Mold in your home is a problem that should be taken seriously. For one, it means that your home has another major issue: too much moisture, whether it is leaking in from the outside or whether the source is inside your house. Moisture intrusion and leaks can cause building materials to stain, warp, decay, and fail. What is more, mold can cause serious health problems in people, especially young children. If you suspect it’s a problem, you should take these steps to get rid of mold in your home right away.
Moisture Problems
The Pacific Northwest is a very moist area naturally, so it is common for homes to have moisture problems which lead to mold growth. To begin handling your mold issue, you’ll need to start by dealing with the source of your moisture problem. If there’s mold in your attic, then the cause is likely to be improper ventilation or roof leaks. If the mold is occurring in other parts of your house, it could be anything from a leaking pipe to moisture intrusion at the level of your foundation. No matter what the problem is, it is in your best interest to have it addressed quickly. The longer you wait, the more likely it is to damage your home and your health. A professional home inspection can shed light on where your moisture issues are originating.
Get Rid of Mold in Your Home
Once you know where the excess moisture is coming from and how to prevent it, it’s time to tackle removing the mold. Your home inspector may recommend that you hire a mold remediation contractor if the infestation is very severe. If it is at the DIY level, use these steps to get rid of mold in your home:
- Close off the area. The first thing required for mold remediation is closing off the affected area with tape and plastic sheets before any other work is done. This helps keep mold spores trapped in place and guards against them being spread throughout your house.
- Use a wet vacuum. This appliance can be used to suck up the mold and any standing water or moisture. A dry vacuum should never be used around mold as it will only serve to blow the mold spores throughout your home.
- Kill off the mold. Using a sprayer or fogger, mold can be killed with the right kind of fungicide. Bleach doesn’t work.
- Clean up the work area. Many different means can and will be used to clean up the area containing the mold, and even building materials and contaminated furniture may need to be removed.
- Dry the Space. The goal is to keep mold from resurfacing, so the formerly afflicted area will need to be dried out completely using fans and dehumidifiers.
Mold Remediation Contractors for Serious Jobs
If the problem is extremely severe, you’re going to need to call a mold remediation contractor. They should be licensed by the state and well-educated regarding the best and safest ways to get rid of mold in your home—which is no easy trick. For the sake of your health, do not try to take on a major mold remediation project by yourself. There is a science to remediating mold in the home, and this is what the pros are skilled at.
Prime Home Inspections offers home inspection services with detailed inspection reports to Western Washington. Contact us to book your inspection.