Homeowners have a lot to think about when it comes to keeping their homes safe, clean, and healthy, and one of the things that often gets forgotten about is mold. Mold is a common yet unwelcome guest in many homes, often hiding in damp and dark areas that don’t see frequent visits from the residents. Mold is not only ugly, but it can introduce significant health risks to you and your family, such as breathing issues and allergies.
If you’re asking “How do I remove mold from my house” you’re obviously looking for solutions, but tackling the problem of mold isn’t simple, nor is it easy. It can be done, however, and taking action quickly is one of the key points. We’re going to get right into the meat of it so that you get the information you need for removing mold from your home. Let’s get to it.
Identifying Mold in Your Home
Before starting on the actual project of removing the mold from your home, you’ll need to first identify where the mold has taken hold in your home. Mold is often visible to the naked eye, appearing as black, white, or even colorful spots on surfaces. A musty, unpleasant odor is another telltale sign of a mold infestation. Common hideouts for mold include bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and any area prone to moisture and lack of ventilation but which doesn’t receive light very often. Here are some basic steps for identifying mold:
- Visual Inspection: Check for discoloration of surfaces or items, fuzzy growth, or spots on walls, ceilings, and other places.
- Smell: A musty or earthy smell often accompanies mold growth, and while it’s not one of the most offensive odors, it can be challenging to get rid of.
- Moisture Checks: Areas with a history of water leaks, flooding, or high humidity are prime territories for mold and should be given a thorough inspection periodically, or a general check relatively consistently.
Mold and mildew both grow in dark, moist conditions and it can be difficult to tell the difference. One way is to do the rub test since mildew is a surface growth while mold isn’t. Rub an area of discoloration, and if it rubs off, it’s mildew, and if it doesn’t, it’s mold.
DIY Mold Removal
If you’re going to try and handle the mold removal yourself, you’ll need to be very careful. Mold spores can easily spread to other areas if not handled correctly. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to remove mold from your house as a DIY project.
- Preparation: Wear PPE such as gloves, eye protection, and a mask to avoid exposure to mold spores. Ventilate the area by opening windows and doors.
- Cleaning Solution: Prepare a cleaning solution. Common options include a mixture of water and soap, vinegar, or a store-bought mold remover.
- Scrubbing: Gently scrub the affected area with a brush, sponge, or cloth until the mold is gone.
- Rinsing and Drying: Rinse the area thoroughly and ensure it is dried completely to prevent mold regrowth.
- Disposal: Dispose of any materials that came in contact with mold in a sealed plastic bag.
When to Hire a Professional
There are times when you may want to consider hiring a professional, not only for safety’s sake but just to simplify the whole project. If the mold affects a bigger area, for example. or is growing in hard-to-reach places, a professional can effectively tackle the issue. Also, if anyone in the household has health conditions that can be exacerbated by mold exposure, working with a pro would be smart. Finally, if you can’t figure out where it’s coming from, or if it keeps coming back, time to call a professional.
A Mold-Free Home Is A Worry-Free Home
Mold is more than just a musty odor and some discoloration, it can hurt the structural integrity of your home as well as your health. If you have mold issues and can’t seem to fix the problem with the usual steps, reach out to Sensitive Environmental today.