Mold Removal: The Basics

Mold has been found to be a significant health problem

inside homes. People that are exposed to mold can experience

cold-like symptoms, lung problems, sinus congestion, coughing,

sore throat, watery eyes and skin irritations. Mold can also trigger

attacks in asthma sufferers. Prolonged exposure can also lead to

the development of an allergy to mold. Mold grows on anything

organic, including things like soap scum, wood, dirt and paper.

Mold needs moisture to fuel its growth, so areas of the home that

suffer flooding, water leaks, condensation or high humidity levels

most likely have mold. Any area like this needs to have the wall

cut into to check for mold growth. As well as inside walls, mold is

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often found under cabinets, in carpet padding, under baseboards

and under wallpaper. Closets, bathrooms and basements are

areas of the home that are particularly susceptible to mold

growth.

Once it is located, mold needs to be removed as soon as

possible. Because mold is so dangerous, it is important to wear

the proper safety equipment during the removal process. A

respirator or mask needs to be worn that is specifically designed

to filter mold spores. Eye protection and rubber gloves should

also be worn during mold removal. Clothing should be

immediately laundered after mold removal is finished.

Moldy objects should be dampened before removal to

reduce the number of airborne mold spores that are released.

Hard surfaces without pores, like glass, hard plastic, metal and

counter tops, can be cleaned of mold with a bleach solution. Use a

solution that contains a ½ cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water. Open

windows for proper ventilation when using a bleach cleaning

solution. Scrub the bleach solution in thoroughly with a stiff

brush, and then rinse well with clean water. Make sure to dry the

clean area quickly and throughly to prevent the recurrence of

mold. Porous surfaces can never be completely cleaned of mold

spores, so things like paper, wood, drywall and carpet padding

need to be cut out and removed if they have mold in them.

Mold spores are present in the air everywhere, so it is

impossible to completely rid any area of them. The only thing to

do is to prevent these mold spores from finding a hospitable

environment in which to grow. This means keeping your

basements, bathrooms and other wet areas of the house as dry as

possible. One of the best ways to do this is to use a dehumidifier.

You must make sure to check the dehumidifier daily, and empty it

anytime it has water in it. If it is not being emptied when it is full,

it will give the mold spores a chance to settle in.

If areas of your house do suffer from flooding or water spills,

it is as very important to dry them out as quickly as possible. After

they are dry, clean them with the bleach solution. This will kill any

mold spores that are present before they have a chance to grow.

For more mold removal information, tips and resources visit Mold Removal Center at

http://www.moldremovalcenter.com.