Places to Check for Mould in Your Home!

• Washing Machine

Washing machines are notorious for growing hidden mould and, therefore, having a funny smell. If your home uses a front-load washing machine, there’s a pretty high chance that you’ll see some mould growth in and around the door. This is because washing machines don’t usually get a chance to dry out between loads. Especially, because the door is often left shut between each use. This creates an ideal atmosphere for mould growth. In order to prevent this, be sure to leave the door open between loads. Or, take a cloth and wipe out moisture from the door once you are done using the machine. 

• Window Sills

Another common place to encounter hidden mould is window sills. This is a prime place for mould growth to begin. The condensation from the window pane creates moisture that can build up in the sill of the window. With the right temperature, this can create a lovely home for all sorts of moulds. Dirt and dust often accumulate in these areas as well, which only accelerates mould growth. Prevent a mould outbreak by wiping away condensation from your windows and occasionally cleaning the grooves of the window sill. 

• Refrigerator

The next place you’ll want to check is your refrigerator. Specifically, the drip pan. Many people neglect this area in their annual deep clean because of its inconvenience. However, we encourage you to take a look at what might be growing under your fridge. If you notice a large amount of mould growth, use a water and vinegar solution to clean out any mould. Be sure to clean your drip pan 1-2 times per year in order to prevent build-up.  

• Chimneys

If your home has a chimney, there’s a chance it’s housing all sorts of mould species. The way a chimney is capped off will determine how much rain and snow it gets inside. Getting a professional chimney cleaner 1-2 times a year is a good way to avoid mould disasters.  

Kamloop Mould Removal Tips

So, you’ve found mould in one of these common household places. What now? Well, the first step is identifying the type of mould you are working with. Different types of mould have different levels of danger and risk. The type of mould will determine the treatment plan and how cautious you need to be. Certain kinds of mould may even require the help of a Kamloops mould removal expert. Although, some mould problems can be solved by the homeowner with little to no risk involved. 

Next, if the mould is non-toxic, you’ll want to determine if the surface it is on is non-porous or porous. For example, a non-porous surface is something like glass, metal, plastic, or varnished wood. On the other hand, a porous surface is something like, untreated wood, carpet, fabric, or cardboard. The mould that is on non-porous surfaces and non-toxic can usually be remedied with a bleach solution or vinegar and water solution. However, if it is on a porous surface, you might want to bring in an expert. This is because using an at-home solution to get rid of mould can cause the mould to spread or fail to kill all of the moulds on the surface. 

For toxic moulds (black mould) or mould on porous surfaces, it is best to call an expert. In the meantime, the best thing to do is contain the mould. Start by closing vents in the room and turning off the air conditioning. This will minimize the risk of mould spreading to other rooms in the home. Then grab a plastic bag and tape it around the affected area making sure that the bag and tape do not touch the mould. Disturbing the mould could cause spores to release into the air causing harm to you and spreading it. 

Contact Us About Kamloops Mould Removal Services. 

It is important to keep a handle on mould growth in your home during all seasons of the year! If you would like to receive a quote for our Kamloops mould removal services, contact us today. We’d be happy to help you remove any unwanted bacteria from your home. For more information feel free to reach out to us. Be sure to stay tuned to our blog for more mould-related information. We look forward to helping you out soon!

The post Kamloops Mould Removal – Household Tips. appeared first on Swipe Contracting Ltd..

The Number One Cause of Okanagan Mould Removal. 

The number one cause of household mold is generally humidity. Household mould can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms. For instance, runny nose and itchy eyes. During a heat wave, it is easy for the climate to become humid. Muggy weather has a direct connection to mould growth. It is important to combat humidity in your home during all seasons. 

High heat promotes the growth of a wide range of allergens. These include mould and dust mites. Dust mites can be eliminated by using parasite-resistant mattresses and pillow covers. As well as, washing your bedding in high heat often. Vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters can also be of benefit when getting rid of summer allergens. 

How to Prevent Humidity in Your Home?

One of the best ways to fight humid climates is to invest in a dehumidifier. Most households should have a dehumidifier on hand to run throughout the year when the climate gets humid. By running your air conditioner, you are taking some of the humidity out of the air. This is because cool air holds less moisture. However, you may find that by the time your home reaches an ideal temperature, your relative humidity is unchanged. This is where the dehumidifier comes in handy. 

The Mayo Clinic recommends that household humidity should remain between 30-50%. If your home is too humid, it can make you feel stuffy and create an environment that is highly susceptible to mould growth and other allergens. 

You can measure the humidity levels in your home by purchasing a hygrometer. This is a device that is similar to a thermometer. Hygrometers can be found at your local hardware or department store.    

Furthermore, in newer homes, heat recovery ventilators can help combat humidity. A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) is a ventilation device that replaces stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. This is because newer homes are more airtight which causes indoor air to become stale. HRVs help to distribute clean air throughout the home to keep things fresh and improve health and cleanliness. Furthermore, HRVs do an exceptional job at getting rid of excess moisture and bacteria in a home.     

Do I Need Okanagan Mould Removal If I Find Mould?

If you discover mould in your home, be sure to speak with a professional right away. It is important that you do not disturb the mould. Hiring a professional Okanagan mould removal specialist is the best course of action if you find mould in your home. An expert at mold removal will use special tricks and techniques to ensure that the mould is removed safely and cleanly. 

If you aren’t careful, you can end up making your mould situation much worse by trying to remove the affected material yourself. As soon as mould is disturbed, it begins to release mycotoxins which help it survive against other moulds. Moreover, you should never bleach mould affected areas because mould will respond in a dangerous way. The reaction between bleach and mould causes the mould to release spores into the air. This tactic is fruitless, because as soon as you get rid of one area of mould, the spores from that area have spread across your home. Thus, causing it to come back to a new place in your home after a short period of time.

However, if you discover mould on a surface that is non-porous you can use vinegar to kill a portion of the mould. Make sure that you use undiluted vinegar and wait for 10-minutes before removing the excess with a cloth. Once it is wiped away, ensure that you throw away the cloth that you used. This process prevents the mould from releasing spores into the air.

Contact Us About Okanagan Mould Removal. 

It is important to keep a firm handle on humidity during the summer months—especially when there’s a heat wave! If you would like to receive a quote for our Okanagan mould removal services, contact us today. We’d be happy to help you remove any unwanted bacteria from your home. For more information feel free to reach out to us. Be sure to stay tuned to our blog for more mold-related information. We look forward to helping you out soon!

The post Preventing Okanagan Mould Removal in a Heat Wave appeared first on Swipe Contracting Ltd..