Prevent Molds and Mildews With House Dehumidifiers

Mold is a growing concern and a basement is a great place for mold to grow. Mold and mildew are musty smelling fungi that thrive in moist conditions. Keeping humidity down reduces the chances for mold to grow. In general, mold will not grow at less than 50% relative humidity! Of course, any groundwater, plumbing or other leaks should be fixed, as part of a strategy to eliminate mold.

A house dehumidifier will keep your home below 50% relative humidity, thus helping to prevent the growth of mold and drying up existing mold - removing that musty smell and you may be able to start inviting people around again.

It is during the rain that the humidity level reduces. When the rain stops, the atmosphere then begins to get warmer and the humidity level rises again increasing the amount of water vapor in the air. At this point molds and mildews begin to grow as these conditions suit them best and when this happens you are in trouble because it is the molds and mildew which create that musty smell.

House dehumidifiers come in various types. Mechanical/refrigerant and desiccant humidifiers are the most popular choice for most households. These models may be gas fired or electrically activated. They can be installed near the furnace or in ducts. There are also portable house dehumidifiers available that you can carry around the house.

Try and pick up a portable dehumidifier if you can because that way you can move it around the house wherever you see fit.

For vital information on all things concerned with Dehumidifiers and Preventing Molds visit our Basement Dehumidifiers Website

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.

Mold and Colds - Does Black Mold Cause Common Colds

Colds and mold symptoms are very simalar hence the reason why mold and your average colds are commonly placed together.. It can also be said that mold and colds are alike because toxic black mold can hurt the immunity system. The bodies lack of antibodies from the mold symptoms will a breakdown in the system.

The common black mold symptoms and every day colds are created by having to many harmful toxins in the body. Since mold toxins are know to cause fungisitis, which is referred as black mold in the nose. Colds become a habitual symptom. The excess mucas which has spores will create fungus that can be harmful to the system, especiallywhen being a young child, elderly, or allergenic sufferer. Many popular molds such as aspergillus and stachybotrys are know to be related to molds and colds. These black molds are the most recognized in common house holds and basements and can become a problem if not taken care of correctly.

If one is looking to prevent mold correctly, be sure to take care of any water damage events that happen in the home or office. If a wet drywall is left untouched and not removed, it is very common to begin seeing black mold on the surfaces of those walls. Once these toxic spores attach and grow they will leave excrement in the air which you or your family can breathe in. This is a common occurence that causes problems with people associating mold symptoms and colds.

Stress, overwork, and a few other things are common causes of colds. When there is mold spores inside the body this causes more work for the body causing one to get sick. The mold spores will breakdown the body and more than usual you will find a cold to come around. Your nose will begin feel stuffy symptoms and have extra mucas. The best thing to do is talk to a doctor who understands mold and you could also look into an alternative method for black mold removal or hiring a certified mold inspector to look at the area, they will then write protocols for a qualified mold remediation and decontamination company.

Markus Skupeika Effective Mold Removal

Mold Allergies - Learn About The Symptoms

Mold allergies are one of the main health problems that affect people of all ages. There are thousands of molds, although some of them do not cause any allergies at all. In fact there are only about 12 different kinds of molds that can cause a serious allergy. It is possible that mold might be the major reason that people have seasonal allergies. Mold spores are very tiny and they are airborne, which makes it possible for you to have mold anywhere in your home. However, the most common reason for mold allergies is mold growing in areas where there is a lot of moisture.

The most common symptoms of mold allergies are watery eyes, wheezing, stuffed up nose, shortness of breath and asthma. A mild mold allergy may not even require you to seek medical attention, whereas other symptoms may be so severe that they require hospitalization. A Stachybotrys allergy has been known to cause bleeding in the lungs of infants, especially when it is combined with exposure to second hand smoke. The Stachybotrys atra mold can cause disorders of the nervous system, such as the inability to concentrate, changes in personality and sleep disorders.

Where is the mold that usually causes the mold allergies?

The Stachybortrys mold grows on areas that get soaked in water and are not completely dried out. This is the common cause of mold allergies in homes that have experienced flooding. Other areas in the home where mold is commonly found when you go looking for the source of your mold allergy includes basements, closets, shower stalls in bathrooms, fresh food stored in cupboards and the refrigerator, foam pillows, garbage containers and house plants.

You can control your mold allergies by containing or reducing the amount of mold in your home. Some ways you can do this include keeping the level of humidity below 40%. You can use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier in times when the humidity is really high and in so doing help to keep down the severity of your mold allergy. You do need to ensure that your kitchen and bathroom are ventilated. If you have a HEPA filter, change the filters on a regular basis. If the filters are clogged they are not going to do much to take the mold spores out of the air in your home.

There are some people whose mold allergies flare up when they eat certain foods. These include such foods as cheese, mushrooms, dried fruits, and foods containing yeast. These foods actually contain mold, which will certainly aggravate a mold allergy. There are many different types of products on the market to help you with your mold allergies, but the best thing is to try to eliminate mold from your home.

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

Ten Mold Facts for Homeowners, Landlords, Tenants, and Employers

Homeowners, landlords, tenants, and employers should use these ten mold facts to cope with mold in homes, apartments, and workplaces, advises Phillip Fry, Certified Mold Inspector and author of the book Do-It-Best-Yourself Mold Prevention, Inspection, Testing, and Remediation.

1. Airborne mold spores are everywhere both indoors and outdoors. Resident and employee health is at serious risk if there are elevated levels of mold spores indoors, as compared to an outdoor mold control test.

2. The most dangerous indoor molds are Alternaria, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Mucor, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys. Laboratory analysis is required to identify specific mold species.

3. Molds spores can cause serious health problems even if the spores are dead or dormant (inactive while waiting for more moisture to resume growth). Even the smell of dead or dormant mold can make some mold-sensitive persons ill.

4. It is impossible to get rid of all mold spores indoors. Some mold spores will always be present in house dust and floating in the air.

5. The mold spores will not grow into mold colonies if there is insufficient moisture. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If organic materials are wet for more than 24 hours, mold growth can begin.

6. Mold grows by eating and destroying organic building materials and other cellulose-based materials such as carpeting, upholstery, and clothing. The longer that mold grows, the more mold damage to the building.

7. Cellulose is the main substance in the cell walls of plants (and thus of wood), and it is used in the manufacture of many organic building materials such as drywall, plasterboard, plywood substitutes, and ceiling tiles.

8. Mold can grow hidden and undetected inside wall and ceiling cavities; beneath wallpaper, paneling, and carpeting; and inside heating and cooling equipment and ducts, attics, crawl spaces, and basements.

9. Mold growth is often the result of a structural or construction defect, or of maintenance neglect, that allows moisture to enter the building.

10. The owner or employer must first fix the water problem (roof leak, plumbing leak, high indoor humidity) that enables the mold to grow. Effective mold remediation requires killing the mold with an EPA-registered fungicide, removing it, and treating the cleaned area with an EPA-registered preventive fungicidal coating.

For more information about mold, visit---

http://www.moldinspector.com
http://www.certifiedmoldinspectors.com
http://www.mold.ph
http://www.moldmart.net
http://www.envirosurf.com
Phillip Fry, Certified Mold Inspector and Certified Mold Remediator, and author of 3 mold books including Do-It-Best-Yourself Mold Prevention, Inspection, Testing, and Remediation
Erasing the Stigma of "Mental Illness"Debra S. GorinAs a physician specializing in psychiatry, I know that many emotional conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders are true medical illnesses with a biologic (physical) origin. Psychiatry has become more and more "biological" in its diagnosis and treatment approaches during recent years, but a very significant stigma still exists against those who are seeing a therapist. This has become increasingly difficult to understand, but it is a social stigma that is so very important to eliminate.

Why does an embarrassment or stigma still exist associated with those who are seeking psychiatric treatment? Why do people wait so long before come for help - to the point of becoming nearly non-functional with their families, children and work environment?

First, many people have a picture in their mind of movies in which psychiatrists are ineffective listeners of problems of patients who are lying on psychoanalytic couches. It is important to remember that psychoanalysis preceded our modern treatment approaches which now have a much higher success rate. We currently have many safe and effective medications, which when used with or without psychotherapy, help many people fully recover.

Another reason for the stigma is in the use of the term "mental illness". The field of psychiatry has undergone many changes in the past twenty years. Research into the functioning of the brain and nervous system has led to the concept of a "chemical imbalance" as the cause of illnesses such as Major Depression and Panic Attacks. In addition, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, a condition portrayed so well by Jack Nicholson in the 1997 movie As Good As It Gets, is also caused by a chemical imbalance. Medications were used to help treat the "Obsessive Compulsive" character being played by Nicholson. Many psychiatric illnesses are not "mental" or "emotional, but are now understood to be "neurochemical illnesses".

Many people are told, "You can do this on your own, be strong, as if a person can easily will themselves out of depression or anxiety. Can someone "Be Strong" and make their diabetes or bronchitis just go away? These types of suggestions only result in a delay in seeking treatment or feelings of failure in the individual who finally does seek help. The stigma of psychiatric treatment also leads many people to seek help at the health food store, or other types of self-diagnosis and self-medications.

Men in particular have to overcome an additional obstacle. It may seem "Un-Macho Like" to seek professional psychiatric help when one fails to understand or see their condition as an illness, and instead view it as a weakness in their character. Thus, injury to a man's ego often contributes to their long delays in seeking treatment.

My hope is that the shame and secrecy associated with obtaining professional psychiatric help will gradually diminish and eventually cease to exist. If we understand how the social stigma was established in the first place - the media lack of medical knowledge, societies' understanding or ignorance, etc., then we should realize there is no need to "stay in the closet." Let's wipe out the term "mental illness" and view many of these conditions as "neurochemical illness, with the same non-prejudicial attitude as we do toward diseases such as diabetes or hypertension.

Debra S. Gorin, M.D. received her medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She has been in private practice as a Psychiatrist for the past sixteen years in the Fort Lauderdale area. Dr. Gorin treats all types of stress-related, emotional and psychiatric problems of children, adolescents, and adults. She is also a trained hypnotherapist. Visit her website (http://www.doctorgorin.com) to view her growing library of psychiatric and health-related articles. Dr. Gorin's weblog can be viewed at http://debragorinmd.blogspot.comShe can be contacted at couchdoctor415@yahoo.com