You've Got Mold! Now What?

That musty smell was your first clue but now it's confirmed: You've got mold! Whether your house has been thoroughly invaded by the mold monsters or you have mold in a localized area such as the bathroom or basement, dealing with the mess can be overwhelming. Where do you begin? And should you even attempt to do it by yourself?

First, assess the damage. A small patch of mold in the bathroom and mold that has infiltrated the carpets, wallpaper, and drywall are two different beasts. One you can deal with on your own; the other requires professional help.

Next, consider the source of the mold. It won't do you any good to clean up the mold and ignore its source. Sure, the mold will be gone, but soon enough the mold will return. In short: mold needs moisture. The mold didn't just randomly decide to grow in your home. It sought out, and found, a delightfully moist environment and colonized it. Not only will you need to clean up the mold, you will need to make sure the water source is controlled, too. This may mean installing an exhaust vent, repairing plumbing leaks, caulking windows, and other repairs. Again, depending on the extent of the repairs, you may need professional help.

Before you begin, consider whether the mold has contaminated the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. If so, do not run these systems as you could spread mold further! This is a case where you will need a pro. Another instance where a professional is an absolute must is if the mold damage involves contaminated water, such as sewage or floodwaters. If you have health issues, cleaning up mold is not for you. Do yourself a favor and let a mold contractor handle the job.

Do-it-Yourself Steps for Small Mold Infestations
Once you've determined that the mold problem is mild enough to handle on your own, take care of the water problem. If you have a leaking washing machine hose, replace the hose. If a window is leaking, caulk and repair it. Next, don protective clothing including goggles, gloves, and protective mask (preferably an N-95 respirator). For mold on hard surfaces, such as a bathroom counter, scrub with detergent and water and allow it to dry completely.

Mold on porous and absorbent materials like drywall, carpet, and ceiling tiles may require that the material be removed and replaced. Mold spores are microscopic and can easily infiltrate these porous materials. While you may be able to remove the surface mold, those residing deep within the material are impossible to clean and the growth will continue.

Getting Help for Major Mold Problems
Job too big? Mold can quickly become too big to handle, especially when it's hot and humid. The sooner you get help, the better! Look for a dry out professional who is experienced in mold remediation and water damage repairs. You need someone who will address the underlying problem while taking care of the mess and preventing future occurrences.

Autor: Mark Decherd Mark Decherd
Level: Platinum
Dryout Inc. was incorporated in 1997 with a mission to serve waterlogged customers in south Florida. We specialize in water damage, mold remediation, and flood ... ...

By: Mr. Mark Decherd

For more information and other articles by Mark Decherd go to:

Dryout Inc.
1415 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, Fl. 33907

239-437-7100 Water Damage

Mold

Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water damage repair, restoration and reconstruction of commercial and residential properties damaged by fire, water and other disasters by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.

Added: June 11, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/