When things start to break down or the style becomes out of date, we tend to redesign our houses. However, we sometimes find unexpected things during remodeling—such as mold growth.
As mold thrives in damp environments, it is more likely to appear in a property that has suffered from water damage, excess humidity, or general neglect. This article will run you through the steps you need to take when you find mold in your home during a remodel.
Covering It Up Is Not Enough
To hide a moldy wall, you may think about painting it over or doing anything else. The truth is that this will not solve your problem. If anything, the mold will just become worse.
Most mold isn’t hazardous, but other varieties can cause serious health problems like allergic reactions and other immune system malfunctions, which can be life-threatening.
Getting rid of the mold as soon as you discover it is the best course of action. Trying to hide it won’t do anything to lessen the threat, as mold can still survive underneath the paint.
Analyze How Bad the Situation Is
You may need to check how bad the mold damage is and what type it is through its color. If there are only a few small spots, you may be able to wipe them away and keep them away by keeping the area dry.
If the mold is as big as a face or bigger, it may have been there for a long time, and you may need the help of professionals for mold remediation. If the mold is black, it may be toxic black mold that can cause health complications, so it is best to seek the help of professionals.
Get the Proper Safety Equipment
If you have determined it safe to clean up the mold, ensure you have the proper tools and protective gear. Here are some essentials you should have:
- N-95 masks or P-100 respirators
- Googles
- Gloves
- Disposal bags
- Scrubbing appliances
- A solution of bleach, detergent, and water
- Shellac
- An old fan for ventilation
Setting up the Workspace
Set up your workstation while wearing protective gear to keep you safe and prevent the mold from spreading. In the window, place the box fan. This will allow you to operate in a more ventilated environment.
Mold spores will accumulate in the fan, which is hard to remove. You don’t want to keep the fan because of this. Toss it out after this use.
Tape cardboard around the window apertures before turning on the fan. This will keep the mold spores from returning to your house. Any carpet you rip out should also be wrapped in 6-mil plastic. Then, before disposing of it, double-bag it with large garbage bags and tape it up to ensure that it is well sealed.
Turn off your HVAC system and cover ducts and doors to help manage this airborne issue even further.
Removal and Prevention of Mold in the Future
In a bucket of water, combine half a cup of bleach, one quart of water, and a little detergent. Ensure the detergent doesn’t include any ammonia in its components for your safety. After that, begin scrubbing. Before throwing away used cleaning goods, make sure they’re double bagged and taped.
Dehumidifiers and new fans should be installed once the mold has been removed (not the same one you had in the window before). These should be left running for three days to ensure that everything is thoroughly dry.
Conclusion
Mold can be a severe health hazard. A little mold can cause massive damage, so you must be aware of mold growth indications and immediately get it removed if you find any in your home. The sooner you see it and get it taken care of, the sooner you can stop the spread of mold.
Not everyone can successfully and safely get rid of mold. You are better off investing in mold removal, especially if you aren’t sure about the mold you are dealing with.
Are you looking for mold damage restoration in Fresno? Trademark is an IICRC-certified firm with years of reliable service. Get your free quote today!
