Upon the discovery of mold in their home, many people’s first instinct is to grab a bottle of bleach or heavy-duty cleaning product and try to scrub away at the black spots. However, this is not always the best solution.

Mold settles deep beneath the surface of porous materials, and the spores can spread through the air, landing on water, people, and animals. It is, therefore, crucial to treat the mold and any underlying moisture issues proliferating the problem, in the correct way.

Below, we cover some useful tips on how to treat mold in your home.

Preparation Before The Mold Treatment Process

When learning how to get rid of mold in your home, it’s essential you understand how to protect yourself with personal protective gear and the correct cleaning materials. Here are some of the items you may need:

• Rubber gloves, an N95 respirator mask, and goggles Wearing these prevents direct contact with mold and accidental spread of microscopic spores.
• Rags At least one wet and one dry rag are required. Old rags are preferable since they can be thrown out after.
• Plastic bags or trash bags It’s best to immediately bag and seal non-salvageable items contaminated with mold to prevent the spores from spreading. The rags used in washing out mold can also be thrown out.

As a precaution, the affected room should be evacuated while the cleanup occurs. Pets should steer clear of the area, too, since mold spores can cling to clothing and animal fur.

Mold Removal Procedure

You want to follow a comprehensive, effective, and long-lasting mold remediation process so that it doesn’t grow again and become a recurring issue on your property. So, we have put together the outline of a mold remediation process that experts typically follow.

1. Source containment as close to the source is essential to prevent the spread of mold spores. This can include isolation barriers, dust suppression, HEPA vacuums, and air filtration devices.
2. Protective gear is worn first and foremost. Wearing old clothes underneath is also ideal because they can be machine washed and dried at high temperatures (a precaution needed to ensure that all mold spores are killed).
3. All contaminated items that can be thrown away, like old books, toys, cushions, or clothes, are sealed in garbage bags to be thrown out. These items need to be handled gently to prevent mold spores from getting released into the air. Building materials should also be disposed of.
4. The initial moisture issue needs to be discovered and repaired. Mold growth will be inevitable if the moisture is not controlled.
5. Cleaning all surfaces with specialized products.
6. Removal of the remaining moisture from the cleaned surfaces.
7. After the cleaning is complete, all tools used to wipe down the area are cleaned and dried or carefully disposed of.

It pays to know how mold should be treated in your home or office and prevent microbial growth before it affects your family’s health. However, this procedure (above) only works for microbial growth that is detected early. In the event of a severe case, such as finding vast microbial growth beneath a tacked carpet, the mold remediation process is more meticulous.

Tips For Treating Severe Mold Infestation

When conducting mold remediation for a severe infestation, it’s important to have the right materials:

• Specialized cleaning compounds
• Mist sprayer
• Soft-bristled scrub brushes
• Utility knife
• HEPA vacuum
• Plastic sheets (for sealing doorways and windows) and painter’s tape
• Large garbage bags
• Air Filtration Device

Protective gear:

• Full-body PPE suit
• Gloves
• N95 mask
• Clear, sealed goggles

The process for treating significant microbial growth is similar to the standard mold remediation procedure we have already outlined. However, extra care is needed to prevent spores from spreading outside the affected room. It’s also imperative that no one enters the room and adjacent areas for the duration of the treatment.

Below are the commonly recommended steps specific to the treatment of severe mold infestations:

1. Complete protective gear of PPE suit, mask, and goggles must be worn before entering the affected room.
2. All furniture and objects with porous surfaces like unpolished wood and pillows should be thoroughly cleaned or thrown away.
3. All doorways, windows, and vents must be properly contained with plastic sheeting.
4. Careful removal and disposal of building materials/contents may be necessary.
5. Mold removal should be done in small sections. The treated surfaces should not be rinsed with water.
6. When removing microbial growth on the floor, a HEPA vacuum can remove mold and debris.
7. Once the mold removal and treatment are complete, the washed areas should be allowed to dry completely.

Previously-infested surfaces may be refinished with primer and paint to restore their original appearance.

Know When To Call A Professional Mold Remediation Company

Having the right tools and methods is important when considering how to treat mold in your home. However, mold remediation isn’t a simple task anyone can take on. While DIY removal is possible in some cases, without the necessary experience, you may put your health and property at risk. Many states require specific licenses to perform mold remediation. Severe mold infestations should be entrusted to professionals to prevent the accidental spreading of mold spores.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also recommends calling professionals to treat sustained mold damage due to sewage or contaminated water.

An experienced restoration company values your health and safety and takes every precaution to ensure that all mold is eliminated leaving your property safe and comfortable.

The Restoration 1 experts are happy to discuss mold remediation best practices and our processes with you. Contact us for a consultation.