Can I Paint Over Mold?
The short answer is: no. You should never, in any circumstance, paint over mold. This is a huge mistake made by both homeowners and landlords every day when it comes to “fixing” a mold problem. Unfortunately, painting over mold does no good. In fact, it can lead to more costly repairs, negative health conditions, and even legal trouble. Why You Can’t Paint Over Mold Mold itself is a problem that is reflective of an even larger problem. For instance, mold in your home is nearly always indicative of a moisture problem. Whether that problem is a leak, a window left open in the rain, or improper ventilation, it needs to be addressed. Mold is a signal [...]
What Are Mold Mites & How To Get Rid Of Them
When you think of a mold patch in your home, you probably don’t think much of it. Since mold is just a collection of tiny fungal spores, most people just wipe it up without a second thought. When you think of mold growing, you think of the moisture and darkness that mold needs to feed on in order to grow. What most people don’t consider is that the mold is actually serving as a food source for something else. Tyophagus putescentiae may sound made up, but it is the scientific name for a tiny creature more commonly known as the mold mite. These tiny insects, similar to dust mites, feed on the mold. Even a tiny [...]
How To Detect And Kill Mold On Concrete
When you think of mold growth, it is unlike that concrete is the first surface to come to mind. Rather, drywall, wood, or insulation are the more common areas that mold grows. However, mold can still grow on concrete (especially in basements) leading to cosmetic damage and health concerns. Getting rid of mold on concrete is a relatively easy process since the mold has a hard time getting past the surface of it. However, you should still take the correct steps to remove it so that it doesn’t cause problems for you or your home down the road. How Does Mold Grow On Concrete? Mold needs two things to grow: moisture and a food source. Concrete [...]
What Is Slime Mold?
Slime mold isn’t your typical mold. In fact, it isn’t really mold at all. Nor is it an animal, nor is it a plant, nor is it a fungus. In fact, slime mold isn’t much of anything. Yet, it has some remarkable capabilities that both help it survive and make it particularly interesting to researchers. Slime mold is a single-celled organism that lacks a brain; more specifically, it is a soil-dwelling amoeba. It usually contains multiple nuclei in each organism. Although it doesn’t have a brain, this organism is remarkably crafty and even works together with other organisms to maintain life. What Does Slime Mold Look Like? These organisms can come in almost any color except [...]
Is Mold In Your Front-Load Washing Machine Harmful?
A while back we did an article on why mold in your dishwasher is dangerous to you and your family’s health. It turns out that the dishwasher isn’t the only home appliance that is a harbor to that dangerous mold. Your washing machine is another perfect habitat for mold. Is it as dangerous as when it’s found in the machine that cleans the dishes you eat off of? Read on to find out. How Can Mold Grow In The Washing Machine? Washing is right there in the name. How can mold grow in something that is literally made to wash? After all, we pour steaming hot water and powerful detergents into it on a regular basis. [...]
Mold Exposure During Pregnancy
By now we all know that exposure to mold is never a good thing. Whether it’s the mold on an old piece of bread or a widespread colony of black mold in the basement, we should try to avoid being exposed. However, what if the exposure isn’t to ourselves, but rather a developing baby inside its mother’s belly? As science continues to study mold and learn more about it, we may uncover how mold affects a baby that is still in the womb. Before going any further, and whether or not you are pregnant, if you have mold in your home it is important to remove it quickly. Mold can spread extremely rapidly and without proper [...]
What Can Breathing In Mold Do To You?
Mold can grow just about anywhere. It sounds like a nightmare to deal with and in a way it sort of is. If you are a homeowner, finding out that you have mold can be the last piece of news you want to hear. While it isn’t as bad as say, termites, mold can still be destructive. What sets it apart, however, is the harm it can do to your health. Breathing in mold can have serious negative health consequences both short and long term. How Can I Breathe In Mold? Although mold appears to us as a solid, fuzzy, growth, it is much more complex. Mold spreads by sending tiny, invisible spores into the air. [...]
Can Mold In A Dishwasher Make You Sick?
Would you eat a pile of mold if someone set it down on the table in front of you? Of course not! We all know that mold can make us sick. Besides, it’s nasty and smells bad. Yet, you may be doing just that without even knowing it. According to new research up to 62% of dishwashers contain dangerous mold. That means that each time you sit down to eat, your plate and silverware are full of it and can make you sick. How Can My Dishwasher Have Mold In It? Most people think that the dishwasher is probably one of the cleanest things in their home. After all, you put dirty things in and sparkly [...]
Mold In The Attic: FAQ Guide
Finding out that you have mold in your home can be a scary and concerning discovery. You may not know how to get rid of it or may be worried about the potential negative health effects from the airborne spores. Perhaps you are confused about how it got there since your home is newer or well taken care of. Regardless of what you may be thinking, mold in the attic is a serious issue for homeowners and should be dealt with immediately to prevent it from spreading throughout the house and causing more problems. Is It Normal To Have Mold In The Attic? The attic of your home is one of the most common and easiest [...]
What Is Torula Mold?
Torula mold is a yeast that has practical uses but can also be pathogenic. One the one hand, this common mold, in its inactive form, can be a flavor enhancer, a starter culture in the production of certain cheeses, and, when dissolved in water, can organically control olive flies in California and Europe. But, as mentioned, it is also a harmful mold that grows on an array of surfaces. Torula can be found on wood, paper, and straw baskets, as well as on ceiling tiles and drywall. Outside, you might see torula mold growing on grass, dead stems, and in soil. What Does Torula Mold Look Like? Often you may see it shaped in an arrowhead [...]
How Do I Remove Mold From Wood?
Wood structuring, floors, and flooring in your home have an inviting and homey look, but unfortunately, this type of surface also sucks up and retains water, which makes it a sure bet for eventual mold and mildew growth. Worse yet, discoloration on wood may seem like a natural occurrence, so homeowners may not recognize what moldy wood looks like. If you notice areas of black, streaky green, or white discoloration on your wood, this could very well be mold. So how do you get rid of the nasty stuff, once mold sets in within wood? First off, act quickly if you do see mold in woody areas of your house. If mold has infiltrated a small [...]
Can Mold in Schools Make Children Sick?
The short answer is yes. Schools are no different than households or other buildings. They contain walls, pipes, paneling, ceilings, and floors--all places that mold can develop and spread, especially if moisture is present. What Health Issues Can Mold Cause For School Children? For starters, mold and the accompanying moisture that often goes with it can be difficult to find. That means kids, their teachers, and school administrators could be having health issues related to mold for months without even knowing it. This long-term exposure to mold within a building in which people of all ages spend six hours or more every day could lead to uncomfortable allergies and complications with asthma. Beyond breathing issues and [...]
What is Bipolaris Mold?
Bipolaris mold grows fast and can be found outdoors on grass, on plants and in the soil. Indoors, homeowners may find it on houseplants, spoiled food such as corn or celery, and on water-damaged materials such as carpeting, hardwood floors, or sheetrock. Bipolaris mold is the type of mold that you’ll know is a mold-like substance when you see it. It’s got that soft, fluffy look with colors that range from white to a gray-brown as it spreads. As bipolaris mold matures for five days or more, it transforms into a dark olive or black color. It has a nasty look, and this stuff is useless in industrial or manufacturing settings. What Health Problems Can Bipolaris [...]
How To Identify Types Of Mold By Color
Mold is one of the most common non-living organisms visible to the naked eye. All around the world it works to help decompose and recycle old materials. It breaks down trees, leaves, and leftover food products in landfills. Without mold the world would quickly become a giant landfill. Although it is essential, no one wants mold in their home. It is a costly nuisance and potential health risk. Mold should always be promptly removed, but it does come in many different colors. There are countless strains and species of mold with some being more common than others. If you’re curious about what type of mold is growing in your home, read on below: Green Mold: The [...]
Springtime Mold Prevention Tips
Mold Allergies Peak In The Spring. Why Is That? Mold allergies increase in the spring because as temperatures start to increase, good ol’ mold begins to awaken. Before you know it, mold will be all over your grass, and with that development, mold allergy issues begin to increase. Accompanied by pollen, another fun aspect of spring, this can make life unbearable for some. Another aspect to spring is the rain, which is healthy for your yard but can bring moisture into your home. As damp conditions and higher humidity levels combine, it’s suddenly the perfect environment for mold spores to grow. This can happen in walls, on window sills, and in numerous other places. How Can [...]
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