Mold Solutions For The Indoor Environment

Just the thought of mold in one’s home is enough to strike fear in the household.  There are however; many mold solutions you may employ to prevent or remediate mold in the home environment.

Mold Prevent Strategies are Paramount

As with any indoor air pollutant, it is always easier to prevent mold from inhabiting your home in the first place. It starts with an awareness of potential problems in the areas of plumbing or roofing, the numbers one and two causes of mold contamination in the home. Mold only needs organic matter with a water source to start growing and every home has organic matter in or on the carpet, walls and other surfaces.

Start with the Roof

Make sure all cracks around vent stacks and attic ventilation devices on the roof where moisture can seep in are properly sealed. Do not consider using regular caulk purchased at the local hardware or home store. Purchase high-quality caulk or sealing products from a roofing supply and apply as directed to a pre-cleaned surface.

Locate Potential Plumbing Problems

Plumbing leaks are the second leading cause of mold contamination in the home. Before investigating potential water-leak sources, locate the main water cut-off valve and instruct all household members on how to shut it off in case of a leak.

Here are the three primary causes of water leaks in the typical home:

  • Shut-off valves.  Check all shut-off valves which supply faucets, toilets, dishwasher and washing machine to make sure they work properly. Shut-off valves can leak around the seals after many years and should be replaced immediately if a leak is identified.
  • Water heater. If your water heater is located indoors, make sure that there is an overflow pan installed underneath which drains to the outdoors. Check all fittings for signs of leakage.
  • Air-conditioning condensate pan.  If your air-conditioning system is located in a closet or attic, keep the condensate drain cleaned before and after every summer season to prevent condensation overflow.

Mold Should be Remediated Regularly

Molds are common in the outdoor environment and, as a result, may be found within most homes anywhere in world. First of all mold, cannot grow on any surface indoors or out unless it is present. Most mold remediation experts would state that mold should be remediated once it is found growing in the home. However, mold can cause allergies, asthma and other upper respiratory illnesses even when you cannot see it. Dry mold particles which have infiltrated the indoor environment can be too small for the human eye to see and should be removed from the environment on a regular basis. This is done by ongoing cleaning with the proper devices used in the proper manner.

The High Efficient Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuum is the most efficient way to remove these unseen mold particles. A true HEPA cleaning device is the only technology certified to remove environmental pollutants such as mold from the indoor environment. Regular vacuuming of all accessible surfaces in a home is shown to drastically remove the presence of mold particles and other airborne pollutants known to cause allergies or asthma.

If visual mold growth has occurred in the home then it is imperative to take immediate action. If the mold growth is found on a hard surface and is smaller than nine square feet (3 feet by 3 feet), then you may consider cleaning it yourself. This can be performed by using a HEPA vacuum to remove the excess spore particles followed by spraying the surface with a household bleach solution (1/3 bleach to 2/3 water). Let the surface dry completely and HEPA vacuum again to remove dead mold spores, The surface may then be re-sprayed with the bleach solution and wiped with a disposable rag until the surface is clean. Notice that mold may stain the surface even though it appears free from mold and a stain-killer sealer may be applied prior to re-painting.  If the surface is a soft surface or the area is larger than nine square feet, it is highly recommended that a mold remediation professional be contracted to remove the mold.

Once a mold contamination has been properly remediated, it is imperative to thoroughly HEPA vacuum all rooms and surfaces of the indoor environment to remove any excess mold particles which may be present. A HEPA air purifier should be used in rooms of allergy or asthma sufferers to remove any mold particles which could further exacerbate their symptoms.

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