Remediation Mold Yourself

Mold is a nasty sight that darkens corners of bathrooms, stains walls and feeds on damp wood. It’s also unhealthy for humans, causing a range of respiratory problems and even contributing to some types of cancer. Its spores also trigger allergies and make breathing difficult for people who are sensitive to them. Inhaling or touching mold spores can also trigger asthma, which can be extremely dangerous. For these reasons, it’s important to do everything you can to avoid mold and keep it out of your home.

Unfortunately, hiring a professional mold remediation service can be expensive. It’s also not something that most homeowners are comfortable doing themselves. The good news is, there are steps you can take to do your own DIY mold remediation. First, you’ll need to get the proper equipment. This includes a strong disinfectant (some are more effective against some strains of mold than others), safety gear and heavy-duty rubber gloves. A dehumidifier and other tools may be required as well, depending on the scope of the mold removal project.

Once you’ve got the equipment, it’s time to start cleaning. This can be tricky, as the best way to clean up a mold infestation is to remove and replace contaminated materials. This can include drywall, insulation and even framing. Unless you’re very experienced and have the proper tools, it’s usually not recommended to try to do this on your own.

How Do You Remediation Mold Yourself?

Before you begin, you should set up a work station in the garage or another area away from your living space to prevent cross-contamination. You should also put on a respirator and protective goggles. You should also open a window and turn on a fan to promote adequate ventilation in the area where you’ll be working.

You’ll also need a good amount of cleanup supplies, including heavy plastic sheeting to contain the mold, disposable wipes, bleach, white vinegar, a brush and pail. A pump sprayer is a useful tool for moistening insulation, drywall and other materials infected by mold. This dramatically reduces the number of spores released into the air and makes the clean-up process much easier.

The final step in any DIY mold remediation project is to seal the cleaned areas with a shellac or latex paint. This will help prevent future mold growth and protect your lungs from toxic fumes.

Mold can be a problem for anyone, but it’s especially harmful to kids, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions. It’s important to keep your humidity levels low, especially in the basement and crawl spaces, and repair leaky areas such as water under sinks or old roofing. And always be sure to use a dehumidifier in the summer and winter to keep moisture from building up on your foundation or in the attic. The most important thing to remember is that mold grows in wet environments, so if you can fix the moisture problem, you’ll prevent future infestations and protect your family.