Tips for Mold Remediation

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The Best Tips for Mold Remediation
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Table of contents

• The Best Tips for Mold Remediation
• What Everyone Needs to Wear Before They Enter a
  Home with Mold Damage
• Can Bleach Be Used in Mold Remediation?
• What Are the Symptoms of Mold Exposure?
• How Does Someone Know if They Have Mold in Their
  Home?

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The Best Tips for Mold Remediation

• Having mold in ones home is one of the scariest
  discoveries someone can make. The only thing that
  frightens people more than that is the prospect
  of having to remove that mold. Luckily, in most
  cases there are professionals who can do that,
  but there are also times when they simply arent
  available due to flooding, hurricanes, or some
  other form of disaster. In any case, no one is
  ever expected to be an expert on mold removal
  from their home, but they can be better prepared.
  Here are a number of tips on what to do when it
  comes to mold cleanup 
• First, access whatever information you can find
  and learn as much as possible about mold. After
  that, document everything in the house related to
  the mold issues. This is great for people with
  insurance, as this provides proof of the issues
  that were dealt within the home. Everything
  thats documented should also be properly dated
  and referenced. After that, its time to get
  ready to for mold remediation.

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• Before entering the house to conduct mold
  cleanup, make sure to wear the proper protection.
  The government recommends a proper respirator,
  goggles, gloves, rubber boots, long pants, and
  long-sleeved shirts at the very minimum. Ignore
  these recommendations at your own peril they can
  save lives.
•  
• Be ready to toss everything out that is
  contaminated from floodwater and cant be
  properly sterilized. This means specifically, all
  items that can be saved are ones that can be
  properly cleaned and then dried within one to two
  days.
•  
• Dry the home and everything in it as soon as
  possible. This means walls, floors, furniture,
  and everything else that can be rescued for
  future use.

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• Proper ventilation is a must. This means that
  fans and dehumidifiers should be used if
  electricity is on. If its not, then open every
  door and window in the building to allow air to
  circulate and aid in drying out the property.
•  
• Before starting the cleaning process, make sure
  that proper chemicals are used to clean up the
  home. Most importantly, never combine two
  cleaning products, as a two. or three-in-one way
  of dealing with things. This is incredibly
  dangerous and can create toxic fumes. Bleach, for
  instance, should never be combined with anything
  else but water!

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• Remember that this isnt a simple job of touching
  up things. Covering up issues or painting over
  them isnt an option here. Everything has to be
  properly dried. Surfaces need to be scrubbed
  clean in order to ensure that mold contamination
  doesnt continue or have a chance to set in.
•  
• Once the clean-up of the home is complete,
  everyones work is still not done. Its important
  to stay vigilant. Keep an eye on the house and
  watch for any evidence of continuing water
  damage. Also, watch for any issues with recurring
  mold. If any people occupying the home begin to
  experience the effects of mold contamination,
  then call a professional company in immediately.

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What Everyone Needs to Wear Before They Enter a
Home with Mold Damage

• Once it seemed that no one was ever concerned
  with a bit of mold in their house. Many people
  actually did have mold growing somewhere in their
  home and paid no attention to it.Occasionally,
  someone might crouch down and clean it up with a
  bit of bleach if they felt like it. It is truly
  amazing that no one knew the dangers of
  substances like black mold in the past, but
  everyone does now and the first thing that anyone
  should know about entering a house or building
  with mold problems is to be very, very cautious.
•  
• The other thing to remember about entering a home
  with mold is not to, if they can help it! There
  are circumstances where this cant be avoided,
  but it really is true that the best way of
  getting rid of mold is to hire a professional
  company to come in and remove it, themselves.
  There are sometimes, though, when people have no
  choice but to do mold remediation themselves.
  Here are the basics on what to wear when doing
  this

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• Wear a respirator. This is the most important
  thing to have before entering a home or building
  that has mold damage. Mold spreads by spores that
  float through the air and that is something that
  a person can inhale without proper protection.
  Thats why the FDA recommends that people wear an
  N-95 respirator or better. They are relatively
  inexpensive and can easily be bought online or at
  hardware stores.
• Goggles are a must. People think that inhaling
  mold spores is the worst that can happen, but the
  eyes must be protected as well. Not only is there
  a danger from mold entering the eye, but mold
  cleanup involves working with a lot of harsh
  chemicals that can severely damage the eyes. As a
  result, its better to err on the side of caution
  and wear protective goggles.
• Protective gloves. This might seem unnecessary,
  but cleaning with chemicals means protecting the
  hands, as well. Even if someone isnt cleaning at
  all, its still better to wear gloves as mold
  could get on the hands while in the affected
  house. If it does, its something that could be
  breathed in later.

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• Waterproof boots. This is especially important if
  entering a house or building that still has
  standing water anywhere. Even if it doesnt,
  floors are still likely to be wet and its best
  to avoid any exposure to contaminated water. So,
  the boots are better to have than not.
•  
• A long-sleeved shirt and long pants. This is
  needed to avoid direct exposure of the skin to
  any dangerous substances that someone could be
  exposed to while cleaning. Because of the likely
  exposure to mold spores, its important to
  thoroughly wash these clothes in hot water after
  theyve been worn.
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• Its also important to keep in mind that
  children, the elderly, and those with asthma or
  weakened immune systems should never enter a
  house contaminated with mold.

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Can Bleach Be Used in Mold Remediation?

• There are, unfortunately, a great deal more
  floods and natural disasters hitting many parts
  of the world that leave people with homes damaged
  by water. Its also true that, much of the time,
  those same people are the ones who have to clean
  up the water damage. Here are a few things to
  remember if a person is in the position where
  they have to clean up without professional help
• First, wear the proper equipment before going
  into a home where dangerous mold may be present.
  They can be especially damaging to a persons
  lungs, so a proper N-95 respirator should be worn
  at all times to ensure this doesnt happen. Molds
  can be dangerous to other parts of the body as
  well, though, so protective goggles and gloves
  should also be worn. Be aware that these
  precautions might seem like a hassle but they are
  advised because of just how dangerous some molds
  are.

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• Keep in mind that bleach and other cleaners are
  also toxic and proper ventilation should be used
  to prevent any buildup of gases in the air. When
  it comes to the question of whether or not bleach
  can be used on mold, the answer is basically,
  yes. One should, however, never mix bleach with
  any other chemicals or cleaners. Doing so can
  result in toxic gases that can seriously harm, or
  even kill, a person.
• Before bleach can be used on a wall, it has to be
  cleaned of any other dirt first. This can be mud
  or any other debris on the walls. Any cleaning
  product that is used on the wall wont work if
  the wall is still dirty. Once the wall is clear,
  then a solution of bleach can be used. Bleach can
  be an effective way of removing mold because it
  not only cleans walls and ceilings but it also a
  sterilizer. In other words, it will kill the mold
  in places where it is used. Do not use pure
  bleach, though. A mixture of one cup per gallon
  of water is sufficient.

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• For other surfaces, however, like wood or stone,
  one can use soapy water and a bristle brush to
  break up dirt and mold on the surface. The most
  important thing to remember is to do a thorough
  job of cleaning all surfaces. If mold isnt
  neutralized everywhere, it can come back to haunt
  the owners by causing them long-term health
  issues.
• Once the home is clean of mold, its best to
  prevent its return by drying out surfaces as
  quickly as possible. Fans and dehumidifiers are
  usually a persons best bet in accomplishing this
  within a short period of time.
• After having cleaned a home thoroughly of molds,
  there is one more step that should be kept in
  mind. The ventilation and heating system in the
  house may have become affected, so its a good
  idea to have an HVAC specialist come in and clean
  up any mold that might be in the system before
  its turned on.

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What Are the Symptoms of Mold Exposure?

• If someone discovers mold in their homes, they
  do, of course, want to have it removed as soon as
  possible. Calling a professional company to do
  just that is always a good idea, but there can be
  lasting concerns people have about their own
  health and whether or not its safe to remain in
  the house. Should a person stay in a house with
  mold and what are the indications that its
  affecting their health?
•  
• There are a number of reactions that can indicate
  mold exposure. Remember that these are signs, but
  not a guarantee of harmful mold in the house.
  Its always best to consult with a doctor to make
  sure that a persons symptoms are being caused by
  mold. If one or more of these symptoms are
  experienced by a person, then they should visit a
  physician as soon as they can. Here is a list of
  possible signs of mold exposure

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• Sneezing This is caused by the persons body
  trying to expel the spores. 
• Runny Nose This is the result of a persons
  sinuses becoming inflamed as a result of the
  mold.
• Coughing and/or wheezing This is a more
  concerning symptom as this could indicate that a
  persons lungs are being affected. 
• Watery, Itchy, or Red Eyes This symptom
  indicates irritation of the eyes from airborne
  mold spores.
•  
• Skin Irritation or Rashes This would indicate
  the possible presence of a mold that is affecting
  the skin.

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• Asthma Attacks For people who suffer from
  asthma, an unexplained attack could indicate the
  presence of mold, especially if they seem to be
  occurring only within that home.
•  
• Headaches This is also a possible symptom of
  mold exposure affecting the system.
•  
• Difficulty exercising This is the direct result
  of shortness of breath, meaning that mold spores
  may be affecting the lungs.
•  
• Snoring Now, many people snore, so this is not
  an indicator by itself. The only time that this
  should be an issue is if people who usually dont
  snore start snoring for no apparent reason.

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• If these symptoms are experienced, then its
  important to visit a doctor right away to
  determine if mold is the cause.  
• Mold has several long-term effects on a persons
  health. Those with asthma can have their asthma
  attacks increase in number and worsen. People who
  previously didnt have asthma can end up
  developing it after mold exposure. Mold exposure
  can result in chronic sinus infections and
  chronic sore throat. Some can even develop
  respiratory problems like bronchitis. 

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• Other long term effects include bleeding of the
  lungs, depression, chronic fatigue, and
  difficulty with memory.
• If these symptoms are experienced and it is
  discovered that the cause is mold by a doctor,
  then get treatment as soon as possible. Its also
  advisable to seek alternate lodgings in the short
  term. Above all, call in a professional team to
  examine the persons home and eliminate the mold
  problem. If this isnt done then the mold will
  continue to cause health problems and blunt any
  treatment the person is receiving.

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How Does Someone Know if They Have Mold in Their
Home?

• Flooding has become far more common and far more
  of a problem for business and homeowners in the
  last twenty years. Many homeowners may not
  necessarily end up with a foot of water in their
  home, but heavy rainfalls and wind can result in
  leaks in homes and buildings. Those leaks can
  result in mold contamination, but its not always
  easy to know if a person has mold in their home
  or not. First, know that mold is a type of fungus
  that produces spores which can become airborne.
  It thrives in damp, and usually warm areas. Here
  are some tips on detecting it
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• Past floods This might not be the most obvious
  sign of mold, but if a person buys a new home and
  sees indications in the basement, for instance,
  of previous floods, then the previous owners may
  or may not have looked for mold. If they didnt,
  it might still be present somewhere in the
  building.

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• Allergies Its normal for people to have
  allergies to plants, to cats, and to a number of
  other things. If, however, people start
  experiencing allergic reactions inside a persons
  home for no apparent reason, this might indicate
  that there is mold somewhere in the house.
•  
• Smelling something is wrong If a person walks
  into a home and immediately smells that strange,
  musty and damp odor in the air, thats a strong
  sign that mold is in the house.
• Seeing that something is wrong The most obvious
  sign of mold in a house is the sight of mold,
  itself. This should always be approached with
  caution, and the sight of any mold means that
  professionals should be called in to determine
  whether or not the mold is dangerous. There is no
  reason to panic, however at the sight of mold.
  Most mold isnt dangerous and can be cleaned with
  some bleach and water. It is always best,
  however, to have the experts in to give their
  opinion.

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• Seeing signs of water This doesnt involve the
  direct sight of mold, but could indicate that it
  exists out of sight. The reasoning behind this is
  that once water is in the building, the creation
  of mold might have already begun. Mold needs two
  things to appear warmth and water. A home
  provides the first and a leak provides the
  second. Once a person has the two, mold can form
  and cause problems, but still might be concealed
  in attics, walls, and ceilings. Water damage is
  usually noticed by brown rings on ceilings or on
  walls.
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• Seeing water This is the next indicator that
  mold might be in the building. Seeing water
  actually coming into the house through windows or
  ceilings, means that it is present in the house,
  and that means mold could be forming.

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• Condensation By itself, this isnt a bad thing,
  but frequent condensation could cause problems in
  a home, as well.
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• If any of these issues are found within a home,
  call a professional right away to determine if
  there is mold in the house!
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