The sight of mold spots in your basement or crawl space can be distressing, but worry won’t solve your mold problem. You must act fast to prevent further damage, as mold spreads quickly. Leaving mold untreated can cause severe damage to your health and property, as mold triggers allergic reactions in some individuals and causes respiratory diseases.
Mold infestation is a significant problem in many American households. As the owner of a home or business, you need to know how important mold removal is and what you can do to stop mold from growing on your property.
This blog will talk about how to get rid of mold, how to keep it from coming back, and other helpful information about mold remediation.
How Does Mold Grow?
Mold reproduces and spreads through the production of microscopic spores. Mold spores are invisible to the human eye and can be related to plant seeds, though they are significantly smaller than seeds. Because of their small form, they can be easily scattered. Mold spores are present indoors and outdoors, and they travel long distances with wind and water and by clinging to fur, clothing, and other materials.
Why Is Mold a Problem?
Black and green mold not only cost a lot to get rid of, but they also make allergens and irritants that can cause serious health problems. Mold prevention necessitates conscious effort because mold spores cannot be completely eradicated from your home.
Don’t ignore mold if you find it in your home. Instead, begin mold removal as soon as possible. If the mold problem is severe, consider hiring a mold remediation professional to help you.
Mold Removal Process
1. Detailed Inspection
Mold removal is more than just getting rid of mold on the surface of walls or other exterior surfaces, because mold is known to do a lot of damage in hidden places. Mold colonies are most likely to be found behind your walls or floors if you see mold somewhere in your home.
As a result, remediation specialists conduct a thorough inspection to identify all affected areas and the extent of damage.
2. Get Cleaning Supplies and Prepare the Work Area
While bleach is commonly used to kill mold, we recommend using a fungicide. To close off the work area, you’ll also need thick plastic sheets and tape, as well as plastic bags for taking moldy things away and safety gear.
Remove movable personal items from the work area and cover immovable ones. Mold removal can be stressful, and you have to be careful not to spread the mold spores to other places. Excess spores can degrade the quality of your indoor air.
Fungicide should be sprayed on moldy surfaces and items before removing or covering them. Getting rid of black mold may require a stronger fungicide and a different method, so it’s best to hire professionals to do the job.
3. Mold Remediation Process
After gearing up, sealing off affected areas, and removing necessary items, you can start mold remediation. To spray the fungicide on mold colonies, open the moldy walls. Don’t hesitate to cut through the drywall to better spray mold-affected areas.
Make sure you get to the root of the problem, or you may experience mold again soon. Thoroughly scrub the mold-infested surfaces before applying the cleaning solution for better results. Allow the solution to sit for a while before wiping it off. You can use negative air machines to get rid of mold and its smell after cleaning.
Note that surface-level treatments won’t solve the problem. You must be thorough in removing mold from your property altogether.
4. Repairs and Replacement
During mold cleanup, you may need to dispose of some items and cut your walls. Finish all repairs to your walls, floors, ceiling, and other areas that were damaged during mold remediation.
How to Prevent Mold Problems
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Dry Wet Areas Immediately
Mold cannot reproduce in the absence of moisture. Avoiding wet spots in your home or property is an excellent way to avoid them. Mold multiplies and spreads rapidly. If you have a flood or a leaking pipe, address the issue immediately and dry the affected areas to avoid mold growth.
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Proper Ventilation
Without your knowledge, your daily activities at home may be encouraging mold growth. After cooking, taking a shower, or even doing the laundry, make sure to properly ventilate the appropriate areas of your home.
Appliances that make a lot of moisture, like stoves and clothes dryers, should vent outside instead of into the attic. To remove moisture in humid climates, use air conditioners and dehumidifiers. Remember to clean your HVAC system on a regular basis to avoid introducing moisture into your space.
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Monitor Humidity Levels
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests keeping indoor humidity levels between 30 and 60%. Purchase a handy moisture meter to determine the level of humidity in your home. Condensation on walls, pipes, and windows are signs of excessive humidity.
When you see condensation on walls or other surfaces, dry the surface right away and find out where the water is coming from.
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Clean/Repair Your Roof Gutters
Many properties have mold problems because of leaky roofs and clogged gutters that allow water to back up into the attic or ceiling. Clean your gutters on a regular basis and schedule a roof inspection. The sooner you detect and repair a leak, the better your chances of avoiding mold damage.
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Equip Your Property with Mold-Resistant Materials
Are you renovating an old house or constructing a new one? Consider mold-resistant products such as mold-resistant paint and mold-resistant drywall. Unlike traditional drywalls, which have a gypsum plaster core pressed between paper piles, mold-resistant drywall is paperless and replaces the gypsum core with fiberglass, making the surface moisture-resistant.
These products are especially useful in wet areas like bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms. Aside from mold susceptibility, mold removal on traditional drywalls can be difficult and expensive.
Contact Environmental Control of South Colorado for Quality Mold Removal and Cleanup
Mold removal is a difficult process. To provide an excellent mold remediation service, specific equipment and training are required. If you suspect mold in your home, don’t hesitate to call us. At Environment Control of South Colorado, we have the experience, knowledge, and resources to handle all mold problems and provide quick, efficient, and detailed services because we understand the impact of mold delays.
Give us a visit online to learn more, or contact us for a quick response!