Mold can be unsightly, dangerous to the health of humans and pets, and can cause damage to property. It is always important to take steps to keep mold at bay, but given that mold spores are everywhere, both indoors and out, that can be a challenge.
Damp and humid conditions are ideal for mold, which requires just water and darkness to grow. Mold can grow on a wide variety of surfaces – drywall, carpet, clothing, furniture, and many others. Once mold has taken hold inside (or outside) your home, it can be difficult to remove.
How Do I Keep Mold Under Control?
Ultimately, stopping mold before it takes hold in your home can prevent the headaches and cost of mold remediation. There are several steps that homeowners can take to minimize (but, unfortunately, not eliminate) the chance of having a mold infestation.
- Be sure that you repair any water intrusion as soon as you notice it. Mold can start to form quickly any time there is a leak from a pipe, the roof, or windows. Condensation from air conditioner pipes or steam from kitchens can create the ideal conditions for mold to grow. If you notice any wetness or dampness, investigate it and correct the problem immediately.
- Dry anything that gets wet as soon and as quickly as possible. Carpets or furniture that has gotten wet should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold. Even wet towels or wet clothing left in a washing machine can be an invitation for mold.
- Use products that resist mold when possible. Mold-resistant drywall is especially useful in areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms, where wetness is unavoidable. You can also consider adding mold inhibitors to paint.
- Take preventive steps to ensure that water does not enter your home from leaky windows or clogged gutters and downspouts. Consider having a roof inspection done to ensure that the roofing material is in good condition, and that flashing is intact and not in need of repair.
- Use a moisture meter inside your home to monitor the humidity. The US Environmental Protection Agency suggests that indoor humidity should be between 30 and 60 percent. Any higher than that can encourage mold.
- Evaluate the air flow in your home, and make changes if necessary. You can increase circulation by opening interior doors or moving furniture. Ceiling fans or other means to move air can be helpful in some situations.
- Keep mold from starting in indoor plants, which can be a perfect breeding ground, by adding Taheebo tea to their water and making sure that the plants are not overwatered.
- If your home has a tendency to grow mold, do not use humidifiers.
- Be sure that bathrooms and kitchens have exhaust fans, and that they and the clothes dryer vent to the outside of your home.
- Consider using hard surface materials like tile instead of carpet in areas that have a lot of moisture like kitchens or bathrooms.
What if I Have a Minor Mold Problem?
Minor mold problems can sometimes be handled by the homeowner, but if you need black mold control or you are facing more serious mold issues, it is best to call a professional mold remediation company.
For minor mold growth inside your home, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, “Mold can be removed from hard surfaces with household products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than one cup of household laundry bleach in one gallon of water.”
Using bleach can be dangerous, so the CDC offers additional guidance about how to safely clean mold using it:
- Do not ever mix bleach with ammonia, because doing so can produce a poisonous gas.
- Allow as much fresh air as possible by opening windows and doors.
- Wear safety equipment – rubber gloves, boots, and goggles when using bleach to clean mold.
Toilet Mold Control
Bathrooms tend to have higher humidity levels. This high humidity combined with the necessarily wet conditions of a toilet makes them a very common source of mold in a home. Toilet mold control and removal is, fortunately, fairly easy.
The Internet has quite a number of creative recommendations for removing toilet mold, from steam cleaning to laundry additives. A simple and straightforward suggestion is to pour vinegar into the toilet bowl and then sprinkle baking soda around the inside of the rim. Vinegar can also be used to clean the toilet tank if it has mold.
There are, of course, also dozens of options available in grocery stores and other retailers.
What if My Mold Problem is Serious?
Depending on the severity of your mold issue, it may need to be addressed by a professional who is experienced with mold control. A mold inspection can be done to determine the type of mold and the extent to which it has spread, and the mold inspector can also explain what mold remediation measures may need to be taken.
Mold remediation is a multi-step process.
- Assessment of the mold issue in your home
- Mold containment like negative air chambers to isolate contaminated areas, and airflow control to prevent further spread of mold
- Air filtration to clean the air by capturing microscopic mold spores
- Mold cleaning and removal, and proper disposal of mold-infested materials
- Cleaning and sanitizing all items impacted by mold, and deodorizing to eliminate odors
- Restoration to replace any items like drywall, flooring, or other structures that were removed due to the mold problem
Contact Urgent Restoration for Mold Remediation
The skilled and licensed team of professionals at Urgent Restoration provide mold remediation services in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Plant City, Auburndale, and Bartow. We are committed to getting our clients’ homes cleaned and livable as quickly as possible.
Urgent Restoration can assist homeowners with filing documentation with their homeowners insurance company, helping to alleviate some of the stress of the mold remediation process. We always document every step of the process to ensure that you have proper documentation for any homeowners insurance claim.
Contact us today if you have mold issues or questions. We are available 24/7 for emergency restoration services in and near Lakeland.
Aaron Iannuzzi is the owner of Urgent Restoration with over a decade of experience in the restoration industry. Aaron started Urgent Restoration in 2018 and has locations in Florida and Georgia. The company specializes in water damage restoration, mold remediation, fire remediation and more. Aaron and his team of experienced technicians are proud to serve their communities to restore their homes and businesses back to normal.
