Molds are an unpleasant surprise to find in your house. Seeing those black mold areas in your shower or basement can be disturbing. While small amounts won’t really make you sick, knowing how to eliminate them immediately can keep the situation from worsening.
If you’re reading this article after seeing mold problems in your home, these guidelines we’ve prepared can help tackle the situation you’re in.
6 Ways to Eliminate Molds
Molds left untouched can rapidly spread to larger areas, so tackling the mold is necessary while it’s just starting to develop. When neglected, molds can destroy valuable household possessions and even cause allergic reactions and health conditions affecting the respiratory system.
Here are five steps you can follow to solve mold problems before they become severe:
1. Locate All Mold
It’s pointless to only remove some of the molds in your house. It will spread and rapidly grow when you miss even a little bit, putting you in a full-blown mold problem. To ensure you tackle every mold in your home, inspect all the rooms and pay attention to damp areas with a musty odor. Molds can grow under floor coverings and carpets, above ceiling tiles, inside walls, and inside air conditioning ducts.
2. Identify the Source of Moisture
Controlling moisture is the best way to address mold growth. Molds thrive in humid and wet conditions, so determining the sources of moisture is vital to prevent molds and keep them from recurring. Molds usually grow in damp unventilated areas like basements and bathrooms.
Some of the common culprits of mold growth in homes include:
- Excess moisture
- Condensation around doors, concrete floors, windows, and cold pipes
- Flooding
- Poor ventilation and HVAC
- Leaky roofs or walls
If these caused significant mold infestation in your home, have mold cleanup professionals come over to take care of the situation.
3. Address Unresolved Water Damage
Repairing the water problem that created the mold is a crucial part of eliminating these pesky fungi and ensuring they do not persist. Moisture provides mold spores an environment to thrive, so fix any roof or pipe leaks. Since roofs and pipes have layers of insulation and drywall, they’re ideal places for molds to grow.
As the mold spreads, you’ll see them growing on your walls and ceilings. When this happens, you’ll have to employ restoration specialists to prevent further damage and excess moisture from occurring. You may visit their website for more information on their services.
4. Use the Right Cleaning Product
Many house owners might think bleach is the most effective mold treatment. However, it isn’t. Bleach may contain strong chemicals, but it does not remove mold. It only changes the mold’s color from black to gray or white, and there’s a possibility that it may return after a few weeks of bleaching. Mold experts suggest borax instead.
Follow the steps below to address molds using borax:
- Mix the powder in a gallon of hot water.
- Apply the mixture on a mold-affected surface.
- Scrub using a brush or rug until the mold disappears.
Avoid using this cleaner on drywall, as this material soaks up water quickly. Instead, try safe alternative products like baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and tea tree oil.
5. Remove Damaged Materials
Any porous or wet surface that contains mold should be removed from your house to prevent spores from spreading in another area. Depending on the severity of the mold issue, this might mean changing or removing carpets, insulation, or drywall.
6. Dry the Surface
The last and most crucial part of mold removal is drying the surface. Remember, moisture is the main culprit of mold buildup. Since water is a part of the mold cleaning process, the surface will be wet for several hours. Open doors and windows to quicken the drying process and ventilate the area. You can also run a dehumidifier or air movers to quickly dry the surface.
Conclusion
The internet is an abundant source of information for getting rid of household molds. You might find references recommending cleaning materials and procedures for minor mold problems. But worse cases of mold infestations are best entrusted to remediation specialists. Not only will you save time by doing so, but you’re also saving yourself and your family from exposure to mold spores and respiratory problems if you handle the job yourself.
