first “likelihood of mold growth” idea
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Does your home have mold?
Notes:
If that raised an eyebrow for you, read on as we discuss this further because no one wants to deal with the nightmare of a mold problem.
What mold issues and remedies should you review:
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About Fungi – Types of Mold:
Mold is a type of fungi that is present both indoors and outdoors. There are many different types of mold, with some being more harmful than others to humans.
- Some molds can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, and other health issues in people. Unfortunately, many homes are infected by mold and fungi each year.
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- Mold spores are formed when the mold produces reproductive cells called conidia. These spores are very tiny and are easily airborne.
- The spores can travel through open windows, doors, vents, and other openings in the home. Once the spores land on a moist surface, they can start to grow and form new mold colonies.
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Types of Bad Mold:
There are varying types of mold that can be found in households – most commonly found around damp areas and upon walls, ceiling and floors following water damage.
Many forms of mold can cause some allergic reaction depending on the type of mold and its spread. Such molds can become unhealthy to family members and should be removed.
Some of the “bad” mold varieties include:
Types Of Toxic Home Mold (places were it can be found) Acremonium (drainage areas) view samples Alternaria (showers, bathtubs) view samples Aspergillus (on walls) view samples Aureobasidium (wood surfaces) view samples Chaetomium (water damage) view samples Cladosporium (fabrics) view samples Fusarium (food) view samples Mucor (damp carpet, rugs) view samples Penicillium (food, mattress) view samples Stachybotrys (black mold) view samples Types of Good Mold:
Not all molds are bad. Some molds are used in the process of food and medicine.
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Some of the “good” mold varieties that may surprise you:
Types Of Good Mold (how used) Penicillium (makes penicillin) view samples Cheese (blue cheese, gorgonzola) view samples Mushrooms (growing) view samples Fermentation (the process) view samples - —— next topic ——
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The Recipe for Mold Growth:
Mold needs four key environmental elements to grow and spread in homes:
- spores that float into the home from the outside
- the right temperature between 70-90 degrees – however, mold spores survive colder months and wait for warmer weather to grow
- oxygen for growth and spread
- and moisture – the most important element for mold growth – so homes that are damp or situated in wet areas are prone to have mold.
- Most homes have all of these elements, which is why mold is such a common problem.
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- Most of the common molds found in homes can cause heath-related risks, such as:
- headaches
- sore throats
- coughing
- sneezing
- shortness of breath
- cognitive function decrease
- skin irritations
- dizziness
- fatigue
- and other
- That is why you need to find ways to reduce the occurrence of mold grow by changing the layout of the home, improving circulation, and using the service of mold remediation where needed.
- Mold growing in a particular area of your home, if not treated, will continue to grow and become harder to remove after an extended period of time.
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About Toxic Mold:
Stachybotrys Chartarum, also known as the toxic black mold, is one of the most toxic molds that can occur in homes; and is one type of mold that requires removal to secure the health of the family.
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Some of the health-related risks that are associated with toxic black mold include:
- memory loss
- chronic respiratory distress
- chronic fatigue
- anxiety
- insomnia
- confusion
- trouble concentrating
- nausea and vomiting
Black mold is extremely dangerous for young children who are in development of their lounges; and for elderly family members. Some resource information and remediation tips include:
Understanding Black Mold About Black Toxic Mold view samples Black Mold Symptoms view samples What is Black Mold youtube How to Kill Black Mold youtube - —— next topic ——
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How House Orientation Can Encourage Mold Growth:
There are ways to reduce the chances of mold growth by paying attention to the layout of your home. Certain layouts are more susceptible to mold problems than others.
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- So let’s take a look at a few house orientations to see if any of these risk factors apply to you.
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The Shotgun:
This type of layout has all of the rooms in a straight line, one after the other. Because all of the rooms are connected, mold spores can easily travel through the home and land on moist surfaces in other rooms.
Shotgun Layout view samples The Basement:
Since basements are primarily underground, they are often damp and humid. The musty smell that is often associated with basements is actually the smell of mold spores.
If you have a basement, make sure to keep it well-ventilated and free of moisture. Basements can be particularly challenging spaces but contacting companies like 1-800 BusyDog Basement Technologies can make the process less daunting.
They can help with mold removal and testing and give you more information about how to prevent mold.
Basements That Encourage Mold view samples 
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The Maze:
This is when there are a lot of small rooms, with no direct path between them. This can be a problem because it’s hard to get good air circulation in these homes.
The lack of circulation can lead to moisture buildup, which can then lead to mold growth.
Maze Layout view samples The Herringbone:
By far the worst, this layout is when the rooms are arranged in a zig-zag pattern, with each room offset from the one before it. This is a problem because it creates dead-end spaces.
These areas don’t have good air circulation, which can lead to moisture buildup and mold growth.
Herringbone Layout view samples - —— next topic ——
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The Need For Air Circulation:
A common theme of all mold-prone layouts is a lack of proper air circulation. Tackling this key factor through the use of fans, re-routing and optimizing ventilation systems, or seeking the assistance of the pros can lessen the chances that your home layout will harbor mold.
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- Mold specialists can provide testing and remediations that will keep your home safe from mold. Proper home ventilation is one such remedy.
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Proper Home Ventilation:
Installing a good home ventilation system is the key for mold prevention. Ventilation systems intake air from the outside and circulates to the outside using fans and venting systems. Filters and other elements are used to trap mold spores and improve the quality of air that we breathe.
The circulation of air keep areas that are prone for mold growth – such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, kitchens and other areas of the home – less damp, which is the key ingredient for mold growth.
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Types Of Home Ventilation (google images) Natural Ventilation view design Spot Ventilation view design Whole-Home Ventilation view design – Ventilation Basic youtube view post: (new win) maintaining clean, ventilated air for your home Using Air Purifiers:
Mold can reproduce and spread throughout your home if airborne spores aren’t captured and removed. Air purifiers won’t help treat mold that’s already active on surfaces, but they are great for controlling the spread of spores in the air.
Using air purifiers is not as effective as proper home ventilation, but rather as an addition to or as an alternative option where ventilation may be lacking.
Air Purifiers (from amazon) – HEPA filter air purifiers view ideas – activated carbon view ideas – UV purifier view ideas – ozone air purifier view ideas
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Conclusion:
Mold can be found in almost any climate. But it is particularly prevalent in warm, humid areas. Regardless where you live, it it important that you have preventive measures such as good circulation and filters to keep mold from growing.
- For those areas of the home that have mold, it needs to be removed before it spreads and causes further health-related issues. If needed, you may need the help of a mold specialist who has the equipment and knowledge to properly remove mold from affected areas.
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