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Indoor exposure of mold has become a public health concern. Due to better awareness about its adverse effects on health, more and more people are taking steps to get rid of this green menace from the house. Mold infestation can take a terrible toll on the property as well as cause a number of health complications including severe allergic reactions, asthma and skin diseases.
It is vital that you take steps to remove mold infestation from your house. In this article we will present some of the effective guidelines regarding clean up and remediation of mold and moisture problem in the houses.
Note: Consider hiring a professional mold removal firm in case of severe mold infestations. They utilize advanced mold remediation techniques and tools to get rid of large mold infestations from the house in quick time.
Determine the Source of Water Damage
You have to detect sources of water damage in the house in order to prevent further growth of mold. Watch for wet spots and condensation that may be fuelling the growth of molds in the house. You should fix leaky plumbing as soon as possible. If the water is seeping through the roof, consider patching up loose cracks to prevent water from permeating inside the house. Moreover, try to keep ventilation, heating and air-conditioning drip pans flowing properly and unobstructed.
Reduce Moisture Level in the Air
Another important step to prevent mold growth in the house is to reduce the moisture level in the air. You can reduce moisture level by ensuring proper ventilation if outside air is cold and dry. In case the outside air is warm and humid, consider using a dehumidifier to reduce moisture level and thus removing mold infestation from the house.
In addition, you should also consider insulating the house to increase surface temperature in the house, which will also reduce moisture level in the air. The humidity level inside the house should be kept below 60% relative humidity (RH) to prevent growth of mold infestation.
Ensure Proper Drainage
Do not let foundations stay wet for long in case of water damage due to rain or snow. It is essential that you provide proper drainage and slope so that the rainwater goes to the ground without seeping through the foundation. Rainwater that seeps through the walls is the primary cause of water damage that causes mold infestations in most homes. Poor drainage cause rainwater to seep through the wall and exacerbates the problem of mold inside the house.
Assess the Extent of Mold Infestation
Before carrying on the remedial work to remove mold infestation from the house, you should assess the size of the mold or moisture problem in the house. In some cases, indoor mold cases may not be obvious. Mold may be growing on hidden surfaces such as the backside of wallpaper, dry wall, or paneling, the top of ceiling tiles or the underside of the carpets and pads. Other areas where mold can make residence inside your house is utility tunnels, pipe chases, drain pans inside air handling, walls behind furniture, and porous thermal liners.
Make a Remediation Plan
After assessing the extent of mold infestation, you should make a remediation plan to get rid of these green pests from your home. You have to completely clean up the mold and water damaged areas using appropriate cleaning and drying methods. In addition, use appropriate personal protective equipment like gloves, high boots, safety goggles, and masks and the like to prevent exposure to the mold. Some of the methods you can use to control mold infestation in homes include:
- Damp Wipe Method: This method is used to remove mold infestation from nonporous and hard surfaces. You wipe or scrub the affected surface using water or a mixture of water and detergent.
- Wet Vacuum Method: This technique is used to collect moisture from mold-infested floors, carpets, and hard surfaces. The vacuum should not be used to remove moisture from porous surfaces like gypsum boards. The tanks and hoses of these vacuums should be thoroughly cleaned and dried after use since mold spores may stick to the surface. A HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum is used for final cleanup or remediation of mold after moisture is removed from the infected area.
- Mold Removal by Discarding: Another method to remove mold infestation from the house is to discard building materials that are infected by mold. This method is used where the mold has heavily contaminated the area that it cannot be reduced by the above methods.
Contact Professional Mold Prevention and Water Damage Control Service in National City, California
In case your house is heavily infected with mold due to water damage, consider hiring a professional mold prevention and water damage control company. These firms are specialized in removing mold infestations from homes through advanced mold removal tools and methods.
If you want to get help of a mold prevention and water damage control company in National City, California, you can call (858) 333-8872 to solve the problem of mold infestation and water damage in your house.