Do it yourself mold removal

If youve had water damage in the past and now have a mold problem in your home or business, you have a couple of choices. You have the choice of doing it yourself or hiring a professional restoration company. If you decide to take on the task yourself make sure you do the research to make sure all steps are taken to do aproficient mold cleanup. Here are some steps to effectively remove any mold in your home. 1. Remove any and all moisture. Moisture is pre-existing water damage that allows mold to grow. In order to completely remove the mold all the moisture in the area has to be gone. 2. Protective gear. Molds are toxic and protecting yourself is vital. Wearing a respirator, goggles, gloves and some old clothes will help in protecting you. 3. Dispose of infected items. Books and rags once infected will need to be thrown away immediately. Metal, carpets and glass can be cleaned just make sure there is no mold residue left on them. Wood and drywall, it is best to dispose of them rather to trying to save them. 4. Bleach is the most common household cleaning agent for mold. Mix 1.5 cups of bleach per gallon of water. This can be used as your cleaning solution for mold, but only on non-porous items. 5. Other removal products for mold. Besides bleach, you can use other mold cleaning products that dont contain bleach or other harmful chemicals. These products release fumes into your home and these can be harmful to your health. 6. Ventilation. After you have completed cleaning the mold from your home, open all windows for a few days. Using an air purifier with a deodorizer will help in removing the unpleasant odor left from cleaning the mold.

Sometimes mold remediation can be very extensive and more then you can handle. If this is the case, look for a restoration contractor that specializes in water damages and mold clean up. If you have repeatedly cleaned the mold and it continues to come back, it might be time to call a professional. Also, without proper training you could make the mold spread even further throughout your home making matters even worse.

WATER DAMAGE / MOLD INSURANCE Insurance companies no longer cover mold cause by water damage like they used to. They believe its the home owners fault for lack of negligence for not taking care of the situation. To avoid spending money, call your insurance company immediately once you notice your home is under water damage. Call them and a restoration company asap so that all your expenses will be covered by insurance.

MOLD PREVENTION Molds grow because of moisture in your home. Check under your kitchen sinks, laundry area and bathrooms. Also check faucets and water pipes for any leaks. Dry your clothes outside rather than hanging them inside. Keep books, clothing and papers in a well ventilated area so molds wont get to them. The best way to prevent mold growth is to keep your home well ventilated. Using an air conditioner will help keep the house dry and if possible a dehumidifier to keep the humidity levels low. Getting rid of all the wet and moist areas in your home should protect you from mold growth. Just make sure to check these areas often. [l]