Sensible Mold Removal Tips for the Home
Sensible Mold Removal Tips for the Home
There are some telltale signs that you have mold in your home but do you know what they are? If you cannot see mold, you will likely smell it as it has an earthy and many times, musty odor. However, your eyes are the best detection because mold is rather telling with its black, green, brown or even white colors in a variety of textures such as fuzz or even powder. Mold removal is essential not only for cleanliness and appearance sake but also for health reasons.
Sometimes, you will know that mold is near when people in your household start having allergic reactions to it or when you can smell it but not see it. Because mold tends to grow around trapped, moist places, keep an eye out for water leaks or other places where moisture accumulates for your mold removal activities.
Repairing the Area Growing Mold
The first important step for mold removal is identifying and fixing the area where moisture is coming into your home. Remember that mold needs moisture to grow so seek out probable places where leaks are likely to occur such as the roof and attic where plumbing pipes are. Sinks, toilets and tubs have also been known to leak, unbeknownst to anyone and can harbor mold. Poor venting and drainage of appliances can cause an accumulation of moisture, precipitating a mold infestation too.
Treating Materials Harboring Mold
If you are faced with a large mold removal project such as removing carpet, drywall, ceiling tiles, wood and more, always wear protective gear such as goggles, rubber gloves, a filter mask and clothing that is easy to remove. Breathing in mold spores can be a costly health mistake and you want to prevent becoming ill or having to be hospitalized.
If you catch a leak or overflow right when it occurred, you have a strong chance of cleaning up the mess and drying it out without any mold growth. However, if after two days the affected area is not dry, you will want to throw away or get rid of any affected items. Easy mold removal and clean up can often be accomplished with some strong detergent and water although a bleach solution is often the safer bet to effectively kill mold as well as disinfect the surface.
When you are engaged in mold removal and are using strong detergent or bleach, always keep your work area well-ventilated. Open doors and windows or use an exhaust fan to carry harmful fumes away as you don't want to pass out!
Sometimes, particularly after a flood, hurricane or other situation where water has been standing in your home for a period of time, it is probably best to hire a professional for your mold removal needs. People with damaged homes from Hurricane Katrina could not return for months and as a result dangerous toxic mold started growing. If you are ever in a situation such as this, do not try and accomplish the mold removal on your own as you would not have the proper tools and materials to clean safely.