Mold removal is a difficult and critical process, especially if your house is water damaged. Mold is a kind of fungus that is unfortunately fast growing and you can find it virtually everywhere around the house, if the house is not maintained properly. Apart from causing major health problems, what mold does is blacken the grout, mess up the wood, and spoil the overall looks of the interiors of the house. Some strains of mold have been proven to be toxic and that is why it is important to have a mold free home.
Humid locations that have temperatures in range of 40 to 100 degrees Celsius, are the perfect place for mold to grow. This means that your kitchen and bathroom the most ideal places for mold to grow. A home, which is damaged by rains or floods, and that was not properly dried can be a candidate for molds. Among the many different types of mold, mildew is one of the most common one. It is a tiny black spot that grows into colonies which are tightly bunched together.
Testing for mildew
The process of mold removal starts from testing the area. It is rather easy to find whether your house has mold or not. The air in the home occupied with mold has a unique scent that is quite noxious and unsettling. Search for the areas with dark spots. Put a drop of bleach in that area. If it gets lighter, then you have mildew. If it does not, then you might be having common dirt.
How to differentiate between mildew and other molds
Mildew is not destructive, however, it looks nasty. Other molds, however, can be the most contributing factor to many problems like rotting. Homes damaged by water can be a great candidate for rot causing molds. Wooden structures slowly get deteriorated and it can be a safety hazard especially if the molds appear on the flooring. Due to mold, the wooden flooring starts to crumble, and it might be too late to save it since the mold has already damaged the structure.
Wear protective clothing
When cleaning the mold, it is important to wear protective clothing. It is not advised to hold the mold with bare hands. Wear protective clothing such as gloves, goggles and mask. The spores that come out from mold can move and irritate your mucus membranes so keep them guarded.
Removing molds on carpeted areas
Removing mold from carpet is difficult; hence, it is suggested to remove the entire carpet. Roll it and secure inside a plastic that has been closed using duct tape. While doing this, remember to keep the exhaust fan on to drive the spores outside instead of lingering inside the home. Once the carpet is removed, use a wet and dry vacuum. Using an extra long hose will help you in keeping the vacuum outside the house to prevent the spores from coming back to the house.
To protect your home from any kind of mold, make sure to stop leaks, dry out all wet areas and keep the home well ventilated. Have an exhaust fan and do make sure that the spaces around the house are not damp.