Mold Removal: Act Quickly For Best Results

Mold removal is a serious undertaking. It’s a messy task and can be complex, depending on an individual’s home and the cause of the problem. Homeowners who choose to take on the work by themselves are advised to review and follow the detailed reference guides published by The Environmental Protection Agency. But because time can be of the essence under many circumstances, here is a quick overview to help get you started.

General guidelines
First, it’s important that the source of the mold be dealt with, whether that be a flood, leak or another source of moisture. Otherwise the rest of your mold removal work could be wasted. To start, it is highly recommended that gloves, respirator and goggles be worn during the entire process. It’s recommended that clothing worn during the process be disposed of.

Even dead mold can cause allergic reactions even in people who aren’t allergy prone. Also make sure that the space is kept well ventilated through the entire process. Open windows and doors and keep fans running to maintain air circulation. When possible, move items like furniture outside to give them plenty of air.

Getting dirty
Start the removal work by using a vacuum or broom to remove loose spores off of hard surfaces like walls and furniture. Keep in mind that some porous items like carpet and drywall that have been completely submerged may not be salvageable and should be removed. If there is any question regarding what should and shouldn’t stay, seek a professional opinion. The next step is to clean and disinfect all surfaces with bleach water.

Mold removal needs to be done very thoroughly as it can easily hide in places like behind wallpaper and in vents. For this reason it’s usually wise to call in a professional service to finish the job after the initial work in completed. Also, valuable items may require professional restoration.

Completing the process
Once the cleaning process is done, utilize a fungicide to complete the mold removal process and help stop future growth. There may likely be some lingering odor to deal with. White vinegar is a good wet cleaning agent for surfaces such as appliances and counters. Baking soda does well to absorb odors in carpet and fabrics. Again, know that there may be hidden sources of odor which may best be handled with professional deodorization. Some high-quality furniture and fabrics may need to be professionally deodorized in order to prevent damage.