WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MOLD IN YOUR HOME

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1 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MOLD IN YOUR HOME

2 You can be the cleanliest person in the world and still have a mold problem in your home. WHY? Because mold and mold spores are everywhere, both indoors and outdoors, and homes often provide the ideal environment certain molds need in order to thrive: the right temperature, a source of food, and moisture. If mold is growing in your home, you need to clean it up and fix the moisture problem. If you don t, the mold will likely continue to come back. This tip sheet will give you guidance in how to clean the mold in your home, how to help prevent further mold growth, and what to do when the problem gets too big.

3 Mold Removal VS. Mold Remediation Mold spores are found everywhere both indoors and outdoors. Mold and mold spores are simply a part of life. That s why it s impossible to completely remove all mold from your home. But if you control indoor moisture, you can prevent future mold growth. Mold remediation is the process of removing excess mold spores and microbial growth by a professional remediation company that has the necessary tools, training and equipment. In some cases, like when a building has been unoccupied for a long time or when a moisture problem goes undetected, the remediation company may need to remove and replace contaminated building materials. Remember: mold can only grow with moisture, so if you don t fix the moisture problem, the mold will likely come back. Is All Mold Toxic? This is a common misconception about household mold No, it is not all toxic. Most mold commonly found in homes is not harmful, but certain types, like the kind that comes with water damage, can cause mild allergic reactions or induce asthma attacks in some people. The scary black mold you hear about is uncommon. It is caused mostly by long-term moisture problems that have gone untreated for as few as 7 to 9 days.

4 Do-It-Yourself Mold Cleanup If you choose to take care of mold cleanup on your own, here are some tips that will help: First and foremost: fix the moisture problem that is causing the mold! Protect yourself from exposure to mold by wearing an N-95 respirator, gloves, and non-ventilated goggles. Use a general household cleaner or detergent without ammonia and scrub the affected area. Do not use bleach; it is ineffective at cleaning mold. Make sure that the surfaces you cleaned are completely dry. Try setting up a dehumidifier in the area. Vacuum up the mold and spore bodies from the affected surface. You will need to use a HEPA (High- Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum. Household vacuums won t be effective because they don t have the right kind of filters to properly trap the mold spores. They will actually spread the mold throughout your home. The EPA recommends hiring a professional remediation company if the mold covers a surface of more than 10 square feet. Mold may leave stains or other cosmetic damage. Don t try to paint or apply caulk over a moldy surface clean it thoroughly first! Absorbent or porous building materials should be thrown away if they become moldy. These could include things like ceiling tiles, carpets and padding, wallboards, or upholstered furniture. If you think that your HVAC system might be contaminated with mold, don t run the system, but call a professional for help.

5 Calling the Professionals Sometimes the mold problem is too big to deal with on your own. How do you know when it s time to call a professional remediation company? Here are some guidelines. Call a professional if: There has been water damage that wasn t dried properly. The water damage and/or mold was caused by sewage or other contaminated water. The mold covers an area of more than 10 square feet. Professional mold remediation companies use specialized equipment designed for maximum remediation, and many can also assist with climate control. Do I Need to Test for Mold? Maybe. Individual mold spores are invisible to the human eye. Having air sampling and tape lifts performed by an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) professional helps determine the spore level counts and affected areas. Knowing this data not only helps with the remediation, but also helps define the scope of work that needs to be performed. It is also advised that a postrememdiation air sample be collected in order to confirm that a successful remediation has been completed.

6 Hidden Mold Sometimes you may not be able to see mold, but you suspect that it s there. Symptoms of hidden mold HEPA vacuums problems include a musty smell or health problems are used by mold reported after water damage. If you suspect hidden mold, remediation the best thing to do is to call a professional to investigate. companies to trap mold spores and Hidden mold is tricky to remediate on your own. It can prevent them from accumulate in places like the back side of wall paper, spreading. behind drywall, under paneling, behind baseboards, and under carpet pads. Another reason you should hire a professional to investigate hidden mold in your home is because moving the affected surfaces could cause a release of spores into the surrounding area. Controlling Moisture in Your Home Remember, mold needs moisture in order to grow. While it s impossible to physically remove every trace of mold and spores from your home, you can inhibit mold growth if you take some simple steps. Begin clean up of water-damaged areas in your home (leaks, spills, etc.) within hours. Keep indoor humidity below 60%. Dry condensation quickly, such as on windows, walls and pipes. Run dehumidifiers, bathroom fans, and kitchen exhaust fans.

7 Mold Problem IN YOUR HOME? Call the Professionals. (802) / (800) gwsavage.com gwsavage@gwsavage.com