White Mold

Because of its light color, white mold can be difficult to detect, especially in its early stages, as it begins to develop. Since white mold tends to blend in with its background, it can’t be seen as easily as darker colored molds. Often this mold’s odor can be detected long before it will be seen. Although not as renown as its cousin, Stachybotrys Chartarum, the infamous “black mold”, it can be dangerous to your health if exposed to it, especially over an extended period of time.

Sometimes white mold is at first mistaken for just a water ring. It resembles hard water minerals when it is first seen after a water loss or leak. People mistakenly think that it’s just a wet spot that will dry up and disappear as time goes by. When someone looks a few days later what he or she thought was a small water ring has gotten larger and fuzzier.

Health Effects of White Mold

Water Mold Fire Restoration wants you to understand that there are many different types of mold that can negatively impact you or your family’s health in a negative way. Know that there are some mold types that can be more than one different color. The only true way to know which type of mold is causing your problem is to have a professional inspect the situation and do the appropriate testing. When trying to determine a particular mold’s dangers to your health, you need to know for certain which type of mold you are dealing with and what its possible health risks are.

While not everyone is affected by mold, other people are more sensitive to exposure to mold and mold spores. According to the Mayo Clinic health problems such as those listed below may be caused with as little as 48 hours of exposure. The symptoms may include, but not be limited to the following:

• Nasal congestion
• Sore throat
• Coughing or wheezing
• Skin rashes
• Eye irritation
• Respiratory infections
• Asthma-like symptoms
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Early asthma development in young children
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• Fetal paralysis
• Birth defects
• Miscarriage from prolonged exposure

Identify the Reason the Mold Started Growing

Mold is a part of our natural environment, and can be found almost everywhere. It will grow indoors as well as outdoors. Mold is not usually a problem in your home until the concentrations of mold indoors exceeds the concentrations found outdoors. The absolute best way to control and limit mold growth is to control moisture.

Leaks from pipes, plumbing fixtures and fittings are a significant source of water issues for many households. In addition to these, leaks can result from roof problems, gaps around windows and doors, or cracks in foundation walls. Sometimes a leak isn’t the problem, there may be a humidity issue causing the excess moisture.

Anytime excess amounts of moisture of any kind are left uncontrolled in your home, mold growth will usually be the result. Mold is already present in your home whether you know it or not. Mold spores will enter through open doors or windows, be carried in on your shoes or clothing, or it may be carried in by your pets. If you find mold growing in your home, chances are that you also have a moisture problem that is allowing the mold to grow and flourish. Mold is like every other thing on the earth, it needs a supply of moisture to survive.

Leaks and humidity problems must be dealt with first, before you can completely eliminate any mold contamination issues. Eliminate the excess moisture and you stop the mold. Click the link to learn more about why mold grows indoors.

Removing White Mold From Your Home

Anytime you discover mold in your home, white or some other color, you need to address the situation as soon as possible. Most types of mold are easily spread, so the longer you delay, the worse your mold problem will to become. Left unchecked, mold can do damage to both your home and your health. Safely removing mold an be a complex process involving a number of steps:

1. Locate all of the mold in your home. This can be tricky since mold often grows in places where it cannot easily be seen, like inside walls, behind heavy-to-move furniture, and the back of closets. If you need help finding all of the hidden mold, you can call in a professional mold tester.

2. Seal off the work area. Cover doorways and ventilation ducts with heavy 6-mil plastic and consider establishing negative pressure in the affected areas. This is usually accomplished by using a HEPA air filtration machine.

3. Wear protective gear, including gloves, Tyvek coveralls, and a N-95 respirator or facemask. Be sure to include goggles to protect your eyes.

4. Remove mold from non-porous surfaces (metal, glass, tile, etc.) with an antimicrobial cleaning product (available at most home improvement stores) and a cloth. Be sure to properly dispose of any cleaning materials when you are finished.

5. Remove any porous materials that cannot be adequately cleaned (insulation, carpet, drywall, etc.). Contaminated materials should be bagged and the bags sealed before removing them from the affected area to prevent accidental cross-contamination.

6. Any remaining structural materials in the affected area(s) should be wiped down with an antimicrobial product then completely dried before reconstruction begins. Replacing carpet or drywall before structural materials are dry can lead to the return of the mold problem.

Free Advice – Professional Removal

Before attempting to remove mold from a home, you should contact a mold remediation professional for advice. At Water Mold Fire Restoration, 800-905-0277, we offer a free, in-home consultation. That way you are able get expert advice at no cost. You can then make up your mind as to whether you have the necessary equipment and knowledge to do the work yourself or if you should hire us for the remediation. Our emergency teams are standing by, ready to assist you 24 hours a day, even holidays. Or if you would rather contact us by email, do so at help@watermoldfire.net.