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Home maintenance involves a long list of things to take care of, and mold falls under the category of top priorities. Black mold is detrimental not only to your home but also to your health. Here are a few tips on how to get rid of black mold growth in your home.
Detect the Source of Moisture
Finding the source of moisture leading to the growth of black mold is the first step to getting rid of it. You must inspect the mold and determine its color, smell, and whether it grows in an area with a lot of moisture. Black mold is hazardous and can cause itching and burning in your throat and lungs. Black mold usually grows in areas with high moisture content.
Conducting a mold test will help you identify the mold and where else it might be growing. General places to check include beneath faucets and fixtures that are constantly in contact with water and could experience leakage. Also, check exposed plumbing, especially those in areas with warmer temperatures. Last, check for mold growth in water heaters that can be caused due to small leaks.
Protect Yourself Before Cleaning
If you plan to get rid of the mold, you must ensure you are wearing the right safety gear and using the right cleaning products. Protecting yourself is highly important since even the slightest contact or black mold ingestion can harm your health. You will need to wear respiratory masks to prevent inhalation of mold particles. Wear clothing covering your skin to prevent direct contact with the mold. Protect your eyes with safety glasses and wear disposable gloves that you must dispose of immediately after use.
Prepare the Area for Cleaning
Before cleaning the infected area, you must prepare it for disinfection. Switch off the air conditioning and heater systems to prevent the mold from spreading through circulating air. Seal the doors and windows of the infected room while cleaning to ensure mold does not flow to other parts of your home. You can use an exhaust fan near outdoor openings to eliminate moving particles.
How to Treat the Infected Area
You can use home supplies to clean up the mold. A solution made of one part baking soda, five parts water, and five parts distilled white vinegar will help get rid of the mold easily. You can also use chemical-based mold removers, like all-purpose cleaners. Bleach and dish soap are also effective for cleaning the infected area. Whichever solution you use, scrub it into the area thoroughly and let it sit for thirty minutes to an hour. Then, scrub the area clean, let it dry again, and repeat the process until all the mold has been removed.
Call a Professional Cleaner
You can clean mold that isn’t widespread by yourself. But if the mold has been growing for a long time and spans a large area, it is best to call a professional to get it cleaned. If you have black mold in your home, have a professional mold removal company safely and completely remove the mold.
Trying to remove black mold yourself can be dangerous, and you might not get rid of all the mold. You shouldn’t delay removing the mold since it can quickly spread to other parts of your home. A small growth can be treated easily, but you should consider calling a professional to get an inspection and removal done. Keep the tips we’ve given you in mind for whenever you need to deal with mold growth.
