When we first were looking at houses in the Canton, Ohio area we found that almost all of the ones with any kind of basement had some indication of moisture issues in the basement areas. It did not matter what neighborhood or the age of the homes, moisture is a problem in Ohio homes. New construction was an exception, but there was no way to be sure that there would not be future issues with water or heaven forbid mold. So would you like to learn more about how to clean mold?

We found a house in the price range and size as well as neighborhood for the school district we wanted with no signs of water in the basement. The only problem was that the basement got rather humid in the summer and need a dehumidifier running all the time. When we actually got into the house we found that there was mold growing on the floor near the base of the drywall all along the one side of the basement near the heating and air conditioning units.

I was able to scrub the area with a stiff brush and sanitize it with a diluted bleach solution. Since we put a dehumidifier with drain tube and set it to fifty five percent humidity we have not seen any recurrence of mold in the basement.

The Environmental Protection Agency has an excellent area on its website that goes over mold and moisture issues. Any product that claims to eliminate mold and mold spores is guilty of false advertising. The EPA states that it is impossible to eliminate mold and mold spores from an indoor facility. You can mitigate the possibility of the spores germinating and generating mold by managing the moisture of the indoor area.

Mold requires organic substances to grow and moisture to reproduce. If you find mold in an area where water normally does not exist you may have condensation or leak related problem in your plumbing. Before you address the mold issue you need to make sure that the moisture problem has been alleviated.

Once the moisture source has been isolated and repaired, wash all hard surface affected areas with detergent and water and dry completely. Materials that absorb water should probably be replaced like ceiling tiles, drywall and carpet.

Potential health issues related to mold exposure include mild allergic reactions (hives, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and breathing difficulty), asthma and other breathing related problems.

Indoor humidity between thirty and sixty percent will help prevent the growth and germination of mold spores. Mold requires moisture in excess of sixty percent humidity to grow properly. Air conditioning, venting to the outside air, dehumidifiers and using exhaust fans when using the stove, washing dishes or cleaning are ways to keep moisture down.

Any damp building materials should be cleaned and dried within forty eight hours of becoming wet. Here is how to clean mold from hard surfaces. Use either a detergent or disinfectant cleaner and a liberal amount of water and a brush to remove all traces of mold and dry thoroughly when done. Prevent as much condensation as you can in both winter and summer months by making sure insulation is secure in all areas.

If you have an area where moisture problems can occur, refrigerator with water dispenser, water fountain, and water feature in your home, aquariums or sinks, do not install carpet or rugs that can soak up moisture and become a breeding ground for mold. If you are prone to respiratory problems or are a sufferer of asthma you should take additional care if you are the one cleaning up and addressing the mold problem.

Prolonged exposure to mold and its spores even in small quantities can create large issues with people who have respiratory problems. Severe asthmatics can even go into cardiac arrest when exposed to black mold.

If you know you are sensitive to molds and you begin to suffer a stuffy nose, eye irritation and itching, skin rashes or wheezing you may have been exposed to mold on a small scale. For people who come into contact with large sources of mold, they will need to be aware that the following symptoms could arise like fever and shortness of breath. Other symptoms may include mold infections in the lungs. Farmers can be susceptible due to extended exposure to hay bales stored outside in the weather.

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