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/

Home Construction and Remodeling - Town Construction & Development

Town Construction & Development     "Better home Ideas for better Living"

"At Town Construction & Development We Understand That Your Home Is The Single Biggest Asset/ Purchase Most People Ever Make. We Take This Process Seriously From The Start To Handing You The Keys To Your Finished Home. We Understand That Your Home Is A Reflection Of You And Your Lifestyle. It’s Where You Entertain Friends And Family, Raise Your Children Or Just Relax . In Other Words, Your Home Is Your Sanctuary!"
Chris Town

Chris would be happy to sit down with you and talk about your home project ideas and find out how he can help you.
Call Chris: 1-206-947-8818
www.townconstructionanddevelopment.com/

CUSTOM HOME CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR ALL SEATTLE DESIGN BUILD HOME PROJECTS

"At Town Construction & Development We Understand That Your Home Is The Single Biggest Asset/ Purchase Most People Ever Make. We Take This Process Seriously From The Start To Handing You The Keys To Your Finished Home. We Understand That Your Home Is A Reflection Of You And Your Lifestyle. It’s Where You Entertain Friends And Family, Raise Your Children Or Just Relax . In Other Words, Your Home Is Your Sanctuary!"
Chris Town


Chris would be happy to sit down with you and talk about
your home project ideas and find out how he can help you.
Call Chris: 1-206-947-8818
https://www.townconstructionanddevelopment.com/

WE PROVIDE SERVICES FOR ALL SEATTLE DESIGN/BUILD HOME PROJECTS, AS WELL AS CUSTOM HOME ROOM ADDITIONS & REMODELING IN SEATTLE, KIRKLAND, BELLEVUE AND THE GREATER LAKE WASHINGTON AREAS.

MY HOME JUST GOT FLOODED WITH WATER - WHAT DO I DO? WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION ADVICE

MY HOME JUST GOT FLOODED WITH WATER...WHAT DO I DO?

This Is A Home That We Built 12 Years Ago For Some Great Clients In Downtown Edmonds, WA.
They We’re Asleep And Heard There Alarm Go Off And Got Up To Investigate. What They Found Was The All Upstairs Hardwood Floors Had Approximately 2” Of Running Water On Them. The Dishwasher Supply Line Had Failed And Was Leaking Water For 3-4 Hrs!

They called me early morning and asked me for help. I arrived to access the situation and found the water was running through the floor to the downstairs ceilings and all the drywall was destroyed. To add to the problem, we had insulated all the floors and interior walls for sound absorption. All had to be removed and reinstalled throughout the home. We also installed portable heating fans to accelerate the drying process

After all the water, drywall, insulation was removed and the house dried, we came in and repaired all the damage. Some doors had to be replaced because of warping and most of the flooring throughout the house had to be replaced as well. As the pictures show, this was quite an involved process. I am happy to report that, “The Home Looks Like New Again And My Clients Are Happy To Be Moving Back In There Gorgeous Home!”


There are three important things you can do right away in a situation like this:
1: Don’t panic and run around the house searching for the leak as you are wasting valuable time.
2: Go to your water main water supple to your home. This valve is usually in the basement or on an outside wall in a utility area of the house. The main shutoff valve allows a full flow of water through the pipe when it’s open. 
3: If there is extensive water leakage and build up, you may also want to consider shutting off the electricity to those areas infected.
4: Clean Up Mess – If you catch the leak early enough, it is important to clean up the mess, as much as you can, immediately. If not cleaned up this can result in mold and mildew and can cause more problems down the road.
Chris Town
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