Mold is everywhere, but under control
The reality about mold is that molds are just part of nature. Without mold, last year’s leaves and yard waste would not be broken down. Mold spreads in nature through airborne spores, that are too small to be seen. The spores land, and when water is present, they grow and spread. Without water, mold won’t grow. But outdoors, humidity, rain, even the morning’s dew all provide mold with the water moisture needed to grow and thrive.
Outdoor Mold causes trouble
While mold is naturally a part of our outdoor environment, mold produces allergens that may cause allergic reactions, from hay fever to sniffles and in extreme asthma or skin rashes. The mold spore situation can cause such allergic discomfort that forecasts are now available to help at risk individuals plan their activities. For example the Weather Channel produces a national outdoor mold forecast map :
Indoor mold makes matters worse
While outdoor mold can be irritating, the trouble is mold doesn’t respect outdoor vs indoor definitions. Because mold spores are so tiny, they can be brought into your home through clinging to your clothes, shoes, or just the wind on a pleasant spring day can carry mold in along with dust. Mold spores following you indoors isn’t a problem until the mold spores find a source of moisture. With moisture, mold will grow, and growing mold means more mold spores, and more mold spores mean even more mold. The moisture source can be trivial, like the drip of a leaky drain pipe, or even condensation off an uninsulated air conditioner coil. Or the moisture source could be extreme along the lines of a basement foundation crack, heavy rains, broken washing machine hose, or even a backed up sump pump. Where uncontrolled moisture is found, mold is almost certain to be found.
Spotting Mold – Do I have it?
If your mold infestation is out of control, you’ll be able to visibly see the mold in spots, splotches, or entire sheets on the affected surfaces. But if your mold infestation is not out of control, you may still be able to detect the mold not visually, but with your nose!
Mold smells are caused by the airborne allergens and tend to be the first indication that mold growth is happening. Once you smell the mold, you will know a mold removal project is in your future. Don’t ignore the smell, catching a mold / mildew infestation early saves you alot of effort and mold removal expenses.
Mold Removal Project Basics
Mold Removal projects, consist of two major phases : Moisture Control and Mold Removal.
Moisture Control
The most important step in a mold removal project is Moisture Control. Until the moisture is removed, mold will continue to grow. First you’ll need to stop the source of moisture. This may be easy in the event of flooding, when the water recedes the moisture source ends. But in a water or waste line leak, stopping the moisture source may be more complicated.
Removing the existing moisture is the second part of moisture control. Once no additional moisture is being added you will need to start reducing the amount of moisture in your mold remediation zone. Use buckets and/or towels to get the visible liquids out of the area. Then use fans, or de-humidifiers to reduce the humidity levels, which will further dry out the affected surfaces (techniques may differ based on basement mold removal, attic mold removal, crawlspace mold removal or leak mold removal projects).
The key to mold control is removing the moisture, and drying the affected areas within the 24 to 48 hours. When moisture is controlled, mold growth slows, and attention can be turned to mold removal.
Mold Removal
Removing the remaining mold can be completed by a mold remediation specialist or attempted as a DIY mold removal project. Always consider the size of the project, and relative health of household members before tackling black mold removal as a DIY project. In either case commercial, EPA tested Mold Removal Products should be used. Be careful when choosing a mold remover; only choose products tested by the EPA and labeled as KILLS MOLD.
Many additional posts address mold removal in specific areas, including basement mold removal, attic mold removal and even crawl space mold removal.