How to Get Rid of Mold?
One of the biggest change faced in the restoration industry along with hazard to the health and safety of home is mold. Without proper care and treatment of mold it can lead to compromised health conditions and respiratory illnesses. But one should understand there are easy and effective ways to get rid of mold and will help your property to stay uncontaminated and clean.
In this article we are going to learn some of the best tips and tricks to help you get rid of mold and eliminate the danger from our home or business place. But first it’s important for us to understand what causes molds.
How are Mold Formed?
In simple terms, molds are formed in damp and wet conditions. Molds are generally found to grow substantially fast in areas which are effected by natural disasters like Hurricanes or Flooding. The reason being that the standing water takes time to flow out and therefore creates a very wet condition which are favorable for the mold to grow.
It is important to note that mold will start to grow within 24 to 48 hours in the presence of moisture at a temperature of about 41 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, mold can survive in an environment only when the pH is between 3-7 in short when the conditions are more acidic.
But nevertheless wherever you are it is important to know how to properly get rid of mold whenever and wherever they are found and the following tips are surely going to help you with that.
Why Should We Worry About Molds?
Just to make it easier for you to understand the gravity of the problem, here are few facts about Molds in United States:
- 47% of almost every US home has at least a little mold, but roughly 47% of home have substantial mold or dampness
- The EPA found that 85% of commercial buildings had past water damage and 45% of public and private buildings have current water leaks
- The GAO found 30% of schools had plumbing leads and 27% of schools had leaks in the roof.
- People who are exposed to mold re 30% to 50% more at risk of asthma, coughing and wheezing.
- At least 45 million buildings in the Unites States have unhealthy levels of mold
- 1 in 4 people are genetically susceptible to mold-related illnesses.
What are the Threat Posed by Molds?
As per research, there is a very strong link between mold and respiratory problems such as asthma. They are also responsible for the majority of sinus infection in United States. In recent days, scientist have also said that connection between mold and more serious problems like neurological and systemic problems cannot be ruled out.
In addition to the above, mold spores are also said to cause skin and eye irritation. Thus it is very important for us not to leave any wet conditions in our home for the molds to grow in the first place, like the saying goes “Prevention is better than Cure”
Getting Rid of Mold
Identify the Source of Problem
As explained above, the primary reason for the mold to grow is moisture. Therefore, it is imperative that we first and foremost the wet condition. It could be plumbing leaks or flooding, poor ventilation, or seepage of ground water through the foundation or walls of a basement. Also it is advised to check the seals around windows, doors, and roofs, as well as flashings around vents or air conditioner equipment for possible leaks that allow moisture into your property.
Before you start the process of getting rid of the mold it is important to find the source of the problem first so you can stop the ongoing growth process and future reoccurrence. Also it is noticed that some people think by painting or caulking over the mold the problem will be solved but this is not correct and not at all encouraged.
Preliminary steps to be taken
Before the process of clean-up begins make sure to dry the damp or mold infested are and materials. Items which cannot get rid of the mold should be disposed off immediately from the property using thick plastic bags to reduce the spread of the mold spores.
Another good advice is to maintain the ventilation of the property by opening the windows and using fans. Dehumidifiers can also help in the drying process since they absorb the moisture in the surrounding. Also note moisture may not necessarily be visible. Porous surfaces like cement, wood and fabric can hold moisture for a long time and they are not even visible. Water can easily travel through these materials from one area of home to another. Therefore, moisture readings should be continuously taken to ensure that the wood or other building materials are completely dry.
The clean-up
As mentioned above, molds can be a big health hazard and therefore the cleaning process should be done with due diligence and with full safety gear.
Which at all cost avoid breathing in the mold spores into our lungs thus you should wear a respirator. A N-95 respirator is recommended. Wear your gloves and please try to avoid touching moldy surfaces with bare hands.
Depending on the type of surface you are cleaning, you can use Polyurethane Release Agent, so make sure that your gloves are made from nitrile, neoprene or natural rubber.
Needless to say but you should also wear your googles especially the ones which are non-ventilated to avoid the mold spores getting into your eyes. To make your work even safer it is recommended that you wear a protective suit to cover your clothes and skin, this will reduce the risk of irritation form mold spores and the chances of the transferring mold spores from one place to another.
It is also important to note that you use good quality mold release agent. You can find mold release agent manufacturer in China and source from them directly before starting your clean-up operation.