HOME MILDEW AND MOLD SOLUTIONS

 

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THREATS TO HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESSES ALIKE IS MOLD/MILDEW. WITHOUT PROPER CLEANUP AND CONTAINMENT, MOLD CAN LEAD TO COMPROMISED HEALTH CONDITIONS AND RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES ALONG WITH PROPERTY DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME AND BELONGINGS.

The most common type of mold found in homes is mildew. Mildew is a mold that grows in warm, damp places like your bathroom, kitchens, and any damp areas. Mildew begins as a gray or white powdery colony. It will turn black or brown if not removed promptly.

Hello, I’m Chris Town Owner of Town Construction in the Seattle area, the Mold, and Mildew hotspot in the US! You’re here to get some insights on the best solutions for getting rid of Mildew and Mold. Being a Home Builder /Home Remodeling Expert and a Home Water Damage Restoration Specialist, I have seen my share of Mildew and Mold for sure. If you are lucky enough to afford a person to come out and fix the problem every time you spot mold good for you. But for customers like myself, I prefer saving a little money. For severe Mold/Mildew damage call a specialist.

Know Your Enemy!
Mold is a form of fungi that sprouts from microscopic spores that are everywhere in our environment. These spores are inactive, however, they will propagate once the humidity surpasses 70 percent. Temperature that is more than 65 degrees increases the chance of mold growth. Once the cluster of mold spores spread on surfaces, they begin to reproduce and become noticeable to the human eye. You may not be aware that there is mold in your home until you see it or smell a damp, musty, moldy odor. And when you notice your allergies and asthma tend to flare.
There are key ingredients needed for mold growth in homes which are the presence of mold spores, a surface for it to grow on, oxygen, warmth, and darkness. When the moisture is present in these ingredients whether from stagnant water, high level of humidity, or a water leak, the mold problems begin.
If you have mold in the basement or crawl space, its spores will rise throughout the house. This is called the “Stack Effect”. Because of the stack effect, the warm air rises in the home and exits through the upper levels and attic. When this occurs, a vacuum is created on the lower level which draws air upward from the crawl space and basement. Mold spores, dust mites, odors, and anything in the air will be drawn into the main area of the home that is where you breathe. A mold infestation can colonize within 1-14 days.
(Courtesy of Green Home Solutions)

What helps kills mold permanently?
Hydrogen Peroxide 3% – Saturate the moldy surface and leave it for 10 minutes. Next, scrub the area with just enough force to remove black mold and mold stains.
Bleach – Use at your own discretion!
White Vinegar – You can use it safely on most surfaces, and its offensive odor goes away quickly.
Baking Soda – It’s safe for your family and pets, and it not only kills black mold, it absorbs moisture that attracts mold.
Tea tree oil – Tea tree oil is a natural fungicide that cleans up mold quickly and it helps prevent mold spores from coming back.

The best approach is preventing mold before it becomes a problem.
1: Fix Problem Areas in Your Home and Correct Them
2: Dry Wet Areas Immediately (Mold can’t grow without moisture)
3: Prevent Moisture With Proper Ventilation (Let fresh air in to reduce moisture and keep mold at bay.)
4: Equip Your Home With Mold-Resistant Products (mold-resistant Sheetrock, and mold inhibitors for paints.)
5: Improve Air Flow in Your Home (open a window when cooking or washing dishes or showering, or run an exhaust fan.)

“Town Tips” by Chris Town
As a Custom Home Builder and Remodeling Expert I’m asked this question repeatedly…what can I use that’s environmentally friendly to me and my family for getting rid of Mildew/Mold?
I use Hydrogen Peroxide 3%,  White Vinegar, and Baking Soda mixed together in a plant type spray bottle.
Hydrogen Peroxide – 20%
White Vinegar – 60%
Baking Soda – 20%
For a paste-like texture, add more Baking Soda (for cleaning kitchen and bathroom tiles grout areas). After application wait 5-10 min. then clean try. Then I spray the infected area with Tea tree oil (helps prevent mold spores from coming back).

All solutions for home living have some advantages and disadvantages…
“There are no perfect solutions out there, only the ones that are perfect for you.”
Chris Town/

CHOOSING THE RIGHT TYPE OF KITCHEN OR BATHROOM WALL TILES FOR YOUR HOME

CHOOSING THE RIGHT TYPE OF KITCHEN OR BATHROOM WALL TILES FOR YOUR HOME

Picking the most attractive or affordable Kitchen or Bathroom wall tiles is every homes owner’s goal. Here are some ideas and recommendation that will help you make a better choice for better living.
Tiles intended only for use as wall tiles are often lighter and thinner than floor tiles. The glazes used in the manufacture of a wall tile are also different to those used for floor tiles, and are not designed to resist abrasive forces from foot traffic…but they are still referred to as floor tiles.

BATHROOM TILES:  In the bathroom, there is a lot of moisture, so these tiles have to withstand these conditions. Floor tiles are not slippery so they usually feature a subtle raised pattern. Usually, bathroom tiles are made of ceramic, porcelain or natural stone.Commonly used Tiles for shower walls are glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles.What is the best tile to use in a bathroom? Porcelain tile is a popular choice for bathroom floors. Porcelain is a denser, less porous and harder option that offers greater stain and water resistance than ceramic tile. Porcelain tiles offers unmatched design versatility.

KITCHEN TILES: 
In the kitchen, you can use tiles for the floor, walls or backsplashes. Kitchen floor tiles are designed to handle heavy traffic and are very durable. They are resistant to spills and stains.
What type of tiles are best for kitchen walls?
Stone, cork, vinyl, bamboo, ceramic, porcelain and glass.

Chris Town’s kitchen and bathroom tile recommendations – Travertine Tiles:
Travertine is a type of limestone…travertine tiles are very durable for walls and flooring and harder than Marble. Travertine tiles can be used for vanities, tops and walls mosaics as well as for flooring.
Travertine is excellent material for all showers, kitchens, flooring and for all high moisture, high traffic areas as well.
Travertine tiles can give almost the same look as the marble or granite tiles and it is away cheaper than the other alternatives.

TILE COST PER SQUARE FOOT:
Ceramic $2 
Slate $3 
Quartzite $5 
Porcelain $6 
Travertine $6 
Stone $6 
Marble $8
TILE INSTALLATION COSTS:
Average Range $825 to $2,520

“Town Tips”
As a Custom Home Builder I am ask this question repeatedly…what tiles are the best quality, moderately priced and have a good selection of light colors and textures? Unless the homeowner specifies a certain choice like stone or marble and I always suggest Travertine Tiles and mention to them that Travertine Tiles can also add more value to your home.

All tiles have some disadvantages…
“there is no perfect tile out there, only the tile that is perfect for you.”
Chris Town
Find more great home ideas and recommendations for better living here...