by Mold-B-Gone | Aug 23, 2022 | Killing Mold, Mold Facts
Amie Skilton from Australia was 37 years old when she moved into an apartment with her now-husband. She was perfectly healthy: she traveled around the country giving keynote speeches, did “fun runs”, and worked as a naturopath and nutritionist.
Then she started to get sick. She noticed allergy symptoms, she gained over 20 pounds, and she started getting chronic fatigue. Amie even started to forget her own name.
Shaken and puzzled, her now-husband took her to the doctor’s office, where they performed a battery of tests. All the tests came back fine, stunning the doctors.
She was referred to a neurologist who later diagnosed her with Type III Alzheimer’s. Type III Alzheimer’s disease is also known as inhalational Alzheimer’s and is caused by airborne toxins.
Amie had a mold expert check her home and found that the underside of the carpet was lined with black mold. This mold grew after a pipe leaked and soaked the carpet, and Amie didn’t know about it until she was already sick. Luckily, after moving out of the apartment, her brain function returned to normal. But who knows what could have happened to Amie if it had gone unchecked?
Today, Amie is a qualified mold testing technician in her native Australia who educates others about the dangers of mold.
The Dangers of Black Mold
Toxic black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum, grows in wet conditions under the carpet, drywall, and flooring. They produce highly poisonous spores that can cause respiratory illness and fatigue. But not everyone is affected equally.
In Amie’s case, her genetic predisposition caused a severe reaction to mold spores. Just as some people are intolerant to lactose or gluten, some people are strongly affected by toxic mold spores. Most people won’t know until it’s too late.
What To Do About Black Mold In The Home
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The best way to deal with black mold in the home is to prevent it from growing in the first place. Water damage is usually the cause, and it’s best to call a specialist immediately if a leak is ever found.
Another cause of mold growth is a high level of humidity in the home. Ensure adequate ventilation to prevent mold growth. Keep humidity levels between 30% and 50% in the home, and check your humidity levels with a meter. A single room might be more humid than others; if that’s the case, a dehumidifier can help. If you’re having persistent issues with humidity in your home, call an HVAC specialist.
The truth about black mold is that once it’s found in a home, it needs to be removed by a professional. Professional mold remediation experts have the tools necessary to remove black mold and prevent it from causing further health issues. Otherwise, it’s best to move to a clean home if you find black mold.
Mold Remediation in Atlanta
25% of the human population has a genetic predisposition to mold-related illness, and most people don’t take the chance: keep your family safe with mold remediation in Atlanta by Mold-B-Gone.
Mold-B-Gone is the premier mold remediation company in Atlanta, specializing in whole-house mold removal. We clear mold caused by water damage and humidity. 100% of our client’s homes have passed a mold inspection in Atlanta after working with us. Best of all, we offer a 5-year written guarantee on all mold removal services.
Speak to a mold removal expert today; call 470-545-4467 and enjoy peace of mind knowing your family is safe.
Read Amie Skilton’s full New York Post story here.
by Mold-B-Gone | Aug 16, 2022 | Mold Facts
Mold growth is a common problem in many homes and buildings. While most mold is not harmful, some types of mold can produce toxins that can cause health problems. The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. These molds are often found on wet surfaces, such as bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and laundry rooms. Research by the National Library of Medicine states that around 50 percent of US homes have water damage which leads to mold infestation.
Mold exposure can cause various health problems, including respiratory problems, headaches, skin rash, and fatigue. Some people are also sensitive to mold and may experience more severe reactions, such as fever, shortness of breath, and digestive problems.
How Does Mold Affect Your Gut Health?
Mold can be ingested, inhaled, or come into contact with your skin. Once mold spores enter your body, they can travel to any organ and begin to grow. However, most mold exposure occurs through inhalation.
Mold contains mycotoxins, poisonous substances that can damage your gut health.
Mycotoxins contain harmful toxins like aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and trichothecenes. These toxins can cause inflammation in your gut.
You may experience symptoms like:
- abdominal pain
- bloating
- diarrhea
- constipation
- nausea
- vomiting
Read this article: How Do I Know If I’m Allergic To Mold?
How Is Mold Infection in the Digestive System Detected?
Mold infection in the digestive system is often difficult to detect. The first step in diagnosis is usually a physical examination and medical history. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and any possible mold exposure. They may also order blood tests or other laboratory tests to look for evidence of mold infection. A stool sample may also be taken to look for mold spores or other evidence of infection.
In some cases, an endoscopy or colonoscopy may be necessary to visualize the digestive system directly for evidence of mold infection. If you have been exposed to mold and have symptoms of a digestive system infection, you must see your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
How Is Mold Infection in the Stomach Treated?
1. Antibiotics: for mold infection in the stomach, the first line of treatment is typically antibiotics—these work to kill off the harmful bacteria causing the infection.
2. Probiotics: These are live, beneficial bacteria that help keep your gut healthy. They are found in fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi, as well as in supplements. Probiotics can help reduce inflammation and improve digestion.
3. Digestive enzymes: These proteins help your body break down food. They are found in raw fruits and vegetables, as well as in supplements. Digestive enzymes can help improve digestion and reduce inflammation.
For expert mold inspection in Atlanta, contact Mold-B-Gone. “We will make sure your home is safe from harmful mold with our comprehensive mold testing and remediation services.
To know more about mold effects on the body, read our blog: What Impact Does Mold Have On The Brain?”
by Mold-B-Gone | Aug 2, 2022 | Mold Facts
Mold is a fungus that can grow almost anywhere there is moisture and organic material. It thrives in humid environments and can cause health problems in people exposed to it.
CDC reports that mold exposure can cause various respiratory problems, including coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. It will cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Mold spores are tiny and can be carried by the wind or water so that they can spread quickly. Many believe mold dies when it dries out, but that is not the case. Mold can survive in both dry and wet conditions.
Read on to understand mold and how to prevent it from growing in your home.
How Does Mold Grow in Homes?
Mold typically enters homes through open doors, windows, or vents. Once inside, it can quickly begin to grow and spread. Mold loves damp, dark, and humid environments, so bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms are often ideal spots for mold growth. Leaky pipes or roofs can also create the perfect conditions for mold to thrive.
When the indoor humidity levels are high, mold can grow on various surfaces, including wood, carpet, paper, and food. Mold can also grow on dust, lint, or fabric fibers.
What Happens When Mold Spores Lack Moisture?
Mold spores need moisture to grow and multiply, but they can remain dormant for years without it. When mold spores land on a moist surface, they begin to reproduce. The new mold colony then produces more spores carried away by the wind or water droplets to start new colonies elsewhere.
So what happens when mold spores are deprived of moisture? They don’t die, but they do become inactive. If the conditions that caused the mold growth in the first place are no longer present, the spores will remain dormant until they once again come into contact with water or high humidity.
Some mold spores are more resistant to drying out than others, which is why mold can often return after removal. It’s essential to address the underlying moisture problem to prevent mold from returning.
Read more: 10 Facts About Mold People Did Not Know.
Is Completely Dried Mold Safe?
Once the mold is completely dried, they become light in weight and fragile. They can spread through the air very quickly. It can easily contaminate other areas and items.
For example, black mold is a type of mold that can release toxins called mycotoxins. These toxins can cause serious health problems in humans, especially in young children and the elderly.
Expert Methods for Mold Removal
Insulate the area: One of the most important things you can do to prevent mold is to insulate your home. It will help to keep moisture out and prevent condensation from building up.
Use a dehumidifier: By keeping the air in your home dry, you can also prevent mold from growing. Dehumidifiers help to remove moisture from the air, which can then be drained away.
Keep the area clean: mold loves to grow in dark, damp, and cluttered areas. So by keeping a home clean and free of clutter, you can help to prevent mold from growing.
Contact Mold-B-Gone for expert mold removal service in Atlanta. “We are experts in mold remediation and will ensure your home is mold-free.
For more information on mold, read our blog:- 7 Types of Mold You Might Encounter in Your House.
by Mold-B-Gone | Jul 20, 2022 | Mold Facts
Mold and Mycotoxins can have a severe impact on your health. It can cause respiratory, skin irritation, and other serious health problems.
Mold can be a pesky issue. It often pops up where it’s hard to see and even harder to get rid of. So, what happens when you find black mold on your walls or ceilings? Can you paint over it and make the problem disappear? What happens when you cover mold with paint to kill it?
This blog post will explore the answer to that question and more! We’ll discuss what mold is, why you should avoid painting over it if possible, and some tips for getting rid of mold once and for all.
What Problems Can Occur If You Paint Over Mold?
Mold is a fungus found in damp, humid environments. It can grow on almost any surface, including wood, paper, cloth, and concrete. When mold spores touch a wet or moist surface, they grow and multiply.
Mold reproduces by spreading spores into the air. The spores are invisible to the naked eye and can travel long distances. When they land on a surface, they start to grow and form new mold colonies.
If you paint directly over mold, it can result in problems like:
- The paint does not adhere properly to the surface
- The mold continues to grow beneath the paint
- Health problems from exposure to mold spores
- Bubbling and peeling of the paint
So, as you can understand, it’s not a good idea to try and cover up mold with paint. But what can you do to get rid of it? It is best to call a mold remediation specialist to take care of the problem for you. They have the knowledge and experience to safely remove mold from your home before you paint the walls and ceilings.
Read more: How To Detect Mold Behind Walls
Steps Followed by Experts to Remove Mold
Here are some steps to eliminate mold before painting over it:
- Start by identifying the source of moisture
- Scrape the mold off
- Apply a mold-resistant primer
- Paint with mold-resistant paint
If you follow these steps, you can remove the mold before painting over it effectively. However, if the source of moisture is not eliminated, the mold will continue to grow and eventually cause the paint to peel.
Is mold a concern during renovations? It’s best to hire a professional. Mold remediation services involve identifying the source of moisture, removing the mold, and repairing any water damage. It will ensure that the mold doesn’t come back and that your paint job will last.
Mold-Be-Gone offers the best mold inspection in Atlanta. Our company is certified, licensed, and insured. We provide services for all residential customers, including crawlspace encapsulation, IAQ testing, duct cleaning, eviction clean-outs, and whole-house & room sanitizing. Our final goal is to rid your home of mold and mildew. Get in touch with us to start the process.
by Mold-B-Gone | Jun 13, 2022 | Mold Facts, Uncategorized
Mold are microscopic fungi that grow with ease in moist and dusty conditions. They are mostly present in bathrooms, under kitchen sinks, in areas where water has leaked into walls or floors and in wet insulated areas. Sometimes mold also grows on window sills. Mold growing on window sills is also as a result of moisture and dust accumulation. This dust and moisture is commonly found between window panes, along wooden window sills and frames. In certain scenarios, one may also find mold in window tracks. Any small crevices around a window can offer an ideal environment for mold growth if dust and humidity are present.
What Causes Mold around Windows?
In some cases, mold on window glass may occur as a result of air trapped in between two window panes. The most notable cause of this is condensation. This usually happens when the relatively warm air inside a room hits the window glass and gets rapidly cooled by the air outside, resulting in condensation. Some of the factors that may cause condensation include:
- Wet and humid weather.
- Inadequate heating.
- Leaking pipes
- Steam deposits caused by bath or shower.
- Wood burners and open fires.
Also see What Helps Mould Spread Through Your Home?
How to Prevent mold on window sills
It can be quite difficult to detect mold in between window panes since it develops in hard to see sections. It’s not surprising to find mold blending in with the color of your windows. This can make it almost impossible to detect it with an untrained eye. Some of the simple solutions to prevent mold growth include:
- Proper ventilation in bathrooms and turning on the extractor fan. This is to ensure that all the steam produced while a shower or bath is running is able to escape. You can also wipe down wet surfaces to aid the process.
- Dehumidifier-This machines come in a variety of sizes and help to get rid of excess moisture in the air.
- Maintaining your home’s constant temperature will help control the condensation levels. This is because when warm air rapidly gets cold then warm again, moisture is produced creating an ideal environment for mold to grow.
- Double glazed windows- creating an insulating layer between the cold outside and the warm inside is an efficient method to curb mold growth. Blocking heat from passing inside to outside and vice versa means that the inner pane is constantly warm, preventing the ideal conditions for mold growth.
After doing your research on how to get rid of mold in windows, it’s recommended that you seek expert advice from professionals with proper protective equipment and sufficient knowledge. This guarantees that during the cleaning process, there’s low chances of the spores circulating throughout your home.
If you have questions regarding Mold removal in Atlanta or you’d like mold removed from your home professionally, feel free to contact Mold Remediation & Removal Atlanta, GA. They’ll ensure your damaged house or property receives the best possible mold treatment.
by Mold-B-Gone | Jun 9, 2022 | Mold Facts, Uncategorized
Did you know that mold the size of a fist can produce thousands of mold spores into the atmosphere? Once the spores are airborne, they can be inhaled by the occupants of a house. What happens next is that an irritation develops in the lining of the throat leading to a mold exposure cough. Not everyone experiences cough due to mold since it does not infect every single occupant of a house. However, infants, children and the elderly are at a much higher risk of being affected. People suffering from respiratory diseases are also in danger of contracting coughing from mold. Extreme exposure of mold has been known to affect even pets.
Other notable symptoms of what breathing in mold can do include:
- Sore throat
- Running nose
- Headaches
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Sneezing
Other respiratory diseases related to mold such as pneumonia and bronchitis are also accompanied by coughing. However, it is important to seek medical advice from your doctor to determine if mold does make you cough. Once you are tested, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to deal with the existing underlying infection.
Are There Treatments For Cough Caused By Mold?
Antihistamines may also be prescribed to aid the mucus in drying up. Cough tablets and syrup can help curb consistent coughing especially if you are not getting any sleep because of it. To soothe your cough and prevent further damage to your throat, use cough drops.
Headaches are also heavily associated with coughing, so it’s possible that the doctor would also prescribe some painkillers.
Related: What Is The Link Between Mold and Asthma?
You are highly advised not to buy over the counter drugs especially if you have an existing prescription. Instead, you should seek help from a qualified medical practitioner.
To facilitate your healing process after coughing from mold, you need to permanently remove yourself from the infected areas. Failing to do so means that your condition will deteriorate.
How Do I Prevent Cough From Mold?
It’s important that you carry out a thorough mold removal process in your household and enforce preventive measures to help curb mold related illnesses. To successfully do this, you need to identify the source of moisture on your walls and deal with it. Ensure you remove the contaminated materials then conduct proper cleaning on the affected areas.
Other respiratory diseases related to mold such as pneumonia and bronchitis are also accompanied by coughing. It’s therefore recommended you seek experts that will arrange a home visit. Their qualifications and experience come in handy to help make sure that all mold affected areas receive the best possible treatment. Most of the time, these home visits by mold removal companies are free so no form of payment is required upfront.
If you’ve recently suffered from a mold related illness, ensure you are not involved in the process of mold removal and instead seek help.
Mold Remediation Atlanta
If you have questions about mold remediation in Atlanta or you’d like help removing mold in your home, contact Mold-B-Gone for Mold Remediation & Removal Atlanta. They have a track record of helping so many homes around Atlanta eliminate mold. Try them out today.
