Does the presence of mold alarm you? No wonder: We’re told that breathing mold spores can lead to serious problems for sensitive individuals. Naturally, we all want to eliminate mold as quickly as we can for health reasons. Furthermore, mold can also damage wood, drywall, carpets, and other materials in our homes, so that’s an added impetus to get rid of it right away.
When You Find Mold in Your Home
You might think the first thing to do when you spot mold is to have it tested. Experts don’t really recommend this. There are many kinds of mold, and most are not particularly harmful unless they’re allowed to proliferate. Even toxic black mold can be hard to detect, as there are different kinds of black mold — most commonly, black-colored mold, which though allergenic is not toxic.
You should be able to take steps to eliminate mold unless you are an ultrasensitive individual or there is an extensive infestation. Follow these tips to eliminate mold.
- Identify mold by sight or smell; it gives off a rank, musty odor.
- Get rid of the source of moisture that has encouraged mold growth. This could be leaking plumbing or a leaking ceiling. Fix the leak and look into installing exhaust ventilation to the outdoors in these spots.
- Keep humidity levels low in your home. Humidity should be below 50%; buy an inexpensive hygrometer to monitor moisture levels.
- Be sure to change your HVAC filter regularly so that the air conditioner will adequately dehumidify the home’s air as it refrigerates it. Have your AC maintained so it’s running efficiently. If need be, acquire a dehumidifier.
- Although there are many kinds of mold, most can be cleaned up with bleach (a cup of bleach in a gallon of water). Mold can also be effectively cleaned up with soap and water.
- Remove carpet, rugs, or parts of walls or the ceiling that are mold infested and make repairs or replace it.
For more on how to eliminate mold, contact Ace Hardware Home Services of Dayton. Contact us for questions on maintenance, repairs, and installing an HVAC system.
