Mold news, guides & answers
Two decades of straight answers about mold — how it grows, how it's removed, and how to protect your Michigan home. 108 articles and counting.
Cities have their own distinct microbial communities
Toronto skyline Toronto was one of three cities studied. The Flagstaff offices had richer microbial communities than those in San Diego or Toronto, which were more similar to each other,…
Read article News ReleaseWhat? a new line of clothing promoting mold awareness, called Mold aWear?.
The site description states, “Thanks for visiting the Mold aWear shop! We are creating items and designs to . Find something for yourself and great gifts for your friends, help…
Read article Mold NewsSpring time in Michigan!!
Time to check that attic. An out of sight out of mind attitude ends up costing Michigan homeowners when it comes to mold in attics. If you haven’t looked in…
Read article Mold NewsMichigan Roofer/Mold Remediator ?
Unqualified contractor can be devastating. The results of hiring an unqualified contractor can be devastating. Here is an example: A roofing contractor claimed to be a mold remediation contractor. He…
Read article Mold Q&AUnderstanding Mold Allergies
Like any allergy, mold allergy symptoms are triggered by an overly sensitive immune system response. When you inhale tiny, airborne mold spores, your body recognizes them as foreign invaders and…
Read article Mold NewsCookie Cutter Solutions
Michigan has no regulations for mold testing and remediation. Because mold problems are caused by moisture contact on susceptible surfaces the extent of damage and related effects to the occupants…
Read article News ReleaseMold Inspection 2016 – Methodology – ERMI Testing
“The ERMI has not been validated for routine public use in homes, schools, or other buildings.” – An EPA Statement ERMI should be used only for research EPA: “… As…
Read article Mold NewsMichigan Vacation Homes In Danger Of Mold?
Make sure that you properly winterize your vacation property. Here is a quick tutorial to help.
Read article Mold Q&AQ. Symptoms of Mold Exposure
Clients often ask us “what are the symptoms of mold exposure”? Below are some of the common symptoms: Respiratory problems; including difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath; Sinus and nasal…
Read article Mold Q&A5 Critical Questions You Should Ask
Before Hiring a Mold Inspector mold inspector Choosing a mold consulting company can be a difficult process; especially when you have health concerns regarding your indoor environment. You may be…
Read article Mold NewsAvoid Scare Tactics in the Mold Industry
Unfortunately, there are a lot of “Scare Tactics” used within the microbial investigation and mold remediation industry. As with any industry, there are always going to be people out there…
Read article Mold NewsCosmetic Mold
Growing consumer demand for products labeled all-natural or organic isn’t restricted to just the food we eat; a number of cosmetic and personal grooming products are marketed in the same…
Read article Mold Q&AQ. Attic Mold in Michigan
Common Causes and Cures Attic – ventilation and air movement Mold in attic areas can be challenging at times in regards to determining the exact cause and source of mold…
Read article Mold Q&AQ. Buying a Home with Potential Mold and Moisture Problems
I know a lot of people have heard horror stories out there to the effect of a mold contaminated home will always be contaminated, or that a home that had…
Read article News ReleaseHazardous Formaldehyde
Tests Show Flooring From Lumber Liquidators Contains Hazardous Levels Of Formaldehyde Chinese-made laminate flooring OAKLAND, Calif., July 23 – In the latest environmental black eye for Lumber Liquidators, independent lab…
Read article Mold NewsLouisiana Home Inspectors
Must Report on Mold Louisiana Home Inspectors: A new law in Louisiana will require home inspectors for real estate transactions to inspect for mold and to include their findings in…
Read article Mold NewsNew Jersey Gov. Christie Vetoes Mold Bill
On the last day of the New Jersey legislative session, Governor Chris Christie (R) blocked legislation that would have established standards for the inspection and cleanup of mold in residential…
Read article Mold NewsMold in the Bible
It would be fair to say that molds have been around since the beginning of time, and have always posed a serious threat to human living. The Bible even references…
Read article Mold Q&ADiagnosis of Mold Allergies and Treatments
Ask the right questions Most doctors don’t even know, believe or understand that mold is or even could be the source of these problems. They don’t test for mold in…
Read article Mold Q&AWhat Types Of Mold Are Considered Toxic Mold
“Toxic mold” is a term that is used to describe types of mold that are considered deadly to humans. Most people believe that the name refers to one particular species…
Read article Mold Q&AMold Allergy Tests
Your doctor will want to know your signs and symptoms and may want to conduct a physical examination to identify or exclude other medical problems. Your doctor may also recommend…
Read article Mold Q&AAvoiding MOLD
While there are medications and shots which you can take to treat mold allergies, the best response is to avoid exposure to mold and mold spores as much as possible.…
Read article Mold NewsDIY Mold Test Kits
5 Reasons Mold Test Kits Waste Your Money The most important part of a mold inspection is the inspection, not the mold samples The most important part of a mold…
Read article Mold NewsMold Cleanup at Pennsylvania School Cost $1 Million
A Pennsylvania school district will have to pay nearly $1 million to re-mediate mold at a high school building, according to testimony offered at a school board meeting last week.…
Read article Mold NewsNew Fact Sheet on Mold
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) released a new fact sheet on mold earlier this month, which includes information on NTP’s current research efforts related to mold exposure. NTP supported NIOSH…
Read article Mold NewsIndoor & Outdoor Allergies
More than 50 million Americans reportedly suffer from allergies with approximately 80% of those affected by indoor or outdoor allergens. Some sufferers experience short-term seasonal allergies, while a growing number…
Read article Mold NewsMold in Rental
It happens often. A tenant discovers a mold problem and contacts the landlord to report their concern. From there things can go in many directions. At this time there are…
Read article Mold NewsFungus Caused Meningitis? Black Mold
A black mold entering the spines of hundreds of people who received contaminated vaccines for back pain has marked uncharted medical territory. This fungus, classified as being difficult to diagnose,…
Read article Mold Q&AGood Mold – Bad Mold
Good Mold Mold gets a bad rap of late, but good mold does exist. Penicillium is the typical “blue” mold found on food. Bread that sat too long in the…
Read article Mold Q&AWhy Does Mold Grow on Walls?
The most common causes of mold growing on walls are high humidity, condensation and water leaks (which are often hidden inside the wall). Condensation forms when water vapor in the…
Read article Mold NewsVt. Woman Loses Health, Home to Post-Irene Mold
It was bad enough when Tropical Storm Irene sent the Dog River spilling over its banks, filling Chandar Hall’s basement, destroying the stairs and back door, toppling her oil tank…
Read article Mold NewsBleach Myth Buster
Chlorine Bleach (sodium hypochlorite 6%) does not kill mold. Why? Mold’s hyphae (root structures) actually grow into wood and drywall like roots. The hyphae are not killed by bleach because…
Read article Mold NewsDon’t Delay Tackling Mold Problems
Mold is a fact of life. It is all around us daily in the form of spores. But when conditions are right, when a home gets too humid for too…
Read article Mold NewsMichigan Mold: The Good and the Bad
Good Mold Mold gets a bad rap of late, but good mold does exist. Penicillium is the typical “blue” mold found on food. Bread that sat too long in the…
Read article Mold NewsMold and Michigan Real Estate
The struggling economy and weak housing market has led to an explosion in both foreclosed homes and the mold population. Banks and other lien holders have hired management companies to…
Read article Mold Q&ABlack Mold: Stachybotrys
Black Mold = Stachybotrys Stachybotrys is a genus of molds, or asexually-reproducing, filamentous fungi. Closely related to the genus Memnoniella, most Stachybotrys species inhabit materials rich in cellulose based building…
Read article Mold Q&AMold on Windows
Mold on windows is usually caused by cold outdoor air on the other side of the window cooling on the glass causing condensation. Although mold cannot feed on the glass…
Read article Mold Q&AWhy does Mold Grow on Walls?
The most common causes of mold growing on walls are high humidity, condensation and water leaks (which are often hidden inside the wall). Condensation forms when water vapor in the…
Read article Mold RemovalDo it Yourself Mold Removal
When it comes to removing and remediating mold it’s always best to hire a professional mold inspector and sometimes a best to hire a remediation service. If the mold in…
Read article Mold RemovalToxic Mold Removal
In a toxic black mold colony the spores are kept within a slimy, gelatinous mass. Toxic black mold spores are a brownish color although they can’t be seen with the…
Read article Mold Q&APrevent Mold in Your Home
Unless you live in the Antarctic, you should be aware that every home has instances of molds and mildews. The fungi are everywhere in our environment, both indoors and out.…
Read article Mold Q&AMichigan Mold Questions: Answered
Common Mold (Non-Toxic) The black mold that you may see growing on grouting and walls of showers and bathtubs is unlikely to be dangerous. The most common mold is Cladosporium.…
Read article Removal GuideMichigan Mold Removal Experts
Michigan mold removal (remediation) is not a regulated field. Because you can get a wide variance in opinion, methodology, and experience it is important to research your contractor. Are they…
Read article Mold NewsCarpet Mold and Fungus
If you can’t seem to get that musty smell out of your home, mold and fungus in old carpet and rugs may be to blame. Fungus and old can develop…
Read article Removal GuideBlack Mold Removal | Diagnosing the Problem
You should now have a general idea of whether or not you may have black mold, and if you have made the determination that you do, then you must immediately…
Read article Mold NewsToxic Mold Song
Artist Ethan Gold‘s new album, appropriately titled “Songs from a Toxic Apartment” was literally written and recorded by Gold while he was living in a toxic apartment. The album, complete…
Read article Mold NewsPreventing Mold on Clothes
If you have mold growing on your clothes it’s probably because you left them in a damp pile for a few days or more. Every time you wash your clothes…
Read article Removal GuideHousehold Remedies to Clean Small Mold Problems
(enter your email for more helpful do it yourself solutions) Kill mold with Hydrogen Peroxide Hydrogen peroxide kills mold as it is anti-fungal as well as anti-viral and anti-bacterial. Hydrogen…
Read article Removal GuideRemoving Mold on Clothes
(be sure to enter your email for more helpful solutions) There are quite a few solutions you can wash moldy clothes in to get rid of the mold. Some good…
Read article Removal GuideHow do I get rid of mold?
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors. Some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. Mold spores will…
Read article Mold RemovalWhat to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas
Avoid breathing in mold or mold spores. In order to limit your exposure to airborne mold, you may want to wear an N-95 respirator, available at many hardware stores and…
Read article Removal GuideTen Things You Should Know About Mold
1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposure include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints. 2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold…
Read article Removal GuideWhy is mold growing in my home?
Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter, such as fallen leaves and dead trees. But indoors, mold…
Read article Mold NewsMold Can Cause Serious Health Problems, U of M Expert Warns
Wet, mild winter may lead to difficult springtime for allergy sufferers. ANN ARBOR, MI – Geri Isaacson’s son first noticed that something was wrong in their basement. Earlier this year,…
Read article Removal GuideThieves Oil
Interesting and gross. The History of Thieves Oil Europeans began producing essential oils in the 12th century. During the Plague of the 15th century, certain thieves robbed the dead without…
Read article Mold NewsStatistical Blip or Cancer-Causing Mold?
Dr. Schwartz says that the unusually high number of cancer cases coming from employees at the Buffalo D-District precinct is probably a statistical fluke and unrelated to the mold found…
Read article Mold NewsBungled Cleanup Reminds Us to Leave it to the Professionals
Two faculty members and a student at Ohio State University have been diagnosed with histoplasmosis, a fungal disease caused by inhaling hisplasmosis spores growing on bird or bat droppings. Originally…
Read article Mold NewsBrittany Murphy: Death By Mold?
The mother of Brittany Murphy says her daughter and son-in-law were both felled by the same culprit: mold. Read on to find out what she plans to do about it.…
Read article Mold NewsMoldy Moods: Mold Possibly Linked to Depression
It is documented that mold can negatively affect your physical health, but what about your mental health? But now a recent study furthers the evidence that there may be a…
Read article Mold NewsYour HVAC system and Mold Growth
A properly functioning HVAC may be one of the best ways to prevent mold growth in your home or office. But because of the air distribution system of an HVAC,…
Read article Mold NewsAttic Ventilation
Home design is much more complex than I ever realized. You can’t just throw up four walls, slap on a roof, and call it done. Homes need to breathe, and…
Read article Mold NewsMold Exposure May Cause Sneezing
Mold as an Animal It’s impossible for the human eye to distinguish among species of mold; if indoor mold can be seen growing in the open at all. Also, mold…
Read article Mold NewsDoctors Diagnose on Mold May Complicate the Problem
I hate to come down so hard on the medical community. Medical professionals dedicate their lives to healing the sick and improving the quality of life for all of us.…
Read article Mold NewsMold Hazard: Vented Crawl Spaces?
Did you know that there are building code specifications still in practice in some areas of the US that actually encourage mold growth? It’s unfortunate, but true. These codes have…
Read article Mold NewsApartment Life Mold Litigation
I feel bad for Charmaine Green-Forde who recently experienced a terrible, but not uncommon, ordeal with mold in her apartment building. But I am doubting that she will get the…
Read article Removal GuideBleach as a mold killer?
Chlorine bleach is well known for killing bacteria, and it has no rivals when it comes to removing color. But is bleach effective in killing mold? Not really. Here’s why…
Read article Mold RemovalMichigan Mold – Top 3
1. Poor ventilation in the attic. Often mold in the attic isn’t found until the house hits the market and a home inspector pokes his (or her) head up there…
Read article Mold NewsGo Green against mold
Other gentle alternatives to bleach include full-strength white vinegar or a tea-tree oil solution. “Tea tree oil is my favorite mold-killer because it’s such a broad-spectrum fungicide,” says Annie Berthold-Bond.…
Read article Mold NewsMold in the Laundry Room
You might not ever think of this as a mold generator, but the laundry room could be a problem! An un-vented or improperly vented clothes dryer is a virtual incubator…
Read article Mold NewsStachybotrys = Black Mold
Mold in attics It happens to countless homeowners around the end of the year – you make the annual visit to your attic to collect the holiday decorations and what…
Read article Mold RemovalCan Mold Be Removed From Porous Surfaces?
Mold Fact #1 Sadly, the answer is no. Mold CAN be successfully cleaned and removed from hard surfaces, such as glass, metal or stone. But, once mold has taken hold…
Read article Removal GuideExposure During Mold Cleanup and Removal
To minimize exposure and/or potential health risks from conducting a mold remediation project, take the following precautions: Wear respiratory (nose and mouth) protection when handling or cleaning moldy materials. The…
Read article Mold NewsMSU Researchers Say Black Mold
MSU researchers say black mold toxins could affect sense of smell EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State University researchers in the Center for Integrative Toxicology have found that certain toxins…
Read article Removal GuideDo It Yourself Mold Clean Up
1. To Eliminate Mold, You Must First Eliminate the Source of Moisture Most importantly, the source of the water accumulation must be identified and fixed or fungal growth will continue…
Read article Mold NewsCourthouse Mold
Apparently, the courthouse basement at Rogers County Claremont, South Carolina is susceptible to flooding, which is causing massive damages and creating mold. Rather than applying dry basement methods, the county…
Read article Mold NewsFinding and Repairing Chimney Leaks
During heavy rainstorms, many homeowners find out the hard way that their home is not as waterproof as it needs to be. There are many places where wear and tear…
Read article Mold NewsArmy vs Mold
A military barracks used to shelter soldiers returning from fighting in Afghanistan has major problems with mold, leaks, backup sewage, and a number of other issues. This barracks, originally designed…
Read article Mold NewsMold Remediation is a tax deduction?
Here is a helpful bit of advice for those struggling with the cost of mold remediation. Mold and taxes are both inevitabilities in life, but did you know that mold…
Read article Mold NewsMold in Schools
It seems like every day a new school is in the news because teachers, students, and parents are up in arms about mold making everyone in the building sick. I…
Read article Mold NewsNegligence is the Best Nourishment for Mold
What is the best mold food? Wood, dry wall, insulation, brick? Nope, nothing makes mold grow faster than simple human neglect. The kind that is easily preventable. Every mold disaster…
Read article Mold RemovalMold Remediation Method: Fire
Does your home have a serious mold infestation, but you can’t afford the high costs of professional mold removal? Well, the Ypsilanti Township has an affordable solution that will get…
Read article Removal GuideMold 101
When dealing with mold particles and indoor moisture, the goal is to eliminate them by physically moving these things out of your house. The normal circulation of a building that…
Read article Removal GuideAre Your Pets at Risk?
When we think about mold we often think about how it can affect our health or how it can destroy our homes – but what about man’s best friend? How…
Read article Mold NewsDo Vent-Free Gas Appliances = Mold Growth?
More than 1.25 million vent-free space heaters, fireplaces, logs, and stoves that operate on natural gas or propane are sold every year in America. But gas appliances produce water vapor,…
Read article Mold NewsMichigan Family Fights Insurance Company
It’s a common story: a burst pipe, a flooded basement, toxic mold, and an insurance company that refuses to honor its coverage. Carl and Mary Becker have been fighting the…
Read article Mold NewsIs Your Doctor’s Prescription Making You Worse?
It’s cold season. The weather is hot, then the next day it’s freezing. You wake up with a headache, stuffiness, sore throat, and runny nose. Just great – you’ve caught…
Read article Mold NewsInvestigating the Link Between Mold and Cancer
We’ve talked extensively about the numerous health effects that have been linked from toxic mold exposure – everything from skin rashes to brain damage. But can toxic mold exposure actually…
Read article Mold NewsKnow Your Mold Insurance Policy
Is mold covered by your home owners or flood insurance? If you had to think about the answer to that question, then you could benefit from a better understanding of…
Read article Mold NewsMold Might Move Medical Marijuana
There is an interesting debate in California right now involving Prop. 19 that will be voted upon this month. The bill would allow local jurisdictions to regulate their own taxation…
Read article Mold NewsMold Scam Alert: Encapsulation, Sealants, and Mold Paint
Fly-by-night mold remediators sometimes use encapsulation to simply paint over mold while charging gullible clients thousands for their unscrupulous services. Also called mold sealant or mold paint, encapsulation is the…
Read article Mold NewsIs Mycotoxicosis Posing as Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and currently affects over 3 million senior citizens in America. Although it does not appear to run in my family, I…
Read article Mold NewsShould You Buy a Moldy Home?
Now that economic uncertainty has dropped housing prices, many new buyers are in the market to purchase used property. But what should you do if a property has mold? Considering…
Read article Mold NewsWhen a Building is Functioning Correctly It Will Not Have Mold
Out of all the questions people ask me about mold, the most important question to them is always, “How can I get rid of my mold?” Even though this is…
Read article Removal GuideMold Remediation, price Isn’t everything
So you’ve decided to hire a mold removal company to come in and finally get rid of all that mold that is making building occupants sick and possibly becoming a…
Read article Mold NewsMold Found in California Office
Another sticky, slimy situation in a government facility involving disgruntled employees, obtuse administration, and mold. This time it’s the Mendocino County Social Services building in Ukiah, California. When James Marmon…
Read article Mold NewsHospital Mold
Where is the absolute worst place for mold to grow? No, it’s not between your toes, it is in hospitals. Hospitals must be sanitary for a reason. While a small…
Read article Mold NewsMold at Ground Zero
All this controversy about building a mosque or cultural center near the site of the former World Trade Center has made me think about another controversial building that once stood…
Read article Mold RemovalToxic Mold Removal
While molds themselves are not toxic, certain types of molds can produce toxins known as mycotoxins. These airborne mycotoxins can have negative health impacts, ranging from minor ailments such as…
Read article Removal GuideHow To Tell if There is Mold in Your Basement
There are a lot of things lurking in your basement. Aside from snakes, the worst thing you can have is toxic mold. Any type of mold, in fact is undesirable.…
Read article Removal GuideBlack Mold Testing
Black mold testing is not a just some sort of test to rob you of your hard earned money. It’s a test that is very real, and can check for…
Read article Removal GuideContacting a Mold Removal Company
There are con artists in every business imaginable, including mold removal. If you research online, you will find horror stories from families conned into paying for unprofessional removal services. You…
Read article Mold NewsUnderstanding the Dangers of Toxic Mold
What Is Toxic Mold? Stachybotrys is a greenish-black mold that is often known as toxic mold, or black mold. This type of mold is often more dangerous than other white…
Read article Mold NewsDangerous Mold | Who is at Risk?
How Do You Know if You’re At Risk? If you suffer from allergies, you are probably aware of exactly what will trigger an attack. You work very hard to avoid…
Read article Mold NewsWhat Every Parent Should Know About Mold
If you have children, then you should know that they are more susceptible to the health effects of mold because of their developing immune systems. Unfortunately, I still feel like…
Read article Mold RemovalMold Inspectors and What You Should Know
Experiencing a natural disaster can be devastating when a home or business is involved. Take for example hurricane Katrina that left many victims without homes and businesses in the state…
Read article Removal GuideMold Remediator
Are you a homeowner or business owner with a serious mold problem? If so, would you like some professional help? Fill out our form and request a remediation estimate. Mold…
Read article Mold NewsMold Scam: Beware the Coupon
While I truly believe in reputable mold remediation companies and qualified mold removal specialists. I can’t deny that there are many fraudulent and shady so-called mold-removers out there. They use…
Read article Mold NewsTax Deductible Mold
Here is a helpful bit of advice for those struggling with the cost of mold remediation. Mold and taxes are both inevitabilities in life, but did you know that mold…
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