A mold infestation is a health hazard and a nuisance, to say the least. It causes allergic reactions; it’s extremely unsightly and, worst of all, it can be toxic! Apparently, no homeowner wants that in their home, but then again, not everyone realizes when they do until a DIY inspection is done.
All mold infestations have to start somewhere; it takes routine inspections to identify that you have mold growing in your home, and accurate measures to remove it before it spreads. Now, the question is how do you identify mold? Well, it's not only are we going to give you the answer to that, but we’re also going to tell you how to remove and prevent mold growth in your home. Read on!
DIY Inspection to Detect, Remove and Prevent Molds From Your Home
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Identifying Mold
While it can grow just about anywhere in your home, the most common areas to find mold include bathrooms, basement, attics, under kitchen sinks, around windows and water pipes. You should know, however, that mold thrives in damp, humid and dark/dingy areas. Therefore, if you have any leakages in your house, inspect those places first before moving on to the bathrooms. Be sure to check under sinks, ceiling corners, window sills, and walls. Bear in mind that what you’re looking for are tiny black spots or a greenish fungus known as mildew. If you spot anything that resembles mold or mildew, you best clean it up immediately just to be on the safe side.
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Mold Removal
Cleaning up mold is not tough, but we advise taking extra safety precautions when carrying out the process. Tie a scarf over your nose and mouth and wear gloves to avoid touching the mold with your bare hands. Depending on the surface you’re cleaning, use a brush with either soft or medium bristles to remove the mold and wipe the surface with a cloth after that. Next, spritz the entire surface (and surrounding areas) with a strong disinfectant and allow it to dry up completely. Lastly, re-spray the area and, this time around, wipe up the disinfectant with a clean dust cloth. Look closely for any missed spots; repeat the process if necessary as mentioned also by Cleaning Tribe LA.
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Preventive Measures
You can do a DIY inspection and other few things you can do to prevent mold growth in your home. Firstly, increase the amount of ventilation in each of your rooms by opening windows for longer periods. Cross-ventilation helps a great deal so consider keeping the doors in your home open for a bit as well. Secondly, damp and humid rooms like bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and attics should have exhaust fans to control the temperature in the room. Ventilation is also important in these rooms but exhaust fans will make the real difference here. Another great way to prevent mold is by using an anti-mold or disinfectant spray on areas most likely to get an infestation. Simply spray the area once or twice a week and you’re ready to go! Lastly, make it a habit of doing monthly inspections to ensure that you and your family are living in a mold-free environment!
