How to Handle Mold in Your Home

mold Mold is a serious problem for many homes, especially those in humid climates. However, some areas of your home are going to be more likely to have mold, even if you live in the middle of a dry desert. Here are some tips on how to make sure that you don’t get mold, and how to handle it if it is already a problem.

There are numerous kinds of mold that can attack a house. Most are non-lethal, but black mold is a whole other story. This is a pernicious mold that not only destroys your home, but it can also destroy your health. If you are worried that you have black mold in your home, do not attempt to remove it on your own. Doing so will only loosen the spores which can cause more health problems. Always contact a professional to handle this kind of job. Black mold is so bad that in some cases the only way to get rid of it is to burn the entire structure.

But let’s talk about your average, everyday, non-lethal mold. There are some spots in your home that are going to be more likely to get it – usually the spots where there is a lot of water. Bathrooms, under the kitchen sink or anywhere that you might have a leak. Mold can even be a problem outside in some cases. We’ve had homeowners report mold appearing in dog water bowls and on other surfaces outside the home.

In order to prevent mold, you’ve got to make sure that the environment is not conducive to its growth. Mold needs moist and humid temperatures to thrive. In the case of the bathroom, this means installing a proper ventilation fan and keeping doors open after your shower. Your goal is to dry out any moist areas as quickly as possible before the mold has a chance to grow.

If you’re already dealing with mold, you’re going to need to remove it quickly. Even though it may not be as deadly as black mold, regular mold can be a health concern. You’re going to need to get some hot, soapy water, preferably filled with an antibacterial cleaner. It’s a good idea to wear a mask during the cleaning process just in case. Thoroughly wipe the area down that is affected with mold and then dry it off. It is important to make sure that it is completely dry or you’ll end up with the same problem again.

Phones and other places that can harbor mold can be cleaned easily by using a solution of water and mouthwash. This is very effective, especially with the stronger ones that are formulated to kill bacteria. Dip a rag in the solution and thoroughly wipe, then dry the surface. This should kill the mold and prevent its reoccurrence.

With careful management, mold doesn’t have to be a factor in your home. Just remember – keep it dry and keep it cool.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-11-27 18:51:21. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • hardwaterGuide to Buying a Home Water Softener If your home’s water is excessively hard, it may be time to think about purchasing a water softener. If you are not sure if you have hard water, there are a few easy tests that will help you determine this. First and foremost, you can send a sample to a......
  • tanklessTankless Water Heaters: Cost Effective, Environmentally Friendly Devices. It is a problem that has happened to all of us. You go in for a hot shower, only to find that there is no more hot water. You have come to the decision it is time to replace you hot water heater with one that has more capacity. The......
  • wheelchairMaking the Home More Accessible When you start having to live with a family member and close person in your life, you find your perception of everything around you shifts, especially if your loved one is mobility impaired. You could be looking at the sidewalk, intersection, storefront, many differing places whose accessibility is poor. While......
  • blog traffic exchangeThe Complete Idiots Guide to Simple Home Repair by Judy Ostrow So many home repair books offer project tips and advice, but most fall into the rather dry reading category. There are few that you actually want to take up and read, and for the most part, these books fall into the reference only category. Judy Ostrow’s latest book, The Complete......
  • ceilingpopcornRemoving a Popcorn Ceiling A lot of people can look up at their ceilings right now, and what they are going to see up there is a textured ceiling that is not unlike popcorn in shape. A lot of people that have a popcorn ceiling actually wish that they did not. This was once......
Blog Traffic Exchange Related Websites
  • 11 tips to a soda-free existence I’m of the firm opinion that a lot of the choices we make in terms of the substances we ingest determine our health, which then influences wealth, happiness and on and on ad nauseum. A lot of the “ingestibles” in America are really bad for you. This is not solely......
  • blog traffic exchangeMrs. Micah and the Details of Doom… Back in August, I posted that the phone at my work was making me feel very much like a baby. I got a handle on it, and on Friday my boss said that I was doing very well with it. She emphasized that I have to pay more attention to......
  • asbestos_house_diagramHealthy Green Alternatives Push Asbestos Out of the Home Today's article is written by Joe Lederman, an Awareness Coordinator at the Mesothelioma Cancer Center. When purchasing or remodeling a home or building, there are many variables to consider. Homes which were built prior to 1980 have a strong likelihood of containing asbestos materials. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that......
  • blog traffic exchangeThinking about Getting a Water Filter, Whole House is Best by Zachus J Winestone A serious reality that has just touched based with a lot of households in the United States is the use of water filters. With water borne diseases on a rise, families are starting to realize the importance of having a water filter installed at home. Most......
  • watermelonThe Value of Healthy Eating for Children Healthful eating habits are most commonly formed long before kids are even able to choose their own foods. Little ones can adopt the same eating habits that their parents exhibit. Parents and child care providers alike are the first role models that children will ever encounter when it comes to......
Online Stores If you liked this article, vote for it on del.icio.us and stumbleupon.


Categories:

Clean, Handy Man, Mold, Safety



Tags:

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


1 comment so far ↓
#1 NY Mold Services on 10.24.09 at 5:48 pm

Another large problem with home mold is in repossessed and foreclosed properties. Empty homes in humid areas are especially prone to mold growth.

Leave a Comment

Email Updates