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| How To Find Your Mold Problem – A Homeowner’s Guide |
4 signs that you have a mold problem:
M oisture – Moisture can be caused by a number of different factors including condensation from HVAC systems, persistent humidity, plumbing failures, flooding, or a number of other sources. If you see moisture, chances are you already have a mold problem.
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L
D If you’ve identified any of these symptoms, it’s time to determine how much mold is growing:Small Areas – Mold is considered to cover a “small area” if the patch is no larger than ten square feet. Small areas can easily be cleaned by using UrthPRO™, household rubber gloves and a dust mask for protection. Refer to Small Area Mold Clean-Up for the procedure. Small moldy areas in homes may become larger over time, if ignored, so it’s important to clean up and remove even small patches of mold. Moderate Areas — The mold area is considered “moderate” if there are more than three patches, each patch smaller than ten square feet, or there is one or more isolated patches larger than 10 square feet but smaller than 32 square feet (size of a 4 x 8 foot sheet of plywood or drywall). Assessment by a professional is recommended, but you can clean up moderate amounts of mold but you must follow the proper procedures and use the proper protective equipment. Refer to Moderate Area Mold Clean-Up for the procedure. Extensive Areas — A mold area is considered “extensive” if a single patch of mold is larger in area than a sheet of plywood (32 square feet). Being exposed to this much mold is not a good idea. Do not attempt to clean up large areas of mold yourself. You need professional help to determine why the mold is there in the first place and how to clean it up. When should you seek professional help?You may need professional help when:
How do you get professional help?A trained Restoration Professional who operates a private business and sells his/her services can examine the indoor air quality of your home and document your concerns. They are trained to identify moisture problems, find their sources and suggest solutions. Recommendations are usually provided to you in an action plan that consists of various options to improve the indoor air quality in your home. Restoration Professionals are usually trained to handle a number of different “disaster” situations besides mold such as sewage backups and fire damage cleanup. For help finding a Restoration Professional, refer to How To Hire A Mold Contractor. |
Comments
Yes, UrthPRO is great on showers, toilets and sinks. The problem in the faucet, is this around the base of the faucet where it connects to the countertop? This may be caused by a leak within your faucet that you may want to have a plumber take a look at. Also, if you're seeing a recurring problem in your grout, you may need to clean it thoroughly with UrthPRO, let it dry completely and seal your grout with a grout sealer which can be found at your local hardware store. Hope that helps!
I was searching for info on mold and I found these messages. I've been cleaning a very old church since 1994 and for the past few years I have felt very different whenever I am in the building. I suspected mold but because I didn't see it I wasn't sure. The place was flooded about 4 times in the past few weeks and Lord knows how many times before that and the walls are covered with mold. I have been suffering with bad allergy, headaches, bloody nose,also feel like having memory loss for at least 4 years now, also breathing problems and asthma like symptoms. Yesterday I cleaned again the place was so badly covered with mold, the bathroom cabinets are rotten & moldy. While I did the cleaning I had to go out many times to get fresh air, at times I felt like I couldn't breathe.Years ago my doctor told me I have allergy which I already knew and bought allergy medicine, now my question is could mold cause all this? Now seeing these messages it worries me that I may have suffered and having all of these health problems for all these years probably because of that moldy place. Should I consider to be tested? Both of my kids have similar symptoms especially headaches and allergy.I have breathing problem, headaches, and just feeling lethargic for days after I am cleaning there, and now have red itchy eyes as I have this very often lately . Please respond ASAP.My e-mail is: xxxxxx
Thank you,
Erika
The symptoms you've described can definitely be attributed to mold exposure. You should consult your physician to discuss the possible implications, and if possible avoid going near the infested area to limit your exposure...especially if you've been diagnosed as allergic.
We recommend you also contact a professional in your area to discuss how to properly mitigate the mold growth that you've described, as the damage may be more extensive than the naked eye can see. Especially in a public venue such as a church, it's important to have the problem addressed immediately so as not to expose others to the potentially harmful infestation.
We hope this information helps, and if you need further assistance please let us know.
about mold, I've livehere for 3 yrs. now,
I've got afib, and now I have pains in
my stomach when I cough, and read what you said, like you were talking to me, it's weird, but helped me realized my house too is sick, thank you.
sa
He or she can take samples to send in to the lab for testing to determine if you have dangerous mold.
Thanks,
David Snell
In business since 1987
Woul appreciate any help.
Jerry Dodson
It sounds as though your moisture problem is the culprit behind the mold growth in your room. Cleaning in this case may only be a temporary fix. You'll need to fix any leaks and address the chronic moisture issue in order to prevent mold growth.
If you are experiencing any symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, or other problems, it is recommended that you consult your physician and stay away from the affected area until you can get it fixed.
Given the size of your problem, it sounds like you may need to seek professional help to determine a proper remediation plan. If you need any further help finding a professional in your area, or anything else, please let us know.
Dry rot is still rot, but is usually caused by a lack of air flow in the space occupied by wood. The simple test is to press on the wood and see if it is moist. If you determine that moisture is affecting the wood, you should bring this to the attention of the building owner as neglect may cause severe damage over time.
We're sorry to hear about your unfortunate situation.
Although we're not attorneys and can't really give legal advice, you should consult an attorney about your particular situation. Most attorneys will listen to your case and offer advice free of charge before they determine if they will act as your counsel.
Ask your attorney about "retaliatory eviction". You may also want to do a google search of the term to learn about what your rights may be as a tenant.
Good luck, and we hope everything works out for you and your family.
We're very sorry to hear about your situation.
Was there visible mold on the walls that your landlord painted over? If so, that is NOT an acceptable way to treat a mold problem. You should discuss this with your landlord to see if he/she is willing to fix the problem. If not, you may want to consult a local attorney to help guide you through the laws and possible recourse in your area.
Testing for mold at this point may be a moot point, as you have a child showing negative signs of some sort of pollutant/allergen. It is more important to have the problem taken care of than it is to find out what mold(s) may be in your home.
We also recommend you contact your local health department to discuss what further action you can take.
We hope this information helps, and if you need any further counseling please feel free to call or email us at any time.
Vickie Swenson, Minnesota Mold Inspeciton
that is a great point. A high airborne spore count is still a major problem. Air scrubbers (HEPA filters) and externally vented exhaust are great ways to get that spore count down.
Thanks!
in my privates, I have been on antobiotics,
sice than and it is may. my doctor wants me too see an infectuaus doctor too try too end this infection, i called the owner yesterday, and he had the whole wall ripped out today. I`m wondering if this came from the mold, i`m also coughing a lot
Many times a contractor will come in to do a free inspection of your home and give you an idea of what the course of action needs to be to take care of your problem. In your case, you may want to ask your landlord if they would be willing to bring in a contractor to do discovery type work. If the landlord refuses, you may want to contact contractors on your own and tell them about your situation. Let someone come in and look at and identify the problem areas and tell you what it would take to fix them. If you show your landlord that it's a problem, maybe they will be more receptive to fixing it.
Hope this helps!
One thing is certain, if you are seeing signs of mold growth you need to take care of both the problem (moisture) and clean up as much as you possible can.
Talk with a professional restoration contractor in your area as they may be able to help you understand the insurance process and what is causing the problems you're seeing.
Good luck.
While "black mold" has been popularized by the media (probably because it sounds bad), it is actually just a reference to one type of mold called Stachybotrys chartarum.
Molds come in all sorts of colors, but you can't tell what type they are simply by color.
While it is possible that your daughter is allergic to the mold in your wall, we highly recommend discussing these symptoms with her physician as they could be signs of other health conditions as well.
Speak with your landlord about the mold growth in your closet. Regardless of whether your daughter's conditions are related to its growth or not, you don't want your family living in such dirty conditions.
If you need anything further, please let us know.
Is the toy cupboard built in (i.e. affixed to the wall)? It may be that you have a moisture problem (and therefore a mold/mildew problem) behind the cupboard itself.
Also, is there any moisture/humidity in or around the cupboard? Look for condensation, etc. The mold you saw inside the cupboard may be your problem rearing its ugly head and a sign you have a greater problem lurking in your walls.
Hope that helps, but if you need further assistance let us know.
417-873-9412
Good luck!
First off, the fact that you are finding mold on the back side of your drywall means the problem was never properly taken care of. Please note, EVEN DEAD MOLD CAN CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS. So the fact that it's "dead" can be irrelevant. The drywall and/or the cavities behind it were probably not dried out properly when the remediation was being done. You were right to remove the drywall and install new moisture resistant sheet rock.
If you are finding a musty or earthy smell, then you likely still have a moisture problem which is causing mildew or mold to form in places that you can't necessarily see.
When you run your dehumidifier, do you clean out the drip pan frequently, or is it hooked into a drain line? We're wondering if there is a lot of water that is being retrieved from the air?
If there is a lot of moisture in the air, then you may want to have someone come in to take a look at what may be causing the incessant moisture. If this is a below-grade basement, you may have improper grading, poorly functioning drain tiles, holes/cracks in the foundation or walls, or a whole host of other problems.
The blackness that you're seeing COULD be what they are saying, but the fact that it wipes off with a rag is irrelevant. Mold can grow on flat surfaces like drywall and be easily wiped off if you catch it before it grows too deep. You likely need an environmentalis t to come in and take a look at your moisture problem and to help distinguish whether what you're wiping off is in fact just soot or "ghosting", or if you do have a moisture/mold problem. They can bring in specialized equipment like moisture meters and thermal imagers to assess your problem.
Hope that helps, and if you need help finding a professional in your area, please feel free to contact us.
417-873-9412
Have you brought this problem to the attention to your landlord?
Please note that "Kilz" is NOT an acceptable treatment for mold. Painting over a moldy surface does not alleviate your mold problem, it simply hides the aesthetic issues that mold can cause.
It is very possible that your mold problem has spread, but it's impossible to know for sure unless you have a professional mold inspector come in and assess the situation. As for your furniture, you should have a professional upholstery cleaning company treat it regardless to reduce your risk of spreading mold spores as you move. You clothes should also be washed thoroughly and put into plastic bags and moved.
As for your unborn child, while inhalation of mold is not good for you, it should not be harmful to your fetus. Mold can cause damage to your respiratory system, but the baby is not breathing while it is growing in your uterus. Mold does not get into your bloodstream and will not effect the fetal circulation (where the baby gets its oxygen). Don't worry. I would check out your lungs if you are wheezing or showing any signs of respiratory distress. However, the baby should be safe. But you should ALWAYS consult your doctor about issues such as these, after all, we're not doctors.
I hope this information helps, and if you need anything further please let us know.
A dehumidifier is probably a good idea if you're seeing moisture. When they install the floor, ask the contractor to check the foundation and ask about sealing it, or possibly installing a vapor barrier.
Your concerns are certainly good ones. If they are seeing that much moisture there is almost certainly a much larger problem than the eye can see.
It is possible that the perceived mold on the walls is caused by condensation and is only growing on the outside of the wall; however, that much moisture on the walls means there is also likely moisture in virtually every area of the room/area...not good!
We recommend you speak with the landlord and let him/her know that you would like to have a remediation expert come in to check moisture levels and overall air quality, and give you an overall assessment of what may be causing the problem (for recommendations on people in your area, email us at info (at) urthpro.com). If your landlord is unwilling to compromise, you may want to have a look at this site:
http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/repairs.shtml
This should to be a good resource for your particular situation. It outlines your rights as a tenant in the State of California.
We hope this information helps, and if you need anything further, please let us know.
It is possible, given the rapid "growth" that you are observing, that what you are seeing is efflorescence. Basically, efflorescence is when water evaporates from a salt causing it to crystallize on the concrete surface. This is common on concrete and is not harmful to your health.
Efflorescence, however, can be harmful to your structure. You should consult a masonry professional for recommendations on whether your concrete needs to be sealed.
In the mean time, if it is efflorescence, a phosphoric acid solution should work to remove it (can be found at your local hardware store) and should be cleaned with a mild detergent solution to neutralize the acid.
A quick google search on "efflorescence" should give you some good images to figure out if that is what you are seeing.
Hope this information helps!
SERVICING FROM CRAWL SPACE TO RIDGE CAP AND ALL BETWEEN.
LICENSED / INSURED / BBB / OSHA /
FREE LOCAL ESTIMATES.
417-693-0851 CELL
called:
Mold inspectors and mold remediators that has over 1,600 companies on board that you may want to be a part of.
Take care,
David Snell
water damage from a fire is a very common occurrence. It is certainly possible that moisture was trapped behind your walls and not dried properly, which could be causing mold to grow in places you can't see. You should find a local remediation expert to come in and assess your moisture levels and air quality. If you need recommendations in your area, please email us at info (at) urthpro.com.
It's important that you clean the blanket and pillow frequently with a mild detergent (like laundry detergent) and try to keep them dry as best you can. Bleach is really not necessary and your primary objective should be to REMOVE any contamination, not just kill it. Dead mold can still cause an allergic reaction and can still affect your baby's health. You should consult with your pediatrician about this issue and make him/her aware of the situation so they can monitor your child's health accordingly.
Hope this helps.
Can you tell us the State you live in? The laws vary by location , but we may be able to point you in the right direction.
The hard reality, however, is that in order to claim damages, you have to be able to PROVE damages. It is really up to the court in your area whether or not mold is affecting your health.
You may have a claim, particularly if you can prove negligence, but it will be difficult.
Let us know.
we're very sorry to hear about your baby, as well as the health problems you and your family are experiencing. It is possible that mold is a cause of some of this, and we recommend contacting an environmental specialist in your area to check you home for an infestation.
we're not aware of moths being attracted to water or mold.
Sorry!
The amount of moisture you've described means you almost certainly have a mold issue, and YES, this may be affecting your allergies. We recommend you bring a remediation expert in as soon as possible to assess both your moisture problem, and how to mitigate the damage that you've already sustained. You may be in a position to claim your water damage to your insurance provider. Work with a contractor knowledgeable of the insurance process and it will make your life a lot easier!
In 2006 our dog passed away. As moving was very hard for her -- I would put newspaper down in our hallway and part of our bedroom every night. I shampood the rug with a combo of PineSol and Clorox every night as well. As the carpet never had a chance to completely dry out -- could we possibly have mold underneath? Husband won't let me pull up the carpeting to check. Your thoughts please. Thank you so much.
First, not sure where you got the impression that we advocate vinegar or clorox to get rid of mold, but neither is terribly effective. We (for obvious reasons) recommend you use UrthPRO (UrthPRO.com/shop).
Second, it is possible that mold formed underneath your carpet if the surface remained moist for extended periods of time; however, if the surface has been cleaned repeatedly and dried out relatively quickly since, you should probably be in the clear. To be sure, you may want to wet the affected area with UrthPRO and let it stand for five to ten minutes and blot until dry. You may also consider using a carpet cleaning machine (most likely available at your local tool rental store), and clean the effected area with UrthPRO and extract any residual moisture.
unfortunately there's not much you can do short of taking the wall off and replacing it. We do not advocate the use of "fogging" into wall cavities simply because even if you do "kill" the mold or whatever may be causing the malodor, dead mold can still cause an allergic reaction.
the fact that you found visible mold behind your bathroom sink usually would indicate that the problem is local. You may want to have a plumber take a look at the sink and water supply lines to ensure that there is no leaking, although we suspect that may be the culprit. Clean those spots really well with UrthPRO (www.urthpro.com/shop), and if they don't go away then you may need to take more drastic measures (i.e. cut out some of the drywall, fix your moisture problem and replace the drywall).
email us at info (at) urthpro.com with your exact location so we can better help you.
It is certainly possible that the smell you're referring to is the stagnant water which is causing mold to form. Clean the affected area and the surroundings very well using UrthPRO, and make sure to get rid of any insulation which may have been affected as well. While you're replacing or fixing the roof, just be sure to keep everything as dry as possible.
Whenever you see mold, there is an underlying moisture problem. Is your church frequently humid? If so, a combination of dehumidifiers, ventilation, and air conditioning can have a great impact on the relative humidity of your indoor environment. A heating and cooling contractor can help you better control the humidity in your church.
Hope that helps, and if you need anything further please let us know!
I live in a 2 bedroom condo and last year I notice an odor for a few week, and then I discovered that my carpet was soak and wet. The foam was damage, I went out and brought some cork and I corked the baseboard and it held until and week ago it came back this time in both room, causing harm to my dog. What can I do to live in there mold free
I live in a basement and am having issues with mold only in the the extreme hot summer months when there is a lot of rain. It is not throughout the house but only in the two bedrooms where synthetic carpet is. Green and white mold will grow along the bottom of wood furniture and shoe that was left on the floor in the back of the closet was molded. It is not on the walls all. My huge issue is that I am about to have a baby and am worried about the air quality. There is no mold issue in the winter but I am not sure if this could be dangerous. I have lived here for a year and 6 months and have never gottenn sick. It seems to only be on the ground (but not visable on the carpet. We have been adivsed to use a dehumifidier during these hot months. Is that good advice or is it time to move?
can stand in an attic after a rain. Can
water build and just set there are does
it evaporate.
Thanks,
Lou
of clothing in her bathroom sink, which is located upstairs
In doing so, she stepped away for a moment, came
Back and the little sink over flowed, she came and got me, and immediately started putting down towels to dry up the floor, and I notice that drawer caught a lot of the water, so I empty it, the entire bathroom did not get wet, because most of the rugs in the bathroom caught it, be later I found that my younger daughter inside closet was wet around the rim, I pulled out the carpet, and pad, which was not even soak, just damp enough, and sit them both outside, but I'm the garage u can see a water spot, we lived with my boyfriend, and was the cause of a major downstairs flood already, I mean insurance got involve and everything, now this, all of us are scared to death, espeacially my daughter, I put fans inside the closet which really isn't that wet, just damp, but there is a water line on the outside of the bedroom wall, how can I cover that without him finding out, please
Please give me some advice, I am sick to my stomach
Cathy
Last November we had a storm to come through and our home had some wind damage to the roof over my sons room. We had 2 roofers to tell us that we needed a new roof. The insurance adjuster came out and said we didnt need a new roof and just to replace those shingles that had gone missing. The roofer put a tarp on it untill we could get things situated with the insurance. During this time(a month), we had more rain. I noticed a slight odor in the room then. Now, we have had a good bit of rain lately. My son had been gone for the weekend and his door was shut. When he came home and went to him room, the odar was horrible. It was a musty, earthy, smokey smell. I know that sounds weird but I cant really explain it. So, he has two closets and one he never opens because it just has old toys and stuff in it. I opened that closet and there was a huge water stain on the ceiling and the smell just about made me vomit. He has asthma and allergies and CAN NOT be in there. I noticed that for the past year, he had been getting headaches and other problems that he has not had before. WHAT DO I DO??????
Ring worm is treated by witchhazel but you have to wear gloves.
Rob
what is it
sanitas wall covering was on the walls.Home is over 100 yrs. old. New wall covering is a type of vinyl.Could this be mold and why didn't it show up on old wall covering?
David Snell
SnellExperts.com
leek in wall and another area drywall changing color.
Im a renter with children.
how do we get help?
Lavinia
Thanks ,Robert
They even give out door prizes.
Thank you,
David
The second issue, and I am VERY concerned about this one is, I noticed mold or mildew growing on some of my BOOKS that are on bookcases down there...they are at least 20 feet from the weeping, sweating wall...What should I DO about the wall...and waht should I do about my BOOKS!
PLEASE ADVISE....
I Ben living in an apartment am my landlords been refusing to let me break my lease from mold it's black fizzes and yellow wet on the wall they been recovering with paint every year so u can't c it,I been getting very sick throwing up flu like symptoms and I been rushed to the er many of times my landlord laughs at me. I came to a doc an they said it caused asthma . We had tests done there is mold but it says not harmful to many ppl now can I still break my lease with out being held accountable for the remainder of my lease or not? I have a two year old son who has also been very I'll from this matter please help me
I Ben living in an apartment am my landlords been refusing to let me break my lease from mold it's black fizzes and yellow wet on the wall they been recovering with paint every year so u can't c it,I been getting very sick throwing up flu like symptoms and I been rushed to the er many of times my landlord laughs at me. I came to a doc an they said it caused asthma . We had tests done there is mold but it says not harmful to many ppl now can I still break my lease with out being held accountable for the remainder of my lease or not? I have a two year old son who has also been very I'll from this matter please help me
We moved out and the landlord kept $750. of our deposit money claiming that we over-flowed the bathtub.
We tried to explain that it was indirect water intrusion from rising damp from the rain water that drained under the house. We are being sued for water damages. How can we prove that we did not cause the mold growth and are there any sources that can help us prove that mold can be developed from moisture under the house?
Ok, I get it now, black mold forms when there is no air to circulate in the room or between the panes of the windows. We love our landlords, thank you for them, but this is incredulous. I have asked my hubs, many times, do ya think we are sick because are heads bump up to the windowsill as we are not fancy and cannot afford a headboard. Even if we could, that stupid mold would still be concealed and growing.....
Now, I know we are sick with the coughing, sluggish manner, no energy, and just pretty much worn out after no sleep of tossing and turning. This has never happened to us. We live in Northern MI on the West side of the state.
UrthPro, do you have help for us, how do I get in between the old window panes, also grows in the bathroom, where now I know that CLR is not the answer. HELP, SOON, we are late 59ers.
THANK YOU!
Take care,
David
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