Whether you hire a mold restoration company or try doing it yourself depends on the size of the affected area and your level of expertise. Standard household white vinegar is very effective at killing mold as long as you can stand the smell and wear proper PPE, like an N95 mask. Click the Mold Removal In Brooklyn to learn more.
When mold grows, it releases microscopic spores into the air. These spores ride the current of air throughout your home and can attach to surfaces they come into contact with. They can also cause respiratory problems for individuals with pre-existing allergies or asthma.
For this reason, when you see visible mold growth, it’s important to take steps to remove it immediately. The sooner you start cleaning up, the fewer spores will be released into the air, and the fewer will make their way to other areas of your home.
If you decide to tackle the cleanup yourself, you’ll need a few supplies. Besides the obvious mold-fighting chemicals, you’ll need to have some personal protective gear (gloves, mask, and safety glasses), and plastic sheeting to seal off your work area from the rest of your house.
It’s best to scrub and wash non-porous surfaces such as countertops, cabinets, and vanities with a mixture of water and detergent, then rinse thoroughly and allow the area to dry completely. Porous surfaces like carpets, rugs, and ceiling tiles may be too heavily contaminated with mold to be salvageable. Depending on the amount of mold and how severly it’s spread, you may need to dispose of these items instead of cleaning them.
After you’ve cleaned the surface, it’s a good idea to use fans and dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process and decrease humidity levels. This will help prevent new mold from growing in the future, and it’ll keep the surfaces of your home smelling fresh.
Often, mold growth is only a symptom of larger moisture problems in the home. Whether from a leaky roof, improper ventilation, or other factors, you’ll need to correct these issues in order to stop new mold growth in its tracks.
After a thorough cleaning and addressing any underlying problems, it’s important to test your home for mold again to ensure that the problem is truly gone. This will save you the headache of having to go through the cleaning and testing process again if you discover new spots of mold later on.
Removal
Mold spores are microscopic, and they are released into the air as the mold grows. They travel through air currents and attach themselves to surfaces like dust, food, and clothes. They may trigger reactions in people who are sensitive, especially those with pre-existing allergies or respiratory issues. If you suspect that a mold problem exists, it’s important to act promptly. The longer mold remains in your home, the more extensive damage it can cause.
The first step in the remediation process is to clean up the affected area. This involves removing any visible mold growth and using commercial cleaning products to kill remaining spores. A specialized cleaning product that’s formulated for mold is often used, as it penetrates deep into porous materials such as drywall and wood to eliminate hidden spores.
This stage also includes identifying the source of the moisture. Remediation professionals typically use fans to draw contaminated air out of the work area and exhaust it outdoors, as well as covering ventilation holes with plastic sheeting. This keeps spores from being drawn into other areas of the building.
If you are tackling this project on your own, it’s recommended that you wear gloves and a mask to avoid direct contact with the spores or inhaling them. If possible, take your clothing outside and shake it to remove loose spores. Similarly, be sure to store any contaminated items in plastic bags until they are ready for cleaning.
Non-porous items that have been infested with mold can usually be cleaned by scrubbing and then wiping the surface with water and soap. You can also use commercial cleaners formulated for mold to kill the spores and disinfect the area. For porous or absorbent items such as carpeting and drywall, it’s usually necessary to remove them and replace them.
Once the mold has been removed, proper ventilation is vital to prevent new mold growth. Air ducts should be cleaned regularly to keep moisture from lingering, and you should also use dehumidifiers in rooms that tend to get damp or humid. By keeping your home or office well-ventilated, you can also reduce the amount of allergens and other irritants that are circulated through the air.
Remediation
A professional mold remediation company will not only remove visible signs of mold but also identify and address the underlying cause. It will recommend preventive steps like moisture control and proper cleaning to stop future mold growth.
The first step of mold remediation is to isolate the contaminated area. It may involve blocking off doorways and windows to keep spores from spreading to unaffected areas. Once a containment boundary is established, building materials with mold damage are removed and disposed of according to EPA standards. Any drywall that is not load-bearing, insulation material, carpeting, and rugs that are not able to be cleaned or sanitized must be removed.
Next, affected surfaces are cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected. A biocide or fungicide is often applied after cleaning to kill any surviving mold spores. After sanitization, air samples are taken and tested to ensure that the home is safe to re-enter. Mold spores can be very irritating to the respiratory tract, and some people may develop symptoms upon exposure. The severity of these symptoms can depend on many factors including age, pre-existing health conditions, and immune system strength.
Some types of mold, especially black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) can be toxic to humans. It is important to hire a qualified inspector to sample and test any suspected mold growth. Professionals will use a kit that includes a swab, petri dish, gloves, mask, and a mailer to send the swab away for testing. Results are typically e-mailed back within a few days.
Once the mold has been treated, a thorough inspection and assessment of the surrounding area is conducted to identify the underlying cause. Remediation will then be planned. This may include addressing moisture issues, improving ventilation, or suggesting regular maintenance practices to prevent mold from returning.
It is very important to air out a room after remediation, so that volatile organic compounds and spores can dissipate. Ideally, the area should be air-out for 24 to 48 hours to make sure that all contaminants are fully dissipated and that the room is completely clean. During this time, occupants should wear protective gear and stay out of the room.
Prevention
Molds thrive on moisture and eat wallpaper glue, paints and the pigment in acoustic ceiling tiles. They also feed on dust, pollen and animal dung. The first step in prevention is to limit that moisture. Keeping areas well-ventilated, fixing leaks quickly and removing or cleaning materials that have been wet should eliminate any occurrences of mold.
During the inspection and assessment phase, experienced professionals determine the extent of the mold infestation and the severity of the problem. They also establish containment and use air filtration to ensure that airborne mold spores do not spread to unaffected areas. The cleaning and disinfection stage involves scrubbing the infected surfaces with bleach solutions or household products. A solution of one cup of bleach to one gallon of water should be used for scrubbing, and the surface should then be rinsed and dried.
The final phase, containment and relocation, is the process of relocating occupants while mold remediation occurs. The decision to relocate occupants depends on the size of the mold growth, the extent of health effects reported by the occupants, the type of mold and the degree of contamination. In most cases, occupants should be allowed to return to the building after the area has been cleaned and sealed off.
Taking precautions to prevent mold growth in the first place will help you avoid the hassle, cost and disruption of remediation. Ideally, you should regularly inspect the premises for signs of mold and take immediate action to correct any problems as soon as they arise. Moisture control is an important part of prevention, so tackle any water intrusions immediately and make sure that all wet materials are dried within 48 hours. If you have a basement or attic that is wet, you should install fans to help with ventilation and remove the affected materials as soon as possible. Likewise, you should always wipe down walls and countertops after bathing to prevent the build-up of moisture.