Got Mold? Here’s What to Do

Got Mold? Here’s What to Do

Mold spores are all around us, in the air and on surfaces. Mold has a crucial role to play in nature, but it is useless and often harmful to humans indoors. Mold spores can land on wet or moist surfaces and start to grow.

Unchecked, mold growth can cause health issues and structural damage to your residential or commercial property. In severe cases, you may even require remodeling mold-damaged areas with the help of building contractors in Kansas City or St. Joseph, Missouri.

...many “experts” will tell you to use bleach and other harsh products. This is not ideal as it can create other health issues and damage your surfaces."

- Blackstone Construction

Let’s discuss what you can do to get rid of mold and prevent it from taking over your residential home or commercial space.

Safety First

In most cases, mold can be cleaned through DIY efforts, but you need to wear some protective gear first. If the affected area is 10 feet or more in any direction, it is better to hire mold remediation professionals.

Before you start cleaning mold:

• Goggles: to protect mold spores from contacting and irritating your eyes, wear goggles without any ventilation holes.

• N-95 Respirator: to limit exposure of mold spores in the air to your respiratory system, wear an N-95 respirator. You can easily find one at your local hardware store.

• Gloves: to prevent mold or cleaning solution from contacting your bare skin, wear long PVC or natural rubber gloves that extend to your forearm.

• Clothes: to prevent mold from contacting your skin, wear clothes that cover your entire body. Throw away or wash these clothes immediately after you are done cleaning mold, to wash out any mold spores that may have settled on the fabric.

Here’s What to Do

Most mold on hard surfaces can simply be cleaned out with an ammonia-based household cleaning product. DO NOT use bleach products or mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaning products, as this can produce a poisonous gas from the mixture.

Remove or cover any porous surfaces and materials near the moldy surface with a plastic sheet. For example, things like carpets, rugs, curtains, cushions, mattresses, and bedding should be covered up with plastic sheets or removed entirely.

This will prevent the mold spores from landing on these porous materials and spreading further. Then, spray the mold covered area with your cleaning product and wait for 2-4 minutes for it to settle.

Next, grab a scrub, brush, or sponge and start cleaning out all the mold from the surface. There may still be some stains left, but a thorough surface cleaning will get rid of any harmful mold. It is best to throw away your scrubbing tool once the cleaning is complete.

Porous surfaces or materials like carpets and drywall that have mold growth, will likely have to be thrown away. Mold can easily creep into the tiny crevices and become nearly impossible to remove, even for mold remediation professionals.

The Bottom Line

Removing mold is as simple as cleaning it with the right household cleaner, but many “experts” will tell you to use bleach and other harsh products. This is not ideal as it can create other health issues and damage your surfaces.

It is always better to prevent mold from reemerging or growing in new places in the first place.

This means addressing mold-causing sources like leaky pipes, roofs, using insulated ducts that direct air outdoors, ventilating indoor spaces regularly, and using air conditioners and dehumidifiers to keep humidity levels below 50 percent.

If mold growth is out of control, irreversible, or causes structural damage, you may need to remodel your residential or commercial space. Always opt for trusted building contractors who know how to handle mold-related remodeling and construction projects.

Get the best licensed and insured building contractors in Kansas City or St. Joseph, Missouri for your residential or commercial needs. Click here to get a free quote for new residential or commercial construction, remodeling, or renovation projects from Blackstone Construction.