Mold is a common problem in rural homes. Besides ruining the aesthetics of your home, it can also lead to damage and a variety of health problems. It is important to locate and remove mold as early as possible because it can spread quickly. Mold can occur in almost any area that has moisture and organic material, and it can be difficult to remove when it grows in the nooks and crannies of your home.
Follow this guide to effectively and safely get rid of mold in your rural home.
Adverse Effects of Mold
Mold can have many adverse effects on your home and household. Firstly, it can make your home less visually appealing in a number of ways:
- Darkening your decks
- Blackening the grout lines in your bathrooms
- Discoloring your drywall
- Appearing as black spots on siding
- Showing up on damp wood
In addition, mold can cause damage to your home’s structure, fixtures, and contents, because it breaks down organic material. When mold infests your walls, paper backing, carpeting, and insulation, you may have to spend a substantial amount of money to repair or replace the materials. Mold can also enter your HVAC system and cause a variety of problems.
Another reason why you need to remove mold quickly is because it can undermine your indoor air quality and contribute to a wide range of health problems, such as the following:
- Watery eyes
- Sniffing
- Sneezing
- Breathing difficulty
- Asthma attacks
- Chronic bronchitis
- Bleeding lungs
- Heart problems
Where to Find Mold
Mold feeds on organic material and grows in a moist environment. Some of the areas in a home where mold typically accumulates include the following:
- Bathrooms
- Laundry room
- Kitchen
- Basement
- Crawl spaces under the house
- Pipes and ducts
- Around windows
- Attic
- HVAC units
Finding the Root Cause
Before you remove mold from your home, it could be worth identifying the cause of the mold growth. By tackling the cause, you can prevent mold from coming back in the future.
There are three main environmental factors that cause mold to thrive:
- Moisture
- Lack of sunlight
- Temperature (between 60 and 80 degrees)
Moisture is the biggest root cause. Areas of your home that get a lot of condensation should be well ventilated to reduce this. You can improve ventilation by opening windows or installing extractor fans. Dehumidifiers can also be used to remove moisture from the air if you live in a naturally humid location. Don’t forget to also consider leaks and flooding – make sure to patch up any leaks you may have and consider adding flood defences. A restoration company could be worth hiring to repair any previous damage.
As for lack of sunlight and temperature, there may be ways of tackling these mold triggers too. Consider keeping curtains open during the day – particularly on a hot and humid day. Using AC to cool your home may also reduce mold growth.
How to Remove Mold
If you need to remove mold within an area of 10 square feet or less, you may be able to do it yourself. If the affected area is larger than that, you should leave the task in the hands of a professional. Follow these steps to clean up mold yourself:
- Put on rubber gloves that go midway up your forearm. If you are using a strong cleaner, you should wear neoprene rubber gloves instead of household ones.
- Wear eye protection, ideally goggles without ventilation holes.
- Use an N-95 respirator.
- Scrub mold with warm water and detergent, vinegar, or baking soda if the problem is mild.
- If you are dealing with a severe mold problem, use a solution that comprises of one cup of bleach or borax and a gallon of water.
- To remove mold in hard-to-reach crevices, use a toothbrush, long-handled brush, or a handheld steamer with a long nozzle.
- Scrub the affected area until there is no visible mold.
- Thoroughly dry the area after cleaning to prevent future mold growth.
- If you need to paint or caulk the area, make sure it is completely clean and dry before doing so.
Mold removal can be arduous, but it is a necessary task that can help keep your home in good condition and improve your family’s health and quality of life. If you are facing a significant mold problem, you should consider hiring a mold removal professional to perform a thorough mold inspection and cleanup.
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