Mold Problems and Solutions: Preventing and Cleaning Mold

Mold Problems and Solutions: Preventing and Cleaning Mold

You clean, regularly. You dust, mop, sweep, polish and scrub whenever the need arises. Your home is immaculate, pristine, if not overly dirt and dust free. So there’s no way mold could be growing in your house. There shouldn’t even be a single mold spore floating through the air. But, regardless of how clean you are, there could be; in fact there very well might be.

Mold spores are everywhere. They surround us, unseen, until they land on a damp or wet area; then, they begin to grow. If they are allowed to do so for long, you and your family may begin to note indirect signs of them. Your allergies will likely worsen, particularly if you inhale or touch too much. You will feel like it is hay-fever season, even if it is January or June or November. If you have asthma, your symptoms will be more frequent and severe. And if you are exposed to the mold for a significant amount of time, you could witness further health deteriorations - it is unclear what specifically those may be, as studies are still being conducted.

Therefore, you want to prevent mold at all costs. Doing that involves quickly taking care of any water damage that may occur in your home. Do not allow a leak to go unnoticed for days, dripping liquid into the floor, then the ceiling and the floor again. That will build dampness, which will build mold. Monitor your roof gutters, the slope of your land, the humidity level and your air conditioning pans. Essentially, if it can produce moisture or allow moisture in, keep a diligent eye on it.

Should you develop mold, act quickly to get rid of it. You will not be able to eliminate all mold spores - that is impossible - but you will be able to get rid of the spores that have settled, grown and infected your health. You can do it yourself or hire a contractor. Which you choose will depend on the amount of mold and your confidence in being able to get rid of it safely on your own, as well as the location of the mold. If it is in a tricky or dangerous spot, you want to rely on a professional.

If you do it yourself, be sure you know what you are doing before you begin. Start by getting rid of all of the water problems. You don’t want to eliminate mold only to have a leak bring it right back when you’ve finished. Once the plumbing is taken care of, scrub the moldy surfaces. Use detergent and water, and dry the area completely when finished. If you are planning to paint the moldy surface, wait until it is completely dry and mold free before doing so. Paint is wet - wetness inspires spores, and a never-ending cycle begins.

Mold doesn’t have to be the disaster it may sound like it is. In fact, it can be an easily preventable and eliminated problem. The key is watching the moisture levels throughout your home and acting quickly should mold arise. If you do, you and your family will be healthy and safe.

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The author writes articles on Austin Real Estate Blog. For more information about Austin realtor, Lakeway real estate and Austin real estate can be found on the net.