How To Get Rid Of Mold

Mold is a common occurrence in households and is much more prevalent that you would think. We all recognize mold when it attaches itself to leftover foods in our refrigerator or develops on fruits or cheese very quickly if they are not eaten right away. These molds are easily disposed of and we don’t think much about it, but there are other types of mold that can be serious health risks and getting rid of this mold is much harder.

Mold can develop very quickly and sometimes go undetected for a long period of time before it is discovered thereby making it harder to eradicate. All mold needs to grow is some moisture or humidity and it can start spreading its spores. Some common areas that could be subject to mold include:

§  A leak behind a refrigerator or dishwasher that can lead to damage to flooring and drywall

§  Seepage from clogged rain gutters that direct water into your attic or around windows and doors

§  Bathrooms frequently develop mold in shower tile grout, pipes under sinks and other areas as mold will develop from soap scum, a leaky faucet or the high humidity in the bath if there isn’t good ventilation or a fan

§   Improper landscaping or broken sprinklers that cause water to flow towards the house rather than away from it can cause mold to develop on firewood or material in garages or basements

Once you have discovered mold, getting rid of it should be your number one priority. There are many mold testing kits that are available that can determine the types of mold that you have by having the samples sent to a laboratory for testing. The testing should be done with good ventilation and while wearing protective clothing that includes goggles, gloves and covers for shoes to ensure that you are not exposed to the mold. Once the mold samples have been removed the area should be disinfected with a solution of one cup of bleach to one gallon of water. The area should then be dried for six to eight hours. This however is only good for getting rid of mold in a small area.

If the mold is so prevalent or you are unsure of how extensive it is, you should have a professional do the inspection and testing for you. Sometimes complete sections of wallboard or flooring in a room or several rooms must be removed to adequately clean and disinfect the area. Stronger products such as biocides might be needed to ensure that the mold is not only removed but that it will not return again.

Once you have determined the types of mold that you have and the extent of contamination, then you can proceed immediately with remedial action.  The longer the mold goes undetected the harder it is to get rid of the mold as it frequently is growing behind walls or furniture or in the back of closets so the inspection is vital to determine the amount of contamination and remedial action required.