No one wants to buy a home filled with black mold and mildew, so let’s explore how to remove mildew and mold in homes, apartments and basements.
Mold Detection
Start by finding black mold by a Visible inspection of key black mold hiding places:
- mold under carpets
- mildew along basement walls
- air conditioner vents with moldy smells
- Mold on attic rafters
At this stage take mold pictures that you can share with mold remediation specialists, or as a reference after your own DIY mold removal project.
Black Mold and Mildew Removal
Getting rid of the black mold can be accomplished with a variety of mold cleaners, and mold killers. Keep in mind that when picking a mold remediation product, that the EPA regulates products that eliminate (kill) mold. If a mold removal product does not show EPA registration, then it is not tested to eliminate / kill mold, and should only be considered a mold cleaner
First remove surface mold
Mold Cleaners don’t require EPA registration, and can be used as a first step in a black mold removal project, but they don’t inactivate the mold. Once the primary layers of mold have been removed, place the rags in a garbage bag and seal it to contain the live mold spores.
Second eliminate mold roots
This step requires an EPA registered Mold Elimination product. Typically these products will say ‘Eliminates Mold’ which means it inactivates the mold. MoldSTAT Plus carries the EPA registration and is capable of eliminating black mold. (other molds also).
Lastly prevent mold from returning
The best mold prevention is moisture control. Without moisture mold won’t grow. So always find the moisture source and remove it before beginning a mold remediation project.
Some mold removal products can also prevent the regrowth of mold and mildew, either through a physical layer (MoldSTAT Coating and Protectant) , or a chemical barrier ( MoldSTAT Barrier ) .