Guest Blogger: How to Detect & Get Rid of Mold in Your Home

Guest Blogger #459, Entry #1085, April 11, 2012

When it comes to spring cleaning, there are some things that we know to look for: dust, trash, items that we know longer need. But there are others that could be accumulating that are far more detrimental than all of those combined. One of these examples is mold.

Mold is something that naturally occurs within the environment. It’s a fuzzy and slimy fungus that comes in a variety of colors from white and black to green and brown. A part of the reason why it’s such a threat to a home is because, over time, it actually breaks down something as simple as leaves and also something as foundational as wood. Therefore, if a mold infestation gets into your house, you can see how it can cause a huge problem.

Be aware of moisture ridden rooms such as bathrooms for possible mold

Image via: House of Turquoise

How Does Mold Develop Within the Home?

Unless you are looking for it, mold may not be something that would appear to be obvious for you. That’s because wood is oftentimes used as a part of a home’s foundation behind all of the paint and plaster. However, because mold thrives off of moisture, one of the preventative measures that you can take in keeping it from being in your house is to regularly check for roof and plumbing leaks (this would mean checking out kitchens and bathrooms especially). Another thing to keep in mind is that while mold can grow on basically anything, it does like to feed off of cloth and insulation and so it’s also wise to do a once over in your attic and basement once a season. If you don’t see any immediate signs, but you’re still sensing that some mold could be there, there are other ways to detect it.

How Do You Detect Mold in Your House?

One of the greatest risks with having a mold infestation is that it can attach to your skin and even get into your lungs. This is especially challenging for people with allergies or those who are asthmatic. Also, over time, mold can bring toxins into the air that can result in other health concerns and so if you find that you feel groggy or congested in your house and then you’re noticeably better once you leave it, that’s a potential symptom of there being mold in your house. However, when it comes to the actual structure of your house, there are relatively inexpensive mold home testing kits that are available at home improvement stores for around $50. Because mold can grow in an optimal setting within 24-48 hours, it’s definitely not something that you want to wait to do. A mold infestation can be very costly over time and so an initial fifty bucks is money well spent.

Underground basements can also have mold issues

Image via: House of Turquoise

How Do You Get Rid of the Mold?

Once you know that you have mold in your house, it’s now time to get to work. First, you’ll want to have a plumber or home inspector come and inspect the house to make sure there are no unseen water leaks. If there are and s/he senses that it has gotten into the insulation of your house, you will probably need a contractor to remove the mold and replace any of the foundational damage that has been done. If you’re told that it’s a manageable job that you can do on your own, before you start cleaning up, make sure to put on some gloves, goggles and a filter mask (you don’t want to have to get a temporary health insurance quote to treat a mold allergy!). Then, with some non-ammonia detergent and warm water, use a damp wipe to clean the mold off of the tiles or drywall that it is growing on. You can also use bleach, but make sure that you use one or the other; both could prove to be toxic. If you see mold on the baseboards that carpet is connected to, use a dry vacuum to air the carpet out. Do make sure to keep in mind that while these tips can help to remove mold, it doesn’t guarantee that it will prevent it from coming back. Some tips to keep mold at bay are to keep your home at around 77-78 degrees to keep the humidity out of the air, keep the windows and doors close when the air conditioning is running, and to have your air conditioning serviced regularly for any potential leaks.

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