Dangers of DIY Mold Remediation

When you hear the word mold a number of thoughts may come to mind. You may think of stains in showers, musty odors, or even worse, serious health problems. Over the past few years there has been extensive news coverage about the problems associated with “black mold” which has made the word mold become even more terrifying. Maybe the scariest part of this scenario is mold is constantly all around us, no matter how clean we keep our house. 

Mold spores, which are significantly smaller than a single strand of human hair, are ceaselessly floating through the air both in our homes and other structures as well as outdoors. As long as the spores do not reproduce they do not cause a problem. However, once the proper elements are available (food, moisture, and proper temperatures) those spores may begin to reproduce causing a real mold problem in your home.

If you find mold growth in your home you need to take steps to remedy the situation. The question is what is the best way to do that? According to the EPA, the first step is to locate the source of the moisture that is allowing the mold to grow. Leaking pipes, poor ventilation, and flood damage are some, but not all, of the possible sources of moisture. Once the source of moisture is found it needs to be eliminated. 

The next step in remediating mold is cleaning the area that contains the mold. Depending upon the size of the mold growth and the items that it is growing on, it may be virtually impossible to clean with DIY methods. Porous materials such as carpets and ceiling tiles are particularly difficult to clean completely with over the counter products. These items must be removed or may be treated with mold bioremediation by a professional. If you are removing them, be certain to take precautions to protect yourself and the rest of the house from mold spores that may become airborne should you choose to remove affected materials. When removing materials it is recommended that you place them in a sealed bag before carrying them throughout your home to dispose of them. 

It is very important to take precautions when you are scrubbing mold in order to remove it. The act of scrubbing can actually send the mold into the air which allows it to fall onto the person doing the scrubbing, or worse it can become airborne and be inhaled by people near the clean-up site. The EPA recommends anyone working near the mold to: 

• Use at least a level N-95 respirator 
• Wear gloves that extend to at least the middle of the forearm 
• Wear goggles at all times when working with mold to protect your eyes

Most experts agree that some small mold issues can be taken care of with DIY methods, but in cases of flood or water damaged areas, calling a professional is a better solution. Even the EPA acknowledges that when the mold area is three feet by three feet or greater, their normal procedures often fall short of what needs to be done. As the amount of mold grows larger so too does the chance of improper remediation allowing mold to become airborne and create health problems for your family. 

Although DIY is usually the least expensive way to do a project when it comes to mold that is not always the case. Our Cowleys mold professionals utilize an antimicrobial that is non-corrosive and actually sterilizes the surface of affected items so that items may be salvaged. Eliminating the need for demolition and reconstruction can save you a lot of time and energy and also help to eliminate the need to rebuild or replace items affected by mold. Our mold professionals will uncover exactly where the moisture that caused the mold originated and how to stop it from being a problem in the future. Stopping the moisture problem is essential, if you don’t solve your moisture problem, your mold problem will never go away.

Whether you use DIY methods or call a professional, it is important to act quickly when mold is uncovered. Mold can grow quickly if the environment is right and a small problem can quickly develop into a major issue damaging parts of the home, items in the home, and even pose a health risk to those living there.