Black Mold What It Is How It Affects Us and What to Do About It
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Black mold is also known as mildew or toxic mold. It is actually a type of fungi that grows on damp surfaces. Like most kinds of fungus, it relies on humidity and moisture in order for it to grow. It is greenish-black in color and may appear slimy. Constant exposure to water encourages this fungus to grow. Hence, wooden panels, floors and ceilings are more susceptible to fungal growth. Although it is more commonly found on clothes, upholstery, walls and carpeted floors, mold may also grow inside electronic equipment like vacuum cleaner and air conditioners.
Black mold spreads easily, as they can attach themselves to almost anything. Therefore, it is important to distinguish the signs of fungal growth before they cause further damage. Damp surfaces are very conducive to fungal growth. Walls, wood and fabrics that are in constant contact with water should be monitored for mold. A musty odor is a telltale sign of fungal growth. Observe for other signs of mildew growth if you notice any musty odor near damp areas. Greenish, yellowish or brownish patches of moisture on wall panels would probably lead to mold growth if left untreated. Full-grown black mold is slimy and shiny, and may smear when touched.
Some respiratory ailments are triggered by black mold. Inhaling particles of these fungi can cause allergies and other respiratory problems. Aside from triggering allergies and asthma attacks, it also causes poisoning. Excessive mold growth leads to the production of volatile organic compounds or VOC’s, which can be fatal when inhaled. VOC’s are released during the process of mold formation. This dangerous fungus survives by feeding on the surfaces it clings to. This degradation results to the formation of volatile organic compounds. Once VOC’s are released into the air and are inhaled by humans, they attack the central nervous system and irritate the mucous membranes.
Black mold poisoning is characterized by headaches, muscle cramps, abdominal pain and fatigue. Its symptoms are vague, which is why the poisoning is often mistaken as another sickness. Early detection is necessary to prevent further complications. It wouldn’t hurt to consult a doctor if you experience any of these additional symptoms.
- Red or irritated eyes
- Diarrhea or abdominal cramps
- Dizziness, confusion, memory loss or lack of concentration
- Chest pain or difficulty in breathing
- Rashes, asthma and other allergic reactions
- Erratic blood pressure
- Urinary tract problems
Controlling the growth of mold is your best defense against its poisoning. Fungus thrives better in moist places. You may have to dehumidify your home if it has excessively damp air. Mold can grow on wooden panels that are always drenched in water. Check your house for water leakages and faulty pipes. Be sure to have these repaired as soon as possible. Air filters inside vacuum cleaners and air conditioners should be checked regularly for black mold growth. Replace them if necessary. Bathroom floors and walls should be cleaned on a regular basis, as they are always in contact with water.
If you’re interested in learning more about Black Mold Removal, please feel free to visit our website at http://www.yourblackmoldguide.com
We have more articles about Home Dehumidifiers or Basement Dehumidifier on our site – HomeDehumidifierStore.com.
Prevent Mold With a Portable Dehumidifier
There are lots of reasons behind why you could possibly require a Dehumidifier for household use. When your house has a issue with mildew formation either in cupboards, wardrobes or in your walls, the air is probably overly humid. Mold is not only a difficulty in that it damages anything it comes in contact with, but in many instances it may additionally be a genuine health hazard too.
It is also commonly extremely expensive to have your house professionally de-molded, specifically if it’s permitted to exist for far too long. Regrettably, mold at times stays hidden in walls, behind wall paper or wall coverings right up until it has managed to firmly entrench itself inside your house. You will discover several tell tale indicators, however, that your house might be overly damp.
A couple of the earliest indications of too high humidity concentrations are footwear and clothing left in drawers and closets becoming covered in mold. This problem may perhaps be significantly worse through winter or whenever there is a lot of rain falling in the region, or it may perhaps be worse in the course of a very hot humid summer season. In case you see mold growing on any of your clothes or on anything else around the house it’s time to think about buying a dehumidifier.
In the event that only certain rooms are affected you might choose to buy a few portable single-room dehumidifiers. These are generally rather elegant appearing and they can very easily remain in the corner of an area without drawing attention from the general appearance of the space. Several portable units are created to sit on top of benches or counters, while other models are on wheels and might be moved from area to area really easily.
There may be really little maintenance necessary with a dehumidifier. Most have a section, typically at the front, in which water moisture taken from the air accumulates. This will need to be emptied when it fills up. Depending on exactly how humid the air is, as well as the size of the dehumidifier, you might need to drain it once or perhaps twice each day. You’ll observe, when the air is less humid, that it is possible to delay for lengthier intervals before needing to drain it. The majority of of these kinds of models just plug into a wall socket. A dehumidifier for household use should run fairly quietly, a lot are scarcely audible.
Purchasing a portable dehumidifier for household use can be a fantastic idea if your home has issues with mold, as it may be transferred from area to area or placed inside the room that has the worst humidity problem. It should very successfully remove excess moisture from the surrounding air. You could additionally want to place some moisture absorbing products inside your closets and cupboards as an additional protective measure.
Are you thinking about buying humidifiers dehumidifiers or for your home? If so, be sure to visit my sites for information on all the major brands.
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A Swimming Pool Dehumidifier Can Prevent Mold Wood Rot and Rust From Ruining your Indoor Pool
Three of the most common and most destructive invaders of an indoor swimming pool are mold, rust and wood rot. Left unchecked, these problems can lessen your enjoyment of your pool at best and cause serious and expensive damage at worst.
A common affliction of an indoor pool with inadequate dehumidification is mold. To establish itself and grow, mold requires 4 criteria:
1) Mold spores
2) Organic matter (paper, wood, carpets, cloth, drywall)
3) Moisture
4) Warmth
Mold spores carried by air currents can reach all surfaces in your pool room. Mold growth is especially active when the relative humidity level is at or above 80%. Often you can smell the presence of mold and mildew in your pool room before you see it because of the unpleasant musty odors they cause. Many individuals report hypersensitivity and allergic reactions to mold. Other reactions to mold include itching, skin rash, eye irritation, coughing and congestion. Individuals at greater risk when exposed to mold include: the elderly, infants and children, pregnant women and those with existing respiratory conditions.
Another problem area in indoor pools with poor dehumidification is rust and corrosion. These issues can potentially cause serious structural damage that can be very expensive to repair. Rust and corrosion are often hidden and go un-noticed until severe damage is done.
Damage to structures begins when the relative humidity levels reach 62% or above for extended periods of time. The corrosion can be accelerated when chlorine from pool chemicals reacts with condensed water and actually forms hydrochloric acid. A good example of the devastating effects of chlorine laden moisture is the swimming pool roof collapse in Switzerland in 1985. 12 people were killed when the concrete roof collapsed after only 13 years of use. The roof was supported by stainless steel tension rods that cracked and failed due to stress corrosion as a result of chlorine-based disinfectants.
Even though it may not be potentially deadly, wood rot is another issue many indoor pool owners face. Wood rot (decay) is often referred to as “dry rot”. This term is inaccurate and misleading because dry wood does not decay. Wood requires moisture to decay. This is where the moisture rich air in your pool room comes in. Depending on the type and quality of the wood being used, repairs or replacements can be shockingly expensive. Look for signs of blistering or peeling paint as early indicators of humidity and moisture problems.
To help prevent these 3 major concerns from getting out of hand, it is strongly recommended that you perform a periodic survey of existing conditions in your pool room. There are several obvious warning signs that your indoor swimming pool has moisture problems:
* Foggy windows
* Wet walls
* Mold spots on carpets or drywall
* Loose floor tiles
* Suspended ceiling that sags
* Blistering or peeling paint
* Warped wood on window sills
* Rust around door frames and lighting fixtures
All 3 of these problems can be solved by using a high quality, properly sized swimming pool Dehumidifier.
About the Author – Chuck Jaymes is an indoor air quality professional and
offers reviews and comparisons about
Swimming Pool Dehumidifiers
for OscarAir, Inc.