Finding mold growth in your home is never fun! It’s unpleasant to look at, unpleasant to smell, and can mean that there’s a major problem somewhere in your house.
As unpleasant as mold is, there are some easy ways to kill it. While extensive or repeated mold growth should still be handled by a professional mold remediation team, basic mold growth can be treated at home. Use borax for mold and make your mold disappear.
What is Borax?
Borax is a mineral, specifically a salt, derived from boron. It’s technical name is sodium tetraborate, and it is usually mined from dried lake beds. Boron looks like a white powder, and is not dangerous unless mixed with hydrochloric or sulfuric acid.
Borax is not boric acid, which is a much more dangerous chemical. It does have a high pH (9.3) and so is significantly alkaline. This is actually the main reason why you can use borax for mold.
Does Borax Kill Mold?
Borax is a solid mold killer. If you have a significant mold infestation, you might want to clean the mold with borax, then leave a layer on the surface to prevent further growth.
Borax kills mold because of its high pH. Most mold prefers to live in an environment where the pH is between 3 and 7 (7 being neutral), though a few kinds can survive slightly higher than that. Borax’s pH is high enough that it creates an inhospitable environment for mold, thus destroying spores before they begin to grow.
How to Perform Borax Mold Removal
It’s easy to use borax for mold removal. Start by putting 1 cup of borax in a gallon container or spray bottle, then fill the rest with water. Shake it well until the borax is completely dissolved.
Once it has dissolved, pour it into the spray bottle if you didn’t mix it there. Spray it on the surface affected by mold. Scrub the mold off the surface. Then spray it with borax again and do not clean it off this time.
This may not be the most effective way to use borax for mold removal on porous surfaces, like wood. Instead, boil down ½ cup of borax and 2 quarts of hot water. When the mixture becomes slightly thickened, paint it on the surface where you want to kill or prevent mold.
Don’t remove the borax. You can even paint over it with mold-resistant paint, if you so desire.
Using borax for mold removal can help you remove mold at home quickly and easily. As always, call us at Core24 Services if you need help or you have an extensive mold removal project.
Finding mold in your home is never fun! No matter how stressful it is, though, it’s important to deal with the issue before it becomes an even bigger problem.
One key factor to mold removal is determining what kind of mold you’re dealing with. If it’s black mold (scientifically called Stachybotrys chartarum or Stachybotrys chlorohalonata), you’ll need to take extra precautions.
Some people wonder, “Can I remove black mold myself?” At Core24 Services, we don’t recommend it. Here’s what you need to know!
Is it Dangerous to Clean Mold?
While cleaning mold is always a nasty job, you can remove many types by yourself. However, black mold removal is another story.
Black mold can cause all sorts of health issues, including:
Skin problems, like rashes or hives
Irritated respiratory systems, including sinuses, nasal passages, throat, and lungs
Ongoing and continual fatigue
Coughing and sneezing
Headaches
An extreme reaction to black mold might involve nausea, vomiting, and bleeding in the respiratory tissues.
Unfortunately, it’s easy to get exposed to mold during the removal process. This is true for black mold removal as well as other types.
In addition, trying black mold removal on your own could have other negative consequences. These include:
Missing hidden mold. Mold spores are microscopic and can hide in tiny crevices, in air vents, and other places. It may look like you got all the mold, it’s easy to leave some behind.
Spreading the mold. Disturbing mold, including black mold, may cause it to release more spores than usual. Unless you know how to contain these, you could spread it to other areas of your home.
Exposing your family to more mold. Unless you use the right protection equipment and air filters, you may not contain the mold well. You could end up spreading it around your house, including to areas where your family members will breathe it in.
Get Professional Help for Black Mold Removal
Because we want you to get rid of your mold for good without exposing yourself or your family to it any more than you already have, we recommend calling for professional help when it comes to black mold removal.
When you call us at Core24 Services, we’ll work with you to get rid of all the black mold in your home in ways that keep the rest of your house and your family safe. We’ll eliminate your mold problem so you won’t have to worry about it anymore.
Many homeowners don’t think too much about their crawlspace until it causes a problem. Unfortunately, one of the most common crawl space issues is mold. Once mold gets into your crawl space, it can be hard to remove and can infiltrate the rest of your home. Here’s what you need to know about mold in your crawlspace so you can take care of any issues that do pop up.
Why Is There Mold in My Crawlspace?
Your crawl space sits right on top of the dirt. This dirt can contain quite a bit of moisture, especially after it rains or snows. And mold needs moisture to grow!
Add to that the fact that the wood beams supporting the crawlspace can be nourishment for the mold, and you have yourself the perfect storm. Unless you check your crawlspace often, it can be a great place for mold to grow unmolested.
How to Prevent Mold in Your Crawl Space
There are a few things you can do to prevent mold in your crawlspace.
Install a plastic barrier. A plastic vapor barrier should cover the entire floor of the crawl space and go up at least a few inches on all walls. It should be held in place and checked regularly for pooling water.
Make sure there aren’t any holes in the foundation where water could enter your crawl space.
Ventilate your crawl space. We suggest AT LEAST 1 square foot of ventilation for every 150 feet of crawl space, though more ventilation can improve air flow and allow your crawlspace to dry out faster.
Ensure that your gutters and/or downspouts drain at least 6 feet from your foundation. You can buy extenders to take the water away if you don’t have this much space.
Check your insulation regularly. Make sure that it is secured against the subfloor, not just stuffed up there. And if it is sagging, you may already have a moisture problem in your crawlspace.
Make sure that all dryer vents send air outside your home, not into the crawl space. After all, you don’t need more moist, hot air to help the mold along!
Get a high quality sump pump and make sure it is working as it should. If necessary, get a backup battery so it can function even if the power goes out.
How to Get Rid of Mold in your Crawlspace
If you do end up with mold in your crawlspace, you’re likely to need professional crawl space mold remediation. It involves a lot of work in a tight space, with a high amount of attention to detail because of the little nooks and crannies involved. In order to make sure you get rid of all the mold effectively and treat all necessary areas so that it stays away, you will likely want professional expertise guiding the process.
Contact us at Core24 Services if you have mold or moisture problems in your crawl space. We’ll come out, assess the problem, then perform crawl space mold remediation as needed. We won’t leave until your house is mold-free and you won’t have to worry anymore.
If you or someone you love is experiencing severe allergies and/or asthma in your home, it might be time to consider whether mold has taken up residence in your house. While mold can grow all year long, it is usually more active in some seasons than in others. If symptoms get bad, it might be mold season.
Mold can grow anywhere where there is both moisture and a food source for it. Since mold can feed off most organic material, including wood and paper, it can easily grow in your home. Here’s what you need to know to help prevent that growth and keep your home safe.
So When Exactly is Mold Season?
Mold growth most commonly occurs from mid-spring to mid-fall, and it peaks during the summertime. Here in the southeast, that’s when conditions are optimal for it. We have plenty of humidity, so it has the moisture it needs. We also have plenty of living material for the mold to feed on.
However, mold can even feed on dead organic matter. If your home gets moist enough, this means that it can easily live in drains, in walls, behind drywall, and more!
When is Mold Allergy Season?
Mold allergy season generally parallels mold growth season, as outlined above. Most people with mold allergies find that their symptoms are worse between the middle of spring and the middle of fall, which is when mold grows faster.
Summer, especially late summer, seems to be the worst time of year for people with mold allergies. This is when the mold is the most active, releasing more of the spores that trigger symptoms. If you or someone you love has a mold allergy that doesn’t go away (or even worsens!) when they are inside your home, it’s time to have a professional check your house for mold!
Does Mold Grow Year-Round?
Mold stays alive all year long, but it tends to go dormant in the winter. This happens when temperatures get too cold for mold to thrive or when the dry winter air means that it doesn’t have the moisture it needs to keep growing.
Even though the mold might go dormant, it doesn’t die. Instead, it saves the resources it has, slows its growth, and waits until conditions become optimal for it to grow again.
Just because mold isn’t spreading in the winter doesn’t mean you should let it be. If you find mold in your house during the winter, make sure you get rid of it completely. That way, it won’t start growing again when spring comes.
Note that mild winters may allow mold to continue growing, even if it slows down for a while. Thus, allergy symptoms may continue throughout the winter even if plants outside are not growing.
What Should I Do to Avoid Allergy Problems During Mold Season?
The best way to avoid allergy issues during mold season is to make sure there’s no mold in your home to begin with. You can call us today and one of our mold remediation pros will come to you, test for mold, and let you know what we find. No matter what we encounter, we can come up with a plan that will get rid of your mold so that no one needs to suffer in your house anymore.
Contact us at Core24 Services today or whenever you need help getting rid of mold in your house!
If you’ve moved into a new house and it smells bad or you’re a landlord and the place you’re renting smells bad, you might be left wondering how to get rid of that bad smell in your house! Here’s what we recommend.
Perform a Standard Cleaning and Inspection
Start by cleaning your house thoroughly, while inspecting everything in a general way. Make sure there aren’t squishy spots in the walls or ceiling, wet spots on the floor, leaking pipes, etc. You may find that you eliminate the foul smell in your house or find out what needs to be fixed. Then you’ll know how to get rid of the bad smell in your house.
Identify the Smell and Clean It Right
Here’s what you need to know about different odors and how to get rid of them. Whether your house reeks of smoking or cat pee, these are the solutions you need.
Food and Decomposition Smells
If you didn’t find food lying around, start by cleaning out the drains. Put equal parts baking soda and vinegar down them, let it sit then flush it out. If the odor persists, you may need to try industrial solvents.
Pet Odors
If you’re wondering how to get rid of pet odor, start by finding the source of the problem. If the odor is coming from the carpet, get it deep cleaned. However, you may need to replace it and any other fabric that has started to smell like pets.
Cigarette or Marijuana Smoke
If your house or apartment smells like smoke, either from cigarettes or marijuana, you need to do more than just cover up the scent. Get your ducts cleaned and replace your HVAC filters. You will likely also need to replace any soft surfaces, like drapes and carpet, because they will continue to carry the smell. You may even need to repaint!
Strong Food and Spicy Smells
Most people don’t realize that these odors can be as pervasive as cigarette smoke. While they won’t cause medical issues like smoke can, you will likely need to replace all of the soft items that have absorbed the smell before you can get rid of it.
Sour Smells
A sour smell often indicates standing water somewhere. Check washing machines and bathtubs. Someone may have even left some water standing around in a bucket.
Moldy or Musty Smells
If your new house, condo, or apartment smells like mold, you need to get it inspected ASAP. Find the source of the mold and cut off or seal any leaks that are feeding it. Then have the mold cleaned and remediated by professionals so it doesn’t cause any health issues.
Stagnant Smells
If the air in your home just seems to smell old, try opening the windows and doors and letting in some fresh air. If this doesn’t help, you may actually have a mold or mildew issue.
Fishy Smells
Call an electrician because you might have some overheating electrical components. The electrician will be able to find the problem and fix it before it becomes a major issue.
Rotten Egg Smells
Leave the house immediately and call your local gas company from a safe distance. The rotten egg smell is added to natural gas so people don’t experience negative side effects when there’s a gas leak.
Wet Dog Smells
Unless you happen to have a wet dog, this can indicate a rodent problem. Bring in pest control experts to get rid of the rodents so you don’t have to deal with them anymore.
Chemical Smells
You may need to bring in professionals, because these can indicate that someone cooked methamphetamines in the home. You will need to clean and certify the home according to regulations in your area before anyone can occupy it again.
I Need Help With My Smelly Home
If you have a foul smell in your house and you’re not sure why it’s there or how to address it, call us at Core24 Services today. We’ll help you find the source of the smell and get rid of it for you. We offer mold remediation, duct cleaning, carpet cleaning, and more, and we’ll use everything we have to get rid of your bad smell.
Everyone loves a good summer trip to the beach house, until you throw open the doors only to be assaulted by a musty stench that permeates the whole structure. While your first instinct might be to throw open all the windows, this may not be enough. If there is mold in the house, you need to get rid of it before the situation can improve at all.
If you think there is mold in your home in Delaware, Core24 Services is here to help!
What Causes Mold in a Summer Beach House?
Mold is everywhere, all the time. No matter how well you clean, you won’t be able to eliminate all its spores. In addition, it can feet off different parts of your home, including your drywall, carpets, and floors. All it needs is some extra moisture (humidity and mold go together!) and its food source, and it can grow fast.
You may find summer cottage mold for a variety of reasons. Maybe a pipe burst over the summer or there was a leak that fed the mold. Maybe the gutters filled up or the ground retained extra water because of weather conditions. There are a million reasons why you might find mold in your house.
Signs of Mold in Your Beach House
Not sure if there’s mold in your house? Consider the following questions.
Does your family complain that the house smells musty in the summer?
Is there high humidity in your condo or beach house? You may see steamy windows or mirrors or even find pools of water.
Do you see spots on the walls, floor, ceilings, or elsewhere that might be mold? You can also look for bubbles under paint or wallpaper.
How to Deal With Mold in Your Beach House
If you think that you might be dealing with mildew or mold in your beach house, here’s what to do.
Mold Remediation
Get the house inspected by professionals ASAP. At Core24 Services, we would be happy to perform this service for you.
If your professionals find mold, it’s time for remediation. This is the process of containing, destroying, and eliminating mold from your home for good. It may involve simple cleanup or you may need to rebuild part of the structure. Our team can get this done quickly and efficiently for you.
Use a Dehumidifier
Since humidity and mold go together so well, installing a dehumidifier can keep mold from causing more problems in the future. You can install a whole-house unit or one that will work specifically in a small, mold-prone area. Make arrangements to keep it running even when you leave.
Increase Ventilation
Install and use fans. Additionally, keep the doors and windows closed when it’s humid outside and open them when it is dry. You may also want to install and use bathroom ventilation fans so all of that extra humidity can get out of your house.
Check Outdoor Drainage
Check your gutters and get them cleaned at least twice a year. Make sure that water drains away from your summer cottage and not directly into or under it. Professionals can help you make any changes you might need.
Finding mold in your house is never fun, but we can help. Call Core24 Services today or whenever you find mold in your beach house, we are the Georgetown, DE mold remediation company your neighbors trust!
