6 Common Misconceptions About Mold in Your Home

Everyone knows that mold is harmful to our health. In fact, it’s been drilled into our heads so much that the mere thought of something being “moldy” makes us cringe. Moldy bread? Throw it out! A little bit of mold growing on a block of cheese? Toss it! You can find molds in many places in your home, but when do they become a big problem?

Harmless or not, no one wants mold growing in their home. So what steps can you take to prevent it from happening? Here are some common misconceptions about mold in your home so you can keep your home and family healthy easier:

Myth #1: All Molds Are Black Or Green.

Molds come in many various colors, such as blue, orange, yellow, and pink. It may also be white, grayish-white (like the mold on cheese), brownish-black (like mildew, which grows on shower walls), light green (like powdery mildew), dark green (like algae growing on a pond). Some molds are fuzzy like a fungus and fury like a plant. Many people think all mold is black or green, but this isn’t true.

Myth #2: All Molds Are Hazardous.

False. The truth is, only a few hundred of the estimated 100,000 types of mold are toxic. The rest are relatively harmless to people, although they can damage certain materials by eating away as they grow. In fact, some types of molds have valuable purposes. Bakers and brewers intentionally cultivate certain species to make bread and beer rise. 

Other millennia-old technologies also rely on mold. For example, cheese is made using special types that eat away at milk sugars and create lactic acid, which gives the cheese its characteristic flavor and smell.

Myth #3: You Can See Mold Growing.

False. Mold looks like white or gray fuzzy spots on a clean surface, such as your shower tiles. It is usually visible because you see its spores, which are released into the air and cause respiratory problems. But mold itself isn’t really “there” in any sense because it’s not a plant or animal. It’s composed of countless tiny fungal fibers called hyphae that branch out like roots, sometimes growing eight feet long, but are so small that they’re invisible to the naked eye.

Myth #4: All Molds Are Everywhere.

This isn’t true. Molds are only on certain surfaces because they need food to grow. They eat dust, paper, or cloth, for example. There is no mold growing on your bookcase unless you spill something on it and leave it there for a long time. Also, some surfaces are just too dry for mold to grow on them. In addition, there is no mold growing on the dry side of your house unless you have a moisture problem, like water leaks through the roof.

Myth #5: You Can Just Paint Over Mold to Eliminate It.

Mold spores grow into long tubes that penetrate the grout between tiles and other surfaces to anchor themselves in place. Painting over it will not prevent the mold from growing back. Just one spore can start a new colony of mold. If mold is present on your walls or ceiling, you can get rid of it with household solutions, such as bleach or vinegar. 

However, if you have asbestos in your house and use bleach, you could release asbestos fibers into the air and cause harm to your family. In some cases, professional mold removal is necessary.

Myth #6: All Molds Are Non-Toxic.

Not all molds are toxic. However, some types produce mycotoxins that can cause health problems, such as allergies and other respiratory issues. Mycotoxins also threaten pets and should be removed quickly when they’re discovered. Toxic black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) is rare, but it has been found in homes that don’t have proper ventilation.

To Summarize

Remember that the number one cause of mold in your home is water. You may hear it all the time, but closed-up houses, where no air can get in or out, and wet areas (floods and leaks) are the ideal breeding ground for mold spores. That’s why water damage clean-up is a priority after a major storm or a flood.

Even if you can’t see it growing, water damage behind your walls and under the flooring has the potential to cause unseen mold problems throughout your home. In fact, as many as 25 percent of all homes have “hidden” water damage that people don’t even know about. According to statistics, the average home contains enough mold and bacteria to make people sick. 

Click here for more information and expert advice on preventing mold.

How to Prevent Mold and Mildew Growth

The spores of mould can be challenging to get rid of if it has taken hold in grout or has left their mark on walls. Since these fungi are deadly in dark, damp conditions, they are often found on bathroom walls, shower niches, and floors in wet areas.

The color and texture are the most reliable methods of determining the distinction between mildew and mould. Mildew has a grayish-white color and a spongy texture that will darken if left untreated. In contrast, the mould is fuzzy and black.

Mould can be a lot more difficult to eradicate and can become quite harmful if not checked. The sensitivity to mould varies from one person to person; however, it can cause allergic reactions or symptoms similar to colds when left untreated for a prolonged period.

Tips for Mold and Mildew Elimination

If you suspect your bathroom may have mildew or mould growing on it, you must act quickly to avoid health risks like respiratory illness or structural damage to your home. Here’s how you can get rid of mildew and mould from your bathroom, as well as a few measures to keep it from recurring.

Mix and spray vinegar and baking soda

Fortunately, mildew can be removed quickly and easily using just a few household items. Mix one part white vinegar and two parts baking soda into a bottle. Spray affected surfaces with mildew. Then let the solution rest for a couple of hours. Clean the mildew with a damp cloth, and then rinse the entire surface with water.

Scrub surfaces with a vinegar mixture

Before approaching the affected area, switch on the bathroom fan and windows to allow ventilation. This will help to prevent harmful mould spores from inhaling. Mould spores can cause wheezing, eye or skin irritation, as well as a cold sensation if breathed in.

While it’s tempting to use a commercial mould killer for quick fixes, a natural method such as white vinegar can help prevent it from returning. This is because bleach and many other cleansers help alter the mould’s color. Contrarily, natural remedies eliminate mould spores and stop the growth of fungi from occurring if applied regularly. Contact a restoration company to help you remove your mould problems.

Call a mould removal expert

However, once the mould has infiltrated the grout, it’s almost impossible to remove it altogether. If you cannot remove the mould with a heavy-duty scrub and it’s spread into an ample, insurmountable space in your bathroom, it’s best to call a mould removal expert like PuroClean Canada. 

How to Prevent Mould and Mildew Regrowth

Use products that limit moisture

A dehumidifier is a great way to get rid of mould and moisture in your bathroom. The dehumidifier draws steam from the air and significantly reduces dampness in just some hours when utilized with bathroom exhaust. The moisture levels in the air will diminish with time if you are using them frequently, so the odds of mildew and mould appearing decreases.

Increase natural light and ventilation

The growth of mould thrives in moist, dark environments, so making the maximum use of your bathroom’s natural light and ventilation is critical. If hot water is flowing, ensure that your exhaust fan is on for a few minutes after taking a shower to allow more air to circulate. Look up “BC mould remediation” for more information.

Maintain a regular cleaning schedule

Since mould thrives on organic matter such as your skin’s dead cells, cleaning your bathroom regularly can reduce the risk of reappearing. To prevent mould build-up, be sure you dust using a moist microfibre fabric at least once a week.

How to Keep Your Heat Pump Perform Best

Heat pumps are electrical machines that transport heat from one site to another while consuming relatively little energy, depending on the season. They may be used to simultaneously heat and chill your home. During the summer and winter, they are in charge of pushing heat out of the building. As a result, a homeowner might have both options in one piece of equipment. Heat pumps are significant investments that need regular maintenance and care to ensure that they continue to function properly. This aids in the preservation of their performance value as well as the lengthening of their life cycle.

Maintenance of Heat Pumps

A heat pump is a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution for heating and cooling your home.  If you have a heat pump, be sure you follow these routine maintenance requirements to keep your system running smoothly.

 

Maintenance from the Outside

The outdoor heat pump unit may get lost in the wilderness if you do not keep an eye on the plant and trash collecting around the appliance. Trim any plants that are growing too near the unit since this may prevent air from properly moving into and out of the unit. Also, remove any piled-up leaves or rubbish to ensure that the area is clear and open for optimum system performance. 

 

After this is accomplished, cleaning the heat exchanger coils and condensers is also required. To obtain faster results, use a vacuum, but be sure to clean and wash these coils to keep buildup to a minimum and maintain optimal performance and efficiency.

 

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Maintenance on the Inside

If you want to enhance the efficiency of your heating system and lower your monthly heating costs, be sure you change or clean your interior air filters regularly. These filters assist in enhancing the quality of your indoor air by capturing dirt and particulates. After a few months of usage, these filters get clogged and filthy, and they stop working. 

 

At least once every two months, these filters should be inspected and replaced. When changing your filters, make sure you only use high-quality filters. Filters of higher quality will give better protection to your system while also cutting your energy costs significantly.Cleaning the vents and air ducts, in addition to the filters, is required every few months. This isn’t necessarily a Fdo-it-yourself undertaking. Contact a professional HVAC provider to receive help and advice on ductwork and vent cleaning.

 

Keep reading about heat pump cleaning FAQ to know more.

Final thoughts

When doing heat pump maintenance, it’s critical to remember to check your thermostat. The thermostat should be set to a lower than the actual temperature of the room being heated. Having this in place ensures that your home is adequately heated and cooled. After you’ve performed this work, you should check your Freon levels, which might affect the quality of your airflow and, as a result, your comfort.

You may also want to read:  Heat Pump Cleaning Blog