Posts Tagged mold
How to Check for Attic Mold
Posted by GuestPoster in Home and Furnishings on May 29th, 2010
Attic mold can become a serious problem if you don’t have enough venting up there to keep moisture to a minimum. Optimum venting is a must and requires at least one vent in the roof itself, an a couple of vents in the roof overhang to help keep air circulation flowing.
One of the biggest problems involving mold in attics is no or very little insulation. In addition, too much insulation can cause vents to become plugged and minimize the air circulation. Most professionals recommend that the more insulation you have in the attic, the more venting you will need. Without proper airflow attics can become prone to molding due to excessive moisture.
If you believe you may already have mold growing in your attic, one of the first signs that there is a problem is when you smell a musty or pungent odor in the air. Even if you don’t smell anything, you should still check for mold.
You can either have a professional inspect for mold or if you know you can do it yourself, you can take a flashlight and check the nail points on your shingles on the roof for rusty or black stains, which would indication a moisture problem. If you find there are black stains in the rafters, then you definitely have a mold problem.
Before you can begin mold removal however, you need to stop the moisture source and prevent further problems by unplugging any vents that are plugged, adding vents if needed or installing a fan. And while you’re at it, check to see that the bathroom and kitchen fans are not blowing moist air into your attic.
Once you’ve removed the moisture, you can purchase a product designed for attic mold clean up, or hire a mold removal professional if the job is more than you can handle.
What Is Black Mold?
Posted by admin in Home and Garden on June 17th, 2009
With as much information that’s available on the Internet, it’s very easy to find out what black mold is. However, not a lot of information is available on the spores that are actually the very reason mold grows.
Spores are actually a small single-celled asexual reproductive body that is produced by fungi. The spores are then capable of developing into a new individual without sexual fusion. In simpler terms this means that the spores can move from area to area and allow mold to continue to grow which is bad news for homeowners.
That is why when you see a professional seal off an area with a sheet of plastic when working in a specific area where black mold is present; they’re actually preventing the spores from reaching other areas of the home.
So now that you know what a black mold spore is, you may want to think twice before you just scrub away the toxic fungus without sealing off the area first.
Symptoms of Black Mold Exposure
Posted by admin in Home and Garden on June 3rd, 2009
Do you know the symptoms of black mold exposure? If you’re like me, you probably don’t. It took me several years before I ever realized that I had been exposed to the toxic mold. Several years is way too long. So, here’s what you should keep an eye out for:
Chest Congestion – Although chest congestion can be associated with a common cold, keep an eye out of it’s not that time of the season. It might not be just your common cold.
Memory Loss – Did you forget where you left your keys? You may think it’s normal, but when you can’t remember on a daily basis what you had for dinner the night before, it may be a sign of something far more serious.
Headaches – Headaches are no fun and when you’re getting them several times a week, your body is telling you something.
Lack of Concentration – If you’re unable to keep your mind on something you really enjoy, you might want to consider the fact that it may not be just another coincidence.
Urinary Tract Infections – If you’re not prone to UTI infections, you might want to see if there’s a possibility it could be linked to poisonous mold.
Dizziness – If you’re feeling dizzy and you haven’t skipped a meal or been around any toxic chemicals, it might be a sign of a mold problem.
Bleeding of the Lungs – Although rare but very serious, some people and especially infants may experience bleeding of the lungs when they’ve been exposed to toxic mold.
The above are just a few of the many symptoms of black mold poisoning. If you suspect you are at risk for the toxic fungus, please make an appointment with your doctor immediately. Your life could very well depend on it.