The Concrete Truth

Mold. Some mold is good mold, take for instance Penicillium Notatum. This is the mold needed to make Penicillin, a powerful antibiotic. Strachybotrys Chartarum (Black mold), Cladosporium, Aspergillus, these are some of the bad molds. I could bore you with loads of useless information about these and other molds, but I won’t. There is a plethora of web sites and information available on the Internet about molds, their effects on the human body, and who to call if you suspect you may have a mold problem. The information I would like to share with you is how you can kill and remediate these molds on your own, if you find an infestation in your home.

If you have a mold problem, the action you take will depend on where the mold has colonized. Most areas like drywall, wood surfaces, air ducts or other sturdy surfaces can simply be cleaned as long as the infestation doesn’t “rot” the substrate. If on the other hand, you find “dry rot”, or a substance has mold through and through, then you should call a professional mold remediator. That being said, let’s get down to business. First, you need to find the source of the moisture that provides the environment for the mold to grow in. Repair the leak or cause of moisture. Now comes the next step. You need to contain the mold in the area it is discovered in. This is typically done by isolating the area with plastic sheeting. Once this is done, you must now spray the mold with one of many great home made solutions.( I will list these solutions at the end of the post). Once you have sprayed the infestation with one of these “mold killers”, you should wipe clean the surface you are treating. Wood can be sanded and refinished. Make sure to wear a protective face mask to keep from inhaling the spores. Caution, if you have respiratory problems or a weakened immune system, don’t attempt to remediate the problem, call a professional. Replace any rotton wood or drywall if needed. These instructions may seem to be simplified a bit, but this information is only intended for solving small problem areas.

Common household products that are proven mold killers are; Hydrogen peroxide, Borax soap, and Vinegar. Some other products that are great mold killers are; Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) and Tea Tree oil. Both of these products can be purchased at Cranberry Lane, Ph # 604-944-1488. For the Tea Tree oil, you may want to order a little Geranium Essential oil. Add to the Tea Tree oil to tone down the odor. You can also order Tea Tree oil products from Dick Young’s Bioclean, Inc. at www.dickyoungsbioclean.com.

I’m certified as a Commercial Mold Inspector (CCMI), Residential Mold Inspector (CRMI), and Certified Mold Remediator (CMR) from the Professional Mold Inspection Institute. All that means is I’ve done a little reading.

“Nowadays it doesn’t take a magician to make a dollar to look like a dime”

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