Toxic Mold: What You Need to Know

by Andrea Fabry

I knew nothing about mold when we pulled up our carpeting and discovered mold growing on the floor and surrounding walls. I didn't associate our declining health with our uninvited water intrusion until the mold was improperly remediated. That's when our health took a dramatic turn for the worse.

toxic mold what you need to know, cleaning tips, home maintenance repairs

Our family's story is not everyone's story. Sometimes a mold situation is easily fixed. Other times the problem is simple surface mold. Always approach a mold situation with caution.

This Beginner's Guide to Toxic Mold will walk you through the necessary steps to deal with any type of water damage - from flooding to slow water leaks.

If there is visible mold on a wall - it's important to check for hidden water damage before ripping out the wall.

Moisture meters offer an excellent tool for detecting water damage.

Enjoyed the project?

You can do it! Saved to your projects

Frequently asked questions

Have a question about this project?

Ask a Question

Comments

Join the conversation

3 of 7 comments

Josephine Howland on Dec 09, 2014
My husband has been having lung problems for years and was basically ignored by his doctors. It took getting really bad pneumonia and a collapsed lung to be referred to a pulmonologist. They did a broncosctomy (I can't spell it.) and found mold in his lungs, but they aren't sure how to treat it. Can you rent one of those meters, or who do you call to get your house checked out. We think his is from exposure when he worked for 3 years doing weatherization for the County.

Like Reply
- Andrea Fabry on Dec 09, 2014
  @Josephine Howland this certainly makes sense for some type of exposure to trigger this. A home inspector often has a thermal imager and should charge about 100 dollars to check out a home. You will be looking for hidden moisture or undetected water leaks. You can also do your own dust sample to see what you're breathing in an environment. With his history you are wise to rule out the presence of water damage in your home. Let me know if I can help in any way. Here is my direct email andrea@it-takes-time.com
  
  Like
Kala Professional Restoration services on Oct 27, 2015
The ideas shared by you are really good,but I also have some valuable tips for eliminating mold. The key to stopping most molds is to control dampness. The worst infestations usually occur in damp crawlspaces, in attics and walls where water has leaked in from the outside,and in basements with poor foundation drainage. You’ll need a stiff brush or broom, mild detergent, a bucket, disinfectant, and an absorbent cloth. Scrub all flooring and other hardwood, such as newel posts and baseboards, with the stiff broom or brush. Use a generous mixture of water, detergent, and disinfectant to get rid of as much silt, mud, dirt, and organic material as possible. The more contaminants you remove, the less likely it is that you’ll get mildew and mold growth.

Like Reply