Mold, what a malady can it be! It not only damages the areas of our homes that we want to keep neat and aesthetically pleasing, but it can also affect our health and well-being as well as that of our beloved ones, affecting the same air we breathe and the places where we store our food. It’s an issue that’s better to tackle sooner than later.
But, what’s mold? You’d be surprised to find out that these ugly stains all over your home are, actually, fungi! – Yep, it’s considered to be some kind of “cousin” of the fungus that grows in the backyard or in the deepest parts of the forest. And just as any other creature that belongs outdoors, we’re sure we all would prefer to keep mold out of our resident area. But how can we know we’re having such a problem around us?
How To Detect Mold?
It can be really tricky to uncover where mold is starting to cause damages since it can grow without being noticed in the most hard-to-reach, humid, and darkest corners of our homes and our furniture. Even when we avidly clean our place, these little hooligans act like tiny ninjas – spreading spores all over, multiplying itself, and leaving it traces. However, some signs can prove mold is around you.
The stench that the mold causes can be very peculiar and unpleasant. Some people compare it to the smell of a pair of old worn-out socks or some kind of piece of clothing that didn’t dry properly. This is caused by all the microbial organic compounds that the mold releases into the air.
Another sign is that you or any of your family members can’t stop coughing without any sign of having flu or asthma. Mold toxicity not only damages furniture, but it can also harm the cells of the body, causing sore throat, whistling when breathing and the sensation of lack of air.
The most visible symptom of living with mold is all the ugly stains that leave in our walls. They can vary from being tiny dots, whether they are black, white, green, orange, or brown, to huge patches that can surprisingly cover large areas. Be aware that mold and water are the best of friends since water helps it spread more quickly and wider, walls are particularly susceptible to the combination of the two elements.
How To Quickly Fight It Back?
There is an array of quick-fixes that you can do to improve your mold situation with effectiveness and efficiency. We’ve gathered some of the most recommended ones, just remember, these aren’t meant to be permanent solutions, rather than easy-ways to mitigate and restrain the problem.
If you need to get rid of most of the toxicity that mold left around you but don’t want to handle hard chemicals, a bag of activated bamboo charcoal can be the perfect answer to purify the air. Nature knows what it does, and charcoal is no exception! It works as a filter that organically traps and eliminates strong odors from kitchens, bathrooms, and even attics. All while keeping its convenient size.
Perhaps the mold-growth is worse than you thought, which means bigger ‘guns’ are required to get rid of it. But look no further, a household mold cleaner can be the perfect answer to ward mold off. It suffocates it to death, eliminating the spores left and preventing its reappearance from any place where it was used. Whether you’re using it on concrete, wood, masonry, or stone, it works fine. Our recommendation is to use a pair of gloves and a mask when using it.
If none of the above suits your needs, maybe a mold removing gel can be your ally in the battle of keeping your house clean and tidy. This modern solution can fight any fungus that can be taking over any small or confined spaces. You just have to apply it to the affected area, wait for a couple of hours to remove the already dry gel, and then use a damp cloth or water to clean off any remains.
How To Get Rid of It Once and For All?
Undoubtedly, the best way to solve a mold-growth problem is to contact a professional in the area of anti-humidity treatments, also known as industrial hygienists. These are people certified and specialized in the establishment and implementation of ventilation systems and air-quality treatments. Experts not only make sure to sanitize your home from any type of fungi but also exponentially improve the air you and your loved-one breath, and who wouldn’t like that?
How Much Would It Cost?
The price of hiring a professional can be quite hard to delimit, mostly because it depends on the size of the home or area where their services are intended to be used. This factor can make the difference between having to pay $300 for small apartments or around $1,000-$2,000 for larger houses/spaces; or $75–$108 per hour.
But all this can vary based on what state and city of the country you’re currently located in, for example, a person in need of a mold inspection in California usually pays 20% to 30% more than the national average, while in New York the service price can be 30% lower.
What You Should Be Asking Your Professional?
If you have decided to use the help of a specialist. Great, you surely scout for the best solution for you and your family! Now, you just have to keep in mind these determinants before giving you money away.
Firstly, ask the mold-remediation company if they can offer you a written contract or order, you know, to keep everything as legal as possible. Then make sure they’re able to provide remediation and post-remediation plans, to forget about mold once and for all.
Most importantly, don’t take for granted how safe are the chemicals they’re using, both for persons and pets, don’t feel scared to ask them about it. This also applies to their certification, if nothing shady is happening, they wouldn’t be averse to show it.
How To Prevent Mold from Appearing Again?
As said before, mold can be as sneaky as a ninja. If you don’t follow the post-remediation plan that the professionals gave you, in a blink of an eye, you’ll be having to face this headache all over again. But there are ways to keep your home safe.
Don’t store your clothes if they’re not well dry and fix any leak that could be causing an increase of humidity in the air. Even a small leakage or amount of dampness could feed the little spores of mold and make it flourish.
Another great way to keep mold at bay is to keep your spaces well ventilated. So, open your windows and doors and give moisture an easy-way to leave your house and to not create an environment for the fungi.
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