How to Rid Your Home of Harmful

Mold

O One of the things that virtually every homeowner dreads is the discovery of mold anywhere in the house. Mold is one of those things that doesn’t look especially threatening, but it has the potential to damage the health of everyone living inside the house if it isn’t dealt with.

O In order to rid your home of mold, it’s a good idea to learn what it’s all about first.

About MoldO Mold is actually microscopic fungi

that belong to the same family as yeasts and mushrooms. Fungi are able to grow and reproduce at a rapid pace, which is why a mold problems needs to be handled sooner rather than later. Mold is useful in some instances, like with the creation of penicillin, but when it grows inside your home in damp conditions, it isn’t useful at all.

O Experts have identified more than 270 different species of mold growing in homes in Canada, with high moisture levels being one of the primary factors that help them grow and prosper. Mold can result in structural damage to a house, damage to materials inside the house and respiratory problems if the inhabitants breathe in the chemicals and spores that are released. Not everyone will experience the same effects from mold in the house, but if it is present you don’t want to take any chances.

O You might be able to determine the presence of mold through smell or discoloration in different parts of the house. Mold gives off a musty, earthy kind of smell when you can smell it and it can be virtually any colour, not just black.

How to Get Rid of MoldO If you discover mold that consists of

less than three patches with each less than a square meter in size, you can clean it yourself. You’ll need:

O Safety gogglesO Rubber glovesO Disposable dust mask

O For common, washable surfaces scrub the patches with an unscented detergent and then wipe it away with a clean, wet rag. Dry the area immediately after you wash it off.

O For drywall that is growing mold, use baking soda or a small amount of detergent with a damp cloth, but don’t let the drywall get too wet in the process.

O If you have more than three patches of mold that are each less than one square meter, you can still clean it yourself as long as you follow safety precautions. These include:

O Wearing the disposable dust maskO Tape plastic sheets to the ceiling and walls to isolate the

moldy areaO Set up an exhaust fan in the window of the room being

cleaned, if possible

How to Prevent MoldO Getting rid of mold is great but preventing it is even better. You

can take measures in every area of your home to keep mold growth away so no one in your family has to worry about it. Here are some tips to help keep your home mold free:

O Keep excess moisture out of the houseO Fix water leaks right awayO Keep the house clean and well-maintainedO Check for signs of moisture on a regular basisO Reduce clutter and stored materials that might hold dust and

moistureO Use a dehumidifier in the basement in the summerO Remove lint from the dryer after each useO Use the bathroom fan when you shower and let it run for several

minutes afterwardO Check outdoor areas like the roof and downspouts for mold growth

When to Call In the Experts

O There really isn’t a time when you should avoid calling mold removal experts. If you suspect mold and there really isn’t any, calling in the professionals will at least give you peace of mind. However, there are some definite times when you should call in mold removal experts. Call in experts when:

O There seems to be more mold than the ‘three patches’ you can safely clean yourself

O Your home seems to be really moist and damp on a continual basis

O You clean the mold yourself but it keeps coming backO You or a family member are experiencing respiratory or other

health issues in a damp house or a house that has a mold problem

O Even if you are a consummate DIY type, don’t try to mess with large volumes of mold on your own, because you’re only asking for trouble. Mold removal experts are called experts because they specialize in removing mold from houses in a safe and fast manner. You aren’t admitting defeat by calling in a professional, just showing that you care about your family and your home.