![]() You may also want to consider mold testing as part of a home inspection if you suspect an allergy or have had previous mold-related health issues.Electronics contaminated with an outbreak of mold spores are an uncommon sight. However, the department does state that some legitimate reasons do exist for getting a test, such as rationalizing the expense of remediation or determining that a remediator has satisfactorily completed a job. ![]() In many cases, people seeking mold testing really need a thorough investigation into moisture problems and the damage it can cause to their house. Mold testing is often not an appropriate or effective way to answer many of the questions you may have, according to the Minnesota’s state health department. But not all states require mold testing-or even recommend it. ![]() Some states, like Texas, do require an assessment before a remediation, so search for your state’s requirements if you think you need to hire a professional. “I would call a plumber right away.” A plumber might also be necessary if a mold growth is suspected to be caused by a pipe leak. “That’s a bigger plumbing issue, the drain is either too large to supply or too small to get the water out of there,” O’Donnell continues. An old toothbrush dipped in one of those substances is also great for scrubbing tight corners, grout, and other indents or details.įor example, while many kitchen appliances are made of nonporous materials, dishwasher drainage pipes can attract mold-and that’s a problem that can’t be resolved with a bottle of bleach. Bleach, detergent and commonly sold mold-specific cleaners are also often effective for smaller surface-level growths, O’Donnell adds. When do I call in a professional, and when should I handle it myself?Ĭommon household cleaners and some elbow grease can absolutely help an amateur homemaker in areas where surface-level mold may be common but not necessarily indicate a deeper problem, such as spots in your tub, bathroom tiles or faucets.Īpfelbaum recommends wetting a cloth with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide and giving the moldy surface a good scrub. “It’s not that hard to find mold in an attic, because it’s unprotected up there, you have all this exposed wood and things get dusty,” says Apfelbaum, adding that garages, laundry rooms and other unventilated rooms are also prime mold breeding grounds. ![]() Some potential mold hot spots are obvious, like in cabinets under leaky kitchen sinks or along the sides of bathtubs and showers. “You don't necessarily have to have a cleaning service come once a week but certainly at least once a month you need to vacuum, wipe and dust the basement because whatever happens in the basement is going to many times throughout the house.” Where is mold often found in the home? “The biggest food source for mold many times in the basement is dust, and you’ll see it in the insulation in the ceiling,” he says. “If you can get your house to be dry like the desert, you’re going to be able to not only solve a lot of these mold issues, but be in control of it,” Apfelbaum adds.Īpfelbaum also notes that frequent dusting can help prevent mold. The solution could be as simple as cracking open the window or flipping on the fan post showers. That means if you have a bit around your sink, there is probably constant moisture in the bathroom, not enough air flow, and the temperature is just right for mold growth. It also means plugging in the dehumidifier or flipping on the air conditioning months before your environment becomes highly humid. And if you live somewhere rainy or humid, that means breaking out a quality dehumidifier with a hose that dumps into a sink or some other drainage point Apfelbaum recommends keeping humidity in the low 40s. Ensure pipes and anything else constantly conveying water is in good working order-no drips! And don’t let any soggy materials-like rainy clothes or wet towels-pile up. Molds love moisture, so minimizing wetness and humidity while increasing air flow is key to prevention. Oops! How can I proactively prevent mold accumulation? But when mold testing and blood analysis were done, the results showed that the groom had an allergy to a type of mold present but not visible in the home. The husband soon abandoned the home because he claimed it he felt terrible and the house was “killing him.” No one believed him. “In many, many cases in the work that I do, the mold is not visible-it’s a smell, it’s a feeling, it’s an allergic response, and just don’t know.”Īpfelbaum recounts an instance when a newlywed couple moved into the former home of the bride’s parents. Be aware especially if a room feels “off” and you’re experiencing unexplainable health issues, like constant colds or new allergies, says Glen Apfelbaum, the president of Home Healthy Homes, which remediates mold and waterproofs basements in the New York City area.
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