Every home gets mold and causes a major league of nuisance. It blackens the grout line in the pipe lines, discolors the drywall and even show up as black colored spots on the sidings. It grows and rots on damp places such as wooden fences. It is bad for our health as the microscopic spores that it releases can cause allergic reaction, runny noses and sneezing as well as irritation, especially if you have immune system and cause a foul odor. So in case of extensive mold problem, it is advisable to hire a professional to remove the hold.
Mold is a fungus that grows from tiny spores that can float in the air and spread easily, hence it is extremely important to stop the molds from spreading. Spores when land in the moist environment was start to grow. The visible dark spots on damp surface such as grout lines in the shower, damp
walls and outdoor surfaces of deck boards and siding which are molds, called mildew, that start as a tiny spots but grow into larger colonies. To confirm if it is mildew, dab a few drops of household bleach on the blackened area and if it lightens after few minutes, it is mildew. If not it is dirt. High concentration of mold will start to smell.
How to remove the mold
The mold on the surface of bathroom, decks and siding can be scrubbed away with 1:8 bleach and water cleaner solution. But if it has spread and started to give out the mushy foul smell special precaution needs to be taken before and while cleaning the mold:
Wear old clothes and shoes that can be thrown away after cleaning themolds
Wear gloves, goggles and mask such as N-95 or P-100
Set up proper ventilation in the room while cleaning.
Tape the windows and doors with plywood or cardboard so that the spore cannot blow back in
Turn off the furnace and air conditioner and cover the ducts and doors to stop spreading of spores
Moisten the moldy areas with garden sprayer to control airborne spores while cleaning
Keep the vacuum outside after use
Cleaning the molded carpet
Remove carpet that is mold infested. Cut musty carpet with utility knife. Use a pump sprayer to mist the surface with water to control the spread of spores and roll up the sections. Double wrap the cut piece in plastic and tape it with duct tape and dispose it. Ensure to wear a protective cloth and switch on the exhaust fan while cleaning the carpet.
Cleaning the room
Seal the room doors, windows and air ducts using the plastic and duct tape from rest of the room. Open up the wall to check the mold growing inside. Be careful to check the electric wire while opening up the walls. Mist the moldy wall and insulation with pump sprayer to avoid spreading of the spores. Double bag moldy materials in plastic bags and tie them tightly. Remove the soft, spongy studs and wall sheathing. Treat the infected areas with a wood preservative and let it dry.
Scrub the surface of walls and wood trim with bleach and water cleaner solution and allow it dry. Clean the debris using vacuum cleaner. Clean the wet and dry areas disposing all the damaged goods, wash the tank, hose and attachments with bleach and water solution.