Preventing & Getting Rid of Mold

The best way to deal with mold is to prevent it from growing. Once you find mold in your home, it can be very difficult and expensive to remove it. Luckily, it’s not impossible to rid your home of mold. Here’s what you need to know about preventing mold and getting rid of it, should your home fall victim to it.

Prevention is the Best Policy

If you can prevent mold from growing in the first place, you’ll save time and money in the end. Preventing mold is all about keeping your home’s environment free of factors that contribute to mold growth. One of the biggest things that can lead to mold is standing water. If you find a leak in your plumbing system, it is vital that you repair it immediately. Call a plumber to get the ball rolling quickly, and do everything you can to remove water that has leaked onto your floor or walls. Use a mop or liquid vacuum to remove the water, then set up a fan to help the surface dry more quickly.

Other things you can do to prevent standing water include cleaning your rain gutters and lawn ornaments regularly, creating a sloped surface that aims away from your home’s foundation and keeping the humidity level in your home low.

Mold Clean Up

Cleaning up mold can be a difficult task. The procedure will differ depending on the type of mold you have, but there are a few general clean-up tips that are effective for most types of mold.

– Spray the mold with vinegar and then use a damp rag to wipe it clean. Be sure to dry the area thoroughly.

– Use a mixture of one cup of chlorine bleach and one gallon of warm water to scrub mold away. Dry thoroughly.

– Soak mold spots on fabrics or outdoor gear (tents, tarps, bags, etc.) in a solution of all-fabric bleach for half an hour, then rinse let them air dry in the sunlight.

– Use the vacuum hose with a brush to remove mold from the surface of wood furniture, then use a small amount of soapy water to remove stubborn mold, rinse the soap off and then dry very well.

If your home has major water damage or the moldy area is larger than 10 feet, you need to call a professional right away. Our office can help if you are looking for a plumber in 11520, Freeport or surrounding areas. Our plumbers can fix your leak and help you find ways you can prevent water damage from happening again.