A few splotches of mold on the bathroom walls aren’t cause for alarm, but serious contamination should call for professional assistance. Mold remediation professionals use specialized equipment to test the air and surfaces, determine the type of mold, and choose the proper treatment products.
They also control airborne spores and remove porous materials, like drywall, that contain the mold. Non-porous surfaces are cleaned, and a biocide is applied to prevent future growth. Contact Ace Mold now!
Mold can be found in homes and businesses with damp, humid environments, including bathrooms, basements, and windowless rooms. It can grow on surfaces such as furniture, carpet, clothing, and walls. In some cases, mold can cause health problems like stuffy noses, sore throats, coughing or wheezing, and rashes on the skin or eyes. Molds can also trigger allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to them.
The first step in removing mold is to identify and correct the source of moisture. If you try to remove the mold without addressing the moisture, it will simply grow back.
After you have done this, you can start the cleanup. Be sure to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during the entire process. This includes a N-95 face mask or respirator, long rubber gloves and goggles that have no ventilation holes. This will prevent mold spores from getting in your eyes or respiratory tract.
You can use a mixture of water and household bleach to clean most surfaces. Apply the solution with a spray bottle, sponge or low-abrasive scrub brush. Let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing to allow the solution to kill the mold spores. After scrubbing, rinse the surface with clean water and wipe down any surrounding areas that were splashed with cleaning solution to avoid cross-contamination.
If you’re cleaning mold on drywall, follow this method from SERVPRO to get the best results. Make sure to wet the drywall and apply the cleaning solution with a brush or rag. Don’t saturate the drywall and scrub too hard; this could damage the underlying material. Use a toothbrush for tight corners or other indentations.
If you’re dealing with a large amount of mold, it’s best to leave the cleanup to a professional. They can use more powerful products and methods to remove the mold, as well as identify any underlying issues that may need to be addressed. A professional can also confirm that the mold is actually gone, rather than just hidden from view, so you don’t have to deal with it again a few months down the road.
Cleaning Mold
Mold is a pesky little organism that thrives in damp, poorly ventilated areas. It can cause a variety of health problems, from respiratory issues to memory loss and lethargy. It also can trigger allergies and exacerbate asthma symptoms. It’s important to understand how to clean mold properly, so you can eliminate it and prevent it from returning.
Mold spores are naturally in the air, and they break down organic material over time to turn it back into soil. When it gets into your home, it can quickly grow on walls and other surfaces if the area is damp. To avoid mold growth, you should make sure that all areas are dry and that there are no leaks.
If the affected area is less than 10 square feet, you can likely clean it yourself. To protect yourself, wear gloves, goggles and a mask. Also, only use vinegar or a diluted mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide (50/50 solution) to clean mold. Bleach can damage some materials, such as drywall.
Using a sponge or spray bottle, apply the cleaning solution to the moldy area and allow it to sit for 30 minutes. Then, scrub it with a brush and rinse it off with water. Repeat as needed to remove the mold and stains from the wall surface.
For more serious cases of mold, you may need to take extra precautions and get a professional involved. If the mold has spread beyond the surface, you might need to hire a contractor to remove and replace the drywall. This can be more expensive than simply cleaning the affected area, but it may be necessary to keep the mold from spreading further.
If you’re living in a private or social housing property and you have a mold problem, your landlord has a legal duty to fix it. According to the housing charity Shelter, if you can prove that the mold is caused by poor maintenance, you may be eligible for an emergency move.
Disinfecting Mold
Mold isn’t just unsightly; it’s also unhealthy. If left untreated, it can trigger allergies and breathing problems, as well as damage walls and furniture. For these reasons, it’s important to get rid of any mold as quickly and thoroughly as possible. To do this, it’s best to call in a top-rated professional.
However, if you decide to take the DIY route, it’s crucial that you understand how to dispose of mold properly. This will help mitigate health risks and keep the spores from spreading throughout your home.
The first step is to prepare the area. This means wearing gloves, safety glasses, and a mask with an N95 rating or higher. It’s also a good idea to open windows and doors, as this will help to ventilate the space.
Next, you’ll need to prepare a cleaning solution. It’s recommended that you use white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, which are both effective at killing mold. To create your cleaning solution, simply mix equal parts water and the chosen substance in a spray bottle. Before applying it to the mold, test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the wall. This will ensure that the mixture is safe for the surface and won’t cause any discoloration or damage to the surrounding areas.
Once your cleaning solution is prepared, apply it to the affected area using a sponge or brush. Be sure to scrub the entire surface and not just the visible mold. Allow the solution to sit on the mold for about 10 minutes before scrubbing it again. Rinse the surface with clean water and dry it using fans or open windows.
Finally, it’s important to discard any food items that have been exposed to mold. This will ensure that any spores that were missed during the cleaning process aren’t accidentally ingested.
After removing and disinfecting the mold, it’s important to dry all surfaces completely. This is especially important for porous materials like carpets and fabrics, as mold spores can penetrate deep into these materials and reinfect them. To prevent this, make sure that any leaks are fixed and the area is well-ventilated, and use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to reduce indoor humidity levels.
Getting Rid of Mold
Mold is a fungus that thrives in moist, warm conditions. Its spores can be airborne, and some people who breathe in mold particles may experience allergic or respiratory symptoms. Although most people who get mold exposure don’t develop any long-term health problems, it’s important to eliminate the fungus from your home to avoid further growth and potential damage to property.
If you have a serious mold problem, you should hire a professional to remove the fungus and help you solve the underlying cause. A trained mold remediator has special tools and training to safely and thoroughly clean surfaces and remove the spores that can trigger health issues in some people.
Before cleaning, ventilate the work area well. Open windows and doors, and use fans to circulate the air. Wear rubber gloves, eye protection and a mask to protect yourself from contact with mold spores. If you have sensitive skin, consider wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants to prevent getting spores on your skin.
Make sure you can see and reach all areas of the affected walls, and remove obstacles that block your access. Set up dehumidifiers and fans to dry the cleaned areas. After the surface has dried, paint or stain the woodwork using a color-matched paint that contains a mildewcide, like BIN or KILZ.
Porous items that have been wet for 48 hours or more, such as carpeting, fabric, wallpaper, drywall and some clothing, must be discarded, even if they are cleaned and sanitized. Mold spores can live on a wet item for months or years, and continue to grow.
After removing the infected drywall, cut at least 12 inches of clean drywall around it to ensure you have removed all of the mold. Place the moldy drywall in a heavy-duty plastic bag and seal it tightly to keep spores from escaping during transport and disposal. Dispose of the bag through a nearby exit, rather than entering the house, to prevent distributing mold spores throughout the home. Discard any other contaminated items in a similar manner. If you are unsure how to dispose of an item, ask your local recycling center for guidance.