Wednesday, March 30, 2011
One Family's Mouldy Nightmare
Friday, March 25, 2011
Mold Remediation: The Process Explained
Finding out that fungus and spores are growing in the darkest, dampest places in your home is never the best news to receive. The worst thing you can do upon discovering that it’s become a problem is to then ignore it.
Your next step should be mold remediation and removal, done through a professional company in most instances. People may tell you that the hullabaloo about toxic mold is much ado about nothing, and while it is perhaps true that the variety in your home is more than likely harmless to your family, it could cause allergic reactions and create sickness even if it is not the toxic black form of the spores.
The best–and safest–route to take is immediate removal. If mold remediation is not your specialty — and it probably is not — then hiring a reputable company should be your first step. You should be able to find at least one such company no matter where you live, willing to put their expertise and knowledge to work removing and stamping out the mold in your home.
Check their references and do a search with your local Better Business Bureau to see if the company has any complaints against them. If all seems well, hire them and proceed to wage war against the spores growing in your bathroom, bedroom, basement, or wherever else they decided to take hold.
When the mold remediation team arrives, they will address the problem they were hired to do, but that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook quite yet. The growth began in your home for a reason, and the professional team of experts will likely be able to tell you what that reason is.
From there, it will be your job to see that the problem is fixed, thus decreasing the chances for a new outbreak in the future. In many cases, this will mean removing moisture and water from the home.
Whether it arrived there through flooding, open windows, or another means, it is important to fix the problem as soon as possible to prevent future issues. You can avoid the need for mold remediation in many cases by keeping a dry, well lit home.
The spores thrive in a dark, wet environment, as do many other fungi and problems that you probably don’t want to have to deal with. If moisture in your home is a problem, consider running the air conditioner at a lower temperature and purchasing a dehumidifier to run in the rooms most affected.
When looking for a specialist in mold remediation Salt Lake residents should take the time to select a qualified individual to deal with this complicated task. For more helpful tips on this subject, go to http://www.waterdamagespecialistsut.com.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Essential Oils To Neutralize Mold?
love Young Living's essential oils and si I was very interested to find this article...
Found it here: http://blog.youngliving.com/product/?tag=black-mold
Over the past three months I’ve been testing Young Living’s TheraPro® diffuser for use in conjunction with our protocol for eliminating toxic mold.
The tests were conducted in three different environments: a hospital; a closed, mold-infested 9,000-square-foot health club; and a private residence. I am pleased to report that our tests of the TheraPro diffuser compared favorably with the 6-watt cold-air diffusers we’ve previously been using.
Features that make the TheraPro Diffuser easier to use: Eliminates the tubing and glass nebulizer of the other diffusers tested Has built-in on-and-off timers Holds a full 15 ml bottle of oil Has to be filled less often
NOTICE: In order to get the best results using the TheraPro Diffuser for eliminating mold, you need to know the following: Because the TheraPro utilizes a different mechanism for atomizing essential oils, there are differences in the way the oils are delivered over time.
The TheraPro starts off at a higher rate of delivery, which decreases as the oil level in the bottle drops. Because of this the bottle has to be refilled every 10 to 12 hours in order to be effective.
This is important because at the declining rate—after 10 to 12 hours—the amount of oil being diffused is insufficient to maintain the concentration needed to kill mold. So to use the TheraPro Diffuser for mold, you will need to have at least two 15 ml bottles of Thieves® essential oil blend on hand to ensure that you can diffuse at the necessary rate for at least 24 hours.
When used in this manner, in conjunction with the Close Protocol*, laboratory analyses showed results comparable to the results we’re used to getting using the 6-watt direct-pressure cold-air diffusers. I can, therefore, whole-heartedly recommend the TheraPro Diffuser for use in eliminating mold problems, provided it is used as described above.
A more detailed report of the tests will be made available in the near future. Dr. Ed Close *The Close Protocol is outlined in the book “Nature’s Mold Rx: The Non-Toxic Solution to Toxic Mold.”
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Ways To Prevent Mold From Growing In Your House
Mold is one of the biggest enemies to your home and to your health. You have to keep your family safe from this because it can cause serious problems.
Mold can grow within 48 hours after a flood or lots of water got spilled on the floor. That is why it is very important to keep your house dry and to clean up water fast when it is spilled. If it comes from a flood, you have to wait until the water is out and the house is checked.
Mold can cause health problems, such as breathing problems, rashes, illnesses, diseases, immune disorders, nausea, pathogenic diseases, fatigue, headaches, and much more.
If you have a lot of headaches, get your house checked for mold because that can be a sign of toxic mold in your house. You need to keep your house dry, and you can have a dehumidifier in your house to keep the moisture out and the mold as well.
If you have a basement, keep that area dry because mold likes to grow down there due to it having dark areas, and moisture likes so set in down there. If you don’t keep your house dry, mold can appear and it can grow on cement, bricks, wood, drywall, carpets, and in the ceiling.
Mold can get anywhere it wants to, and it can or will affect your family’s health in time or just like that. You can kill mold with bleach, which is good to scrub it in to kill all of it and clean the area that the mold was growing on. Make sure there are no spaces under the door from water to get under it because that can cause mold to grow under the carpet and under or on the floor.
Make sure the roof is fixed so no water can drip through it because that can get on anything on your house and cause mold to grow on it. Check all pipes for cracks or to see if the seal around the pipes are good.
Make sure that all the appliances are put in right and the dryer has a hose on it because this will prevent mold growth.
Don’t walk in the house with wet shoes because it will get the carpet all wet, and it will soak in the carpets fabric, which will cause mold. If you have a spill, clean it up right away and get it dry so it will not soak in the carpet or on the floor.
Don’t lay wet clothes on the floor that can cause mold to grow because the water from the wet clothes can soak in the floor or the carpet will develop mold. If water gets in the carpet, it will lock in moisture and mold will start to form on it, and you will have to remove the carpet from your house so mold will not set in.
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Friday, March 11, 2011
Toxic Mold: What Every Homeowner Should Know
There are many things that you need to consider when making sure your home is the best place for your family. You want to make sure your family can live in the home without worrying about getting sick, or being injured. Because of this, toxic mold is a subject that most home owners are concerned about. If you are unsure of what this substance is, fear no more. You`ll learn what you need to know in the next few paragraphs.
It is important to accurately define the word mold. Mold is a specific type of fungi that uses spores to spread throughout the environment and reproduce. These spores then land on moist areas in their surroundings and begin to grow. The fact is, that you come in contact with molds both inside and outside your home everyday without any ill effects. They exist in the great outdoors, the buildings we work in, even in our own home. In truth, the term of toxic mold is somewhat of a misrepresentation.
The real danger comes from the mold byproducts. They are referred to as mycotoxins, and are often viewed as the real cause of the illnesses attributed to toxic mold. The mycotoxins from the mold have been attributed to a rise in asthma attacks, headaches, sinus problems, and other health concerns, even in normally healthy people. It should be recalled that this material is a natural result of the life of the mold.
In order to remove the threat of mycotoxins, you must remove the mold, and the source of moisture that has allowed it to grow in your home. Toxic mold grows most easily in moist and poorly ventilated areas of your home.
Mold has been known to be made more prevalent by such things as a bathroom with inadequate ventilation, flooding, or leaking water pipes. The laundry dryer is also a common place to find mold. In general terms, if moisture exists in a certain place, you will probably witness mold. Once the mold has been removed by a professional, it is important for you as a homeowner to do your part to discourage future mold growth.
The easiest way to do this is to make sure all the sources of moisture are removed. If you have rooms that always seem humid, consider putting in a dehumidifier. Consider removing carpeting in rooms that always seem damp. Another option is to finish the crawlspace, or place a piece of plastic over top of the dirt, and making sure ventilation is good. Insulating your pipes are also a good idea to prevent condensation on them.
The toxic mold won`t stand a chance in your home if you do these things.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Home Inspectors and Mold
According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, approximately 38% of homes suffer from mold and fungus growth due to excessive moisture.
National media attention has alerted the public to the destructive and possible toxic dangers of hidden mold spores that could affect their family’s health and their homes. EPA studies indicate that air levels of indoor pollutants may be two to three times higher than outdoor levels.
Mold, the most dangerous offender of all, often goes undetected because of its invisibility. Most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors and are not aware of the health hazards created by these spores.
Since there has been media attention surrounding mold, prospective home buyers want a home that has been tested for mold. Mold sampling has become a standard practice during a home inspection. You should not buy a home with mold, sell a home with mold, or live in a home with mold. A mold inspector is your first line of defense. CPC inspectors are experienced and trained to detect any signs of an unhealthy environment.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Mold in The Home And How It Could Affect You
Since most of us spend about 90 percent of our time indoors, we want to feel our home and office are healthy and safe places to live and work. But the truth is…mold is everywhere. Thousands of different molds can contaminate indoor air quality and cause a multitude of health problems associated with mold and mold spores.
Airborne toxic mold spores spreading throughout indoor environments can affect the immune system, nervous system, liver, kidney, blood – and can even harm the brain! While some molds are more hazardous than others, all indoor molds and other fungi present potential health risks and should be addressed immediately.
Some people can live in moldy environments for years without experiencing any physical symptoms, while others have immediate and sometimes severe reactions that are associated with toxic mold. The most common response to mold exposure may be allergies. Any illness or disease caused by toxic mold can become chronic with extended exposure. Individuals most likely to contract some form of mold-related illness or disease are those who already have some kind of compromised immune system, such as… Infants whose immune systems are not fully developed The elderly whose immune systems are simply worn out AIDS, cancer, and chemotherapy patients Persons recovering from recent surgery People with sinus conditions and other allergies Pregnant women People with asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments The extent of symptoms depends on one’s sensitivity.
A wide variety of reactions are attributed to the toxic effects of mold, including… Chronic clogged throat Wheezing and cough Nose and throat irritation Shortness of breath Nausea or uncontrollable vomiting Skin irritation Persistent cold-like or flu-like symptoms Burning, itching, watering eyes Dizziness Tremors Heart palpitations Aggravation of asthma Exhaustion after routine activity Serious swelling of legs, ankles, and feet Serious swelling in the torso or stomach Prolonged muscle cramps and joint pain
Other less common effects are… Nervous system problems (headaches, memory loss, moodiness) Aches and pains Fever Unexplained chronic fatigue If you believe you might be living in a mold contaminated environment and fit into any of the susceptibility categories associated with mold, or if you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with mold exposure, you should see your physician for a medical evaluation and possibly a referral to a practitioner who specializes in occupational/environmental medicine.
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