How to Perform Mold Removal

Mold is a fairly common issue that many home and business owners will face every year. With the average cost of mold removal varying anywhere from $500-$6,000, some people may want to take it into their own hands. Mold removal can be difficult when dealing with larger colonies.

However, dealing with smaller colonies can be perfectly manageable on your own. If this is your first time undertaking the task of mold removal, you may need help. United Water Restoration Group has you covered. Whether it is with the tips we will provide here or our service, we are here to help!

What is Mold?

Mold is a microscopic spore that is naturally present in nearly every room in the world. These spores are typically harmless until they reach a state of breeding in a colony. All mold spores need to grow into a thriving colony is a damp organic object and oxygen. Mold is resilient and can grow on nearly every surface. It’s most commonly found in a bathroom, but no room is immune to its resilience.

How to Spot Mold

The easiest way to spot mold is to sniff it out. Mold always has a damp, musty, old kind of smell that is fairly easy to find. A mold colony typically looks like a bunch of black splotches on a typically clear and clean surface. They’re most commonly found in areas of the home that see the most water flow. A kitchen sink or a bathroom bathtub/shower is a fairly common place for mold.

Is Mold Harmful?

While mold in mass amounts can be harmful to some, mold is largely harmless. The CDC states that “Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin.

Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath.”

The CDC also states that mold may potentially cause asthma to develop in younger children. These types of mold infestations are typically large and should be handled by professionals, like United Water Restoration Group. All around, though, mold is a typically harmless spore. Its most common concern for those with mold is the scent it leaves in a room. 

Performing Mold Removal

There are several ways to go about mold removal. There are natural remedies that one may find laying around their home or business and other stronger, industrial cleaners. It really depends on the level of mold removal needed in the home or business. You can purchase mold removal items such as this from home improvement stores or stick to the remedies we will go over below. 

Natural, Non-Toxic Mold Removal Remedies 

There are several non-toxic mold removal remedies that can solve your problem. The fortunate thing about these remedies is that they are typical items found in the average household. Things like lemons, peroxide, white vinegar, and others make perfect solutions to erasing your mold problem. Here are a few non-toxic solutions that can help you with your mold removal task:

Baking Soda: Baking soda is a fairly common and very useful item found in the average household. While it is typically used to absorb undesired smells in a fridge, it has many different applications. For this remedy, combine a quarter tablespoon of baking soda with a spray bottle of water. Once you combine the two, shake the bottle until the powder is completely dissolved. Spray the affected areas, allow it to sit for a few minutes, and then wipe away the liquid and mold with water. After you’ve cleared the mold, you can spray the solution back onto the surface and allow it to dry. This will help prevent mold from growing in the area in the future. 

Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is an essential oil with many uses. It is non-toxic to most humans and animals. Though this remedy is typically more expensive than most, it is also one of the most effective. While purchasing tree tea oil, be sure to look for “Melaleuca Alternifolia” in the ingredients. This will ensure that it is authentic, genuine tree tea oil. Combine 1 teaspoon of tree tea oil with 1 cup of water and shake in a spray bottle. You can let it stand for a few minutes before wiping the mold and liquid away. To prevent further outbreaks in the area, spray the solution again, let it dry, and do not wipe the area clean.

Vinegar: Vinegar is another common item found in many households. It provides a safe and non-toxic means of killing mold. For this solution, you will only need the vinegar and nothing else. Place the vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the affected areas liberally. Let the vinegar sit on the affected areas for around an hour and then wipe it away. If you have a more tough strain of mold, you can even 2 parts vinegar and one part baking soda. This concoction will eliminate even the toughest strains of mold. 

How to Prevent Mold

After you’ve finished your mold removal task you will likely want to prevent further outbreaks. While a few of our solutions can help prevent these outbreaks, there are other ways to help prevent mold from growing. Ventilation is typically the number one cause for mold growth in a room. Adding exhaust fans to rooms like your bathroom or kitchen goes a long way in preventing mold.

Though mold removal may be a task you want to undertake yourself, sometimes it isn’t possible. Mold is quick to grow and it is a very resilient spore. If you spot large colonies in your home or business, it may be time to contact professionals. United Water Restoration Group is a company that focuses on water, fire, and mold damage.

United Water Restoration Group has offices located all around the United States and can take your mold removal task out of your hands. If your mold removal task becomes too much to handle, you can contact our hotline at (800) 430-5838 for assistance! To locate a United Water Restoration Group office near you, go to our database and find the closest office using your zip code! We provide services in Ormond Beach, Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, Daytona Beach, Florida, Orlando, Florida, Tampa, Florida, Melbourne, Florida, and many other locations around Florida!