5 Steps You Can Take If You Have Mold

Mold is one of the most harmful substances that can happen to a home. It not only has the potential to make people ill, it can also spread as fast as fire. Depending on what type of mold a homeowner discovers and when, it can also be catastrophically expensive to remove. See what steps homeowners can take to get rid of mold once and for all.

Mold Safety Precautions

The first step to take is to take a sample before isolating everyone from the mold as much as possible. If anyone in the home has been suffering from allergy-like symptoms such as itchy eyes, headache, or fatigue, they should see a doctor as soon as possible. Prolonged mold exposure can be dangerous to all of the body's major systems, so it helps to be as thorough as possible. Use the sample as a means to give the doctor more information about what they're handling.

Have the Mold Tested

Instead of immediately trying to treat the mold, homeowners should have it tested first. Mold comes in a number of forms, and it's not always easy to spot the extent of the damage with the naked eye. Having a skilled professional or mold remediation specialist test it will ensure that the entire home gets a thorough mold inspection, so owners can be assured there's nothing remaining. Small amounts of mold may be removed by the homeowner. Talk to the tester about the best way to remove the type of mold you have.

Treat the Cause of the Mold

When the mold testers are at the home, they should be able to tell a homeowner where the mold is coming from. Whether it's a damaged roof, a leaky pipe, or just a poorly insulated window, a homeowner will need to seal up their home or fix the components to prevent any future damage. Sometimes even a poorly monitored humidifier can cause too much moisture on the walls and inside the fibers of the carpet.

Contact Mold-Removal Professionals

Home insurance policies may cover certain types of mold removal, so call them first to see if they'll pick up the tab. Homeowners who have to hire professionals to remove their mold should call around first to get the best estimate, and to learn more about what the process will entail. It's recommended that homeowners find a company who is only paid after the home is retested to ensure they have completed the job thoroughly.

Tips for Mold Self-Removal

Removing mold is a lengthy and complicated process for many homeowners—even if only removing a small amount of mold. On the surface, it may seem as easy as buying the right fungicide. But recommended gear includes full body protection before even entering the area and high-efficiency equipment and tools for polluted air. If homeowners don't already have this special equipment and the proper (and safe) mold cleaning solutions, they may end up spending a lot more than they intended for proper mold removal. In addition to the costs, ventilation is going to be pivotal when it comes to working in an enclosed area.

Discovering mold can be overwhelming for any homeowner, especially if the mold is affecting the health of everyone living there. However, there are plenty of steps that can be taken to remove the mold within a homeowner's control. Understanding the type of mold and who to contact will be the key to taking care of the problem as soon as possible.