What Should I Know About Mold Removal?

If you have mold in your home, then you should remove it as quickly as possible. There are a few things to keep in mind about mold removal, however. You should know when to hire a professional, when to throw a moldy item away and how to remove mold.

When to Hire a Professional

If you have a small amount of mold in your home, chances are you will be perfectly fine removing it yourself. However, sometimes it is better to call a professional. The United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends hiring a professional to remove areas of mold that are larger than 10 square feet. You should also consult a professional if the mold problem is in your heating and air conditioning system.

When to Throw an Item Away

Mold can normally be completely removed from hard, non-porous surfaces. However, it is difficult to impossible to completely remove mold from absorbent materials. You should throw away moldy carpet, tiling and furniture.

How to Remove Mold

Mold grows on wet surfaces so before you start removing the mold, you should fix whatever is causing the dampness. This may involve fixing leaky pipes or a leaky roof. If you allow the moisture to continue to accumulate, the mold will keep growing. Wear protective gear when you clean up the mold such as a face mask and gloves. Use a water and detergent solution to dampen the moldy area. Scrub the surface with hot water and detergent. Then rinse, disinfect and dry the area.