Fighting Household Mold

Mold can be a very serious infliction of a house exposed to moisture and oxygen. It can have several different colors - white, black, brown, yellow. But, it's always present when there is an abundance of moisture. This doesn't have to be blatant wetness. It can be simple dampness or even humidity.

The best way to handle mold is to decrease the moisture level of the room. To prevent future dampness, a dehumidifier set for moisture levels less than 40% should control any additional mold build-up. Mold cannot grow in humidity levels less than 40%. A reading of 35% is optimal.

Basements and bathrooms are especially prone to mold and mildew. Whenever a shower or bath is taken, it is wise to vent out the humid air by vent, fan, or open window.

Mold can be an aggravation to asthma and allergy patients and can cause serious sickness in such individuals. Headaches, too, are a common manifestation of mold sensitivity.

If the development of the mold is restricted to an area that can be easily accessed, simply washing the area down in a bleach and water solution will remediate the problem. In doing so, however, be sure to wear a face mask so as not to breathe in any mold spores.

If, however, the affected area is too large or the access to the area is too difficult for a simple bleach washdown, a professional company that specializes in mold remediation may be necessary. They will apply a special type of chemical that deters mold for up to 6 months, and it will be up to you to lower the humidity in the area with the use of a dehumidifier to maintain that prevention.

This treatment can be rather expensive, depending on the extent of the problem and the square footage of the area affected. However, mold will not go away unless it is treated; and the situation will only get worse if remediation is not carried out quickly and professionally. A home can be completely consumed by the growth of this parasitic organism if the situation is not addressed in time. And, although professional remediation is costly, the price of leaving the condition untreated is far greater.

Mold is an uninvited guest and should be gotten rid of ASAP before it germinates and sprouts new flora. Fast action is required!