The Millstone Times April 2020

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Household Mold By Susan Heckler

If you have a suspicion that you have mold in your home, act fast. You may be experiencing allergy symptoms, have a strange smell in the home, or even see visible signs. The first thing you need to do is identify that problem area. Mold comes withmoisture and is part of a natural environment. In an outdoor situation, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees. Indoors is another case entirely. Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless the mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin to grow. They produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances called mycotoxins. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions which may include hay fever- type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis) in sensitive people. People with asthma or other breathing issues may have a particular problem. You need to ascertain where the mold is and why it is there. Storm damage, leaky pipes, and window condensation are just a few of the possible culprits. Once isolated, stop the moisture from coming in. Whatever caused the problem needs to be fixed. If you do not do this, the mold will return. Venting and dehumidifiers may alleviate part of the problem. If the mold issue is contained in a small enough area, you may be able to deal with it on your own. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends anything larger than 10 square feet requires a professional who is specialized in mold cleanup. Once the leak is stopped, dry the area completely and wipe away the entire mold. Wear goggles and gloves, use a face mask or respirator and avoid touching the mold or inhaling it. Hard surfaces are easier to clean. Use a disinfectant or a biocide such as chlorine bleach, or a strong cleaning solution. You want to kill the mold as well as remove it. It is possible that staining will occur. Porous materials may need to be disposed of as removal of all molds is unlikely. The visible mold is the easy part. Hidden Mold may be hiding in places such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads. This may be a good time to call in a professional who will know how best to locate, test, and treat the area. Poking around to try to find the mold may result in the release of spores. If you have a toxic variety of mold, you may suffer neurological symptoms such as headaches, trouble concentrating, shortened attention span, memory loss and dizziness. Seek medical attention as this may be poisoning you.

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