Remove Mold From Your Home

The removal of mold will prevent many diseases from attacking you and your family. The absense of mold will also give your home a fresh, clean scent.

Here are some steps on how best to remove mold from your home :

• Clean Roofs and Gutters

One of the hiding places of mold is in blocked gutters or on top of roofs. Leaves and other wet debris can become trapped and stagnant, providing a great place for mold to fester and grow.

• Watch out for compost piles

  If you have a compost pile, keep it far from the house to prevent mold spores from entering the house via the basement or walls. If you are moving your compost pile, make sure a protective mask is worn to prevent the inhilation of toxic mold released in the air.

• Sunshine is important to reduce external moisture

  Homes that are heavily shaded by large trees or overhangs are more likely to have damp, moldy areas. Direct sunlight on the area can reduce the probability of mold. If you have mold allergies, this step is especially important.

• Disposal of Damaged Materials

  Building materials and furnishings contaminated with mold growth should be placed in sealed water-resistant bags or closed containers while in the remediation area. These materials can usually be discarded as ordinary construction waste. Large items with heavy mold growth should be covered with polyethylene sheeting and sealed with duct tape before being removed from the remediation area.

• Control moisture levels

  Keeping moisture levels in check is a great way to prevent mold from growing at all. Air conditioning or dehumidifiers can work as an effective check to mold growth. These appliances must be kept clean to avoid contaminating them with mold that can add to the problems for sensitive individuals. They can be cleaned through scrubbing or by spraying them with an aerosol mold remover. The ideal level of humidity inside a home should be between 35 and 40 percent. Levels above 50% allow molds to grow.

• Remove molds with bleach

  One of the best ways to get rid of mold is to simply treat it like your toughest laundry stains. In these cases, try bleaching them out.

  The ideal solution is one cup of bleach to 10 cups of water, or a cup of bleach in a gallon of water. Scrub those places inside your home where mold exists. Places best for mold growth are basements, shower curtains, bathrooms, fixtures, floors and walls, shower curtains, tile and behind the toilet; window panes, basement walls, floors and ceilings; and areas around the laundry room.

• Clean your closets

  Mold is often found in shoes or even on clothing. Closets can be a festering ground for mold growth. If asthmatic or allergic reactions do not seem to be getting better, this may be a necessary step. If your closets are carpeted, it may be time to replace them. If mold exposure is unavoidable while cleaning, sensitive people should wear a tight-fitting facemask.

• Inspect appliances

  Appliances that have mold inside them can increase a sensitized individual’s mold allergies. Proper outdoor ventilation of indoor appliances is especially important for clothes dryers and stoves. Another potential mold spawning ground is the refrigerator drip pan, which can collect great amounts of moisture.

• Be careful on vacations

  Vacations can be times when mold allergies or reactions worsen. This is especially true for vacations at the beach, woods, or any place where the accommodations are damp or moist. If you have a cabin that you only visit a few times a year, you should properly clean it before each use.

• Water leakage inside your home

  Replace or remove porous materials such as ceiling tiles, sheet rock, carpeting, and wood products if they have become water logged.

  Drying does not remove all of the dead spores on heavily-molded carpet. Remove all sheet rock to at least 12 inches above the high-water mark. Visually inspect the wall interior and remove any other intrusive molds. This may need to be carried out by a licensed contractor. Any insulation that is damp or wet should be replaced with dry insulation.

Further Recommended Reading :

• Tips on Removing Surface Mold
• 2 Easy Steps to Mold Removal

Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team