How To Get Rid Of Mold In Your Home

Mold can be a real pain. Not only does it look hideous, it can also cause health problems. Mold causes allergic reactions, irritation and breathing problems due to the spores which are released into the air. If you have noticed black mold growing on your walls, ceilings or floors, it’s time to look for a solution to eradicate the problem.

So, how can you get rid of mold inside your property so you can breathe clean air?

Identifying Mold

Mold can be found in many locations. It grows almost everywhere as long as it has the right environment – the right temperature of between 40-100 degrees Fahrenheit and sufficient moisture to thrive. Mold is usually found in the form of mildew – small black spots that grow into a larger colony. You usually see it in the shower, on painted sidings and deck boards outdoors and on bathroom ceilings if there is insufficient ventilation. Mildew won’t actually damage the structure of your property, although it is unsightly. However some kinds of mold rot wood or drywall. You’ll be able to smell this kind of mold due to its musty odor. You need to clean this type of mold immediately.

Scrubbing Surface Mold

It’s possible to scrub away surface mold which you might find in your bathroom or on your decking. Using a solution of mold cleaner which you can make yourself from 1 part bleach and 8 parts water, you can simply scrub it from the surface. However, if the mold concentration is very large, you’ll need to take more precautions. You’ll need to wear old clothing which can be thrown away afterwards, and you’ll need gloves, goggles and a respirator mask. Make sure the space is well ventilated and ensure that the moldy items are double bagged in a garbage bag before being disposed of. It’s very important to make sure that no mold spores are allowed to spread around your home and this is why you need to take extra care when scrubbing away the mold. Use a soft brush to scrub the surfaces and plenty of elbow grease. This will make sure that you get rid of any remaining spores before you throw the brush away.

Preventing Mold

Once you have removed mold, you’ll need to guard against it growing again. Controlling dampness is key to this, by making sure that dampness is prevented. Finding ways to stop any leaks and adding in more ventilation is very important. Installing a dehumidifier is also a good idea as this will ensure that any excess moisture in such damp spaces is eliminated, guarding against future mold infestations. You can also use a paint which contains a mildewcide in your dampest spaces to protect against the possibility of any more mold growing.

Cleaning Up and Repairing

Once you have cleaned up the mold, you’ll need to vacuum up the remaining debris. You can do this by using a standard wet/dry vacuum. Afterwards, however, it’s very important to dispose of your wet/dry vac’s filter and thoroughly wash out its hose, attachments and tank using a solution of bleach and water. This will help to guard against any more spores being released into the air of your room. You can also put the end of your vacuum’s hose out of the window to ensure that any floating spores go outside rather than being allowed to float around in the internal air.

Sealing Moldy Areas

Once any areas from which you’ve removed mold are dry, you’ll need to seal the areas to prevent further infestation. Set out a dehumidifier and fan to dry out the clean area for a minimum of three days then seal any wooden surfaces using an oil-based primer. Repaint the clean surfaces using a mildewcide containing paint and then install fresh drywall and insulation before nailing the trim on.

Follow these top tips and you’ll find that removing a mold infestation from your property needn’t be as difficult as it seems. Although mold is unpleasant, it isn’t an insurmountable problem and can be eliminated from any property. If your infestation is very extensive, however, you should call in a professional to handle the task.

Sanath pollemore is best blogger and writer alll niche.