Whether you’ve caught on to a musty odor, spotted some peeling wallpaper, or begun experiencing allergy-like symptoms for no obvious reason, you may have mold growing within the home. Of course, you may also have seen physical growth, which is the most obvious indicator of a problem.
So, can you clean up mold yourself, or do you need to enlist professional help?
Assuming you’ve located the mold, there are some situations where you are able to tackle the issue yourself if you feel confident to do so. However, this only applies to small mold infestations that meet the following criteria:
- The affected area is less than 10 square feet
- The mold is growing on hard, non-porous surfaces, such as glass, tile, or metal
- The mold is not caused by contaminated water, such as sewage or floodwater.
Is it safe to remove mold yourself?
Because tackling a mold infestation yourself is not inherently safe, there are some precautions you should take to reduce the risk of harm.
Before you begin disrupting the mold growth, you should protect yourself with clothing like gloves, goggles, and a mask or respirator. Mold spreads via spores, which are invisible to the human eye and can cause skin irritation and respiratory problems. Even with a suitable face covering, ventilate the affected area by opening doors or windows, ensuring good airflow while you work. You should also seal off the area where possible, using plastic sheets to prevent spores from spreading to other areas of the home.
How do you treat mold in your house?
There are three main steps for effectively treating mold:
- Identify and rectify the moisture source. Mold needs moisture to grow, so wherever the infestation is located must be subjected to excess moisture. This could be from a leak, a spill, flooding, or even moisture from a bathroom with unsatisfactory ventilation. If you clean the mold without fixing the moisture source, it’ll simply grow back.
- Clean the mold. Mold can be scrubbed off hard surfaces using a mixture of detergent and water – more porous materials like drywall or ceiling tiles may require replacing (so call a professional for support!). Once the mold has been removed, disinfect the area using a bleach solution: 1 cup of bleach per gallon of water. Let this solution sit on the area for 10-15 minutes before rinsing. An alternative to the bleach solution is to use a spray bottle with vinegar – spray on the affected area and let it sit for an hour before wiping it clean. During the cleaning process, do not mix bleach with other cleaning products, as this can create toxic fumes.
- Thoroughly dry the area. As mentioned above, mold needs moisture to grow, so make sure the affected area is completely dry after cleaning and disinfecting. Use fans and dehumidifiers to speed up the process, reducing the chance of lingering moisture.
Tackling mold: when to call a professional
There are certain scenarios where it is necessary to enlist the support of a mold removal and remediation specialist:
- If the mold covers an area larger than 10 square feet
- If you are experiencing allergic reactions or respiratory symptoms, or if you are prone to these ailments
- If the mold has penetrated deep into porous materials, such as carpet or other soft furnishings, but especially if the mold has seeped into your HVAC system or insulation
- If the mold growth has resulted from flooding or another contaminated water source
- If you cannot identify the moisture source
Mold can be detrimental to your health, but it can also cause structural issues in the home. Although small instances can be suitably cleaned yourself with little risk, larger outbreaks, or those originating from contaminated water sources must be addressed by a professional to ensure the safety of your home and household.