A mold outbreak can cause symptoms like sneezing, eye irritation, and difficulty breathing. It’s important to tackle the problem immediately before it gets worse.
You can remove small mold patches using common household products and personal protective equipment (PPE). For example, you can use equal water and white vinegar. Contact Ace Mold now!
Mold is unsightly, can grow on any surface, and can cause various health problems for you, your children, and your pets. The best way to prevent mold is to clean and dry surfaces regularly, but even that is not foolproof. If you have a mold problem in your home, the best thing to do is hire a professional to remove it. In the meantime, you can take some simple steps to keep mold from growing in the first place.
Plumbing leaks are one of the biggest causes of mold, so it’s a good idea to check your pipes at least once a month. If you find any leaks, be sure to call a plumber and have them fixed as soon as possible.
Another important step is to vacuum and dust your house regularly. This will remove any mold spores that may have entered your home, and it will also help to keep the air in your house fresh. If you have a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, that is even better.
In addition to vacuuming and dusting, you can also use bleach solutions on the surface of a moldy area to kill it. You should wear personal protective gear when doing this, as bleach is toxic and can cause a variety of skin and respiratory problems if it comes into contact with your body. Put on a face mask and rubber gloves before using bleach, and don’t forget to scrub the surface of the mold as well as around it.
Moisture is also a big reason why mold grows. Make sure that your home is properly ventilated, especially in the kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms. Vent appliances that produce moisture-such as stoves and clothes dryers-to the outside, and clean your AC units regularly.
Also, clean your refrigerator coils frequently and dry damp areas like basements, closets, cupboards and attics. You can also use dehumidifiers and fans in these rooms, particularly in humid climates.
Cleaning Up the Infestation
Whether mold grows on the floor of your basement or on the walls in your bedroom, it’s always important to treat it seriously. After all, it can lead to hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an inflammation of the lungs, and sinusitis. Moreover, certain species of mold create mycotoxins, microscopic toxins that stick to surfaces and can cause even more health issues for those with compromised immune systems or other respiratory conditions.
In most cases, it’s possible to keep items that are contaminated with mold in good condition by thoroughly cleaning and drying them. But it’s also necessary to address the underlying problem, such as moisture and humidity levels.
The first step is to clear the area of debris and furniture so that you can have unobstructed access to the moldy areas. Then, put on gloves and a mask to protect yourself from the mold spores that will be stirred up as you clean. You can also wear a long sleeve shirt and pants to reduce your skin’s exposure to spores.
It’s best to use an EPA-approved substance that eradicates mold and disinfects the area. It is also wise to use a respirator with a filter that removes ozone and other air pollutants. Once the area is cleaned, rinse it with water. Afterward, dry the surface by wiping it down with a rag.
Mold spores are very difficult to wash away completely, especially from porous materials such as household wood and drywall. But using bleach with hot water and a scrub brush can help. For stains that aren’t responding to bleach, you can try an ammonia solution. However, it’s important to note that ammonia is dangerous to the touch and if ingested can be toxic.
If you want to be extra safe, it’s a good idea to double-bag any items that can’t be soaked and scrubbed clean in heavy-duty plastic bags before disposing of them. This will prevent the spores from spreading to other parts of your home. Finally, once the area has been completely cleaned and dried, it’s a good idea to apply a pigmented shellac to any wall surfaces where mold has grown. This will seal the surfaces and keep them from becoming moldy again.
Getting Rid of the Infestation
Whether it’s a few spots along the shower door tracks or sizable outbreaks in the corners of your basement, mold infestations are unpleasant and can lead to serious health problems. Mold grows by releasing microscopic spores that travel through the air and stick to anything they touch, including clothes, pets, and even your skin. Those spores can cause respiratory distress, allergies, and even toxicosis (which can be fatal in some cases).
When a person comes into contact with these spores, the spores are inhaled or swallowed and eventually find their way into the bloodstream where they circulate to other parts of the body, infecting them as well. Mold also releases toxins into the air called mycotoxins, which can be even more dangerous than spores. Inhaling mycotoxins can lead to various symptoms, including drowsiness, confusion, and nausea. Some people can also experience skin rash and eye irritation, while others may have more severe reactions.
Once inside the body, mycotoxins can be stored in organs or cells for long periods of time. They can be released from these tissue masses when they’re damaged, which is why it’s important to remove all areas of affected mold growth and thoroughly dry the area. Mold removal is often done by a professional, but it’s possible to do on your own if you know the proper procedure and have the right equipment.
First, it’s a good idea to make sure that the area is isolated from other rooms with plastic sheeting so that spores don’t spread. It’s also recommended that you use a fan and a dehumidifier to help keep the moisture levels down and prevent further mold growth.
It’s also a good idea to wear rubber gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask with a particle filter. If you’re tackling an especially large black mold infestation, it may be best to have a professional take care of it for you.
Porous materials that cannot be cleaned, such as carpeting and carpet padding, fabric upholstery, wallpaper, drywall, and some wood furniture, should be removed instead of simply being cleaned. These items should be sealed in thick plastic bags and then disposed of according to local laws and regulations.
Post-Remediation
Once the mold has been removed, it is important to ensure that the area is sanitized and safe to reoccupy. This process is called Post Remediation Verification or Clearance Testing. This involves a visual inspection of the area along with additional sampling to ensure that all of the mold has been successfully eradicated. This step is especially important if the home or building is being sold, as it will satisfy disclosure requirements for potential buyers and demonstrates that the mold issue has been addressed.
First, all surfaces must be cleaned thoroughly. This includes non-porous surfaces like tile, wood, glass, and metal as well as porous materials such as carpeting and fabric. In addition, all contaminated materials must be dried completely before they are re-occupied. This can be accomplished by using fans, dehumidifiers, and other moisture control devices.
Next, the contaminated areas must be sealed off from the rest of the property. Professionals will typically put down plastic sheeting between the affected space and the rest of the property. This will prevent mold spores from spreading to unaffected areas. Additionally, they may use physical barriers and negative air pressure to further contain the space.
Then, the professionals will clean and disinfect all surfaces in the affected area. This process involves using a wire brush to scrub the surfaces and then wiping them down with disposable wipes. The wipes should be discarded in double 6 mil polyethylene bags and tied shut before disposal. Finally, all contaminated surfaces must be rinsed with clean water to remove any remaining spores.
Once the cleaning and sanitization have been completed, the professionals will test the area again. They will also use a blower to ensure that all surfaces are completely dry before re-occupying the space.
Once the area has been inspected and deemed clear, a final report will be issued to the client. This report will detail all of the steps that were taken to remediate the area as well as the results of the clearance test. A copy of the report will also be kept on file at the company for future reference.