What Cleaning Companies Need to Know About Mold

When someone mentions mold it brings to mind visions of green bread or cheese that has been left in the refrigerator too long - things you just throw into the trash without much thought. However, molds are an essential part of our environment. They break down trees, leaves and other types of organic matter; and mold is responsible for some of the foods and medicines that we have today. But inside buildings mold can be unsightly, smell, and cause health problems to the buildings occupants. Cleaning staff may be responsible to either remediate mold that already exists or to prevent mold from growing inside buildings. Knowing the basics about mold can help to put preventive measures into place.

Molds can grow almost anywhere as long as moisture (water), an organic food source and oxygen is present. There are roughly 1,000 species of mold spores in the United States and more than 100,000 species worldwide. Mold is generally not a problem unless the spores land on a damp spot and begin growing. There are varieties of mold that grow on wood, paper, carpet, insulation and even everyday dust and dirt.

There is no way to remove all the mold spores that are inside buildings. However, mold is usually not a problem unless the spores land on a damp spot and begin growing and multiplying. If left unchecked, mold can grow on furniture, carpet, building materials, and in extreme cases have even caused structural damage.

Mold thrives in buildings that have excessive moisture. The tightly sealed buildings of today have resulted in decreased ventilation, which can lead to increased moisture levels inside buildings. In addition, moisture problems can result from leaking roofs, over-watering plants, gutters that direct water inside a building and improperly maintained appliances.

Controlling moisture is the key to keeping mold from growing and thriving in buildings. Quickly clean up any water leaks and dry thoroughly. Following are additional mold prevent tips:

* Look for any condensation areas and wet spots in buildings. Pinpoint and fix the source of the moisture.

* Fix any plumbing leaks as soon as possible.

* Prevent moisture from condensing on to surfaces by increasing the air temperature, increasing air circulation and reducing the moisture level in the building. Reduce the moisture level by repairing any leaks and use a dehumidifier if necessary.

* Keep the HVAC system properly maintained. Change filters regularly and keep drip pans clean.

* Appliances that produce moisture (such as dryers) should be vented to the outside.

* Cooking and bathroom areas should be properly vented.

* Quickly pinpoint areas where any leaks have occurred. Then identify what has caused the leak and take the right preventive measures to prevent the leak from reoccurring.

If a building has a mold problem one of the following reasons may be noticeable:

* Furniture, carpeting or other building materials may have water damage

* Musty or moldy type odors

* Building occupants may be experiencing health problems that they feel are related to mold: sneezing, headaches, nausea

* Existing moisture problems or standing water in areas of the building

Buildings that have a mold problem will need a remediation plan to identify and correct the conditions that have allowed the mold growth. The plan will also include steps to remove or clean any mold damaged materials. However, the first step is to clean up the current mold problem and then work with a specialist to decide how to correct and prevent the problem from reoccurring.

When cleaning up the mold it is important to remember that killing the mold is not enough. The mold itself must be removed. There are chemicals that exist even in dead mold spores that can cause a reaction in humans. There are several cleanup methods available. The specific method or combination of methods to use depends on the material that has the mold damage:

Wet Vacuum or ShopVac. These are vacuum cleaners that collect water. These vacuums work on floors, carpets, and other hard surfaces where water has collected. Do not use a wet vac to remove water from porous materials, such as insulation or gypsum board. Only use wet vacuums on wet materials. Mold spores may be released into the building if there is not enough liquid present. Thoroughly clean and the equipment, tanks, hoses, and attachments after use to prevent the mold from growing in the vacuum.

Damp Wipe. Clean nonporous surfaces by damp wiping or scrubbing with water and detergent. Dry the surfaces quickly and thoroughly to discourage further mold growth. Remember to read and follow any specific instructions for special surfaces.

HEPA Vacuum. A high-efficiency particulate air vacuum is recommended for the final cleanup in any mold infested areas. Make sure that all materials are thoroughly dried and remove any contaminated items. You should also use a HEPA vacuum to cleanup any nearby areas where dust may have settled. When it is time to change the filter, employees should wear a respirator and suitable personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to any of the captured mold. Place the filter and any collected material in impermeable bags and then dispose of the bags appropriately.

Disposing of Mold Damaged Materials. Dispose of damaged materials like construction waste. Place the materials in impermeable bags or closed containers or cover large materials with polyethylene sheeting and seal them with duct tape.

Use of Biocides. Using biocides like bleach, is not a recommended practice for removing mold. If a remediation expert does recommend using a biocide, only use the chemical in a well ventilated area. Bleaches and other biocides are toxic to people and animals and should only be used according to the label's directions.

Clean the affected area when the room or building is not occupied. Any contaminated materials that cannot be cleaned should be removed first. Workers should wear the proper personal protective equipment -- respirators, gloves and goggles. Once cleaned, dry the areas quickly and thoroughly.

After cleanup, make sure the underlying cause of the mold has been addressed or mold growth will reoccur. Building owners must place emphasis on preventing contamination by making sure that any water leaks or excessive moisture problems are fixed. Keeping mold at bay is essential for a healthy indoor environment. Remember, mold spores will always be present, but removing the standing or excessive water that molds need to grow, will prevent the spores from becoming an unsightly and unhealthy problem.

Steve Hanson is co-founding member of The Janitorial Store (TM), an online community that offers weekly tips, articles, downloads, discussion forums, and more for anyone who would like to learn how to start a cleaning business. Visit The Janitorial Store's blog and get inspired by reading cleaning success stories from owners of cleaning companies.

Remedies For Taking Out The Smell For Mold And Mildew

Do you have a mildew problem, basement mold that is creating a funky musty odor? The odor is very common in your basement, mildew mold is from a warm moist climate. Hence most basements are moist and dark they are great breeding grounds for black mold. It is even familiar when there is a heavy amount of mildew present, that a susceptible individual could acquire allergies and common mold symptoms from the mold settling on the surface. By just having a small amount of basement mildew mold in the house, one could become quite sick just by walking into the small area. This happens because there is no circulation of fresh air and when inhaling the airborne mold spores in a warm musty basement the toxic mold spores will enter into the system and attach into the bodies lungs and nasal cavities.

These will cause some common and very harmful mold symptoms, such as headaches, water eyes, and others. Some common symptoms of mold are coughing, headaches, scratchy throat, and blood in the lungs. Mold symptoms become common in individuals who have lower immunity such as the elderly and infants. We call this immuno comprimised. Having mold in your breathinh space may cause many Mold Symptoms. Scratchy throats are common. An individual may feel their throat to be scratchy almost as if they have to cough. A scratchy throat is a common black mold identifier.

There are a couple of ways to fix a mildew problem in a basement. Since the first problem in the basement is air circulation you want to purify the air and use heppa filters, better air circulation is highly recommendedt. By having new air to circulate keeping the humidity down, the basement and confined area will become a complex place for the spores to thrive and amplify.

A well-known issue that arises in killing mold mildew in a basement is searching through the carpeting. You should always be aware if there ever been a leak inside the basement or some type of water intrusion event, if so black mold may be on the carpet and rather than hiring a carpet cleaning company you may want to replace the entire carpeting. Since the carpeting became extremely damp it will be unfeasible to remove the spores from the old carpet. Even the tack strips below the carpeting would need to be removed. This is very common with basement mildew mold, just be sure to maintain the carpeting and if one is going to rip out the carpets make sure to remove the tack steps below. The wooden tack strips can carry quite a bit of mildew and mold. If you have some amount of mold in the basement and on carpeting and are tired of cleaning it continuously spray it down with a organic mold cleaning product. In order for the removal of use an all natural organic product that is used for killing mold and mildew. If you are planning on killing mold and mildew in the basement it may be a everlasting task unless you try a mold blocking solution that offers mold prevention and mold removal. Most solutions will kill the mold, but not stop it or take away the musty odor. If a mold problem becomes a bigger issue it may be to late to spray it down with an allnatural cleaning product, you need to look into hiring a certified mold inspector. They will create protocols for a mold remediation company and get the ball rolling for your mold problem.

So if you are finding a musty odor in the house, you may have mold or a previous water event that was not taken care of correctly. If ever needing more information on black mold visit a free Mold Removal Website that offers information from a certified microbial consultant.

Markus Skupeika Mold Removal

New Website Sets Out To Break Mold

New Website Sets Out To Break Mold

There is a new website that has been launched that is set to be different. My Interests & Info.com (URL: http://www.myinterestsandinfo.com) is a site that is a collection of some of the most popular subjects people are interested today. There is an extensive list of "categories" to choose from (59 to be exact), so if you have a particular interest, you are sure to find it there. Some of the categories include advertising, "Dogs", "Cats", "Fishing", "Home Businesses", "Home Improvement", "Web Design", "Finance", "Credit Repair", "Kids and Teens", "Las Vegas" and "Dating" just to name a few. There is even a category based on one of my favorite topics, writing. The list, however, will not stop there. On the home page there is a link to contact the creators so that more categories can be added. The categories are covered in great depth as well. There are extensive details pertaining to each particular category.

So Just How Did MyInterestsAndInfo.com Come About?

My Interests & Info.com is the brainchild of the creator (Kendall Sands) searching for a website that had all of his interests in one place. "I just got tired of having so many cookies in my web browser's favorites menu," says Kendall, "I wanted a website where everything was accessible to me. And so I set out searching. I figured this would be a relatively easy process, but it was, in fact, not as easy as I had imagined. There was difficulty in finding such sites and the ones I did find, I discovered they were not as extensive as I would have liked. So then, the idea came to me. Why not just create the website yourself? So that's exactly what I did. However, instead of making it for me or about my own particular interests, I decided that this site would be for everyone. I then researched what people were most interested in and then created a list. From this list, I then searched for content for each category. It was a long process but I am very satisfied with the end result. I guess I should have called it "Our Interests........." but I am sure that I am sure that the user will get the feeling that this website is their very own and that is why I went with the name it is now. I am very sure everyone will enjoy it and be able to find information on their particular point of interest."

So what started out with frustration turns into a very comprehensive website that compiles interesting topics with a great deal of information all in one place. Be sure and check it out. You'll not only learn a lot but have a lot of fun doing so. I sure did.

http://www.myinterestsandinfo.com

25 yrs/male Casual surfer and aspiring critic constantly on the lookout for fresh new things the internet has to offer

Mold - What Causes It And How To Get Rid Of It

Mold. And no, we're not talking about the kind found on 40 year old bread. We're talking about the kind of mold found in your bathroom on the tub tiles and a number of other places you'd never even suspect. In this article we're going to go over the causes of mold and how to get rid of it.

Mold is actually always present in the air and all it needs to trigger it off is a little moisture and a food source. Most surfaces contain all the nutrients that mold will need for it to grow and any dirt on that surface only provides additional fuel for the fire.

Mold is pretty easy to spot even if you can't see it, which is usually white or can even be black. Mold can always be smelled and the odor is rather musty and not at all pleasant. It grows on paper, drywall, wood, paint and wallpaper and many other surfaces that contain sufficient amounts of moisture.

Okay, so if mold is so prevalent just how do we get rid of it or if possible keep it from forming?

The first step in reducing mold (you'll never completely kill it) is to keep things clean. A 1 part to 4 part solution of chlorine bleach and water will kill mold. If you add a detergent to that solution you will also remove dust and dirt. You have to be very careful when disturbing mold spores because they can cause respiratory problems, especially if you are allergic to mold, have asthma or other breathing problems.

The next thing to do is to reduce humidity. In a climate where you have to heat the air in the winter time, this can be a real challenge. Warm air holds much more moisture than cold air. Air conditioning systems can remove the moisture and circulate cool dry air back into the room. Of course if you live in a hot dry climate like Arizona, this isn't that much of a problem. Air movement, through the use of a fan, is another great way of reducing the moisture in the air. Just from cooking and bathing alone you can add as much as 3 gallons of water a day to your home unless you have adequate circulation.

Corners are a common place for mold to grow. Usually because of improper insulation the interior wall can become colder than the air that is inside the room and this causes moisture to form on the surface. The underside of windows is another common location. Humid air will condense on cold windows which will form frost and then go through a cycle by which the moisture will freeze and defrost. This will cause water to drip down underneath the window which is what causes the mold to form and grow and your wall to start rotting.

By following the above procedures, keeping your home cool and dry and cleaning often especially after a bath or shower, you can help prevent mold from taking over your house.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Mold