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.

A Guide to Making Your Own Stepping Stone Molds

A 'mold' is a hollow or matrix which is generally used for shaping a fluid or plastic substance. It is a frame or model which is used to give a shape.

Have you decided yet what would be the shape and size of your stepping stone? If not don't rush to your local market to buy the mold. You might get your mold in the form of a plastic saucer, an ice cream bucket or an ordinary pizza box which is of no use. Mold, in order to give a perfect shape of your, plays an important role and gives an appearance which you have imagined.

The shape and size of stepping stone is a pre-defined decision, so you will be benefited and can save your time. A stepping stone mold can be of different types and can take any shape given by you. Let us discuss the different types of molds for better understanding.

Types of Molds

Before preparing the stepping stone it's very important for you to determine the shape and size of your mold. A mold of your choice decides the shape and appearance of the stepping stone you are making. A stepping stone is of multiple types, and in order to give the perfect look to your stone you have to decide your favorite one.

a) Plastic plant saucer: Plastic plant saucer is a rounded mold which is often used by us to give a round shape to the stone. This mold is a made of plastic.

b) Clear bigger mold: This kind of mold is used for bigger stepping stones. It can be of any shape like that of an octagon, square, heptagon and pentagon. This mold is also made of plastic. Besides this they are almost identical to the plastic planter saucers in all other aspects. They are available at a low cost of $3 or $4 and can even be reused.

c) Attractive stepping stone molds: They are quiet expensive and are of different sizes, shapes, colors and are beautifully designed. In order to get the best designed and fancy mold you may visit any website which sells these molds or a local home improvement store.

d) Old pans and utensils: Old cake pan is your daily utensil which you use to prepare your cake. People often try this option to save their money and can decorate their own stepping stones using this mold. In order to get the perfect design, please use petroleum jelly or cooking spray.

Other options that can be used as moulds are small ice cream boxes, pizza boxes, aluminum pans or plastic storage box can be used as a mold and can give them your shape. You may also make different molds using woods. The Shape of your stone is determined by the mold which you have decided and designed before shaping the stone. Therefore it is very important that the mold you choose is of your liking and suits your style.

Scott Byers is the owner of Stepping Stone Info, a complete stepping stone mold resource with articles on stepping stones and directions on how to make them.

STUDIES INDICATE BLACK MOLD CAN IMPACT YOUR HEALTH:EFFECTS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO LESSEN THEM

Mold is a fungus growth, which begins with a minute spore. Toxic black molds can be found anywhere a dark and damp environment allows them to grow. Spores can be breathed in, absorbed through the skin or ingested on our food. Young children, senior citizens and anyone with immune deficiencies caused by disease, chemotherapy, etc are particularly vulnerable to grave illness following exposure to microbial contamination.

Laboratory studies in animals and at the cellular level offer supporting data for the direct toxicity of fungal spores and mycotoxins in mammalian lungs (University of Connecticut Health Center Report in 2004). A health study by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health links adult-onset asthma to workplace mold exposure. And in 1997, the Centers for Disease Control announced an apparent link between mold contamination in homes and cases of infant pulmonary hemorrhage.

Other common effects from molds are pneumonitis, upper respiratory problems, sinusitis, dry cough, skin rashes, stomach upset, headaches, disorientation and bloody noses. Severe exposure can lead to internal bleeding, kidney and liver failure and pulmonary emphysema. There are numerous reasons for the rising occurrence of mold and mildew in our homes, one of which is the federal regulations pertaining to energy conservation call for new construction methods and materials, meaning that homes don't "breathe" as freely as before, trapping moisture vapors inside the building. As a result, mold remediation and prevention have become hot topics in both the health and building industries.

What are we supposed to believe and what should our next move be to defend our families, and ourselves with all the media exposure to toxic mold in the last year or so? First, we must take this threat seriously. If you see mold in your home, get it tested as soon as you can. Get your home tested if you have a family member with an unexplained illness, respiratory irritation, rash, etc that seems to get better when they are away from home.

Controlling Mold Growth and Exposure

• The way to control indoor mold growth is to limit dampness, there is no realistic way to get rid of absolutely all mold and spores from the indoor environment
• There are air purifiers and cleaners on the market that claim to help lessen quantities of mold spores in the air, do your homework, these might also be of help
• Reduce indoor humidity to prevent mold growth by: using air-conditioners and de-humidifiers, and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, cleaning and dishwashing
• Clean and dry any wet or damp building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth
• Use water and detergent to clean mold off hard surfaces, and dry completely
• Do not install carpeting where there is a continuous moisture problem
• Remedy as soon as possible, any moisture or leakage problems in your home

Article By Adam O'Connor, Keep Your Home Free of Mold

How Black Mold Affects You And What You Can Do About It

The toxic kind of "Black Mold" is known as the Strachybotrys atra. This slimy, greenish black substance can actually lead to health risk such as asthma and bronchitis. Studies conducted by the Center of Disease Control or the CDC reflect that this mold is the reason for over "100 cases of lung disorders."

Molds can also be located in anyone's home. These industrial molds may not be toxic and it takes a lot of time and effort to specify which mold is toxic and which isn't because it will entail laboratory exams. However, the best conclusion we can tell you is that if a mold is found in your home, it is considered to not be a healthy home.

Mold is a parasite which attaches itself to various hosts: be it people, animals, clothes, shoes or even the doors and windows of houses. These spores grow faster when it is moist and damp. Some molds even develop under water.

Look above your ceiling now and check for molds. If there is a spot which is frequently wet from rain and drips a lot, chances are you'd see some molds there. Also, go to the bathroom and check your tiles. Chances are there is a bit of a mold there.

Wall paneling and cardboard, they can have molds in it. Even cotton. Clothes you haven't worn for a long time now and has been stocked up in the attic or in the basement can have molds attached to it.

Try touching a mold. It is slimy. Try rubbing it on the surface. It would smear its greenish and blackish fluid.

Once you see a mold, try to remove it when you can. Clean it up as soon as possible. Although these can be easily done if the infested area is small like leak and plumbing problems. These can easily be handled by bleach and water. If you want, you can also add soap to the solution that you have handy there. Apply the bleach solution to the moldy are and let it stay there for about fifteen minutes. Then concentrate on the surrounding areas. This will lessen the chance for the mold to spread any further.

If the mold is located in insulation or on fabrics like carpet, then it will be harder to remove it. An infested area that is over 2ft is termed "highly infested" and it is something you cannot remove on your own. It is best you seek professional help in eradicating that risk. If you ignore the molds, this could result to flooding and possible health risks.

It is because if you take these molds not as serious as you should, they can actually lead to you inhaling them, therefore risking your health.

Prevention is better than cure and you can actually apply these preventive measures so you won't have any black mold to eradicated in the first place.

- Keep the humidity down in your house. Double check if the ventilation is just right in rooms in your household - specifically the bathroom and the kitchen. It is because molds usually appear in these two rooms.

- Before painting any of your walls, add mold inhibitors.

- Clean the carpet by using mold killing products even if there is no mold found. The same applies in the bathroom tiles and corners.

It may seem to not be a problem but it is. Black mold are something everyone must learn how to eradicate and better yet, prevent.

In institutions, black mold can actually cause an allergic reaction to people who have allergies to black mold. People who also have respiratory problems such as asthma may also have their attacks triggered through these infested areas.

A clean home is a mold-free home. Molds are a form of bacteria. Just like any kind of bacteria, it must be extinguished as soon as possible.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://mold.home-webzone.com/ where you can learn more about controlling all types of mold.

Testing For Stachybotrys Mold - You Will Most Likely Smell It First

Testing for Stachybortrys mold is what professional technicians test for in homes and buildings. This is because the Stachybortrys mold is also called black mold and cane be very toxic. This mold is a greenish black slimy mold that is most often found on cellulose products, such as wood and paper. It does have a strong smell, so one clue you should do some testing for Stachybortrys is the strange musty smell that you get.

You can do you own Stachbortrys black mold testing by using a special mold testing kit. This will save you a lot of money that professional testing for Stachybortrys mold costs and you do the same thing. In the testing kit for black mold, there is a petrie dish containing a disc. You won't have to touch any black mold when you use this kit, so there is no danger involved. You just expose the disc to the air for about two hours and them close the lid to let it incubate for 48 hours. When you open it after that time, if there is a fungus growing on the disc, then this means that you have mold. It may or may not be black mold.

The main thing you have to look at when testing for Stachybortrys mold is that if you can smell mold you do have a problem. It is not enough to do the Stachybortrys black mold testing and to clean up the mold. If you have a problem with black mold, it means you also have a problem with water or moisture and this needs to be addressed. If you don't look for and solve this problem, the mold will only come back. Testing for mold is only part of the solution. You also have to do testing to find how the water is getting in.

Sometimes the testing for Stachybortrys mold is only easy to solve. The problem causing the black mold could be condensation building up on the pipes in your basement or it could be the result of not having enough heat in the basement. However, there are times when the Stachbortrys black mold testing calls for extreme measures for you to get rid of the mold. If, for example, the source of the black mold is the underlay under the carpet, this means you will have to take up all the carpet and throw it away. Just testing for Stachbortrys mold will not help you get rid of the toxic mold in your home.

To find out more about Mold Removal visit Peter's Website The Mold Removal Guide and find out about Mold Testing and more, including Mold allergies and toxic Mold

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