How To Get Rid Of Mold In Your House: From Ceiling To Floors To Basement
Mold is the last thing any homeowner wants to find. It damages your home and may impact your health. It can be difficult to get rid of. Preventing mold from forming in the first place is always the best option. But if you do have a mold problem in your house, it is possible to clean it up safely and make sure it does not come back. It is important to follow the correct steps and use the right tools for the job to get rid of mold in your house.
Why is it important to get rid of mold? In addition to the musty smell and damage it causes to surfaces it grows on, mold may aggravate or exacerbate your familys health problems. A review of multiple studies on indoor mold exposure found that, excessive moisture promotes mold growth and is associated with an increased prevalence of symptoms due to irritation, allergy, and infection. . Its best to avoid all of these and eliminate the mold problem from your home completely.
How To Get Rid Of Mold On Shower Tile And Grout
Shower tile and grout can be a difficult area to keep mold free because the wet and warm conditions make it a prime breeding ground for mold. However, small areas of mold can be removed with a grout cleaner , a mold remover, or a bleach-and-water solution.
- Spray the grout, let the formula penetrate, and rinse. In some cases, there’s no scrubbing needed: In our tests, Clorox Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover spray killed 99.9% of mold and mildew germs and bacteria in only five minutes.
How To Get Rid Of Mold In Walls
If the wall is made from a non-porous surface, such as finished wood or stone, it must be thoroughly dried. A dehumidifier, proper ventilation or a wet vacuum can be used. Then, a damp wipe down of the area should remove most of the mold. Cleaning products designed for mold removal are helpful, however it is not necessary to bleach moldy areas or use other biocides. If the wall is made from a porous material such as gypsum drywall, wallpaper or unfinished wood, it is not possible to remove all of the mold from the tiny nooks and holes in the wall. The affected section of the wall must be cut out and replaced. This can be very expensive. However, the mold will almost certainly come back otherwise.
Finish the mold removal by using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. A non-HEPA vacuum may not contain the mold spores and can actually spread them into the air. Vacuum the entire area and surrounding areas, even if no mold is visible.
Do not just paint or caulk over mold without removing it. According to the EPA, this will cause the paint to flake and peel, and when the paint comes off, you will still have mold on the wall.
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Mold Removal Using Bleach
Bleach kills virtually every species of indoor mold that it comes into contact with including mold spores which leaves a sanitized surface making it resistant to future mold growth. However, bleach is only effective if the mold is growing on non-porous materials such as tiles, bathrubs, glass and countertops.
Bleach is unable to penetrate into porous materials such as wood and drywall which means it cannot get rid of mold growing beneath the surface of these materials. If you use bleach to kill mold on these surfaces it will only kill the mold above the surface. It will be unable to reach the mold within the material and the mold will soon return.
Bleach is a harsh, corrosive chemical which means it can damage the materials it is used on. It also gives off harsh fumes and produces toxic gases when mixed with ammonia. There are safer alternatives such as borax or vinegar which dont produce the dangerous fumes or leave behind toxic residue.
How to Kill Mold Using Bleach
How To Kill Mold And Mildew
Stop harmful fungi from taking over your home with simple steps for removal and prevention.
Mold and mildew are fungi that can quickly grow anywhere you find moisture. There is very little difference between the two in fact, mildew is just mold in its early stage. Both serve an important purpose in our environment by helping to destroy organic materials such as leaves, which enriches the soil. But mold and mildew aren’t as helpful for humans. Living in a moldy home can cause serious health issues like headaches, respiratory problems, sinus congestion, and eye, nose, or throat irritation. It’s especially dangerous for infants, children, pregnant women, elderly individuals, and people with existing respiratory conditions, who are at a higher risk for these problems.
To check your home for mold and mildew, start with areas where there could be high humidity or water damage, such as a damp basement or crawl space. Mildew and mold can grow on a wide range of household surfaces, including wood products, ceiling tiles, cardboard, wallpaper, carpets, drywall, fabric, plants, foods, and insulation. These growths can develop on a damp surface within 24 and 48 hours and produce spores that travel through the air. They will break down and destroy whatever they grow on and can cause mild to severe health problems for you and your family.
The problem won’t go away on its own. Use these simple cleaning tips to remove and prevent mold and mildew in your home.
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Whats The Difference Between Mold Vs Mildew
Letâs face it–you really donât want to be dealing with mold or mildew, ever. But, there are some basic differences between the two. Although mold and mildew are both types of fungi that can grow on a variety of surfaces, mildew is actually a plant disease.
The biggest differences between mold and mildew are their colors and textures. Inside the home, mold is often black or green and thick and sticky. Mildew is often gray or white and powdery looking.
What Should I Clean And What Should I Get Rid Of
If the home has been flooded, remove all drywall to at least 12 inches above or around any water mark. Harder, non-porous materials such as glass, plastic, or metal can be kept after they are cleaned. Carpets and rugs that cannot be thoroughly dried and cleaned should be discarded and replaced. If the damaged area is small, you may be able to save the carpet by cleaning the area with a mild detergent. There also are professional home cleaning services that may be able to clean your carpets.
If flood water or sewer overflows are the cause of the moisture problem, infectious organisms also may be a hazard. For information see IDPHs fact sheet, Cleaning Up After Flood and Sewer Overflows.
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The Bottom Line On Getting Rid Of Mold In Your Basement
Mold can be scary, especially if you or a loved one have allergies or sensitivities. However, you can get rid of mold in your basement by fixing the moisture issue, removing unsalvageable material, and putting a little elbow grease into cleaning the affected area. Just remember to be safe, watch for cross-contamination, and never hesitate to call a professional if the problem becomes more than you can handle.
What Will Get Rid Of Mold Quickly
Aaron Barnett, qualified builder, Site supervisor, and Landscape Designer who also manages New York-base company Bangingtoolbox, told us that if you have green mold outside, then don’t waste your time scrubbing. According to Aaron, ‘it needs to be blasted with a high-powered water blaster. On painted surfaces like weatherboards, it can also be water-blasted or brushed off by using a soft brush on a hose attachment with soap installed in the nozzle attachment.’
If the modl is inside the home, you really have to be very careful. Aaron explains that ‘black mold found inside homes can be highly toxic. The material it is on needs to be removed by a specialist with the right safety gear and replaced by an experienced DIY’er or a qualified builder.’
If you are tackling a very minor patch of mold on an isolated area, then look for products that contain bleach and sodium hydroxide . Be careful, however, as both chemicals will harm skin and must be applied with gloves on.
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How Common Is Mold In Buildings
Mold is very common in homes and buildings.
One 2017 study found mold in every public building studied, with an average of about 14 instances of mold per building.
Another involving 31 European countries found mold in 1 in 6 homes. The author noted that the prevalence of mold may vary greatly depending on the regional climate.
Benefits Of Hiring Professional Mold Remediators
- They discover all of the mold in your place visible and hidden mold
- They have the proper equipment to remove all of the mold and mold spores in a speedy and efficient manner.
- They can find and eliminate the source of mold even in porous materials.
- They can make sure the future growth of mold is prevented.
- They repair any damage and thoroughly clean the contaminated space.
- They are quick and efficient they can also save you time and money but making sure all of the mold is removed the first time
If you have mold in your home and dont want to take the time to try and do it yourself or simply want to make sure it is done correctly the first time, give Home Healthy Homes a call for your mold remediation needs.
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Attic Mold Is Common And Doesnt Have To Cost You Thousands
If you have the unfortunate experience of having to deal with attic mold, know that youre not alone. Attic mold is very common and is dealt with by tens of thousands of families every year.
Attic mold is caused by moisture issues. If your attic is well ventilated and has no moisture intrusion, you wont have attic mold to deal with.
And while it will cost some money to take care of it, know that it can be taken care of, quickly and at a reasonable cost. Your local mold professional can help. Good luck!
Take Back Your Home And Rid Your Place Of Mold
There is no need to use a toxic chemical to get rid of mold in most cases. The media and large corporations play on our fears when advertising cleaning solutions for mold. In extreme cases, where your whole property was flooded for example, you should call for professional services.
Most of the time, alternatives can be used alongside addressing the initial cause of the mold. Dont let the growth go undealt with, tackle what you see and investigate under flooring and behind cupboards just in case. But otherwise, protect your loved ones the natural way.
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Mold Removal From Fabric
Its easier than you might think for clothes to attract mold and mildew. A forgotten load of laundry in the washing machine, the pile of clothes at the bottom of a closet, or even the armchair in a humid room can all quickly become overrun with mold. However as long as you catch the problem early, your fabrics can still be saved.
Bleachable fabrics
If you can apply bleach to a fabric without worrying about discoloration, do it. Thats the fastest and most effective way of getting rid of mold. Many laundry bleaches can be used on white and colorfast fabrics, although you should always check the instructions, and never use bleach on wool or silk. Simply apply a solution of one part bleach to three parts water and let it absorb into the fabric for a few minutes before laundering as usual.
Non-bleachable fabrics
For fabrics that cant be bleached, use white vinegar instead. Either apply white vinegar to a cotton pad and place it on top of the stain for five minutes before laundering, or briefly soak in a solution of ¼ cup vinegar to one gallon water. Rinse through to remove the vinegar and launder as normal.
Upholstery
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Dry Wet Walls Immediately
Mold needs moisture to grow and the best way to prevent this from happening is to cut the liquid source from them. As soon as a pipe or roof leaks, wet materials, especially drywall which is high in cellulose, should be removed and replaced. If the leak is small and has access to fresh air , you can let it dry out on its own by simply leaving the window open.
On the other hand, if you have problems with basement walls or with a lot of liquid , the smartest move is to quickly before they become home to mold. Timing is essential thus, it is important to act as soon as the problem occurs.
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How To Eliminate Mold On The Exterior Of Your House
Just like it is indoors, mold is a serious problem on the outside of your home. Over time, mold can damage your siding and decks, so it’s best to nip it in the bud before it gets established. Bleach works well to clean everything from siding to brick, stone, and concrete, but it will kill plants, so be sure to thoroughly cover them with plastic before beginning any project using it.
To rid your home’s exterior of mold, apply a 1-to-10 mixture of bleach and water on problem areas. Scrub stubborn stains with a stiff bristle brush, and be sure to leave the solution on for 20 minutes before rinsing.
What Are Mold And Mildew
Mold is not a plant or an animal. Mold is a microscopic organism thats part of the fungi kingdom. It occurs in every warm part of the world where theres a moist environment. The exact number of different mold species is unknown, but scientists estimate that over 100,000 different types of mold microorganisms exist. Statistics from the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta report that at least 1,000 species of mold are common in the United States.
Mold is a natural part of all environments where other oxygen-dependent organisms thrive. Youre exposed to mold every day. Outdoors, mold plays an important role in breaking down cellular matter and allowing it to decay as part of the decomposition process. Soil enrichment wouldnt occur without mold. Typically, fallen trees and dead leaves turn moldy within days, especially where light is limited and air is plentiful.
Indoors, mold acts much the same way. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency in their informative publication A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home, mold can take hold within 24 to 48 hours after a warm enclosed area like a bathroom wall becomes wet. It can colonize within a week and spread immediately.
Its the causes of mold that are most important to know to prevent it from taking hold.
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Prevent Mold With Proper Ventilation
Daily routines such as breathing, cooking, drying clothes and showering result in excess hot air in your home. When combined with cold walls well, you know the result.
It is not expected from you to stop breathing or taking a shower, but what you can do is make sure that proper ventilation is installed in key rooms such as bathroom, laundry room and kitchen. If the weather allows you, open the windows every time you cook, take a shower or wash/dry your clothes. Moreover, you can also dry your clothes outside if the weather permits.
Moist Air Escaping Into Your Cold Attic Promotes Mold Growth & Wood Rot
Moist air typically finds its way into your attic from poor ventilation and air leaks. We find that in most houses, the bathroom vent fan is dumping moist air into the attic rather than outside. If your bathroom vent fan isnt installed properly, when you take a hot shower, all that moist air could be dumping into your attic space.
Air leaks around recessed light fixtures, heating vents, the attic access hatch, and other cracks can also allow warm air to escape into the attic. No matter how it got there, when this warm, humid air hits the cold underside of the roof deck, the moisture condenses, and water drips down the rafters, onto the attic floor and insulation. Wet wood and fiberglass insulation are ideal environments for mold.
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Making A Mold Removal Spray
According to, HowToRemoveBlackMold.com, to make a mold removal spray, mix half white vinegar and half water in a spray bottle and spray down the mold colony. Tea tree oil and white vinegar are both completely natural and safe for wood and have strong fungicidal properties.For larger mold jobs, vinegar and tea tree oil may not be strong enough.
You can also try hydrogen peroxide, which is a strong but safe and natural alternative. Mix 1 part peroxide with 2 parts water and spray it on the moldy area, letting it dry for an hour. Scrub the area with a firm wire brush and allow it to dry one last time. Remove the plastic sheeting and repair any leaks to prevent new mold spores from emerging in the future. If your attempts at attic mold removal still dont work, contact a mold remediator for further advice, as some mold infestations are so large, they are better handled by a professional.
Things You Will Need
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