come into contact with moisture and a food source, they move in. Any organic (as in once living) material makes great mold fodder. Paper, cardboard, wallboard, pressboard, etc. are all delicious to mold.

Those little fungi start eating. Then, when they are fat and happy, they start reproducing. As long as there are food and moisture, they keep expanding their population. Eventually, in the right conditions, those once tiny, free-floating mold spores can become a large colony.

According to the EPA, all molds have the potential to cause health effects. Also, because mold spores are everywhere, you can not remove them all from your environment. However, you limit the potential for mold infestations by managing moisture in your house.

Solving mold problems is a 4 step process.

Thismay sound easy enough in theory, but in practice, it's a bit more complicated. Depending on the location and amount of mold, special equipment or the replacement of construction materials may be necessary.

As I just mentioned, mold can have negative health impacts, so you want to limit exposure while you solve the problem. An N95 respirator is recommended for safety. Depending on the degree of the mold problem, you may also need a respirator that has a HEPA filter system attached.

Disposable sanitation coveralls and footwear covers are advisable. Gloves are also necessary for handling moldy materials as well as the cleaning products used for remediation.

If you are sensitive to mold and experience health symptoms, consider contacting a professional mold remediation company for the sake of your health.

Now, if you are up to doing the job yourself, let's take a closer look at what you can do to remediate mold in your home.

Before you start remediating the mold, you need to identify the moisture source and correct that problem. If you don't, then the mold will return as soon as moisture builds up again.

In my case, the mold was in the corner of my bedroom that was also the corner of the house. There was no water source inside the house int hat area. So, I knew the problem had to be coming from outside.

As I inspected the outer corner of my house, I realized that all that rain I mentioned earlier had caused my rain barrel to shift. It was leaning up against the house. So, when the gutters and rain barrel would overflow, they were causing water to flow up under the siding of our house.

Solving that moisture problem was an easy fix. I let the water out of my rain barrel, moved it away from the house and extended the gutter. Since we still have excessively wet conditions, I also pointed a few fans on the wet area to dry out the problem zone

Sources of moisture may be temporary or systemic. For example, a burst pipe is a temporary moisture source. These problems are often the easiest to solve.

Seepage that happens every time it rains is systemic. It may require extensive drainage work to redirect water away from your foundation. It could also include things like foundation repair as a result of frost-freeze cycles.

Weather events, such as flooding, may be either temporary or systemic. In my area, the kind of rain we are experiencing this year is expected to become more regular as a result of our changing climate.

Therefore, the rain barrel system I have in place now is probably not sufficient to protect against future weather events. That means I'll need to rethink my overflow valve and make adjustments to my gutter spouts to be ready for future weather. I'll also make it a point to inspect all my rain barrels regularly to make sure they are still level and overflowing away from our house.

If your problems are systemic, make sure you find and solve the underlying issues. Don't waste your time temporarily removing mold only to have it flare up again.

Depending on what kind of moisture problem you have, you may need to dry the area before you start removing moldy materials or cleaning up mold from surfaces. For example, if your walls and your carpet have mold, you may want to dry the carpet using fans so you can see the extent of the damage (e.g., is it just at the surface or has it gone deeper).

For standing water, such as a flooded basement, you might need to use a pump to remove water. Make sure the pump you choose is rated for the height you need to move your water. If you need to pump your water upstairs and then uphill, you'll need more horsepower than if you just need to pump water a few feet with no uphill slope.

Wet and dry vacuums or shop vacs can also be used to remove standing water. Since they have multiple uses around the homestead, they might be your best choice for smaller jobs instead of buying a new pump.

Drying is often done using fans. For small jobs, house fans can work. However, for large jobs, you may need an industrial strength fan. After the major drying is done, you also probably want to keep running a dehumidifier to draw moisture from the air and keep your mold from recurring.

Depending on the extent of the mold and moisture damage, you will either need to clean or remove and replace moldy materials.

Personal items like books and papers covered in mold should be thrownaway unless they have sentimental value. Unpainted drywall needs to be removed as it is difficult to remove subsurface mold and moisture.

Carpet that has been infested with mold, particularly if it has reached the pad, generally needs to be removed to prevent mold from regrowing. Moldy furniture with padding or fabric needs to be removed.

Enclose discarded items in closed, plastic bags when possible to prevent exposing trash handlers from unnecessary contact with mold items.

Non-porous surfaces such as painted drywall or plastic can be scrubbed using a cleaning solution. Wood can also generally be cleaned. You may be able to treat some fabrics (e.g., curtains) if they will not be damaged by the cleaning products needed to remove mold and can be thoroughly dried.

For non-porous items, use 1 cup of bleach mixed with 1 gallon of water to kill surface mold. If mold is below the surface, scrub with a solution of 1 cup borax mixed with 1-gallon water.

You can also saturate materials with undiluted 5% distilled vinegar. But make sure to dry thoroughly. Vinegar is purported to kill 82% of molds and will work in most cases.

You can also try using one teaspoon pure tea tree oil mixed in 1 cup of water. Saturate moldy materials then dry thoroughly. For best results, do not wash off the tea tree oil.

Note: After cleaning, make sure the areas is dry, and all visible mold is removed before you start introducing new materials such as replacement drywall or new carpet.

Mold takes days to weeks to grow to become noticeable. To ensure that you have adequately addressed the issue, clean the affected area and around it using a HEPA vacuum. Dispose of the HEPA bag after use.

You may also want to consider installing a HEPA filter on your house HVAC system. If you live in a shared building, then plugging in a free-standing HEPA air purifier will also help.

Consider a dehumidifier, if moisture in the air is a constant problem you face.

Once you've had an infestation of mold, even with a thorough clean up, you likely still have lots of lingering mold spores. So, be extra diligent going forward. Keep a close eye on any wet area like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements just in case.

Some people also use UV-C lights to kill mold. For these to work, the air containing mold spores must pass directly under the light. Unless they include a fan or are incorporated into your HVAC system, they may not be entirely effective.

Additionally, some people have concerns about the fact that they are a form of radiation and produce ozone which may have adverse health effects. In my own trials, the ozone aftereffects from using UV radiation also caused my asthma to flare up. However, it did seem to kill mold on contact so that I can see the benefit.

Even if you don't have noticeable symptoms from exposure to mold, drinking lots of water, getting lots of fresh air, and exercising can help to mitigate any potential effects after remediation.

Actually, I can't swear those things are necessary for DIY mold remediation. But they sure helped me feel better after my mold issues. I bet they'll be good for you too!

Your answer will be used to improve our content. The more feedback you give us, the better our pages can be.

Read the rest here:
DIY Mold Remediation on the Homestead - morningchores.com

Wholesale PacksIndustrial Mix Packs

Mold remediation is a critical process that includes a number of different tools and pieces of equipment that must be carefully deployed. After the discovery of mold remediation, the affected area must be closed off. Then, an air mover is used to create negative pressure and draw air out of the affected area. This is essential to preventing the spread of mold to other locations.

An air scrubber is then used to start working on the air in the affected space. This space should still be completely closed off, and the air scrubber will begin to remove harmful particles out of the air. Air scrubbers rely on HEPA filtration to remove small particles from the air.

Before, during and after the process, industrial air moversand dehumidifiers can be deployed to remove moisture from the air and ensure the mold does not spread to other portions of the home or business.

At Aer Industries, we carry a collection of only the best equipment available. This selection includes air scrubbers for mold remediation, air scrubber HEPA filters, air movers, dehumidifiers, and much more.

Youll find a number of different air scrubbers and replacement filter options in our selection. These HEPA air scrubbers are C-ETL certified, like all of our equipment offerings, and made to stand up to the most rugged jobs.

Likewise, our commercial dehumidifiers include both LGR and conventional models, with the water removal rating to fit your job needs.

Finally, our collection of air movers includes horsepower through 1 horsepower options. Youll find both compact and larger air movers, and you can always count on quality from the brands that we carry. At Aer Industries, whether youre looking for the perfect HEPA air scrubber, replacement filters or parts, dehumidifier, or air mover, you can always count on a wide selection of the high-quality equipment from the best brands when you choose Aer Industries.

At Aer Industries, we work hard to meet the needs of service professionals in a wide range of industries, mold remediation included. We provide these professionals with access to the best in commercial drying equipment, all C-ETL certified meeting the highest possible standards for quality and durability. When you need mold remediation drying equipment, Aer Industries can be your go-to mold equipment supplier.

We even offer mold remediation equipment packages to give you an easy way to save per unit, whether youre just starting out or youre looking to expand your equipment fleet. These equipment packages offer a mix of air movers, dehumidifiers and HEPA air scrubbers so you get the mix of equipment that you need at affordable prices. We also offer air scrubbers, air movers and dehumidifiers in bulk packages.

If you have any questions as you look through our selection, contact our team of experts today.

Common Types of Mold Found in Homes

How to Dry Carpets and Prevent Mold After Water Damage: 5 Steps

Visit link:
Mold Remediation Equipment and Drying Packages | Aer ...