It’s best to call a professional for help if you see a large mold area. Heavy-duty plastic sheets and duct tape are also recommended to cover doorways and air vents.
Use a vinegar cleaning method for non-porous surfaces such as painted walls. Spray the surface, let it sit, and scrub before rinsing it clean. Contact Ace Mold now!
Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in places where water, food, and oxygen are available. It can be found in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, attics, and other areas in the home. When left unattended, mold can grow and spread quickly, consuming any available materials to support its growth. Its spores can also circulate through the air, causing respiratory issues and making existing health problems worse.
Although it is possible to clean small amounts of mold, if the infestation is large or if you’re worried about your health, you should call in the professionals. They have the training, tools, and experience to remove large amounts of mold safely and effectively. They’ll start by assessing the situation, determining where the mold is located, and where it may have spread to. They’ll then isolate the affected area and use plastic or polyurethane sheeting to keep the spores contained.
During the remediation process, building materials that are affected by mold will be removed and disposed of appropriately. This can include drywall, carpeting, and insulation. This part of the process is highly regulated and must be done according to EPA standards. The contaminated materials will be sealed in plastic bags and sprayed down with a special disinfectant before they are thrown away.
Before starting to clean, make sure you’re prepared by wearing gloves, safety glasses, and a mask that fits properly. You should also wear long sleeved shirts and pants to avoid getting mold spores on your skin. People with asthma, allergies, and other immune disorders are more likely to be affected by mold spores and should take extra care when cleaning.
Many people think that bleach is an effective mold treatment, but it’s actually not. Bleach is a toxic chemical that can damage your health. It also doesn’t kill the mold spores; it simply changes their color. Moreover, it can create mycotoxins, which are even more dangerous and harder to get rid of than the spores themselves.
The best way to prevent future mold growth is to control moisture in the home and regularly clean surfaces that are easy to wipe down. It is also helpful to clean HVAC filters regularly, as dust can hold moisture and provide a food source for mold.
Prevent Recurrence
Molds reproduce through tiny spores that waft through the air. These spores cannot be seen by the naked eye, and they can stick to almost anything they land on. They can also cling to people and their clothing. When spores land in an area with moisture and food, they will begin to grow. Mold spores can release allergens, irritants, and mycotoxins, which may cause health problems. In some cases, this can include respiratory issues, dermatitis, or even serious lung infections like pneumonia.
The best way to prevent a recurrence of a mold problem is to keep up with routine maintenance and prevention. Cleaning moldy surfaces with mold-specific cleaners, following proper containment and disposal guidelines, and making sure the space is thoroughly dry after a treatment or cleanup are all important steps. Mold spores thrive on dirt, dust, and other debris, so keeping your home as clean as possible can help reduce the number of nutrients available to molds.
Identifying the source of moisture is another step that can prevent future mold growth. This can be done by repairing leaks, improving ventilation, or reducing humidity levels in the area. It is also important to monitor the affected area on a regular basis and act quickly when there are signs of new mold growth or moist conditions.
Mold spores can be blown around the house, so it is important to isolate areas that are being cleaned or treated. This can be done by closing doors between the affected and unaffected areas, using plastic sheeting to cover furniture and other items in the room, and reducing air circulation through the area with exhaust fans or closed windows. It is also a good idea to wear disposable gloves and a respirator when handling moldy materials.
It is sometimes difficult to decide what to do with heirlooms and other valuable items that have been affected by mold. Some items can be cleaned and re-used, while others will be permanently damaged by the staining caused by the spores. When faced with this decision, it is often best to throw the item away and replace it.
Clean the Surfaces
Mold spores float in the air and can easily travel from one location to another. They can cling to clothes, furniture, carpeting, and even people’s shoes. Once inside a house, they can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Mold spores can also create microscopic toxins that are even more dangerous to health.
While it is impossible to get rid of all mold spores, you can take steps to control the growth of the fungus. This involves fixing any source of water intrusion and cleaning the areas affected by the infestation.
To clean surfaces that are not porous, simply wipe them down with soapy water or a mild cleaning solution. This may include commercial cleaners or a mixture of white vinegar and water. You can also use a scrub brush on rougher surfaces, such as concrete. Be sure to wipe the surface dry with a cloth or sponge afterward.
For porous surfaces, such as drywall or floor and ceiling tiles, you can use a mixture of 1:1 bleach and water to spray and scrub. Be sure to wear a mask and safety glasses, and cover any vents or ducts that you may be working on. The spores from the mold can blow back into your home, so it is important to keep them out of the air you breathe while working.
You can also try washing mold-infected items in hot, chlorine bleach water. This is effective on most fabrics, but you will need to wash them frequently and thoroughly. If you are unsure whether or not something can be cleaned, consider taking a picture of the item to show family members before throwing it away. This will help you decide whether or not to attempt to save it.
Heirlooms and sentimental items are not usually worth saving after a mold problem. They can be extremely difficult to clean, and many of them will suffer irreparable damage from staining. You should also avoid attempting to save porous items that have been wet for more than 48 hours, such as rugs, upholstery, wallpaper, and insulation material. These items can become permanent sources of mold if not properly cleaned and dried.
Dry the Area
Once a home has been treated for mold, it’s important to keep the area dry. Otherwise, the spores can spread to other areas of the house and continue growing. This is why homeowners should throw away all porous materials that were affected by mold, such as drywall and carpeting. They should also avoid bringing these items back into their homes until they’re cleaned and tested for mold again by a state-licensed inspector.
The EPA recommends hiring professionals to clean contaminated areas larger than 10 square feet. Professionals should have the necessary cleaning equipment, such as an EPA-approved biocide spray that eradicates mold. Before using the spray, professionals should protect themselves by wearing a respirator mask with a filter and safety goggles. They should also wear gloves that extend to the middle of the forearm and a face shield.
After spraying the biocide on a moldy surface, they should scrub it thoroughly with a non-metal brush. They should then rinse the area with water and wipe it down to remove any remaining cleaning solution or mold spores. Then, they should use a fan to help the area dry.
Besides removing moldy drywall and carpeting, professional mold remediators should also check the condition of wood and other structural materials in the affected area. They should also locate the source of moisture, such as a leak or high humidity levels.
If a professional finds that the property has significant mold damage, they should consult a structural engineer or a licensed builder to make repairs. They should also use a mold-preventing primer when repainting walls, using a product that contains a mildewcide to prevent future growth.
Mold can cause many health problems, from allergic reactions to serious diseases like pulmonary hypersensitivity. That’s why it’s important to have a reliable restoration company, such as Rytech Restoration, respond to an emergency quickly. Their team of trained and certified mold experts can quickly inspect, treat, and restore your home or business. They can even assist you in filing an insurance claim, if applicable. Contact us today to learn more about our services or get a free estimate for your home or commercial property.