Does anyone know anything about mold ?

Question

My friend called me and said there is a mold spot on the wall of her son's room and mold on the floor...What should she do ?

Answer 1

Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. 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. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.

See also: An Introduction to Molds at www.epa.gov/mold/append_b.html
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Basic Mold Cleanup

The key to mold control is moisture control. It is important to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid of the excess water or moisture. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water. Wash mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles & carpet) that become moldy may have to be replaced.

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Ten Things You Should Know About Mold

Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.

There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.

If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.

Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.

Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60% ) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.

Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.

Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.

In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).

Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

Answer 2

As everyone pointed out mold is unhealthy. Spraying a disinfectant on the mold is a band aid solution. Mold is caused by condensation on an exterior wall that is insufficiently insulated.
To resolve the problem permanently, you must open the wall, where the mold is, if you can from the outside, replace the insulation and the vapour barrier.
If you can't open the wall from the outside, open it from the inside, remove the old vapour barrier and the old insulation, tack the new vapour barrier to the 2x6's on the cold side of the wall, put in the new insulation next and then install the gyprock
to finish the job. Work carefully to make certain that both the vapour barrier and insulation are properly installed and that moisture or cold air do not infiltrates to the inside.

Answer 3

Spray bleach on it and clean it really good. Buy a good dehumidifier and run it every night. Find and repair the source of moisture. Look into the possibility of putting more or larger windows in the son's room to increase sunlight, which naturally works to kill mold. Make sure the son keeps his room pristinely clean - things picked up, no food or drinks in the room, etc. If the mold continuously returns after the above steps, hire a professional to rip out and treat and replace any affected areas. Clearly, this is expensive!

Is the son getting ill? If so, take him to a doctor and relocate his bedroom temporarily or permanently to another part of the house.

Much luck!!!

Answer 4

I tried bleach and I tried vinegar on some mold that formed on the Sheetrock on outside walls with poor results. I sprayed the mold with Mildew Marshal, the mold was gone in 20 min. and never came back. It's a product of Neutron industries, Phoenix, AZ.

Answer 5

Mold can be a very serious issue. It can cause sever illness. Bleach is the best way to clean the mold, But there must be a source. (moister) She should contact a local environmental testing and consulting firm. Good Luck.

Answer 6

mold usually grows at 70% humidity ,start by using bleach on the spots to kill the mold,you may want to call someone who specializes in indoor air quality most root of mold problems are located in your a/c system recommend u/v lights

Answer 7

1.Wow I just had that problem with the carpet in my car.....use bleach for the wall and some anti-fungal spray for the carpet......also use lysol and spray it in the air it kills the spores floating in the air
2. you may want to have someone come in and check the house to find out how it got there in the first place...to prevent it from happening in the future

Answer 8

spray Bleach water on it, 1 cup of bleach to a 1/2 gal of water, then find out whats causing it, [dampness] water dripping down wall etc

Answer 9

I'm still asking the mold in my shower where the f*ck he came from...I don't know jack sh*t about any of it, yet.

Answer 10

will mold it make your eyes water and turn dark