Is Mold Removal a DIY Job? Or Should I Hire a Professional?
If you’ve experienced water damage, you probably know how important it is to completely clean and dry the space before any restoration. One of the main reasons for that thorough cleanup is to avoid the possibility of mold developing in your space. Mold spores are everywhere, and can enter your home in a variety of different ways. When those spores land on surfaces that are wet or hold moisture, that’s when mold starts to grow in your home.
Because of the humid nature of the area we live, it’s important to get professional help when dealing with mold removal in Charlotte. When trying to figure out if you should tackle the mold removal job yourself, it depends on a couple of factors. If the area is very small, and the mold infestation looks minor, you can probably clean it up by yourself. However, if that infestation takes up a space bigger than 10 square feet – or if you don’t know if mold has infiltrated your walls and ceilings – it’s probably a good idea to leave the work to the professionals. Here are some tips for mold removal, and things to look out for to know it’s time to call a professional.
How to Know if You Can Do It Yourself
The main thing to look at when determining if you can clean it up yourself is to look at the size of the infested area. If the moldy area takes up less than 10 square feet (roughly a 3-foot by 3-foot patch), you can probably handle all of the cleanup yourself. The surface is also a major consideration. Non-porous surfaces like glass, tile, and metal are much easier to clean than porous materials like fabric, wood, and sheet rock. Mold can seep into and damage your sheetrock or other porous surfaces, so be sure to inspect the infested area properly.
You will also need to make sure you’re using the proper equipment. This is important not only to make sure you’re getting rid of all the mold, but also to ensure you’re protecting yourself against it. You’ll need the right cleaning supplies, but that’s the easy part. Mold can typically be cleaned up with simple detergent and water, but there are also solutions out there designed specifically for killing mold. Bleach is also very effective. You’ll also need scrub brushes, sponges, and/or spray bottles to distribute the cleaning solution. Don’t forget protective equipment like gloves, and protective equipment like goggles and a mask.
Steps to Remove Mold
The first step in getting rid of mold by yourself is to make sure you have the proper protective equipment listed above. Don’t try and clean up mold without gloves, eye protection, and a protective mask. This will prevent the inhalation of mold spores, as well as their potential spread. Once you’re protected, close off the area to prevent the mold spores from spreading to another space. Open windows and use fans to ensure good ventilation of the area you will be cleaning.
When it’s time to remove the mold, be sure to clean the mold off of the hard surfaces first, using your mixture of detergent and water. If the mold is still tough to get rid of, you can add a cup of bleach to your solution per one gallon of water. Once you’ve cleaned the area thoroughly, keep those fans going to make sure the area remains properly ventilated and thoroughly dried. Bag up and get rid of any items that cannot be cleaned – such as carpeting or drywall.
Dangers of Removing Mold Yourself
Removing mold is a dangerous, time-consuming process. The biggest danger from attempting to remove mold on your own is the exposure to the mold spores. These tiny particles easily become airborne once they’re disturbed. Once they’re out in the air, they can quickly travel throughout the areas of your home. This can damage the overall air quality of your home while increasing the risk of respiratory issues and other allergies. Removing the mold on your own also increases the risk of cross-contamination, which can bring the mold spores into new areas of your home.
The equipment he professional remediation companies use are industrial-grade, and are made to completely remove all mold spores from a space. Without that equipment, you can’t be certain you removed all of the mold from a space. This can increase the chance of the mold sticking around to create ongoing issues. If the mold isn’t removed effectively, it can cause structural problems in the porous surfaces of your home – like wood and sheetrock. Some of these structural issues can make your home dangerous, and repairing structural damage is not cheap.
How to Know When to Call a Professional
As mentioned before, you’re typically looking for larger infestations that take up more than 10 square feet. Inspect the area thoroughly. Mold can hide any place that moisture reached. Check the area to see if there is a chance that mold could be hidden behind walls, in carpet, underneath the flooring, and especially in the HVAC systems. If any of your family members or anyone else in the household has health issues that could be exacerbated by exposure to mold, it is best to call in the professionals. That way you have the peace of mind that the cleanup was done properly, safely, and effectively.
If you’re uncertain about the type of the mold or how far it’s infested your space, it’s best not to guess. That’s when it’s time to call in the professionals. Even if you think that you might be able to clean the area yourself, reach out to the experts in remediation. They’ll be more than happy to guide you through the process and determine if it’s necessary for them to come to your home. They’ll be able to clear up questions so you can decide if you want to attempt it on your own or if you need the knowledge, experience, and specialized equipment of the professionals.
What to Expect After Clean Up
Whether it’s a small job you’ve done yourself, or one done professionally, there are expectations of what the area should look like after the area has been cleaned. There should be no visible signs of mold on the ceilings, floors and walls – or any other areas that were impacted. Be sure to look closely at porous materials like carpet or other fabrics. All of these surfaces should be clear and clean with no spots or stains remaining. Anything that that was damaged past the point of restoring should have been replaced with new, mold-free materials, and there shouldn’t be any lingering signs of water damage. All stains and warping should be removed or repaired.
There should also be no musty or moldy smell in the area. The space should be filled with a fresh, clean scent as any inkling of a musty smell means mold spores are still lingering. The area should be thoroughly dried with no signs of dampness or any other moisture. Proper drying and dehumidification needs to be done to prevent mold from returning. Proper ventilation for the area also needs to be addressed, as this can also prevent future mold growth. Be sure to take other preventative measures like waterproofing and ensuring proper drainage around the area.
Benefits of Using Professional Remediation
Professional remediation companies have the tools, experience and insight to handle the bigger jobs more effectively. The most important thing they bring to the table is their experience. Remediation professionals have seen all kinds of different issues in a variety of different spaces, and that experience helps them come up with the best way to perform your mold removal. They also understand the different types of mold and the best way to remove those particular types. The professionals will also know how to prevent further structural damage to the property.
Remediation companies will also have the right equipment to do the job safely and thoroughly, helping prevent exposure to the health risks that go along with mold removal. They will also follow all of the federal and local regulations to make sure all of the mold is removed properly. One of the most underrated aspects of working with a professional comes in the form of insurance claims assistance. Many of these companies can help with the documentation process of filing a claim, and can provide detailed reports and evidence of the damage. They can also provide evidence of the remediation efforts, which can help with getting the claim approved.
Working with a professional is the best way to make sure the infested area is properly cleared of all mold, and the pros will also be able to provide recommendations to prevent future mold growth. While smaller jobs might be handled yourself, there are a lot of benefits to working with professionals. The peace of mind of knowing it’s been completely taken care of only comes from working with professionals. For more information, reach out to the experts at Remedics Restoration today.
