Yikes! I dragged out the Christmas decorations this year and realized we have GOT to do something about the mold in our basement storage room. It's actually eating Christmas.
The minute I walked in the door, the air was so filled with mold spores it took my breath away. Or maybe I only imagined it, as I stared at the ruins of mold-eaten Christmas ornaments and disintegrating cardboard boxes.
At any rate, we’ve agreed to target that room after the first of the year for major mold removal and renovation. My research on how to go about this task has uncovered some very good resources.
The first, is an overview of mold presented by the Medical College of Wisconsin. I found it helpful in outlining different mold types and their affect on allergies and asthma.
A recent article by contractor Rosie Romero in the Arizona Republic offers some real helpful how-to advice on tackling the problem. I feel pretty confident we can clean up the mold ourselves after reading this article. For those of you living in Tucson, Rosie Romero has a radio program from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturdays on KTAR-AM (620) in the Valley and from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays on KNST-AM (790).
The best source for a complete understanding of mold and mold allergies can be found on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website. You can read the overview or download the PDF version of their guide "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home"
Once, we’ve cleaned up the mold, framed the room and put up the drywall, we’ll install an Airfree air sterilizer. I know this air cleaner works on mold better than any other device. I’ve seen the test results and dramatic comparison to standard air purifiers. It works like a furnace incinerating mold spores, which is exactly what I’d like to do to every one of those ugly little buggers.
Medical College of Wisconsin – Healthlink
Arizona contractor Rosie Romero - rosieonthehouse.com
Mold Resources – Environmental Protection Agency
Airfree Air Sterilizer – More info or to purchase
Ouch! I wouldn't be able to stand that- I have terrible mold allergies- they're so bad that I now has a psychosomatic effect, whenever I learn there's mold anywhere near me, I start gagging.
TO: jlegeyt@gmail.com
I agree. We have purchased plastic bins and have begun the process of clearing out the cellar room especially since a spring flood made problems even worse. Now we have to get a professional to help. It's awful. One whiff and I'm gagging.
Posted by: Air Purifiers | August 17, 2006 at 11:16 AM