Mold remediation, clean up, removal and prevention will likely occur within ones home or business at one time or another. Handling mold is not a job for everyone. Mold carries with it risks. There are measures to take when resolving the issues mold brings with it. It is important to find the source, minimize the mess during the clean up phase, clean and remove the mold. Prevention will be the final step in resolving a mold problem.
First and most important to fixing the mold issue is finding and fixing the moisture issue. Likely this will be in the vicinity of where the mold has been spotted. If the source of the moisture is not fixed and only the mold is cleaned it will come back. The problem is only masked at that point. In fixing the issue it is important to resolve to gain control over the moisture levels. If the levels in one given room are over fifty-five percent the best option is a dehumidifier.
If a leak or flood has occurred the problem is more clear and defined. This will be a matter of removal of the excess water using a pump to clear the area of water. From there it is important to ensure that the area is completely dry. This is possible using fans to circulate the air and a humidifier. All wet items should be removed and properly taken care of. Problems that go unattended for over forty-eight hours can lead to the most complications. Immediate care and resolution are the best options in mold remediation.
The next step after removing and finding the source of the issues is to clean and remove the mold. Before this is even started it is advisable to prevent the spores from scattering. When the mold becomes airborne it will start to reproduce on whatever it lands on given the conditions are right. To prevent these areas of mold growth from spreading each area should be blocked off and cleaned separately. You can do this by sealing the room with plastic sheeting and place tape on the edges as a seal. Air purifiers are wise to run throughout the space.
Cleaning the mold is another beast all on its own. Know going into the mold remediation process, depending on the size, quantity and type of mold present professional mold restoration services might be the better option. Professional mold restoration services are provided by trained professionals. They know exactly what they are doing and can have life back to normal before many homeowners can even have the area prepped for the cleaning and mold removal process.
The mold should not be completely dry. Dry mold has a tendency to sail through the air better than moist mold. The affected areas should be cleansed with cleaner specially designed to kill and remove mold. Many non-porous materials can be reused after being affected by mold however porous materials such as ceiling tiles, carpet, furniture etc. that are visibly affected need to be destroyed. Sometimes those items can be cleaned and reused if not badly affected however it is best to not chance anything that may be uncertain.
Mold should be removed and placed in thick construction grade plastic bags. Don’t try to move the bag through the house. With mold it is best to throw the bag directly out the window eliminating the movement of mold from each room on the way out to the trash. Mold is nothing to mess with. It is unsightly, unhealthy to live with and breathe in and hard to safely take care of. If in doubt with a situation involving mold look for advice from professional mold remediation services.