What To Do If You Think There's Mold In Your Home?

Mold is a threat to both your health and property. If you're worried there might be mold in your house, it's important to identify the problem and address it. Follow this checklist so you can determine if you'll need a mold removal specialist.

Air Out and Dehumidify the House

It's worth starting with a simple trick before you jump to a full-on mold removal project. If possible, open up the windows and get some air circulation going with fans. This will help to exhaust some of the smells. Likewise, you'll want to dehumidify the house. If you already have a whole-home HVAC system, you may also want to clean the vents and registers.

Notably, this serves as something of an initial check for continuing problems. If the smell returns when you close things up, then it's probably time to move on to mold testing.

Clean Surfaces

Using a cleaning solution, spray surfaces and let them sit. Wipe everything down with a disposable rag or paper towel. Make sure to get all surfaces that haven't been cleaned recently, including walls. Only spray surfaces you can reach because you don't want chemical reactions to continue unabated.

Since you should open the house up to air things out anyhow, this is a chore you may want to perform while there's ventilation. You don't want to overwhelm yourself with the smell of cleaning products.

Look for Spots

Mold often appears as patches of white, green, black, or blue fuzziness. If you see a patch developing to the point it's visible, there's a good chance you'll need to call a mold removal specialist. This is especially the case if there's a wet spot supporting the mold. If you see mushy drywall, for example, that's not a good sign.

You should also note any nearby potential water sources. If you see mold developing close to water lines, those systems may require repairs. Similarly, look for spots along the walls and the foundation of the house where cracks may have formed. These can let water in, and they'll require work after the mold removal job is over.

Check Behind Things

Moisture can collect in weird places and foster mold. If you have a table in the basement, for example, move it and verify whether mold is present. Check around appliances that may promote moisture if they malfunction, such as refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners.

To learn more, contact a company like Disaster Masters.

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