Finding mold in your home is not the end of the world. But you will need to act quickly in order to keep it from getting worse. Whether you decide to take care of it yourself or hire a mold removal service, there are a few steps you can take to make the process safer for everyone.
Step 1. Identify the Mold
Mold is a fungus and there are many different types of it. Some are not harmful at all unless you have a mold allergy. We have all heard how dangerous black mold can be, but just because the mold in question is black does not mean it’s black mold. Mold feeds on everything, so if it feeds on dark materials it will naturally be a dark color. There are at-home tests you can get at most home improvement stores.
Step 2. Gear Up and Seal the Area For Mold Removal
Mold travels by spores through the air. If you are removing the mold on your own, you will need to wear clothing that you can throw away when you are done. If you attempt to wash the clothes, the mold can transfer to your washing machine and start growing in there. Also, you will need to have good ventilation and a mask, even if you don’t have a mold allergy. Breathing in a lot of mold spores during the cleanup process is not good for your health.
Sealing off the area will keep the mold spores from spreading to the rest of your house. Make sure to turn off your HVAC system before starting and cover any vents in the area. You don’t want the mold spores to find their way into your air system. Any amount of mold that covers over 10 square feet should be handled by a professional mold removal service.
Step 3. Eliminate the Source
Mold can spread quickly and it only takes about 48 hours to set in; however, it needs certain conditions to be met in order to take hold. If you don’t identify and eliminate where the moisture is coming from, it is just going to keep coming back.
There will be areas where you will not be able to clean the mold off. You may have to replace carpeting or sections of your drywall. You can wipe the mold off solid surfaces, but any material that is absorbent or porous will just hold onto the mold. This allows it to keep coming back, no matter how many times you clean it.
Mold is a common problem with water and storm damage. It can be difficult to eradicate, but not impossible. The important things to remember are to keep it from spreading, and always put your health and safety first.
In Florida, the humidity encourages mold growth even when there is no obvious source. Even worse, mold does not just go away. It will keep spreading and causing structural damage the longer it is left to grow. At Extreme Carpet Care, we have handled countless mold removal projects, big and small. We know where mold can hide and all of the steps necessary to get rid of it and make sure it doesn’t come back. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so give us a call today!