Introduction
Mold is a serious problem that can be hard to fix. If you have mold in your home, you should make sure you take proper precautions to keep yourself and your family safe. The truth is that many people don't realize they have mold until it's too late, but it's important to catch this problem early, so you don't wind up making more of an issue than necessary.
Air movement is a key indicator of where the next problem area may be.
Air movement is a key indicator of where the next problem area may be. In other words, if you see mold or signs of water damage somewhere in your home, it’s likely that there is more mold behind it. This can be seen in areas where air enters or exits a room (doors/windows) or through gaps in walls and floors.
If there is a leak in the ceiling above an area that has visible mold, there may be additional moisture behind drywall that isn't visible but still needs to be remediated.
The mold is more likely to be in areas that are prone to moisture problems, like bathrooms, kitchens, attics, crawlspaces and basements.
It’s important to note that mold can be found anywhere in your home, even if you don’t see any visible signs. Even if you have a clean house, moisture can still develop behind walls and in other hidden areas. If you notice mold growing on the walls or ceiling of your bathroom or kitchen, this may be a sign of water damage somewhere else in the home.
If you find mold growing on wood surfaces such as door frames and window casings, it's likely due to excess moisture from leaky pipes coming into contact with these materials—and indicates that there's some kind of water infiltration issue present within your home.
It's important to fix the water leak first before removing the mold.
The first step to proper remediation is to fix the leak. You may be tempted to begin removing mold, but you must first make sure that there isn't further damage or potential for leaks later. Mold grows in damp and humid conditions, so if you can't find where your water leak is coming from, then a professional plumber should be called in. The quicker you can get rid of this problem, the less likely it will be for the mold to grow back again.
It's also important to remember that mold can grow on just about any surface, including wood, paper, carpet and foods.
You should also be aware that mold can grow on just about any surface, including wood, paper, carpet and foods. This makes it important to be careful when packing items in storage or waiting for them to dry after a flood.
The first step in containment is making sure the HVAC system isn't spreading the spores.
The first step in containment is making sure the HVAC system isn't spreading the spores. If you have a contaminated HVAC system, it needs to be cleaned before it can be used again. But if your HVAC system is clean, don't bother cleaning it: just leave it alone! To clean an infected HVAC system with a HEPA vacuum, simply follow these steps:
Turn off all power sources
Remove any filters and discharge them outside (do not discard them)
Discharge all registers where mold is found and wash interior of unit using soap solution made up of 10% bleach/water solution
Replace all discharged filters with new ones.
This will prevent the airborne mold spores from circulating throughout the home and making other parts of the house hard.
Air movement is a key indicator of where the next problem area may be. If there's enough air circulation, mold will grow in one location and not spread throughout the home.
As you go about inspecting for water damage and mold growth, also look for signs of major leaks, like cracks in ceilings or walls. The moisture from these types of leaks can cause significant problems if left untouched for an extended period of time. In some cases, it may even cause structural damage if left untreated for too long!
Once you've determined that there are no larger issues with your home such as structural integrity issues (cracks in walls), then it's time to remove any visible mold from surfaces with bleach solutions or other cleaning products designed specifically for this purpose, such as Clorox® Mold & Mildew Cleaner Spray Bottle & Ready-to-Use Trigger Spray Bottle or Clorox All Surface Disinfecting Wipes Multi-Purpose Cleaner Fresh Scent Packets - 24 CT Packets per Boxes (Packaging May Vary).
Then it's time to set up plastic sheeting or negative air pressure machines to prevent spores from entering other rooms or floors of your home.
Once you've isolated the area, it's time to set up plastic sheeting or negative air pressure machines in other rooms and floors of your home. To prevent spores from entering these areas, keep them well ventilated and dry using a HEPA vacuum cleaner. Make sure to wear a protective mask and gloves when cleaning up any mold you find.
Children and pets should not be allowed in the affected room while remediation is taking place because they can easily spread spores around your home without knowing it, causing further damage that would take longer to correct than if they were kept out of the affected area during cleanup.
You don't want people tracking spores through your home either.
The first thing to do is to keep people out of the affected area. This means keeping them away from the work area and also away from the moldy materials. If you have a large space, try and keep everyone out of it completely until you've done some cleaning. Then, when you're ready to start working again, only let people in if they are wearing protective gear—and even then, make sure they know that any work they do must be done with caution—avoid touching moldy surfaces and avoid breathing in spores.
If you're lucky, you can just remove the materials with visible signs of contamination such as drywall and carpeting that have been wet for 48 hours or more.
If you're lucky, you can just remove the materials with visible signs of contamination, such as drywall and carpeting that have been wet for 48 hours or more.
If your mold problem is less than 48 hours old, it's likely that a simple cleaning will do the trick. If not, hire a professional who will know how to safely handle any potential health hazards. The longer the mold has been growing, the more toxic it becomes.
If you discover hidden mold or your moldy surfaces are larger than 10 square feet (3 square meters), then you'll need to hire a professional for proper containment, removal and health safety purposes.
If you need to hire a professional for mold remediation, it's important to know what you're getting into. Mold remediation is a complicated process that requires special training and equipment.
Hiring an unqualified contractor can result in further damage to your home, including:
structural problems from water infiltration or vibrations caused by heavy machinery
asthma symptoms due to airborne mold spores
long-term health effects from breathing in toxic molds such as black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) and toxic brown molds (Alternaria alternata)
Containment and remediation are complicated processes best left to professionals.
Mold remediation is a complicated process that requires specialized equipment and skills. If you don’t have the right equipment or experience, you could make the situation worse by using improper cleaning methods.
You should always hire a professional to do the work for you.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you should have a better understanding of mold remediation and containment. Molds are dangerous to your health and can cause serious problems in your home if left untreated. If you need help with mold removal or remediation services in the Denver area, contact us today! We provide free estimates on all jobs, large or small.