Mold is no joke. Cleaning up mold is also no joke; it usually requires a professional, and if not, it requires several necessary precautions. Keep these mold treatment tips in mind as you assess your home’s mold condition.

Determine the Radius of the Mold-Affected Area

Depending on the degree of damage and mold in the area, you may need to consult with a mold remediation professional. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, if the affected area is more than 10 square feet, it’s recommended that you consult the EPA’s guide, Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. While it mostly covers remediation for schools and commercial buildings, it is applicable to other spaces as well.

Get Rid of Moisture

If there is flood damage in the home, the most important step is doing everything you can to dry out materials and surfaces. Ventilate the area by opening doors and windows, and pull out all the fans you have. Some home improvement stores even have remediation rentals to use if the case is fairly minor.

Wear Protective Gear

Even for minor cases, it’s important to wear a mask or mold respirator, which can filter the air, and a pair of gloves that can keep your skin out of direct contact with toxic bacteria.

Mold on Hard vs. Soft Surfaces

It’s a lot easier to remove mold growth from hard surfaces, rather than softer surfaces, like carpet. Mold in or under carpets usually means you’ll have to replace it, and the same goes for insulation or wallboard; the only way to deal it is by removal and replacement.  

Be Careful with Your Cleaners

To remove mold from hard surfaces, you can use commercial products, soap and hot water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Never mix bleach with ammonia or household cleaners, as the fumes are toxic. Thoroughly scrub the contaminated surfaces with a stiff brush and then rinse with water.  

We Know Mold

Mold is a foreign topic to many people, and yet, so many are affected by it and don’t even know. Understand that you aren’t alone and that we, as mold treatment experts, can help you get back into a healthy environment and make sure you yourself are not being affected.

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Rain has been sweeping the nation – March in particular. Into April, we’ll be seeing more rain and then the glorious blooms of springtime. (And the not-so-glorious sounds of sneezing and sniffling.) Seasonal allergies aren’t fun. They sometimes come about as early as February, when the trees start blooming and the grass starts growing. As beautiful as this time of year is, we shouldn’t have to completely rearrange our lives and sunny-day enjoyment for the pesky symptoms that come with it.

What Do Allergies Look Like?

You know ‘em: itchy eyes, sometimes itchy skin, sneezing, nasal congestion, wheezing, rash, runny nose, swelling, and sometimes asthma–all symptoms of allergies. These result from exposure to grass, weeds, tree pollen (or pollen in general), molds, or animal dander. As for the severity of symptoms, genes and environment play huge roles.

Stay Away from Allergy Triggers

While we don’t want you to squash the fun that comes with springtime, such as Easter egg hunts and trips to the park, you will have to make some sacrifices. For example, you should reduce your exposure to your allergy triggers. On dry, windy days, try to stay indoors and save some outdoor time for post-rain plans, as rain clears pollen from the air. Outdoor chores such as gardening, mowing, and weed pulling should be given to someone with less risk of symptoms. Volunteer for some other chores far away from floating allergens, but if you must, wear a pollen mask to guard against inhalation. Also, if you do spend a day outdoors in the fresh spring air, remove the clothes you wore, wash them, and shower to rinse any debris from your skin and hair.

If Symptoms Persist, Let Us Assist  

As mentioned above, another cause of allergies is mold. It has almost identical symptoms to those seen in seasonal allergies. Molds are simply fungi that grow both indoors and outdoors in warm, damp, and humid conditions. They spread and reproduce by making spores, some of which can also survive in dry conditions. That’s why it’s important to pay close attention to the duration of your “allergy” symptoms, as it could be something more. In that case, further testing should take place by experts.

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