Mold Remediation – Can you do it on your own?

At Mold Trust, we are experts in mold remediation techniques but there are times when you might want to try mold removal on your own.  Small jobs can be tackled but you must follow the correct procedures or the mold will return.  Often times, we find that mold comes back even stronger after a homeowner tries removing the mold simply because proper procedures were not followed to fully eradicate the mold infestation.  Many times the area is not properly dried or leaks are not properly repaired and the moisture left behind after the cleaning encourages and enhances new mold growth.

What do you need for proper mold remediation?

If you are going to give mold remediation a try on your own, the important thing to remember is to follow the precautions by wearing personal protective equipment, an N-95 respirator, goggles and protective gloves.  Please do not attempt to clean any active mold areas of your home or business without the proper protective equipment.

At a minimum, here are some important safety reminders when cleaning mold:

  • Wear personal protective equipment. At a minimum, wear an N-95 respirator, goggles, and protective gloves
  • Make sure there is proper ventilation when using cleaning products – open windows and doors
  • Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaning products
  • Children should not be involved in any of the cleanup process
  • Turn off your heat or air-conditioning system
  • Have your heating and air-conditioning system checked and cleaned by a professional experienced in mold clean up before you turn it on.  If you do not properly clean the system, any mold that was in the system will be spread throughout the house once it is turned on.

What cleaning products are best for remediating mold?

Most people automatically think of bleach when cleaning mold, and yes bleach can be used to clean mold from hard surfaces but you will want to make sure you use a properly diluted solution.  There are other, safer products to use when cleaning mold that can be purchased at your local supply stores.  Look for products that kill bacteria and mold and mildew.  In general, any Clorox brand product that is mold & mildew removal should be readily available and safe for you.

Be cautious of product that state they are for mold and mildew stain removal, while most of these products are good some may only hide the stain, they sometimes give a false sense of security that the mold has been totally removed when in fact, it may have only been removed from the surface.

Basic Mold Remediation Cleaning Steps:

The area of your home where mold is present should be contained.  If you do not contain the area where mold is present, the cleaning process will actually cause the mold to spread.  Containing and concealing the area is of utmost importance.

  • Use plastic to contain the area where mold is present
  • Remove any visible mold by vacuuming the area to remove loose particles.  (a vacuum with a HEPA filter must be used otherwise the mold could be spread throughout the air – the vacuum bag should be properly disposed of and the vacuum thoroughly cleaned when finished)
  • Use cleaning agent or bleach solution to wipe mold from surfaces
  • If mold is present on drywall, the area should be cut out and properly disposed of
  • Use fans to thoroughly dry the area after cleaning – again, be cautious because fans can actually spread the mold spores throughout the house if the area is not properly contained.

At Mold Trust, we use state-of-the-art air scrubbers to remove mold spores from the air.  These scrubbers run 24 to 48 hours at a minimum to ensure the air is clean and free of mold.  This procedure ensures that active mold in the air is totally eradicated and not free to spread into other areas of your home.

Sometimes Mold Remediation is best left to the Professionals

Mold is nothing to take lightly, the presence of mold in your home or office can cause serious health issues both in the short term and long term.  If you suspect mold is in your home or if your homes smells musty or like mildew, you should consider getting a mold test performed.  Our experts would be happy to provide you with a free mold inspection and can offer advice for cleaning and mold remediation if mold is found in your home.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.  We are always happy to help and offer free consultation and advice.