Mold remediation in homes and businesses is a tedious yet essential process. Mold allergies can range from a faint mold smell to a full-blown mold allergy, which can cause medical problems. Some mold symptoms can include a constant itch, watering of the eyes, coughing, shortness of breath, rashes, watery eyes, or nose and throat irritation. Read on for tips on how to begin Mold Remediation in your home or business properly.
Before you get started, wear protective gloves and a mask. Most mold remediation experts recommend that people with allergies wear masks because the airborne pollutants can easily be inhaled. If you think there may be a mildew odor in your basement, use a basement air purifier. Also, wear gloves and old clothes when cleaning because it’s difficult to clean wet materials. Exercises extreme caution when removing mold because they release mold spores and particles when disturbed.
Mold loves moisture, so sealing your basement is essential. One way to keep mold from thriving is to have a healthy foundation and free draining soil. It’s also a good idea to buy a radonseal to identify and seal cracks and porous areas. A radonseal resembles a thick book and acts as an effective mold remediation tool.
A water-based penetrating sealer will prevent mold spores from sticking to the surface and drying quickly. The penetrations protect your molds from surface damage, such as cracking. Radonseal and water-based penetrations are also helpful in eliminating fungi and mildew that can grow in damp areas. A mastic, which is similar to concrete sealant, acts as a physical barrier between soil particles and mold growth. Other products used in mold remediation include:
Humidity control can help keep basements at a balanced moisture level. However, if you live in an area that experiences high seasonal temperatures, it’s likely that there’s too much humidity in the air. Too much humidity can be unhealthy, causing mildew and mold. There are many factors that influence the level of humidity in the air, including season, relative humidity, the sun, rainfall, and even appliances and furnishings in your basement.
If you feel you’re experiencing too much humidity, don’t wait before you act. Use a dehumidifier in your basement to restore the proper moisture level. This is especially important during the summer months when heat and humidity are at their greatest. By using a basement dehumidifier, you’ll eliminate the need for excessive mold and mildew treatments, saving you time, money, and aggravation.
If you have a problem with mildew or mold, you musty smell, you must take action to remove it. A professional can thoroughly clean your basement of any remaining mold or mildew spores, reducing the risk of future mold or mildew outbreaks. You can do the same by investing in an exhaust fan to remove any contaminated air.
Even though you might not have a mold problem on your own, you are still exposed to harmful molds and spores on a daily basis through the air. In fact, your home is probably five times more likely to become infested with mold if you live in an older home or have had problems with water leakage or sewage contamination. It’s very important to make sure your home is well-ventilated so you don’t release any potentially dangerous levels of moisture into the air where mold can thrive. A professional mold remediation expert can help you get rid of mold and restore your health and quality of life.
Mold and mildew are prevalent in many older homes because basements are usually not sealed and the presence of these microscopic organisms is undetected for long periods of time. Unpainted, unheated or poorly sealed basements are common breeding grounds for mold and can be severely compromising to your health. Basements should be sealed to prevent moisture from building up and encouraging the growth of both mildew and mold. The moisture that builds up in your basement is particularly problematic during the winter months when it becomes extremely cold and damp in your house. Even in the summertime, basements can be quite warm and humid. The problem with ventilated basements is that they often act as the ideal habitat for both roaches and mold, which can cause serious health effects if you aren’t careful.
To remedy this situation, you’ll need to seal your basement and install high efficiency heat and water vapor recovery systems. The purpose of this ventilation system is to increase the amount of air circulation and to eliminate the relative humidity of the room. Air that circulates well will provide an environment where mold and mildew cannot survive. This air-flow mechanism is particularly important in rooms that are located near the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, or other areas where moisture accumulates.
If the situation has gone bad, you might also have a musty odor emitting from the basement. This typically manifests itself as a musty odor that hovers around the room or that can permeate the walls. In mild cases, this smell can be masked by air conditioning or heating systems, which will worsen the problem. For severe cases, mold and mildew can spread rapidly and severely infest a home’s entire interior. This is why it’s critical to remediate any mold problems as quickly as possible and to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.