Talk Mold » General Talk

Mold Removal Tips

Michael — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:09:56 +0000

People, all to often, don’t realize that the problem with mold, especially black mold, is getting rid of the spores, not just the outer appearance. Mold does not just grow on the surface, the spores are embedded deep within the surface that it is contaminating. Many products can clean the surface making it appear that the mold is gone but over and over again it re-appears. Chemicals that are a lot of the times more harmful for the persons using them are not completely effective for treating mold, like ammonia, bleach and things of that sort.

When cleaning carpets its best to soak up the spills and to get the padding dry as much as you can. A good way to do this is by using a blow dry on a low setting.

Lot of the times people make the mistake of buying mold cleaning devices with out fungicide in them. This is no good. Mold is a fungus and enzyme based cleaners that “eat” the mold are needed. Molderizer and Safe Shield are some of the top non-toxic cleaning supply products that have been proven to work effectively.

A few house hold remedies are vinegar and baking soda, the later is almost 90% effective, just let it sit and then clean away, although the smell may be hard to bare. Baking sodas PH level helps keep mold from growing and absorbs moisture which is a major cause of those little bastard spores to grow.

The best thing to do is check out other peoples experiences with mold and see what kind of success they have had. Do your h/w, there is a lot of information out there, all you need to do is share it and apply it!

Support the Troops by Getting Rid of Toxic Mold

admin — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:04:40 +0000

Walter Reid mold and now Fort Sill in Oklahoma. Social Services director Chuck Rhoder went to the media gets fired on the same day he blows the whistle. According to the Colonel Sam White this was coincidental.

From Darlene:

admin — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:23:44 +0000

As I sit here once again and write of how toxic mold has destroyed my quality of life after being affected in February 2006, it saddens me to say that my health has deteriorated that much more. We must as a community of victim’s of these toxin’s, spread awareness, knowledge and support one another in any possible way that we can. There are thousand’s of mold victim’s across the states that need everyone’s help,not just the help of other mold victim’s. We need the medical, political and public to open their eyes, listen with their ears to what we are telling them. Feel free to go on our website’s, or visit our blogs.

I would not ever want to see my loved one’s go through the horror that us mold victim’s experience. Our loved ones experience the turmoil with us, though sometimes not understand to the full extent by them.

When my little grand-daughter of three years old looks up at me and says Gramma, I will take care of you, or Gramma can I sleep over your house. You see, I can not let my grandchildren stay over at Gramma’s house, because Gramma’s house has mold, toxic mold throughout the building by know fault of my own. Will the problem be taken care of, not likely.

As I continue to breath with oxygen, take my nebulizer treatments, take all the medications to help me breath at this stage in my life is like a terrifying nightmare and at sometime I wish I will wake up and it will be gone.

Please feel free to visit my website and join my free forum for awareness, knowledge and support. Pray that this never happens to you or your loved one’s because it takes the once normal life that you had, and turns it completely upside down into horror.

Help support the mold victim’s of the world…spread the word…write to our political arena’s to pass bills that are stalled in congress for air quality regulation’s. For our schools, for our homes, for our workplace.

Darlene’s Website

Neysa Kokinos Claytor’s Toxic Mold Story – #4

admin — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:16:51 +0000

Thank goodness you are all there and providing info & support on this issue!!

My experience is classic:
On 11/01/06, I leased a HUD/USDA subsidized apartment, and became ill within 3 weeks. Having been exceptionally strong & healthy all of my 52 years, I spent 6 months in an environment that had been water damaged twice (1999 & 2002)w/out remediation. Like everyone else but the wealthy, I have been misdiagnosed medically & psychologically, evicted, homeless, ace losing everything, and am in despair. This is hell on earth, when the EPA, CDC, FEMA, OEMS, etc. are informed but are not taking advocacy stances. I knew the lady who lived in the apartment before me; she passed away in 2006, diagnosed w/emphysema, lung cancer, allergies, also classic. She was a kind, intelligent woman; her suffering was needless. Equally appalling is the refusal to adhere to HUD regulations by the owner & mgmt. agents as well as the Public Housing Authority. This inaction & subsequent evictions, etc. is “Victim Blaming”. When a person is made ill from an environment they did not create & is forced to question their sanity or the reality of the basis for illness, it is CRIMINAL. Times for major rally/lobbying~ I’m e-vailable:januarymoon1@yahoo.com, ready to act & advocate however.

Peace,
Neysa K. Claytor

Thanks you Neysa for sharing your story. If anyone would like to share their mold story please leave a comment and we will post it so everyone can see what a huge problem this really is.

Toxic Mold Story #3 – Help the Jakubowski’s

admin — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:03:59 +0000

Hi Amy and family,

My name is Jennifer Jakubowski, last October my family and I were told we had to leave our home and throw all our possessions away. Due to toxic mold, so I understand how confused and overwhelmed you are feeling. My husband and I have 3 children, 9, 6, and 1. So the feeling of fear for you children’s health I also understand. The spore count in our house was over 11,600 spores per cubic meter, with over 8 types of dangerous mold present. As your probably aware 500 is considered alarm for serious health issues, and an unsafe living atmosphere. Our baby’s room read (to numerous to count) according to the lab that analyzed the results. We had just bought the house one year prior to that, moving our children out of a busy city. The mold took everything we owned, and infested the entire house, including the frame work, so the whole thing needs to get demolished. I read your story and felt my heart going back to the first few months after we found out. I wish I could tell you it gets easier, however for us it has been 9 months since we found out and we are still homeless. Our insurance also does not cover anything. We are stressed with having to give up our property, which we don’t want to do. However we can not afford to live paying both a mortgage and rent for much longer, as well as trying to get financing to build a new house. We both are working more to pay the difference and are sacrificing time with our family. Though it may seem weird you are blessed that the builder actually is willing to help you in some way. My husband helps build with habitat for humanity even while we don’t have a home. I was glad to read that they are at least trying to help in any way they can. As I’m typing this, I’m not really sure of my point, except that you are not alone, and there are other people who know the loss you are feeling.
Keep you chin up, don’t be angry it doesn’t help, I’ve learned this because for the longest time that was the strongest emotion I felt. And I guess be patient. God will guide you and help doors open to help you. I tell myself these same things every night, waiting for the guidance which I know will come at some point in time. In the meantime all you can do is make decisions on what you feel is right, and pray it all comes together in the end. Also be thankful for the help you do receive. Our community helped us with new clothing and other things, the amount of care from complete strangers was overpowering. And I do believe from this that there is hope, and things will get better. My prayers are with you and your family.

Jennifer Jakubowski

Toxic Mold Story #2 – Toxic Mold Dream Home

admin — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 17:32:55 +0000

Our dream home that we built has ended up being a NIGHTMARE. The day after closing we had a water leak that the plumber didn’t tighten a supply line. That started the TOXIC MOLD ISSUES. A month later preparing to have a birthday party for a friend of mine I noticed a spot on the ceiling which it ended up storming and caving the ceiling in and MORE toxic mold on the wall. As well as the windows not being sealed or the vents in the attic. Lots of ways to have major mold GROWTH that has Created very serious issues. I had surgery and 2 of the children have had to have surgery and we have to give breathing treatments to a child of ours that never had been sick.

RECOMMEND:
Even if it is new construction hire a inspector, we were told that we didn’t need one due to all the the inspections that we would have to have to get the certificate of occupy. Had
I know that they would just sign off due to new construction I would have done an inspection on our own and the inspector would have found all these problems and we wouldn’t have closed on the house. Now we are stuck in it as we can’t sell it in the shape it is in and we will loose a
lot due to the disclosure laws. I Pray that they will by the house back in the litigation.

Tell Us Your Mold Story and We Will Post It.

admin — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 20:28:40 +0000

We would like to post actual true life stories from people who have experience mold and how it affected their lives. Go ahead and send the story in a comment and I will post it like a real post or email me the story and I will post it unedited.

Lets help get the word out about toxic mold and how we live with it.

Toxic Mold Experts & Average Joe’s Needed

admin — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:23:10 +0000

We are looking for some toxic mold experts to join our community and help create awareness for the growing health issues related to mold across the country.

If you would like to contribute please leave a comment and you can help in any way you can. We are looking for articles, reviews, company reviews, or anything else you can think of.

We are also looking for people to post their specific encounters with mold and how the mold affected their lives. With some luck and determination we can build a thriving community where we can start to make some headway into the mold issues of today.

So You Think You Have Mold…

admin — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 07:55:29 +0000

Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture indoors. Molds reproduce by making spores that usually cannot be seen without magnification. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. Molds gradually destroy the things they grow on. Molds gradually destroy the things they grow on. Prevent damage to building materials and furnishings, save money, and avoid potential health risks by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth. This photo shows extensive mold contamination of ceiling and walls. click to enlarge Many types of molds exist. All molds have the potential to cause health effects. Molds can produce allergens that can trigger allergic reactions or even asthma attacks in people allergic to mold. Others are known to produce potent toxins and/or irritants. Potential health concerns are an important reason to prevent mold growth and to remediate/clean up any existing indoor mold growth. Since mold requires water to grow, it is important to prevent moisture problems in buildings. Moisture problems can have many causes, including uncontrolled humidity. Some moisture problems in buildings have been linked to changes in building construction practices during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Some of these changes have resulted in buildings that are tightly sealed, but may lack adequate ventilation, potentially leading to moisture buildup. Building materials, such as drywall, may not allow moisture to escape easily. Moisture problems may include roof leaks, landscaping or gutters that direct water into or under the building, and unvented combustion appliances. Additional information will follow.