Mold can be a tricky problem in any home. If left unchecked, it can spread quickly and cause a number of health issues. The good news is that with some easy prevention and removal tactics, you can keep your house free of mold.
What Causes Mold In A House?
Mold typically grows when there is excessive moisture present. Common culprits for household mold include:
- Leaks
- Flooding
- High humidity
- Condensation on windows and walls
- Damp basements or crawlspaces
Mold spores are present in all indoor and outdoor air. When spores land on a damp spot, they can begin growing and digesting whatever surface they are on to survive.
Mold can grow on wood, carpet, drywall, fabric, and many other surfaces. Any area consistently damp or humid can result in mold after about 48 hours.
Health Effects Of Mold Exposure
Some people are more sensitive to mold than others. Potential health effects include:
- Congestion, runny nose, coughing
- Wheezing, trouble breathing
- Sore throat or hoarse voice
- Red or itchy eyes, blurred vision
- Rashes, hives
- Headache, fatigue
- Nausea, diarrhea
People with asthma or allergies may react more severely to mold. Toxic black mold can cause even more concerning illnesses. Extended mold exposure has even been linked to respiratory infections, weakened immune system, and chronic conditions in some cases.
If you have unexplained health issues and mold is present in your home, have the mold properly removed to avoid further problems. Consider talking to a doctor as well if symptoms persist.
Easy Ways To Prevent Mold Growth
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to household mold. Here are some effective prevention tips:
Control Moisture Levels
Mold needs moisture to survive. By keeping humidity low inside your home, you leave mold little opportunity to grow. Some moisture control tips include:
- Use exhaust fans while cooking and showering
- Run a dehumidifier during humid months
- Make sure dryers vent outside
- Use air conditioning during summer
- Avoid overfilling humidifiers
- Check that gutters drain properly outside
Aim to keep indoor relative humidity below 50 percent. In humid climates and months, it may be a good idea to keep levels closer to 30-40 percent if possible. Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity.
Quickly Fix Any Leaks Or Flooding
Don’t let water leaks go unaddressed. Dealing with plumbing leaks, roof damage, foundation cracks, and any flooding should be a high priority. The sooner you can dry out affected areas, the lower your mold risk.
Improve Air Circulation
Stagnant indoor air can create a prime environment for mold. Improving circulation deprives mold of the stable moist conditions it prefers.
Open windows periodically when weather permits. Make sure air can flow freely throughout the house. Using ceiling fans to circulate air can help too.
Thoroughly Dry Wet Areas
When you shower, do laundry or have any water spills, be diligent about drying the area completely. Leaving traces of moisture behind lets mold get a foothold.
Wipe down wet surfaces after showering. Make sure washing machine compartments are dry. Allow extra time for drying any accidental flooding or leaks. Use a dehumidifier if needed.
Clean With Mold-Killing Products
Using the right cleaning products helps stop mold growth. Make sure to use disinfectants, bleach, tea tree oil, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, detergents with bleach, or other mold killing solutions when cleaning damp rooms.
Bathrooms in particular need disinfecting regularly. Don’t forget places like window frames, shower curtains, and tile grout. Clean any visible mold immediately before it spreads.
How To Remove Mold From Your Home
If you do discover mold in your house, take action right away. Here is a step-by-step guide to safely remove household mold.
Step 1: Protect Yourself
Mold spores can irritate skin and lungs when released into the air. When cleaning mold:
- Wear gloves, goggles, and an N95 respirator mask
- Work in a well-ventilated area
- Avoid breathing in mold
Also, make sure to completely isolate the affected area. Close doors and use plastic sheeting if needed to keep mold contained.
Step 2: Identify And Assess The Affected Area
Examine all surfaces closely to find out how much mold is present and where exactly it is growing. Look in humid rooms like bathrooms, basements, under sinks, around windows and carpet.
Check inside HVAC systems, under flooring, and behind drywall as well. Understanding the extent of the issue guides your removal approach.
Step 3: Kill and Remove Mold Growth
Killing mold with commercial disinfecting solutions is usually the next step. Products like Concrobium or Microban work well. You can also mix 1 part bleach to 4 parts water.
Apply your preferred solution liberally to moldy areas, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Gently scrub the dead mold away after the waiting period. Be careful not to spread spores further.
Repeat as needed for heavy mold growth. Power washing or steam cleaning may help for exterior surfaces. Wear proper safety gear throughout the process.
Step 4: Dry Affected Areas Thoroughly
After removing the mold itself,priority number one is drying out any affected surfaces rapidly and completely.
Use dehumidifiers, fans, and open windows to lower moisture. Don’t forget to dry any areas behind walls, under floors, etc that got exposed to moisture during the leak or flooding that caused the mold.
Step 5: Discard Irreparably Damaged Materials
Some porous items may need to be discarded if mold damage is too severe. Drywall, insulation, carpeting and soft furnishings are often impossible to fully restore if moldy. Consult professionals if unsure what can be salvaged.
Dispose of anything you need to throw away properly. Moldy items should be sealed in plastic bags before removing from the containment area to avoid spreading spores in your house. Wear protective gear while handling contaminated materials.
Step 6: Repair The Root Moisture Problem
For mold removal to be effective long-term, you need to address whatever issue is causing excessive moisture in the first place.
Fix plumbing leaks, seal foundations, install dehumidifiers, redirect rain gutters or make other repairs to keep the area dry moving forward. If the underlying problem isn’t solved, mold will simply recur.
Step 7: Clean Surfaces With Mold Killer
Once underlying moisture is fixed and repairs are made, do a final thorough cleaning of all affected surfaces with mold-killing solutions. This helps ensure no traces are left to regrow.
Bleach, vinegar, detergent, tea tree oil and commercial disinfectants all work well for this cleaning step. Be meticulous about cleaning every nook and cranny, especially new bare surfaces post-repairs.
Step 8: Maintain Low Moisture Levels
Keep monitoring humidity levels and moisture in the home closely, even after removing the existing mold. Stay vigilant in areas mold was discovered before to prevent recurrence.
Continue using exhaust fans, dehumidifiers, AC, and proper drying techniques. Don’t let high humidity create an environment for mold to take hold again.
Professional Mold Remediation
For severe mold infestations, bringing in professional mold remediation experts may be advisable. Companies have commercial equipment and solutions to fully rid a property of mold and prevent regrowth.
Seeking professional help is a good idea if:
- Mold covers over 10 square feet
- You have a mold allergy or sensitivity
- Mold is growing in HVAC systems
- You discover black mold
- DIY removal attempts fail
Remediation pros have specialized tools like:
- Heavy-duty air scrubbers
- Commercial dehumidification equipment
- Protective gear like respirators
- Lab testing capabilities
- Commercial disinfectants and fungicides
They can fully treat mold in walls, under materials, and in confined spaces like HVAC systems. Most importantly, they can locate and fix hidden moisture issues you may miss on your own.
Preventing Mold Recurrence
Cleaning up existing household mold is only half the battle. Preventing recurrence is key to keeping your family healthy and home free from mold long-term.
Here are some tips to stop mold from returning once you’ve tackled an infestation:
- Monitor humidity with hygrometers
- Maintain humidity below 50 percent
- Run dehumidifiers, especially in basements
- Use mold-resistant paints when repainting
- Clean bathrooms and kitchens often with antimicrobial cleaners
- Immediately fix any new leaks
- Have HVAC systems serviced yearly
- Ensure dryers and fans vent outside
- Seal any cracks or openings in foundations
Stay vigilant in checking prior problem areas frequently. Spotting and eradicating small amounts of mold promptly keeps it from taking over again.
Common Questions About Household Mold
What temperature kills mold?
Mold growth dramatically declines at temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. To kill mold, temperatures need to reach at least 140 degrees using hot water, steam, or an oven. Chemical disinfectants are a safer bet for mold elimination rather than high heat.
Does sunlight kill mold?
Sunlight inhibits mold growth and helps dry excess moisture. However, since the UV rays have trouble penetrating porous materials, it does not reliably kill mold on its own. Thriving mold colonies can continue growing in dark, damp areas even with sunlight exposure.
Does vinegar kill black mold?
Yes, vinegar is an effective and natural way to kill all types of household mold, including black mold. Use undiluted white distilled vinegar and let it sit for 1 hour before scrubbing and drying the area completely. Vinegar’s acids break down the mold cell structure.
Does bleach kill mold instantly?
Bleach solutions should kill surface mold spores within minutes. However, fully eliminating mold on porous materials requires soaking the bleach into the material for longer periods, sometimes hours. Apply liberally and allow 10-15 minutes of contact time before scrubbing.
Can mold come back after remediation?
Mold can definitely return after remediation if the damp conditions that caused it persist in the home. Fix underlying moisture sources like leaks, address humidity and adequately dry affected materials to prevent recurrence. Proper preventative steps combined with early detection and cleaning keep mold away long-term.
Conclusion
Controlling household mold involves stopping spores in their tracks before they grow and promptly removing mold when you find it.
Keep your home dry, clean often with antimicrobial products, and act quickly at the first sign of mold. Pay special attention to damp areas like basements and bathrooms.
Address leaks right away and don’t let high humidity linger indoors. With proactive prevention and early action on mold growth, you can protect your family’s health and your home’s integrity against damaging mold.