March 27, 2018 by JulietAyer
After experiencing a water event such as a flood, burst pipe, or storm breach, you might be wondering what to do next. This type of disaster warrants immediate action to minimize the damage.
Hopefully, the amount of water minimal and you can easily mop and dry the area quickly. The first course of action is to locate the source of the water damage and fix the issue. But once that is taken care of what should you do next? To prevent the possibility of mold growth emerging, it’s best to form a plan of action.
The Truth About Mold
Brace yourself, but mold is everywhere. Doesn’t matter if you’re indoors or out, mold spores are floating along the air and once they find a way into your home is when problems can arise. Mold creates spores to spread throughout an area and reproduce in large quantities. When released, the spores can travel through air, dust, and moisture to anywhere within your home.
Once your home has been compromised, then mold can trigger a few side effects ranging from mild to more severe. A short list is as follows::
- Skin and eye irritation;
- Headaches and lethargy;
- Wheezing, coughing, and sneezing;
- Shortness of breath;
- Allergic reactions such as hives or rash;
- Asthma symptom aggravation;
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis;
- and more.
Additional Dangers of Mold Exposure
Mold not only puts your health at risk but can also compromise your home’s structural integrity. Over time, it will destroy:
- Drywall and other porous materials;
- The roof, gutters, and crawl spaces;
- Your ventilation, heating, and air condition system;
- Your home’s foundation;
- Furnishings and much more.
How to Remove Mold Yourself
Taking on a mold removal project by yourself is not recommended. Your mold remediation needs should be left up to the local cleaning services who specialize in mold removal. These agencies possess the tools and training needed to perform the task correctly.
However, for those folks wishing to do this themselves, we’ve provided a few tips to help.
Protection from Exposure
First things, first.You’re going to need to do some personal protective items to help in your fight against mold. The acquisition of equipment for your eyes, nose, mouth, and skin are essential. A pair of goggles, gloves, a dust-filter face mask (HEPA preferred), and long sleeve shirt with pants should be enough. If you have the funds, then opting for a Tyvek bodysuit is the best way to go.
Throw It Away
All items water damaged by a flood that cannot be dried within 24-48 hours should be moved outdoors or to a dry room. You’ll want to take pictures and document all items for your insurance company. A piece of wall or flooring would also serve as evidence for the insurance assessor.
Air Out the Home
Ensure that all doors and windows remain open while working on removing the mold. This helps circulate air flow throughout the home, hastening the drying process. If it’s safe to do so, keep them open even when not on the premises.
Create Air Circulation
Use fans and dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture from the air. If possible, lift the carpets and rugs to allow the fans to circulate airflow underneath.
Never Mix
Never mix cleaning products unless specifically told to do so. Toxic vapors can be formed by mixing bleach and ammonia so DON’T MIX EM!
Elbow Grease
Using water and detergent along with a scrub brush or sponge, you can begin scrubbing off any mold that is visible. It’s imperative that you dry the area immediately to prevent further mold growth.
Time to Dry
Dry everything in your home immediately. Walls, floors, and contents. Mold only needs 24-48 hours of sitting in still water to begin showing growth. It may take a bit of time for everything to be completely dry but it is necessary to prevent a mold growth recurrence.
Hire a Professional
Hiring a professional cleaner to come and handle your mold problem is a smart decision. This is especially true if you suspect mold but cannot find the location. Don’t allow a professional to persuade you into a pretest if it’s not necessary. If the mold in the house is visible, then chances are slim you’ll need one. Don’t waste your money! At this point, you’ll just need it removed and hiring a professional is the best guarantee to do just that.
All mold in your home needs to be removed in order to secure a safe environment. It’s in your and your family’s best interest to allow the experts to deal with this sort of thing. The time and effort needed to put into a project like this can be exhausting. By allowing a professional cleaner to come in and take care of the task for you, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing it’s in capable hands.
While Radiant Home Cleaning Services “throws in the towel” when it comes to mold cleanup, we do have suggestions on finding a licensed mold remediation company that can handle mold issues. Call your insurance company – typically they’ll keep a list of approved vendors that can handle your property claim. Check reviews – don’t just take the insurance company’s word for it. Often times, insurance companies limit their liability by referring more than one cleanup company, so do some research before you make a call.