So you found mold on your property. Should you try to remove the mold yourself? Should you call in a professional for mold removal? Where is the line? We here at Clean Earth Restorations want to take a moment to talk about what steps you should take after finding mold.
Detection
Any detection of mold merits an investigation — whether it’s visible or not. (Often times you can smell it before you can see it.) You need to find the source of the mold — which will be water. Is it a leaky pipe? Too much humidity caused by poor ventilation? Mold must have H20 to survive. Where there is mold, there is humidity.
Manageable Mold
If the source is easy to detect and there is little mold, say some mold on shower tiles in a bathroom with poor ventilation, you can scrub it off with water and a mild detergent. You can also use a solution of 1 to 8 chlorine bleach to water. It is always important to protect yourself by using gloves, goggles, and a respirator if possible. People with asthma, allergies, and weakened immune systems should avoid being near mold when possible, as it is thought to complicate these conditions. Stop it from coming back by opening windows and doors, or using a fan, so that humidity can be dispersed.
When to Bring in the Pros
If the area covered by mold is larger than 10 square feet, you cannot detect where the mold is, you cannot detect where the source of humidity is, or you have had a flood, you should call a professional remediation company to detect the source, measure the environment for contamination, remove the mold, and if necessary restore any damage done by the mold. Remember that mold on a wall can often indicate mold on the other (non-visible) side of the wall.
Don’t let a manageable problem become an unmanageable (and costly) disaster. Call right away if you think you have a mold problem that requires a professional.
At Clean Earth Restorations we are available 24/7 to respond to your calls, and provide full-service professional mold remediation services to clients across San Diego county, including El Cajon, La Jolla, La Mesa, Chula Vista, Del Mar, Oceanside, Vista, Escondido and Santee. Contact us today!
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