Every year, mold destroys more wood than termites and fires combined. It’s attributed to over 4 million cases of asthma and over 90% of chronic sinuses. These statistics show just how dangerous mold is and how much seriousness it deserves.
Mold also grows and thrives very quickly, as long as the area is damp and moist. It’s the reason why any kind of water damage, from leaks to floods, facilitates mold growth. Now, when you find mold in our home, you should avoid certain mold removal mistakes.
There are several dangers of DIY mold removal. Still, should you decide to give it a try, it’s best to know about any mistakes you could make in advance.
Keep reading to find out all the mold removal mistakes you should be wary of.
Assuming a Visual Inspection Is Enough
When it comes to mold removal, a visual inspection is never sufficient to determine the extent of your problem. It’s also not enough to determine the type of mold you’re dealing with or the best mold removal procedure. There are many types of mold, all of which come in a wide array of colors and odors.
Before putting together any mold removal or a remediation plan, it’s essential for you to conduct a thorough inspection. If you were to hire a mold removal service, they would conduct an indoor air quality test and test the mold itself.
An indoor air quality test determines the number of mold spores in the air and how high it is, and a mold test determines the type of mold in your home.
It is of absolute importance to check for mold presence in all areas of your home that are bound to be damp. These areas include bathrooms, the kitchen, the attic or basement, laundry rooms, and the roof.
Mold removal will only be successful if you identify the root cause of the problem and where the mold is growing and spreading from.
Not Checking the Relative Humidity
If there’s one thing you should know about mold is that it thrives in moist areas.
If you notice signs of mold in places such as under your sink or cabinet and crawl spaces, then you most definitely have a moisture issue in your home. It’s imperative for you to check the relative humidity in your home before mold removal.
If the level goes beyond 55%, then it’s an ideal breeding ground for mold. The thing is, mold remediation will be ineffective if your home remains with this level of relative humidity. Before you start your mold removal process, purchase an RH sensor from a home improvement store to check the levels.
Lack of Proper Mold Removal Equipment
This is one of the most common mold removal mistakes that homeowners make. It’s easy for you to think that having a mask and gloves will offer you the proper protection. However, mold is hazardous and spreads very easily, so you need to have appropriate safety equipment.
Some mold species can cause severe respiratory issues such as asthma attacks and lung problems. Without proper safety equipment, you may also experience nasal issues, irritated throat, skin irritation as well as eye irritation. For this reason alone, it’s imperative for you to wear protective clothing that you can discard after mold removal.
A mold removal service would come in with sophisticated air filtration equipment in order to create negative air pressure. This equipment keeps all contaminants outside of your home, ensuring safety for everyone involved. They will also come with top-of-the-line air scrubbers, air movers, and dehumidifiers, all of which you may not have at your disposal.
Thinking Bleach Will Kill Mold
Using bleach to kill mold is by far one of the most common mold removal mistakes homeowners make. We’ve all heard that bleach is sufficient for mold removal, but nothing could be farther from the truth. When you use bleach on mold, the only thing you manage to do is clear the surface and bleach the color out of it.
Essentially, this means that you have removed any signs of mold but not eradicate it. The mold will thrive after a few days or weeks and continue causing respiratory and other health issues. Besides, you’ll be exposing yourself to prolonged chemical exposure should you choose to use bleach, which could cause you additional problems.
Covering Up Your Mold Problem
Would you believe there are homeowners who choose to paint over mold? This is one of the most common mold removal mistakes and one you should definitely avoid. You’ll find that there are mold-resistant paints in the market, but painting over mold doesn’t remedy the problem because it still continues to grow.
If you’re going to use this type of paint, it’s vital that you ensure complete mold remediation and removal. Address or the underlying issues that caused mold growth in the first place, then use the paint as a preventative measure.
Trying To Save Infected Items
When mold sits on a surface such as a wall, it’s possible for you to eradicate the mold spores completely. However, when you find mold spores have infected porous materials such as upholstery, wood, and wallpapers, then it becomes impossible to eradicate.
Trying to eradicate mold infestation from these materials is, at best, a temporary measure and only serves to spread the issue. The best thing you can do when you find mold on porous materials is throw it away.
Using Visuals To Determine Mold Removal Success
Once you have undergone the cleanup process, it would be a grave mold remover mistake to use visuals to determine successful removal. It’s impossible for you to know whether you have completely eradicated mold just by looking at the surface. Just because you can see any mold doesn’t mean that it’s eradicated.
There could be invisible mold spores on your drapes, upholstery, clothes, and carpets ready to spread all over your home again. The thing about mold is that it can grow beneath carpeting, behind paint, and in enclosed areas. Besides, without addressing your moisture issue, the mold is likely to develop new colonies.
Spreading the Mold Further
Spreading the mold during the cleanup process is one of the biggest mold removal mistakes homeowners make.
One of the major reasons you should hire a mold removal service is that they know what precautions to take to prevent further spread during the remediation process. Usually, they will isolate and seal up the affected area with plastic sheets to prevent mold spores from flying around to the rest of the home.
Mold Removal Mistakes: The Don’ts of Mold Removal
DIY mold removal is one of the most significant mold removal mistakes homeowners make. To avoid extending the problem, hiring a professional mold removal service is in your best interest.
If you’re currently facing mold in your home, please give us a call, and we’ll send our professionals to eradicate it completely.
