Mold is a fungus that consists of small organisms that are found almost everywhere. Mold can have the color of black, white, green, orange or purple. On the outside, mold is an important part in nature and causes little harm. It breaks down dead leaves, plants, and trees.
Keep in mind; mold thrives in moisture and reproduces lightweight spores that move around in the air. In addition, you and I are exposed to mold every day. When mold is small, it is often harmless but when it grows in damp spots in your home, they can multiply and become a health hazard.
Before mold grows and expands in your home, there are several steps you need to take to get rid of it and prevent it from growing such as first locating all the mold. There are two ways to do this; have a professional test your home for mold or conducting a test yourself.
You can purchase a test and conduct it yourself. Check for mold in every area of your home; especially damp areas, under a carpet, inside walls and inside heating and air conditioning ducts.
Then, bring together your supplies. Professional mold remediators recommend using a fungicide. You also need sheets of heavy plastic and tape to seal off your work area, heavy plastic bags for mold, a face mask, gloves, protective clothing, scrub brush or rag. You may also need a vacuum with a HEPA filter; this would be needed if the mold covers a large area.
A most important step is to prepare the work area. This would entail removing all personal items from the area. If you can’t remove the items, cover them with heavy plastic. It is also important to seal off the area you are working in with heavy plastic and duct tape.
The next step is to set up a negative pressure in the work area. The negative pressure causes air to flow into the area but not out. This prevents mold spores from spreading and going into other areas.
Most importantly, wear protective clothing. Protective clothing should consist of a face mask, gloves, hair and shoe covering and clothing. All of this, when you are done, should be disposed or laundered in hot water. Then, spay moldy materials like carpeting or drywall lightly with a spray of water before removing them.
This will keep the mold spores from getting into the air. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Then, seal what you have accumulated in the vacuum in heavy plastic trash bags and then dispose of them. Applying fungicide to materials that can be cleaned is the next step. This should be applied to non-porous metals like tile, metal, bathtubs, sinks, and counter-tops. Use a scrub brush to remove mold. Then take care of any repairs such as replacing drywall or carpeting.
It is important to get rid of mold because it can cause serious health problems. Some people are very sensitive to mold. Those who have mold sensitivity have symptoms like coughing, sneezing, wheezing, chest and nasal congestion, skin irritation, and headaches. Those who have immune disorders are also susceptible to mold and can develop infections in their lungs.
Others who suffer from respiratory conditions can experience respiratory conditions like wheezing, coughing, and asthma. Of course, you can remove mold yourself; however, it takes time, effort and there is some danger in doing it yourself because mold is a health hazard. There are several benefits in hiring a professional mold remediation company such as getting a thorough cleaning.
A professional remediation service has the knowledge and experience to get the job done well; to ensure that the hazardous material won’t come back. A professional mold remediation company can help to reduce the spread of mold. If mold spores are not killed off completely, they can get into your HVAC system and spread more.
Most importantly, professionals not only get rid of the mold in your home, but they also do an in-depth search to find out where the mold is coming from and then determine the best course of action to take care of the mold. The most prized benefit of having professionals take care of the problem is that it keeps you and your family healthy and protected from more toxins. Another benefit is that it increases the value of your home.
There are several tips that may prevent mold from growing in your home such as drying wet materials quickly such as wet towels. Another tip is cleaning, disinfecting and drying surfaces. Sinks and floors are two areas that need to be carefully watched.
In addition, reduce moisture levels in the bathroom by running an exhaust during and after showers. Exhaust fans can minimize the moisture in your bathroom and may prevent mold from growing.
Most importantly, fix plumbing leaks. Replace old pipes when they show signs that they of deterioration. Moisture is a breeding ground for mold. In addition, it grows in dark and damp areas. Another preventative tip is to move furniture away from the walls and open closet doors to allow air to circulate.
Also, to keep your basement dry and to prevent mold from growing, run a dehumidifier, install a foundation drain or get more circulation of air. Other ways to prevent mold in your home is by installing mold-resistant drywall or use mold inhibiting paint.
Also, make sure that your gutters are clear and working as they should. They should drain the water properly and direct the water from your home. In addition, control the humidity level in your home. The level of humidity should not go over 60 percent. You can keep an eye on your humidity level with a moisture meter or be watchful for signs of high humidity like condensation.
To conclude, mold is a fungus that consists of small organisms that are found almost everywhere. Follow the above steps and guidelines and keep your home healthy and free of this toxic substance.